Country Music superstars Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn presented the 2007 CMA International Country Broadcaster Award to Nick Erby during a visit backstage after the duo's sold-out concert at the Acer Arena in Sydney, Australia earlier this week.



Widely regarded as Country Music's leading broadcaster in Australia, Erby has produced and hosted Country radio and television programs for more than 30 years. Currently Erby's radio show can be heard every Saturday and Sunday night via CMR (Country Music Radio). The program originates from 2TM in Tamworth and is broadcast on 38 commercial stations in Australia, including 2SM Sydney, while also being streamed online at 2sm.com.au

"I'm very grateful for the recognition from CMA," said a surprised Erby. "It comes at a very exciting time for Country Music in Australia. Our local industry is now very strong, with some wonderful talent emerging every year."


For 20 years, Erby produced and hosted "Country Music Jamboree," a weekly, syndicated program, which was broadcast on 68 regional and metro radio stations. He also hosted "Nick Erby's Country Close Up" (1980-1982) and "Nick Erby's Country Music Video" (1994-1995) for television. During his successful broadcast career, Erby has filled management positions at commercial stations 2CC Canberra, 3UZ Melbourne and 2UE Sydney. From the late '80s, he headed up 2TM Tamworth's Country Music division which broadcast the nightly program "Hoedown" that was later renamed CMR. He also is a regular contributor to Capital News.


Erby previously won the CMA International Country Broadcaster Award in 1997, the first year the Award was presented. Erby will launch the Internet radio station, CMR OnLine (Australia's Country Music Radio), by the end of April.


Source and entire item country.com.au