CMA Songwriters Series Captivates Audiences At Inaugural Country To Country Australia

Sinead Burgess, Lacy Cavalier, Travis Collins, Jess Moskaluke,
Eric Paslay and Raelynn Perform at CMA Songwriters Series
in Brisbane and Sydney

The Country Music Association took its acclaimed CMA Songwriters Series down under as part of the inaugural Country to Country (C2C) Australia. The songwriters brought the unique Nashville writers round-style performance to audiences at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney on Saturday, Sept. 28 and Brisbane Entertainment Centre on Sunday, Sept. 29. The lineup featured singer-songwriters from the U.S., Canada and Australia, performing stripped down, acoustic versions of their songs and sharing the stories behind them.

Hit songwriter and artist Eric Paslay hosted the shows in both cities with Lacy Cavalier, Jess Moskaluke and Travis Collins performing in Sydney, and Sinead Burgess and Raelynn joining Paslay and Collins in Brisbane.

In both cities the audiences were captivated by the intimate and personal style of the show, which for many was a new concept and first-time experience.

Audiences sang along to the well-known hits of Raelynn including “Love Triangle” and “God Made Girls” as well as Paslay’s “Friday Night” and “Song About a Girl” – in addition to unreleased material from both artists. The fans appreciated having Australian artists represented alongside these hit North American songwriters. They enjoyed songs from fellow Australian Burgess—who is currently based in Nashville—and sang along to Collins’ Australian hit “Call Me Crazy.” Collins was presented CMA’s Jeff Walker Global Artist Award earlier this year.

The sharing of stories, triumphs and challenges of their lives as artists and songwriters also created a special connection between this international line up – all of whom came to Country Music and songwriting through different routes and backgrounds.

CMA has continued to expand its international reach, returning to Australia a second time this year after visiting the territory in March when it brought its artist focused touring series Introducing Nashville to audiences in Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Lismore and Melbourne.

 “It’s been fantastic to see how the fanbase for Country Music has continued to grow in Australia in recent years and CMA is proud to have its CMA Songwriters Series shows be part of the inaugural Country to Country in Australia,” says Milly Olykan, CMA Vice President, International Relations and Development. “With CMA’s continued mission to expand Country Music internationally, it was incredible to be able to bring both North American and local Australian artists to fans in Australia who have such a passion for these artists and the genre.”