NASHVILLE – During
a press conference to announce their new global charity initiative LadyAID™,
Lady Antebellum was surprised today when CMA Chief Executive Officer
Steve Moore presented the group with the CMA International Artist Achievement Award.
Formerly
the International Touring Artist Award, the CMA International Artist Achievement
Award recognizes outstanding achievement by a U.S.-based artist who contributes
to the awareness and development of Country Music outside the United States.
“We’re
so honored,” said Hillary Scott. “This year especially,
being able to take our tour to Europe and then to Australia, and meet even more
of our fans all over the world, and to take Country Music that far, we don’t
take that lightly. We really, truly do want to make this town and the Country
Music community proud when we go overseas and perform.”
“We wish Lady
Antebellum much success as they help children around the world,” said Moore.
“And it is because of their work around the globe as ambassadors of Country
Music that we are presenting them with the International Artist Award.”
Lady Antebellum
has sold more than 11 million albums worldwide. Their “Own the Night World Tour”
staged performances in 11 countries for more than one million fans including sold
out shows in Dublin, London, Toronto, and three-nights at the famed Sydney Opera
House. The trio’s first world tour also earned Billboard’s all-genre “Breakthrough
Award” at the 2012 Billboard Touring Awards for its total ticket
sales and other touring data.
The group are multiple-award winners
including most recently the 2012 CCMA International Best Selling Album Award (Canada).
They were nominated for the 2012 Brit Award for Best International Group (UK).
They received a CMC Music Award nomination for International Artist of the Year
(Australia) as well as the 2011 Juno Award for International Album of the Year (Canada).
Among their
many international accomplishments, their hit “Need You Now” went to No. 1
in Brazil, Mexico, New Zealand, and Switzerland; and Top 5 in more than 20 countries.
The album was certified Triple Platinum (Canada); Double Platinum (South Africa);
Platinum (Australia and New Zealand); and Gold (China, Ireland, Taiwan, and UK).
Lady
Antebellum was certified Platinum (Canada) and Own the Night has been certified
Platinum in Canada and Gold in Australia and South Africa.
Previous winners
of the CMA International Artist Achievement Award include:
1996 |
BR5 49 |
2004 |
Dolly Parton |
1997 |
The Mavericks |
2005 |
Keith Urban |
1998 |
Trisha Yearwood |
2006 |
Dixie Chicks |
1999 |
Shania Twain |
2007 |
Dwight Yoakam |
2000 |
Reba McEntire |
2008 |
Dierks Bentley and Brooks & Dunn |
2001 |
Lonestar |
2009 |
Taylor Swift |
2002 |
Bellamy Brothers |
2010 |
Not presented |
2003 |
Dixie Chicks |
2011 |
Brad Paisley |
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