The International Country Music Day Organization has named this year´s International Country Music Ambassadors. The honor was bestowed on Gail Davies, singer, songwriter, producer and female pioneer with a long and remarkable international career, and Jeff Walker, CMA Board Member, President of the PR and multimedia company Aristomedia, a well known promoter of international country music.
In the words of Andoni Urkiaga, Coordinator of ICMDAY from Madrid, Spain: “These awards honor not only a model career in international country music but also a visionary way of promoting country music, opening new markets, setting new paths and predicting future tendencies for the rest of the market and the industry with their music, their behaviours or their ideas. I think everyone would have to stop and listen to what these people have to say about international country music”.
Both, Gail Davies and Jeff Walker were extremely humble when they learnt about the Award. Gail Davies, that was touring in Sweden by that time, said: “What a nice surprise!. I am very honored that you have chosen me as the 2009 International Country Music Ambassador”. Jeff Walker, from his Aristomedia office in Nashville, said: “I am very honored to receive this award. Thank you”.
Over the past few days, ICMDAY.org has received several notes from artists and industry personalities congratulating this year’s International Country Music Ambassadors on their awards.
Gail Davies: A rare jewel that continues to shine.
Top country artists like Dolly Parton, George Jones, Emmylou Harris, Brenda Lee and Suzy Bogguss, most of them long-term Gail Davies friends and collaborators, have spoken extensively about the honor that she has received and her valuable contribution spreading country music internationally:
“Gail Davies. Who better to be an International Country Music Ambassador? Everybody in the world loves her, especially in my world. She is one of the most talented and wonderful people I know. I will always love her”. - Dolly Parton
“I love to see Gail Davies as International Country Music Ambassador. She is one of the most talented people I know". - George Jones
"I have been a fan of Gail Davies for over 30 years. There is no denying the talent of that woman on every level, writing, singing and producing." - Emmylou Harris
“Gail Davies is a rare jewel that continues to shine. She has woven into the tapestry of our musical world some of the best singing and songwriting I have ever heard. I am proud to be her contemporary, but even more proud to be her friend." - Brenda Lee
“I was moved by Gail Davies the first time my ears were vibrated by her voice! I remember it was before I moved to Nashville. The songs, her honest performance, that amazing, energetic and raw voice. She and a few brave pioneers had conquered the ´Don't you worry your pretty little head´ syndrome and I wanted to be there, too!" - Suzy Bogguss
Jeff Walker: A tireless promoter of international Country Music
Some of the most popular personalities in the Country Music Industry emphasize unanimously the professional values and the contributions of Jeff Walker to International Country Music:
“Everyone who works with Country Music internationally has certainly benefited from Jeff’s unwavering belief in its universal appeal. I can’t imagine anyone more deserving of this award than my friend Jeff Walker.” - Ed Benson (former Executive Director/President of the CMA)
"Jeff Walker has been a tireless promoter of country music everywhere, but especially beyond the shores of the US. Jeff's has probably maxxed out twenty passports, and country music is much better off because of it." - Paul Allen (former Executive Director of the Country Radio Broadcasters(CRB)
“Jeff Walker is a believer and a doer! He epitomizes dedication to connecting and sharing Country Musics talented people with each other and the world! Congratulations to you my loyal friend, you are truly deserving of this prestigious International Country Music Ambassador Award!.” - Lane Brody (recording artist)
“I have had the pleasure of working with Jeff Walker in the international marketplace for more than a decade. Jeff has been the driving force behind the Country Music Association's support of country music in the global marketplace. He is extremely deserving of the ICMDAY International Award.” - Judy Seale (President of JSI, Inc and 2008 International Country Music Ambassador)
“Jeff is country music's international ambassador extraordinaire. So many artists, worldwide, have benefitted from his tireless endeavors and belief that the country music genre is viable wherever music lovers reside. We're all proud to call Jeff Walker our true friend.”
Mike Martinovich (The Consortium)
Two extensive interviews with this year’s International Country Music Ambassadors will be published on the website of the International Country Music Day Organization, www.icmday.org, this week.
The International Country Music Day is held on September 17 every year, commemorating the birth of Hank Williams, one of the foremost legends of country music.
For further information, please contact Andoni Urkiaga at icmday@gmail.com.
