Kathy Mattea performed a successful European Tour. She performed in France, Germany, Poland, England, Scotland, and Ireland. She and her band had a wonderful time there and really enjoyed the European audiences.

Gaylord Entertainment has introduced new Country Music Television: CMT programming to the Pacific Rim, with the relaunch of CMT Asia Pacific. Originally launched in Australia in November 1995, Australian viewers received the North American satellite feed, which focused almost exclusively on Nashville-based artists, As a result of the continued growth and development of Country Music in the "Land of Oz," Gaylord has revamped the format to include a mix of Australasian and American video clips.

As part of programming more interstitial content, CMT Asia Pacific will feature segments on the local music industry. One such program is "CMT Live," a concert special shot live on location at a popular night club, The Basement. According to Gaylord Entertainment Communications Group President Carl Kornmeyer, expansion into the Pacific Rim was a natural move. "The cable business is expected to have significant growth in Australia, and Country Music has always been well received in that market." The Asia Pacific feed is carried in Australia by cable providers Foxtel, Optus Vision. Galaxy and Austar and is available in more than 800,000 households.

To celebrate the relaunch, Gaylord Entertainment hosted a party at the Metro Theatre and Bar in Sydney, with spec al guest artist BR5-49. The rockabilly group took the stage to start the show and played a 50-minute set for a crowd of more than 400 Australian media and music industry reps in attendance, giving the audience a preview of selections from their forthcoming album, BIG BACKYARD BEAT SHOW. The group's debut of the first single, "Wild One," in Sydney was especially fitting as it was penned by legendary Aussie rocker Johnny O'Keefe. Ironically, a postage stamp depicting O'Keefe was issued in Australia that same day.

BR5-49 made the most of the three days in Australia: after a late arrival on Monday night, May 25, the group spent all day Tuesday doing radio interviews and performances before taking the stage that evening for the relaunch. There was little time for sightseeing as the road warriors logged 36 interviews on Wednesday before boarding a plane back to the States on Thursday. According BR5-49's manager Barry Coburn, the trip was an excellent vehicle to create interest in the group and the new album, which is set for release this month. Response was so favorable that Coburn is considering a return trip Down Under for the group later this year.

Sherrié Austin Visits Germany

Arista Nashville artist Sherrié Austin recently completed her first trip to Germany for a series of promotional appearances, making stops in Berlin, Cologne and Munich. German label counterpart BMG arranged the visit after planning an aggressive media and marketing campaign to target print and television coverage. Twenty-one daily newspapers covered Austin's visit, with additional print media including reviews of Austin's album, WORDS, and features in specialist publications and German fashion magazines.

Austin made her first appearance on Germany's highest-rated television variety show, "Geld Oder Liebe" (translation: "Money or Love"). Austin is one of a handful of Country artists to appear on the show, which is taped in Cologne and airs on the ARD network. According to Global Eyes Entertainment president Ramona Simmons. the appearance on "Geld Oder Liebe" is a proof that Country music is garnering mainstream acceptance in Germany. "The effect that this one show has on sales in Europe is significant with 7.3 million viewers. It is comparable to a 'Letterman' or'Leno' appearance."

Following the media blitz and the appearance on "Geld Oder Liebe," Austin's CD, WORDS, entered the German national album sales chart at number 44, the highest debut ever for a BMG Country artist. Austin is planning to return to Germany for a series of concert dates this fall. Katie Dean