Nashville names Jason McCoy global artist of the year

Canada's Jason McCoy has been named global country artist of the year by the Country Music Association in Nashville.

The singer-songwriter from Minesing, Ont., was recognized for outstanding achievement and for furthering the popularity of country music outside the U.S.

He will be presented with a trophy on June 11 during the CMA's 2006 music festival in Nashville.

McCoy and his band the Road Hammers won the group of the year award in 2005 from the Canadian Country Music Association. He has also won SOCAN awards for his songwriting, including awards for  Born Again in Dixieland, Still and Ten Million Teardrops.

Nova Scotia's George Canyon, John Brack of Switzerland and Adam Harvey of Australia were also nominated for global artist of the year.

"I'm honoured to be nominated with such world class talent and truly humbled to have won this distinction," McCoy said in a statement. "Country music belongs to the people, whichever country they live in."

McCoy's self-titled debut album, released in 1995 when he was still in his teens, launched his career as a country star. He has since toured Canada and the U.S. and filmed a documentary about himself and the Road Hammers.

McCoy has had success as a solo artist, group performer and songwriter. He will perform during the festival in Nashville, along with artists from Australia, the Netherlands and Indonesia.

Among the performers is Canadian Brad Johner who released his second solo album Summertown Road in 2005.

Last year's winner of the global artist award was another Canadian, Paul Brandt of Calgary.