The European Country Music Association (ECMA) was established in 1994 in the
United Kingdom and
Spain by people related to the European
country music scene, including publishers, DJs and musicians. It originally consisted of less than 100 members. The first president was the UK's Harry E. Fenton.
After Fenton's death, Rafel Corbi—a DJ from Spain—was elected to the presidency, and he remains in charge of the organization, which is still a non-profit association. All members of the Board of Directors are volunteers. It was the first organization formed in Europe to promote country music at a general level, covering all of
Europe. The objectives of the organization are to help promote country music in this continent and help as much as it can the value of the European artists and
record labels; also to provide a proof of real airplay to the country music industry through its weekly national and pan-European charts. Its national Top-20 covers weekly Spain, France, Belgium, Holland, UK, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, the
Czech Republic, Switzerland, Malta, Poland and Austria.
ECMA membership is composed of those persons or organizations that are involved in country music throughout the world, having members in the United States, Canada, the UK, Australia and many European countries. ECMA has over 150 stations and DJs reporting their playlists every week.
The ECMA also has its annual awards (votes comes only from members of the organization):
VOCAL COLLABORATION OF THE YEAR: Roy Rivers &
Dolly Parton, "Thank God I'm a Country Boy" (Roy Rivers sent the following message along with Dolly: "Dear Voting Members and Professionals of the ECMA, it is with great excitement and thanks that Dolly and I accept your votes awarding us the 2006 Vocal Collaboration of the Year award! For me personally to have been nominated in so many categories was both a humbling and empowering experience. To actually win this award is a tremendous honor that will always be looked back upon as a cherished highlight of my career in music.I look forward to bringing more music to the great people of Europe in the future. I feel I've found a home there, and like everyone, I'm always anxious to return home. Thank-you for honoring and accepting me! Peace, Roy Rivers")
COUNTRY PROMOTER OF THE YEAR: Ross Allen
COUNTRY
RADIO DJ OF THE YEAR: Etienne Bertels & Pete Smith
EUROPEAN COUNTRY ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Lucie Diamond
ECMA FUTURE STAR AWARD: Lucie Diamond (UK)
ALBUM OF THE YEAR: "Todd Fristch". Todd Fristch
COMPOSITION OF THE YEAR: "I Can't Look At That" (Christian Ulrich Schulz & Tom Dyba), sung By Slow Horses