The CCMA Names Natalie Waller as 2026 Recipient of The Leonard T. Rambeau International Award

The Canadian Country Music AssociationⓇ (CCMAⓇ) and its Board of Directors are pleased to announce Natalie Waller as the 2026 recipient of the Leonard T. Rambeau International Award, in celebration of her 28 years with Australia’s ABC Music, and her work building vital bridges between Canadian artists and the Australian market. The Leonard T. Rambeau International Award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated an extraordinary, long-standing commitment to advancing the initiatives of the Canadian country music industry on the international stage, celebrating sustained impact and leadership over time. Named in honour of beloved artist manager Leonard T. Rambeau, one of the most influential behind-the-scenes figures in developing the Canadian music industry internationally, the award reflects the enduring legacy of those who have helped shape the industry’s global presence.

With nearly three decades at the forefront of Australia’s music industry, Natalie Waller has played a defining role in shaping the success and global reach of ABC Music, one of the country’s largest and longest-running independent labels. As Head of ABC Music at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)—a role she has held for more than 13 years—Waller has overseen a period of sustained growth and creative expansion, rising through the ranks from Business Affairs to General Manager before stepping into her current position. Under her leadership, ABC Music is home to one of Australia’s strongest domestic country rosters while continuing to champion a diverse range of genres, with profits reinvested into ABC content.

Working closely with many of Australia’s most celebrated artists, Waller has led ABC Music to remarkable achievements, including 130 ARIA Awards, 134 Golden Guitar Awards, and numerous ARIA Chart-topping releases, alongside Australian Independent Record Labels Association (AIR) Record Label of the Year honours in 2020 and 2025. A respected global industry leader, she was unanimously elected Chair of the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) in 2021 and currently serves as a Director on the Country Music Association (CMA) board in the United States, following a four-year tenure as Vice President of the Country Music Association of Australia (CMAA).

In 2024, she received the Jo Walker Meador International CMA Award, recognizing her outstanding contributions to expanding country music’s presence beyond the United States. A longstanding advocate for international collaboration, Waller has been instrumental in strengthening ties between the Canadian and Australian country music communities, helping to create meaningful pathways for Canadian artists to access global audiences, industry networks, and career-defining opportunities through initiatives such as Country Connects and broader exchange efforts between the two markets.

Waller shares:

“I’ve always loved lifting our genre of country music, connecting people, and helping artists grow—it’s something I care deeply about. Music thrives when we open doors across borders, share stories, and create meaningful cultural exchange. Australia and Canada share such similar culture, history, and humour, and as two of the strongest country music markets globally, there is enormous potential when we support each other. Receiving the Leonard T. Rambeau International Award is deeply meaningful to me, as it celebrates the power of collaboration and the global country music community I’m so proud to be part of.”

Amy Jeninga, President, CCMA, states:

“The impact of Natalie’s support for the Canadian country music community, in Australia and on the international stage, has been profound. Through her commitment to opening doors, fostering meaningful connections, and creating opportunities beyond our borders, she has helped countless Canadian artists reach new audiences and advance their careers globally. This recognition reflects not only her leadership but her steadfast dedication to championing talent worldwide.”

For more information on the Leonard T. Rambeau International Award or other CCMA Awards of Achievement, click here.