Taylor Down Under

For the past ten days, she’s been all over Australia playing a series of sold out dates, but somehow superstar Taylor Swift has made time for some worthwhile extracurricular activities, including a CMA award presentation, a benefit concert and a even a day at the beach.

The singer/songwriter traveled to the “CMC Rocks the Snowys Festival” in Thredbo, NSW and caught up with a very surprised John Bond, presenting the Australian radio personality with the Country Music Association’s International Country Broadcaster Award. Bond oversees the most popular shift on Sydney’s 2KA Cool Country, playing a broad mix of Australian, Canadian and American country music.

“I am shocked beyond belief,” said Bond. “I love Country Music and enjoy sharing it with my listeners every day. Who would have imagined Taylor Swift giving me an Award? I thank CMA for this honor.”

In other Swift news, the singer has extended her time Down Under by several days in order to join top artists including Coldplay, Hoodoo Gurus, Barry Gibb and Wolfmother at Sound Relief, a weekend benefit concert to raise money for victims of the recent devastating Australian brush fires. As if that weren’t enough, Swift, in a Twitter post sent earlier today (3/13), let friends and fans know that she was enjoying a well-deserved day off, driving two hours outside of Sydney for some much needed r&r and that day at the beach.

Taylor Swift and CMA Board Member Rob Potts present the CMA International Country Broadcaster Award to Australian radio personality John Bond of 2KA Cool Country. (l-r) Potts, Swift, and Bond. Photo Credit: B.J. Went

• Author
• Recent Posts

LB Cantrell

LB Cantrell is Editor/Director of Operations at MusicRow magazine, where she oversees, manages and executes all company operations. LB oversees all MusicRow-related content, including the publication’s six annual print issues and online news. She is a Georgia native and a graduate of the Recording Industry Management program at Middle Tennessee State University.

Latest posts by LB Cantrell (see all)

• How To Watch The 2027 Grammy Awards Premiere Ceremony - November 13, 2026
• Recording Academy Elevates Susan Stewart To VP Of Songwriters & Composers Wing - November 10, 2026
• BREAKING: Josh Van Valkenburg Named UMPG Nashville President, Troy Tomlinson Moves To Advisory Role - November 10, 2026