THE LATEST NEWS

FRIDAY, MAY 18, 2012

Paul signs to Core

Multi award winning Australian country singer, songwriter and recording artist Paul Costa has signed to the Core Music label.

He joins established label artists Lachlan Bryan, Beccy Cole, Gina Jeffreys and Amber Lawrence and developing act The Apprentices.

Paul said signing to Core was a natural progression given that label owner Rod McCormack came on board for his first album Walking In These Shoes in 2004, Restoration in 2007 and In This Life in 2009 which included the hit Survivor 1932. This track earnt Paul three Golden Guitar nominations including for Male Artist of the Year alongside James Blundell, Adam Brand, Troy Cassar-Daley and Keith Urban.

The rising star's fourth solo album, Wheels & Steel, will be released through Core.

"I'm very happy to be signed to Core Music," Paul said. "It feels like home here. Wheels & Steel is the fourth album working with Rod as producer and I'm excited with the tough new sound and selection of songs. I can't wait till it's out there!"

Eleven of the tracks on the album were co-written by Paul himself, with collaborators Rod McCormack, Drew McAlister, Matt Scullion and Tamara Stewart. "One is a gift from Drew and legendary songwriter Allan Caswell," Paul said, "and the remaining track is a barnstorming cover of Joe Camilleri's classic Chained To The Wheel."

A host of top country session players and guests joined Paul in the studio for his latest work including Scott Bird (harp), Mitch Farmer (drums), Mark Punch (guitar) and Bill Risby (piano). Amber Lawrence sang a duet on Chained To The Wheel.

The first single off the album will be Tractors & Bikes due to be released on Friday June 15. The album will be released on Friday July 20 with distribution by Sony Music Australia.

Weblink – www.paulcosta.com.au.

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And Tania releases Greatest Hits

Tania Kernaghan has released a Greatest Hits CD and DVD.

The release is billed as "a collector's pack" with 20 of Tania's ground breaking songs.

Included are Boys In Boots, Dunroamin' Station, Harley McTaggart, Nine Mile Run and When I Ride.

The award winning duet with her brother Lee of the John Williamson song A Bushman Can’t Survive is a highlight among the tracks.

The DVD component includes more than two hours of exclusive video content such as music video clips, an "up close & personal" interview with Tania, featurettes, galleries and more.

One of the highlights of the DVD is the special video for her song Here's To Us which features many Tania Kernaghan fans from around the globe who submitted photos with their partners celebrating true love.

A "Personally Autographed Limited Edition" copy of the collectors package is available exclusively to order from Tania's webstore by clicking here.

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 16, 2012

Slim Dusty Day

The Slim Dusty Foundation has launched a commemoration to mark Slim Dusty Day – Slim's birthday – annually on June 13.

This year will be the first Slim Dusty Day – "a celebration of the life and times" of Australia's King of Country Music – and the Foundation is calling on members of the public to share their memories and photos of Slim.

"What's your favourite memory of Slim Dusty?" the Foundation asks. "Do you have a photo that was taken with him? Where were you when you first heard Slim singing on the radio or saw him perform live?

"Members of the public are invited to openly share a special memory of Slim, or the influence he may have had on their life or that of a family member.

Memories are to be submitted in the form of a photo accompanied by a written recollection, or simply in a brief letter or email. School students are invited to participate by designing a poster that portrays the impact Slim Dusty has had on their life.

Selected submissions will be displayed at the Centre for media publication and promotion through the Slim Dusty Centre website.

A small group of people who send in their memoirs will receive a special invitation to the Slim Dusty Centre in Kempsey, NSW, on Slim Dusty Day, to meet with members of the Slim Dusty family and the Foundation team, and talk about their recollections with media representatives who will be on site for the occasion.

Kingsley Mundey, who lived in the small western Queensland town of Julia Creek, vividly remembers a night in the early 1960s when Slim, Joy and family arrived with their crew in bondwood caravans and set up in the Julia Creek Town Hall.

"In those days, the road between Townsville and Mt Isa was all dirt and no one in their right mind travelled them unless you had to, and certainly Slim and the family were the only entertainers who ever came to Town," Kingsley said.

"Slim was a true legend of the outback because he was the only one who cared enough to cross the rough outback roads to entertain the people. He couldn't have done it for the money – there had to have been a higher ideal because he’d never get rich in the bush... but everyone, man, woman and child, had a Slim record to play on the radiogram.

"People came from far and wide to see them play. Family is real important in the outback so to have a family of entertainers come to us folks in a little outback town was a big thing – that's how they developed respect and a massive following. They understood us and were part of us and their songs talked about our way of life."

Kathryn Yarnold, Chief Executive of the Slim Dusty Foundation, said it was important to maintain the legend of "The Man Who Is Australia".

"Slim sang about everyday people, bush yarns and our outback culture, clearly relating to the ordinary Aussie in a humble way that won him the admiration of a nation," Kathryn said. "His stories at that place and time are quickly becoming recollections of our past with a strong historical value, and must be preserved."

Submissions must be posted to the Slim Dusty Foundation, PO Box 70, Kempsey, NSW, 2440, or sent by email to kathryn.yarnold@slimdustycentre.com.au by Friday June 1. "Please only send copies of photos, as photos and submission documents unfortunately cannot be returned."

Enquiries can be directed to telephone (02) 6562 6533 or Freecall 1800 18SLIM or by email direct to Kathryn.

Weblink – www.slimdustycentre.com.au.

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Chart Update – Beccy still at number one

Beccy Cole's latest hit Waitress remains at number one for the second week on the national Country Tracks Top 30 singles chart this week.

McAlister Kemp's Country Proud is steady at number two while Christie Lamb and Morgan Evans each edge up one place to be at three and four, respectively, with Mr Wrong and Live Each Day.

Troy Cassar-Daley's Live And Learn jumps three places to number five, The Bobkatz' Life's Like Fishin' edges up one to six and O'Shea's When The Girls Get Together is at seven.

Jasmine Rae's Let It Be Me is up two to eight, Carter & Carter's A Good Life is steady at nine and Kristy Cox's Little Bit Of Wonderful is at 10.

Bullet performers for the week include Adam Harvey's Dig Two Graves (17 to 14), Aly Cook's Midnight Sun (20 to 17), The Harmonators (pictured) with Perfect Storm (21 to 18) and Jetty Road's Sweet Goodbye (22 to 19).

The full chart can be viewed at – www.countrymusicradio.com.au.

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MONDAY, MAY 14, 2012

Allan launches action against Sony

Leading Australian songwriter Allan Caswell has launched a lawsuit against his publishing company, Sony ATV Music Publishing Australia, for failing to collect royalties from an American band who allegedly "ripped off" his song.

In an article in yesterday's "Sunday Telegraph" it was reported the suit was for the company "failing to collect royalty from a top US band...".

The article said Allan launched the legal action arguing the music giant "didn't do its job" by not collecting payments from American country band Alabama.

Alabama went to the top of the US charts in 1982 with the song Christmas In Dixie which he claims has identical parts to his 1979 classic On The Inside, the song that became a hit for Lynne Hamilton, topping the charts in Australia and reaching number three in the UK.

The television program that used the song as its theme aired in Britain and the US as "Prisoner: Cell Block H".

Allan said he originally thought it was unlikely that the publishing company would pursue Alabama on his behalf in a plagiarism lawsuit because the band was also represented by Sony.

The matter will return to the NSW Supreme Court in June for an update on whether evidence subpoenaed from Sony's New York offices can be found.

"It's not a plagiarism lawsuit," Allan said, "it's about getting my publishing company [Sony] to do their job. I'm saying I wrote it first, they used some of it in their song and now I want to be compensated for it."

Sony reportedly said it would defend the claim.

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New Tamworth radio program highlights industry strength

A new program on Country Music Capital's 2YOU FM highlights the developing strengths of Tamworth as a music industry centre, according to host Steve Charles.

"Tamworth has had a major resurgence over the past 12 months of original music recordings, touring acts either coming to record here or base them self here and now (and) professional video clip production," Steve said, "finally solidifying the city as the place to go for artists who are looking for the complete package outside of the metropolitan area."

The program – "The Tamworth Hour" – goes to air every Thursday from 4pm.

It is billed as "bringing you an hour of music recorded and produced... in Tamworth that is enjoying local, national and international attention by independent and label acts from blue/roots, country, rock, dance, alternative and many other styles, as well as news from the studios, artists and video producers".

"The 'Tamworth Hour' gives local listeners a chance to hear what the rest of the world is downloading and enjoying and along with the current new crop of recordings, 'Charlie' will also be presenting a range of recordings from yesterday's popular Tamworth recordings as well," said a spokesman for the station.

Some of the artists to be featured on the program this week include 8 Ball Aitken, Lawrie Minson, Carolyne Morris, Blake Saban 3, Nicole Taylor, Sally Anne Whitten (pictured), John Williamson and Wanita (the "Queen of Australian Honky Tonk").

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FRIDAY, MAY 11, 2012

Redcliffe Palms of Honour Day

The 13th annual Redcliffe Country Music Club Palms of Honour Day will be held this Sunday, July 20.

The day honours both performers and workers who have dedicated their lives and given service to country music.

Palm Prints are immortalised in concrete and then set into the lawn in front of the Redcliffe Club clubhouse.

This year's honourees are to be Norma O'Hara Murphy (pictured), Reg Oliver, Jim & Carolyn Pierce, Karen Molkentein & Robin Pengelley.

The day starts at 10am On Sunday May 20 at the Dalton Hall, Redcliffe Showgrounds.

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Shandell releases EP and clip

Rising country star Shandell has released a new EP and associated video clip of her song Baby You Broke It.

Produced by Matt Fell, the EP, which also includes Shandell's song Rodeo Girls, is a follow-up to her 2009 release Take It Or Leave It. The new video clip has been produced by Duncan Toombs and shot at The Ritz in Double Bay.

Rodeo Girls was written as part of Shandell's trip to Nashville last year that saw her perform as part of the Americana Festival and write with some of the city's most respected writers.

Both the new EP and video clip will be officially launched at the Dimbulah Lions Festival on Saturday May 26.

Baby You Broke It was released to radio in March.

The Dimbulah festival will also be in celebration of the Year of The Farmer with family entertainment.

This release will be followed up by a headline performance during the famous Weipa Fishing Classic over the June long weekend.

B.B Simon in California, outfitters for many celebrities including Alan Jackson, have signed on as Shandell's first international sponsor.

Born and raised in Dimbulah, west of Cairns in Queensland, Shandell says she has two passions: music and rodeo, where she continues to compete on the Queensland rodeo circuit.

Shandell will promote hew new release via a national tour later this year.

Weblink – www.facebook.com/shandellmusic.

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THURSDAY, MAY 10, 2012

Federal Government contributes to statue appeal

A $30,000 grant from the Federal Government has taken the fundraising for the Slim & Joy Statue
Appeal to over halfway.

Chairman of the Appeal Committee John Sommerlad said the Committee had approached Member for New England Tony Windsor some time ago to ask the Commonwealth to support funding from State and Local Governments.

Tamworth Regional Council has committed $50,000 to the project while in January, NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell announced his state government's contribution of $10,000.

The statue, to be erected in Tamworth, will recognise the huge contribution Slim Dusty and Joy McKean have made to Australia's musical heritage and for the important part they played in helping to
establish Tamworth as Country Music Capital.

"Their active involvement over four decades has helped the Tamworth Country Music Festival become one of the world's major music events," John said, helping the city "develop its Country Music Capital brand."

Tony Windsor said he was delighted "the Slim and Joy Statue" would receive $30,000 from the Federal Government. "Tamworth and the New England owe Slim Dusty and Joy McKean a great deal for their contribution over many years to making Tamworth 'Country Music Capital', as well as their great contribution to the
Australian country music industry.

"The benefits have flowed to the region with many visitors making the pilgrimage to Tamworth for the
festival now for 40 years," Mr Windsor said.

"It was an honour for me to act upon the request of the Slim & Joy Statue Committee to seek a
$30,000 contribution. I congratulate the committee on its efforts and thank the Federal Government for
its contribution along with all the other very kind contributors to the statue," Mr Windsor said.

To be created by well-known sculptor Tanya Bartlett (Tanya also did the Smoky Dawson statue that was unveiled in January), the Slim & Joy statue is planned to be sited in a prominent position in the city's CBD. It is anticipated it will quickly become a major tourist attraction after it is unveiled in January 2014.

With about half the required funding being covered by Government grants, the pressure is now on the
Tamworth community and the country music fraternity to contribute the balance. Already fundraising
has commenced and donations from all over the nation are being received for the project which will
cost $180,000.

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 9, 2012

New bluegrass festival for SA

Details have been announced for a new bluegrass festival at Wirrina Cove, South Australia.

The inaugural Wirrina Bluegrass Festival, organised by the Yankalilla Acoustic Music group, will be held from Friday to Sunday, September 7 to 9.

South Australian bluegrass bands The Cherry Pickers, Cripple Creek (pictured), Old South Bluegrass and Tombstone String Band will headline the festival program.

Over the last 40 years bluegrass music in South Australia has become increasingly popular and has a strong grassroots following, festival organisers say.

The event will take place at the Wirrina Resort. Wirrina Cove is 90km south of Adelaide and offers "an excellent festival location where musicians and audience can find accommodation, food and an opportunity to perform and listen in a range of venues," the organisers say.

Weblink – wirrinabluegrass.com.

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Chart Update – Beccy takes top spot

Beccy Cole's latest hit Waitress takes over the number one spot on the national Country Tracks Top 30 singles chart this week.

McAlister Kemp's Country Proud, number one for the last two weeks, drop to number two while O'Shea and Christie Lamb are steady, respectively, at three and four with When The Girls Get Together and Mr Wrong.

Morgan Evans Live Each Day is up two to five, Kristy Cox's Little Bit Of Wonderful is steady at six and The Bobkatz' Life's Like Fishin' is at seven.

Troy Cassar-Daley's Live And Learn bounds into the top 10 at eight, Carter & Carter's A Good Life edges up one place to number nine and Jasmine Rae's Let It Be Me enters the top 10 at 10.

Bullet performers for the week include Adam Harvey's Dig Two Graves (20 to 17), Peter McWhirter's How Can I Let You Go (22 to 19), Aly Cook's Midnight Sun (23 to 20), The Harmonators' Perfect Storm (24 to 21), Jetty Road's Sweet Goodbye (26 to 22), Chelsea Basham's I Make My Own Sunshine (27 to 24) and Camille & Stuie's Beverley Joy (29 to 26).

New entries to the chart this week include Bob Corbett with Lucky Country (in at 29).

The full chart can be viewed at – www.countrymusicradio.com.au.

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TUESDAY, MAY 8, 2012

Urban Country success

Crowds flocked again to this year's Urban Country Music Festival in Caboolture at the weekend.

Moreton Bay Regional Council's Division Three Councillor Greg Chippendale said the weekend had included some magnificent musical talent and entertainment.

"Thousands of families and country music fans made the most of the sunny weather converging on the four day country music event. The Friday and Saturday night concerts starring Lee Kernaghan, Shannon Noll and more proved a hit along with Friday's Rodeo and Sunday's Urban Blaze Concert," he said.

"For many festivalgoers, their days were spent enjoying the entertainment at the Caboolture Historical Village, which included a host of entertainment including Urban favourite Guy Mclean in the Stockman’s arena. Monday's Gospel and The John Cash & Friends tribute show also drew huge crowds at the Village."

Tomorrow's stars were given a chance to shine throughout the weekend, through busking, the walk up stage and the Festival's Voice of Urban Country talent search.

"A big congratulations goes out to Melissa Partridge (pictured) of Morningside," Greg said, "who took out our top prize... on Sunday night."

Melissa has grown up with country music and after winning the talent search is looking forward to furthering her music career and recording her first single.

Hayley Wilson of Aspley won the competition's seniors title, with Taylor Moss of Noosa crowned the junior winner.

Brie Walford took out first place in the busking competition, with Jahmarley Dawson winning the people's choice award.

The event owed its success to not only the council staff involved in organising the weekend, Greg said, but the backing of local businesses, sponsors "and, of course, our hard working and dedicated volunteers".

"A big thanks also goes to our local radio station 101.5FM and the Historical Village and it's volunteers."

Weblink – www.urbancountry.com.au.

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Suzanne releases first album in 15 years

New Zealand country music legend Suzanne Prentice has released her first new studio album in 15 years.

I'll Do It All Over Again is the title of the new release, a project Suzanne has been working on over the past five years.

After researching and accumulating a long song list, Suzanne entered producer Mike McCarthy's Orewa studios in February to record the final selection. The end result, in Suzanne's own words, is "the best album I have ever recorded. I couldn't be happier with it".

"There are some timeless classics that I have put my own unique spin on as well as a few surprises!"

During a 40 year career, which has been generally managed by herself, Suzanne has amassed quite a list of personal achievements and an impressive array of awards.

From the early beginnings of winning a talent competition at aged 12, through to performing at Wembley stadium alongside the likes of Emmylou Harris, Kris Kristoffeson, Willie Nelson and Tammy Wynette... to winning the Female Vocal Golden Guitars in 1974, 1977 and 1978... to the Recording Industry Association of NZ Best Female Vocalist award in 1982, NZ Entertainer Of The Year Award in 1987.

In 2008, Suzanne was named winner of the NZ Country Music Legend Award and the following year, she was voted by her peers as Top Female Vocalist by New Zealand's Variety Artist.

Not being confined solely to the entertainment industry, Suzanne has run as a mayoral candidate for Invercargill (in 2010), competed in a number of bodybuilding competitions (placing second in one against a woman half her age) and published two bestselling books on the subject of getting the most out of life which has also led to her becoming a regular on the NZ speaking circuit.

In 1995 Suzanne was awarded an OBE in the Queen's Honours list on her return from India where she had been filming documentary footage on underprivileged children and families in association with World Vision.

Charity work is exceedingly important to the star. She has worked alongside World Vision for more than 20 years and during the past 17 years has developed and worked with more than 500,000 New Zealand children with her "Kids for Kids" shows, now a national phenomenon with more than 600 shows to date.

It is music that has been the major driving force behind all facets of Suzanne's career to date, according to a spokesman for the artist, "and the passion it creates within shines through in abundance on this new album".

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SUNDAY, MAY 6, 2012

Carrie's first Australian tour

American country superstar Carrie Underwood will tour Australia for the first time this June.

The five-time Grammy Award winner announced the special four-date Australian leg of her world tour today taking in Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney and Tamworth.

Carrie said she was excited to finally play live shows in Australia after visiting for a promotional tour last year.

"I talked to a lot of great people and had a lot of fun there," she said. "It's really nice to be able to go back and play shows.

"I've worked really hard here in the US and North America for the past seven years, and it seems only natural that I should branch out finally and take country music, and my country music, to a different place."

The tour starts in Melbourne on June 26, plays Tamworth June 29, Brisbane June 30 and Sydney July 2.

"Last time we came to visit we were in Sydney and Melbourne and Brisbane, so those three obviously were easy choices to say 'yeah we need to go play shows there'," Carrie said.

"Tamworth is a place I haven't ever been before. We know it's the Country Music Capital so it seems natural and we know Keith Urban played a show there recently and got a really great response."

Promoter Michael Chugg expects the tour to sell out quickly. "Tickets to Carrie's Royal Albert Hall concert (in London) sold out in 90 minutes," he said. "We're expecting Australian fans will be equally as quick."

Tickets go on sale next Monday, May 14, at 9am through Ticketek for the Brisbane show, the Sydney Opera House, Visit Tamworth and Ticket Master for the Melbourne show.

Weblink – www.carrieunderwoodofficial.com.

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FRIDAY, MAY 4, 2012

Big Queensland country weekend

This weekend, the Queensland May Day holiday weekend, is the biggest on the state's country music calendar with no less than three major festivals taking place.

First cab off the rank (in alphabetical order!) is the Broxburn Bash, followed by the Charters Towers Country Music Festival and Caboolture's Urban Country Music Festival.

All three run today, tomorrow and Sunday while the Urban Country Music Festival runs through to and including Monday.

News of all three events have been covered in the Bulletin, but in summary... all three feature major talent quests and big name entertainment.

Broxburn features numerous artists but their "big name" acts have gone a little "off country" this year with Cold Chisel and an Eagles tribute act taking top billing.

Charters Towers features stars including Jade Hurley, The McClymonts, Markus Meier and Dave Prior.

And the Urban Country festival has headliners such as Busby Marou, Troy Cassar-Daley, Beccy Cole, 2012 Toyota Star Maker Bob Corbett, Adam Harvey, Pixie Jenkins, Lee Kernaghan, Shannon Noll, Graham Rodger, The Sunny Cowgirls and the Wolverines.

Click on the weblinks for more information...

Broxburn - www.broxburnbash.com
Charters Towers - www.charterstowerscountrymusic.com
Urban Country - www.urbancountry.com.au

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THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2012

APRA finalists announced

Finalists in the 2012 APRA Music Awards were announced in Sydney yesterday.

APRA (the Australasian Performing Right Association) said this year's annual night of nights for Australian songwriters would honour the rich talent of music composers, lyricists and songwriters who have achieved the highest performances of their work over the previous year.

Award winners will be announced on Monday May 28 at the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre. It will be the 30th year for the Awards.

Shane Nicholson leads the finalist charge for Country Work of the Year with two nominations, Bad Machines and Famous Last Words.

The already multi-award-winning Kasey Chambers is nominated for her track Beautiful Mess while Aussie expats O'Shea are there with Meant To Be, a song co-written with Grammy Award winner Kim Carnes of Bette Davis Eyes fame, Golden Guitar winners Jetty Road and Canadian co-writers Chris Burke-Gaffney and Keith MacPherson are nominated for Serves You Right, the first single released from the band's latest album Far Away Places.

"A nod from APRA is one of the biggest honours you can get in this country," said Jetty Road's Lee Bowman. "We're really thrilled."

In other categories with a country interest, Busby and Jeremy Marou of Busby Marou are nominated for their song Biding My Time in the Blues & Roots Work of the Year.

The 2012 APRA Music Awards will be recorded for broadcast on pay television's Max music channel at 8pm on Tuesday June 12.

Weblink – www.apra-amcos.com.au.

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Nominations open for Southern Stars

Nominations have opened for the 2012 Southern Stars – the Australian Independent Country Music Awards.

Nomination is open to all CD product by independent Australian country music artists that is recorded in Australia and released in the period from July 1, 2011, to June 30, 2012, on labels other than those specified on the nomination form as “Excluded”.

Categories for this year's independent Awards are Independent Country Music Single of the Year, Independent Album, Heritage Track – Traditional, Independent Rising Star Male Award, Independent Rising Star Female Award, Independent Male Vocalist of the Year, Independent Female Vocalist of the Year, Independent Group/Duo of the Year and Independent Artist of the Year.

Nomination forms (pdf format) can be downloaded here.

Award winners will be announced at the 26th annual Mildura Country Music Festival running from Friday September 28 to Sunday October 7.

Nominations close on Saturday June 30.

Weblink – www.milduracountrymusic.com.au.

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 2, 2012

New from The McClymonts

After spending the lion’s share of last year touring in the USA, the McClymont sisters have returned home to launch their third album, Two Worlds Collide.

The first single from the album, How Long Have You Known, went to number one on the Country Single Chart, and is about to be followed by the second single, Piece Of Me.

Produced in America, the album will be released on Friday May 18.

The McClymonts current album, Wrapped Up Good, achieved Gold sales status in Australia and entered the ARIA mainstream Top 100 Chart at number two behind Susan Boyle and number one on the ARIA Country Chart.

The first four singles from the album, Kick It Up, Wrapped Up Good, Hearts On Fire and A Women Is A Flame, all went to number one on the country charts in Australia. The girls also took home the ARIA for Best Country Album in 2011 and followed that with the Group of the Year Golden Guitar for the fourth time over the last five years.

Brooke, Mollie and Samantha ended 2011 on a high winning the CMA (Country Music Association, America) Global Artist Award.

"After touring the USA for six months in 2011, the girls were excited to get home and get another album out there!" said a spokesman for the group.

The McClymonts will be touring both Australia and America extensively this year.

Weblink –www.themcclymonts.net.

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Mayworth Dance Championship 2012

Tomorrow, Tamworth (NSW) will welcome thousands of dancing enthusiasts as it prepares to host the 2012 Mayworth Australian Country Dance Championship.

The 2012 Mayworth line dancing event runs in Australia's Country Music Capital between Thursday May 3 and Sunday the 7th and will have the city filled with boots, hats and devotees ready to show their talents, according to a spokesman for the organisers.

Drawing professional and casual enthusiasts nationally and internationally, the Mayworth event has become a major placement on the annual line dancing calendar and a major tourism attraction.

Coincidentally, Mayworth will be running at the same time as Australian Dance Week. While other dance genres vie for medals and prestige elsewhere, Tamworth will host four days of competition complemented by a co-ordinated schedule of non-stop entertainment and a varied and wide event itinerary.

The Mayworth Country Dance Championship is a major drawcard in the world of line dancing. Competitions, socials, street dancing, rock 'n' roll dance workshops, partner and two step workshops and clogging are just some of the experiences on offer.

This year's event also boasts the 2012 Australian Masters, the second time the Masters event has been held in Australia. This competition will give talented Australian dancers the opportunity to qualify for the World Dance Masters to be held in August 2012 in Blackpool (UK), the spokesman said.

A team of judges, all known and respected professionals within the industry, will be in Tamworth to teach as well as to enjoy the dancing festivities... Bill Larson, Margaret Parish and Simon Ward.

Major players within the industry will also descend on the Tamworth with a "who's who" confirmed to attend, including names such as Nicola Lafferty, Rachael McEnaney and Sam Robbins from the UK, Phillip Sobrielo (Singapore), Luke Watson from New Zealand and Ira Weisburd from the USA.

Well known domestic teachers and acts like John Bishop, Noel Bradey, Linda Burgess, Kelvin Dale, Nadia Friel, Pauline Greenwood, Jenny & John Hughes, Alison Johnstone, Jessica Lamb, Bill Larson, Adrian Lefebour, Cathryn Proudfoot, Mark & Kate Simpkin, Kevin & Maria Smith, Travis Taylor, Simon Ward and Chris Watson complete the line-up.

Themed socials each day of the event are designed to balance the competition with plenty of downtime and opportunities to celebrate the event.

Event Co-ordinator Chris Watson said: "The competition is so fierce and the energy amazing, we encourage spectators to come and check it out. We are excited to have so many visitors from all over Australia and the world."

While the dancing shoes are designed to bring the city alive, the estimated economic benefit of more than a million dollars is enough reason for local operators to get on board and celebrate the festival four days of activity.

Tickets for workshops, socials, competitions, concerts, can be purchased individually ranging from $5 to $15. One day passes are available for $65 per person, three day passes $160,, a "blitz" pass for $85 per person with a VIP ticket which includes a variety of activities can be purchased for $180.

Weblinks – www.dare2dance.org or www.worlddancemasters.com.

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Chart Update – McAlister Kemp second week at number one

McAlister Kemp's Country Proud holds the number one position on the national Country Tracks Top 30 singles chart for the second week this week.

Beccy Cole's Waitress jumps two places to take second spot while O'Shea's When The Girls Get Together is up three places to number three and Christie Lamb's Mr Wrong is at four.

The McClymonts' How Long Have You Known is at five, Kristy Cox's Little Bit Of Wonderful is up two to six, as is Morgan Evans Live Each Day to seven.

America's Tim McGraw is at eight with Better Than I Used To Be, The Bobkatz edge up one to nine with Life's Like Fishin' while Carter & Carter's A Good Life enters the top 10 at 10.

Bullet performers for the week include Troy Cassar-Daley's Live And Learn (16 to 12), Shane Nicholson & Paul Kelly's Whistling Cannonballs (18 to 15), Adam Harvey's Dig Two Graves (24 to 20), Aly Cook's Midnight Sun (26 to 23), The Harmonators' Perfect Storm (27 to 24) and Jetty Road's Sweet Goodbye (29 to 26).

New entries to the chart this week include Camille & Stuie (pictured) with Beverley Joy (in at 29).

The full chart can be viewed at – www.countrymusicradio.com.au.

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TUESDAY, MAY 1, 2012

Jonny wins through on "Australia's Got Talent"

Jonny Taylor, one half of the overall winning duo at this year's Capital Country Music Association National Talent Quest in Tamworth, has won his way through as a semi-finalist on the Seven network's "Australia's Got Talent".

Jonny, who won the January talent quest with duo partner Codee-Lee, sang his own song and impressed all three judges on last night's episode of the television talent search.

He will now compete in the up-coming semi-finals for a chance at the major prize of $250,000.

The talent quest was won several years ago by instrumentalist Joe Robinson who made his initial mark in the Australian country music scene.

Weblink – au.tv.yahoo.com/australias-got-talent.

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CMC celebrates 10 years

The Country Music Channel, or CMC as it is more widely known, is the only television station in Australia dedicated to country music and has built a global reputation as being the authority on and home of country music on the medium in Australia.

CMC was launched by Austar on May 1, 2002, following a number of years of service to the Australian market by an Australian outlet of America's CMT (Country Music Television) channel.

The new service for country music fans in regional Australia joined the Foxtel, and metropolitan service in 2004. 

CMC's first production for the channel was the Toyota Outback Concert, a show on the back of a truck at the Henty Field Days hosted by Felicity Urquhart and Brendon Walmsley.

"Since then, the channel has gone from strength to strength to bring viewers the very best in local and international country music," said a spokesman for the channel.

The annual CMC Rocks roots and country music festival is now the biggest of its kind in Australia boasting a substantial line up of local and international artists. The festival was established in 2008 at Thredbo and has featured more than 100 artists over five years.

Today, CMC Rocks The Hunter is the biggest channel branded event on the platform with more than 11,000 people attending the three day event in 2012.

"In addition to bringing viewers country stars from around the world, CMC's primary focus is supporting and celebrating the country music industry in Australia," the spokesman said. "The CMC Oz Artist Of The Year Award has been running annually since 2007 and, in 2011, was expanded into the CMC Music Awards.

Weblink – www.countrymusicchannel.com.au.

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MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

Lee portrait auction for charity

A portrait of country music star Lee Kernaghan will be auctioned at Beef Australia in Rockhampton on Monday May 7.

The portrait (image at right), by artist Greg Hawes, was commissioned by Ruralco-CRT, sponsor of the Australian Beef Cattle Championships dinner conducted as a part of Beef Australia 2012.

Queensland's "Stock & Land" reported that all proceeds from the auction would go to Autism Awareness Australia to support their work assisting families in rural Australia to deal with autism spectrum disorders.

The portrait was submitted for consideration in this year's Archibald Prize portrait competition and Ruralco was confident a good price would be achieved at the auction.

"Greg Hawes is an outstanding artist and he shares both Lee's and Ruralco's commitment to supporting rural communities and the work being done by Autism Awareness Australia in the bush," said Ruralco Managing Director John Maher.

"Lee has been Ruralco's ambassador for OSKA Professional, our home brand range of tools and equipment, since 2009. A percentage of the sale of every OSKA Professional product goes to the nominated charities of those Ruralco businesses who sell the range," he said.

"Ruralco also donates funds raised through OSKA to Autism Awareness Australia among other charities. Lee is particularly passionate in regard to Autism Awareness Australia."

Having witnessed Ruralco's support for Autism Awareness Australia's work, Greg Hawes wanted to contribute to the cause.

"It was a privilege to paint Lee's portrait and I'm very pleased with the painting," he said. "I feel it captures his personality and easy-going nature."

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CCMA relaunches Junior Winter Talent Quest

Following its highly successful 46th National Talent Quest in January, the Capital Country Music Association (CCMA) has announced the re-launch of its previously successful Junior Winter Talent Quest.

The talent quest, that ran for 15 years up to 2007 when it was suspended for a number of reasons, will run again this coming July in conjunction with a revamped Hats Off to Country festival in Tamworth, Australia’s Country Music Capital.

Organisers project a longer lead-time for entrants to prepare, coupled with a stronger promotion for Hats Off and a renewed enthusiasm within the CCMA, will turnaround the prospects for an activity that once boasted hundreds of entrants.

The CCMA Junior Winter Talent Quest will have sections for junior competitors in two age groups – 12 years and under and 13 to 17 years.

Prizemoney and trophies with a value of more than $3,000 will be up for grabs.

Sections for the Junior Winter Talent Quest have also been consolidated, comprising Male and Female Vocal, Group/Duo, Instrumental, Bush Ballad, Gospel and Open Country in each of the age groups.

Entry fees will be $10 per entrant for the first section entered and $5 for each additional section per entrant thereafter.

Prizemoney will be $150 cash first and $75 second for the 13 to 17 year sections, $100 first and $50 second for the 12 and under sections. Overall winners will receive an additional $500 for the 13 to 17 year olds and $300 for 12 and under. Trophies will also be awarded to each placegetter.

Talent Quest sections will take place at the same venue as the January talent quest, now known as the NorthWest Church performance venue at the corner of Anne and Kathleen Streets in Tamworth on Thursday and Friday July 5 and 6. The 12 and under sections will run on the Thursday, 13 to 17 year old sections will run on the Friday.

Entries in the CCMA 2012 Junior Winter Talent Quest are now open.

Entries can be submitted on line at www.ccma.net.au or, if preferred, a paper form can be downloaded, filled in and posted in.

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THURSDAY, APRIL 26, 2012

New from Jetty Road

The third single taken from Jetty Road's Far Away Places album is Sweet Goodbye.

A follow up to their monster number one hit I'm A Dreamer, which spent seven weeks at the top of the national Country Tracks singles chart, is described as "a sassy tale of lies and deception" and, according to the band, the song was an easy choice as the "next instalment"

"We've had an amazing start to the year," the Road's Paula Bowman said: "The energy of this song represents where we are at the moment – in a good place!"

The band has been busy filming a video clip for the new single that features a special cameo appearance by John Kater of Jonah's Road.

"Not many people know that John is a talented actor!" added Lee. "His dark, brooding looks were perfect for the part so we were rapt when he wanted to be involved."

Weblink – www.jettyroad.com.

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Chart Update – McAlister Kemp take over the top spot

McAlister Kemp's Country Proud has taken over the number one position on this week's national Country Tracks Top 30 singles chart.

The McClymonts' How Long Have You Known, number one for the last three weeks, is at two while Christie Lamb's Mr Wrong edges up another place place to number three, as does Beccy Cole's Waitress to number four.

Doug Bruce's Sweet is at five, O'Shea's When The Girls Get Together jumps four places to six and America's Tim McGraw is at seven with Better Than I Used To Be.

Kristy Cox's Little Bit Of Wonderful is at eight, Morgan Evans bounds into the top 10 at nine with Live Each Day, as do The Bobkatz with Life's Like Fishin'.

Bullet performers for the week include Troy Cassar-Daley's Live And Learn (20 to 16), Peter McWhirter's How Can I Let You Go (25 to 22), Stephanie Jansen's Risky (26 to 23) and Adam Harvey's Dig Two Graves (28 to 24).

New entries to the chart this week include Jetty Road with Sweet Goodbye (in at 29).

The full chart can be viewed at – www.countrymusicradio.com.au.

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MONDAY, APRIL 23, 2012

Keith scores Grand Ole Opry milestone

On Saturday night in Nashville, Keith Urban became the first member of the Grand Ole Opry from outside North America.

Keith's induction was announced last week and formalised on Saturday with his induction by nine-year Opry member Trace Adkins (pictured here with Keith).

As he prepared to accept the honour, Keith reflected on his perception of the show reputed to have made country music famous, never having been able to hear or see it from abroad.

"It is right on to what I imagined in my head that it would be like," he told reporters backstage. "There's a community simplicity about it that I was really hoping that's what it would be like backstage.

"I grew up playing in all these country music festivals all around Australia, in Tamworth in particular, which is the Country Music Capital of Australia. The culture, if you will, of country music and the people, the fans, the artists, I find basically the same in Australia, here, when we travel over to Europe. There's a certain way of being that is really what the music is about."

Following his induction, Keith took the time to thank his parents, his wife Nicole Kidman, who was in attendance, and his daughters, who were "hopefully" asleep, and many more, before reflecting on where this journey had taken him.

"It's a long way from Caboolture to the stage here at the Grand Ole Opry," he said, "and to stand in this circle is the most phenomenal thing. This is a responsibility that I take deep to the heart of me."

The iconic radio show has a very special place in the 44-year-old's heart, having inspired him to step up his career.

"The first time I played the Opry was actually backing legendary Australia artist Slim Dusty, who's no longer with us. He used the little band I had called The Ranch as his backing band. I remember standing back there... and thinking it'd be great if I could get up there sometime and sing on that microphone."

Not forgetting his many fans, Keith said: "I share this award with them tonight. I was driving here thinking how important the fans are. Like a lot of artists, I get cards and notes and letters and stories in the meet-and-greets about how the music affects them, how the songs touch them in their lives, and they often say, 'You don't know how much that means to me.' This opportunity, for me, is a way to say they don't know how much they mean to me. For all of those things that connect with them, they're why I do what I do."

The Grand Ole Opry began in 1925, originally as the WSM Barn Dance, a simple radio broadcast on Nashville radio station WSM.

Recording increasing popularity, the radio station built a space big enough for an audience of 500, but this ultimately was not big enough and the weekly show occupied a number of homes before settling, in 1943, on the now famous (because of the Opry) Ryman Auditorium where it stayed for 31 years.

In 1974, the Opry moved from the Ryman to a new, larger facility at the heart of Opryland, a multi-million-dollar entertainment complex nine miles from downtown Nashville.

Today, the Grand Ole Opry attracts hundreds of thousands of people from around the world to the see the show live. Millions more tune in to Opry broadcasts on television and radio (still on WSM) and the internet (opry.com).

Six regular shows are staged weekly from Tuesday to Saturday.

Compiled partly from theboot.com.

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FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2012

Urban Country line-up announced

Headline artists for the 2012, ninth annual Urban Country Music Festival in Caboolture, have been announced.

"The 2012 Urban Country Music Festival, presented by Moreton Bay Regional Council, will again pack stacks of music, entertainment, and family fun into four days over Queensland's Labour Day long weekend from Friday, May 4 to Monday May 7," according to organisers.

Troy Cassar-Daley, Beccy Cole, Adam Harvey, Lee Kernaghan and Shannon Noll head the star line-up for the Festival's ticketed performances on the Friday and Saturday nights.

They will be supported by Busby Marou, Doug Bruce & The Tailgaters, Jayne Denham, Pixie Jenkins, the Sunny Cowgirls and the Wolverines.

And the list goes on... including, in alphabetical order, the likes of Lyn Bowtell, Brothers3, Kim Cheshire, Paul Cowderoy, Laura Downing, Rod Dowsett, Morgan Evans, Jason Lee, Markus Meier, Lawrie Minson, Luke O'Shea & Medicine Wheel, Steve Passfield, Dean Perrett, Brendan Radford, Graham Rodger, Kiara Rodrigues, Dave Reynolds and Adam Toms.

"The Urban Country Music Festival will once again support up-and-coming talent with Bob Corbett, the winner of Tamworth's Toyota Star Maker contest also included in this year's star line up of acts," organisers said.

"We're kicking up our heels and rounding up some of the best names in the business for four days of country music under cover at Caboolture's new venue, the Queensland State Equestrian Centre.

"The undercover stadium is the perfect venue situated in the heart of the festival precinct offering festival goers a choice of either standing or seated ticket options."

In addition to the ticketed concerts, there will be much more entertainment including the popular Urban Rodeo which is returning to the event this year by popular demand.

The Voice of Urban Country talent search runs heats through Saturday with the finals from 6pm on Sunday.

There are three sections... juniors, seniors and the "Voice of Urban Country" category which is open to professional and semi-professional artists.

Total value of cash and prizes across all categories is more than $24,000.

The bush poetry completion, which annually attracts entries from all over Australia, is being held again with junior and open categories, together with the bush poet's breakfast.

A number of free events will be held at the Caboolture Historical Village where old buildings provide a nostalgic setting for live music, dance workshops, activities for children and country markets.

The Songwriters Cafe will operate again as will entertainment from balladeers and a tribute show, the Beaut Ute Competition and whip cracking at the Stockman's Arena.

Photo: a shot from one of last year's main stage concerts.

Weblink – www.urbancountry.com.au.

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Colin wins Lions award

Catching up on Tamworth 2012...

Colin "Cactus" Martens from South Australia was presented with the Lions Club of Tamworth Peel Valley Country Music Community Award in January.

Cactus, as he is more fondly known, has spent countless hours over the years raising funds for numerous charities in the Port Pirie district including Heartbeat, the Cancer Foundation and Riding for the Disabled, said a spokesman for the Lions CLub.

"When he is not using his talents to assist the local country music clubs he can be seen entertaining at senior citizens and "old folks" homes, the Laura Hospital, CARA Kids Camp and Crystal Brooks Possums Club for Intellectually Challenged Adults."

He was presented with his award, a distinctive mounted Tamworth "dunny" created by renowned local ceramic artist Fred Hillier and a cheque for $500, by President of the Club Terry Hill.

Cactus said he was going to donate part of his cash prize to the chemotherapy unit at the Port Pirie health Service and the balance  to Port Pirie Riding for the Disabled.

This year's award was the 19th to be presented since it was inaugurated In 1994. Nominations are called from Lions Clubs throughout Australia and Cactus was nominated by the Lions Club of Port Pirie.

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THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2012

Eight Aussie acts in CMA Music Festival showcases

Eight Australian country acts will share the stage at two global showcases in Nashville during the 2012 CMA (Country Music Association) Music Festival.

This year's Toyota Star Maker winner Bob Corbett (pictured), Morgan Evans, Adam Harvey, Craig Morrison and Joe Robinson will star in the CMA Global Artist Party alongside Canada's Emerson Drive, High Valley and Jess Moskaluke, New Zealand's Vickie Evans, Ireland's Lisa McHugh, the United Kingdom's Gary Quinn and American star Gene Watson.

Australian husband and wife duo O'Shea return as hosts from last year's event for the 2012 "Party".

New Australian duo Baylou (Barbara and Victoria Baillie, pictured) and Rick Caballo will appear at the Aristo Global Show alongside Canada's Clayton Bellamy, Adam Gregory, Josh Macumber and Jessica Ridley, Ireland's Pete Kennedy and Colm Kirwan and the UK's Raintown and Travellin Rose.

Adam Harvey will host this event.

"One of CMA's missions is to help spread country music around the globe," said Chief Executive Officer Steve Moore. "We are always excited to see international country music performers grow and develop in their own countries, and then visit Nashville to build their relationships with both the fans and the industry. We look forward to celebrating and showcasing them in Music City during the week of CMA Music Festival."

The Global Artist Party will be take place at The Stage from 6pm on Monday June 4. The Aristo Global Show gets underway from 12:30pm on Tuesday June 5 at The Second Fiddle.

Sponsor of the Global Artist Party is Chevrolet, whose Vice President of Global Marketing & Strategy Chris Perry says: "Chevrolet and music have been inseparable since the invention of the car radio. "Millions of our customers love country music and we support what matters to them."

"Eight years ago, the CMA launched its first international showcase event during CMA Music Festival week, said Jeff Walker, CEO/President of AristoMedia and CMA Board member. "Within a few years, we had to add a second show to accommodate the number of submissions we were receiving.

"In 2012, we will celebrate our ninth year of international showcases with a lineup that includes more than 20 artists. It's been fascinating to watch these events grow year after year, and I'm extremely proud of the success we've had so far."

Ex-pat Aussie now Nashville-based record producer Mark Moffatt will serve as music co-ordinator again for both global events. Digital marketing and new media company AristoWorks will stream both nights of showcases live online at websites including CMAworld.com, CMT.ca, CountryMusicChannel.com.au, HighwayFM.com, and AristoWorks.com.

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18, 2012

Jay seals guitar deal

Jay Seeney, a 20 year old guitarist from Appin (NSW), has just signed an endorsement deal with international guitar company Schecter Guitar Research.

Jay is a founding member of the band Forever Road and also plays lead guitar for Telstra Road to Tamworth and CMC New Oz Artist of the Year winner Peter McWhirter.

Schecter, more known for their presence in the hard rock and metal music genres, has been introduced to the Australian country rock scene by Jay.

"I am really excited about this deal," Jay said. "If there was one endorsement in the entire world that I wanted, it was this one with Schecter."

Fellow Schecter endorsees include Prince and The Cure.

Meanwhile, Jay (pictured here with his guitar) said another major highlight of the month for him was a gig at the recent CMC Rocks the Hunter with Peter McWhirter where they performed to more than 11,000 country fans.

Weblink –www.facebook.com/jayseeney.

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Chart Update – The McClymonts' third week at number one

The McClymonts latest hit – How Long Have You Known – is steady at number one for the third week on this week's national Country Tracks Top 30 singles chart.

McAlister Kemp's Country Proud and Doug Bruce's Sweet are steady at numbers two and three, respectively, while Christie Lamb's Mr Wrong edges up one place to number four.

Beccy Cole jumps three places to number five with Waitress, Luke O'Shea's The Drover's Wife is at six and Kristy Cox's Little Bit Of Wonderful is up one to number seven.

America's Tim McGraw and George Strait are at eight and nine, respectively, with Better Than I Used To Be and Love's Gonna Make It Alright while O'Shea's When The Girls Get Together enters he top 10 at 10.

Bullet performers for the week include The Bobkatz' Life's Like Fishin' (17 to 12), Carter & Carter's A Good Life (16 to 13), Jasmine Rae's Let It Be Me (18 to 14), Shane Nicholson & Paul Kelly with Whistling Cannonballs (22 to 18), Troy Cassar-Daley's Live And Learn (25 to 20), Corey Colum's Outback Justice (26 to 22), the Wolfe Brothers' Wake Up (27 to 24), Peter McWhirter's How Can I Let You Go (28 to 25), Stephanie Jansen's Risky (29 to 26) and Aly Cook's Midnight Sun (30 to 27).

New entries to the chart this week are Adam Harvey with Dig Two Graves (in at 28), The Harmonators with Perfect Storm (at 29) and Chelsea Basham with I Make My Own Sunshine (at 39).

The full chart can be viewed at – www.countrymusicradio.com.au.

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MONDAY, APRIL 16, 2012

Vale - Jenny Bennetts

On Easter Sunday, country music lost a beautiful shining face, Jenny Bennetts.

The country music industry shares a tear with Terry and their children, Jason, Tania, Nicole and Kelly, seven much loved grandchildren Ben, Jaime, Rhys, Jordan, Connor, Ruby and Rebecca, and to Jenny’s mum Millie.

Jenny’s family released news to their many friends saying "...we are devastated to advise that our beautiful mum and wife, Jenny, passed away peacefully in bed with her sweetheart cradling her and her loving family all around her yesterday afternoon.

Jenny's funeral service was held at the family home.

"Mum loved our little piece of paradise here in Gnangara and we're happy this is where she will be honoured and remembered."

Cards and messages or contact with the family can be sent to: 22 Moondyne Trail Gnangara 6065 WA or on facebook at www.facebook.com /terryandjennybennetts.

– Rhonda Sinclair

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FRIDAY, APRIL 13, 2012

Rome medal for Tommy

Tommy Emmanuel has been presented with a medal from the City of Rome, the first musician so recognised, for his contribution to the arts.

He was also the first musician to perform at the inauguration of the Piazza San Silvestro, one of the city's largest squares and now to be Rome's new cultural gateway.

The large, bronze medal imprinted with the city's coat of arms (see photo) was presented to Tommy by Rome Mayor Gianni Alemanno during the inauguration ceremony of the newly vamped Piazza San Silvestro.

Designed by architect Paul Portuguese, the former bus terminal has been converted to an open area with the intention of creating a hub for meetings, performances, demonstrations and exhibitions. The square is projected to become a significant gathering place situated in the heart of Rome's famous Trident district.

Once the Piazza San Silvestro was officially opened with the cutting of ribbon, Tommy was given a glowing introduction to the stage by Dino Gasperini, Councillor for Cultural and Historical Center of Rome Capital. A short performance followed, making Tommy the first artist to play in the new square.

He was then presented with an ornate box containing the medal as photographers crowded in to capture the moment.

The prestigious award was also presented to the legendary James Taylor later the same day. Both James and Tommy were recognised and thanked for their attention to Rome in their tours

Tommy played a concert that night in Rome at the Atlantico, one of four Italian shows before starting another European tour in Berlin, Germany, on Thursday.

The guitar virtuoso will return home to Australia for his first solo acoustic tour since 2009 later this year with all dates to be announced this coming Monday

Weblink – www.tommyemmanuel.com.

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New support for Hats Off

The Tamworth Country Music Festival Stakeholders Group is becoming involved in the overall support and promotion of the mid year Hats Off To Country festival.

Barry Harley, Chairman of the Stakeholders Group, said Hats Off had been established by the Country Music Association of Australia (CMAA) in June 2000 but over recent years the organisation had relinquished control to a hard working, informal group that, with some assistance from Tourism Tamworth, had kept the event going.

Barry said the Stakeholders felt the Hats Off to Country festival was a vital component in the building and promotion of Country Music Capital.

"It's a great event with huge potential and we should protect all the excellent work and commitment that has been invested in the promotion over the past 12 years," he said.

"We have decided the Stakeholders Group can play a positive role in ensuring the survival and growth of Hats Off in conjunction with other interested parties such as the CMAA, the Academy of Country Music, the Capital Country Music Association, Tamworth Regional Council, venue operators and other participants."

The CMAA has given the Group the right to use the Hats Off name and logo on behalf of all those involved.

The Stakeholders Group was formed in 2009 to promote and lobby for the interests of individuals, companies and organisations with a direct interest in Tamworth country music. In recent times it has worked closely with Tamworth Regional Council and is represented on the Festival Advisory Committee.

Hats Off this year will take place from Thursday July 5 to Sunday July 8 and will feature the two Academy of Australian Country Music Graduation Concerts, a revitalised Winter Junior Talent Quest and numerous other concerts and activities as well as several major concerts including on the Friday night.

A website has now also been established for the event – www.hatsofftocountry.com.

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THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2012

Musicians to unite for Jimmy memorial

A concert celebrating the life and career of Jimmy Little will be held on Thursday May 3 at the Sydney Opera House.

It will follow a State memorial for Jimmy and will feature some of the country's top artists and musicians.

Jimmy's manager Buzz Bidstrup said he has been putting out the word about the concert to the entertainer's many peers, collaborators and friends in the industry.

While the list of performers is not yet complete, Buzz told "The Australian" newspaper, the concert would comprise a "who's who" of Australian music.

"There will be a pretty impressive line-up of people," he said. "Jim was a very, very well-loved man."

The veteran indigenous country musician died after a long illness last week aged 75, at his home in Dubbo in western NSW.

Jimmy's family accepted the offer of a State memorial from NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell.

The NSW State Premier said he was delighted the family had accepted the NSW government's offer, which would "allow" the star's thousands of fans to celebrate his life and honour his legacy.

"Jimmy Little was a great Australian, a pioneer for the indigenous community and a talented musician," the Premier said.

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Search for new Central Coast stars

The search to find the next up-and-coming country music star on the NSW Central Coast is on again.

Organised annually by Central Coast-based radio station todayscountry94one, the competition is expected to attract entrants from far and wide.

Each year the station sponsors a $3000 scholarship to enable a performer to gain entry to the Australian Academy of Country Music in Tamworth.

In addition, the winner will receive a one song recording at the Music Cellar Studio, produced by Rod McCormack, delivered as a production master ready for manufacturing, plus an appearance at the todayscountry94one Christmas Party Concert in December 2012, and 12 months support and airplay.

Contestants will take part in the heats in July with five from each heat making up the top 10 to go through to the final.

"Past performers have gone on to greater success and this year will be no exception," said a spokesman for the station.

Following the 2010 competition, for example, Makaylie Foodey, Hannah Smith, Kaylah Anne and Georgia White were signed by Core Music as a direct result of this competition and are currently part of the young group The Apprentices (pictured above, from left: Georgia, Hannah, Kaylah Anne, Makaylie).

– Central Coast Express Advocate

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 11, 2012

New album for The Harmonators

Leading country duo The Harmonators are about to release a new album, titled Big Mouth.

The Harmonators – Rae Moody and Liz Kinninmont – met while pursuing studies as lead vocalists at the Australian Institute Of Music. The duo's career turning point was in 2004 when they took their first successful trip to the Tamworth Country Music Festival. Competing in the Capital Country Music Association's 38th National Jamboree, they took out the title for Best Group plus Overall Winners – one of a few groups to do so in the history of the competition.

The new work will be officially released on Friday May 4 to be followed by not one but two launch parties ("why have just one, when you can celebrate twice?" the girls say). The first launch will be at the Royal Cricketer's Arms Hotel in Prospect on Sunday May 6, the second at The Pub in Tamworth on Friday May 11.

Perfect Storm is the first single off Big Mouth and has been going "great guns: since it's release, the Rae and Liz said. "It is currently number 11 on 98.9 FM's Chart and 34 on the Hot Mildura FM Chart. Thank's to everyone who has added, played and requested it, we really appreciate your support."

The video clip for Perfect Storm has also been finished and delivered to the Country Music Channel, "and we couldn't be more pleased with how it has turned out (that Duncan Toombs is one clever fellow)".

Weblink – http://www.facebook.com/TheHarmonators.

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New single from Katie

Fireproof is the title of the first radio single and title track from Katie O'Donnell's debut EP.

The EP features seven original songs. Katie wrote the lyrics and melody for six of these including the new single.

Fireproof holds a double meaning for Katie, the singer/songwriter said, reminding her not only of the fact that no one is fireproof but also acting as a personal mantra for strength and self-belief in times of adversity.

Although confined to an electric wheelchair with muscular dystrophy, Katie is adamant she wants her music to speak for itself.

The young West Australian has been singing and performing since she was 12 years old. She is a founding member of the Variety Youth Choir of which she has remained a member for the past 13 years.

Katie has performed across Western Australia, in Brisbane, Sydney, London, Chicago and New Zealand.

The 2011 WA Young Australian Of The Year awards state finalist listened to anything and everything growing up but over time gravitated to country. She describes her sound as a blend of country and pop.

Weblink – www.katieo.com.au.

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Chart Update – The McClymonts' second week at the top

The McClymonts latest hit – How Long Have You Known – sits at number one for the second week on this week's national Country Tracks Top 30 singles chart.

McAlister Kemp's Country Proud jumps two places to be in second place while Doug Bruce's Sweet slips one place to number three and Luke O'Shea's The Drover's Wife also jumps two to be at number four.

Christie Lamb's Mr Wrong is up three places to number five, George Strait's Love's Gonna Make It Alright is at six and Harmony James' Don't Say It is at seven.

Beccy Cole jumps into the top 10 at number eight with Waitress, Tim McGraw's Better Than I Used To Be is at nine and Kristy Cox's Little Bit Of Wonderful slides into the top 10 at 10.

Bullet performers for the week include Morgan Evans' Live Each Day (15 to 12), O'Shea's When The Girls Get Together (17 to 13), Carter & Carter's A Good Life (20 to 16), The Bobkatz' Life's Like Fishin' (22 to 17), Jasmine Rae's Let It Be Me (23 to 18), Shane Nicholson & Paul Kelly with Whistling Cannonballs (26 to 22), Troy Cassar-Daley's Live And Learn (29 to 25) and the Wolfe Brothers' Wake Up (30 to 27).

New entries to the chart this week are Peter McWhirter's How Can I Let You Go (in at 28), Stephanie Jansen's Risky (at 29) and Aly Cook (pictured) with Midnight Sun (at 30).

The full chart can be viewed at – www.countrymusicradio.com.au.

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MONDAY, APRIL 9, 2012

Bunbury country music show

A country music show will be held at Bunbury (WA) this Saturday.

Stars of the event will include Connie Kis Andersen, Deb Beckett, Peter Busher & The Lone Rangers (pictured), Kristy Elvin, Jane Germain & Ian Simpson, Greg Hastings, Billy Higginson, Ashleigh, Tahya & Shenae Magill and Allan Spowart.

Compere for the day will be award-winning WA broadcaster Brendon T Moylan.

The free admission show is being presented by the Bunbury Agricultural Society in support of the Val Lishman Health Research Foundation as part of Australian Year of the Farmer celebrations.

It will be held at the South West Sports Ground at the corner of the Russell Highway and Rotary Avenue from 9am til 6pm.

Patrons are asked to bring a chair and rug. Food and drink will be available to buy.

Weblink – www.bunburyshow.com.au.

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New single from Kirsty

Sweet Ol Jackson is the title of the second single released from Kirsty Akers latest album Naked.

It's a follow-up to In Spite Of Ourselves, the duet with Bob Evans that attracted two finalist nominations at this year's Golden Guitar Awards.

The song is described as "a rootsy, harmonica laden foot stomper that is bound to further cement Kirsty's place as one of Australia's finest young performers". The song scored Kirsty a finalist nomination for Female Artist of the Year in the 2012 Golden Guitars.

Kirsty, who recently opened her own music themed cafe (Millie's House Of Food & Music) in her hometown of Kurri Kurri in NSW's Hunter Valley, played support for legendary American singer/songwriter Steve Earle at Lizotte's last week.

She will also be teaming up with The McClymonts on several dates.

Weblink – www.kirstyakers.com.

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Musicoz entry deadline extended

The deadline for entry into the 2012 Musicoz Awards has been extended to midnight, Sunday April 15.

The extension was due to the extensive number of entries coming in in the last week, according to organisers, as well as issues some country entrants were having due to their internet connection.

"Please do not leave your entries to the 15th April in case you have issues," they said. "After this date, we will not be able to resolve issues or add entries."

Finalists in this year's Awards will be announced on Monday April 30.

Winners will be announced at the Sydney Opera House on Tuesday May 15.

Weblink – www.musicoz.org.

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Fender donates to Academy

Fender Guitars has made its annual contribution to the Australian Academy of Country Music.

Fender's Grant Cardwell made the presentation in Tamworth, Country Music Capital, last Tuesday.

A cheque for $5,000 was handed over to the Country Music Association of Australia's Joan Douglas.

The money was raised through ticket sales from the Fender Roadcases Concert staged during this year's Tamworth Country Music Festival.

Also in attendance at the presentation were CMAA board members Rod Laing and Lawrie Minson and Academy Co-ordinator Greg Williams.

Weblink – www.academycountrymusic.com.au.

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THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2012

TIARA winners

Winners in the now Tasmanian (formerly Tamworth) Independent Artist Recognition Awards (TIARAs) were announced from the Axeman's Hall of Fame in Latrobe at the weekend.

The Davidson Brothers were the big winners from the night taking home three awards... Album of the Year with Here To Stay, Group/Duo with My Heart Can’t Believe my Eyes and Instrumental with OMFG.

The Female Vocal award went to Connie Kis Andersen for Angels All Around Us while Doug Bruce took out the Male Vocal award with Coffey Road.

The Songwriter award was won by Rob Wilson with Grain Of Salt, the Bush Ballad trophy to Greg Bain with The Canning Stock Route.

Doug Bruce and Amber Joy Poulton were successful in Vocal Collaboration for their recording of Close Enough and Ross McGregor was presented with the Geoff Brown Memorial Award for Drinking Tequila.

Guest artists at the TIARAs Showcase and Awards were the Davidson Brothers, Phil Emmanuel, Wayne Horsburgh and Jean Stafford together with a number of Awards finalists including Clelia Adams.

Phil, Clelia, Jean and Wayne (pictured above from left) were inducted on to the Hall of Fame's Wall of Fame during the weekend which featured a number of other related events and activities. Photo by The Advocate.

Organisers say they appreciated the degree of support from locals and business houses, many of whom had already pledged their support again for next year's event.

Weblink – www.tiara-awards.com.au.

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Chart Update – The McClymonts at number one

The McClymonts latest hit – How Long Have You Known – has taken over the top spot on this week's national Country Tracks Top 30.

Doug Bruce's Sweet jumps two places to number two while Harmony James' Don't Say It is steady at three and McAlister Kemp's Country Proud is up three to number four.

Amber Lawrence's number one from the last three weeks, Everybody's A Mess, is at five, Luke O'Shea's The Drover's Wife is up three to number six and George Strait's Love's Gonna Make It Alright is steady at seven.

Christie Lamb's Mr Wrong enters the top 10 at eight while America's Dierks Bentley and Tim McGraw hold the ninth and 10th places, respectively with Home and Better Than I Used To Be.

Bullet performers for the week include Kristy Cox's Little Bit Of Wonderful (15 to 11), Beccy Cole's Waitress (16 to 12), Morgan Evans' Live Each Day (18 to 15), Tori Darke's Great Mistake (19 to 16) and O'Shea's When The Girls Get Together (20 to 17).

New entries to the chart this week are Troy Cassar-Daley's Live And Learn (in at 29) and the Wolfe Brothers' Wake Up (at 30).

The full chart can be viewed at – www.countrymusicradio.com.au.

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TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2012

Vale – Jimmy Little

Australian country legend Jimmy Little has died aged 75.

A member of the Yorta Yorta people, Jimmy grew up on the Cummeragunja Mission on the Murray River in NSW. In 1955 he left for Sydney to pursue his country music, where his mellow style earned him the nickname, among others, of "Gentleman Jim".

Elevated to the Country Music Roll of Renown in 1994, Jimmy's first single was released in 1956, but his first hit did not come until 1959 with Danny Boy which peaked at number nine in Sydney.

After 17 previous singles, he scored his biggest hit with Royal Telephone peaking at number one in Sydney and number three in Melbourne (in November 1963). In March 1964, Jimmy was named Australian Pop Star of he Year by "Everybody" magazine. His final hit of the era came with Baby Blue which reached number eight in Melbourne and number 37 in Sydney (in September 1974).

Having dabbled in acting, Jimmy turned to the craft full-time making his theatre debut in "Black Cockatoos" before appearing in the 1991 film "Until the End of the World". As well as appearing in "The Night Cries" and the opera "Black River", his teaching and community work earned him the title of NAIDOC Aboriginal of the Year in 1989.

Following his elevation to the Roll of Renown in 1994, Jimmy returned to recording, releasing his 14th album, Yorta Yorta Man.

Messenger, a collection of contemporary songs reinterpreted by the singer, was released in June 1999 and peaked at number 26 nationally, eventually selling more than 20,000 copies and winning Best Adult Contemporary Album at the 1999 ARIA Awards.

The same year, Jimmy was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame and won two awards, including Male Artist of the Year, at the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Music Awards.

His 34th, and final, release was in 2004, Life's What You Make It.

Away from his music career, Jimmy taught and mentored indigenous music students at the Eora Centre in Redfern from 1985 and was an ambassador for literacy and numeracy for the Department of Education from 2002.

In 2004, he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia on Australia Day and was named a National Living National Treasure. Together with composer Peter Sculthorpe, Jimmy was awarded honorary doctorates in music in recognition of "their joint contribution to reconciliation between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians".

That same year, Jimmy was diagnosed with kidney failure and after two years of self-administered dialysis he received a life saving kidney transplant. The experience led him to launch the Jimmy Little Foundation to help the many other indigenous Australians who are succumbing to kidney disease.

The Foundation (JLF) works with patients in regional and remote Australia and is now partnering with the Fred Hollows Foundation to develop a nutrition and education program for indigenous children to help stem the ever increasing cycle of bad nutrition leading to diabetes that can lead to kidney failure.

In 2010, Jimmy was presented with the Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Services to Australian Music by APRA (the Australasian Performing Right Association).

On the personal front, Jimmy married Marjorie Rose Peters and they had several children. Marjorie pre-deceased Jimmy in July last year. Jimmy died in his sleep at home in Dubbo (NSW) yesterday morning.

Jimmy's funeral will be at 11am next Wednesday (April 11) at St Peter's Church, Pitt Street, Walgett (NSW).

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MONDAY, APRIL 2, 2012

Felicity presented with International Broadcaster Award

Felicity Urquhart – host of ABC Radio's "Saturday Night Country" (SNC) – has been presented with the American Country Music Association (CMA) International Broadcaster Award.

The presentation was made by American country star Dierks Bentley during his recent visit to Australia.

Felicity, who became host of SNC three years ago, was selected as the Award recipient late last year but the announcement and presentation were saved until now.

A Golden Guitar-winning singer/songwriter, Felicity is credited with re-energising the program "with her fresh spin and contemporary approach," according to the CMA. "Under her guidance, 'Saturday Night Country' has reclaimed its top position among country music media outlets in Australia."

"I am truly shocked by this award," Felicity said, "and consider it such an honour. Presenting 'Saturday Night Country' nationally every week is a passion and brings me great enjoyment."

Felicity said the support of ABC made country music accessible and current from anywhere in Australia. "It is wonderful to be part of their programming. I must importantly thank John Nutting who handed his show to me after 17 years. His faith in me is the reason I am in radio.

"'Saturday Night Country' is an institution on Australian radio," said CMA Director Rob Potts during the presentation. "It was a huge challenge for Felicity to take over from the 17-year host and legendary broadcaster John Nutting, a former winner of the CMA International Country Broadcaster Award. However, she has proven totally up to the task and has now stamped her own style and feel on the show, achieving additional ratings success. She is a very worthy winner of this... Award."

The CMA International Broadcaster Award recognises outstanding achievement by radio broadcasters outside the United States who have made important contributions toward the development of country music in their country.

Felicity has now been recognised for her work in radio on both sides of the Pacific having been voted last year as Most Popular Country Music DJ in the Australian Country Music Peope's Choice Awards.

Photo (from left): Rob Potts, American country music broadcaster Storme Warren, Felicity and Dierks Bentley after the presentation. Photo by Greg Sylvia.

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ABC signs Baylou

Victorian country music sisters Barbara and Victoria Baillie have been signed by ABC Music as the duo Baylou.

Victoria Baillie is already regarded as a highly respected recording artist in her own right having won a Golden Guitar for New Talent of the Year at the 2010 Country Music Awards of Australia and has chalked up no less than four high rotation music videos on the Country Music Channel.

Sister Barbara has been an integral part of Victoria's solo career as a guitarist and backing vocalist for most of her live shows and recordings and has toured as a musician with stars like Troy Cassar-Daley, Beccy Cole and Adam Harvey.

“As a duo, Baylou will bring an exciting and fresh new mainstream country sound to the Australian country music market with the backing of ABC Music and our partners Universal Music," said Robert Patterson, Head of ABC Music.

Baylou join a country roster at ABC that includes leading Australian acts Catherine Britt, Lee Kernaghan, McAlister Kemp, Jasmine Rae and Sara Storer.

"After working hard for many years in the music industry, we are thrilled that ABC Music have decided to support our new project, Baylou, Barb and Victoria said. "We have always wanted to work together as sisters and now with the ABC behind us, it really is a dream come true."

Baylou have recorded their debut EP with chart topping Australian producer Craig Portelis (Shannon Noll, Human Nature, Deni Hines, David Campbell). The EP and Baylou's official first single will be released in August just prior to their main stage debut at the 2012 Gympie Music Muster.

The duo's first official performance as ABC Music recording artists took place at the weekend at the Tullibigeal Picnic races supporting ARIA Country Album chart toppers McAlister Kemp as they helped celebrate Ray Hadley's 30 years in radio.

Photo – Baylou and ABC Music celebrate their new partnership (from left) back: Jonathan Villanueva (Business Co-ordinator, ABC Music) Robert Patterson, Basil Cook (Digital Manager), Natalie Waller (Business Manager), Dux Newton (Label Assistant); and front: Justine Moyle (Baylou Manager), Barb Baillie, Victoria Baillie, Tim Holland (A&R/Label Manager).

Weblink – www.baylou.tv.

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FRIDAY, MARCH 30, 2012

Smoky Foundation established

Just weeks after the unveiling of a permanent memorial to country pioneer Smoky Dawson in Tamworth, Australia's Country Music Capital, we can report the establishment of the Smoky Dawson Foundation by friends in association with Smoky and his wife Dot's family.

The Foundation has been created in memory of the Australian music legend Herbert "Smoky" Dawson to support developing Australian music talent and aims to keep the spirit of Smoky alive for generations to come.

One of the first activities of the Foundation is a partnership with APRA, the Australian Performing Right Association, to offer two exclusive scholarships for emerging songwriters to attend APRA's Song Summit 2012 conference coming up in May.

The Foundation is also principle sponsor of the Songwriting Career Development Workshop at the Summit. The scholarships comprise a package to the value of $5,000 each.

Songwriters who are members of APRA can apply for the scholarships until April 27.

The two successful applicants will each receive $2000 cash, a three-day pass to Song Summit and a guaranteed spot in the Smoky Dawson Foundation Career Development Workshop. The grants will also provide access for the winners to attend the APRA Awards, including accommodation and travel.

"It is with great pleasure that we are partnering with APRA for this event and to bring awareness to the Foundation," Foundation founder Philip Walker said.

"Smoky and his wife Dot always gave so much back to the community; it is fitting that this Foundation will continue this legacy and support the development of young Australian talent in this way."

The career development workshops provide aspiring songwriters with the opportunity to work with an established songwriter as a mentor such as Kev Carmody, Lior or Megan Washington. Participants also learn the business side of developing their career, how to market and promote themselves and writing music for particular audiences/purposes.

Entries can be made here.

Song Summit 2012 will run from May 25 to June 11 at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Weblink – www.apra.com.au.

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Vale – Earl Scruggs

Bluegrass pioneer Earl Scruggs died in Nashville on Wednesday morning of natural causes. He was 88.

A pioneering banjo player who helped create modern country music, Earl Scruggs is ranked with the likes of Johnny Cash and Hank Williams when it comes to significance in the music business.

He helped build a legacy with bandleader Bill Monroe, guitarist Lester Flatt and the rest of the Blue Grass Boys in America's Music City. One newspaper report said: "His string-bending, mind-blowing way of picking helped transform a regional sound into a national passion."

"It's not just bluegrass, it's American music," bluegrass fan turned country star Dierks Bentley said. "There's 17- or 18-year-old kids turning on today's country music and hearing that banjo and they have no idea where that came from. That sound has probably always been there for them and they don't realise someone invented that three-finger roll style of playing. You hear it everywhere."

Country music has transcended its regional roots, become a billion-dollar music and tourist enterprise, and evolved far beyond the classic sound Bill Monroe and The Blue Grass Boys blasted out over the radio on The Grand Ole Opry on December 8, 1945.

Though he would eventually influence American culture in wide-ranging ways, Earl Scruggs had no way of knowing this as he nervously prepared for his first show with Monroe. The 21-year-old wasn't sure how his new picking style would go over.

"I'd heard The Grand Ole Opry and there was tremendous excitement for me just to be on The Grand Ole Opry," Scruggs recalled during a 2010 interview at the Ryman Auditorium where that "big bang" moment occurred. "I just didn't know if or how well I'd be accepted because there'd never been anybody to play banjo like me here. There was Stringbean and Grandpa Jones. Most of them were comedians."

American country great Porter Wagoner said of Earl Scruggs: "I always felt like Earl was to the five-string banjo what Babe Ruth was to baseball. He is the best there ever was, and the best there ever will be."

His string-bending and lead runs became known worldwide as "the Scruggs picking style" and the versatility it allowed has helped popularise the banjo beyond the traditional bluegrass and country forms. Today the banjo can be found in almost any genre, largely due to the way he freed its players to experiment and find new space.

Dave Rawlings, a Nashville singer/songwriter and producer, says Earl Scruggs remained every bit as influential and fresh today. He said it was impossible to imagine nearly every guitar player mimicking Jimi Hendrix, but with Scruggs and the banjo, that's the reality.

Together with Lester Flatt, who died in 1979, Earl Scruggs is probably best known for the 1949 recording Foggy Mountain Breakdown, for playing in the 1967 movie "Bonnie and Clyde" and The Ballad of Jed Clampett from "The Beverly Hillbillies", the popular television series that debuted in 1962. Jerry Scoggins did the singing. For many viewers, the endlessly hummable theme song was their first introduction to country music.

Earl Scruggs is survived by two sons, Gary and Randy. Louise, his wife of 57 years, died in 2006.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2012

Warren releases "song man" album

Warren H Williams has released his first language album, Winanjjara (or "song man" in the Tennant Creek language of Warumungu) with help from family.

The album is described as a work speaking of love, land and family.

From playing to hundreds of thousands of people across the world, Warren says his most nervous moment was taking to the stage at Tennant Creek to sing in his paternal grandmother's language, Warumungu.

The two CD Winanjjara album has 12 new ballads on the first CD written by Warren H and then translated by aunties and Elders of Warumungu and recorded with traditional song men, many of whom are blood uncles.

Originally recorded as part of the inaugural Barkly Arts Song People Sessions, the second album contains 19 traditional Warumungu songs sung by men of the area recounting stories handed down over centuries.

"It's because of the Elders that the songs have been passed down, each song, one after the other, teaching the young people so that they can take over," said Warumungu song man Michael Williams.

Since its debut at the Desert Harmony Festival in Tennant Creek, there have been calls for a wider distribution of the music and ABC Music was keen to take up the project.

"It was like I had to learn to walk again," said Warren. I remember using the language when I was a little kid, but I had to re-learn it.

"All my aunties and uncles were calling me kid – I was the apprentice and they were teaching me about my history and the tradition of handing down our stories through song and I was teaching them about music in my world.

"I always thought that to be successful in the Australian music industry I had to sing in the white man's language. I've done that now but these songs are for my people, my family and for me."

Working with aunts and uncles from the Warumungu land, Winanjjara is Warren's first foray into language recordings, though his latest country album Urna Marra has a gospel song sung in his other parent language, Western Aranda.

"This is an Australian album, it is the language of Australia, the language of the desert, the beach, the wind, the people – all Australians will understand the meanings," he said.

Winanjjara will be released nationally on April 13.

Weblink – www.warrenhwilliams.com.

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New single from Amber Joy

Amber Joy Poulton has released a new single – Show Me – the fifth from her successful debut album Taking Goodbye.

Amber Joy says last year was a big year for the singer/songwriter. Her debut album has far exceeded all her hopes and she is aiming to continue the success with the new single which will also have an accompanying video clip.

There are high expectations for Show Me with all previous releases having achieved Top 30 status, with Break Even making it to number five. Add to that a number of other achievements, including songwriting awards, finalist nominations and playing support for stars like Brian Cadd, Kenny Rogers and Melinda Schneider.

Amber Joy has also announced that playing support to Australian star Troy Cassar-Daley in June.

Keeping her video clip "all things South Australian", Amber Joy is partnering with Adelaide based film company Mackbel Films. "Of course I'm very proud to be South Australian," she said, "and I know we have everything here that the other states have, so it was just a matter of finding a great film company who knew what I was after."

Show Me was co-written and produced by award-winning country artist Doug Bruce. It's described as a song written, "about my husband, who although is extremely supportive and encouraging, suffers the same condition many Australian men suffer from and that is... he doesn't know how to give a girl a compliment".

"Even though he's not overly impressed that the song is putting him in a bad light, he also knows that he married a country singer and we always write about our experiences," Amber Joy said. "He must have a pretty thick skin because he's agreed to feature in the clip."  

Weblink – www.amberjoypoulton.com.au.

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2012

Sunny Cowgirls to headline 4WD Muster

The Sunny Cowgirls (pictured) have been announced as the headline act for the inaugural 4WD Muster being held at Lardner Park, Warragul (Vic) late next month.

Also on the bill will be Doug Bruce & The Tailgaters and Pete Denahy.

The 4WD Muster is being billed as "a family-friendly event" and will be staged on to be held from Friday 20th to Sunday 22nd April.

"The primary objective for the event is raising funds for Variety, the children's charity," a spokesman for the organisers said, "and creating a world record parade of 4WD vehicles."

Weblink – www.4wdMuster.org.au.

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Chart Update – Amber's third week at the top

Amber Lawrence's Everybody's A Mess is at number one for the third week in a row on this week's national Country Tracks Top 30.

The McClymonts' How Long Have You Known bounds up three places to second position while Harmony James and Doug Bruce are steady at three and four, respectively, with Don't Say It and Sweet.

Troy Cassar-Daley's Country Is is at five, America's Dierks Bentley is at six with Home and McAlister Kemp's Country Proud jumps two places to number seven.

America's George Strait is at eight with Love's Gonna Make It Alright, Luke O'Shea's The Drover's Wife is at nine and America's Luke Bryan rounds out the top 10 with I Don't Want This Night To End.

Bullet performers for the week include Kristy Cox's Little Bit Of Wonderful (19 to 15), Beccy Cole's Waitress (21 to 16), Tori Darke's Great Mistake (22 to 19), O'Shea's When The Girls Get Together (23 to 20), Carter & Carter's A Good Life (25 to 21), The Bobkatz' Life's Like Fishin' (26 to 22) and Jasmine Rae's Let It Be Me (27 to 23).

New entries to the chart this week include the Shane Nicholson/Paul Kelly duet Whistling Cannonballs (in at 28) and Cory Colum with Outback Justice (at 30).

The full chart can be viewed at – www.countrymusicradio.com.au.

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MONDAY, MARCH 26, 2012

New album from Lyn

Former Star Maker and two time Golden Guitar winner singer/songwriter Lyn Bowtell has released a new album titled Secret Songs.

Often described by her peers as having "the best voice on offer", on this album, Lyn "showcases her own lyrical masterpieces and demonstrates why she remains in the highest regard by so many," according to the release announcing the new work.

Lyn's Golden Guitar awards came from her work with vocal group Bella. In her own right, she has been a MO Award winner and APRA Awards finalist having written with industry legends such as Phil Buckle, Beccy Cole, Janis Ian, Rod McCormack and Jerry Salley.

Over the years, Lyn has released two independent solo albums in addition to one album with Bella and has recorded with the likes of Jimmy Barnes and Troy Cassar-Daley to name a few.

She has toured through Europe and Australia with fellow Bella members Kate Ballantyne and Karen O'Shea, Asia with James Blundell, and up and down the East Coast of Australia and South Australia as a solo performer.

"I have had the most roller-coaster few years of emotion," Lyn said, "amazing highs and ridiculous lows… I suppose the yo-yo ride has made me stronger but it's been tough. From these few years I have only taken from them songs and inspiration. You name it, I've had it… I left my husband, I lost weight, I laughed until I cried and I questioned why I was here and what life was about… it all came back to music and it's the only answer I have."

Lyn recorded Secret Songs with friend Sean Rudd as producer and released the work nationally on Friday.

First single from the album is Sing Along which has an associated video clip here.

Weblink – www.lynbowtell.com.

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Busby Marou in North America

New Australian country sensation Busby Marou are currently touring the US and Canada for their first ever shows outside of Australia.

The Rockhampton-based duo travelled to America to play the South By South West music promotion in Austin, Texas, and Canadian Music Week in Toronto, Ontario.

These two major appearances are part of a two-week 13-show tour that include Brooklyn, Houston, Los Angeles and Lufkin.

Busby Marou's debut, self-titled album has set them on quite a ride over the last year or so. They signed with Warner Music indie imprint Footstomp Records and have shared the stage with stars including K D Lang and Dolly Parton.

A spokesman for the duo said that arguably the most satisfying part of the ride so far had been the acceptance of audiences selling out shows from Darwin to Darlinghurst.

"Busby Marou are now a tight knit band of brothers brimming with confidence in their stagecraft and their ability to connect with audiences in the far four corners of the globe."

They play the Byron Bay Blues & Roots Festival on their return.

Weblink – www.busbymarou.com.

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FRIDAY, MARCH 23, 2012

Kasey, Shane, Troy and Col in running for APRA Song of the Year

Preliminary details have been announced for this year's APRA Music Awards including release of the top 30 contenders for the prestigious Song of the Year award and country's Kasey Chambers, Shane Nicholson and Troy Cassar-Daley & Colin Buchanan are in the running.

APRA (the Australasian Performing Right Association) has confirmed that its 2012 Awards will be staged at the Sydney Exhibition & Convention Centre on Monday May 28 with finalists in all categories to be announced in early May.

The Awards will be the grand finale to this year's Song Summit, APRA's comprehensive songwriting conference that will run in Sydney from May 26 to 28.

Awards will be presented in categories including Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year, Most Played Australian Work, Most Played Australian Work Overseas, International Work of the Year, Country Work of the Year, Blues & Roots Work of the Year and Rock Work of the Year.

In the top 30, Kasey's Beautiful Mess is included while Shane's composition is Bad Machines and Troy & Col's (recorded by Troy) is Country Is.

Songwriter of the Year and the Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Services to Australian Music (as determined by the APRA Board of Writer and Publisher Directors) will also be announced at the event.

Weblink – www.apra-amcos.com.au.

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CMC Award winners

Winners in the 2012 CMC (Country Music Channel) Awards were announced during CMC Rocks the Hunter at Polkobin (NSW) last weekend.

Keith Urban was named as winner of two awards... International Artist of the Year and Video Clip of the Year for Without You.

Jasmine Rae won the Oz Artist of the Year award and was presented with her trophy by Adam Brand who had previously won this Award five years in a row.

Peter McWhirter was announced as New Oz Artist of the Year. A winner of the hotly contested Telstra Road to Tamworth talent search, Peter has had four hit singles so far from his debut album Lucky As a Se7en.

James Blundell was announced as the first inductee into the CMC Awards Hall of Fame. This Award recognises artists who have had an impact on Australian country music beyond their own careers, said a spokesman for CMC.

James first came to prominence in 1987 after winning Toyota Star Maker. In 1989, he released his self-titled debut album and his influence since on recording, touring and marketing his music is still having an impact on artists today.

Lee Kernaghan presented James with his award while Catherine Britt and Travis Collins paid tribute to the star, each performing one of James' songs that had inspired them. Catherine chose Older Now while Travis closed the awards function with his rendition of Rain On A Tin Roof.

Photo: Jasmine Rae and Peter McWhirter with their awards.

Weblink – www.countrymusicchannel.com.au.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2012

Artists announced for 2012 Gympie Music Muster

Beccy Cole, Lee Kernaghan (pictured), Canada's Corb Lund, Shannon Noll, Kenny Rogers and John Williamson have been announced as headline acts for this year's Optus Gympie Music Muster.

The 2012 Muster was officially launched in Brisbane this morning.

Joining the headline artists will be acts including The Black Sorrows, The Bobkatz, Doug Bruce & The Tailgaters, Travis Collins, 2012 Toyota Star Maker Bob Corbett, Jayne Denham, Jetty Road, Gemma Luxton, McAlister Kemp, O'Shea, Jasmine Rae and The Sunny Cowgirls.

Last year's Muster Talent Quest winner Seleen McAlister will also feature and more artists are yet to be announced as organisers are still in the process of confirming a number of major acts, rising stars and celebrated songwriters to join in the 2012 celebration.

Muster organisers say they expect more than 60,000 people to attend the Amamoor Creek State Forest site near Gympie between Thursday August 23 and Sunday the 26th.

Weblink – www.muster.com.au.

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New single from Marie

Marie Hodson has released a new single from her Bitterweeds album.

The first single, the title track, made it on to the Country Tracks national top 30 singles chart and also on to a number of significant playlists including Sunraysia Radio and Kix Country.

"I was elated with these results," Marie said.

The new single is the Mark Nestler song The Part I Don't Understand.

Marie is heading to Nashville and Texas at the end of May for five weeks and will play, among other gigs, the Tomkins Showcase and also a showcase with her producer Jason Roller.

Weblink – www.mariehodson.com.

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

TIARA finalists announced

Finalists in the 2012 TIARAs (Tasmanian Independent Artist Recognition Awards) were released late today.

For the Male Vocal award, finalists are Gene Bradley Fisk with Boomers Lullaby, Doug Bruce (pictured) with Coffey Road, Dale Hooper with Heaven In My Woman's Eyes, Craig Morrison with Fences and Rob Wilson with Grain Of Salt.

For Female Vocal... Clelia Adams with Rainbird Yodel, Connie Kis Andersen with Angels All Around Us, Bec Hance with The Place Where I Belong, Tara Naysmith with If I Didn't Have You and Sally-Anne Whitten (pictured) with The Other Side Of Me.

For Group/Duo... The Bobkatz with In The Coals, The Coad Sisters with Jimmy Rodgers Blues, Davidson Brothers with My Heart Can't Believe my Eyes, The Prairie Oysters with Things That I Like Best and Peter Salata & B Roberts with Don't Shake My Tree.

For Instrumental... The Coad Sisters with Anzac's Song, Ginger Cox with The Old Rugged Cross, the Davidson Brothers with OMFG, Peter Simpson & Lindsay Butler with Akubras In The Snow and Lindsay Waddington & Charley Boyter with Big Fella Wodumbah.

For the Songwriter award... Connie Kis Andersen with A Man In Boots, Hamish Davidson with Write Me A Letter,Dale Duncan with Walking In My Shoes, Doug McIntyre with Going Home Someday and Rob Wilson with Grain Of Salt.

For the Bush Ballad award... Greg Bain with The Canning Stock Route, Gene Bradley Fisk with Out West, Jamie Davis with Jim Sowell, Dianne Lindsay with Gentleman Joe and Lana Ross with Little Western Gully.

For the Collaboration award... The Bobkatz & Davidson Brothers with The First Step, Doug  Bruce & Amber Joy Poulton with Close Enough, Dale Duncan & Shaza Leigh with Walking in My Shoes, Gene Bradley Fisk & Donna Fisk with Evening In Paris and Mark Fitzsummons & Rebecca Lloyd with Messin' Around.

For the Geoff Brown Memorial Award... Greg Bain with Fishin' With Me Dad, Gene Bradley Fisk with Back In Bendigo, Anne Conway with It's A Dream Come True, Wayne Johnson with Why Can't We Be Friends and Ross McGregor with Drinking Tequila.

A 10th award, for Album of the Year, will be also be presented at the TIARAs Showcase & Awards Evening in Latrobe, Tasmania, on Sunday April 1.

Guest artists will include the Davidson Brothers, Wayne Horsburgh, Phil Emmanuel and Jean Stafford.

Weblink – www.tiara-awards.com.au.

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Audrey on tour down under

Ex-pat Aussie Audrey Auld is half way through a tour in her home country.

The now Nashville based singer/songwriter and recording plays a series of Victorian shows this weekend and one show only in Sydney the following weekend.

Audrey, who specialises in country, folk and americana styles calls her observations in song "Music with the dirt left on".

Described as a memorable and uplifting entertainer and a spontaneous comedienne and a writer of humorous, provocative and soulful songs, Audrey has a number of awards and accolades to her credit including the 2006 MerleFest Song Contest where she performed her winning song, Losing Faith, to "a thrilled MerleFest crowd".

In 1998, Audrey established Reckless Records in Australia and her debut CD was released in 1999 to award winning acclaim.

Looking Back to See, a duet album with singer/songwriter, record producer and multi instrumentalist Bill Chambers (Dead Ringer Band, Kasey Chambers), laid a foundation for Audrey's future releases including The Fallen in 2000 which scored an ARIA nomination for Best Country Album.

Numerous releases and industry recognition followed and Audrey toured in Australia and America performing alongside stars including Fred Eaglesmith, Todd Snider and Kevin Welch.

By 2004, Audrey had married and became a United States resident where she continued to write, perform and record.

Her current album is Resurrection Moon.

Weblink – www.audreyauld.com.

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TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 2012

Benefit concert for slain policeman's family

A benefit concert for the family of slain policeman David Rixon will be held in Tamworth on Thursday night.

The event will feature many Country Music Capital based artists and musicians including 8 Ball Aitken, Steve Charles, The Crosby Sisters, Col Finley, Allison Forbes, Lynette Guest, Bruce O'Hara, Lorraine Pfitzner, Those Gals and the Tamworth Clarinet Choir.

Organised by 8 Ball's manager Bird Jensen, the concert will run from 6 to 9:30pm at the St Stephen's Church Hall at the corner of Crown and Mathews Streets.

Entry will be by gold coin donation.

For information can be obtained from Bird on on 0408 075 959.

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Chart Update – Amber hangs on to number one

Amber Lawrence's Everybody's A Mess is at number one for the second week on this week's national Country Tracks Top 30.

Troy Cassar-Daley's Country Is is steady at two as are numbers three and four, respectively, Harmony James' Don't Say It and Doug Bruce's Sweet.

The McClymonts' How Long Have You Known edges up one place to number five, as does America's Dierks Bentley to six with Home while the second of three overseas acts in this week's top 10, George Strait, jumps three places to number seven with Love's Gonna Make It Alright.

America's Luke Bryan is at eight with I Don't Want This Night To End, McAlister Kemp's Country Proud enters the top 10 at nine, as does Luke O'Shea's The Drover's Wife at 10.

Bullet performers for the week include Christie Lamb's Mr Wrong (16 to 13), Beccy Cole's Waitress (26 to 21), Tori Darke's Great Mistake (25 to 22), O'Shea's When The Girls Get Together (27 to 23), Carter & Carter's A Good Life (29 to 25), The Bobkatz (pictured) with Life's Like Fishin' (30 to 26) and Jasmine Rae's Let It Be Me (new at 27).

The full chart can be viewed at – www.countrymusicradio.com.au.

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MONDAY, MARCH 19, 2012

Special new album from Rex

The heartache of losing a son to motor neurone disease has set Rex and Adrienne Dallas on a new
journey – the release of a special new album, and they plan to travel more than a country mile or two before they're through.

It's been six months since they lost their beloved son Jeff to the insidious disease that has no cure, but the late musician's influence is still very much alive in the new recording project, Memories For Sale.

"Before Jeff passed away, he picked out all these old songs that he felt I should record," Rex said. "They're all oldies from the days when I used to do the touring shows with Lee Gordon and Ted Quigg.

"The songs are very much in the variety style, as Jeffro always reckoned variety was the spice of life."

The nine songs were produced, recorded, engineered and mastered by Rex's oldest son, Brett, at his Moonbi studio. Brett contributed guitar, keyboards and strings to the project, while his brother Colin and Colin's
son, Luke, laid down the drum tracks.

Very much a family affair, Brett's son Lindsay and daughter Ashleigh played bass and fiddle on the album.

Proceeds from album sales will be directed towards motor neurone research.

The album will be launched at "Howdy's Hoedown" at The Pub, on the Gunnedah Road, Tamworth, on Friday, March 23, before Rex and Adrienne hit the road with their caravan and take the CD to the masses.

"We're starting out at Paul and Hele McCloud's Hartwood Festival at Easter," Rex said. "It's Hartwood's 25th anniversary, so they've invited us out there to showcase the new album."

From Tambar Springs, they will then travel throughout NSW and Queensland, visiting country music clubs, caravan parks and venues along the way to sell as many albums as they can in Jeff's memory.

Among the classics on the album are two new songs penned by Rex, The Australian Brand and Mystery Of Saddle Girl. The latter is an answer to the Slim Dusty song, Saddle Boy, and tells of the girl who was always at the grave of "the saddle boy" – she's his secret love. The song has already been tipped to become a heritage classic.

Other tracks include a medley of 40 Shades Of Green with How Great Thou Art, a yodel-infused Funiculi Funicula, the Henry Lawson poem put to music by Slim Dusty, The Brass Well, George Jones' Corvette Song, Roy Orbison's Communication Breakdown the title track and Rex's own version of Australia's alternative national anthem, Waltzing Matilda.

"It's a song I always finished shows with out at 'The Barn'," Rex said, referring to his Moonbi property venue which was popular for many years. "People were forever asking me to record it, so Brett has done a great job on it for this album. I'm pretty sure people will be happy with the end result."

The album will sell for $25 at the launch next Friday night at The Pub. Fans can keep up with Rex and Adrienne's travels by visiting Rex's Facebook page where he will post regular updates of upcoming shows and news along the road.

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Also new from Lee

Longnecks And Rednecks is the title of Lee Forster's latest album.

"To some, the title will be self explanatory," Lee said, but to others it will not.

"Stuie French has produced all of my previous recordings, including Keep Safe On The Track which had numerous top five singles on it as well as my number two hit The Good Tones. Now, not only has Stuie produced my new album we have made it a duet album," Lee said.

"Stuie and I are traditionalists when it comes to country music. We love the old stuff, especially Merle Haggard, George Jones, Buck Owens and Slim Dusty. So I was chuffed when he said yes to putting together an album of old songs.

"However, we decided on finding some of our favourite drinking party songs. It was fun finding them, writing a couple ourselves and then recording them with some of the best players in Australia. So Longnecks And Rednecks is simple. Longnecks for the drinking and rednecks are some of these great old singers who had some real redneck songs back when.

"We would admit there is a bit of Redneck in us both and we don't mind a longneck or two either (lol).

"After the great responses from other drinking song releases like Drinkin Bone, Fire In The Bar and Drink Up And Be Somebody, I felt an album of these songs would be awesome to record," Lee said.

Barroom Buddies will be the first single from the new album, released to radio this month on Country Singles for Radio 156.

Lee is also out on the road from April, touring in Victoria and the centre of Australia for a few weeks in the Northern Territory.

Weblink – www.leeforster.com.au.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2012

Tanya to sculpt Slim and Joy

Tanya Bartlett has been commissioned to create Tamworth's new Slim Dusty and Joy McKean statue.

The commission was announced today at the official launch of the fundraising appeal in Country Music Capital.

Chairman of the Slim & Joy Statue Committee John Sommerlad said Tanya was already well known and respected locally for two fine sculptures, the Waler Light Horse Memorial and the recently unveiled Smoky Dawson statue in Peel Street.

She has also created many other well-known statues including Don Bradman in Bowral and Les Darcy in Maitland.

John said he was very confident Tanya would create a sculpture that would not only pay tribute to Slim Dusty and Joy McKean, but would be recognised as an outstanding work of art.

"The statue of Slim and Joy together will salute a long-standing and very close association between the two country music legends and Tamworth," he said. "It will also commemorate the key role they played in the establishment of Country Music Capital."

In the late 1960s, the couple threw their considerable reputation behind the push by radio station 2TM to establish Tamworth as the focal point for Australian country music. When the Golden Guitar Awards began in January 1973, Slim and Joy were heavily involved and that commitment and unstinting support continued as the Festival grew into the major event it is today.

Slim died on September 19, 2003, while Joy has continued to be a vigorous and committed participant in the Festival and the Australian country music industry.

In a video message officially launching the campaign, Troy Cassar-Daley said Slim and Joy had always been the yardsticks by which everything was measured in Australian country music.

"I always wanted to be like them," he said. "They were the pioneers who cut the path for us to follow and it's great to honour them like this in Tamworth, Australia's Country Music Capital."

The statue will be located in Peel Street and will be unveiled in January, 2014. Tamworth Regional Council and the NSW Government have already announced support and contributions to the appeal, which will run over the next six months.

Weblink – www.slimandjoystatueappeal.com.

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Country Music Store to close

Landmark Australian country music retailer the Country Music Store is to close following the announcement that owner Ron Adsett is retiring.

One of Australian country music's leading industry figures, Ron has operated the Country Music Store for some 25 years, for most of that time in the heart of Brisbane city and more latterly in suburban Coopers Plains.

For many years, the Store was the only specialist country music retailer in Australia, supplying records and then CDs to customers all over Australia and in more than 20 countries around the world.

In the days before the internet, Ron also undertook the mail order business for several artist fan clubs and continued to service on-line customers of artists web sites as the internet spread.

His personal relationship with his customers led to him building some lasting relationships, and on a number of occasions through the years was surprised to find a mail order customer in his shop (with many overseas people including Brisbane on their itinerary just to meet Ron).

Ron often went to considerable lengths to acquire hard to find titles and built up supply sources among collectors around the world.

His musical career, however, began as a record sales rep for major record companies EMI and Tempo before moving into radio.

After a stint at Sydney's 2UE, he moved to Brisbane to become 4KQ's Music Director when the station was riding high with a Country format. When 4KQ dropped Country, Ron opened the Country Music Store.

He was a founding member of the Country Music Association of Australia and served on the Board for 16 years. The Country Music Store was named Country Music Retailer of the Year five times by the national industry organisation. See photo: Ron pictured with his most recent award and country star Nicki Gillis.

The Country Music Store will close on Saturday March 31.

Leading up to the closure will be a clearance sale that begins on Monday with all product selling for discounts between 50 and 90 percent, culminating with a "Farewell Clearance Party".

In addition to selling all remaining stock in the shop, the remains of another major country music library will also be sold at bargain prices, together with memorabilia, posters and collectibles.

The Country Music Store is located at 896 Boundary Road Coopers Plains. The website is www.countrymusic.com.au.

Country fans are invited to the Farewell Clearance Party which will run from 8am Saturday March 31 at the Store.

Details and more information can be obtained from Ron on (07) 3221 3000 or by emailing cmstore@countrymusic.com.au.

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 2012

New album from Craig

Craig Morrison has released his self-titled debut album in Australia.

Record in Australia and Nashville, the album was produced by Aussie ex-pat Mark Moffatt.

The release follows two successful country singles in 2011 from the then upcoming album.

Hot Kinda Love made it on to the Country Music Channel's top 50 playlist while Fences reached number five on the national Country Tracks Top 30 singles chart.

While acknowledging his roots firmly in the Australian scene, Craig is now based in Nashville, joining a list of Australian country artists, including The McClymonts and O'Shea, who are breaking into the US market.

Major US radio consultants are already calling his new record "a great fit". The album is due for a joint release via GMV Nashville in the States, followed by Aristo Media servicing Fences to US radio in April.

Craig has been treading the boards of the industry since he was a youngster. His father is Lucky Starr, who is dubbed as a founding member of Australian pop and had the hit song with Geoff Mack's I've Been Everywhere.

Lucky often took his son on stage, bringing him up on a solid diet of performing. It was a natural progression for Craig to move into music as he became an adult, but initially he pushed himself in another genre direction entirely, forming pop-rock band DeMont in the 1980s.

But, Craig said, country music was always in his blood. He felt a resonance with the genre, from a perspective of writing and performing, and post-DeMont success, he found himself dabbling in writing country songs

His country album release Heaven Knows under the guise of Craig Morrison Little Cowboys was well-received by the industry and this cemented his determination to carve a niche for himself in the genre.

Moving to Nashville seemed like the next natural step and he has managed to combine both his Australian influences and his US experiences to create an album which is expected to appeal to audiences in both markets.

"This album of songs best showcases my singing ability, creativity as a new writer and my performance level as a contemporary artist today, Craig said. "I wanted the album to have a fun, up-tempo feel. As time evolved, I found the album's natural progression, describing my journey with music and life, keeping a positive preference towards how I feel about love, and dealing with overcoming life's challenges, and winning."

The album was released in Australia last Thursday (March 8).

Weblink – www.craigmorrisonmusic.com.

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Country Archibald entries

At least two entries of this year's Archibald art prize have solid country music connections.

The Northern Daily Leader's Rebecca Belt reported that Tamworth sisters and country music artists Aleyce and Karlee Simmonds have been immortalised in an entry for Australia's most prestigious art prize.

And Country Music Capital artist Bill Wakeford has entered a portrait of himself with Chelsea Basham, a Western Australian country music singer and former Toyota Star Maker finalist.

Moore Creek's Marie Larkin has previously painted Aleyce Simmonds, a multi finalist in this year's Golden Guitar Awards, but wanted to capture the close bond the sisters have in what is her first Archibald Prize entry titled "Dream. Believe" which comes from the tattoos the girls have (Karlee has "Dream" and Aleyce "Believe").

She said she wanted to paint Aleyce and Karlee because she knew them so well. "A good portrait should tell people something about the sitter," she said.

"They are really special people. Aleyce has worked so hard for what she's achieved, so I wanted to reward that in a way. If you asked the girls what was important to each of them, they would say each other and family, so I painted them together."

Rebecca reported that the sisters were "over the moon" that Marie painted them for her entry. The portrait is 90cm by 90cm.

The artist said she had worked on the painting for more than 12 hours each day since this year's Tamworth Country Music Festival, when she'd sketched the girls for the portrait.

Bill Wakeford said he did not know of Chelsea Basham before meeting her during a January festival.

"She's good-looking, she's got a lot of personality and she's talented," he said of his decision to paint her.

This year's competition will be the fifth Bill, an alumni of the Sydney College of the Arts, has entered since 2006.

The Archibald Prize winner will be announced on March 30 at 12 noon. The Archibald Prize exhibition will be shown at the Art Gallery of NSW from March 31 to June 3.

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Chart Update – Amber takes over at the top

Amber Lawrence's Everybody's A Mess jumps takes over the number one position on this week's national Country Tracks Top 30.

Troy Cassar-Daley's number one for the last two weeks, Country Is, is at number two, Harmony James' Don't Say It edges up one place to number three while Doug Bruce's Sweet is up two to four.

Travis Collins' Fired Today is at five, The McClymonts' How Long Have You Known is up three places to six and America's Dierks Bentley is steady at seven with Home.

American artists dominate the tail end of the top 10... the Eli Young Band at eight with Crazy Girl, Luke Bryan at nine with I Don't Want This Night To End and George Strait at 10 with Love's Gonna Make It Alright.

Bullet performers for the week include Luke O'Shea's The Drover's Wife (14 to 11), McAlister Kemp's Country Proud (17 to 13), Natalie Howard's Feel Like Letting Go (18 to 15), Christie Lamb's Mr Wrong (20 to 16), John Williamson's Hang My Hat In Queensland (22 to 19), Kristy Cox's Little Bit Of Wonderful(25 to 21), Morgan Evans' Live Each Day (26 to 22), Tori Darke's Great Mistake (28 to 25), Beccy Cole's Waitress (new at 26) and O'Shea's When The Girls Get Together (30 to 27).

Other new entries to the chart this week are Carter & Carter's A Good Life (in at 29) and The Bobkatz' Life's Like Fishin' (at 30).

The full chart can be viewed at – www.countrymusicradio.com.au.

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TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 2012

Emma wins 2012 Spur Award

Emma Hannah has been named winner of the 2012 Frank Ifield International Spur Award.

The announcement was made at this month's "Canterbury Country" show in Sydney run by Bob Howe.

"It was a very special time and Emma was overwhelmed on receiving her award," said Frank following the announcement. "The occasion was made even more enjoyable as she was unaware of it happening.

Emma had arrived with her newlywed husband, steel guitar player Kenny Kitching, and was sitting across from George Payne ("The Whispering Yodeller") and his wife Anne.

"I first heard Emma sing on stage at Smithfield RSL only last year," Frank said, "and was totally bowled over with her classy performance. She had all that I look for in my Spur award artists. I could understand every word she sang – her intonation was perfect with a unique vocal quality of feeling and expression."

Emma joins previous winners John Stephan (2011), Johanna Hemara (2010), Nicki Gillis (2009), Kirsty Lee Akers (2008), Karen Lynne (2007), Travis Collins (2006), Stacey Morris (2005), Graham G Toole (2004), Donna Boyd (2003), Wayne Law (2002), Karen O'Shea (2001) and, when the award was simple known as the Frank Ifield Award, Wayne Horsburgh (2000 – the once only special Millennium Award), Melinda Schneider and Mike Carr (1999) and Colin Greatorix (1998).

Photo (by Terry Phillpot www.eyegraphics.net): Frank and Emma on stage following the Spur Award announcement.

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MONDAY, MARCH 12, 2012

Central Coast Festival success

Organisers have hailed this year's Central Coast Country Music Festival, held at the weekend, "another huge success".

A line-up of more than 90 country artists performed at some 30 venues throughout the Wyong Shire and Gosford City.

The festival is estimated to have injected more than $4million into the local economy with tens of thousands of visitors attending from "near and far".

Paul Barnes, The Entrance Town Centre Manager, said: "This event is a wonderful boost for the local economy. We are delighted to welcome visitors to our town and the region each year for this event which is now starting to rival other large country music festivals in Australia.

"The festival, having celebrated its 12th year, is not only for our local community to enjoy it is beneficial to the local economy through job creation," Paul said.

"Picture perfect weather for the entire three days saw huge crowds gather on the foreshore of The Entrance and venues were mostly fully booked throughout the weekend. Accommodation properties recorded extremely high occupancy rates."

Saturday featured Travis Collins, Tori Darke, Amber Lawrence, Craig Morrison and Shane Nicholson while The Round Mountain Girls "had the audience toe tapping, dancing and singing along for their entire performance" on Sunday together with The Apprentices (Makaylie Foodey, Hannah Smith, Kaylah Anne and Georgia White), Luke Austen and the Sunny Cowgirls.

The East Coast Bronc & Bull Association sponsored two gold and silver diamond encrusted belt buckles for the people's choice winners from acts appearing on The Entrance's Memorial Park stage. Craig Morrison was voted most popular male artist and Amber Lawrence most popular female artist.

Other highlights of the weekend were the junior and senior busking competitions which attracted record entries and provided free entertainment throughout the township.

Sails Stage performances were presented by Katrina Burgoyne, Chicken Train Skifflers and Aleyce Simmonds, together with bush poetry performers and boot scooting.

"The Lucky Country Stage in the Bayview Mall was hosted by Lucky Starr and was very successful, as was Rob Wilson who drew record crowds at The Entrance Surf Club and the weekend was wrapped up with the traditional wind-up party on the Sails Stage on Sunday night.

Central Coast Country Music Festival 2012 was sponsored by Wyong Shire Council, The Greens at the Entrance, Central Coast Express Advocate, Today's Country 94one, NBN TV, Macron Music, Radio 2GO, The Grove Studios, Skip Film Productions, Lion Nathan, East Coast Bronc & Bull, Country Music Capital News, Somersby Springs, Wild Oats, Azzurro Blu Wharf and The Entrance Town Centre Management.

Pictured, The Apprentices (from left): Mikayla, Georgia, Kaylah, Hannah.

Weblink – www.the entrance.org.

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Taking country to a younger market

Two significant things occurred on Friday (March 9)... to Allan Caswell. He turned 60 and released his first children's album.

Just Kidding is the name of the new work which has been released on the Shoestring Records label.

Allan is not new to children's music, however. During the 1990s, he co-wrote and co-produced a whole series of successful children's albums with Don Spencer.

Just Kidding contains several Caswell/Spencer classics including Bob The Kelpie, Please Don't Call Me A Koala Bear and Aussie Mossie as well as new songs that Allan wrote with Drew McAlister (Hands), Kaylee Bell (the duet Australia And New Zealand) and Mick Hamilton (I'm An Aussie Shark).

Joey The Barbecue Blowie was written by Allan with his wife Marian and his youngest daughter Georgia.

The first single off Just Kidding is "the very funny" Skin.

The album was produced by Roger Corbett at The Valley Studio in Springwood. "Roger did a terrific job," Allan said, "I co-produced the original versions of some of these songs and wanted a fresh approach for them… Roger gave me that.

"Most people think that children's music is a separate genre… I see it as quality songs for really intelligent people who just happen to be eight years old... I write country music and I am as proud of these songs as any I have written."

Just Kidding was originally intended as an album for Allan and Marian's first grandson, Parker, but since the recording began they have found that they have two more grandchildren on the way so a sequel is definitely on the cards!

Weblink – www.allancaswell.com.

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FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 2012

Call for indigenous scholarship applications

The Country Music Association o Australia (CMAA) has issued an invitation for up and coming indigenous country music artists to apply for one of two dedicated scholarships to the senior course of the 2012 Australian Academy of Country Music.

The two scholarships are the Troy Cassar-Daley Scholarship, funded by Arts NSW, and the New England Institute of TAFE NSW Scholarship... both cover the all-inclusive course fee for the successful applicants including accommodation, all meals, tuition and master classes.

Designed for singers, songwriters and instrumentalists over the age of 18 years, the course runs for two weeks from June 23, concluding with a graduation concert on Saturday, July 7.

All applications for this year's Academy, both senior and junior courses, close on Friday March 16. Late applications will be considered in exceptional circumstances only.

Weblink – academycountrymusic.com.au.

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Leisa to shave for a good cause

Leisa Bye, a well-known performer on the Queensland and NSW country music club and talent quest circuit, will be shaving her head as part of this year's World's Greatest Shave organised by the Leukaemia Foundation.

Leisa (pictured) has been involved in Brisbane's Northern Suburbs Country Music Club for more than 10 years, and was with Dubbo's Orana Country Music Association for 10 years before moving to Queensland.

Described as an amazing yodeller and a talented photographer who has been working with the Queensland Champion of Champions crew for the last few years, has also been regularly involved in many different charity events and ventures, including Tsunami Fundraiser by Combined Brisbane Country Music Clubs following the Asian Tsunami.

"The shave" is something Leisa has wanted to do for many years, having lost a number of friends and family over the years to different cancers.

But this year, it's a little closer to home.  In June last year, Leisa's sister-in-law Cathy was diagnosed with a nasty brain tumour and has had two major surgeries and is continuing with treatment.

Leisa says she wants to do "the shave" for Cathy, and for all those who are battling and fighting at the moment. 

"If they're brave enough to fight, then I am brave enough to risk an bare head," she said.

Leisa's fund-raising efforts can be supported at the following link my.leukaemiafoundation.org.au/leisabye.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012

Broxburn Bash 2012

Details have been announced for the 2012 Broxburn Bash, including artist line-up and talent quest information.

The artist line-up will include James Anderseen, Dave Prow, Midnight Sun & The Crime Scene, Sarenda, Simon Thomas, Garry Watson and Paul Wilson & The Wizard Of Oz Band.

In addition, two dedicated artist covers bands will feature... Chisel Revived and The Eagles Experience.

Entries in the Bash talent quest close on April 13.

The talent quest, sponsored by the Denning Family of Burwood Stud and affiliated with the Queensland Champion of Champions, has sections for juvenile, junior, senior and "golden oldies".

Sections are Duo or Group, Golden Oldies Bush Ballad, Golden Oldies Vocal, Juvenile Bush Ballad, Juvenile Country Vocal, Juvenile Gospel, Junior Bush Ballad, Junior Country Vocal, Junior Gospel, Own Composition, Senior Bush Ballad and Senior Country Vocal Senior Gospel (open also to "golden oldies").

The Broxburn Bush Bash will run on Saturday and Sunday, May 5 and 6 at Broxburn (Qld) near Pittsworth.

Photo: a pic from last year's Bash.

Weblink – www.broxburnbash.com.

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New single from Ransom

Toyota Star Maker finalist 2012 Ransom (Ben Ransom) has released his third and final single before the release of his official debut album which is due out mid this year.

The Wedding Song is the title of the track, a sentimental favourite of the singer/songwriter that is, he said, a song he wrote for friends of his who were getting married "way back" in 2003.

"It explores the musings of a groom on the day of his wedding... reflecting on what it means and feels when you find that one true love... a simple and understated song that focuses more on the lyrical content and beauty of a well written song rather than being overproduced."

The new single comes after previous releases Bourbon & Sunsets (his debut) and the follow-up Long Hot Days.

Weblink – www.ransommusic.com.

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 2012

Tom launches HSF Artist Services

Tom Inglis, EMI's former head of Country Music and Catalogues, has launched HSF Artist Services, an initiative to provide Australian country artists with a number of traditional record label services.

Services range from mentoring to project management, marketing, radio servicing/plugging and publicity through to manufacturing and international digital distribution.

Tom (pictured) said HSF Music Services could provide everything that a music label does without the boundaries to help build artist brands and music.

"It's time for artists to grab control of their music," Tom said. "More artists than ever are choosing to go without a record label. Record labels are also signing less acts than in the past, both of these are leaving a gap in artist’s progression with several invaluable profile and branding inclusions being dropped by many independent artists.

"Today's savvy artists understand the considerable earning opportunity when you empower a strong brand with a direct to fan sales attitude. HSF Artist Services helps the artist get the brand and products (both recorded and live) right.

"We follow this with strong through-the-line marketing and promotion allowing artists to engage with country music fans at multiple points. This will enable a unified approach where consistent messaging across multiple media creates a fan perception.

"Bookend this with digital retail distribution and physical distribution via artist sites," Tom said, "and you have the new music model for our country music stars of tomorrow."

Tom started his career in music straight out of high school, beginning his first job with Festival Records at the age of 16. Gaining a wealth of knowledge as he moved through various roles it was at EMI Music that his passion for real songs about real people saw him work with local artists such as Lou Bradley, Troy Cassar-Daley, Kasey Chambers, Slim Dusty, Paul Kelly, Anne Kirkpatrick, Keith Urban, Felicity Urquhart and John Williamson.

Also working the Capitol Nashville label, Tom worked on records by Trace Adkins, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Garth Brooks, Eric Church and kick-started EMI Australia's enthusiasm towards Lady Antebellum.

Weblink – www.facebook.com/hsfartistservices.

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American Hall of Fame inductees announced

America's Country Music Association (CMA) has announced this year's inductees to its Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville.

Garth Brooks, Hargus "Pig" Robbins and Connie Smith are the three who will be inducted into the Hall later this year during the Medallion Ceremony, an annual reunion of the Hall of Fame membership that has served as the official rite of induction for new members since 2007.

Garth is being inducted in the Modern Era Artist category, Hargus goes in under the Recording and/or Touring Musician Active Prior to 1980 category (awarded every third year in rotation with the Non Performer and Songwriter categories) and Connie via the Veterans Era Artist category.

"There are great artists and talents, and then there are Connie, 'Pig' and Garth," said Steve Moore, CMA Chief Executive Officer

"Connie has been one of the most celebrated female voices in music for more than 45 years, setting a golden standard for the thousands of female vocalists who came after her. 'Pig' overcame adversity to become one of the most sought-after session musicians in the industry, contributing his considerable talents to classic songs that have been treasured by fans all over the world since the late '50s.

"And Garth led modern country music to unbelievable heights of commercial success and pop culture relevance after bursting on to the scene as part of the now-legendary 'Class of 1989'. These three artists are more than just performers... they are forces of nature who are deservedly entering the Country Music Hall of Fame," Steve said.

"I am astounded and honoured to be in the Country Music Hall of Fame," said Garth. "At the same time, I can't help but feel guilty going in when there are so many deserving artists that came before me who are yet to be inducted."

"I've had the privilege of participating in several Hall of Fame inductions," said Connie. "They were all very special. But now to become a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame myself is an honour for me and my family. So touching, it's difficult to find the words to express my gratitude."

"I just couldn't believe it the other day when Steve Moore called and informed me that I had been chosen to become one of the new members of the Country Music Hall of Fame," said Hargus. "All I could say was 'thank you, thank you, thank you!' Well, I have always considered myself lucky, and I guess my good luck has struck again. I am so honoured to be named one of the new members."

"The announcement of new inductees into the Country Music Hall of Fame is always a cause for celebration," said Kyle Young, Director, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. "This year's class features three artists who revered country music's traditions but quickly forged their own paths, taking the genre to new places and, in turn, profoundly influencing the artists who have followed them.

"Each is a musical paradigm: Connie Smith, the epitome of a vocalist, has used her powerful voice to convey every nuance of love, loss, heartache, and faith on her canon of now-classic recordings; Hargus 'Pig' Robbins, the consummate session pianist, has contributed note-perfect stylings to many of American music's greatest recordings for more than three decades; and Garth Brooks, the prototype of a modern country superstar, has taken this genre to new venues and new heights, engaging fans with his unparalleled mix of showmanship, theatricality and musical talent, all while never losing sight of country music's roots."

The CMA created the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1961 to recognise noteworthy individuals for their outstanding contributions to the format with country music's highest honour in America.

Photo, by John Russell, CMA (from left): Hargus "Pig" Robbins, Connie Smith and Garth Brooks following this week's announcement of 2012 inductees to the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Weblink – www.countrymusichalloffame.org.

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Chart Update – Troy still at number one

Troy Cassar-Daley's latest hit, Country Is, retains the number one position on this week's national Country Tracks Top 30.

Amber Lawrence's Everybody's A Mess jumps two places to be in second position while Travis Collins' Fired Today is at three and Harmony James' Don't Say It is up two to number four.

America's Eli Young Band is steady at five with Crazy Girl, Doug Bruce's Sweet jumps four more places to six and America's Dierks Bentley is at seven with Home while.

Jetty Road's I'm A Dreamer is at eight, The McClymonts' How Long Have You Known bounds into the top 10 at nine and America's Luke Bryan is at 10 with I Don't Want This Night To End.

Bullet performers for the week include Luke O'Shea's The Drover's Wife (18 to 14), McAlister Kemp's Country Proud (22 to 17), Christy Lamb's Mr Wrong (23 to 20), John Williamson's Hang My Hat In Queensland (25 to 22), Kristy Cox's Little Bit Of Wonderful (28 to 25) and Morgan Evans' Live Each Day (29 to 26).

New entries to the chart this week include Tori Darke (pictured) with Great Mistake (in at 28) and O'Shea's When The Girls Get Together (at 30).

The full chart can be viewed at – www.countrymusicradio.com.au.

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TUESDAY, MARCH 6, 2012

New album from from Jane & Ian

Jane Germain & Ian Simpson have released a new album, No Fun Allowed.

The multi award winning acoustic duo's new work features songs they have been creating together in their own style, ranging from raging bluegrass, hard-driving blues, to swing and "down-home" country, according to a spokesman for the artists.

"Songs such as Listen To What You Know, A Lesson In Life, Why Do You Hate Me So Much, A Love Song Gone Wrong, to the rollicking banjo of Banjo Pickin' Girl will delight lovers of real music.

"Jane and Ian play almost all of the instruments on this recording and welcome the addition of Adam Gare on mandolin and fiddle on some tracks. Jane makes a debut appearance playing clawhammer banjo on three tracks."

The Perth based duo have been playing their style of acoustic music together now for several years after first teaming up for Jane's Chinese Whispers album, and then in 20I0 releasing their first duo album Lonesome Road.

Jane is a singer/songwriter with Chinese heritage and Ian has toured and recorded with various artists from Slim Dusty to Paul Kelly.

In 20I0, Jane and Ian represented Australia at the World Expo in China.

This year has started well with Jane & Ian winning the WA Country Music Award for Best Vocal Group or Duo for the fourth year in a row.

No Fun Allowed will be launched at Kulcha in Freemantle (WA) this Friday night (March 9).

Weblink – www.myspace.com/janegermain.

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ISC finalists announced

Finalists have been announced in the 2011 International Songwriting Contest with a few Australian country contenders in the running for wins.

The Americana (progressive roots country) section looks to be most popular with five finalist entries hailing from "down under" – Neville Anderson with Nothin' Takes You Off My Mind, Catherine Britt with Sweet Emmylou and Shane Nicholson (pictured) with three... The Broken Things, Jimmie Rodgers Was A Vampire and Where The Waters Go.

Peter Denahy is a finalist in the Comedy/Novelty section with his classic hit Sort Of Dunno Nothin'.

Winners will be announced in April.

Entries for the 2012 contest are now open.

Weblink – www.songwritingcompetition.com.

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MONDAY, MARCH 5, 2012

Aussie fans continue to embrace digital

The Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) last week released its figures for 2011, which show that Australian music fans continue to embrace digital music services against a backdrop of falling sales for physical music.

Digital sales now make up 36.7 percent of the industry's value, ARIA reported, compared to 27.2 percent last year, mirroring the increasing trend of digital music consumption internationally.

Australians adopted the ever-increasing number of legal digital music offerings available in 2011, as digital sales grew in number by 36.7 percent, with digital track sales increasing by 39.2 percent and digital albums up 45.9 percent on 2010.

Further growth in the digital market is expected in 2012, with a number of new music subscription services likely to enter the Australian streaming market, including Spotify, Deezer and Rdio to join existing services from JB Hi Fi and Samsung offering music consumers even more choice in how they consume, buy and listen to music.

Last year, physical music sales were down 13.8 percent on 2010 figures although still accounted for $242 million dollars worth of revenue for the industry, further emphasising the important role physical music and retail continues to play in the music buying experience of consumers.

One area of physical sales growth for the industry in 2011 was the 20.5 percent increase on 2010 in the quantity of units sold, highlighting the fact that Australian music fans appetite for quality music is greater than ever before, according to ARIA.

While these numbers are a welcome improvement on previous years, the impact of online piracy continues to be felt across the industry. The current overall industry value of $382.7 million is a drop of 27.5 percent on the $528.2 million generated in 2005.

Figures recently released by IFPI (the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry), show that one in four internet users access unauthorised services on a monthly basis, costing the recorded music industry potential sales and revenues.

ARIA Chief Executive Dan Rosen said: "2011 was an extremely positive year for our industry and we enter 2012 with a great deal of momentum on all fronts. There were a whole range of fantastic releases by artists both here and abroad and the array of options by which music fans could listen to, consume and purchase music grew exponentially.

"While as an industry we are doing all we can to embrace the digital media landscape by offering music fans more options than ever before to get their music legally online, we require urgent assistance in the fight against the negative impact of illegal online piracy. We will continue our fight to protect the rights of artists and labels, ensuring money flows back for their creative work and to the grassroots of the music industry. We will work in good faith with the Government and ISPs (internet service providers) for practical progress in the coming year."

ARIA Chairman and Chief Executive of Sony Music Entertainment Australia & New Zealand Denis Handlin said: "Australian music fans continue to be some of the most passionate and knowledgeable in the world and demand for music has never been greater, which is reflected in today's figures.

"Overall 2011 was a very positive year for our industry, with growth in a number of areas, a host of exciting new releases and a wonderful anniversary celebration at our 25th ARIA Awards."

Weblink – www.aria.com.au.

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New record for Slim?

Almost 10 years after his death in 2003, Slim Dusty has created what is believed to be another record with his Very Best Of album marking 400 weeks in the ARIA Australian Country Chart this week.

The album was first released in 1999 and has had a number of updates along the way but is ostensibly the same grouping of Slim's hit songs through his amazing 60 year career.

Almost co-incidentally, one of Australian country music's modern day stars, Keith Urban, now also one of the world's biggest names in country music, has also passed a milestone reached only by a small number of recording acts.

Just before new year, Keith's Best Of album (subtitled 18 Kids) passed the 200 mark and continues to feature (212 weeks this week) in the Australian Country Chart.

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FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2012

Monaro Muster

Details have been announced for the Monaro Country Music Muster being planned for the weekend of Friday March 30 to Sunday April 1 in Cooma (NSW).

Notwithstanding any impact current flooding is having, the event is designed to raise money to support the Monaro Committee for Cancer Research that needs funds to support families living with cancer in the Cooma-Monaro, Bombala and Snowy River Shires.

The event is being organised by the Rotary Club of Cooma.

Events included on the program are bush poetry, walk-up concerts and a major concert in Cooma's Centennial Park on the Sunday.

A feature activity of the weekend will include the launch by local artist Jay Podger (pictured) of his latest album on the Friday night.

Click here for more information.

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New single from The Fry Brothers

Victoria's Fry Brothers have released the first single from their debut album, Waitin' On The Wonderful.

Title of the track is Drivin' Rain. The album was produced in Nashville by Aussie ex-pat Mark Moffatt who has also produced artists such as Slim Dusty, O'Shea and Jasmine Rae, to name a few.

Drivin' Rain is particularly notable for The Fry Brother as it's their first single since Yippy Yi Yay Cowboys released about 15 years ago.

The album is described as a mixture of bluegrass, gospel, country, country rock and crossover country with six of the 12 songs written by the duo.

Tim and Roy Fry grew up in Hillcrest, Victoria betweenSmythesdale and Snake Valley. At age six their parents encouraged the boys to develop their natural harmonies and guitar skills. Their father, who played guitar, started teaching the boys. Tim played lap steel and Roy played acoustic guitar.

Their father was also one of the founding members of the Ballarat Country Music Club which gave the duo a chance to create their own sound and playing style.

The brothers performed throughout their childhood and in their teens as an acoustic duo in a succession of country to rock bands until they parted for a time while Roy completed a formal education in classical guitar and composition and Tim joined a touring country band playing pedal steel performing at different venues throughout Victoria and up into Queensland.

After some years of separate projects, the boys reunited to explore different styles and to try their hand at songwriting to create a distinct sound.

It was at one of their gigs that they were spotted by a country music artist manager who said he was "struck by their unique twin vocals, strong songwriting and arrangements" later encouraging Tim and Roy to pursue a serious career with their music.

Soon the twins were making a mark on the country music scene supporting Australian and touring US artists at festivals as The Fry Brothers. They recorded Yippi Yi Yay Cowboys, releasing it to favourable industry reviews in mid 2006. Roy played acoustic and Tim played dobro. On the release of their first album, Tim changed to a 12 string acoustic and Roy played acoustic and electric guitar.

Weblink – www.thefrybrothers.com.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 2012

Tamara and Rick team up

For the first time in their 10 year collaborative history, Tamara Stewart and Rick Price will team up for a tour promoting Rick's new album The Water's Edge.

Tamara says she is proud to be supporting Rick and is excited about the pending dates. "It's strange to think we have never toured together before... but I'm so thrilled to get out there and support Rick... he is not only pure genius.. but a pleasure to work with."

Tamara will open the show for Rick and join him onstage. "When we sing together.. it's very special to me," Tamara said. "We've recorded two duets together and worked on a few projects – it's a connection that works- and I'm really excited to get to sing with him on every show."

The tour launches today at Windsor (NSW), travels to Victoria and will conclude in Newcastle on Sunday April 1.

Weblinks – www.tamarastewart.com.au, www.rickprice.com.au.

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The Winners 2012

An important release that slipped under the radar in early January was The Winners 2012 – the album featuring finalists and winners from this year's Golden Guitar Awards.

This year's compilation is unique in that it not only includes a CD with 20 tracks from the current Awards but also incorporates a DVD of 12 finalist videos, including the winner, Children Of The Gurindji by Sara Storer with Kev Carmody.

A third part of the package is a CD with 20 tracks commemorating the 40th year of the Golden Guitars.

The Winners 2012 is the 20th release in the series with total sales of the series to date exceeding 470,000 units.

Weblink – www.country.com.au.

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2012

Troy's new album out Friday

Troy Cassar-Daley's new album Home will be released and available in store and on-line from this Friday (March 2).

The country star says he has been hanging out for this day to arrive. He kicked off what is going to be a huge year touring wise with a sell-out show at the Tamworth Country Music Festival and since then has been on the road and on the phone promoting the new work which is released through Liberation Music.

Home is Troy's eighth studio album. He recorded it in Nashville and for the first time ever took on the role as album producer. He fulfilled one of his lifelong aspirations when he hired his "dream team" of Nashville musicians to record with him.

The players included musical director Biff Watson on acoustic guitar and mandolin; Brent Mason on electric guitar; Eddie Bayers on drums; Michael Rhodes on bass; Steve Nathan on keys; Bryan Sutton on banjo and acoustic guitar; Stuart Duncan, fiddle; Paul Franklin, steel guitar; and John Wesley Ryles on background vocals.

Ed Seay was the engineer.

"I am very proud of this album and hope that Australian country music fans enjoy listening to it as much as I enjoyed writing, recording and producing it," Troy said.

While the first single from the album – Country Is – has topped the Australian national country singles chart this week (see chart update below) the second single, Live And Learn, is about to be released.

Troy will be launching the album and a tour to promote the album on Friday with a show at Lizottes in Dee Why (Sydney) featuring special guest Harmony James.

The extensive tour will continue until May 27 with shows in NSW, Queensland and Victoria.

Weblink – www.troycassardaley.com.au.

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Chart Update – Troy hits number one

And as if to emphasise this Friday's new album release, the first single from Troy Cassar-Daley's new album, Country Is, has taken over the top spot on this week's national Country Tracks Top 30.

Travis Collins' Fired Today jumps two places to be in second place, Jetty Road's I'm A Dreamer is at three and Amber Lawrence is up three to number four with Everybody's A Mess.

America's Eli Young Band is at five with Crazy Girl, Harmony James' Don't Say It is up three to six and Craig Morrison's Fences is at seven.

Adam Harvey's Falling Into Place is at eight, America's Dierks Bentley is at nine with Home while Doug Bruce's Sweet jumps five places to enter the top 10 at 10.

Bullet performers for the week include The McClymonts' How Long Have You Known (20 to 14), Luke O'Shea's The Drover's Wife (22 to 18), McAlister Kemp's Country Proud (27 to 22) and John Williamson's Hang My Hat In Queensland (28 to 25).

New entries to the chart this week include Kristy Cox's Little Bit Of Wonderful (in at 28) and Morgan Evans' Live Each Day (at 29).

Weblink – www.countrymusicradio.com.au.

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2012

Musicoz entries open

Entries are now open for the Musicoz Awards, billed as the largest and most credible awards program for unsigned and independent artists.

Celebrating 11 successful years, organisers are expecting the 2012 Awards to be the best ever.

The Musicoz Awards give recognition, exposure and development opportunities to Australian artists who are finalists and winners at the event. Artists are selected and judged by representatives from major labels, independent labels, booking agents, artist managers and record producers.

This year, Musicoz is partnering with BigPond, Facebook and YouTube to give the Awards and its entrants a bigger "exposure platform".

"YouTube is a passionate supporter of new music and together with the Musicoz Awards, we're building an even stronger exposure and reach platform for Musicoz artists to be recognised," according to Richard North, Head of Strategic Partnerships, YouTube, Aust & NZ.  

"BigPond Music is committed to Australian Music and content," said Glenn Hamilton, Head of Music, Telstra/BigPond. "We recognise that Musicoz is a leader in identifying, recognising and representing the interests of the best of the 17,000 independent musicians in Australia."

Artists wanting to enter one or more of the 18 genre categories, including Acoustic Singer-Songwriter, Blues/Roots, Country, Instrumental and Video, can do so online at www.musicoz.org.

All entrants are eligible to win overall awards including Artist of the Year, the APRA Songwriter's Award, the Garth Porter Producer Award and the People's SMS Vote Award.

Entry in the Awards, which were not staged last year, close on March 31.

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Boondooma Muster

Details have been announced for what organisers bill as "the original spirit of the bush" Traditional Balladeers & Heritage Muster at Queensland's historic Boondooma Homestead.

The 2012 event will run for five days and nights from April 25 to 29 at Boondooma north of Dalby, north west of Kingaroy and south of Gayndah.

An Anzac Service will be part of the first day's program, from 9am, followed by Poetry & Ballads "'til late" featuring some of Australia's top balladeers and poets.

Artists to feature at this year's event include Neville Anderson, Gavan Arden, Greg Bain, Lindsay Butler, Ashley Cook, Trevor Day, Laura Downing (pictured), Jack Drake, Col Edmonds, Paul Ensbey, Ray Essery (above right), Gary Fogarty, Johnny Greenwood, Bec Hance, Ian Hands, Wave Jackson, Brian Jendra, Lex K, Les Lawson, Shaza Leigh, Alan Luscombe, Dianne Lindsay & Peter Simpson, Merv Maltman, Bruce McCumstie (above centre), Tom McIvor, Dean Perrett, Kiara Rodrigues, Sharon Smith, Buddy Thomson, Stuart Watson, Merv & Chris Webster and Zeta Burns.

Walk-up artist sessions will also feature, along with the Homestead Balladeers & Poetry Competition.

Camp oven meals will be provided by Boondooma's Camp Oven Cooking Team and a licenced bar will operate.

The Muster will include stalls, vintage cars & engines, broad axe, adze, photographic and historic displays.

Bush camping will be available.

Details of competitions and general information can be obtained from Buddy Thomson or Lynne Bennett, telephone 07 4168 0168 or email buddythomson@bigpond.com.

Weblink – www.boondoomahomestead.org.au.

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012

Stephanie releases debut EP

Singer/songwriter and 2012 Toyota Star Maker finalist Stephanie Jansen has released her debut EP.

Titled Risky, the work has been described as "an incredible first offering... showcasing her diversity as a songwriter and performer".

Stephanie has been performing alongside other artists as a backing singer and session player for years, honing her craft and making sure she was ready to take the step forward with her own solo career, according to a spokesman for the artist.

"While she's been writing her own material for as long as she can remember, Stephanie didn't make a conscious effort to create her style into one specific genre, rather, she wanted to create music that enabled her to express herself," the spokesman said.

"She focused on being herself and making the best music she could, and Risky is certainly a stunning example of this."

"I think the country style of my music has emerged as a natural result of my desire to capture honesty," Stephanie said. "Songwriting for me has always been an exercise in exploring my own opinions, fears and boundaries. It is a constant process of self-discovery and that’s why I love it so much.

"What I love about country music is that it captures what it is to be human in a way that is quite unique. It celebrates things like family and the daily struggle of the working person."

Releasing Risky, and the first single of the same name, wasn't a quick process. Stephanie could easily have released the work three or four years ago, but took the approach that she wanted to be 100 percent happy with the product before sharing it with the public.

The five tracks on Risky are penned about things that Stephanie says she cares about the most, has experienced and is inspired by.

Weblink – www.stephaniejansen.com.au.

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And the Pub Song winner is...

Terry Lockley (pictured) of Lidcombe, NSW, with The Local .

Catching up on Tamworth, and one of the events that slipped past in January was the Tooheys New Great NSW Country Pub Songwriting Competition.

Terry took out first prize while Simply Bushed were named runners-up with their song Chook Raffle.

Third prize went to Louise Egan of Lavington, NSW, for Bar Flies while Tootie Hiles of Toowoomba, Qld came fifth with At The Pub Baby!

Organisers congratulated all the finalists "for their sensational songs and the great performances at the concert at The Pub on January 24.

Broadcasters Hall of Famer Brian Howard emceeing proceedings, the concert attracting "a great audience".

"It was a great opportunity for the AHA (NSW) to showcase its commitment to the live music industry during the iconic Tamworth Country Music Festival," said Colin Waller, AHA (NSW) Treasurer and event organiser.

"The concert was a sensational success and a true credit to the quality of the talent of our finalists. We definitely found some great pub songs in our search this year."

In addition to the performances from the finalists, concert goers were "wowed" with a special performance by two stars of Australian country music, Lee Forster and Stuie French who joined the judging panel and then performed songs from Lee's new album Longnecks And Rednecks featuring Stuie.

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2012

Toyota raises $20,000+ for CanTeen

Toyota Australia has today thanked and congratulated Tamworth Country Music Festival-goers for donating more than $20,000 to CanTeen this year – the largest amount ever raised at the annual event.

"This is a fantastic result for CanTeen and its members," according to Toyota Manager of Events, Promotions & Sponsorships Andrew Wearing. "Hundreds of people donated gold coins to receive Toyota hats throughout the festival, and thousands more offered donations during the Toyota Concert in the Park.

"Lee Kernaghan, The McClymonts, Luke Dickens, 2012 Toyota Star Maker Bob Corbett and the other artists put on a great show for fans at this year's concert; it was a truly special night and a highlight of the festival," he said.

Over the past five years, more than $100,000 has been raised for charity by Toyota at the Tamworth Country Music Festival. "Providing support to regional and rural Australia through fundraising initiatives at the festival is a demonstration of Toyota's great tradition of giving," Andrew said.

CanTeen Acting CEO Dr Claire Treadgold said the organisation and its members were touched by the generosity shown by Tamworth Festival attendees.

"We would like to thank each person who donated so generously during this year's Tamworth Country Music Festival and express our gratitude to Toyota for their ongoing commitment and support of CanTeen. With the funds raised we will be able to continue providing support to young people in regional areas, ensuring that they are able to travel to, and access all our programs for free."

Photo: Lee performs during the 2012 Toyota Concert in the Park. Photo by Greg Sylvia.

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Beef 2012 hosts country stars

Kasey Chambers, Busby Marou and Shane Nicholson will headline the Beef Australia 2012 Country Collaboration Concert in Rockhampton on Friday May 11.

They will be supported by Bill Chambers and Ashleigh Dallas.

The concert is being staged as part of Australia's national beef exposition, Beef Australia 2012, which runs from May 7-12 in the Central Queensland coastal city.

"It is a major coup for Beef Australia 2012 to have not only one of Australia's most celebrated country music artists in Kasey Chambers to perform, but to also feature rising stars and local band Busby Marou, as well as the winner of this year's Tamworth Golden Guitar for best song, Shane Nicholson," said Beef Australia Chairman Geoff Murphy.

"Beef Australia 2012 is not just about showcasing the many new innovations in the cattle industry, it is also about celebrating together as a community. The Country Collaboration Concert is a great way for everyone in Central Queensland to be a part of Beef Australia 2012."

Beef Australia 2012 has been developed under a theme of "Innovation, Collaboration, Inspiration, Celebration".

The concert will be held at the conclusion of five days of trade displays and cattle competitions which are at the heart of the event in the Entertainment Precinct inside the Rockhampton Showgrounds.

The concert is part of a broader live entertainment program which will run throughout the week including the Man From Snowy River Arena Spectacular.

Photo: Kasey performs with back-up from Ashleigh Dallas.

Weblink – www.beefaustralia.com.au.

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Bridgetown coming up

The 2012 Bridgetown (WA) Downunder Country Music Weekend is set for Friday, Saturday and Sunday, March 16, 17 and 18.

Stars of this year's event include The Camerons, Ron Evans, Sid Hewitt, Steve Hill, Hillbilly Deluxe, Kate Hindle (pictured), Keith Lethbridge, Johnny Orr, Bill Rowley, Giulio Perella, Peg Vickers and Chooka Williams, many more local artists and hosts Campfire Country (Therese and David Higginson, pictured).

Billed as a weekend of traditional country music, the event features walk-ups, guest artists, bush poets (including a bush poet's breakfast).

Weblink – www.downundercountry.com.au.

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2012

Adam on tour

Details have been announced for an Adam Brand "up close and personal" tour" kicking off in Melbourne on March 28.

Special guests on the tour will be singer/songwriter Mike Carr, "young gun" Travis Collins and ARIA nominated comedian Buddy Goode.

Adam is fresh from touring the USA with Taylor Swift and looking forward to re-connecting with his local fans.

Mike Carr, who has written and co-written with Adam most of his biggest number one hits (Get Loud, The Anzac, New England Hwy just to name a few), will appear with Adam in what is billed as "a totally and uniquely different show".

Co-support act Travis Collins has just recently concluded a successful support tour with rocker Suzi Quatro.

Adam will play many of his hits from the last 14 years and 11 albums as well as his new single that is about to be released to radio throughout the USA on the Sony label.

"This is not just another Adam Brand show," said a spokesman for the artist, "this is a one off event! One they will be talking about long after the curtain closes!"

Weblink – www.adambrand.com.au.

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Aussie country goes Europe cruisin'

Country Music Capital's Travelworld outlet has announced a 15-day Country Music Europe River Cruise departing September 23.

In what is believed to be a first for Australian country music in that part of the world, well known stars Darren Coggan, Graeme Connors and Paul Costa will anchor the trip which will also include a Cat Stevens Show and a surprise guest artist.

Line dancing sessions will also be included, hosted by Tom Glover, Alison Johnstone and Chris Watson.

The cruise will run from Amsterdam to Budapest travelling through well known cities like Dusseldorf, Cologne, Nuremberg and Vienna.

Fares (currently billed as limited time special deals) start at $7,495 per person (twin share) and include free return flights.

Weblink – www.travelworldtamworth.com.au.

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Fierce competition at Gladstone

Country music on the eastern seaboard called Gladstone (Qld) home at the weekend as fierce competition underpinned the fourth annual Elders Gladstone Country Music Festival.

A record number of entries was received in more than 25 sections with contestants coming from as far afield as Forbes in NSW to Townsville in the north.

Local boy Jack Viljoen (pictured) scooped the pool with wins in five sections, ensuring his overall success (full results below).

Gladstone Mayor Gail Sellars officially opened the Festival during the Saturday night concert which featured a musical tribute to the contestants and the organisers.

Councillor Clyde Cameron, who also performed at the Concert, said: "I heartily congratulate the organisers on their vision and pragmatic approach in establishing a successful country music festival in a bustling industrial town. This is a fabulous entertainment event for Gladstone."

Festival organiser Cheryl Hopkins said the support of local businesses via sponsorship was crucial in staging the event.

"Our Festival has grown from its infancy in a small hall to the great weekend of country music it is now because companies like Elders, GLNG (Gladstone Liquefied Natural), Rio Tinto and QR National have believed in our idea and continued their financial support.

"This has allowed us to grow and expand into the auditorium of the Entertainment Centre and to provide contestants with a top class backing band. The experience they get from performing in this kind of professional environment is invaluable and also makes a fantastic spectacle for the audience," Cheryl said.

The additional support from local small businesses and individuals meant that this year the event boasted cash prizes of $1000 for the Champion of Festival and $500 for the runner-up.

Cheryl said that although they have just completed the massive administration task necessary to run an event of this type, they are already planning next year's.

"Our fifth festival will be bigger and better than ever and will rival some of the more established ones, which will be a fabulous boon for Gladstone."

In the talent quest... Jack Viljeon placed first in Male Vocal, Male Australian Ballad, Male Country Rock and Male Gospel.

Mikayla Birthisel (pictured) was another multi winner taking out Junior Australian Ballad, Junior Country Rock, Junior Gospel and the Junior Truck/Train section.

Other winners in the Truck/Train sections were Kasey Kilsby, a winner at Tamworth in January, in Juvenile, Aleisha Sealey Female and Ron O'Keefe Male.

Aleisha Sealey, another multi winner, also took out Female Country Rock, Open Instrumental and Female Gospel, as was Karina Kelley adding the Juvenile Australian Ballad and Juvenile Gospel to her collection of trophies.

Alice Benfer took out Female Vocal and Female Australian Ballad sections and Ron O'Keefe was a double winner also coming first in the Golden Oldies section while Margaret Brent took out the Ultra Silver section.

Hayley Marsten won Junior Vocal, Oliver Carter-Beck won Juvenile Country Rock, Jack & Alicia Viljoen won Open Duo and Vicki Walsh was successful in the songwriting with her composition, Dance With Me.

Trevor Stewart was presented with the Senior Achievement Award while the Juvenile/Junior Achievement Award went to Payton Bugeia.

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012

Beccy hits the road

Beccy Cole is embarking on a "Songs & Pictures" tour across Australia.

After winning the Female Artist of the Year and Vocal Collaboration of the Year (with Kasey Chambers) Golden Guitars at Tamworth, as well as Best Female Vocal in the People's Choice Award for the second year running, Beccy's tally of awards and accolades now includes nine Golden Guitars, three Gold records, 12 number one singles and two Entertainer of the Year awards.

Last year's release of Beccy's Songs & Pictures album has already produced a number one single in Shiny Things while the second single, Waitress, was released a week after it won Beccy the Female Artist of the Year Golden Guitar.

Joining Beccy on her tour is Catherine Britt who was also successful at this year's Golden Guitars taking home Single of the Year with Sweet Emmylou.

Catherine's 2010 self titled release produced three number one singles and earned her an ARIA nomination for Country Album of the Year.

Award winning singer/songwriter Lyn Bowtell will add to "the girl power" when she opens the show with songs from a brand new album of her own.

Weblink – www.beccycole.com.

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Chart Update – Jetty Road's seventh week at number one

Jetty Road's hit I'm A Dreamer is at number one for the seventh time this week on the national Country Tracks Top 30.

Adam Harvey's Falling Into Place is steady at two while Troy Cassar-Daley's Country Is jumps four places to number three and Travis Collins' Fired Today remains at four.

Partly run along the lines of a talent quest, entries for the Awards, sponsored by Go for 2 & 5, come in from all over the state from professional and amateur artists.

Entrants are required to send in a package including a CD recording for pre-judging.

Categories include junior and senior songwriting, teenage artist, sub teen artist, group/duo, male artist, female artist, independent single of the year, album of the year and best new talent.

The Awards will be staged this Friday night (February 17) where nominees from several categories will perform in front of an audience including a high profile industry judging panel and other leading industry talent scouts.

Artists appearing at this year's Boyup Brook Festival, which kicks off this evening with an evening of ballads, songs and yarns "under the stars" include, in alphabetical order, Connie Kis Andersen, Tracey Barnett, Deb Beckett (pictured), Terry Bennetts, Ruby Boots, Jessie Boyle, Doug Bruce (pictured), Peter Coad & The Coad Sisters, Beccy Cole, Peter Delle Coste, Codee-Lee Down, Gary Fogarty, Jane Germain & Ian Simpson, Steve Haywood, Jim Hermel, Carol Heuchan, Billy Higginson, Gina Jeffreys, Pixie Jenkins, Jason Lee, Vicki Lee, Kate Linke, Karen Lynne & Martin Louis, Lucky Oceans, Deb Perry, Evan Platschinda, Fred Ryan, Sara Storer and Jonny Taylor.

The Festival concludes on Sunday.

Weblink – www.countrymusicwa.com.au.

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Central Coast country music

Artists have been announced for the 12th annual Central Coast (NSW) Country Music Festival.

To be held over three days from March 9 to 11, the line up includes The Apprentices, Aubrey & Martin, Luke Austen (pictured), The Bluegum Bush Band, Liam Brew, Katrina Burgoyne, Bill Chambers, Stephen R Cheney, the Chicken Train Skifflers, Travis Collins, Tori Darke, Donella, Col Finley, Dale Hooper, Chris James, Kaylah Anne, Amber Lawrence, Travis List, Gary Lowe, Margie-May & Mayhem, Bruce McCumstie, Craig Morrison, Shane Nicholson, Luke O'Shea, Steve Passfield, The Round Mountain Girls, Hank Sasaki ("The Japanese Cowboy" Mitchell Shadlow, Lucky Starr, the Summerland Kings. The Sunny Cowgirls, Aleyce Simmonds (pictured), Daniel Thompson, Rob Wilson and the Wolverines.

Entertainment will be held at Memorial Park, The Entrance, as well as at local venues within the Wyong Shire and Gosford City with most shows being free during the three days.

Altogether, organisers say more than 90 artists will perform at over 30 venues during the Festival.

Feature events and activities will include a talent quest, poet's breakfast, busking competition, line dancing displays, stalls and amusement rides.

Weblink – www.theentrance.org.

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Chart Update – Jetty Road back at number one

Hot on the heels of their Victorian Country Music Awards wins, Jetty Road's I'm A Dreamer has re-taken the number one spot on the national Country Tracks Top 30, for the sixth week.

Adam Harvey's Falling Into Place – number one for the last two week's is at number two, Dianna Corcoran's Here's Your Damn Song is steady at while Travis Collins' Fired Today jumps four places to number four.

Craig Morrison's Fences is up two to five, America's Lady Antebellum is at six with Just A Kiss and Troy Cassar-Daley's Country Is bounds into the top 10 at seven.

The Lee & Robby Kernaghan version of Fire is at eight, America's Eli Young Band is at nine with Crazy Girl and the Davidson Brothers My Heart Can't Believe My Eyes remains at 10.

Bullet performers for the week include Amber Lawrence's Everybody's A Mess (15 to 11), Harmony James' Don't Say It (19 to 14), Rose Carleo's Get Back Up Again (18 to 15), Melinda Schneider's Wish You Were Here (21 to 18), Doug Bruce's Sweet (26 to 20) and The McClymonts' How Long Have You Known (new at 25).

Other new entries to the chart this week include John Williamson's Hang My Hat In Queensland (new at 30).

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2012

Jetty Road dominate Victorian Awards

Leading Australian group Jetty Road dominated the 2012 Victorian & National Country Music Awards at Whittlesea on Saturday night taking home no less than five of the awards up for grabs.

Fresh from their second Golden Guitar win at Tamworth in January, the four piece of Lee and Paula Bowman, Simon Ross and Julian Sammut won the group awards in both the Victorian and National sections, Best Independent Release for Far Away Places in the National section, Best Album for the album of the same name in the Victorian section and the prestigious Victorian Entertainer of the Year title.

"We've always prescribed to the motto 'the harder you work, the luckier you get'," said Pauld, "and winning awards is always going to be an amazing boost for us, but to win this many lately, we are really pinching ourselves.

"We are completely gobsmacked to tell you the truth, and also extremely grateful for everything that has been happening."

A number of sets of double award winners were...

Carter & Carter who took out the Duet awards in both sections with Keeps Getting Better...

The Davidson Brothers, Instrumental of the Year with OMFG and Bluegrass with Rather Be Gone, both in the National section...

Adam Toms, Male Vocalist of the Year in both sections with Fighting For...

And Sal Kimber, winner of the Songwriting award in the National section with Southbound and Female Vocalist of the Year in the Victorian section

Remaining awards in the National section went to...

Rose Carleo, Female Vocalist of the Year with That Season Again; Benn Gunn, Best New Talent with Rawsonville Road; Dean Perrett & Lee Kernaghan, Heritage Award with Channel Country Ground; and Luke Austen, Traditional Country with Every Time He Travels Through Cloncurry.

Reports say the Awards night, that was broadcast across Australia through the Community Radio Network, went off without any problems.

Photo: Jetty Road receiving one of their awards from Grammy Award winner Kim Richey.

Weblink – www.whittleseacountrymusicfestival.com.au.

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2012

Jayco's Academy donation

On the morning of the Jayco sponsored Country Music Awards of Australia in January, the company has handed over a cheque for $10,000 to Australian Academy of Country Music.

Company Managing Director Gerry Ryan presented the cheque to the President of the Country Music Association of Australia (CMAA), which runs the Academy, John Williamson.

The donation was partly raised ($6,000) from gold coin donations from the Jayco Thong Giveaways at Jayco Place during the Tamworth Country Music Festival. Jayco rounded the figure up to $10,000 for the Academy.

Joan Douglas, Chair of the CMAA, said the Association was grateful for Jayco's continued acknowledgement and support of the Association.

"The CMAA runs entirely on funds generated by the commercial success of our own activities and without donations from our key supporters such as Jayco, we would not be able to provide a platform to young aspiring country music singers and songwriters," she said.

Weblink – www.country.com.au.

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Christie released debut EP

Christie Lamb, recently returned from a very successful Tamworth Country Music Festival – including the finals of Toyota Star Maker – has released her debut EP.

The self-titled debut EP was produced by Rod McCormack and features four tracks co-written by Christie and fellow songwriters Jay Collie, Jasper Somerville-Collie, Gina Jeffreys and Rod.

The lead single – Mr Wrong – co-written by Christie and sibling songwriting team Jay and Jasper, is described as a tongue-in-cheek take on failed relationships and has just entered the Country Tracks Top 30.

An accompanying video clip is currently in production by multiple Golden Guitar winning director Duncan Toombs.

At Tamworth in January, the young western-Sydney based artist performed 18 spots including as the opening act for three-time Golden Guitar nominee Aleyce Simmonds and appeared at a songwriters' spot with Jay Collie from Jonah's Road.

Christie also had a Cavalcade float dedicated to her by the The Johanna Dance School where students danced to her songs behind the float.

"I've watched Christie maturing as an artist over the last few years," said Rod McCormack, "growing into a polished performer with this strength in her voice that draws you in and begs you to listen – a must have trait for any artist. Definitely a star in the making."

Weblink – www.christielamb.com.

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Justin heads down under

America's Justin Townes Earle is preparing for his fifth visit to Australia to coincide with the release of his forth album, Nothing's Gonna Change The Way You Feel About Me Now, on March 27.

The new album follows the star's critically acclaimed 2010 album Harlem River Blues which led to a Song of the Year award at the 2011 Americana Music Awards for the title track. The album itself was nominated for Album of the Year.

Self-produced alongside longtime collaborator Skylar Wilson, the 10-track album was recorded live with no overdubs over a four day period at an old converted church recording studio.

Of the new record, Justin said: "I think that it's the job of the artist to be in transition and constantly learn more. The new record is completely different than my last one. This time I've gone in a Memphis-soul direction."

The Australian tour kicks off in Sydney on April 4 and concludes in Auckland, New Zealand, on April 22.

Weblink – www.justintownesearle.com.

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2012

CMC voting closes soon

Voting in the CMC (Country Music Channel) Music Awards for this year close at 11:59pm on Tuesday February 28.

Awards are to be presented in four categories from a pre-determined list of finalists... Music Video of the Year, Oz Artist of the Year, New Oz Artist of the Year and International Artist of the Year.

The New Artist of the Year finalists are Luke Austen, Victoria Baillie, Katrina Burgoyne, Busby Marou, Courtney Conway, Tori Darke, Jesse Emmanuel, Benn Gunn, Harmony James, Peter McWhirter, O'Shea, Aleyce Simmonds, Mark Wells, The Wilson Pickers and The Wolfe Brothers.

Weblink – www.countrymusicchannel.com.au.

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Reg statue fundraiser this Saturday

East Cessnock Bowling Club in the NSW Hunter Valley will this Saturday host the first in a series of concerts to raise funds for the construction of a life-sized bronze statue of the late country music legend Reg Lindsay.

Multi Golden Guitar winner Adam Harvey will headline the concert with Allan Caswell, The Crosby Sisters, Wendi Jackson, Bruce McCumstie, Ross McGregor and Reg Lindsay Homesteaders Showband members including George Boyer, Eddie Fisher, Steve Newton and Alan Tomkins.

Reg's widow Ros said she has received numerous fan inquiries about honouring Reg for his achievements in the music industry, and the idea of a bronze statue to be erected in Cessnock was born. Estimated cost of the statue is $75,000.

In addition to the entertainment, Saturday night will also include raffles, auctions and a lucky door prize. Some of the items that have been donated for auction include a Fender Guitar (Reg's favourite brand), the boots Reg wore at he and Ros's wedding, one of Reg's rodeo saddles and an Outback Club hat donated by Lee Kernaghan.

An 18-track CD of Reg Lindsay classics, No Stone Unturned, will be released on the night and will be available at major outlets or through www.reglindsay.com.au.

An added attraction on the night will be the auction of a bat signed by Sir Donald Bradman and Harold Larwood presented in a glass and timber case along with a letter of authenticity.

The concert starts at 6pm and tickets are $20.

Further information can be obtained from the club on 02 4990 1444 or Ros Lindsay on 02 4991 1585.

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2012

Whittlesea this weekend

The 2012 Whittlesea Country Music Festival is this weekend, including the announcement of Victorian & National Country Music Awards.

Included in the artist line-up for the Festival are, in alphabetical order, Luke Austen, The Black Sorrows, Adam Brand, Carter & Carter, Kristy Cox, Peter Denahy, Luke Dickens, Sam Hawksley, Jetty Road, Shane Nicholson, O'Shea, Kim Richey, The Sunny Cowgirls and Felicity Urquhart.

The Festival kicks off with the Whittlesea Bowls Club Launch Party on Friday night, followed by the Saturday Street Party centred on the Community Stage in Church Street from 10am (featuring a variety of new up and comers).

APRA's Songwriters in a Round runs in the afternoon from 2pm with Sam Hawksley, Shane Nicholson and Grammy Award winner Kim Richey.

Saturday Night Country at the Showgrounds starts at 6pm with Kristy Cox, Jetty Road and The Sunny Cowgirls.

The Awards are announced at the Plenty Ranges Arts and Convention Centre from 6:30pm. See finalists here.

And the Sunday Round Up runs all day from 8am at the SHowgrounds with, in order of appearance, Luke Dickens, Luke Austen, Kim Richey, Sam Hawksley, The Black Sorrows, Carter & Carter, O'’Shea, Shane Nicholson, Felicity Urquhart and Adam Brand.

Pictured (from left): Felicity, Adam, The Sunnys, Shane.

Weblink – www.whittleseacountrymusicfestival.com.au.

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TSA workshops

Last year, the Tamworth Songwriters' Association (TSA) started holding workshops and providing state time at various festivals out of Tamworth.

This year, the TSA will be re-starting the program with a one day songwriters' workshop in Sydney's north at the Asquith Leagues Club.

As the venue is located next to the Waitara Railway Station, this provides easy, convenient access to anyone in the metropolitan area and the Central Coast.

The Workshop will have a short session on the business side of songwriting then tutors Kevin Bennett and Pat Drummond will conduct sessions with groups of songwriters wanting to improve their craft.

General feedback from the judges in the TSA National Songwriting Competition was that if one area of songwriting could do with improvement across the board it would be lyric writing, according to the TSA's Duncan Hill.

"The winning songs clearly had well crafted lyrics that fitted with the melody."

The workshop will run on Saturday March 24 from 9am to 4pm and will be open to members and non-members of the TSA.

Booking details, including earlybird offers, can be found on the TSA's website tsaonline.com.au.

The day will include  door prizes including an acoustic guitar, pre-production sessions, discounts, further mentor lessons and guitar kits and those under 18 are welcome.

"Here's a chance for songwriters to start the year off with some expert advice before the next round of songs is written," Duncan said.

Entries for the next TSA National Songwriting Contest and Songwriter Salute Awards open on August 1.

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Norma's Bungendore double

Norma O'Hara Murphy was the biggest winner at the 2012 Stan Coster Memorial Bush Ballad Awards held during the Bungendore Country Muster at the weekend taking home the Female Vocal and Songwriter awards with her song Goin' For Glory.

Graham Rodger won his second male vocal award in as many weeks after taking out the Bungendore gong. The leading bush balladeer had previously scored the same title from the Australian Country Music People's Choice Awards in Tamworth a week earlier. At Bungendore, he won with his recording of Such A Shame.

Album of the Year went to Peter Coad with Bush Mates while the Comedy award was presented to Allan Lavender with One, One And One, Two.

Kalesti Butler won the New Talent title with her recording of The Closing Of The Day while the Group or Duo award went to Dean Perrett & Lee Kernaghan with Channel Country Ground.

The Barry Thornton Encouragement Award was presented to Len Teelow.

Organisers said this year's Awards and Muster were successful with "the rain" holding off at least until after proceedings had concluded.

Weblink – www.bungendorecountrymuster.com.au.

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Chart Update – Adam's second week at the top

Adam Harvey's latest hit Falling Into Place is at number one for the second week on this week's national Country Tracks Top 30.

Jetty Road's I'm A Dreamer – number one for five weeks through the new year break and January – is steady at number two while Dianna Corcoran's Here's Your Damn Song is up two to three and Lee & Robby Kernaghan's cover of Fire is at four.

America's Lady Antebellum is at five with Just A Kiss, Kaylee Bell's Strawberry Sunset is at six and Craig Morrison's Fences is at seven.

Travis Collins enters the top 10 at eight with Fired Today, as does Luke Dickens with True Love Never Dies at nine while the Davidson Brothers' My Heart Can't Believe My Eyes is at 10.

Bullet performers for the week include Troy Cassar-Daley's Country Is (15 to 11), Amber Lawrence's Everybody's A Mess (20 to 15), Rose Carleo's Get Back Up Again (21 to 18) and Harmony James' Don't Say It (24 to 19).

New entries to the chart this week include Christie Lamb's Mr Wrong(new at 30).

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2012

CCMA stages successful 46th National Talent Quest and Jamboree

The seminal event that paved the way for the Golden Guitar Awards and the Tamworth Country Music Festival successfully concluded its 46th National Talent Quest and Jamboree Concert on Saturday January 28.

More than 200 individual entries were received in the talent quest from all over Australia and New Zealand.

Groups and duos were most successful with Codee-Lee & Jonny Taylor (pictured at right) from Eaton in Western Australia named Overall Winner and Overall Senior Winner while the three-piece Up & Comin' – Katelyn, Liam & Kasey O’Donoghue (below right) from Charters Towers (Qld) – were named Overall Junior Winner.

Up & Comin' won the Junior Group/Duo section with Olivia & Talisha (Olivia Nolan & Talisha Young) from Gympie (Qld) placed second.

Fellow Junior Group/Duo finalists were Aston Row (Chenaya & Riley Aston from Brisbane, Qld), Kay-Lea & Klaudy (Kay-Lea Brown from Mudgee, NSW & Klaudia Douglas from Wallendbeen, WA) and Lara & Ethan (Lara Northey & Ethan Crosby-Wolfe from Tamworth).

Codee-Lee & Jonny Taylor won both first and second place in the Songwriting section from fellow finalists Mark Menzies & J Vallini from Bellingen, Nathaniel O’Brien from Burra (SA) and Vickie Evans from Kaitangata (NZ).

And they were finalists in Senior Group/Duo which was won by Rosemarie & Natalie (Rosemarie Dinaro from St Clair, NSW and Natalie Carboni from Werrington, NSW) with Kat & Gemma (Gemma Kirby from Bunbury, WA and Katrina Goldstraw from Bombala, NSW) in second place.

Remaining finalists in this section were Nathaniel & Emma-Jane (Nathanel O’Brien from Burra, SA & Emma-Jane Montgomery from Bunyip, Vic) and This Side Up (Georgette Berry from Berri, SA & Jordy McMillan from Sale, Vic).

Cameron Scott, from Timaru (NZ, pictured at bottom left) won the Male Vocal Senior section with Ryan Cornish of Tintinara (SA) as runner-up. Fellow finalists in Male Vocal Senior were Brett Clarke from Tamworth, Jonny Taylor from Eaton (WA) and Andrew Thompson from Burua (Qld).

Katie Mason from Mornington (SA, pictured bottom right) was named winner of the Female Vocal Senior section with Gemma Kirby from Bunbury (WA) runner-up. Fellow finalists were Vickie Evans from Kaitangata (NZ), Melanie Todd from Blenheim (NZ) and Gretta Ziller from Seaford (Vic).

Benjamin Nelson from Warialda (NSW) took out the Male Vocal Junior award with Nathaniel O’Brien from Burra (SA) runner up. Fellow finalists in Junior Male were Jed Gaze from Gympie (Qld), Judah Kelly from Mackay (Qld) and Max Mustonen from Wallendbeen (Vic).

Winner of the Senior Instrumental section was Samara Redman from Tamworth (NSW) with Jason Grice of Colyton (NSW) named runner-up. Fellow finalists in this section were Matt James from Mt Gambier (SA) and Hannah Todd from Blenheim, New Zealand.

Aidan Patrick from Gympie (Qld) took out the Junior Instrumental section with Chloe Nott from Tamworth in second place. Fellow Junior Instrumental finalists were Jaygan Cannon from Tamworth, Katelyn Grimes from Elderslie (NSW) and Sam McCann from Widgee (Qld).

Lane Sinclair from Tamworth was named winner of the Female Vocal Junior section with Emily Markham from Mt Kembla (NSW) as runner-up. Fellow finalists were Chenaya Aston from Brisbane, Brianna Holm from Beaumont Hills (NSW) and Zoe Scott from Geraldine (NZ).

In the Juvenile Vocal section, Kasey Kilsby from Andergrove (Qld) came first with Kay-Lea Brown from Tamworth in second place. Fellow finalists in this section were Tayla Alcock from Toowoomba (Qld), Vivi Crossland from Waikato (NZ) and Lara-Jane Veasy from Rosebery (NSW).

In other accolades announced from the National Talent Quest, Nathaniel O’Brien from Burra (SA) was named winner of the Tamworth Songwriters Association Award for Best Performance of an Australian Composition, Justin Standley from Glebe (NSW) won the award for Best Performance of a Gospel Song, Sian O’Sullivan from Pinkemba (Qld) won the award for Best Performance of a Bush Ballad and Jed Gaze from Gympie (Qld) took out the inaugural Jeff Dallas Memorial Award for the Best Performance of an Alt Country Song.

During the afternoon, Lindsay Butler was announced as a Patron of the Capital Country Music Association, Life Membership was bestowed on long time supporter Deniese Morrison and a special plaque was presented to Alan Clement who has compered all but two of the entire 46 events Jamboree Concerts.

The CCMA is currently considering a plan to reinstigate the Winter Junior Talent Quest that would run in conjunction with Hats Off  To Country in July 2012.

Weblink – www.ccma.net.au.

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Academy website launched

A dedicated website has been launched for the Country Music Association of Australia's Academy of Country Music.

"The site is a work in progress," according to Academy Director Peter Winkler.

"Our main aim was to have it launched by (Tamworth) Festival time (which it was) so the promotional activities including leaflets which point to the website and the Academy email address are effective.

"There is much we intend to add to the website in due course, particularly the names, profiles and photos of all the staff for the 2012 Academy and some of the great testimonials we have from past graduates," Peter said.

"Now that we have our own website we can enhance it in so many ways."

The website address is www.academycountrymusic.com.au.

The Academy runs two separate and concurrent courses: a senior course (two week curriculum for students aged 18 or more) will commence Saturday, June 23, and will conclude with a graduation concert on Saturday, July 7; and a junior course (one week curriculum for students aged under 18 accompanied by a parent or guardian) will commence on Friday, June 29 and will conclude with a Graduation Concert on Thursday, July 5.

The closing date for applications for both courses this year is 5pm Friday March 16.

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2012

Last year's top country singles in Australia

McAlister Kemp (pictured) took out the number one spot on the Country Tracks Top 50 singles of 2011 with their hit Hell Yeah.

Released in January, the Top 50 has nine out of the top 10 as Australian tracks... Kasey Chambers' Beautiful Mess at number two, Harmony James' Pride at four, The Bobkatz' In The Coals at five, Lee Kernaghan's Dirt at six, Doug Bruce's Honky Tonk Shoes at seven, Markus Meier's My Patch Of Dirt at eight, Jetty Road's Serves You Right at nine and their I'm A Dreamer at 10.

The only foreign track in the top 10 was the Brad Paisley hit This Is Country Music.

Out of the 50, 42 are tracks by Australian artists.

All of the top 10 were number one hits except for Doug's track which spent three weeks at number two.

Eighteen songs, including the nine in the top 10, made the top spot in 2011. The others, in order of their place in the top 50, were Beccy Cole's Shiny Things, Carter & Carter's Dance In The Rain, Dianna Corcoran's Keep Breathing, Adam Harvey's You Don't Know My Love, Amber Lawrence's Always Kiss Me Goodnight, Doug Bruce's Coffey Road, the Lee Kernaghan/Dierks Bentley collaboration Scars, Jayne Denham's Feral Kev & General Leroy and Keith Urban's Put You In A Song.

There were 116 entries into the Country Tracks chart in 2011, down from 129 in 2010 and fewer than in 2009 (134) and 2008 (133).

Of these, 82 were Australian, down from 91 in 2010 and fewer than in 2009 (99) and 2008 (90).

There were 11 debuting Australian hitmakers in 2011... Brewn, Courtney Conway, Luke Dickens, the Duke Wilde Band, Benn Gunn, Kaylens Rain, Robby Kernaghan (with Lee), Craig Morrison, Tara Naysmith, O'Shea and Luella Widt.

The full top 50 can be viewed at www.countrymusicradio.com.au.

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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2012

Kernaghans unite for Aussie farmers

The patriarch of the Kernaghan family, Ray, has joined forces with his daughters Tania and Fiona and youngest son Greg on a new song calling upon all Australians to support Australian Made – Australian Grown.

Written as a collaborative effort by Ray and Greg, Is It Goodbye Aussie Farmer is designed "to send a very clear and important message and one that is sure to resonate across the nation".

The song sees Ray, Greg, Fiona and Tania unite in a spirited vocal reunion in support of troubled agricultural communities and producers struggling to compete with cheap foreign imports and the sale of key manufacturing and farming infrastructure to foreign hands.

Currently gaining national airplay, the song is available now from iTunes and CD Baby.

Weblink – www.taniakernaghan.com.au.

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Gabby's bush poetry win

Gabby Colquhoun from Gloucester (NSW) has come out a big winner from the Essential Energy Tamworth Bush Poetry Competition held during the Tamworth Country Music Festival.

Gabby reportedly had the audience in stitches with her presentation of the Bill Kearns poem Senior Citz Meat Raffle in the Traditional or Established Works Section and also took out second place in the Original section with her poem Line Dancing.

The Original Section was won by Peter Mace of Empire Bay (NSW) with a serious and moving poem entitled Oppression, recalling some of the massacres of Aboriginals in our history. Third place in the Original Section went to John Best of Mango Hill (Qld) with a poem titled You Just Dunno.

Second in the Traditional Section was Roderick Williams of Krambach (NSW) with a strong presentation of The Death of Ben Hall by Will Ogilvie. John Best scored another third place in this section with Bob Magor’s funny poem Caravanning Bliss.

Photo (from left) Tony Windsor (judge and patron of the Australian Bush Poets Association), Roderick Williams, Gabby Colquhoun, John Best, Peter Mace and Matt Patterson (Essential Energy Regional General Manager).

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Blackened Billy winners

Winners were also announced during Tamworth 2012 for the Blackened Billy Verse Competition.

As entries for the competition come from all over Australia and overseas, it is usually difficult getting all winners to the presentation. This year, however, almost all were able to attend which, according to organisers, made for a very exciting presentation ceremony.

The winner was David Campbell from Beaumaris (Vic) who has won the Blackened Billy twice before, but this was the first time he had been able to make the journey.

So it was a very special meeting for organiser Jan Morris and judge Keith Jones to finally meet the man regarded as one of the best modern bush poets in Australia.

David won with a poem entitled A Father's Prayer, described by judge Jones as a beautifully crafted piece of writing.

Val Wallace's poem The First Date, a clever take on C J Dennis' style of writing, came second while third place went to Would You Say Hello to Dad by Terry Piggott.

A total of 217 entries were received in the 2012 Blackened Billy competition. "While this number is down on other years, the standard of entries was again very high," organisers said. These were cut to just 13 finalists.

Highly commended in the competition were A Stranger Walks Along by David Campbell, A Changing Of The Guard by Terry Piggott, A Summer Storm by Neville Briggs, The Colour In My Blood by Brenda Joy Pritchard, Ginger Tom by Milton Taylor, The Gravesite By The Creek by Trisha Patterson, Guilt by David Campbell, Henry's Reply by Max Merckenschlager, Home by David Campbell and On Three Moon Creek – Cania Gorge by Mal Beveridge.

Photo: First placegetter David Campbell seated with (from left): Neville Briggs (NSW), Terry Piggott (WA), Val Wallace (NSW), Jan Morris, Trisha Patterson (NSW) and Keith Jones.

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2012

Australia Day honours

Two country related individuals received Order of Australia Medals in this year's honours list.

Peter Ellis (pictured at left) from Bendigo (Vic) received his award for service to the arts through the collection and preservation of Australian folk history and heritage.

He founded the Bush Dance and Music Club of Bendigo in 1979 and has subsequently been made a life member. He has also been a life member of the Victorian Folk and Dance Music Club since 1986.

Peter founded the Emu Creek Bush Band and was a member for 30 years and has been a member of the Wedderburn Old Timers Orchestra for 32 years.

He is the author of the "Collector's Choice" series in three Volumes (1986-1988) – described as an epic collection of traditional Australian music for dancing.

He also wrote "Music Makes Me Smile" (1998), "The Waltz, the Polka and all kinds of Dance Music" and "The Merry Country Dance" and co-authored "Two Hundred Years of Dancing" (with Shirley Andrews) in 1988.

Peter is also recognised as a donor, notably of the Ellis Dance Music Collection (1850-1980) and the Peter Ellis Papers, 1980-1989 and also worked as a field collector, Oral History and Folklore Collection, National Library of Australia.

His awards have included the Graham Squance Memorial Award, Folk Song and Dance Society of Victoria, 1994; for his dedication to the preservation and promotion of social dance and dance music.

Robert Willis (pictured above right) of Forbes (NSW) has been recognised for his service to the preservation of Australian folklore and traditional music.

He has contributed more than 1,400 hours of original field recordings of individuals and communities from all over Australia, particularly in the field of traditional music, to the Oral History and Folklore Collection, National Library of Australia.

Robert has been a primary collector of the Western Australian Folklife Project since 2004 and has produced traditional music recordings for the ABC Regional Production Fund including "Wag's Tales", "Tales from the Tracks" and "Streets of Forbes" in 2003.

He has been an Affiliate of the Australian Folklore Network and a member of the Organising Committee of the National Folklore Conference for many years.

Robert is a player of traditional instruments including the concertina, button accordion, banjo, mouth organ and whistle.

Weblink – www.itsanhonour.gov.au.

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2012

Lee's Ultimate Video Hits debuts at number five

Lee Kernaghan's Ultimate Video Hits DVD, released as a follow-up to his 42 Track Ultimate Hits CD through ABC Music/Universal Music Australia in September, has been released and debuts on this week's ARIA DVD chart at number 5.

The release marks a major milestone in a music career that has produced 30 number one chart hits and record sales approaching 2,000,000 units in Australia alone.

This year marks another anniversary for Lee... 20 years since his hit Boys From The Bush was released. The Ultimate Video Hits DVD captures Lee's entire musical journey from his debut ARIA Award winning The Outback Club album in 1992 through to his latest Golden Guitar award winning album, Planet Country.

It features 19 music videos as well as live performances from CMC Rocks and the Gympie Muster.

At the age of 27, Lee Kernaghan exploded on to the Australian music scene with a new brand of rural rock that redefined contemporary country music in Australia.

His music was undeniably country but Lee had learnt how to rock in the pubs and clubs of regional NSW. His music cut through to a younger generation of Australians and paved the way for an unprecedented string of hits that has made him one of Australia's most popular artists.

Weblink – www.leekernaghan.com.au.

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New SNC compilation

Meanwhile, the latest in the ABC's "Saturday Night Country" series of compilation albums has been released.

It's the second under the direction of new host Felicity Urquhart, not surprisingly titled Felicity Urquhart Presents Saturday Night Country - Volume 2.

This compilation features the most popular tracks played on the nationally broadcast radio program by Felicity.

"Saturday Night Country" is one of the most popular and respected country music programs in Australia. This compilation is billed as featuring "many of Australia's best country artists including Lee Kernaghan, Beccy Cole, James Blundell and even a track from Felicity herself!"

Weblink – www.abc.net.au/snc.

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