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This website dedicated to bringing you the latest Australian country music news |
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NEWS ARCHIVES AUGUST 2006 DATELINE : WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2006 Kasey debuts at number one
Sales for Carnival are fast heading towards double platinum while the first single Nothing At All remains in the top 30 after five weeks having debuted inside the top 10. Kasey has already sold more than a million albums in Australia, each of her three previous albums has sold at least three times platinum (210,000 albums) while the second album – Barricades & Brickwalls selling a massive half a million copies. Barricades & Brickwalls also saw Kasey achieve a simultaneous number one single (Not Pretty Enough) and album. She then went on to release her third album Wayward Angel which remained at the top of the chart for five weeks. Carnival was recorded in just over a week with producer and brother Nash Chambers on the NSW Central Coast. Joining them were some hand picked special guests including Midnight Oil's Jim Moginie, Bernard Fanning (Powderfinger), Tim Rogers (You Am I) and Michael Barker (John Butler Trio). More classic Slim Dusty releases Due to the success of the six classic Slim Dusty re-issues in 2005, EMI Australia and Slim Dusty Enterprises are releasing 10 more classic and original Slim Dusty studio albums on CD.
The specially priced Dusty Classics albums are likely to be a "must have" for Slim Dusty fans and a good starting point for the many people wanting to collect all the Slim Dusty classic studio albums in their near original state. This is the first time that most of these studio albums have been released on single CD and the first time that the original Songs of Australia album has ever been on CD. The 10 new albums in The Slim Dusty Classics series are… Songs Of Australia - originally released in 1964 on vinyl LP Songs From The Cattle Camps - originally released in 1968 on vinyl LP Stories I Wanted To Tell - originally released in 1986 on vinyl LP King Of Kalgoorlie - originally released in 1989 on vinyl LP Aussie Sing Song - originally released in 1962 on vinyl LP Another Aussie Sing Song - originally released in 1963 on vinyl LP Give Me The Road - originally released in 1976 on vinyl LP Things I See Around Me - originally released in 1976 on vinyl LP On The Move - originally released in 1977 on vinyl LP Songs In The Saddle - originally released in 1963 on vinyl LP Weblink – www.slimdusty.com.au. Sinead wins 2006 Muster talent search
A graduate of Tamworth Camerata this year, Sinead, from Beachmere on the Queensland Sunshine Coast, took home a recording and mastering package including a day recording with Garth Porter and two days at Compass Bros Studios in Sydney. From these recording sessions, Sinead will receive 500 copies of a two-track CD produced, $4,000 in cash, a scholarship to the College of Country Music in Tamworth, an Akubra hat, Driza-Bone Oilskin coat and an appearance on the Main Stage of Gympie at the 2007 Toyota Muster! 2007 College students announced The first 18 of 22 participants in the January 2007 Australian College of Country Music course have been announced by the Country Music Association of Australia (CMAA).
8 Ball Aitken (Brisbane, Qld), Katie Brianna (Elermore Vale, NSW), Brett Clarke (Tamworth, NSW), Corey Colum (Australind, WA), Courtney Conway (Maiden Gully, Vic), Leanne Cryer (Auckland, NZ), Jayme Delaney (Tennant Creek, NT), Nellie Donovan (Flaxton, Qld) Sharnee Fenwick (Glendale, NSW), Sarah Head (Dubbo, NSW), Kelly Hope (Lane Cove, NSW), Gina Horswood (Chinchilla, Qld), Lee Kirby (Morton Vale, Qld), Matt Manning (Casino, NSW), Sarah McMonagle (Stafford, Qld), Rae Moody (Cremorne, NSW), Simon Wegener (Angle Vale, SA) and Talia Wittmann (Verdun, SA). The four yet to be announced are scholarship students from the Gympie Muster (late August), the Rocky Page Memorial Scholarship in South Australia (mid September), from Mildura, Victoria (early October) and the Queensland Champion of Champions (mid November). In the country music industry, the College is widely acknowledged as a launching pad for many highly successful performers, quite a number of whom have gone on to win Golden Guitars. On January 5, when the 22 students meet in Tamworth, they will undergo two weeks of intensive tuition. College director Peter Winkler and team leaders Merelyn Carter, Mike McClellan and Sean Rudd will be joined by some of the Australian country music industry’s most successful performers, movers and shakers to learn the nuts of bolts of the business. The course runs from January 5 to 19, leading up to the Tamworth Country Music Festival and culminating in the College graduation concert at West Tamworth League Club, one of the first of many highlights of the 10-day festival. Adam on a roll
This confirms Adam as one of Australia’s most popular and successful country artists. Each of his previous four albums are either gold or platinum certified and his Built For Speed – Live In Concert DVD is also gold certified. Adam played main stage at the Gympie Muster on Saturday night and is looking forward to headlining the Deniliquin Ute Muster on September 30 before touring Queensland in October. Weblink – www.adambrand.com.au. Baileys on the road with Dwight
Members of the band – Charlene Bailey, Crystal Bailey, Kurt Bailey, Daniel Conway and Lindsay Dallas – range in age from 17 to 22. The band was recently announced as one of the youngest ever recipients of a "MO" Award for excellence in live performance. Kurt Bailey, the band's drummer, said of the upcoming tour: "we are so stoked to get this far at such a young age, it's like a dream come true. Everything that happens now is a bonus for us." The Baileys started out as a hobby band five years ago and over time has become much more serious under the guidance of manager Joan Douglas of The Pub Group. "Joan has pretty much carried us through. She organised us small and good gigs and it went from there," Kurt said. As a local five-piece band, The Baileys have built a reputation for their high-energy live concerts which incorporate both a country and contemporary style. The group is looking forward to the Dwight Yoakam tour and visiting places they haven't been before. When asked what he thought of Dwight, Kurt said simply: "He's a legend." Their first stop will be in Melbourne on October 27 where Kurt said he was expecting his sisters would enjoy the shopping opportunities and "blow all their money in one go". Jessica makes Idol top 12
Jessica was born into a boisterous family of singers who celebrated every occasion with song. If she wasn’t singing with her supportive and talented Aboriginal mum, Jessica was jamming with her Indonesian-born dad, and, considering she also has four sisters, Jessica admits that her family’s house is the noisiest on the block! After winning Telstra Road at age 14, she was exposed to a welcoming Tamworth crowd. "Now," say Idol organisers, "two years on and more confident, Jessica is one of the most self-assured and mature teens to tackle the massive challenge of becoming an Australian Idol." Korey, meanwhile, has no regrets The nation held its breath on Monday night as Albury father of six Korey Livy, 30, narrowly missed out on a spot in the Australian Idol top 24.
But he has no hard feelings and believes his Idol experience has let old fans know he’s still belting out his tunes. He says it’s also broadened the appeal of the country music genre. "My aim was to make the Australian public realise that country music is cool – I think I succeeded," he said. The devoted dad has been performing since he was 12 and has toured nationally several times with well known names including Nash Chambers and Brian Young. Korey also has no regrets about breaking a promise to his oldest son Dalan – not to cry on national television. The performer let the tears flow as fellow idol contestant Jonathan Winkler was knocked out of the competition. "It wouldn’t have mattered what happened that day," he said. "If someone told me Sesame Street had been cancelled I would have cried," he said. Korey said his Idol experience had reignited his desire to continue performing. "It’s not about winning it’s about learning from the journey," he said. “Idol has given me an insight into the world of television and I got to meet some really wonderful people and made some good industry contacts. After impressing judges at the Albury auditions earlier this year the country music singer-songwriter spent six days in Sydney as part of the top 130. Even notoriously harsh judge Kyle Sandilands was touched by Korey’s soft nature. "I gave Kyle an Akubra hat and he wore it every time I performed," Korey said. Anne on "Talking Heads" Anne Kirkpatrick will appear on ABC TV’s "Talking Heads" with Peter Thompson this coming Monday, September 4.
"DD – darling daughter" as Slim called Anne, was born in Ryde, Sydney in 1952. During the '50s, country music reached new heights in post war Australia. Slim Dusty opted for a life on the road, throwing in his daytime job as a plasterer. It was a brave experiment for those times. A succession of caravans became Anne’s family home and apart from a stint at boarding school, her life revolved around the show grounds. The 'showies' accepted Anne’s family into the fold, as Slim’s performances became an integral part of the circuit. Slim coached Anne from the age of five years telling Peter, "Ever since I was a kid, I loved that lifestyle. I’d sit in the back of the car and dream about following in the show tradition. As far as growing up and learning the ropes, the Slim Dusty Show was a great show in the grand old tradition. The big shows were really hard yakka, but for a kid on the showground, it was fantastic." The family unit was extremely important to Slim and Joy McKean, Anne’s mother. Joy says they would work like demons for two or three weeks before school holidays so that they could spend every spare minute with Anne and her brother David, having spent the other 10 months of the year touring. Anne branched out on her own in her 20s, but it wasn't until the release of her album Out Of The Blue when she was 39 years old that her true identity was realised and her gift for songwriting acknowledged. Anne says Slim liked nothing better than being out on the road and the recording of her new album Showman’s Daughter echoes those sentiments shared by his family. With another album on the horizon that involves three generations, Anne says they feel an obligation to carry on the Slim Dusty tradition. Monday's Talking Heads program starts at 6.30pm. Mary on Spicks & Specks tonight International yodelling superstar Mary Schneider will appear on the popular television program Spicks & Specks tonight (Wednesday, August 30) on ABC TV. After an absence of more than a decade, The Fargone Beauties are back on television with a new album and website.
Having reformed for an appearance at the Toyota National Country Music Muster at Gympie on Saturday, the band was asked on to The Footy Show "to add some musical mayhem to the already unpredictable antics of Fatty, Sterlo, Matty and The Chief". To coincide with their Gympie appearance, the band is also releasing a new CD titled A Load Of Old Bullocks – The Best of The Fargone Beauties featuring 20 of their best known tracks including their classic "thrashgrass" cover hits Wild Thing, Hey Joe, Stairway To Heaven, Highway To Hell, Play That Country Music, Born To Be Wild and "everything else that fits". They performed Wild Thing live in the studio on The Footy Show. The band's new website - www.fargonebeauties.com.au – is now live. The CD was released last Thursday through One Stop Entertainment. Ken releases a new CD
The 12 track CD was produced by Lindsay Waddington at Kross Kut Records at the Gold Coast. "The album has a good mix of Australian bush ballads," Ken said. Included are three of Ken's own compositions, two co-writes, "and a fabulous version of the Dianantina Drover and a few classics". A comedy song titled Kangabloodyroos written by Jim Wesley and Ken adds some humour to the album. Ken says he had a ball recording with Waddo at Kross Kut Records, with some of Australia's top musicians, and hopes that there will be many more CDs to come. Weblink – www.krosskutrecords.com.au. Chart update – Beccy holds on to number one Beccy Cole holds on to the number one spot on the Country Tracks Top 30 singles chart this week for the fourth week in succession with her hit Poster Girl.
Anne Kirkpatrick bounds up three places to number four with Drive Away while Felicity Urquhart's My Life drops two places to number five. Lee Forster rises two places to number six with A Fire In The Bar while Adam Brand's Open Ended Heartache jumps three places to number seven. Jeanette Wormald's Boundary Rider's Daughter falls to number eight, Carter & Carter enter the top 10 at number nine with Ride, while Trisha Yearwood & Garth Brooks' Love Will Always Win drops to number 10. Bullet performers this week include The McClymonts' Something That My Heart Does (15 to 11), Kasey Chambers' Nothing At All (16 to 13), Donna Boyd's A Good Day (19 to 15) and Catherine Britt's Swingin' Door (21 to 18). The full chart can be viewed at www.nfspublicity.com.au. CMC Top 50 – Catherine still at the top
As does Corb Lund at number two with Hair In My Eyes Like A Highland Steer. Melinda Schneider's Big World Small World jumps three more places to number three while Kasey Chambers' Nothing At All falls to number four. The Sunny Cowgirls edged up two more places to number seven with their clip of Six Pack Short while Adam Brand's Open Ended Heartache dropped to number nine. Bullet performers this week include Lee Kernaghan whose clip of his new single Listen To The Radio jumped from 21 to 14, Felicity Urquhart's clip of My Life (26 to 17), Jetty Road's Run To You (28 to 24), Lee Forster's A Fire In The Bar (36 to 33), Wildseed's The Fire (41 to 38) and the Wolverines' Up And Gone Died (49 to 45). New entries in the playlist this week include Ronni Rae Rivers (pictured) with Janine – Care Of The Stars (in at 49).
George to release 34th album
Since his debut in 1981, the Texas troubadour has indeed been doing what comes naturally, putting together a string of hits that has earned him legions of fans and the respect of even the toughest critics. And while no one could blame him for packing it in after armfuls of awards, more number one songs than any other single artist in history, George Strait continues to deliver the goods in record-breaking fashion. Give It Away, the first release from his forthcoming album, is his fastest-moving single in five years. Beyond the accolades, George is revered most for his traditional brand of music that serves as a soundtrack for the cowboy lifestyle and the weekend heartbeat of America's dance halls and honky-tonks. From sophisticated Western swing and clever barroom anthems to sawdust two-steppers and smoky neon ballads, Natural is all that and more. It's vintage George Strait. BMI collects nearly $780 million in 2005/06 The Tennessean newspaper reports this week that BMI, one of three organisations in the US that collects music licensing fees on behalf of songwriters and publishers, collected record income of $779 million for fiscal year 2005-2006.
BMI’s total revenue figure represents a seven percent increase over the organisation’s total for the previous year. Growth was fueled by rising revenue in cable and satellite television; continued strength in new media, such as online subscription services and ringtones; and increases in overseas revenue. General licensing revenue collected from bars and other retail establishments that play music in public spaces also rose by about 12 percent over last year to make up about $86 million of BMI’s total revenue. BMI has about 300,000 members. Performing rights organizations like BMI, its rival ASCAP and the much smaller SESAC, collect licensing fees from radio, television, Internet services and other sources for public musical performances that get paid to songwriters and publishers. All three groups have a sizable presence in Nashville. DATELINE : WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2006 Awards changes deferred The Country Music Association of Australia announced today that all but three of the recently highlighted changes to the Golden Guitar Awards structure and rules would be deferred. The decision was made after a backlash from the industry which pointed out that, in making the changes, the Association had not followed the long established practice of giving at least 12 months notice of any major changes to the Awards. In making its announcement, the CMAA said that, on review, the Board had agreed that implementing such changes to the 2007 Awards did not give the industry adequate notice. The changes that are deemed to be minor and remain for the January 2007 Awards are altering the name of the Female and Male Vocalist Of The Year awards to Female and Male Artist of the Year, Vocal Group or Duo to Group or Duo and the awarding of a Golden Guitar to the writer of the winning Heritage Song of the Year where the song is first released during the current Awards year. Keith makes history... again!
According to the trade publication, it becomes the highest debuting single in the 62-year history of that chart, outpacing two previous singles, both of which debuted at 18 (Eddie Rabbitt's Every Which Way but Loose (1978) and Garth Brooks' Good Ride Cowboy (2005). Once In A Lifetime was written by Keith and John Shanks who also co-wrote Keith's hit song To Love Somebody. Graeme and Anne tour in September Graeme Connors and Anne Kirkpatrick will unite for their first tour together this September. Under the banner "Two Of Us", the pair will appear together at shows in Mount Evelyn, Sale and Hallam in Victoria.
Anne Kirkpatrick was born into the industry and destined for a life on the road as the daughter of Joy McKean and the late Slim Dusty. She first appeared on stage at the age of 10 in her parents travelling show and found her unique heritage a mixed blessing. "Riding the corrugations of audience expectation and her passion for music outside of the bush ballad genre, it was with great courage that she found her niche and musical independence."
Anne won an ARIA (Australian Recording Industry Association) Award and two Golden Guitars for her ground-breaking album. This year’s The Showman’s Daughter – Anne's first solo studio album since 1997 – has also reaped high praise for its "authentic roots" style. Graeme Connors is a gifted songwriter who "captures people, place, a mood and our hearts through his evocative lyrics and distinctive voice," according to his publicist. His achievements include Gold and Platinum albums, 12 Golden Guitars, "MO", APRA (Australasian Performing Right Association), ARIA and PPCA (Phonographic Performance Company of Australia) awards, international accolades and induction into the Country Music Hands of Fame in Tamworth, Australia's Country Music Capital. Further information, including tour details, can be obtained from www.graemeconnors.com. New dates for Beccy and Adam tour Beccy Cole and Adam Harvey’s "How Wrong Is It?" tour of Australia continues to roll out with dates at Revesby, Bathurst, Dubbo and Condobolin in NSW coming up in September.
The tour follows their sell-out shows in Tamworth in January and augment their solo concerts scheduled throughout 2006. Multi award winner Adam received his most recent award, the Contemporary Country Music Coalition Artist Excellence Award 2006 for his contribution to country music during 2005 which involved trips to Canada, the US and China. Now with his role as Ambassador for the Telstra Road To Tamworth 2007 talent search and his new single Lady Lay Down from his third consecutive gold selling album Can’t Settle For Less climbing the charts, Adam’s hectic schedule continues. Beccy’s current hit Poster Girl raced up the Country Tracks Top 30 holding down the number one position for two weeks as her video clip of the single also held the number one spot for two weeks on CMC (Country Music Channel). The four times Golden Guitar winner wrote Poster Girl following her trip to the Middle East to entertain troops during Christmas and New Year’s Eve 2005. This completed a busy year for Beccy promoting her latest album – Feel This Free – and carrying out her role as Ambassador for the Telstra Road To Tamworth 2006 talent search. Following the overwhelming response and success of Poster Girl, it has been rushed out as a bonus track on her current album. Weblinks – www.beccycole.com, www.adamharvey.com.au. Dwayne & The Engineers in the record books
On Wednesday August 9, they received their first award at the 2006 Hawkesbury Business Awards in the western suburbs of Sydney. The Engineers' five previous nominations were already a record as they are the only band known to be nominated for a business award in Australia. This night, they achieved their goal and won the award for "Outstanding Entertainment". Dwayne was on hand to collect the award, together with Engineers Dave Cook and Steve Sullivan (drummer Steve Sullivan was not available to attend). Dwayne & The Engineers were also one of the few businesses that were nominated in more than one category. The band also run coach tours called "Roc The Bus" where people go away with the band on weekend tours to rural areas – "tourist attractions by day, dancing to the band by night". This activity was nominated for "Outstanding Tourism Service". Dwayne is currently in the middle of recording two new albums for his visit to the Mildura Country Music Festival, one a traditional gospel bluegrass album where Dwayne plays all the instruments and provides all vocals, the other, a "honky tonk" dance album with The Engineers. Photo: Dwayne. Steve and Dave with their award, not just talented musicians, talented businessmen, too! Latest Bellbird releases Bellbird Music has announced its mid-year series of releases from the catalogue archives of Hadley Records.
The Jean Stafford release – Born Again from 1980 – won Jean her third Golden Guitar for her performance of That Glory Bound Train, cementing her status as Australia's Queen Of Country Music in the 1970s and '80s. For the first time on CD, the album contains two bonus tracks – I'll Meet You In Church On Sunday Morning, recorded in 1972, and Family Bible, one of Jean's most requested and earliest performances, recorded with Dusty Rankin and The Singing Kettles in 1965.
Originally recorded at the Hotel Tasmania in Launceston, Tasmania, from 1963 to 1965, this is the first time on CD for this release and comes with bonus tracks from their Encore!! EP released in 1963 which includes the Slim Dusty hit Been A Fool Too Long. The release from Country Music Capital pioneer artist Geoff Brown includes six radio tracks that have never been released before. Titled Remembering Gentleman Geoff, the CD features eight tracks originally released on EPs in the 1970s – Gentleman Geoff Brown and More Gentleman Geoff Brown. A special addition to the collection are the six extra tracks never before issued in any format, recorded especially for the "Big T Jubilee" and "Bob Clark Show" radio programs on 2TM in 1971 and 1972. The albums will be available in stores shortly or can be purchased online at www.countrymusic.com.au. Weblink bellbirdmusic.com.au. Aussie born act a finalist in Canadian Awards Lacombe, Alberta, resident, Australian born "country music sensation" Gord Bamford has been nominated in three categories for this year’s Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) Awards.
For the second year in a row, the 30-year-old is up for the Rising Star award, Independent Single of the Year for the song All About Her and Independent Male Vocalist of the Year. "It’s great," he said. "It’s a pat on the back for the year we’ve had and it’s nice to know your peers and people in the music business think you are doing something right." The awards will take place on September 11 in Saint John, New Brunswick. Gord will not be able to attend the show because of tour commitments with fellow Canadian, George Canyon. "The Canadian tour will be huge exposure for me," Gord said. "I’ll be getting out to the east where I have had a lot of airplay but haven’t been able to play live." Forty-five shows will be played all across Canada. – The Lacombe Globe Jeanette celebrates more success Jeanette Wormald has completed her most successful tour to date with the news that her single Boundary Rider's Daughter is number four on the national Top 30 charts (see below) and that she is a finalist in the prestigious Australian Country Music Achiever Awards. The South Australian-based artist is a finalist for Independent Entertainer of the Year category (winners will be announced at a gala presentation in Sydney on October 16).
"I had only ever dared to aim to break into the top 10 in national radio airplay," she said. "The huge response to the new album Opal Blue and the success of the first radio single has taken me by surprise. It is both delightful and quite humbling to think that I have been able to achieve such huge national support. "I am just so grateful to the radio presenters and fans for their enthusiasm." Jeanette said she was also buoyed by the response to her tour of SA with special guest Peter Pratt. The tour covered more than 4,000 km (4,006 km to be exact) and 14 venues from the Riverland up to the Flinders Ranges and Roxby Downs, across to Ceduna on the West Coast before heading back through Port Pirie and Murray Bridge to finish in Pinnaroo on August 13. It included fundraisers for several projects including the Cancer Council of SA and the Beyond Blue campaign tackling mental health issues in regional areas. "It was my first chance to showcase the new songs from Opal Blue and the audiences loved it," Jeanette said. "Sales were fantastic and overall crowd numbers were really encouraging." The tour included two sell-outs at Waikerie and Tumby Bay with more than 170 attending in both Loxton and Kadina. "I was also delighted to be able to perform the songs with musicians Emma Luker and Pete Titchener. They have been playing with me for some years now but this was our first tour together. Their enthusiasm and professionalism lifted the live performances to a new level," Jeanette said. "And while on tour, we also learned that Emma Luker had won Most Outstanding Instrumentalist of the Year at the SA Folk Awards." Jeanette and her musicians are heading to NSW for the second leg of the "Out Here" tour at the end of this month. The first performance will be with Peter Pratt at the Wagga Wagga Commercial Club on Thursday, August 31. Weblink – www.jeanettewormald.com. McClymonts' take off
And the stage performances are translating to CD sales and popularity with the girls' debut single as a trio – Something That My Heart Does – making the national ARIA chart last week at number 45. The single is number 15 and rising on the Country Tracks Top 30 and 17 on the CMC (Country Music Channel) top 50 playlist. Last week, The McClymonts travelled to Melbourne to perform at the ARIA Hall Of Fame presentation as part of the Helen Reddy tribute and induction, singing Delta Dawn, one of the songs Helen had a hit with during her career. Lee's tour heads to Queensland from this Friday night with shows booked for the Gold Coast, Rockhampton, Townsville, Longreach and Mackay through until September 17. Weblink – www.themcclymonts.com.au. Photo: Lee sings with (from left) Brooke, Samantha and Mollie. SNC continues to rate
"In the latest radio survey of all capital cities, figures again confirm that SNC is the most listened to country music program on any network," said program host John Nutting. Survey Five reveals the following figures which confirm the strength of the audience for Saturday Night Country. The figures show the share of all listeners on both AM and FM stations in each market.
Saturday Night Country goes to air every Saturday from 10pm. Natalie's new single Natalie Howard's Musicoz CMC Best Country Artist award winning song I Can't is the new radio single following Natalie's Country Tracks top 10 hit Is It Just Me.
"I Can't showcases Natalie's unique style and vocal ability in this emotionally charged ballad," said a spokesman for her record label, "and she continues to put her own stamp on country music with this intimate vocal, poetic lyric and haunting melody that comes from the heart." The release comes hot on the heels of Natalie's number one video clip and Country Tracks hit You Never Knew Me being included on The Best Of Country Music Channel 2006 CD and DVD, her debut performance on The Sports Zone Stage at the 2006 CMA (Country Music Association) Music Festival in Nashville and the release of I Don't Want To Live Like That on "Great American Country TV" and CMT.com in the America. Natalie is featured in the Debut Artist Spotlight section of the August/September issue of the magazine "CMA Close Up" along with country music newcomers Jake Owen, Eric Church, Rhonda Towns and Gary Nichols. This is the official bimonthly publication of the American Country Music Association. She is also to be a featured newcomer in a forthcoming issue of "Country Weekly", the world's top selling country entertainment magazine. And though one would think this is pace enough, Natalie is already writing new material for a sophomore album to Yesterday's Makeup. Weblink – www.nataliehoward.net. Dale releases Malabar Mansion Rising star Dale Duncan has released a single with a difference – a duet with the late Gordon Parsons.
Lindsay Butler worked with Dale as producer to achieve the bringing together of the modern day singer and one of Australia's best known country music pioneers. The new release follows the success of Dale's hit Do You Wanna Be from his successful debut album A Trucker's Life. Malabar Mansion will be included on Dale's upcoming EP titled Back To The Future and because of the link with Gordon, proceeds from sales of the EP will be donated to the Australian Country Music Foundation. Weblink – www.daleduncan.net. Connie to release hit single in America
A video clip of the track will be launched concurrently. Connie leaves for the USA this week on a promotional tour in support of the release and is scheduled to appear live to air on radio, television and in-store performances over the next few weeks. While in Nashville, she will be laying down tracks for her next album due out in April next year. Named Best Female Country Music Vocalist 2006 in Western Australia earlier this year, Connie returns home late September to appear at the Mildura Country Music Festival, Australia's largest showcase of independent entertainers. Weblink – www.conniekisandersen.com.au. Craig's tribute to the Diggers Sixteen years on and Craig Giles' A Tribute To The Vietnam Vets – Together As One is still a favourite with Vietnam veterans Australia wide.
When the trio had gathered enough material they began writing. They didn’t want it to be all blood and suffering but more of an uplifting and reuniting song for the Diggers. The song was launched at the 1990 Vietnam Veterans reunion in Wagga Wagga and was an instant hit. So much so that it was played in the NAMBUS which carries memorabilia, artifacts and exhibitions of the Vietnam War throughout Australia. Through the years, Craig has performed the song at various memorial functions and Remembrance Day marches all over the nation. This month, Craig was asked by the Goulburn Valley Vietnam Veterans to perform the song for the 40th anniversary of the Battle Of Long Tan at the Shepparton Cenotaph. The song received an overwhelming response from the diggers, their family and friends, politicians and dignitaries alike that were in attendance. Craig has now re-released the song on a three track CD together with I Still Call Australia Home and A Picture On The Mantle (M.I.A.) which was originally written and given to him by a Vietnam Veteran. The CD is available direct from Big River Entertainment, PO Box, 111, Finley NSW 2713, for $12 including postage within Australia. Photo: Craig Giles with Army cadets Josh Adams (left) and Peter Vandergulik. Tahlia records in Texas
The CD – I'll Ride With You – features all original songs written by Tahlia with backing by John and a line up of Austin Texas session players. John is no stranger to Australian country music. Besides his own work with the Burritos, John has written and produced chart hits for Australian artists like Michael King, Lee Conway, Brian Cadd, Michael O'Rourke, Becky Willis, Diana Woods and many others. He has been commuting to Australia for well over three decades. Chart update – top four unchanged The top four positions on the Country Tracks Top 30 singles chart this week remain unchanged from last week Beccy Cole at number one with Poster Girl, Lee Kernaghan at two with The New Bush, Felicity Urquhart at three with My Life and Jeanette Wormald at four with Boundary Rider's Daughter.
Lee Forster's A Fire In The Bar bounds into the top 10 at number eight, Arthur Blanch's With Every Breath falls two places to number nine while Adam Brand (pictured) enters the top 10 at number 10 with Open Ended Heartache Bullet performers this week include Kasey Chambers' Nothing At All (19 to 16), Donna Boyd's A Good Day (22 to 19), Catherine Britt's Swingin' Door (25 to 21), Paul Costa's What Else Could Go Right (26 to 23) and Dean Perrett's Would Clancy Be Welcome? (at 30). New entries to the chart this week are Jetty Road with Heart And Soul (at 29) and SweeneyKilleen with Along For The Ride (at 30). The full chart can be viewed at www.nfspublicity.com.au. CMC Top 50 – Catherine still at number one
The Corb Lund Band edges up to number two with Hair In My Eyes Like A Highland Steer while Kasey Chambers' Nothing At All falls to number three. Melinda Schneider's Big World Small World edges up two places to number six while Adam Brand's Open Ended Heartache is steady at seven and The Sunny Cowgirls (pictured) bound into the top 10 with their clip of Six Pack Short. Bullet performers this week include Lee Kernaghan who debuts in the playlist at 21 with the clip of his new single Listen To The Radio, Felicity Urquhart's clip of My Life (45 to 26), Lee Forster's A Fire In The Bar (44 to 36) and Holloway Street's Zoe's Song (49 to 45). Other new entries in the playlist this week include the Wolverines' Up And Gone Died (in at 49).
15 nominated for Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Ten songwriters and five songwriter/artists have been nominated for one of America's highest songwriting honors – induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
"The significance of these songwriters and their influence on our industry and culture is staggering." Murrah, himself an inductee in 2005, said the ballot seeks to recognise songwriters whose first significant works achieved commercial success and/or artistic recognition at least 20 years ago and who have "positively impacted and been closely associated with the Nashville Music Community and deemed to be outstanding and significant." The 10 nominees in the Songwriter category are Pat Alger (The Thunder Rolls recorded by Garth Brooks), Larry Henley (The Wind Beneath My Wings, Bette Midler), Mark James (Suspicious Minds, Elvis Presley), Mac McAnally (Old Flame, Alabama), Bob Morrison (You Decorated My Life, Kenny Rogers), Gary Nicholson (One More Last Chance, Vince Gill), Hugh Prestwood (Ghost In This House, Shenandoah), Thom Schuyler (16th Avenue, Lacy J Dalton), John Scott Sherrill (Wild And Blue, John Anderson) and Jim Weatherly (Midnight Train To Georgia, Gladys Knight & The Pips). The five nominees in the Songwriter/Artist category are Arthur Alexander, Jimmy Buffett, J J Cale, John Hiatt and Tony Joe White. Pictured (all from left) at the news conference earlier this month announcing the 2006 nominees, are (front row) nominees Thom Schuyler, John Scott Sherrill and Hugh Prestwood; (back row) Nashville Songwriters Foundation Chairman Roger Murrah, Nashville Mayor Bill Purcell, nominees Bob Morrison, Tony Joe White, Pat Alger, Gary Nicholson and Jim Weatherly. Click on the pic for a slightly larger image. Weblink – www.nashvillesongwritersfoundation.com. Alison & Union Station lead Bluegrass Award nominations
Alison and her band members garnered 11 nominations, while Blue Highway (10 nominations), Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver (seven) and Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder (seven) also scored big during the nominations announcement at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. The Grascals, last year’s top emerging artist, received a Best Entertainer nomination for the first time and Rhonda Vincent will attempt her seventh straight female vocalist prize. Last year’s Entertainer of the Year, the family band Cherryholmes, drew five nominations including a tilt at the Entertainer title again. "They’re the best entertainers in bluegrass," said Ricky Skaggs, who owns Skaggs Family Records, the label for which Cherryholmes records. "This shows that last year was not a fluke at all. They’re a strong, talented group." – TwangtownUSA.com DATELINE : WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16, 2006 Country Music Bulletin to take over People's Choice Awards The Independent Country Music Bulletin will present the long-running Australian Country Music People's Choice Awards from 2007.
The announcement came shortly after Smoky and his wife Paula announced they would be discontinuing all functions of the ACMLA due to Smoky's on-going health problems. "As from the 31st of August 2006, the ACMLA will cease all operations," Paula said. "It is with deep regret and long deliberation that we have been forced to make this decision mainly due to Smoky’s health problems which have been declining now for the past 18 months. We feel we can no longer continue in the capacity of maintaining the ACMLA and personal life. "We would like to thank all of our members some who have been with us from the beginning," she said. "We would also like to thank all the DJs and radio stations on our mail list for helping us help promote the country music artists. Without you, the music would not be heard." Managing Editor of the Country Music Bulletin Bob Kirchner said he was delighted Smoky and Paula had agreed to pass the People's Choice Awards on to the Bulletin, "to take up the baton, so to speak," he said. "We are committed to maintaining the great tradition established by Smoky and Paula over the years and look forward to further developing the Awards through the Bulletin and the on line news website for the benefit of the Australian country music industry." Processes for the continuing People's Choice Awards, including consideration of voting already undertaken, are currently under review with announcements due to be made shortly. Photo: Smoky Sheldrick (right) with winner of this year's Female Vocal People's Choice Award Tania Kernaghan and presenter Mike Smith from NfS Publicity. ASAI Song Contest winners Felicity Urquhart and Glen Hannah (pictured) have taken top honours in the 2006 Australian Songwriters' Association National Songwriting Contest announced in Sydney last week.
Michael O'Rourke and Glenda Hunt placed second in the category with their song The Hat while Andrew Pobjoy and Tim Farren placed third with Say When. The remaining top 10 finalists in the Country category were... Donna Boyd and David Carter with A Good Day, Donna Boyd with I Know It's You, Bruce Holloway and Colin Street with This Morning, Michael King and Pam Spencer with When A Son Becomes A Father, Lauren Brede with Small Town, Bluey Matthews with Two Step and Katie Brianna with Guiding Hand. Country winners and placegetters in other categories included... In the Australia category, Lachlan Davidson was named runner-up with You've Gotta Love Australia while David Croser was a top 10 finalist with Rivers Of Australia. In Ballad, Lauren Brede was runner-up with Box Of Kisses. In the Instrumental category, Chris Staff was a top 10 finalist with Western Thunder. In the Youth category, Lauren Brede came first, second and third with, respectively, Look Where We Are Now, If By Chance and Small Town, and also had a fourth song – Without Goodbye – in the top 10. A full listing of finalists and winners can be found at www.asai.org.au. Community radio plays more Australian In results just released, the importance of community broadcasting in the development of local talent and local culture has been confirmed. New research shows that on a national basis, community broadcasting exceeds its minimum quotas for Australian music reaching an average of 35 percent Australian music per week – an increase on already impressive previous survey results, according to the Community Broadcasting Assoctaion of Australia. "On top of this, community broadcasters across the nation are recording a significant 271 hours of local music hours every week," the Association said.
"Community broadcasting has long been the home of emerging Australian talent," the Association said. "Sydney's Youth Group are just one example of a band who have gained much needed support and exposure through community radio." "From the beginning, community radio has been the channel between us and an audience,” said Toby Martin, singer/songwriter of Youth Group. "If we had a new CD out or had a show coming up we would go in and talk about it. Whether three people were listening or 3,000 it didn’t really matter. What mattered was the feeling that what we did wasn’t done in a vacuum; that there were people out there who might be interested in what we were doing and that we could reach them." It's a sentiment that echoed throughout the industry. Richard Davison, Director, Broadcast Licensing at APRA (Australasian Performing Right Association), said: "The support that the community broadcasting sector provides to Australian songwriters and composers is invaluable. It is particularly encouraging to see community broadcasters – particularly indigenous, youth and rural stations – not just meeting, but exceeding their Australian music quotas. "By exploring and supporting different genres of music, community broadcasters provide a strong platform for so many Australian songwriters and composers to have their music heard," he said. Community radio listeners are tuning in for this reason. In a recent listenership survey conducted by McNair Ingenuity (full results from the McNair Ingenuity Audience Research Survey will be launched on August 25), almost half of the listeners surveyed stated that they listen to community radio because "they play Australian music/support local artists". Richard Davison said: "It's clear that community broadcasters are providing what people want to hear and that is more Australian music." Full details of the Community Broadcasting Database Survey can be obtained at www.cbonline.org.au. Tania and Felicity lead Independent Awards finalists Tania Kernaghan and Felicity Urquhart (pictured, from left) lead the finalists for the 2006 Telstra Country Wide Southern Stars – the 10th Australian Independent Country Music Awards of Australia – to be presented in Mildura in September.
Last year's Independent Country Music Artist of the Year Travis Sinclair (also pictured) secured two finals berths in Single and Male Vocalist. Joining Travis with two finals nods are former Independent Award winners Karen Lynne (Album of the Year with Changes, and Female Vocal) and Michael O'Rourke (Heritage Track and Male Vocalist).
Previous Independent Award winners reaching finals in 2006 include seven time winners Carter & Carter and multiple winners James Blundell and Tracy Coster. This year also sees the addition of a new category for Independent Group/Duo.
In all, 22 individuals, duos and groups made the various finals categories, a strong representation of some of Australian country music’s finest talents, according to John, the majority of whom, he said, had achieved significant success in the past 12 months. "It is very gratifying to see the inroads that the independent artists are making, and we have a roster of hitmakers this year. "Of the finals contenders, 17 had top 30 chart success with radio singles in the past year, five had songs in the top five and two reached the coveted number one position, including Travis Sinclair who achieved three number one hits in the 12 month period." Full details of finalists are on the Mildura Festival website at www.milduracountrymusic.com.au. Winners will be announced during the Awards presentation during the 20th Mildura Country Music Festival on Saturday September 30 at the Mildura Arts Centre Theatre. Tickets, at $33 each, are available by calling 1800 039 043. Awards petition submitted The petition seeking the Board of the Country Music Association of Australia (CMAA) to reverse its decisions regarding immediate changes to the Golden Guitar Awards (see last week’s news) has now been submitted. The petition, written and circulated by a small group of concerned artists and industry people who wanted to provide a vehicle for the broader community to express their concerns to the Board, contains 163 names of people representing a broad cross section of the industry. A number of people have also written to the Board expressing personal concerns with all or some of the awards changes. Petition coordinator Deniese Morrison (a three times Golden Guitar winner and founding Board member of the CMAA) has expressed the gratitude of the petition creators to those industry people who added their names to the petition. "The broader country music industry has been too quiet for a long time when it comes to dealing with issues that have a lasting affect on our industry," she said. "There has always been a reluctance to question decisions. We wanted to provide an easy means for people to express their concerns and alleviate that reluctance. "We understand the Board needs to keep progressing country music in Australia however, in this case, the lack of explanation about the changes and the immediate introduction without an appropriate announcement has prompted us to ask the Board to rescind its decisions and review the concerns expressed by the industry in both the petition and the letters submitted by individuals." Deniese points out that her name is the only one released in connection with the creation and circulation of the petition to ensure people who added their name did it for their own reasons. “We will not be releasing the names on the petition, so that those who did participate feel they are expressing their concerns to the Board – and not participating in a political campaign. "This was never designed as a political campaign against the Board. It was an effort to have the broader country music community express its concerns about one set of decisions and have those concerns attended to by the Board. To this end we maintain our position," Deniese said. Artists announced for Galston 2006 The entertainment line-up for the 2006 Galston Country Music Festival has been announced.
This year's "very special guest legends" are Kevin Johnson and Doug DeKroo and Lonesome Train with a special appearance from last year's Golden Saddle Award winner Darren Colston (pictured). The bill will be completed with performances from The Borderers, Donna Boyd, The Bushwackers, Pat Drummond, Travis Collins, Steve Graham, Johanna Hemara, Julie Perandes together with bush poets Graeme Johnson, Claire Reynolds and Noel Stallard. A highlight of the Sunday will be performances from this year's Golden Saddle Grand Finalists Amber Lawrence, Karen Lynne and SweeneyKilleen. Backing on the day will be provided by The Galston All Stars featuring Donna Boyd, Doug Boyd, Pat Drummond, Pete Drummond, Tom Grasso (Drums) Chris Soulos and Duncan Toombs. Weblink – www.galstonfestival.com. Nominations open for 2007 TIARAs Nominations are now open for the 10th annual Tamworth Independent Artist Recognition Awards (or TIARAs, as they are known).
In 2007, awards will be presented for Male Vocal, Female Vocal, Group, Bush Ballad, Instrumental (the Barry Thornton Memorial Award), Vocal Collaboration, Duo and Songwriting (the Michael Cowdroy Memorial Award). A ninth award, the Gentleman Geoff Brown Memorial Award, will also be presented. The awards presentation evening will be held on Tuesday, January 23, 2007. More information on the 10 anniversary Awards, including a change of venue, will be announced shortly. Entry forms and rules can be downloaded from www.tiara-awards.org. Entries close at 5pm on October 27, 2006. Further information can be obtained from the Awards website or from Rob Brown on 02 6765 7638 or Awards Secretary Vicki Thorncroft on 02 6765 8021 or 0403 979 108. 2006 Deadlys finalists A number of country artists feature as finalists in the 2007 Deadlys (national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander music, sport, entertainment and community awards).
Sharnee Fenwick is a finalist for Most Promising New Talent. The Pigram Brothers are finalists for Band of the Year and also for the Album award with Under the Mango Tree. Warren H Williams is a finalist for Artist of the Year and also for the Album award with Be Like Home. The 12th annual Deadly Awards – celebrating indigenous excellence in music, sport, the arts, entertainment and community achievement and hosted by Ernie Dingo– will be presented at the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall on Thursday, September 21. Weblink – www.deadlys.vibe.com.au. Countdown to Gympie The 25th anniversary Toyota National Country Music Muster at Gympie gets underway next week.
Among the latest to be announced in the line-up is multi Golden Guitar winner Graeme Connors who joins the likes of James Blundell, Adam Brand, Troy Cassar-Daley, Travis Collins, Peter Denahy, The Flood, Pixie Jenkins, Jetty Road, Lee Kernaghan, Anne Kirkpatrick, Chad Morgan, Julie Perandes, the Sensitive New Age Cowpersons, Cat Southern, Sara Storer, Felicity Urquhart and the Wolverines, just to name a, very, few! One of the feature events of Muster, among many, will be a "Back To Thornside" concert featuring the instigators of the event, The Webb Brothers. During the Muster, a number of venues operates to keep the tens of thousands of fans entertained. The Muster is organised and staged by the Apex Club of Gympie to support local and national charities through its Rural Aid Appeal. Over the years, Appeal beneficiaries have included Diabetes Australia, the Royal Flying Doctor Service, Leukaemia Foundation, Youth Suicide Prevention, VISE (Volunteers for Isolated Students Education) and Giddy Goanna. In 2006/07, all profits raised will be directed to the Melanoma Foundation. The Foundation is dedicated to raising funds to support world-class research into the causes, detection, treatment and management of melanoma. Further information about the Muster, on the dedicated Muster site at Amamoor Creek State Forest about 35 kilometres west of Gympie, Queensland, including daily programs, can be obtained at www.muster.com.au. Photo: an aerial view of last year's Muster. New Aussie country compilation Victorian based country and roots label Dirt Road has launched of a new CD compilation series called The Australian Country Music Series.
Dirt Road's philosophy with the series is "great artists, great songs, great performances – and all fiercely independent". "The Australian Country Music Series is the must have compilation for those wishing to hear the best of new Australian country music," a spokesman for the label said. "This is the place to hear some of the very best hard working, multi-award winning Australian independent acts." Weblink – www.therecordcompany.com.au. TommyFest Australian dates Tommy Emmanuel has announced the Australian dates for his TommyFest tour in Australia this October.
"These guys are all incredible. I am thrilled to be able to introduce to Australia the Best of the Best," Tommy said. During TommyFest Australia, Tommy will be joined on stage by Martin Taylor ("a rarity in the world of jazz and winner of 10 out of 19 British Jazz Awards), the Joscho Stephan Trio (a German gypsy jazz outfit) and Jake Shimabukuro (a young Hawaiian renowned for his enthusiasm and musicianship on electrified ukulele recording and performing with Grammy winning group Bella Fleck and the Flecktones). Tommy, of course, is recognised as one of the world’s greatest finger pickers having performed to millions of people across the globe and toured and/or recorded with some of the world’s greatest musicians including Chet Atkins, Eric Clapton, Stevie Wonder, Joe Walsh, Beatles producer Sir George Martin and Tina Turner. Just prior to his death, Chet Atkins awarded Tommy the rare title of CGP (Certified Guitar Player), only two other guitarists share that honour (Jerry Reed and John Knowles). Voted Rolling Stone (Australia) Magazine’s "Most Popular Guitarist", nominated for a Grammy for an album with his guitar hero Chet Atkins and with 15 CDs to his credit, Tommy has just released his latest album – The Mystery – in Australia. Also just released in Australia is Tommy’s DVD Live In Ballarat, given a five-star rating in "The Australian" and critically lauded in "The Washington Post". TommyFest Australia will take place in Adelaide, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. Further information, including tour details, can be obtained at www.tommyemmanuel.com or www.entertainmentedge.com.au. Audrey releases new album and tours Australia Audrey Auld Mezera has announced the release of her latest album – Lost Men And Angry Girls – and a series of tour dates in Australia.
"Lost Men And Angry Girls chronicles the past three years I have spent living on the coast of Northern California," Audrey says. "It's 'Ameri-kinda' music – traditional American country and folk influences with Australian roots; a beautiful mix of acoustic and electric instrumentation." Recorded primarily in Australia, this is the first album from Audrey where she has handed over the production reins to her trusted collaborator Bill Chambers who retains the sparse arrangements that characterise her work. "It’s always exciting to work on music with Audrey," Bill said. "These songs reflect her life, where she now lives and the places and people she comes in contact with. I’ve always been proud to be part of Audrey’s recordings, but even more so with this one." After two shows at the Muster, Audrey will perform shows including Annandale and Blacktown in Sydney, Blue Haven, Cessnock and Tamworth in regional NSW Tamworth, Thebarton and Tanunda in SA, Alice Springs in the Territory, Rye, Geelong, Gippsland, Kyneton and Melbourne in Victoria. During her tour "down under" Audrey will be supported at various times by Finnish act the Hoedown Trio, Trev Warner, Bill Chambers & Dave Steel, The Flood and Brent Parlane. Full details of tour dates and venues can be obtained from www.audreyauld.com. SxSW registration opens Registration has opened for South by Southwest (SxSW) on March 14 to 18 next year in America with 400 attendees from Australia and New Zealand tipped to attend.
Artists applying to showcase should do so with CDs and a press package. The application fee is US$20 and applications can be submitted at 2007.sxsw.com/music/showcase. The deadline is October 27. For those wanting to register as delegates, the early bird rate of US$425 ends on September 29. The link for registrations is 2007.sxsw.com/register_to_attend. A 20 minute video presentation by Austrade from this year's SxSW can be viewed online at www.roocast.com/sxsw2006. An audio podcast of the Melbourne roadshow meeting will be available shortly. Daryl launches new radio segment Queensland country music broadcaster Daryl Kirkup is looking for interested artists and country music acts to interview for his newly launched segment "Backstage Pass".
The new segment is based on an artist profile, an interview and single grabs on each track. Each week, a new release CD is featured and each track will get airplay. The stories behind each track are told by the artist and/or songwriter who will lead into each song as part of the overall production. "The idea is to combine the music and the stories into a feature presentation and consequently a total promotion of the release," Daryl said. "Everyone seems to love the freshness of the idea and the response is supportive. I’m hoping we can syndicate the program to make it available nationally. "Anyone interested in sponsoring the new concept and or the weekly program should contact me also," he added. "The hour long segment is part of my weekly Urban Country program on air from 8 til midnight every Wednesday night. It should work very well." Artists can contact Daryl by email (dkvoice@bigpond.net.au) or telephone (07 3285 4556) so we can schedule their spot. "I’m also keen to hear from recording artists who are in production and have release dates later in the year or next year to factor their album into the 2006-2007 program schedule," he said. Backstage Pass goes to air at 9pm on Wednesday August 23 on Caboolture Radio 101.5FM. The first show will feature Melinda Schneider and her latest album Stronger. Chart update – Beccy still at number one Beccy Cole retains her hold on the number one spot on the Country Tracks Top 30 singles chart this week with her hit song Poster Girl as does Lee Kernaghan at number two with The New Bush.
Keith Urban's Tonight I Wanna Cry drops to number five, Trisha Yearwood & Garth Brooks' Love Will Always Win edges up one place to number six while Arthur Blanch's With Every Breath falls one place to number seven. George Strait bounds into the top 10 with Seashores Of Old Mexico at number eight as does Anne Kirkpatrick's Drive Away to at nine while Bobby Cash drops one place to number 10 with Tumbleweed. Bullet performers this week include Paul Costa (pictured) with What Else Could Go Right (29 to 26) and new entries by Sovereign with Unbelieveable (debuting at 27) and Cat Southern's Last First Kiss (at 28). Other new entries to the chart this week are Col Joye with Don't Give Up (at 29) and Dean Perrett's Would Clancy Be Welcome? (at 30). The full chart can be viewed at www.nfspublicity.com.au. CMC Top 50 – Catherine hits the top
Adam Brand's former number one Open Ended Heartache drops to number seven while Melinda Schneider's Big World Small World flys into the top 10 at number eight and The McClymonts' Something That My Heart Does falls to number 10. Bullet performers this week include Graeme Connors' On A Roll (18 to 14), Nik Phillips' No One Is To Blame (20 to 15), The Sunny Cowgirls' Six Pack Short (44 to 17), Carter & Carter's Ride (25 to 20), Donna Boyd with A Good Day (24 to 21), Gemma Doyle with Permission To Breathe (30 to 23), Jetty Road's Run To You (32 to 29), Matt Scullion's Hard Earned Money (36 to 31), Wildseed's The Fire (41 to 35) and Felicity Urquhart's My Life (debuting at 45). New entries in the playlist this week include Zoe's Song by Holloway Street (at 49).
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Kasey Chambers’ new Carnival album debuted at number one on the national Motorola ARIA (Australian Recording Industry Association) chart on Monday, making it the third album release from the multi ARIA and Golden Guitar winner to spend time in the top spot.
This will take the Slim Dusty Classics series up to 16 albums in total and also marks the first time that all of Slim’s studio recorded albums are available as single stand alone CDs.
Winner of the 2006 Maton Talent Search at the Gympie Muster at the weekend was 15 year old Sinead Burgess.
They are...
Eight times Golden Guitar winner Adam Brand’s new album What A Life was released on early July and debuted on the ARIA (Australian Recording Industry Association) Australian Artists Country Chart at number one where it remains after six weeks.
The Country Music Capital based The Baileys has snared the highly-coveted support slot on US country music superstar Dwight Yoakam's upcoming Australian tour.
Jessica Mauboy, winner of the first Telstra Road To Tamworth Talent Search back in 2004, has made the final 12 of Australian Idol 2006.
It was a nail-biting decider which came down to Korey and just one other contestant to make the final cut.
It’s been three years since the passing of Australian music icon Slim Dusty. Keeping his memory very much alive as she sings her way around Australia, daughter Anne talks to Peter Thompson about her colourful, nomadic life and the profound influence of her famous showbiz parents.
Sydney's legendary "thrashgrass" band appeared as the house band for the Nine Network's NRL Footy Show last Thursday night.
Wauchope bush balladeer/songwriter Ken "Chainsaw" Lindsay has released a new CD, From Cross Cut To Chainsaw".
George Strait's Seashores Of Old Mexico jumps three places to number two while Lee Kernaghan falls one spot to number three with The New Bush. 
Catherine Britt remains at number one this week on the CMC (Country Music Channel) Top 50 playlist with her clip of Swingin' Door.
They don't call him America's King of Country for nothing. With more than 62 million albums sold and an unprecedented 52 number ones, the title of George Strait's 34th release should come as no surprise. It Just Comes Natural will hit stores on October 3.
Keith Urban's Once In A Lifetime, the first release from his upcoming as yet untitled fourth studio album, made history this week by debuting at number 17 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart.
Upon release of her eighth album Out Of The Blue in 1991, Anne was accepted in her own right and country accolades applauded her as "a true revolutionary".
Australian country music’s reigning Entertainer of The Year Beccy and six times Golden Guitar winner Adam have created a show which allows them to perform separately and then combine their unique talents.
Dwayne Elix & The Engineers have just stepped into the record books.
The Singing Kettles, Jean Stafford and "Gentleman" Geoff Brown feature in this round of releases of classic Australian country music.
The Singing Kettles release – Country Harmony – was Hadley Records first ever LP (HLP1201), released in 1965 and featuring some of the trio's most loved songs, including That Silver Haired Daddy Of Mine, Wedding Bells and Judy.
(Gord moved to Canada with his mother at age five.)
While on tour, Jeanette also learned that her single was continuing to attract strong radio support and was climbing steadily towards the number four spot on the Country Tracks Top 30 chart.
ABC Radio's "Saturday Night Country" (SNC) has again dominated Australia's country music listening.
This fifth release from her debut album Yesterday's Makeup was written by Natalie with noted Nashville songwriter Brian Maher and has gone to radio on NfS 107.
The song is titled Malabar Mansion, written by Dale's father Dave Duncan and recorded many years ago by Gordon.
Connie Kis Andersen's Australian hit single Kiss My Cheek was due for release in the US this week through the American equivalent to NfS, CDX.
Australian singer/songwriter Tahlia McGahey is recording her debut CD with well-known American producer/session ace John Beland (of Flying Burrito Brothers fame) in Austin, Texas.
Catherine Britt holds on to the number one spot this week on the CMC (Country Music Channel) Top 50 playlist with her clip of Swingin' Door.
Announcing the change, President of the Australian Country Music Listeners' Association (ACMLA) Smoky Sheldrick said the Association had passed the Awards over to the Bulletin to ensure their continuity as close as possible to the traditions which had been built up over the last seven years.
The songwriting duo won first place in the Country category with their song The Flood, a hit song from Felicity's current album My Life.
The figures are part of the latest Community Broadcast Database Survey. The survey, conducted in 2005, is the third national data collection to be made by the sector.
Tania’s album Higher Ground sees her as a finalist in Album of the Year, Heritage Track of the Year and Female Vocalist while Felicity also figures in the Album category with My Life, together with her song The Flood in Single of the Year and Female Vocalist.
Other members of the two-times club include Camille Te Nahu & Stuie French (Single and Group/Duo), Luke O'Shea & Medicine Wheel (Album of the Year for Listen To The Words and Group/Duo) and Harley Smith (Single and Female Vocalist).
"It was a record year for entries," said Awards co-ordinator John Arnold, "275 individual entries were received for the eight judged categories, representing recorded product from 116 individual artists and groups."
The Festival runs at three venues over three days – Friday September 8 at Glenorie RSL, Saturday September 9 at The Galston Club and Sunday September 10 (the main festival day) at Fagan Park.
Entry into the TIARAs is open to Australian independent country music recording artists who have released totally self-funded commercial release CDs in less than two years and who are 18 years of age or more.
Troy Cassar-Daley is a finalist for Artist of the Year, Single Release of the Year (with Lonesome But Free) and Album Release of the Year (with Brighter Day).
Kicking off next Tuesday (August 22), the Muster this year features more than 100 individual acts during the event's six days, concluding on Sunday the 27th.
TommyFest is a global concept in which Tommy gathers together "the greatest musicians from around the world to perform their own genius to his ever-growing legion of fans in Europe, America and now Australia".
The MerleFest Song Contest winner and two-time ARIA (Australian Recording Industry Association Awards) nominee Audrey returns to Australia to perform at Gympie and a series of dates in September to touch home-ground and to launch her new album here.
Ten Australian acts have already applied to showcase in the first week with more than 500 expected to apply this year for a possible 50 spots.
Daryl is widely known as a compere at Queensland events and for his regular program on 101.5FM out of Caboolture. He spent five years in commercial radio as a breakfast announcer on morning radio and wore a few hats behind the scenes as program director, music director and commercial copywriter at southern Queensland stations prior to moving to Brisbane and setting up his own business, VoicePRO.
Felicity Urquhart rises another place to number three with My Life as does Jeanette Wormald to number four with Boundary Rider's Daughter.
Catherine Britt (pictured) number one this week on the CMC (Country Music Channel) Top 50 playlist with her clip of Swingin' Door, pushing Kasey Chambers' Nothing At All to number two.