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NEWS ARCHIVES

December 2007

MONDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2007

Nicole and Keith expecting?

Various newsagencies around the world are reporting that Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban are expecting their first child.

Reports say the Oscar-winning actress and the country star broke the news to their families over the Christmas holiday.

Nicole, 40, had already spoken of "winding down" her film-making activities as much as possible next year.

The baby, whose expected arrival date has not yet been revealed, would be the actress's first natural child. She adopted Isabella, 14, and 12-year-old Conor during her marriage to Tom Cruise.

Nicole spent her Christmas holiday in Sydney after finishing work on Baz Lurhmann's epic romantic adventure film "Australia" on December 21.

She is due to film "The Reader" with Ralph Fiennes and British director Stephen Daldry in Berlin next month but has no more cinema work planned after that.

"I just want to spend as much time as possible with my husband," she said.

Earlier this month the actress also dismissed the idea of returning to the stage next year. "It wouldn't fit in with the logistics and dynamics of my family", she said, a remark given extra meaning by the news of her pregnancy.

Nicole's most recently-released film is the extravagant fantasy "The Golden Compass". Although the film was attacked by some critics, the actress's performance as the glamorous villain Coulter won wide praise.

Update: a representative for the actress has reportedly since said Nicole was not pregnant.

Further update: it has now been confirmed that Nicole and Keith are execting!

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Vale – Stan Hunt

Popular Tamworth-based singer, entertainer and recording artist Stan Hunt has died following complications from open heart surgery.

Stan was flown to John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle on Saturday where tests determined the need for open heart surgery following which he suffered a fatal cardiac arrest. He was 57.

Originally from Canberra, Stan moved to Tamworth in 1997 due to his love for country music which he attributed mainly to his mother's influences. She was a popular Canberra singer and performed regularly in clubs in and around the Canberra area and the NSW South Coast. There would always be music in their house in one form or another. Stan also played in several Canberra bands during his early adult life. His country music influences were Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Jim Reeves, Don Williams, Jimmy Little and Tex Morton.

Stan recorded five albums in Tamworth and spent four years as a country music radio presenter where his Wednesday night show on the local community station in particular was very popular. He was also involved in management of station during 2001/2002. His first album – Country Jukebox – was released in 1998.

After moving to Tamworth, Stan performed extensively in clubs and other venues in the Country Music Capital and throughout northern NSW, the central to northern NSW coast, in and around the Sydney metropolitan area, the ACT and Queensland.

He hosted and featured on many shows including the monthly Country Music Jamborees at the then Tamworth RSL Club, the Joe Maguires Pub Jamboree, Manilla Country Music Club concerts and the Tamworth Services Club Jamboree.

During the 2003 Tamworth Country Music Festival, Stan was named winner of the TIARA (Tamworth Independent Artist Recognition Award) in the Golden Oldies section. He had been a finalist in 1999 and 2002.

A strong supporter of the Australian Country Music Foundation (operators of Australia's Country Music Hall of Fame), Stan performed on and hosted the monthly Country in the Courtyard as well as spreading the word of the work being done at the Foundation to preserve the history of Australian Country Music.

Stan's funeral will be held at the Lincoln Grove Memorial Chapel, Tamworth, at 10am on Monday (January 7).

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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2007

Kasey to play seventh annual Tamworth fundraiser

Kasey Chambers will perform her seventh annual fundraiser "Live Free In The Park" in Tamworth this January.

Kasey's charity events have become must-see events in the Country Music Capital with thousands flocking to the city's Bicentennial Park during the giant country music festival with a local charity benefiting each year.

This January's event will raise funds for a Ronald McDonald House which is reportedly due to be built in Tamworth later in the year.

In a statement, Kasey said: "Once again I am starting to get very excited about my favourite gig of the year. This time it's going to be a little different… we have put together a special acoustic show where my husband Shane Nicholson, my Dad Bill Chambers and myself will be doing acoustic based versions of songs from my last four albums and also take the opportunity to road test some brand new material."

Kasey Chambers 2008 "Live & Free in The Park" concert will take place in the evening of Friday January 25.

Weblink – www.kaseychambers.com.au.

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2007 top 50 singles

The Lee Kernghan/Adam Brand/Steve Forde hit Spirit Of The Bush – which spent seven weeks at number one on the weekly Country Tracks Top 30 singles chart – has topped the Country Tracks Top 50 for 2007.

Troy Cassar-Daley's Everything's Going To Be Alright and Tania Kernaghan's Life Don't Get Much Better Than This (both four weeks at number one) have come in at two and three, respectively, on the Top 50 while America's Brad Paisley is at four with She's everything.

Carter & Carter's The Best Things In Life Are Free is at five, Tim McGraw's Fly Away at six and Melinda Schneider's Stronger at seven.

Sara Storer's Land Cries Out (the current number one on the weekly chart) is at eight while The McClymonts' Save Yourself (currently at two) is at nine on the Top 50 and Keith Urban's I Told You So is at 10.

Australian songs made up 78 percent of all tracks on the Top 30 in 2007. There were a total of 119 chart entries, 93 by Australians, the remainder by foreign acts.

A total of 88 artists were represented, 16 of whom were debut hitmakers, including Australians Sharon Benjamin, Rob Black, Lou Bradley, the Davidson Brothers, Steve Eales, Morgan Evans, Fiddlers Feast (with Graeme Connors), Shea Fisher, Nicki Gillis, Amber Lawrence, Markus Meier, John O'Dea, Anita Ree, Brendon Radford (with Casey Watt) and Matt Scullion.

There were 13 Australian number ones during the year... Baby's Gone Home by The McClymonts, The Best Things In Life Are Free by Carter & Carter, Big Black Cloud by Felicity Urquhart, Everything's Going To Be Alright by Troy Cassar-Daley, Land Cries Out by Sara Storer, Life Don't Get Much Better Than This by Tania Kernaghan, Love Shack by Lee Kernaghan, I Told You So by Keith Urban, Run Away by Carter & Carter, Spirit Of The Bush by Lee Kernaghan, Adam Brand & Steve Forde, Stepped Right In It by Gina Jeffreys, That Changes Everything by Adam Brand and Walking Away by Troy Cassar-Daley.

The full chart can be viewed here and will be played on CMR (Country Music Radio) on the Super Radio Network this New Year's Night (Tuesday).

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Jetty Road hitting high notes

Jetty Road are enjoying a good deal of success as the new year shapes up with a current top four hit on their hands – I Wanna Go Home – and a number of key finalist placings for awards at Tamworth in January.

The Victorian based band is up for a Best Group or Duo Golden Guitar, Best Group at the TIARAs, Best Group and Best Album at the Australian Country Music People’s Choice Awards and Best Group Victoria & National, Best Independent Release National and Best Album Victoria in the 2008 Victorian and National Country Music Awards.

Jetty Road have hit the Top 30 Country Tracks chart three times previously with singles Run To You (21), Heart & Soul (17) and Real Smooth Cowboy (12 and also number five on the CMC top 30). But the success of their current single is definitely the sweetest, say twins Lee and Paula.

"The song is personal to us. It sums up our life of touring and being on the road this year. Having toured almost nine of the 12 months of 2007, it's definitely been a lot of hard work, but the song brings back lots of great memories of our travels."

The new video clip for the single is now airing on CMC.

The Tamworth Country Music Festival in 2008 will no doubt be an exciting time for band members Lee, Paula, Julian and Simon. They will be playing four shows at the Tamworth Services Club on Tuesday 22nd, Wednesday 23rd, Thursday 24th and Friday 25th January.

Weblink – www.jettyroad.com.

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2007

Entries invited for Jazzer Quest '08

Entries are now open for the 2008 Jazzer Quest to be staged at The Pub in Country Music Capital during the January country music festival.

The Quest is named after Jazzer Smith (pictured), a well known country music writer and musician who, among other accolades, was presented with the Country Music Capital Award in 1997, just months for succumbing to non-Hodgkins lymphoma which he had battled for 17 years while maintaining a high profile existence through many walks of life.

Jazzer was an inspiration to many. The Jazzer Quest is just one reflection of the impact he made during his lifetime.

The Quest runs in two sections, Junior (to age 17) and Open, for those over 18... both as at January 26, 2008.

For juniors, prizes include $1,000 cash, the Axiom Entertainment scholarship to the 2008 Tamworth Camerata and a Fender guitar.

In the open section, prizes include $2,000 cash and a Fender guitar.

Heats are held daily from 4pm commencing with junior competitors from Friday January 18 to Wednesday January 23. Thursday 24th is set aside fir a "wildcard heat" where selected entrants are invited to compete again.

The quest grand final will be held on Friday January 25.

A minimum entry fee of $5 applies with proceeds going to the Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute in Melbourne where Jazzer was cared
for many times during his illness.

Enquiries regarding the Jazzer Quest can be directed to The Pub on 02 6765 4875 or by emailing admin@thepub.com.au.

Entry forms can be downloaded here.

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Midnight Flyers release new clip

The Midnight Flyers have released a video clip for their song Girl Without A Name from their debut EP of the same name.

The duo – Kellie Walker and Pat O'Donnell – will be going out to all television and media with the clip in a few weeks.

In the meantime, it has been uploaded to YouTube and available to view by clicking the following link...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Py-_muV_V9Y

Kellie and Pat say their EP sees the band entering a new era with "a lovely country soul album".

"Girl Without A Name reflects the journey of a couple that have been on a beautiful journey together through life only to have Alzheimers take away their memories together in their latter years. It is a special song to us and a tribute to our Aunty Maureen who we loved so dearly."

Weblink – www.themidnightflyers.com.

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Chart update – Sara still at the top

Sara Storer retains her hold on the number one spot on the coming week's Country Tracks Top 30 singles chart with Land Cries Out, the hit debut single release from her new Silver Skies album.

The McClymonts also remain steady at number two with Save Yourself while Adam Harvey edges up one place to three with Someone Else's Dream and Jetty Road jumps two more places to four with I Wanna Go Home.

Harmony James is also up two to five with Somebody Stole My Horse, Brooks & Dunn's Proud Of The House We Built is down to six while Carrie Underwood is at seven with So Small.

Brad Paisley's Online is down to eight, America's Kenny Chesney is at nine with Don't Blink and Morgan Evans' Big Skies is down to 10.

Bullet performers for the week include Amber Lawrence with Gonna Fly (15 to 12), Gina Jeffreys' The Truth About Lies (18 to 15) and Travis Sinclair's Carry The Country (21 to 18).

New entries to the chart for the coming week are Lee Kernaghan's Sassafras Gap (in at 29) and James Blundell (pictured) with Nature's Gentleman (in at 30).

The Top 30 Countdown goes to air Sunday nights on CMR (Country Music Radio) on the Super Radio Network. The full chart can be viewed at www.nfspublicity.com.au.

This week, CMR will be on air from Saturday through to and including Tuesday night (January 1) when the top 50 country tracks of 2007 will be featured.

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MONDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2007

Official Guide to Tamworth Country Music Festival 2008 out soon


The 2008 Official Guide to the Tamworth Country Music Festival – the biggest guide to a festival in Australia – will be out soon.

The Guide is published by Rural Press Events (RPE) and is the exclusive official guide for Festival goers with some 20,000 copies of the comprehensive, 240 page, full colour publication distributed through selected newsagents in NSW and through all newsagents, tourist outlets and accommodation houses in Country Music Capital from early January.

As a special bonus, for 2008, the Guide will include a free Promotional CD featuring the 2008 Top 20 Toyota Star Maker finalists.

"Apart from extensive advertising for artists, shows, instruments, record companies and gigs, the Guide contains a vast amount of information about the event," said Barry Harley, RPE General Manager.

"Foremost is the huge Festival official program which lists all of the 2,500 individual events running over the official 10 day country music bonanza plus the seven day countdown period to the Festival.

"The exclusive Artist by Artist Directory shows where and when each of the 700 or so artists appearing during the Festival are performing... an indispensable tool for fans and performers alike."

The Official Guide also lists finalists in all the major awards presentations, product and record launches, previous winners of Festival events, Hands of Fame inductees, history of the Festival, emergency services, details of dozens of venues, city maps and bus timetables.

"In fact, it features all information a visitor to the famous Tamworth Festival needs as well as a take-home special souvenir of the event," Barry said.

Copies of the Official Guide to Tamworth Country Music Festival 2008 can be pre-ordered by those wanting to plan their Tamworth January 2008 visit in advance. This can be done by telephoning the publishers RPE on 02 6762 2399 or by emailing rpeprojects@ruralpress.com.

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2007

Lee spearheads fundraiser for Dylan tribute

Lee Kernaghan is spearheading a fund-raising campaign to enable a family to pay tribute to their late eight-year-old son and grandson Dylan.

The Scott family of Narrandera (NSW) lost Dylan (pictured) to a brain tumour in May this year. Dylan was described as a very happy, brave and strong young boy who adored the St George Illawarra Dragons NRL Football Team and his country music icon, Lee.

The unforseen costs of a funeral have left the Scott family unable to provide Dylan with a memorial tribute at his burial site.

When Lee was informed of the situation, he immediatly pledged his support and has donated a personally autographed guitar, an entire autographed CD collection and hand written lyrics to his first number one hit Boys From The Bush to be auctioned "to raise money to provide Dylan's family with a fitting tribute to his precious life".

The guitar, a new black acoustic H221 Fender, is being auctioned on eBay.

Click here to go to the eBay auction site. The auction is scheduled to end on Sunday, December 30.

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Melinda heads star studded line-up

Melinda Schneider has announced a strong lineup for her Toyota Country Theatre show at the Tamworth Regional Entertainment & Conference Centre (TRECC) on Saturday January 19.

Joining Melinda for performances will be Australia’s Queen Of Yodeling Mary Schneider, plus one of Australia’s finest and most accomplished singer-songwriters, Deborah Conway.

Building on a friendship forged during the "Broad Tour" of 2006, Melinda was delighted when Deborah agreed to perform a set at Melinda’s Tamworth TRECC show: "I have always admired Deborah’s talent, courage and musical conviction and having been inspired by my experience with the 'Broad Tour' last year, I am excited to return the welcome to Deborah.

"When It’s Only The Beginning was a smash radio hit, I was so impressed. To me Deborah is the epitome of strength, vocally and personally. She stands alone musically, there’s nobody out there like her. And then there’s her brilliant portrayal of Patsy Cline in the 'Patsy' theatre show."

In addition to Deborah, Mary Schneider takes the stage on a Melinda show for the first time with a full band. "It seemed only fitting to turn the tables in 2008. I started out singing at my mother’s shows, and now I’m able to welcome her on mine," Melinda said. "Apart from the fact she’s my mum, Mary truly is a musical phenomenon."

Roll Of Renown inductee Mary has won countless awards and been wowing fans for more than 50 years with her amazing vocal and instrumental ability. She’s been "yodelling the classics" all over the world and has performed with the likes of José Carreras, Sir Peter Ustinov and Bryan Ferry.

Melinda herself has been stunning audiences Australia-wide for the last decade winning four coveted Golden Guitars along the way and, barely taking a breath since the release of her hit album Stronger, has spent most of last month recording her fifth studio album in preparation for an early 2008 release.

"This stellar performer and songwriter presents a stunning show which takes the audience on a journey from the deepest most heart-felt ballads to the lighthearted and often infectiously joyous and real songs she is so well known for," said a spokesman for the conceret promoters. "No doubt a memorable three-way collaboration is bound to occur in what is destined to be a spectacular opening to the 2008 Tamworth Festival season at Toyota Country Theatre on January 19."

Tickets for Melinda's TRECC show are available from www.visittamworth.com.
 
Melinda will also be performing at the major West Tamworth League Club venue on Friday January 25 with special guest Peter Denahy.

Weblink – www.melindaschneider.com.

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Golden Fiddle Awards nominations closing

Nominations for the 2008 Golden Fiddle Awards close at the end of this month (December).

Awards categories are Best Fiddler Soloist, Best Band, Group, Ensemble or Orchestra Featuring a Fiddler, Best CD by a Fiddler as Soloist, Best CD by a Band, Group, Ensemble or Orchestra featuring a Fiddler, Best Fiddle Teacher and Best Fiddle Composition (CD or mp3 preferable).

Nomination forms can be downloaded from the Awards website www.goldenfiddleawards.org.au.

Awards organisers say a CD of previous winners and finalists will be on sale early in the new year. "Watch out for details!"

For all CD categories, mp3 versions of material will be accepted before the due date as long as a commercial number (500) of CDs have been pressed.

Compositions need not be a commercial number of CDs.

All finalists will be considered for the 2008 GFA compilation release.

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Chart update – Sara hits number one

Sara Storer takes over the number one spot on the coming week's Country Tracks Top 30 singles chart with Land Cries Out, the hit debut single release from her new Silver Skies album.

The McClymonts edge up one place to number two with Save Yourself while Brad Paisley's Online drops to number three and Adam Harvey's Someone Else's Dream is up two to four.

Brooks & Dunn are down to five with Proud Of The House We Built, Jetty Road is up another one more place to six with I Wanna Go Home and Harmony James jumps two to number seven with Somebody Stole My Horse.

Carrie Underwood is steady at eight with So Small, Morgan Evans is up one to nine with Big Skies while Adam Brand's That Changes Everything is at 10.

Bullet performers for the week include Beccy Cole's Lifeboat (17 to 14), Amber Lawrence's Gonna Fly (19 to 15), Gina Jeffreys' The Truth About Lies (21 to 18), Lee Forster's 1,000 Headlights (24 to 19), Travis Sinclair's Carry The Country (25 to 21), Jonah's Road with All Mine (26 to 23) and Travis Collins' Don't Win Enough (29 to 25).

New entries to the chart for the coming week are Peter Denahy's The Ringing Of The Steel (in at 29) and Brian Letton's Driving Through A Postcard (in at 30).

The Top 30 Countdown goes to air Sunday nights on CMR (Country Music Radio) on the Super Radio Network. The full chart can be viewed at www.nfspublicity.com.au.

CMR will be on-air every night over the Christmas break (Saturday to Wednesday) with some special features including "an amazing couple of hours with Troy Cassar-Daley on Christmas night," said the program's Nick Erby.

Next week, CMR will have the top 50 country tracks of 2007.

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2007

Top 10 finalists announced for Victorian Awards

And the top 10 finalists for the Victorian & National Country Music Awards, to be presented in February during the Whittlesea Country Music Festival, have been announced.

In the Victorian sections, for Male Vocalist, they are Michael Abrey, Mike Brady, David Carter, Greg Champion (pictured), Paul Costa, David Delle-Vergin, Peter Denahy, Steve Eales, Harry Jon Nanos and Tom Routledge.

For Female Vocal, finalists are Ann-Marita, Merelyn Carter, Sandie Himbury, Rebecca Lee Nye (pictured) , Gail Smith, Cristy Spiteri, Brianna Ridge, Lissa Tracey and Bronnie Ware.

For Group/Duo, finalists are Carter & Carter, Crakajak, Donna Fisk & Harry Jon Nanos, Gatorbait, Noray Guilan & Susannah Espie Sandie Himbury & Michael Abrey, The Howie Brothers, Jetty Road, Ruckus and Rodney Vincent & Michael Cristian.

For Album, Ann-Marita with Intuition, Carter & Carter with Leap Before You Look, Greg Champion with The Shack Tapes, Steve Eales with The Battler, Graham Gould with Soundboard, The Howie Brothers with Singing ‘Til The Cows Come Home, Jetty Road with Dirt Roads – City Lights, Leigh Moneghetti with Down That Lonely Road, Ruckus with The Other Side and Rodney Vincent with Music, Memories & Madness.

In the national sections, finalists are...

For Male Vocal, Rodney Auld, David Carter, Greg Champion, Jay Collie, Travis Collins, Paul Costa, Steve Forde, Adam Harvey, John Kater and Lee Kernaghan.

For Female Vocal, Ann-Marita, Donna Boyd, Merelyn Carter, Rose Carleo, Beccy Cole, Nicki Gillis, Harmony James, Rebecca Lee Nye, Brianna Ridge and Tamara Stewart.

For Group of the Year, The Borderers & The Rough Diamonds, Crakajak, Jetty Road, Jonah’s Road, The Shelley Jones Band, The McClymonts, Keri McInerney/Steve Eales & Michael O’Rourke, Those Gals and Wild Kard.

Full listings for Duet of the Year, Best New Talent, Bush Ballad, Heritage Award, Best Independent Release, Bluegrass & Traditional Country  and Songwriters Composition can be found on the Whittlesea Festival website www.whittleseacountrymusicfestival.com.au.

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Future Stars Showcase new for Tamworth '08

Organisers of the Australian Country Music People's Choice Awards have announced a special Future Stars Showcase will be staged during the 2008 Tamworth Country Music Festival.

The Showcase will feature finalists from the Most Promising Future Star category at the upcoming People's Choice Awards plus special guests.

On the show at this stage are Denise Brooks, Jayne Denham, Steve Eales, Lee Forster, Steve Passfield and Bryen Willems. Special guests appearing will include Mike Brady who will also compere the event.

Profits from the event will go to a yet to be determined charity.

The Future Stars Showcase will be held at the Regent Theatre on Monday night January 21 at 8pm. Admission will be $10. Tickets can be pre-purchased from the Regent on 02 6766 3162.

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Tommy withdraws from Australian tour

Tommy Emmanuel has had to cancel his upcoming Australian tour for urgent treatment for a heart condition.

The Grammy-nominated guitar virtuoso had to withdraw from his month-long visit “back home” after serious health issues were exacerbated by his punishing tour schedule.

It is believed Tommy has managed his undisclosed condition for several years with medication but recently became too exhausted to continue on the road.

"I'm taking some time to get my body and soul to where I'm at my best again," he said in a statement to his Australian fans.

The cancellation of Tommy's Australian tour dates follows cancellation ofconcert dates in the Netherlands due to exhaustion and illness.

Weblink – www.tommyemmanuel.com.

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Guitar Unleashed at Tamworth 2008

The Blade Guitars Guitar Unleashed: Long Live the Lead Break competition will run during the 2008 Tamworth Country Music Festival on the Cutting Edge Music Stage upstairs at The Tudor Hotel.

Cutting Edge Music (CEM) and Blade Guitars are sponsoring the 2008 competition in partnership with XXXX Gold.

Two heats will be staged – Tuesday and Wednesday nights, January 22 and 23 with the final set for Thursday night January 24.

Long Live the Lead Break is designed for guitarists to present their best lead breaks, with the winner taking home prizes including a state-of-the-art Blade Guitars Delta electric guitar. Prizes worth more than $2,500 will be distributed during the event.

"A great lineup of guitarists has been gathered to support Long Live the Lead Break as special guests," said organiser Jim Guider. "The slick players include Blade Guitars endorsee Julz Parker (pictured) who, mentored by the great Phil Emmanuel, is no slouch on the guitar and sure to entertain. Phil also mentored Rob Bostock from The Bostocks. Rob, also endorsed by Blade, won the inaugural Long Live the Lead Break.

"Smokin’ Joe Robinson, second placegetter at the first Long Live the Lead Break is keen to take it out for 2008," Jim said. "Deanne Sutherland (ex Satellite Spies and Rated X) will showcase his playing in the house band Buddha & The Disciples. Deane is joined in the house band by bass player Dean Harawera, a musical mentor of Ricki-Lee Caulter, as well as renowned CEM Stage co-ordinator Warrick Steele on drums."

Guitar Unleashed: Long Live the Lead Break is a free show kicking off each day at 5.30pm. Guitar players seeking more information can contact Jim on 0409 795 492 or email jimguider@westnet.com.au.

Touring dollars

Christie Eliezer reports in his weekly column at themusic.com.au that applications are being sought for music touring from July 1, 2008, through the Australian Government's Contemporary Music Touring Program.

Funding of up to $10,000 per application is available for bands and solo artists who play original contemporary music to tour within Australia.

Weblink – www.dcita.gov.au.

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MONDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2007

2008 Bush Laureate Awards finalists announced

Finalists have been announced for the 2008 Australian Bush Laureate Awards to be presented in Tamworth this January.

They are, in alphabetical order...

For Book of the Year... “Australian Poems that Would Enchant an Echidna” by Phillip Rush, “Bronze Swagman Book of Verse 2006” by various authors (nominated by Winton & Business Tourism Association), “Skycatcher” by David Campbell, “Touching Tales” by Carol Heuchan and
“Wild Brumby Heaven” by Kym Eitel.

For Album of Year... The Ballad of Sweet Abigail and Other Poems by Vic Jeffries, Cowpokes and Indians by Marco Gliori Skycatcher: Selected Readings by David Campbell, Through the Horse’s Eyes & Other Poems by Terry Regan and Where Else Would a Man Want To Be? by Mark “Bushie” Thompson.

For Single Recorded Performance of the Year... Blackbeard’s Leap by Terry Regan, The Footy Speech by Marco Gliori, Gundungurra Man by Gregory North, Rain From Nowhere by Murray Hartin and A Campfire by Jim Brown.

Other judged awards to be presented... Children’s Book or CD of the Year and the Judith Hosier Heritage Award.

The 2008 Australian Bush Laureate Awards will be staged in the famous Tamworth Town Hall on Tuesday, January 22.

A star-studded line-up of bush poets and special guest country artists will appear during the gala awards concert including poets Trisha Anderson, Frank Daniel, Marco Gliori, Murray Hartin, Carol Heuchan, Garry Lowe, Peter Mace, Terry Regan and Noel Stallard with stars Troy Cassar-Daley, Pat Drummond, Amber Lawrence and Michael O’Rourke supported by Melanie Dyer, Casey Watt and compere Jim Haynes.

Tickets are now available at www.visittamworth.com.

Full details of finalists and nominees are available at www.bushlaureate.com.au.

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David on road to recovery

No, it isn't a new single from Carter & Carter, it's a good news update on the condition of the David half of the dynamic duo.

The latest release states: "With Christmas fast approaching, it’s nice to get a "good news" story, and this is certainly one.

"Things are definitely looking up for David Carter from the award winning duo Carter & Carter who underwent an operation on Friday to remove a tumour from the nerve sheath on the spine. The operation appears to have been a complete success and surgeons are optimistic that he will make a full recovery.

"It is a huge relief for David and Merelyn who are now looking forward to the Tamworth Country Music Festival where they have a number of gigs (and awards finalist nominations).

Weblink – www.carter-carter.com.

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JW releases Christmas Waltz

To offically launch the world premiere of John Williamson's "Quambatook" – the Australian folk musical John has created in collaboration with Australian writer Simon Heath – Christmas Waltz, sung by show stars Darren Coggan and Belinda Wollaston, has been released to radio.

"Quambatook" tells the story of 11-year-old Johnno who, in 1955 in the small Victorian Quambatook farming town, is on a mission, "and nothing is going to stand in his way".

For years, he and his family have happily sat around the radio, listened, sang and played along with songs from "The Silver Haired Showman’s" weekly radio show.  But ever since Johnno heard the Showman describe his experiences in the Northern Territory at Uluru, he’s had only one desire; to see and experience the big red rock for himself.

Whether or not they make it to Uluru isn’t important, Johnno’s Mum tells him in the musical, the fact is "The Joy is in the Journey".

The exclusive inaugural season of John Williamson’s "Quambatook" will be held at the Evan Theatre at Panthers World of Entertainment in Penrith, NSW. The world premiere is scheduled for Thursday February 7 with shows to follow on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, February 8 to 10.

Tickets are now on sale at Penrith Panthers.

Weblink – www.johnwilliamson.com.au.

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Award for Wally

South Australian country music broadcaster Wally Sparrow was presented with the Favourite Presenter for 2007 award at the recent Radio Adelaide Awards.

It was also acknowledged during the presentation that Wally’s Saturday morning program "Country Brekky" was the single biggest earner of listener subscriptions during the same period. Wally took on the program three years ago and has worked very hard to make it a success and is quoted as saying: "This is a great win for country music when you consider the amount of diverse programs that Radio Adelaide presents."

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Rascal Flatts at number one on CMC

America's Rascal Flatts (pictured) have taken over the number spot on this week's CMC (Country Music Channel) Top 50 playlist with the clip of their latest single Take Me There.

The McClymonts are hovering at number two with My Life Again while Steve Forde jumps to seven with Summer's Little Angel and Troy Cassar-Daley's Last Mile Home enters the top 10 at 10.

Bullet performers this week include Adam Brand with Get On Down The Road (new at 18), Jayne Denham's Cousin Jude (35 to 32), Corrina steel's Evening star (36 to 33), Danny Hooper's Heartache (42 to 39 and Lou Bradley's One Show (48 to 44).

Other new entries to the chart this week include Melissa Bajric with Luckiest Girl (in at 50).

CMC's Country Pick for the week is Little Wildflower, the first single from Catherine Britt's upcoming third album.

The full list can be viewed at www.countrymusicchannel.com.au.

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2007

Chart update – Sara still at the top

Sara Storer retains her hold on the number one spot on the coming week's Country Tracks Top 30 singles chart with Land Cries Out, the hit debut single release from her new Silver Skies album.

The McClymonts also remain steady at number two with Save Yourself while Adam Harvey edges up one place to three with Someone Else's Dream and Jetty Road jumps two more places to four with I Wanna Go Home.

Harmony James is also up two to five with Somebody Stole My Horse, Brooks & Dunn's Proud Of The House We Built is down to six while Carrie Underwood is at seven with So Small.

Brad Paisley's Online is down to eight, America's Kenny Chesney is at nine and Morgan Evans' Big Skies is down to 10.

Bullet performers for the week include Amber Lawrence with Gonna Fly (15 to 12), Gina Jeffreys' The Truth About Lies (18 to 15) and Travis Sinclair's Carry The Country (21 to 18).

New entries to the chart for the coming week are Lee Kernaghan's Sassafras Gap (in at 29) and James Blundell's Nature's Gentleman (in at 30).

The Top 30 Countdown goes to air Sunday nights on CMR (Country Music Radio) on the Super Radio Network. The full chart can be viewed at www.nfspublicity.com.au.

This weekend, CMR will feature the top 50 country tracks of 2007.

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2007

Top 10 finalists announced for Victorian Awards

And the top 10 finalists for the Victorian & National Country Music Awards, to be presented in February during the Whittlesea Country Music Festival, have been announced.

In the Victorian sections, for Male Vocalist, they are Michael Abrey, Mike Brady, David Carter, Greg Champion (pictured), Paul Costa, David Delle-Vergin, Peter Denahy, Steve Eales, Harry Jon Nanos and Tom Routledge.

For Female Vocal, finalists are Ann-Marita, Merelyn Carter, Sandie Himbury, Rebecca Lee Nye (pictured) , Gail Smith, Cristy Spiteri, Brianna Ridge, Lissa Tracey and Bronnie Ware.

For Group/Duo, finalists are Carter & Carter, Crakajak, Donna Fisk & Harry Jon Nanos, Gatorbait, Noray Guilan & Susannah Espie Sandie Himbury & Michael Abrey, The Howie Brothers, Jetty Road, Ruckus and Rodney Vincent & Michael Cristian.

For Album, Ann-Marita with Intuition, Carter & Carter with Leap Before You Look, Greg Champion with The Shack Tapes, Steve Eales with The Battler, Graham Gould with Soundboard, The Howie Brothers with Singing ‘Til The Cows Come Home, Jetty Road with Dirt Roads – City Lights, Leigh Moneghetti with Down That Lonely Road, Ruckus with The Other Side and Rodney Vincent with Music, Memories & Madness.

In the national sections, finalists are...

For Male Vocal, Rodney Auld, David Carter, Greg Champion, Jay Collie, Travis Collins, Paul Costa, Steve Forde, Adam Harvey, John Kater and Lee Kernaghan.

For Female Vocal, Ann-Marita, Donna Boyd, Merelyn Carter, Rose Carleo, Beccy Cole, Nicki Gillis, Harmony James, Rebecca Lee Nye, Brianna Ridge and Tamara Stewart.

For Group of the Year, The Borderers & The Rough Diamonds, Crakajak, Jetty Road, Jonah’s Road, The Shelley Jones Band, The McClymonts, Keri McInerney/Steve Eales & Michael O’Rourke, Those Gals and Wild Kard.

Full listings for Duet of the Year, Best New Talent, Bush Ballad, Heritage Award, Best Independent Release, Bluegrass & Traditional Country  and Songwriters Composition can be found on the Whittlesea Festival website www.whittleseacountrymusicfestival.com.au.

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Future Stars Showcase new for Tamworth '08

Organisers of the Australian Country Music People's Choice Awards have announced a special Future Stars Showcase will be staged during the 2008 Tamworth Country Music Festival.

The Showcase will feature finalists from the Most Promising Future Star category at the upcoming People's Choice Awards plus special guests.

On the show at this stage are Denise Brooks, Jayne Denham, Steve Eales, Lee Forster, Steve Passfield and Bryen Willems. Special guests appearing will include Mike Brady who will also compere the event.

Profits from the event will go to a yet to be determined charity.

The Future Stars Showcase will be held at the Regent Theatre on Monday night January 21 at 8pm. Admission will be $10. Tickets can be pre-purchased from the Regent on 02 6766 3162.

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Tommy withdraws from Australian tour

Tommy Emmanuel has had to cancel his upcoming Australian tour for urgent treatment for a heart condition.

The Grammy-nominated guitar virtuoso had to withdraw from his month-long visit “back home” after serious health issues were exacerbated by his punishing tour schedule.

It is believed Tommy has managed his undisclosed condition for several years with medication but recently became too exhausted to continue on the road.

"I'm taking some time to get my body and soul to where I'm at my best again," he said in a statement to his Australian fans.

The cancellation of Tommy's Australian tour dates follows cancellation ofconcert dates in the Netherlands due to exhaustion and illness.

Weblink – www.tommyemmanuel.com.

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Guitar Unleashed at Tamworth 2008

The Blade Guitars Guitar Unleashed: Long Live the Lead Break competition will run during the 2008 Tamworth Country Music Festival on the Cutting Edge Music Stage upstairs at The Tudor Hotel.

Cutting Edge Music (CEM) and Blade Guitars are sponsoring the 2008 competition in partnership with XXXX Gold.

Two heats will be staged – Tuesday and Wednesday nights, January 22 and 23 with the final set for Thursday night January 24.

Long Live the Lead Break is designed for guitarists to present their best lead breaks, with the winner taking home prizes including a state-of-the-art Blade Guitars Delta electric guitar. Prizes worth more than $2,500 will be distributed during the event.

"A great lineup of guitarists has been gathered to support Long Live the Lead Break as special guests," said organiser Jim Guider. "The slick players include Blade Guitars endorsee Julz Parker (pictured) who, mentored by the great Phil Emmanuel, is no slouch on the guitar and sure to entertain. Phil also mentored Rob Bostock from The Bostocks. Rob, also endorsed by Blade, won the inaugural Long Live the Lead Break.

"Smokin’ Joe Robinson, second placegetter at the first Long Live the Lead Break is keen to take it out for 2008," Jim said. "Deanne Sutherland (ex Satellite Spies and Rated X) will showcase his playing in the house band Buddha & The Disciples. Deane is joined in the house band by bass player Dean Harawera, a musical mentor of Ricki-Lee Caulter, as well as renowned CEM Stage co-ordinator Warrick Steele on drums."

Guitar Unleashed: Long Live the Lead Break is a free show kicking off each day at 5.30pm. Guitar players seeking more information can contact Jim on 0409 795 492 or email jimguider@westnet.com.au.

Touring dollars

Christie Eliezer reports in his weekly column at themusic.com.au that applications are being sought for music touring from July 1, 2008, through the Australian Government's Contemporary Music Touring Program.

Funding of up to $10,000 per application is available for bands and solo artists who play original contemporary music to tour within Australia.

Weblink – www.dcita.gov.au.

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MONDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2007

2008 Bush Laureate Awards finalists announced

Finalists have been announced for the 2008 Australian Bush Laureate Awards to be presented in Tamworth this January.

They are, in alphabetical order...

For Book of the Year... “Australian Poems that Would Enchant an Echidna” by Phillip Rush, “Bronze Swagman Book of Verse 2006” by various authors (nominated by Winton & Business Tourism Association), “Skycatcher” by David Campbell, “Touching Tales” by Carol Heuchan and
“Wild Brumby Heaven” by Kym Eitel.

For Album of Year... The Ballad of Sweet Abigail and Other Poems by Vic Jeffries, Cowpokes and Indians by Marco Gliori Skycatcher: Selected Readings by David Campbell, Through the Horse’s Eyes & Other Poems by Terry Regan and Where Else Would a Man Want To Be? by Mark “Bushie” Thompson.

For Single Recorded Performance of the Year... Blackbeard’s Leap by Terry Regan, The Footy Speech by Marco Gliori, Gundungurra Man by Gregory North, Rain From Nowhere by Murray Hartin and A Campfire by Jim Brown.

Other judged awards to be presented... Children’s Book or CD of the Year and the Judith Hosier Heritage Award.

The 2008 Australian Bush Laureate Awards will be staged in the famous Tamworth Town Hall on Tuesday, January 22.

A star-studded line-up of bush poets and special guest country artists will appear during the gala awards concert including poets Trisha Anderson, Frank Daniel, Marco Gliori, Murray Hartin, Carol Heuchan, Garry Lowe, Peter Mace, Terry Regan and Noel Stallard with stars Troy Cassar-Daley, Pat Drummond, Amber Lawrence and Michael O’Rourke supported by Melanie Dyer, Casey Watt and compere Jim Haynes.

Tickets are now available at www.visittamworth.com.

Full details of finalists and nominees are available at www.bushlaureate.com.au.

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David on road to recovery

No, it isn't a new single from Carter & Carter, it's a good news update on the condition of the David half of the dynamic duo.

The latest release states: "With Christmas fast approaching, it’s nice to get a "good news" story, and this is certainly one.

"Things are definitely looking up for David Carter from the award winning duo Carter & Carter who underwent an operation on Friday to remove a tumour from the nerve sheath on the spine. The operation appears to have been a complete success and surgeons are optimistic that he will make a full recovery.

"It is a huge relief for David and Merelyn who are now looking forward to the Tamworth Country Music Festival where they have a number of gigs (and awards finalist nominations).

Weblink – www.carter-carter.com.

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JW releases Christmas Waltz

To offically launch the world premiere of John Williamson's "Quambatook" – the Australian folk musical John has created in collaboration with Australian writer Simon Heath – Christmas Waltz, sung by show stars Darren Coggan and Belinda Wollaston, has been released to radio.

"Quambatook" tells the story of 11-year-old Johnno who, in 1955 in the small Victorian Quambatook farming town, is on a mission, "and nothing is going to stand in his way".

For years, he and his family have happily sat around the radio, listened, sang and played along with songs from "The Silver Haired Showman’s" weekly radio show.  But ever since Johnno heard the Showman describe his experiences in the Northern Territory at Uluru, he’s had only one desire; to see and experience the big red rock for himself.

Whether or not they make it to Uluru isn’t important, Johnno’s Mum tells him in the musical, the fact is "The Joy is in the Journey".

The exclusive inaugural season of John Williamson’s "Quambatook" will be held at the Evan Theatre at Panthers World of Entertainment in Penrith, NSW. The world premiere is scheduled for Thursday February 7 with shows to follow on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, February 8 to 10.

Tickets are now on sale at Penrith Panthers.

Weblink – www.johnwilliamson.com.au.

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Award for Wally

South Australian country music broadcaster Wally Sparrow was presented with the Favourite Presenter for 2007 award at the recent Radio Adelaide Awards.

It was also acknowledged during the presentation that Wally’s Saturday morning program "Country Brekky" was the single biggest earner of listener subscriptions during the same period. Wally took on the program three years ago and has worked very hard to make it a success and is quoted as saying: "This is a great win for country music when you consider the amount of diverse programs that Radio Adelaide presents."

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Rascal Flatts at number one on CMC

America's Rascal Flatts (pictured) have taken over the number spot on this week's CMC (Country Music Channel) Top 50 playlist with the clip of their latest single Take Me There.

The McClymonts are hovering at number two with My Life Again while Steve Forde jumps to seven with Summer's Little Angel and Troy Cassar-Daley's Last Mile Home enters the top 10 at 10.

Bullet performers this week include Adam Brand with Get On Down The Road (new at 18), Jayne Denham's Cousin Jude (35 to 32), Corrina steel's Evening star (36 to 33), Danny Hooper's Heartache (42 to 39 and Lou Bradley's One Show (48 to 44).

Other new entries to the chart this week include Melissa Bajric with Luckiest Girl (in at 50).

CMC's Country Pick for the week is Little Wildflower, the first single from Catherine Britt's upcoming third album.

The full list can be viewed at www.countrymusicchannel.com.au.

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2007

Chart update – Brad hits the top spot

America's Brad Paisley has taken over the top spot on the coming week's Country Tracks Top 30 with his hit Online.

Sara Storer's Land Cries Out edges up one more place to be in second position while The McClymonts jump two more to number three with Save Yourself and the Brooks & Dunn hit Proud Of The House We Built is steady at four.

Adam Brand's former number one – That Changes Everything – is down to five while Adam Harvey's Someone Else's Dream is steady at six and Jetty Road's I Wanna Go Home jumps two places to seven.

Carrie Underwood enters the top 10 at number eight with So Small, as does Harmony James with her hit Somebody Stole My Horse at nine while Morgan Evans' Big Skies is steady at 10.

Bullet performers for the week include Beccy Cole's Lifeboat (20 to 17), Dianna Corcoran's If You Hear Angels (21 to 18), Amber Lawrence's Gonna Fly (23 to 9), Gina Jeffreys' The Truth About Lies (26 to 21), Lee Forster's 1,000 Headlights (27 to 24), Travis Sinclair's Carry The Country (28 to 25), Jonah's Road with All Mine (30 to 26) and Cat Southern's Little Miss Understood (new at 28).

Other new entries to the chart this week are Travis Collins' Don't Win Enough (in at 29) and Shea Fisher with Cowgirl In Jeans (in at 30).

The Top 30 Countdown goes to air Sunday nights on CMR (Country Music Radio) on the Super Radio Network.

The full chart can be viewed at www.nfspublicity.com.au.

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2007

Gina wins AIR award

Gina Jeffreys has taken out the Best Country Release category in the second annual AIR (Australian Independent Record Labels Association) Awards announced in Melbourne on Monday night with her current album Walks Of Life.

Fellow finalists in the category were Higher Ground by Tania Kernaghan, The Mile by Amber Lawrence, and Restoration by Paul Costa.

The AIR Awards are designed to honour the quality and diversity of music made by Australian people, and supporting a music culture that is alive and thriving both here at home, and also in an international context, according to AIR Chief Executive Stuart Watters.

"It’s a fact that the independent recording sector is responsible for the development of the majority of, and arguably the best quality, music produced in Australia," he said.

Weblink – www.air.org.au.

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T for Tamworth – Songs from Country Music Capital

Ever since Tamworth proclaimed itself Country Music Capital in 1969, people have been writing songs about the city, which isn’t surprising considering the way Tamworth has imprinted itself on the minds and souls of generations of Australian country music singers and composers.

Now, a special commemorative album of songs about Tamworth has been released, and for Max Ellis, the man behind the project, it’s a reflection of the deep appreciation by artists for the way Tamworth has welcomed and supported country music for some 40 years.

The eight songs span most of the period since Tamworth was christened Country Music Capital… a title, incidentally, for which Max was responsible.

He was one of the small group at 2TM (which included John Minson, Eric Scott, Kevin Knapp and Warwick Higginbotham) that saw the possibilities of promoting Tamworth as a centre for Australian country music. Max has been involved ever since.

"Over the years, there have been many great songs released about our city," Max said. "This first volume includes famous locally based artists like Bobby Nash, Lindsay Butler and Lawrie Minson as well as stars like Smoky Dawson, Tim McNamara, Norma Murphy, Johnny Chester and Adam Brand, most of whom have connections with Tamworth going back many decades."

The CD takes its name from the first hit song about the city, T for Tamworth, written and performed on Eric Scott’s Hadley label in 1971 by local singer Bobby T Nash.

Next in chronological order is Gotta Get Back To Tamworth by ex-rocker Johnny Chester in 1975, while Smoky Dawson’s rousing anthem Everybody Knows Why Everybody Goes To Tamworth burst on the scene in 1979.

In 1983, country music pioneer Tim McNamara released his last recording, The Tamworth Song, just before his death in April that year.

Then, in 1992 Tamworth got more attention. That’s when Lawrie Minson and the Hired Hands recorded their comedy song and TV theme Big Time Country Star which the following January won them a Golden Guitar. That same year Norma Murphy released her powerful song simply entitled Tamworth which also took home Gold for Female Vocal of the Year.

Roads featured prominently in 2003 when Awards star Adam Brand released his very popular tribute to the Country Music Festival, New England Highway, while Tamworth’s own master guitarist Lindsay Butler joined in with his instrumental Road to Tamworth.

"T for Tamworth is an important historical compilation of memorable songs," says Max. "It’s a salute to Country Music Capital from the artists and writers themselves and it shows that not only is Tamworth a home of country music, it is also a place where country music people feel at home and that is certainly something to sing about!"

The CD will be launched officially during the coming Festival.

T for Tamworth has been produced in conjunction with Tourism Tamworth and is now available for $10 at the Tamworth Visitor Information Centre and the Big Golden Guitar Tourist Centre Gift Shop or packed and posted within Australia by sending cheque or money order for $12.50 to PO Box 73 Tamworth 2340.

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New Tamworth Country Music Festival website

Meanwhile, a new website with information on the city's January country music festival is being launched today.

The website is being built to offer an event calendar, gig guide and maps, information about accommodation, transport, traffic plans, busking, business trading and camping. There will also be information about the heritage and history of the festival, an image library of the 2007 event and details about competitions and talent quests.

Festival fans and web browsers will be able to sign up for a new Festival e-newsletter.

The new website is designed to offer a whole package of Festival information in a virtual one-stop shop," said Festival Director Steve Bartlett.

General Manager of Tourism Tamworth Rebel Thomson said the new website would be a great tool for both regular and new festival-goers. "Anything we can do to make it easier to find out information about the Festival can only translate into a benefit for Tamworth," she said.

"Currently, the internet is the most used source of information for the festival after the Official Guide and the Tamworth Visitor Information Centre. A combined interactive site for Festival information is a giant step forward in terms of marketing the festival to a new, wider audience."

The website will include a daily festival diary from country music stars Gina Jeffreys and Adam Brand during the 10-day event.

More than 50,000 country music fans are expected to visit the region for the 2008 Tamworth Country Music Festival presented by Telstra from January 18-27. They will see about 800 artists at more than 2200 shows, concerts or events at about 80 venues.

The new website is www.tcmf.com.au.

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New AMPAL chairman

Christie Eliezer reports in his weekly column at themusic.com.au that Keith Welsh (pictured) has been elected Chairman of the Australasian Music Publishers Association (AMPAL).

He replaces Norm Lurie, Managing Director of Music Sales.

Welsh is General Manager of The Music Network and of Rough Cut Music publishing.

AMPAL works on behalf of its members to promote a better understanding of the value of music, both culturally and economically.

Weblink – www.ampal.com.au.

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2007

Two Grammy nominations for Australian country

Australia has two country nominees in the 2008 Grammy Awards to be announced in America on Sunday February 10.

The Greencards (pictured: Australians Kym Warner and Carol Young with Briton Eamon McLoughlin) are nominated for Best Country Instrumental Performance for their recording of Mucky The Duck from their Viridian album while Keith Urban is nominated for Best Male Country Vocal Performance with Stupid Boy from his Love, Pain & The Whole Crazy Thing album.

The Greencards are competing against Russ Barenberg (Little Monk), Brad Paisley (Throttleneck), Andy Statman (Rawhide!) and The Time Jumers (Fidoodlin'). Keith is up against Dierks Bentley (Long Trip Alone), Alan Jackson (A Woman's Love), Tim McGraw (If You're Reading This) and George Strait (Give It Away).

In the Country Female Vocal category, nominees are Alison Krauss with Simple Love, Miranda Lambert with Famous In A Small Town, LeAnn Rimes with Nothin' Better To Do, Carrie Underwood with Before He Cheats and Trisha Yearwood with Heaven, Heartache And The Power Of Love.

Country Group or Duo nominees are Brooks & Dunn with Proud Of The House We Built, the Eagles with How Long, Emerson Drive with Moments, Montgomery Gentry with Lucky Man and The Time Jumpers with Sweet Memories.

Nominees for Best Country Album are 5th Gear by Brad Paisley, It Just Comes Natural by George Strait, Let It Go by Tim McGraw, Long Trip Alone by Dierks Bentley and These Days by Vince Gill.

Weblink – www.grammys.com.

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Rhinestone Cowboy touring down under

Multi Grammy awarded and internationally acclaimed classic hits legend Glen Campbell will tour "down under" this February with five concerts booked for Perth and Sydney.

Glen will play the Burswood Theatre in Perth with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra on Friday and Saturday February 1 and 2 and the Sydney Opera House with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra from Tuesday to Thursday Febriary 5 to 7.

Beccy Cole will be Glen's special guest for the Sydney shows and will be accompanied by his band (including daughter Debby). 

His catalogue of signature tunes includes Rhinestone Cowboy, Gentle On My Mind, Wichita Lineman, Galveston, Southern Nights, By The Time I Get To Phoenix, Bonaparte's Retreat, Dreams Of The Everyday Housewife, Where's The Playground Susie?, Still Within the Sound of My Voice, True Grit, Country Boy (You've Got Your Feet in LA) and more.

Glen made history as the first artist to receive double Grammy Awards in the country and pop categories, has sold 45 million gold, platinum and double platinum albums and released 75 charted singles – 35 on the pop charts, 27 with number one or top 10 status. 

As an "A List" session musician in his 20s, Glen worked with Elvis Presley, Frank and Nancy Sinatra, Dean Martin, Waylon Jennings, Nat King Cole, Bobby Darin, Ricky Nelson, Merle Haggard, Jan & Dean, the Righteous Brothers and the Beach Boys, along with Phil Spector and Jimmy Bowen on special projects.

After 18 months with the Beach Boys replacing Brian Wilson, Glen left the band on the road to pursue his solo career.  He was propelled to global stardom in the late '60s by the television variety show "Glen Campbell's Good Time Hour", viewed weekly throughout its historic three year run by audiences of 50 million.

Over the decades, his recordings, commanding performances and strong connection with audiences have all contributed to his enduring popularity and he remains a constant across all forms of entertainment.

In 2005, Glen was inducted into the American Country Music Hall of Fame. Other accolades include multi Male Vocalist and Entertainer of the Year awards, Gospel Dove Award, a starring role alongside John Wayne in the film "True Grit" and as an author for his best selling book, "Rhinestone Cowboy: An Autobiography".

Weblink – www.glencampbellshow.com.

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MONDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2007

Perth City Muster 2008

Details have been announced for the 2008 Perth City Muster to be held at the Claremont Showgrounds from noon on Saturday February 23.

The ninth annual Muster is billed as "the ultimate country family day out" and will include "beaut ute" displays and whip cracking competitions in addition to "the glittering Golden Guitar haul of premier acts performing eight hours of bluegrass, bush ballads, heartbreakers and high energy country rock".

Stars of the show (in alphabetical order) will be Troy Cassar-Daley (pictured), Beccy Cole, Gina Jeffreys, Lee Kernaghan, Sara Storer (pictured), The Sunny Cowgirls and the 2008 Toyota Star Maker winner. Compere will be author, songwriter and country comedian Jim Haynes.

The Perth City Muster acknowledges the support of Channel 9, 6PR, WIN Television, The West Australian, RadioWest, Perth Ambassador Hotel, XXXX Gold & Bundaberg Rum.

Weblink – www.citymuster.com.au.

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Melanie wins national songwriting contest

Powerful lyrics written by country songstress Melanie Dyer about the hardship of drought and life on the land have won a key award in the prestigious Australian Children's Music Foundation National Songwriting Competition.

Fourteen-year-old Melanie (pictured), from Mount Russell in north western NSW, a graduate of the Tamworth Camerata and winner of numerous country talent quest honours, is among 45 school students who have taken out awards in the National Songwriting Competition organised by the Foundation.

Melanie’s song – Life On The Land – relates her family’s struggle with drought on their third generation grain and sheep farm near Inverell. Foundation founder Don Spencer said: "The judges were deeply moved by both the words and the singing of this ballad and Melanie is a deserving winner.

"The judges have had a difficult task with an unprecedented level of talent demonstrated in 1,000 entrants from primary, secondary and specific purposes schools across Australia," he said.

For the first time, some of the winning songwriters will perform their compositions at first night of the Sydney Festival in January. Melanie has already featured as part of the recent Schools Spectacular which was recorded for broadcast on ABC Television last night.

Entrants were judged by an independent panel of Australian music industry identities including Mark Callaghan, Allan Caswell, Rebecca Henry, Marcus Holden and Jenny Morris, and across competition categories including drought, hip hop, instrumental and specific purpose schools.

Among the category winners was an instrumental composition entitled Overture For Australian Youth written by 17-year-old Sydney student Joel Vouzakis.

The competition, now in its fourth year, seeks to encourage the creativity and imagination of children through music. "It is an unfortunate fact that fewer than 25 percent of public schools in Australia have music teachers," Don Spencer said. "We know that’s wrong and we are working hard to bring music into children’s lives."

First place winners in the competition receive a certificate for $750 worth of musical equipment with their schools also receiving $750 for musical equipment.

A full list of winners can be found at www.acmf.com.au.

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Dwight at number one on CMC

America's Dwight Yoakam (pictured) has taken over the number spot on this week's CMC (Country Music Channel) Top 50 playlist with the clip of his latest single Close Up The Hony Tonks.

Rascal Flatts are at two with Take Me There while The McClymonts move up two places to three with My Life Again and Adam Harvey's Someone Else's Dream is at six and Steve Forde enters the top 10 at 10 with the clip of his single Summer's Little Angel.

Bullet performers this week include Amber Lawrence with Gonna Fly (16 to 13), Troy Cassar-Daley's Last Mile Home (19 to 14), Jayne Denham's Cousin Jude (new at 35), Nicki Gillis' Remember Me (41 to 38), Peter Denahy's The Ringing Of Steel (43 to 39), Danny Hooper's Heartache (new at 42), Harmony James' Somebody Stole My Horse (47 to 43) and Brad Cole with Lovin' Man (50 to 45).

CMC's Country Pick for the week is Get On Down The Road, the first single from Adam Brand's new album – Blame It On Eve – which will be released on January 19.

The full list can be viewed at www.countrymusicchannel.com.au.

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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2007

Star Maker winners dominate Golden Guitar Awards nominations

Organisers of the annual Toyota Star Maker quest have issued a release highlighting the fact that more than a third of finalists in the upcoming Golden Guitar Awards are Star Maker winners.

"This demonstrates the massive impact Star Maker has on the Australian country music industry," said Barry Harley, General Manager of Rural Press Events, organisers of the quest.

The Star Maker winners featuring among the Awards finalists for 2008 are Lee Kernaghan (Star Maker 1982) with six placings, Beccy Cole (pictured, 1993) with five, Gina Jeffreys (1991) with four, James Blundell (pictured, 1987) with three, Travis Collins (2004), reigning Star Maker (2007) Kirsty Lee Akers with two each and Samantha McClymont (2005) with one (with her sisters Brooke and Mollie as The McClymonts).

Kirsty Lee who, along with her nomination in New Talent for her debut album Little Things is also a finalist for Female Artist of the Year was very excited with the finalist announcements.

"Being among the finalists is special but knowing that a lot of them have benefited from the Star Maker process makes me feel proud and puts me in great company," she said. "Receiving a finalist nomination in two categories is testimony to the huge impact winning Toyota Star Maker gives an individual."

"We are enormously proud of what Star Maker has been able to contribute to the industry over the years," Barry Harley said. "In the 29 year history of Star Maker our winners have always featured in the finalist lists of the Golden Guitars. But in 2008, to have 22 finalist nominations from the 60 total is a significant contribution to the talents in our industry."

Toyota Star Maker 2008 will be staged at the Tamworth Regional Entertainment & Conference Centre on Sunday, January 20.

Weblink – www.capitalnews.com.au.

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2007

Golden Guitar Awards finalists announced

Finalists in the 2008 Country Music Awards of Australia (or Golden Guitar Awards), sponsored by Jayco, were announced in Sydney yesterday.

They are...

For Album of the Year... I’m Doin’ Alright by Adam Harvey (produced by Rod McCormack), Live @ Lizotte’s by Beccy Cole (produced by Rod McCormack), Ring Around The Moon by James Blundell (produced by Graham Thompson), Then There’s Me by Dianna Corcoran (produced by Graham Thompson) and Walks Of Life by Gina Jeffreys (produced by Rod McCormack).

For Male Artist of the Year... James Blundell with Ring Around The Moon, Troy Cassar-Daley with Everything’s Going To Be Alright, Travis Collins with Yeah She Does, Adam Harvey with Someone Else’s Dream and Lee Kernaghan (pictured, right) with Sassafras Gap.

For Female Artist of the Year... Kirsty Lee Akers with Little Things, Beccy Cole with Lifeboat, Dianna Corcoran (pictured, right) with Then There’s Me, Gina Jeffreys (pictured, below) with Truth About Lies and Amber Lawrence with Things That Bring Me Down.

For Group or Duo of the Year... Carter & Carter with The Best Things In Life Are Free, Jetty Road with Real Smooth Cowboy, Jonah’s Road with Counting Down The Days, The McClymonts with Save Yourself and The Noll Brothers with Shining Star.

For Vocal Collaboration of the Year... Karl Broadie & Dianna Corcoran with Count Your Blessings, Rose Carleo & Drew McAlister with Sometimes You Just Know, Beccy Cole, Sara Storer & Gina Jeffreys with Galleries Of Pink Galahs, Travis Collins & Kevin Bennett with Heart Of Blues and Lee Kernaghan, Adam Brand & Steve Forde with Spirit Of The Bush.

For Bush Ballad of the Year... Driving Through A Postcard by Brian Letton (pictured, left, written written by Geoff Sidebottom & Shaza Leigh), In The Wings Of The Yard by Jeff Brown (written by Keith & Marion Dixon & Jeff Brown), Sign Of The Times by Amos Morris (written by Ian Quinn), Sons Of The Snowy by Peter Pratt (written by Peter) and Thunderbolt by Graham Rodger (written by Graham).

For Heritage Song of the Year... Land Cries Out by Sara Storer (written by Sara), Last Mile Home by Troy Cassar-Daley (written by Troy), Nature’s Gentleman by James Blundell (written by James), Spirit Of The Bush by Lee Kernaghan, Adam Brand & Steve Forde (written by Lee, Colin Buchanan & Garth Porter) and The Ringing Of The Steel by Peter Denahy (written by Peter).

For Instrumental of the Year... Black ‘n’ White by Ruckus, Hobbity Hoi by Michael Fix, Stump Jumpin’ by Steve Passfield, Tanami Track by Alisha Smith & Charley Boyter and The Lunger Rides Again by Crakajak.

For New Talent of the Year... Kirsty Lee Akers (with Little Things, Lou Bradley with One Shoe, Morgan Evans with Big Skies, Harmony James with Tailwind and Amber Lawrence with Things That Bring Me Down.

For Video Clip of the Year... Big Skies by Morgan Evans (directed by Myles Conti), Crazy by The Pigs (directed by The Pigs), Giddy Up by Matt Scullion (directed by Duncan Toombs), Spirit Of The Bush by Lee Kernaghan, Adam Brand & Steve Forde (directed by Ross Wood) and Stepped Right In It (directed by Ross Wood).

For Single of the Year... Everything’s Going To Be Alright by Troy Cassar-Daley, Land Cries Out by Sara Storer, Someone Else’s Dream by Adam Harvey, Spirit Of The Bush by Lee Kernaghan, Adam Brand & Steve Forde and The Best Things In Life Are Free by Carter & Carter.

For Song of the Year... Everything’s Going To Be Alright written by Troy Cassar-Daley & Don Walker, Land Cries Out written by Sara Storer, Lifeboat written by Beccy Cole, One Shoe written by Lou Bradley and Spirit Of The Bush written by Lee Kernaghan, Colin Buchanan & Garth Porter.

Winners will be announced in Tamworth on Saturday January 26, 2008.

Weblink – www.country.com.au.

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Chart update – Adam still at the top

Adam Brand is at number one for the second week on the coming week's Country Tracks National Top 30 Singles Chart with his hit That Changes Everything.

America's Brad Paisley is at two with Online while Sara Storer's Land Cries Out jumps another two places to number three and the Brooks & Dunn hit Proud Of The House We Built is at four.

The McClymonts' Save Yourself is up to five, Adam Harvey's Someone Else's Dream edges up one more place to six while Felicity Urquhart's No Mistakes is down to seven.

Carter & Carter's The Best Things In Life Are Free is down to eight while Jetty Road's I Wanna Go Home bounds into the top 10 at nine and Morgan Evans' Big Skies is in at 10.

Bullet performers for the week include Harmony James' Somebody Stole My Horse (16 to 12), Dianna Corcoran's If You Hear Angels (24 to 21), Amber Lawrence's Gonna Fly (29 to 23), The Sunny Cowgirls (pictured) with The City Thing (28 to 24), Gina Jeffreys' The Truth About Lies (30 to 26) and Lee Forster's 1,000 Headlights (new at 27).

Other new entries to the chart this week are Travis Sinclair's Carry The Country (in at 28) and Jonah's Road with All Mine (in at 30).

The Top 30 Countdown goes to air Sunday nights on CMR (Country Music Radio) on the Super Radio Network.

The full chart can be viewed at www.nfspublicity.com.au.

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2007

AIR award winners to be announced next week

Winners in the second annual AIR (Australian Independent Record Labels Association) Awards will be announced in Melbourne this coming Monday night (December 10).

Finalists for the Best Country Release category are Higher Ground by Tania Kernaghan (pictured, independent/distributed by Shock), The Mile by Amber Lawrence (independent/MRA), Restoration by Paul Costa (independent/Shock) and Walks Of Life by Gina Jeffreys (independent/MGM).

Sponsored by Jagermeister, the AIR Awards were held for the first time late last year in Sydney, "signalling the beginning of something new and genuine in the Australian music industry, according to a spokesman for the organisers.

"Amongst the countless number of awards held each year, the 200 strong crowd knew that they were witnessing something significant," the spokesman said, "an event that would grow and a platform that is a barometer for the next’s year’s big acts."

"It’s a fact that the independent recording sector is responsible for the development of the majority of, and arguably the best quality, music produced in Australia," said AIR Chief Executive Stuart Watters.

"These awards are designed to honour the quality and diversity of music made by Australian people, and supporting a music culture that is alive and thriving both here at home, and also in an international context."

Weblink – www.air.org.au/awards.

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Tamworth Festival launch and Golden Guitar finalists announced tomorrow

The 2008 Tamworth Country Music Festival sponsored by Telstra will be officially launched tomorrow (Thursday) in Tamworth and Sydney in conjunction with the announcement of finalists in the 2008 Golden Guitar Awards, sponsored by Jayco.

A public invitation has been extended for the Country Music Capital function while Sydney's event tomorrow morning is expected to be a substantially industry event.

In Tamworth, proceedings will also see the traditional turning on of the city’s Christmas lights. Peel Street will be closed to traffic between Fitzroy and White streets from 6pm to 9pm as the forecourt of the Tamworth Regional Council becomes centre stage for performances by Adam Harvey (pictured), Tamworth RSL Brass Band and 2007 Telstra Queen of Country Music Leanne Coddington.

The 2008 Tamworth Country Music Festival will run from Friday January 18 to Sunday January 27with an official "countdown to the festival" from Friday January 11 to Thursday January 17. The Festival is expected to bring together more than 50,000 country music fans to see more than 800 artists at more than 2,200 shows, concerts or events over 10 days at about 80 venues.

Tamworth Mayor James Treloar will launch the Festival. "Every year the festival reaches new heights," he said. "Visitors continue to flock to the city for the celebrations, the artists always love returning to entertain their fans, the local community embraces the event and the businesses pull-together to support this event like nowhere else – and I am sure 2008 will be no different."

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New festival for The Snowys

Producers of CMC (Country Music Channel), the all country music channel on Australian pay television, have announced they will stage the first CMC Rocks The Snowys festival at Friday Flat, Thredbo, in March 2008.

It will be a two-day event over Saturday and Sunday March 14 and 15 and is described as a “roots & country music festival”.

The Festival is being staged in conjunction with Rob Potts Entertainment Edge and Chugg Entertainment and will feature Australian and international artists including Gary Allan, Catherine Britt, John Butler Trio, Brian Cadd, Morgan Evans, Shea Fisher, Steve Forde, Adam Harvey, The McClymonts, SugarLand and Taylor Swift with more to be announced.

CMC will film a 60-minute television during the Festival which will premiere on the channel in the following month. The documentary will feature some of the live performances at the Festival, behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with artists.

Tickets for this event are available through Ticketek at www.ticketek.com.au. A special earlybird pass will be available from December 10 to 26.

More info – www.countrymusicchannel.com.au.

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David Carter to undergo operation

A media statement has been issued on behalf of David Carter (pictured) of award-winning duo Carter & Carter who has taken ill over the last month.

There had been a number of rumours around regarding David's health and it seemed timely to clarify the situation, the statement said. "David has a tumour of the nerve sheath on the spine, an extremely painful and debilitating condition that has prevented him from performing and obviously requiring further investigation and treatment.

"Following extensive tests, the decision has been made to operate on the tumour and the operation is expected to occur within the next 10 days. The road to recovery will mean no lifting etc for six weeks and nothing heavy for three months. But David and Merelyn are optimistic that they will still be performing at the Tamworth Country Music Festival in January.

"The popular duo has been flooded with offers of help and received well wishes from near and far, and they are both very grateful for all the emails, cards, phone calls etc that both friends in the country music community and fans have sent to them.

"It is obviously very difficult under the current circumstances to respond to them all personally,"the statement said, "and David and Merelyn have asked that their heartfelt thanks and appreciation go out to everyone for the wonderful support."

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JTM workshops for Logan

Christie Eliezer reports in his weekly column at themusic.com.au that Brisbane based country music management company Janée Terrens Management (JTM) has obtained a grant from Arts Queensland and the Logan City Council to present three workshops at The Glen Hotel in Eight Mile Plains.

Deniese Morrison (pictured) handles performance and stagecraft (February 16 & 17), Brooke McClymont the songwriting (March 2) and David Sowden, vocal technique (April 6).

Attendees will be invited to perform at a JTM showcase to "exhibit what they've learned".

More information can be obtained from Janee at janee@jtm.net.au.

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MONDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2007

Queensland Champs success

Huge crowds and "a swag" of talent ensured that this year's Ellaways Queensland Champion of Champions continued to provide an avenue for emerging country music artists in Queensland and a stepping stone in their careers.

Organisers report the 2007 event posted a record profit in what, they say, has been a very difficult time. "The event was seven weeks out and there was doubt that it could financially proceed," a spokesman said. "However, the committee took a risk and it proved to pay off."

The 2007 Champion is Logan resident and Redlands Country Music Club member Lance Coassin who reportedly "stunned the crowd with a heart felt rendition of the Brendon Walmsley hit Still Falling and an electric performance of Keith Urban's Home Spun Love."

Other major winners include the Juvenile Champion, Mackay's Kiara Rodrigues, and Junior Champion, West Moreton's Rheanna Leschke.

The Queensland Champion of Champions is a culmination of winning artists from the Queensland country music talent quest circuit.  Previous winners have included Lyn Bowtell (Bella), Samantha McClymont (The McClymonts), Kylie Sackley and Brendon Walmsley.

Photo (from left): Daisy May Wegner (outgoing Champion), Lance Coassin (this year's Champion of Champions) and Bob McMahon from Ellaways Music.

Full results will be posted at Qld Champs website www.qldchamps.com.au.

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Little Cowboys win Battle of the Bands

Craig Morrison – Little Cowboys have won the inaugural Australian Country Music battle of the Bands competition in Rockhampton.

With only two months together as a band and this their first ever gig as a group, the boys were over the moon with their win.

The Sydney based outfit flew into Rockhampton two days prior to the competition, an event organised to showcase amateur and independent country music bands from around Australia.

With two heats of 25 minutes each on the Saturday, six bands narrowed down the field for judges and an eager audience at the Great Western Hotel on Stanley Street.

The other competitors were... The Aaron Daniels Band, a six piece band from Melbourne; The Bostocks, a family band of two brothers and two sisters; Faze 4, a mixture of family members and friends from the Sunshine Coast; Fused, a father, son and daughter group from South East Queensland; and Nebraska Red, the only entrant from Rockhampton, a five piece band of local country music enthusiasts.

"Our judges further narrowed the field down to three groups to progress into Sunday’s final heats," said organiser Phill Hearn, "time for the bands to really 'strut their stuff' and that they did!

"First band on stage in the finals was Craig Morrison – Little Cowboys. The energy of front man Craig was infectious, the audience danced clapped and cheered the band into a frenzy, with some of the antics taking Craig out and up on to the huge speaker stack, from there he belted out another of his original songs and displayed his prowess on guitar as well. All six of Craig’s songs were originals and these will be showcased on his new album due out in 2008.

"Next up, the talented family group The Bostocks, multi skilled musicians and singers alike, wowed the audience with their originals and cover versions of some well known songs, but what really enthralled the audience was their original instrumental track, Lock Stock And Two Smoking Bostocks! A battle between fiddle player, lead guitar, drums and bass, what an awesome performance!

Our third band to take the stage for the competition flew in from Melbourne on Friday, a six piece band of session musos, most of whom have performed at many festivals and events including Tamworth and the Gympie Muster, the Aaron Daniels Band. Aaron, originally from Texas in the USA, now resides in Australia and has a power vocal range compared by many (who attended this event) to Jimmy Barnes and Jon Bon Jovi!

"The judges job of deciding upon a winner was to take up to six minutes, deliberation, consultation and some animated debate followed and then finally an announcement was made."

Organisers are already planning for Australian Country Music Battle of the Bands 2008 in Rockhampton with nominations being called for as early as January. The event date itself may be held a little earlier in 2008, probably mid October.

Photo: Craig Morrison – Little Cowboys in full flight during the Battle.

Weblink – www.craigmorrison.com.au.

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Kenny at number one on CMC

America's Kenny Chesney (pictured) is at number one this week on the CMC (Country Music Channel) Top 50 playlist with the clip of his latest hit Don't Blink.

Adam Harvey's Someone Else's Dream is up two places to number two while The McClymonts are up one place to five with My Life Again and Brooks & Dunn are down to six with their former number one Proud Of The House We Built.

Bullet performers this week include Steve Forde's Summer's Little Angel (16 to 13), Troy Cassar-Daley's Last Mile Home (new at 19), Shea Fisher's Cowgirl In My Jeans (Live) (new at 30), Rose Carleo's 'Till I Find Me Again (42 to 35), Nicki Gillis' Remember Me (45 to 41), the Brewster Brothers' Keep Your Woman (49 to 44) and Harmony James' Somebody Stole My Horse (50 to 47).

Other new entries to the playlist this week include newcomer to the Australian country music scene Brad Cole with Lovin' Man (in at 50).

The full list can be viewed at www.countrymusicchannel.com.au.

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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2007

TIARAs finalists announced

Finalists were announced yesterday for the 2008 TIARAs (Tamworth Independent Artist Recognition Awards) to be presented in Country Music Capital in January.

They are... for the Female Vocal award... Rose Carleo with 'Til I Find Me Again, Harmony James with Tailwind, Amber Lawrence (pictured) with Things That Bring Me Down, Leanda O'Brien with Fields Of Gold and Casey Watt with Lead You Astray.

For Male Vocal... Anthony Classen with Be My Bride, Paul Costa with A Lover's Question, Danny Hooper with Every Reason, Steve Passfield with A Man Will Risk It All and Rob Wilson with The Real Deal.

For the Michael Cowdroy Memorial Songwriting Award... David & Merelyn Carter with My Little Girl, Amber Lawrence with Things That Bring Me Down, Jonah's Road with I'm Still Here, Gail Smith with Storybook and Rob Wilson with The Real Deal.

For the "Gentleman" Geoff Brown Memorial Award... David Delle-Vergin with Waiting Here, Baz Hall with Rose Of Old Pawnee, Tom McIvor with The Tree That Died Of Shame, Graham Rodger with Woman On The Land and Pete Warner with Good And Getting Better.

For Bush Ballad... Gavan Arden with Modern Droving Ways, Denise Brooks with A Scene From Long Ago, Tom Curtain with Days Roll By, Sarah McMonagle with Our Old Queenslander and Graham Rodger with Thunderbolt.

For Vocal Collaboration... Crakajak & Donna Fisk with Somewhere Between The Truth And Goodbye, Rose Carleo & Drew McAlister with Sometimes You Just Know, Sharon Lee Lane & Randall Waller with It's All Over Now Baby Blue, Keri McInerney, Steve Eales & Michael O'Rourke with Stuck In The Middle With You and Michael O'Rourke & Casey Watt with No Turning Back.

For Group... Cowpoke with Big Red Ute, Crakajak with Rodeo Romeo, Jetty Road with Real Smooth Cowboy, Jonah's Road with Counting Down The Days and Luke O'Shea & Medicine Wheel with Ragged Bloody Heroes.

For the Barry Thornton Memorial Award... Crakajak with The Lunger Rides Again, Steve Eales (pictured) with Maton Heaven, Kim Humphreys with Goofin' Around, Steve Passfield with Stump Jumpin' and Ruckus with Black And White.

For Duo... Terry & Jenny Bennetts with Cold Wind, The Bobkatz with Sweet Water, Carter & Carter with The Best Things In Life Are Free, The Harmonators with Wish I Didn't and Jaxonville with Ready For Us.

The 2008 TIARAs will be presented at the Regent Theatre (Regent Country Live), Tamworth, at 8pm on Tuesday, January 22 during the annual country music festival.

Tickets will be available from The Regent on 02 6766 3162.

Weblink – www.tiara-awards.org.

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TSA finalists

In announcing this year's finalists for the various Tamworth Songwriters' Association (TSA) Awards and competitions culminating in January, the Association reports a total of 201 entries from 71 CDs received for the Songwriters' Salute Awards.

Fifty-nine songs were entered in the Capital News New Songwriter Award from 25 CDs while 377 entries were submitted for the TSA National Songwriting Contest.

And the finalists are!

In the TSA Songwriters’ Salute Awards...

For Contemporary Country Song of the Year – The Best Things In Life Are Free by David & Merelyn Carter, Luckiest Girl Alive by Donna Boyd & David Carter, Picture On The Mantle by Reg Meffert, Craig & Rosalynne Giles, Strong Enough by Allan Caswell (pictured, left) & Al Craig and Things That Bring Me Down by Amber Lawrence.

For Bush Ballad of the Year – An Empty Plate by Trevor Day, Driving Through A Postcard by Geoff Sidebottom & Shaza Leigh, Follow In The Footsteps by Keith Jamieson, The Old Saddle by Peter & Virginia Coad and Thunderbolt by Graham Rodger.

For Country Ballad of the Year – A Bell Is Ringing Out In Beaconsfield by Wendy Wood, Old Brown Guitar Case by Dianne Lindsay (pictured), Three Gum Leaves In Tobruk by Dianne Lindsay & Peter Simpson, The Tree That Died Of Shame by Tom McIvor and Woman On The Land by Graham Rodger.

For Gospel Song of the Year – A Guiding Light by Peter Simpson, God Is Watching Over Me by Colin Millington, Let Jesus Travel With You by James Westwood, Strong & Gentle Love by Allan Caswell & Al Craig and When God Takes A Photograph by Brendon Walmsley, Merelyn & David Carter.

For Children's Song of the Year – Dear Santa by John Norman & Glenn Jones, Desert Groove by Julie McAllan, Go Goanna Go by Tom Curtain & Garth Porter, The Hemidemisemiquaver Song by John Howie and Why Does A Cow Go Moo by Rita Schneider.

For Comedy/Novelty Song of the Year – The Boobs Song by Rita Schneider & Kath Fleming, The Home Made Chair by Trevor Day, I Just Wanna Lose Me Fat Belly by Rita Schneider, Old Pete's Yellowbelly by Keith Jamieson and There's A Hole In The Mozzie Net by Graham Rodger & Deirdre Willmington.

Overall Country Song of the Year is selected from winners of the preceding categories.

Finalists for the TSA/Capital News New Songwriter Award are David Delle-Vergin & Nathan Warrick with It's Just Turned Drinking Time, Danny Hooper with The Legacy, Dianne Lindsay with Old Brown Guitar Case, Dianne Lindsay & Peter Simpson with Three Gum Leaves In Tobruk and Craig Stewart with Streets And Headstones.

In addition to the competitive awards, TSA also presents the SongMaker Award in January and announces a recipient for the Tex Morton Award, presented to a person, not necessarily a songwriter, who has made outstanding contributions to the cause of country music in Australia.

There are no finalists for the Tex Morton Award. Finalists for the 2008 SongMaker Award are Greg Champion, George Dasey, Wave Jackson, Tom Oliver and Graham Rodger.

A full listing of finalists in the National Songwriting Contest can be found on the TSA's website – www.tsaonline.com.au – together with details of the annual Awards presentation which will be held at West Tamworth League Club on Wednesday January 23, 2008.

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Wests tickets on sale from today

Tamworth Country Music Festival ticket sales for events and concerts at two of Country Music Capital's major venues – west Tamworth League Club and Wests Diggers – are on sale from today.

The two venues feature dozens of well known and rising stars of country music through the 10 days of the festival and seven days of the preceding Festival Countdown as well as many of the big names like Adam Brand, Beccy Cole, Tommy Emmanuel, Gina Jeffreys (pictured), Adam Harvey, Melinda Schneider, Sara Storer and John Williamson.

The Clubs also hosts numerous activities like the aforementioned TSA Salute Awards, Tompkins Guitar Showcase, Golden Harmonica Awards and a number of "Festival favourite" talent quests like the Battle of The Country Bands, Kids' Talent Quest and Country Entertainer of the Year.

Tickets can be purchased "over the counter" and on-line at www.wtlc.com.au.

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Chart update – Adam hits number one

Adam Brand (pictured) hits number one on the Country Tracks National Top 30 Singles Chart this week with his hit That Changes Everything.

Felicity Urquhart is steady at two with No Mistakes while America's Brad Paisley is at three with Online and Carter & Carter's number one for the last four weeks – The Best Things In Life Are Free – drops to four.

Sara Storer's Land Cries Out jumps to five, Brooks & Dunn's Proud Of The House We Built is at six and Adam Harvey's Someone Else's Dream rises to seven.

The McClymonts' Save Yourself is new in the top 10 at eight, the Tim McGraw/Faith Hill duet I Need You is at nine while Steve Forde's Metropolis is steady at 10.

Bullet performers for the week include Morgan Evans' Big Skies (15 to 12), Jetty Road's I Wanna Go Home (18 to 13), Harmony James' Somebody Stole My Horse (20 to 16), Beccy Cole's Lifeboat (25 to 22) and Dianna Corcoran's If You Hear Angels (27 to 24).

New entries for the week are Amber Lawrence with Gonna Fly (in at 29) and Gina Jeffreys with The Truth About Lies (at 30).

The Top 30 Countdown goes to air Sunday nights on CMR (Country Music Radio) on the Super Radio Network.

The full chart can be viewed at www.nfspublicity.com.au.

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