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NEWS ARCHIVES December 2007 MONDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2007 Various newsagencies around the world are reporting that Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban are expecting their first child.
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! Popular Tamworth-based singer, entertainer and recording artist Stan Hunt has died following complications from open heart surgery.
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). 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.
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. 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.
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). 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.
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.
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.
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 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. Midnight Flyers release new clip
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.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.
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. MONDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2007
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. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2007 Lee spearheads fundraiser for Dylan tribute
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. 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.
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. Weblink – www.melindaschneider.com. Golden Fiddle Awards nominations closing
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. 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.
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. 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.
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. 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.
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. Tommy withdraws from Australian tour
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. 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.
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. 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. MONDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2007 2008 Bush Laureate Awards finalists announced 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. Full details of finalists and nominees are available at www.bushlaureate.com.au.
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. 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.
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. 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." Rascal Flatts at number one on CMC
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.
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.
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. 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.
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. 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.
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. Tommy withdraws from Australian tour
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. 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.
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. 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. MONDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2007 2008 Bush Laureate Awards finalists announced 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. Full details of finalists and nominees are available at www.bushlaureate.com.au.
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. 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.
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. 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." Rascal Flatts at number one on CMC
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. 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.
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. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2007
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. T for Tamworth – Songs from Country Music Capital
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. New Tamworth Country Music Festival website 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.
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.
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. 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 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. 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.
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.MONDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2007
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. 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.
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.
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. 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.
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. 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.
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 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). | |||||||||||
Reports say the Oscar-winning actress and the country star broke the news to their families over the Christmas holiday.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Midnight Flyers have released a video clip for their song Girl Without A Name from their debut EP of the same name.
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.
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.
Nominations for the 2008 Golden Fiddle Awards close at the end of this month (December).
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. 
The Showcase will feature finalists from the Most Promising Future Star category at the upcoming People's Choice Awards plus special guests.
America's Rascal Flatts (pictured) have taken over the number spot on this week's
Sara Storer's Land Cries Out edges up one more place to be in second position while
America's Dwight Yoakam (pictured) has taken over the number spot on this week's
They are...
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.