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This website dedicated to bringing you the latest Australian country music news |
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NEWS ARCHIVES JANUARY 2007 DATELINE : WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2007 ** If you missed last week's news, here are some of the headlines... Jazzer Quest winners * Beccy announces appointment of new manager * Vale – Jack Munting * 2007 Golden Guitar winners * 2007 Coca-Cola Battle of the Bands winner announced * State Premier surprise Cavalcade participant * Star Quest winner * Marcela named top fiddler * A new Queen of Country Music * Joy & Heather tribute dinner * Joy and Smoky in Galaxy of Stars ** click here for more... 2007 Harmonica Champion In some results still coming in from the Tamworth Festival, Roger Cufone (pictured) from Ingle Farm, SA, is Australia's new Hohner Harmonica Champion following the championship staged on Sunday.
As well as the championship title, Roger took home the prestigious Golden Harmonica trophy made by Tamworth's Noel Smith. Honhner harmonica prizes were presented to placegetters in the championship... runner-up to Roger was Billy James from Coffs Harbour with 78-year-old Katie Somers from the NSW South Coast third. Three young members of the Erina, NSW, based Lazic-Kirk family won the audience encouragement award with siblings Nina and Douglas playing harmonica accompanied by Bernadette on spoons. Championship judges were Doug Lyons from Blue Tongue Harmonicas and "Mr Hoedown" John Minson who also performed a guest spot on the day with son Lawrie before a capacity crowd at Tamworth's Southgate Inn. This year is the 150th year of Hohner Harmonicas and next January will see the 25th staging of the Hohner Golden Harmonica Championship. Battle of the Country Bands Melbourne band Ruckus took out the 2007 Northern Daily Leader Battle of the Country Bands title at West Tamworth League Club on Sunday.
Ruckus is Sandie, Marcela, Kevin, Michael and Andy. Second place in the competition went to Dean Johnson and the Renderers with Simply Bushed third from a total of seven contenders for the title. Ruckus won $1,000 first prize, Dean's band took home $500 while Simply Bushed won $300. The lead guitarist in The Renderers won the special prize of a custom-made Tomkins guitar made from Australian red cedar valued at $3,000. As title winners, Ruckus have also won two appearances with Tim Bailey on Network Ten's 5pm news bulletin through 2007. A capacity crowd was on hand to witness the battle as it went well into the evening. 2007 busking winner Juzzie Smith (pictured), from Bangalow, NSW, has won the Australian Country Music Busking Championship in Tamworth, this year sponsored by Bisley, for the second year running. In the "busk off" on Saturday night, 10 acts were invited to compete for $1,600 in prizemoney. Jabaru were named runners-up while Johnny Huckle placed third. 2007 WAMis Finalists for the 2007 WAMi (Werstern Australia Music Industry) Awards have been announced. In the Best Country Music Act category, finalists are Connie Kis Andersen, Felicity Groom, The Jayco Brothers and Ronni Rae Rivers. Winners will be announced during the WAMi Festival which runs from February 18 to 25. Weblink – wam.asn.au. Ringbark success Ringbark Records artists Anita Ree and Ian Quinn are both enjoying a busy time following their successful 2007 Tamworth festival.
Ian (right) and Dean are pictured here with their People's Choice Awards trophies. Photo Barry Davis. Anita held finalist nominations in the Golden Guitar Awards in two categories – Bush Ballad with Bush Girls Heart and Vocal Collaboration with Tracy Coster with Itching Feet. Anita was also a finalist in the People's Choice Awards in three categories, the TSA (Tamworth Songwriters' Association) Awards and the Tamworth Independent Artist Recognition Awards (TIARAs). Ian's songwriting also had him as a finalist in two categories of the Golden Guitars – for Bush Girls Heart, written for Anita and Would Clancy Be Welcome? written for Dean. He was also a finalist in the TSA Awards. Both artists are finalists at the Bungendore Country Muster this weekend and Anita holds three finalist spots at the Victorian Country Music Awards to be held during the Whittlesea Country Music Festival in February. Tamworth, Bungendore and Whittlesea round out a successful year of touring and performance in 2006 with both artists releasing new albums – Bush Girls Heart from Anita (released in May) and River Or The Road by Ian (released in November). Both Anita and Ian have plans for extensive touring throughout Australia this year. Long live the lead break
As runner-up, Smokin' Joe Robinson was awarded another guest spot on Guitar Heroes. The competition featured, in addition to Rob and Joe, "the hottest guitarists in Australia" according to organisers including Phil Doublet, Darren Ebbels, Louie Shelton, Steve Flack, Gypsy Jazz Master Ewan McKenzie, Adam Miller, Kieran Murphy plus Young Guns' Bad Robot and Sumassault. Connie Kis in Nashville An update from Connie Kis Andersen in Nashville says the WA country star was singing backing vocals on the same recording session as Louis Nunley and Curtis Young from the legendary Jordanaires (Elvis' backing band for many years).
Connie has been doing some edits in the studio and putting "the finishing touches" to her new album due out in Australia in April. "I have also secured another US release from my current album Gone Wishin," she said. "Wicked Game, the Chris Isaak track I have covered, will be going to national radio here on March 19. "I am in with the majors again... the selection process to get on to CDX (the NfS equivalent in America) is tough with foreign independents usually the last to be selected, so I feel grateful and blessed for being accepted. "So far I have played at the French Quarters Cafe, The Commodore Sports Bar and Grill, The Nashville Palace and the renowned Tootsies where I have an open invitation to return anytime to perform again," Connie said. She is also the guest artist at Cowboy Church and will be performing at the service to be held on Sunday morning (February 4, 10am Nashville time) at the Texas Troupadoure Theatre. Joanne Cash is one of the hosts with her husband Dr Harry Yates who is the pastor. "Then that same evening, I am a guest artist at the famous Bluebird Cafe for a writers' night," Connie reports. "The Nashville City Paper is running a story this Thursday about it all. "I have also received invitations to front a band for a show in Alabama while here, but I am not sure I can fit it all in. That's a 'we'll see' project but something I certainly would love to be able to do." Connie returns home mid February to open the Boyup Brook Festival "which I am looking forward to as well. It should be a wonderful festival with the line up that has been advertised." Weblink – www.conniekisandersen.com.au. $1,500 up for grabs in Burdekin song comp Funding of $1,500 has been approved for the Burdekin River Bridge Songwriting competition. A thousand dollars will go to the judge's choice as winner with $500 for the listener's choice, by courtesy of the Burdekin (Qld) Shire Council in association with Radio 97.1 Sweet FM.
The event will start on Sunday June 10 and end on Sunday June 17. A Fun Run will be held on the first day of the event, with a riverbed picnic, including musical and children's entertainment in the afternoon with a range of events to be held throughout the week, including the opening of the Power Station Museum "Bridging the Gap" exhibition; an old time movie session at the Burdekin Delta Cinemas; a poetry workshop with poet Melanie Hall; the songwriting competition; art displays; an official dinner; a morning musical production; and a re-enactment of the bridge opening and walk across the bridge from north to south with brass bands leading the way.A A vintage car display and steam train at the Home Hill Railway Station will be on show; a race meeting will be held at the Home Hill Race Course and the evening will see a bush concert and dance held in Watson's Green with a fireworks display. For more information and entry form, telephone Merle Scott on (07) 4783 2076, email merle@sweetfm.com.au or write to PO Box 1088, Ayr, North Queensland 4807. $5,000 to Help Country Music College
The money was supplied under the 2007 Music Program and will help the College offset the cost of providing tutors. "More than 90 applications are received by the College from both Australia and New Zealand each year," Peter said, "however only 22 can make it into the final cut. As with every year, the selection process for 2007 was very intense and competitive and, naturally, the final 22 artists are of an exceptionally high quality." Getting over Tamworth in Sydney
Co-ordinated by the Australian Country Music People's Choice Awards' 2007 Musician of the Year Bob Howe, the "Party" will be conducted in the Club's Starlight Auditorium with key artists Jason-Lee, Kel-Anne Brandt and Tall Timbre together with surprise guests. Guest host for the function will be Nicki Gillis (pictured) and Hillbilly Heaven. Weblink – www.chprsl.com.au. Keith's world tour As reported recently, Keith Urban will undertake a "world tour" in 2007.
Keith will preview his "Love, Pain and the Whole Crazy World Tour" show at a club in Munich on April 19, followed by other small-venue shows in Germany and Britain before he launches into the full-on arena gigs in Australia in May and the US and Canada in June. The North American leg of the tour will begin on June 8 in Phoenix, Arizona, and take in 36 arena shows across 33 cities. A music industry source said Keith would play arenas in the other major capitals at two or three-day intervals from mid to late May. The Grammy-winning singer performed at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre and other large Australian venues two years ago and is expected to play more than one date in the major capitals on this tour. Keith, one of country music's biggest-selling acts, locked in the tour dates after a stint in rehab and a Christmas holiday in Australia with his wife actor Nicole Kidman. "I'm looking forward to getting back on the road, to reconnecting with everyone and to doing what it is that I love to do," he said on his website. "To finally be able to present the songs from Love, Pain (& the Whole Crazy Thing) live is something that I've been looking forward to doing since recording the album." Chart Update – Felicity still at number one Felicity Urquhart holds on to the number one spot on the Country Tracks National Top 30 Singles Chart this week with her hit, Big Black Cloud.
Troy Cassar-Daley's former number one Walking Away drops to five, Travis Collins' Full Tank falls to six while Jeanette Wormald's Opal Blue jumps another three places to seven. Adam Brand's Cigarettes And Whiskey enters the top 10 at number eight, as does Gina Jeffreys' Live It at nine and Arthur Blanch's For A Song at 10. Bullet performers this week include Lee Kernaghan's Love Shack (16 to 11), Anne Kirkpatrick's Showman's Daughter (18 to 15), Nick Kingswell's Hope For Me Yet (20 to 17), Donna Boyd (pictured) with Luckiest Girl Alive (22 to 18), The McClymonts' Baby's Gone Home (25 to 29), Camille Te Nahu & Stuie French with Let's Make A Family (26 to 22) and Melinda Schneider's Men In Trucks (27 to 24). New entries this week include 2007 People's Choice Awards Best Bush Ballad winner Dean Perrett with Jewel On The Newell (in at 29) and Alex Watt with Watch The Sun Go Down (in at 30). The full chart can be viewed at www.nfspublicity.com.au. CMC Top 50 – Lee hits the top
Gina Jeffreys is steady at two with Live It, Steve Forde & The Flange rise to three with Aussie Philosophy, Melinda Schneider is at four with Men In Trucks while Nick Kingswell drops one place to five with Hope For Me Yet. Bullet performers on the playlist this week include The Flood with 2003 (13 to 10), Dianna Corcoran with Then There's Me (18 to 11), The Sunny Cowgirls' Still Circling (22 to 15), Anne Kirkpatrick with Showman's Daughter (26 to 20), The Davidson Brothers' Raised On The Road (new at 21), Matt Scullion with Giddy Up (30 to 23), Rebecca Lee Nye with Gotta Say Goodbye (new at 30), Kelly Hope with Heartbreak Road (34 to 31), Lou Bradley with Love Someone (new at 32), The Distance with This Land (39 to 34), Kelly Cooper & Billy Bridge with Stumblin' In (46 to 42) and Wildseed with Don't Lie To Me (new at 44). New entries to the playlist this week include Jeanette Wormld's Opal Blue (in at 46) and Dale Duncan's award-winning track Malabar Mansion (new at 48). The full playlist can be viewed at www.countrymusicchannel.com.au.
Country has three of of music's biggest money makers In a report by America's Forbes magazine on music's biggest moneymakers, country music stars score very well with Tim Mcgraw/Faith Hill, Rascal Flatts and Kenny Chesney (pictured) in the top 10. The acts on the list checked in with a collective $973 million in 2006, down a bit from last year's total of $994 million, The Rolling Stones topping the list for the second year in a row with $150.6 million from their "A Bigger Bang" tour.
– allaboutcountry.com The Netherlands calls The Bulletin has had an email from Albert Huizeling who broadcasts a radio program called "Countrytime" (www.countrytime.nl) in The Netherlands. Albert says he gets a lot of promotional music from the USA and Canada but not from Australia. "And I know that in Australia (there) are very good country artists. Can you (tell your artists) that I want to get the music from those artists that are independent, also the artists that will be played on your big radio stations so that they will get airplay in Europe?" Adam Brand was the program's Artist of the Month in December. Albert's program can be heard from the website www.countrytime.nl. CDs can be sent Albert at kolkweg 5, 9163 HK, Nes-Ameland, The Netherlands. Mp3 files can be sent to studio@countrytime.nl or a.huizeling@tele2.nl. DATELINE : MONDAY, JANUARY 29, 2007 The city goes quiet... The air is still and the night is quiet as midnight Sunday January 28 officially brings to an end the 2007 Tamworth Country Music Festival. For the past 10 days, and seven days of Festival Countdown, the night air (and days, of course) has rung with the sounds of country music, all styles, all types. Overnight, barricades and re-direction signs are being pulled down for today, the city of Tamworth returns to "normal" for 11 and a half months. Most visitors, including visiting artists, have made their way home and residents of the fair city (and region) reflect on what, as we report below, is being touted as one of the best January country music festivals ever. Country Music Capital now begins to gear up for the mid-year Hats Of To Country festival and planning is already underway in most quarters for the January 2008 festival which will run officially from Friday January 18 to Sunday January 27, most likely concluding on another long weekend as Australia Day is Saturday the 26th which means Monday the 28th will most likely be a public holiday). Jazzer Quest winners Katie Thompson and Hannah Cosgrove (pictured) have taken out the 2007 Jazzer Quest staged at The Pub, Tamworth, during the festival just ended. Katie won the senior section while Hannah took out the junior section. Taryn Traustch was runner-up among the seniors while Lance Coassin was third and Melanie Dyer came second in the junior section with Daniel Cosgrove in third place. Last results Several major competition results from the 2007 Tamworth Country Music Festival are still to come and will be posted here as soon as they're received. These include the Capital Country Music Association National Talent Quest and the Battle of the Country Bands quest. Winners of competitions conducted in association with the new Regent Country Live venue will also be announced here after being drawn later today. Any other competition organisers who would like their results published here can send details to info@countrymusicbulletin.com.au. DATELINE : SUNDAY, JANUARY 28, 2007 Farewell, adieu...
From an industry standpoint, dozens of artists, established and rising stars and newcomers have been involved in competitions and awards ceremonies – many are taking home cash, prizes, trophies or other awards, some the experience of competing (see all Awards results on these pages).. This year's Festival has been described by many as one of the best ever and this augers well for the future of Australia's biggest country music activity. Most are now already looking forward to January 2008. Quite a few – visitors and artists – are thinking about returning in July for the lower key Hats Off To Country Festival. The Bulletin has been pleased to keep you up to date with the most significant news from Tamworth 2007 as the leading comprehensive news service for Australian country music. Virtually any information you require can be found in these pages. If not, contact us and we'll see what we can find out. But don't leave just yet! There are quite a few activities on today to keep you busy and entertained. On behalf of all of us at the Country Music Bulletin, Australian Country Music People's Choice Awards, Regent Country Live and Tamworth Festival Musician's Headquarters, thanks for your patronage and support. We look forward to doing it all again next year! Last Roundup The Last Roundup, traditional "closer" to the Festival, is on at the Tamworth Regional Entertainment Centre from 11am. Beccy announces appointment of new manager
Unconfirmed reports had been circulating over the last few days that Beccy had changed away from the Vital group but this was not confirmed until one of her acceptance speeches during last night's Awards. After her three wins at this year's Awards, Beccy has now won a total of seven Golden Guitars since her New Talent win in 1994. Face The Music also represents two other leading Australian country stars Troy Cassar-Daley and Sara Storer. Vale – Jack Munting Legendary Tasmanian country artist Jack Munting passed away on Tuesday (January 23).
Just after his discharge from the forces, the Manager of Launceston’s radio station 7EX gave Jack a three month trial as a radio compere. The unashamedly country and western show was titled Down The Hillbilly Trail and went on to become the longest running live artist show in Australian country music. Jack estimated that he sang more than 10,000 songs over the 15 year span of the show. In 1957, he first recorded with Festival Records in Sydney, a song medley titled Down The Steven Foster Trail that proved to be his biggest seller. He was delighted to be honoured with inclusion into the Hands of Fame at the 1992 Tamworth Country Music Festival after 50 years service to country music. On Australia Day 2002, Jack was awarded Tasmanian Citizen of the Year after celebrating 60 years as a country music performer and in 2004 he was awarded the Dudley Higgs Memorial Shield for services to Tasmanian country music. Jack was still performing up until mid 2006 when illness caused the end of a 64 year career. – Greg Coad DATELINE : SATURDAY, JANUARY 27, 2007 2007 Golden Guitar winners The 35th annual Golden Guitar Awards were announced in Tamworth, Australia's Country Music Capital, tonight.
The Awards television special, presented by Jayco, will be broadcast on the Southern Cross Network next Saturday, February 3, at 6.30pm. Network Ten will also be airing the program in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth the following day (Sunday, February 4, at 12 noon. A further broadcast of the Awards will be shown on CMC on Friday, February 9, at 7pm (all times Eastern Daylight Summer Time) and will include a Red Carpet and backstage special hosted by Steve Forde. Best of the Buskers
The 10 were selected from the estimated 300 or so busking acts who made up the total of 610 registered musicians this year. And they are Corn Liquor, Couch Potatoes, Culprits, Chester Story and the Glory, Johnny Huckle, Jabaru, Lewis Parter, Pirate Brides, Juzzie Smith (last year's grand final winner, pictured) and Tornado Alleycats.§ 2007 Coca-Cola Battle of the Bands Winner Announced Winner of the second annual Coca-Cola Battle of the Bands competition staged at Coca-Cola Park during this year’s Tamworth Country Music Festival has been announced.
Hailing from Mittagong in the NSW southern highlands, Cowpoke was named third placegetter while the High Country Band from Shepparton, Victoria was highly commended. All week long during the famous Tamworth Festival, competition was fierce as bands from all over battled for the title. Coca-Cola presented the first prize of $1,000 prize money to President Roots, with the $300 second prize going to Handpicked and third prize of $200 Cowpoke. Coca-Cola has been a proud supporter of the Tamworth Country Music Festival for 29 years. The development of the Coca-Cola Battle of the Bands has been a substantial addition to the many successful activities staged at Coca-Cola Park every year during the Tamworth Festival including Coca-Cola Festival Photos, Mad Cow Entertainment, the famous Coca-Cola Country Session Concerts and Artist Walk-ups and, this year for the first time, Coca-Cola Festival FM 101.5FM. Next year marks the 30th Anniversary of the Coca-Cola Concerts in the Park during the Tamworth Country Music Festival. State Premier surprise Cavalcade participant NSW State Premier Morris Iemma was a surprise visitor to the Tamworth Country Music Festival today when he took part in the annual Country Music Cavalcade street parade.
The Tamworth Hospital float, depicting a century of health care including a simulated surgical procedure with doctors acting out a bizarre lifesaving operation complete with limbs and body parts and a centenary ambulance, was judged the best float of the 65 who took part in the giant Cavalcade. Chief judge Deniese Morrison, the multi award winning Golden Guitar singer, said the Cavalcade attracted more artists this year which added to the spectacle. Deniese said it was pleasing to see the artists support the cavalcade in such strength. She said they added to the great carnival atmosphere and the crowds obviously appreciated and applauded their part in the parade. There were heavy crowds along the route, particularly in the main central business district block. Organisers estimate up to 20,000 people watched the cavalcade and there were no major problems with traffic or parking caused by road diversions and closures, although congestion was heavy for about two hours. The Best Visitor Float category was won by Telstra Child Flight. The popular local baby boomers band Well Primed won the Best Commercial section with Humes second and We R Kids Learning Centre third. Tamworth Hospital was first in the non-commercial category followed by the Combined Rotary Clubs float and the Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care. The equine centre category went to the Australian Miniature Horse Association which included a posse of tiny horses along with tiny riders and handlers and a baby dog with the Coonamble Shire Council and Rodeo Committee second and the RM Williams and Australian Stock Horse Northern Branch entry in third place. Star Quest winner Greg Bain from the NSW town of Gunnedah has won the 2007 Australian Bush Balladeers' Association (ABBA) Star Quest.
Born in the Hunter Valley in 1960, Greg’s family moved quite a bit while he was growing up. They finally settled in Gunnedah when he was 14. Greg has worked in the mining industry all his life. He bought his first guitar in his 20s and began playing at barbecues and family functions and last year made his first CD with nine original tracks. Slim Newton encouraged Greg to get up on stage at Bellbird Country Music Club and Greg now plays regular backing guitar in the club band. Greg joins a growing list of Star Quest winners – Julie Perandes (2006), Jeff Gibson ('05), Matt Manning ('04), Anita Ree ('03), Nathan Charlton ('02) and Dave McCallum (in 2001, inaugural year of the quest). As part of his prize, Greg wins recording time and appearances at major festivals (Tamworth, Bungendore, Gympie, Mildura) and publicity support throughout the next 12 months. The Bush Balladeer Star Quest purpose is to offer direction to young artists, a greater understanding of the industry and media and to give them an opportunity to develop a solid foundation on which to build their career in bush ballad music. Weblink – www.bushballadeers.com.au. Marcela named top fiddler Classically trained Marcela Taylor, who these days is a star performer with the Melbourne based country rock band Ruckus, has been named Australia’s best fiddle soloist at the 2007 Golden Fiddle Awards in Tamworth. This makes it two in a row for the high speed player. Marcela received a highly commended in the best fiddler category in 2006. This year, it came down to a battle between finalists Marcela and Ronni Rae Rivers who is considered one of the most successful independent artists in Australia.
Marcela walked away with two Golden Fiddle Awards this year as she also beat stiff competition from The Davidson Brothers and The Bostocks to win best composition with Black & White. In the composition category, judges also awarded a commendation for Mojo by The Davidson Brothers. The best band featuring fiddle was Sydney based FourPlay String Quartet but because there was such a huge range of musical styles entered in this category, the judges introduced a second best band award in the alternate category which was won by CODA. Top Melbourne performer Jenny Thomas, who has toured extensively as soloist in Europe and Australia, received the Golden Fiddle Award for Farewell To Old England Forever, in the best CD by a soloist category. The best CD by a band award went to Fiddlers Feast for Frenzee. Formerly known as the Fiddlers Festival, the group of highly accomplished players is regarded as Australia’s premier fiddle band. The lifetime achievement award went to the late Don Harper who composed theme music for countless television programs in the UK over an 18 year span. A jazz violist and conductor, he went on to become the leader of one of Australia’s most successful big bands and, when he returned to Australia, he was made head of jazz studies at the Wollongong University’s School of Creative Arts. During his career he performed as solo artist on luxury liners and his cabaret performances put him on stages around the world with some famous stars. The best teacher category was won by Gympie, Queensland, teacher Kylie McIvor. Kylie teaches instrumental music at five schools and runs a private teaching study for a range of styles. The youth achievement award went to Jess Randall who plays with the Crooked Fiddle Band, a young, "high-octane" four piece from Sydney) The third Golden Fiddle Awards were handed out in a violin studded music fest at the height of the Tamworth Country Music Festival on Thurday morning. Tamworth legend Pixie Jenkins, who has accompanied John Williamson’s music for more than 20 years as well as starring in his own cabaret show, was master of ceremonies. Among the entertainers were The Davidson Brothers, Andrew Clermont, Mark Oats, Clare O’Meara, Marcus Holden, George Washingmachine, the Bostocks, Marcela Taylor, Barry Easton and Jess Randall. Weblink – www.goldenfiddleawards.org.au. A new Queen of Country Music A banjo playing singing nurse is the newest queen of the country music festival in Tamworth. Twenty-five year old Leanne Coddington (left) has been crowned the 2007 Telstra Queen of Country Music after a glittering gala night in front of 270 people on Thursday.
Leanne graduated with her Bachelor of Nursing two years ago and currently works in the surgical wards of Tamworth Base Hospital. She is interested in pursuing a career in rural health but has also aiming to improve her grasp of banjo playing and get a few more paying gigs for her balladeer type music. Outside work, Leanne loves country music with a passion – she strummed the tennis racquet as a kid and then took guitar lessons at the age of 10 and two years ago started to learn banjo. She describes her style and interest in music as more the Slim Dusty or Anne Kirkpatrick/Sara Storer type than anything else and loves "a good old singalong". The 2007 Telstra Princess of Country Music is 20-year-old Tamworth Regional Council customer services officer Katie Alchin. Katie’s studying towards becoming a strategic environmental planner and reckons she can’t play or sing a note to save herself – but loves listening to country music of any sort. Katie will play both an understudy to Leanne and support role as a Festival promotions face. Leanne and Katie succeed the 2006 Queen and Princess Kasey McCulloch and Emma Skey. Kasey has described her reign as a fantastic year where she attended something like 110 different events with her sash and tiara. She says those two queenly accompaniments helped break down any barriers with anyone she ever met – and helped her talk and meet an incredible number of people from diverse backgrounds. The quest this year attracted 25 entrants and a prize pool of about $34,000 backed by regional sponsors and businesses. Telstra Road to Tamworth winner Morgan Evans and this year’s Toyota Star Maker winner and 2006 Telstra Road to Tamworth Songwriter winner Kirsty Lee Akers performed at the crowning dinner. Regent Country Live Country Music Capital's newest Festival venue wraps up a big week of activity this weekend. This afternoon features the finals of the No Holds Barred Fiddle Competition finals at 1pm while later this afternoon (at 5pm) Shane Hogan presents Working Class Country with the Working Class Band. Joy & Heather tribute dinner Friends and industry figures gathered in Tamworth last night to pay tribute to Joy and Heather McKean as The McKean Sisters, one of the nation's pioneering country music acts.
The McKean Sisters leant music from an early age and had their own radio show – The Melody Trail – on Sydney radio station 2KY from 1949 for 11 years. In 1950, Joy and Heather recorded 16 tracks (or "sides" as they were then known) for Rodeo Records. Soon after this, The McKean Sisters effectively disbanded as they ultimately drifted apart to support their respective husbands (Slim Dusty and Reg Lindsay) careers. The annual tribute dinner is organised and staged in Tamworth to pay tribute to Australia's pioneers of country music and as a key fundraiser for the new Australian Country Music Hall of Fame. Weblink – www.countrymusichalloffame.com.au. Photo: John Elliott. Joy and Smoky in Galaxy of Stars Joy was also inducted into Tamworth's Galaxy Of Stars in the forecourt of the Tamworth Regional Entertainment Centre together with Smoky Dawson on Thursday. They join Arthur Blanch, Graeme Connors, Slim Dusty, Gina Jeffreys, Lee Kernaghan, Tania Kernaghan and John Williamson in Country Music Capital’s version of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. "Thursday's induction recognises Joy and Smoky’s iconic status and their significant contribution to country music over more than 50 years," organisers said. DATELINE : FRIDAY, JANUARY 26, 2007 The Wolverines, Felicity & Troy head up 2007 People’s Choice winners The Wolverines, Felicity Urquhart and Troy Cassar-Daley head up the winners list from the 2007 Australian Country Music People’s Choice Awards announced in front of a near capacity audience in Tamworth yesterday afternoon.
Felicity took home the award for Best Female Vocal while Troy won Best Male Vocal. Jonah’s Road won the award for Best Group, Dean Perrett won Best Bush Ballad with the Ian Quinn-penned Would Clancy Be Welcome while Dale Duncan won Best Heritage Song (his first award in country music) with Malabar Mansion written by his father Dave who was also in attendance to accept his award.
A number of special awards were announced during the ceremony. Founders of the annual People’s Choice Awards, Smoky & Paula Sheldrick from the Australian Country Music Listener’s Association were honoured with a Founders’ Award, Bob Howe was named Musician of the Year while Organisers of the Awards were delighted with results and attendance at today’s gala presentation and acknowledged the support of sponsors Australian Audio Supplies, Ayers Guitars, Blade Guitars, Blundstone Footwear, Cole Clark Guitars, Country Music Bulletin, Drayton’s Family Wines and Jocks’ Journal. The 2008 Australian Country Music People’s Choice Awards will be staged in Tamworth, Australia’s Country Music Capital, on Thursday, January 24. Voting is expected to get underway mid year. Weblink – www.peopleschoiceawards.com.au. "Long live the lead break" The Jim Beam/Coca-Cola sponsored Guitar Heroes "Long Live The Lead Break-The Battle of the Axe" concludes tonight at The Locomotive Hotel in Tamworth. Billed as featuring "the hottest guitarists in Australia" – including Louie Shelton, Steve Flack, Adam Miller, Kieran Murphy, Gypsy Jazz Master Ewan McKenzie, Phil Doublet, Rob Bostock, Smokin' Joe, Darren Ebbels plus Young Guns' Bad Robot and Sumassault. Public admission prize is $12. Meanwhile, Louie Shelton appears at Regent Country Live this morning from 10 in the "Louie Shelton-The Riffs That Made Me Famous Showcase" supported by Gypsy Jazz Master Ewan McKenzie, Steve Flack and rising star Victoria McGee. DATELINE : THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 2007 TSA award winners Winners in the 2007 Tamworth Songwriters' Association (TSA) Songwriter Salute Awards were announced during the January festival in Country Music Capital last night.
Country Ballad of the Year went to Alan McPherson & Graham Rodger with The Battle Of Long Tan, Shaza Leigh took out the Gospel Song category with Strength Within and Melissa Bajric won Children’s Song of the Year with Little Girl In Me. E The TSA/Capital News New Songwriter Award went to Sophie Clabburn of The Sunny Cowgirls with Still Circling while Country Music Radio's Nick Erby was presented with the Association's Tex Morton Award. In the TSA National Country Songwriting Contest, Graham Rodger was named winner of the professional section with Woman On The Land, Jude Rodrigues won the amateur section with She Taught Me To Pray while Anna Macdonald won the junior section with Home and Merv Webster took out the lyrics only section with I Wish I Were A Crocodile. Weblink – www.tsaonline.com.au. Galaxy of Stars unveiling The 2007 inductees into the Galaxy of Stars in the forecourt of the Tamworth Regional Entertainment Centre took place place this morning at 11.30. Members of the industry and public are invited to attend. Two outstanding country music icons will be recognised through their induction today. People's Choice Awards today Winners in the 2007 Australian Country Music People's Choice Awards will be announced at the Regent Theatre in Country Music Capital this afternoon. Tickets are selling fast for the gala presentation and concert in Tamworth's newest Festival venue, the Regent Theatre from 1.30pm. Special guest artists Dale Duncan, Craig Giles, Jonah's Road, Peter Pratt, Anita Ree, Graham Rodger, Cat Southern, Wildseed and Jeanette Wormald will be joined by special guest presenters Carter & Carter, Greg Champion and Deniese Morrison together with finalists in the Awards. Winners will be announced in 11 categories and a number of special awards are to be made. Weblink – www.peopleschoiceawards.com.au. Country Queen contestants line-up Tonight is the night for contestants in the 2007 Telstra Queen of Country Music Quest in Tamworth, Australia’s Country Music Capital.
This year’s contestants are... Katie Alchin (sponsored by Tamworth Regional Council), Lauren Allott (Vickstar), Emily Anderson (Interact injury Management), Amy Asbury (The Pub Group), Abbey Camalleri (Bella), Bonnie Clark (Newtrain), Leanne Coddington (Tamworth Base Hospital), Louise Cooke (Egan Murphy Solicitors), Melinda Cookson (Mahony’s Southgate Pharmacy), Karly Davidson (Harvey Norman), Samantha Doust (Target Australia), Courtney Fox (Max Fox Electrical & Inland Hot Water), Sarah Grattan (Big W Tamworth), Crystal Gray (All Settlers Motor Inn and Gregorys on Goonoo Goonoo), Alana Higgins (Tamworth Shoppingworld), Lauren Howden (Tamworth Co-Operative), Clementine Johnson (2TM/92.9),Marina Lawrence (Lifeline Tamworth & Northern Inland), Lucinda McKnight (Tamworth Jockey Club), Felicity Nash (Dial A Security Door), Kate Shaw (PRD Nationwide), Jody Southwell (Tamworth Shoppingworld), Tara Suckling (Castlereagh Imaging), Laura Swanston (Mahony’s Guardian Pharmacies) and Alex Vodic (Cargill Beef Australia). The winner receives a prize pack including a trip to New Zealand to represent Australia's Country Music Capital at New Zealand's Home of Country Music, Gore. Weblink – www.tamworth.nsw.gov.au. Recycling Queen A Victorian grandmother who decided to drive all the way to Tamworth to camp by herself to "take in the music" is the 2007 Tamworth Country Music Festival’s new recycling queen.
Marlene decided only two weeks ago that she wanted to visit the festival for the first time. So the grandmother of seven, who lives with her husband and children on the family farm, had the car fixed, left the rest to look after the farm and brought her two-man tent to town. She was spotted by one of the Festival Recycling Rouseabouts doing the right thing by recycling her bottles and went into the draw with another 350 festival-friendly recyclers. Now she’s won tickets to see Don’t Waste Tamworth’s special green-and-gold ambassador Troy Cassar-Daley perform his Friends and Heroes Show at the Tamworth Regional Entertainment Centre this afternoon. About 30 Lions and Lioness club members volunteered about 45 hours to patrol festival sites to find fans helping keep the city clean. Marlene says she’s been a recycling advocate for years and coming from a farm knows the value of environmentally-friendly conservation methods. Their farm was once part of a forest but when they moved there the trees had been cut down. For the past 35 years they’ve been restoring the tree cover with more than 5,000 trees, mainly gums, replanted. She’s tickled pink about winning because she’s never seen Troy in concert. And she’s amazed at the Festival and "the whole darn thing" about Tamworth in January. "I’ve been here for two weeks and I think it’s wonderful. I’m getting out and seeing a lot of things, including the tourist sites too," Marlene said. She’s also impressed with the festival’s waste system. She can’t believe there’s so little garbage or rubbish around and is amazed there’s not more flies with so many people in town. Tamworth Regional Council Waste Services Manager John Davis (pictured above with Marlene) says the Festival has so far produced more than four tonnes of recycling – a great load diverted from landfill – and wants fans to keep up the good work by dropping their drink containers in the special yellow bins. He’s also encouraging people to pick up litter and put it in the bin. DATELINE : WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2007 Morgan wins Telstra Road Morgan Evans from Newcastle was announced as winner of the 2007 Telstra Road to Tamworth talent search last night.
"I’m super-stoked," he said. "Grandpa, it’s for you mate. One of my biggest supports was my Nan, and I’d also like to dedicate this to her." A performance from Jessica Mauboy, the inaugural winner of Telstra Road and last year's Australian Idol runner-up, was just one of the highlights in an entertainment extravaganza which saw the top eight grand finalists battle it out for top honours in the competition. The grand final was held at the Tamworth Regional Entertainment Centre and webcast live to thousands of country music enthusiasts across Australia and overseas. Two international judges joined a panel of local industry officials live online to determine the outcome. Briana Lee from Kialla was named winner of the Songwriter's Encouragement Award. Both Morgan and Briana will travel to Nashville later this year as part of their respective prize packages, Morgan to record his prize-winning single, Briana to meet and work with a number of leading country music songwriters in Nashville. For their prize packages, Morgan and Briana sang alongside seven other grand finalists who initially qualified for the finals series after winning their hometown heat... Sinead Burgess from Beachmere, Qld; Daisy May from Mackay, Qld; Sharnee Fenwick from Glendale, NSW; Mick Lindsay from Toowoomba, Qld; Michelle Murphy from Alice Springs, NT; and Danni Stefanetti from Sorrento, WA. Around 700 singers from across the nation entered the competition at heats all over Australia through last year. Telstra Country Wide Group Managing Director Geoff Booth said the 2007 competition provided a way for young country music hopefuls to live out their musical dreams. "The competition just gets better every year and the depth of talent it is uncovering shows that the country music genre has a bright future in this country. We are so excited to have uncovered another up and coming star through the program and look forward to following his career closely," he said. In addition to the single recording and travel expenses, the package of prizes Morgan takes home from the competition includes various performance opportunities, publicity support, production and airing of a video clip and a Maton guitar. Weblink – Telstra Road To Tamworth. Rajon signs Matt Rajon announced yesterday that they had signed rising country music star Matt Scullion, the first country artist to be signed by the independent music company.
He was also a finalist at yesterday's TIARAs (Tamworth Independent Artist Recognition Awards) for the songwriting award with Hard Earned Money, is a finalist in the 2007 TIARA AWARDS (Tamworth Independent Artists Recognition Awards) nominated for First Thing On My Mind, and his second single – Giddy Up, from the album Put It Down To Experience – is receiving good airplay on CMC (Country Music Channel). Last year, Hard Earned Money made it to 13 on the CMC (Country Music Channel) Top 50, staying in the playlist a number of weeks. The success of Hard Earned Money also saw Matt named a top five finalist in the 2006 Musicoz Awards for Best Country Artist and Best Folk Artist. He also won the inaugural ICE (Independent Country Entertainer) award for Best Country Rock Performance for his new Giddy Up single. Rajon says the company was quick to recognise Matt’s outstanding achievements and talent as something that could really help put Rajon on the country music map. The company says it is dedicated to building a strong Australian country music roster and is looking to announce further significant signings in the near future. Ken Outch, Chief Executive Officer DESTRA Entertainment, parent company of Rajon, said: "Matt is a perfect fit for Rajon and where we are looking to take country music. We are extremely proud to have signed him and are looking forward to 2007 and the endless opportunities that have now been presented as a result of this partnership." The Rajon Music Group was formed in July 2000 after the merger of three leading independent record labels (Rajon Entertainment, Redx Entertainment and Startel Entertainment). Consequently, the group is now one of the largest independent record labels in Australia. Rajon’s core business includes television compilations; budget, mid price and catalogue marketing and concepts; and single artist development. Rajon, distributed in Australia by Sony Music, owns and controls a very successful catalogue of artists which has earned many awards including 32 gold records, six platinum records and 42 major industry awards. Weblinks – www.mattscullion.com, www.rajon.com.au. Three big shows at Regent Country Live
The second Cole Clark Guitars Cowboys & Angels Showcase is on at 10am with Anthony Snape, Adam Miller, Lloyd Spiegel, Amy Vee, Bob Corbett, Morgan Evans, Katie Brianna and a special surprise guest. The second International Showcase runs from 2pm with The Borderers, Beez and Steve Rowe. At 8 o'clock tonight, Nicki Gillis appears with Rose Carleo and Bryen Willems. More information on all shows can be obtained here. Country Music Challenge – first time success The inaugural Country Music Challenge: Band Search was staged in the Goonoo Goonoo Room of the Longyard Hotel during Tamworth Country Music Festival 2007 and has been described by organisers as a great success. "Six bands lined up to present their best original material as well as entertain the substantial fan turnout for this first country music band friendly event," said Jim Guider speaking on behalf of the organisers.
Bands competing were the Aaron Daniels Band, Chester Story & The First Glory, Cowpoke, Cyclone Jason & The Hurricanes, LoveBilly, Ruckus and Ten 13. "Local band Standin' Still had to withdraw," Jim said, "because of the bass player’s ill health and he is wished a speedy recovery by all concerned, including all bands taking part in this event." Bands competition veterans the Aaron Daniels Band came out the winners by a narrow margin and walked away with the cash plus prizes, including $1,500 cash courtesy of sponsor Toohey’s New and the Longyard, an Enrec Studio Demo Recording Package, Country Music Bulletin Printernet Package and Enhancement Profiles on the Musician’s Headquarters website. "Second on a close margin was the hard-working band Ruckus who played up a storm," Jim said. Ruckus received $500 cash courtesy of Toohey’s New and the Longyard plus a Tapco mixer processor from Australian Audio Supplies. "All sponsors are well satisfied with the outcome," Jim said, "and keen to be involved with Country Music Challenge: Band Search 2008 to be held at the Longyard again with a bigger and better prize package." Weblink – www.musiciansheadquarters.com.au. Chart Update – Felicity at number one Felicity Urquhart (pictured) takes over the number one position on the Country Tracks National Top 30 Singles Chart this week with Big Black Cloud.
Keith Urban's Once In A Lifetime drops back to five, the Paul Costa/Aleyce Simmonds duet The Way You Make Me Feel rises to six and George Strait's Just Give It Away rises to seven. Karen Lynne drops to eight with We Should Only Have Time For Love, Casey Watt's I Don't Want To Work This Hard falls to nine while Jeanette Wormald hits the top 10 at number 10. Bullet performers this week include Adam Brand's Cigarettes & Whiskey (16 to 11), Arthur Blanch's For A Song (15 to 12), Gina Jeffreys' Live It (18 to 13), Lee Kernaghan's Love Shack (22 to 16), Anne Kirkpatrick's Showman's Daughter (21 to 18), Nick Kingswell's Hope For Me Yet (23 to 20), Donna Boyd's Luckiest Girl Alive (25 to 22), The McClymonts' Baby's Gone Home (28 to 25), Camille Te Nahu & Stuie French with Let's Make A Family (29 to 26) and Melinda Schneider's Men In Trucks (30 to 27). The full chart can be viewed at www.nfspublicity.com.au. DATELINE : TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2007 Australian Bush Laureate Award winners Winners in the 2007 Australian Bush Laureate awards were announced before a capacity audience in the Tamworth Town Hall this afternoon.
In Album of the Year, the winner was I'm Better Than She Is by Carmel Dunn & Jennifer Haig. Both Carmel and Jennifer, from Queensland, have built a strong reputation over a short period of time for their work and have achieved a great deal of success with this collaborative work. For Single Recorded Performance of the Year, the winner was Why? by Carol Heuchan (pictured) who also took out the inaugural Bush Poetry Performer of the Year award which was determined by public vote. Those aware of the prolific poetry successes of Carol Heuchan in recent years might imagine that she has been doing it forever. Not so! An instant top selling book in 2002 led to her first bush poetry competition and the rest, as they say, is history with poetry taking over her life, to the point where Carol has won more than 30 performance competitions in just a few years including state and Australian championships. Winner of the Judith Hosier Heritage Award, for outstanding achievement in nurturing Australia’s heritage of verse, went to the Carmel Randle, a tremendous worker for the cause of bush poetry (see following). The Australian Bush Laureate Awards were first staged in 1996 to recognise excellence in published and recorded Australian bush poetry. The 13th Australian Bush Laureate Awards will be held in Tamworth on Tuesday January 22, 2008. Weblink – www.bushlaureate.com.au. Carmel Randle – Australian Bush Laureates Heritage Award winner Born and educated in Brisbane, Carmel Randle spent most of her life in rural Queensland. Until retirement, she taught speech and drama, music and english, but she always found time to devote to her other great interest, rhymed poetry.
Although she has published three books of her own work and won many awards for her writing, including an Australian Bush Laureate Award for Book of the Year in 1997 and the prestigious Bronze Swagman Award in 1996 and 1999, it is for her efforts to further the cause of bush verse that she receives this award today. Carmel worked hard to establish the judging rules and categories for competitions and was a founding member of the Australian Bush Poet’s Association. She has edited and produced three “Co-operative Books of Verse for Aussie Children” and her publication “Help” – a handbook for writers and performers of rhymed verse – is the only practical guide yet written for Australian bush poets. Carmel also worked tirelessly to establish the Australian National Bush Poetry titles and helped make Winton a centre of excellence for bush verse. Last year, this award went to the Winton Tourist Association, partly because of Carmel’s recommendation that they were “a marvellous bunch of people doing a great job...” This year, it’s her turn! TIARAs go live on the internet
Hosted by Kevin Anderson and Melinda Smith of NBN Television, the Awards will be webcast internationally. The webcast has been made possible by the services of Production Manager and TIARAs Vice President Peter Scott from PC Scott Audio Productions and the time of radio presenter Beth Brown and her production crew from QBN FM 96.7 in Queanbeyan and the Texas Broadcasting Network in Forth Worth USA. The Awards will be simultaneously webcast internationally profiling even further the achievements of the many independent artists who have been named finalists and who receive awards at the gala presentation. Tickets to the event are available from Wests on 02 6765 788, online at www.wtlc.com.au or "at the door" (subject to availability). And the winners are... Winners of Tamworth Independent Artist Recognition Awards (TIARAs) were announced in Tamworth this afternoon. The Female and Male vocal awards went, respectively, to Sandra Humphries with Biggest Fool Around and Lee Forster with A Fire in the Bar. The One Stop Entertainment Album of the Year award went to The Davidson Brothers with Raised On The Road while Carter & Carter took out the Duo award with Ride. Luke O'Shea & Medicine Wheel won the Group award with Making Memories while Casey Watt & Brendan Radford took out the Vocal Collaboration gong with If I Needed You. The Stan Coster Memorial Bush Ballad Award went to Matt Manning for Timeless Country, Karen Lynne & Richard Porteous won the Michael Cowdroy Songwriting Award with Blue Mountain Rain and The Davidson Brothers took out the Barry Thornton Memorial Instrumental Award with Scrub Turkey. The Geoff Brown Memorial Award was presented to Greg Champion for Been There Done That, Alan Clement was presented with a Services to Industry TIARA and Peter Schroeder, an early supporter of the awards, received an Honourary Acknowledgement from organisers.
Nick Laing and Mitchell King came out winners of the Aristocrat Entertainer of the Year Quest at West Tamworth League Club last night (January 22). Nick won the seniors title and a prize valued at $2,000 while Mitchell took out the junior title a prize valued at $700. Runner-up in the senior section was Kimberley Bowden with Country To The T third. Runner-up in the junior section was Nathaniel O'Brien while Olivia Hally was third. Women's Wall of Fame
The induction will take place this Friday at 6pm at the South Tamworth Bowling Club, instigators and administrators of the Wall of Fame, located in Margaret Street, South Tamworth. The Wall of Fame was instituted in 1997 to recognise the achievements of women in Australian country music, paying homage to singers, songwriters and industry people. Tracy and Patti join previous inductees Bella, Catherine Britt, Kasey Chambers, Beccy Cole, Anne Conway, the Crosby Sisters (Jodie and Kelly), Christina George, Lynette Guest, Gina Jeffreys, Tania Kernaghan, Anne Kirkpatrick, Shaza Leigh, the McKean Sisters (Joy and Heather), Deniese Morrison, Kate Nugent, Norma O'Hara Murphy, Anna Rose, Mary Schneider, Melinda Schneider, Sara Storer and Felicity Urquhart. Weblink – www.stbowling.com.au. Today's main events
Both the TIARAs and Bush Laureate Awards are running at the same time this year, the Bush Laureate Awards in the Tamworth Town Hall, the TIARAs at West Tamworth League Club. The TIARAs are normally held in the evening of the main Tuesday of the Festival. The Telstra Road grand final will be staged at the Toyota Country Theatre in the Tamworth Regional Entertainment Centre at 7.30pm DATELINE : MONDAY, JANUARY 22, 2007 Kirsty Lee Akers wins Toyota Star Maker 2007 Kirsty Lee Akers has taken the crown as winner of Toyota Star Maker 2007. Twenty finalists were whittled down to a final five during yesterday's finals plus an additional "wildcard" entry who competed for the title during last night's grand final, one of the main events at the annual Tamworth Country Music Festival.
Since stepping into the spotlight at age three, Kirsty has not looked back. Her musical talents have been recognised nationally and internationally, including winning the 2006 Telstra Road to Tamworth Songwriter's Encouragement Award and making it to the top 70 of Australian Idol. Toyota Star Maker has been a major stepping stone in the careers of country music legends including James Blundell, Beccy Cole, Gina Jeffreys, Lee Kernaghan and Keith Urban. Previous Toyota Star Maker winners James Blundell, Beccy Cole, Gina Jeffreys and Brendon Walmsley appeared as guest artists during the Grand Final last night together with last year’s winner Cat Southern. Toyota’s Manager of Promotions and Event Management Wayne Gabriel said the finalists were of an extremely high standard and were all to be congratulated. "With the announcement of this year’s prize package, competition grew incredibly fierce, but each and every artist rose to the challenge. The quality of the performances was excellent and all finalists have spent an incredible amount of time fine-tuning what they presented," he said. General Manager of Rural Press Events Barry Harley said the new Star Maker format, which reduced the final 20 performers to five instead | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Roger, who plays with his own band Roj & The JamJets, took first place on the day from 15 strong competitors, according to organisers.
It's a sort of a double for the band as their fiddle player Marcela Taylor won the title of best fiddle soloist at the 2007 Golden Fiddle Awards in Tamworth (see story in "last week's news).
Both of the multi award winning artists secured several finalist berths in awards held during the Festival with Ian winning the writer's trophy for the Best Bush Ballad win by Would Clancy Be Welcome? (recorded by Dean Perrett) in the 2007 Australian Country Music People's Choice Awards.
Rob Bostock (pictured, right, with Phil Emmanuel) won the inaugural Long Live The Lead Break – The Battle of the Axe competition staged at Tamworth's Locomotive Hotel during the Festival taking home a Cole Clark Stealth Mistress Guitar and winning a guest spot at Guitar Heroes 2007.
The State Member of Parliament for Tamworth Peter Draper has announced a Government grant of $5,000 has been provided to the Australian College of Country Music to assist with tutoring fees for "budding young stars".
Canterbury Country at the Canterbury-Hurlstone Park RSL in Sydney will stage its traditional "Tamworth Recovery Party" next Thursday, February 8.
Music industry insiders say Keith will play the Brisbane Entertainment Centre in the second week of May ahead of dates in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth with tickets expected to go on sale in mid-February.
Rodney Atkins moves into second place with If You're Going Through Hell, George Strait is at three with Just Give It Away while the Paul Costa/Aleyce Simmonds duet The Way You Make Me Feel bounds up to number four.
Lee Kernaghan (pictured) hits the top of the CMC (Country Music Channel) Top 50 playlist this week with his clip of his latest single, Love Shack.
The Top 10 is...
Greg beat out the other finalists – Debbie Beckett, Ann Leuba, John Parker, Rachel Richards and Chris Strohfield to take the prestigious title.
Marcela joins a prestigious line-up of solo winners, classical player Asmira Woodward-Page who won the first solo award in 2005 and top jazz violinist Ian Cooper who was last year’s soloist of the year.
Tributes were presented by fellow pioneer Rick Carey, Max Ellis and Kate Nugent and the sisters' daughters Anne Kirkpatrick and Dianne Lindsay (in song).
As the Wolverines, Darcy Le Year, John Clinton and Chris Doyle won two awards – Best Album for Good Times and Best Song for Angel Eyes, written by Matt Shelton (Matt’s award was accepted on his behalf by his father Louie).
Cat Southern was named Most Promising Future Star (also her first award apart from her 2006 Star Maker win, and she took home a special prize of an Ayers guitar to boot) while John Nutting won Most Popular Country Music DJ and Country Music Radio won Most Popular Country Music Radio Program.
popular award-winning duo Carter & Carter were presented with a Career Achievement Award.
Beccy Cole (pictured) took out Contemporary Country Song of the Year with Poster Girl while Graham Rodger (pictured) won the Bush Ballad category with What Country’s All About.
rnie Constance was named winner of the Comedy/Novelty Song category with If They Put A Tax On That, Beccy's Poster Girl was named Country Song of the Year and Arthur Blanch was named winner of TSA's 2007 SongMaker Award.
Singing before a crowd of more than 1,500, Morgan was selected as the overall winner after "wowing the judges" with two of his own songs, including There’s No Time. He thanked the sponsors and judges before dedicating his win to his grandparents.
Already in 2007, Matt has been nominated for Vocal Collaboration of the Year with Lawrie Minson at this weekend's Golden Guitar Awards for his single Hard Earned Money.
Luke O’Shea and Medicine Wheel made a feature guest appearance during the night to launch the Challenge.
Troy Cassar-Daley's former number one Walking Away drops to number two while Travis Collins' Full Tank falls to number three and Rodney Atkins' If You're Going Through Hell moves up to four.
In Book of the Year, Original Verse, for the best original Australian work in book form, the winner was "The Exodus And Other Verse" by Bob Magor. A sheep and cattle farmer from Myponga in South Australia, Bob is now the author of seven top selling books of his bush verse.
Carmel travelled extensively throughout Australia performing poetry and appeared at the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Nevada, USA, in 1999 and 2000.
The 2007 Tamworth Independent Artist Recognition Awards (TIARAs) will celebrate their 10th anniversary with "a webcast to the world" this afternoon from Blazes Auditorium at West Tamworth League Club.
Aristocrat Entertainer of Year
Tracy Coster and Patti Morgan are this year's inductees to the Women In Country Music Wall of Fame in Tamworth.
The Australian Bush Laureate Awards, the TIARAs and the grand final of the Telstra Road to Tamworth talent search head the list of "main events" during the 2007 Tamworth Country Music Festival today.
Kirsty Lee, from Kurri Kurri, NSW, said she was excited by the prospects that lie ahead. "It’s an amazing feeling to be awarded a prize that has started the careers of some of the biggest names in country music," she said. "It’s a huge opportunity and I intend to make the most of it."