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NEWS ARCHIVES January 2008 WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2008 Report false – awards to stay in Tamworth Country Music Association of Australia (CMAA) Secretary Lee Kernaghan has today been quoted as saying the report published in Tuesday’s "The Australian" newspaper alleging the CMAA wanted to move their country music awards out of Tamworth was filled with untruths, hearsay and speculation. "The Northern Daily Leader" reports that Lee had phoned Tamworth Mayor James Treloar late yesterday to reaffirm his support for keeping the awards in Tamworth. He reportedly told James the CMAA did hope to raise the profile of the awards and to attract enhanced television coverage and sponsorship. The two men had set a date to discuss ways the awards could be made "even bigger and better". Lee told The Leader he loved Tamworth to "the core of his soul" and was certainly not pushing to have the awards staged anywhere else. "Tamworth has so many memories for me," he said. "Tamworth is the spirit of country music and it always will be. Tamworth has been a huge part of my career." "The Leader" said CMAA Chairman Rod Laing had told The Leader yesterday the organisation had not told "The Australian" the awards should leave the city. "This is a beat-up and a storm in a tea cup," he said. "There is no discussion with the CMAA board to pull up stumps and go somewhere else. That’s not being discussed and it never will be." Lee confirmed to "The Leader" that he did say Saturday’s live broadcast of the awards on Channel 10 was the way of the future. "We aspire to bigger and better things in the coming years and that requires infrastructure support to take it to the next level," he told the paper. The report also correctly quoted him as saying: "We have the talent but we don’t have the infrastructure to take it to the next level." The key difference, however, was that these remarks were made in the context of keeping the awards in Tamworth. Rod Laing told "The Leader" attracting improved television coverage – including sponsorship – had always been on the agenda. The awards cost $600,000 to stage and the CMAA met with Premier Morris Iemma on Saturday to discuss possible State Government funding. Member for New England Tony Windsor has sourced Federal funds in the past. Tamworth Regional Council (TRC), "The Leader" reported, in addition to its significant investment in staging the Festival, had discounted the hire charge for the Tamworth Regional Entertainment & Conference Centre since the CMAA lost Toyota as a major sponsor. James Treloar did not rule out the TRC doing more to help the CMAA further improve its night of nights yesterday. On its website, the CMAA says: "In response to recent media speculation, the CMAA would like to be very clear that it has no intention, no plan and no desire to take the... Country Music Awards of Australia out of Tamworth." Controversy erupts around Golden Guitar awards A controversy surrounding the Golden Guitar awards has erupted following a media report that awards organisers the Country Music Association of Australia (CMAA) was looking at moving the presentation out of Tamworth. In yesterday's "The Australian", Association Secretary Lee Kernaghan was quoted as saying that he and some of his colleagues were unhappy with Tamworth City Council for not making a greater contribution to the production of the awards ceremony and to the artists who perform there. At the heart of the matter, the paper said, was the CMAA's long-held desire to make the Golden Guitars appealing to national television networks: to make the show "sexy" enough to go out live to air in peak viewing time in the way the ARIA Awards did or the way the Country Music Awards in America had done for many years. This in turn, the CMAA believed, might just lead to the holy grail of making local country a much more commercially successful proposition for its practitioners. "We aspire to bigger and better things in the coming years," Lee was quoted as saying, "and that requires infrastructure support to take it to the next level. We have the talent, but we don't have the infrastructure to compete with other areas of the music business." Tamworth Mayor James Treloar was quoted as saying he had yet to be approached by the CMAA about funding the awards. He was happy to work with them on the issue but stressed, however, that the awards night was only one event in 2000 held in the city during the 10-day festival. "We can't sponsor and support every one of those events," he says. "We inject more than $1.5million into the festival in terms of road closures, promotion, marketing and staff. We've given (the CMAA) a fairly significant discount on the rental of the Entertainment Centre. It's the highlight event, but we're not a Council that has a bottomless pit of funds. No Holds Barred Fiddle comp winner Samara Redman won this year’s No Holds Barred Fiddle Competition, held at the Regent Theatre, Tamworth, on Australia Day. Sixteen-year-old Samara, captivated the audience with her playing, according to organisers, and was presented the first prize of a gold Epoch violin by competition judge Tom Fitzgerald. The competition, sponsored by Epoch Strings, is held every year throughout the Tamworth Country Music Festival with heats at Andrew Clermont’s Supper Club. Previous winners have included Lachlan O’Donnell, Jess Randall and Willow Stahlut. The sell-out crowd on Saturday was treated to a performance from the award-winning group Fiddlers Feast who continue their Tamworth festivities with a post Festival performance at The Basement in Sydney tomorrow night Thursday (January 31). Weblink – www.fiddlersfestival.com. Slim Dusty family album announced
Rather than putting together an album of covers or unreleased material, the family members – Joy McKean, David Kirkpatrick, Anne Kirkpatrick and their children, James and Kate (Anne) and Hannah and Daniel (David) – decided to use their own words with additions by Eric Bogle, Peter Denahy and Paul Kelly, to chronicle their feelings about Slim and celebrate the life, times and music of the most famous of all Aussie country performers. The album includes three previously un-released recordings by Slim and will be officially released on March 1 with a bonus DVD – Behind The Reunion featuring interviews and behind-the-scenes footage – included for a limited time. It was also announced that the family would perform a series of concerts in July this year. Amos becomes youngest ever to win the Bush Ballad Golden Guitar
The 19-year-old bush balladeer from Kempsey won the award with the title track to his debut album on the Nulla Records label Sign Of The Times. The win was also special for Nulla's Joy McKean. Even though Joy and Slim Dusty have between them won more than 40 Golden Guitars, this was the first for the family label. The recently re-established Nulla Records represents a new joint venture between the Slim Dusty family and EMI Music Australia and was set up for the sole purpose of providing support to new and talented Australian traditional country music artists. Amos was discovered by Joy in 2003 at a Slim Dusty tribute night in Kempsey and after several years of mentoring, she signed him to Nulla. Sign Of the Times was produced by multi Golden Guitar award winner Anne Kirkpatrick and recorded in Slim Dusty’s own Columbia Lane Studios. Another track from the Sign Of The Times album is gaining attention – the video for the Frustrated Truckie track has entered the CMC Top 50 video chart at number 37. Weblink – www.amosmorris.com. MONDAY, JANUARY 28,2008 Although yesterday was the official last day of the 2008 Tamworth Country Music Festival, because of the Australia Day long weekend holiday quite a few shows are still featured on the official program today following yesterday's bigger than usual crowds remaining in the Country Music Capital. Weather conditions for this year's festival were some of the best ever and patrons were obviously staying to enjoy their time for one more day. Temporary camping grounds on the city's Riverside and at Scully Park, to name just two, were still being well patronised last night. In a statement issued yesterday, Tamworth Mayor James Treloar said: "Our thanks to all involved in the Festival, the staff, the volunteers and to the local community for their support and for welcoming our guests. There are so many people and organisations involved in the Festival and I think that’s what makes it so unique and diverse." Here at the Bulletin, we're catching up with results of a few remaining events and competitions held during the last week or so but not yet announced. National Fiddle Awards for 2008
George joins a prestigious line up of winners, classical player Asmira Woodward-Page who won the first solo award in 2005, top jazz violinist Ian Cooper (2006) and Marcela Taylor who was last year’s Soloist of the Year. Young Victorian bluegrass sensations the Davidson Brothers (pictured) walked away with two awards this year against a strong field in the Best Band category as well as Best Fiddle Composition with Tipsy Gypsy. Hamish and Lachlan had previously won the Best Band award in 2006. Mike Kerin, long time member of Slim Dusty’s Travelling Country Band, fiddler, consummate guitarist, singer and award-winning producer, won the award for Best Solo CD with his Dining Room Sessions, where most the instruments were played by Mike with assistance from bassist Michael Vidale. The Award for Best CD By A Band went to Melbourne jazz outfit Blue Drag with their CD I’ll See You There. Blue Drag is led by Nigel Maclean and features the talents of Joe Cindamo, Martin Elepans, David Herschfelder and jazz singers Kate Cebrano and Chantal Mitvalsky. Nigel is well-known for his work on Oscar Winning movies such as "Elizabeth" and "Shine". Judges also recognised gypsy rockers Crooked Fiddle Band with a Commendation for their self-titled CD. Sydney based Suzuki system pioneer Jan Cooper was presented with the Best Teacher award for her 35 years of devotion to teaching violin. Her name will be familiar as she is the mother of multi GFA winner Ian Cooper. The Youth Achievement Award went to Gold Coast family band The Bostocks for their outstanding popular appearances around South East Queensland and the rest of the country. The 2008 Golden Fiddle Awards were presented in a violin studded music spectacle at the height of the Tamworth Country Music Festival attracting an enthusiastic audience and hosted by two of the funniest fiddlers around, Pixie Jenkins and George Washingmachine. Among the entertainers were Andrew Clermont, Melbourne all-girl fiddle band Devlish Mary, Shenton Gregory, Marcus Holden, Michael Kerin, Clare O’Meara and Jess Randall. Weblink – www.goldenfiddleawards.org.au.
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Troy Cassar-Daley took out the Male Artist award with Everything's Going To Be Alright (Troy now has 14 Golden Guitars) while Dianna Corcoran won the Female Artist award with Then There's Me (her second Golden Guitar).
Adam Harvey was successful in the key Album of the Year category with his work I'm Doin' Alright (Adam now has seven Golden Guitars), produced by Rod McCormack (up to three) while Melinda Schneider won Top Selling Album of the Year with Stronger (Melinda now has five Golden Guitars to here credit).
The McClymonts (Brookie, Mollie and Samantha) added a third Golden Guitar to their collection for Save Yourself which took out Group of the Year.
Three other first time Golden Guitar winners last night (Steve Forde was also a first time winner) were Kirsty Lee Akers who won the New Talent award with the title track to her Toyota Star Maker winning album Little Things, Amos Morris who snared Bush Ballad of the Year with Sign Of The Times, the title track to his debut album with Nulla Records, and Steve Passfield who won the Instrumental award with stump Jumpin'.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 2008
Lee named Australian of the Year
Lee Kernaghan has been named Australian of the Year 2008.
The announcement was made yesterday at a ceremony in front of Parliament House in Canberra.
Micro-finance entrepreneur David Bussau was announced as Senior Australian of the Year 2008; 22 year old World MotoGP Champion Casey Stoner was announced as Young Australian of the Year 2008; and Jonathon Welch of "Choir Of Hard Knocks" fame was announced as Australia's "Local Hero" 2008.
The recipients were presented with their awards by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd who acknowledged the achievements and contributions of all the award finalists.
"This year's award recipients are great examples of passion and commitment," he said. "They are all proud Australians who have earned our respect and our admiration."
He paid tribute to Lee for his dedication to helping others. "Lee Kernaghan's music resonates with every Australian by connecting us all to the spirit of the bush, but more importantly he gives hope and pride to those on the land when they need inspiration most.
"He has rolled up his sleeves to make a real difference for those in need in rural Australia. Lee is truly an Australian to make us all proud, you would have to travel a long way to find a better, more genuine bloke then Lee."
Forty-three year old Lee was recognised for his support of country communities across Australia and described the award as the proudest moment of his life.
"In all my dreams, I could never have imagined that I'd receive an award like this – it's been a huge surprise and, without doubt, it's the greatest honour I have ever been given in my entire life," he said. "I don't think it's really totally sunk in yet, but it's a humbling experience because I know there is at least a list a mile long of more worthy recipients for the award than myself.
"But now that I have been given the honour, I also feel I have a responsibility to do my very best by my fellow Australians and that's what I am going to be doing."
Lee's tally of Golden Guitar awards is 24, second only to the legendary Slim Dusty. While his music represents the very essence of the spirit and values of contemporary rural Australia, it is his personal commitment to supporting the people of the land which has made a real difference, said a spokesman for the Australian of the Year organisation.
"In the past 10 years, his 'Pass the Hat Around' tours have raised more than a million dollars for communities in need and his participation in the 'Spirit of the Bush' tours has brightened the lives of farming families doing it tough in the drought."
Lee said he aimed to use his time as Australian of the Year 2008 to bring focus to the plight of families on the land who were struggling against the drought and to also encourage people to support home-grown industries.
"Australia is just coming through the worst drought on record and there are families out there still experiencing extreme hardship," he said. "What I'd like to do is look at ways that, individually and as a nation, we can assist those people – that we can support them and help them get back on their feet again.
"One way we can do that is to buy Australian made and Australian grown – we're securing Australian jobs and we're keeping Australia strong."
Ralph Norris, CEO of Australian of the Year major sponsor Commonwealth Bank, added his congratulations to the Prime Minister's.
"Lee is a larger than life character of the Australian country music scene, but it's the behind the scenes work which he does for rural Australia which sets him apart," he said. "With the country suffering the worst drought in the past hundred years, Lee has been a significant contributor to raising not only the morale of country Australia, but also significant funds to help those in need."
Lee, who played a giant free open-air concert (again raising money for drought relief) in Country Music Capital's Bicentennial Park on Thursday evening, returns to Tamworth today where he is up for more Golden Guitar awards.
Lindsay's citation reads "for service to country music as a performer, recording artist and producer".
Nick Hampton, formerly with APRA (the Australasian Performing Right Association) until he retired recently, has been awarded an Order of Australia Medal "for service to the community through a range of charitable organisations supporting people with physical, intellectual and emotional disabilities, and to the music industry".
Another Tamworthian with a link to country music honoured today is Bill Gleeson, an Order of Australia Medal "for service to the community through music". Though not a country act, Bill dabbles in the genre, including some country songwriting.
Queensland's Hugo Fitz-Herbet also gained a nod with an Order of Australia Medal "for service to country music and to the community".
The grand final line-up for the Bisley Busking Championship in Tamworth today has been announced.
They are Bryan Browne, The China Connection, Don Costa, Tony Hunt, The Huntsmen, Jabaru, Christie Lamb, Tom Maxwell, The Nobodies and Juzzie Smith.
The final will be conducted in Bicentennial Park this afternoon from 5.30. Winner of the competition will take home a cash prize of $1400 with $500 for second and $300 for third.
Tamworth Regional Council, co-ordinators of the Championship, said busking registrations hit 540 yesterday with more weekend musicians set to hit "the Boulevard of Dreams" for the Festival finale.
Busking boss Deniese Morrison said the grand final lineup represented a cross section of the most diverse selection of music tastes ever seen at a Tamworth festival.
Deniese said she was still to confirm some acts but there had been "an amazing variety of talent" on Peel Street this week with "one man bands to spooky street theatre and guys-and-gals cowboy outfits".
“I went out looking for acts that were uniquely themselves and what I found was much better than I’ve ever seen at a Festival.," she said. "There was an amazing variety from traditional country to rock 'n’ roll, folk and roots music. There’s a little bit of everything in the finalist lineup and that reflects what we see on the street.
"The busking is amazing for all sorts of reasons. It’s wonderful street theatre and it just makes the Festival the wonderful event that it is."
Buskers can still register at Festival HQ today to play on Festival streets this weekend.
Photo: last year's winner Juzzie Smith.
Warnings on weekend traffic snarls in Tamworth
Motorists are warned to avoid some major traffic hotspots today (Saturday, Januay 26) as the Tamworth Country Music Festival moves up a gear for its big weekend schedule.
Tamworth Regional Council said the city would be jam packed and motorists, Festival workers and fans should take into account some major events that will have a big impact on transport routes and parking near the central business district (CBD).
There will be major disruptions to festival traffic from about 8am until 11.30am Saturday because of the Peel Street Cavalcade and access to the CBD and parking areas for Cavalcade crowds will be affected.
Traffic heading towards the Festival centre spots around Peel Street from south Tamworth can use Scott Road all morning, but there will be limited access into Peel Street. Peel Street at the Murray Street intersection – that's from the roundabout near Red Rooster – is closed between 8am and 11.30am – but traffic heading into town can still use Murray Street and turn into Marius Street to access CBD cross streets like Hill and White. Motorists looking to get into the CBD from Scott Road should use the Murray/Marius access if they want to get to the White and Roderick streets blocks of Peel Street before 9.30am.
Traffic message boards will be erected along major transport routes to indicate the CBD closures.
The cavalcade begins from 10am at Roderick Street and is expected to take about 75 minutes to move along Peel Street to Jewry Street. It will finish at the Tanworth Racecourse. As it moves along the route, there will be rolling block closures.
Traffic coming across the bridges (along Bridge St) into the city centre will also have disruptions. Bridge Sreett at Carter Street (near the Caltex service station) will be closed for at least an hour from about 10.10am. "If you're trying to get into the CBD along that route you'll have to do a U-turn and go back," the Council spokesman said.
The intersection for that period, and will not allow traffic into the Kable-Darling block because of the Cavalcade snarl they will confront. Motorists are also advised to avoid using the Jewry St access into town between 10.15am and 11.30am - where they will also confront the cavalcade.
Festival HQ advises festival traffic using private transport into the CBD to look for alternative parking spots because parking will be at a premium. Try carparks at Gipps Street, Riverside, the Council carpark at the rear of Bourke Streets and Darling Street, along Peel SParadise, along Marius St, and above the railway line in East Tamworth.
Cavalcade a star player for Festival
The 2008 Toyota Country Music Festival Cavalcade is shaping up as a monster parade of everything that runs on four wheels – and more, according to co-ordinators Tamworth Regional Council.
The biggest crowd puller of the Festival starts at 10am Saturday with a fly past by Tamworth air college pilots and planes.
And there are 67 floats entered comprising something like 100 vehicles ranging from motorhomes to buses and trucks, utes, trikes, golf carts and motorbikes. More than 80 festival acts are already signed to step up for the Cavalcade Peel Steet parade which will be led by more than a dozen vehicles from the sponsor, Toyota's, fleet, including the fastest Toyota drag racing vehicle in the world.
NSW Premier Iemma returns to Tamworth for the second year running to lead the cavalcade with Lee Kernaghan. And 2008 Roll of Renown inductee Geoff Mack will ride with his wife Tabbi on a motorcycle in the parade.
This year for the first time there will not be any horses in the parade – except for the mounted police – because of the equine influenza outbreak. But there will be a couple of fibreglass models and some other four legged animals to fill the gaps.
Entertainers deploy to Timor-Leste
While Australians are enjoying the Australia Day holiday, some Aussie entertainers will provide a rare opportunity for our troops to enjoy some home-grown talent when Tour de Force deploys to Timor-Leste this weekend.
As reported previously, rising country star Paul Costa (pictured) will join Krystal Forscutt, of Big Brother fame, comedian Fred Lang and the all-female punk rock band Legless to perform in a number of locations throughout Timor-Leste for soldiers and Defence personnel who are far from home, helping to establish peace and stability to the world's newest democracy.
There will also be a special show at one of the local orphanages.
The enthusiastic group of entertainers joins a long list of stars, including Angry Anderson, Carl Barron, Beccy Cole, Cat Southern and Felicity Urquhart who have volunteered their time free of charge to entertain Australian Defence Force personnel deployed on operations.
Paul Costa said it was a great honour to be invited to perform for the troops in Timor-Leste. "I expect it be an unforgettable experience."
The ADF (Australian Defence Force) has deployed to Timor-Leste with a mission to assist the Government and the United Nations to bring stability, security and confidence to the Timorese to allow them to resolve their differences democratically and peacefully.
Tamworth has two new ambassadors who admit they can't sing a note but love a huge variety of music and think the Tamworth Country Music Festival is the best party going.
The Telstra Queen of Country Music quest on Thursday night revealed its new ambassadors with the naming of the Queen and Princess at a gala festival event at the Tamworth Racecourse.
Tamworth born and bred health and fitness proponent Renae Sweeney (left) is the 2008 Queen and 18-year-old Monty Maguire, who has just finished high school and plans a career in hospitality management, is the new Princess.
Neither can play a musical instrument nor sing outside the shower and car but they share a passion for some outdoors sports. Renae's a former swimming champion who ran her own personal trainer business. She's sponsored by the Tony Ferguson Weightloss and Wellness Centre where she works now as a healthy living practitioner. She's also studying part time for her Bachelor of Education and plans to teach primary school physical education when she finishes the degree.
Renae is the baby of a family of five brothers and a sister and one of four of the Sweeney siblings still living in Tamworth.
The new Princess is sponsored by the Quality Hotel Powerhouse where she's a food and beverage attendant with plans to follow her dad, the hotel owner and Tourism Tamworth Deputy Chairman Greg Maguire, into the business of hospitality and hotel management.
Monty – short for Montana – is an avid horse rider and equestrian who competes in showjumping around the state. But she also happens to be a crack shot as a rifle shooter and the captain and coach of her Armidale boarding school shooting team.
The two have assumed their official duties from the outgoing Telstra Queen and Princess Leanne Coddington and Kate Alchin.
One of their first functions was this morning's Toyota Country Music Cavalcade. They're excited about the new year and some 200 civic functions ahead – and looking forward to perfecting their line dancing steps, meeting the stars and learning the words of a thousand new country music songs.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2008
2008 People’s Choice Awards winners
Winners in the 2008 Australian Country Music People’s Choice Awards were announced in Tamworth yesterday afternoon.
Beccy Cole won the award for Best Female Vocal while Adam Harvey took out the Male Vocal title.
Simply Bushed won two awards for Best Group and Best Bush Ballad with Cangai Bridge.
Steve Passfield was named Most Promising Future Star.
Cat Southern won the Best Song award with Little Miss Understood (together with fellow writers Jasper Somerville & Jay Collie).
Steve Eales (pictured at right) won Best Album for his first solo outing, The Battler.
Dan Rennie of radio 98.9 FM in Brisbane won Most Popular Country Music DJ while the Victorian and southern NSW based “Truckin’ With Tim” was named winner of the Most Popular Country Music Radio Program award (photo above left shows fellow Awards finalist Jayne Denham accepting the trophy on behalf of Tim following the presentation by Merelyn Carter).
A number of special awards were announced during the ceremony, including a Career Achievement Award to Greg Champion and Musician of the Year to Phil Emmanuel.
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Organisers of the Awards were delighted with results and attendance at today’s gala presentation and acknowledged the support of sponsors Attitude Productions-Films, Ayers Guitars, Blade Guitars, Country Music Bulletin, Drayton’s Family Wines, Electro-Voice, KV2 Audio and Red Rebel Music.
The gala Awards concert featured performances from Rose Carleo, Beccy Cole, Travis Collins, Steve Eales, Lee Forster, Jetty Road, Jonah’s Road, Amber Lawrence, Graham Rodger and "surprise guests" Greg Champion and Steve Passfield.
The 2009 Australian Country Music People’s Choice Awards will be staged in Tamworth, Australia’s Country Music Capital, next January during the annual country music festival.
Voting is expected to get underway mid year.
Weblink – www.peopleschoiceawards.com.au.
Graham Rodger was the biggest winner at Wednesday night's Tamworth Songwriters' Association (TSA) Songwriters' Salute Awards taking home four trophies.
His song Woman On The Land took out Country Song of the Year and Country Ballad of the Year while his A Saddle For A Throne won the professional section of TSA's National Songwriting Contest and he won Comedy/Novelty Song of the Year with co-writer Deirdre Willmington with There's A Whole In The Mozzie Net.
Carter & Carter won Contemporary Song of the Year with their hit The Best Things In Life Are Free while David and Merelyn teamed with Brendon Walmsley to win Gospel Song of the Year with When God Takes A Photograph.
Trevor Day took out Bush Ballad of the Year for An Empty Plate while Children's Song of the Year went to Rita Schneider for Why Does A Cow Go Moo?
Dianne Lindsay was named winner of the Capital News New Songwriter Award with her song Old Brown Guitar Case, Wave Jackson won the Songmaker Award and retiring President and Secretary of the TSA Bev and Ron Daniel (pictured at right, photo by June Underwood) were presented with the Association's Tex Morton Award together with well-known South Australian based photographer Robyn McIntosh.
Other winners in the TSA National Songwriting Contest were Haelwen Sian with (Voice Of) The Bush Balladeer (winner of the amateur section), Christie Lamb with Rip It Up (winner of the junior section) and Manfred Vijars with The Saddle By The Door (winner of the lyrics only section).
Weblink – www.tsaonline.com.au.
Tamworth pays tribute to Kasey
The Tamworth community yesterday morning recognised Kasey Chambers for her fundraising efforts through her concerts in the park in the city over six years and her support of local charities.
Tamworth Regional Council Mayor James Treloar presented Kasey with a replica Golden Guitar sculpted in wood to honour her fundraising efforts fand on-going support of the Festival.
More than $120,000 has been raised through the concerts and given to Tamworth regional charities during the past six Tamworth Country Music Festivals.
Tonight (January 25), the seven-time-ARIA-winner will perform at her seventh annual Live & Free in the Park concert at Bicentennial Park in Country Music Capital with proceeds going towards the building of a Ronald McDonald House in the city, the first for the New England North West area.
The proceeds of tonight's concert will kick start fundraising for the facility which will cost about $550,000 and be built in the grounds of the Tamworth Rural Referral Hospital.
Each year, Kasey asks her fans in the audience – which hit a record 20,000 in 2007 – to make a donation to a nominated local charity. Local volunteers from Rotary, Apex and Lions clubs pass around buckets during her free concert.
James Treloar said Kasey was a worthy recipient of the special token of appreciation which is a miniature replica of Tamworth's major icon. The special presentation to Kasey was a thank you from the Tamworth regional community in recognition of her contribution to the Festival and in donating more than $120,000 to local causes, he said.
"Our Bicentennial Park prepares for full capacity when it comes to a Kasey Chambers concert."
Ronald McDonald House Tamworth Chairman Greg Upton said there had been a need for the facility for some time to provide overnight accommodation for sick children receiving medical treatment, their parents and their carers. "Coupled with Kasey's wonderful gesture and the support of Ronald McDonald Charities, construction on the new Tamworth House is expected to start soon,'' he said.
Kasey is a longtime supporter of Ronald McDonald House Charities.
Music Know How – Know How it Works, the Tamworth Festival Musician's Headquarters industry day taking the place of the usually extended facility, is on today from 12noon.
"Planned and co-ordinated to deliver a maximum amount of music industry information in one day, the seminar/workshop series features a diverse range of topics for the professional and amateur muso and performer," said co-ordinator Jim Guider.
The intensive program will be held in the city's Small Business Centre, upstairs in Peel Street opposite the Central Hotel.
Workshops being offered are Music Managers' Forum at 12, Oz Country Radio Singles at 2pm, Blue Tongue Beginners Harmonica Workshop at 3pm, the Voice Makeover and Tune-up Protective Vocal Techniques session with Connie Kis Andersen (pictured) at 4pm and "Looking Good with Attitude" (video production) at 6pm.
Registrations open at 10am. Enquiries can be ditrected to Jim on 0409 795 492.
Weblink – www.musiciansheadquarters.com.au.
Rod McCormack won an award presented by his Gosford home town last week... a Gosford City Australia Day Community Award for his contribution to arts, culture and entertainment.
During the presentation, Rod was described as "a man of integrity with exceptional talent, yet he remains a modest and most unassuming gentleman''.
In the past few years, he has produced award-winning albums for many artists including Beccy Cole, Adam Harvey, Paul Kelly and his wife Gina Jeffreys, at his Erina Heights studio.
Rod was one of nine category winners while 99 district residents received certificates for their achievements in various fields.
He is the producer of three albums in the running for the Album of the Year Golden Guitar on Saturday night – Beccy Cole's Live @ Lizotte's, Gina Jeffreys' Walks Of Life and Adam Harvey's I'm Doin' Alright.
Tamworth Country Music Festival 2008 has seen the continuation of the Blade Guitars Guitar Unleashed : Long Live the Lead Break on the Cutting Edge Stage upstairs at The Tudor Hotel with Dan Ebbels of The Aaron Daniels Band taking out the competition.
Following two heats, the final was held last night and featured, in organiser Jim Guider's words, "an awesome lineup" – in addition to dan, 8 Ball Aitken, Jon King, Terry Mandryk and "Smokin'" Joe Robinson. Special guest for the final was "slick guitar chick" Julz Parker, a member of Hussy Hicks and a Blade guitar endorsee.
"The margins between the top finalists were extremely close," Jim said, "and the top two players even closer. However, a pumped up crowd saw Dan Ebbels walk away with the Levinson Blade Delta electric guitar." Dan also received a guest spot on the Blade Guitars Showcase which followed the final of Guitar Unleashed : Long Live the Lead Break."
Players taking part in the showcase by invitation were 8 Ball Aitken, Phil Emmanuel, Steve Flack, Colin Fox and Julz.
"Guitar Unleashed : Long Live the Lead Break is such a hit with guitarists and the punters, major sponsor Cutting Edge Music and Blade Guitars are enthusiastically looking forward to doing it all again in 2009 at the Tamworth festival," Jim said.
Chart update – Harmony holds on to number one
Harmony James is at number one for the second week in a row on the coming week's Country Tracks Top 30 singles chart with her song Somebody Stole My Horse.
Amber Lawrence jumps another two places to second place with Gonna Fly while America's Kenny Chesney is at three with Don't Blink and Adam Harvey's Someone Else's Dream slips to four.
Beccy Cole's Lifeboat is up another two to five, as is Gina Jeffreys to six with The Truth About Lies while Sara Storer's former number one Land Cries Out drops to seven.
Jetty Road's I Wanna Go Home is down to eight, Travis Sinclair's Carry The Country debuts in the top 10 at nine, as does Lee Kernaghan's Sassafras Gap at 10.
Bullet performers for the week include Travis Collins' Don't Win Enough (15 to 11), Troy Cassar-Daley's Last Mile Home (19 to 14) and All I Ever Need Is You by Stuie French & Camille Te Nahu.
New entries in the chart for the coming week... Keith Urban (pictured) with his latest Got It Right This Time (in at 29) and Kirsty Lee Akers with Goin' To The Beach (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.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2008
Jasmine wins Telstra Road to Tamworth
Jasmine Rae from Fawkner in Melbourne has won the 2008 Telstra Road to Tamworth competition with a prize package including a trip to Nashville to record an album.
Jasmine follows in the footsteps of 2007 winner Morgan Evans who has enjoyed outstanding success following his win in January last year.
Mark Wells from Merewether in Newcastle will also head to Nashville after being named winner of the Telstra Road to Tamworth Songwriters Award. "Winning over the judges with his confident and energetic performance," according to competition organisers. Mark sang two original songs, Playing With Fire and When It All Boils Down.
Jasmine also performed two original songs, Country Singer and Ain't The Same Girl.
As she accepted her award, Jasmine said it was an honour to work with "such a fantastic group of people" and thanked Telstra for their support. "I've never been out of the country before, so I'm thrilled to be going to Nashville."
The judges recognised Wells' songwriting skills in awarding him the highly sought after prize package which includes appointments with top American country music songwriters.
Almost 1,000 singers from across the nation entered the competition vying for a total prize package of $140,000. Jasmine and Mark came up against six other grand finalists who qualified for the finals series after initially winning their hometown heat.
The Grand Final was webcast live to thousands of country music enthusiasts across Australia and overseas.
Three US-based record company executive judges on-line were joined by a panel of local industry officials including Tim Daley from the Country Music Channel, Tim Holland of ABC Music, Gayle Madill from Country Update magazine and Rob Potts of Rob Potts Entertainment Edge.
Brett Riley, Executive Director, Telstra Country Wide Eastern Region, said the competition provided a way for aspiring country music artists to live out their musical dreams.
"The competition continues to grow each year and the strength of talent being uncovered is a credit to the Australian country music scene. We are so thrilled to be able to offer such a wonderful opportunity to help launch Jasmine and Mark's career through an unprecedented association with a national and global network of industry partners and experts," he said.
Weblink – www.beinvolved.com.au/countrymusic.
Photo by Paul Spencer.
Melbourne based Ruckus has taken out the Country Music Challenge: Band Search 2008 held at Country Music Capital's Longyard Hotel during the January country music festival on Monday night.
Six bands lined up to present their best original material as well as entertain the substantial fan turnout for this second "country music band friendly event," according to organiser Jim Guider.
"A huge crowd saw a huge lineup of great talent performing and projecting diverse styles, from country rock to bluegrass to bayou country to country pop."
Competing with Ruckus were Rob Cass and The Cosmic Cowboys, Cold, Hard Truth, Rod Dowsett, Craig Morrison & The Little Cowboys, Mudrats and Bryen Willems & The Bayou Boogie Boys.
"All bands set a high standard in both originality and entertainment value," Jim said.
The prize packto the winner included $1500 cash courtesy of Toohey’s New and the Longyard, Enrec Studio Recording Package, Oz Country Radio Singles package, Country Music Bulletin Print and On-line Promo Package and Enhancement Profiles on the Musician’s Headquarters website.
Second to Ruckus, "on a close margin", was Craig Morrison & The Little Cowboys who "played up a storm". The band received a prize pack including $500 cash courtesy of Toohey’s New and the Longyard plus an EV Cobalt Mike Band Pack from Electro-Voice.
"With the great outcome of the Toohey’s New Country Music Challenge: Band Search 2008, the event is well and truly cemented into the Tamworth Country Music Festival calendar as a major band profiling event," Jim said.
The winner of the 2008 Telstra Queen of Country Music Quest will be announced at a gala function in Tamworth tonight.
Twenty young women are vying for the title, or the runner-up Princess title.
In alphabetical order, they are... Any Asbury (sponsored by Wests Entertainment Group), Kirby Birks (Tamworth Base Hospital), Sarah Bolitho (James R Hayes & Associates), Jodie Boyd (Mahony's Robert Street Pharmacy), Monique Cromb (AM Printing/Monogram It), Sarah Dane Garden (Dean Tapp Maintenance), Emma Harris (Target Tamworth), Megan Lott (Century 21 Property Centre), Jenna Maughan (Mahony's Southgate Pharmacy), Monty Maguire (Quality Hotel Powerhouse), Rebecca O'Shea (Colliers International Tamworth), Jessica Purkisss (Harvey Norman), Kimberley Robinson (Prime Television), Kirstie Sayer (Harvey World Travel Tamworth), Alicia Simpson (Tamworth Shoppingworld), Luci Smith (Tamwell Pharmacy), Brooke Spokes (Tamworth Regional Council), Angela Steadman (Kootingal Hotel), Maddie Steer (Katies Tamworth) and Renae Sweeney (Tony Ferguson Weightloss and Wellness Centre).
Winner of the competition takes home a prize pack which includes a trip to New Zealand.
2008 Galaxy of Stars unveiling
Two new Australian country music icons will be added to Tamworth's Galaxy of Stars at 11.30 this morning.
The Galaxy of Stars is located in the forecourt of the Tamworth Regional Entertainment & Conference Centre.
Adam Harvey has been made an ambassador for the Fred Hollows Foundation after the success of his hit tribute single Someone Else's Dream.
Sydney's "Daily Telegraph" reported Adam would be one of the public faces of the Foundation using his celebrity status to raise awareness of its mission to cure sight problems among indigenous people.
He said he would also be liaising with the media and staging concerts to raise funds for the Foundation's projects.
"It's powerful the way music can take you somewhere," Adam said. "Sometimes you have no idea where you are going. You just hang on for the ride."
Adam wrote his tribute song after being inspired by a television documentary about the Foundation's work in Australia and third world nations.
He said he was most concerned about problems young Australians have in Australia. "I like the idea of looking after our own backyard," he said. "A lot of the sight problems can be fixed for as little as $25. I'll be spending time helping to raise money for kids in remote areas."
Weblink – www.adamharvey.com.au.Australian country music pioneer Tex Williams has died at the age of 83.
Born William James Walker in Port Melbourne on July 26, 1924, Tex died in his sleep at St John of God Hospital, Ballarat, Victoria, during the early hours of Tuesday (January 22).
After a stint in the Navy (he put up his age to join), Tex became involved in the 1940s Melbourne country music scene activities. He had been playing banjo prior to the second world war then took up guitar.
A member of the Victorian Banjo Club, Tex bought a guitar for five pounds and learned to "pick and strum". He won a number of talent quests at the time, working day jobs including as a bread carter with a horse and cart, on the railway, and as a horsebreaker.
After "hitting the road" with a mate, Tex worked in a variety of locations from Trangie to Narromine where he entertained at one of the local pubs. There he was earning three or four pounds per afternoon compared with 10 shillings a week in the shearing sheds.
After arriving in Sydney, Tex worked a number of venues inluding clubs and the Tivoli Theatre.
In the mid 1950s, he recorded with Regal Zonophone, two singles, Want To Be A Cowboy and Smokin' My Last Cigarette although he was not sure if these were released.
During this time, he met his future wife, Paula; the couple eventually marrying in 1960.
In 1962, Tex joined the Royal Victorian Blind Show (RVIB) where he stayed for a year and ultimately became manager of the show.
Involved in rodeo for much of his life, Tex suffered serious injuries in the late 1950s.
In the '60s, Tex recorded with Festival Records through Slim Dusty, with whom he travelled visiting 195 towns for 230 shows. "They don't know what a tour is these days," he said.
He signed a five year contract with Festival in 1969, releasing three albums including Lonesome Yodeller in 1970.
Tex's recording career included Country Music Capital's Hadley Records, M7 Records (including An Australian Way To Sing A Country Song) and EMS Records where he released a "most requested" album of 20 tracks.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2008
The 2008 Blue Dog TIARAs – Tamworth Independent Artist Recognition Awards – were announced and presented in Country Music Capital last night.
Leanda O'Brien won the Female Vocal award with Fields Of Gold while Rob Wilson (pictured) took out the Male Vocal award with Real Deal and Jetty Road (pictured) won the Group award with Real Smooth Cowboy.
The Duo award went to Jaxonville with Ready For Us, Rose Carleo & Drew McAllister won the Vocal Collaboration category with Sometimes You Just Know and Gail Smith took home the Michael Cowdroy Memorial Songwriting Award with Storybook.
Sarah McMonagle won the Stan Coster Memorial Bush Ballad Award with Our Old Queenslander, David Delle-Vergin took out the "Gentleman" Geoff Brown Award with Waiting Here while Steve Passfield was successful in the Barry Thornton Memorial Instrumental Award with Stump Jumpin'.
Harmony James won the Recording Time award while Tom Curtain was named winner of Album of the Year with Heatwave.
Weblink – www.tiara-awards.org.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2008
Australian Bush Laureate Awards – 2008 winners
Winners in the 2008 Australian Bush Laureate awards were announced before a capacity audience in the Tamworth Town Hall this afternoon.
In Book of the Year, for the best original Australian work in book form, the winner was "Touching Tales" by Carol Heuchan. From the NSW Hunter Valley, Carol’s first book “Horseplay” led her to the world of bush poetry and success followed success, to the point where now she has won numerous awards and is acknowledged as one of the foremost writers and performers of bush poetry in Australia.
In Album of the Year, the winner was Cowpokes And Indians by Marco Gliori. For 10 years, Marco has travelled Australia with his original poetry and comedy performances. He is a record four times winner of the Tamworth Country Music Festival Poetry Performance Award and has completed more than 2000 shows for young Australians by courtesy of both the Queensland and Victorian Arts Councils Artists in Education Program.
For Single Recorded Performance of the Year , the winner was Rain From Nowhere by Murray Hartin. For years, Murray has been making audiences laugh, cry and visualise the spoken word with his unique style of Australian storytelling Through his extensive travels around Australia, he has met a vast and varied collection of remarkable Australians who are the inspiration for his stories. “Rain From Nowhere” addresses the issue of rural suicide and has touched the hearts of people Australia-wide. It is already being spoken of as one of the most significant pieces of Australian verse in recent memory.
In the new category for Children's Book or Album of the Year, the winner was "You've Gotta Be Kidding" by Kym Eitel. Describing herself as a typical horse-crazy female, Kym spent most of her youth on horseback. Following a bout with cancer, she wrote “Wild Horse Rain” and has since won many awards for her work.
Winner of the Judith Hosier Heritage Award, for outstanding achievement in nurturing Australia’s heritage of verse, went to Frank Daniel, for his many years of work and dedication to the bush poetry cause. Frank is recognised as one of Australia’s greatest exponents of bush poetry. He has appeared at all the major festivals nationally and has also won many awards and accolades.
The Australian Bush Laureate Awards were first staged in 1997 to recognise excellence in published and recorded Australian bush poetry.
The 14th Australian Bush laureate Awards will be held in Tamworth on Tuesday 20th January, 2009.
Winners' photo (from left): Carol Heuchan, Marco Gliori, Frank Daniel and Murray Hartin. Kym Eitel was not able to be present. Her award was accepted on her behalf by John Magor.
Telstra Road to Tamworth grand finalists named
The eight finalists have been announced for tonight’s Telstra Road to Tamworth Grand Final following two finals shows yesterday at the Tamworth Regional Entertainment & Conference Centre which have been described as "spectacular".
They are... Liam Brew (pictured, from Caloundra, Qld), Caitlin Harnett (Richmond, NSW), Kane Harrison (Wodonga, Vic), Michelle Murphy (Alice Springs, NT), Jasmine Rae (Fawkner, Vic), Taryn Trautsch (pictured, Greendale, NSW), Mark Wells (Merewether, NSW) and Chad Woods (Meckering, WA).
Competition judge and Chief Executive of Entertainment Edge Rob Potts said the talent displayed by the 20 finalists, selected from heats held nationally throughout last year, was outstanding.
"We had a very strong talent pool this year," he said, "so choosing the final eight was a seriously hard task - the Grand Final is going to be extraordinary."
The Telstra Road to Tamworth competition is a national program that aims to unearth Australia’s aspiring country music artists and launch their professional careers. It is widely regarded as the premier program of its kind in Australia and sees artists vying for a total prize package worth $140,000. This year, almost 1,000 country music hopefuls from across the nation competed for the 20 spots at the finals series.
Three American-based record company executives – Kent Earls, Vice President of Creative, Universal Music Publishing group Nashville, Mark Moffatt, award winning expatriate producer based in Nashville and Arthur Buenahora, Senior Director Artist & Repertoire, Capitol Nashville, will join local industry officials via live webcast at www.beinvolved.com.au/countrymusic to judge the Telstra Road to Tamworth Grand Final tomorrow night from 7.30.
The 2008 Grand Final winner will receive a full album deal, including the opportunity to record in Nashville with ABC Music and distributed by Warner Music Australia.
A second prize, the Telstra Road to Tamworth Songwriters Award, is also on offer, with the winner receiving a return trip to Nashville to work with Universal Music Publishing.
Previous Grand Final winners include Jessica Mauboy, the inaugural competition winner in 2004 and runner up in the 2006 Australian Idol competition, Tamworth local Aleyce Simmonds in 2005, Nick Kingswell in 2006 and Morgan Evans last year.
Morgan will take to the stage tonight for a guest performance along with 2008 Telstra Road to Tamworth Ambassador Adam Harvey and Australian country songstress Catherine Britt.
Melinda Schneider has achieved yet another career milestone with her album Happy Tears pronounced "gold" (for sales of 35,000 or more).
This is the second of Melinda’s albums to go "gold" and confirms her place in the elite ranks of Australian country music artists. Family Tree, for which she won two Golden Guitar awards in 2005 including Album Of The Year, has also achieved "gold" status.
The "gold record" was presented to the songstress at the first of her two Tamworth festival shows at the Toyota Country Theatre on Saturday by fellow artists Deborah Conway and her mother Mary Schneider (pictured).
Melinda was delighted when she invited Mary and Deborah on stage during her encore for a special trio performance and they surprised her with the "gold record" award.
"I am really thrilled to receive another 'gold record' and to have Mum and Deborah present it to me is a moment I’ll never forget," Melinda said.
"The 'gold' album is a terrific start to the year for Melinda," said a spokesman for the artist who is set to release a new album – Be Yourself – this year "featuring 14 superb new songs".
Weblink – www.melindaschneider.com.
The second single and title track – I’m Doin’ Alright – from Adam Harvey's new album could not be more appropriate at this moment for the winner of six Golden Guitar awards, according to a spokesman for the artist's record label.
Adam is a finalist for for three more Golden Guitars this year and two Australian Country Music People's Choice Awards, and "is doin’ alright!"
The song, produced by Rod McCormack, "showcases Adam’s smooth, rich and instantly recognisable baritone voice," the spokesman said, and follows on from Someone Else’s Dream which is currently nominated for Single of the Year in Tamworth this month.
Following the number one debut on the ARIA (Australian Recording Industry Association) Country Albums Chart, Adam has had "quite the ride".
Also nominated for Male Artist and Album of the Year, Adam’s talents were also recognised internationally when he received the American Country Music Association Global Artist Award for 2007.
Further developments have seen Adam announced as a vocalist on Network 7’s hit series "It Takes Two" which goes to air from February 12.
After Tamworth, Adam will undertake a joint tour with Catherine Britt and special guests The Noll Brothers, also in February. He then heads to Brisbane to support American country music legends Brooks & Dunn on their first Australian tour.
Weblink – www.adamharvey.com.au.
Up and coming country artist Colin Fox will be performing five shows at Tamworth this year.
Colin will be playing at the Tudor Hotel with Buddha & The Disciples playing songs from his forthcoming album which, he says, will be released later this year.
"He has been asked by Blade Guitars to be the featured artist with the band, not only showcasing his own guitar finesse but his strong vocal range and showmanship," said a spokesman for his management.
Colin's upcoming single – Workin' In The Cane Fields – will be performed nightly and some of the footage from these shows will be used for the accompanying video clip.
Colin is still being played frequently on CMC (Country Music Channel) with the song Looking For You, a duet with Col Finley.
Weblink – www.colinfox.com.au.
Buttercup Open House
Every year, the Tamworth Country Music Festival program features many free events and two of the free events with the most popular appeal are the famous Buttercup Open House concerts in the Tamworth Town Hall.
Since 1979, Buttercup Open Houses have boasted a variety of artists ranging from superstars to rising stars, from young talent to the tried and true. Many stars, including Golden Guitar winners James Blundell, Carter & Carter, Troy Cassar-Daley and others, have appeared as guests.
This year, stars of the two concerts – on Wednesday and Thursday nights (January 23 and 24) will be supported by the Alwyn Aurisch Band, “a superb professional backing band, who for some years now have been playing to enthusiastic packed houses,” said a spokesman for concert organisers Rural Press Events (RPE).
"In 2008, we introduce a new compere, Darren Carr, who is set to leave you laughing in the aisles, completing what will be a memorable Festival highlight."
Wednesday night's Open House features... Alan Kash, Anthony Classen, Casey Watt, Connie Kis Andersen, David Delle-Vergin, Grant Richardson, Jessie Fairweather, Kelly Llewellyn, Liam Brew, Lonnie Lee, Matt Scullion & Lawrie Minson, The Naked Poets, Neil Murray, The Noll Brothers, Rob Black, Shaz Lane, Sinead Burgess, Steve Graham and Tiffney Stroh.
Thursday night's... 2008 Toyota Star Maker winner Talia Wittmann, 2007 Tamworth Camerata “Slim Group”, Cowpoke, Harmony James, Jonah’s Road, Katrina Burgoyne & Michael Muchow, Kaylee Bell, Kelly Cain, Lance Coassin, Lee Forster, Lynne & Rick Carey, Mark Tempany & Alison Hams, Markus Meier, Matt Frost, Melissa Bajric, Merilyn Steele, Roger Knox, Steve Eales, Tom Curtain and Tracy Killeen.
"This year, to eliminate congestion and aid in the safety of all patrons lining up for the concerts, free tickets will be issued to enable concert-goers to gain easy access to the non-reserved seating," said the RPE spokesman. "The tickets will be available from the Tamworth Town Hall at 5pm with a limit of two free tickets per person.
"Doors to the event will be open at 7pm and, with your ticket in hand, you will be able to gain immediate access to the Hall."
Slim Dusty Foundation at Tamworth
During this year's Tamworth Country Music Festival, the Slim Dusty Foundation will take an exhibition stand to the Tamworth Regional Entertainment and Conference Centre (TRECC), known in January as the Toyota Country Theatre, "to bring its many supporters and friends up to date with the huge level of progress made since this time last year".
The stand will show visitors the exciting new design for the Slim Dusty Centre which has received development approval from Kempsey Shire Council. The development now enters the Construction Certificate stage.
As Joy McKean says: "The design is visionary yet practical... entirely workable while remaining true to the feeling of country and heritage in Slim's songs."
Funding support from the Government is currently at $7.5 million with more being needed. The Foundation has also applied to the State Government for $1.5 million and is continuing discussions with other potential major donors. The recent Federal Government announcement of funding means that the Slim Dusty Centre will be able to start construction towards the end of this year.
Visitors to the Foundation's exhibition will also be able discuss how they can best support the Slim Dusty Centre, either through donations, merchandise or services in kind.
"Other support options include the Paver Program: the perfect way for donors to have their name or message engraved on to a paver as a permanent part of the Centre for as little as a tax-deductible $50 donation," said a spokesman for the Foundation. "The pavers will create a supporters' pathway or courtyard," with a special section for "Truckie Pavers" also proposed.
The Centre will be constructed entirely from Australian materials (many of them recycled) and will be "for all Australians – from the bush or the city – as well as our many visitors".
"It will continue to introduce Slim's timeless music to new generations and give new storytellers a chance to commemorate the real Australia. Its museum, dedicated to Slim's achievements, will house an incredible collection of memorabilia amassed by Slim and Joy during their lifetime on the road."
Weblink – www.slimdustycentre.com.au.
Reports of my passing are greatly exaggerated (Mark Twain)...
No, I'm not dead! screamed the headline in the Queensland Sunshine Coast's "Sunshine Coast Daily Online".
When Chad Morgan’s sister Helen was informed of an announcement on radio station 4GY yesterday morning that "The Sheik from Scrubby Creek" was dead,
In the years following the passing of Slim Dusty, rumours emerged that the family w
