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This website dedicated to bringing you the latest Australian country music news |
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NEWS ARCHIVES JULY 2006 THE LATEST NEWS... DATELINE : WEDNESDAY, JULY 26, 2006
Melinda Schneider is heading out on a much-anticipated national tour next week to launch her new album Stronger (see news, July 5). After kicking off the first leg of the tour in Lismore next Thursday (August 3), Melinda travels to centres including the Gold Coast, Bundaberg, Rockhampton, Mackay, Ayr and Cairns. Full tour details can be found at www.melindaschneider.com. Lee releases new single Listen To The Radio is the second single to be released by Lee Kernaghan from his already highly successful album The New Bush. And it's very appropriate, according to his record company, "after all, hundreds of thousands of fans across Australia are tuning in to Lee's songs on their own radio stations, and heading out in droves to buy his album."
"Sometimes when everything else has been stripped away, a song can be the last thread to how things used to be," Lee said. "Especially when you're out on the road alone at night, that special song can come on the radio and transport you back to another time and place. "One of the great things about hearing a sad country song is the way it can move you to tears, yet make you wish they'd play it over and over again!" The first single from the album (the title track) hit the number one spot on the CMC (Country Music Channel) Country Music Video Chart after just three weeks. The album is still top five on the ARIA Country Album Chart and remains firmly wedged in the Top 50 on the ARIA Pop Album Chart after debuting at number six. It was certified Gold after just three weeks of release and is now fast approaching Platinum. Meanwhile, the popular Outback to the Beaches tour – which will cover virtually all of Australia over the next 12 months – has seen Lee play to sellout crowds wherever he's performed, and there's sure to be a big reception for him at the Toyota National Country Music Muster at Gympie next month where he'll perform on the main stage on Saturday night – a show he freely admits is his all-time favourite gig. Over the past decade, Lee has sold more than a million albums, won 20 Golden Guitars, three ARIA Awards and has notched up an amazing 22 number hit singles. A music video of Listen To The Radio will accompany the single's national release to television and radio. Weblink – www.leekernaghan.com.au. Queensland tour for Tracy Golden Guitar winner Tracy Coster will tour Queensland during August. The daughter of legendary bush ballad writer Stan Coster, Tracy takes her own unique brand of Australian country songs on the road.
The song, written by Tracy and released as part of a three track EP which also includes two previously released vinyl tracks – Why Do I Feel Like Crying and Murrumbidgee Riversong Blues recorded at Hadley Studios "back in '85" – is a light-hearted look at the typical Aussie trait of always mentioning the weather, regardless of what the direction of the conversation takes. Tracy’s career has been soaring into new heights since the 2004 release of Coster Country. She has been accumulating milestones in the past two years including winning a Golden Guitar with Anne Kirkpatrick, a top 10 hit (Back To The Saltbush Plains), having the album named as 2005 Australian Bush Ballad Album Of The Year and scoring two top 20 hits with Won’t Those Memories Let Me Be and I Don’t Wanna Talk About Rain. Tracy has also recently turned 40, and she says she is having the best time of her life. Born in the bush and raised on the road, Tracy grew up performing as a part of her father's travelling show. She knows first hand the joys and hardships of life on the road... "Seventeen years of touring with Dad non stop – we’re talking right through the centre; all through the outback; mining towns; missions; pubs; clubs; schools, you name it we played it." Towing caravans, changing tyres, loading in and setting up equipment were just some of her job descriptions. Five nights a week, 10 months of the year. "We always have a great time and it’s a family show. I love hitting the road, it’s my home away from home." she said. Weblink (including tour dates) – www.tracycoster.com.au. Troy and Kate off ITT Troy Cassar-Daley and Kate Ritchie have been voted off the 7 Network show "It Takes Two". Pundits say the duo did extremely well up to and including Sunday night's show, "but someone had to go". The duo will still be involved with the program from time to time until it concludes in a few weeks time now with only three couples remaining. Melanoma Foundation to benefit from 2006 Muster Organisers of the 2006 Toyota National Country Music Muster at Gympie have announced that funds raised through the Muster's Rural Aid Appeal this year will go towards The Melanoma Foundation.
The Toyota Country Music Muster is a community-based event with more than 45 community groups and charities benefiting each year. It is co-ordinated by the Gympie Apex Club with more than 2,000 volunteers helping to stage the event. Since its inception, the Muster has raised almost $9 million that has been distributed to regional and national charities. One of the main charters of the Apex Club of Gympie is to present an event while providing an opportunity to raise funds – up to $100,000 each year – for the Rural Aid Appeal. The Appeal raises funds through selling Muster merchandise and directing all profits to the beneficiary. One of the most popular Muster souvenirs is the Mustering Country four-pack CD. Each year, every performer donates a track that is compiled on to a four-pack CD "a great way to re-live the Muster experience while helping a worthy cause". As well as the CD, there is a blues music package and CDs from all performers. About $10 from every CD sold goes straight to the Rural Aid Appeal and this year to The Melanoma Foundation. This year's Muster, the 25th to be staged, will showcase some of country's finest talents. It will be held from August 22 to 27 at the dedicated Muster site in the Amamoor State Forest just out of Gympie, Queensland. Weblink – www.muster.com.au. Tiffney and Hannah top Junior Winter Talent Quest
Conducted by the Capital Country Music Association, the quest attracted strong entries for the 2006 event, staged over two days at the city's Family Hotel as part of the this year's Hats Off to Country Festival. Many competitors in the annual talent quest come from the ranks of Tamworth Camerata graduates who come from all states of Australia and New Zealand. Other competitors travel from right around the state and further afield to attend. This quest is staged during the mid year school holidays, making it an attainable trip for many from distant parts. All major placegetters at this year's quest were 2006 Tamworth Camerata graduates. Weblink – including a full rundown of results – www.ccma.net.au. Photo: Tiffney Stroh, left, and Hannah Cosgrove. Call for Spud Poets Award entries Organisers of the Lake School of Celtic Music Song and Dance in Victoria have announced the second running of its poetry award, the Spud Poets Award.
The Award was inspired by a poem written by Mary Fiorini-Lowell (pictured) in 2002 called The Humble Spud. Mary gave a performance of her poem at the Lake School launch in Koroit, Victoria on Saturday (July 22) where the opening of entries for the 2007 competition was announced. Entries close on October 30, 2006. The panel of judges include Jim Brown (President of the Victorian Bush Poets' Society), Dennis O’Keeffe (songwriter, tutor and "Legend of the Lake") and Cynthea Wellings (from Ausmed Publications). They will select 15 finalists to read their poem at the Spud Poets Award Night on Friday January 5, 2007. The Award night will be held as part of the annual Lake School and staged at the Commercial Hotel in Koroit. While the judges are considering the award winner, Marcia Howard – local Warrnambool singer with a national and international profile – will perform some of her own songs including her setting of Blake’s The Poison Tree. A Poets Brunch will also held at 10am on the morning of the Award at Micky Bourke’s Hotel in Koroit. All poets are welcome to roll up and read their poems at this new event. Applications for the Spud Poets Award can be found on the Bushwahzee Bush band website – bushwahzee.com. Enquiries about the award can be emailed to Felix Meagher at felix@buswahzee.com or posted to PO Box 22 Mitcham 3132. The Lake School of Celtic Music Song and Dance is staged annually by the Koroit Community Association. In 2007, the School will be conducted from January 2-7. Dixie Chicks heading down under The Dixie Chicks have announced five Australian dates for their "Accidents & Accusations" tour which has just kicked off in America.
The band is heading "down under" to promote their fourth album, Taking The Long Way. The Chicks have sold more than 30 million albums since 1998, including 700,000 in Australia. The new album’s controversial first single, Not Ready To Make Nice, is the first Dixie Chicks song to address group member Natalie Maines’ comments about fellow Texan, American President George W Bush during a London appearance in March 2003. Australian tour promoter Michael Chugg said, "We’re thrilled to be bringing the Dixie Chicks to Australia again. They’re brilliant musicians and put on a great stage show which is not to be underestimated. I mean this is a band which went to number one on the US charts despite a lack of airplay on mid west/southern radio stations (in America)." The Dixie Chicks drew more than 11,000 fans to Joe Louis Arena in Detroit on Friday night (July 21) for the opening of their "Accidents & Accusations" tour. After strolling onstage the trio of Natalie Maines, Emily Robison and Martie Maguire opened with two new songs, Lubbock Or Leave It and Truth No. 2, The Flint Journal reported. The Chicks also reprised some of their earlier hits, including Goodbye Earl and Wide Open Spaces. All tickets for the Australian tour go on sale 9am, Thursday August 3 through Ticketek. Pre-sale starts 12noon Thursday July 27 ending 12 noon Saturday July 29.
Tom Maxwell officially launched his sixth album during Hats Off To Country in Tamworth earlier this month. Titled New Wave Of The Bush, the album was launched at LBS Records in Tamworth during celebrations surrounding the release of the 100th LBS release. Weblink – www.tommaxwell.com.au. Jamie heads to "the big apple"
Jamie says, "My number one love is performing, to be on stage and have that one-to-one interaction with the audience. There's nothing more satisfying." She is working her way to New York City for next month's Country Music Association Songwriters series. The first series launched during the CMA Awards week in New York last November, while this one's on August 29. Jamie will join award-winning songwriters including Bob DiPiero, Jeffery Steele, Jo Dee Messina, Victoria Shaw, Lori McKenna and Rivers Rutherford for four nights of concerts in "the big apple". – TwangtownUSA.com 2006 ARIA Awards The 2006 ARIA (Australian Recording Industry Association) Awards will be held at the Sydney Superdome, Sydney Olympic Park, Homebush, on Sunday October 29.
"2005/06 has been a bumper year for Australian artists," said a spokesman for ARIA, "with the likes of Bernard Fanning, Wolfmother, Shannon Noll, The Veronicas, Rogue Traders, Pete Murray, Eskimo Joe and Human Nature all releasing platinum selling albums as well as Gold album releases from Something For Kate, Hilltop Hoods, Augie March and Lee Kernaghan during the eligibility period. More than 1,000 music executives will cast their votes between August 16 and 25 for 28 categories. Around 7,000 Industry guests and members of the public will attend with a television audience of 1.5 million expected on Network Ten. The final five nominees will be announced on Wednesday September 13 where artisan awards for Producer of the Year, Engineer of the Year, Best Cover Art and Best Video will be presented. The nine acts that will perform will also be announced. Tickets to the star-studded event will go on sale to the general public (all ages) on Thursday September 21. Weblink – www.ariaawards.com.au. Kiara at Camerata Ten-year-old Kiara Rodrigues was an avid student at this year’s Tamworth Camerata, the junior country music school for performers aged 18 years and younger.
She was part of the Tex Morton team and her team leader was Merelyn Carter of Golden Guitar winning duo Carter & Carter. "Kiara had the privilege of being coached by famous artists such as Gina Jeffreys, David Carter, Adam Harvey, Brad Bergen and renowned songwriter Roger Corbett," said Jude Rodrigues. "While at Camerata, Kiara has picked up a whole heap of performing skills which were very noticeable in her outstanding winning performances at the Sarina Country Music Festival. "Besides picking up skills, she has had the pleasure of making new friends in the country music circle and as the youngest ever Camerata student was interviewed on Prime Television and performed with the group on NBN Television also in Tamworth. "Sincere thanks go to Kiara’s sponsors Axiom Entertainment and also to Joan Douglas, Greg Williams, Jim Haynes and the two house mums Rosie Adsett and Meryl Davis who devoted their precious time in doing the hard yards required to make Camerata a success." Playing with Adam is music to Andrew's ears Skipton, Victoria, Grade 5 pupil Andrew Mahony got a taste of the spotlight when he opened for country music star Adam Brand recently.
"I was nervous before I went on, not nervous there," he said. Andrew said he first met Adam at a recent concert in Ballarat. "That was the first time I had heard him play. I couldn't wait to see him." After the concert, Andrew asked Adam to sign his guitar and then the talented pre-teen was asked to play the popular Australian singer a tune. Andrew played one of his own songs and Adam invited him to Colac. For Andrew, music has been a passion from a young age. He started playing guitar at the age of five and has been busking at the Tamworth Country Music Festival for the past two years. "I used to always listen to Slim Dusty when I was five. Now I like all kinds of country music," he said. Andrew said he liked Adam because he was "a bit upbeat", and "a lot more modern". His other favourite musicians include Adam Harvey and Johnny Cash. – The Courier, Ballarat New single from Ronni
It's the fifth to be released from her current album Notice Me, all of which have made the top 20 of the Country Tracks chart, two of which have made it to number one on CMC (Country Music Channel). Ronni will be supporting Lee Kernaghan at his Merredin (WA) concert on August 5 then appearing at Gympie later in the month. More information – weblink – www.ronniraerivers.com. Adelaide Guitar Festival Christie Eliezer reports in his weekly music business column at themusic.com.au that the Adelaide Festival Centre is to host its inaugural International Guitar Festival over two weeks in November 2007.
South Australian Premier and Arts Minister Mike Rann (pictured) said: "This new annual event will feature performances by local, national and international artists across a variety of genres. It will expand the public appreciation for the guitar as well as foster young and emerging Australian talent. "The program will also include artist forums, a visual arts component and an artist-in-residence throughout the Festival." In April, Rann met with David Spelman, co-founder and artistic director of the New York Guitar Festival. He will provide curatorial expertise for the Adelaide event. This year's NY festival featured Pepe Romero, Daniel Lanois, Jorma Kaukonen, Bill Frisell, Sonny Landreth, Cindy Cashdollar, Taj Mahal, and surprise guests Bruce Springsteen and Emmylou Harris. One of the artists to feature at the Adelaide Guitar Festival will be Australian blues guitarist Jeff Lang who has just returned from a two and a half month world tour including 24 dates with John Butler in the United States as well as headlining shows in arts centres across the UK and showcases through Belgium, France and Ireland. SxSW seminars Submissions from Australian artists to showcase at South by Southwest (SxSW) Music Festival and Conference in Austin, Texas, open on September 1. Organisers of the conference have teamed with the Music Managers Forum and various state music industry associations for a series of seminars in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide in the first two weeks of August. The free seminars are geared to give a six month "heads up" to artists, managers, labels and music business professionals who either plan to attend SxSW in March next year or bands who wish to apply to showcase at the event. The Music Managers Forum hosts the seminars as their regular monthly meeting in... Melbourne – August 1, 6pm Corner Hotel, 57 Swan Street, Richmond (in association with VicMusic) Sydney – August 7, 6pm Roxbury Hotel, 182 St Johns Road, Glebe (in association with MusicNSW) Brisbane – August 8, 6pm Souths League Club, Davies Park, Westend (in association with QMusic) Adelaide – August 16, 6pm at the FAD Bar-30 Waymouth Street in the City (in association with AWESAM).
Working with the Australian Music Office in Los Angeles, SxSW attendees can gain valuable traction from programs initiated by it aimed at the event. And the Australian Music Collective (Mary Mihelakos and Glenn Dickie) will outline their plans for Austin based promotions as well as shows before and after SxSW in other cities. Plans are to have a seminar in Perth later as well, but to make the information universally accessible, SxSW organisers are recording the Melbourne seminar to podcast it immediately after on the Australian/New Zealand SxSW website www.themusic.com.au/sxsw. MMF will also record the Melbourne session and make it available on video on its website for members – www.immf.net. Phil Tripp, who represents SxSW in Australia and NZ, says it's important for bands to know their background as they will be competing with 1,700 acts who are showcasing. "Teaming the MMF with music industry associations in each state for these events will bring together the music communities in a critical mass for SxSW which has increased attendance from Australia and New Zealand almost tenfold in just four years," Phil said. "With the support of Austrade over that period, the barbecue concert in Austin and side shows in Los Angeles and New York organised by the Australian Music Collective, government support from WA, NSW and NZ, as well as industry investment by APRA, Sony/BMG, EMI, WAM and MusicNSW, we had over 400 participants from AustralAsia with 200 registrants plus 33 bands of 54 invited which accounted for another 200 people." Chart update – Lee still at the top Lee Kernaghan retains his hold on the number one spot on the Country Tracks Top 30 singles chart this week with The New Bush.
Beccy Cole jumps another three places to number four with Poster Girl, Felicity Urquhart rises to number five with My Life, Martina McBride drops one place to number six with I Still Miss Someone and the Wolverines former number one Angel Eyes slips to seven. Jeanette Wormald's Boundary Rider's Daughter rises two places to number eight, Arthur Blanch's With Every Breath enters the top 10 at number nine as does Trisha Yearwood & Garth Brooks with Love Will Always Win at number 10. Bullet performers this week include Troy Cassar-Daley's Getaway Car (16 to 13), Anne Kirkpatrick's Driveaway (19 to 15), Lee Forster with A Fire In The Bar (21 to 18), Carter & Carter's Ride (26 to 22), Adam Brand's Open Ended Heartache (27 to 23) and The McClymonts' Something That My Heart Does (29 to 26). New entries to the chart this week include Nothing At All by Kasey Chambers (pictured), the first single from her upcoming new album (in at 29). The full chart can be viewed at www.nfspublicity.com.au.
Jon Bon Jovi considers making country music Rocker Jon Bon Jovi is planning a move into country music by recording an album in Nashville.
Bon Jovi told the New York Post: "The change is in the music – it's time for change. Keep The Faith (the album) was why we stayed relevant in the '90s. In 2000, we changed again when we did It's My Life. That's when a new generation discovered us. "We didn't plan any of that, it just happened. I can smell change coming again. I'm thinking of a Nashville sessions record. I'd like to knock out a quick record with a few country writers and artists and me and Richie. I'd like to get two or three artists to do duets with. I'd like to give a couple of Nashville songwriters a chance to shine, and Richie and I would write a few songs to prove we could hold our own with these guys." Bon Jovi made history by becoming the first rock band to top the US country chart earlier this year when their collaboration with Sugarland singer Jennifer Nettles, Who Says You Can't Go Home, went to number one. – StarPulse.com Universal bids almost $2 billion for BMG Publishing According to America's "Financial Times", Universal Music has made a bid of almost $2 billion to buy BMG's Music Publishing unit. Warner Music and BC Partners are still in the running with bids coming in between $1.5 billion and $2 billion, according to the paper. The article also says that EMI Group is working with private equity group KRR on a plan to provide services to BMG Music Publishing. – AllAboutCountry.com DATELINE : THURSDAY, JULY 20, 2006 Queensland Gold Medallion Finalists
They are... For Queensland Male Vocalist of the Year – Arthur Blanch (pictured) with I’d Better Write It Down, Troy Cassar-Daley with Lonesome But Free, Lee Kernaghan with The New Bush, Michael O’Rourke with The Hat and Noel Parlane with If Heartaches Meant Gold. For Female Vocalist of the Year – Evelyn Bury with Let Me Take You There With A Song, Natalie Howard with You Never Knew Me, Tania Kernaghan with Yee Haa, Shaza Leigh with Old Calare and Anita Ree (centre) with Dust And Diesel. For New Talent of the Year – Nellie Donovan (below right) with Cruising, Fiona Hayward with Sunburnt Land, Daisy May with Say It To My Face, Julie Perandes with Me And Moonlight and Luella Widt with Tonight. For Musician of the Year – Michael Fix with Something’s Cookin’, John & Avon Kilcullen with Walk Away, Ricky Shipp with Buck's Polka, Alisha Smith with Guitar Pickin’ Chicken and Lindsay Waddington with Barrington Barn Dance. For Bush Balladeer of the Year – Ashley Cook with Paddy, Dean Perrett with Would Clancy Be Welcome?, Keith Jamieson with Twenty Million Bull Dog Ants, Ian Quinn with Sailing On Gypsy Time and Graham Rodger with The Bushman. For Songwriter of the Year – Keith Jamieson with Twenty Million Bull Dog Ants, Dean Perrett with Channel Country Ringer, Ian Quinn with Sailing On Gypsy Time, Graham Rodger with The Battle Of Long Tan and Ray Rose – One Lifetime’s Not Enough. For Touring Artist of the Year – Troy Cassar-Daley, Barry K Chandler, Graham Connors, Paul McCloud and Graham Rodger. An initiative of the World Alliance for Radio Presenters (WARP), the Awards presentation concert will feature performances from Ashley Cook (last year's New Talent winner), Terry Gordon, The Jillaroo Balladeers (Kate Botfield, Kimberley Cook and Julie Perandes), Shaza Leigh, Noel Parlane (NZ Gold Guitar winner), Lindsay Waddington (last year's Musician of the Year) and country pioneer Brian Young with compere Darryl Kirkup and backing provided by Lindsay Butler & The Butler Boys. Graeme's new album Graeme Connors new album – It's All Good – is set for release on Monday, August 14.
Meanwhile, Graeme is travelling solo with his new show titled "Simply Graeme Connors” throughout August. "A gifted songwriter, Graeme captures our hearts, a moment and a lifetime through his music and brings with hours of familiar songs from his immense catalogue to the stage," said a spokesman for Graeme's record label. "Graeme is an insightful and compelling storyteller and the informal atmosphere allows this multi awarded artist and his audience to interact through conversation and song in a relaxed environment." Graeme has released 12 albums which have achieved three Gold and one Platinum status, 12 Golden Guitars, "MO", APRA, ARIA and PPCA awards among his many local and international accolades. Weblink (for more info and tour dates) – www.graemeconnors.com. Nicki and Stacey in Iraq
Nicki and Stacey are following in the footsteps of performers such as John Farnham and Kylie Minogue by entertaining Aussie diggers overseas. Other members of this troup are former Australian Idol contestant Lee Harding and his band Bedrock and comedian Clint Paddison. The performers were due to be in Iraq for a total of two weeks entertaining troops involved in Operation Catalyst, the Australian Defence Force's contribution to the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Iraq. Entertaining troops stationed overseas has been a long-time war tradition dating back to the days of legendary stars Bob Hope and Marilyn Monroe. Dwight to tour down under American country superstar Dwight Yoakam will tour Australia through late October/early November.
The tour is a rare visit to Australia by a major US country artist and is sure to be well received by country fans. Dwight’s 10-city tour runs along the Eastern seaboard starting in Melbourne on October 27. With numerous hits under his belt, he has also garnered 21 Grammy nominations. Dwight also has an acting career with major roles in current movies "The Three Burials" (written and directed by Tommy Lee Jones) and "Bandidas" (starring Salma Hayek and Penelope Cruz), plus a cameo in the Vince Vaughan/Owen Wilson movie "The Wedding Crashers". Dwight is currently touring the US in support of Blame The Vain, his first album of new music since 2003 and one that has been lauded as among his best. He will play venues in Cairns, Mackay, Melbourne, Newcastle, Rockhampton, Sydney, Tamworth, Toowoomba, Townsville, Wollongong.
Country star Craig Giles will perform his song Tribute To The Vietnam Vets for the Anniversary of the Battle Of Long Tan at the Shepparton (Victoria) Cenotaph on Saturday, August 19. The service is scheduled to start at 10.30am after a march which will leave the RSL at 10.15am. Country's own "real beauty" This week saw the launch of a new national glossy magazine for women called "Real Beauty" and Merelyn Carter from Carter & Carter was one of the five women chosen to represent "real women" in Australia.
"You know, you need to be skinny, have no flaws, be the right body shape – not too big hips or breasts, and certainly no wrinkles! This is such an unrealistic expectation and even those of us who are pretty self assured can find this type of pressure hard to live up to. "Having the opportunity to be involved in a real women's magazine created by real women gives me the challenge to really walk the talk," Merelyn said. "I see the magazine as an inspiration to women everywhere to celebrate their own unique beauty, their inner and outer strengths that make them who they are. I believe all women everywhere can be beautiful, it is all about attitude. The aim is that this magazine will contribute in a positive way to the lives of women all around Australia." Readers of the magazine are encouraged to give their opinion in an on-line survey and contribute to the future content of the magazine. "Real Beauty" is billed as a magazine that "listens to what the average woman on the street wants to hear, not what Hollywood is dishing out to them". Merelyn will be appearing on the Nine Network's "A Current Affair" soon in conjunction with the launch of the magazine. The magazine is published by Unilever, makers of Dove shampoos, conditioners, soaps and deodorants (among others). Weblink – www.realbeauty.com.au. Hat trick for Dean Johnston Talented Hunter Valley (NSW) teenager Dean Johnston won the Telstra Road to Tamworth 2007 heat in Casino last month which started a sequence of events over four weeks that notched up considerable recognition for his music career.
On July 9, Dean made the semi finals of the ScoopFX 2006 Search For A Star quest at Castle Hill RSL in Sydney where organisers said: "The room was transformed into a country pub atmosphere at the beginning of the second half by Dean who accompanied himself on guitar as he sang a song of his own, the foot-tapping and amusing What's An Aussie Bloke Supposed To Do." Singing country music and travelling to Tamworth has been a part of Dean’s life and his family’s for the last seven years. "We stay the whole time, make new friends, catch up with old ones and perform and enjoy other acts," he said "It’s great." New album for Slim Newton
Released through through Dingo Track Records, the album contains 12 tracks and was produced by his son Steve.The CD features two Stan Coster songs and an original penned by his partner, Mary Holdom called My Best Mate (a song about her father ). Slim also wrote seven of the tracks including one about his first Ford (a 1940 model). On the bulldust side are the songs Small World After All & Rugged Not Buggered. The 10th track on the album – Footprints On The Ceiling – was a precursor to Redback On The Toilet Seat. Sittin’ On The Front Step is dedicated to all the mates Slim has known over the years and have sadly passed away. The album is available ($25 plus postage) through Dingo Track Records, RMB
New single from Travis
This song, co-written by Travis and Garth Porter, had its beginnings at a truck stop near Dubbo when Travis met a long-time trucker from Hay keen to share his story. It is the true story of a young boy who died in a truck wreck along with his Dad on the homeward leg of their long run. The rig was rebuilt and from that time on, whenever the rig was in danger, the ghost of the little boy would appear, as if to warn the driver. Over the years many drivers have had visits from the ghostly boy. Pundits forecast similar success for the new single, following on from the amazing success of the first three chart topping singles from the Rush album. More information – weblink – www.travissinclair.com. Chart update – Lee, Kenny and the Wolves steady at one, two and three Lee Kernaghan, Kenny Chesney and the Wolverines hold the top three spots, respectively, on the Country Tracks Top 30 singles chart this week with The New Bush (1), Living In Fast Forward (2) and Angel Eyes (3).
Beccy Cole (pictured) rises another two places to number seven with Poster Girl, Karen Lynne's The Circle Is Small falls to number eight, Tania Kernaghan's Harley McTaggart drops to nine while Jeanette Wormald's Boundary Rider's Daughter enters the top 10 at number 10. Bullet performers this week included Arthur Blanch's With Every Breath (14 to 11), Trisha Yearwood & Garth Brooks with Love Will Always Win (16 to 12), Troy Cassar-Daley's Getaway Car (19 to 16), Carter & Carter's Ride (29 to 26) and Adam Brand's Open Ended Heartache (30 to 27). New entries to the chart this week included The McClymonts' Something That My Heart Does (in at 29) and Sara Storer's Ballad Of Tommy Foster (at 30). The full chart can be viewed at www.nfspublicity.com.au. CMC Top 50... Sam takes over at the top Sam Hawkesly (pictured) took over the number one spot on the CMC (Country Music Channel) Top 50 video clip playlist this week with Come Back Baby pushing Adam Brand's Open Ended Heartache down to number two.
Catherine Britt's Swingin' Door bulleted into the top 10 at number seven, The Dixie Chicks fell three places to eight with Not Ready To Make Nice, Shooter Jennings' Gone To Carolina edged up one spot to number nine while Lee Kernaghan's The New Bush dropped back to number 10. Among bullet performers this week were Graeme Connors' On A Roll (33 to 29), Gemma Doyle's Permission To Breathe (47 to 41), Cat Southern's Last First Kiss (48 to 42) and Jetty Road with Run To You (debuting at 45).
ECMA Awards
Faith Hill won Song of the Year with Mississippi Girl, Troy Cook Jr was named Artist of the Year, Todd Fristch Male Vocalist of the Year, Lucie Diamond (pictured) Female Vocalist of the Year, Slow Horses Group/Band of the Year. Brooks and Dunn won Duo of the Year, Roy Rivers & Dolly Parton Vocal Collaboration of the Year with a re-make of John Denver's Thank God I'm A Country Boy, Ross Allen Country Promoter of the Year, Etienne Bertels & Pete Smith Country Radio DJs of the Year. Lucie Diamond was named European Country Artist of the Year and also won the ECMA Future Star Award while Todd Fristch won Album of the Year for his self-titled release and Christian Ulrich Schulz & Tom Dyba took out Composition of the Year for I Can't Look At That. Court denies approval of SonyBMG merger A European court has overturned the European Commission's merger approval of Sony’s music business and Bertelsmann’s BMG which created the world’s second largest music company in 2004.
After the unprecedented move, the European Commission will now have to reconsider the merger for a second time. The body has the power to unwind the Sony BMG joint venture if it finds it hurts consumers by limiting competition. Lawyers gave warning that the decision to annul the merger approval creates a dangerous precedent for future mergers and acquisitions. Johan Ysewyn, competition partner at Linklaters in Brussels, said: "The decision throws the Sony BMG merger into major uncertainty. The businesses can continue operating as a merged entity but now face the prospect of being forced to de-merge at the end of the European Commission’s new investigation." The ruling by Europe’s second-highest court also casts into doubt a possible $4.6 billion tie-up of Britain’s EMI Group and Warner Music. EMI said in a statement that today’s judgement would "require detailed study before any wider conclusions can be reached." In a damning criticism of the original 2004 competition enquiry, the CFI said in today's ruling that the Commission "did not demonstrate to the requisite legal standard ... the non-existence of a collective dominant position". In particular, it singled out the Commission's reasoning that promotional offers to consumers would prevent power being concentrated in the hands of record labels as a "manifest error of assessment". It noted that in May 2004, the Commission said it had reached the provisional ruling against the deal that created Sony BMG as "it would reinforce a collective dominant position on the market for recorded music." The Commission later reversed that decision. Jonathan Todd, spokesman for EU Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes, said: "The Commission’s new analysis will be based on today’s market conditions and take full account of the CFI’s ruling today." The Commission will have to decide within one month from the notification date whether to hold an in-depth investigation, extendable to six weeks if the companies suggest remedies. An in-depth investigation would last four months and the Commission has just over two months to decide whether to appeal the ruling, Mr Todd added. Bertelsmann said in a statement: "Today’s judgment does not affect the validity of the Sony BMG joint venture, which has been up and running since August 2004 - after having been notified and investigated by the European Commission under the Merger Regulation." The independent producers’ association Impala had protested that the Sony-BMG tie-up would hit consumers and artists by handing the music majors more power and asked the court to review the 2004 decision to allow the joint venture. The creation of Sony BMG left only four major record labels: Vivendi’s Universal Music is the largest; Warner and EMI are in third and fourth places. Together, the four companies account for around 75 per cent of global CD sales, but are coming under increasing pressure as more consumers download music over the net. The impact of today's ruling could be felt far beyond the media industry, Mr Ysewyn said. "What will happen if large and complicated deals on the scale of Vodafone/Mannessman and GlaxoWellcome/Smithkline Beecham get blocked on a second investigation several years after having been approved by the EC? A u-turn like that would be disastrous for the merged company," he said. DATELINE : WEDNESDAY, JULY 12, 2006 Eric Watson named first Literary Award recipient Eric Watson, Australia's best known country music historian, has been named recipient of the first Australian Country Music Literary Award.
Eric published the first volume of his "History Of Country Music In Australia" in 1975, following in 1983 with the second volume. Since then, the work has been the only comprehensive, definitive historical work covering country music in Australia, and, specifically, the careers of country music artists since "the beginning" up to the early 1980s. Last year, Eric combined and republished the two books into one volume and the work is still in high demand. Eric is also well known as the creator and owner of Selection Records, arguably the most successful and significant independent country music label in Australia. Also a songwriter of note, Eric was involved for many years with the Tamworth Songwriters' Association helping it to establish as the nation's leading Australian country music songwriting organisation through the late 1970s and '80s. The Australian Country Music Literary Award has been introduced by the Australian Country Music Foundation (ACMF) to recognise excellence in the recording and writing of Australian country music history and to encourage much more of the same. Photo: Eric Watson with his award, presented by ACMF Vice President Eric Scott. Hats Off a success Organisers of Tamworth's Hats Off To Country festival have declared the 2006 event a great success and are already planning for 2007 to be "even bigger and better".
Troy’s "Up Close and Personal" show at The Pub sold out four weeks prior to the festival and surprised everyone on the night by introducing television personality Kate Ritchie to sing a couple of songs with (Troy is currently performing with Kate as part of the "It Takes Two" program). On the Saturday night, Lee Kernaghan played to an almost capacity audience in the famous Tamworth Town Hall, supported by his sister Tania and The McClymonts (Brook, Molly and Samantha). The Australian Country Music Foundation (ACMF) Cavalcade of Stars concert on the Friday night, a new show designed to raise money for the Hall of Fame project, achieved higher then expected sales for its first year and is sure to be a permanent fixture on the ACMF calendar. As co-ordinators of the festival, "Tourism Tamworth sold tickets for three of the shows listed on the Hats Off program this year, all of which received good support from the local community," said Media & Promotions Co-ordinator Kim Donaldson. "On average, 42 percent of all tickets sold by Tourism Tamworth were from the 2340 (or local) postcode highlighting a significant growth in popularity of this event throughout the region," she said. "Tourism Tamworth had a much stronger presence in the organisation and planning for this year’s Hats Off to Country Festival and worked very closely with the new steering committee," Kim said. "A new look and direction was implemented for this year’s campaign and will be followed through into the coming Festivals in 2007 and 2008." In conjunction with the Hats Off steering committee and the Tamworth Regional Council, Tourism Tamworth are currently finalising the concept for the Grand National Champion of Champions, a new event which will be introduced to the 2007 Festival as the next level of competition for country music amateur performers following on from the State based champion of champions competitions. This "Champs" competition has a regular following of supporters and is sure to bring a number of people into town, predominately family and friends, for the mid-year festival in addition to the 4,000 people that already attend, Tourism Tamworth said. It would also add to current strengths of the festival provided by the Tamworth Camerata which operates in the lead-up to Hats Off and the annual Capital Country Music Association Winter Junior Talent Quest. "There were more than 3,400 visitors to the Visitor Information Centre alone during the Hats Off to Country Festival this year and, anecdotally, I believe many of the hotels and motels in the town also received a very good occupancy rate over the four-days," Kim said. Graduates "bring the house down" Country Music Capital's Northern Daily Leader reported the Tamworth Camerata class of 2006 did themselves proud last Thursday night with their Graduation Concert.
The six days were an amazing experience for tutors and students alike, according to Anna Rose speaking on behalf of the organisers. "The tutors are always amazed and excited by the kids' eagerness to learn," she said. Camerata organisers thanked the sponsors for each of the 22 students and the suppliers who helped with food and other necessities during the school. "They are to be congratulated as they are putting a future investment in Australian country music so it's a win-win situation," Anna said. "We are indebted and grateful to sponsors, scholarship providers, suppliers and tutors who come along and are so free with their time. "Camerata is such a huge win for the Australian country music industry." The brainchild of co-ordinators Joan Douglas and Greg Williams, the Camerata is conducted at this time each year in Country Music Capital. Bondi goes country This Saturday (July 15) Bondi Junction in Sydney will stage its first "singin', shoppin', boot-scootin'" festival ever, also billed as "the first country music extravaganza in the eastern suburbs of Sydney". Stars appearing will include James Blundell, Peta Caswell, Bob Howe and the Go West Band, Amber Lawrence, Luke O'Shea, Merilyn Steele, the Tall Timbre acoustic duo and Bryen Willems plus the Mill Hill Bootscooters on the truckin' stage at the corner of Oxford Street West and Denison Street.
The music and dancing gets underway from 11am with the official opening of Oxford Street West to be performed at 12.30 by Waverley Mayor Mora Main. Photos: Peta Caswell and James Blundell. Warren wins On Saturday night (July 8), Alice Springs based country troubadour Warren H Williams was awarded the National NAIDOC Award for Artist Of The Year 2006 in Cairns.
He has five albums to his credit... Be Like Home (released in 2005), Country Friends And Me (1998, with special guests including John Williamson, Greg Champion, Jimmy Little, Johnny Chester and Ted Egan), Places In Between (2002), Where My Heart Is (2000) and Western Wind (1995). Warren received a standing ovation when performing at Tamworth in January 1998 with John Williamson. He has since toured all over Australia with John, including regular appearances at Tamworth and other country music festivals. It was also announced on Saturday night that Darwin would host next year's NAIDOC (National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee) Awards. Entries open for Star Quest 2007 The Australian Bush Balladeers Association (ABBA) has opened entries for its annual Bush Balladeer Star Quest to be held in Tamworth as part of the 2007 January country music festival.
"The Quest itself is a prestigious achievement on which the winner can build their bush ballad career," said a spokesman for ABBA. Included in the Star Quest prize is recording time and appearances at major festivals like Tamworth, Bungendore, Gympie and Mildura, along with publicity support throughout the 12 months. Previous Star Quest winners are Dave McCallum, Nathan Charlton, Anita Ree, Matt Manning, Jeff Gibson and Julie Perandes (last year, pictured). Entries close on October 31. Weblink – www.bushballadeers.com.au/starquest.htm. Website nears half a million hits In the first six months of operation, this website – www.countrymusicbulletin.com.au – has almost hit a cumulative total of half a million hits. The site is recording a monthly average of 80,000 with a steady increase every month. January was the biggest month with almost 90,000 hits, but June surpassed that figure with more than 93,000. | ||||||||||
Melinda kicks off her Stronger tour
Written with his multi-award-winning songwriting partners Garth Porter and Colin Buchanan, Listen To The Radio is about "the power of a song to bring back a rush of memories".
She has been dubbed "the weather girl" with her latest single I Don’t Wanna Talk About Rain from her long-awaited follow-up to her successful album Coster Country, a tribute to her father.
Tiffney Stroh from South Australia and Hannah Cosgrove from New Zealand, were named Junior and Juvenile Overall Winners, respectively, at the 14th annual Winter Junior Talent Quest staged in Country Music Capital earlier this month.
With a prize of $1,000, the second running of its poetry award - The Spud Poets Award.
The biggest selling female act in history and seven time Grammy award winners will be in Australia in October.
New album from Tom
Aussie expat Jamie O'Neal is spending the American summer doing her favorite thing: criss-crossing the country, playing for fans, on the way to New York for a series of songwriter concerts.
The ARIA Awards recognise excellence and innovation in all genres of Australian music and this year will be no exception with the 2006 Awards marking their 20th Anniversary.
When Kiara returned home to Mackay, Queensland, she was full of excitement, according to her parents, talking about her experiences, learning from some of the best tutors and musicians in the country music industry and already planning her application for Camerata 2007.
The Skipton Primary School pupil performed one of his own songs – Speedway Driver – in front of an audience of about 500 people at Colac just west of Melbourne.
Ronni Rae Rivers' new single – Janine (Care Of The Stars) – has been released to radio.
It is set up by the South Australian government and inspired and assisted by the New York Guitar Festival.
Each seminar will be addressed by music industry executives who are long time SxSW attendees. They will explain how to strategise way ahead of the rest of the world, how to work with Austrade, the realities of grants, visas, logistics, advance PR, promotion and publicity tactics.
Kenny Chesney is also in the same position as last week, number two, with Living In Fast Forward while Keith Urban edges up one more place to number three with Tonight I Wanna Cry.
The singer and his Bon Jovi bandmate Richie Sambora hope to tape the disc with veteran country musicians.
Finalists have been announced for the 2006 Queensland Gold Medallion Awards to be announced in Toowoomba on Friday, August 4.
The album is billed as "a reflection of Graeme's career since the release of North, featuring revitalised versions of some Connors classics, such as Cyclone Season, A Little Further North and Sicilian Born, as well as four brand new tracks (including the title track) and Graeme's perceptive interpretation of a couple of his favourite songs by other artists."
The multi-Grammy award-winning singer has sold more than 23 million albums since his 1986 debut Guitars, Cadillacs Etc Etc and along the way has become one of country’s true modern day icons.
Craig to perform at Long Tan service
The following weekend (June 25), he was named APRA/AMCOS 2006 MATS (Music & Arts Talent Search) Teen Songwriter of the Year first runner-up at Sydney’s Revesby Workers Club.
The Boy In The Aerodyne is the fourth single to be released to radio from Travis Sinclair’s album Rush.
Keith Urban rises to number four with Tonight I Wanna Cry, Martina McBride is steady at five with I Still Miss Someone while Felicity Urquhart jumps two places to number six with My Life.
Kasey Chambers edged up to number three with Nothing At All while The McClymonts fell one place to four with Something That My Heart Does, Amber Lawrence dropped back to number five with The Lonely Road and Billy Currington was steady at six with Why Why Why.
Winners of 2006 European Country Music Association Awards were announced in Palafrugell, Spain, earlier this month during an open air festival of music and dance.
In a surprise blow to Europe’s competition watchdog’s authority, the Court of First Instance (CFI) said the commission had carried out an "extremely cursory examination" of the deal.
In a widely anticipated result, Eric was announced the winner and presented with a special award during the Cavalcade Of Stars concert in the Tamworth Town Hall last Friday night.
Troy Cassar-Daley and Lee Kernaghan headlined the mid-year Festival with more than 50 other well-known acts including Bill Chambers, The McClymonts, Brian Young and Simply Bushed as well as local acts The Baileys, Aleyce Simmonds, Col Finley and Alex Watt on hand to entertain country music enthusiasts.
And Camerata organisers are "absolutely ecstatic" with the success of this year's school of country music for artists less than 18 years old.
The Go West - Oxford Street West promotion is an initiative of the Waverley Council to celebrate the Oxford Street upgrade works. More than 25 stores will offer special discounts on the day and the entertainment is free.
Warren first started playing guitar with his father, the legendary Gus Williams, at the age of six. He was brought up on country music.
The Bush Balladeer Star Quest encourages up and coming bush balladeers and also aims to help preserve bush ballad music for future generations.