|
This website dedicated to bringing you the latest Australian country music news |
|||||||||||
|
NEWS ARCHIVES JUNE 2007
New Country Music Bulletin out now The winter issue of the printed Country Music Bulletin, Australia's country music industry quarterly, is out now. The Wolverines feature on the front cover with their Sail For Kids Tour 2007. Inside, the Bulletin has detailed coverage of country music news and numerous regular features including festival news, coming events, country on the world wide web, songwriting, country airwaves, artist news in brief, industry update and "young country". Profiles this issue are rising country star Amber Lawrence and leading guitar player Julz Parker. Weblink – www.icmb.com.au. This This week on the ABC's "Saturday Night Country" (SNC) radio program, Tom Curtain joins host John Nutting to talk about his second album. Produced by Garth Porter, the album is called Heatwave. Tom (pictured) is described as "the real thing" who writes and sings about the bush and the people of the land. John also catches up with The Wolverines who are touring NSW and Queensland raising money for charity. "Are they touring in a band bus... no a yacht. Why? We ask John Clinton of The Wolverines that question!" Weblink – www.abc.net.au/snc. Kristy Cox has released the second single off her debut album.
In February, the album was nominated for Victorian Album of The Year. Kristy is currently living in Victoria. The new single was co-written by Kristy and Melbourne musician Brett Wood. Filming is now complete for Kristy's first video clip for Reverse where she has an all-girl band performing on stage at Churchill Saloon Bar. It will be released next month. Kristy, who recently signed a distribution deal with One Stop Entertainment who is distributing her album, will also be touring with the Davidson Brothers through her home state in July before heading over to Nashville for the first time in September. Weblink – www.kristycox.com. FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2007 Melinda song nominated for prestigious US award
Elizabeth felt strongly enough about the song to call her album Balls and release it as the first single. Both writers are now very excited to be finalists among a strong field of contenders in this year’s Awards. Melinda also recorded the song on her most recent album Stronger and the song is set to be released in Australia in coming months. The nominees and winners are decided by the membership of the Americana Music Association and winners will be announced on November 1 in Nashville during the sixth annual Honours and Awards Show. John Williamson has been asked by the Australian Rugby Union to sing Waltzing Matilda at the Bledisloe Cup Rugby Union match between Australia and New Zealand at the Melbourne Cricket Ground this Saturday (June 30).
The performance was captured on tape and resulted in that version of Waltzing Matilda being released on John’s compilation album Anthems in 2000. "The CD has gone platinum and is being re-released to coincide with this Bledisloe Cup performance and as a celebration of the Rugby World Cup this year to be played in France in September and October," said EMI, John's record company. Weblink – www.johnwilliamson.com.au. Chart update – Keith hangs on to the top spot Keith Urban hangs on to the number one spot on the Country Tracks National Top 30 Singles Chart this week with his current hit I Told You So.
Paul Costa's A Lover's Question rises to five, Carrie Underwood's Wasted jumps to six and Dierks Bentley's Every Mile A Memory is steady at seven. Karen Lynne's Roses In The Snow falls to eight, Gretchen Wilson edges up one place to number nine with Come To Bed while Adam Brand moves into the top 10 at 10 with Can't Live Without Your Love. Bullet performers this week include Melinda Schneider's Stronger (15 to 12), Gina Jeffreys' Stepped Right In It (18 to 15), Jonah's Road with Counting Down The Days (19 to 16), Dianna Corcoran's Stepping Stone (21 to 18), Casey Watt & Brendon Radford with If I Needed You (22 to 19), Harmony James' Tailwind (24 to 20), Amber Lawrence (pictured) with Things That Bring Me Down (29 to 26) and The Sunny Cowgirls with Cuttin' Up B&S Style (30 to 27). New entries to the chart this week include Anne Kirkpatrick with One Of A Kind (in at 30). The Top 30 Countdown goes to air tomorrow night (Sunday) on CMR (Country Music Radio) on the Super Radio Network. The full chart can be viewed at www.nfspublicity.com.au.
THURSDAY, JUNE 28, 2007
George also received one of country music’s highest honours when he, together with Arthur Blanch, Frank Ifield, Bill & Ross Kettle, Kevin King, Jimmy Little, Geoff Mack and Brian Young, was inducted into the Country Music Hands of Fame in 1978. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27, 2007 Slim hits another major milestone Four years after his death in 2003, Slim Dusty has hit another major milestone in country music by having his music extended to yet another audio technology– mobile phone ringtunes.
In 2007, fans can now download Slim Dusty songs to play on their mobile telephones as ringtunes. This makes Slim yet again the only Australian artist to have his recordings released on all commercial music carrying formats. EMI, Slim’s record company, has released five tunes for downloading... A Pub With No Beer, Duncan, G’Day G’Day, Lights On The Hill and Waltzing Matilda. There has been such a strong initial reaction to this first series of Slim ringtunes that EMI is already working on making five more Slim Dusty classics available late in August. Further information, including links to the ringtunes download site, can be obtained at www.slimdusty.com.au. Shea added to Spirit of the Bush concert line-up Singer/songwriters James Blundell, Karl Broadie and Nik Phillips are uniting for a joint tour under the banner "Like Minded Felons" – a series of acoustic shows in July and August.
James Blundell brings material from Ring Around The Moon, Karl Broadie showcases One Million Emeralds, his brand new third album, and Nik Phillips celebrates the re-issue of Songs From The 4th Floor. James is an iconic performer and recipient of nine Golden Guitars, double platinum, platinum and gold sales awards and a multiple ARIA Award nominee. When his latest album was released in March, the single Higher Than Heaven had already gained radio and television support and the clip reached number one in March on CMC (Country Music Channel). He was the first Australian country artist to create an impact on the mainstream pop charts and for many years was the highest selling artist in that genre. He has also penned hits for Lee Kernaghan, Slim Dusty and Jimmy Little. Karl Broadie is a described as "a displaced troubadour" from Scotland with a firm reputation as one of Australia's most talented and hardest working singer/songwriters. Now Sydney based, Karl’s debut album Nowhere Now Here (2003) and EP Everybody’s Gold (2004) received rave reviews and global recognition. Nowhere Now Here and Black Crow Calling (2005) reached number one on the UK’s Americana chart and his new album will be released in July on ABC Music. Nik Phillips’ Songs From The 4th Floor was his first foray on to the national stage last year and continues to receive strong airplay around the country. The singles Not In This Life, No One Is To Blame and Postcards have all featured regularly on CMC. A New Talent finalist at this year’s Golden Guitar Awards, Nik recently returned from performance in Guangdong and is the first Australian to sign a licensing agreement for distribution in China (with Pacific Audio and Video Company). Weblinks – www.jamesblundell.com.au, www.karlbroadie.com, www.nikphillips.com.au. Details have been announced for the 2008 Marton Country Music Festival to be held at Wilson Park, Marton, New Zealand on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, January 18, 19 and 20. The Friday evening and Saturday morning programs will highlight walk up concerts while invited artists will be featured during Saturday afternoon and evening and a walk-up gospel concert is scheduled for Sunday morning. In addition to the entertainment, market stalls will be on-site and camp sites are available. New to this festival will be an acoustic busker's competition to be held on Friday during the day in the main street of Marton from 10am to 3pm. The 2008 Marton Country Music Festival line-up includes Rewa McGregor, Old Dogs, Ann Pascoe, Phoenix, Shotgun, Trevor Stevens and Roger Tibbs from New Zealand, Laura Downing, Dale Hooper, Dennis Morgan and Patti McKinnon from Australia and Bob & Sheila Everhart fromAmerica. Weblink – countrytouchnewzealand.homestead.com/Marton.html. MONDAY, JUNE 25, 2007 Golden Saddle Grand Finalists announced Lee Forster (left), Nicki Gillis and Markus Meier have been announced as grand finalists for the 2007 Cooper’s Golden Saddle Award.
Winner of the Award will be announced at the annual Galston Country Music Festival on Sunday, September 9. The three grand finalists won their position from fellow finalists Victoria Baillie, Lou Bradley, Michael Bryers, Tom Curtain, Dale Duncan, Sharnee Fenwick, The Harmonators, Anita Ree and Casey Watt. "Without a doubt one of the hardest years on record for the award with the finalists being made up of the cream of our Australian independent talent,” said a spokesman for Festival organisers. "Sunday September 9 will be a day not to be missed by the country music fans." Presenting this year’s award will be "song and dance man" Mike McClellan who will also perform at the Festival. All three Golden Saddle grand finalists will perform at the Galston Club on Saturday evening September 8 at a special pre-festival show and again on the festival Sunday at Fagan Park. They will be competing for prizes including a handcrafted Golden Saddle trophy by courtesy of sponsor Cooper’s Brewery, cash, a certificate of excellence, publicity for the next 12 months and an invitation to come back to the Festival in 2008 as a special guest artist. Previous Golden Saddle winners (in reverse date order) have been Amber Lawrence, Darren Colston, Rob Wilson, Mark Tempany, Double Decker Dave, Michael King, Dave Debs, Colin Greatorix and Tracey Faith. Last year’s winner, Amber Lawrence, will be returning this year as a special guest artist. Further information can be obtained from Festival Chairman Richard Young on 0421 730 334 or by emailing Richard@absi.com.au,or Helen Kay on 02 9651 1741, helenkay2@bigpond.com. Weblink – www.galstonfestival.com. Winners in the 2007 Tamworth Songwriters' Association South East Queensland Branch (TSA/SEQ) National Songwriting Competition were announced at the Norths Leagues & Services Club at Kallangur, Brisbane, on Saturday (June 23). In Junior Songwriter – Dana Hassall was named winner with Keep On Loving while in Lyrics Only, At The Woolshed Friday Night by Alex Raymer took top honours and in Open Instrumental, Ever The Light by Dash McIvor came first. In Amateur Bush Ballad or Traditional, Old Bob by Noel Downs was the winner while in Amateur Gospel, Walk Me Home, Precious Lord by Pam Thomasson came first and in Amateur Contemporary Country, Pen In His Hand by Connie Neilsencame up trumps. In Amateur Modern Music, Accountability by Maree Samways was first, while in the Open Comedy or Novelty section, I Got A Little Drunk Last Night by George Sic & Cheyne Mastop was named winner and in Professional Bush Ballad or Traditional, The Mitchell Road by Johnny Kaye & Alec Raymer took first prize. In Professional Gospel, My Mother's Bible by Johnny Kaye & Alec Raymer came first while in Professional Contemporary Country and Professional Modern Music, Katrina Burgoyne took the double with Old Post Card and Dumped, respectively. Graham Rodger won top placiing in the Recorded section with Thunderbolt. A spokesman for the organisers said Norths Leagues Club had come on board as a major sponsor by providing the venue for the event. "Our Other major sponsors were Music Junction and Takamine who provided us with a Takamine Guitar and case to the value of $2040 for us to Raffle on the night. The the young man who won the guitar was so elated he and his Mum were speechless." Rising star Markus Meier has signed a publishing and distribution deal with Shock Records. First release under the deal will be the single Walk in the Rain written by Colin Buchanan, Garth Porter & Markus from his debut album Raindance due out late July. Meanwhile, Markus has welcomed two new Northern Territory sponsors – Delaneys’ Country Music Store supplying RM William boots and Aussie Signs who are designing and providing a new banner for touring. Markus' current single – Matilda Road – meanwhile still features on the CMC (Country Music Channel) Top 50. Weblink – www.markusmeiermusic.com. Seven calls for Australia's Got Talent auditions The Seven and Prime Network's hit show "Australia's Got Talent" is running series two and producers are currently "scouring" the nation for "the very best undiscovered entertainers". Grand prize for the second series will be $250,000. Weblink – www.australiasgottalent.com.au. CMC Top 50 – Gina at number one Gina Jeffreys (pictured) takes over the top spot on the CMC (Country Music Channel) playlist this week with the clip of her latest hit Stepped Right In It.
Bullet performers this week include Shea Fisher with Just The Excuse (17 to 13), Dianna Corcoran with Stepping Stones (20 to 16), Melinda Schneider with Stronger (debuting at 17), Amber Lawrence with The Things That Bring Me Down (23 to 20), Kasey Chambers' Sign On The Door (28 to 25), The Greencards with Waiting On The Night (37 to 31) and Danny Hooper with Every Reason (45 to 41). The full playlist can be viewed at www.countrymusicchannel.com.au. FRIDAY, JUNE 22, 2007 Vale – Shorty Ranger Shorty Ranger – one of Australia's most prolific country music songwriters – has died. He was 81. Shorty died this afternoon at Kempsey Hospital surrounded by his family, wife Ruby, John, Glen, Meryl, June and Dale, after suffering a severe stroke yesterday.
Having written and co-written more than 400 songs, many of which have been recorded by some of the big names in country music, Shorty recorded more than 250 of his own songs on more than 20 albums. He was one of the first to be inducted into Australia's Country Music Hands of Fame in 1977, was named Tamworth Songwriters' Association's Song Maker in 1989 and elevated to the Country Music Roll of Renown in 1993.
Shorty and Slim attended the Nulla Nulla school and were friends from the first day. He and Slim went together to take their thirty shillings ($3) across the creek to purchase their first guitar from Jack Kyle (Clem Rogers). Shorty was there When the Rain Tumbled Down in July and was the first to hear the song. He took part in the early trips in which they tried to make a start in entertaining.
All these experiences paved the way for the many successful Shorty Ranger songs to be recorded later by artists of the calibre of Slim, Buddy Williams, Reg Lindsay, Rick & Thel, The Singing Kettles, Barry Thornton, Lindsay Butler and many others. Some Shorty's other classic compositions included My Old Aussie Homestead, Somebody's Mother, Somewhere Up In Queensland, Willy Willy, Song of the Macleay, Old Rusty Bell, Toy Telephone (written with Ivy Waters), The Big Banana Land, Buggy And Pair, Queensland Texas Rose and Old Kentucky Rig. Shorty recorded 10 sides for the Rodeo label in 1951-2 after coming runner-up to Reg Lindsay in a mammoth talent quest in the Sydney Town Hall. Through the 1970s, he recorded albums for Hadley Records and, in the 1980s, formed his own record label, Wildwood Records, to continue to release and market his own material. For some years, Shorty devoted himself to country gospel songs, sometimes co-writing with Jim Wesley and, in 1978, an album called Heaven Country Style was released. However, the pressure continued upon Shorty to write bush ballads, so he once again embraced the task of creating songs in this genre. In 1968/9 Shorty wrote all of the material used by Buddy Williams on his Big Banana Land album and half of the songs for Buddy's Along The Outback Track. Although Shorty performed on many major country music show in Australia, he made the decision early on in his career to give his first priority to being a family man. This has meant that life was too full for him to go out on the road for any length of time, so he put the major effort into being a songwriter. Shorty's funeral will take place at the Presbyterian Church, Rudder Street, East Kempsey at 11am this Thursday (June 28). Photos: a recent pic of Shorty (top), one of Shorty's many albums, and an early publicity shot of a very young "Singing Wanderer". Telstra raises funds to help SES in the Hunter Region
Some of the NSW Hunter Valley’s recent flood and storm rescue heroes will be supported at the launch of the 2008 Telstra Road to Tamworth competition with a star-studded outdoor concert at Harrigan’s in the Hunter Valley Gardens at Pokolbin on Saturday June 30.
While the concert is free, fans are being asked to give at least a gold coin donation, and all proceeds will go to the State Emergency Services (SES), Hunter Region, who worked tirelessly in assisting flood and storm victims. Telstra has pledged $5,000 to kick start fundraising efforts. Newcastle resident and 2007 Telstra Road to Tamworth Grand Final winner Morgan Evans observed the recent flood devastation while performing in Nashville and kept in close contact with friends and family throughout the crisis. "The SES has done an incredible job in the region," he said, "and I hope that fans dig deep to assist this magnificent group of men and women who worked so hard and gave comfort to so many victims in their hour of need. "It’s amazing to see people supporting each other at times like these and the SES have been there every step of the way having responded to over 17,000 requests for assistance in the area." Telstra County Wide Area General Manager for the Central Coast and Hunter Phil Lammert said the Telstra Road to Tamworth concert was perfect timing for locals. "Being able to provide a high calibre concert for locals at no charge and raise money for the SES is great news for the Hunter," he said. "We have a fantastic line-up of singers and we are proud to be hosting the first heat in the 2008 Telstra Road to Tamworth competition in our region. The Hunter has produced this year’s overall winner Morgan Evans and last year’s songwriter winner Kirsty Lee Akers so we are hoping another local will be successful." The winner of the Hunter Valley Telstra Road to Tamworth heat will be given $1,000 to assist in their travel to Tamworth for the grand final series to be held at the 2008 Tamworth Country Music Festival presented by Telstra between January 18 and 27 next year. The overall Telstra Road to Tamworth Grand Final winner receives a full album deal with ABC Music distributed by Warner Music Australia and one of two trips to Nashville as part of the overall prize package valued at $140,000. For more information on heat locations and details on how to enter the competition, visit www.beinvolved.telstra.com/countrymusic. The ABC's "Saturday Night Country" (SNC) radio program continues to rate strongly in Australia's major capital cities (ratings for most regional areas are not undertaken or released regularly).
Melbourne is next with 9.4 percent, then Adelaide with 7.9 percent, Sydney with 6.6 and Brisbane with 5.4. "The results just released again show the strength of country music on ABC Radio in the major metropolitan markets," said program host John Nutting. The program is broadcast on 65 AM and FM stations around Australia, live on Radio Australia around the world and streamed on the world wide web. Tomorrow night, Saturday Night Country features The Sunny Cowgirls, "bringing their laughter and joy back into the studio as they take a break from their current tour". Sophie and Celeste's album Long Five Days is still high on the country charts. Amber Lawrence also joins John in the SNC studio to launch and showcase her first album, The Mile. Weblink – www.abc.net.au/snc. Bush babies’ gather to pay tribute to Willo The Hats Off to Country Festival in Tamworth is now only weeks away and tickets are selling fast for the main event, the Golden Guitars Salute the Songs of John Williamson.
Jeff acknowledged that John Williamson has long been an Australian icon, but it wasn’t until he was around 17 years of age that Jeff really got into John’s music. "I had just broken my ankle and as I was unable to work outside, my mother brought home a couple of John’s 'live in concert' videos for me to watch," Jeff said. "Having time on my hands, I watched them over and over, and the more I watched them the more I appreciated what a talented and a great muso he is." Jeff said one of the highlights of his career to date was at the 2005 Tamworth Country Music Festival when John’s Manager Phil Matthews called and invited him to perform on John’s show in Bicentennial Park. "It was a great feeling then and it’s a real honour now to be a part of this tribute to John. I believe he’s well and truly earned his place as an Australian icon and a legend in the Australian country music scene. May he keep on making great music for many years to come." Another "bush baby" appearing on the show, who is also a major John Williamson fan, is Golden Guitar winner Tracy Coster. "I was thrilled to be asked to be a one of the artists chosen to pay tribute to Willo at Hats Off this year," Tracy said. "I have admired and respected John's work for ever. I first got into his music in the '80s and remember being totally blown away by his writing. His truly Australian take on music spoke to me. "I remember playing his CDs True Blue and Fair Dinkum over and over in the old purple as we travelled from town to town on the road. The toughest thing of course will be choosing the songs, there are so many classics! John is an icon and on top of that a bloody good bloke and I for one will be proud to pay tribute to him." The tribute concert to John will be staged in Blazes Showroom at Wests on Saturday July 7. Weblink – www.visittamworth.com.au. Chart update – Keith at number one Keith Urban (pictured) takes over the number spot on the Country Tracks National Top 30 Singles Chart this week with his current hit I Told You So.
Karen Lynne remains in fifth position with Roses In The Snow, Paul Costa jumps two places to six with A Lover's Question and Dierks Bentley is at seven with Every Mile A Memory. Carrie Underwood bounds into the top 10 with her current hit Wasted while Carter & Carter's Run Away falls to nine and Gretchen Wilson enters the top 10 at 10 with Come To Bed. Bullet performers this week include Adam Brand's Can't Live Without Your Love (15 to 11), Melinda Schneider's Stronger (18 to 15), Gina Jeffreys' Stepped Right In It (23 to 18), Dianna Corcoran's Stepping Stone (25 to 21), Casey Watt & Brendon Radford with If I Needed You (26 to 22), Harmony James' Tailwind (27 to 24) and Craig Giles' A Million Beerdrops (28 to 25). New entries to the chart this week include Amber Lawrence with Things That Bring Me Down (in at 29) and The Sunny Cowgirls with Cuttin' Up B&S Style (at 30). The Top 30 Countdown goes to air on Sunday night on CMR (Country Music Radio) on the Super Radio Network. The full chart can be viewed at www.nfspublicity.com.au. THURSDAY, JUNE 21, 2007 Former Sovereign vocalist and now solo artist in his own right, Steve Eales, will officially release his long awaited debut album The Battler next month.
"The Battler blends country and rock elements to create something truly personal and unique and with every listen it continues to bring something new and exciting to the listener," according to the publicity accompanying the release announcement. It’s been a big start to 2007 for Steve, said a spokesman for the artist, with Tamworth 2007 seeing the final Sovereign shows played prior to "Ealesy" embarking on the recording of his debut solo album. His first single, Girls On Horses, received widespread radio airplay and became a CMC Top 50 hit and he also found time to record a song with good mates Keri McInerney and Michael O’Rourke – their version of the Steelers Wheel classic, Stuck In The Middle With You. Steve will now embark on "The Battler Tour" throughout Australia which kicks off on June 29 at Mangalore in Victoria. Weblink – www.steveeales.com.au. Natalie Howard's "rockin' country" track I Don't Want To Live Like That has achieved more success overseas.
In a letter advising of her placing, Lior Shamir, Managing Director of Awards organisers We Are Listening, said: "Congratulations!!! This is an awesome achievement and places you in the finalist group." The Singer/Songwriter Awards are designed to cater to all genres of music and artists around the world, signed or unsigned. Meanwhile, Natalie's song, which won the 2006 IMA (Independent Music Awards) Country Song of the Year, has once again been nominated as a "hot" track on the Los Angeles-New York based Independent Music Network Country Top 30 Countdown Chart. The song is from Natalie's album Yesterday's Makeup. Weblinks – www.wearelistening.org, www.independentmusicnetwork.com/ccharts.php, www.nataliehoward.net. Gary Shearston – a major influence on the Australian music scene for some five decades – will release a two-disc anthology, Here & There, Now & Then, next month.
In a foreward to the anthology, Australian music guru Warren Fahey said: "In a society where we are conditioned to take music for granted, as yet another dismissible commodity, Gary's music has stood the biggest test of all – the test of time. "This compilation offers music selected from (Gary's) five decades to represent his repertoire however two compact discs barely does justice to the body of songs recorded by him over these years. "Some are taken from his very earliest recordings when he was seen as the most reliable interpreter of Australia's bush song tradition. Always a social activist, Gary also wrote songs that reflected the changing society we lived in. They were good, solid songs that resonated around the country and the world. "He went to Britain and toured to Ireland, the States and elsewhere and made some recordings in England that found their way back to Australia. Throughout all these travels, both physical and spiritual, Gary continued to create new songs and revisit his old ones. "He still travels that same road and this compilation is a tribute to him as a singer, songwriter, free thinker and music stylist." Weblink – www.garyshearston.com.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 20, 2007 Nominations close June 30 for 2007 Southern Stars Nominations in the 2007 Southern Stars – the 11th annual Australian Independent Country Music Awards – close on June 30.
Award winners will be announced on Saturday October 6 from the Mildura Arts Centre Theatre as the culmination of the annual Mildura Festival which will celebrate its 21st birthday this year. Nomination in the Southern Stars is open to all CD product from independent Australian country music artists recorded in Australia and released in the period July 1, 2006, to June 30, 2007. The Awards cover eight nominated categories – Single of the Year, Album of the Year, Heritage Track of the Year, Rising Star Male and Female, Male and Female Vocalist of the Year and Group/Duo of the Year. An additional award – Independent Artist of the Year – is judged from artists nominated in all Awards categories. Further information can be obtained from Awards Co-ordinator John Arnold on 0418 303 206 or by emailing jonarnol@bigpond.net.au. Weblink – www.milduracountrymusic.com.au. Lee to release new album and bonus DVD Lee Kernaghan is set to release a new album – Spirit Of The Bush – which will come, for a limited time, with a bonus DVD.
The bonus DVD will feature video clips of the songs The New Bush, Listen To The Radio, Love Shack and The Outback Club - Live From The Gympie Muster. Spirit Of The Bush is described as a testament to Lee's passion and dedication to the Australian land and the people who live and breathe it. "The album celebrates the spirit of regional Australia" and features seven new recordings among "old favourites" on the 17 track release. Included is Lee's new version of John Schumann's legendary track I Was Only 19 (A Day In The Green) and Peter Allen's iconic Tenterfield Saddler. The title track was recorded with fellow country artists Adam Brand, Steve Forde and a chorus of guest artists. "This album is a collection of songs both old and new that reflect the strength of the Australian spirit," Lee said. "All of the songs have a special place in my life and express my deep admiration for the bush. "The resilience and stories of the people have always been my greatest inspiration," he said. Weblink – www.leekernaghan.com.au. Rising country star Rose Carleo is set to release her debut album.
"What a full on couple of days and an awesome experience," Rose said. "On my album musicians include Rod, Michael Fix, Mitch Farmer, Chris Haigh, Glen Hannah, Michel Rose, Mick Albeck, Hugh Curtis, Vaughan Jones, Brendan and a duet with Drew McAlister. "We finished off here in Brisbane with some final overdubs and it’s all getting mixed and mastered as we speak. I’m really proud of my debut album and Brendan has done a superb job producing." The album is due for release on July 2 simultaneously with the first single – Til I Find Me Again (co-written by Rose and Drew). Weblink – www.rosecarleo.com. RETURN TO TOP
The launch took place in the NSW Blue Mountains at the Springwood Community Club on Friday. Produced by John Kane and Mark Walmsley, the album showcases Jayne's versatility – "Jayne can sing soft ballads to upbeat country rock" – according to the release accompanying the launch announcement. The album, which will be in stores on June 30, follows the release of her single Chick Ute which is getting good airplay and has reached number 16 on the CMC (Country Music Channel) Top 50. Weblink – www.jaynedenham.com. Steve to release first video clip Sydney artist Steve Graham is set to release his first video clip.
During a break in filming "McLeod's" Daryl flew to Sydney where he spent three days with Steve shooting and editing the clip on location at historic Gledeswood Winery. Talking About The Weather will be the third single from Steve’s current album – The River – which he describes as "basically a metaphor for all the ups and downs in a relationship". The single will be released on July 27 through Oz Country Downloads. Meanwhile, Steve’s current single Wake Up Australia has received widespread radio airplay around the country and is available for free download at www.ozcountrydownloads.com.au. Weblink – www.stevegraham.com.au. Jonah's and Jetty – "roads" cross tonight at Newtown
Jonah's Road will be performing songs from the new album Counting Down The Days, "as well as some old favourites and possibly a few new tracks. Jay, John and Rod love playing live and the opportunity to see them perform at one of Sydney's premier live music venues will be a treat for fans," said a spokesman for the band. Jetty Road have recently released their new album, Dirt Road - City Lights, and tonight's show will be the Victorian band's official Sydney album launch. "Striking twin sisters Lee and Paula Bowman are fast becoming renowned for their rich, soulful harmonies... perfectly complemented by the outstanding talents of multi-instrumentalists Julian Sammut and Simon Ross." Amber Lawrence, a rising star in the Australian music scene, will release her new album on July 7. "She is fast becoming known for her insightful songwriting, her soulful singing and her unique brand of country music." Weblinks – www.thevanguard.com.au, www.jonahsroad.com, www.jettyroad.com, www.amberlawrence.com. American country singer and quarter horse breeder Joni Harms will host Australia's "Nu Country TV" this Saturday (June 23) on Channel 31 in Victoria.
| ||||||||||
week on Saturday Night Country
Melinda wrote the song with long-time songwriting collaborator and friend Elizabeth Cook who subsequently recorded the song on her recently released Rodney Crowell-produced album.
Organisers are hopeful the rendition would be a repeat of John’s successful singing of the song at the Olympic Stadium in Sydney in 1999 when more than 100,000 people joined in. "The effect was staggering and very much helped the Wallabies to a convincing win over the All Blacks from New Zealand!"
As does Tim McGraw at number two with Last Dollar (Fly Away) while Tania Kernaghan's Life Don't Get Much Better Than This edges up one place to three and James Blundell's Higher Than Heaven slips to number four.
Australian steel guitar legend George Xanthos has died.
When Slim started recording in the early ‘40s, his music featured on 78s, then, in a natural technological progression, on vinyl LPs, singles, cassettes, eight-track cartridges, CDs and DVDs.
Shea forms part of a line-up headlined by Lee Kernaghan and including Adam Brand, Diesel, Steve Forde, Adam Brand, The McClymonts andLeo Sayer. The event is expected to be attended by 20,000 Central West locals and is a free concert designed to "give something back" to farmers affected by the drought while raising awareness for the Aussie Helpers cause.
The three are well established in their own right and will share the spotlight on the tour with original songs from their latest albums performing almost three hours in a stage concept inspired by the acclaimed 1970s "Rolling Thunder Revues". 
The McClymonts slip to three with Baby's Gone Home while The Sunny Cowgirls' Cuttin' Up B&S Style jumps to five, Tania Kernaghan is at six with Life Don't Get Much Better Than This, Adam Brand is at seven with Can't Live Without Your Love, Keith Urban is at eight with I Told You So and James Blundell is at nine with Ring Around The Moon.
Born Edwin Haberfield in Kempsey on October 9, 1925, Shorty's early country music career mirrored that of his singing mate David Gordon Kirkpatrick (Slim Dusty). After success in such quests as Australia's Amateur Hour, Shorty concentrated on songwriting.
Best known perhaps for his iconic song Winter Winds, Shorty – nicknamed "Bob" by family and friends and also as "The Singing Wanderer" on his records – was the eldest of six children. His parents were engaged in mixed farming on the Nulla Nulla Creek in NSW just three miles from the original Slim Dusty homestead.
The boys busked in the streets of MacLean and Coffs Harbour, each taking his turn at passing around the hat. They were engaged to sing at the Mayfair Theatre, Kempsey for two pounds ($4) and enthusiastically plied their chosen careers in the early broadcasts of radio station 2KM Kempsey.They travelled Queensland with Hayden's Circus and Zoo and again with Dante the Magician.
The concert will include performances by artists including Telstra Road to Tamworth Ambassador and multi award winner Adam Harvey (right), Telstra Road to Tamworth winners Kirsty Lee Akers, Morgan Evans (left), Nick Kingswell, Briana Lee, Jessica Mauboy and Aleyce Simmonds together with special guests Mike and Darren Carr as MCs.
Highest among the citites in the most recent survey (number four for 2007) show Perth as the strongest metro area giving the program 14.4 percent of listeners to all stations, AM and FM.
The star-studded concert features the talents of Jeff Brown (pictured), Lindsay Butler, Beccy Cole, Tracy Coster (pictured), Jim Haynes, Gina Jeffreys, Sara Storer and John Williamson himself. For bush balladeer Jeff Brown, he says performing on the tribute concert is "an absolute privilege".
Tim McGraw's former number one – Last Dollar (Fly Away) – drops to number two while James Blundell and Tania Kernaghan are steady at three and four respectively with Higher Than Heaven and Life Don't Get Much Better Than This.
Released through Steve's own newly created record label Wild Country Records, the album will be officially released on July 14 to coincide with the radio release of his second solo single, When A Cowboy Gets The Blues.
Last week it was named a finalist in the 2007 Singer/Songwriter Awards, a songwriting contest for performing music artists. Co-written with Nashville hit songwriter James Dean Hicks, the song made the top four in the second round of the 2007 Awards.
The anthology – containing 43 tracks and extensive notes on every song and a 36 page booklet – will be released on the Rouseabout label together with the first radio-pro single, A Whiter Shade Of Pale originally recorded by Gary in 1977 for Transatlantic in the UK and previously unreleased in Australia.
Nomination forms are available for download on the Mildura Country Music Festival website (see weblink below).
The album is slated for release on July 14. The title track will be released as a single on June 30 with all sales of the single being donated to Aussie Helpers, the organisation set up to help fight poverty and lift the spirits of those severely affected by drought in the outback.
Titled Everthing I Need, the album is being produced by Brendan Radford with the recording taking place at Rod and Jeff McCormack's studio on the NSW Central Coast in May.
New artist Jayne Denham, who recently signed a distribution agreement with Shock Records, launched her debut album Sudden Change In Weather last week.
The clip will be for his song Talking About The Weather and is under the direction of leading director Daryl Martin whose credits include the television series "Stinger" and McLeod's Daughters" (for which he is currently Director of Photography).
Top Australian country bands Jonah's Road (left) and Jetty Road are playing a double header with special guest Amber Lawrence at Sydney's Vanguard Hotel (at Newtown) tonight (June 20).
The 46-year-old mother of two filmed her hosting role on the banks of the Yarra River during a recent promotional tour of Australia.