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This website dedicated to bringing you the latest Australian country music news |
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NEWS ARCHIVES MAY 2006 DATELINE : WEDNESDAY, MAY 31, 2006 JW, Mark Atkins and Fiddlers Feast to appear at Festival Inter-Celtique John Williamson, Mark Atkins and Fiddlers Feast are among artists to appear at Festival Inter-Celtique, the world's largest Celtic festival, staged in Lorient, Brittany, France.
The FIL attracted more than 700,000 people last year and, because of its Australian focus, is expecting even larger attendance for the "Year of Australia". Australia's participation, under the artistic direction of folklorist Warren Fahey AM, will present a thematic gala concert "telling the Australian story" at a VIP event including Australian Ambassador to France Penny Wensley AO, senior French political and business leaders, invited guests and members of the international music media. There will also be a major Australian pavilion, styled on an Australian country "pub" with restaurant, bars and exhibitions, which will operate for the 10 days of the festival with performances throughout the day. John, one of Australia's most recognisable voices and award-winning songwriters, will perform at both the gala concert and the pavilion and head an Australian Cabaret Night. He will also perform at the launch of the Rugby Tri-Nations Cup which will be broadcast live to the Pavilion.
Fiddler's Feast (previously known as Fiddler's Festival) is Marcus Holden, Mark Oats, Clare O'Meara, Rodney Ford, John Coker and Gary Steel and are described as "a powerhouse of Australian Celtic music that flies down bush tracks, over blue mountains and zips down through the Australian city highways". Other Australian artists performing at this year's FIL include folklore collector and interpreter of old bush songs and dance music Dave de Hugard, internationally recognised duo Mara! (Llew and Mara Keik), one of Australia's most successful and respected indigenous ensembles for dance, song and lore, Descendance, Victoria's high-energy, Scottish-Australian band Claymore, led by William Hutton, world-renowned Celtic music group Brother, a pioneer of Australia's folk music revival Martyn Wyndham, highly talented harpist Christina Sonnemann, the group Tantallon (John, Caroline and Malcolm Bushby, Sirocha Bruckland and Annie Parnsell), good-time Celtic ceilidh band Murphy's Pigs and three of Australia's most celebrated pipe and drum bands – the City of Adelaide Pipe Band, the Ipswich Thistle Pipe Band and the Queensland Irish Pipe and Drum Band. As well as hosting performances, the Australian pavilion will feature an exhibition responding to the enormous public interest in Australia among young French people, with major presentations on Australia's tourism, education and lifestyle. Australia's participation at the 36th FIL has been supported by grants from the Australia Council for the Arts (the Federal Government's arts funding organisation), the Australia-France Foundation and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The support of the Australian Rugby Union, Qantas Airways, Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines is also acknowledged. JW sang for Beaconsfield... On Monday, meanwhile, John Williamson, responding to an invitation from Prime Minister John Howard, attended and sang at the Parliamentary Reception for Beaconsfield. The reception was staged to honour the two rescued miners Todd Russell and Brant Webb, their rescuers and the Beanconsfield township. It was held in the Great Hall at Parliament House, Canberra, with around 900 selected guests attending. John sang True Blue and Waltzing Matilda. Troy "took two"And on Sunday night, Troy Cassar-Daley took part in the first episode of the new television series "It Takes Two" on the 7 Network.
Other singers offering their mentoring services include Dave Gleeson, David Hobson, Jade McRae, Wendy Matthews, Paulini, Guy Sebastian and Glenn Shorrock. The celebrities involved are Michael Beven, Richard Champion, Kate Fischer, Mark Furze, Erika Heynatz, Judy Nunn, Simon Reeve, Kate Ritchie, Sarah Ryan and Richard Zachariah. Each week the viewing audience can vote for their favourite celebrity who, along with their singing partner, will perform a song from across musical genres. Fans of Troy can vote now to keep him and his singing partner celebrity Kate Ritchie (from "Home & Away") in the series after this week by calling 1902 555 015 or by sending an SMS to 194 777 with the message "Ritchie" (NOT "Kate")... call charges apply. Viewers can vote as many times as they wish with all proceeds going to Kate’s nominated charity, Motor Neurone Disease research. "It Takes Two" continues this Sunday (June 4) at 6.30pm. Lee on Better Homes...
The TV appearance, this Friday night, precedes the launch of Lee's "Outback To The Beaches" tour which kicks off in Orange, NSW, on June 7 to promote his latest album release, The New Bush which continues to dominate country charts in Australia. It has also been announced that the title track of the new album is being made available on the Apple online music store iTunes, the first of Lee's music that has been released to the music downloading service. The entire album will soon be available on iTunes. Soon after its inclusion on the site, The New Bush became the number one downloaded country song. Aussie artists "walk the line" In a special, limited season performance in Sydney, Australian artists are to pay tribute to Johnny Cash, the man, his music and his life story.
Tickets go on sale from Ticketmaster from 9am Monday June 12. Hot rising star Catherine Britt returns directly from Nashville to take part in “Aussies Walk the Line”. "I didn’t want to miss this at all," she said. "One of the great things about Johnny Cash was that he collaborated brilliantly with other artists, he was open to new kinds of music and approaches and then he could take those influences and turn them into something unmistakably his own. He has been a huge inspiration." Brian Cadd’s hit presence on Australian radio has spanned four decades and his tribute will be that of a true contemporary. "Johnny Cash was a great storyteller," he said, "He could draw you right into the song and bring the characters to life like no one else. I think that was one of the things that made him so popular here in Australia. Aussies have always loved a good story." "Aussies Walk The Line" is being staged by Rob Potts Entertainment Edge and CMC (Country Music Channel). Further info, and tickets – www.ticketmaster.com.au. Beccy to perform on the APRA Awards Beccy Cole, meanwhile, has been booked to perform on this year's APRA (Australasian Performing Right Association) Music Awards on Monday night (June 5).
Special guest presenters will include former Song of the Year recipient John Butler, Joe Camilleri, Chit Chat Von Loopin' Stab, Bernard Fanning, Tim Freedman and Maya Jupiter, with others yet to be announced. To be hosted by Jonathan Biggins, the APRA Music Awards is an annual celebration of Australian songwriters, honouring both composers and their publishers. Those with access to subscription television will be able to watch a special presentation on the MAX channel called "They Write The Songs". This special will premiere on Sunday June 18 at 8.30pm and will feature special interviews and artist profiles along with presentation and performance highlights from the Awards. Keith talks about his new album Keith Urban told reporters backstage at last week's American Academy of Country Music Awards that he was about halfway through making his next record. CMT.com reported he is shooting for a new single in August. Because he'll be in the studio most of the American summer, his tour dates are limited – but not completely wiped off his calendar.
"But we've got scattered shows throughout the summer because I go a little nutty without playing. I'm a little nutty anyway, but we're going to do enough shows to keep my sanity intact." Keith's dry sense of humor also brought some laughter to the press room when asked if Bette Midler would be indeed performing "his favourite song" – Wind Beneath My Wings – at his wedding to actress Nicole Kidman, as was reported by an Australian tabloid. "Really? Fantastic!" he deadpanned. "I'm looking forward to that. It's my absolute favourite song now, that's for sure. That would be a killer." Meanwhile, the latest single from Keith's current album – Be Here – has just entered the Country Tracks Top 30 singles chart in Australia (see update below). First artists announced for Cavalcade of Stars 2006 The Australian Country Music Foundation (ACMF) has announced the first round of artists appearing on the inaugural Cavalcade of Stars concert to be held in Tamworth during this year’s Hats Off To Country Festival in Tamworth.
Performing with Rex, in the first group of artists to be announced, will be Clelia Adams, Katie Brianna (pictured), Jason-Lee, Brooke Leal and Alex Watt. More acts are yet to be confirmed and will be announced shortly. Rex Dallas is one of Australia’s best known country stars with four Golden Guitars to his credit. He has been touring and performing for more than 40 years and was elevated to the Country Music Roll of Renown in 2000. Clelia Adams has been taking great strides in her career over the last year or two in particular and has just been announced as a finalist in the European Country Music Awards for material off her latest and widely acclaimed album Heartbeat Highway, the title track of which also won her a TIARA (Tamworth Independent Artists Recognition Awards) trophy this January.
Over the last few months, Jason-Lee has been following up his success at the January country music festival in Tamworth where he made the grand final of Toyota Star Maker 2006. Brooke Leal’s successes have been many over the last few years, including making the finals of Star Maker, winning the National Year of the Outback Songwriting Award, the 2002 Newcastle Music Award (Country) and the Australian Independent Country Music Awards Rising Star award in the same year. Alex Watt has been gaining a lot of ground in his career since the release of his debut album Window Down last year. Prior to that, Alex won a string of awards and accolades over a number of years, including becoming a finalist in the 2006 Tamworth Songwriters’ Association National Songwriting Contest, making the finals in the 2006 Australasian Performing Right Association Professional Development Awards, making the finals of Toyota Star Maker 2005 and winning Senior Male Vocal at the Victorian Champion of Champions in 2004. The Cavalcade of Stars is a new annual event to be staged as part of Country Music Capital’s mid-year festival to raise funds for the proposed new Australian Country Music Hall of Fame to be built in Tamworth. Organisers have kept the admission price to the concert – just $15, including booking fee – as low as possible in an effort to make the event more attractive to a wider audience. Tickets can be purchased from Tourism Tamworth on 02 6767 5300 or online at www.tamworth.nsw.gov.au/ticketsales. Further information about the concert can be obtained from the ACMF on 02 6766 9696 or by visiting www.acmf.org.au. Entries open for Newcastle Music Awards Entries have opened for the 2006 ABC Newcastle Music Awards.
Entries close on Friday June 16. Entry forms can be obtained from all ABC Shops and Centres or downloaded from www.abc.net.au/newcastle/musicawards. This year will be the fifth consecutive year for the wards. The project runs across seven months with the major aim to provide support and airplay to local artists. Artists and bands may also receive valuable airplay time and program support across 1233 ABC Newcastle programs as well as other ABC networks such as Triple J, Classic FM and DIG. A range of genre categories is available to enter... Rock/Heavy Rock, Pop, Blues and Roots, Classical, Folk, R'n'B/Dance/Hip Hop, Alternative, Adult Contemporary, Country, Jazz and Combined World, Theatre and Gospel. Apart from category winners, other awards to be presented will include the ABC Music Publishing and APRA Songwriters and Composers Recognition Award, the Hunter Broadcasters' Choice award, Central Coast Broadcasters' Choice, Listeners' Choice, Best Female and Male Vocal, Best Young Talent and the prestigious ABC Music Best Artist Award. Country winners of the 1233 ABC Newcastle Music Awards to date have been Bob Pigott with Back Verandah (2005), Julie Woodward with Come With Me (2004) and Brooke Leal with Run With Me (2003). This year's 1233 ABC Newcastle Music Awards will be presented at the Civic Theatre Newcastle, on Friday October 20. And the WA Country Music Awards Entries have also opened for the 2007 Western Australian Country Music Awards. Award winners will be announced in February during the Boyup Brook Country Music Festival. More than $10,000 worth of prizes, including recording sessions and cash components, will be taken home by winners who will also win a guest performance spot at the Festival. Categories include Junior, Senior, Open Band and Gospel. Entries close on October 1. Entry forms can be obtained by telephoning 08 9765 1657 or by downloading from www.countrymusicwa.com.au. Tiffney heads to "the nationals" Competing at the Western Plains Country Music Championships in Dubbo, NSW, recently was a successful venture for just-turned-16 South Australian Tiffney Stroh.
A bigger highlight was being awarded the Overall Junior Award which means that Tiffney now has an invitation to the NSW/ACT National Championships held each year in November at the Campbelltown Catholic Club. May has been a busy month for Tiffney. The Dubbo awards come on the back of returning from the Northern Country Music Festival in Port Pirie where she achieved first in Female Vocal, Country Rock and Traditional in the Senior/Open section as well as second in Gospel and Instrumental and third in Duet. The reigning South Australian and Victorian Junior Champion of Champions, Tiffney is also preparing to attend Camerata 2006 in Tamworth in July. More info – www.tiffney.com.au. New publisher for Trad 'N' Now
Under the new publishers, the magazine will become a bi-monthly rather than quarterly and the cover price will be reduced by $4 to $3.90 per copy. The next edition is out June 6 with a triplefold run at newsagencies, says publisher Cec Bucello.Further information www.tradandnow.com. Reg receives his OAM Reg Poole finally received his Order of Australia Medal at a ceremony held at Government House, Melbourne, on May 11.
Reg said his brush with Daryl didn’t inspire him to put on his dancing shoes, "I like the show but I think I’ll stick to what I know – singing suits me just fine." Reg received his OAM for his commitment and dedication to the Australian country music industry over more than 30 years. "It was such an honour to be amongst other recipients who had also achieved high standards or shown dedication in their fields," Reg said. His latest album, For The Love Of My Country, is being distributed through One Stop Entertainment and last month was one of their top sellers. The first single from the album – A Tribute To Slim – is getting good reaction from radio with stations such as WYN-FM Melbourne, 4OUR-FM Caboolture, 2SER Sydney, Town & Country Radio New Zealand, 2ARM-FM Armidale, CMR (Country Music Radio), Radio Upper Murray, 2AIR-FM Coffs Harbour, ABC Saturday Night Country, 98.5-FM Shepparton, KIX-FM Kangaroo Island, SMA Satellite Music Australia and Community Broadcasting Association of Australia services supporting. Further information – www.regpoole.netfirms.com. Roxanne moves to Compass Bros Compass Bros Records has announced the appointment of Roxanne Brown as General Manager/Sales Manager effective June 1.
"I'm thrilled to have Rox back on the team and confident that her passion for our artists and her experience in wholesale and retail will give us the edge needed to move forward with our plans to expand the label," said Compass Bros Managing Director Graham Thompson. "Rox has been close to our artists and staff since the beginning so we’re all very excited to have her back in the fold." Roxanne's replacement at One Stop is Katania Young. Briana wins Trans-Tasman Briana Lee has been named Norfolk Island's 12th Trans-Tasman Entertainer of the Year.
"But the Aussies shone through and took out the three major prizes." Briana (pictured, photo by Jo Snell) took out the main award, the 2006 Kimball Johnson Trans-Tasman Entertainer of the Year titled including the PVG Productions $5,000 recording prize and ABC country music award. ABC Music has come on board by sponsoring the media release of the winner's first single, contracting journalists to write a biography, press releases, contract a freelance publicist, arrange contact with video directors to assist in shooting a video for the track and ensure that Country Music Channel (CMC) are serviced. The prize also includes tracking of the winner's single through the Country Tracks Top 30 singles chart, The Music Network Country Singles chart and CMC video singles chart. The runner up in competition fort the Trans-Tasman Entertainer of the Year title, and $2,000 cash, went to Kimberley Bowden. The Norfolk Island Country Music Association Encouragement Prize of $1,000 went to Victoria Edwards. The Dead Ringer Band Encouragement Prize went to Neil McKenzie from New Zealand. Dates for the 2007 event are May 27 to June 4. Keith Melbourne features in Austory competition final
Kathleen's video profile of country music radio host Keith Melbourne was one of six national finalists in the Great Australian Story Challenge, part of 10th anniversary celebrations for ABC TV’s "Australian Story". The five-minute documentary titled "For Love Of Country" can be viewed on the "Australian Story" website at www.abc.net.au/austory/gas. The major prize of a three-month internship with "Australian Story" was won by David Ford for his story "A Little Bit Of Magic" about the career change of one of the senior figures involved in the formation of gun control policy after the 1996 Port Arthur massacre. Following thousands of online votes, Lisa Maksimovic was chosen as the clear Viewers' Choice winner for her story "Nick’s Gift" about the fatal shark attack on 18-year old South Australian Nick Peterson. Australian artists feature in European Country Music Awards finals Clelia Adams, Nick Cesta and Keith Urban have featured among the finalists for 2006 European Country Music Awards.
Clelia featured in the top 20 for Female Vocalist of the Year, Nick and Keith for Male Vocalist of the Year, Keith for Song of the Year (with Making Memories Of Us) while all three were in the top 20 for Artist of the Year. Among the other top 20 finalists for the Female Vocal award were Rustie Blue, Lucie Diamond, Melissa Gayle, Erin Hay, Faith Hill, Jo Dee Messina, Dolly Parton, Karen Tobin, Rachael Warmick, Gretchen Wilson and Chely Wright. Among the other top 20 finalists for Male Vocalist of the Year were Mark Chesnutt, Mike Clifford, Roy Cook Jr, Andrew Dean, John Byron Haynie, Arly Karlsen, Toby Keith, Brad Kepler, Mike Lee, Jerry Reed, Roy Rivers, Lonnie Spiker and Billy Yates. Award winners will be announced in Palafrugell, Costa Brava, Spain, on July 8. More info – www.europeancma.com. Music Video Fest The BelowGround Music Video Fest is again preparing to reward Australia and New Zealand’s best music clip makers.
Prize for Best Funded Clip will be $5,000 worth of equipment hire from this region’s premier camera and grip supplier Panavision Australia – enough for a Super 16mm or HD kit with all the trimmings? The prize for Best Independent Clip is designed for a rising star in the filmmaking firmament who’ll be striking deals for more substantial projects in the very near future. It’s $2,500 legal advice from film industry experts TressCox Lawyers! The prize for Best Use of Visual Effects is something that will get a lot of editors and compositors excited. It’s $2,500 software from Avid Australia! And finally, there’s $1,000 worth of motion picture film from Kodak who are sponsoring the Best New Filmmaker Award. It costs $50 to enter the festival and entrants can submit more than one clip for that one fee. Entries close June 30 and have to be productions made no more than 12 months before the closing date. Full details and entry form can be obtained from www.belowground.com.au. New single from Sara Sara Storer is releasing a new single from her hit Firefly album to co-incide with the launch of the latest leg of her national tour.
During the Queen’s Commonwealth Games visit Down Under, Sara was chosen as "the quintessential musical voice of Australia" to perform for Queen Elizabeth, and was then introduced to the monarch. Now Sara is releasing The Ballad of Tommy Foster, a true story inspired by a man still serving time in the NSW prison system. "At the time I wrote the song," Sara said, "Tommy had been incarcerated for 38 years and still had eight years to serve. "The song is his story – it talks about his life in prison, his regrets, about falling in love, and about the frustration he feels watching inmates who’ve been released return to prison, wasting their chance of a better life – something he longs for. "I’m very proud of this song – I think it’s probably my favourite on the album. The music really captures the feelings in the song’s lyrics, and the song takes you to a place most people wouldn’t normally go," Sara said. Further info (including performance dates) – www.sarastorer.com.au. Carol wins songwriting award
Selected by Garry Hardman from Australian Screen Music as the winning song, Carol is the first country performer to be invited to perform at the annual Eisteddfod. It's been a big year to date for Carol as she has also been announced as a finalist in the upcoming 2006 Coopers Golden Saddle Awards (to be announced at the Galston Country Music Festival in September). And she has just released a new single – OK – to radio, the third single taken from her self-titled EP, following in the footsteps of her previous hit What A Day and the recent Be Still. As an album track, OK has already made an impact on radio, making ABC Saturday Night Country’s Top 100 Hits for 2005. Photo: Carol receives her award from Christine Leaves representing the Christian Rock Eisteddfod. Kimber to release a new single
Titled Taking The You Out Of Us, the single is to be released on the June NfS compilation of country tracks. The video clip to Kimber's debut single, meanwhile, the title track to her EP, is currently airing on Country Music Channel. Kimber reports her website is now up and running with "some great photos on there as well as tons of information about what I've been up to, media info, etc." Further info – www.kimbersparks.net. Eurovision features Germanic-Australian country act Although a band of "monster rockers" from Finland won this year's Eurovision contest, one of the most talked about acts had an Australian country connection.
The 51st annual Eurovision was broadcast live across Europe with an estimated 100 million viewers tuning in. Texas Lightning bill themselves as country, "with everything it takes to be hip and old fashioned at the same time. Apart from anything else, they're well-dressed, they're true musicians and they're friends." The band is Jane Comerford (vocals and ukulele), Olli Dittrich (drums & vocals), Jon Flemming Olsen (vocals and guitar), Uwe Frenzel (doublebass and vocals) and Markus Schmidt (electric guitar and banjo). Last year, "the furious five" released their first album and presented themselves on an extensive tour of Germany. Only half a year later, the Texans won their way into Eurovision Song Contest 2006 with their selfpenned hit No No Never. This is understood to make Texas Lightning the first country band in the history of Europe's most important song contest. Further info – www.texaslightning.net. Steve Forde releases single dedicated to Bessie This week, Vital Entertainment Solutions will be issuing a new single – Everybody Else – from Steve Forde’s latest album, Rowdy.
On hearing about Bessie's plight, and that she was a huge fan of his, Steve immediately visited her in the children’s hospital in Sydney and arranged for a single to be rush released with profits going to the Bessie Appeal which has been set up with the Reliance Credit Union in Bathurst. Bessie's family of four are pinning their last hopes on getting Bessie to a Mexico clinic which has a 95 percent success rate in treating cancer, where cyclist Lance Armstrong successfully battled to overcome his cancer. The family launched a mass fundraising appeal in Bathurst a fortnight ago with a Fun Day being arranged for last weekend where Steve performed. The inspiration for the single came when Steve heard the story of a young boy with a rare bone disease who was always first to put on his gym shoes when sports afternoons came around but who was unable to participate and when he and his friends were asked by their teacher to write down what their dreams were, the others wanted to be fighter pilots or racing car drivers, but he "just wanted to be like everybody else". Steve is committed to working with the local community in Bathurst to raise money for the establishment of a Ronald McDonald House in Orange to provide help for seriously ill children and their families in the Central West district of NSW as part of the Bessie Appeal. "We urge you to get behind this single which will help raise money to send Bessie overseas for urgent treatment," said a spokesman for Vital. The single is being release via Rajon Entertainment through SonyBMG. Further info – www.steveforde.com. Chart update – Travis still at number one Travis Sinclair holds on to the number one spot on the Country Tracks Top 30 singles chart this week with his latest single Midnight Run, as do Troy Cassar-Daley and Catherine Britt at two and three, respectively, with Going Back Home and Too Far Gone.
Beccy Cole's So Good For So Long fell to number six while Peter Denahy's Peppercorn Tree dropped to number seven. Karen Lynne's The Circle Is Small jumped to places to number eight, The Wolverines' (pictured) Angel Eyes bounded into the top 10 at number nine while Natalie Howard's Is It Just Me dropped two places to number 10. Bullet performers this week included Greg Champion's Been There Done That (14 to 11), Tania Kernaghan's Harley McTaggart (17 to 13), John Williamson's Bells In A Bushman's Ear (18 to 14), Kenny Chesney's Living In Fast Forward (20 to 15), Lee Kernaghan's The New Bush (23 to 17), Slim Dusty's The Saddle Is His Home (21 to 18) and Tracy Coster's I Don't Want To Talk About Rain (22 to 19), New entries to the chart this week were Keith Urban with his latest single Tonight I Wanna Cry (at 27) and Jeanette Wormald with Boundary Rider's Daughter (at 30). The full chart can be viewed at www.nfspublicity.com.au.
Nova Scotia Country Music Hall of Fame The 2006 inductees to the Nova Scotia (Canada) Country Music Hall of Fame are Chet Brown, Jim & Don Haggart, instrumentalist the late Leonard (Len) McDonald and Rita MacNeil.
Singer/songwriter Chet Brown has hosted and performed on a number of radio shows and has appeared on television and has recorded five tapes and four CDs. He has performed at more than 475 benefit shows since 1993. Don & Jim Haggart are brothers who toured extensively across Canada during the ’70s, writing their own material and doing most of their own promotion. During their career, they had three number one hits in Canada and another seven in the top 10. They appeared on the Grand Ole Opry three times, were guests on the Tommy Hunter Show and made numerous radio and TV appearances. Leonard (Len) McDonald, who died in 2004, was known far and wide for his expertise as a steel guitar player. He worked as a sideman on many local and national radio and TV shows and behind many well-known Canadian artists. He has been awarded a Lifetime Membership in the American Federation of Musicians Unions and was honoured with an Achievement Award for his contribution to the music industry from the Halifax Regional Municipality. Singer/songwriter Rita MacNeil (pictured) recorded her first album, Born a Woman, in 1974 and has gone on to record many albums, tapes and CDs since that time. Among the many honours she has received are four Juno Awards, the Order of Nova Scotia 2005, the Order of Canada 1992, the Dr Helen Creighton Lifetime Achievement Award 2005, 10 East Coast Music Awards and four Canadian Country Music Awards. The Nova Scotia Country Music Hall of Fame (www.nscmhf.ca) has inducted 27 individuals and four groups since its formation in 1997. – thechronicleherald.ca 2006 Charlie Lamb Awards International Bluegrass Music Association Special Projects Director Nancy Cardwell and CMT/CMT.com Editorial Director Chet Flippo were presented the Charlie Lamb Award for Excellence in Country Music Journalism during the International Country Music Conference at Belmont University in Nashville last week. Cardwell was honored in the contemporary category and Flippo in the career category during the Friday (May 26) luncheon at the University. The featured presentations by noted country scholars and historians. – CMT.com THE LATEST NEWS... DATELINE : WEDNESDAY, MAY 24, 2006 Keith and Nic... definitely on! It's been widely reported that Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman are officially engaged.
The couple, both aged 38, met in Los Angeles in January last year at an awards dinner held by the Australian Government to honour them. A spokeswoman for Nicole said: "I'll leave the confirmation to Paul. That's the old-fashioned, traditional way of announcing such things." People magazine reported earlier that Kidman had revealed her engagement to the publication in an interview last Monday while discussing a weekend gala event she hosted in New York, accompanied by Keith. "He's actually my fiance," Nicole, an Academy Award winner for her role in the 2002 film "The Hours", was quoted as saying. "I wouldn't be bringing my boyfriend." People said Nicole was photographed in November wearing a ring on her wedding finger while walking arm-in-arm with Keith in Boston. A goodwill ambassador for the UN Development Fund for Women, Nicole ended her 10-year marriage to Tom Cruise in 2001. The couple have two adopted children. Cruise's fiancee Katie Holmes recently gave birth to their first child, a daughter they named Suri. Nicole was born in Hawaii but brought up in Australia. Keith was born in New Zealand but also grew up in Australia. He won a Grammy in February this year for best male country vocal performance on the song You'll Think Of Me. This win – over a strong field of US country singers – followed last year's double win at the US Country Music Association Awards and cemented his status as an international country superstar. But it was Keith's date for the night that had people talking. Nicole was seated alongside her beau in the middle of the front row, and held his hand throughout the ceremony.
Keith wins 2006 Top Male Vocal ACM Keith Urban has another trophy to add to his cabinet after this year's staging of the 2006 American Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas last night (today Australian time). Keith took home the Top Male Vocal Award for the second year running, beating off stiff competition from Dierks Bentley, Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley and George Strait. Kenny Chesney beat Keith for Entertainer of the Year, the only other category he was nominated for in this year's ACMs. See International Update below for a rundown of other winners. Lee announces new tour and The New Bush goes Gold Hot on the heels of the news that Lee Kernaghan's latest number one hit album The New Bush had gone Gold comes the announcement that Lee is to hit the road with what is being billed as his biggest tour ever.
A Gold certification is awarded for shipments of 35,000 units. The album debuted at number six on the ARIA national albums chart and number one on the country charts where it still is. The New Bush single has also entered the charts after widespread airplay across Australia. The New Bush music video filmed recently in Grenfell, NSW, is also expected to debut this week on CMC. Lee's Outback To The Beaches Tour kicks off on June 7 and will see the country star perform in every state and territory in Australia before the end of next year. Lee will also be "taking the bush to the beach" with live concerts on selected beaches around Australia over the coming summer months. Visit www.leekernaghan.com for tour details. The Outback To The Beaches Tour takes in 44 shows between now and November, with more shows to be announced for 2007. "For me, it all comes down to the live show," Lee said. "It's not uncommon for people to travel huge distances to get to the show and I want to make sure they have a fantastic time when they get there. "In a lot of ways, these concerts are like huge parties... and for many they are a social event as well. I'm really excited about these new songs and, combined with the old hits, I reckon the band and I are in for some pretty amazing gigs." Lee's Special Guests on the tour are former Female Vocalist of the Year Tania Kernaghan and new all-girl trio The McClymonts (see below).
The McClymonts' (Brooke, Mollie and Samantha) debut CD will be released on June 10 and the first single from the EP – Something That My Heart Does – is being distributed to radio this week. The self-titled release co-incides with the girls support of Lee Kernaghan on his national "Outback To The Beaches" tour (see above). The trio recently signed with Universal Music Australia for their first collaborative recording release. New single from Carter & Carter Award-winning duo Carter & Carter have released a single from their highly anticipated and long-awaited new album which is due out in time for Tamworth in January 2007. Ride is the title of the single released to radio last week, "a soul stirring, uplifting and upbeat song about being free," say Merelyn and David who are Carter & Carter.
Featuring "world class musicianship" the single was produced by David and Merelyn together with Adrian Hannan. A music clip is also scheduled for release shortly. 'We are very excited recording our new album," the duo says. "This is a bit of a re-invention for Carter & Carter. The last couple of years has seen a lot happen in our lives and because of that we have a lot to write songs about. "Our focus is still firmly on positive life songs, but we are venturing out a bit – we have been writing with a lot of other people, too, which really enhances our sound. "We have been working with our Melbourne based band now for a few years and they know us really well, and recording it close to home over quite a few months has allowed us the space to really develop the songs. "This all goes towards a freshness in our music that is making us very happy," Merelyn and David said. Further information can be obtained from www.carter-carter.com. A big year for The Borderers Scottish/Irish band The Borderers report they performed in front of a million people last year. They've also released seven albums, four EPs, two childrens albums and been included on 18 compilation albums all around the world.
The Borderers started out as a recording project until Jim (Paterson) stopped in Adelaide in 1994 as part of his round the world trip. He says: "I was just visiting South Australia to visit a friend when I got invited to a recording studio to hear this band. I loved their sound so much that I eventually co-produced the album, got five of my songs on it and married the lead singer!" Alex, the female lead singer (now Paterson), was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Her influences are Joni Mitchell and Annie Lennox while Jim was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and his influences are AC/DC ("the band not the lifestyle"), Thin Lizzy, Status Quo and Peter Gabriel. The Borderers have played at Womad Fetivals in Australia and the UK, the Edinburgh Festival, toured Canada and the USA and have supported Tom Jones, The Proclaimers and The Chieftains in Glasgow. Latest news from the band is that they are offering a free song to fans from their forthcoming new album. The track is called Angel Of Love and will be featured on the new release Songs From A Suitcase. The song is about Alex and Jim's feelings for their mothers. "We're sure fans will be able to relate to the sentiments," Alex and Jim said. The Borderers wrote the song for Bulgaria's entry into the Eurovision Song Contest but Bulgaria decided to go for another "classy" song called Boom Bang A Bang Oink. The song can download from www.theborderers.com.au. James releases new single Greylands, the fourth single from James Blundell's latest album Deluge, goes to radio this week. The song was written by James and Terry McArthur, the team behind the acclaimed Postcards From Saigon.
"The song is complemented by a powerful filmclip directed by award-winning director Ross Wood who has worked with many great Australian acts." James recently returned from an overseas tour which saw him entertaining Australian troops in the Sinai, Egypt and Australian Federal Police members in Cyprus. James, who got to see the problems that Australian forces overseas confront on a daily basis, said the tour, organised by the Forces Advisory Council on Entertainment, was a definite eye opener. In spite of his surroundings, he reportedly had a great time and can't wait to go back. Meanwhile, the "Close The Circle" Anzac Day concert organised by James at Elder Park in Adelaide was a great success with more than 4,000 people in attendance over the course of the day. The line-up, which also included the likes of Angry Anderson (Rose Tattoo), Dave Gleason (Screaming Jets), Dave Leslie (Baby Animals), Luella Widt and Bec LaVelle, was on stage for over three hours performing a mixture of their own material and classic songs from the Vietnam era. The show was filmed and will be available as a DVD later this year. While the line-up will most likely be different in 2007, the concert will reportedly definitely be on again next Anzac Day. Further information... www.jamesblundell.com.au. Felicity charts and heads to Russia
And, after appearances at the Norfolk Island Country Music Festival and Canberra early June, she will be jetting off to Russia to perform on Thursday June 15 at Australia Week trade show in Moscow with roots music band The Audreys. Felicity is also to be featured in the nomination of music show NuCountry TV in The Antennas, the national community television awards to be announced in Melbourne on June 16. The episode hosted by Felicity is in the top five finalists for Best Music Show. Further information can be obtained from www.felicityurquhart.com. Adam to showcase at Tom Quilty 2006 Adam Brand will showcase Australian country music to international and local riders and crews attending the 2006 Tom Quilty Gold Cup endurance pursuit. The punishing 160km-long pursuit, which is being held in Boonah, South East Queensland in June, has attracted 350 nominations from across Australia and around the world. Together with their entourages, they're expected to swell the local population by 5,000. Competitors will fly in from the Middle East, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, the USA and Europe to test themselves alongside the Aussies, who are ranked world-first with more international medals to their name than any other country. Well-known television and travel celebrity Ernie Dingo has been announced as Ambassador for the event. Organiser Dick Collyer said that Ernie Dingo was a most popular choice. "We want to showcase what is best about country Australia. Ernie makes a great representative. He has strong connections with horses and the country. We're aware that he is an excellent, experienced, rider and a great horseman. We're absolutely delighted that he has been able to find time in a demanding schedule to represent the Quilty.
The objective of the Quilty, set out in 1966 by founders bush legend RM Williams and Kimberly cattleman Tom Quilty, is to test horse and rider – "100 miles on one horse in one day'". Competitors begin the ride over bush tracks at a freezing midnight on Friday June 9. Although they have a full 24 hours to complete, the winners are expected to cross the finish line in about 14 hours, arriving from 2pm on the Saturday afternoon. Riders will also be vying for the coveted Best Conditioned awards, which reward the excellent physical condition of the top endurance horses. "A contingent of royal sheikhs more used to galloping across the deserts of Arabia, an American cowboy who trains among the bears, rattlesnakes and canyons of the Sierra Nevada, a Japanese businessman who has battled for almost a decade to qualify and a Malaysian prince who is also a top international rider – these are just some of the overseas competitors who will fly in to Boonah for the Quilty," Dick said. "They are coming to test themselves alongside the Aussies, who are ranked world-first in the sport of endurance riding, with more international medals to their name than any other country." The Australians are fielding some of their top riders, such as Queenslanders Peter and Penny Toft, Sydney's Jennifer Gilbertson, Victorian Meg Wade and international junior champion, Brooke Warner from Newcastle. "But also lining up at the start will be local hopefuls such as the five Weier children from Boonah who've been training on borrowed horses for the past two years and selling stable poo at $2 a bag to pay for their entries. "Eleven year old, Brianna Weier, will be the youngest rider in the field, and her horse, Thalara who, at a little more than 14hh, is really a pony, is likely be the smallest in the 300-strong competition. Eric Tuennecke from Grafton, NSW, who admits to being over 80, will be the oldest rider." The Baileys receive their "MO" Award When Tamworth band The Baileys were announced winners of the John O’Keefe Encouragement award at the 3oth annual "MO" Awards, they could well have made "MO" history.
On Friday, April 28, there was an official function for all "MO" recipients, where they officially received their trophies, as the Awards were previously announced only online. That night, The Baileys were out there doing what they do best – performing on stage to an appreciative audience at the Caboolture RSL Club, as part of the QUT Urban Country Music Festival in Queensland. Late last week, a package arrived in the mail – a very large package – addressed to the band’s manager, Joan Douglas. Tamworth Mayor James Treloar was on hand to officially present The Baileys with their prestigious trophy on Monday night (May 22) at The Pub – where it all began for the young band members. The Baileys are – lead singer and guitarist Charlene Bailey, 18, drummer Kurt Bailey, 19, vocalist and mandolinist Crystal Bailey, 21, vocalist and guitarist Lindsay Dallas, 19, and lead guitarist and vocalist Daniel Conway, 17. All five members of the band are prolific songwriters. The Baileys were signed to EMI Music Australia in September last year and are expected to release their much anticipated debut album late this year or early next. New country venues Antill Park Golf Club at Picton, near Sydney, NSW, has announced the commencement of Acoustic Cafe Shows as free entertainment every Friday night.
In June, Rob Wilson stars on the 2nd, Mistin on the 9th, Nicki Gillis on the 16th, Luke O'Shea on the 23rd and Amber Lawrence on the 30th. In July, Victoria Baillie (pictured) stars on the 7th, Carol Donovan on the 21st and Horswood on the 28th (the act on the 14th is to be advised). The other new country venue is The Loaded Dog at Tarago on the NSW Southern Tablelands presenting live music on the third Saturday of every month. Mistin starred at the first night last Saturday while Victoria Baillie is scheduled for June 17, Felicity Urquhart on August 19, Dale Juner on September 16 and Camille Te Nahu and Stui French on November 18 (October and December to be advised). The entertainment is provided to patrons at no charge from 9pm. Saturday Night Country continues to rate Saturday Night Country, the ABC's flagship country music radio program, continues to dominate surveys in all capital cities after another strong performance in the third survey of the year.
Saturday Night Country, also heard on regional ABC stations, goes to air for four hours on Saturday nights from 10pm. Photo: ABC Saturday Night Country host John Nutting. Club celebrates 25th anniversary The Gloucester and District Country Music Club in NSW celebrated its 25th anniversary on Saturday.
Cedric Salter reported in The Gloucester Advocate that the very first meeting of the Club was held on March 8, 1981, at the Gloucester Hotel/Motel as it was then. The office bearers elected at that meeting were John Currie – President, Poley Everett – Vice President, Marg Wells – Secretary and Treasurer, Committee – Jack Langtry, Casey Smith, Irene Grady, Mick Berry, Maureen Stevens and Gail Ellis. The aim of the Club was "to foster the young musos to carry on, whether it be with lessons or instruments or whatever to help". Over the years just some of the names that have been supported include Chris Stanton, Jason Stevens,, Julie Clarke, Therese Millington, Robbie Murray, Troy Salter, Andrew Gilbert, Grant "Grub" Mitchell and Clint Beattie (pictured) who went on to win Star Maker at Tamworth in 1994 and the New Talent Golden Guitar in 1995. There was also Graham Germon, one of the club's faithfuls for many years and Vince Smith who became a top guitarist under the guidance of Terry Smith. Bands who have given the club' support include The Country Ramblers (Casey Smith, Jason Stevens, Les "Bruno" Mills, Barbara Berry, Peter Wells), The Nomads (Fred Murray, George Nash, Robbie Murray, Chris Stanton); The Gloucester Bush Boys (Fred Murray, George Nash, Robbie Murray, Chris Stanton); and Ragged But Right (Casey Smith, Terry Smith, Jason Stevens). The Club's first Muster was held on April 23, 1983, with guest artist Col Hardy and a street parade to start proceedings. Presidents over the years have included John Currie, Casey Smith, Scotchie Ribbons, Jack Langtry, Tom Grady, Cedric Salter and Bill Murray. Chart update – Travis hits the top... again! Travis Sinclair has hit the top of the Country Tracks Top 30 singles chart this week with his latest single Midnight Run, the third consecutive single to make number one from his new album Rush. | |||||||||
This year, FIL, as it is known, is honouring Australia for its 36th festival which will take place between July 28 and August 6.
Indigenous didgeridoo virtuoso Mark Atkins (at right) has played with classical ensembles to rock bands. At the FIL, he will open four massive Nuit Magic spectaculars with his solo didgeridoo lifting into a massed pipe band tribute to Australia.
In the vein of the highly popular "Dancing With The Stars", in the new program, each singing star is partnered with a celebrity to sing a duet on the show.
Lee Kernaghan will feature in this week's edition of "Better Homes & Gardens" on the 7 Network.
Country stars Catherine Britt, Mike Carr, Beccy Cole, Travis Collins, Adam Harvey and Jake Nickolai will join Brian Cadd, Richard Clapton and Rick Price for eight shows at the Star City Ballroom from Tuesday July 18.
Beccy will join End Of Fashion, Lior, Jade Macrae, Joel Turner & The Modern Day Poets as performers on the night.
"The odd part is," Keith said, "when you're making a new record, you're going out to tour and doing all these old songs. And your head is very much in the new record. So that side of it is very discombobulating.
Golden Guitar winner and Roll of Renown recipient Rex Dallas will headline the show to be staged in the famous Tamworth Town Hall on Friday July 7 from 7.30pm.
Katie Brianna’s most recent major success was as a finalist in the International Songwriting Competition. She is currently touring and performing widely to promote her debut, self-titled CD, produced by Bill Chambers.
Organised and staged by 1233 ABC Newcastle and 92.5 ABC Central Coast, the Awards are open to all original artists and bands residing in the NSW Hunter and Central Coast regions.
Amid a field of highly talented young performers aged 17 and under, Tiffney held her own to win first place in Vocal, Country Rock and Australian as well as second in Gospel and third in Instrumental, an area she has just begun to compete in.
Christie Eliezer reports in his column this week at 
He was accompanied by his wife Dot, children Russell and Kristy, recipients and guests including "Dancing With The Stars" host Daryl Somers.
Roxanne joins the label after four years as Country Music Manager at One Stop Entertainment prior to which she was Queensland State Branch Manager and Compass Bros Label Manager at Festival Mushroom Records.
Organisers of this year's event say the calibre of artists was again very high and the judges had a difficult time in choosing who would take out the cup. "The Kiwis had the edge with five contestants against three Aussies, with two late scratchings from Australia!
A television documentary featuring country music broadcaster Keith Melbourne by University of Canberra Journalism student Kathleen Dyett (pictured) made the finals of a national ABC TV competition.
"To be on the same page as Faith, Dolly and Gretchen is unbelievable," Clel said. "Thank you all for your radio airplay support of my song Heartbeat Highway."
At BelowGround 4, Annandale Hotel, Sydney on July 20, four film-makers will win lens-shaped Swedish crystal BelowGround trophies plus $11,000 of industry resources.
"It’s a long way from contemplating a life sentence in Her Majesty’s prison to actually meeting the Queen, but both experiences have touched her recently," Sara's publicist said.
Carol Donovan has taken out an award in the Christian Rock Eisteddfod Songwriting Competition for her song Joseph Was A Dreamer.
Rising star Kimber Sparks is set to release a new single off her debut EP Go Get 'em Girl in June.
The Australian-fronted German act Texas Lightning came 15th in the contest for their country music-inspired song No No Never, written and sung by Newcastle-born Jane Comerford.
The single is dedicated to seven-year-old Bathurst girl Bessie Fitzpatrick who has been diagnosed with an rare form of cancer called Neuroendocrine Carcinoma, one of only eight cases to be documented in the world.
Adam Harvey jumped two places to number four with That's Just How She Gets as did Travis Collins, up to number five with I Was Wrong.
The 2006 induction ceremony will be held on August 17 in Bridgewater.
One report, by the Reuters newsagency, said Keith's spokesman Paul Freundlich confirmed the engagement, but said he had no details of the wedding plans.
The McClymonts CD out in June, first single this week
"Rediscover your own freedom as you become absorbed in the story, the strong melody and vocal delivery," they say.
And they've been "adopted" by Australian country music fans following years of energetic performances at major country music meccas like Tamworth.
"A simple yet powerful acoustic number, Greylands deals with depression and mental illness, an issue which plagues many people in today's society," said James' publicist.
Felicity Urquhart is celebrating her latest chart success with My Life, the title track from her new album, entering the Country Tracks Top 30 singles chart this week.
"Adam Brand has legions of fans here in Australia and we're thrilled that he has agreed to provide a concert for the riders, crews and officials – especially those visitors from overseas who may not have experienced Australian country music. It will help make the event a memorable one."
The venue launched last Friday night with The Harmonators duo and continue this Friday night with Tony Martin.
The following represent the program's share of all people listening and include all AM and FM stations in each market...
Celebrations were held in the Gloucester Soldiers Club Auditorium throughout the day and night.