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This website brings you the latest Australian country music news. News releases can be sent to news@countrymusicbulletin.com.au |
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TUESDAY, MAY 29, 2018 Kora signs to Country Rocks Rising country star Kora Naughton has signed to Country Rocks Records. "Kora first grabbed our attention performing at the 2017 Nelligen Winter Breaker Party," said Country Rocks Manager Michael Bond. "Since then, she has been part of our Spotlight Artist program releasing her hit single I Don’t Wanna Grow Up.
Hailing from the NSW Shellharbour region, Kora has been creating quite a stir in country music over the past 18 months. She is a graduate of the prestigious Country Music Association of Australia Junior Academy of Country Music and winner of the 2017 Southern Stars Australian Independent Rising Star Female award. Both her debut single Wrong and the follow up, I Don’t Wanna Grow Up, hit the top 10 in various country charts and playlists around Australia. The talented teenager is also sought after as a live performer. She has supported artists including Bill Chambers, Hayley Jensen, Tania Kernaghan, Amber Lawrence and Chalkie White. Kora has also appeared on the main stage at Country Rocks Sydney and will be part of the anticipated Country Rocks Under The Stars event in Braidwood this August. Following the signing, Kora said, "I’m so excited to be working with Country Rocks Records. I feel incredibly lucky to have them standing beside me and believing in what I do." Kora’s debut album Ride Or Die will be released through Country Rocks Records/MGM Distribution in July. Weblink – facebook.com/koranaughtonmusic. FRIDAY, MAY 25, 2018 Vale – Phil Emmanuel Leading Australian guitar player Phil Emmanuel has died. He was 65. He died in Parkes (NSW) late last night after a sudden asthma attack. Phil was staying with his brother Darcy at the time.
"He didn't chase the limelight, it chased him – but he got away." During his visit, Phil had shows planned for Cootamundra tonight, a private function for friend Maureen Farr’s 60th birthday at the Railway Bowling Club, and a two hour concert at the Star Hotel on Sunday afternoon. "Phil wanted to do a show at my favourite watering hole," Darcy said. "He wanted do it for those who were unable to make it to the Guitars of the Era concert he did at the Little Theatre during the afternoon on the Friday of this year’s Elvis Festival. "He had heard that a few people couldn’t make it because they were working." Darcy said he has been in contact with his brothers Chris and Tommy, who is in London touring at the moment, and sister Veronica better known as Skeeta. "We are all devastated," Darcy said. "This comes on top of the loss of our sister Virginia Grace on April 14, aged 69. Philip and Virginia were virtually joined at the hip and I don't think either one would have been able to live without the other." Phil and his brother Tommy, playing together as the Emmanuel Brothers, graced stages all over the world with names such as Chet Atkins, Duanne Eddy, America, Hank B Marvin, John Farnham, Jimmy Barnes, INXS, Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson. Tommy and Phil were elevated to the Australasian Country Music Roll of Renown seven years ago in January 2011. Phil is survived by his wife Amanda and children Jesse Maree, Jamie-lee, Georgia Dee, Jackson and Marshall Travis. Eric is Tamworth's Volunteer of the Year Eric Scott, President of the Australian Country Music Foundation (operators of the nation's Country Music Hall of Fame in Tamworth) was announced as the city's Volunteer of the Year at a ceremony in the city yesterday.
He was head of Australia's Heritage Hall group when it merged with the Australian Country Music Foundation in 2003, becoming the Foundation's Archivist and, in 2009, President, a role he has held continuously ever since. As well as the enormous amount of time he has dedicated to Australian country music archiving, Eric is also fully involved in the day to day operation of the Australian Country Music Hall of Fame. While at Radio 2TM in the 1960s, he was one of the five founders of the Tamworth Country Music Capital concept (with Max Ellis, Warwick Higginbotham, Kevin Knapp and John Minson) which ultimately spawned the Australasian Country Music Awards (Golden Guitars) and the now internationally famous Tamworth Country Music Festival.
“I find it very hard to explain in words why we do what we do... but over the years we have been extremely lucky to get a very keen group of dedicated volunteers who have stayed for a long time – it really is about the team. “We are all 120 per cent volunteers, and it is magnificent that they all stay and willingly do what they do – it really is.”
Indigenous blues musician and educator Buddy Knox (pictured at right with Mayor Col Murray) also won an award on the day. The Mayor praised the efforts of not only the award finalists, but all the volunteers that "keep Tamworth ticking". “We are very fortunate to have such a strong and significant contribution in Tamworth,” he said. “There are over 100 volunteer organisations in our region, who give over 300,000 hours back to the community each year – We simply couldn’t achieve all that we do without them.” All photos: Northern Daily Leader. WEDNESDAY, MAY 23, 2018 Tamara signs to MGM
"I am super excited to announce that I’ve just signed a deal with MGM Nashville," she said, "with Michael Chase and his team at the helm. "I’m so proud and excited to get this new music out!" The first of Tamara's new three part album project The Truth, The Music & Me : Part 1- Ruinwill be available for pre order this Friday (May 25). Photo: Tamara signs with Michael at MGM. Weblink – www.facebook.com/tamarastewartpage. MONDAY, MAY 21, 2018 Sara and The Sunny Cowgirls tour Sara Storer and The Sunny Cowgirls have joined forces for a "Love & Land" tour kicking off in June. The celebrated Aussie country artists have much in common, according to a spokesman, "above all it is their love of Australia and the many characters who inhabit it that has been the inspiration for many of the songs they have written and recorded."
All three live in the country – Sophie calls Gunnedah home, younger sister Celeste has recently made the trek back west to Western Australia and Sara, with her husband and brood of four boys, recently moved from Darwin to the NSW border city of Albury. For The Sunny Cowgirls, who take their name from Sunninghill, the family farm at Dunkeld, near Victoria’s Grampians, the bush has always had an irresistible pull. They cut their teeth performing at rodeos and agricultural shows across the length and breadth of WA before slinging their swags into the back of a ute and setting out for Tamworth, picking up work as rousabouts and farm hands across the Nullarbor which they immortalised in their debut 2005 single Rousy’s Life. Since then, the sisters have gone on to receive multiple Golden Guitar nominations and perform on virtually all of Australia’s major country music festivals and other events across Australia, including being invited on-stage by Jimmy Barnes to duet with him on the classic Khe Sahn. Sara, one of our Australia's most revered singer/songwriters and current Female Artist of the Year, is the winner of 21 Golden Guitars and has a Platinum and three Gold albums to her credit. She capped off her return to live touring and festival appearances in 2016 with an ARIA Award for her album Silos. Sara has earned high praise from media and audiences alike for her ability to capture the essence of Australian life, its characters and distinctive landscape. John Williamson summed it up best when he said "Sara has a unique way of seeing and expressing her observations of love and life in the bush. She is a songwriter who will be remembered beyond her lifetime." "Tour show audiences can expect to hear the hits and favorite album tracks along with some special collaborations and a few surprises from three great singer-songwriters and story-tellers," the spokesman said. Weblinks – www.sarastorer.com.au • sunnycowgirls.com. FRIDAY, MAY 18, 2018 Aussies to speak at international conference Four Australasian writers will speak at the International Country Music Conference to be held in Nashville from Thursday May 31 to Saturday June 2. They are Guy Cundell (from the University of Adelaide), Toby Martin (from Sydney currently working in England), Andrew Smith (pictured, a Hobart based writer) and Colleen Trenwith (also pictured, formerly of the Hamilton County Bluegrass Band and now living in the United States).
Anne Kirkpatrick, who will be in Nashville at the time, might also attend. The following day, Andrew Smith will be a panel member of a discussion of Country Music and the Vietnam War, bringing an Australian perspective to the topic. Andrew is well know for his many articles about Tex Morton and other early Australian country artists. He is currently researching a book about Tex. The conference is an annual event attracting scholars from all over the world. This year's topics include The Songwriting Style of Boudleaux and Felice Bryant, An Audience With An Ear to Bear the Burden: The Audible Evolution of Johnny Cash and How Country Crossovers in the Folk Revival Prefigured Americana, among others. Australian country music and its history are gaining traction in the United States. One of the conference's organisers, Dr James Akenson, regularly uses Australian country music to teach Australian history and geography to school students in Tennessee. Weblink – www.internationalcountrymusic.org. THURSDAY, MAY 17, 2018
Country singer/songwriter John Bennett has notched up two wins in the WAM Song of the Year competition. John (pictured) won the Outstanding Indigenous category and Outstanding Regional for his song Country Is Calling which was also a finalist for Country Song of the Year. The Little Lord Street Band took out the Country category with Maybe I’m Just In Love. Winners were announced last night in Freemantle. The Blues/Roots category was won by Carus Thompson with Lies while Helen Shanahan was named winner of the Folk category with I Only Hide. Snger/songwriter Stella Donnelly won the WAM Song of the Year with Boys Will Be Boys. Weblink – wam.org.au. WEDNESDAY, MAY 16, 2015 Homegrown in The Voice Top 12 Homegrown – the country trio from Queensland – has made it to the top 12 of The Voice 2018.
"With any brother and sister team you have bickering," said Katelyn. "We have the occasional fight, but we always get through it. It’s nice that we get to experience this as a family." The trio is part of the Joe Jonas team. Now the show's blind auditions, knockouts and battles are over, the live shows kick off this coming Sunday from 7pm on the Nine Network.
MONDAY, MAY 14, 2018 Brad, Chad and Keith win in Queensland
Brad (pictured) was named winner in the Country category for his song Well Dressed Man, the same song that won him New Talent of the Year at this year's Golden Guitar Awards in Tamworth in January. Fellow Country finalists were Pete Cullen & The Biffs (with Black Mountain), Dana Gehrman & Tim Rogers (with Find A Way) and The Long Johns (with Womble East). Chad was presented with the Grant McLennan Lifetime Achievement Award. And Keithwas recognised for his highest selling album, Ripcord. Weblink – bradbutcher.com. FRIDAY, MAY 11, 2018 Music in the Mulga
The dates are Thursday May 17 to Monday May 21. With an "atmosphere of a large family gathering and in true outback style" everyone is made to feel welcome, according to a spokesman for the organisers.. "The main rule for the festival is to simply have fun. "The Outback gathering is an opportunity to meet up with friends, old and new, have a chat, a drink and enjoy yourself and the whole experience. Walk Up concerts to share your talents, evening concerts, main concert Saturday, charity auction and yabby races with fashions of the field and much more." The artist line-up includes Andy Abra, Jeff Brown, Graeme Connors, George Czender, "Smokie" Pete Dawson, Keith Dunn, Bec Hance, Graeme Howle, Bob Howson, Adam Kilpatrick, The Long & Short Of It, Fanny Lumsden, Libby O'Donovan, Danny Phegan & Longreach, Jared Porter, Simply Bushed, Jonny Taylor, Travellin' Still (the Slim Dusty tribute show with Peter Denahy and the Travellin' Country Band) and Pete Wilson. Pictured: Graeme, Fanny and Simply Bushed. Weblink – musicinthemulga.com.au. WEDNESDAY, MAY 9, 2018 Changes at APRA AMCOS Dean Ormston will take over as Chief Executive Officer of APRA AMCOS – Australia's largest music organisation – on July 1 with his current role as Head of Member Services to be taken over by Jana Gibson.
Dean Ormston said: "Jana brings strong operational and relationship management expertise to the role and a demonstrated commitment to working collaboratively and consultatively across the business and our membership. She is widely respected as a senior manager in the business and we look forward to having her on the leadership team. "It has been three years since a female has held a role at this leadership level. Jana follows Sally Howland who remains an Advisor to APRA AMCOS and an important catalyst in Jana’s career, recruiting the newest senior leader to her first role at APRA AMCOS 15 years ago. "This role is about managing competing demands and exercising sound judgement and Jana will deliver strongly against that with her quiet confidence and her highly organised and solutions-driven mode of operation." "APRA AMCOS prides itself on actively connecting with writer, composer and publisher members and industry and Jana plans to continue building on established programs and networks," said a spokesman. "The top two priorities for the new role will be continuing to provide exemplary customer service and efficient and accurate payment to writer and publisher members. "These goals will be supported by targets for membership growth through increased engagement with educational institutions; improving diversity – addressing gaps in gender, ethnicity and geography; creating career pathways locally and internationally through program development and working to support the longevity of members’ careers." "We need to be present in the lives of music creators throughout their careers and through business cycles," said Jana. "We are a vital part of the industry ecosystem as we provide services, opportunities and advocacy to support their livelihoods. "In a time of diversifying income, increased access to data and market disruption, we are continually partnering with our publisher, composer and songwriter members and the wider industry on opportunities to ensure their works are heard." Jana has formerly worked in events with Peter Rix Management and (what is now) the International Convention and Exhibition Centre Sydney. Born in Queensland, she gained a Bachelor of Business Tourism (1992) from Lismore’s Southern Cross University and moved to Sydney to work in hotel management where her love of the live music scene began. Weblink – www.apraamcos.com.au. MONDAY, MAY 7, 2018 Bill signs global publishing deal Singer/songwriter, performer, multi-instrumentalist and producer Bill Chambers has signed a global publishing deal with Checked Label Services/Kobalt Music Publishing.
It also re-released his earlier Sleeping With The Blues and Frozen Ground albums. "I’ve had a great working relationship with Will Osland at the Checked Label Services Group for many years," Bill said. "I believe this is the right time to hand him the job of looking after my publishing as well." Group Managing Director Will Osland said: "Bill has been with me from the beginning as one of my first signings and easily one of my first supporters. It has been my privilege to work with him over the last 10 plus years and achieve the results we have achieved together. "His passion for music is not only shown in his career, but through the way he motivates and uplifts other artists… and me! I’m so pleased that I can continue not only being part of his music career at a recording and publishing level, but his friend as well." Bill was born in Southend, South Australia. "Living in the outback, I learned everything from listening to the radio and to records. I don’t know anything about the technical side of things." In recent years, his records have included a number of honky tonk tracks – "just so we remember where country music came from," he said. "It’s nice when people bring rock, and jazz and swing and folk into country music, as long as we don’t forget its start." Bill married fellow singer Diane at the age of 20, and they gigged together. Soon they were joined by their son Nash and daughter Kasey and they toured and recorded together as The Dead Ringer Band. When the marriage dissolved, so did the band, and Bill moved to Sydney, set up Reckless Records and began producing records. The Chambers more recently have worked as a family unit, behind Kasey’s high profile solo career which has opened up in America, and Nash’s production work which has taken him to Nashville. Weblinks – www.billchambersmusic.com, www.checkedlabelservices.net. FRIDAY, MAY 4, 2018 Hussy Hicks win on the Gold Coast Hussy Hicks have taken out the major honour at this year's Gold Coast Music Awards. The duo claimed the award for Album of the Year with their work On The Boundaries.
Julz and Leesa pictured prior to the awards presentation with their multi finalist nomination citations. Brad's Star Maker album out This year's Toyota Star Maker winner Brad Cox has released his debut album. Produced by Matt Fell, the album is self-titled and contains 12 songs, all but one totally self-penned (the 12th – Towels – is a co-write with Joe Mungovan).
When selected as a finalist for Toyota Star Maker, Brad refined his set list to showcase those songs that would deliver "a knock-out blow" to the audience and, most importantly, the judges, of the prestigious talent search. The 23-year-old succeeded in impressing one and all, to claim the 39th Toyota Star Maker crown. Manager Steve White said: "Brad impressed me the first time I saw him perform in Tamworth this year. He has a great voice and is writing good songs. I think he is the real deal and I look forward to watching him develop." Troy Cassar-Daley’s manager Roxanne Brown feels Brad has "that something different" in his approach: "Brad Cox is a great writer and connects with his audience. His southern rock sound sets him apart." KIX Country Network Program/Content Director Justin Thomson is an unashamed Brad Cox fan: "Australian country music is ready for Brad Cox. He’s captivating to watch live, a unique voice, his music sounds great on radio, and he’s a genuine great guy. Brad Cox is a standout." Weblink – bradcoxofficial.com. WEDNESDAY, MAY 2, 2018 Emma inspires with new single and video In the wake of Pay It Forward Day, Laurieton (NSW) singer/songwriter Emma Dykes is encouraging others to give without wanting anything in return.
"When I was living in Cape York I saw some pretty amazing things," Emma said. "One of those was a lady in her late 30s who was diagnosed with a terminal illness on Thursday and by Saturday the town of 4000 people had raised $50,000. I thought that was pretty incredible." Another inspiring event was a fire at a cattle station next to the one Emma was working on. "The guys on the station left their lunches on the table and people in town left their jobs and all to put out this fire because it was burning close to the homestead," she said. "The lyrics talk about all these small towns where people are doing things because they see they are needed, not because they will get something from it." Emma co-wrote Pay It Forward with award-winning singer/songwriter Drew McAlister after asking producer Simon Johnson how she would go about co-writing with someone. "I went down to the Blue Mountains and sat with Drew in his loungeroom and we wrote it down there,” she said. "I wasn’t too bad until I looked over and saw all his Golden Guitars." As a nurse in her day job, Emma has seen the best and worst of life, but said the world would be a better place if people took some advice from Pay It Forward. "If everyone took a little bit of advice from that, the whole place would be a bit nicer," she said. "I hope the song inspires people to be the best version of themselves. This is why I chose it as the title track for the album because it’s a pretty important message to get through." The region around Laurieton was the setting for the video, starring members of Emma’s family and other loved ones as well as locals who happened to be in the right place at the right time. The video can be viewed here. The little red Suzuki that features at the beginning was even Emma’s grandfather’s car that she learned to drive in, with the video brimming with love. Weblink – emmadykes.com. |
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"We have been so impressed with Kora and believed it was time to take the next step and officially welcome her to the Country Rocks Records family."
"On behalf of the family, it is with great sadness that I announce the passing of our much loved brother, Philip Ernest Emmanuel," Darcy said.
Also the founder and operator, with wife Hilary, of Country Music Capital's Hadley Studios (until closure in 2002), Eric (pictured at right with his award) has been actively involved as a volunteer in maintaining the history of Australian country music since the early 1990s.
“It is overwhelming really, it was a great surprise and so nice to be recognised,” Eric said after his award was announced.
Judy Loffell (pictured at right with Tamworth Mayor Col Murray) – another long time volunteer at the Country Music Hall of Fame – was among the nominees for the award.
Although Sara, Celeste and Sophie have collaborated in the past, they have never toured together, something that will be rectified when they hit the road in June and July for the tour which will see them appearing in cities and towns in NSW, Queensland and Victoria.
The four will be speaking about The Hawaiian Guitar and Western Swing, while Toby, Andrew and Colleen will participate in the conference's keynote event, Aussie Country: The Big Picture, History and Today on the evening of the first day.
John wins at WAM
Brad Butcher, Chad Morgan and Keith Urban all featured as winners in the 2018 Queensland Music Awards announced in Brisbane tonight.
Touted to be one of Australia's best music festivals this year, Music In The Mulga will run over five days at the working sheep and cattle property “Wandilla Station” south of Eulo, in south west Queensland this month.
"In her new role, Jana will lead the Writer Services, Member Relations, Publisher Relations and Repertoire, SOUNDS AUSTRALIA, Live Music Office teams and will oversee other member initiatives such as the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Music Office, SongHubs, SongMakers, Awards and outreach programs," an APRA AMCOS spokesman said.
Bill earlier developed a relationship with Checked Label Services when it released his last three albums – Drifting South (2009), Live At The Pub Tamworth (2013) and Cold Trail (2016).
Jindabyne-born Brad says he is well aware that first impressions count and was well and truly prepared to dip his toes into the water at the 2018 Tamworth Country Music Festival, his debut performance there.
Her new single, Pay It Forward, was inspired by people she has met from Cape York to the NSW North Coast who band together and give to those in need.