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NEWS ARCHIVES October 2007 WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2007 Songwriters unite for oncology appeal Tamworth Songwriters Collective has put together a compilation CD of recorded works to raise money for the regional oncology unit appeal.
Singer/songwriters appearing on the album are Steve Charles, Andrew Clermont (pictured), The Crosby Sisters, Phil Hungerford, John Lee, Ross McGregor, Lawrie Minson, Caroline Morris, Ryan Sampson, Mike Vee, Kerry Walsh, Sally-Anne Whitten (pictured) and Wendy Wood. "All of the above have donated their time, monies and talents free of charge," said a project spokesman, "and by purchasing a copy of the CD (supporters) are not only contributing to the fundraising appeal for such a vital resource for Tamworth and the surrounding region, (they) are also gaining a fabulous collection of country and contemporary music... recorded and written by our own nationally and internationally recognised singer/songwriters and musicians." Production of the CD was supported by sponsors The Central Hotel, Fosters, Graham Stevens Printing, P C Scott Audio & Lighting, Tamworth City News and Wests Diggers. After the launch, the CD will be available in Tamworth from the Big Golden Guitar (www.biggoldenguitar.com.au), Cheapa Music (www.cheapamusic.com.au) and the Visitor Information Centre. A night of "rattling rockabilly" is set for Sydney's Empire Hotel at Annandale on Saturday November 10.
The Bone Daddies (pictured) are described as "the alter ego of Sydney psychobilly rockers Zombie Ghost Train, formed in 2002 as a platform to play the music that inspired them – rockabilly in its truest form." Chuck's Wagon are descibed as "an urban Johnny Cash meets Jay Farrar and Shooter Jennings for a late night brew." Corn Liquor, from Brisbane, are descibed as "guitar pickin', bass slappin', skin smackin' slack jawed yokels from the deep south of Brisneyland." Mother Truckers are descibed as a band playing "raw rockabilly, stomping swamp and more." And The Nervous Wreckers are billed as having been "bred into a heritage that includes The Louisville Sluggers and The Psyclones, paying as much due to Hank the originator as they do to Reverend Horton Heat the accelerator." Weblink – www.empirelive.com.au. The following night (Sunday, November 11), Den Hanrahan and Chuck's Wagon provide the entertainment at the Lansdowne Hotel at nearby Chippendale. Den presents his own brand of alt country rock "born of one night stands and roadhouses, transforming standard beer joint country rock into something way above par... part honky tonk, part spinifex and all highway." Den will be appearing with his five piece extended line up. Chuck’s Wagon is "along for the hayride". Weblink – www.myspace.com/denhanrahan. Peter Pratt, the man described as "an enigma" on the Australian country music scene, has released another single from his new album Nevertheless. Sons Of The Snowy is the title of the release, a song written by Peter about "the heart of a special and unique Australian way of life (that) will leave you mesmerised and nostalgic for the high country cattle men, their iconic character and their connection with the mountains," according to the release issued with the new single. Weblink – www.peterpratt.com.au.
The ballad is described as "emotive and incredibly personal". When recently speaking about the song, Travis said: "I try to keep my songwriting pretty real, I feel this is the closest I’ve ever got to the core of real. "In deciding to record this song, it was one of those times where I was required to ask myself, 'Do I really want to put something so real and personal out?'. I decided 'yes'." No Boundaries, with 12 new recordings, most written or co-written by Travis, is currently riding high on the ARIA Australian Artist Country Chart. Travis is currently touring in support of the new album with James Blundell on his Ring Around The Moon Tour across the nation. Weblink – www.traviscollins.com.au. Kristy Cox has just returned from a seven week trip to the USA where she spent time in Nashville performing and "soaking in the music".
Kristy said she was lucky enough to have some of the best musicians play on her session as well as having Rebecca Lynn Howard doing guest harmonies on one of the tracks. During her stay in Nashville, she got to meet a number of well known names in country music including Jim Lauderdale (pictured here with Kristy) and her idol, Emmylou Harris. In more news, Kristy reports that in August, she signed a distribution deal with One Stop Entertainment for her debut album From My Eyes. Kristy latest single release is the song Reverse which has also spawned her first video clip. The video features an all-girl band live at the Churchill Saloon Bar and has been airing for the last month on CMC. Weblink – www.kristycox.com.Rebecca wins Inverell Telstra Road to Tamworth heat Rebecca White has won the Inverell (NSW) heat of the Telstra Road to Tamworth competition. From Guyra, just east of Inverell, 26-year-old Rebecca fronted a large crowd and performed two of her favourite country pieces to impress the judges. Twelve other singers from across the region took part in the heat. "I have been singing since I was really little and this is the first time I have ever won a competition,” Rebecca said. "I really enjoyed the experience and the crowd was just so supportive. Weblink – www.beinvolved.telstra.com/countrymusic.
Talia Wittman (pictured) is the main attraction on Saturday night at the Community Park, a pre-cursor to the main day on Sunday. The National Motor Museum is the venue for a ute and truck muster on Sunday running from 10am to 5pm. Guest artists will include Jetty Road and The Distance from Victoria and SA’s finest in the Beggars, Alison Hams, Danny Hooper, Key Country, Overdrive, Mark Tempany and Talia Wittman. Admission includes entry into the renowned Birdwood's renowned National Motor Museum. Funds raised go to support the Birdwood Football Club. Weblink –www.history.sa.gov.au. Mike Bedford – well-known in the radio industry, particularly for his pioneering efforts in bringing full time commercial radio country music to Sydney – has died. Fifty-five-year-old Mike had been fighting a long battle with cancer. His family were with him at Mt Druitt Hospital when he died on Monday night. He is survived by his wife Dorothy, son Adam, daughter Tanya and granddaughter Paige. Mike launched a full time commercial narrowcast country music radio station known for most of its time as Cool Country in western Sydney in the 1990s which is still broadcasting today as Cool Country Radio 2KA. His company sold the station in 2005. Mike’s time in Australian country music broadcasting went back to the 1970s and his involvement with Nev Nicholls and the nationally syndicated "Nev Nicholls Roadshow". But his contribution to the industry grew markedly through the late '90s and early part of the 21st century as he set up and drove the establishment and growth of Cool Country FM 88/88.7 in Sydney's west.For his efforts in raising the profile and exposure of country music in Australia's biggest city, Mike was inducted into the Country Music Broadcasters' Hall of Fame in January 2003. Peter Tuskin – who presented a country music show on NSW's Hawkesbury Radio 89.9FM, passed away earlier this month (Thursday October 11), also after a battle with cancer. A note on the station's website said, "Peter had been a presenter at the station for many years, and was a mainstay of the country music presentation. "We send our condolences to Peter's family and friends. He'll be missed.
When he thought he had the right audience, Porter Wagoner liked to reach into the inner breast pocket of his electric-blue sport coat and remove a slender electronic device.
Like everything else Wagoner did in public, it was a beautiful piece of showmanship. It surprised people who were inclined to think of him as a spangle-wearing singer of old-fashioned country songs such as Company's Comin', reminding them that he was a bit of a technology geek – a country-music television pioneer and forward-thinking producer. It also let them know that he was still keeping up. Porter, who died Sunday night in a Nashville hospice at age 80 from lung cancer, had a career that didn't fit into any kind of container. His working life began in a butcher's shop in West Plains, Missouri, where he occasionally stopped to sing for a local radio show. He made his earliest records, including his first number one, A Satisfied Mind (1955), at a radio station in nearby Springfield, but he eventually moved to Nashville. In 1957, he joined the cast of the Grand Ole Opry and celebrated his 50th anniversary with the show this year. He eventually became the radio show's public face. He was best known, perhaps, for his flashy, custom-made stage suits that cost thousands of dollars. He sometimes joked that the suits forced him to stay thin, saying he couldn't afford to replace them. In 1960, he launched TV's syndicated "Porter Wagoner Show". It predated "Hee Haw" and CMT. At its peak, it aired in more than 100 markets, making it the most important country-music TV property of its time. Porter introduced a young Dolly Parton in 1967. They recorded many duets together, including The Last Thing On My Mind and Just Someone I Used To Know. He produced some of Dolly's early solo hits including 1975's The Seeker. The partnership ended acrimoniously in 1974, but Dolly wrote I Will Always Love You for him as she left. More than anything, Porter loved a song that told a story. He favored sentimental recitations and macabre tales of murder and insanity, like the cult favorite The Rubber Room. Between 1954 and 1980, he had 20 top 10 country hits, including Green, Green Grass Of Home, The Carroll County Accident and The Cold Hard Facts Of Life. He won Grammys for three gospel albums with the Blackwood Brothers. In 2002, he became a member of America's Country Music Hall of Fame. This year, Porter recorded a final album, Wagonmaster. – USA Today MONDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2007 Yesterday's Queensland Spirit of the Bush Concert in Roma was another big country day out.
"At this very moment many people on the land are under incredible strain," Lee said. "Finances have been stretched to breaking point and many businesses are barely hanging on. "Everyone in Australia is quite aware of the drought but they may not know of the personal hardship that many farming families are facing on a day-to-day basis." One of the aims of the concert, Lee said, was to let struggling farmers know that they were not forgotten. Thousands of people travelled from throughout Queensland and interstate to attend the event including many farming families. Joining Lee on stage were Adam Brand, Steve Forde, Shea Fisher, Leo Sayer, Alyece Simmonds and The Sunny Cowgirls.
Keith Urban has taken out this year's ARIA (Australian Recording Industry Association) Award for Best Country Album with his current release Love Pain & The Whole Crazy Thing. Keith won the award from fellow finalists James Blundell (Ring Around The Moon), Lou Bradley (Love Someone), The Greencards (Veridian) and Gina Jeffreys (Walks Of Life). Kasey Chambers missed out on the Best Female Award which went to Missy Higgins while Paul Kelly also missed the Best Male Artist award (which went to Gotye) and Best Adult Contemporary Album (which was won by Josh Pyke with Memories Dust). The Awards were presented in Sydney last night. Weblink – www.ariaawards.com.au. Photo: ARIA Awards. And hits number one on the CMC Top 50 As if in celebration of his ARIA win, Keith has taken over the top spot on the CMC (Country Music Channel) Top 50 playlist this week with the clip of his latest hit Stupid Boy. Steve Forde's number one from the last few weeks – Metropolis – is down to five, Jason Aldean is at six with Johnny Cash and Brooks & Dunn are at seven with Proud Of The House We Built. LeAnn Rimes' Nothing Better To Do is at eight, Rascal Flatts' Take Me There is at nine and Dwight Yoakam's Close Up The Honky Tonks is at 10. Bullet performers this week include Adam Harvey with Someone Else's Dream (new at 17), The Noll Brothers' Shining Star (37 to 28), Beccy Cole's Lifeboat (33 to 30), Lou Bradley's One Shoe (35 to 31), Peter Denahy's The Ringing Of Steel (44 to 37) and Tracy Killeen's A Little Time (new at 43). Other new entries to the chart this week include Simply Bushed with Cangi (in at 49). This week's CMC Country Pick is The McClymonts with My Life Again, the first clip from their upcoming debut album Chaos and Bright Lights due for release on November 10. The full list can be viewed at www.countrymusicchannel.com.au. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2008 Shea invited to perform at 2008 CMA Festival Shea Fisher has been announced as the first Australian act invited to perform at the CMA (Country Music Association) Music Festival in Nashville in June next year.
Commercial Radio Australia will sponsor Shea's trip to Nashville where she will also have the opportunity to perform at other venues and meet with some of Nashville’s best songwriters. Travis Collins and Jake Nickolai have been recipients of this sponsorship in previous years. As part of the sponsorship, Shea was also invited to perform at Commercial Radio Australia’s New Artist To Radio Showcase at Crown Casino in Melbourne recently. The Showcase featured performances by some of Australia’s most promising artists. Performers are selected by mainstream radio programmers from major radio networks DMG, Austereo and ARN. Shea performed her hit single Just The Excuse at the showcase and the response was described as "fantastic". "There is a lot of mainstream media interest in Shea and her performance at the Showcase has resulted in some further airplay for Just The Excuse on regional pop radio," said Tim Holland, Country Music Label Manager at ABC. "Shea is already proving to be a great ambassador for country music." Just The Excuse topped the CMC (Country Music Channel) Top 30 Countdown. Shea's second single – Cowgirl In My Jeans – is at country radio now and the track’s new live-recorded clip will air on CMC shortly. Weblink – www.myspace.com/sheafisherband.
The track is My Arms Tonight off his most recent album, You Can't Walk This Road Alone. The album was released about this time last year in time for his north east coast Australian tour and the Tamworth Festival in January. The current international single release is via the Hillcrest distribution service. A West Australian originally, Alby moved east some eight years ago in pursuit of bigger audiences and a chance to take his music to "the next level" and he now travels the eastern seaboard regularly. He has been a major drawcard at the Tamworth Festival for many of its years, nine of which, for Alby, involved a residency in the one venue. Weblink – www.albypool.net.
Although the album launch will be staged in the girls' hometown of Grafton on Wednesday November 7, the Sydney showcase will be the first major metropolitan outing for the long-awaited debut album. The girls wrote all the songs for the album in both Australia and Nashville with some of the best national and international songwriters including Australian guitar legend and top record producer Rod McCormack, recording artist Shane Nicholson, up and coming songwriter Erinn Sherlock, Trey Bruce (Diamond Rio, Leann Rimes), Nathan Chapman (Taylor Swift), Steve Diamond (Lonestar, Lee Greenwood), Monty Powell (Keith Urban's main song writing partner) and Eric Silver (Dixie Chicks). The album is described as "a blend of up-tempo, mainstream country songs along with a mix of more traditional bluegrass style songs that have elements of alternative country." It was produced by Adam Anders who has written and produced with artists such as Shannon Noll, Sinead O'Connor and Shania Twain. Blues band Bluezone will be support act on the Vanguard showcase. Weblink – www.themcclymonts.com.au. Jasmine and Craig win Telstra Road to Tamworth heats
Jasmine took out the Yarra Valley heat last weekend while Craig won the heat staged in Canberra earlier this month. Describing her style as a diverse fusion of country, blues and pop, Jasmine performed two original songs – Country Singer and Love is the Answer. Having completed an Advanced Diploma of Music Performance, she obviously relished the opportunity to perform solo, a change from gigs with her band Jazz Lasso.
Originally from Bathurst, Craig sang Breeze and Open My Eyes at the Canberra heat staged as part of this year's Floriade. A full-time musician, Craig also teaches guitar at a private music school. He names Keith Urban as one of his major influences and descibes himself as having a rock background ... "surfer rock with a country twist!" "This is such a great opportunity," he said, speaking of the talent search. "After going up to Tamworth busking in the street last year, making the Road to Tamworth finals and playing in a proper venue will be a wonderful experience." The Inverell (NSW) heat is being staged today with only another three yet to be held ... Dalby Qld (November 10), Melrose SA (November 17) and Albury NSW (November 24). Entry details can be found at www.beinvolved.telstra.com/countrymusic. Daryl's "Australian Showcase" to more than double schedule Daryl Kirkup’s top rating "Australian Showcase" program is about to be increased to five broadcasts a week around the world on Country Music Radio (CMR) Nashville.
"To have the opportunity to host and produce this show that promotes our Australian country music industry to the world is an absolute expeience," Daryl said, "and now to have it increased to five scheduled programs a week makes it an even greater honour." The show, which promotes solely Australian country music, features special segments such as "Around the Campfire" (weekly artist interview), "Hot Hit of the Week", the latest industry news, a special artist profile segment – "Artist Double Play", "Album of the Week" and a look at the Country Tracks Top 30 Chart. The new schedule has "Australian Showcase" going to air from 12 noon to 2pm and 6pm to 8pm every Thursday, 12 midnight to 2am and 6am to 8am every Friday and 4pm to 6pm every Sunday (all UK times). A well-known Brisbane-based country music broadcaster, Daryl produces "Australian Showcase" every week in his own studio facility in Brisbane and sends the finished program across to CMR Nashville's London studios for global broadcast. Described as a passionate supporter of country music in Australia, he continues to host his local country music program "Urban Country" from 8pm every Wednesday on 101.5FM in Caboolture and is busy managing his voiceover and production business as well as compering an increasing number of country music concerts, events and corporate functions.
Women of country music help raise cancer awareness The Minnie Pearl Cancer Foundation has launched "Life Blooms" – an inspirational calendar honouring the cultivation of hope in the lives of cancer patients, their families and loved ones.
Featured throughout "Life Blooms" are prominent women who donated their time and embody the compassionate spirit of Minnie Pearl, including Amy Grant, Martina McBride, LeAnn Rimes (pictured), SheDaisy and Pam Tillis. All profits fromthe calendar will contribute toward efforts to eradicate cancer. The Minnie Pearl Cancer Foundation is a nonprofit organisation committed to funding programs that provide the greatest benefit to cancer patients and their families. "By supporting new programs in cancer research, education, and patient and family services, we honor the memory of Sarah Cannon, a cancer patient herself, who created the beloved character 'Minnie Pearl'." Weblink – minniepearl.org. – Business Wire Garth targets cancer awareness
The special package will also feature breast health and breast cancer information and an instructional card on breast self-examination. Ten dollars from each sale of the special edition will go to the charity. It will sell for $15 on the Susan G Komen Web site. Garth said he decided to offer the special edition after watching his wife, Trisha Yearwood, train for and participate in an event challenging participants to walk 60 miles over three days to benefit Komen and the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund. He noted that making and compiling his boxed set was "a heck of a lot easier than me trying to walk 60 miles". The Ultimate Hits – the special edition and the version sold at mainstream retailers – will be available in America on November 6. Weblink – www.garthbrooks.com. – CMT.com Who didn't win at this year's International Bluegrass Music Awards (IBMAs) was as big a story as who did earlier this month in Nashville. Although nominated, perennial IBMA prizewinners Alison Krauss, Del McCoury, Ricky Skaggs and Rhonda Vincent all went home empty-handed. The meteoric family band Cherryholmes was also shut out despite the fact that only two years ago it had captured the treasured Entertainer of the Year trophy.
Bradley Walker took the Male Vocalist award, beating out Larry Sparks, Ronnie Bowman, Tim O'Brien and Russell Moore. And after years of coming close, Dale Ann Bradley finally won the Female Vocalist honour, bypassing fellow competitors Sonya Isaacs, Claire Lynch, Krauss and Vincent. Walker, who has muscular dystrophy, and Bradley were sentimental and artistic favorites. The announcements that they had won earned each a standing ovation. There was an ovation as well for Michael Cleveland who won the award for Instrumental Group of the Year with his band the Flamekeepers and featuring Audie Blaylock. Cleveland, who is blind, was also voted Fiddler of the Year. Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver won the Vocal Group and Gospel Recorded Performance categories (the latter for He Lives In Me). The Trischka-helmed Double Banjo Bluegrass Spectacular netted trophies for Instrumental Album and Recorded Event of the Year. In addition, Trischka was proclaimed Banjo Player of the Year. Tying for Album of the Year were J D Crowe & the New South's Lefty's Old Guitar and the Infamous Stringdusters' Fork In The Road. The Stringdusters also won the Emerging Artist award and shared Song of the Year honor with Chris Jones and John Pennell for Fork In The Road. In Instrumental Performer of the Year categories not already mentioned, Missy Raines won the Bass award, Rob Ickes dobro, Tony Rice guitar and Sam Bush mandolin. Distinguished Achievement Awards were presented to dobro player Mike Auldridge, "The Bluegrass Breakdown" (a California-based publication), Czech bluegrass enthusiast Marko Cermak, event producer and philanthropist Warren Hellman and Happy and Jane Traum, founders of the Homespun Records and Tapes music instruction series. Carl Story and Howard Watts were inducted into the Bluegrass Hall of Fame. Meanwhile, an appearance by banjo pioneer Earl Scruggs proved to be an unexpected highlight at the International Bluegrass Music Association's Fan Fest following the Awards presentation. Bluegrass veteran Carl Jackson introduced the Country Music Hall of Fame member prior to Emmylou Harris' set at the Nashville Convention Center. Appearing with a band that featured fiddler-vocalist Lizzy Long, Earl was reportedly in excellent form as they performed a brief set that included his signature instrumental, Foggy Mountain Breakdown. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2007
In the Country category, the top 10 finalists are Donna Boyd, Katrina Burgoyne, Carter & Carter, Danny Hooper, Natalie Howard, Harmony James, Jonah's Road, Kelly Llewellyn (pictured), Luke O'Shea & Medicine Wheel (pictured) and Felicity Urquhart. Country or country-aligned acts featuring as finalists in other categories are Carter & Carter (Christian/Spiritual), Steve Charles (International), Sam Hawkesly (Blues/Roots), Matt Lucas (Christian/Spiritual), Lianne Rose (Acoustic/Singer-Songwriter) and Danni Stefanetti (Christian/Spiritual). Tickets to the 2007 National Musicoz Awards ceremony will go on sale next week through Ticketek. It will be held at the Enmore Theatre in Sydney on Thursday November 22. Weblink – www.musicoz.org. One Stop delighted with Musicoz finalists One Stop Country has issued a media release exclaiming its delight at this year's Musicoz finalists as eight of the Country category top 10 are signed to the company. Donna Boyd, Carter and Carter, Danny Hooper, Natalie Howard, Harmony James, Jonah’s Road, Kelly Llewellyn and Luke O’Shea & The Medicine Wheel are all signed with One Stop Country, as is Sam Hawksley who is a finalist in the Blues/Roots section.
Kasey Chambers is a finalist for Best Female Artist for her album Carnival while Paul Kelly is a finalist for Best Male Artist and Best Adult Contemporary Album for Stolen Apples (Capitol/EMI). And Nash Chambers is a nominee for Producer of the Year (for Kasey's album). The country albums nominated are Love, Pain & The Whole Crazy Thing by Keith, Love Someone by Lou, Ring Around The Moon by James, Veridian by The Greencards and Walks Of Life by Gina. Weblink – www.ariaawards.com.au. Beggars release music video and single
The video uses backgrounds and scenes for the 1930s classic western "The Honour Of The Range" with the Beggars appearing to play on the stage of a very rowdy saloon full of old time western characters. All the Beggars shots were done in the Flinders University TV studio with director Dale Adams and cinematographer Richard Back who both did a great job on the clip, according to the band. Preacher I Have Sinned is from the 2006 album Beggars (MGM) and has now been released as an NfS single in Australia. The song has already been a radio hit in Europe making top 10 in seven countries including number two in the UK. The Beggars formed in 2005 when renowned session musicians Quinton Dunne, Stuart Day and Renee Donaghey decided they needed an outlet for the songs they had been writing. Weblink – www.myspace.com/beggarsthe. Chart update – Troy's fourth week at number one Troy Cassar-Daley remains at the top of the coming week's Country Tracks National Top 30 Singles Chart for the fourth week in succession with his current hit Everything Is Going To Be Alright.
Travis Collins' Yeah She Does edges up one place to number five, the Lee Kernaghan, Adam Brand, Steve Forde hit Spirit Of The Bush slips aother spot to six while Markus Meier jumps three places to number seven with Walk In The Rain. Tom Curtain's Wearing Out Leather bounds into the top 10 at number eight, America's Tim McGraw & Faith Hill enter at nine with I Need You and James Blundell's Ring Around The Moon slips one place to number 10. Bullet performers for the week include Felicity Urquhart's No Mistakes (15 to 12), Adam Brand's That Changes Everything (16 to 13), Steve Forde's Metropolis (22 to 18), Lou Bradley's One Shoe (23 to 20), Jeanette Wormald's Pukulpa Days (25 to 22), the Graeme Connors (picured)/Fiddlers Feast duet Guess Who's Got Kids (27 to 24), Sara Storer's Land Cries Out (29 to 26), Adam Harvey's Someone Else's Dream (30 to 27) and The McClymonts' Save Yourself (new at 28). Other new entries to the chart for the coming week include Rob Black's Regular Guy (in at 30). The Top 30 Countdown goes to air Sunday night on CMR (Country Music Radio) on the Super Radio Network. The full chart can be viewed at www.nfspublicity.com.au. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2007
Just yesterday, this year’s winner Kirsty Lee Akers was signed to a major management deal following chart success of her debut album (the key component of Star Maker’s prize). Immediate past winners Cat Southern, Samantha McClymont and Travis Collins continue to make a big impact on the Australian country music industry. It was announced last week that Toyota Star Maker winner 2001 Kylie Sackley had been recognised with a special honour for her songwriting success in America. And, of course, well-known winners like James Blundell, Beccy Cole, Gina Jeffreys, Lee Kernaghan and Keith Urban continue to go from strength to strength (just to name a few). Toyota Star Maker is a search through competition for an individual who has the greatest potential to take advantage of the opportunities offered in the prize package. The message is – “If you are ready to take the next big step, enter and you could join previous winners of Toyota Star Maker on the ride of your life.” The prize package includes use of the Toyota Star Maker 2008 title, a "big budget" full album recording session with one of Australia’s top producers and album record contract with Compass Bros, distribution and promotion of at least two tracks to radio and other media, 50 copies of the album for personal distribution, production of a professional video clip of one of the tracks by an award winning director, media promotion including monthly exposure in Country Music Capital News and Country Music Radio, a special edition Star Maker Maton acoustic guitar, guaranteed performance bookings at a designated list of events including country music festivals at Tamworth and Gympie, a special showcase performance at the Toyota Star Maker Grand Final in 2009 and 12 months use of a new, fully serviced Toyota motor vehicle plus fuel card for the 12 months after winning. "Artists seriously looking for a professional long term career in country music are invited to apply," said a spokesman for the organisers, Rural Press Events. Toyota Star Maker 2008 will be held in Tamworth, Australia’s Country Music Capital, on Sunday, January 20. Entry forms are available by telephoning 02 6762 2399, by emailing starmaker@ruralpress.com or by downloading from the Toyota Star Maker page at www.capitalnews.com.au.
Entries into the Australian Bush Laureate Awards also close next Wednesday (October 31). Details from www.bushlaureate.com.au. Entries in the 2008 TIARAs (Tamworth Independent Artist Recognition Awards) close this Saturday (October 26). Details available at www.tiara-awards.org.
People's Choice Awards voting coming to a close Next Wednesday is also the closing date for voting in the Australian Country Music People's Choice Awards. Tall Timbre's launch of their new CD will be held tonight at Canterbury Hurlstone Park RSL. And the band has had to change venues within the Club to cater for increasing numbers. The action gets underway at 7 with special guests Nicki Gillis and Jim Haynes performing prior to the band and launch of the CD – After The Grind – at 8.30. Weblink – www.talltimbre.com. Shaz on "Where Are They Now" tomorrow night Sharon Lee Lane will feature in the Nine Network series "RPA Where Are They Now" tomorrow night (Thursday October 25).
The story of her diagnosis and surgery was aired nationally on "RPA" in November last year. Just a few months ago, "RPA" asked Shaz if they could follow up and document her recovery and profile the life-changing experience that unfolded. And her story airs tomorrow night at 10 o'clock. Just recently, Shaz was named Most Promising New Talent at the 2007 Deadly Awards and hasn't had any time to rest on her laurels. Just a week after winning one of indigenous Australia’s most exciting music awards, she was putting the finishing touches to her latest album with producer Herm Kovac at Ramrod Studios in Sydney and within two weeks back in her hometown, she was hosting a Women Out West Luncheon talking about her trials and achievements. The Dubbo based singer and Community and Student Liaison Officer with Charles Sturt University is also in her final year of a Bachelor of Arts Degree. "I think if you’ve survived something like this, people really want to know how you are. They want to reach out to you and try to understand a small part of it themselves," she said. "It has also encouraged many others to become more aware of their own health issues. The 'RPA' team were absolutely wonderful to work with showing my delicate operation and journey back to health. "It also shows what direction life has taken me. I owe my life to Dr Rodney Allan for getting everything right." Talking about her new album, Shaz said: "Making this album with Herm Kovac has been simply amazing. I have really grown from the last 12 months. Life is definitely something that should not be taken for granted." The album, coincidentally titled Second Chance, will be launched at the Woodford Folk Festival in Queensland in December. The first single – Hello – is due to be released to radio in the first week of November. Weblinks – www.shazlane.com, www.channelnine.ninemsn.com.au. Second Brisbane show announced for Brooks & Dunn
Promoters Chugg Entertainment and Rob Potts Entertainment Edge have announced the second Brisbane Entertainment Centre show will be staged on Saturday, March 1. It’s the first time Brooks & Dunn have toured Australia and, after the Brisbane shows, they will head to Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena on Wednesday March 5 Sydney’s Acer Arena on Monday March 10. Tickets for all shows are available from www.ticketek.com.au. The superstar American duo has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide, had 23 number one hit sSingles and boast one of the biggest shows touring today. Weblink – www.brooksndunn.com.
The video was filmed on location on the Breeza Plains in north west NSW and tells the story of a local farmer facing mounting debts due to the effect of the drought on his land. As family and personal pressures build to breaking point, the farmer finds hope in his father’s support and experience. "Country music is all about the stories of our land," Steve said. "I wanted the video for A Man Will Risk It All to reflect what people in the bush are going through at the moment." "Ross Wood, who filmed the video for my first single, did such a top job that I wanted him back for this. He’s got a real talent for translating the ideas I’m singing about and turning them into a story on screen. Plus I reckon he makes an everyday bloke like me look like a Hollywood film star!" Steve joked. Weblink – www.stevepassfield.com. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2007 Slim Dusty Country Music Memories Show Details have been announced for a Slim Dusty Country Music Memories Show at Kempsey (NSW) on Saturday night November 3.
"Two young balladeers, Amos Morris (below, left) and Nathan Charlton (right), will be great entertainment for everyone because they are both such good interpreters of Slim’s songs. Altogether, there will be a lot of favourite ballads sung and a lot of memories for all of us," Joy said. Proceeds from the Slim Dusty Country Music Memories Show will help fund construction of the Slim Dusty Centre at Kempsey. The Centre is designed to provide a uniquely Australian experience and promises to be one of the most significant of its kind. Destined to become a national icon, it will incorporate a museum dedicated to Slim's achievements and will house a collection of precious memorabilia collected by Slim and Joy during a lifetime of touring and performing. During the upcoming concert, a red cedar coffee table made from timber originating from Slim’s "Nulla Nulla" property and handcrafted by George Crossingham will be auctioned along with various other items. Organised and run by the Rotary Club of Kempsey West, the Slim Dusty Country Music Memories Show started out in 2004 as a simple local tribute to the memory of Slim who had passed away just one year before. It is now a fully-fledged concert set to attract legions of fans of the man himself and his style of music. Initiated by local Rotarian Bruce Woods on his Kempsey farm, Bruce is now the event co-ordinator and is ecstatic about its growing success: "I have been overwhelmed by the many phone calls and widespread interest received for the concert," he said. "Ticket sales have been strong not only from the local community but as far afield as Toowoomba, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Bribie Island, South Coast, Sydney and inland NSW. "This will be an opportunity to hear Slim and Joy’s son David and their daughter Anne sing on stage together once again. This will be a very rare performance." Details as to ticket availability can be obtained from Bruce on (02) 6562 4795 or mobile 0418 491 499. Weblink – www.slimdustycentre.com.au. Square One Entertainment has announced the signing of 2007 Toyota Star Maker winner Kirsty Lee Akers to a long-term management deal.
"I am very excited about Kirsty’s future after watching her mesmerise crowds on James Blundell’s 'Ring Around The Moon' tour with her enthusiasm and amazing voice," said Neil Richards of Square One. "She is already one of Australian country music’s finest young performers and at only 19 has a very bright future." "After winning Toyota Star Maker in January, my career has progressed rapidly and I have met some amazing people," said Kirsty. "Neil Richards is no exception. I feel very honoured to have him on board as my new manager. With his experience and dedication to my music I am looking forward to an exciting and successful career!" Kirsty’s new single, Goin’ To The Beach, was released to radio earlier this month with a clip to air on the Country Music Channel in November. Square One currently represents James Blundell, rising Sydney soul singer/model Amali Ward, roots performer Paul Greene (Ghostwriters/Hirst & Greene) and Brisbane's Nik Phillips, the first western artist to sign a deal with a major Chinese label. MONDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2007
In announcing the changes, organisers have issued a call for "nominations now". The Awards are open to all bowed stringed instrument players, writers and teachers of all styles. Nomination deadline is now December 31. Full details can be obtained at www.goldenfiddleawards.org.au/nominate.html. The 2008 Awards will be presented at Blazes Auditorium, West Tamworth League Club, on Thursday, January 24, at 11am. Tickets will go on sale on December 1 at www.wtlc.com.au. Singer/songwriter Steve Graham was all smiles recently when he met Prime Minister John Howard at a fundraiser where he was working. Steve took the opportunity to present Mr Howard with a copy of his new album The River which includes Steve's latest single Talking About The Weather. The single has been receiving widespread radio airplay and exposure on CMC via the single's video clip. Weblink – www.stevegraham.com.au.
Soon after Gympie, Tracy performed at the Mildura Festival – including on stage at the Southern Stars – and was one of the highest selling artists there, too. "I want to personally thank everyone for their support," Tracy said. The rising star reports her single A Little Time is gaining widespread airplay and is also getting exposure via the video clip on CMC. "I’m looking forward to performing at the St Arnaud Country Music Festival at the end of October," Tracy said. Another important gig is set for Sunday November 4 at Hawkesbury Hotel, Windsor (NSW) where she will officially launch her album. "I can’t believe it’s October already" she said, "and that my Tamworth Festival shows are nearly all finalised. I’m really excited about 'The Morning Show' to be held at the Goonoo Goonoo Room at The Longyard Hotel, from Wednesday to Friday January 23 to 25. I’ll be performing on the show with my good friends Nicki Gillis, Peter Pratt, The Bushwackers and other surprise guests." On-line bookings are now available at www.visittamworth.com. Weblink – www.tracykilleen.com. New release for songwriter Danny
Produced by multi Golden Guitar winning producer Rod McCormack, the new single has been released to radio via NfS 117 and Danny is hoping for similar success to his first single (Every Reason) as it made the top 40 at both CMC and 3HOT FM Mildura's Top 100 Country Hits chart. The new single is reportedly already receiving airplay on 2REM Albury, 2MAXFM Narrabri, 2VM Moree, 3GV Gippsland, 989 FM Brisbane, the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia's "Good Morning Country, Heartland FM, KIXFM Kangaroo Island and Yass FM. Weblink – www.dannyhooper.com.au. CMC Top 50 – Steve still at the top Steve Forde is still at number one on the CMC (Country Music Channel) Top 50 playlist this week for the third week in succession with the clip of his hit Metropolis. Keith Urban's Stupid Boy is steady at two while Morgan Evans' Big Skies edges up one place to number three and Sara Storer's Land Cries Out jumps to fourth place. Kenny Chesney's Don't Blink is at five, Brad Paisley's Online is steady at six while the Reba McEntire/Kelly Clarkson duet Because Of You is down to seven. America's Jason Aldean is at eight with his Johnny Cash and Jonah's Road are at nine with Counting Down The Days while Brooks & Dunn debut in the playlist this week at 10 with Proud Of The House We Built. Bullet performers this week include Beccy Cole's Lifeboat (40 to 33), Lou Bradley's One Shoe (42 to 35), The Noll Brothers' Shining Star (new at 37), Kristy Cox with Reverse (44 to 38), Keri McInerney, Michael O'Rourke & Steve Eales' Stuck In The Middle With You (46 to 41) and Peter Denahy (pictured) with The Ringing Of Steel (new at 44). This week's CMC Country Pick is Adam Harvey with Someone Else's Dream, the first single from his new album. The full playlist can be viewed at www.countrymusicchannel.com.au. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2007 JW's "Quambatook" to premiere in February The world premiere of John Williamson’s "Quambatook" will be held at the Evan Theatre at Panthers, Penrith (NSW) on February 7 next year.
It is 1955 and in the small Victorian farming town of Quambatook, 11 year old Johnno is on a mission and nothing is going to stand in his way. For years he and his family have happily sat around the radio, listened, sang and played along with songs from The Silver Haired Showman's weekly radio show. But ever since Johnno heard the Showman describe his experiences in the Northern Territory at Uluru, he's had only one desire – to see and experience the big red rock for himself. As holiday time approaches, Johnno sets out to convince his parents and brothers that instead of taking their regular annual vacation at the seaside, they should follow the Silver Haired Showman's lead and go to Uluru. Convincing the family to drive the dusty outback roads to Uluru is only the beginning of Johnno's difficulties. As beautiful as nature can be, it also made travelling the outback in 1955 very, very difficult. Whether or not they make it to Uluru isn't important, Johnno's Mum tells him, the fact is "the joy is in the Journey". Following the premiere, "Quambatook" will play the following Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Weblink – www.johnwilliamson.com.au.This weekend the city of Caloundra on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast will be welcoming visitors and performers from all around Australia and the world to enjoy the "Sun, Surf and Soul" at the Caloundra Music Festival.
The Melbourne based quartet Jetty Road say they are looking forward to performing at the festival along with many well known Australian artists including Vanessa Amorosi, Jimmy Barnes, James Blundell, Daryl Braithwaite, Richard Clapton, Travis Collins, The McClymonts and Mental As Anything. A colourful street parade, roving performers, beach-side carnival, buskers and free children’s entertainment will ensure that there is something for everyone, organisers say. "It will be a great chance for us to sit back and relax in the sun," said Jetty Road member Paula Bowman. "It has been a busy year for us with our extensive touring with James Blundell, along with our track Real Smooth Cowboy having huge success on both CMC and at radio throughout Australia. I am looking forward to going for a swim and chilling out on the beach for a few hours!" Jetty Road’s latest single, I Wanna Go Home, has just been released to radio and is set to keep the already busy band even busier. This year, they have released their album Dirt Roads City Lights through One Stop Country, been kept busy touring with James Blundell, Travis Collins, Kirsty Lee Akers and Dianna Corcoran, and appeared at almost every major country music festival throughout Australia. Weblink – www.jettyroad.com.
Keith Urban will be releasing his Greatest Hits album on November 20. The album is expected to contain all of Keith's number one hits and many of his top fives including Where The Blacktop Ends, Raining On Sunday, You'll Think Of Me, Somebody Like You, Who Wouldn't Wanna Be Me, You'll Think Of Me, Days Go By and Better Life as well as Once In A Lifetime, I Told You So and more. Weblink – www.keithurban.net.Website passes three million hits This website – countrymusicbulletin.com.au – has passed an annualised figure of three million hits. The three million milestone was passed in August and September when those two months recorded more than 300,000 hits each. "If that level is maintained, or surpassed, the hit rate for the next 12 months will approach four million," said owner/operator of the site Bob Kirchner. "We are heading into the busy time of year for country music in Australia with attention focussed on the January country music festival in Tamworth, so we wouldn't be surprised if we registered between four and five hundred thousand hits in January." Apart from the "hits" figure, the more indicative visits and page view records have also increased dramatically. The exrapolated annual figure for these is almost 100,000 visits (or just under 8,000 a month) and more than 130,000 page views (almost 11,000 a month). "The website continues to be the most up to date and comprehensive of all country music news services on the Internet in Australia," Bob said, "and we are commited to maintaining that high level of service well into the future as a perfect complement to the dedicated 'Country Music Bulletin' industry magazine (the only such publication) in Australia." New release for Crakajak and Donna Popular Melbourne band Crakajak have released a new EP which features a duet track with leading Victorian country star Donna Fisk.
The title track features a few of country music's more traditional instruments including fiddle and banjo, "but has a definite contemporary 'doof doof' dance flavour," the spokesman said, "that will keep those party animals on the dance floor." Donna features on the track Somewhere Between The Truth And Goodbye – "a soulful 'power ballad' that exposes the softer side of the Jaks." The band have released a new music clip for Rodeo Rodeo which they shot at Mount Isa in August and hope to have it on air later this month. A new album for Crakajak will be released in January. Weblink – www.crakajak.com.
Paul Killingly and his band The Culprits are heading for the USA on their first official tour. They leave on Monday morning from Brisbane, first stop Florida. "Gig wise," Paul, a Toyota Star Maker finalist in 2005, says, "there is a stint at Club Med Sandpiper at Fort Saint Lucie, the International Boat Show at Fort Lauderdale, the Fort Lauderdale/Gold Coast sister city bash and the all important 11th annual Australian Festival and a bit more Club Med to finish off." Chart update – Troy still at number one Troy Cassar-Daley retains his hold on the top spot of the coming week's Country Tracks National Top 30 Singles Chart for the third week running with his current hit Everything Is Going To Be Alright.
The Lee Kernaghan, Adam Brand, Steve Forde hit Spirit Of The Bush is down to five, Travis Collins' Yeah She Does jumps to six while Nicki Gillis is steady at seven with Remember Me. Donna Boyd's Angels Fly Close To The Ground drops to number eight, James Blundell's Ring Around The Moon is steady at nine while Markus Meier scores his first top 10 hit with Walk In The Rain at number 10. Bullet performers for the week include Tom Curtain's Wearing Out Leather (15 to 11), Felicity Urquhart's No Mistakes (19 to 15), Adam Brand's That Changes Everything (21 to 16), Steve Eales' When A Cowboy Gets The Blues (20 to 17) and Steve Forde's Metropolis (26 to 22). New entries to the chart for the coming week include the first singles from new albums by Sara Storer and Adam Harvey... Sara's Land Cries Out (in at 29) and Adam's Someone Else's Dream (at 30). The Top 30 Countdown goes to air Sunday night on CMR (Country Music Radio) on the Super Radio Network. The full chart can be viewed at www.nfspublicity.com.au. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2007 Gidgee Coal Bush Ballad finalists Finalists have been released for the 2007 Gidgee Coal Bush Ballad Awards to be announced next month.
For Male Vocal, finalists are Jeff Brown (pictured) with Old Singer Sam, Peter Coad with Banjo And Henry and Reg Poole with A Tribute To Slim. For Group/Duo, finalists are Terry & Jenny Bennetts with I Miss The Good Old Days, Barry K & Lin Chandler with We're From This Land and Dean Perrett & Peter Pratt with Riding Down The Valley. For the Songwriter award, finalists are Jeff Brown & Glenn Perrett with Beneath The Green And Gold, Peter Coad with I Heard A Hillbilly Song and Wave Jackson withThe Augathella Fella. For the Album award, finalists are Harvest Time Again by Jeff Brown, Outback Chapters by Peter Coad and Return Of The Stockman by Dean Perrett. For Instrumental, finalists are Peter Simpson with The Man From Snowy River and Lindsay Waddington with By A Fire Of Gidgee Coal. For Comedy/Novelty, finalists are Neil Buttsworth with Could Ya, Would Ya, Do Ya Wanna, Reg Poole with Ode To A Bull and Graham Rodger with There's A Whole In The Mossie Net. For New Talent, finalists are Denise Brooks with A Scene From Long Ago, Leigh Moneghetti with Dusty Guitar and Evan Platschinda with Travelling Australia. Award winners will be announced in Pittsworth, Queensland, during the Awards weekend of November 17 and 18. National rail museum seeks Australian "Casey Jones" A railway-themed country and folk music and poetry event at Werris Creek, NSW, is to become an integral part of the Tamworth Country Music Festival from 2009.
Noted rail enthusiast Brian Dunnett of Sydney addressed the meeting and outlined his plans for the inclusion of railway-themed songs and poetry as part of the annual Tamworth Country Music Festival at an inaugural series of concerts over a two-day period in January 2009. Museum President Chris Holley said the Museum committee enthusiastically endorsed Brian's ideas and were now "formulating plans to progress this objective". The meeting was attended by representatives of the Australasian Railway Association, Canberra, and the University of New England, Armidale. "Thousands of songs and poems about railways have been written over some 250 years since the first sod was turned to create the railways of the world," Chris said. "Railway-related music, from popular to classical music, has been kept at the forefront of popularity around the globe. For several years, the Museum Committee has vigorously pursued plans to incorporate railway songs, poems and stories into a national repository at the Rail Journeys Museum at Werris Creek." The Rail Journeys Museum will now encourage artists, composers and organisations from all over Australia to register an expression of interest to support and perform railway-themed country and folk music in a major segment of the Tamworth Country Music Festival. The venue for the concerts would be the Australian Railway Monument Amphitheatre in Werris Creek which is about a 20 minute drive south west of Tamworth. Expressions of interest from interested artists and organisations may be registered with the Rail Journeys Museum at PO Box 43, Werris Creek 2341 or by telephone/fax (02 6768 7929) or by email, railjny@nsw.chariot.net.au. Photo (from left): Chris Holley, Brian Dunnett, Dora Ugalde (Communications Manager, Australasian Railway Association) and Dr Bob Haworth, University of New Engl | ||||||||||||
A launch for the CD will be held at Wests Diggers on Sunday November 18 with a concert by contributing artists.
Five bands will take the stage... The Bone Daddies, Chuck's Wagon, Corn Liquor, Mother Truckers and The Nervous Wreckers.
Travis Collins' self-penned single Don't Win Enough, the second from his new album No Boundaries, has been released to radio.
The Birdwood Music & Ute Festival will be staged on Saturday and Sunday November 24 and 25 at Birdwood, South Australia.
"iPod!" he exclaimed. "One thousand songs! My entire career is on here."
Lee Kernaghan organised the concert in conjunction wih the Queensland State Government, the third in a series which has taken in Victoria and NSW, in the name of drought relief, providing drought-stricken farmers with a diversion from their day to day worries.
Morgan Evans' Big Skies is up one to number two as is Sara Storer to three with Land Cries Out while
The next three places also remain unchanged from last week with Carter & Carter's The Best Things In Life Are Free at two for the second week, Graham Rodger at three for the third week with Woman On The Land and Kirsty Lee Akers at four with Little Things for the second week.
A second Brisbane show for Brooks & Dunn has been announced after tickets for the first concert on February 29 sold out in the first hour after tickets went on sale.
After the video for his debut single Goin’ It Alone reached number seven on the CMC countdown earlier in the year, independent country artist Steve Passfield is expecting big things from his second video, A Man Will Risk It All, which debuts on the channel this week.
The Centre will also create employment and economic prospects for the region and will help keep Australia's country music and bush ballad traditions alive by nurturing up-and-coming performers, giving them encouragement through scholarships.
From his debut album The Legacy, South Australian songwriter Danny Hooper has released his second single, Already Gone.
"Quambatook" is described as a family musical, the tale of a young hero, his quest for a prize and his determination to overcome all that stands in his way.
Keith set to release Greatest Hits album
Title of the EP is Rodeo Rodeo. The release, a spokesman said, "further enhances the band's reputation for pushing the boundaries of country music."
Carter & Carter's The Best Things In Life Are Free jumps two more places to number two, Graham Rodger is steady at three with Woman On The Land while reigning Toyota Star Maker Kirsty Lee Akers is also up two to number four with Little Things.
Country star Adam Brand (pictured) will headline the event together with Southern Stars multi award winners Carter & Carter, this year’s Golden Saddle winner Nicki Gillis, multi-award winning country crooner Brian Letton, winner of this year’s Frank Ifield Silver Spur award Karen Lynne, internationally-known country comic and I’ve Been Everywhere writer Geoff Mack and Australia’s original Queen of Country Music Jean Stafford (pictured).
