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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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Country Roadshow set for early 2021 Country Roadshow – a multi-artist travelling mini festival of country music – is set to run early next year. The Roadshow will stop at Brisbane on February 6, Canberra February 12, Townsville February 20, Sydney February 26 and Tamworth February 27.
Tim McGregor, Managing Director of TEG Live, organisers of the activity, said: “We are incredibly proud to get live music back on the road again with the inaugural Country Roadshow! "This new annual tour will feature the cream of Australian country music playing shows across the eastern seaboard in 2021 and hopefully across the nation in years to come. "After the forced hiatus in 2020," Tim said, "we are confident that live music will be back on its feet next year and there's no better way to celebrate than with this stunning line-up of Australian artists.” Adam Brand, one of the key artists on the Roadshow, said he was excited to be part of the activity and looked forward to performing in front of music fans again. “2020 has been a challenging year for everyone with COVID-19 changing our way of life and ability to gather and enjoy live music," he said. "Country Roadshow will be a celebration of not just great music but also our resilience as a community as we come out the other end. Can’t wait to see you all in 2021!” Country Roadshow will be held with a commitment to a COVID Safe environment. TEG Live will work closely with and comply with all requirements of the public health authorities in respect of these shows. Weblink – www.teglive.com.au. Ashleigh joins Rediscover Australia Country Music Capital based Ashleigh Dallas has joined innovative travel company Rediscover Australia as Brand Ambassador. And one of the company’s first major activities will be a Fireside “Ultimate Glamping & Live Music Experience" at Tangaratta Vineyards just outside Tamworth in September.
“Australian towns are feeling the pinch alongside many industries and now is the important time to Rediscover Australia and Reconnect with the importance of Local.” Rediscover Australia is owned and operated by Tamworth travel dynamic duo Chris and Gemma Watson with the aim of connecting Australian owned businesses and helping Australian communities and the economy. The upcoming Tangaratta Vineyards event is described as “the perfect combination to rediscover the heart of lopcal towns wrapped up with amazing music!” It will run over two sessions… four days, midweek, from Tuesday September 22 to Friday September 25 or three days, weekend, Friday September 25 to Sunday September 27. The event will feature live entertainment in a setting “by the campfire”. Golden Guitar winning artists Travis Collins and Amber Lawrence will join Ashleigh on the program. For those who sign up, the package includes “glamping” accommodation, breakfast and dinner daily, the campfire concerts, shuttle to and from Tamworth city plus local brewery and wine tasting. The midweek package also includes a visit to the tourist village of Nundle. “During 2020, I’ve been writing some new songs and I’m very much looking forward tp sharing them with an audience again,” Ashleigh said, “of course practicing social distancing and still doing our part!” Weblinks – rediscovertravel.com.au • www.ashleighdallas.com.au. Vale – "Doc" Riley One of the early pioneers of country music in the Tamworth area – John "Doc" Riley – has died.
He grew up on a wool and cattle property, gaining his "Doc" nickname at an early age. His father bought him his first guitar at age 12 and he played at local dances. After serving in the Army, John joined a rock 'n' roll band in Brisbane but, in the early 1960s, his love of country music took him back to Tamworth. At this time, the country music scene in Tamworth was starting to develop and he was part of the cirty's early history with shows being held regularly in the Town Hall and pubs. After a few tours of NSW and Queensland, he recorded his first record, famously at radio station 2TM with Ken Camerin and Ross Murphy's Opal Records. The song – Better Make Up Your Mind – topped music charts for 10 weeks before being replaced by Lionel’s Rose Let Me Thank You. To gain further experience, John traveled to America, performing in California and Nevada before returning to Australia in 1982. John's last known performance in Tamworth was with Terry Gordon at the 1983 January country music festival. John "Doc" Riley was inducted into the Country Music Hands of Fame in 1991. Vale – Ron Tudor Ron Tudor, a pioneer of the Australian music industry, who also played a significant role in Australian country music, has died. He was 96.
He worked with Astor Records briefly before starting his own production company, June Productions, followed by his own record label, Fable, in 1969. One of his first signings was John Williamson, who had then just won the “New Faces” television talent quest, and released his now classic Old Man Emu on the label. Fable went on to sign acts like Bill & Boyd, Bobby & Laurie, Brian Cadd (on Fable’s sub label Bootleg), The Hawking Brothers and Deniese Morrison who went on to win numerous Golden Guitars at Tamworth. Country was not Fable’s only music genre with notable, and successful, acts like Kerrie Biddell, Mike Brady, Robin Jolley, Liv Maessen, Mississippi and The Mixtures all recording with the label.
In 1979, Ron was awarded an MBE (Member of the British Empire, equivalent to an Order of Australia today) for services to the recording industry, primarily for a leadership role in the Australian Music Makers Association, lobbying government for three years to increase radio quotas for Australian artists from five percent to 20 percent. Other awards through the years came from the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) – the Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Services to Australian Music – and from the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) – a Special Achievement Award. Among numerous tributes to Ron, one from Brian Cadd: “Ron was never the boss. He was the leader of the pack. He was the loudest, the funniest and maybe the naughtiest. “But underlying all that was a deep passion for our industry and an unshakable belief in Australian talent.” Ron sold his holdings in 1984, by which time, he had amassed 20 gold and platinum records as well as 32 industry awards. He returned to Armstrong Studios, which he had founded with Bill Armstrong and Roger Savage (later renamed AAV) and worked there until retirement. Ron died on Friday. "Malabar Mansion" 2020 Aussie bush balladeer Dale Duncan has co-ordinated a collaboration of 40 artists and musicians (dubbed "The Balladeer All Stars") to celebrate the 40th anniversary of his father’s hit song Malabar Mansion. The song was written by Dave Duncan while serving time in Sydney’s Long Bay Jail for failure to pay road tax (a customary practice at the time). Dale said it was a scarring time for his Dad as he shared a cell with someone doing time for murder and another for armed robbery.
Dave was friends with Aussie country legend Gordon Parsons who recorded and released the song in 1982. As the song was turning 40 this year, while his Dad turns 83, Dale wanted to wish his father “happy birthday” in a special way... by rallying 36 of his touring friends to do a collaborative recording of his famous song. Together with musicians and producers, the result is more than 40 individuals on quite a unique recording of Malabar Mansion which is soon to be released as a single to Australian radio. Artists in the collaboration are Terry Bennetts, Jeff Brown, Kylie Castle, Allan Caswell, Peter Coad, Virginia Coad, Ernie Constance, Tracy Coster, Rex Dallas, Dale Duncan, Ray Essery, Stuie French, Terry Gordon, Johnny Greenwood, Lynette Guest, Sharon Heaslip, Ged Hintz, Trudy Hintz, Brian Howard, Caitlyn Jamieson, Keith Jamieson, Dianne Lindsay, Ken Lindsay, Tom Maxwell, Patti Morgan, Steve Newton, John O’Dea, Gordon Parsons, Dean Perrett, Evan Platschinda, Reg Poole, Anita Ree, Graham Rodger, Peter Simpson, John Smith and Peter Smith. Musicians involved are Stuie French, Rory Hoffman, Eamon McLoughlin, Joe Reed and Greg Stocki. Four recording studios were utilised in the process… Steve Newton’s Enrec Studios and John Lee’s Fat Track Studios both in Tamworth, Stuie French’s Swingin’ Doors Studio in Nashville and Lindsay Waddington’s Kross Kut Records on the Gold Coast. The single release is accompanied by a fascinating video clip highlighting artists and musicians involved in the collaboration including Dave and Dale and part of the original recording by Gordon Parsons. Malabar Mansion 2020 was produced and mixed by Stuie French and Dale and mastered by Stuie. “What a huge effort by a lot of people,” said Dale “This is truly one of the best projects I've been a part of in my music career. Thank you everyone and Happy Birthday Dad!” Click here to view the video of the 2020 Malabar Mansion collaboration. Destiny Band Oz wins international award Australia’s Destiny Band Oz has won the International Entertainer of the Year award at the International Singer-Songwriters Association (ISSA) Awards for the second year running.
Thomas and Tessa Libreri, who make up the band, say they are “absolutely thrilled and thankful for this accolade”. The substantial crystal obelisk trophy from the Awards will make a total of 18 Australian and international awards for Destiny Band Oz since their first single release in 2017. Destiny Band Oz were finalists in eight international categories of the ISSA Awards... including Vocal Duo of the Year, Band of the Year, Album of the Year (for Special Songs), Music Video of the Year (for Peace Of Mind) and Female Songwriter of the Year. Open to singer/songwriters from all around the world, the ISSA Awards are decided by initial fan-voted nominations to obtain finalists in each category with winners determined by a panel of judges. Another Australian act – Shelly Jones Band – took out third place in the International Band of the Year category. The ISSA is a not for profit association dedicated to promoting and serving independent artists and encouraging aspiring and professional songwriters in all genres of music worldwide. Weblinks – issasongwriters.com • www.facebook.com/destinybandoz. First Nations artists recording grants Applications have opened for First Nations artists to apply for recording grants under the Australian Government’s Indigenous Contemporary Music program. Five grants are available as part of the ARIA (Australian Recroding Industry Association) PPCA (Phonographic Performance Company of Australia) Australia Council First Nations Sound Recording Partnership. Applications for the grants, to fund new recordings, close October 20, 2020.
Each grant will provide $18,500, thanks to the Indigenous Contemporary Music program, and continue in the tradition of grants given out by the PPCA and the Australia Council since 2013. The grant program will provide funds for new recordings and accommodate access to industry professionals who will advise and help the grantees to develop an effective release strategy for their recording project. “The Australian Government is proud to partner on these grants that will see five First Nations artists supported to record and promote their music,” said Federal Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts Paul Fletcher. “This will help them reach more people and build new professional networks across the Australian music industry.” The grants aim to expand the diversity of Australian voices as well as developing the capacity and professional capability of First Nations music industry aspirants, as well as to aid the development of sustainable career pathways for First Nations creatives. Artists can apply via the Australia Council website. Successful applicants will be announced later in the year.
The documentary film "Slim & I" will be released on Thursday, September 10. It will screen in all states except Victoria for the time being. The film's soundtrack album will be released the previous Friday (September 4) with single release due two weeks prior to that on Friday, August 21. Click here for previous coverage on the film. Hall of Fame ownership passes to Council Responsibility for managing Australia's Country Music Hall of Fame – located in Tamworth – has passed to the local regional council. Tamworth Regional Council last night formally accepted the Australian Country Music Foundation's offer to "gift" the Hall of Fame, including the Foundation's internationally recognised collection, in the name of preservation and enhancement for future generations. Adoption of the formal Deed of Gift takes effect in two stages... September 1 for Council to take up the operation and management of the Hall of Fame and November 30 for the collection to transfer to Council.
“It is the only collection of its type which tells the story of the Australian country music industry and its natural home is here at Australia’s Country Music Capital,” he said. Australian Country Music Foundation President Eric Scott said the Foundation was “profoundly grateful” to Council and, in particular, Mayor Col Murray. “There has been continued interest and support shown for over 25 years of work seeking out information, history and precious objects which tell the rich story of the first hundred years of country music in Australia and New Zealand and the musical talents of the men and women who created it,” he said. "We are entrusting to the Council the future and preservation of our priceless collection which has received the attention of no less an organisation than the UNESCO Memory of the World Australian Register.” The Foundation is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit organisation with the charter to collect, protect, preserve and promote the history of Australasian Country Music. It was formed in 1991 and administered the Australian Country Music Hall of Fame. The Foundation will continue to operate as an independent entity but, from December 1, will no longer hold ownership of its collection. Tamworth Regional Gallery & Musuems Director Bridget Guthrie said, for more than five years, Council has worked in partnership with the Foundation towards a shared vision and future goals for the Hall of Fame collection. “The collection supports and reflects key cultural themes for Tamworth and the region and is important in the tourism landscape,” she said. Weblink – www.countrymusichalloffame.com.au. Keith releases track listing for new album
Together with the song list, a new single – Change Your Mind – was also released. The album is due out on Friday September 18. Four singles have now hit the airwaves from the new work... God Whispered Your Name, Polaroid, Superman and now Change Your Mind. God Whispered Your Name is among nominations for a 2020 CMA Award. Weblink – keithurban.net. Return of Catherine's Bush Pubs Tour Catherine Britt has announced the return of her Bush Pubs Tour 2020 and the first single from her upcoming new album.
Catherine says the inspiration for the song came from a conversation with her best friend in Nashville. “I asked her when we landed in Nashville for our last US tour, 'Have you been listening to the radio? What’s new?' She simply replied in her Mississippi drawl, 'Oh Honey, I don’t need to listen to the radio, I AM a country song. “It has always stuck with me as such a great idea for a song and I kept it in my list of ideas for years until this album. When I sat down with Gareth Hudson, I told him my idea and the song just fell out of us. We both knew straight away it was a special song that many country fans can relate to." The upcoming leg of the Bush Pubs Tour will kick off in Collinsville (Qld) on the day the new single is released will take in many "bush" towns across Queensland, South Australia, NSW, Victoria and Tasmania. Special guest for the tour will be the Melody Moko. Weblink – catherinebritt.com. Festival plans gather for 2021 As most are aware, with the exception of a few smaller events, this year is pretty much a write-off for country music festivals in Australia. Event organisers, however, are well and truly focused on making a substantial return next year, as can be seen on the Bulletin's Festivals & Events page.
Events still scheduled for this year (subject to prevailing pandemic restrictions) include the smaller Capella concert event on Saturday August 15 in Queensland, the Manjimup Bluegrass & Old Time Music Weekend in WA in September and a number of activities in October and November. Moving in to 2021, the picture gradually starts to change with firm dates established for events postponed from this year. These include the likes of King of the Ranges and Cobargo festivals in NSW, Yackandandah in Victoria, Boyne Valley and Charters Towers in Queensland. Some are taking the opportunity to announce a "big return" like the Way Out West Fest in Winton. As we have been reporting, the iconic Tamworth Country Music Festival is set to progress in January, albeit a little differently. And there are some events likely to proceed that may not have made final decisions yet. All subject, of course, to any restrictions in place or put in place by authorities because of the pandemic. The Bulletin aims to keep the Festivals & Events list as up to date as possible but often encounters out of date website or facebook pages with no way to directly contact organisers. It is always advisable to check that events are still on before travelling, and do let us know if you strike anything on our page that needs updating, or adding for that matter. Country stars feature at virtual Isa Rodeo Performances by Casey Barnes, Lee Kernaghan and the award-winning duo O'Shea will be a highlight of Australia's first virtual rodeo from Mt Isa this weekend.
Rodeo Chief Executive Natalie Flecker said she was thrilled to announce Casey, Lee and O'Shea would perform live as part of the event. The live concerts every night of the Isa Rodeo were "a huge part" of the event pre COVID-19. "These are all artists who have had an amazing impact on our... stage in Mount Isa. We are excited they are working with us again in a virtual space for 2020," Natalie said. The virtual rodeo will feature a mix of rodeo action (from videos sent in by competitors from around Australia and overseas), interviews with rodeo champions, Outback Queensland scenery as well as live performances by the three country acts. It can be viewed free via www.isarodeo.com.au from 6pm Saturday. Playing the 2019 Mount Isa Mines Rodeo had been one of the highlights of his 2019 Backroad Nation Tour, said Lee. "I am looking forward to playing for rodeo fans next Saturday night." Natalie paid tribute to the cowboys and cowgirls who had entered videos which are currently being judged for the virtual rodeo broadcast. "We hope rodeo fans will enjoy the broadcast's mix of rodeo action, characters, live entertainment and stunning Outback Queensland scenery, and hopefully we can welcome you in Mount Isa for the 2021 event," she said. |
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Adam Brand (pictured), The Buckleys, Travis Collins, Jasmine Rae (pictured) and The Wolfe Brothers (pictured) will be mainstays for the 2021 series a special guest headliner – Lee Kernaghan – joining the Brisbane event.
“Our County has been faced with many hardships over the past few years - from droughts to fires and now the hold of a pandemic,” said Ashleigh.
Resident in Gladstone, Qld, John was born at Barraba north of Tamworth in August 1939.
Ron started his career in the music business with W&G Records where he signed, among others, Johnny Chester, Diana Trask and The Seekers.
Ron also established Fable Music Publishing. Songs from its catalogue have been recorded by notable acts like The Buswackers, Debbie Byrne, Judith Durham, Slim Dusty, John Farnham, Col Joye, Marcia Hines, Natalie Imbruglia, Anne Kirkpatrick, Max Merritt, Olivia Newton-John, Normie Rowe and Margaret Urlich.
The Awards were announced on-line this year from Atlanta, Georgia, in the USA.
"Slim & I" dates announced
The gift offer followed a lengthy period of consideration, discussion and consultation between the two bodies and a substantial increase of support for the Hall of Fame when it was provided by Council with use of the former Tourism Tamworth building in 2015 (pictured at right – previously, the hall of Fame was located in the former Tamworth Mechanics Institute in the city's Brisbane Street, below).
“The Hall of Fame is a wonderful addition to our music-themed assets and attractions and we are grateful of the work the Australian Country Music Foundation has done over many years to build the collection.”
Keith Urban has released the full track listing for his new album – The Speed Of Now Part 1.
The new single – I Am A Country Song – will be officially released through Catherine's new independent label Beverley Hillbilly Records on Friday August 28.
With coronavirus restrictions ending any possibility of a live rodeo in its 61st year, the Mt Isa Rodeo, sponsored by Mt Isa Mines, will broadcast free this Saturday (August 8) from 6pm.
