AUSTRALIAN COUNTRY MUSIC NEWS ARCHIVE – MARCH 2019 |
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FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 2019
First Gympie line-up announced
The first line-up of artists appearing at the 2019 Gympoie Music Muster was announced yesterday.
 Headline acts will include James Blundell, Kasey Chambers and The McClymonts among 100 artists who will ultimatekly play what will be the 38th Muster.
Also announced yesterday yesterday were 8 Ball Aitken, Kirsty Lee Akers, Caiti Baker, Allan Caswell, Davidson Brothers, James Ellis &The Jealous Guys, Andrew Farriss & The Rainmakers, Col Finley, Chad Morgan, Kaylens Rain, Jeff Lang, Paddy McHugh, Melody Moko, Murphy’s Pigs, Luke O’Shea, Natalie Pearson, Tex Perkins & The Fat Rubber Band, Linc Phelps, Saltbush Six, Scarlet's Way, Anna Scionti, Simply Bushed, Felicity Urquhart and The Wilson Pickers.
Canadian acts including The Dungarees and Amy Nelson were also included as part of the first line-up announcement.
Muster Program Coordinator Emily Murphy said the 2019 line-up upheld the event's 38-year tradition of "true, grassroots country favourites coupled with an exciting element of discovery across a broader range of genres".
"Musicians like Kasey Chambers, The McClymonts and James Blundell have real history with the Muster and are a special part of our extended family of artists who regularly return as crowd favourites.
"Muster-goers also love the element of surprise and discovery that Muster brings, so we have Tex and Andrew Farris, as well as incredible young Australian blues artist, Caiti Baker and James Ellis & The Jealous Guys, one of Melbourne’s best-loved country and honky-tonk bands, to name a few!"
Recognised as Australia's largest charity festival, the Gympie Music Muster has raised more than $15 million for charity and community groups since it began.
The Muster will be staged on its owen dedicated site in the Amamoor State Forest from Thursday August 22 to Sunday August 25.
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THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2019
My Country Australia in Wollongong
My Country Australia is a weekly radio program broadcast on more than 50 radio stations all over the world.
 Produced and compered by Pete Mathewman, the program will stage a special concert in Wollongong this Sunday evening following an event earlier this month in Melbourne.
Artists featuring will be Aaron D'Arcy (pictured), Chloe Christine, Tessa Cole, Dear Violet, Emma Jene (pictured), Kora Naughton, The Silverlines ((pictured) and Trinity Woodhouse.
Concert tickets can be purchased here or at the door.
Weblink – mycountryaustralia.net.
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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2019
Country 2 Country Australia
Country 2 Country – a country concert series that has been running successfully in Europe and the United Kingdom since 2013 – is coming to Australia in September.
 Two one-day events will be staged, one in Sydney and one in Brisbane, featuring a combination of Austraian and American acts.
Local acts on the bill will include Kaylee Bell, Sinead Burgess, Travis Collins, Jody Direen, Judah Kelly, The McClymonts (pictured) and Andrew Swift who will join US acts Kelsea Ballerini, Reverie Lane, Tim McGraw (pictured), Midland and Drake White & The Big Fire.
More acts are to be announced soon.
Weblink – c2c-countrytocountry.com.au.
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TUESDAY, MARCH 26, 2019
Travis named Global Artist winner
Travis Collins has been announced as one of this year's winners of the CMA (Country Music Association, America) Jeff Walker Global Artist Award.
 The CMA took the opportunity to announce this year's winners while in Australia for events including CMC Rocks at Ipswich.
Travis' award was presented by American artists Luke Combs and Cam (Camaron Marvel Ochs) in Sydney.
The award recognises "outstanding achievements by a country music artist signed outside of the United States who has furthered the popularity of country music as well as brought attention to the country music format in their... territory".
The second Global Artist Award went to British country duo Ward Thomas.
On another occasion, US country artist Ashley McBryde and CMA Vice President of International Relations & Development Milly Olykan, presented Chugg Entertainment Managing Director Susan Heymann with the CMA's J Walker Meador International Award.
The J. Walker Meador International Award recognises "outstanding achievement by an individual advocating and supporting country music's marketing development in territories outside the United States".
Additional 2019 CMA International Award recipients include BBC Radio 2 Radio Host Baylen Leonard, who was presented the CMA International Country Broadcaster Award, and Kacey Musgraves who was announced as winner of the International Artist Achievement Award.
"The CMA International Awards honour industry executives and artists who have supported and made a difference towards the growth and promotion of country music in the international market place," said a CMA spokesman.
"Nominees are recognised in five categories acknowledging their dedication and efforts in growing opportunities for country music in their local territories."
Weblinks – traviscollins.com.au • cmaworld.com.
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FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2019
Sara to headline charity concert
Sara Storer will headline a special charity concert in Queensland on Saturday April 6 as part of the Sisters of the North Charity Campdraft which is running from Friday April 5 to Sunday April 7.
 The concert is in response to the harsh drought in Queensland and one of the biggest floods in the state on record.
Sara will be supported by Brad Butcher, Linc Phelps, Brendan Radford, Greg Storerand one of North Queensland’s favourite duos, Mother's 2nd Choice who will also entertain the crowd on Friday 5th April.
The concert will be held at the Cloncurry Racecourse Equestrian Centre and will kick off at 7:30pm with entertainment finishing at midnight. All proceeds from the event will go to Sisters of the North Charity.
Entry is free however patrons will be encouraged to donate to the very worthy cause across the weekend. Artists performing at the charity concert are donating their time.
Sisters of the North was established by a group of women who encourage connection, community and empowerment as a means of developing resilience against adversity.
In recent times, they had not one but two major climate and weather events to respond to in what seemed like a never-ending drought that was followed by the floods.
Cattle in the thousands perished with some families losing their entire herd. The final number is still unknown, but it could well be more than half a million cattle, horses and sheep.
Families have also lost homes, vehicles, pets and their income.
Weblinks – www.sarastorer.com.au • www.facebook.com/sotncharity.
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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 2019
New from Lee
Lee Kernaghan will release a new album in May titled Backroad Nation.
 Details have also been announced for a national tour kicking off on May 11 to support the new album release,
"Backroad Nation is a celebration of us, our way of life and the people who make our country great," Lee said. "Much of the inspiration for the songs has come from the people I've met and the places I've travelled to from Alice Springs to the Deni Ute Muster, from the mighty Pilbara region in WA to backroads Qld and everywhere in between."
Since the release of his mega hit Boys From The Bush, Lee has scored a plethora of hits with songs like The Outback Club, Hat Town, She's My Ute, Planet Country, Flying With The King, Australian Boy and Spirit Of The ANZACS – the highest selling Australian album of 2015.
Tickets for all shows announced to date are available via Lee's website.
Special guests on the tour will include Christie Lamb and The Wolfe Brothers.
The first single from the new album – Wheels – was released earlier this month and is already gaining widespread airplay.
Weblink – www.leekernaghan.com.au.
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MONDAY, MARCH 18, 2019
Boggabri Drovers' Campfire
The 2019 Boggabri Drovers’ Campfire – a five day “campout” for caravanners, motorhome owners and travellers with activities and entertainment – will be staged from Wednesday to Sunday April 24 to 28.
Established in 2006 by the local Lions club, the Campfire is growing in reputation every year, from 29 vehicles, 12 tents and 57 people in the first year, to 502 vehicles and 2000 people just a couple of years ago.
 The brainchild of local Geoff Eather, the event was developed with the support of his local Lions club.
Geoff recalls…
“A long-time dream of mine was to come up with something to promote Boggabri to the wider community and to bring in tourist dollars so the whole community would benefit.
“I came up with the idea of a simple, no frills caravan, motorhome, camping weekend where people can come at low cost to see what Boggabri has to offer. The Boggabri Showground provided a perfect venue.
“At the time I was the only caravanner in the Lions Club, but I took my idea to them (I have been in the Boggabri Lions Club for more than 30 years) and they thought it was worth a try.
“In 2006, we had a big campfire with story-telling, poems and music at night and tours by day. The local community church provided continuous cups of tea at no cost and on Sunday morning a church service.
“From that weekend, we decided the last weekend in April would be the date and the name ‘The Drover’s Campfire’ was adopted to reflect the theme of the event.
“We advertised widely with the help of the Narrabri Shire Visitor Information Centre and in 2014 had over 800 participants come for the weekend. The reputation of this iconic event continues to grow with expectation that this year it will be the biggest and best yet!”
The Campfire program includes entertainment by Rex Baldwin, Keith Jamieson & Alisha Smith, Norm Lambert, Steve McCauley, the Narrabri Big Band, Greg Powell, Sam Snape, Two Gals and bush poet Jacqui Warnock.The opportunity will also be available for “walk-up” acts to perform.
Activities include stalls featuring local Boggabri wares including a range of locally produced products, a vintage car display (Saturday), a blacksmith display, vintage fashion parade, heavy horses, word turning demonstrations “one of the most impressive displays of historic machinery around”.
More information is available from www.droverscampfire.com.au. Bookings can also be made from the website.
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FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 2019
Steve wins Spur award
Steve Passfield has been presented with this year's Frank Ifield International Spur Award.
 The announcement was made, and award presented, during the Spur Award Winners Show at Canterbury-Hurlstone Park RSL Club in Sydney last night.
Steve joins a long list of previous winners since the Frank Ifield Award (as it was known then) was established in 1998 by the Rotary Club of Galston.
Winners to date have been... 1998: Colin Greatorix, 1999: Melinda Schneider and Michael Carr, 2000: Wayne Horsburgh (the once only special Millennium Award), 2001: Karen O'Shea, 2002: Wayne Law, 2003: Donna Boyd, 2004: Graham G Toole, 2005: Stacey Morris, 2006: Travis Collins, 2007: Karen Lynne, 2008: Kirsty Lee Akers, 2009: Nicki Gillis, 2010: Johanna Hemara, 2011: John Stephan, 2012: Emma Hannah, 2013: Stephanie Jansen, 2014: Stuie French & Camille Te Nahu, 2015: Donna Fisk, 2016: Neilly Rich, 2017:Troy Kemp and 2018: Baylou.
The original criteria for selection was simply based on the strength of a recording to be of a high standard and indicating further potential.
Later, the focus centred on the potential global appeal of the recording, the artist's individual style and professionalism of performance both on and off the stage.
This international appeal became critical, as a significant component of the award is the release to international airplay (particularly the UK and Europe) on Frank's recommendation and the further use of his expertise and experience to assist in promoting Australian talent overseas.
Photo: Steve with his award plaque, Frank Ifield and Richard Young from the Rotary Club of Galston.
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TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 2019
Penrith Working Truck Show coming up
A crowd of more than 20,000 is expected to attend the upcoming Penrith Working Truck Show on Sunday March 31.
The full day's entertainment will be complemented with rides and unique exhibits again for the 32nd annual staging of the event at the Museum of Fire.
Hundreds of vehicles will be on display, from B doubles to custom trucks "plastered with chrome detailing and spectacular airbrushing" together with the outstanding collection of fire engines owned by the Museum.
Live entertainment on the day will include Brad Butcher, Adam Eckersley & Brooke McClymont (pictured), Christie Lamb (pictured), Dan Murphy, the Viper Creek Band and the Wolfe Brothers (pictured), fresh from their multi Golden Guitar haul at Tamworth in January.
Children will be kept busy with 26 rides, fairy floss, face painting, airbrush tattooing and other activities that all free, included in the ticket price of $35 per adult which includes entry for up to three children under 16. Concession tickets are available for $25 each but these do not include child admission.
"For this low cost, all rides, entertainment, activities and exhibits inside the show are free," said a spokesman for the organisers. "We think it is the best value family day in Sydney today.
"As a registered charity event, all funds raised from the show will be used to educate families in fire safety and to preserve the history of our bravest."
The event is supported by local firefighters who are helping to run the event."
Specialist trade stalls and displays will also be on site a variety of food and drink. Gates open at 8am and close at 4pm.
Major prizes and trophies will be presented to winning truck entries on the day.
Access is via the Penrith Railway Station, the Museum a 100 metre walk along a landscaped footpath from the northern side of the Railway Station.
Tickets can be pre-purchased via www.tickitap.com/museumoffire.
Weblink www.pwts.com.au.
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FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2019
Spur Award announcement next week
The 21st Spur Award will be announced and presented by Aussie country legend Frank Ifield in Sydney next week.
 The award will be presented during Spur Award Winners Show at Canterbury-Hurlstone Park RSL Club on Thursday night (March 14) from 8 o'clock.
Performers on the show will include previous winners Donna Boyd (2003), Nicki Gillis (2009) and John Stephan (2011) (pictured above, from left).
Frank's Spur Award is presented in association with the RSL Club and Rotary Club of Galston).
Host of the Awards night will be award-winning instrumentalist and compere Bob Howe with his Hillbilly Heaven band.
Weblink – www.shownet.com.au/canterburycountry.html.
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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2019
Family Heritage Show
Dianne Lindsay's annual Family Heritage Country Music Show will be staged at the Nabiac Showground Hall on Saturday March 30.
 "Back where the music and touring began for Reg Lindsay and Heather McKean, many years ago," Dianne said.
Together with Dianne, "Bush Picker" Peter Simpson (pictured) and their band, a number of special guest artists will appear including award-winning up-and-coming ballad guitarist Anthony Baxter.
"The show is in good old country style," Dianne said, "with a light supper at interval and time for the audience to meet and speak with the entertainers."
Lucky door prizes will be a feature and "admission is still only $20 per adult, $5 children."
More information, including details on accommodation, can be obtained by telephoning 0401 095 306.
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MONDAY, MARCH 4, 2019
Vale – Kate Cook
Australian Idol contestant and country artist Kate Cook was found dead this morning near her home town, Lowood, in Queensland.
 Various media have reported police were notified of Kate’s disappearance at 7.20 last night. Friends said she was not in a good head space when she wandered off into the mountains off Lowood Hills Road.
After a fruitless search last night, police continued at 6am today, finding the 36-year-old’s body around 500m into the bush.
They said there were no suspicious circumstances around her death at this stage.
Tributes have poured in from locals and fellow country artists lamenting the singer's passing.
Kate had opened up about her difficulties with her life in the aftermath of Australian Idol, finding it difficult to continue with her career without the assistance of the show’s managers, publicists and other helpers.
She was a semi-finalist on the 2009 series.
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FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2019
New from The Viper Creek Band
The Viper Creek Band today released their latest album, Beautiful Destruction, their first in three years.
 It debuted at number one on the iTunes Country Albums Chart and number 13 on the All Genre Albums Chart and sees the Newcastle outfit stretch their musical wings with songs that encompass their ever-growing influences, but still identifiable as The Viper Creek Band’s work, according to s band spokesman.
"I’m just so excited to get it out because I can’t wait for people to hear it," front man Damien Baguley said.
"It’s feels like forever since the last album (Just Press Play). The songs show off our different influences, but I still think it’s got The Viper Creek Band stamp on it and people are still going to dig it."
The two singles from the album, Green Light and Australian Girls, have both charted strongly and enjoyed extensive airplay with Green Light racking up 500,000 streams on Spotify.
Damien co-wrote four songs of the 10 songs on the new work with Nashville writers as well as Australian artists including Travis Collins and Matt Scullion.
"I just hope listeners don’t want to skip any songs," he said. "I think every song has its place and that they want to listen to the whole thing because, as an album, there are a lot of different flavours."
The singer-songwriter and lead singer, formerly of Narrabri, is now looking forward to releasing Beautiful Destruction out into the world and hitting the road.
"We have revamped the live show around the album," he said.
The Viper Creek Band will launch the album with a weekend packed with gigs starting in Muswellbrook RSL on Friday night, March 1, the Sydney launch at Rooty Hill RSL on Saturday, March 2 before playing for their hometown audience at Edgeworth Bowling Club on Sunday, March 3.
Weblink – www.thevipercreekband.com.au.
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