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This website dedicated to bringing you the latest Australian country music news |
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THE LATEST NEWS... DATELINE : WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2007 Telstra road finally winds to Tamworth
And they are... Victoria Baillie (winner of the Wollongong, NSW, heat), Kimberley Bowden (Richmond, NSW), Lauren Brede (Boyup Brook, WA), Sinead Burgess (Toowoomba, Qld), Brett Clarke (Dubbo, NSW), Megan Doherty (Geelong, Vic), Morgan Evans (Newcastle), Sharnee Fenwick (Tuggerah, NSW), Mandy Giles (Port Pirie, SA), Chloe Graham (Penrith, NSW), Jade Holland (Cairns, Qld), Christie Ikin (Roma, Qld), Dean Johnston (Casino, NSW), Briana Lee (Bendigo, Vic), Mick Lindsay (Gold Coast, Qld), Kodie Maree (Inverell, NSW), Tahlia McGahey (Taylors Arms, NSW), Emma Jane Montgomery (Cobram, Vic)), Michelle Murphy (Darwin, NT), Craig Phillips (Caboolture, Qld), Brodie Ryan (Horsham, Vic), Keira Smith (Mildura, Vic), Penelope Somerville (Frankston, Vic), Danni Steffanetti (Geraldton, WA), Daniel Webb (the ACT) and Daisy May Wegner (Rockhampton, Qld). Telstra Road to Tamworth finals take place at Tamworth Regional Entertainment Centre this coming Monday and Tuesday, January 22 and 23. All 27 finalists will contest the semi-finals on Monday before the top eight artists are selected to compete in the grand final the following day. The 2007 Telstra Road to Tamworth winner will head to Nashville next year to record a single with Sony BMG and spend five days writing music with some of America’s leading country music songwriters. Weblink – telstra.com/countrywide/countrymusic/roadtotamworth.
The Peel Valley Lions Club of Tamworth, Country Music Capital, has announced South Australia's "chookman" Frank Turton as winner of its annual community service award. The award was instigated in 1994 to honour people who have used country music to give community service in a voluntary capacity. Nominations are called through Lions Clubs around Australia and Frank “The Chookman” Turton from Paringa, South Australia, was selected to receive the 14th annual award. Frank’s nomination came from the Lions Club of Renmark, South Australia. The award will be presented by Tamworth Lions President Mike Mooney on Festival FM 101.5 FM on Tuesday, January 23, at 12.30pm. Frank has nominated "Greenwood Lodge" – an accommodation house set up in Adelaide for riverland people to stay when they need time in the city for Cancer treatment – as recipient of the $500 cheque which is part of the winner’s prize. Bulletin opens office in Tamworth Country Music Bulletin Publishing – publishers of this website and the quarterly industry magazine of the same name – have established a permanent office in Tamworth, Country Music Capital. "Just in time for the January Festival," said Managing Editor Bob Kirchner.
The Bulletin has also taken on organisation, promotion and staging of the annual Australian Country Music People's Choice Awards which are staged every January. "We'll also be using our new premises to promote the Awards and artists involved in the gala presentation concert by way of CD and DVD retailing," Bob said. "The artists put so much into their work and time and effort into supporting the Awards, we're delighted to be able to return the favour in such a pro-active way. An association has also developed over the last few months with operators of Tamworth's Regent Theatre which is converting its main theatre into a performance venue for the duration of the 2007 Festival. The Bulletin office is located in the Regent building at 5 Brisbane Street, diagonally opposite Hands of Fame Park. Telephone remains the same – 02 6761 2652 and 02 6762 2993 – fax 02 6766 9918 – email info@countrymusicbulletin.com.au. The office will open between 9am and 5pm every day of the Festival. Weblink – www.countrymusicbulletin.com.au. A distinctly businesslike Wolverines Top line, award-winning country group the Wolverines may or may not don suits for a special appearance next week but band members will definitely be stepping out of their comfort zones.
Chamber Membership & Events Co-ordinator Carrie Frith said the boys "do have some stories to tell! They have assured me they won’t be helping with the cooking, but they may do a song or two." Members attending the luncheon will receive a complimentary signed Wolverines CD by courtesy of John, Chris and Darcy. Proceeds from the Luncheon will be donated to the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service. Weblink – www.tamworth.org.au. Music Managers at Tamworth '07 The Music Managers Forum (MMF) will hold two events aimed at managers and self managed artists during this year's Tamworth Country Music Festival.
MMF directors and staff will be present to inform and advise members and prospective members about the work of the MMF nationally and internationally. Special guest on the Saturday is Stan Moress (pictured) of Artist Services (past clients included the Bellamy Brothers, Leif Garrett, Eddie Rabbitt and Tammy Wynette). Friday's guest will be Diana Bailey of Diana Bailey Promotions whose clients have included Grace Knight (whom she managed) and Suzi Quatro (negotiated and managed her latest album released through EMI), spent the last year working with Rob Potts Entertainment Edge as the Telstra Road To Tamworth project manager and is now working exclusively with The McClymonts as their publicist and agent. Ellaways expands with new store Christie Eleizer reports in his weekly music business column at themusic.com.au that Ellaways Music, the 44 year old music product store at Kedron, Brisbane, this week opens a superstore at 39-45 Compton Road, Underwood (picture, artist's impression).
Managing director Paul Ellaway said: "We don't just 'sell the gear' – we partner to create opportunities for people to play music and get people connected and involved with other players for music to happen." Ellaways has an events team to run jam sessions, tribute and theme shows, workshops, masterclasses and ongoing professional development sessions. It's hired Greg Dodge's company Oxygen 4 2 to find ways to get people to play instruments: one of the initiatives is an international guitar festival this year. Commemorative port celebrates 2007 People's Choice Awards Organisers of the Australian Country Music People's Choice Awards and Unique Exposure have joined with Drayton’s Family Wines to produce a special port to commemorate the 2007 event.
The port can also be ordered via the Internet at www.uniquexposure.com.au by downloading an order form pdf. The family enterprise now known as Drayton's Family Wines was started by Joseph Drayton in 1853 is now in the hands of Max Drayton and sons John, Trevor and Greg. Max’s 50 years of experience in the wine industry makes him an invaluable source of advice, not only for his sons, but also for other growers in the district. The Drayton family is very proud of its history over five generations and the part it has played in the development of the region that is rapidly becoming known as “Hunter Valley Wine Country”. Order forms for the commemorative port can be obtained from the Regent Country Live venue and the Country Music Bulletin office. Weblink – www.peopleschoiceawards.com.au.
The Fargone Beauties will play one show in Tamworth this January at West Tamworth League CLub on Thursday, January 25 at 11.30pm. After an absence of more than a decade, The Fargones have released a "best of" CD – A Load Of Old Bullocks – and made a big impact when they reformed to appear at the 2006 Toyota National Country Music Muster at Gympie. Support for the band's Wests gig is Harley Smith & Band. Weblinks – www.fargonebeauties.com.au, www.wtlc.com.au. Chart Update – Troy hits the top Troy Cassar-Daley (pictured) takes over the number one position on the Country Tracks National Top 30 Singles Chart this week with Walking Away.
Felicity Urquhart's Big Black Cloud jumps yet another three places to four while Karen Lynne and Casey Watt are steady at five and six respectively with We Should Only Have Time For Love and I Don't Want To Work This Hard. Rodney Atkins' If You're Going Through Hell enters the top 10 at number seven, the Paul Costa/Aleyce Simmonds duet The Way You Make Me Feel rises to eight, Tania Kernaghan's 30 Something drops to nine and George Strait debuts in the top 10 this week at 10 with Just Give It Away. Bullet performers this week include Jeanette Wormald's Opal Blue (16 to 12) Lee Kernaghan's Love Shack (25 to 22). Only one new entry to the chart this week, Melinda Schneider with Men In Trucks. The full chart can be viewed at www.nfspublicity.com.au. CMC Top 50
Nick Kingswell is at seven with Hope For Me Yet while Adam Brand is at eight with Cigarettes & Whiskey and Lee Kernaghan bullets to 12 with Love Shack. Other bullet performers this week include Dianna Corcoran (pictured) with Then There's Me (27 to 20), Anne Kirkpatrick with Showman's Daughter (32 to 26) and The Sunny Cowgirls' Still Circling (debuting at 30). The full playlist can be viewed at www.countrymusicchannel.com.au.
Buck Owens' bassist Doyle Holly dies at 70
Born Doyle Floyd Hendricks in Oklahoma, he became bassist in Owens' band, the Buckaroos, in 1963 and left in 1971 to pursue a solo career. On the road and in the studio, Holly worked in the Buckaroos during Owens' creative peak, including an appearance on the 1966 album, The Carnegie Hall Concert, widely regarded as one of the greatest live albums in country music history. Guitarist-vocalist Don Rich, another member of the Buckaroos' classic lineup, died in a motorcycle accident in 1974. Two members are still playing music – steel guitarist Tom Brumley (who lives in Missouri) and drummer Willie Cantu (who resides in Nashville). Owens died in 2006. As a solo artist signed to Barnaby Records, Holly charted seven singles in the '70s. His most successful single, Lila, peaked at number 17 in 1973.
Some Hearts, Carrie Underwood's debut album, has been certified quintuple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America for shipments of five million copies. In making the announcement last week, officials at 19 Recordings/Arista Nashville said the accomplishment has earned Carrie the fastest quintuple-platinum certification ever for a debut album by a female country artist. Released in November, 2005, Some Hearts has spent a total of 20 weeks at the top of Billboard's country albums chart. – cmt.com DATELINE : TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2007 Tamworth '07 for LBS LBS – Lindsay Butler Studios – has another big program of activities lined up for the 2007 Tamworth Country Music Festival. First up is the LBS Studio Open Day Concert at the LBS Moonbi studio on the New England Gully Road this Sunday, January 21, from 10am. This annual festival event features more than 25 of the most popular Australian independent recording artists backed by triple Golden Guitar winner Lindsay Butler and his show band The Butler Boys.
The official album launch for Ashley Cook’s second LBS release Beneath The Qld Moon will be part of the concert and many other recording artists will appear including Melissa Bajric, Nathan Charlton, Bob Easter, Lynette Guest, Michael and Pat Pincott, Charmaine Pout, Lana Ross, Peter Salata, The Sidey’s and Naomi Therese. Butlers Auditorium at the in-town LBS Studios (336 Goonoo Goonoo Road, Tamworth) opens on Monday January 22 running major country showcases each day until Sunday January 28. The program will include the popular LBS Studio Museum Morning Teas from 10am featuring Lindsay, Shaza Leigh and The Butler Boys together with various guest artists from the studio roster including Melissa Bajric, Ernie Constance, Ashley Cook, Dale Duncan, Bob Easter, Darryl Lamb, Tom Maxwell, Charmaine Pout, Naomi Therese, Lindsay Waddington and Brian Young. At the end of each concert, an artist is inducted on to the LBS Wall Of Honour. The studio is then open to the public to wander through and have a look at the awards lounge and the actual recording studio that many of today’s albums are recorded. Artists also mingle with visitors for a chat and to sign autographs. Other daily showcases run from 2pm to 5pm and 7pm to 10pm hosting package shows run by various promoters and featuring many top line country and bush ballad performers in concert. Some of the major showcases already confirmed are Country Crooners, Travelling Country Theatre, All Girls Show, Australian Touring Greats, TSA Members Showcase, Kross Kut Records Show, Country Corner Showcase, Songwriters Spectacular, TSA Pass The Guitar and Future Stars Now. Photo: Lindsay and Shaza play host to another big program of LBS events at Tamworth 2007. Jeanette's Opal Blue Tamworth Jeanette Wormald heads to Tamworth this week with more than one reason to smile about the success of her album Opal Blue. The South Australia based artist is not only a Golden Guitar Awards finalist for Vocal Collaboration of the Year for her duet Out Here with Peter Pratt, but will be showcasing songs from Opal Blue at three major awards concerts during the 2007 Tamworth Country Music Festival.
All this as the second single from the album, the title track, continues to climb the Country Tracks Top 30 charts, jumping four places to number 12 in this week's chart. Meanwhile, the single and accompanying music clip, which is being shown in high rotation on Country Music Channel, and Jeanette's top four hit Boundary Rider's Daughter, have all been selected for a special project in her home state showcasing the best the State has to offer during its annual world renowned summer festival season next month. Arts SA has initiated the project to showcase the creativity of South Australian artists where festival patrons can download the cream of SA music and film directly to their mobile phones. Jeanette, who is travelling to Tamworth as a host on the Country Music Express this Saturday, is performing at a range of venues during the Tamworth Festival. You can catch her at the following venues. Weblink – www.jeanettewormald.com. Stephen kicks off national tour A new name in Australian country and roots music is Stephen Rowe who kicks off his national tour this month in Adelaide in support of his debut album Broken Hill.
At the age of 19, Stephen left his hometown and moved to Adelaide where he was offered a two year scholarship to study classical ballet. He went on to an international career in ballet for the next 15 years. While touring with ballet companies, Stephen started writing his own songs. He grew up with traditional country music and classic Australian and British rock. His inspirations included the legendary Slim Dusty and artists such as Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Hank Williams, Merle Haggard, Kris Kristofferson, the Beatles and David Bowie. "Stephen's debut album reflects these influences while telling the story of his hometown, his family and his country," his publicist said. "It’s a personal journey which engages the listener from start to finish. Co-produced by alt-country star Anne McCue, Broken Hill is country music at its coolest and very best." Now based in California, music is the primary focus of Stephen’s life, but he continues to work as a carpenter. He also explores artistic endeavors through painting and sustains a healthy acting career. Broken Hill will be released through Red Rebel Music/MGM Distribution on February 3. The title track is currently impacting radio and television. Stephen's national tour starts on Thursday (January 18) and moves directly to Tamworth where he plays a number of venues including Regent Country Live in the International Showcase on Wednesday January 24 at 2pm – then moves to Melbourne and Sydney. Weblink – www.brokenhillboy.com. DATELINE : MONDAY, JANUARY 15, 2007 Today's Picks More walk-ups at the Oasis Hotel-Motel today on the Armidale Road from 4pm while the Australian Country Music Hall of Fame in Brisbane Street stages another Country in the Courtyard from 6.30. Chris Watson & Dare 2 Dance are on at Tamworth Tennis Club from 7 while the Oasis continues its program of entertainment with Graham Rodger from 7, John Goodare at 8 and Kevin Harris at 9. Anthony John, Brendan Marolla and Sarah Taylor are at Wests Diggers in Kable Avenue also from 8 while Alby Pool & No City Limits feature at West Tamworth League Club from 8.15. Community involvement ensures success of Festival With the 2007 Tamworth Country Music Festival officially kicking off in less than a week, Tamworth Regional Council has expressed thanks to the local community on behalf of the dozens of Festival organisers and venues for their continued support and understanding during the Festival period. "With an influx of 50,000 visitors expected to descend upon the city in the coming week, we would like to pass on our gratitude and sincere thanks to residents and businesses throughout the local region and the wider New England North West area," said Steve Bartlett (pictured), Council's Festival Director.
"(With) the massive economic injection of over $40 million and the general profile raising of the city... it is worth the 10 days of minor inconveniences," he said. Though Council and the dozens of venues and organisers involved in making the Festival happen, have been planning since February '06 to ensure it runs as smoothly as possible, "the most important message we want to get across at the moment," Steve said, "is that we are extremely appreciative of our local community for their on-going support – this Festival is owned by the people of Tamworth and we extend our sincere thanks to them." "Tamworth always puts on a fantastic show during the Festival and gives visitors a wonderful welcome," said Reel Thomson, General Manager of Tourism Tamworth, and "we’re sure this year will be no different. "The community has made the Festival the great success that it is and we whole-heartedly thank them for the last 35 years of support. With a party in the streets all day and all night for the next couple of weeks, we encourage everyone to get out and about and embrace the exciting atmospheres found in every venue and around every corner; who knows what electrifying acts will be found this year." Council and Tourism Tamworth have offered up "a few tips to keep in mind while the Festival is on... Road Closures in the central business district (CBD) will be in place from late evening on Thursday January 18 with an extension on Peel Street between Bourke and Darling Streets added between Friday January 26 to Monday January 29. There will be no access to Kable Avenue between the Brisbane Street junction and the back of the Tamworth Regional Council building; and there will be no access to Brisbane St between Marius Street and Kable Avenue unless turning left out of Dowe Street. Car Parking There will be a number of public car parks available to residents and visitors around the CBD area including Gipps Street, the bottom of White Street, City Plaza, Power station Museum/Community Centre, Tamworth Visitor Information Centre, Byrnes Avenue and behind the Regional Library. Parking which has been available behind the Town Hall is strictly limited this year because of the construction of the new shopping centre and multi level carpark (but think how great this will be from 2008! – ed). Public Transport There will be taxi zones outside the Central Hotel and Westpac Bank on Brisbane Street and the Festival Shuttle Bus Terminal will be located behind Target in Kable Avenue. Emergency Services There will an increased Police presence in town to assist in managing unruly behaviour as well as St Johns Ambulance team members on the ground. Any further information about the 2007 Tamworth Country Music Festival, presented by Telstra, or the operational logistics that will be place over the Festival, can be obtained by contacting the Media Unit at Festival HQ on 02 6767 5710 or on 0409 985 997 or 0407 204 192. Bush poet brekkies on again One of the favourites of the annual Tamworth Country Music Festival is the bush poet brekkies, the most famous, those presented by leading country comic Jim Haynes (pictured).
This year, some of Jim's guests will include Darren Carr, Amber Lawrence, Paddy Ryan, Casey Watt and many of Australia's top-line performers as special guests. Grant Luhrs presents "The Best Bloody Bush Poets Breakfast Ever" at West Leagues every morning of the Festival (Bush Poetry Club Show at 7.30am, main show 8m, breakfast available from 7). Grant's guests will include "Australia's best bush poets" – John Best, Jack Drake, Gary Fogarty, Melanie Hall, Carol Heuchan, Bill Kearns, Garry Lowe, Bob Magor, Col Milligan, Greg North, Paddy Ryan and Noel Stallard with Angus & Cameron Young. Sam Smyth presents a bush poets breakfast daily at 7.55am at Tamworth City Bowling Club in Napier Street. His guests, from time to time, will include Emily Breckell-Smyth, Jack Drake, Shirley Everingham, Cay Fletcher, Bill Kearns, John Lloyd, Garry Lowe, Col Milligan, Claire Reynolds and Noel Stallard. Bush poets will also feature at The Longyard Hotel from 8am daily, Saturday to Sunday, January 20 to 28. More coverage of other bush poetry events and activities during Tamworth '07 will be featured in the coming days. Cowpoke announce Festival schedule
The program incorporates five full three hour night shows at the Fitzroy Tavern as well as a number of showcase appearances at venues around town. Performances will include songs from their current successful album Pokin' 'Round and preview numbers from their forthcoming 2007 release. Night shows will also feature the band's favourite country covers. Weblink – www.cowpoke.com.au. DATELINE : SUNDAY, JANUARY 14, 2007 Today's Picks A special fundraiser for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter will be staged at the Oasis Hotel-Motel, Tamworth, on the Armidale Road at 12 noon today. The concert will feature Dally Croft, Rex Dallas, Graham Doubleday, Brian Howard, Tom Maxwell and Brian Young. Countdown and Festival line dancing activity gets underway with Chris Watson's Line Dancing Welcome Social at Tamworth Tennis Club in Napier Street from 1pm. The second of the Australian Country Music Hall of Fame Country in the Courtyard activities – with walk-up artists welcome – kicks off at 6.30pm. Evening entertainment (all at 8pm) includes Graham Doubleday at the Oasis, Anthony John, Anthony Taylor and Brendan Marolla a Wests Diggers in Kable Avenue and Those Gals at West Tamworth League Club. Singer's life wasn't meant to be easy Carmen Fraser is a new name in Australian country music, but the name is not unfamiliar to most Australians – or at least the surname.
Now in their 70s, the Frasers have been checking out the live music scene in Melbourne to see Carmen perform. Twenty-one year old Carmen said her grandparents were probably biased but they had enjoyed her performances. "They came to a gig at Manchester Lane in Melbourne the other week, when I was supporting Gangajang," she told The Weekend Australian. Carmen, who said she was inspired by fellow Geelong Grammar graduate Missy Higgins to turn her back on a career in law and pursue a singing career, will be one among hundreds of aspiring singer/songwriters jostling to be heard during this year's Tamworth Country Music Festival. Few in showbusiness can claim such a distinguished political pedigree, but it meant little to audiences, she said. "His (her grandfather's) role hasn't either hindered or helped me," Carmen said. "It was two generations back. That's quite a long time ago – and a lot of my friends weren't around when he was Prime Minister (from 1975-1983)." Malcolm Fraser said he and his wife had gone to see their granddaughter perform her jazz-pop-country tunes at many venues over the years. "She's got a remarkable natural talent," he said. "It was a huge decision to concentrate on music, but she gives it 1000 per cent." After Tamworth, Carmen will go to Byron Bay to record her second album, after last year's Blame It on Love. Carmen, who has been involved with the Jimmy Little Foundation and indigenous issues, said she was more interested in human rights than political history. "My grandfather's humanitarian work inspires me, but so does a lot of people's. It's hard to be objective, when you are not," she said. Weblink – www.carmenfraser.com.au. DATELINE : SATURDAY, JANUARY 13, 2007 Festival ticket sales "in hot demand" Tickets are in hot demand for the 2007 Tamworth Country Music Festival according to Tourism Tamworth which sells a majority of tickets for major events during the 10 day country music extravaganza. Tourism Tamworth reported its first sold out show yesterday – all of its allocated tickets for the Saturday January 27 session of the ABCRA (Australian Bushmen's Carnival & Rodeo Association) National Finals Rodeo.
Tourism Tamworth is selling tickets for more than 60 shows that are being held over the course of the Festival from major acts and concerts through to smaller Festival favourites. Many popular shows are filling fast, Rebel said: "the 2007 Festival is proving to be a big year with a lot of great entertainment on offer. Some of the favourites shining through this year with strong sales include the Toyota Star Maker Grand Final, Troy Cassar-Daley’s 'Heroes & Friends Show' and Carter & Carter. "We urge everyone to get in early and purchase tickets to avoid the disappointment of missing out," Rebel said. For the first time ever, Tourism Tamworth launched a special internet-only sale of tickets in October which was a great success peaking at more than 7,000 pre-sales. "Today, only a week out from the Official Festival Opening Ceremony, Tourism Tamworth now proudly boasts over 25,000 physical tickets sold and expects this number to rise dramatically once the Festival gets underway." Tickets are available over the counter at the Tamworth Visitor Information Centre at the corner of Peel Street and Murray Street (the New England Highway or Sydney-Armidale Road), by phone on 02 6767 5300 or online at www.visittamworth.com.au. During the actual Festival, Tourism Tamworth will have a second ticket sales outlet based in the Festival Headquarters in the foyer of the Tamworth Regional Council building in the city's central business district. It will be open Friday to Sunday January 19 to 28. Photo: aerial view of the guitar-shaped, currently very busy Tamworth Visitor Information Centre. Second album for John South Australian based John O'Dea has released a new album titled Old Rusty Ute.
Trev Warner produced the new album and played guitar, banjo, mandolin and dobro on the recording with Stuie French featured on several tracks with both electric and acoustic guitar. Eight songs on the album were written by John with one track, As If He Knows, a cover of the Eric Bogle song. Songs on Old Rusty Ute have already won five South Australian songwriting awards and the Frank Harding Award of Excellence (John's second consecutive win of this honour) at the South Australian Country Music Festival at Barmera. John's Woman From Saigon has won a spot as a finalist in the Tamworth Songwriters' Association’s New Songwriter of the Year Award this year and he will be making a number of appearances at this year's Tamworth Country Music Festival. The title track is the first single released from the album – via NfS 110 – is getting airplay and positive feedback from around the country. Weblink – www.johnodea.com.au. Shop for drought relief! On Tuesday, January 23, Woolworths and Safeway will be donating their entire supermarket profits for the day to the drought relief. The funds will primarily be used by the CWA (Country Women's Association) for immediate support for rural families with the remainder to help fund research into sustainable farming practices. More than $3 million dollars is expected to be raised on the day. Weblink here. Tamworth Country Music Train concerts The Country Music Express to Tamworth will be serving up a feast of luncheon and dinner concerts during the Tamworth Country Music Festival this month.
Director of the Country Music Express Arthur Smith said the concerts, which only seat 36 people over a two course a la carte style meal, are growing in popularity each year. Tickets were already selling fast and as seats are strictly limited, he urged interested people to book through Tourism Tamworth as soon as possible. "The concert series has been so popular over the past two years that we have created a full program of five lunch time and five dinner shows during the week," Arthur said. Other artists appearing at the shows from January 22 to 26 are Owen Blundell, Maria Forde, Jim Haynes, Reg Poole, Hank Sasaki and Cat Southern with the 2007 Star Maker winner. Today's picks A standout event today during the Countdown to the Tamworth Country Music Festival is the special fund-raising concert for The Salvation Army's Hope Cottage. See story below (click here) for details. Also included on the agenda today is walk-up entertainment at the Oasis Hotel (on the Armidale Road) from 4pm, a Country Flavour Showcase at the Riverside camping ground from 6pm and the Kerry Kennedy Duo at Tamworth Services Club from 8.30pm. Open in the Country Music Capital all year round, and certainly through the annual January Festival from 9am are the Australian Country Music Hall of Fame in Brisbane Street, the Big Golden Guitar Tourist Centre & Wax Museum on the Sydney Road and Walk A Country Mile exhibition in the Tamworth Visitor Information Centre. DATELINE : FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2007 Festival DEFINITELY still on! The annual Tamworth Country Music Festival is definitely still on this January despite some rumours to the contrary which suggest the event has been cancelled because of water restrictions in the northern NSW city.
Rumours about the cancellation arose due to talk about water and what impact 50,000 visitors would have on the city, she said. "We are hearing that people from Dubbo to the Northern Territory think the festival has been cancelled," Rebel said, but she assured country music fans (many of whom are already setting up camp in the city) the 10-day festival would kick off on Friday, January 19. Tamworth Regional Council Director Steve Bartlett said water consumption did not rise significantly during the festival period despite the number of visitors. Weblink – www.visittamworth.com.au. Country in the Courtyard, tonight! One of the first activities to be staged in the Festival Countdown is Country in the Courtyard, an evening of country music with entertainment by walk-up artists in the forecourt of the Australian Country Music Hall of Fame in Brisbane Street, Tamworth (next to the Imperial Hotel).
The activity gets underway at 6.30pm with meals and refreshments available. Additional Courtyard events scheduled for this year will be this Sunday, Monday and Tuesday evenings, all commencing at 6.30. Weblinks – www.acmf.org.au, www.countrymusichalloffame.com.au. Concerts in the Chapel Mark Tempany joins Alison Hams (pictured) and 2007 Golden Guitar finalist Peter Pratt for his seventh consecutive year of concerts at the Tamworth Regional Conservatorium of Music during the annual January country music festival.
Since that single opening show (performed by Mark alone), the concert series has grown to three annual festival-time concerts also featuring Mark's talented wife and fellow songwriter and performer Alison Hams. In 2005 and 2006, Mark and Alison were joined by multi Golden Guitar winner Michael Fix and, in 2007, Peter Pratt will become part of the "Concerts in the Chapel" family. "'Concerts in the Chapel' provide an audience with the best possible chance to see live music performed in an historic and intimate setting," Mark said. The Chapel holds a maximum of 90 people and a free supper is served in the courtyard at interval each night with concert-goers having the opportunity to meet the artists. Bookings are recommended on 0418 700 819, although tickets can be purchased at the door (subject to availability) on the night. Weblink – www.marktempany.com. Graham's Tamworth 2007 Graham Rodger has been booked to sing at the People's Choice Awards and the TSA Awards this January during the Tamworth Country Music Festival.
Tamworth Community Centre is the venue for three shows of Graham's, on Sunday January 21, Monday January 22 and Tuesday, January 23 with guest artists including Terry & Jenny Bennets, Amos Morris and "the Japanese Cowboy" Hank Sasaki. In March, Graham will tour Tasmania with Terry & Jenny. His new album – Thunderbolt – is being launched at Tamworth this year as well as his second DVD, The Matilda Highway. Weblink – www.grahamrodger.com.au. Ronni Rae jets off
Joining Ronni on stage on Sunday will be Dom D'Leno on drums and percussion, Andrew Figliomeni on lead guitar and Laurie Smithers on bass, "creating a hybrid of country, rock, blues and world music," she said." Also adding to the party atmosphere on the night are one of my fave bands, (the) Dead Kelly's and wonderful singer/songwriter Tessa Davis. Weblink – www.ronniraerivers.com. © Copyright 2007, ICMB Publishing
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Twenty-seven heat winners in the Telstra Road to Tamworth talent search converge on the Country Music Capital during this year's Festival to compete in the finals and grand final.
In addition to the Bulletin, the office will be set up as a shop and print service provider offering photocopying and small quantity poster printing for the industry, photo downloading, printing and internet access to Festival visitors.
The boys in the band – John Clinton, Chris Doyle and Darcy LeYear – will be special guest speakers at Country Music Capital's Tamworth & District Chamber of Commerce regular monthly meeting.
The activities will be held Friday and Saturday January 26 and 27 at the Tamworth Festival Musician's Headquarters in the Small Business Centre in the city's main street and will include a free barbecue where managers can network.
It is 2,000 sqm – four times larger than most stores in Australia – and comes with a 270-seat concert venue for in-house events. They've got 20 genre-specialists on staff including former Savage Garden bassist Lee Novak and Resin Dogs' Chris Bosley as their dj and technology adviser.
The "fine old tawny port" will be available to order and collect throughout the Festival (and after, subject to availability) at $25 each. An additional charge of $10 applies for postage and handling.
Fargones hit Tamworth
Travis Collins' Full Tank edges up one more place to number two while Keith Urban's former number one Once In A Lifetime drops back to three.
Melinda Schneider, Gina Jeffreys and Felicity Urquhart hold the third, fourth and fifth places on the CMC Top 50 playlist this week with their clips, respectively, of Men In Trucks, Live It and Big Black Cloud.
Doyle Holly, a member of Buck Owens' band during its heyday in the '60s, died on Saturday (January 13) in Nashville after battling prostate cancer. He was 70.
Carrie goes quintuple
Included on the bill will be Dale Duncan, Terry Gordon, Darryl Lamb, Shaza Leigh, Brian Letton, Tom Maxwell Lindsay Waddington and Brian Young.
Jeanette will be a featured performer at the prestigious Tamworth Songwriters' Association Awards, Australian Bush Laureate Awards and People's Choice Awards.
Originally from Broken Hill, Stephen left school at a young age to pursue a trade as a builder/carpenter. He also raced motocross for Suzuki and, to keep in shape for motocross, he did four years of boxing and also studied ballet (a rarity for a boy from Broken Hill., according to his publicist).
"We again ask for your patience and understanding over the next couple of weeks. We... are not oblivious or even immune to some of the inconveniences caused by road closures and access restrictions.
Jim's "Big Bush Brekky Variety Show" will again run every morning of the Festival proper from this Friday right through until, and including, Sunday, January 28, at Wests Diggers in Kable Avenue.
Mittagong band Cowpoke has announced its full schedule of appearances during the 2007 Tamworth Country Music Festival.
Carmen is the granddaughter of former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser and his wife Tamie.
"The Rodeo is always an extremely popular event with Festival-goers and followers of the rodeo circuit alike," said Rebel Thomson, General Manager of Tourism Tamworth.
The new work follows John's successful debut album If Stones Could Talk and is touted as adding considerably to his credibility as a top-line singer/songwriter.
Outback icon Ted Egan (pictured) and Golden Guitar finalists Carter & Carter, Anne Kirkpatrick and The Sunny Cowgirls are among the stars featuring in the Train's "Up Close and Personal" concerts.
The drought has forced water restrictions on Australia's Country Music Capital but Rebel Thomson, General Manager of Tourism Tamworth (the organisation that has an overall role for marketing the Festival) said this month's 35th annual festival will go on.
Administrators of the Hall of Fame, the Australian Country Music Foundation, stages Country in the Courtyard every month during the year but decided to organise extra activities this year after a big response to the event in January 2006.
"Concerts in the Chapel" have run since Mark created the Festival venue in 2000 with a stated aim "to establish an intimate, theatre-style performance space for the very best in Australian original music."
He has received 15 finals nominations for Tamworth this year, his writing abilities taking him into the finals of the Golden Guitar Awards with two nominations, for Bush Ballad and Heritage Song.
Ronni Rae Rivers will perform her last show (for the time being) in Australia this Sunday (January 14) at Mojos in Perth before "jetting off across the globe to work on a new musical project".