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NEWS ARCHIVES

APRIL 2006

DATELINE : WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 2006

Golden Saddle Finalists announced

Organisers of the Galston Country Music Festival have announced finalists for the 2006 Golden Saddle Award.

Presented in conjunction with the Festival, this year the 10th anniversary event will be staged on Sunday, September 10, the Golden Saddle Award is presented for outstanding ability.

And this year's finalists are...

The Atherton Brothers (from Gympie, Queensland), Paul Costa (Robinvale, Victoria), Carol Donovan (Port Macquarie, NSW), Amber Lawrence (Sydney, NSW), Karen Lynne (Wenthworth Falls, NSW), Drew McAlister (Sydney, NSW), Amos Morris (Kempsey, NSW), Peter Pratt (Ilabo, NSW), Ronni Rae Rivers (Warnbro, WA), John Stephan (Sydney, NSW), Craig Stewart (Laurieton, NSW) and SweeneyKilleen (Sydney, NSW).

Finalists are nominated by "industry spotters" from a pool of Australian professional independent artists whom they consider outstanding at what they do.

Galston Rotary Club (organisers of the Festival) then trim the 12 finalists down to three Grand Finalists who are invited to perform at the Festival. These will be announced in June.

The Golden Saddle winner on the day is chosen by industry judges and receives a hand crafted Cooper’s Golden Saddle Award trophy, cash, a production package by courtesy of Herm Kovac (Ramrod Studios), certificate and an invitation to return as a special guest at the next Festival.

The two runners-up both receive a performance fee, publicity, certificate and a Cooper’s Golden Saddle Award trophy. 

Previous Golden Saddle winners have been Darren Colston (last year), Rob Wilson, Mark Tempany, Double-Decker Dave, Michael King, Dave Debs, Colin Greatorix and Tracey Faith.

Further information about the Festival can be obtained at www.galstonfestival.com.

Anne signs to Compass Bros

Anne Kirkpatrick has signed with Compass Brothers Records and her first album on the label will be released next month.

Daughter of Australian country music icons Slim Dusty and Joy McKean, Anne first appeared on stage at the age of 10 in her parents' travelling country show before rising to prominence as a solo artist in the mid '70s

In 1991, Anne released her watershed album Out Of The Blue (her seventh solo release) on the fledgling ABC Country label and took home an ARIA (Australian Recording Industry Association) Award that year and two Golden Guitar Awards the following January.

At the time, critics labelled her "a true revolutionary… the godmother of Australian new country" and declared "she is now, unambiguously, our finest country performer".

Anne's new album – Showman's Daughter (her 13th including two duet albums with Slim) – has been produced by former Flying Emus and Travelling Country Band member Mike Kerin and Michael Vidale and is described as "a raw and authentic roots country album reminiscent of roots traditionalist Gillian Welsh".

The writer credits for the album read like a branch of the Dusty family tree with contributions from Anne herself, Joy McKean, Slim Dusty and Anne's son James Arneman.

Also featured are songs from writers with long associations with the family: Don Walker, Bernie O’Brien and Stan Coster.

Showman’s Daughter, Anne’s first solo studio album since 1997, will be released on May 13 on Compass Brothers Records through SonyBMG.

Record enquiries for QUT Urban Country Music Festival

Caboolture Shire Council, organisers of the annual QUT Urban Country Music Festival, have reported record enquiries for the event to be held this May long weekend in Queensland, April 28 to May 1.

"Enquiries have been huge through both our website and the festival hotline," Caboolture Mayor Joy Leishman said.

"There is a significant increase in the levels of enquiry over the previous two years and we are anticipating a record attendance for 2006."

Tickets for the main concert, featuring Lee Kernaghan, Paul Kelly, Adam Harvey, Melinda Schneider, Tania Kernaghan, Troy Cassar-Daley and Aleyce Simmonds, are selling strongly with the announcement that Lee will launch his latest album The New Bush at the concert.

"It’s a huge coup for the festival to secure the album launch, Mayor Leishman said. "The opportunity to be the first to experience this major event and buy the album hot off the press has added a unique incentive to an already dynamic concert."

The main concert, sponsored by the Caboolture Shire Herald, is the feature happening of the weekend, but organisers have ensured that this year’s event has plenty of events and attractions to provide a diversity of entertainment.

The largely free program of entertainment gets underway in Caboolture’s central business district on Friday night with The Burbs ‘n Bush Party featuring the Bushwackers and The Borderers, the Caboolture Sports Club Urban Blaze Concert and Fireworks with Jonah’s Road, Samantha McClymont, Cat Southern and Claye Middleton, to The Farewell Concert with Tom Curtain and Luella, together with winners of all competitions – the Twisted Arm Busking Championships, RSL Caboolture Talent Search and Queensland Champion of Champions.

Add to that the popular Songwriters Café, Sunshine Coast Coromal Bush Poets Breakfasts, a host of competitions including the RSL Caboolture Talent Search, Telstra Road To Tamworth, the Twisted Arm Busking Championships and bush poetry.

The Caboolture Festival has grown into a real family affair with an increasing number of attractions beyond the music.

These include the Nova Ford Beaut Ute Competition, the Town Square Markets, Australia Zoo and Bunnings with activities for young people in the Town Square, the Trail of Reflections artwork tours through the central business district of Caboolture - and the Hogs Breath Café Bacon Racin’ piglet races on Monday morning "a fun event not to be missed".

Further information about the Festival can be obtained from the website www.urbancountry.com.au or by calling the Festival Hotline 1800 810 400.

Port Stephens Festival

The inaugural Port Stephens Country Music Festival will be held on the Queen's Birthday June Long Weekend in NSW, June 9 to 12.

In addition to the music, led by country star Adam Brand, the Festival will include line dancing, country cruises, bush poetry, music bus tours and "plenty more".

Participating venues will include Nelson Bay RSL, Nelson Bay Bowling Club, Newcastle Game Fishing Club, Fingal Bay Sport & Recreation Club, Salamander Bay Shopping Centre, Seabreeze Hotel, Nelson Bay Golf Club, Moonshadow Cruises, Bay Breeze Resort and d'Albora Marinas.

The weekend will also incorporate the Shoal Bay Food and Wine Festival.

Further information can be obtained by telephoning Nelson Bay Town Management on 02 4984 4751 or by visiting www.nelsonbaybusiness.com.

Matt releases new album

Matt Manning, Australian Bush Balladeers Association (ABBA) Star Quest winner 2004 and Bungendore New Talent winner, released his second CD on Sunday in Casino.

Titled My Richmond River Home, the album has 12 tracks – 10 bush ballads and two instrumentals.

The album was produced at Kross Kut Records by Lindsay Waddington.

It is available from Matt direct at 2 Cascade Drive, Casino NSW 2470 or contact can be made by email lynmanning@iprimus.com.au.

Cost of the album is $27 (including postage).

Further information can be obtained at www.bushballadeers.com.au/manning.htm.

And so does Anita

Another ABBA Star Quest winner, Anita Ree (2003), is also about to release a new album.

Bush Girls Heart, on the Ringbark Records label, will be released on May 6.

The album contains a selection of 13 Australian songs, 10 written or co-written by Anita herself.

Other writers featured include the late Joe Daley (he wrote the words to The Ballad of Joe Daley, a poem he wrote about his own life as "a brokend down ringer") and Ian Quinn who wrote the title track, a song, Anita says, is a picture of her life.

The inclusion of a duet with Tracy Coster of a special Stan song is also a highlight.

"Guitar touches from Charley Boyter and Stuie French head the list of an impressive selection of Australia's finest musicians," Anita said, "including Michel Rose, Mick Albeck, Mark Oates and Roger Corbett.

Further information can be obtained from www.bushballadeers.com.au/anita.htm.

Patti tours in America

Goulburn, NSW, based country singer Patti McKinnon is heading to America for a series of performances through May.

The tour kicks off on May 5, 6 and 7 at the Jamboree by the Lake in Winchester, Tennessee, and takes in appearances including Tootsies in Nashville on May 9, Fiddlers Inn, Nashville from May 11 to 15, Cowboys Red River Dancehall in Dallas, Texas, on May 18, Ernest Tubbs Record Store in Forth Worth, Texas, on May 20, Cross Timbers Opry in Stephenville, Texas, on May 22 and the Memorial Jamboree in Fort Worth from May 26 to 28.

A recording session at Stardust Records, Nashville, is set down for May 8 to 10.

Patti's latest album is Freedom Highway.

For further information, visit www.countryragepage.com/pattimckin.htm.

Australian Festival in Nashville

Applications are now open for Australian artists wanting to showcase their talents in Nashville during the 2006 Australian Festival.

The Festival runs from Thursday September 14 to Sunday September 17.

Applications can be made on line at www.musicdownunder.org.

Further information about the can be obtained at www.australianfestival.com.

Bill Chambers hits the road

Bill Chambers hits the road in May playing gigs to promote his solo album Frozen Ground.

The album was released in February to widespread industry and media praise and Bill is keen to promote his music to audiences all over Australia.

Frozen Ground is Bill’s second solo album which he describes as "different styles from classic country to blues and points in between.

"A fine collection of country blues songs with dirt under their fingernails."

Bill’s career has spanned many decades and seen him win Golden Guitars for his songwriting, travel the country at the helm of his successful family outfit the Dead Ringer band, travel the world as guitarist in daughter Kasey’s band for the past eight years or so, as well as touring the US solo many times.

His live show is simply one not to be missed.

Visit www.essencerecords.com.au for details of appearance dates.

Tamworth 2007 "Festival Information Guide" launched

Planning and preparation for the 2007 Tamworth Country Music Festival is well underway with Tourism Tamworth announcing the early release of the "must-have" booklet, the "Country Music Festival Information Guide".

"This booklet is an essential tool for all visitors planning a trip to Tamworth during January," said Tourism Tamworth General Manager Rebel Thomson. "(We have) been producing this Guide for a number of years and it has always been highly sought-after.

"With almost 1,000 enquiries for information about the 2007 Tamworth Country Music Festival reaching the Visitor Information Centre since January, it's easy to see why the Festival Information Guide is so well received."

The "Festival Information Guide" is a comprehensive database of everything anyone needs to know about visiting the Festival including a full list of accommodation in the Tamworth region (plus alternatives such as riverside camping), coach packages, major events, ticket sales and contact details for entry into major competitions.

"In addition to an increased print-run of this publication to cater for the high level of enquiries, Tourism Tamworth has chosen to upload this booklet on to (our) website to provide visitors with ease-of-access to information,” Rebel said.

The Guide can be viewed at www.visittamworth.com (click on the Country Music Festival link on the toolbar), the on the "Festival Information Guide" hyperlink to download (the PDF file).

Anyone without access to the internet, can contact Tourism Tamworth and request a hard-copy of the booklet to be mailed, free of charge.

Changes to NSW Central Coast radio

NSW Central Coast Radio 2CCC 96.3 FM is on the move, literally, and is changing its call sign to simply Coast FM 963.

The new physical address is yet to be confirmed but will still be in the Gosford area according to spokesman "Tubby" Dyer.

Established in March 1984, the station was granted a full 24 hour licence in August, 1992, and is the "senior" community radio station on the coast.

The daytime format (6am to 6pm) will be "easy listening" with specialist program to feature between 6pm and 6am.

Tuesday night is now "country, rythmn ‘n’ blues" from 6pm to 12midnight with "Tubby Dyer's "Bar-B-Q Country" from 6–8pm, Ian Betteridge's "Heroes & Friends" alternating in the 8-10pm slot with Lyn McKenzie's "High Country and Bill Dewdney's "Highway 49 Blues" filling 10pm to 12midnight.

Sunday mornings will retain "Aussie Country" with Mike Kennedy from 9am to 12noon.

Any enquiries regarding the station or programming can be directed to "Tubby" at tubby2@tpg.com.au.

Smoky – in the March and on canvas

Smoky Dawson took part in his "umpteenth" Anzac March in Sydney yesterday, hot on the heels of an appearance at the National Trust's S H Ervin Gallery in the city on Sunday.

During World War II, Smoky served in the first Australian Entertainment Unit. After a severe illness, he returned from the jungles of Borneo to start "The Adventures of Smoky Dawson" radio show. At its peak, the show was broadcast nationally on 69 stations.

Smoky was at the S H Ervin Gallery to respond to his portrait, painted by artist Ann Cape, selected for the 2006 Salon des Refuses (the alternative Archibald & Wynne Prize exhibition) showing there until May 14.

The painting, of Smoky (with wife Dot), is proving to be one of the most popular works on show, according to a spokesman for the Gallery. It was purchased by acclaimed artist and arts benefactor Margaret Olley who will donate it to the Lismore Regional Gallery following exhibition in Sydney.

Smoky is recognised as one of Australian country music's first pioneers of the music back in the 1930s and '40s.

In 1978, he was elevated to Australia's Country Music Roll of Renown and inducted into the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Icons Hall of Fame last year.

Further information can be found by visiting www.nsw.nationaltrust.org.au.

Photo: the painting of Dot and Smoky by Ann Cape.

Charts update – Troy takes over at number one

Troy Cassar-Daley has taken over the number one spot on the Country Tracks Top 30 singles chart this week with his current single Going Back Home.

Toby Keith remains at number two with Big Blue Note while last week's number one, Stuie French & Camille Te Nahu's Wives Don't Like Old Girlfriends fell to number three.

Keith Urban, Joe Nicholls and Travis Sinclair remained at four, five and six, respectively, with These Are The Days, Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off and Midnight Run.

Peter Denahy's Peppercorn Tree crept up to number seven, Catherine Britt's Too Far Gone rose to eight, The Flood's The Flood dropped to number seven with their former number one hit Hello Blue Sky dropped two more spots to nine and Sara Storer's Since I've Gone fell to number eight, and Beccy Cole's So Good For So Long bounced into the top 10 at 10 from number 14.

Bullet performers this week included Natalie Howard's Is It Just Me (15 to 11), Jake Nickolai's Suddenly I (16 to 12), Adam Harvey's That's Just How She Gets (19to 13), Travis Collins' I Was Wrong (22 to 18), Ronni Rae Rivers' It's Only Make Believe (23 to 19).

There are two new entries to the chart this week, Tania Kernaghan with Harley McTaggart (in at number 29) and John Williamson with Bells In A Bushman's Ear (at 30).

The full chart can be viewed at www.nfspublicity.com.au.

Photo (by Helen Mitchell): Peter Denahy, one of this week's Bullet Performers on the chart.

I -N- T- E- R- N- A- T- I- O- N- A- L--- •- --U- P- D- A- T- E-

Dolly rides with Elvis

Thanks to digital video technology, a new television commercial for Tennessee's tourism department features a current day Dolly Parton riding in a convertible with a '60s-era Elvis Presley.

The digital scene recreated from his 1967 film "Clambake" marks the first time Elvis Presley Enterprises, the corporation that administers his estate, has authorised the late singer's likeness to be used in a TV commercial with another celebrity.

In a press release, Dolly noted, "I am so proud of my Tennessee heritage, and I am thrilled and incredibly honoured to be promoting our great state alongside the world's most legendary superstar."

– CMT.com

Bonnie Owens dies

Bonnie Owens – former wife of both Buck Owens and Merle Haggard – has died at the age of 76.

Born Bonnie Campbell on October 1, 1932, in Oklahoma City to a pair of share farmers and one of eight children, she first met Buck in the mid-1940s when he had a local daily 15-minute radio show.

Once Buck discovered that Bonnie could sing, he helped her get a job with him on another radio show in 1947. The following January, Buck and Bonnie married, but the union was short-lived.

By 1951, after giving birth to two sons, the marriage was over. Since neither could afford a divorce, they stayed legally married, but separated, for several years.

Bonnie and the two boys left for Bakersfield, where she worked as a cocktail waitress. It was during this period that Bonnie met Fuzzy Owen and guitarist Roy Nichols, who would be instrumental in Merle Haggard's career.

By the late '50s, Bonnie was recording on the Mar-Vel label with Fuzzy and his band, the Sun Valley Playboys. She cut a well-received duet album with Fuzzy, her sometime boyfriend, on Tally Records, which would later be re-released on Capitol Records as Just Between The Two Of Us.

In 1961, Bonnie saw Merle singing for the first time at a Lefty Frizzell concert. At the time, Merle was just a few months out of San Quentin prison for breaking and entering.

By 1964, Fuzzy was managing Merle and suggested that Bonnie and Merle re-record Just Between The Two Of Us.

Taking Fuzzy's advice paid off – the song hit the top of the country charts, but not for long. It was replaced by (My Friends Are Gonna Be) Strangers, Merle's breakthrough single.

In 1965, Merle signed with Capitol Records, married Bonnie, and signed the Strangers (including Bonnie) with a booking agency owned in part by Buck.

Bonnie's marriage to Merle lasted until 1978, but the two had already separated in 1975. Eventually Bonnie resumed touring with the Strangers in the late '70s and remarried for the final time to Fred McMillenher. She continued to tour regularly with Merle and the Strangers.

While Bonnie released half a dozen albums and numerous singles on Capitol Records in the mid to late '60s, she remained satisfied singing backup as a member of the Strangers.

DATELINE : WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 2006

Cyclone Larry fundraiser

"Big country, big heart, big concert" is the theme adopted for a major fundraiser for victims of Queensland's Cyclone Larry which devastated parts of northern Queensland last month.

The Concert for Far North Queensland has been put together by The Endeavour Foundation and will be staged at Cairns Convention Centre on Friday April 28.

All artists are donating their time and the line-up is impressive with Lee Kernaghan (pictured), John Williamson, Troy Cassar-Daley, Graeme Connors, Tania Kernaghan, Adam Harvey, Sara Storer, Shakaya, Phil Emmanuel, Geoff Yelaska, Kimberley Bowden, Shandell Tosoni and Wendy Coppo on the bill.

Net proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to the Premier’s Cyclone Larry Relief appeal.

"This is our way of saying we’re always here to help and we are proud of our Queensland heritage especially here in Far North Queensland," said a spokesman for the organisers.

In staging the fundraiser, The Endeavour Daisy Chain acknowledges the assistance of sponsors and supporters Telstra Country Wide, Qantas, Ergon Energy, 4CA, The Cairns Port Authority, The Pacific International Hotel, The Cairns Post, Cairns Convention Centre and the Walkamin Country Music Festival.

Tickets are available from ticketLiNK in the foyer of the Cairns Civic Theatre, by phone on 07 4031 9555 or online at www.ticketlink.com.au.

Further information can be obtained from www.endeavourdaisychain.com.au/larryappeal.

Slim DVD goes Platinum

It has been announced that the recently released Slim Dusty Live DVD has gone Platinum.

This sales figure has been achieved after only four weeks in the marketplace.

The Slim Dusty Live CD is moving steadily towards achieving Gold status and is currently sitting at number seven on the ARIA (Australian Recording Industry Association) Country Chart.

The DVD has risen one place from four to three on the ARIA Top 40 DVD Chart.

Country launch for Lisa

Former "McLeod's Daughters" star Lisa Chappell has put her cowboy boots back on to launch a new career as a country singer, according to the Sunday Telegraph.

Richard Clune reported in last Sunday's paper that Lisa, 37, who left the hit Channel Nine series three years ago, revealed she had to overcome a childhood fear of singing in front of an audience.

But she has just completed recording her debut album, When Then Is Now, despite the childhood phobia.

"It was a bit of a labour of love," she said. "It was nice to pen my stories and have them recorded."

Spanning folk, country and acappella, Lisa said her album proved she wasn't just attempting to mount a musical career on the back of her successful acting career.

"If I wasn't serious about this I would have signed with a major label after winning my second Logie and then released a pop album," she said. "I would have been out there singing in hot pants. It certainly wouldn't have been my album."

Lisa, who is starring in the telemovie "Small Claims" on Network Ten, said she would continue her acting.

"I've recently done the latest 'Small Claims' for Ten, which was great but, yes, I'd love to get into features," she said.

Despite labelling the local film and TV industry as "optionless", Chappell ruled out chasing work internationally.

"I'm certainly not about to head off to LA for work; I'm a little too old for that," she said.

Lisa's album, produced by Rick Price, will be officially launched this coming Wednesday (April 26) at the Vanguard, Newtown (Sydney).

It is released on the independent GoSet Music label.

Further information can be obtained from www.lisachappellmusic.com.

Hats Off 2006 shaping up to be a big one

A first official media release has been issued by organisers of this year's Hats Off To Country festival in Tamworth and two of Australia's biggest country stars head the bill.

Lee Kernaghan and Troy Cassar-Daley (pictured) will both perform at Hats Off 2006, headlining an impressive list of stars appearing at the mid-year festival.

"There’s something to appeal to every musical taste on the 2006 Hats Off Festival program," the release said, "with big stars and those on the rise making their way to Tamworth for the cool, mid-year event."

Hats Off this year will run over four days – Thursday to Sunday, July 6 to 9.

Since the winter festival began in 2000, it has steadily grown to become a four-day event with the Tamworth Camerata Graduation Concert the first major show on the program, this year to be staged in Blazes auditorium at the West Tamworth League Club.

On Saturday night, Lee Kernaghan, with a brand new album in tow, will present a concert at the Tamworth Town Hall, ably supported by his Golden Guitar-winning sister, Tania, and the McClymont Sisters (Brooke, Samantha – 2005 Star Maker winner pictured below – and Molly).

On the Friday night, fans will have the opportunity to catch up with 2006 Male Vocalist of the Year Troy Cassar-Daley in an intimate "Up Close and Personal" concert at The Pub (unlike most concerts at The Pub, Troy's Hats Off concert will be a $25 ticketed show).

Traditional country will be highlighted with several bush balladeers performing at selected venues including the Oasis Hotel, the Lindsay Butler Studios auditorium, SouthGate Inn’s Scully Room and at The Pub.

More contemporary country will be found at venues such as The Albert, where Matt Scullion and the Lost Moments feature and Tamworth’s newest musician-in-residence, Jeff “Gibbo” Gibson, kicks off proceedings on Thursday night.

At the Central Hotel, a "jam-packed" program will feature Jason-Lee & Red Cedar, the Alex Watt Band, Dan Mureau and the Contractors and the Rod Dowsett Band from Thursday through to Saturday.

Goodtime bush music is the "order of proceedings" at Joe Maguire’s Pub, with "festival favourite" Sydney band Simply Bushed providing the entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights.

Tamworth Services Club showcases two of its favourite acts from January – the Col Finley Band and Luella, who fronts the Blue Heeler Band. Luella will be giving her band the weekend off, so it’s "pure Luella".

Wests is always a major player in January and has enlisted classy local acts The Rockerfellas and The Baileys, along with imported bands Buckshot and The Pigs, to round out their Hats Off program at Wests and Diggers.

January Festival favourite Bill Chambers returns to The Pub for his very popular picking sessions on Saturday and Sunday while new discovery The Huckleberry Swedes will make their official Tamworth debut in a late night show on Friday and an 8pm Saturday gig at The Pub.

The Tudor will present a mix of country and middle of the road with soloist Dave Craz performing on Friday night and Sally-Anne Whitten on Saturday.

The Longyard Hotel’s regular entertainment on Thursday night features Paul Albert and on Sunday at lunchtime, Rob Breese.

Two package shows of interest to balladeer fans will be the Brian Young Show at SouthGate Inn on Sunday at 3pm and the ABBA (Australian Bush Balladeers Association)/Bronze Bust Fundraiser at that same venue on Saturday afternoon.

The Capital Country Music Association (CCMA) will present its Winter Junior Talent Quest at the Family Hotel with performers 16 years and younger taking their turn on stage, vying for prize money and trophies over the two-day event.

Lindsay Butler Studios on the Goonoo Goonoo Road now has a museum for visitors to browse through. Their popular Morning Tea Concerts are always a hit, with the best of Lindsay Butler, Shaza Leigh and special guests entertaining patrons.

All of Country Music Capital's specialised country music attractions will be open throughout the festival, some (like the Australian Country Music Foundation Hall of Fame) will be open for extended hours.

And a number of other major activities are understood to be in the planning stages with details to be announced shortly.

APRA to celebrate 80th birthday

APRA (the Australasian Performing Right Association), the "grand old dame" of the Australian music industry, is about to turn 80.

And celebrations are planned with a room full of songwriters and their publishers who have achieved the highest performances of their work and excellence in their craft over the previous year at the 2006 APRA Music Awards.

With the prestigious, peer-voted Song of the Year award at the heart of the event, APRA has announced details of the 2006 awards ceremony which will be held on Monday June 5 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Sydney.

Nominees in all categories will be announced on Thursday May 11.

"APRA Music Award recipients over the years have been as rich and varied as the songs they represent," said a spokesman for the organisation, "but one thing is clear – Australian composed songs are stronger than ever across a diversity of music repertoire."

Nominations and winners in each category of the Awards are chosen either by the voting members of APRA (more than 30,000 eligible voters), members of the APRA Board or APRA based statistical analysis.

Two new categories, determined by statistical analysis, will be included from this year, Most Performed Blues & Roots Work and Most Performed Urban Work.

The other awards based on statistical analysis are Most Performed Australian Work, Most Performed Australian Work Overseas, Most Performed Foreign Work, Most Performed Country Work, Most Performed Jazz Work and Most Performed Dance Work.

APRA members vote for the winner of the prestigious Song of the Year award - the largest peer voted music award in Australia. All songs written by an APRA member and released in the preceding calendar year are eligible for consideration.

"The rollcall of previous winners includes songs by some of the most defining songwriters of our time," the spokesman said, such as Tina Arena, John Butler, Kasey Chambers, Neil Finn, Alex Lloyd, Powderfinger and last year’s recipient Missy Higgins.

The celebrated Songwriter of the Year (last year’s winners were Jet) and the Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Services to Australian Music (previous recipients include Slim Dusty, Ian Meldrum, Harry Vanda & George Young, national youth radio network Triple J, AC/DC’s Malcolm & Angus Young and Michael Chugg) are decided by APRA’s Board of Writer and Publisher Directors.

The Breakthrough Songwriter Award, which recognises emerging songwriter talent, is also decided by APRA’s Board of Writer and Publisher Directors.

Now in its 15th year in its current format, the APRA Music Awards, will be hosted by Jonathan Biggins and will feature live performances and special guest presenters.

Further information can be obtained from www.apra.com.au.

Bobby Cash back in Australia for new album release

Bobby Cash has returned to Australia for the official launch of his new album State Of My Heart at the Basement, Sydney, next Wednesday, April 26.

His third album, State Of My Heart is described as a musical journey that explores Bobby's roots of country music.

"The "Cowboy from India" has delivered another stellar performance with this album," according to his publicity release, "showcasing his virtuoso guitar playing and incredible voice."

Songs on the album have been written by Bobby as well as in collaboration with Australian songwriters Lawrie Minson and Matt Scullion when they visited India, and with Brenda Lee Heathcote and John Martin in Australia.

The album was recorded in Tamworth and was engineered by Country Music Achiever Award winner Ted Howard.

Dubbed a “New Traditionalist” in the US, Bobby is pioneering country music in his own country of India and has gained quite a following over the past couple of years.

Following the album launch, Bobby will undertake a tour ranging from Sydney to Charters Towers, Tweed Heads, a number of venues inb Victoria and Western Australia.

Appearance details and further information can be obtained at www.bobbycash.com.au.

Tania and Cat take the QUT Urban Country Music Festival to the city

Leading ladies of Australian country music Tania Kernaghan and Cat Southern will give "the city folk" a taste of the QUT Urban Country Music Festival when they perform in Brisbane’s Queen Street Mall this Friday, April 21.

Cat, who won this year’s Toyota Star Maker Quest at Tamworth and is set to star in R M Williams’ new "Australian Outback Spectacular" show on the Gold Coast, will perform on the upper stage (outside Myer) at midday.

Tania Kernaghan will entertain late night city shoppers from the same stage at 5pm.

There will be line dancing and clogging displays throughout the afternoon to promote the upcoming QUT Urban Country Music Festival in Caboolture.

Caboolture Shire Mayor Joy Leishman said next week’s activities in Brisbane were a small snapshot of all the fun and excitement to come over the festival weekend, Friday April 28 to Monday May 1.

“The Caboolture CBD will be bursting at the seams over the four days of the festival," she said, "with hundreds of free activities at venues throughout the town centre"

Nearly 500 artists will perform at more than a dozen venues in Caboolture for the third annual QUT Urban Country Music Festival.

The signature event on Saturday April 29 – the Urban Country Music Concert, sponsored by the Caboolture Shire Herald – will see Troy Cassar-Daley, Adam Harvey, Paul Kelly and the Stormwater Boys, Lee Kernaghan, Tania Kernaghan, Melinda Schneider and Aleyce Simmonds take centre stage.

Tickets to the main concert are $57.90 for adults and $28.90 for children aged 8-15 years. They are available from Caboolture Shire Council’s Customer Service Centre and RSL Caboolture – both in Hasking Street, Caboolture – or through Ticketek on 13 28 49 or online at www.ticketek.com.  A small booking fee applies to Ticketek purchases.

More information on the Festival can be obtained at www.urbancountry.com.au or by calling the Festival Hotline on 1800 810 400.

Western Plains Championships

The Western Plains Championships, Dubbo, NSW, held at Easter in the past, has been put back to May 26-28.

Special guest Roland Storm (pictured) will act as judge and perform at the presentation on Saturday night, May 27.

There are 13 sections in the Championships for 2006 – gospel senior, Australian junior, veterans, and instrumental open on the Friday night; Australian senior, sub-junior vocal, duo-group open, country rock junior, female vocal, male vocal and country rock senior and vocal junior on the Saturday.

Further information and entry forms can be obtained from Amanda Hollier on 02 6885 0786, Patricia Cruzado on 02 6884 6279 (ah) or Gary Hollier on 0428 113 626.

Pete Riley (winner of 2004 Battle of the Bands Best Guitarist award) will be hosting a "guitar pickin'" workshop on Sunday May 28 from 1-2pm in the Dubbo RSL Starlite Room – cost, $10 per person.

This will be followed by a free muster/walk-up in the RSL entertainment lounge.

Keith and Nicole – in the money!

Keith Urban and his unofficial fiancee Nicole Kidman have been rated in the top 10 of Australia's entertainment business money makers.

The celebrity couple made almost the same amount of money last year and, with a combined worth of $42.3 million, are the top male and female earners in Australia's entertainment business.

The pair were named, behind children's group The Wiggles and aged rockers AC/DC, in BRW magazine's list of Australia's 50 richest performers in 2005.

The magazine calculated Nicole's 2005 earnings to be $22.3 million, in front of Keith's $20 million, tying him equal fourth with Hugh Jackman.

"Keith is absolutely the big mover," said BRW's James Thomson, who compiled the list.

"He was at $4.7 million last year, jumping to $20 million. It just goes to show how important success in the United States is."

The Wiggles topped the list, with earnings of $50 million, up from $45 million the previous year.

Second placed AC/DC, who haven't released an album since 2000, earnt $25 million, boosted by the release of their Family Jewels DVD.

"These are our estimates of gross earnings for 2005," said Thomson.

"We look at things like news reports, concert takings, album sales, box office and budgets to try and gauge the going rate for people."

Kylie Minogue, ranked sixth on the list, was followed by Cate Blanchett, children's group Hi-5, and actors Eric Bana, Naomi Watts and Geoffrey Rush.

Russell Crowe dropped dramatically, ranking 18th on the list this year with $5 million in earnings. That compared to last year's earnings of $27 million.

Crowe made one film last year, Ridley Scott's "A Good Year", and has focused on his music, with band The Ordinary Fear of God.

Young model Gemma Ward is a new entry to the list with an income of $3.5 million.

Other newcomers include musicians Missy Higgins, Anthony Callea and The Veronicas, directors Greg Mclean and James McTeigue, and actors Jacinda Barrett and Emilie de Ravin.

Canterbury Country celebrates six years

The next Canterbury Country concert, at the Canterbury-Hurlstone Park RSL Club on Thursday, May 11, will be the event's sixth birthday show.

Conducted monthly in the Club's auditorium, Canterbury Country showcases a number of leading country stars and special events every month.

Guest stars for the May birthday event will be Pat Drummond, Nicki Gillis (pictured) and Brock Colley, with host Bob Howe and backing by the Hillbilly Heaven band.

Further information available from the Club at www.chprsl.com.au or www.shownet.com.au.

Anzac Day celebrated in new Bushwackers song

Just in time for Anzac Day, the Bushwackers have released a new song to honour Australian and New Zealand armed servicemen and women.

The song, titled April 25 is part of a five track disc with four other Bushwackers recordings.

April 25 was written by 25-year Bushwacker veteran Roger Corbett who was inspired by his son to write the song.

"I was watching my son one day, who is 19 now and a tall, lanky, laconic young man, as are all his contemporaries, and it struck me that if the year were 1915, 1940 or 1968, he would most likely be an eligible candidate to be enrolled into a fighting force and sent to a far-flung somewhere to fight for his country.

"The very thought of my son splashing through the mud or crawling through the jungle to risk his life made me realise for the first time what the parents of those thousands of soldiers might have gone through during all the wars and conflicts.

"Those young people were and are required to perform feats of endurance and courage that seem quite beyond the capabilities of most of the young people I know."

The song is written in traditional Bushwacker style with the classic vocals of lead singer Dobe Newton. "And the use of Irish whistle, harmonica, accordion and fiddle captures and beautifully expresses the blend of the cultures in Australia during the Anzac period," according to a spokesman for the band.

"In the lyrics, it is impossible to overlook the heartfelt gratitude from Roger to the Anzacs. He wants all Australians to remember to say thank you. And he emphasises the special importance of that acknowledgement on Anzac Day."

"May we all take this opportunity to say 'thank you'," Roger said, "to all those who served in our armed forces around the world and serve today. Especially on our special day of national gratitude, April 25."

The song is receiving widespread airplay around Australia in the lead-up to Anzac Day this coming Tuesday.

Arrowfield Buskers Challenge winners

The Buskers Challenge staged by the Arrowfield Estate in NSW's Hunter Valley earlier this month has been described as a great success.

Winner of the junior section was Kaylah-Anne Farmer (pictured) while the group Fellowship Of The Strings won the group section and were named overall winners... "weaving their own tapestry of the musical world leaving no genre unturned," according to a spokesman for the organisers.

Giles Allom won the individual section "with original songs that caught everyone’s attention."

And organisers were particularly taken with the talents of street performer "Bike Boy" Sean Bridges who performed "simply amazing stunts with a bike, chainsaw, knives and fire!"

Organisers have declared the event will be staged again next year with a date to be announced soon.

Back to Basics

The Back to Basics Music Session & Campfire Festival has issued an invitation to all folk, country, blues or bluegrass music lovers and music makers to join them at Quialigo near Goulburn, NSW, on the weekend of May 5 to 7.

Staged as a fundraiser for the Windellama Rural Fire Brigade and other non-profit organisations, the Festival features a Friday night campfire, walk-up entertainment on Saturday from 11am and "Sunday Breakky with rhymes and tall tales – bring yours!"

Quialigo is located half an hour from Goulburn – "follow the signs from Windellama Road, Goulburn, Marulan, Tarago or from Bungonia."

As the Festival name suggests, the site offers only basic camping facilities with tank water for drinking only ("no showers"), "food and drinks at affordable prices and no bar facilities."

Visitors are encouraged to bring their own chairs, voices, instruments and all-weather gear ("and long johns").

Further information can be obtained by emailing paxval@goulburn.net.au or by telephoning 02 4844 7118.

Admission is $15 for adults.

Country music radio program changes in Newcastle

Newcastle, NSW, broadcaster John Slaven (pictured) has reported a change in availability of country music programs in the city.

In a submission to ICE NEWS, an industry email newsletter, John said Radio 2NUR-FM 103.7 in the city has had a major program shake up on weekends.

"In what appears to be a step away from community based programming, 2NUR-FM has removed four programs from their Saturday and Sunday schedules. They include two country music programs, 'Classic Country By Request' with Warren Fuller on Saturdays and (my program) 'Country 4 You' on Sundays.

"Saturday and Sunday between 12 and 4pm will now be filled with the normal formatted music that is a feature of weekday programming. This is due to two out of four commercial stations in the Newcastle area having sport on the afternoons, KO-FM and 2HD," John said.

"A two-hour slot would be available once a month on Sunday afternoons between 4pm and 6pm to compensate for this change. That is, one program a month instead of weekly.

"Sunday morning's country (program) still remains, running from 5.30am to 9pm."

John's program on CHR-FM 96.5 every Monday evening between 8 and 12 – Travelling Country – is to remain.

John said he would next host "Country 4 You" on Sunday May 7 on 2NUR between 4pm and 6pm, then on a date to be advised in June.

John can be contacted at travellingcountry@bigpond.com.

Natalie's videos on air in the States

Natalie Howard's video clips produced by Golden Guitar-winning director Ross Wood are now airing on American television.

The clips, also airing on CMT (Country Music Channel) in Australia, are now going to air on Great American Country (GAC) and Country Music Television (CMT) in the United States.

Is It Just Me, Natalie's fourth clip released in Australia, was filmed in the Lebanon and Franklin areas of Nashville. It stars Tonya Watts and daytime soap star Brian Gaskill.

This week, the clip climbed to number 22 on The CMC Top 30 Countdown while the single is at 15 on the Country Tracks Top 30 Chart in Australia.

Natalie's clips The Long Night and You Never Knew Me were previous number one hits on the CMC Top 20 Countdown in Australia and are receiving support on numerous TV programs in Australia.

Her US debut video clip – I Don't Want To Live Like That – filmed at The Tin Roof, a popular hangout in Nashville, was programmed last week on GAC with new releases from Martina McBride, Alan Jackson, Carrie Underwood and others.

The clip is also streaming on CMT.com where the fans can view the video and make a comment on Natalie's message board on the CMT website.

I Don't Want To Live Like That, Natalie's 2006 IMA award winning song and US debut single, is on The Music Row Chart in Nashville.

More information can be found at www.nataliehoward.net.

Photo: Joe Hardwick.

Charts update – Stuie & Camille still at number one

Stuie French & Camille Te Nahu maintain their hold on the number one spot on the Country Tracks Top 30 singles chart this week with Wives Don't Like Old Girlfriends.

And Toby Keith is still at number two with Big Blue Note.

Troy Cassar-Daley (pictured) inches closer to the top with Going Back Home which jumps to number three this week with Keith Urban rising to number four with These Are The Days.

Joe Nicholls moves up two spots to number five with Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off while Travis Sinclair's Midnight Run rockets four places from 10 to six.

The Flood dropped to number seven with their former number one hit Hello Blue Sky, Sara Storer's Since I've Gone fell to number eight, Peter Denahy's Peppercorn Tree bullets into the top 10 at number nine and Catherine Britt's Too Far Gone comes in at number 10.

Bullet performers this week include Beccy Cole's So Good For So Long (18 to 14), Adam Harvey's That's Just How She Gets (23 to 19) and Travis Collins' I Was Wrong (25 to 22).

There is only one new entry to the chart this week, Tracy Coster's I Don't Wan't To Talk About Rain (in at number 30).

The full chart can be viewed at www.nfspublicity.com.au.

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American country music money going to schools

Artists and celebrities at this year‘s CMA (Country Music Association) Music Festival in Nashville will donate their share of proceeds from the June 8-11 event to support music education in Nashville‘s public schools.

The expected $300,000 will be donated to the Nashville Alliance for Public Education, a private group that seeks to improve education for the city‘s 73,000 public school students. All the money will be used for music education.

To date, the CMA has donated more than $800,000 to 100 different charities.

"What I want to be able to do as an artist, and with this donation, is to reach out to the kids who haven‘t found that talent yet or don‘t have those opportunities," said Kix Brooks of the duo Brooks & Dunn and a member of the CMA board.

Famous pickers launch Musicians' Hall of Fame and Museum

Some of the most listened-to pickers on the planet turned out in Nashville last week to support the establishment of the Musicians' Hall of Fame and Museum.

The celebration was held in the building at 301 Sixth Avenue South that will house the new tourist attraction and music school.

On hand to applaud the new hall, which is due to open in the second week of June, were Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Duane Eddy, Grand Ole Opry star and ace guitarist Steve Wariner, Elvis Presley's guitarists Scotty Moore and James Burton.

Former Chicago drummer Danny Seraphine, former Toto bassist David Hungate, pop and country guitarist Reggie Young, Motown Records session bassist Bob Babbitt, original Nashville "a-team" bassist Bob Moore and pianist Hargus "Pig" Robbins and Bobby Wood, the pianist on all Garth Brooks' hit records, also attended.

Housed in what was once a warehouse in downtown Nashville, the 30,000-square feet facility is within a few blocks of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, the Gaylord Entertainment Center and Ryman Auditorium.

It is the brainchild of Joe Chambers, a songwriter who owns a small chain of guitar stores in the Nashville area.

Last week's event was part open house, part press conference. The ceremonies opened with the playing of a promotional DVD in which such figures as Neil Young, Brooks and Wariner endorsed the idea of having such a museum.

Young drew the most applause from the crowd when he said, "You can look at the hood ornament on the car if you go to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. But if you want to see the engine, go to the Musicians Hall of Fame."

Brooks called the new museum "as great if not greater than the Country Music Hall of Fame."

In his brief remarks, Eddy said he began the practice of listing the names of all his sidemen with his first album. "A lot of people know these [musicians]," he noted. "They're just not high profile."

Asked what it cost him to open the museum, Chambers at first declined to answer but then joked, "More than I thought I could borrow."

He noted the museum will have a working recording studio where visitors can see actual recording sessions in progress. He said the music school division will be nonprofit and encouraged corporations to contribute to its operation so that economically challenged students can attend.

Chambers said only musicians – and not music industry executives – will vote on those inducted into the hall of fame, adding that so many musicians deserve the honor, many will be added at the outset.

"It's not going to be three or four a year," he promised. "There'll be a bunch of them." He pointed out time and again that the museum will honor musicians from all styles of music.

Moreover, Chambers stressed, musicians in the hall will be accorded proper respect for their contributions. "We're not going to nail a shoe on the wall and put somebody's name beside it," he vowed. "We're going to tell their stories."

Artifacts already acquired for display include the late Pete Drake's steel guitar he played on Bob Dylan's Lay Lady Lay and George Harrison's All Things Must Pass album and the upright bass Floyd "Lightnin'" Chance played on Hank Williams' Your Cheatin' Heart and Conway Twitty's It's Only Make Believe.

The collection also includes the piano that songwriter-producer Billy Sherrill used to write or co-write such hits as Almost Persuaded, The Most Beautiful Girl and Stand By Your Man.

– CMT.com

Elvis' first home for sale on eBay

CMT.com reports that Elvis Presley's first home, which he bought after the success of 1956's Heartbreak Hotel and other early classics, is now up for bid on eBay.

The property, at 1034 Audubon Drive, was recently added to the National Historic Register of Homes.

Elvis lived there for just over a year before moving to Graceland.

Renovations at the ranch style house have been minimal, according to a press release.

Bidding ends on May 14.

Hilary Williams moved

Hilary Williams, the 27-year-old daughter of Hank Williams Jr, has been moved to a Nashville hospital after several weeks in a Memphis hospital.

She and her sister Holly survived a car wreck on their way to their grandfather's funeral on March 15.

Hilary injured her leg, colon and hip in the accident. Hank Williams Jr's publicist said, "She's on the road to recovery."

Holly was released from the Memphis hospital on March 17.

DATELINE : WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 2006

A country music festival Easter weekend

Easter has always been well known in country music as a peak time for festival events.

And this year is no exception with activities scheduled for Canberra (National Folk Festival), Hughenden (Rock 'n' Country Music & Dance), Hartwood (near Tambar Springs, NSW), Bundaberg (the 22nd annual Bundaberg News-Mail Easter Round-Up) and Nambucca Heads (the Nambucca Valley CM Club Jamboree).

And they're just the ones we know about!

Further detail on any of the above can be found at www.icmb.com.au (click on festivals & events).

Keith wins CMT Video of the Year

Keith Urban won the top honour at America's CMT Music Awards announced in Nashville on Monday night (Tuesday, our time).

The award – Video of the Year – was made for Keith's video of his hit single Better Life.

Fan voting continued through the awards show in the category with Keith ultimately accepting the trophy from Kenny Rogers.

"Thank you to everybody at home that voted for this," he said. "Thank you very, very much. I appreciate it. Everybody that couldn't make it here tonight, I want to dedicate this award to all of you... I wish you were here at this party..."

Keith closed the awards show by inviting a group of Gulf Coast residents still displaced by Hurricane Katrina to join him as background vocalists on Better Life."

Carrie Underwood won her first awards on Monday night. Click here for a full rundown of CMT Award winners.

QUT Urban Country Music Festival nurtures new talent

The QUT Urban Country Music Festival at Caboolture in South East Queensland is playing a significant role in providing opportunities for emerging country music talent over the May long weekend.

Caboolture Shire Council, organiser of this major country music event, has ensured that there are numerous occasions for aspiring stars to gain experience, exposure and career opportunities during the Festival.

Shire Mayor Joy Leishman emphasised the Council’s commitment to providing these opportunities: "We have included a variety of events and venues for the next generation of rising country music stars," she said.

"From quests like Telstra Road To Tamworth, the RSL Caboolture Talent Search and the Twisted Arm Tavern Busking Championships, to venues such as the Locals in Lions Park and the Grass Roots & Gospel stage, the opportunities are numerous."

"While there is an obvious focus on the highlight concerts, featuring many of Australian country music’s major stars, we are also committed to continuing a proud tradition of nurturing that next generation," Mayor Leishman said.

"We would love to discover another star of the future like our own Keith Urban."

A proud tradition it is, Urban Country organisers say, because South East Queensland is the hub of the unique Australia-wide country music club network that has provided a stepping-stone for so many current stars.

Clubs meet regularly with both guests and club members providing entertainment, "but it is the ongoing development of youngsters that is a major focus.

"They also hold talent quests and these have proved to be the ladder for many to bigger and better things, the shining example, undoubtedly, is Keith Urban, the international superstar who gained his start through the Northern Suburbs Country Music Club.

"But there are plenty more successes from the talent quest circuit, such as Golden Guitar winners Lyn Bowtell, Samantha McClymont, Kylie Sackley, Sara Storer and Brendon Walmsley."

As part of the QUT Urban Country Music Festival, two significant quests are attracting big interest and entries, the Telstra Road to Tamworth competition and the RSL Caboolture Urban Country Talent Search.

Telstra Road to Tamworth is a nationwide talent quest that identifies heat winners from across Australia. Heat winners qualify for the finals series which will be held during the 2007 Tamworth Country Music Festival. The first heat will be staged in Caboolture on Saturday 29 April.

The competition offers two trips to Nashville as part of the $80,000 prize package. One trip goes to the overall competition winner and the other to an aspiring writer through the Songwriters’ Encouragement Award.

RSL Caboolture has raised its hand as a major sponsor of emerging stars with the RSL Caboolture Urban Country Talent Search over Saturday and Sunday of the May long weekend offering substantial prizes.

"There is still time for those aspiring stars to enter these quests," said the Festival spokesman."

More information on the RSL Talent Search or any part of the festival can be obtained at www.urbancountry.com.au or by telephoning the Festival Hotline on 1800 810 400. Details and entry forms for the Telstra Road To Tamworth can be obtained at www.telstra.com/countrywide/countrymusic.

The QUT Urban Country Music Festival has received a financial boost with $23,000 in funding provided under round nine of the Queensland Events Regional Development Program.

The program is a State Government initiative designed to take unique and creative events to their full potential in order to increase local economic activity and development. Telstra Country Wide has partnered with the program, enabling additional events to receive funding assistance across the State.

2MCR fund-raiser

Radio 2MCR FM in Sydney's south west will stage a special fund-raiser at the Campbelltown RSL Club on Sunday, April 30.

The event will run from 2 to 6pm and will feature stars including Victoria Baillie, Donna Boyd, Mike Carr, Travis Collins, Feral Swing Katz, Wayne Law, Amber Lawrence, Jason Lee, John Stephan and Sweeney-Killeen.

A special surprise guest star will also appear.

Host for the afternoon will be the legendary Frank Ifield.

A lucky door prize will be on offer and a silent auction held.

Tickets will be $15 with children under 12 admitted free. Tickets will be available at the Club (in the auditorium) on the day.

A third of money raised will go to the Queensland Cyclone Relief Fund.

Further information can by obtained by telephoning 02 4625 2768.

Tamworth stars to shine at The Royal

Artists from the Country Music Capital based The Pub Management are showcasing their talents at this year's Royal Easter Show currently underway in Sydney.

Aleyce Simmonds is appearing at the Amphitheatre today (Wednesday, April 11) at 10.30am and 1pm (Aleyce also appeared yesterday).

As already reported, Felicity Urquhart (pictured, right) is appearing on The Muster Stage today at 7.30pm and 9.15pm.

Katrina Burgoyne (pictured at left) is appearing today in the NAB Arena at 5pm and on The Muster Stage today and tomorrow at 6pm.

The Baileys are appearing this Saturday on The Muster Stage at 4pm.

And Aaron Bolton appears on The Muster Stage, also this Saturday, at 6pm.

Further information on any of these artists can be obtained at www.thepub.com.au.

CMR on-air throughout Easter

CMR – Country Music Radio – will be on air all four nights of Easter this year, Friday to Monday inclusive from 6pm.

In addition to regular program features and a number of specials, CMR over Easter will feature a replay of the program's coverage of the 2006 Golden Guitar Awards.

CMR goes to air on 2SM Sydney, 2HD Newcastle, Radio 97 Gold Coast & Tweed, 4WK Toowoomba/Darling Downs, 4GY Gympie/Sunshine Coast, 2LM Lismore, 2GF Grafton, 2RE Taree, 2MG Mudgee, 2PK Parkes, 2DU Dubbo, 2MO Gunnedah, 2VM Moree, 2NZ Inverell, 2AD Armidale, Radio 531 Port Macquarie, Radio 639 Coffs Harbour, Radio 1089 Orange and more than a dozen additional transmitters across western and northern NSW into southern Queensland.

Reg pays homage

This year's Roll of Renown inductee and Order of Australia Medal recipient Reg Poole pays tribute to Australia's King of Country Music Slim Dusty on the first single release from his new album For The Love Of My Country.

The single, titled A Tribute To Slim, written by Western Australian songwriter Barney O'Donnell, has just been released to radio. The song has been receiving "great response," Reg says, at his live shows. "Barney has combined Slim's history and songs into a beautiful woven story."

For The Love Of My Country is the 24th album in Reg’s discography and has been launched on his own Matildaroo label distributed by One Stop Entertainment.

The album was inspired by the Slim tribute.

Reg has been touring recently with Owen Blundell promoting their first DVD release, of their show titled Live filmed at The Plaza Theatre, Kyabram in Victoria.

The album contains 13 tracks and was recorded at Redbak Studios in Leeton. It includes original tunes, some old favourites and "a touch of comedy, with the perfect mix of Reg’s style," according to his publicist.

"Standout tracks include Two Of You, Mt Ida, the title track For The Love Of My Country, the comical A Grave Situation and, of course, the single A Tribute To Slim.

The single has been distributed to radio via NfS 104.

AMA launches benevolent fund

The Australian Music Association (AMA) has launched a music products industry benevolent fund.

"With cyclones in Queensland and floods in the Northern Territory, the Executive Committee of the AMA has accelerated plans that have been on the drawing board for about six months," said the Association's Sara Hood.

The aim was to have a fund to assist members of the industry when they fall on hard times.

"We are proud to announce a partnership with Support Act," Sara said, "the highly regarded benevolent fund for the recorded music industry, to offer a similar service for the music products industry."

As a registered charity, Support Act can offer tax deductibility for all donations, and have the systems to assess need and provide appropriate support.

More information about Support Act can be obtained from www.supportact.com.au.

"We would like to thank Support Act for agreeing to partner with us," Sara said.

AMA members will receive more information about the music products industry side soon.

Pete Gervasoni releases first single

Pete Gervasoni has released his first single – What Are They Marching For? – to radio nationally on NfS 104.

The single comes from his debut EP, The Beginning.

Pete had the honour of performing the song at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Anzac Day 2004 during the Collingwood/Essendon football match in front of 65,000 people.

"What Are They Marching For? evolved some 14 years ago," Pete said, "when I was invited to take a wreath into the Shrine of Remembrance a week before Anzac day on behalf of the Ballarat and District Secondary High Schools.

"As I made my way up the long, tall staircase into the Shrine, I was greeted by a tall, old tired looking man who said just two generous words: 'Thank You'. This man was none other than Sir Edward Weary Dunlop.

"Although I didn’t realise it back then, it should have been me saying thank you to Sir Edward and to all of our brave men and women that served our nation.

"So, in 2001, I wrote What Are They Marching For? after years of asking myself that very question."

Pete believes his song is the only one to recognise World War I, World War II and Vietnam, and the only song to be fully endorsed by the Victorian RSL.

The underlying goal with the song is to help his generation and generations to come understand "the sacrifices that were made for our freedom".

More artists announced for Gympie 2006

Organisers of the Toyota National Country Music Muster have announced more stars appearing at this year's 25th anniversary event.

Chad Morgan, Sara Storer (both pictured) and blues artist Ash Grunwald are the latest additions, joining The Audreys, Jimmy Barnes, Troy Cassar-Daley, Bill Chambers, Graeme Conners, Gordon Elliott, Lee Kernaghan, Josh King, Kate Meehan the Sensitive New Age Cowpersons and the Wolverines in the Muster line-up to date.

"Sara comes to us from her successful 2006 Golden Guitar win in Tamworth," said a spokesman for the organisers, "with her unique, fresh style telling stories through her lyrics that capture experiences of people and places including romantic songs and poignant tracks about the darker side of life.

"For blues fans, we can confirm the sensational Ash Grunwald will head a huge lineup of blues artists. Ash is no stranger to the Muster and is making a name for himself nationally and internationally with his own style of swampy, acoustic-electric blues with an emphasis on vocals and different grooves.

"'The Sheik of Scrubby Creek' Chad Morgan – one of Australia's most popular and successful country comedy stars – is making a return to the Muster.

The 2006, 25th anniversary, Toyota National Country Music Muster at Gympie, Queensland, will run from August 22 to 27.

Further information can be obtained from www.muster.com.au.

Brian Letton stars for Country In The Courtyard

Country star Brian Letton will be special guest at the ACMF (Australian Country Music Foundation) Country In The Courtyard on Easter Monday night.

Renowned as one of the nation's leading bush balladeers, Brian will act as host for the evening as well as perform several numbers.

Country In The Courtyard, sponsored by Country Energy, is staged monthly by the ACMF as an on-going fund-raiser for the proposed new Australian Country Music Hall of Fame.

The function starts at 6.30pm and includes a number of special guest and "walk-up" artists.

Entry is by gold coin donation and light meals will be available via a sausage sizzle.

Country In The Courtyard is conducted at the ACMF in Brisbane Street, Tamworth, opposite the Northern Daily Leader.

Further information about ACMF activities can be found at www.acmf.org.au; about the Hall of Fame at www.countrymusichalloffame.com.au.

Charts update – Camille and Stuie hit the top

Stuie French & Camille Te Nahu have hit the top of the Country Tracks Top 30 singles chart with their song Wives Don't Like Old Girlfriends.

Toby Keith has risen to number two with Big Blue Note while last week's number one The Flood have dropped to number three with Hello Blue Skies.

Sara Storer's Since I've Gone has fallen one spot to number four while Troy Cassar-Daley's Going Back Home has rocketed to number five.

Keith Urban's These Are The Days rose to number six while Joe Nicholls took over the number seven spot with Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off.

Tom Curtain's She Stays With Me fell two spots to eight, Mike Carr's Legend rose to number 9 and Travis Sinclair's Midnight Run entered the top 10 at number 10.

Bullet performers this week include Natalie Howard's Is It Just Me (from 20 to 16), Beccy Cole's So Good For So Long (21 to 18), Dale Juner's Sweet Summer Rain (23 to 20) and Adam Harvey's That's Just How She Gets (26 to 23),

Travis Sinclair's Midnight Run (up from 16 to 13), Catherine Britt's Too Far Gone (from 20 to 16), Amos Morris's The Rain Don't Tumble Down In July Here (28 to 24)), Ronni Rae Rivers' It's Only Make Believe (29 to 25) and

New entries to the chart this week include Karen Lynne with The Circle Is Small (at 28), Greg Champion's Been There Done That (29) and the Wolverines' Angel Eyes (30).

The full chart can be viewed at www.nfspublicity.com.au.

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Carrie wins two CMT Awards

Carrie Underwood had never delivered an acceptance speech at a music awards show, until Monday night (April 10) when she won two gongs at the 2006 CMT Music Awards.

Keith Urban won the main award (as reported above), Video of the Year for his video of the hit song Better Life.

Other winners at country music's only fan-voted awards show included Billy Currington (Hottest Video), Rascal Flatts (Group/Duo), Kenny Chesney (Male Video), Brad Paisley & Dolly Parton (Most Inspiring) and Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles (Collaborative Video). Hank Williams Jr accepted CMT's Johnny Cash Visionary Award for his career achievements.

"This is my very first acceptance speech, so I made a list," Carrie said in accepting for Breakthrough Video of the Year. "First of all, thank you fans so much for voting for me again. You have no idea what it means to me."

Carrie read an extensive list that included her record label, management company and publicists. She also singled out Hillary Lindsey, Gordie Sampson and Brett James, the songwriters responsible for her first number one hit, Jesus, Take The Wheel.

The American Idol winner's debut album, Some Hearts, was released in November and has already been certified triple platinum for shipments of three million copies.

Returning later in the show to accept the Female Video of the Year award for Jesus, Take The Wheel, Carrie indicated she wasn't taking her early success for granted.

Sophie Muller won Video Director of the Year for her work with Faith Hill and Tim McGraw on Like We Never Loved At All. Faith accepted the award on Sophie's behalf.

The awards show included Dwight Yoakam's tribute to Country Music Hall of Fame member Buck Owens who died suddenly last month following a performance at his club in Bakersfield, California.

"Buck Owens was the best friend that country music could have ever have hoped for," Dwight said, "especially in the early 1960s when country music had moved away from the traditional honky-tonk sounds of the '40s and '50s."

Dwight read a statement Buck had run in 1965 as an advertisement in a fan publication. In it, Buck promised to stay true to country music. However, Dwight acknowledged that shortly after the ad was published, Buck released a single of a Chuck Berry song.

"It was pointed out by a writer at the time that no matter what song it was, when Buck Owens sang it, it indeed became a country song," Dwight said. "Buck wasn't always clearly understood, but he always meant what he said. Buck always kept his promises to me and the millions of country music fans who loved him. All of us will miss him dearly."

Reba to host ACM Awards

Reba McEntire has been announced as host of America's Academy of Country Music Awards, 2006.

Reba will preside over the 41st staging of the show which goes to air in America on May 23 from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

It will be the eighth time Reba has hosted the show.

"Her wit, comic timing, and her relationship with the artists bring a dynamic to the awards that I think is unprecedented in our industry," said Bob Romeo, Academy Executive Director.

– CBS News

DATELINE : WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2006

Lee releases first single off his new album

Lee Kernaghan has released the title track – The New Bush – as the first single from his upcoming new album.

"As I travel around the country I am seeing something new emerging across regional Australia," he said. "It is a new way of doing things, taking the great traditions that made the bush what it is today and blending it with the new.

"There's innovation, new technology and new potential, it is almost as if there’s a quiet revolution going on... some people call it the new bush."

The dawn is breaking… out on a back track the sun is cutting through like a knife, he knows the morning and the smell of a diesel… another day in a young mans life...

And so begin the words of his new radio single, The New Bush, heralding "a new sonic landscape" for Lee (according to his publicists) "with less layering and more to the point lyrically".

"It’s more rootsy in a modern way… a musical parallel to what is happening in the bush today."

Australian music icon Daryl Braithwaite lends a hand with "anthem-like" vocals… see it in your eyes real as the sun, the revolution has begun… feel it in your bones the time has come, the revolution has begun… "making this track one of Lee’s most commercial sounding records in some time".

"Lee nailed this song like never before," said producer Garth Porter. "The spirit and the music make it one of my all time favourite Lee Kernaghan songs."

"Lee has always been aware of the subtle shifts in the psychology of the bush," said broadcaster Alan Jones. "And it’s in his music… that’s why The New Bush is such a strong album… it breaks new ground."

The New Bush single will be supported by the first of several music videos to coincide with the album release.

Throughout May, Lee will undertake a national promotional tour to support the release of the album taking in all major media outlets and will also include in-store appearances in all states.

In June, he will kick off his groundbreaking "Outback to the Beaches Tour" taking in towns and cities across Australia including all capital cities and will feature concert performances on selected beaches around the nation over the coming year.

The album will be launched at Caboolture's QUT Urban Country Music Festival on Queensland's May Day weekend.

James leads entertainment troupe

Another group of Australian entertainers, this one led by James Blundell, has headed off on a tour to entertain serving Australian troops, this time in the Sinai, Egypt.

They also put on shows for Australian Federal Police members in Cyprus. All are involved in United Nations and multi-national peacekeeping operations.

The Entertainment Tours are organised by the Forces Advisory Council on Entertainment whose patron Pattie Amphlett – Little Pattie – famously sang for diggers serving overseas during the Vietnam War.

Recent tours have entertained ADF personnel in Iraq, the Persian Gulf, the Solomon Islands and East Timor.

James Blundell troupe, which set off mid-March, included country singer Rebecca Lavell and comedian Wayne Deakin. All three donated their time and talent free of charge, a long-established tradition.

The group left mid March and returned on the 24th.

James is no stranger to military entertainment tours having already performed in East Timor.

"Australians in uniform have acquitted themselves with distinction in every deployment since their inception," said James. "Each time I’m asked I jump at the chance – and I think as many Australian entertainers as possible should do the same. The Diggers are not only a great audience, it’s a great and fulfilling experience for the performer."

James is headline act for the Benefit Concert for Vietnam Veterans to be held at Elder Park, Adelaide, on Anzac Day.

First full-time country radio station for "the top end"

Darwin's first full-time country radio station – 92.3 Top Country – will be launched on Saturday April 22.

NT Broadcasters, who also own MIX 1049 and HOT 100 in Darwin, say they felt the need for the city to have a full-time country station "as it is a very popular style of music in the broadcast area, and is not being catered for on a full-time basis".

"With the medium age in Darwin being around 32, country music was chosen as a format for the new license as it has such a wide appeal," said Program Director Ryan Khay.

"The station is an 'open-narrowcaster' and will broadcast on 92.3 FM, under the guidelines set by ASTRA.

"92.3 Top Country will run country music only 24 hours a day and feature new 'Hot Country' hits and some 'Country Classics' with a big focus on Australian artists," he said.

Record labels and artists wanting to be featured on the station can contact Ryan on 08 8941 1049 or by emailing Ryan Khay or call (pd@topcountry923.com.

Arrowfield Buskers Challenge

The inaugural New Holland Braud Arrowfield Buskers Challenge will be staged at Arrowfield Estate in the NSW Hunter Valley this Sunday (April 9).

All proceeds from the day will be donated to the Leukaemia Foundation to assist finance research and development.

"In order to raise as much money as possible for The Leukaemia Foundation," said an estate spokesman. “the Arrowfields Buskers Challenge day is much more than music. It’s about entertainment and enjoyment for everyone whilst increasing leukaemia awareness and raising money.

"Enjoy the beauty of the Hunter Valley at Arrowfield – fabulous music, wonderful wine and a great cause!"

Buskers taking part in the competition compete for a $1,000 cash prize plus 10 hours studio recording time.

Entry form is downloadable from www.arrowfieldestate.com.au.

For spectators, entry fees are $15 (adults); $7.50 concession. Children under six will be admitted free. A family ticket is available for $40.

Music Managers forum looks at A&R "myths and realities"

The NSW Music Managers Forum will conduct a forum on on A & R (artist and repertoire) "myths and realities" in Sydney this Monday night.

The forum aims to "answer questions about what is behind the velvet curtain of the major record companies" from managers with artists signed to labels, A&R representatives, legal representatives and a record company CEO about the big five… "how to sign, why to sign, where to sign, when to sign and they answer 'what to sign'.

"We have taken submissions from members only to be presented and critiqued by the panel," a spokesman for the Forum said.

Speakers and panel members will be John O'Donnell, Managing Director of EMI; Courtney Hard, Senior Manager, Artist & Repertoire for Sony BMG; Matt O’Connor, A & R Manager Warner Music; Paul Harris, A & R Manager Mushroom Music Publishing; Kim Thomas, Manager of The Whitlams; and Brett Oaten, a solicitor who specialises in music, film and other entertainment matters.

There will be no attendance charge for members, concession is $10 with general public $15.

The forum will be held at The Vanguard in King Street, Newtown from 6.30pm for members, 7.30pm general public.

Further information can be obtained from www.immf.net.

Fiddle Festival this weekend

The 2006 Hawkesbury National Fiddle Festival is on this weekend.

The Festival will run from Friday to Sunday at the Hawkesbury Showground at Clarendon, near Windsor, with concerts, sessions, workshops and children’s program in six indoor venues within the grounds.

Artists confirmed for the event include Anystring Goes, Andrew Clermont, Ian Cooper, Marcus Holden, Sean Kenan, Martin Lass, Nigel Maclean, Mark Oats, Clare O'Meara, Penleigh Essendon Grammar School Chinese Orchestra, Jess Randall, Sawney's Dream, Pandeng Shen, Jenny Thomas, the Toe Sucking Cowgirls, George Washingmachine and Daniel Weltlinger.

One of the highlights of the Festival is the Mass Fiddle Rally where organisers have created a tradition where they gather on the Sunday afternoon and try to create a big fiddle orchestra.

"We hope that the size of the orchestra will grow as the years goes on," said a spokesman. "The repertoire is quite simple – a couple of well-known tune sets especially arranged for three levels of fiddle players, viola, cello and double bass and guitar chords."

Tickets, program and further information can be obtained at www.fiddlefestival.com or by telephone, 02 4576 7023.

Photo: part of last year's Mass Fiddle Rally.

Norfolk Island Festival 2006

The 2006 Norfolk Island Country Music Festival will be staged from May 21 to 27.

A strong line-up of artists has been booked to appear including New Zealand's Joy Adams and Gray Bartlett, 2005 Trans-Tasman winner Victoria Baillie (pictured), headliners Graeme Connors and Felicity Urquhart and, from America, Stephen Pride.

The Festival, organised by the Norfolk Island Country Music Association, features the annual Trans-Tasman Entertainer of the Year quest which in 2006 is in its 12th year.

Further information can be obtained from Jacquie Pye, by email nicma@norfolk.net.nf.

Murraylands Festival draws a big crowd

Last weekend’s Murraylands Music Festival at Tailem Bend drew more than 1,500 people during its three days and attracted a high standard of entrants in the talent quest.

"Overall comments praised the friendly atmosphere, the community spirit and the professional organisation of the festival," said Noel Kneebone, Chairman of the Festival Committee.

Festival co-founder Les Scott said artists were ringing up to appear in the now nationally-renowned music festival. "Some tourists said the festival had the best atmosphere of any in Australia," he said.

Participants and audience members came from across South Australia as well as New South Wales and Victoria. "About 80 percent of those who attended were from out of town," said Noel.

The Friday night cabaret set the scene for the weekend’s regular big program with Mallee Blue and Marie Robinson and the Deep River Band featured acts as well providing backing for the guest performers. "The bands kept the crowd dancing and singing along to their favourite hits with a great blend of Australian, American and original songs.

"Greg Champion, Stuie French and Camille TeNahu and The Borderers showed they are class acts, stunning the crowd with their brilliant stage performances," said Noel.

"All artists can be proud of the performances they gave to the appreciative crowd and Sunday’s recovery session proved successful with people travelling up for the day from Adelaide. We will certainly continue this.

"Proven crowd favourites Dave Prior, Brendan Belski, Mark Tempany, Alison Hams and newcomers John O’Dea, Jessie Che, Kristy Cox and Leah Briggs were fantastic performers. They freely mixed with the crowd in an informal capacity and lent a helping hand whenever it was needed.

"People appreciated the fact that they mingled with the crowd and encouraged talent entrants during the day. The quality of the festival was superb," Noel added.

The Murraylands Music Festival is a unique festival as it is run by the local school and community, who get involved in making the day happen including the students who run various stalls, craft activities and activities to entertain families throughout the day.

"School Students were an integral part of the festival organisation," said Noel, who is also Principal of the local school. Noel also praised the efforts of chief judges Wally Sparrow, Charlie McCracken and Fred Hams and the SA Council for Country Music representatives.

"The judges helped make the talent quest run smoothly, gave constructive feedback and received many comments on how professional yet friendly the talent quest was," he said.

"The organisers really appreciated the community workers, sponsorships and donations and the efforts of AMP, Marc Maddaford Financial Services, Festivals Australia, the South Australian Tourism Commission, Limestone Coast Tourism, Tailem Bend Pharmacy, River City 88.0 FM, Rotary clubs, Coorong District Council and more than 40 individual sponsors.

"The local business people and district council continue to support the festival and accommodate the changes necessary to allow the festivities to take place in the main street area of the town. All accommodation at the caravan parks, motels, and hotels was fully booked. Local businesses reported an increase in takings indicating that the festival was a great success."

Photo: Stuie French, Jen and Dave Prior take a break during the busy festival time.

Deniese Morrison announces the launch of Stagecoach

Multi Golden Guitar and "MO" Award winner Deniese Morrison has launched Stagecoach, her new program of performance tuition and workshops for aspiring singers and musicians.

An instructional course centred around structured workshops, Stagecoach offers to equip students with the knowledge and skills ("and tricks") necessary to improve their stage performance and overall professionalism as entertainers, Deniese said.

Stagecoach is the outcome of months of consultation and preparation by veteran country music performer Deniese who, for a number of years, has been interested in the development of emerging artists.

She was a founding tutor of the Country Music Association of Australia (CMAA) Australian College of Country Music and has been a judge of the prestigious Toyota Star Maker Quest for nearly 10 years.

As a performer, Deniese has been a recording artist since 1974, winning the Female Vocalist Golden Guitar three times in 1987, 1989 and 1990, and prestigious "MO" Awards (for live performance) in 1990.

She hosted the major Golden Guitar Awards three times and has worked extensively in television and radio over the years.

Deniese has toured Australia extensively with major international names including Dick Emery, Max Bygraves, Conway Twitty, Freddie Fender, Gene Pitney, Chubby Checker and Tom T Hall, "to new a few…".

Deniese sees Stagecoach providing a service not currently available.

"There is a lot of emphasis placed on songwriting these days which is great and very important, she says. "But if an artist doesn’t know how to make their songs 'sparkle' in performance then we are creating a generation of songwriters who generally aren’t very good entertainers."

Stagecoach workshops are designed to complement songwriting workshops and the curriculum of the College of Country Music, Camerata and other courses.

Deniese guided multi award winning country star Beccy Cole through her development stage to her Star Maker win in 1993 and her first Golden Guitar in 1994.

"Without Deniese Morrison’s tuition and advice in the early years of my career, I would have been clueless," Beccy said. "Deniese taught me how to present myself as an artist and, ultimately, how to entertain an audience.

"The best part is, she taught me how not to emulate others, but to be the best ME I could possibly be on stage. I draw on her words of wisdom still to this day and feel proud to have learnt from one of the best in the business."

Stagecoach will be launched mid year in Sydney and Brisbane. Each workshop will be held over two nights and two days.

In addition, country music clubs and talent quest organisers will be offered the opportunity to take advantage of Stagecoach workshops to improve the performance skills of artists in their local area.

Individual tuition is also available on request.

"Stagecoacch gives me the opportunity to pass on the wealth of experience and knowledge which has been so generously passed on to me by some of the world’s best performers during my career," Deniese said.

"The workshops are not only for up and coming singers but musicians as well. Great musicians need to be great performers."

Further information can be obtained from www.deniesemorrison.com.

Jake's clip "suddenly" pick of the week 

Jake Nickolai's video clip of Suddenly I is being featured this week on the Country Music ChanneL (CMC) as Pick Of The Week.

The song, written by 1996 New Talent Golden Guitar winner Mark O'Shea, is also gaining widespread airplay around the country.

This year is shaping up as a big one for Jake who was selected last year by Commercial Radio Australia (CRA) to appear as one of the acts at the annual Commercial Radio Awards dinner and New Artists to Radio Showcase.

Following his performance, it was announced that CRA would sponsor Jake to travel to Nashville in June this year to perform on the Country Music Association (CMA) of America’s major new talent introduction – the Global Artist Showcase – during the CMA Music Festival (formerly Fan Fair).

Jake spent last year touring Australia with fellow ABC Music stable mate Beccy Cole, performing as her opening act and also playing guitar in her band.  This enabled him to promote his debut mini album Think About You which features his first three hit singles.

For his Nashville trip in June, Jake is already teeing up opportunities to write with some of Nashville’s greats while he is there and will spend time with good friend expats Catherine Britt and Jedd Hughes.

He will be recording a new ABC Music album later this year but, in the meantime, he will be doing some dates with Lee Kernaghan and Beccy Cole while firming up some "great residencies" in venues around Sydney.

Music Directory deadline

Artist managers and other music industry entities who qualify for free listing in the July "AustralAsian Music Industry Directory" should have these in by April 10.

Listing forms for all 70 plus sections can be downloaded at www.immedia.com.au/amid/listingform.html or they can be faxed or mailed by calling (02) 9557 7766 and asking for the listing form for the one section that applies.

Or contact can be made via email – directories@immedia.com.au specifying which section form is required.

International Songwriting comp results

A number of Australian writers have featured in the International Songwriting Contest including Karl Broadie (pictured) who won the AAA/Roots/American section with his song Black Crow Callin’ from his album of the same name.

Judges for the competition – named as "the songwriting competition to take note of" by "The New York Times" – included Tom Waits, Loretta Lynn, LeAnn Rimes, Joss Stone, Macy Gray, Steve Vai and The Donnas.

Steve Romig from Victoria took out the Blues section with Way Down Homeless Blues.

Natalie Howard received an Honourable Mention for The Long Night, written by Natalie with Terry McBride and Tommy Lee James in the Country section.

And Kirsty Lee Akers and Katie Brianna received Honourable Mentions for their songs, respectively, Bashed Up, Beaten, Battered, Broken Heart and The Devil Came Back For You in the Teen category.

A full list of winners can be found at www.songwritingcompetition.com.

New single from Sharon

Sharon Benjamin's latest single – High As Heaven – has been released to radio this week on NfS 104.

The track is lifted from Sharon's forthcoming album titled Perfect Little World.

Leeton based singer/songwriter Sharon wrote all 13 tracks on the album which was co-produced by her husband Mark Hillier in their new Redbak Recording studios.

Further information can be obtained at www.sharonbenjamin.com.au.

Applications open for 2007 CMAA College of Country Music

Applications for entry into the 2007 Country Music Association of Australia (CMAA) Australian College of Country Music are now being taken.

The two-week course runs from January 5 to 19 January with a particular focus in 2007 being given to 18 to 35 year old instrumentalists and/or musicians. "While the College annually attracts a healthy level of applications from talented singer/songwriters, 2007 aims to attract a cross section of students including fiddle, dobro and banjo players, drummers, guitarists and bass players interested in a career in country music," a spokesman for the CMAA said.

"The College prides itself on developing and enhancing each student’s own area of need. Specialist tuition is delivered in the areas of songwriting, vocal technique and delivery, business management and marketing studies, personal and performance techniques, instrumental technique and music theory."

The College, coming up to its 11th year, has graduated more than 210 students since beginning in 1997, including Sara Storer, Jedd Hughes, Brendon Walmsley, Lyn Bowtell and Karen O'Shea from Bella, Tom Curtain, The Sunny Cowgirls, Nick Kingswell, Travis Collins and Samantha McClymont.

"Each year at the College, students receive advice and tuition from dedicated tutors and music industry leaders.  The College leads into the Australia's biggest country music event, the annual Tamworth Country Music Festival where many of the students stay to exercise the skills they have learnt in the preceding two weeks," the CMAA spokesman said.

Applications for the 2007 College close at 5pm on June 30. An application can be downloaded at www.country.com.au or can be obtained by contacting the CMAA by phoning 02 6766 1577 or by emailing cathgrippo@country.com.au.

Charts update – The Flood hits number one

This year's Vocal Group Golden Guitar winners The Flood have hit number one on the Country Tracks Top 30 singles chart with their song Hello Blue Skies.

Stuie French & Camille Te Nahu have taken over the number two position with Wives Don't Like Old Girlfriends while Sara Storer's Since I've Gone is steady at number three.

Last week's number one, George Strait's She Let Herself Go, occupies the number four position, Toby Keith's Big Blue Note has risen to number five and Tom Curtain's She Stays With Me is steady at number six.

Mike Carr's Legend also holds on to the same position as last week at number seven while Keith Urban's These Are The Days moves up to number eight, Troy Cassar-Daley's Going Back Home jumps to number nine and the Dolly Parton/Keith Urban duet of The Twelfth Of Never drops to 10.

Bullet performers this week include Travis Sinclair's Midnight Run (up from 16 to 13), Catherine Britt's Too Far Gone (from 20 to 16), Beccy Cole's So Good For So Long (24 to 21), Dale Juner's Sweet Summer Rain (26 to 23), Amos Morris's The Rain Don't Tumble Down In July Here (28 to 24)), Ronni Rae Rivers' It's Only Make Believe (29 to 25) and Adam Harvey's That's Just How She Gets (30 to 26).

New entries to the chart this week include Travis Collins with I Was Wrong (at 27), Bill Chambers' Chasing Rainbows (28) and Sandra Humphries' Biggest Fool Around (29).

The full chart can be viewed at www.nfspublicity.com.au.

Photo: The Flood, from left, Tim Wedde, Kevin Bennett, James Gillard and Steve Fearnley

I -N- T- E- R- N- A- T- I- O- N- A- L--- •- --U- P- D- A- T- E-

Hank Jnr to surrender to police

Hank Williams Jr was expected to voluntarily surrender to authorities in Memphis yesterday, Tuesday (April 4), after an arrest warrant was issued in connection with an alleged assault on a 19-year-old waitress at the Peabody Hotel on March 18.

Magistrate Rhonda Davis issued the warrant on Monday. Holly Hornbeak told police she was working at the hotel's lobby bar when Williams began calling her names, asked to kiss her and lifted her off the ground in a choke hold.

The singer was staying at the hotel after his daughters, Holly Williams and Hilary Williams, were seriously injured in a March 15 accident near Memphis. Hilary is still recovering at Regional Medical Center at Memphis.

– CMT.com

George Jones hospitalised

George Jones has been released from hospital after being treated for pneumonia last week.

The 74-year-old country singer entered Baptist Hospital on Thursday and was released Saturday.

Evelyn Shriver, a spokeswoman for Jones' record label Bandit Records said:  "He's at home recovering and is doing great." 

Shriver said she didn't know when Jones would resume his concert tour in support of his 2005 album Hits I Missed ... And One I Didn't.

Jones has been performing about 95 shows a year.

© Copyright 2006, ICMB Publishing

© Copyright 2006, ICMB Publishing