 |
|
This website dedicated to bringing you the latest Australian country music news |
|||||||||||||
|
NEWS ARCHIVES JUNE 2006 DATELINE : WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 2006 New country music literary award announced The Australian Country Music Foundation (ACMF) has announced the introduction of a new award for country music writers and journalists.
"We have seen the need for an award of this nature for some time," said ACMF President Bob Kirchner. "The role of the Foundation is to protect and preserve the history and heritage of Australian country music, and the best way to do this is, of course, by writing it down. "And that role, largely, is one that lays at the feet of historians... those that have undertaken such work in the past and those that are doing it now," Bob said. "With this new award, we will not only be recognising excellence in contributions to Australian country music via the written word, but also encouraging today’s writers and historians to do more." Recipients of the award will be determined by the ACMF Board. "We welcome nominations for this award," Bob said. "The first recipient has already been determined, but we will be encouraging a wider input by way of nominations for the future." The award will be presented during the Cavalcade of Stars concert in the Tamworth Town Hall on Friday night, July 7. Further information regarding the concert can be found at www.acmf.org.au. Entries close Friday for 2006 Independent Country Music Awards Entries for the eight judged categories of the Telstra Country Wide Southern Stars – the Australian Independent Country Music Awards – close this Friday, June 30.
A record number were received for last year’s awards – 255 individual entries representing recorded product from 112 individual artists and groups. James Blundell was last year’s big winner at the Southern Stars taking out three (Song, Single and Heritage Song) while Tracy Coster (Album), Stacey Morris (Female Vocal), Shelley Evans (Rising Star Female), Royden Donohue (Rising Star Male) and Travis Sinclair (Independent Artist of the Year) rounded out the presentations with Ron and Judy Collingburn receiving the Barry Thornton Service Award. The gala awards concert, now in its 10th year, will be held on Saturday, September 30, at the Mildura Arts Centre Theatre. Tickets, at $33 each, will be available from August 1. Further information, including entry forms for the Awards, can be obtained at www.milduracountrymusic.com.au. Nicole and Keith wed Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban were wed at 6.25pm on Sunday (June 25), the church bells of the Cardinal Cerretti Chapel in Manly (Sydney) ringing more than 100 times in celebration.
"We just want to thank everyone in Australia and around the world who have sent us their warm wishes," they said. Thousands of media and fans mobbed Nicole's cream vintage Rolls Royce as it arrived for the service and were treated to a wave and a smile from the Hollywood star. Her sister and matron of honour Antonia was in a second Rolls Royce with Nicole's 13-year-old daughter Isabella who was a bridesmaid. Nicole's mother Janelle was already at the church as were Keith's family and friends who had been bussed in from the InterContinental Hotel in the city. The Oscar-winning actor, regarded as a style icon, looked elegant and radiant in an ivory gown. Keith, wearing a black suit, white vest and black tie, had arrived earlier at the church undetected. He was attended by his brother Shane, his friend Marlon Holden, and Nicole's son, 11-year-old Connor. Nicole and Keith exchanged traditional Catholic vows in the ceremony which lasted more than 40 minutes. Guests included Hugh Jackman and his wife Deborra-Lee Furness, actor Naomi Watts, director Baz Luhrmann and media mogul Rupert Murdoch with his wife Wendi Deng. This had been the most anticipated Australian wedding of the year and the couple had been subject to intense media scrutiny in the week leading up to the ceremony. The couple will live in Tennessee where Keith owns a house in Nashville. Golden Saddle finalists announced Amber Lawrence, Karen Lynne and SweeneyKilleen (pictured, from left) have been announced as grand finalists for the 2006 Coopers Golden Award to be announced at the Galston Country Music Festival near Sydney in September.
Other finalists for the Golden Saddle Award this year were The Atherton Bros, Paul Costa, Carol Donovan, Drew McAlister, Amos Morris, Peter Pratt, Ronni Rae Rivers and Craig Stewart. Presenting the award this year will be Australian singer, songwriter and recording star Kevin Johnson. The Golden Saddle winner will take away prizes including a handcrafted Golden Saddle trophy by courtesy of Cooper’s Brewery, cash, a certificate of excellence, a production package by courtesy of Herm Kovac, publicity for the next 12 months and an invitation to perform at the 2007 Galston Festival. In addition to Darren, previous winners have been Rob Wilson (2004), Mark Tempany (2003), Double-Decker Dave (2002), Michael King (2001), Dave Debs (2000), Colin Greatorix (1999) and Tracey Faith (1998). LBS to release 100th album LBS Music will release its 100th album during this year’s Hats Off To Country Festival in Tamworth. A special launch concert will be staged at Butlers Auditorium in Country Music Capital on Sunday morning, July 9, featuring performances by Lindsay, Brian Letton, Shaza Leigh, Brian Young, Ashley Cook, Naomi Therese, Lindsay Waddington and special guests.
Billed as LBS – A Century Not Out – the Studio says the 100th album milestone has only been achieved twice before by privately owned independent labels – Hadley Records and Selection Records. It is believed it may be the first time in Australia and possibly internationally that the milestone has been reached by only one person producing the entire body of work, Golden Guitar winning instrumentalist and producer Lindsay who started his fledgling record company in 1988 with the release of Brian Letton’s debut album The Man From WA. This album was recorded at Hadley and Lindsay then produced Brian Young’s first album for the label at Beat ‘n’ Trak before establishing his own studio the following year. Lindsay then introduced the young Shaza Leigh to the Australian country music scene with her debut album Walking Through My Mind – the label’s first contemporary country rock album. Two Golden Guitars came in 1990 for Brian Young’s Thistles On The Hillside and Lindsay’s first Producer of the Year award. Of the 99 albums released to date, Brian Letton has 18, Shaza Leigh seven and Lindsay eight. From 1993, the studio was turning out between 14 and 17 albums annually. Some of these were released on other labels also as LBS also produced tracks for independent artists and labels such as Selection, Drover and Pindaroo. Specialist bush balladeers like Tom Maxwell and Jeff Brown launched their careers on the label securing nominations in the Golden Guitar Awards and joining the many LBS winners of Australian Bush Ballad Awards (including Brian Letton, Lindsay, Shaza, Ernie Constance, Rick Aitchison, Ashley Cook, Corinna Cordwell, Rick & Cathy and Barry Thornton). – ICMB Inaugural Wagner Awards presented The inaugural Wagner Awards for outstanding contributions to Australian country music were presented in front of a capacity crowd during the Country Music Spectacular at the Windsor Function Centre near Sydney earlier this month.
Bill Chambers accepted the award on behalf of his family and also performed in the concert and played in the band for all artists appearing. Stuie French accepted the Ferals' award and he, together with Camille Te Nahu also performed in the concert. "Charley Boyter was thrilled to receive his award from his long-time friend Joy," said Deniese Morrison, spokesman for the Awards organisers. Born and raised in Windsor, Charley toured with Slim and Joy as lead guitarist in the Travellin’ Country Band and played on hits such as Leave Him In The Longyard, Walk A Country Mile and Duncan. Also performing on the show were Amber Lawrence, Amos Morris, SweeneyKilleen, Tall Timbre and compere Doug Owen. Multi Golden Guitar and "MO" Award winner Deniese was officially the stage manager for the night but jumped on stage to surprise Joy McKean with a performance of Grandfather Johnson which Joy had written for her husband Slim Dusty. The Wagner Awards are dedicated to the memory of Maureen Wagner, childhood sweetheart and wife of “The Bait and Tackle Man” Don Wagner. "Maureen loved country music," said Deniese. "When Don and Maureen moved to Sydney many years ago from Cloncurry they missed the country travelling shows that regularly came to town. "Together they started to organise shows around Windsor, and Don presented country music on Hawkesbury Radio." "Don, of Betta Blast Entertainment, joined forces with Deniese and Stagecoach Performance Tuition, Jim and Heather Derwin at the Windsor Function Centre and Doug Owen of 3 Chillies Creative Productions to present the first Windsor Country Music Spectacular and the Wagner Awards. The Country Music Spectacular is the first of what it is hoped will be regular country music events in Windsor throughout the year. Garden City Junior Country Music Festival The annual Junior Country Music Festival hosted by the Garden City Country Music Association will be staged on September 9 and 10 this year.
Sections include Gospel, Rock, Modern Popular and Own Composition. The competition is affiliated with the Queensland Champion of Champions. Last year's overall winner, Mackay's Vanessa Worthington, will perform prior to the grand final showcase on the Sunday. "This festival is a great opportunity for young people 17 and under to strut their stuff and show us what they are made of," said organiser Paul Wilson (pictured). "We have a lot of stars of the future in this industry and it is an honour every year to witness the talents of our juniors!" Entry forms and more information can be obtained by contacting Paul on 0407 572 786 or by email wilsonpc@optusnet.com.au. Kirsty Lee Akers' American experience The Telstra Road to Tamworth Pub With No Beer Brewery songwriting award gave up and coming country star Kirsty Lee Akers the opportunity to co-write at Universal Music Publishing in Nashville.
Demos of four songs Kirsty co-wrote are being considered for "pitching" to top recording artists in the States. While recording the demo of their song I’ll Try Not To Think Of You, Kirsty couldn’t help being impressed by Byron Hill’s lounge room walls, covered with countless gold and platinum record awards for sales of 500,000 and a million units on which his songs are featured. Before her co-writing appointments, Kirsty travelled to Lynchburg for "live" performances on Paul & Marilyn Jones’ Old Time Country Radio Show on WLIJ Shelbyville at The BBQ Caboose Café. She was so well received by audiences there, and later that evening at The Flat Creek Community Centre town gathering, that a standing return invitation was issued. On this mini-tour, Kirsty was well supported by a singer/songwriter Hank Sasaki, well-known in Australia as "the Japanese Cowboy", who next day arranged for her to perform at the long established Nashville venue Long Hollow Jamboree where she "wowed" 'em! Country music legend Charlie Louvin (Louvin Bros) was in the audience that day and promptly invited Kirsty backstage at the Grand Ole Opry the following weekend when he was performing there. Kirsty attended Country Music Association media and industry events, sang her own songs at venues including the famous Bluebird Café as part of the CMA Music festival and Janine Le Clair’s Aussie Showcase along with Melinda Schneider, Natalie Howard, Jake Nickolai, Nick Kingswell and Pru Clearwater. A grand finalist in the International Songwriting Competition, Kirsty's current international radio hit single, the catchy, original song Bashed Up, Beaten, Battered, Broken Heart (just into the Country Tracks Top 30 – see below) is now being played in many places worldwide. Further information can be obtained from Kirsty's website www.kirstyleeakers.com. Daisy sparkles at Emerald Mackay, Queensland, teenager Daisy-May Wegner "sparkled" at Emerald Shire Council’s Gems of Country weekend recently taking home seven sapphire studded trophies.
"But she was too young to take up the Australian College of Country Music scholarship," said Fred Wild, Chairman of the Organising Committee, "which stayed in Emerald in the versatile hands of 23-year old miner Lee Kirby." The weekend was described as the best Gems of Country to date with healthy entries and memorable performances throughout. Participants and viewers came from across Queensland and there were 70 letters from attendees praising the event and urging Emerald Shire Council to continue holding it. "Many people, including judges and performers, said Gemza was the best event they had ever attended because of its friendliness, the standard of the talent, its compere Peggy Smith and the enthusiasm of the committee who worked tirelessly to make the two day festival run smoothly." Fred said. "There was a better representation of Emerald Shire performers than in other years and many of the glamorous trophies stayed in the shire." In the Male Gospel section, all three placings were taken by Emerald performers. Lee Kirby also won the Male Vocal and partnered Mareeba’s Jade Holland to win the Duo section. Twelve-year old Daly Stephenson of Comet won the Juvenile Vocal and Bush Ballad trophies. Overall junior winner was Melanie Taylor from Clermont. Longreach was well represented and others travelled from as near as Clermont and as far as Mackay and Nambucca Heads in NSW. Organisers said the success of the event was amazing considering that in February this year it was briefly dropped from Emerald Shire Council’s agenda. "Planning for next year’s event has already started," Fred said, "and more sponsorships and broader support from the local community are top priorities. Music book deal One of the most talked about music books of late is "The Future Of Music" by visionary Gerd Leonhart. It deals with the changes in digital technology, covering downloads, ringtones, ringbacks and satellite radio. IMMEDIA! is offering the book either instore or in the on-line bookstore for $35 plus a free AustralAsian Music Industry Directory three month online subscription (worth $20) with every order. Further information, phone Nadia on (02) 9557 7766 or email pr@immedia.com.au. How fast do you drum? Christie Eliezer reports in his column this week at themusic.com.au...
Up to $15,000 in prizes are to be won by the state and national finalists. Co-sponsored by Roland, Sabian, TAMA and Pro Mark, contestants can go into any Allans Music store and register their qualifying attempt by July 1. Drummer's speeds are measured by the patented "drumometer" – a unit that measures the number of beats on snare and/or bass drum over 60 seconds. Details from www.allans.com.au. State finals are... Adelaide - Monday, July 3, 6.30pm, Allans Music, 58 Gawler Place, Adelaide; Melbourne - Tuesday, July 4, 6.30pm, Allans Music, 152 Bourke Street, Melbourne; Brisbane - Thursday, July 6, 6.30pm, Allans Music Academy, 153 Leichhardt Street, Spring Hill; Sydney - Monday, July 10, 6.30pm, Allans Music, 108 Botany Road, Alexandria. The National Final will be held on July 12, venue: (TBA). Chart update – Wolverines hold on to number one The Wolverines' Angel Eyes remains at number one on the Country Tracks Top 30 singles chart this week with Karen Lynne's The Circle Is Small edging up one more place to number two.
Kenny Chesney rose another two places to number six with Living In Fast Forward, John Williamson's Bells In A Bushman's Ear was steady at seven while Travis Collins' former number one I Was Wrong dropped to eight. Martina McBride jumped into the top 10 at number eight with I Still Miss Someone as did Felicity Urquhart with My Life at number 10. Bullet performers this week include Keith Urban's Tonight I Wanna Cry (14 to 11), Jeanette Wormald's Boundary Rider's Daughter (18 to 15), Beccy Cole's Poster Girl (20 to 16), Arthur Blanch's With Every Breath (21 to 18), Bobby Cash's Tumbleweed (24 to 20), Trisha Yearwood & Garth Brooks with Love Will Always Win (28 to 21), Allan Caswell's Comeback Of The Year (27 to 23) and Troy Cassar-Daley's Getaway Car (30 to 26). New entries to the chart this week included Anne Kirkpatrick's Drive Away (in at 28) and Kirsty Lee Akers' Bashed Up, Beaten, Battered Broken Heart (at 30). The full chart can be viewed at www.nfspublicity.com.au.
Country stars on Hollywood Walk Of Fame Country stars Crystal Gayle, Tim McGraw, LeAnn Rimes and Shania Twain will go into Hollywood's Walk of Fame next year.
"It is a great honor to be selected to receive a 'star' on the Walk of Fame with all the great stars that I grew up admiring." Before she was became a platinum selling singer and a world class entertainer, Crystal was a "coal miner's daughter" like her elder sister Loretta. Her hit list of platinum and gold record sales was to be matched only by her awards and accolades. Country Music Association Female Vocalist of the Year for two consecutive years, Crystal became a Grammy Award winner for Best Female Vocal Performance thanks to her beloved song Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue, a song she says she has never grown tired of singing. In addition to her music awards, Crystal has been awarded the coveted Celebration of Light Award in recognition of her myriad humanitarian efforts, among them the Make-A-Wish Foundation (for whom she has recorded the official theme song) and the Arthritis Foundation (for whom she has served as telethon co-host for several years). One of the most fitting honours in her career came in 1999 when Brown Eyes was recognised as one of the 10 most performed songs of the 20th century. Alan a real estate partner
Ronnie Gilley Properties announced that it had teamed with Jackson to build "La Borgata" on a 14.5 acre site along US Highway 98 between Destin, Florida, and Panama City Beach. Plans call for 189 luxury town homes and condominiums, two heated saltwater swimming pools, a clubhouse with full kitchen facilities and on-site specialty retail shops. "I've been going to Panama City Beach since I was a teenager in Georgia," Alan said in a news release. "Now I'm glad to be a part of this new development and growing resort community in the Florida Panhandle." Jackson will be on hand to break ground in late summer. The project is scheduled to be completed by 2008. Rascal Flatts top selling 2006 artist Rascal Flatts are now the top selling artist of 2006 in America – so far in any musical genre – as their Me And My Gang album has reached double-platinum status for shipments of two million copies. Their total career sales have now reached 11 million units and their current tour is expected to reach 900,000 people before it wraps up in November. – cmt.com DATELINE : WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 2006 Lee hits number one on CMC After being on television screens for just three weeks, the video clip for the title track to Lee Kernaghan’s new album The New Bush has just hit the number one spot on the CMC (Country Music Channel) Video Chart.
"The new album has attracted a broad audience and is currently climbing the ARIA (Australian Recording Industry Association) pop album charts where it’s currently in the number 14 spot)." The New Bush debuted at number one on both the ARIA Country and International Country album charts on its release and was certified Gold after less than three weeks in the shops. In the meantime, Lee’s Outback to the Beaches tour – which will cover all of Australia over the next 12 months – kicked off in Orange, NSW, last week, and has seen him play to sell-out crowds. Many of his forthcoming shows are already sold out. It has also been confirmed that Lee will be the headline main stage act on the Saturday night at this year’s Toyota National Country Music Muster at Gympie, Queensland. The video clip for The New Bush was shot in the small town of Grenfell in Central Western NSW. "The whole town came out in force to take part in the shoot and the main street of Grenfell was closed off for Lee’s performance," said the spokesman from ABC. "A huge contingent of truckies also headed into town to be part of the clip, which was directed by Anthony Rowe who has shot Shannon Noll’s last two video clips." The New Bush album features guest appearances from Daryl Braithwaite and American country legend Trisha Yearwood and was produced by Garth Porter. Over the past decade, Lee has sold more than a million albums, won 20 Golden Guitars, three ARIA Awards, had more than 20 top 10 hits, 17 number ones and seven hit albums, as well as being named Artist of the Decade in 2000. Lee will perform The New Bush on the 9 Network's Today Show this Friday, June 23. Troy on "Enough Rope" Right when Troy Cassar-Daley is riding high on the 7 Network series "It Takes Two" (will Troy and Kate make it past four episodes?) comes the announcement that the multi Golden Guitar winner will appear on Andrew Denton's "Enough Rope" on ABC Television this coming Monday night (June 26).
Troy is currently performing live around Australia in support of his career defining new album Brighter Day – a collection of songs that has been well received by fans and media alike. Meanwhile, Troy's "Up Close & Personal" appearance in Tamworth this July is expected to be the first Hats Off To Country Festival event to sell out. Troy’s support for the concert, at The Pub, is 2005 Telstra Road to Tamworth winner Aleyce Simmonds. Tickets for the show, and most of the other major Hats Off events, can be obtained from www.tamworth.nsw.gov.au or by phoning Tourism Tamworth on (02) 6767 5300. Frank Ifield to feature on the 9 Network The 9 Network is screening a documentary on the life of Frank Ifield this Sunday morning as part of the "Sunday" program which goes to air at 9am.
Viewers will also see rare video clips and memorabilia plus the inclusion of many surprise guest stars. From his current triple CD set – Frank Ifield: The Complete A-Sides & B-Sides – on worldwide release by EMI Gold, Frank recently had no less than three tracks in UK and European top 10 radio playlist charts... the new stereo version of I Remember You (remixed by Bob Howe) and two of his Nashville recordings – I'm Saving All My Love For You and No One Will Ever Know. Next month will see a new release on the Jasmine Label in the UK of a highly prized CD for collectors titled The Yodelling Cowboy Years which features hitherto unreleased tracks including the theme song for "Whiplash" the hit TV series from the '60s plus songs from live radio performances and other tracks from Frank's personal archives. More info, weblink – www.frankifield.com. Successful Riverland Festival The recent Riverland Country Music Festival in South Australia has been hailed a great success by organisers. Co-ordinator Dot McDonnell said the committee and venues were very happy with how it all went. Accomodation was booked out through the Riverland and numbers did not decline at all with a lot of first timers attending.
"All sections had a large number of contestants however not many boys at the moment. We did see a decline in bands in the competition so had to cancel that section for this year. "But the coldest winter for decades did not keep anyone away with fans coming from all States as well as New Zealand. "The Ute Competition is growing and has the potential to become a great event," Dot said. "John O'Dea from Orrorroo SA won the SA Award of Excellence for the second year and continues to write some wonderful songs. Kristal Collins was runner-up. "Ten-year-old Nathaniel O'Brien from Burra SA did well too and was the talk of the Festival even stunning the major artists with his guitar work and his rendition of The Voice and is tipped to become a huge name in the future. He is classically trained but only wants to sing country." During the Festival, six personalities were inducted into the South Australian Country Music Hall of Fame – Col Elliott, Sandra Humphries, Dave Prior, Camille Tenahu, Trish Wilson and Jeanette Wormald. This year's Maple Avenue of Honour inductee was Christine Wutke while Life Membership of the Barmera Country Music Club was conferred on Dot McDonnell. Further information, including a full rundown of talent quest winners can be obtained from at www.riverlandcountrymusic.com. Dates for the 2007 Festival have been confirmed as June 1 to 11. Photo (by Ian Fisk): SA Award of Excellence winner John O’Dea with runner-up Kristal Collins. Bill releases a new single Ain’t Your Town No More, the second single from Bill Chambers' media acclaimed solo album Frozen Ground has been released to radio. Noted pedal steel player Michel Rose added his touch to This Ain’t Your Town, which manages to squeeze in four brief guitar solos in four minutes. "I heard that in my head as I was writing it," Bill says by way of explaining the guitar overload on the raucous song that came after an argument with a friend. "I’m just glad I don’t get that angry very often" Frozen Ground is Bill’s second self produced solo album which he describes as different styles from classic country to blues and points in between. Keith named sexiest country music man Keith Urban is country music's sexiest man, according to a reader poll to be released Friday in the North American "Country Weekly" magazine. Readers picked their top 10 sexiest male country artists with Toby Keith, Trace Adkins, Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney rounding out the top five in order. "The biggest surprise is how rapidly over the last couple of years Keith Urban has shot to the head of the class," said "Country Weekly" Editor Bill Gubbins. Readers voted in the first annual poll both online and by mail, he said. The magazine will be releasing readers' picks for country's most beautiful women later this month. – Vancouver Sun Finally... the wedding! An official statement released this week by Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban said the couple was very happy to be back in Australia where they have come home to celebrate their marriage this weekend with family and friends. The upcoming nuptials of the fairytale celebrity couple have been speculated on for months and reported in recent weeks all over the globe from Russia to North America, Australia to Europe and all places inbetween.
At least some guests would go into "lockdown" in a luxurious city hotel over that time, according to the sources. One reportedly said the Sydney contingent would be told the exact time 24 hours before and would be picked up and ferried to the wedding in a fleet of limousines booked by the couple. Reports say... The invited elite reflects the couple's diverse backgrounds, interests and lives before stardom. Guests are being flown into Sydney from Queensland, where Keith grew up, Nashville, where the country music heart-throb is based, and Hollywood, where Nicole was spending much of her time before taking up with her fiance.
The Urban-Kidman nuptials are, however, still only rumoured to be taking place next Sunday night in a Catholic church, possibly one of two in North Sydney. Guests say they still have not been told exactly when it will be, nor where. They will remain in the dark until the 11th hour. Nicole and Keith made personal phone calls a month ago to tell their nearest and dearest the wedding was on. They extended their invitations to partners. "I had heard the rumours," said one guest. "But I didn't believe it till I heard that voice tell me when they rang from America." Verbal acceptances were followed with email instructions, detailing the dress code, a strict no mobile phones or cameras policy as well as travel and accommodation arrangements. Nicole and Keith left Nashville by private plane on Friday, arriving in Australia this week after stopping over in Shanghai for various engagements. Keith had been recording his fourth solo album in Nashville where music industry sources confirmed he had two weeks off from the studio. While a hot tip suggests that the bride will wear Balenciaga, agents for Nicole in Sydney are believed to have called in a selection of Australian-designed gowns for any last-minute exercising of a woman's prerogative. Nicole's sister Antonia is to be her matron of honour and Keith's brother Shane, who will travel from the Sunshine Coast with his wife Jennifer, is to be best man. The singer's old friend Marlon Holden, who appeared in the Australian film "The Coolangatta Gold", is groomsman. Another of Keith's old friends, Australian drummer Peter Clarke who played with Keith in the band The Ranch when he first went to the US, is also on the guest list. It is believed Nicole's best friends Rebecca Riggs and Naomi Watts might join the wedding party at the front of the church as well as her children Isabella and Connor who are likely to fly into Sydney this week in a private jet belonging to their father. Vale – John Parks John Parks, one of Australia's finest writers of Australian humour, died on Saturday (June 17). John’s writing career started back in the 1960s when Joe Halford produced Buster Noble’s hit The Pommy Jackaroo and various other JP songs. "During this period," Joe said, "Johnny Ashcroft recorded a great version of John’s Dry. Later on, I produced Buster’s hit The Young Camp Stockman (lyrics by John, music by yours truly) and, recently, Jim Haynes new CD included John's Searching For The Outback. Slim Dusty’s current Live CD contains John’s Abalinga Mail and his Live DVD contains John's Ironbark Jim. Melinda makes Grand Ole Opry debut Melinda Schneider fulfilled one of her life-long ambitions when she performed on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville on Saturday night.
Melinda performed her number one hit Can You Hear Me Down The Hillside and Dream Him Home from her Album Of The Year Golden Guitar winning Family Tree. Melinda has made several trips to Nashville in the last 12 months, initially writing more than 60 songs and, more recently, for the recording of her fourth studio album Stronger which will be released in Australia in August. Saturday’s Opry appearance was yet another highlight in a big year for Melinda which will see her begin a national tour in Queensland on August 3 with special guests Golden Guitar winners The Flood, a capital city tour alongside Deborah Conway, Mia Dyson, Kate Miller Heidke and Ella Hooper with the "Broad" show from August 17 to 26, and a trip to France for the Dam Country Festival in Thuit Signol, Normandy, France, in early September.S Next Wednesday (June 28) at 8.30pm Melinda will appear on the ABC TV program Spicks and Specks "to put her music trivia knowledge to the test". Allan Caswell "in jail"
Readers would remember that Australian songwriter Allan Caswell first made his mark in the music business penning the hit theme to the TV series "Prisoner" On The Inside. He went on to write and record countless songs that have earnt him five Golden Guitars (three for Song Of The Year), five Tamworth Songwriters'Association Songmaker Awards, an ARIA Award, an APRA Award, two Gold singles, one Platinum and four Gold albums during his 30 year musical career. Recently, Allan was invited by his good friend (and sometimes songwriting collaborator) Don Spencer, on behalf of the Australian Children's Music Foundation, to teach songwriting to teenagers in detention centres across Australia. He "goes to jail" up to four days a week to teach and encourage budding young songwriters and says he's found a lot of talent, umm, on the inside. Chart update – Wolverines hit the top The Wolverines' Angel Eyes has taken over the top spot on the Country Tracks Top 30 singles chart this week pushing Travis Collins down to second place with I Was Wrong.
Lee Kernaghan's The New Bush bulleted four places to number six, John Williamson's Bells In A Bushman's Ear rose one place to seven while Kenny Chesney's Living In Fast Forward also moved up one to number eight. Travis Sinclair's former number one Midnight Run fell to number nine with Adam Harvey dropping to number 10 with That's Just How She Gets. Bullet performers this week include Slim Dusty's The Saddle Is His Home (14 to 11), Felicity Urquhart's My Life (19 to 13), Keith Urban's Tonight I Wanna Cry (20 to 14), Jeanette Wormald (pictured) with Boundary Rider's Daughter (21 to 18), Beccy Cole's Poster Girl (24 to 20), Arthur Blanch's With Every Breath (26 to 21) and Bobby Cash's Tumbleweed (27 to 24). New entries to the chart this week were Faith Hill with The Lucky One (in at 29) and Troy Cassar-Daley with Getaway Car (at 30). The full chart can be viewed at www.nfspublicity.com.au.
Natalie criticises patriotism
In the Thursday (June 15) edition of The Telegraph, band member Emily Robison noted that some music artists tried to exploit the war in Iraq. "A lot of pandering started going on, and you'd see soldiers and the American flag in every video," Robison said. "It became a sickening display of ultra-patriotism." Maines added: "The entire country may disagree with me, but I don't understand the necessity for patriotism. Why do you have to be a patriot? About what? This land is our land? Why? You can like where you live and like your life, but as for loving the whole country ... I don't see why people care about patriotism." On Thursday night, the Chicks performed at Shepherd's Bush Empire, the same London venue where Maines made her infamous remark about President Bush in 2003. – cmt.com Ringtones go gold, platinum... Ringtones will now be awarded for sales of gold and platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), the organisation announced last Wednesday. Only ringtones with the actual vocals of the artists' original song – known as master ringtones – will be recognised. Gold ringtones signify 500,000 downloads. Platinum marks a million downloads. The RIAA has already certified 84 gold, 40 platinum and four multi-platinum ringtones. DATELINE : WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 2006
Troy Cassar-Daley and his celebrity singing partner Kate Ritchie have made it to round three of the new 7 Network television show "It Takes Two". And a call has been made for fans to vote for Troy and Kate to keep them in. Only one couple – Richard Zachariah and Karen Knowles – has been voted off the show to date which didn't go to air at the weekend due to a programming conflict. Stars and celebrities remaining include Simon Reeve and Paulini, Erika Heynatz and David Hobson, Sarah Ryan and Guy Sebastian, Judy Nunn and Glenn Shorrock, Richard Champion and Wendy Matthews, A vote for Troy and Kate can be made by calling 1902 555 015 or by sending an SMS to 194 777 with the message “Ritchie” (NOT “Kate”). More than one vote is permissable with all proceeds from phone charges going to Kate’s nominated charity, Motor Neuron Disease research. Evelyn stars in new Hats Off concert The 2006 Hats Off To Country program in Tamworth is filling out to be one of the best ever with the announcement of a concert with Selection Records star Evelyn Bury. Anna Rose reported in her weekly country music feature in the Northern Daily Leader on Saturday that Selection Records’ boss Eric Watson had put together "a beaut show" featuring Evelyn (his favourite stable star, pictured at right) and her producer, "Tamworth’s own Music Fella” Ross McGregor and his band. " "Being blind has been no obstacle for this musical maestro, who has made Evelyn’s new album, Let Me Take You There With A Song, Selection’s most popular album yet. "According to Eric," Anna said, "he’s never seen such response to an album before as he has with this latest masterpiece of Evelyn’s, which literally takes you 'around the world with a song'." Evelyn's concert will be staged at 7.30pm on Saturday, July 8, at the West Tamworth League Club. Tickets are available from Wests on 02 6765 7588. With major stars Lee Kernaghan and Troy Cassar-Daley headlining in shows at Hats Off this year, organisers are expecting strond demand for tickets. The Festival will run from Thursday, July 6, through to and including Sunday, July 9, and will feature major events and activities like the Tamworth Camerata Graduation Concert, the Capital Country Music Association Winter Junior Talent Quest and the new Cavalcade Of Stars concert raising money for Australia's new Country Music Hall of Fame. An information page on the Cavalcade concert can be accessed here, with links to other websites including an official festival program. Pegasus signs with AIM New Zealand based publishing company Pegasus Music and Australian Country Music Capital based Aussie Independent Music (AIM) have signed a subpublishing agreement.
Most of AIM's Tamworth based songwriters came into Aussie's head office (housed in the Lindsay Butler Studio complex in Tamworth) to meet with the international operators and all were reportedly excited at the new prospects for their songs. Rhonda took over the reigns of Aussie Independent Music almost eight months ago and she says she is extremely motivated in pushing her writers both in the national and international domain – the first of many objectives Rhonda says she has set for herself. Aussie Independent Music represents established bush ballad writers Terry and Jenny Bennetts, Rob Brown, Lindsay Butler, Darren Clarke, Dennis Evans, Brian Letton, Shaza Leigh, Mel Sommers and Wendy Wood. Photo (from left): Darren Clarke, Shaza Leigh, Errol Peters, Ginny Peters, Rhonda Sinclair, Wendy Wood and Rob Brown at last week's signing. Rebecca makes the "Big Break" finals
Rebecca is now in the top 10 percent of entrants from around Australia and is heading towards the second phase of judging. Otherwise, she says things are still going strong after kicking off the year being named Victorian Female Vocalist of the Year at the Victorian & National Country Music Awards in February. Next month, Rebecca is due to release a new single to radio. And, after wowing crowds at the Gympie Muster last year, Rebecca has also been announced as an artist for this year's 25th anniversary event in August. Further info – www.rebeccaleenye.com. Michael Fix update Michael Fix has returned from a tour to Europe where he says he played in "some amazing venues".
A CD titled Hat Trick – A Retrospective will be released on the day. Later this month (June 24 to 29), Michael will conduct a series of guitar seminars as part of the Maryborough, Queensland "artsfest". Then, on July 2, the second of Michael's Celebration of Guitar concerts will be held at Souths Rugby League Football Club in Brisbane with guest artists including Peter Cupples, Craig Claxton, Cameron Ford, Sam Shepherd, Alesa Lajana and legendary US (now Australian based) session "king" and producer Louie Shelton. Later in July, Michael will be touring western NSW and he has given advance notice that he will be presenting a week-long guitar course as part of "artsfest" in Grafton, NSW, in October. "Minimum age is 14, some experience necessary, places are limited, so book early," he advised. Further info – www.michaelfix.com. Janine calls Aussies in Nashville Australia's Janine Le Clair is presently in America and has established a monthly performance at Nashville's "Music Row" hotspot Caffeine Cafe & Bar to showcase Australian acts.
"The objective is to showcase Australian talent to an American audience... the line-up consisting of Australian/New Zealand musicians who are currently touring or living in America. CMC (Country Music Channel) Australia helped to launch the initial concept of 'Aussie Night' in November last year where Janine, Catherine Britt, Pru Clearwater, Natalie Howard and Steve Ford each had an opportunity to show Nashville the quality of musicianship and diversity which stems from "the land down under. "Caffeine Cafe & Bar is now thrilled to host 'Janine Le Clair's Aussie Spotlight'," Janine said, "the only all-Australian showcase in Nashville! "It has already seen the likes of Kirsty Lee Akers, Jake Nickolai and Melinda Scheider appear and we are always on the look out for great Australian Talent. "This is not a country show, all musicians from all genres are welcome. It's an acoustic based show, but bands should not be discouraged. The show is not in a 'round' format – each act has their own time to showcase what they choose." Janine performs herself as well as hosting the evening. The next "Janine Le Clair's Aussie Spotlight" will be on Tuesday, July 4, with one in August to follow. Janine can be contacted directly by email, music@janineleclair.com. More on Kasey's new album Following on from last week's news about Kasey Chambers new album Carnival, her record label, EMI, has announced more details about the upcoming release.
Joining them were some hand picked special guests (many of whom had never worked with Kasey previously) including Midnight Oil's Jim Moginie, Bernard Fanning (from Powderfinger), Tim Rogers (You Am I) and Michael Barker (John Butler Trio). "It's this fresh approach and willingness to 'break the mould' that only serves to cement Chambers' position as an evolving, unique and dynamic Australian artist," a spokesman for EMI said. "While the album has a distinctly contemporary edge that will surprise many, Carnival still draws on all the trademark qualities that have made Kasey one of Australia's most loved and respected artists. "The title of the album is lifted from one of the tracks – Colour Of The Carnival – and, throughout the work, Chambers draws life comparisons to that of a simple carnival... exploring life, love, innocence, fun and loss all with a healthy shot of optimism." To coincide with the release of the new single and album, Kasey will be hitting the road for a series of shows that will run through until the end of the year. Fans in WA will be the first to experience these gigs before the tour then goes to all states. In between, Kasey will also tour throughout the United States and possibly the UK and Europe. "I'm very excited to announce the dates for my 'Carnival Tour', Kasey said. "It's been over two years since we've headed out on a full national tour. So excited in fact, that I've already written out the set list and the first gig isn't for another three months. "I'm particularly looking forward to playing a bunch of new songs from my new album as well as some really old ones that I haven't played for a very long time. I can't wait," Kasey said. Further info (including tour dates) – www.kaseychambers.com. Baby girl for Nattasha
Nattasha and husband Jason named the newborn Summer Hayley Crestani. Summer was born at 11.31pm on the 31st weighing in at eight pounds four ounces. "It was a breech birth which was only discovered within hours of going into labour," said Nattasha. "No-one knew – not the doctor or the midwife! Summer is pulling surprises already!" And a boy for Karen! Karen Lynne and husband Martin Louis have announced the birth of a baby boy – William Aaron – born on Wednesday May 31 – "6lb 7oz and gorgeous".
"So please forgive me If you don't hear much from me over the next few months... I'm told his feeding should get better and all will calm down eventually!" Meanwhile, Martin reports the single The Circle Is Small has reached number four on the Country Tracks Top 30 (see update below). "Thank you all so much for the support," said Karen. "The new album is getting wonderful publicity and comment from the media and supporters... pity I'm not out there 'selling' it... but I'm sure we'll be back on the road later in the year." A new single from the album will be released soon. Newcastle Music Week
It offers $10,000 worth of prizes but access to representatives from Universal, EMI, Shock, Records, Michael Chugg Entertainment, Warner, Premier Harbour Agency and others. See www.newcastlemusicweek.com. Heath Johns from Universal Music Publishing said, "As a Novocastrian, I have always known that Newcastle boasts one of the finest musical communities in the country. It is therefore unfortunate that many great local bands remain underexposed through a lack of contact with labels, managers, agents and publishers." Chart update – Travis Collins hits number one! Travis Collins has taken over the number one spot on the Country Tracks Top 30 singles chart this week with I Was Wrong, from Travis Sinclair who held the top spot for three weeks with Midnight Run which falls to number three this week.
Adam Harvey falls two place to number five with That's Just How She Gets while Greg Champion's Been There Done That jumps two places to number six. Tania Kernaghan (pictured) with Harley McTaggart, John Williamson's Bells In A Bushman's Ear, Kenny Chesney's Living In Fast Forward and Lee Kernaghan's The New Bush all rise three places each to, respectively, seven, eight, nine and 10, rounding out this week's top 10. Bullet performers this week include Keith Urban's Tonight I Wanna Cry (24 to 20), Jeanette Wormald's Boundary Rider's Daughter (26 to 21), Beccy Cole's Poster Girl (28 to 24), Arthur Blanch's With Every Breath (29 to 26) and Bobby Cash's Tumbleweed (30 to 27). New entries to the chart this week were Allan Caswell with Comeback Of The Year (in at 29) and Garth Brooks & Trisha Yearwood with Love Will Always Win (at 30). The full chart can be viewed at www.nfspublicity.com.au.
Loretta sidelined with broken shoulder
She was due to undergo shoulder joint replacement surgery at a Nashville area hospital last Thursday before returning home to recuperate. Due to her injury, nine American tour dates in June and July were cancelled. Plans to reschedule cancelled concerts are underway with new dates to be announced soon. Further information can be obtained, and get well wishes posted, at www.LorettaLynn.com. CMA Music Festival sets record attendance The CMA (Country Music Association, America) Music Festival (which concluded at the weekend) set a new attendance record this year, according to organisers, with an aggregate total of 161,590 people attending the four-day event that ended on Sunday. Those who purchased tickets for the entire four days are counted four times in the calculations, but significant growth was noted in sales of single tickets, and record attendance was reported at areas of the festival that did not require admission. Single concert tickets for the daytime concerts on the riverfront and evening concerts at LP Field increased eight percent from 2005. Sales of four-day ticket packages were up six percent over the previous year. The Festival, meanwhile, is worth around $17 million to Nashville, according to the local chamber of commerce. CMA spokesperson Wendy Pearl said the performers donate their time and talents during the festival with proceeds going to fund local music education programs. Tantowi Yahya charms Nashville crowd Thousands of singers and songwriters flock to Nashville every year in search of stardom. Along the city's main drag, Broadway, dozens of beer joints, honky tonks and restaurants compete for customers, with live performances blaring through their open doors.
"There are about 12 albums released by new artists every year and, if they are lucky, one will make it to the top," said Walker, an Australian who has lived in Nashville for decades. It was to this air of skepticism that Indonesian entertainer Tantowi Yahya arrived to pursue his dream of singing at one of the events before the CMA Music Festival. His first song – Louisiana Blue – got the crowd's attention. So did Good Day To Run and I'm Blue and Lonesome. But it was not until he sang an old favourite, Farewell Party, that the crowd buzzed with excitement. A couple who manage a country music news website nodded in approval and sang along. "He is good. He did a great job," said Barry McCloud, President of the Country Music Facts and News website. Tantowi and four others singers, including Nick Kingswell and Jake Nickolai of Australia, were invited to perform at the Global Artist Party. They are not, by any means, amateurs. One aim of these artists is to "crack" the US market. "It's important to be recognised here to open up the world market for your artists," said Carmen Zerefos, who travelled with Australian country singer John Stephan. American country music has changed from the music sung during the heyday of Johnny Cash. In an attempt to reach a younger audience, producers have mixed the traditional country sound with popular music. As a result, today's country music has an upbeat sound with typical country music lyrics. Country music "a natural fit" for David Lee Roth It should come as no surprise that David Lee Roth is featured on the new Van Halen bluegrass tribute album called Strummin' With The Devil (released in America last Tuesday) — well, according to Roth, anyway.
"The Chesneys and the Paisleys and the Tobys of country are now the exact right age that they're the stars of popular culture and they grew up on Van Halen music," he said. "The Van Halen myth is now 25 years gone, and there's something in American legend that says after 25 years you get your own T-shirt. You get your own postage stamp. Everything's okay." Roth also said that country and rock had been linked for a long time and that acoustic instruments had been vitally important to rock music. "There is a great amount of rock in the country sound," he said. "Country was back when rock really kicked in. In early Rod Stewart, you know, all those early... Maggie May, Every Picture Tells A Story, and on and on and on. These were great albums. Every single one of 'em had a mandolin and a dobro and a steel guitar in it. Without all of those exact instruments you have no Rolling Stones." – Launch Radio Networks DATELINE : WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7, 2006 Kasey wins 2006 Country APRA Kasey Chambers has taken out Most Performed Country Work at the 2006 APRA (Australasian Performing Right Association) Music Awards announced in Sydney on Monday night.
Kasey, who had three finalist nominations for the award this year, took out the prize from fellow finalists Lyn Bowtell and Beccy Cole. Chart topper Ben Lee's Catch My Disease took out two top awards – Song of the Year and Most Performed Australian Work – adding to the three he won last year. "When I was 14 I started making records, recording in my bedroom," Ben said in a recorded acceptance speech from America where he is touring. "I had no technology. I had no money, I didn't have a lot of style, I didn't have much musical technique but what I did have were songs that I believed in. I'm... really grateful that the Australian music industry still recognises the value of a songwriter and realises that the song is the most important part of a record." Bernard Fanning of Powderfinger fame was named Songwriter of the Year for his work on the album Tea And Sympathy. Previous Song of the Year recipient John Butler won the inaugural award for most performed blues and roots work with Something's Gotta Give. Bill Armstrong was named this year's recipient of the Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Services to Australian Music. Bill has been involved in the Australian music recording business for more than 60 years. A full list of winners is available at www.apra.com.au.
Kasey's new album
Release dates for Kasey Chamber's new album, and the first single to be released from the album, have been announced. Titled Carnival, the album is set for release on Saturday, August 19. The first single from the album – Nothing At All – will be serviced to all media next Tuesday, June 13, and will be available in stores on Saturday, July 22. It is understood the single will be premiered this Friday (June 9) around 8am on selected radio stations. Kasey's website – www.kaseychambers.com – is currently undergoing major renovation prior to the release of the new album and single. Website visitors are being advised to return tomorrow (June 8) for tour announcements and "other exciting news". NZ Awards honour local, Nashville and Tamworth favourites The best in New Zealand country music songwriting and recording has been acknowledged in Gore at the NZ Country Music Awards. The song Tamworth by Jools Topp (musician, actor, horse enthusiast and one half of New Zealand’s iconic comedy duo the Topp Twins) was named APRA Best Country Music Song. Tamworth is about the major Australian country music event the Tamworth Country Music Festival, one of the most successful annual gigs on the Twins’ calendar. The Twins played to delighted Gore locals last week, while in their absence on the Awards night, the winning song was performed by sisters Andrea Cruikshank and Lisa Cruikshank-Urlich. APRA's Anthony Healey said the Best Country Music Song Award was created to properly acknowledge songwriters in the genre. "The introduction of this award (in only its second year this year) means we have been able to honour one of the latest wonderful songs that Jools Topp has produced in her career," he said. Jools has come a long way since opening with her sister Lynda for Split Enz and busking in Auckland in the ‘80s. In 2004 she received the MNZM (New Zealand Order of Merit) from the Governor-General for services to entertainment.
Shane Warner (pictured) received the RIANZ (Recording Industry Association of NZ) Best Country Music Album Tui Award for Absolutely. Presenting the Best Album award, President of the RIANZ Adam Holt said the calibre of finalists was excellent. "Gore turned on another memorable Gold Guitar Week, showcasing the best country music New Zealand has to offer," he said. "Shane fully deserves the Tui this year. He’s a success story here in New Zealand and in the country music capital of the world, Nashville. "Presenting the award has again been a privilege, especially when it goes to someone who’s not only a talented performer, but also a gifted songwriter and vocalist,” he added. Nashville resident Shane couldn’t make it to Gore so his Tui award (as it is known) was accepted on his behalf by friend and fellow musician Peter Cairns. Peter also performed Just Don’t Get It from Shane’s winning album. The Tui award is now in its third year at Gold Guitar Week giving country artists the undivided attention they deserve. In 2005, Shane Warner was named International Entertainer of the Year, International Male Vocalist of the Year and Absolutely got the nod for Most Promising Album of the Year at the North American Country Music Awards. The other finalists for Best Country Album were both South Islanders – Ron Mitchell from Gore (with Low Down Country) and Jacqui Watson from Oamaru with Uncut). Gold Guitar Week convenor Phillip Geary said the Country Music Awards were the icing on the cake of the week-long festivities. "It’s a fun week, and it’s great to top it off by presenting the awards from APRA and RIANZ. Both Shane and Jools are a credit to New Zealand music at home and overseas. "We in the country music community have always known the wonderful talent in New Zealand and with these awards, the rest of the country are realising that too." – newswire.co.nz Gold Guitar Awards Meanwhile, Gore has hailed this year's country music festival as very successful.
Spokesman Shona Hewlett said audience numbers were up on previous years with fans having to be turned away from the seniors competition finals on Sunday night. She said most of the senior entrants were looking for a career in country music and saw the Gore competitions as a great platform. "Most of the senior contestants are very polished performers after having trained across the Tasman. "The seniors prize pack, worth close to $20,000, is a big incentive," Shona said, "but the real carrot is more exposure in Australia." Auckland based trio North versus South won the Gold Guitars senior final with Ryan Sampson from Australia (pictured) winning the male vocal and Melissa Partridge from Dunedin winning the female vocal. – newstalkzb.co.nz New release from the SNACs With tongue firmly planted in cheek, the media release reads... "Veteran heavy metal picker Angus Young has the blues. So does Irish yodeller Bono. Even Julie Andrews is upset. It’s a worrier for the ARIAs, a double whammy for the Grammys, and it’s giving the Brits the proverbials...
"An angry Robbie Williams has accused the SNACs of "single-handedly bringing a music era to a close – bluegrass style" with the release of the album coming up on June 23 (or, as Williams calls it, 'the day the music died') at the Fly by Night Club in Fremantle." With that introduction, the band announced the upcoming release of their latest album. Though the majority of the 17 tracks of 'other people’s hits' are by the SNACs themselves, the result, according to the band’s spokescowperson "Calamity" Jim Fisher, is a unique mix of "originality, jingoism and something else". The "something else" is well known to the tens of thousands who’ve admired the SNACs since they formed a decade ago. "Something" that has seen them become a "must see" act at festivals from Tamworth to Edinburgh, garnered them multiple Golden Guitar nominations and the respect of musicians and music fans everywhere they’ve played. Tickets for the album launch can be obtained at www.heatseeker.com.au. Allan on the comeback trail Country singer/songwriter, recording artist and multiple Golden Guitar winner Allan Caswell is on the comeback trail.
Country folk at Trundle, Parkes, Peak Hill, Yeoval, West Wyalong, Dubbo, Narromine, Gilgandra and Geurie can also expect only the best from this five-time Golden Guitar winner. "I've toured the country so many times before, but I'm really looking forward to meeting the people and sharing my latest songs to those who appreciate good country," Allan said. His latest album – Al's Bar & Grill, released on the ORiGiN label through MGM – is receiving rave reviews in country music circles. Some of the catchy tunes were co-written by Nashville producer Al Craig and former Dubbo lad Drew McAlister. Allan has worked live with Garth Brooks, Don McLean, Gerry and the Pacemakers and The Little River Band, to name a few. He's played at the Sydney Entertainment Centre, the Melbourne Concert Hall and at New York, LA, Nashville and New Zealand with the highlight of his career playing to 80,000 people at a "Save Souths" rally with a song he had written the previous night. Allan is one of Australia's leading songwriters with more than 500 songs recorded worldwide with hits in the USA, the UK, Australia and New Zealand by artists of the calibre of Cilla Black, Patti Page, The Irish Rovers, Slim Dusty, James Blundell, The Living End and Lynne Hamilton. He is best known as the writer of On The Inside, the theme from the TV series "Prisoner" which reached number one in Australia and NZ, number three in England, and also made the country charts in the USA. On top of his five Golden Guitars, Allan has been a finalist 27 times, earned two gold singles; one platinum and four gold albums for his writing and production work. Nicole and Keith... the big day approaches The Daily Telegraph's Sydney Confidential reporter has some "low-down" on the upcoming nuptials of Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban. The paper reported on Monday that, with the wedding just three weeks away, Nicole's sister Antonia had arranged a secret dash to New York for a dress fitting and make-up trial in preparation for the big day.
Travelling without her husband Angus Hawley and two children, Antonia would spend the week with Bingham who would fit the bridesmaid dress and match shoes and accessories. While her sister's Australian hairdresser Renya Xydis is expected to style both Nicole and Antonia's hair on the day, Confidential understands Bingham and Kidman's personal make-up artist will fly to Sydney with the bride a week before the June 25 wedding. The Foxtel presenter has kept the trip a secret telling even close friends to "don't ask" about her plans over the coming week. The bride and groom are taking no chances by sending out invitations with Confidential hearing reports of Australian guests being contacted via email which is then followed up by a personal phone call from Nicole or Keith. Guests are yet to be told where the ceremony or reception is, instead being asked to be prepared to be picked up from their homes by limousines. Meanwhile, Britain's itv.com reports that Nicole has hired every helicopter in Sydney in a bid to keep the paparazzi away from her forthcoming wedding. The move is rumoured to have cost 160,000 pounds, but it is said she is pulling out all stops to make sure the ceremony remains as private as possible. "It is also thought that Nic will have her wedding after dark so the Sydney snappers don't get a look in," the website said. "But she'll take a leaf out of Russell Crowe's book and release two pictures to satisfy the press and fans." Final line-up announced for Cavalcade of Stars The final line-up has been announced for the first Cavalcade of Stars concert to be staged in Tamworth, Country Music Capital, during this year's Hats Off to Country Festival in July.
Filling out the bill will be Kirsty-Lee Akers (pictured, currently in Nashville as part of her special prize awarded as part of this year's Telstra Road To Tamworth talent quest), Golden Guitar winner Jodie Crosby, 2006 Golden Saddle Award finalist Amber Lawrence, multi award winner Queensland based singer/songwriter Keri McInerney, 2006 "MO" and TIARA award winner John Stephan (pictured), the talented and popular Country Music Capital based Those Gals, one of Australia's most popular new rising stars, also a former Golden Saddle Award grand finalist Sally-Anne Whitten, leading singer/songwriter, instrumentalist and recording artist Greg Williams and The Young Balladeers – Nathan Charlton, Matt Manning and Amos Morris, all three individual stars in their own right together in a special performance.
The concert will be staged in the famous Tamworth Town Hall on Friday July 7 from 7.30pm. All artists are donating their time for "the cause". "Just a month or so ago we made a general call for expressions of interest for artists who would like to appear on the show," said Bob Kirchner, spokesman for the organisers, the Australian Country Music Foundation. "We were overwhelmed with response," he said, "and would like to not only thank those artists who will be appearing, but also those who we were not able to fit in this year. "The Cavalcade of Stars will be an annual event so we will be looking forward to showcasing the talents of many more established and rising country stars in the years ahead." Tickets for this year's event can be purchased from Tourism Tamworth on 02 6767 5300 or online at www.tamworth.nsw.gov.au/ticketsales. Further information about the concert can be obtained from the ACMF on 02 6766 9696 or by visiting www.acmf.org.au. Tommy to bring TommyFest to Australia Christie Eliezer reports in his weekly column at themusic.com.au that globally acknowledged Aussie picker Tommy Emmanuel is to bring his "TommyFest" to Australia in October.
Tommy headlines and always showcases other performers whom he admires (previous participants were guitarists Richard Smith, Johnny Dickenson, Martin Taylor, Albert Lee, Stephen Bennett and Thom Bresh) who jam with Emmanuel at the end of the evening. In addition to the live shows in the evening, guitar workshops and classes are held during the day. This year, "TommyFest" happened in Elizabethtown, Kentucky (February), Windsor, UK (Easter weekend) and two in Germany (Dortmund in January, Rietberg in August). It's to be held in Vermont later this month with acclaimed guitarist Stephen Bennett and Australian female duo Bluehouse. The Australian "TommyFest" will include US ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro, German guitarist Joscho Stephan and English jazz guitarist Martin Taylor as featured guests. WAM Song of the Year WAM, the West Australian Music Industry Association, has announced details of its 2006 Song of the Year competition, billed as the state's biggest song contest. More than $30,000 in cash and prizes are to be won including a grand prize of three free days recording and the pressing of 500 CD EPs. The country music category carries its own prize of $1,000 cash and free recording time at Witzend Recording Studio in Fremantle. Entry forms are available from www.wam.asn.au. Entries close August 7. Audreys sign with True North Australian band The Audreys have just signed with True North Records to take their blend of alt.country and pop to Canadian listeners.
The record was produced, recorded and mixed by Shane O'Mara at Yikesville Studio in Melbourne. The group incorporates guitar, banjo, mandolin, violin and drums to back the vocals of lead singer Taasha Coates. The album features 11 original tracks and a cover of INXS' Don't Change. The Audreys, who formed two years ago, also include Tristan Goodall (guitars, banjo), Mikey G (violin), Lyndon Gray (bass) and David Ross MacDonald (drums). The band have done well on the international festival circuit and have contributed two tracks to the Australian films "The House Of Names" and "Two Minutes To Midnight". "They have a sensational live show and there's real buzz on the band internationally," said True North's Graham Stairs. "The Audreys are a perfect fit for True North." Further info – www.theaudreys.com. Chart update – Travis at number one, Travis at number two! The top two positions on the Country Tracks Top 30 singles chart this week are both held by Travis... Travis Sinclair and Travis Collins (pictured) with, respectively, Midnight Run and I Was Wrong.
Adam Harvey moves up one more place to number three with That's Just How She Gets while Catherine Britt's Too Far Gone falls one place to number four. The Wolverines' bounded up four places to number five with Angel Eyes while Karen Lynne rises two spots to number six with The Circle Is Small and Troy Cassar-Daley's former number one Going Back Home drops to number seven. Greg Champion's Been There Done That rises three places and enters the top 10 at number eight, Beccy Cole's So Good For So Long falls three places to number nine while Tania Kernaghan's Harley McTaggart enters the top 10 at number 10. Bullet performers this week included John Williamson's Bells In A Bushman's Ear (14 to 11), Lee Kernaghan's The New Bush (17 to 13), Martina McBride's I Still Miss Someone (23 to 19), Clelia Adams' Heartbeat Highway (24 to 20), Felicity Urquhart's My Life (27 to 22), Keith Urban's Tonight I Wanna Cry (28 to 24) and Jeanette Wormald's Boundary Rider's Daughter (30 to 26). New entries to the chart this week were Beccy Cole's latest single Poster Girl (in with a bullet at 28), Arthur Blanch with With Every Breath (at 29) and Bobby Cash with Tumbleweed (at 30). The full chart can be viewed at www.nfspublicity.com.au.
2006 CMA Music Festival kicks off with "a bang" A Parade And Block Party in Downtown Nashville will kick off the CMA (Country Music Association) Music Festival – America's "biggest country music party" – in Nashville today (Wednesday, June 7).
The Festival officially starts tomorrow (Thursday) and runs through to and including this Sunday (June 11). "The Majority of fans have generally arrived in town by Wednesday afternoon and we find it only fitting to show them a little extra Nashville hospitality with a free parade and outdoor concert on Broadway," said CMA Music Festival Executive Producer Tony Conway. "We have some of the most exciting up-tempo new acts in country music performing thanks to our exclusive automotive partner Chevy. Giving fans that extra value is what we strive to do and adding additional events to CMA Music Festival is doing just that." Nearly every major American country artist has participated in the event, formerly known as FanFair, during its 35-year history. Last year, more than 400 country music artists and celebrities participated in the CMA Music Festival. For a list of artists participating in 2006, programs and more general information, visit CMAfest.com. Brooks & Dunn to host 40th CMA Awards The American Country Music Association announced yesterday that the 40th annual CMA Awards would air live Monday, November 6 from Nashville with "superduo" Brooks & Dunn returning as hosts for the gala event for the third consecutive year.
"We are ready to make this the most outstanding Awards broadcast to date," said CMA Chief Operating Officer Tammy Genovese. "We are back in Nashville after our very successful excursion to New York City in 2005; Brooks & Dunn are back as hosts, after doing an incredible job the past two years; and we are looking forward to tapping into the creativity and enthusiasm of our new network partner, ABC (TV). "ABC is passionate about our partnership with country music," said ABC's Andrea Wong, "and we are thrilled and honoured to have the CMA Awards on our network. As one of the biggest events on television, the CMA Awards value to us... is enormous as the Awards joins the lineup of our two other premiere award specials, the Oscars and the American Music Awards." The CMA Awards moved from September to November in 2003. In 2006, the CMA Awards move from Tuesday to Monday night. "Moving to Monday offers some additional benefits for the Awards," Genovese said. "Monday is a bigger night in terms of households watching television, and airing the day before new product hits record stores and having a full sales week should have a positive impact on our business." The CMA Awards nominees and winners are determined by the 6,000 industry professional members of CMA, which was the first trade organisation formed to promote an individual genre of music in 1958. |
||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||
Determined by Festival organisers the Rotary Club of Galston, the grand finalists will all appear at the Festival on Sunday, September 10, together with a number of guest stars including last year's Golden Saddle winner Darren Colston.
Also to be launched the same morning will be Tom Maxwell’s sixth album on the LBS label.
The event will be held in the Jondaryan Cultural Centre at Oakey just west of Toowoomba.
Kirsty has now returned from a brief visit to "Music City" where she spent time co-writing with successful songwriters such as Marcel (hits for Josh Gracin, Rascal Flatts, LeAnne Rimes), Byron Hill (Joe Nichols current hit Size Matters, George Strait, Randy Travis, Gary Allan, Kenny Rogers, George Jones, Reba McIntyre), Jeremy Spillman (Trace Adkins, Lee Ann Womack), Christian Rada (a new writer) and Tammi Kidd & John Kennedy.
In an Australian first, music instruments retailer Allans Music is searching for Australia's fastest drummer.
Lee Kernaghan's The New Bush jumped three places to number three while Greg Champion and Tania Kernaghan (pictured) remained steady at four and five, respectively, with Been There Done That and Harley McTaggart.
Crystal said "I have known about the Hollywood Walk Of Fame ever since I was little and the first time I went to Hollywood early in my recording years I immediately went to the Hollywood Walk of Fame and walked and saw all the different great American entertainers (there).
Country star Alan Jackson has signed on as a partner in a real estate development planned for the Panama City Beach, Florida, area, otherwise known (affectionately) as the "Redneck Riviera".
"It’s just another victory for what’s already been tipped the hottest single of the year from Australia’s biggest country star," said a spokesman for Lee's record label, ABC.
In what is described as the most revealing interview yet with the twice ARIA and 13 times Golden Guitar winner, Troy talks about growing up in Grafton, his musical influences, his family and his dreams for the future.
Many rare pictures and footage will be featured from the early 1950s up to the present time and Frank will talk of his worldwide acclaim and the difficulties experienced as an international superstar.
"Col Elliott, Stuie & Camille and Trev Warner headlined the Festival and all three acts were extremely popular," Dot said. "They drew a huge crowd to the Awards Concert and the Sunday Spectacular.
Various reports have the couple going for maximum secrecy. For example, sources close to the couple reportedly told Sydney's Sun-Herald that Nicole and Keith had asked a tight group of their family, friends and close business associates to keep their calendars clear from Friday to Monday.
The couple have stipulated the dress code as black tie, pointing to an intimate evening affair in front of a hand-picked, not-too-small, not-too-big gathering of the inner circle. In other words, the traditional kind of wedding Nicole was robbed of when she agreed to an elopement-style Scientology ceremony for her marriage to Tom Cruise 15 years ago.
The invitation to appear on the legendary live radio show was issued by Vice President of the Opry Pete Fisher.
Christie Eliezer reports in his column this week at 
Karen Lynne rises to number three with The Circle Is Small while Greg Champion and Tania Kernaghan jump two places each to four and five with, respectively, Been There Done That and Harley McTaggart.
The Dixie Chicks' Natalie Maines is quoted in a London newspaper criticising the notion of patriotism.
Call for Troy vote!
Ross, who lives at Oxley Vale, is a keyboard player and before he came to Tamworth operated Axent Recording Studio at Kogarah in Sydney," Anna said.
Pegasus proprietors Errol and Ginny Peters flew to Australia last week and met with AIM proprietor Rhonda Sinclair. The papers were signed giving Pegasus the rights to subpublish the work of AIM's writers through their many outlets in the USA, UK and Europe.
Rebecca Lee Nye has been announced as a semi-finalist in the Nescafe' Big Break scheme, and she says she is delighted.
Back home, one of Michael's first gig will be a reunion for former band Hat Trick (which Michael was a member of in the 1980s) at the Harp Hotel, Princes Highway, Tempe (Sydney), on Sunday, June 18.
The "gig" – billed as "Janine Le Clair's Aussie Spotlight" – launched in March, the original show concept stirring "a buzz" around town and proving to be one of the "hottest shows in town", Janine says.
The album was recorded in just over a week with producer and brother Nash Chambers on NSW's Central Coast.
Country singer, songwriter and recording artist Nattasha Crestani gave birth to a girl on May 31.
Karen says she has just left Blue Mountains Hospital and they're currently keeping a round the clock feeding vigil.
Christie Eliezer reports in his column this week at 
The Wolverines' Angel Eyes jumps to number two while Karen Lynne rises another two spots to number four with The Circle Is Small.
At her Tennessee home last Sunday week (June 4), music icon Loretta Lynn accidentally fell and broke her left shoulder.
"You have to be really, really talented, work hard and have a lot of luck to be successful here," said Jeff Walker, Chairman of the Country Music Association's Global Markets Committee.
The original Van Halen frontman has been out of the band for more than 20 years now, but that didn't stop him from saying that he had a huge influence on some of today's biggest country stars.
The other finalists for Best Country Music Song were local man Aaron Jury for Wyre St and Robert Joass of The Shot Band and The Hobnail Boots for Dead In The Water.
The town is settling down after a week of activities surrounding the New Zealand Gold Guitar Awards.
"What’s the cause of all this upheaval in the music scene? Of course it’s the release of the Sensitive New Age Cowpersons’ compilation album Other People’s Greatest Hits."
Antonia was expected to fly out of Sydney yesterday to spend a week with the bride-to-be and her personal stylist Anna Bingham in New York where Nicole is in the stages of filming an untitled Noah Baumbach project.
It is also possible a number of surprise guests may appear at the concert, a fund-raiser for the proposed new Australian Country Music Hall of Fame to be built in Tamworth.
"TommyFest" began several years ago in Kentucky and involves a series of live music performances in various locations around the world.
Between Last Night And Us, The Audreys' first studio full-length CD, was released in Australia in February through ABC Roots Music and Warner Music Australia. True North will release the 12-song collection in Canada on June 27.
It's the third week at number one for Travis Sinclair, and a rise of three places for Travis Collins to number two from number five last week.
"CMA Music Festival is Nashville's signature musical event," said CMA Chief Operating Officer Tammy Genovese. "What better way to get the party started than hosting a free parade and block party for the residents and people who work downtown, as well as Music Festival attendees!"
"The 40th anniversary should be an amazing show," said Kix Brooks. "Everybody'll be there."