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This website dedicated to bringing you the latest Australian country music news |
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NEWS ARCHIVES DATELINE : WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29, 2006 LBS approaches 100 albums LBS Music is planning a special release to commemorate its fast approaching 100th album in the coming months.
A summary of a number of current and new releases highlight the impact the label continues to have as one of the nation's leading independent labels. Brian Letton's latest release Today is still going strong. The first single, Two Chords, rose as high as number four on the Country Tracks Top 30 national singles chart. Shaza Leigh is pushing up the Country Tracks chart with Old Calare. Next week, she starts recording the second single for her forthcoming album which will be ready for release mid-year. The new album for Ernie Constance – Goin' Walkabout – is now completed and due for release at Easter. The album features 13 new Ernie Constance originals plus the song That Old Hat, Ernie's tribute to the late Slim Dusty. The debut LBS release for New Zealand country star and NZ Gold Guitar winner Noel Parlane is nearing completion and will hit the marketplace before Mothers Day. Now residing in Australia, Noel has been building a strong following in this country over the past couple of years. Other new releases scheduled for release in the coming months include leading bush balladeer Tom Maxwell and "young gun" guitarist Lindsay Waddington. The unveiling of the 100th album is expected shortly after. Entries close Friday for Pacific Songwriting Contest Entries for the Pacific Songwriting Competition close this Friday, March 31.
Australian singer/songwriter Nathan Tasker won more than $12,000 last year which helped fund a trip to Nashville to record his eighth album (an album which has already achieved a number one in Australia). Korean songwriter So-young Kim has received 13 distribution deals as a direct result of her win. All genres, all nations and all songwriters are eligible for the competition which "seeks to support and encourage songwriters. Further information can be obtained at www.pacificsongwritingcompetition.com. ARIA reports on music sales for 2005 The launch of Apple's iTunes in Australia encouraged spending of almost $8 million on digital music last year but was not enough to offset dwindling sales of music on CDs.
ARIA said that 34 percent of all money spent on digital music during the year had come in the two months following the October launch of iTunes in Australia. But as the digital market expanded, most of the physical formats experienced a decline in both volume and value. ARIA said, however, that the industry considered 2005 "to have been a transitional year and anticipates a return to growth in 2006". Indeed, the value of sales so far this year were better than sales for the same period in 2005. According to ARIA, it is not only digital music cannibalising sales of CDs. Competition from DVDs and console games combined with the rapid penetration of broadband internet access into households are also believed to have contributed to the declines. "While broadband provides the necessary platform for the development and success of legitimate online businesses, it also makes it easier for illegal internet downloading of music to occur. "The industry is committed to maintaining the fight against illegal internet traffic of recordings and remains optimistic that consumers will continue to make the transition to legitimate services," ARIA said. To mark the changing market dynamic, ARIA will formally unveil a new digital track chart later this week. Some other key outcomes announced by ARIA yesterday... • Missy Higgins' The Sound Of White was the highest selling album of all albums in Australia (including international releases) for 2005. Other high selling Australian releases in the year included Anthony Callea's self-titled album, Pete Murray's See The Sun, Ben Lee's Awake Is The New Sleep and Bernard Fanning's Tea And Sympathy. • Per capita album sales in Australia now stand at an average of 2.8 albums per person over 15 years of age. • Local albums performed well over the Christmas period with significant chart success recorded for releases including Human Nature's Reach Out: The Motown Record, Bernard Fanning's Tea And Sympathy, Shannon Noll's Lift, John Farnham's I Remember When I Was Young - Songs From The Great Australian Songbook and the tribute album She Will Have Her Way – The Songs of Tim and Neil Finn. More information can be obtained from www.aria.com.au. Sara performs for the Queen Sara Storer had the honour of performing at a luncheon hosted by Prime Minister John Howard for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth 2nd at the Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne during her visit to Australia for the Commonwealth Games.
Sara was the only artist invited to perform. She was chosen by the Prime Minister and his Department because she is considered quintessentially Australian and a songwriter who sings in her own voice. Sara performed three of her songs – Sweet Dreams, Katherine and Molly Green – all of which were well received by the 1,200 in attendance. She was introduced to the Queen at the end of the function and, in typical fashion, made a remark that put a smile on the monarch’s face as the photo shows. More photos, and information, are available at www.sarastorer.com.au. Sydney Show stages a "country music festival"
Saturday April 15, Easter Saturday, is the day, and the "festival" will run in the Show's "The Shed" venue which will operate in the Amphitheatre next to the main arena. In addition to Sara, stars lined up to appear during "the festival" are The Sweetie Darlin’ Sweeties, The Yee Haa Boys, The Baileys, Travis Sinclair and The Pigs. The 2006 Show runs from April 7 to 20 at Olympic Park, Homebush. "The Shed" venue runs for four days from the 13th to 16th. More information about the Show can be obtained from www.greataustralianmuster.com.au. Photo: The Baileys, from left, Lindsay Dallas, Crystal Bailey, Daniel Conway, Charlene and Kurt Bailey. Alex Watt update Rising country star Alex Watt has just completed a mini tour in southern NSW where he played at Braidwood, Yass and Bungendore.
So successful was his visit, he has been asked back to be part of the entertainment for the Braidwood Heritage Festival. Alex's debut album – Window Down – continues to do well selling more and more as he tours to support the release. "The album is currently distributed through One Stop and, after a succesful in-store promotion in Tamworth during the January festival, we are hoping to establish a direct relationship with Sanity," Alex said. The only single release from the album to date has been the title track, but more look to be on the horizon. Urban Country... back for the third year The QUT Urban Country Music Festival at Caboolture celebrates its third birthday on the May long weekend. The festival has already established itself as a major happening on the Australian country music calendar, and this year’s “musical bonanza” from Friday April 28 to Monday May 1, features the return of many highly popular events together with some new additions. Situated only 40 minutes drive from Brisbane and 30 minutes from the Sunshine Coast, Urban Country offers four days of non-stop entertainment with eight stages and more than 500 artists.
And easy access is a major plus for Urban Country – free shuttle bus services from key locations to the various venues take the problems out of parking during the weekend. Major attraction is the Main Stage Concert on Saturday kicking off at 2pm at the Caboolture Showgrounds, this year featuring Troy Cassar-Daley, Adam Harvey, Paul Kelly, Lee Kernaghan, Tania Kernaghan, Melinda Schneider and Aleyce Simmonds with Jim Haynes as compere. Other feature concerts include The Burbs ‘n Bush Party with the The Borderers and the Bushwackers and the Urban Blaze Concert & Fireworks with Jonah’s Road, 2006 New Talent Golden Guitar winner Samantha McClymont, 2006 Toyota Star Maker winner Cat Southern and emerging star Claye Middleton. The Farewell Concert headlines “the horse-breaking hitmaker” Tom Curtain and Luella together with winners of all competitions – Busking Championships, Talent Search and Queensland Champion of Champions. The popular Songwriters Cafe is operating on Saturday and Sunday in the Town Square and Bush poetry fans are well catered for with the popular Bush Poets Breakfasts (and competition), Comedy Crackpot Poets and a Bush Poets corner in the Town Square over the weekend. Competitions include the RSL Talent Search heats and finals, the local heat of the Telstra Road To Tamworth and the Busking Championships. And Line Dancing is also well represented with workshops and socials all weekend at the Memorial Hall. New additions to the Festival this year include Mission Australia’s Locals in Lions Park showcases, local music clubs and the Walk Up Stage, The Grass Roots and Gospel Stage, the Urban Diversion dance demonstrations and the new Urban Country Rock Stage. More information can be obtained from www.urbancountry.com.au or by calling the Festival Hotline – 1800 810 400. And Gems Of Country Queensland's Gems of Country – "Australia's most glittering talent search" – is back on track for 2006 and will be "sparkling" on June 18 and 19 in Emerald, Central Queensland. Most of the "old faces" organisers will be there including Peggy Smith, Hugo Spooner, Penny Bulger, Daryl Hayward and Fred Wild, along with a host of new volunteers and supporters. While Emerald Shire Council is still supporting Gemza, information requests should go to Hugo Spooner on 07 4984 1105 or Fred Wild on 0416 095 997. "The committee is keen to conduct the Friday night walk-up concert," said Fred, "but the venue has been demolished. We are keeping our eye out for an alternate site. "A web page is in the process of being constructed... it will be a brand new site." Tom Curtain wins Country APRA PDA Tom Curtain has been named winner of the 2006 APRA (Australasian Performing Right Association) Professional Development Award (PDA) in the Country category.
Six Professional Development Awards were presented in the categories of Country, Jazz, Film & TV, Popular Contemporary (by two) and Classical Music as well as The Jessica Michalik Contemporary Music Endowment in conjunction with the producers of the Big Day Out. Almost 500 applications were received for this year's awards via 22 partner organisations. The short-listed entries were judged by 25 music industry professionals grouped into panels for each category of music. "The quality of PDA submissions for 2006 are testament to a flourishing creative community that, with encouragement, has the potential to make a significant contribution to music in Australia" said Nigel Westlake, Composer and APRA member. The winner’s in each category received a cash grant, travel as well as recognition in the early stages of their careers. The cash component is $10,000 plus a further $1,500 to assist with travel costs. Winners also received a Gibson Les Paul Faded DC Guitar valued at $2,000 as part of their prize package plus three hours of recording time by courtesy of Trackdown Scoring Stage and Recording Studio. Tom's citation read... A trip to the Northern Territory in 2001 inspired Tom Curtain to start writing his own songs about life in the bush. In June the following year, he won the Best Male Vocal category at the Adelaide River Country Music Festival and gained entry to the Country Music Association of Australia College of Country Music course in Tamworth. At the college, Tom met renowned musician and producer Garth Porter and went on to record an album of 12 original songs. At the 2006 Tamworth Country Music Festival, Tom gave several performances including the Australian Country Music Foundation Roll of Renown Concert, Fanfest series of concerts, the TIARA Awards concert, Buttercup Open House, at The Vault, the Territory Night and his own very successful show with Martin Oakes. In the months ahead, Tom intends to start recording his next album, in between horse breaking commitments! He intends to use his APRA Professional development award to expand his experience and skills in song writing and performing. The other category winners are... Damian Crosbie (Popular Contemporary), Sarah Kelly (Jessica Michalik Music Endowment), Ashley Klose (Film & TV), Johannes Luebbers (Jazz), Amira Pyliotis (Popular Contemporary) and Natalie Williams (Classical). The Australasian Performing Right Association Limited was established in 1926 to administer the rights of composers, songwriters and music publishers in Australia and New Zealand. Photo (by Tony Mott), from left: Ashley Klose, Johannes Luebeers, Amira Pyliotis, Damian Crosbie, Tom Curtain and Natalie Williams. Good Times roll for Wolverines The Wolverines have released their fifth album – Good Times – to wide acclaim in the Australian country music industry.
Released through the award-winning ACMEC Records, the release is described as "a fine 12 track album featuring standout tracks Up & Done Died, This Tattoo, The Man I Used To See, The Ballad of Young Bobby Dale, and the Dale Juner penned Bundy Haze. The first single released to radio is Angel Eyes (written by Matt Shelton, son of Louie) which has been added to many playlists including a number of influential stations such as CMR (Country Music Radio Network), KIX FM, Queensland, SMA (Satellite Music Australia) and Ray Hadley 2GB. The Wolverines have won many accolades in their career to date including a Golden Guitar, a Gold Record, three ACE Awards and four "MO" Awards, you can see why the phenomenon of the Wolverines is not slowing down. Further information can be obtained from www.wolverines.com.au or www.acmecrecords.com.au. Nellie is Cruising Talented Queensland singer/songwriter Nellie Donovan is set to hit the radio airwaves in early April with her new single Cruising, written by Jason Kemp.
The video clip for song also received high exposure on CMC (Country Music Channel). In January, Nellie launched her debut album, Steppin Out at the Tamworth Country Music Festival. "Once in a while a voice emerges that by its very tone fills the ears and hearts of the listeners like an orchestra," said Deborah Minter writing in "Country Music Capital News". "Nellie has a quality in her voice which you can’t help compare with some of country’s leading females," said Bob Anthony Jnr, writing in "Country Update" magazine and "The Tweed Times". "There is plenty to like on this album which has a broad appeal and should reach an audience that’s just not only in country." Following a successful Tamworth Festival, Nellie says her phone has not stopped with invitations to appear at some of Australia’s most prestigious country music festivals, a multitude of interviews from radio and other media, a double page feature story in "Country Music Capital News" and outstanding album reviews. Steppin Out was produced by Michael Flanders, engineered and mixed by Jason Millhouse and features some of Australia’s finest musicians. Cruising will be released to radio on NfS 104 in April. Further information can be obtained from www.nelliedonovan.com. Ted Egan to re-launch music career on the 2007 Tamworth Train Counry singer, songwriter and folklorist Ted Egan, currently serving his third and final year as Administrator (similar to state governor) of the Northern Territory, will re-launch his music career as a special guest on the 2007 Country Music Express to Tamworth.
"The Express will be Ted's first official music gig for more than three years," said Arthur Smith, Director of Cross Country Express which runs the annual train from Melbourne to Tamworth. "And we are delighted he has chosen the Country Music Express to relaunch his music career." The Express is on track for another sell out according to organisers, six months before the official close of bookings. "We expect all berths to be sold by July," Arthur said. "The phone has been constantly ringing since the end of January." Last year the train sold out a month before the official close of bookings in October. Ted Egan will be joined as a Country Music Express host by Peter Pratt, Hank Sasaki, two times 2006 Golden Guitar nominees The Sunny Cowgirls and regular hosts Grant Luhrs, Ian Muir, J R Williams and Jeanette Wormald. The train will be carrying 160 passengers plus staff and entertainers to the 2007 Tamworth Country Music Festival. Further information can be obtained from Arthur on (03) 5274 1009. Charts update George Strait hangs on to the number one spot for the fourth week with She Let Herself Go on this week's Country Tracks Top 30 national singles chart with The Flood's Hello Blue Skies is biting on his heels at number two up from four.
Tom Curtain's She Stays With Me and Mike Carr's Legend are steady at six and seven respectively with Toby Keith's Big Blue Note edging up one to number eight. Shania Twain's Shoes dropped to number nine while Keith Urban's latest single, These Are The Days, has entered the top 10 at number 10. Bullet performers this week include Troy Cassar-Daley's Going Back Home (up from 15 to 11), Darren Colston's Come By Chance (up from 19 to 15), Travis Sinclair's Midnight Run (in to the top 20 at number 16), Peter Denahy's Peppercorn Tree (in at 17), Shaza Leigh's Old Calare (in at 18), Jake Nickolai's Suddenly I (at 19) and Catherine Britt's Too Far Gone (at 20). New entries to the chart this week include Amos Morris with The Rain Don't Tumble Down In July Here (at 28), Ronni Rae Rivers with It's Only Make Believe (29) and Adam Harvey with That's Just How She Gets (30). The full chart can be viewed at www.nfspublicity.com.au.
Buck Owens dies American country star Buck Owens died on Saturday (March 25) at age 76 at his home near Bakersfield, California.
He had performed the night before at his club, Buck Owens' Crystal Palace, for about 90 minutes. "He was one of the true innovators; he did it his own way, an outside gunslinger type who used his own band and made music in Hollywood rather than Nashville. That free spirit made him important to a lot of people," Shaw said. Several generations of musicians – from Creedence Clearwater Revival and the Grateful Dead in the 1960s to Dwight Yoakam in the 1980s – were influenced by Owens' gritty "Bakersfield sound," with prominent guitars and drums. Buck was elected to the American Country Music Hall of Fame in 1996. Alvis Edgar Owens Jr was born on August 12, 1929, in Sherman, Texas. The son of a share farmer, Buck traveled with his family to the Phoenix, Arizona, area in 1937 as they searched for a better life. Eventually, they travelled to California's San Joaquin Valley doing farm work. At a young age Buck vowed that when he grew up, he would not be poor. He found a way out of his family's poverty through his musical talent. That talent blossomed after Buck moved to Bakersfield in 1951. Within months he was a member of the hottest honky-tonk band in town, Bill Woods & The Orange Blossom Playboys, who held fourth at the legendary Blackboard night club. He began playing a Fender Telecaster guitar, which provided a unique new sound in country music. Soon he was playing for recording sessions at Capitol Records. His first session as a leader came in 1957, but the session produced no hits Shortly thereafter, Buck began his other career, as a broadcaster. He moved to the Tacoma, Washington, suburb of Puyallup and bought part-interest in a radio station where he worked as a DJ and ad salesman as well as playing gigs in the area. He also had a live TV show in Tacoma. Buck's first Top 10 record, Under Your Spell Again, was released in 1959. In 1960, he sold his interests in Washington state and returned to Bakersfield, which was his home until he died. From 1962 to 1968 Buck released a series of number one records that established him as one of the greatest country entertainers of the time. In 1969, he was asked to host "Hee Haw," a country-themed music-and-comedy variety show that stayed on the air until 1986. Despite his broad popularity, Owens vowed to stay true to country music. Accused once of abandoning country to record a "rockabilly" song, he said: "I didn't say I wasn't gonna do rockabilly. I just said I ain't gonna sing no song that ain't a country song. I won't be known as anything but a country singer." Vale – Cindy Walker Cindy Walker, one of America's most prolific and respected songwriters, died last Thursday (March 23). She was 87.
Typing out lyrics on a pink Remington manual typewriter, she crafted top 10 hits in America each decade from the 1940s to the 1980s. Her body of work made her a charter member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1970 and she was elected to the American Country Music Hall of Fame in 1997. A virtual constellation of stars recorded her songs: Wills, Arnold, Gene Autry, Willie Nelson, Tubb, Roy Orbison, Hank Snow, Ray Charles, Merle Haggard, Jim Reeves, Ricky Skaggs, Glen Campbell and Lacy J. Dalton. Those who worked with her over the years remembered a professional who fiercely protected her privacy yet proved a loyal and generous friend. Popular music star Bing Crosby recorded one of her earliest songs, Lone Star Trail, in 1940 and it soared on the charts. The American Country Music Hall of Fame described her as "perhaps the finest female composer in country music history". – Carl Hoover Tribune-Herald DATELINE : WEDNESDAY, MARCH 22, 2006 Slim DVD debuts at number three
And the CD debuted at 42 on the ARIA National Top 100 Album Chart and number six on the Country Album Chart. This is considered an excellent result, especially with the DVD as television promotion has only just begun. Further information on the release can be obtained at www.slimdusty.com.au. Allan Caswell releases book Country music songwriter Allan Caswell says it's taken him 30 years to come up with "Writing Great Song Lyrics", his new 132-page book released through Media21 Publishing (www.thehealthbookshop.com).
Of particular importance is the chapter covering myths – like the one which says you should stick to one style, or that you need a chorus/verse/bridge, or you can get away with mentioning the song title in the words only once. It is Allan’s first book, a concise and accessible journey through the techniques and “tricks of the trade” that Allan has developed during a successful 30-year career as a songwriter in Australia. The book also contains a number of Allan’s lyrics which are stripped down to explain creating and using the hook, rhyme schemes, imagery and the thought processes that went into creating them. As Allan explains: “I had been running songwriting workshops for a number of years without being able to find a workable text book. I wrote 'Writing Great Song Lyrics' to give me access to one. I can teach you things in five minutes that took me, or the people who showed me, 20 years of trial and error to learn." Many of the songwriting techniques Allan uses in the book were developed as part of his work with The Australian Children’s Music Foundation where he works with kids in juvenile detention and special schools as a means of focussing their creativity. He later found that these techniques worked as an effective, all purpose approach for anyone who wanted to create original, well crafted songs. To quote Brett Cottle, Chief Executive of APRA (the Australasian Performing Right Association): “If experience is a good teacher, Allan Caswell has a wealth of it to draw on. His book gives a solid understanding of the creative and practical processes of songwriting that should be a handy tool for any aspiring or active songwriter.” Allan Caswell has been an important part of the country music scene for more than 25 years. Since winning his first Golden Guitar in 1980, he has won four more, been nominated 27 times and has either produced or written tracks which have helped several other artists to win Golden Guitars. Although best known for writing the hugely successful theme from the TV series “Prisoner”, Allan has had more than 400 recordings of his songs released worldwide, making him one of Australia’s most recorded songwriters. The off-again on-again wedding... Various reports now have Nicole (Kidman) and Keith (Urban) set to marry in Nashville in June.
They would now wed in June, the paper said. "She hated the way her wedding had become a bit of a media circus in Australia," a source reportedly told The Sun. It has also been reported that Nicole and ex-husband Tom Cruise disagreed over their adopted children's involvement in the wedding. Nicole had recently "rediscovered her Catholic faith and wanted Isabella, 12, and Conor, 10, at her side", the source said. But Cruise, a Scientologist, was uneasy about the children's involvement. Keith's CMT Awards nominations Meanwhile, Keith is up for a number of CMT (Country Music Television) Music Video Awards in America (see full list below). Keith is a finalist for Music Video of the Year and Male Video of the Year with Better Life and Hottest Video of the Year with Making Memories Of Us. Wayne heads back to the States Wayne Horsburgh is about to wrap up his stint "down under" to head back to the United States for his 2006 season of performances.
"The USA Spring, Summer and Autumn months will see me doing shows in Missouri, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Kentucky and Illinois," he said. "I will also be back at Silver Dollar City in Branson for two festivals." In October, Wayne will be visiting the United Kingdom for another tour before returning to Australia in November in time for Christmas. "But there is no place like home," he said, "and it is always great to be back in Australia. My thanks to my Australian Agent, Lynne James & Associates, for keeping me busy with shows during my time back home. Also a big thanks to my musical director Greg Hooper for his support and expertise on the keyboards. "I look forward to seeing all my USA fans again very soon." Wayne returns to the USA on March 31 to perform at the International World Festival at Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri from April 6 to May 7. "I will be on stage with the Flores de Praga Orchestra from the Czech Republic as well as a Czech bluegrass band, called Modrotisk. This will be something different for me and most enjoyable for those who have been to the World Fest before," he said. Lee's Swag hits number 14 Lee Forster's song The Way He Rolls His Swag has risen to 14 on the national Country Tracks Top 30 chart.
Recently, Lee filmed his first ever film clip for the song A Fire In The Bar, about a couple who meet at a bar and create sparks with their passion and the bar, pub and whole town burn down. "We set up a bar in the middle of a paddock," Lee said, "and I invited a heap of mates to come along and create a pub atmosphere. Create they did. We had about 50 utes and 100 people turn up and we danced and sang and had the wodd drink. "The whole day was marvelous. We had the perfect setting and weather." Lee will be performing in Western Australia for a week or so. Tour date information can be obtained from www.leeforster.com.au. Natalie climbs the charts Ozstar Music has announced that Natalie Howard's fourth consecutive single from her debut album Yesterday's Makeup has entered the Country Tracks Top 30 Chart and this week climbed to number 25.
"The song grabs your attention with its ear-catching sliding pedal steel hook, fusing guitars and a spunky beat," said a spokesman for Ozstar. It was co-written by Natalie with noted Nashville songwriters Rob Crosby (Martina McBride/Brooks & Dunn) and Craig Carp (Alan Jackson). "It's been a great start to 2006 for Natalie who is a finalist in the prestigious US International Songwriting Competition Country Category with The Long Night (winner to announced this month)." Natalie, who is presently in Nashville, has just finished filming her new clip for the current single with award-winning Australian director Ross Wood. As well as Natalie, the clip stars daytime soap star actor Brian Gaskill ("As The World Turns", "The Bold and The Beautiful", "Port Charles") and his wife, singer/songwriter Tonya Watts. Ozstar expects the clip to debut shortly on the Country Music Channel. Further information can be found at www.nataliehoward.net. Photo by Joe Hardwick. The Flood... back on the road
After taking the Vocal Group of the Year award in January (with Hello Blue Sky) and the Mo Award for Country Band last week, The Flood are back on the road with their new album, The Late Late Show which was released in January. For full details of performances, and more information, visit www.theflood.com.au. New single from Steve Graham Steve Graham will release his new single, No One To Love, with OzCountry Radio Singles on March 27.
Its been a bumper year for Steve so far, especially with his nomination as a finalist for the APRA Professional Development Awards 2006, together with recent appearances at festivals like Ingleburn Alive and gigs now also confirmed at Sydney's Royal Easter Show, Blacktown RSL and Canterbury/Hurlstone Park. Steve is excited about his new single and the chance now available for the general country music public to be able to download music from www.ozcountry.com.au. "I think this is a great idea for us indies," Steve said, "as it gives lovers of country music the opportunity to hear and buy singles no matter where they live in our big backyard or even if they are overseas." Steve is looking to head north later in the year as well as releasing his second album which will be called The River. "I hope to get back to Tamworth next year as well as doing some Queensland gigs as soon as the album is finished. I've already started to record it and hope to launch in October/November this year." Further information can be obtained from Steve's website... www.stevegraham.com.au. Dean and Peter on tour Coastal Queensland and New South Wales country music fans will have the chance to see and hear two of Australia’s leading traditional balladeers – Dean Perrett and Peter Pratt – live in concert on their Queensland/New South Wales tour commencing March 31 and concluding on April 21.
"Peter has a style which is reminiscent of the western crooners with the ability to craft songs with rich melodies and feel-good rhythms that command attention," said his publicist. "Outback skies, droving camps, rural history and love ballads come to life through his deep, rich voice." Peter has had four consecutive radio hits from his debut album Ever True, including two Top 10 hits and a Golden Guitar nomination, plus a swag of awards and finalist nominations including the TIARAs (Tamworth Independent Artist Recognition Awards), the Australian Independent Country Music Awards and People’s Choice Awards. Dean has carved a niche as one of the finest bush ballad performers in Australia having released six albums to date with his seventh album, New Traditions, due for release on March 31. "The new album, produced by Stuie French, is expected to be a breath of fresh air to the traditional country music scene," said Dean's publicist. "Dean’s songs are renowned for their strong lyrics and catchy melodies with a depth and feel that brings the Australian bush and its people to life in song. Dean has also won numerous awards in the last few years including the Tamworth Songwriters’ Association Award for Country Song of the Year in 2005 and Gospel Song of the Year in 2002, 2004 and 2005 as well as several Bush Ballad Album of the Year Awards. Joining Dean and Peter on their Queensland run will be guitarist Ricky Shipp, a well known musician who has toured with the legendary Brian Young for a total of 10 tours and also with the Stan Coster Show for several years. From April 6, Dean and Peter will be supported by guitarist Marc Lea from Regency Sound who in the last few years has proved to be one of the finest traditional country record producers in Australia. Visit www.peterpratt.com for more information.
Hilary Williams' condition critical Singer-songwriter Hilary Williams, daughter of American country music star Hank Williams Jr, remained in critical condition at the weekend in a Memphis hospital after a one-car crash the previous Wednesday afternoon that injured her and sister Holly Williams, 25.
Hilary underwent eight hours of emergency surgery Wednesday night in Regional Medical Center in Memphis, then had a second operation Thursday to reconstruct her shattered left hip and repair damage to her colon, Webster said. Singer-songwriter Holly Williams remained in a stable condition at the same hospital. Her injuries were considered less serious. She suffered broken wrists, a broken leg, lacerations and bruises. Hank Williams Jr, who was with his daughters in Memphis, said at a hospital news conference Saturday afternoon that he remains hopeful. "Hilary had life-threatening injuries, and I've been upstairs with her this morning," he said, visibly upset. "And she is doing well, a whole lot better than she was at 10:30 this morning." Hilary was driving when the accident occurred outside of Tunica, Mississippi. The sisters were traveling from Nashville to Louisiana to attend the funeral of their maternal grandfather, Warren White, 87, who had died after a long illness. They were traveling south on US 61 about 45 miles south of Memphis, Tunica County Sheriff's officials said, when their car left the road. Hilary lost control of her Toyota 4-Runner and it flipped several times, said Staff Sgt Scott Swanson, a spokesman for the Mississippi Highway Patrol. No other vehicles were involved. – tennessean.com Regina to host 2007 Canadian Awards Canada's annual celebration of country music will be heading to Saskatchewan in 2007, with Regina announced as the host city for Country Music Week. Organisers of the four-day celebration, which culminates with the Canadian Country Music Awards, announced last week that Regina had been selected as host after submitting a "very compelling" bid for the premier country music event.
"Reginans will roll out the welcome mat and put on an event to be remembered," Mayor Pat Fiacco said in a statement. Country music has a long tradition in the province's "musical mosaic," Saskatchewan Premier Lorne Calvert added. "It is music about the land and the people – real stories brought to life by writers, producers and performers. In a very real sense, every week is Country Music Week in Saskatchewan." The 2007 festivities will begin September 7 and include events both for the public as well as musicians and industry members. The celebration will end with the televised awards show on September 10. This year's event will run September 8-11 in Saint John, New Brunswick. Country Music Week and the Canadian Country Music Awards are organised by the Canadian Country Music Association, a non-profit trade group that has promoted the musical genre across the country for the past 30 years. Photo: Amanda Wilkinson with her Canadian Country Music Rising Star Award from last year. CMT, Country Music Television in America, has announced nominations for its Music Video Awards.
For Music Video of the Year: Alcohol by Brad Paisley; Believe by Brooks & Dunn (pictured); Like We Never Loved At All by Faith Hill with Tim McGraw; All Jacked Up, Gretchen Wilson; As Good As I Once Was, Toby Keith; Better Life, Keith Urban; Honky Tonk Badonkadonk, Trace Adkins; Who You'd Be Today, Kenny Chesney. For Male Video of the Year: Better Life by Keith Urban; Who You'd Be Today by Kenny Chesney; As Good As I Once Was, by Toby Keith; and Honky Tonk Badonkadonk by Trace Adkins. For Female Video of the Year: Jesus take the Wheel, Carrie Underwood; Mississippi Girl, Faith Hill; Kerosene, Miranda Lambert; A Real Find Place to Start, Sara Evans. Group/Duo Video of the Year: Believe, Brooks & Dunn; Boondocks, Little Big Town; Skin (Sarabeth), Rascal Flatts; Just Might (Make Me Believe), Sugarland. Collaborative Video of the Year: Who Says You Can't Go Home, Bon Jovi featuring Jennifer Nettles; When I Get Where I'm Going, Brad Paisley featuring Dolly Parton; Like We Never Loved At All, Faith Hill with Tim McGraw; Jackson, Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon. Hottest Video of the Year: Must be Doin' Somethin' Right, Billy Currington; Come A Little Closer, Dierks Bentley; Making Memories of Us, Keith Urban; Honky Tonk Badonkadonk, Trace Adkins. Breakthrough Video of the Year: Jesus Take the Wheel, Carrie Underwood; Hicktown, Jason Aldean; Kerosene, Miranda Lambert; Something More, Sugarland. Most Inspiring Video of the Year: When I Get Where I'm Going, Brad Paisley featuring Dolly Parton; Believe, Brooks & Dunn; Jesus Take the Wheel, Carrie Underwood; You're Gonna Be, Reba McEntire. Video Director of the Year: Michael Salomon, As Good As I Once Was; Shaun Silva, Who You'd Be Today; Sophie Muller, Like We Never Loved At All; Trey Fanjoy, Kerosene. DATELINE : WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15, 2006 "MO" Award winners The Flood, Melinda Schneider and John Stephan have been named country winners in the 30th "MO" Awards announced last night on the Awards' website. Country artists winning in other categories were Bob Howe who was named winner of the Variety Vocal/Instrumental Performer Award, Bella (Kate Ballantyne, Lyn Bowtell and Karen O'Shea) who won the "MO" for Variety Duo/Trio Performer and The Baileys who were named winners of the John O'Keefe Encouragement Award. Organisers of the "MO" Awards cancelled the planned awards night which was to be held last night due to ticket sales, sponsorship and program advertising not reaching budget estimates to cover the cost of staging the event. They have, however, organised a presentation function which will be held in the Essex Room at the Shangri-La Hotel in Sydney on Friday April 28 where "MO" statuettes will be presented to category winners by Awards Patron Tommy Tycho and sponsor Ingrid Berg. Further details on the Australian Entertainment "MO" Awards, including a full list of winners in the 39 categories, can be found at www.moawards.org.au. Travis Collins wins 2006 Spur Award
Although no stranger to awards and national recognition, Travis was delighted to learn that this award would ensure significant airplay and promotion in the United Kingdom and Europe for his music. Frank Ifield said of his choice: "What the world of country music needs is a new direction to capture the imagination of a whole new generation. We have the answer in Travis Collins. "When Travis hits the stage the world takes a breath, then within minutes the whole world erupts. This charismatic young man has all the pizzazz of youth, bursting with talent and I am convinced he will take country music forward in his own direction. His direction? The World!” Thursday night featured performances from previous Spur Award winners Donna Boyd, Mike Carr, Wayne Horsburgh, Wane Law and Stacey Morris who all paid tribute to Frank for presenting the award each year in conjunction with The Galston Country Music Festival. Dobe Newton named Port Fairy Folk Festival Artist of the Year Dobe Newton was named 2006 Artist of the Year by the Port Fairy Folk Festival at the weekend.
"Through his political and commercial music work, Dobe has had many influences in the Australian music industry over 30 years. Front man for the longest running band in Australia (c. 1971), he has also been dubbed 'the best lagerphone player in the world'." Dobe has also been Chief Executive of the Victorian Rock Foundation, was a founding and long-term Board member of the Country Music Association of Australia (and heavily involved in its establishment of the Australian College of Country Music), taught many music industry courses, produced albums for other top artists and worn some of the most outrageous costumes in Australian music. "Not many bands in the '70s were fronted by a man in a rage intent on smashing a big stick with bottle tops that sent chunks, chips and sparks flying while the floorboards were pounded. Small wonder Newton gathered a following!" Port Fairy organisers said. Thirty five years since they were formed, The Bushwackers, performed at this year's Port Fairy Folk Festival. Dobe's award was presented, specifically, for outstanding contributions to live music in Australia, and was presented at the Festival Opening Concert on Friday. Lee to preview new album at Urban Country Music Festival Lee Kernaghan will preview his new album – The New Bush – at the main concert of the QUT Urban Country Music Festival, Caboolture, Queensland, next month.
Performing on the bill with Lee will be Troy Cassar-Daley, Adam Harvey, Paul Kelly, Tania Kernaghan, Melinda Schneider and Aleyce Simmonds. Jim Haynes will compere the event which runs from 2pm to 11. Supported by the Caboolture Shire Herald, the Urban Country Concert is the highlight of Caboolture's three-day QUT Urban Country Music Festival. A first time feature for the concert will be an appearance by master whip cracker Mick Denigan and his double handed fire tricks at the side of stage at sunset. Further information about the concert and the festival can be obtained at www.urbancountry.com.au. Sherrie features in "Ring Of Fire"
Sherrie understudies Beth Malone and Lari White, the two leading female stars of the musical which has been running preview performances for a month and, according to The New York Times, "So far, it has received surprisingly good buzz." The show does not follow the life of Cash, rather it is a story of "the time and place" and is descibed as a unique musical about love and faith, struggle and success, rowdiness and redemption, home and family. "A cast of 14 multi-talented performers takes you on a journey into the world Johnny Cash created in his songs," said a "Ring Of Fire" spokesman. The musical features 38 of Cash’s songs such as Ring Of Fire, I Walk The Line, A Boy Named Sue, I’ve Been Everywhere, The Man In Black, If I Were A Carpenter, Jackson, Folsom Prison Blues and his final hit, Hurt. The latest from Karen Australian country, folk and bluegrass artist Karen Lynne has released her fifth album.
Titled Changes, the album is Karen's third solo release and, she says, is a much more contemporary bluegrass album than the previous straight traditional Blue Mountain Rain which achieved three chart hits, no less than nine award nominations and an award win for Best Independent Release. "While most definitely bluegrass, this project ventures much deeper into the realms of the sound we expect and love from the more contemporary bluegrass artists such as Alison Krauss, who have constantly pushed the boundaries of traditional bluegrass in recent years." There are 14 tracks "comprising a good balance of tempos from sweet acoustic ballads to strong up-tempo traditional bluegrass songs." And, as usual, it contains a couple of songs from Karen's own hand. Both originals are co-writes, this time with previous collaborator Heather Field and also with Richard Porteous. Australia's "A Team" of bluegrass pickers – Ian Simpson (banjo), Mick Albeck (fiddle), James Gillard (double bass), Trev Warner (mandolin) and Rod McCormack (guitar) provide the backing and the production is a first ever collaborative project by two of Australia's leading producers, Herm Kovac and Rod McCormack. It has been seven years now since the release of Karen's landmark debut album Labour Of Love which contained three chart hits and landed her the first of many Australian cuntry music and other award nominations. Further information can be obtained at www.karenlynne.com. Orana Country Music The Orana County Music Association will present its annual Western Plains Country Music Championships at Dubbo, NSW, from May 26 to 28. Entry forms are now available for the Championships. Click here to download. The Championships include sections for singers and songwriters, juniors and veterans, instrumentalists, gospel singers, groups, duos and soloists. The Championships' Presentation Night will be staged on the Saturday night with guest artist Roland Storm, last year's Junior Overall Winner Lilly Lewington and last year's Senior Overall Winner Gary Hollier and will include announcement of overall winners and special awards. The Championship weekend will wrap up with a Walkup Muster on the Sunday from 2 to 6pm at the Dubbo RSL Club. Orana Country Music Association's talent quest is a qualifying event for the NSW and ACT Championships Showcase. Further information can be obtained by writing to the Orana Country Music Association at PO Box 1169 Dubbo NSW 2830 or by telephoning President Gary Hollier on 02 6360 4653 after hours. Keri back into hospital
Keri was sidelined early this year for an operation on a tumour which, fortunately, proved to be benign, Mike said. After her current hospitalisation, Keri is expected to be on the recovery trail for six weeks. "The good news is that, following her recuperation, she will be back in the recording studio with producer Michael Flanders with a new radio single anticipated for June," Mike said. A new Sinclair debuts Travis Sinclair and Heather have announced the birth of a baby girl. Oakley Eliza Sinclair was born at 9.30pm on March 1. "Both mother and babe are well. Dad, of course, is on cloud nine," according to a spokesman for the family.
It’s been an all good news year for Travis so far in 2006. He was announced as the 2006 Victorian Male Vocalist of the Year at the Victorian and National Country Music Awards in Whittlesea in February, adding to an already impressive list of achievements. And the third single to be released from Travis’s new album Rush is making inroads on the charts Midnight Run reverts back to the familiar trucking theme, and indicatations are that it will give the first two singles a run for their money. Frances Folk Gathering results The seventh Frances Folk Gathering – described as "the funkiest lil festival – was staged late February on the border of South Australia and Victoria below Bordertown, handing out some $9,000 in prizemoney. The festival features a main stage, art competitions, music contests, bush dancing, a multitude of workshops and non-stop playing in and around the local pub.
In open sections, instrumentalist, first place was awarded to Andrew Clermont, second to Tony O'Rourke, and third to Daniel Carslake. For vocalist, first place went to Irena Petrie, second to John Francis, and third to Vorn Doolette. In intermediate sections, instrumentalist, first place was won by Hayley Purcell, second by Daniel Carslake. For vocalist, first place went to Casey Finlay, second to Helen Ellis. In the banjo section, Hamish Davidson won 5-string banjo bluegrass style while Tony O'Rourke winning "other styles". Hamish also won the fiddle section. In junior musicianship 18 years and under, first place went to Matthew Lykos, second to Alexandra Barr and third to Vicky Seaman. In junior musicianship 13 years and under, first place went to Mary Bruce, second to Reilly Hunt and third to Jessie Schneider. The learners' encouragement award (less than 12 months playing) went to Diana Fusco. The Children's Under 15 Busking Competition was won by Vicky & Sophie. The Bandemonium (Band Section) was taken out by Daniel & The Lions (including The Davidson Bros with Andrew Clermont moonlighting on double bass). Greencards head "home" The Greencards – Carol Young, Kym Warner and Eamon McLoughlin – are headed to Australia for some upcoming dates in April.
Carol and Kym, especially, are very excited to be coming home to enjoy some of their new found success on their old stomping grounds. “Two years is far too long," said Kym. "I’ve missed OZ like crazy so we are thrilled to be coming back and playing again.” The Greencards "down under" tour dates begin on April 7 with a performance at Lizotte’s Restaurant at Kincumber and concludes on April 15 at the Pub With No Beer Brewery Bluegrass & Blues Festival at Taylor's Arm on the NSW mid north coast and includes the Byron Bay Bluesfest over Easter. For full details of the tour, and more general information, visit www.thegreencards.com. The band is currently recording their follow up to Weather And Water which is due out sometime this year on the Dualtone label. Music legends at Tailem Bend The Murraylands Music Festival is coming up next weekend (March 24-25) with a number of "music legends" lined up to appear.
They will be joined by some of Australia’s top independent artists including Dave Prior, Mark Tempany, Alison Hams, Brendan Beleski, John O’Dea, Kristy Cox, Leah Briggs, Jessie Che and bush poet/comedian Cobby Bob. Murraylands Festival organisers say they are pleased to see these top performers doing so well nationally and look forward to having them perform in Tailem Bend this month. The Festival kicks off on Friday night at the “Mad Hatter’s Ball” with top bands Mallee Blue and Marie Robinson with Deep River playing from 8pm and giveaways and frivolity "the name of the game as we experience the Great Joke competition as well as numerous prizes for costume design and competitions," say the organisers. Saturday is the main day of activity with gates opening at 9am and featuring the talent quest in the Town Hall and guest artist performances starting at 10am going through the day non-stop untill 10pm. Cash prizes of up to $1,000 are up for grabs in the talent quest with the new songwriters' section open for any person with a song to perform. Entrants before the day can receive free entry to Saturday’s show. In addition to the music, jumping castles, wood-turning exhibitions, tattoos, kids' disco, kids movie room, giant Clipsal 500 screen and a tour of the HeyHay sculptures around the town will all be available, together with "great food and local produce". After The Borderers finish on the main stage, both local hotels will be "partying on" with local band Arkive at the Riverside playing rock and blues with the Main Street pub featuring Lee Brocky and Outback Overdrive. Sunday is down as "recovery day" and will feature all the main artist performing again in the more intimate stage of the Town Hall with most performers getting a chance to do acoustic sets as well as chat with the audience. Last year’s "recovery" was an outstanding success." Admission is only $5 for five hours of entertainment from 10am til 3pm. Further information about the Murraylands Music Festival can be obtained by phoning Tailem Bend Primary School on 08 8572 3266. Debut Australian album for Nick Cesta Newcastle (NSW) based singer/songwriter Nick Cesta releases his debut Australian album this month. Though he is a new name on the Australian country music scene, Nick has wasted no time getting his music heard all over the nation and internationally.
Released shortly after, How Did Your Love Slip Through My Hands entered the charts as a "powerplay hit" – the most played song on European country music radio stations in the week of release and reached number three after just four weeks on the ECMA Charts. The next single, Ordinary Man, has been released to radio in Australia on NfS 101 and Nick has spent the past few months promoting his first Australian single which is now receiving extensive airplay all over Australia after being added to playlists of numerous stations including the CMR (Country Music Radio) network. The Australian release of How Did Your Love Slip Through My Hands is going to radio on NfS 104 to coincide with the launch of Nick's new self-titled album which is being distributed through One Stop Entertainment. The debut album features 10 original songs all written by Nick, production by Mark Tinson and music by some of Australia’s finest country musicians. Sensitive New Age Cowpersons' new album
"The release will come in between dates on a major tour and extra-curricular activities like liver transplants," said a spokesman for the band, "and even more life threatening, supporting their beloved AFL footy team, the Freo Dockers!" The Cowpersons have built their reputation on whacky covers of songs from artists ranging from ABBA to Hendrix “played bluegrass style”, and in their latest instalment, legendary tunes get the Sensitive treatment include Howzat, You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling, Burning Love, "and even a medley of songs from the 'Sound Of Music'. "Not bad for an independent, bluegrass comedy act from the other side of the planet from Kentucky – and other places where banjo picking is a culturally relevant activity." For details of the SNACS current touring activity, visit www.cowpersons.com. The SNACS photo (from left): "Doc" Adams, "Stan" Pede, "Calamity" Jim and "Kid" Simpson. AICM plans fourth conference The Australian Institute of Country Music (AICM) is soliciting proposals for a conference scheduled to be staged in conjunction with this year's Toyota National Country Music Muster at Gympie.
It is scheduled to be held from August 25 -27. "Papers addressing an area of Australian country music will be welcome," said organiser Geoff Walden. "Attendees will have the opportunity of visiting the Muster 25th annual Muster as well as attending the conference." Further information can be obtained from Geoff by email (geoff@egympie.com), telephone (07 5482 8644) or mobile (0418 792 159). Meanwhile, the Institute has announced the appointment of John Bromell as its first Executive Officer. For 17 years, John was Managing Director of Warner Chappell Music Australia. He began his career as a drummer in Melbourne before joining musical group The Cicadas which travelled to the UK in 1964 becoming The Gibsons and releasing 12 twelve singles with some chart success. John returned to Australia in 1968 to take up a position as Professional Manager with Essex Music. In 1973, he started Rondor Music and in 1981 joined Warner Music which became Warner Chappell in 1988. During these years he signed many writers including, from country music, Garth Porter, the Kernaghans (Lee, Tania and Fiona), Gina Jeffreys and Troy Cassar-Daley. After official retirement, John served a term as Vice Chairman of the Country Music Association of Australia and was awarded the the Association's Industry Award in 1996. A spokesman for the AICM said as Executive Officer, John would be responsible for "growing country music in all of its facets in the Gympie/Cooloola region". He plans to encourage music making by running workshops, developing songwriting skills and encouraging live music in all of its forms. Among his other duties, John will be responsible for the day to day teaching of the Certificate 4 in Music Business course that will be run by the AICM in conjunction with the Cooloola Sunshine Institute of TAFE in 2006.
American country supergroup the Dixie Chicks will release their highly anticipated fourth album in May, an album of songs all co-written by the Chicks and Produced by Rick Rubin. Taking The Long Way is the title of the album from the nine time Grammy Award-winning Sony recording and May 23 is the date of release. "Everything felt more personal this time," says Natalie Maines. "I go back to songs we've done in the past and there's just more maturity, depth, intelligence on these. They just feel more grown-up." Rubin assembled a band including Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith, session hero Larry Knechtel and Heartbreakers Benmont Tench and Mike Campbell, and matched the Chicks with co-writers including Dan Wilson (who wound up collaborating on six of Taking The Long Way songs), Pete Yorn, and Gary Louris of the Jayhawks. Inspired by such classic rock artists as the Eagles, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, and the Mamas and the Papas, the album "adds a sweeping, Southern California vibe to the Chicks' down-home intimacy," said a spokesman for the Chicks. "That ambition is matched with lyrics addressing everything from small-town narrow-mindedness (Lubbock Or Leave It) to the psychology of celebrity (Everybody Knows)." Not just "big for a country band" or "big for a big female band," the Dixie Chicks are a multi-platinum selling act in North America, Europe and Australia as well as one of a mere handful of acts with multiple albums achieving "diamond" status (meaning sales of more than 10 million copies). Both Wide Open Spaces (1998) and Fly ('99) hit that stratospheric landmark and have won nine Grammy awards. Their on-stage reputation has helped them sell over $100 million worth of concert tickets, and outspoken songs like "Goodbye, Earl" made it clear that this power trio played by nobody's rules. And that was all before Natalie Maines's comments about a fellow Texan, President George W Bush, during a London appearance in March 2003 really put the Dixie Chicks in the headlines. The resultant uproar – complete with boycotts and death threats – is the focus of the album's first track, Not Ready To Make Nice. "The stakes were definitely higher on that song," says Robison. "We knew it was special because it was so autobiographical, and we had to get it right. And once we had that song done, it freed us up to do the rest of the album without that burden." "This album was total therapy," says Natalie Maines. "I'm way more at peace now. Writing these songs and saying everything we had to say makes it possible to move on." Brad leads ACM nominations Brad Paisley leads the list of nominees for the 41st annual Academy of Country Music Awards with six nominations, including for Male Vocalist of the Year.
Brooks & Dunn and Sugarland received five nominations each while Rascal Flatts and Carrie Underwood, who announced the nominations, had four each. In major categories, nominees for Entertainer of the Year are Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney, Toby Keith, Rascal Flatts and Keith Urban. For Top Male Vocalist... Dierks Bentley, Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, George Strait and Keith Urban. For Top Female Vocalist... Sara Evans, Martina McBride, Carrie Underwood, Gretchen Wilson and Lee Ann Womack. For Top Vocal Group... Alabama, Little Big Town, Lonestar, Rascal Flatts and Sugarland. For Song of the Year... Baby Girl by Kristain Bush, Kristen Hall, Jennifer Nettles, Lisa Simonton, Robert Hartley and Troy Bieser (recorded by Sugarland); Believe by Ronnie Dunn and Craig Wiseman (recorded by Brooks & Dunn); Jesus, Take The Wheel by Brett James, Hillary Lindsey and Gordon Sampson (recorded by Carrie Underwood); Skin (Sarabeth) by Doug Johnson and Joe Henry (recorded by Rascal Flatts); and When I Get Where I'm Going by Rivers Ritherford and George Teren (recorded by Brad Paisley and Dolly Parton). For Album of the Year... Feels Like Today by Rascal Flatts, There's More Where That Came From by Lee Ann Womack, Time Well Wasted by Brad Paisley, Tough All Over by Gary Allan and Twice The Speed Of Life by Sugarland. For Single of the Year... Alcohol by Brad Paisley, Baby Girl by Sugarland, Believe by Brooks & Dunn, Best I Ever Had by Gary Allan and Jesus, Take The Wheel by Carrie Underwood. Members of the Academy of Country Music select the nominees and winners of the ACM Awards, which will be broadcast May 23 from Las Vegas on CBS. A series of industry awards are also presented outside the telecast. Further information can be obtained from www.acmcountry.com. Slim Dusty record sales pass seven million As a result of large pre-sales for the new Slim Dusty Live DVD and CD simultaneous release, EMI Music have announced that total sales of Slim Dusty recordings have now passed the seven million mark.
And "this makes the achievement even more special for EMI Australia as we have been Slim’s record label for his entire 60 plus year career," said the company's Australian Managing Director John O’Donnell. Slim, who is still one of the biggest current selling artists in the nation some two and a half years after his death in 2003, launched his career in 1942 at age 15 when, as Nulla Nulla farm boy David Gordon Kirkpatrick, he decided to change his name. He dreamed of becoming a star and, with his father, he headed to Sydney for an audition with the Columbia Graphophone Company. He didn’t get a recording deal the first time round, but he was allowed to record two of his songs in the famous Columbia Studios at Homebush. With his father’s help, he scraped together the 25 pounds needed to purchase 25 copies of these custom pressings of his recordings. Back on the farm with his first precious 78rpm recordings, Slim decided to send his records to various radio stations around the country and asked the radio stations to forward the discs on to another radio station when they had finished playing them. What followed was an exceptionally successful career full of Australian music and entertainment industry landmarks; a career which was even more amazing than David Gordon Kirkpatrick, who became Slim Dusty, dreamed of more than 60 years ago. "Over his long career, the real extent of Slim Dusty’s massive popularity was often underestimated and only now, with the official announcement that his record sales have passed seven million units, do people look beyond the iconic Aussie number one hits like The Pub With No Beer and Duncan and his 100 plus album releases to understand the meaning of his close connection with all Australians," said EMI. "And so, the remarkable Slim Dusty legend not only continues… but continues to grow." Spur Award announcement tomorrow night
Hosted by Bob Howe & the Hillbilly Heaven Band, the Award Winners' Night will feature performances by previous Spur Award winners Donna Boyd, Mike Carr, Wayne Horsburgh, Wayne Law and Stacey Morris. The Spur Award is presented by Frank in conjunction with the Rotary Club of Galston which organises and stages the annual Galston Country Music Festival in September. Tomorrow night's show starts at 8pm and admission is just $2.50. Photo: last year's Spur Award winner Stacey Morris. Tuning in to community radio Ways to support a vibrant and diverse network of community broadcasters is the subject of a new inquiry by the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Communications, Information Technology and the Arts.
Since Australia’s first community radio station was established nearly 35 years ago, community broadcasting has grown to 460 independent owned and operated broadcasting services. These include radio and television stations and remote Indigenous services. New technologies, including the internet and digital satellite services, provide opportunities for community broadcasters to expand and diversify but these changes also bring challenges, according to the Committee. Committee Chairman Jackie Kelly MP (pictured) said “Community broadcasting plays a vital role for many Australians, uniting them through a common interest or a geographical location. It provides an avenue for many voices, including grassroots interest groups, ethnic, indigenous, and religious communities. “Community broadcasting is also predominantly volunteer-based, providing valuable social connections and links into a social group,” she said. The Committee will be examining the role of community broadcasting across different communities and how the Australian Government can best support the independence and diversity of broadcasters. Committee members are Julie Owens MP (Deputy Chairman), Bronwyn Bishop MP, Peter Garrett MP, Alan Griffin MP, Chris Hayes MP, Michael Johnson MP, Michael Keenan MP, Andrew Laming MP and Ken Ticehurst MP. Referred by Senator Helen Coonan, Federal Communications Minister, the Committee has been asked to inquire into and report on: • The scope and role of Australian community broadcasting across radio, television, the internet and other broadcasting technologies; • Content and programming requirements that reflect the character of Australia and its cultural diversity; • Technological opportunities, including digital, to expand community broadcasting networks; and • Opportunities and threats to achieving a diverse and robust network of community broadcasters. Individuals and organisations are invited to make written submissions to the inquiry by March 17, after which the Committee will hold public hearings around Australia. The Inquiry has been welcomed by the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia (CBAA). Paul Mason, Manager of Amrap, the CBAA’s Australian music initiative said: “An Inquiry like this is an opportunity for people to highlight any particular issues about community broadcasting they think are important. “So, for example, people involved in country music might want to talk about their experience of the support community radio stations and presenters provide for local artists. “Submissions don’t have to be long and complex. But by simply writing to them, it shows the decision makers that community radio is an important issue,” he said. Further details on the inquiry, including the terms of reference and advice on making submissions, can be obtained on the Committee’s website at www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/cita or by contacting the Committee Secretariat on (02) 6277 4601 or emailing cita.reps@aph.gov.au. Adam fronts Telstra Road Multiple Australian Golden Guitar winner Adam Harvey has been named Official Ambassador for the 2007 Telstra Road to Tamworth.
Adam urged aspiring country music singers to chase their musical dreams and enter the competition. Online entries are now open with the first heat to be held on April 29 at the Urban Country Music Festival in Caboolture. "The competition reflects the growth of country music as a popular genre and will help identify and foster aspiring country music artists," he said. "I think Telstra Country Wide’s support is fantastic as it is nurturing new country music talent in Australia and I am really excited about being involved in this year’s competition." Telstra Road to Tamworth 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.
Aleyce Simmonds, the 2005 winner, experienced great success with her single Mighty Mighty Love reaching number one on the most requested charts of the Country Music Channel (CMC) last year. This year's winner Nick Kingswell and inaugural songwriter winner Kirsty Lee Akers are on track to enjoy similar success following their respective trips to Nashville in June. Each winner of the heats staged across the country will receive a $1,000 prize to assist in their travel to Tamworth for the 2007 Telstra Country Music Festival, recognised as the largest country music festival in Australia and one of the biggest in the world. The top eight finalists will each receive an MP3 player valued at $500 and progress to the grand final. Among a host of prizes for the Telstra Road to Tamworth, the highlights for the overall winner will include a single recorded and produced in Nashville through SonyBMG Australia and the CMA (Country Music Association, America), return economy airfare to Nashville with living and accommodation expenses, a performance on the Riverstage at the CMA Music Festival/Fanfair in Nashville, a performance at the Global Artist Showcase in Nashville, publicity of performances in Nashville by leading PR company AristoMedia, two Gold Pass Tickets to the CMA Music Festival/Fanfair 2007 in Nashville, one year’s Sterling Membership of the CMA, a video clip produced by Rob Potts' Entertainment Edge and played on the Country Music Channel shown on Austar and Foxtel pay TV, two paid professional live performances organised through Rob Potts Entertainment Edge, a Maton EM325C acoustic guitar with including case and fitted with an AP5 professional pre-amp, a professional photo shoot with stylist to the value of $1,500 and a paid performance at FanFest in Tamworth in 2007. The Songwriter’s Encouragement Award winner will receive a return economy airfare to Nashville including living and accommodation expenses as well as five days of songwriting appointments with top American songwriters. "This truly unique and outstanding package of prizes is designed to help launch the careers of the two successful winners by delivering all the components required by any new artist who dreams of launching a successful professional country music career," said a spokesman for Telstra. "I am really proud to be the ambassador for this contest as country music can’t move forward without programs such as Telstra Road to Tamworth," said Adam. "I only wish this competition had been around when I was an unknown kid trying to make it in the country music game." Felicity's new album The latest album from Golden Guitar winner Felicity Urquhart – My Life – was launched during this year's Tamworth Country Music Festival.
She spent the last few years writing songs for the album, her fifth. But it almost feels like her first, she said... "It's taken me until now to have the confidence in my own writing. "At times in the studio I felt very naked and vulnerable, especially with the track Lonely Girl. I really loved working with Glen Hannah as producer. He made the album come together. It was quite special to have such a positive and creative producer for my music." As well as her music, Felicity works as a television presenter on the 7 Network's "Sydney Weekender" and she has gained an appearance in the new national series "Mike Whitney's Walkabout". Widespread airplay of the first single from the new album – The Flood (a moving dedication to her parents) – achieved top five status for the song. The latest single to be released from the album is the title track. Further information can be obtained at www.felicityurquhart.com. New single for Michael
Since the release of his debut album Radio Ranch, Michael has enjoyed great chart success with hit singles like Bim Bam Boom (which climbed to number three on national airplay charts), the title track (peaking at number seven) and Some Men (Just Let Go) [reaching number four and winning the Tamworth Songwriters' Association's Best Contemporary Country Song award in 2004]. Michael is set to continue his winning run with the new song, co-written with good friend Pam Spencer. It's an expression about his new career, becoming a father for the first time. Michael now heads back into the studios to complete his new album with an anticipated release later this year. Further information can be obtained from www.michaelking.com.au. Port Fairy turns 30 The 30th Port Fairy Folk Festival will be staged this weekend (March 10 to 13). Among the celebrations is publication of a book, "30 Festivals On" which collates memories from the past 29 years including the performances of 10,000 artists, more than 2,000 Australian bands and 300 international acts.
Additional celebrations include 30 specially commissioned flags made by two Ballarat artists, 30 Norfolk Pines to be planted in Port Fairy and a 30th festival feature concert on Sunday night with 15 key artists and a fireworks display. The winner of the festival's songwriters award, selected from 728 entrants, has been announced. Jay Boats of Donvale won the award with his song Leaps and Bounds. Festival Director Jamie McKew said the award was a "major encouragement" and the "premier songwriting award in folk music in Australia". Boats wins a $3,300 Maton guitar. The annual street festival has expanded this year to cope with a possible increase in visitors without tickets. There will be three stages running concurrently at night. Two stages will host bands 12 hours a day with a third live dance venue to become a permanent part of the street festival. Fifty bands and 20 street performers have been booked to play free for visitors. Another 20 buskers and several other bands perform at hotels and bars during the four day festival. There will be three large street markets outside the arena as well. The annual Port Fairy Folk Festival Artist of the Year will be announced on Tuesday. Last year's winner was Shane Howard. Further information can be obtained from the website – www.portfairyfolkfestival.com – which contains lists of every act that has ever played in the festival, photos from 1977 and last year and much more. Photo: The Melbourne Ukelele Kollective perform during last year's Festival. Toyota Muster celebrates 25 years The 25th anniversary staging of the Toyota National Country Music Muster takes place at Gympie this year.
To commemorate this milestone "in true Muster style, a bigger-than-ever-before program with plenty of surprises will only be a part of what's on the agenda," organisers say. "While it's too early to let the cat out of the bag, book your holidays for August 22 to 27 'cause the party's on!" Tickets for this year's Muster are now on sale with special discounts available to those who book before March 31. For further information, and tickets, visit www.muster.com.au. March wedding An Australian country music artist is getting married on Saturday, March 11 – not in Sydney, not in a catholic church and... no, it isn't Keith Urban!
After 13 years of togetherness, Jodie says it's about time that she made an honest man of Jon and picked the 11th because it is also the day that her parents celebrate their 45th wedding anniversary. "St Pauls is the perfect little country church and I've always dreamed of being married in a church just like it. We're having a ceremony full of country music, too," Jodie said. Jodie's sister Kelly (the other former Crosby Sister) and Clayton (a Crosby brother) will sing at the wedding along with Slim Newton's daughter Linda and guitarist Kelvin Nolan. Jodie will sing a special song to Jon. "No, I'm not singing," says Jon. "We want this wedding to be remembered for all the right reasons." Time for the wedding is 4.30pm... St Pauls Anglican Church, Westdale, Saturday, March 11. Charts update... George Strait to the top George Strait hit the number one spot on this week's Country Tracks Top 30 singles chart with his hit She Let Herself Go.
Brian Letton's Two Chords was steady at number four while Shania Twain's Shoes rose to five. Keith Urban's Better Life dropped to number six with The Flood's Hello Blue Sky rising to number seven. Sweeney-Killeen held steady at number eight with Running while Sara Storer moved up one spot to number nine with Since I've Gone and Troy Cassar-Daley dropped back to 10 with Lonesome But Free. Bullet performers this week included Tom Curtain's She Stays With Me (up to 11), Mike Carr's Legend (rising to 12), the Camille Te Nahu/Stuie French duet Wives Don't Like Old Girlfriends (up to 14), Keith Urban's new single These Are The Days (up to 18), Lee Forster's The Way He Rolls His Swag (up to 20), Darren Colston's Come By Chance (up to 23), Troy Cassar-Daley's's Goin' Back Home (up to 24) and Travis Sinclair's Midnight Run (up to 26). New entries to the chart this week included Jake Nickolai's Suddenly I (at 30). New solo album for Bob Howe This month brings the release of Bob Howe’s long-awaited solo instrumental CD, Go West.
Full notes for the album are available on his website (see below), highlighting songs on the album track by track together with samples of every tune. Fans can also purchase the album in the on-line shop. This year has started with a bang for Sydney-based Bob. He was honoured to be a top five nominee in the Vocal Instrumental category of the Variety section in the 30th Australian Entertainment "MO" Awards (award winners to be announced next week). And it's going to be a busy year ahead as he continues with his "Cowboys In Cyberspace" column in Capital News, his monthly live concert series (Canterbury Country, "heading towards its sixth birthday!"), his weekly spot on ABC Radio’s Saturday Night Country (as "Big Bob from Bondi") and all his other live appearances on stages around the nation and cruise ships across the Pacific. For more information, visit www.bobhowe.com or www.shownet.com.au. APRA vote
They can vote online at www.apra.com.au or contact Carolyn Barnes on (02) 9935 7986 for a hard copy of the voting form. The result will be announced at the APRA Awards on Monday June 5. Missy Higgins won the award last year, the youngest ever writer to win, with Scar. Releasing records independently The Music Managers Forum are running a seminar on how to successfully release records independently this Monday night (March 13).
Speakers featuring will come from backgrounds of management, record labels and manufacturers including Dan Hennessy from Aloha Management; Nick Pontikos, Head of A&R (Artist & Repertoire) and Licensing at Inertia Distribution; Mark Bolton, General Manager of MGM Distribution; Stacey Piggott from boutique publicity company Two Fish Out Of Water; and Brian Cachia, Sudio Manager for Troy Horse Studios. The seminar will be held at The Vanguard at 6.30pm for members and 7.30pm for non MMF members. Cost is $5 contribution for MMF members, $10 non MMF members concession (band members, students and FBi subscribers) and $15 for non MMF members with no concession.
A double disc of Johnny Cash's home-recorded music will be released in May by Sony BMG's Legacy Recordings. Personal File features music Cash recorded in his House of Cash studio near Nashville in the early 1970s through the early 1980s. It includes original songs, covers, poetry and stories about his teenage years. None of the 49 performances on Personal File has ever been released. In addition, Live In Denmark, a Cash concert from the 1970s, is scheduled for DVD release in June. – cmt.com Reese wins the Oscar
The film only won one award, despite being nominated for five, including Joaquin Phoenix who was nominated for Best Actor for his portrayal of Cash. Reese now has a string of awards for the June Carter Cash role. In other major Academy Award categories, Philip Seymour Hoffman won the Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal of author Truman Capote in "Capote", "Crash" won Best Picture honours and Ang Lee won the director's Oscar for "Brokeback Mountain". Jason wins Global Artist Award
As a result, he has been invited to perform at the CMA Music Festival in Nashville this summer. "I'm very proud to be a Canadian and proud to make my living as a country artist," McCoy says. "Country music belongs to the people, whichever country they live in," McCoy says. Jackson releases gospel album Alan Jackson released the gospel album Precious Memories last Tuesday (February 28).
Alan's mother had been after him for 10 years to make a gospel record. Last year, when the country superstar's father-in-law died, he recorded Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus for the funeral. Then the whole family got after him, too. So he went to work. Together with wife Denise, he went through an old Baptist hymnal they had in the house, choosing the songs they remembered and liked best growing up. They narrowed it down to 30 and then to 15. The result, his new CD. Jackson, who has sold more than 44 million albums since his 1989 debut, performed all of Precious Memories last week at the 113-year-old Ryman Auditorium, a former gospel tabernacle and home to the Grand Ole Opry radio show from 1943 to 1974. While recording the songs, Jackson never intended for anyone but his family and friends to hear them, and had made up 100 CDs as Christmas gifts. His wife and two of their daughters sang on one song – Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus – and Jackson shot the photo of the country church on the cover. RCA Label Group Chairman Joe Galante heard the recordings and liked how intimate and emotional they sounded. It didn't hurt either that Brad Paisley – Jackson's label mate on Arista Nashville – had a huge hit with the spiritual song When I Get Where I'm Going. Jackson, whose sound is rooted in the old-school country of his musical heroes George Jones, Merle Haggard and Hank Williams, writes most of his own songs. In 2002 he won a Grammy for Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning), a touching rumination on the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. DATELINE : WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1, 2006 Global Artist Party
Nick (pictured right, on the right) is the winner of the 2006 Telstra Road To Tamworth competition while Jake is the winner of sponsorship from the Australian commercial radio industry organisation Commercial Radio Australia. The Party will be staged on Monday, June 5, at the Stage on Broadway in Nashville. Other artists lined up to appear so far are Tantoni Yahya from Indonesia, Jacqueline Van Der Griend from the Netherlands, Brad Johner from Canada and the yet to be determined winner of the Irish Talent Search. Michael to stage Celebration of Guitar Concert Three times Golden Guitar winner Michael Fix will stage his first ever Celebration of Guitar Concert in Brisbane this Sunday (March 5) in conjunction with 7th Dimension and Allans Music Academy.
The concert will feature a line-up of some of Australia's leading acoustic guitarists. In addition to Michael, Kirk L'orange, Ewan McKenzie, Bron Ault-Connell and Jason McGregor will appear. Kirk, recently returned from Canada, has been described by Tommy Emmanuel as "the best slide player on the planet”. Ewan is described as "incredibly versatile", and presents a Django Reinhardt tribute with his band Mystery Pacific. Bron is the first female to be named Young Guitarist of the Year, a title she snared in 2004. Jason is descibed as “an awesome talent” and was Fingerstyle Guitar Champion last year. The first in a series of concerts will be staged in Brisbane at the Souths Leagues Club, Jane Street, West End, on Sunday at 7pm.
Sam Hawkesly will be playing the next three Thursdays at the Sandringham Hotel in Newtown (Sydney) with his band. Each night will feature a different special guest, "plus a few surprises," Sam said. This week (March 2) Karl Broadie will be on the bill while next week, Sam has Butterfly 9 booked in, then on the 16th Jodi Martin will be performing. Website scores 150,000 hits In just two months of operation, Australia's new country music news website (this one!) has registered more than 150,000 hits. countrymusicbulletin.com.au came on line in late December and registered almost 90,000 hits in January alone. "Though it was a busy month, of course," said webmaster Bob Kirchner. "Every day of the Tamworth Country Music Festival we were on line with updates of major news right throughout the event. "And we've been getting a lot of positive feedback from industry and fans who have been keeping up to date with the news on a regular basis." So far in February, the hit rate has already reached 45,000. "We're very pleased with this result at such an early stage of our existence," Bob said. "We've already achieved our goal of being the most comprehensive Australian country music news website and we expect visitation rates will continue to grow as the word gets around." countrymusicbulletin.com.au is updated every Wednesday, or as required with major breaking news. The website is an offshot of the quarterly Independent Country Music Bulletin print publication which circulates widely within the Australian country music industry. Vale – Daryl Burr Well-known Victorian broadcaster Daryl Burr died last Tuesday (February 21) from an aneurysm of the aorta.
Daryl joined Eastern Community Broadcasters, known at that time as ECB FM, in 1991 after he retired from the Education Department. From the outset, Daryl became a very active member of the ECB family. He became a member of the program committee and was soon made Program Convenor a position he held for most of the years he was with the station. He gained a program and introduced country music to the station. Daryl’s motto was, "if it's country it’s good". Daryl, during his time with the Education Department, went to America on exchange and was in his element with the country music scene there. He returned to Australia with his wife Anne and his young daughters, Angela and Carolyn, and his collection of treasured country music. In 1998, I had a brother living in Tamworth, and he invited Daryl and I to go and enjoy the Festival. This was a two-day trip from Melbourne but we had to find every race track along the way. We would sit in the stand opposite the finishing post, when asked why we were sitting there, Daryl would say: "now I will be able to picture the finish of each race I have a bet on". When he wasn’t looking for racetracks, Daryl would look for second-hand book shops, looking for “Biggles” books. We were to make many trips to Tamworth from that time. One of our greatest moments was going to our first Golden Guitar Awards out at the Showground in the Rodeo Arena. It was there that we saw for the first time a very shy Warren H Williams with John Williamson, when they sang Raining On The Rock. Daryl said we would hear a lot more of that singer in the future. The rest is now known. Another highlight was meeting Charlie Landsborough at the pre-Golden Guitar function. Daryl and Charlie became great friends with Daryl and Anne meeting him recently in Ballarat. Daryl was overjoyed when he was selected as a judge of the Golden Guitars, a position he held for four years. He enjoyed this challenge as it allowed him to express his extensive knowledge of country music in a practical way. Daryl loved the programs he hosted on ECB, now Radio Eastern 98.1, including Sunday evening “All Time Pure Country”, Wednesday evening “Entertainment Greats” and Friday afternoon “Riding Home”. Daryl Burr was a big man with a heart of gold. If he couldn’t do you a good turn he wouldn’t do you a bad one. He was a very active member of the Committee of Management of Radio Eastern FM devoting a tremendous amount of his time to the station. Daryl is survived by his wife Anne and daughters Angela and Wayne, Carolyn and Phillip and grandson Jacob. Vale – Bill McIntosh – He left us Ever True There’s sadness emanating from the South Australian township of Renmark with news of the passing of Wilton (Bill) McIntosh. Bill was the much loved and adored husband of Renmark-based country music photographer and columnist, Robyn McIntosh.
And it did. At 12.35pm on Valentines Day, Bill slipped quietly away listening to his favourite album, Peter Pratt’s Ever True, with his loving wife holding his hand. Wilton McIntosh was born in East Ballarat, Victoria, on February 17, 1926. He was a fiercely determined and tough old bird right from the start, joining the RAAF on February 7, 1945, after being knocked back by both the Army and the Navy. Bill attained the rank of Corporal and before coming home was with the Occupation Forces in Japan, straight after the bombs fell. His role was to dismantle guns and check tunnels. He turned 21 on the ship home and was discharged on May 15, 1947. Returning to civilian life, Bill farmed in the Gippsland region, raising poddy calves and pigs. He wasn’t afraid of a hard day’s work and operated heavy machinery constructing roads in his home state. Bill later worked on the construction of channels at Kunnunurra on the Ord River project until he arrived in Renmark for the Chowilla Dam project, which didn’t get off the ground. Instead of dam building, he picked oranges at Waikerie and became resident manager of the Renmark Caravan Park on the banks of the magnificent Murray River. While at the park, Bill was involved in establishing the Viscount Caravan Yard in Renmark. With his soul mate Robyn by his side, they worked the caravan yard until it closed, then picked oranges and grapes, and Bill completed vinyl repairs in SA’s south-east and south-western regions. Bill managed and later bought a photographic business in Renmark and took over the school bus run when Rob’s father retired. They tried their hand at speedway photography for some years and met one of the Mildura Country Music Festival originators, Max Thorburn, at this time. For many years Rob and Bill were familiar sights at Mildura, with Robyn capturing as many faces and events as physically possible with her trusty camera. Bill’s health deteriorated so they closed their photographic business, but boredom wasn’t on the McIntosh agenda. The couple helped some friends on their farm at Curramulka seeding, reaping, and baling, and then helped out when the same friends bought a chook farm at Lobethal. Bill really enjoyed the traditional style of country music and together, he and his mate made countless friends in Tamworth, Mildura and other smaller festivals. Eventually Bill became too ill for long trips, and the couple stayed fairly close to home in recent years. With his health failing, neither fancied the idea of going into a nursing home, so with assistance from domiciliary care nursing staff, Rob was able to nurse him at home, until he was ready to go. Although not wealthy monetarily, Bill McIntosh was one of the richest men on earth, living a full and honest life, and dying peacefully, with the love of his life by his side. Never one to make a fuss, Bill was privately cremated at Berri, SA, and when his lady love departs this earth (not too soon, either), their ashes will be scattered together from a plane over their property where they spent so many happy years working side by side. Rob said although she’d lost her husband and her best friend, she would never be alone, as Bill had left her with so many precious memories. “I could never have achieved what I have in the country music industry without Bill’s encouragement and support,” Rob said. Photo: an early picture of Bill and Robyn working in their photographic business. – Anna Rose Kerrigan wins Sri Lanka award Kerrigan La-Brooy has won another award in his island home of Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon).
Due to lack of time, Kerrigan was unable to attend or to respond to organisers' request for an audio or video message to be played at the ceremony. However Kerrigan’s best friend on the island, Damian Senn, represented him and collected the award on his behalf. "The award was unexpected and quite thrilling," said an enthusiastic Kerrigan. The Award Ceremony was held at the Sri Lankan Broadcasting Corporation in the presence of the Honourable Priyadarshana Yapa, Minister of Information and Media in the country. Kerrigan first heard of the honour through a chance meeting between his mother and Australian personality Gary Ellis. Then a few days later he received an invitation in the post with details of the achievement. Life is hectic for Kerrigan at present managing his courier business “Kerrigan’s Courigan’s” (a subsidiary of Kerrigan La-Brooy Enterprises), which is proving to be a lucrative success. "I feel blessed and I’m thankful to the man upstairs," Kerrigan said. His next appearance is in Berwick, Victoria, as the main attraction at a Tsunami Appeal Concert where he will be performing his self-penned song about the tragedy. Kerrigan expects to be back in the studio soon to record another album. Central Coast supports stars of tomorrow The 2006 ANZ Central Coast Country Music Festival this month (March 10 to 12) strongly highlights young talent.
"The calibre of artists in Star Maker cannot be underestimated," said Festival Co-ordinator Cathy Treasure. "In November 1989, a hopeful young country music singer and guitarist in Brisbane was advised that he had been selected in the Top 20 of Star Maker, Australia’s most prestigious country music talent quest. The following January, Keith Urban won the 1990 Star Maker title. Other previous winners have included Lee Kernaghan, Gina Jeffreys, James Blundell and Beccy Cole. "To help others make it to the Star Maker standard, a special youth showcase will launch the entertainment on Saturday in Memorial Park," Cathy said. "Sponsored by MasterFoods, this Showcase will feature up to 10 talented performers, all 18 years of age and younger!" Purpose of the Youth Showcase is to give young performers experience on a main stage with a professional backing band and production and in front of a large audience. Participants in this year's showcase include Kirsty Lee Akers (winner of a special award at the 2006 Telstra Road To Tamworth final), Caitlan Akers, Mackalie Foodey, Melody Pool, Sharnee Fenwick, Lucas Hafey, Morgan Hafey and Dean Johnston. Kirsty Lee will also be the guest artist on two double decker bus tours during the Festival. Further information can be obtained from www.theentrance.org. Wandong this Sunday The 2006 Wandong (Victoria) Country Music Festival is on this Sunday. Running from 10am until 6pm, the Festival stars Carter & Carter, Paul Costa, the Dalton Gang, Davidson Bros, Diddly Daddies, Tim Farren, Jetty Road, Brana Lee, Ruckus and Eureka Smith & Norm Price with Graham Hosking as compere. It's being staged at the L B Davern Reserve in Dry Creek Crescent. As well as the country entertainment, the Festival will feature food and market stalls. Further information available from www.wandongcmf.org.au. Charts update... Samantha hits number one
Sam had a top three single last year, with her New Talent Golden Guitar winning track Cookin' In My Kitchen written by sister Brooke. George Strait's She Let Herself Go rose to number two pushing Keith Urban's Better Life former number one back to number three. Brian Letton's Two Chords shot up to number four with the Dolly Parton/Keith Urban re-make of The Twelfth Of Never rising to number five. Shania Twain's Shoes rose to six while Troy Cassar-Daley's Lonesome But Free fell to number seven. SweeneyKilleen jumped two to number eight with Running while The Flood's Hello Blue Sky and Sara Storer's Since I've Gone entered the top 10 at number nine and 10, respectively. Bullet performers this week included Mike Carr's Legend (rising to 16), the Camille Te Nahu/Stuie French duet Wives Don't Like Old Girlfriends (up four spots to 18), Keith Urban's new single These Are The Days (up to 21), Shaza Leigh's Old Calare (up to 22), Lee Forster's The Way He Rolls His Swag (up to 23), Darren Colston's Come By Chance (up to 26) and Alex Watt's Window (up to 27). New entries to the chart this week included Troy Cassar-Daley's's Goin' Back Home (at 28) and Peter Denahy's Peppercorn Tree (at 29) and Travis Sinclair's Midnight Run (at 30). PPCA announces Board The Phonographic Performance Company of Australia (PPCA), which licenses for the public use of sound recordings and music videos, has announced its Board of Directors for 2006, reports Christie Eliezer at TheMusic.com.au.
O'Donnell says the focus will be on increasing the PPCA's profile in the business and artist community through partnerships and promotional initiatives (as in the AMP Prize last year), increasing its licence revenue and continuing to push for the removal of the statutory cap on broadcast licence fees paid by commercial radio which it says unfairly limits broadcast earnings for artists and record companies. The PPCA Board is comprised of representatives from the four key record labels in Australia (EMI, Sony BMG, Universal and Warner) as well as three directors representing the interests of Australian recording artists who are registered with PPCA under its direct distribution scheme. Two of those directors are appointed to the Board by popular vote of registered recording artists and the third is by invitation following a recommendation by the Music Managers' Forum (on behalf of artist managers). PPCA recently agreed to broaden Board representation of PPCA licensors by introducing a new Licensor Representative Director position. Following an election by PPCA licensors earlier this year, ABC Music's Clive Hodson was appointed. Stephen Peach, PPCA CEO, said: "In the 2005 financial year, PPCA's distributable surplus increased to more than $10 million, representing an impressive 13.5 percent increase on the previous year. "PPCA is now in its 16th consecutive year of growth in licence income, licence numbers and distributable surplus, certainly a trend which we are aiming to maintain in 2006," O'Donnell said. Wedding rumours wrong Various media have reported Nicole Kidman slamming press reports she would marry Keith Urban in Australia this month.
Nicole's Australian publicist Wendy Day, however, is reported as saying: "Everything about that story is nonsense. "Nicole Kidman is not getting married to Keith Urban at a Catholic church in Sydney on 11 March. I know of no wedding. I know of no wedding date. I know of no wedding plans." According to Day, Kidman would be presenting an Academy Award on March 5 and had no immediate plans to return to Australia. Day added, and "she is starting work on a new film in upstate New York in early April." Kidman and Urban have been dating for the past year and made their first official public appearance at the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles earlier in February. Catching up on Tamworth – Golden Harmonica Awards Country Music Capital's Northern Daily Leader reports a chance entry in this year's Hohner Golden Harmonica Awards during the January country music festival walked away with the major prize - much to his astonishment.
Competitors for the award were required to perform two songs, Justin's entries were original pieces, Felafel and Mallacoota Run. The judges were Laurie Minson and Doug Lyons of Blue Tongue Harmonica School. Justin may be known to Australian music fans as the electrifying harmonica player and multi-instrumentalist for the band Things of Stone and Wood – a band that supported the John Butler Trio two festivals ago. Throughout the past five years, Justin has toured Australia, Europe, the UK and Canada with Things of Stone and Wood and performed in the US with blues legend Guitar Shorty. Apart from recording several albums with Things of Stone and Wood, Justin has guested on albums for John Farnham, The Black Sorrows, James Reyne, Shane Howard and James Blundell. He also toured with the critically acclaimed musical, "Always Patsy Cline" starring Deborah Conway and Julie McGregor. He said winning the prestigious award was a surprise because he was a late entry, only getting a place when another competitor withdrew. "I surprised myself by actually feeling a little nervous during the competition despite years of experience of professional performances," he told The Leader. "Competing in this way is different from playing with a band and I was really pleased at the way years of work just seemed to come together." The Golden Harmonica audience award went to Coffs Harbour player Billy Jones. A keen enthusiast of the awards, John Minson (Mr Hoedown) came over from the coast especially to compere the event. Lawrie Minson also paid tribute to Tamworth craftsman Noel Smith who makes and donates the Golden Harmonica trophy.
Reese to top Julia as box office queen Hollywood star Reese Witherspoon, frontrunner to win the Best Actress award at this weekend's Oscars, is to push earnings for women in the film business to record heights with her next movie.
Now she is producing and starring in "Our Family Trouble", about a mother fighting demons possessing her child in Witherspoon's native South. Hollywood dealmakers predict that if the new film is even a moderate hit next year, she will earn $US30 million, putting her in the same league as male stars such as Tom Cruise and Jim Carrey. In which case, Witherspoon would overtake Julia Roberts, 38, the current box office queen, who became the first woman to break into the "all boys club" of $US20million pay packets with "Erin Brockovich" in 2000 and earned a record $US25 million in 2003 for "Mona Lisa Smile". "Walk The Line" is in line for five Oscars. In addition to Reese, Joaquin Phoenix is nominated for Best Actor and the film is nominated for Best Costume Design, Best Film Editing and Best Sound Mixing. Sheryl Crow recovering from breast cancer surgery
Crow underwent "minimally invasive" surgery last Wednesday (February 22) in Los Angeles, according to her publicist. Although she will receive radiation treatment as a precaution, Crow's physicians say her prognosis is excellent. "I am joining the more than 200,000 women who will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year," Crow said in a statement on her official website. "We are a testament to the importance of early detection and new treatments. I encourage all women everywhere to advocate for themselves and for their future. See your doctor, and be proactive about your health." – cmt.com |
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Lindsay Butler started his own label in 1988 to release the albums he produced, an output that has produced widespread success for many artists and numerous awards, including many for Lindsay himself as a producer and the studio.
The second annual Pacific Songwriting Competition offers $40 000 cash prizemoney plus two Video iPods.
According to figures released by ARIA (the Australian Recording Industry Association), while the digital market expanded rapidly, the total dollar value of the recorded music industry in Australia fell by almost 10 percent during 2005 to $547 million.
The luncheon was to mark the opening of the Games and was attended by various heads of state from all of the Commonwealth countries.
Meanwhile, Sara will be one of the stars of a new country music festival day declared by organisers of this year's Sydney Royal Easter Show.
Alex's visit to the area was well publicised due to airplay on the Yass and Canberra local and regional radio stations and coverage in the "Yass Tribune", "Braidwood Times" and "Tallaganda Times".
A bonus to Festival-goers that makes this a unique visit is the close proximity of so many tourist attractions – from the beaches of the Sunshine Coast and Bribie Island within a half hour drive to the Hinterland, the Australia Zoo and many others.
Winners were announced on Monday night in Sydney.
Produced by respected Nashville hit-maker Louie Shelton at his Gold Coast Studio, songs on the new release range from the original Wolverines country rock sound through to subtle ballads.
It’s been a huge year so far for Nellie following the late 2005 release of her debut single Sing Me An Angel which gained widespread airplay both in Australia and internationally.
The popular music identity has released 28 albums since 1969 and is currently the official patron of the Year of the Outback.
Sara Storer's Since I've Gone has risen to number three, Stuie French & Camille Te Nahu (pictured) bulleted from eight to four with Wives Don't Like Old Girlfriends while the Dolly Parton/Keith Urban duet of The Twelfth Of Never has dropped to number five.
Buck, who sold more than 16 million albums and popularised country entertainment on American television as host of the program "Hee Haw", died of heart failure, according to his keyboard player Jim Shaw.
Walker wrote such songs as Cherokee Maiden, Miss Molly, Bubbles In My Beer and You're From Texas, which Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys turned into western swing standards; Warm Red Wine for Ernest Tubb and You Don't Know Me, a hit for Eddy Arnold.
After one week's release, the Slim Dusty Live double DVD has debuted at number three in the ARIA (Australian Record Industry Association) National Top 50 DVD Chart.
The book goes back to the very basics of how to get the brain started in the morning (he swims), goes through the hook, the lyrics, tools, co-writes, issues songs, and how to pitch it.
According to Britain's The Sun newspaper, Nicole and Keith had been due to marry in a small private ceremony in Sydney weekend before last, but changed their minds at the last minute due the amount of attention their plans had attracted.
"I had a fantastic time being back home in Australia for the Summer months," he said. My shows were all well attended, CD and DVD sales were good and it was wonderful to spend time with my family.
"It’s awesome," Lee said, "and I’m so excited to see how far it goes. Thanks to everyone who requests the song and also to the fantastic radio stations all over the country who play it.
The summer song, titled Is It Just Me, has been released to radio through NFS #102.
New Golden Guitar winners The Flood (Kevin Bennett, James Gillard, Tim Wedde and Scott Hills) are currently on tour including a quick trip to Western Australia over Easter.
This will be the third single from his successful debut album Blue Sky.
Dean (pictured top right) and Peter will be taking their unique brand of country music on the road to a very appreciative audience of country music lovers.
Twenty-seven-year-old Hilary, who was on a ventilator on Saturday, is suffering from multiple broken bones and was having oxygen problems caused by bruises to her lungs, family spokesman Kirt Webster said. Doctors were working to get her breathing under control before scheduling more surgery, he said.
The city last hosted the awards in 1983.
This year's nominees are...
It was a packed house at Canterbury-Hurlstone Park RSL Club in Sydney last Thursday night when Travis Collins was named winner of the 2006 Frank Ifield International Spur Award.
Organisers say the award was made as Dobe and The Bushwackers had changed bush and folk music forever in Australia with countless great pub shows and dances.
Although not due for official release until May 5, Lee will feature the album during his performance at the Urban Country Music Concert on Saturday, April 29, a nine hour star studded event with multiple Golden Guitar winners on the main stage at the Caboolture Showgrounds.
Ex-patriate Australian country singer Sherrie Austin plays understudy to two main characters in the musical "Ring Of Fire" (based on the music of Johnny Cash) which officially premiered at The Ethel Barrymore Theater in New York City on Sunday night.
The long awaited and eagerly anticipated release includes two collaborative offerings – one with Sydney bluegrass band Acoustic Shock, the other with singer/songwriter Pat Drummond and is best described as "Australian bluegrass and acoustic," according to Karen.
Mike Smith from NfS Publicity reported in the last issue of 
"In typical Travis hands-on fashion, Oakley was delivered by a midwife and caught at silly mid on by Travis!" 
Competition results were...
Last year was described as "a banner year" for the group, including the release of their critically acclaimed album Weather And Water, a tour opening for Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson, a US tour with Kasey Chambers and sold out shows nationwide.
Radio comedian/musician/avid "Crow-eater" Greg Champion will headline, together with nationally acclaimed guitarist Stuie French and wife singer Camille Te Nahu, Celtic party band The Borderers and African "Drummer King Marong".
His first single, Past And Future, was released in mid-2005 and has enjoyed extensive radio airplay in Europe with chart recognition in Germany, Holland, France, Belgium and Denmark having spent a total of 15 weeks on the European Country Music Charts.
Australia’s premier, comedy bluegrass band and crowd favourite – The Sensitive New Age Cowpersons – will release a new compilation album mid this year, a follow-up to last year's Meanwhile... Back At The Ranch.
This would be the fourth conference the Institute, which is based in Gympie, has staged
Dixie Chicks to release fourth album
The nominations were announced in America last Wednesday.
This is understood to be the most record sales for any artist in Australia.
The 2006 winner of Frank Ifield's International Spur Award will be announced at Canterbury-Hurlstone Park RSL Club's Canterbury Country tomorrow night (Thursday, March 9).
The Committee will examine the role that community broadcasting has in Australian communities and the role of the Australian Government in supporting community broadcasting enterprises.
The Telstra Road to Tamworth competition is a nationwide talent quest that qualifies heat winners from across Australia for the finals series which will be held at the Tamworth Country Music Festival between January 19 and 28 next year.
The competition is an initiative borne from Telstra Country Wide’s sponsorship of the Tamworth Country Music Festival and the national and international interest in country music.
Felicity launched the album in front of an audience of thousands in the city's main street.
Award winning Brisbane singer/songwriter Michael King is making a comeback to Australian country music radio with his new single When A Son Becomes A Father.
The book was produced by Warrnambool journalist Jacinta Evans and incorporates more than 300 photographs including many from 1977. Fifteen thousand copies will be distributed free to ticket holders, 2,000 are on sale in Port Fairy and are expected to sell out.
Described as "the quintessential Aussie event", over the past quarter of a century, the Muster has been presenting "the most spectacular music in the country".
Tamworth-based Golden Guitar winner Jodie Crosby (formerly a Crosby Sister) is marrying long time partner Jon Farkas in Tamworth at St Pauls Anglican Church at Westdale.
Samantha McClymont dropped back one position to number two with Heart Of A Man while the Dolly Parton/Keith Urban re-make of The Twelfth Of Never rose to number three.
After 30 years as a session musician and producer of other artists' recordings, Go West showcases Bob’s guitar styles and multi-instrumental talents. "The album takes in the great western movie and TV themes plus a few surprises," Bob said.
Christie Eliezer reports in his 
Topics will include "what to know, who to contact, what materials you will need and what budget will you need to have to maximise the impact of your release".
Cash's Personal File to be released in May
In other "Cash" related news, Reese Witherspoon was triumphant on Sunday night in America taking out the Academy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of June Carter Cash in the movie "Walk The Line".
Canadian country artist Jason McCoy has been named winner of the 2006 Global Country Artist Award by the American Country Music Association (CMA).
He initially recorded the collection as a gift to his mother and mother-in-law but was persuaded by his record label to release it nationally.
Australians Nick Kingswell and Jake Nickolai will be among the acts to feature at the third annual Global Artist Party to be staged as part of this year's CMA (Country Music Association, America) Music Festival.
“Imagine travelling from the jazz clubs of Europe," Michael said, "to the Mississippi delta via the English countryside, turning off in New Orleans and ending up in Nashville."
Sam plays Sydney
Long-time friend and associate Brian Amos wrote the following tribute...
When Bill and Rob married in Paringa, SA, on August 25, 1977, it was third time round for them both, but this was most certainly the match made to last for all time.
The award, a Special Award for Achievement in Country Music was presented as part of the SLO Awardas (Sri Lankan Originals) on February 11.
Organisers say Cat Southern, the winner of this year's Toyota Star Maker, for example, will appear together with Star Maker finalist and winner of this year's Telstra Road To Tamworth competition Nick Kingswell and Star Maker finalist Justeen Barber.
Toyota Star Maker 2005 Samantha McClymont has hit the top of the Country Tracks Top 30 Australian singles chart for the first time this week with her own song Heart Of A Man.
Chairman is John O'Donnell, Managing Director of EMI Music Australia. Board members are George Ash (MD, Universal Music Australia), Bill Cullen (One Louder Entertainment), Denis Handlin (Chairman and CEO, Sony Music Entertainment Australia and NZ), Clive Hodson (Head of ABC Music, pictured), Ed St John (President & CEO, Warner Music Australasia) and artist representatives Greg Macainsh and Lindy Morrison.
Melbourne-based Justin Brady was in Tamworth for the Festival, accompanying the group Meg O'Reilly's Country and Preston (Preston is a Melbourne suburb).
Witherspoon, 29, impressed Academy members (who vote for the Oscar winners) with her performance as country music star June Carter Cash in "Walk The Line".
Recovering from breast cancer surgery, Sheryl Crow has postponed the remainder of her North American tour with singer-songwriter Jack Ingram.© Copyright 2006, ICMB Publishing