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This website dedicated to bringing you the latest Australian country music news |
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NEWS ARCHIVES AUGUST 2006 DATELINE : WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2006 Kasey debuts at number one
Sales for Carnival are fast heading towards double platinum while the first single Nothing At All remains in the top 30 after five weeks having debuted inside the top 10. Kasey has already sold more than a million albums in Australia, each of her three previous albums has sold at least three times platinum (210,000 albums) while the second album – Barricades & Brickwalls selling a massive half a million copies. Barricades & Brickwalls also saw Kasey achieve a simultaneous number one single (Not Pretty Enough) and album. She then went on to release her third album Wayward Angel which remained at the top of the chart for five weeks. Carnival was recorded in just over a week with producer and brother Nash Chambers on the NSW Central Coast. Joining them were some hand picked special guests including Midnight Oil's Jim Moginie, Bernard Fanning (Powderfinger), Tim Rogers (You Am I) and Michael Barker (John Butler Trio). More classic Slim Dusty releases Due to the success of the six classic Slim Dusty re-issues in 2005, EMI Australia and Slim Dusty Enterprises are releasing 10 more classic and original Slim Dusty studio albums on CD.
The specially priced Dusty Classics albums are likely to be a "must have" for Slim Dusty fans and a good starting point for the many people wanting to collect all the Slim Dusty classic studio albums in their near original state. This is the first time that most of these studio albums have been released on single CD and the first time that the original Songs of Australia album has ever been on CD. The 10 new albums in The Slim Dusty Classics series are… Songs Of Australia - originally released in 1964 on vinyl LP Songs From The Cattle Camps - originally released in 1968 on vinyl LP Stories I Wanted To Tell - originally released in 1986 on vinyl LP King Of Kalgoorlie - originally released in 1989 on vinyl LP Aussie Sing Song - originally released in 1962 on vinyl LP Another Aussie Sing Song - originally released in 1963 on vinyl LP Give Me The Road - originally released in 1976 on vinyl LP Things I See Around Me - originally released in 1976 on vinyl LP On The Move - originally released in 1977 on vinyl LP Songs In The Saddle - originally released in 1963 on vinyl LP Weblink – www.slimdusty.com.au. Sinead wins 2006 Muster talent search
A graduate of Tamworth Camerata this year, Sinead, from Beachmere on the Queensland Sunshine Coast, took home a recording and mastering package including a day recording with Garth Porter and two days at Compass Bros Studios in Sydney. From these recording sessions, Sinead will receive 500 copies of a two-track CD produced, $4,000 in cash, a scholarship to the College of Country Music in Tamworth, an Akubra hat, Driza-Bone Oilskin coat and an appearance on the Main Stage of Gympie at the 2007 Toyota Muster! 2007 College students announced The first 18 of 22 participants in the January 2007 Australian College of Country Music course have been announced by the Country Music Association of Australia (CMAA).
8 Ball Aitken (Brisbane, Qld), Katie Brianna (Elermore Vale, NSW), Brett Clarke (Tamworth, NSW), Corey Colum (Australind, WA), Courtney Conway (Maiden Gully, Vic), Leanne Cryer (Auckland, NZ), Jayme Delaney (Tennant Creek, NT), Nellie Donovan (Flaxton, Qld) Sharnee Fenwick (Glendale, NSW), Sarah Head (Dubbo, NSW), Kelly Hope (Lane Cove, NSW), Gina Horswood (Chinchilla, Qld), Lee Kirby (Morton Vale, Qld), Matt Manning (Casino, NSW), Sarah McMonagle (Stafford, Qld), Rae Moody (Cremorne, NSW), Simon Wegener (Angle Vale, SA) and Talia Wittmann (Verdun, SA). The four yet to be announced are scholarship students from the Gympie Muster (late August), the Rocky Page Memorial Scholarship in South Australia (mid September), from Mildura, Victoria (early October) and the Queensland Champion of Champions (mid November). In the country music industry, the College is widely acknowledged as a launching pad for many highly successful performers, quite a number of whom have gone on to win Golden Guitars. On January 5, when the 22 students meet in Tamworth, they will undergo two weeks of intensive tuition. College director Peter Winkler and team leaders Merelyn Carter, Mike McClellan and Sean Rudd will be joined by some of the Australian country music industry’s most successful performers, movers and shakers to learn the nuts of bolts of the business. The course runs from January 5 to 19, leading up to the Tamworth Country Music Festival and culminating in the College graduation concert at West Tamworth League Club, one of the first of many highlights of the 10-day festival. Adam on a roll
This confirms Adam as one of Australia’s most popular and successful country artists. Each of his previous four albums are either gold or platinum certified and his Built For Speed – Live In Concert DVD is also gold certified. Adam played main stage at the Gympie Muster on Saturday night and is looking forward to headlining the Deniliquin Ute Muster on September 30 before touring Queensland in October. Weblink – www.adambrand.com.au. Baileys on the road with Dwight
Members of the band – Charlene Bailey, Crystal Bailey, Kurt Bailey, Daniel Conway and Lindsay Dallas – range in age from 17 to 22. The band was recently announced as one of the youngest ever recipients of a "MO" Award for excellence in live performance. Kurt Bailey, the band's drummer, said of the upcoming tour: "we are so stoked to get this far at such a young age, it's like a dream come true. Everything that happens now is a bonus for us." The Baileys started out as a hobby band five years ago and over time has become much more serious under the guidance of manager Joan Douglas of The Pub Group. "Joan has pretty much carried us through. She organised us small and good gigs and it went from there," Kurt said. As a local five-piece band, The Baileys have built a reputation for their high-energy live concerts which incorporate both a country and contemporary style. The group is looking forward to the Dwight Yoakam tour and visiting places they haven't been before. When asked what he thought of Dwight, Kurt said simply: "He's a legend." Their first stop will be in Melbourne on October 27 where Kurt said he was expecting his sisters would enjoy the shopping opportunities and "blow all their money in one go". Jessica makes Idol top 12
Jessica was born into a boisterous family of singers who celebrated every occasion with song. If she wasn’t singing with her supportive and talented Aboriginal mum, Jessica was jamming with her Indonesian-born dad, and, considering she also has four sisters, Jessica admits that her family’s house is the noisiest on the block! After winning Telstra Road at age 14, she was exposed to a welcoming Tamworth crowd. "Now," say Idol organisers, "two years on and more confident, Jessica is one of the most self-assured and mature teens to tackle the massive challenge of becoming an Australian Idol." Korey, meanwhile, has no regrets The nation held its breath on Monday night as Albury father of six Korey Livy, 30, narrowly missed out on a spot in the Australian Idol top 24.
But he has no hard feelings and believes his Idol experience has let old fans know he’s still belting out his tunes. He says it’s also broadened the appeal of the country music genre. "My aim was to make the Australian public realise that country music is cool – I think I succeeded," he said. The devoted dad has been performing since he was 12 and has toured nationally several times with well known names including Nash Chambers and Brian Young. Korey also has no regrets about breaking a promise to his oldest son Dalan – not to cry on national television. The performer let the tears flow as fellow idol contestant Jonathan Winkler was knocked out of the competition. "It wouldn’t have mattered what happened that day," he said. "If someone told me Sesame Street had been cancelled I would have cried," he said. Korey said his Idol experience had reignited his desire to continue performing. "It’s not about winning it’s about learning from the journey," he said. “Idol has given me an insight into the world of television and I got to meet some really wonderful people and made some good industry contacts. After impressing judges at the Albury auditions earlier this year the country music singer-songwriter spent six days in Sydney as part of the top 130. Even notoriously harsh judge Kyle Sandilands was touched by Korey’s soft nature. "I gave Kyle an Akubra hat and he wore it every time I performed," Korey said. Anne on "Talking Heads" Anne Kirkpatrick will appear on ABC TV’s "Talking Heads" with Peter Thompson this coming Monday, September 4.
"DD – darling daughter" as Slim called Anne, was born in Ryde, Sydney in 1952. During the '50s, country music reached new heights in post war Australia. Slim Dusty opted for a life on the road, throwing in his daytime job as a plasterer. It was a brave experiment for those times. A succession of caravans became Anne’s family home and apart from a stint at boarding school, her life revolved around the show grounds. The 'showies' accepted Anne’s family into the fold, as Slim’s performances became an integral part of the circuit. Slim coached Anne from the age of five years telling Peter, "Ever since I was a kid, I loved that lifestyle. I’d sit in the back of the car and dream about following in the show tradition. As far as growing up and learning the ropes, the Slim Dusty Show was a great show in the grand old tradition. The big shows were really hard yakka, but for a kid on the showground, it was fantastic." The family unit was extremely important to Slim and Joy McKean, Anne’s mother. Joy says they would work like demons for two or three weeks before school holidays so that they could spend every spare minute with Anne and her brother David, having spent the other 10 months of the year touring. Anne branched out on her own in her 20s, but it wasn't until the release of her album Out Of The Blue when she was 39 years old that her true identity was realised and her gift for songwriting acknowledged. Anne says Slim liked nothing better than being out on the road and the recording of her new album Showman’s Daughter echoes those sentiments shared by his family. With another album on the horizon that involves three generations, Anne says they feel an obligation to carry on the Slim Dusty tradition. Monday's Talking Heads program starts at 6.30pm. Mary on Spicks & Specks tonight International yodelling superstar Mary Schneider will appear on the popular television program Spicks & Specks tonight (Wednesday, August 30) on ABC TV. After an absence of more than a decade, The Fargone Beauties are back on television with a new album and website.
Having reformed for an appearance at the Toyota National Country Music Muster at Gympie on Saturday, the band was asked on to The Footy Show "to add some musical mayhem to the already unpredictable antics of Fatty, Sterlo, Matty and The Chief". To coincide with their Gympie appearance, the band is also releasing a new CD titled A Load Of Old Bullocks – The Best of The Fargone Beauties featuring 20 of their best known tracks including their classic "thrashgrass" cover hits Wild Thing, Hey Joe, Stairway To Heaven, Highway To Hell, Play That Country Music, Born To Be Wild and "everything else that fits". They performed Wild Thing live in the studio on The Footy Show. The band's new website - www.fargonebeauties.com.au – is now live. The CD was released last Thursday through One Stop Entertainment. Ken releases a new CD
The 12 track CD was produced by Lindsay Waddington at Kross Kut Records at the Gold Coast. "The album has a good mix of Australian bush ballads," Ken said. Included are three of Ken's own compositions, two co-writes, "and a fabulous version of the Dianantina Drover and a few classics". A comedy song titled Kangabloodyroos written by Jim Wesley and Ken adds some humour to the album. Ken says he had a ball recording with Waddo at Kross Kut Records, with some of Australia's top musicians, and hopes that there will be many more CDs to come. Weblink – www.krosskutrecords.com.au. Chart update – Beccy holds on to number one Beccy Cole holds on to the number one spot on the Country Tracks Top 30 singles chart this week for the fourth week in succession with her hit Poster Girl.
Anne Kirkpatrick bounds up three places to number four with Drive Away while Felicity Urquhart's My Life drops two places to number five. Lee Forster rises two places to number six with A Fire In The Bar while Adam Brand's Open Ended Heartache jumps three places to number seven. Jeanette Wormald's Boundary Rider's Daughter falls to number eight, Carter & Carter enter the top 10 at number nine with Ride, while Trisha Yearwood & Garth Brooks' Love Will Always Win drops to number 10. Bullet performers this week include The McClymonts' Something That My Heart Does (15 to 11), Kasey Chambers' Nothing At All (16 to 13), Donna Boyd's A Good Day (19 to 15) and Catherine Britt's Swingin' Door (21 to 18). The full chart can be viewed at www.nfspublicity.com.au. CMC Top 50 – Catherine still at the top
As does Corb Lund at number two with Hair In My Eyes Like A Highland Steer. Melinda Schneider's Big World Small World jumps three more places to number three while Kasey Chambers' Nothing At All falls to number four. The Sunny Cowgirls edged up two more places to number seven with their clip of Six Pack Short while Adam Brand's Open Ended Heartache dropped to number nine. Bullet performers this week include Lee Kernaghan whose clip of his new single Listen To The Radio jumped from 21 to 14, Felicity Urquhart's clip of My Life (26 to 17), Jetty Road's Run To You (28 to 24), Lee Forster's A Fire In The Bar (36 to 33), Wildseed's The Fire (41 to 38) and the Wolverines' Up And Gone Died (49 to 45). New entries in the playlist this week include Ronni Rae Rivers (pictured) with Janine – Care Of The Stars (in at 49).
George to release 34th album
Since his debut in 1981, the Texas troubadour has indeed been doing what comes naturally, putting together a string of hits that has earned him legions of fans and the respect of even the toughest critics. And while no one could blame him for packing it in after armfuls of awards, more number one songs than any other single artist in history, George Strait continues to deliver the goods in record-breaking fashion. Give It Away, the first release from his forthcoming album, is his fastest-moving single in five years. Beyond the accolades, George is revered most for his traditional brand of music that serves as a soundtrack for the cowboy lifestyle and the weekend heartbeat of America's dance halls and honky-tonks. From sophisticated Western swing and clever barroom anthems to sawdust two-steppers and smoky neon ballads, Natural is all that and more. It's vintage George Strait. BMI collects nearly $780 million in 2005/06 The Tennessean newspaper reports this week that BMI, one of three organisations in the US that collects music licensing fees on behalf of songwriters and publishers, collected record income of $779 million for fiscal year 2005-2006.
BMI’s total revenue figure represents a seven percent increase over the organisation’s total for the previous year. Growth was fueled by rising revenue in cable and satellite television; continued strength in new media, such as online subscription services and ringtones; and increases in overseas revenue. General licensing revenue collected from bars and other retail establishments that play music in public spaces also rose by about 12 percent over last year to make up about $86 million of BMI’s total revenue. BMI has about 300,000 members. Performing rights organizations like BMI, its rival ASCAP and the much smaller SESAC, collect licensing fees from radio, television, Internet services and other sources for public musical performances that get paid to songwriters and publishers. All three groups have a sizable presence in Nashville. DATELINE : WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2006 Awards changes deferred The Country Music Association of Australia announced today that all but three of the recently highlighted changes to the Golden Guitar Awards structure and rules would be deferred. The decision was made after a backlash from the industry which pointed out that, in making the changes, the Association had not followed the long established practice of giving at least 12 months notice of any major changes to the Awards. In making its announcement, the CMAA said that, on review, the Board had agreed that implementing such changes to the 2007 Awards did not give the industry adequate notice. The changes that are deemed to be minor and remain for the January 2007 Awards are altering the name of the Female and Male Vocalist Of The Year awards to Female and Male Artist of the Year, Vocal Group or Duo to Group or Duo and the awarding of a Golden Guitar to the writer of the winning Heritage Song of the Year where the song is first released during the current Awards year. Keith makes history... again!
According to the trade publication, it becomes the highest debuting single in the 62-year history of that chart, outpacing two previous singles, both of which debuted at 18 (Eddie Rabbitt's Every Which Way but Loose (1978) and Garth Brooks' Good Ride Cowboy (2005). Once In A Lifetime was written by Keith and John Shanks who also co-wrote Keith's hit song To Love Somebody. Graeme and Anne tour in September Graeme Connors and Anne Kirkpatrick will unite for their first tour together this September. Under the banner "Two Of Us", the pair will appear together at shows in Mount Evelyn, Sale and Hallam in Victoria.
Anne Kirkpatrick was born into the industry and destined for a life on the road as the daughter of Joy McKean and the late Slim Dusty. She first appeared on stage at the age of 10 in her parents travelling show and found her unique heritage a mixed blessing. "Riding the corrugations of audience expectation and her passion for music outside of the bush ballad genre, it was with great courage that she found her niche and musical independence."
Anne won an ARIA (Australian Recording Industry Association) Award and two Golden Guitars for her ground-breaking album. This year’s The Showman’s Daughter – Anne's first solo studio album since 1997 – has also reaped high praise for its "authentic roots" style. Graeme Connors is a gifted songwriter who "captures people, place, a mood and our hearts through his evocative lyrics and distinctive voice," according to his publicist. His achievements include Gold and Platinum albums, 12 Golden Guitars, "MO", APRA (Australasian Performing Right Association), ARIA and PPCA (Phonographic Performance Company of Australia) awards, international accolades and induction into the Country Music Hands of Fame in Tamworth, Australia's Country Music Capital. Further information, including tour details, can be obtained from www.graemeconnors.com. New dates for Beccy and Adam tour Beccy Cole and Adam Harvey’s "How Wrong Is It?" tour of Australia continues to roll out with dates at Revesby, Bathurst, Dubbo and Condobolin in NSW coming up in September.
The tour follows their sell-out shows in Tamworth in January and augment their solo concerts scheduled throughout 2006. Multi award winner Adam received his most recent award, the Contemporary Country Music Coalition Artist Excellence Award 2006 for his contribution to country music during 2005 which involved trips to Canada, the US and China. Now with his role as Ambassador for the Telstra Road To Tamworth 2007 talent search and his new single Lady Lay Down from his third consecutive gold selling album Can’t Settle For Less climbing the charts, Adam’s hectic schedule continues. Beccy’s current hit Poster Girl raced up the Country Tracks Top 30 holding down the number one position for two weeks as her video clip of the single also held the number one spot for two weeks on CMC (Country Music Channel). The four times Golden Guitar winner wrote Poster Girl following her trip to the Middle East to entertain troops during Christmas and New Year’s Eve 2005. This completed a busy year for Beccy promoting her latest album – Feel This Free – and carrying out her role as Ambassador for the Telstra Road To Tamworth 2006 talent search. Following the overwhelming response and success of Poster Girl, it has been rushed out as a bonus track on her current album. Weblinks – www.beccycole.com, www.adamharvey.com.au. Dwayne & The Engineers in the record books
On Wednesday August 9, they received their first award at the 2006 Hawkesbury Business Awards in the western suburbs of Sydney. The Engineers' five previous nominations were already a record as they are the only band known to be nominated for a business award in Australia. This night, they achieved their goal and won the award for "Outstanding Entertainment". Dwayne was on hand to collect the award, together with Engineers Dave Cook and Steve Sullivan (drummer Steve Sullivan was not available to attend). Dwayne & The Engineers were also one of the few businesses that were nominated in more than one category. The band also run coach tours called "Roc The Bus" where people go away with the band on weekend tours to rural areas – "tourist attractions by day, dancing to the band by night". This activity was nominated for "Outstanding Tourism Service". Dwayne is currently in the middle of recording two new albums for his visit to the Mildura Country Music Festival, one a traditional gospel bluegrass album where Dwayne plays all the instruments and provides all vocals, the other, a "honky tonk" dance album with The Engineers. Photo: Dwayne. Steve and Dave with their award, not just talented musicians, talented businessmen, too! Latest Bellbird releases Bellbird Music has announced its mid-year series of releases from the catalogue archives of Hadley Records.
The Jean Stafford release – Born Again from 1980 – won Jean her third Golden Guitar for her performance of That Glory Bound Train, cementing her status as Australia's Queen Of Country Music in the 1970s and '80s. For the first time on CD, the album contains two bonus tracks – I'll Meet You In Church On Sunday Morning, recorded in 1972, and Family Bible, one of Jean's most requested and earliest performances, recorded with Dusty Rankin and The Singing Kettles in 1965.
Originally recorded at the Hotel Tasmania in Launceston, Tasmania, from 1963 to 1965, this is the first time on CD for this release and comes with bonus tracks from their Encore!! EP released in 1963 which includes the Slim Dusty hit Been A Fool Too Long. The release from Country Music Capital pioneer artist Geoff Brown includes six radio tracks that have never been released before. Titled Remembering Gentleman Geoff, the CD features eight tracks originally released on EPs in the 1970s – Gentleman Geoff Brown and More Gentleman Geoff Brown. A special addition to the collection are the six extra tracks never before issued in any format, recorded especially for the "Big T Jubilee" and "Bob Clark Show" radio programs on 2TM in 1971 and 1972. The albums will be available in stores shortly or can be purchased online at www.countrymusic.com.au. Weblink bellbirdmusic.com.au. Aussie born act a finalist in Canadian Awards Lacombe, Alberta, resident, Australian born "country music sensation" Gord Bamford has been nominated in three categories for this year’s Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) Awards.
For the second year in a row, the 30-year-old is up for the Rising Star award, Independent Single of the Year for the song All About Her and Independent Male Vocalist of the Year. "It’s great," he said. "It’s a pat on the back for the year we’ve had and it’s nice to know your peers and people in the music business think you are doing something right." The awards will take place on September 11 in Saint John, New Brunswick. Gord will not be able to attend the show because of tour commitments with fellow Canadian, George Canyon. "The Canadian tour will be huge exposure for me," Gord said. "I’ll be getting out to the east where I have had a lot of airplay but haven’t been able to play live." Forty-five shows will be played all across Canada. – The Lacombe Globe Jeanette celebrates more success Jeanette Wormald has completed her most successful tour to date with the news that her single Boundary Rider's Daughter is number four on the national Top 30 charts (see below) and that she is a finalist in the prestigious Australian Country Music Achiever Awards. The South Australian-based artist is a finalist for Independent Entertainer of the Year category (winners will be announced at a gala presentation in Sydney on October 16).
"I had only ever dared to aim to break into the top 10 in national radio airplay," she said. "The huge response to the new album Opal Blue and the success of the first radio single has taken me by surprise. It is both delightful and quite humbling to think that I have been able to achieve such huge national support. "I am just so grateful to the radio presenters and fans for their enthusiasm." Jeanette said she was also buoyed by the response to her tour of SA with special guest Peter Pratt. The tour covered more than 4,000 km (4,006 km to be exact) and 14 venues from the Riverland up to the Flinders Ranges and Roxby Downs, across to Ceduna on the West Coast before heading back through Port Pirie and Murray Bridge to finish in Pinnaroo on August 13. It included fundraisers for several projects including the Cancer Council of SA and the Beyond Blue campaign tackling mental health issues in regional areas. "It was my first chance to showcase the new songs from Opal Blue and the audiences loved it," Jeanette said. "Sales were fantastic and overall crowd numbers were really encouraging." The tour included two sell-outs at Waikerie and Tumby Bay with more than 170 attending in both Loxton and Kadina. "I was also delighted to be able to perform the songs with musicians Emma Luker and Pete Titchener. They have been playing with me for some years now but this was our first tour together. Their enthusiasm and professionalism lifted the live performances to a new level," Jeanette said. "And while on tour, we also learned that Emma Luker had won Most Outstanding Instrumentalist of the Year at the SA Folk Awards." Jeanette and her musicians are heading to NSW for the second leg of the "Out Here" tour at the end of this month. The first performance will be with Peter Pratt at the Wagga Wagga Commercial Club on Thursday, August 31. Weblink – www.jeanettewormald.com. McClymonts' take off
And the stage performances are translating to CD sales and popularity with the girls' debut single as a trio – Something That My Heart Does – making the national ARIA chart last week at number 45. The single is number 15 and rising on the Country Tracks Top 30 and 17 on the CMC (Country Music Channel) top 50 playlist. Last week, The McClymonts travelled to Melbourne to perform at the ARIA Hall Of Fame presentation as part of the Helen Reddy tribute and induction, singing Delta Dawn, one of the songs Helen had a hit with during her career. Lee's tour heads to Queensland from this Friday night with shows booked for the Gold Coast, Rockhampton, Townsville, Longreach and Mackay through until September 17. Weblink – www.themcclymonts.com.au. Photo: Lee sings with (from left) Brooke, Samantha and Mollie. SNC continues to rate
"In the latest radio survey of all capital cities, figures again confirm that SNC is the most listened to country music program on any network," said program host John Nutting. Survey Five reveals the following figures which confirm the strength of the audience for Saturday Night Country. The figures show the share of all listeners on both AM and FM stations in each market.
Saturday Night Country goes to air every Saturday from 10pm. Natalie's new single Natalie Howard's Musicoz CMC Best Country Artist award winning song I Can't is the new radio single following Natalie's Country Tracks top 10 hit Is It Just Me.
"I Can't showcases Natalie's unique style and vocal ability in this emotionally charged ballad," said a spokesman for her record label, "and she continues to put her own stamp on country music with this intimate vocal, poetic lyric and haunting melody that comes from the heart." The release comes hot on the heels of Natalie's number one video clip and Country Tracks hit You Never Knew Me being included on The Best Of Country Music Channel 2006 CD and DVD, her debut performance on The Sports Zone Stage at the 2006 CMA (Country Music Association) Music Festival in Nashville and the release of I Don't Want To Live Like That on "Great American Country TV" and CMT.com in the America. Natalie is featured in the Debut Artist Spotlight section of the August/September issue of the magazine "CMA Close Up" along with country music newcomers Jake Owen, Eric Church, Rhonda Towns and Gary Nichols. This is the official bimonthly publication of the American Country Music Association. She is also to be a featured newcomer in a forthcoming issue of "Country Weekly", the world's top selling country entertainment magazine. And though one would think this is pace enough, Natalie is already writing new material for a sophomore album to Yesterday's Makeup. Weblink – www.nataliehoward.net. Dale releases Malabar Mansion Rising star Dale Duncan has released a single with a difference – a duet with the late Gordon Parsons.
Lindsay Butler worked with Dale as producer to achieve the bringing together of the modern day singer and one of Australia's best known country music pioneers. The new release follows the success of Dale's hit Do You Wanna Be from his successful debut album A Trucker's Life. Malabar Mansion will be included on Dale's upcoming EP titled Back To The Future and because of the link with Gordon, proceeds from sales of the EP will be donated to the Australian Country Music Foundation. Weblink – www.daleduncan.net. Connie to release hit single in America
A video clip of the track will be launched concurrently. Connie leaves for the USA this week on a promotional tour in support of the release and is scheduled to appear live to air on radio, television and in-store performances over the next few weeks. While in Nashville, she will be laying down tracks for her next album due out in April next year. Named Best Female Country Music Vocalist 2006 in Western Australia earlier this year, Connie returns home late September to appear at the Mildura Country Music Festival, Australia's largest showcase of independent entertainers. Weblink – www.conniekisandersen.com.au. Craig's tribute to the Diggers Sixteen years on and Craig Giles' A Tribute To The Vietnam Vets – Together As One is still a favourite with Vietnam veterans Australia wide.
When the trio had gathered enough material they began writing. They didn’t want it to be all blood and suffering but more of an uplifting and reuniting song for the Diggers. The song was launched at the 1990 Vietnam Veterans reunion in Wagga Wagga and was an instant hit. So much so that it was played in the NAMBUS which carries memorabilia, artifacts and exhibitions of the Vietnam War throughout Australia. Through the years, Craig has performed the song at various memorial functions and Remembrance Day marches all over the nation. This month, Craig was asked by the Goulburn Valley Vietnam Veterans to perform the song for the 40th anniversary of the Battle Of Long Tan at the Shepparton Cenotaph. The song received an overwhelming response from the diggers, their family and friends, politicians and dignitaries alike that were in attendance. Craig has now re-released the song on a three track CD together with I Still Call Australia Home and A Picture On The Mantle (M.I.A.) which was originally written and given to him by a Vietnam Veteran. The CD is available direct from Big River Entertainment, PO Box, 111, Finley NSW 2713, for $12 including postage within Australia. Photo: Craig Giles with Army cadets Josh Adams (left) and Peter Vandergulik. Tahlia records in Texas
The CD – I'll Ride With You – features all original songs written by Tahlia with backing by John and a line up of Austin Texas session players. John is no stranger to Australian country music. Besides his own work with the Burritos, John has written and produced chart hits for Australian artists like Michael King, Lee Conway, Brian Cadd, Michael O'Rourke, Becky Willis, Diana Woods and many others. He has been commuting to Australia for well over three decades. Chart update – top four unchanged The top four positions on the Country Tracks Top 30 singles chart this week remain unchanged from last week Beccy Cole at number one with Poster Girl, Lee Kernaghan at two with The New Bush, Felicity Urquhart at three with My Life and Jeanette Wormald at four with Boundary Rider's Daughter.
Lee Forster's A Fire In The Bar bounds into the top 10 at number eight, Arthur Blanch's With Every Breath falls two places to number nine while Adam Brand (pictured) enters the top 10 at number 10 with Open Ended Heartache Bullet performers this week include Kasey Chambers' Nothing At All (19 to 16), Donna Boyd's A Good Day (22 to 19), Catherine Britt's Swingin' Door (25 to 21), Paul Costa's What Else Could Go Right (26 to 23) and Dean Perrett's Would Clancy Be Welcome? (at 30). New entries to the chart this week are Jetty Road with Heart And Soul (at 29) and SweeneyKilleen with Along For The Ride (at 30). The full chart can be viewed at www.nfspublicity.com.au. CMC Top 50 – Catherine still at number one
The Corb Lund Band edges up to number two with Hair In My Eyes Like A Highland Steer while Kasey Chambers' Nothing At All falls to number three. Melinda Schneider's Big World Small World edges up two places to number six while Adam Brand's Open Ended Heartache is steady at seven and The Sunny Cowgirls (pictured) bound into the top 10 with their clip of Six Pack Short. Bullet performers this week include Lee Kernaghan who debuts in the playlist at 21 with the clip of his new single Listen To The Radio, Felicity Urquhart's clip of My Life (45 to 26), Lee Forster's A Fire In The Bar (44 to 36) and Holloway Street's Zoe's Song (49 to 45). Other new entries in the playlist this week include the Wolverines' Up And Gone Died (in at 49).
15 nominated for Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Ten songwriters and five songwriter/artists have been nominated for one of America's highest songwriting honors – induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
"The significance of these songwriters and their influence on our industry and culture is staggering." Murrah, himself an inductee in 2005, said the ballot seeks to recognise songwriters whose first significant works achieved commercial success and/or artistic recognition at least 20 years ago and who have "positively impacted and been closely associated with the Nashville Music Community and deemed to be outstanding and significant." The 10 nominees in the Songwriter category are Pat Alger (The Thunder Rolls recorded by Garth Brooks), Larry Henley (The Wind Beneath My Wings, Bette Midler), Mark James (Suspicious Minds, Elvis Presley), Mac McAnally (Old Flame, Alabama), Bob Morrison (You Decorated My Life, Kenny Rogers), Gary Nicholson (One More Last Chance, Vince Gill), Hugh Prestwood (Ghost In This House, Shenandoah), Thom Schuyler (16th Avenue, Lacy J Dalton), John Scott Sherrill (Wild And Blue, John Anderson) and Jim Weatherly (Midnight Train To Georgia, Gladys Knight & The Pips). The five nominees in the Songwriter/Artist category are Arthur Alexander, Jimmy Buffett, J J Cale, John Hiatt and Tony Joe White. Pictured (all from left) at the news conference earlier this month announcing the 2006 nominees, are (front row) nominees Thom Schuyler, John Scott Sherrill and Hugh Prestwood; (back row) Nashville Songwriters Foundation Chairman Roger Murrah, Nashville Mayor Bill Purcell, nominees Bob Morrison, Tony Joe White, Pat Alger, Gary Nicholson and Jim Weatherly. Click on the pic for a slightly larger image. Weblink – www.nashvillesongwritersfoundation.com. Alison & Union Station lead Bluegrass Award nominations
Alison and her band members garnered 11 nominations, while Blue Highway (10 nominations), Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver (seven) and Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder (seven) also scored big during the nominations announcement at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. The Grascals, last year’s top emerging artist, received a Best Entertainer nomination for the first time and Rhonda Vincent will attempt her seventh straight female vocalist prize. Last year’s Entertainer of the Year, the family band Cherryholmes, drew five nominations including a tilt at the Entertainer title again. "They’re the best entertainers in bluegrass," said Ricky Skaggs, who owns Skaggs Family Records, the label for which Cherryholmes records. "This shows that last year was not a fluke at all. They’re a strong, talented group." – TwangtownUSA.com DATELINE : WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16, 2006 Country Music Bulletin to take over People's Choice Awards The Independent Country Music Bulletin will present the long-running Australian Country Music People's Choice Awards from 2007.
The announcement came shortly after Smoky and his wife Paula announced they would be discontinuing all functions of the ACMLA due to Smoky's on-going health problems. "As from the 31st of August 2006, the ACMLA will cease all operations," Paula said. "It is with deep regret and long deliberation that we have been forced to make this decision mainly due to Smoky’s health problems which have been declining now for the past 18 months. We feel we can no longer continue in the capacity of maintaining the ACMLA and personal life. "We would like to thank all of our members some who have been with us from the beginning," she said. "We would also like to thank all the DJs and radio stations on our mail list for helping us help promote the country music artists. Without you, the music would not be heard." Managing Editor of the Country Music Bulletin Bob Kirchner said he was delighted Smoky and Paula had agreed to pass the People's Choice Awards on to the Bulletin, "to take up the baton, so to speak," he said. "We are committed to maintaining the great tradition established by Smoky and Paula over the years and look forward to further developing the Awards through the Bulletin and the on line news website for the benefit of the Australian country music industry." Processes for the continuing People's Choice Awards, including consideration of voting already undertaken, are currently under review with announcements due to be made shortly. Photo: Smoky Sheldrick (right) with winner of this year's Female Vocal People's Choice Award Tania Kernaghan and presenter Mike Smith from NfS Publicity. ASAI Song Contest winners Felicity Urquhart and Glen Hannah (pictured) have taken top honours in the 2006 Australian Songwriters' Association National Songwriting Contest announced in Sydney last week.
Michael O'Rourke and Glenda Hunt placed second in the category with their song The Hat while Andrew Pobjoy and Tim Farren placed third with Say When. The remaining top 10 finalists in the Country category were... Donna Boyd and David Carter with A Good Day, Donna Boyd with I Know It's You, Bruce Holloway and Colin Street with This Morning, Michael King and Pam Spencer with When A Son Becomes A Father, Lauren Brede with Small Town, Bluey Matthews with Two Step and Katie Brianna with Guiding Hand. Country winners and placegetters in other categories included... In the Australia category, Lachlan Davidson was named runner-up with You've Gotta Love Australia while David Croser was a top 10 finalist with Rivers Of Australia. In Ballad, Lauren Brede was runner-up with Box Of Kisses. In the Instrumental category, Chris Staff was a top 10 finalist with Western Thunder. In the Youth category, Lauren Brede came first, second and third with, respectively, Look Where We Are Now, If By Chance and Small Town, and also had a fourth song – Without Goodbye – in the top 10. A full listing of finalists and winners can be found at www.asai.org.au. Community radio plays more Australian In results just released, the importance of community broadcasting in the development of local talent and local culture has been confirmed. New research shows that on a national basis, community broadcasting exceeds its minimum quotas for Australian music reaching an average of 35 percent Australian music per week – an increase on already impressive previous survey results, according to the Community Broadcasting Assoctaion of Australia. "On top of this, community broadcasters across the nation are recording a significant 271 hours of local music hours every week," the Association said.
"Community broadcasting has long been the home of emerging Australian talent," the Association said. "Sydney's Youth Group are just one example of a band who have gained much needed support and exposure through community radio." "From the beginning, community radio has been the channel between us and an audience,” said Toby Martin, singer/songwriter of Youth Group. "If we had a new CD out or had a show coming up we would go in and talk about it. Whether three people were listening or 3,000 it didn’t really matter. What mattered was the feeling that what we did wasn’t done in a vacuum; that there were people out there who might be interested in what we were doing and that we could reach them." It's a sentiment that echoed throughout the industry. Richard Davison, Director, Broadcast Licensing at APRA (Australasian Performing Right Association), said: "The support that the community broadcasting sector provides to Australian songwriters and composers is invaluable. It is particularly encouraging to see community broadcasters – particularly indigenous, youth and rural stations – not just meeting, but exceeding their Australian music quotas. "By exploring and supporting different genres of music, community broadcasters provide a strong platform for so many Australian songwriters and composers to have their music heard," he said. Community radio listeners are tuning in for this reason. In a recent listenership survey conducted by McNair Ingenuity (full results from the McNair Ingenuity Audience Research Survey will be launched on August 25), almost half of the listeners surveyed stated that they listen to community radio because "they play Australian music/support local artists". Richard Davison said: "It's clear that community broadcasters are providing what people want to hear and that is more Australian music." Full details of the Community Broadcasting Database Survey can be obtained at www.cbonline.org.au. Tania and Felicity lead Independent Awards finalists Tania Kernaghan and Felicity Urquhart (pictured, from left) lead the finalists for the 2006 Telstra Country Wide Southern Stars – the 10th Australian Independent Country Music Awards of Australia – to be presented in Mildura in September.
Last year's Independent Country Music Artist of the Year Travis Sinclair (also pictured) secured two finals berths in Single and Male Vocalist. Joining Travis with two finals nods are former Independent Award winners Karen Lynne (Album of the Year with Changes, and Female Vocal) and Michael O'Rourke (Heritage Track and Male Vocalist).
Previous Independent Award winners reaching finals in 2006 include seven time winners Carter & Carter and multiple winners James Blundell and Tracy Coster. This year also sees the addition of a new category for Independent Group/Duo.
In all, 22 individuals, duos and groups made the various finals categories, a strong representation of some of Australian country music’s finest talents, according to John, the majority of whom, he said, had achieved significant success in the past 12 months. "It is very gratifying to see the inroads that the independent artists are making, and we have a roster of hitmakers this year. "Of the finals contenders, 17 had top 30 chart success with radio singles in the past year, five had songs in the top five and two reached the coveted number one position, including Travis Sinclair who achieved three number one hits in the 12 month period." Full details of finalists are on the Mildura Festival website at www.milduracountrymusic.com.au. Winners will be announced during the Awards presentation during the 20th Mildura Country Music Festival on Saturday September 30 at the Mildura Arts Centre Theatre. Tickets, at $33 each, are available by calling 1800 039 043. Awards petition submitted The petition seeking the Board of the Country Music Association of Australia (CMAA) to reverse its decisions regarding immediate changes to the Golden Guitar Awards (see last week’s news) has now been submitted. The petition, written and circulated by a small group of concerned artists and industry people who wanted to provide a vehicle for the broader community to express their concerns to the Board, contains 163 names of people representing a broad cross section of the industry. A number of people have also written to the Board expressing personal concerns with all or some of the awards changes. Petition coordinator Deniese Morrison (a three times Golden Guitar winner and founding Board member of the CMAA) has expressed the gratitude of the petition creators to those industry people who added their names to the petition. "The broader country music industry has been too quiet for a long time when it comes to dealing with issues that have a lasting affect on our industry," she said. "There has always been a reluctance to question decisions. We wanted to provide an easy means for people to express their concerns and alleviate that reluctance. "We understand the Board needs to keep progressing country music in Australia however, in this case, the lack of explanation about the changes and the immediate introduction without an appropriate announcement has prompted us to ask the Board to rescind its decisions and review the concerns expressed by the industry in both the petition and the letters submitted by individuals." Deniese points out that her name is the only one released in connection with the creation and circulation of the petition to ensure people who added their name did it for their own reasons. “We will not be releasing the names on the petition, so that those who did participate feel they are expressing their concerns to the Board – and not participating in a political campaign. "This was never designed as a political campaign against the Board. It was an effort to have the broader country music community express its concerns about one set of decisions and have those concerns attended to by the Board. To this end we maintain our position," Deniese said. Artists announced for Galston 2006 The entertainment line-up for the 2006 Galston Country Music Festival has been announced.
This year's "very special guest legends" are Kevin Johnson and Doug DeKroo and Lonesome Train with a special appearance from last year's Golden Saddle Award winner Darren Colston (pictured). The bill will be completed with performances from The Borderers, Donna Boyd, The Bushwackers, Pat Drummond, Travis Collins, Steve Graham, Johanna Hemara, Julie Perandes together with bush poets Graeme Johnson, Claire Reynolds and Noel Stallard. A highlight of the Sunday will be performances from this year's Golden Saddle Grand Finalists Amber Lawrence, Karen Lynne and SweeneyKilleen. Backing on the day will be provided by The Galston All Stars featuring Donna Boyd, Doug Boyd, Pat Drummond, Pete Drummond, Tom Grasso (Drums) Chris Soulos and Duncan Toombs. Weblink – www.galstonfestival.com. Nominations open for 2007 TIARAs Nominations are now open for the 10th annual Tamworth Independent Artist Recognition Awards (or TIARAs, as they are known).
In 2007, awards will be presented for Male Vocal, Female Vocal, Group, Bush Ballad, Instrumental (the Barry Thornton Memorial Award), Vocal Collaboration, Duo and Songwriting (the Michael Cowdroy Memorial Award). A ninth award, the Gentleman Geoff Brown Memorial Award, will also be presented. The awards presentation evening will be held on Tuesday, January 23, 2007. More information on the 10 anniversary Awards, including a change of venue, will be announced shortly. Entry forms and rules can be downloaded from www.tiara-awards.org. Entries close at 5pm on October 27, 2006. Further information can be obtained from the Awards website or from Rob Brown on 02 6765 7638 or Awards Secretary Vicki Thorncroft on 02 6765 8021 or 0403 979 108. 2006 Deadlys finalists A number of country artists feature as finalists in the 2007 Deadlys (national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander music, sport, entertainment and community awards).
Sharnee Fenwick is a finalist for Most Promising New Talent. The Pigram Brothers are finalists for Band of the Year and also for the Album award with Under the Mango Tree. Warren H Williams is a finalist for Artist of the Year and also for the Album award with Be Like Home. The 12th annual Deadly Awards – celebrating indigenous excellence in music, sport, the arts, entertainment and community achievement and hosted by Ernie Dingo– will be presented at the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall on Thursday, September 21. Weblink – www.deadlys.vibe.com.au. Countdown to Gympie The 25th anniversary Toyota National Country Music Muster at Gympie gets underway next week.
Among the latest to be announced in the line-up is multi Golden Guitar winner Graeme Connors who joins the likes of James Blundell, Adam Brand, Troy Cassar-Daley, Travis Collins, Peter Denahy, The Flood, Pixie Jenkins, Jetty Road, Lee Kernaghan, Anne Kirkpatrick, Chad Morgan, Julie Perandes, the Sensitive New Age Cowpersons, Cat Southern, Sara Storer, Felicity Urquhart and the Wolverines, just to name a, very, few! One of the feature events of Muster, among many, will be a "Back To Thornside" concert featuring the instigators of the event, The Webb Brothers. During the Muster, a number of venues operates to keep the tens of thousands of fans entertained. The Muster is organised and staged by the Apex Club of Gympie to support local and national charities through its Rural Aid Appeal. Over the years, Appeal beneficiaries have included Diabetes Australia, the Royal Flying Doctor Service, Leukaemia Foundation, Youth Suicide Prevention, VISE (Volunteers for Isolated Students Education) and Giddy Goanna. In 2006/07, all profits raised will be directed to the Melanoma Foundation. The Foundation is dedicated to raising funds to support world-class research into the causes, detection, treatment and management of melanoma. Further information about the Muster, on the dedicated Muster site at Amamoor Creek State Forest about 35 kilometres west of Gympie, Queensland, including daily programs, can be obtained at www.muster.com.au. Photo: an aerial view of last year's Muster. New Aussie country compilation Victorian based country and roots label Dirt Road has launched of a new CD compilation series called The Australian Country Music Series.
Dirt Road's philosophy with the series is "great artists, great songs, great performances – and all fiercely independent". "The Australian Country Music Series is the must have compilation for those wishing to hear the best of new Australian country music," a spokesman for the label said. "This is the place to hear some of the very best hard working, multi-award winning Australian independent acts." Weblink – www.therecordcompany.com.au. TommyFest Australian dates Tommy Emmanuel has announced the Australian dates for his TommyFest tour in Australia this October.
"These guys are all incredible. I am thrilled to be able to introduce to Australia the Best of the Best," Tommy said. During TommyFest Australia, Tommy will be joined on stage by Martin Taylor ("a rarity in the world of jazz and winner of 10 out of 19 British Jazz Awards), the Joscho Stephan Trio (a German gypsy jazz outfit) and Jake Shimabukuro (a young Hawaiian renowned for his enthusiasm and musicianship on electrified ukulele recording and performing with Grammy winning group Bella Fleck and the Flecktones). Tommy, of course, is recognised as one of the world’s greatest finger pickers having performed to millions of people across the globe and toured and/or recorded with some of the world’s greatest musicians including Chet Atkins, Eric Clapton, Stevie Wonder, Joe Walsh, Beatles producer Sir George Martin and Tina Turner. Just prior to his death, Chet Atkins awarded Tommy the rare title of CGP (Certified Guitar Player), only two other guitarists share that honour (Jerry Reed and John Knowles). Voted Rolling Stone (Australia) Magazine’s "Most Popular Guitarist", nominated for a Grammy for an album with his guitar hero Chet Atkins and with 15 CDs to his credit, Tommy has just released his latest album – The Mystery – in Australia. Also just released in Australia is Tommy’s DVD Live In Ballarat, given a five-star rating in "The Australian" and critically lauded in "The Washington Post". TommyFest Australia will take place in Adelaide, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. Further information, including tour details, can be obtained at www.tommyemmanuel.com or www.entertainmentedge.com.au. Audrey releases new album and tours Australia Audrey Auld Mezera has announced the release of her latest album – Lost Men And Angry Girls – and a series of tour dates in Australia.
"Lost Men And Angry Girls chronicles the past three years I have spent living on the coast of Northern California," Audrey says. "It's 'Ameri-kinda' music – traditional American country and folk influences with Australian roots; a beautiful mix of acoustic and electric instrumentation." Recorded primarily in Australia, this is the first album from Audrey where she has handed over the production reins to her trusted collaborator Bill Chambers who retains the sparse arrangements that characterise her work. "It’s always exciting to work on music with Audrey," Bill said. "These songs reflect her life, where she now lives and the places and people she comes in contact with. I’ve always been proud to be part of Audrey’s recordings, but even more so with this one." After two shows at the Muster, Audrey will perform shows including Annandale and Blacktown in Sydney, Blue Haven, Cessnock and Tamworth in regional NSW Tamworth, Thebarton and Tanunda in SA, Alice Springs in the Territory, Rye, Geelong, Gippsland, Kyneton and Melbourne in Victoria. During her tour "down under" Audrey will be supported at various times by Finnish act the Hoedown Trio, Trev Warner, Bill Chambers & Dave Steel, The Flood and Brent Parlane. Full details of tour dates and venues can be obtained from www.audreyauld.com. SxSW registration opens Registration has opened for South by Southwest (SxSW) on March 14 to 18 next year in America with 400 attendees from Australia and New Zealand tipped to attend.
Artists applying to showcase should do so with CDs and a press package. The application fee is US$20 and applications can be submitted at 2007.sxsw.com/music/showcase. The deadline is October 27. For those wanting to register as delegates, the early bird rate of US$425 ends on September 29. The link for registrations is 2007.sxsw.com/register_to_attend. A 20 minute video presentation by Austrade from this year's SxSW can be viewed online at www.roocast.com/sxsw2006. An audio podcast of the Melbourne roadshow meeting will be available shortly. Daryl launches new radio segment Queensland country music broadcaster Daryl Kirkup is looking for interested artists and country music acts to interview for his newly launched segment "Backstage Pass".
The new segment is based on an artist profile, an interview and single grabs on each track. Each week, a new release CD is featured and each track will get airplay. The stories behind each track are told by the artist and/or songwriter who will lead into each song as part of the overall production. "The idea is to combine the music and the stories into a feature presentation and consequently a total promotion of the release," Daryl said. "Everyone seems to love the freshness of the idea and the response is supportive. I’m hoping we can syndicate the program to make it available nationally. "Anyone interested in sponsoring the new concept and or the weekly program should contact me also," he added. "The hour long segment is part of my weekly Urban Country program on air from 8 til midnight every Wednesday night. It should work very well." Artists can contact Daryl by email (dkvoice@bigpond.net.au) or telephone (07 3285 4556) so we can schedule their spot. "I’m also keen to hear from recording artists who are in production and have release dates later in the year or next year to factor their album into the 2006-2007 program schedule," he said. Backstage Pass goes to air at 9pm on Wednesday August 23 on Caboolture Radio 101.5FM. The first show will feature Melinda Schneider and her latest album Stronger. Chart update – Beccy still at number one Beccy Cole retains her hold on the number one spot on the Country Tracks Top 30 singles chart this week with her hit song Poster Girl as does Lee Kernaghan at number two with The New Bush.
Keith Urban's Tonight I Wanna Cry drops to number five, Trisha Yearwood & Garth Brooks' Love Will Always Win edges up one place to number six while Arthur Blanch's With Every Breath falls one place to number seven. George Strait bounds into the top 10 with Seashores Of Old Mexico at number eight as does Anne Kirkpatrick's Drive Away to at nine while Bobby Cash drops one place to number 10 with Tumbleweed. Bullet performers this week include Paul Costa (pictured) with What Else Could Go Right (29 to 26) and new entries by Sovereign with Unbelieveable (debuting at 27) and Cat Southern's Last First Kiss (at 28). Other new entries to the chart this week are Col Joye with Don't Give Up (at 29) and Dean Perrett's Would Clancy Be Welcome? (at 30). The full chart can be viewed at www.nfspublicity.com.au. CMC Top 50 – Catherine hits the top
Adam Brand's former number one Open Ended Heartache drops to number seven while Melinda Schneider's Big World Small World flys into the top 10 at number eight and The McClymonts' Something That My Heart Does falls to number 10. Bullet performers this week include Graeme Connors' On A Roll (18 to 14), Nik Phillips' No One Is To Blame (20 to 15), The Sunny Cowgirls' Six Pack Short (44 to 17), Carter & Carter's Ride (25 to 20), Donna Boyd with A Good Day (24 to 21), Gemma Doyle with Permission To Breathe (30 to 23), Jetty Road's Run To You (32 to 29), Matt Scullion's Hard Earned Money (36 to 31), Wildseed's The Fire (41 to 35) and Felicity Urquhart's My Life (debuting at 45). New entries in the playlist this week include Zoe's Song by Holloway Street (at 49).
Walkway Of Stars Nashville is to get its own Walkway Of Stars, in the fashion of Hollywood Boulevarde in Los Angeles.
"This is exactly the right next big thing to happen in the city of Nashville," said Mayor Bill Purcell from a stage platform framed by two Gibson guitars (Gibson Guitar is co-producing the walk, along with the city of Nashville, the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau Foundation and Metro Parks). The first plaques will be installed in November at the park and the trail will ultimately travel roughly one mile down the recently named Music Mile ending at the Musica statue on Music Row. The path will draw tourists past such sights as the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, the Gaylord Entertainment Center, the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum, and the future Gospel Music Hall of Fame and Museum. The announcement event was attended by a number of local music luminaries, many of whose names may well be graced by the sidewalk stars, including legendary banjoist Earl Scruggs (pictured), guitarist Steve Cropper and singer Pam Tillis. Nominations for the brushed steel and terrazzo medallions also began Thursday. A sponsorship fee of US$7,500 is required to pay for creation, installation and ongoing maintenance of each plaque.
Two members of Canadian family group The Wilkinsons are recovering after being injured in an a car crash on August 5. Amanda Wilkinson and father Steve have been resting at home in Centre Hastings, Ontario, after the accident, which occurred after Steve swerved to avoid an oncoming car attempting to pass near Sharbot Lake, also in Ontario. "We're OK,” Steve assured area newspaper 'The Belleville Intelligencer'. "Some pulled muscles and things like that, but we all walked away from it, which is a fortunate thing." Remaining band member, Steve’s son Tyler, was traveling in a separate car. Carrie wins NARM award
The award was one of several honours bestowed by the not-for-profit music trade association on behalf of its retail and wholesale members in recognition of artists who have contributed significantly to the health of the industry through sales and creativity. Carrie’s debut 19 Recordings/Arista Nashville album Some Hearts was released in November and was RIAA (Recording Industy Association of America) certified in April for sales of three million units, becoming the fastest triple-platinum female country debut in history. She joins a handful of other artists in various genres to be awarded this year, including Coldplay, James Blunt, Ne-Yo, Flyleaf, Juanita Bynum, RBD, and Panic! at the Disco.
A filmmaker is offering a $3 million reward for proof that Elvis Presley is still alive. Adam Muskiewicz is making a documentary called "The Truth About Elvis". He wrote on his website, ElvisWanted.com, that he's spent two years interviewing 150 friends, conspiracy theorists and others, trying to find out what they know about Elvis' whereabouts. "The Truth About Elvis" is due out next year around the 30th anniversary of Elvis' death. DATELINE : WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 9, 2006 Petition being organised against Awards changes A group of concerned members of the Australian country music industry are organising a petition to the board of the Country Music Association of Australia (CMAA) in reaction to the significant changes to the annual Golden Guitar Awards released on July 24.
"There is a great deal of concern within the industry about the decisions and with the way they were announced," says three times Golden Guitar winner Deniese Morrison, who is coordinating the petition. "There has been a long held view that people in the country music industry never stand up and question poor decisions made by the CMAA. This time we need to let the board know these decisions, and the timing of them, are not in our best interests.” The petition is being circulated this week via a number of industry mailing lists and is available for downloading on this website (see below). People wishing to be included on the petition should lodge their name with Deniese Morrison by this Friday (August 11). The letter with all the names collected will be sent to the chairman of the CMAA this weekend. Click here to download the petition invitation. Jimmy launches Foundation Jimmy Little's long-time dream of a foundation to deal with health issues in the indigenous community officially launched last week in Alice Springs with a story on last night's ABC Television "7.30 Report" highlighting the concept. The Jimmy Little Foundation was established to help improve kidney health in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across regional and remote Australia.
Jimmy is living proof that there can be productive life after diagnosis of kidney disease which is decimating indigenous Australians at an alarming rate. Kidney failure affects 15,000 Australians, with 2,000 new patients requiring dialysis or a transplant each year to stay alive. In some remote indigenous communities the incidence of kidney failure is 30 to 50 times the national average, responsible for more than one third of aboriginal deaths and half of sufferers live in regions with no dialysis facilities forcing them to take long road trips sometimes twice a week or to relocate far away from their communities. While most Australians are living longer than ever before, one in every three indigenous Australian males can expect to die before they reach the age of 55. In conjunction with existing agencies and peak health bodies, Jimmy plans to use his reputation and influence to raise money to improve kidney health in regional and remote indigenous communities across Australia. The Foundation will fund projects involving education and training of indigenous nurses and doctors in kidney health, construction of safe dialysis rooms and fostering "Return to Country" programs so those who have to move far from home for treatment can return regularly to connect with family, community and culture. The Jimmy Little Foundation will source its funds primarily from entertainment related activities, including television documentaries, variety shows, live concerts and from the associated CD/DVD sales. Jimmy will be calling on entertainers, sportspeople and well known personalities to lend their services to the Foundation and participate in these activities. The inaugural fund-raising event is proposed for International Diabetes Day in November 2006. This will be followed by other events including a concert at Uluru in July 2007. It will be a television event featuring the cream of Australian music talent broadcast to live sites in each capital city of Australia and overseas. Sponsors will be invited to participate at a number of key levels. The Federal Government will be encouraged to donate dollar for dollar to the fund. Jimmy's manager, Graham "Buzz" Bidstrup, a 30-year veteran of the Australian music industry, will produce the events. Weblink – www.jlf.org.au. Jean gains American awards nomination Jean Stafford’s Steelin' The 2 Step two "stepped into the heart of Texas" with two nominations at this year’s 11th annual Academy of Western Artists (AWA) Awards to be held in Dallas, Texas, in September.
Co-produced by Jean and the late Jimmy Crawford, Steelin’ The 2 Step, penned by Jean and recorded in Nashville in late 2004, was released in Australia last year. It fascinated its western swing radio audiences in the United States, captivated fans recently in the United Kingdom, Europe and Scandinavia and re-entered the playlist in Australia. Its success in the US, however, has been the forerunner to this year’s AWA nomination. The song is still listed in the top five on the US Western Swing Charts after its phenomenal consecutive 26 weeks at number one. A complete list of nominees can be found at www.awa-awards.org. Weblink – www.jeanstafford.com.au. Keith releases first single from new album Keith Urban has released the first single – Once In A Lifetime – from his as yet untitled new album which is slated for release in the next few months.
He’s received accolades and recognition from the Grammy Awards, the American Music Awards (AMAs), the Billboard Music Awards and is the reigning Country Music Association (CMA) Entertainer of the Year as well as the CMA and Academy of Country Music (ACM) Male Vocalist of the Year. Once In A Lifetime is described as another in a line of upbeat, infectious rockers that have come to be one of Keith’s trademarks. Co-written by John Shanks, the song reunites the writing tandem responsible for inking Somebody Like You from Golden Road, the longest running number one of 2004. The song was co-produced by Keith and longtime producer Dann Huff. "Keith puts every ounce of his creative being into his music," said Mike Dungan, President Capitol Records Nashville, Keith's record label. "He’s proven time and time again that his connection to his fans and to those at radio, who continue to support him, is about musicianship, drive and a passion for the music he makes." After what Keith called, "a low-key visit to Australia" this past month, he returned to Nashville where he is still working to finish his fourth studio recording. He plans to post a message for his fans about the forthcoming album, the single and future online plans at his website, www.keithurban.net. Meanwhile, Keith has also been named as a finalist for Musician of the Year in the Christian Country Music Association's 2006 Inspirational Country Music Awards. See Awards story below. JW to release The Platinum Collection In a career that has spanned more than 35 years, John Williamson has become one of Australia’s most respected songwriters and musical poets.
On August 26, EMI Music Australia will release John Williamson The Platinum Collection, with more then 60 songs over three CDs covering John’s songwriting and recording career in chronological order, a release described as "a true retrospective, to date, of what has been an astonishing career that continues to go from strength to strength". Tracks include Old Man Emu, The Breaker (with Narration by Charles "Bud" Tingwell), True Blue, Diggers Of The Anzac (This Is Gallipoli), Wrinkles, Queen In The Sport Of Kings, The Shed, You And My Guitar, Goodbye Blinky Bill (with Bullamakanka, Ami Williamson and Georgie Williamson), The Vasectomy Song, Mallee Boy, Galleries Of Pink Galahs, Raining On The Rock, Cracker Night, Cootamundra Wattle, The Budgie Song, Boomerang Café, Boogie With M’Baby, Rip Rip Woodchip, Shelter, Waratah Street, A Bushman Can’t Survive, Papa Whisky November, This Is Australia Calling, Tropical Fever, Three Sons, The Baggy Green (with Steve Waugh, Gavin Robertson and Boys Of The Bankstown District Cricket Association with Commentary by Alan McGilvray, Waltzing Matilda 2000, Salisbury Street, Raining On The Plains (with Sara Storer), Old Farts In Caravan Parks, Glory To Australia (with Pixie Jenkins and Warren H Williams) and Chandelier Of Stars. Weblinks – www.johnwilliamson.com.au – www.musichead.com.au. Meanwhile, John is set to appear at the Drovers Festival, Camooweal, Queensland, on Saturday, August 26, following a series of appearances at the Festival Inter-Celtique, in France late July/early August. After Camooweal, he will then launch his Stone & Wire Tour with special guest Warren H Williams scheduled to run over three months with around 30 shows ranging through NSW, the ACT, Western Australia and Queensland. Full details can be obtained from John's website. Aleyce's song pays tribute to pipeline workers Country Music Capital favourite Aleyce Simmonds played a very special role in the official opening of the Central Ranges natural gas pipeline opening ceremony in Tamworth last Wednesday.
Following the video presentation, Aleyce performed a song she and Rod McCormack had written for the occasion, concentrating on the men who worked on the construction of the gas pipeline. The $130 million project pipes natural gas along 294km from Dubbo to Tamworth, providing supplies for eight local government areas along the way. NSW Energy Minister Joe Tripodi, who was on hand to declare the project open, described the rollout of natural gas throughout the region as a massive boon for local business. Aleyce was approached to write the song and was inspired by the stories she was told of the workers, some of whom came from Ireland, England, Western Australia and other parts of the country, to bring their expertise to the project. The result was a moving tribute to their efforts, titled We’ve Come So Far, which Aleyce performed live, accompanied by Daniel Conway on guitar, before the large gathering. In fact, Central Ranges Pipeline Board Chairman Jock Murray ensured the workers were the focus of the official opening, which was also attended by Tamworth Regional Council Mayor James Treloar, Member for Tamworth Peter Draper, Labor MLA Christine Robertson and other dignitaries. Mr Murray highlighted the dedication of the men, who worked in remote areas, isolated from their friends and families, while the project forged ahead. – Anna Rose Photo: Aleyce Simmonds with Energy Minister Joe Tripodi. Upbeat prediction for Australian music business Christie Eliezer asks in his weekly music column at themusic.com.au this week "is the bloodletting all over for the Aussie music biz?". PricewaterhouseCoopers' annual "Australian Entertainment & Media Outlook 2006-2010" says that 2006 marks a turning point, as digital sales will more than compensate for the drop in physical CD sales. By the end of this year, the local recorded music market will be worth $956 million, says the report. (ARIA figures for 2005 valued the sector at $533 million). Matthew Liebmann, the author of the 208-page report and a PWC director, forecasts that the legitimate download market will have more than tripled in revenue to $253 million by 2010. This will account for 22 percent of a total recorded music market of $1,131 billion. Ringtones revenue will grow from $78 million to $209 million. Gold Medallion winners Winners of the 2006 Queensland Gold Medallion Awards were announced at a gala concert in Toowoomba on Friday night.
Dean Perrett took the Gold for Bush Balladeer of the Year, Silver going to Graham Rodger. Nellie Donovan won Gold for New Talent of the Year, the Silver going to Julie Perandes. Musician of the Year Gold went to Lindsay Waddington, Alisha Smith taking Silver. Touring Artist of the Year Gold went to Troy Cassar-Daley, Silver to Graeme Connors. Songwriter of the Year Gold was taken home by Graham Rodger, Silver going to Ian Quinn. Photo (from left): Julie Perandes, Dean Perrett, Lindsay Waddington, Nellie Donovan, Shaza Leigh and Noel Parlane. Graham honours the Battle of Long Tan Graham Rodger's Gold Medallion songwriting award was presented for his song The Battle Of Long Tan which commemorates the 40th Anniversary of the historic Vietnam conflict.
Released to radio on NfS 104, the song is taken from Graham’s latest album Muster On The Great Divide. Other tracks gaining interest include The Bushman, Woolshed Ball and Down At The Pub On A Friday Night. This year has been an award-winning year for Graham with success in the TSA Songwriter Salute Awards, People's Choice Awards and gaining a finalist berth in the 2006 Golden Guitar Awards for Bush Ballad of the Year. Graham has also recently branched into film with the release of his debut DVD True Blue Country – a one hour video produced by Swiss film-maker Peter Haussener. It includes scenes of rodeos and nature and "the beautiful Australian countryside which intensifies the mood of the songs". The title filmclip has also made the Top 50 CMC video chart. Weblink – www.grahamrodger.com.au. Sally-Anne releases new single
The single's accompanying video clip will premiere on "the big screen" followed by a live performance. On The Inside follows the release of How Do You Sleep At Night? and a successful trip to Europe last year where Sally-Anne was invited to perform at a French country music festival. Weblink – www.sallyannewhitten.com.au. Longreach Muster The inaugural R.M.Williams Longreach Muster will be held at the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame and Outback Heritage Centre, Queensland, on Saturday, September 16, an event aiming to attract a crowd of 10,000 people and cement the future of Longreach as the capital of outback Australia.
“The event offers locals and tourists the opportunity to experience the best the bush has to offer in one incredible day,” says R.M.Williams Chief Executive Officer Hamish Turner. Proceeds raised from the event will go to the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame and Outback Heritage Centre and the Royal Flying Doctor Service. “Many people make the pilgrimage to the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame and Outback Heritage Centre and many others just dream about it. This event creates the perfect weekend to visit Longreach and experience some of the best our nation has to offer in campdraft, rodeo, country music and outback hospitality,” Hamish said. "Longreach and the wider region is a unique destination to experience the outback with museums to visit including the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame and Outback Heritage Centre, the Qantas Founders Outback Museum, the Waltzing Matilda Centre in Winton and the Australian Worker’s Heritage Museum in Barcaldine. Outback Queensland tourism operators always receive visitors to their district with the warmest of welcomes." Weblink – www.showbiz.com.au/rmwilliams. Australian country on tour in Thailand Kross Kut Records and traveldoitnow.com are teaming up to take Australian country music to Asia.
Travellers also get to see Australian country music recording stars perform. Artists confirmed for the tour at this stage are Neil Buttsworth (pictured), Tarscha and Terry Gordon, Ken "Chainsaw" Lindsay and Lindsay Waddington. Included in the tour is the Kross Kut Records Golf Tournament where travellers get the chance to team up with one of Kross Kut's country music stars to attempt to win the inaugural event. Further information can be obtained from the websites www.traveldoitnow.com or www.krosskutrecords.com.au. Terry launches website
Located at www.mustbecountry.com, named after the television series Terry hosted for Country Music Capital-based 9-8 Television in the 1970s, the site was launched this week. Terry invites fans to join him on his newly created and published website where many of Terry’s DVDs and CDs can be purchased as well as those of other artists. He also invites readers to submit news items or stories. Kirsty to support Adam Rising country star Kirsty Lee Akers will open for multi Golden Guitar winning performer Adam Brand at his Blacktown (NSW) concert on August 19.
Like Adam, Kirsty has started spending time in Nashville recently returning from co-writing at Universal Music Publishing and gathering songs for her debut CD album. She won this opportunity at the Telstra Road To Tamworth talent search in January this year. Kirsty will be performing a number of new songs at the Blacktown concert as well as her more well-known songs including the current hit Bashed Up, Beaten, Battered, Broken Heart. Weblink – www.kirstyleeakers.com. Vanessa wins SA Champion of Champions Nineteen year old Vanessa Lee Shirley from Murray Bridge in SA is the new South Australian Senior Champion of Champions.
She won a career development program including performances at the Buttercup show in Tamworth, Queensland Champion of Champions and entry to the Norfolk Island Trans-Tasman Entertainer of the Year quest. The prize package also includes a cash prize, a $1,000 voucher from RM Williams Clothing, a free photography session with Rising Star Media, and eight hours recording time with Billy Hyde’s Recording to record a professional quality demo track. On the same night, Kristal Collins from Morphett Vale in SA was announced as winner of the Junior Champion of Champions title. The SA Champion of Champions event is an initiative of the South Australian Council for Country Music. Section winners were Vanessa Lee Shirley, Senior Female (17 and over) winner; Danny Gyory, Senior Male (17 and over) winner; Kristal Collins, Junior 16 & Under winner; Nathaniel O'Brien, Junior 13 & Under winner and Georgie Shortt, winner of the Len Wakefield Memorial Award. Kevin Bergen, Alison Hams, Paul Orchard and Anthony Stewart provided backing for the competition, Dave Prior hosted the awards night which featured guest artists Jessie Che, Alison Hams and Mark Tempany. Photo: Vanessa (left) with Kristal.
Kerrigan La-Brooy beat American Idol Taylor Hicks and other Idol finalists to claim the number four spot for July amid fierce competition from around the world on the music popularity website www.moosak.com. Kerrigan scored a total of nearly 95,000 and thanks friends and fans from Australia, New Zealand, America, Canada and other countries who took the time and effort to support him. Kerrigan's next single – Holding On – is due for release shortly. Cedar Guitar Festival The Cedar Guitar Country Music Festival will be staged at Lismore, NSW, from August 30 to September 3 with a host of entertainers attending. Stars this year will include Terry Gordon, Reg Poole, Owen Blundell, Graham Rodger, Tony Wagner, Brian Letton, John Grills, Nathan Charlton and Tony Wagner. The Festival is mainly being held at the Lismore Workers Club with the Talent Quest included. It is the 26th year for the festival and promises to be a big one according to organisers with talent quest prizes valued in excess of $3,000. "Country Community" celebrates 10 years The national country music artists profile program "Country Community" with Helen Kay celebrates 10 years on air this month. The program debuted in its present format in August of 1996 (for some time before, there were other presenters from many stations around Australia presenting the program and Helen only did the program every 10 weeks). "After that, it was every five weeks," Helen said, "and then, after a telephone call from Jim Beatson from the Community Radio Network (CRN), as it is known today, or ComRadSat as it was known then, I was given the program called Country Community and asked to 'build up the program's profile' in order to increase its listener base.
"CRN liked the way I presented, produced and packaged my programs and, as there were no other artist profile programs around that represented the country music industry at the time, I decided to accept the challenge," Helen said. "These days, there are not too many of the established artists or working artists in our industry who have not made the sometimes long journey out to the radio station 2MCR 100.3FM in Sydney to be a guest on 'Country Community', Helen said. "My guests are also presented on the Helen Kay Show at the same time and we pre record 'Country Community' in the afternoon each week on a Monday. I travel over from Dural each week, which is north west of Sydney, to Campbelltown (in the west) leaving at 5.30am and arriving home again around 6.30pm to 7pm in the evening. The radio station have wonderful coverage and, being based in the Campbelltown RSL Club, is very accessible for my guests whichever way they wish to travel. "To say that I am proud of the success of 'Country Community' is probably an understatement. It has been there for 52 weeks of the year without a break at prime time and has never faulted in all that time with the quality of programming presented each week," Helen said. "I would like to pay homage to all the artists who have made the time and sometimes waited many months at times to be my guest and to the CRN stations that have supported 'Country Community' with their uptake of the program. You are the reason for the program's success. "'Country Community' would never have survived without those people who have supported me over the years as I have never had Government grants... and have for the most part funded the program myself because of its Australian content so any help offered has been gratefully received. "How long will 'Country Community' last you might ask? Who knows? For the moment I am just proud to have had it survive 10 years and to wish the program a very happy birthday!" Stations taking "Country Community" include 2ARM Armidale, 2BAR Bega, 2BBB North Bellingen, 2CCC Gosford, 2CHR Cessnock, 2EAR Moruya, 2HOT Cobar, 2KRR Kandos, 2LVR Forbes, 2MCE Bathurst, 2MIA Griffith, 2MCR Campbelltown (Sydney), 2MNO Nimmitabel, 2NCR East Lismore, 2UUU South Nowra, 3BBR Drouin, 3GCR Morwell, 3MBR Murrayville, 3MGB Mallacoota, 3UGE Alexandra, 4BRR Gayndah, 4BSR Beaudesert, 4CCR Manunda, Cairns, 4RRR Roma, 5GFM Kadina, 5GTR Mount Gambier, 5TCB Bordertown, 7HRT Poatina and Diamantina Radio. And "All Oz Country Hour" celebrates 100th episodes The "All Oz Country Hour", a weekly radio program dedicated to promoting "the hottest" Australian country artists – both major and independent – is about to reach its 100th episode with a special Muster edition. Presenter Aleta Tulk is excited about reaching this milestone. "It’s great to see what started out as an experiment two years ago still going strong," she said. "As major record companies are signing less acts, our independents have become a big feature of country music radio and of this show also. "After years of working in radio, music is still the love of my life and I still believe in the music above all. If I can help some of those amazing singer/songwriters out there get heard – then it’s worth it. Many thanks to our wonderful sponsors whose support keeps the show going." The 100th episode of Aleta's program will feature most of the big name artists appearing at this year’s 25th anniversary Toyota National Country Music Muster in Gympie. The "All Oz Country Hour" can be heard weekly in Far North Quensland on 88.7 KIK FM – Wednesdays at 12 noon and Thursdays at 8pm thanks to Telstra Countrywide, and in Sydney on Cool Country Radio – Saturday evenings at 6pm and Wednesday nights after American Country Countdown, thanks to The Rooty Hill RSL. Chart update – Beccy hits the top Beccy Cole has taken over the number one spot on the Country Tracks Top 30 singles chart this week with her hit song Poster Girl pushing Lee Kernaghan's The New Bush down to number two.
Jeanette Wormald also rises one place, to number five, with Boundary Rider's Daughter as does Arthur Blanch's With Every Breath to number six and Trisha Yearwood & Garth Brooks' Love Will Always Win to number seven. Kenny Chesney's Living In Fast Forward drops to number eight while Bobby Cash and Faith Hill are steady at nine and 10, respectively, with Tumbleweed and The Lucky One. Bullet performers this week include Carter & Carter's Ride (19 to 15), Adam Brand's Open Ended Heartache (20 to 16), The McClymonts' Something That My Heart Does (21 to 18), Sara Storer's Ballad Of Tommy Foster (24 to 20), Kasey Chambers' Nothing At All (25 to 21), A Good Day by Donna Boyd (28 to 24) and Catherine Britt's Swingin' Door (30 to 28). This week's only new entry is Paul Costa's What Else Could Go Right (in at 29). The full chart can be viewed at www.nfspublicity.com.au. CMC Top 50 – Kasey takes over at number one
Catherine Britt's Swingin' Door jumps to number two while Adam Brand's former number one Open Ended Heartache drops to number three. Bullet performers this week include Melinda Schneider who debuts at number 14 with her clip of Big World Small World, Graeme Connors' On A Roll (25 to 18), Donna Boyd with A Good Day (30 to 24), Carter & Carter's Ride (29 to 25), Gemma Doyle with Permission To Breathe (38 to 30), Jetty Road's Run To You (36 to 32), Matt Scullion's Hard Earned Money (49 to 36), Cat Southern's Last First Kiss (40 to 37), Wildseed's The Fire (48 to 41) and The Sunny Cowgirls' Six Pack Short (debuting at 44). Bluesfest wins Helpmann Award The International East Coast Blues and Roots Festival at Byron Bay has won the Robert Helpmann Award for Best Contemporary Music Festival for the second year in a row.
For Peter Noble and the Bluesfest team, the Helpmann Awards and the local acknowledgement in this country, validates his dream of creating an international festival in Australia on par with the most prestigious events in the world. For the last two years, the US based Pollstar Concert Industry Awards has voted the East Coast Blues and Roots Festival as a finalist for International Music Festival of the Year. The first Australian event ever to be recognised at Pollstar, this has placed the Byron Bay five-day music and cultural party alongside big name festivals like Montreaux Jazz festival and Glastonbury. "It’s taken us a long time to get this kind of reputation and momentum, but now Australia has a festival which is regarded as one of the world’s very best. "It’s a lot of work putting on the East Coast Blues and Roots Festival, but we love every minute of it, and the feedback we get from fans, local and international artists gives us all the motivation we need." The Helpmann Awards, named in honour of Sir Robert Helpmann and to commemorate his memory and achievements, annually recognises distinguished artistic achievement and excellence in the many disciplines of Australia's vibrant live performance sectors, including musical theatre, contemporary music, comedy, opera, classical music, dance and physical theatre.
Freddy Fender diagnosed with incurable cancer Grammy award-winning Freddy Fender is battling incurable cancer after doctors told him in June he had multiple tumours on his lungs. Fender, 69, who began his career in the late '50s, topped the Billboard charts throughout the decades with Before The Next Teardrop Falls and Wasted Days And Wasted Nights. Now resting at his Corpus Christi home, Fender hasn't performed since New Year's Eve and all his bookings have been canceled, according to Fender's wife and manager Vangie Huerta.
Since the start of the year, Fender's health has been a roller coaster ride. He went in for an operation in early January to remove the upper left lobe of his lung because of a fungal infection called aspergillosis, but the lobe was left intact because two lemon-sized tumors were discovered. Fender is taking antibiotics for the fungal infection. He underwent chemotherapy in late January but decided later to stop treatment because of the severe effects on his body. While a PET scan showed the tumors shrank from the chemotherapy, it also revealed nine smaller tumors in his pleura — membranes covering the lungs and lining the chest cavity. The couple decided Fender would undergo a lower dosage of chemotherapy once every three weeks at the Cancer Therapy & Research Center in San Antonio. According to Huerta, other alternatives presented by doctors were taking medication or letting the cancer take its course. On September 27, Fender will go to the Cancer Treatment Centers of America at Southwestern Regional Medical Center in Tulsa, to discuss his options. Huerta said the 5-foot-10 entertainer’s weight has dropped from 170 to 145 pounds. "The chemo is hard, but Freddy is taking it," said Huerta, who gets tears in her eyes when she talks about her husband’s condition. "We’re hoping for a miracle. We’ve just gotten very spiritual." Fender, who in 2002 received a kidney transplant from his daughter Marla Garcia and a liver transplant in 2004, isn’t ready to give up the fight. "I woke up this morning and I’m ahead of the pack – to my surprise," joked Fender. "I feel OK. I feel all right, but I’m on chemo, so I get side effects. I’m getting ready for my third treatment for the second time." Fender hasn’t lost his sense of humor either, saying that with his hair, still short from earlier chemotherapy, and a full mustache, he looks more like Santa Claus. He’s practicing his singing at home and says his voice sounds as good as ever. One of these days, he said he hopes to get back on the road for more shows. "I feel very comfortable in my life," said Fender, who prays daily. "I’m one year away from 70 and I’ve had a good run. I really believe I’m OK. In my mind and in my heart, I feel OK. I cannot complain that I haven’t lived long enough, but I’d like to live longer." Weblink – www.freddyfender.com. – Corpus Christi Times Canadian awards nominees
Brad Johner, Johnny Reid and The Road Hammers are close behind with five nominations each, while other multiple nominees include George Canyon, Terri Clark, Corb Lund, The Cruzeros and Amanda Wilkinson. The Fan's Choice winner, to be chosen through online voting, will be one of Paul Brandt, Canyon, Clark, Aaron Lines or The Road Hammers. The award will be presented by the winner of the "Ultimate Fan" contest at the September 11 awards ceremony at Harbour Station in Saint John, New Brunswick. Weblink – www.ccma.org. Top 10 nominees announced for Inspirational CM Awards
The member-voted awards are the keynote event of Inspirational Country Week, slated for November 5-10 in Music City. For a full listing of finalists check the weblink – www.icmawards.com. DATELINE : WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2, 2006 Golden Guitar Awards changes The Country Music Association of Australia (CMAA) has published nomination details for the 2007 Golden Guitar Awards which include a number of previously unannounced changes.
The two deleted categories are Top Selling Album of the Year and Single of the Year. No reason for the deletions has been given. Eligibility requirements for Song of the Year have changed to allow songs co-written by ineligible writers (that is non-Australian and non Australian resident writers) to be eligible for nomination. In the past, any song co-written by any number of Australians with any number of non Australians in a songwriting team was not eligible for nomination. It is understood this change has been made in recognition of the fact that more and more co-writing of songs is taking place in today's industry and many co-writers are not Australian (non Australians will still not be eligible to receive an award, only the Australian writer/s in such a team will). The name and eligibility requirements of the group/duo award have changed to allow non vocal groups and duos to nominate. Again, although no reason has been given for the change, it opens the group/duo category to instrumental as well as vocal groups and duos. Other changes seem to be mainly cosmetic, specifically, the changing of the titles of the male and female vocal categories to Male and Female Artists of the Year although specific category requirements do not now specify that nominees have to be vocalists (even though judging criteria highlights that "vocal quality is main consideration"). Nomination forms for the 2007 Golden Guitar Awards can be downloaded from the CMAA website. Nominations close on October 15, 2006. Awards will be presented in Tamworth, Country Music Capital, on Saturday, January 27. Achiever Awards finalists Meanwhile, the CMAA has also published finalists for the Country Music Achiever (or industry) Awards to be presented in Sydney in October. They are...
For Entertainer of the Year – Troy Cassar-Daley, Kasey Chambers, Beccy Cole, Adam Harvey and Lee Kernaghan. For Independent Entertainer of the Year – Carter & Carter, The Flood, John Stephan, SweeneyKilleen, Felicity Urquhart and Jeanette Wormald. For Record Company of the Year – Major Distribution – ABC Music, Compass Bros Records, EMI Music Australia, SonyBMG Music Entertainment Australia & NZ and Universal Music Australia. For Record Company of the Year – Independent – ACMEC Records, LBS Music, Regency Sound, Shock Records and Shoestring Records. For Publishing Company of the Year – ABC Music Publishing, EMI Music Publishing Australia, Jimmy Forty Music, Origin Music Group and Sony/ATV Music Publishing Australia. For Media Achiever of the Year – Individual – Nick Erby, Bob Kirchner, John Nutting, Anna Rose and Mike Smith. For Media Achiever of the Year – Organisation – Country Music Capital News, Country Music Channel, Country Update, Independent Country Music Bulletin and NfS Publicity. For Retailer of the Year – Big Golden Guitar Tourist Centre (Tamworth), Carisma Compact Discs (Sydney), The Country Music Store (Brisbane), Songland (Canberra) and St Mary’s Sound Centre (Sydney). For Cover Art of the Year – Louise Cook for The Late Late Show (The Flood), Coolgrey Creative for The New Bush (Lee Kernaghan), Glen Hannah for My Life (Felicity Urquhart), Glen Hannah for Not Without You (Camille Te Nahu & Stuie French) and StudioEmotion for Firefly (Sara Storer). For Entertainment Venue of the Year – Blacktown RSL Club (Sydney), Canterbury Hurlstone Park RSL Club (Sydney), The Pub (Tamworth), Rooty Hill RSL Club (Sydney) and Wests (Tamworth). For Club or Association of the Year – Australian Bush Balladeers Association (ABBA, national), Belrose Country Music Club (Sydney), Capital Country Music Association (CCMA, Tamworth), Country Music Association of Canberra and Tamworth Songwriters’ Association (TSA, National). Winners of these awards are determined by members of the Association. In non-voted categories, finalists are... For Producer of the Year – Nash Chambers, Paul Kelly, Rod McCormack, Garth Porter and John Williamson. For Engineer of the Year – Ted Howard, Herm Kovac, Jeff McCormack, Rod McCormack and Steve Newton. A new award this year will be presented for Musician of the Year (no finalists announced) and the awards night also hosts presentation of the PPCA (Phonographic Performance Company of Australia) Award for Most Broadcast Country Artist. Lee heads west Details have been announced for the Western Australian leg of Lee Kernaghan's "Outback To The Beaches" tour.
Special guests for all dates on the "Outback To The Beaches" WA tour are sister band The McClymonts (with this year’s New Talent Golden Guitar recipient Samantha), plus Ronni Rae Rivers and junior vocal champion Chelsea Bashan (in Merredin, Broome and Perth). Chelsea, from Wongan Hills, is WA's newest Country Music Junior Vocal Champion following this year's performance at the Boyup Brook Country Music Festival. At just 16 years of age, Chelsea has studied music, dance and theatre since she was seven, appeared in musical theatre productions locally, nationally as a member of the Australian Gondwana Chamber Choir and shared the stage with Adam Brand and Melinda Schneider at the Moora Country Campout in April. Chelsea has released her debut single – That's Me – written when she relocated to Perth to continue her education. Full details of tour dates and ticket availability, weblink – www.leekernaghan.com.au. Horswood perform for Kerri-Anne
The girls say they are very excited about the appearance at the as yet unspecified time during the three hour show (9-11am) on the Nine Network and affialiates. Last week, Melanie and Geena scored an interview with top-rating Sydney broadcaster Alan Jones. In the 2GB Studio with Alan Jones "Alan Jones has an audience of well over 400,000 so the awareness was increased dramatically with this one interview alone." Weblink – www.horswood.com. FanFest organisers slam "the industry" and Tamworth
Organisers of FanFest, the "fan focussed" concerts held in Tamworth during the January Country Music Festival for the past eight years, have announced the event will be discontinued, blaming "significant changes in the record industry" and factors relating to the Tamworth Festival.
FanFest founder and head of the organising committee Meryl Gross said: "There have been significant changes in the record industry during this period and few new artists have been signed to major companies outside of the Star Maker and Telstra Road To Tamworth winners in recent years. "This, coupled with the ever increasing number of free multi-artist shows around Tamworth during the Festival, the repercussions from the change of dates of the Festival and the Golden Guitar (Awards) two years ago, the failure of the Festival to attract a younger audience, and the ever increasing workload created as each of the major companies withdrew their support, has left me with no alternative," she said. "I know many artists, musicians and some areas of the media will be disappointed that the FanFest concerts will no longer be presented as it was considered one of the premier events of the Festival. "Artists appearing in the various programs have always been well paid and FanFest invested significantly on advertising... As clear evidence of its popularity and support from country music fans, during the past eight years FanFest has distributed in excess of $120,000 to Support Act Limited (the music industry benevolent fund, the Country Music Association of Australia and the Contemporary Country Music Coalition." Meryl expressed sincere thanks to "the hundreds of performers and presenters who have appeared over the years, the musicians, the support sponsors (particularly The Country Music Channel), the wonderful team of volunteers who helped out and, most of all, Toyota for their great sponsorship.” More country music awards A new set of country music awards – the National Country Music Awards – will be conducted in New Zealand "acknowledging the best in country music and the new direction it is taking".
"The event will showcase some of this country's best young performers," say organisers, "and back them up with artists New Zealanders have long appreciated. Six "new faces" will be backed by four established acts "in a memorable concert at the Founders Theatre. New artists include Senior Overall Winner of the 2004 NZ Gold Guitar Awards Cameron Clayton from Christchurch, Leanne Cryer (Morinsville) and Matthew Hantler (Hamilton), both part of the group that won the Overall Senior Section in the Gold Guitar Awards this year and Melissa Daisley (from Auckland), winner of numerous awards including Country Music Entertainer of the Year, Gore Gold Guitar Awards and awards in Tamworth. Kayla Mahon (from Riversdale), current title holder of the Songwriter Section at this year's Gold Guitar Awards and Paul Sharplin (Auckland), past overall winner of both the NZ Gold Guitar Awards and the Trans-Tasman Entertainer of the Year will also appear. Joining the "new artists" will be NZ legends Gray Bartlett, Jodi Vaughan, Brendan Dugan and ("the triumphant return of") the Hamilton County Bluegrass Band. All will be introduced by Martin Crump and "the true Queen of Country Music Joy McKean", wife of the late, great Slim Dusty. Four awards will be presented this year... for Professional Country Music Artist of the Year, Top Selling Country Music Event/Tour, Country Music Legend Award and Best Country Music Album of the Year. The NZ National Country Music Awards – to be staged this year on Saturday, August 26 – are planned to be an annual event in Hamilton to showcase the talents of many more established and rising country stars in the years ahead. Weblink – www.kiwiproamcountrymusic.co.nz. Muster talent search The Toyota National Country Music Muster Maton Talent Search is billed as the largest talent search of its kind in Australia offering more than $25,000 in cash and prizes.
Three finalists appear on the Muster Main Stage on Sunday August 27, following which, one is named as the overall winner who "takes home" a recording and mastering package including one day of recording at Garth Porter's Rancom Street Studios and two days of recording at Compass Bros Studios in Sydney, all sessions engineered by industry leader Ted Howard.
One of the three finalists will be awarded a Maton EM325C guitar (with case) valued at $2,000. All finalists andsemi-finalists will have their own personalised web page attached to the official Muster website, updated by Muster organisers on a monthly basis to include individual artist's upcoming appearances, album release dates and other news associated with the development of their careers as submitted by the artist. Category winners will receive $300 cash. Entrants who place second in each category will receive $200 and third placegetters will receive $100. Juniors can compete in categories "Under 12 Years" or 12-15 Years". Talent Search application forms are available by contacting the Muster office on 07 5482 2099 or by downloading from www.muster.com.au. Winner of last year's talent search was Katrina Burgoyne (pictured performing at Gympie last year). Travis releases bonus edition and announces more tour dates ABC Music will be releasing Travis Collins' Start The Car Bonus Edition on August 19 featuring the new single Full Tank.
And to launch the release of the album and single, Travis will be taking it to the road for an extensive series of live shows kicking off at the Cabterbury Hurlstone Park RSL Club in Sydney on Sunday concluding at the Mud, Bulls & Music Festival in Queensland in November (see www.traviscollins.com.au for details). "Full Tank is undoubtedly one of the finest that 22-year-old Travis has written," said ABC, "and shows that he's becoming one of Australia's most accomplished and perceptive songwriters." The new track is one of three new songs featured on the bonus edition of Start the Car. The others are a "sizzling" instrumental, Redline (on which Travis played all the guitars), and – in response to popular demand – his moving version of the classic I Am Australian. "It's taken until this stage of my career that I've been comfortable recording an instrumental," said Travis, "so it's a real thrill to have it on the album. It captures all my guitar influences, including Mark Knopfler, Joe Satriani and Tommy Emmanuel." "This year has already been a big year for Travis with two singles hitting the top of the CMC video charts, and Full Tank set to follow in their footsteps." Travis recently returned from a three-week trip to the United States where he performed at three bluegrass festivals in Missouri as well as venues in Nashville and Austin. It has been confirmed that he will tour Europe and the United Kingdom next year and he also plans to start recording his second album later this year. ISC opens entries for 2006 The 2006 International Songwriting Competition (ISC) is now accepting submissions.
"ISC continues its commitment toward helping songwriters and artists further their careers by helping them gain exposure and have their songs heard by the music industry's top professionals," said Jennifer Cooper speaking on behalf of organisers. Tom Waits, Brian Wilson, Sean Paul, Robert Smith (The Cure), Craig Morgan and Cassandra Wilson are among this year's celebrity and music executive judges. One of the largest songwriting competitions in the world, ISC winners benefit from extensive press and publicity, gaining exposure and recognition from an international music market of industry professionals and fans. "ISC is unique because of its judges," Jennifer said. "Since its inception, ISC has become internationally renowned for having the most prestigious judging panel of any songwriting competition in the world, offering entrants the unprecedented opportunity to have their songs heard by the industry's top recording artists and influential music executives." ISC is open to musicians, artists, and songwriters at every level. Artists may submit as many songs as desired in each category or enter the same song in more than one category. Entries are accepted on-line or by mail. Further information available at www.songwritingcompetition.com. The deadline for submission is October 16, 2006. ISC offers 18 different categories to enter: Pop/Top 40, AAA (Adult Album Alternative), Rock, Country, Americana, R/Hip-Hop, Blues, Folk/Singer-Songwriter, Jazz, Gospel/Christian, Latin Music, Instrumental, Dance/Electronica, World Music, Children's Music, Lyrics Only, Teen and Performance. Musicoz extends entry deadline The deadline for entries into the 2006 Musicoz Awards has been extended to August 15 allowing an additional two weeks for musicians to send in their entries for Australia’s biggest awards for unsigned artists.
Musicoz is a non profit organisation dedicated to developing the music industry at the grass roots level by seeking out, recognising and encouraging the talents of unsigned and independent artists and providing them with opportunities as they carve out their careers. Musicoz turns six this year and has generated more than $100,000 in cash, prizes and industry opportunities for this year’s Awards. With thanks to the music industry, Musicoz has generated even more prizes than last year including electronic press kits for every winner from Sonicbids, publicity and radio plugging from BC Productions, production deals from Central Station Records, Love Hz Studios, DNA Songs and Bizzare Ideas Group, mentorship with Simon Moor (Sony/ATV Publishing) plus stylist services, website design and instruments supplied by Turramurra Music. Category winners will also be included on the 2006 Musicoz compilation CD and distributed through MGM. A complete prize listing can be found at www.musicoz.org. Finalists in this year's Musicoz Awards will be announced on November 1 after two months of rigorous judging. There is no age restriction to enter the Awards with categories Pop, Rock, Metal/Hardcore, Jazz, Aboriginal/TSI, Blues, Classical, Schoolies, Urban, Dance, Country, Alternative, Acoustic, Folk, World Music, Christian/Gospel, Instrumental and Channel V Best Video Clip. Entry forms can be obtained from the website (listed above) or by phoning 1800 002 955. AustralAsian Music Business Conference announces dates The eighth bi-ennial three-day series of nine seminars and more than 50 speakers will convene for the AustralASian Music Business Conference (AMBC) at Sydney's Superdome from August 16-18 next year with an anticipated audience of over 850 people (a projected 10 percent increase on the 2005 event).
On the Thursday night, the Australian Online Music (ONYA!) Awards return with public and industry voting prior to the event, music performances between awards presentations and the proceedings to be made available as podcasts and video podcasts. The Friday night will feature the first of an annual Mobile Music Awards to be presented with public and industry voting via SMS with the entertainment mobi-cast and video podcast. All three days of the Conference, keynote speeches will be podcast as well as 10 minute excerpts from each day following the event. Details will shortly be appearing at the AMBC website www.immedia.com.au/ambc with the first keynote speaker already invited and five of the nine seminar topics and potential panelists being finalised. Individual sponsoring of seminars, a Women in Music lunch special event, ONYA! and Mobile Music Awards sponsorship are being sought. Details from convenor Phil Tripp of IMMEDIA! on (02) 9557 7766 or email tripp@immedia.com.au. WAM Song of the Year entries close Monday Entries in the WAM (Western Australian Music Industy Association) Song of the Year competition close this coming Monday (August 7) at 5pm.
More than $30,000 worth of prizes are to be won including a grand prize of three days recording and pressing of 500 CDs. Categories are Pop, Jazz, Country, Rock, Heavy Rock/Metal, Urban, World & Folk, Blues & Roots, Electronic/Dance, Mixed Bag, Love, Gospel and School Aged. There are also prizes for Indigenous and Regional Song of the Year drawn from entrants in every category. Entry forms are available from wam.asn.au or by calling 08 9227 7962 (1800 007 962 for regional WA). Chart update – Lee still dominates Lee Kernaghan still dominates the Country Tracks Top 30 singles chart this week with The New Bush holding the number one position. Beccy Cole jumps two more places to number two with Poster Girl while Keith Urban is steady at number three with Tonight I Wanna Cry.
Arthur Blanch's With Every Breath also rises two places to number seven and Trisha Yearwood & Garth Brooks' Love Will Always Win rises to number eight while Bobby Cash and Faith Hill enter the top 10 at nine and 10, respectively, with Tumbleweed and The Lucky One. Bullet performers this week include Troy Cassar-Daley's Getaway Car (rising to 11), Anne Kirkpatrick's Driveaway (13), Lee Forster with A Fire In The Bar (18 to 15), Carter & Carter's Ride (22 to 19), Adam Brand's Open Ended Heartache (23 to 20), The McClymonts' Something That My Heart Does (26 to 21), Sara Storer's Ballad Of Tommy Foster (28 to 24) and Kasey Chambers' Nothing At All (29 to 25). New entries to the chart this week include A Good Day by Donna Boyd (pictured, in at 28) and Catherine Britt's Swingin' Door (in at 30). The full chart can be viewed at www.nfspublicity.com.au. CMC Top 50 – Adam returns to the top Adam Brand (pictured) is back on top of the CMC (Country Music Channel) Top 50 playlist this week with his clip of Open Ended Heartache.
Sam Hawksley's number one from last week, Come Back Baby, sits at number five while Catherine Britt's Swingin' Door has also edged up one to number six and Billy Currington drops one place to seven with Why Why Why. Shooter Jennings' Gone To Carolina is up one to eight while Dierks Bentley's Settle For A Slowdown enters the top 10 at number nine and the Dixie Chicks' Not Ready To Make Nice drops two places to number 10. Bullet performers this week include The BobKatz with Welcome To Queensland (at 22), Graeme Connors' On A Roll (29 to 25), Aussies Walk The Line with The Highwayman (debuting at 35), Jetty Road with Run To You (45 to 36) and Gemma Doyle with Permission To Breathe (41 to 38). Other new additions to the playlist this week include Wildseed with The Fire (in at 48) and Matt Scullion with Hard Earned Money (in at 49).
Porter Wagoner home from hospital
Porter, 78, was taken to the hospital July 14 after becoming ill at his home in Nashville. Doctors expect him to make a full recovery after spending a few weeks at home, according to Porter’s daughter Deborah Loy. "We wish Porter the best and look forward to having him back on the Opry very soon," said Pete Fisher, Vice President and General Manager of the Grand Ole Opry. – TwangtownUSA.com Canadian CMA announces fans' choice nominees
Online voting began on Friday (July 28) for the prize to be awarded on September 12 at the Awards show in Saint John, New Brunswick. The Awards, and associated Country Music Week, are organised and promoted by the Canadian Country Music Association. Weblink – www.ccma.org. EMI abandons Warner Music merger plans EMI announced last Thursday it had abandoned plans to merge with Warner Music Group following a recent antitrust ruling annulling authorisation of the Sony BMG merger. If the deal had been completed it would have created the world's second-largest music group after the Universal Music Group. "The board of EMI has decided not to pursue a combination with Warner Music for the time being," the company said in a statement. "The board will review this position in the light of future developments." London-based EMI and New York-based Warner had been locked in a series of offers and counteroffers for one another in the past two months, sparked by an initial $4.2 billion offer for Warner by EMI. EMI and Warner have long accepted that a tie-up would benefit their companies but couldn't agree on price. A combination of EMI and Warner Music would have controlled about 25 percent of the recorded music market, leapfrogging Sony BMG in the rankings and leaving the joint entity second only to Universal, according to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. © Copyright 2006, ICMB Publishing | ||||||||||||||
Kasey Chambers’ new Carnival album debuted at number one on the national Motorola ARIA (Australian Recording Industry Association) chart on Monday, making it the third album release from the multi ARIA and Golden Guitar winner to spend time in the top spot.
This will take the Slim Dusty Classics series up to 16 albums in total and also marks the first time that all of Slim’s studio recorded albums are available as single stand alone CDs.
Winner of the 2006 Maton Talent Search at the Gympie Muster at the weekend was 15 year old Sinead Burgess.
They are...
Eight times Golden Guitar winner Adam Brand’s new album What A Life was released on early July and debuted on the ARIA (Australian Recording Industry Association) Australian Artists Country Chart at number one where it remains after six weeks.
The Country Music Capital based The Baileys has snared the highly-coveted support slot on US country music superstar Dwight Yoakam's upcoming Australian tour.
Jessica Mauboy, winner of the first Telstra Road To Tamworth Talent Search back in 2004, has made the final 12 of Australian Idol 2006.
It was a nail-biting decider which came down to Korey and just one other contestant to make the final cut.
It’s been three years since the passing of Australian music icon Slim Dusty. Keeping his memory very much alive as she sings her way around Australia, daughter Anne talks to Peter Thompson about her colourful, nomadic life and the profound influence of her famous showbiz parents.
Sydney's legendary "thrashgrass" band appeared as the house band for the Nine Network's NRL Footy Show last Thursday night.
Wauchope bush balladeer/songwriter Ken "Chainsaw" Lindsay has released a new CD, From Cross Cut To Chainsaw".
George Strait's Seashores Of Old Mexico jumps three places to number two while Lee Kernaghan falls one spot to number three with The New Bush. 
Catherine Britt remains at number one this week on the CMC (Country Music Channel) Top 50 playlist with her clip of Swingin' Door.
They don't call him America's King of Country for nothing. With more than 62 million albums sold and an unprecedented 52 number ones, the title of George Strait's 34th release should come as no surprise. It Just Comes Natural will hit stores on October 3.
Keith Urban's Once In A Lifetime, the first release from his upcoming as yet untitled fourth studio album, made history this week by debuting at number 17 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart.
Upon release of her eighth album Out Of The Blue in 1991, Anne was accepted in her own right and country accolades applauded her as "a true revolutionary".
Australian country music’s reigning Entertainer of The Year Beccy and six times Golden Guitar winner Adam have created a show which allows them to perform separately and then combine their unique talents.
Dwayne Elix & The Engineers have just stepped into the record books.
The Singing Kettles, Jean Stafford and "Gentleman" Geoff Brown feature in this round of releases of classic Australian country music.
The Singing Kettles release – Country Harmony – was Hadley Records first ever LP (HLP1201), released in 1965 and featuring some of the trio's most loved songs, including That Silver Haired Daddy Of Mine, Wedding Bells and Judy.
(Gord moved to Canada with his mother at age five.)
While on tour, Jeanette also learned that her single was continuing to attract strong radio support and was climbing steadily towards the number four spot on the Country Tracks Top 30 chart.
ABC Radio's "Saturday Night Country" (SNC) has again dominated Australia's country music listening.
This fifth release from her debut album Yesterday's Makeup was written by Natalie with noted Nashville songwriter Brian Maher and has gone to radio on NfS 107.
The song is titled Malabar Mansion, written by Dale's father Dave Duncan and recorded many years ago by Gordon.
Connie Kis Andersen's Australian hit single Kiss My Cheek was due for release in the US this week through the American equivalent to NfS, CDX.
Australian singer/songwriter Tahlia McGahey is recording her debut CD with well-known American producer/session ace John Beland (of Flying Burrito Brothers fame) in Austin, Texas.
Catherine Britt holds on to the number one spot this week on the CMC (Country Music Channel) Top 50 playlist with her clip of Swingin' Door.
Announcing the change, President of the Australian Country Music Listeners' Association (ACMLA) Smoky Sheldrick said the Association had passed the Awards over to the Bulletin to ensure their continuity as close as possible to the traditions which had been built up over the last seven years.
The songwriting duo won first place in the Country category with their song The Flood, a hit song from Felicity's current album My Life.
The figures are part of the latest Community Broadcast Database Survey. The survey, conducted in 2005, is the third national data collection to be made by the sector.
Tania’s album Higher Ground sees her as a finalist in Album of the Year, Heritage Track of the Year and Female Vocalist while Felicity also figures in the Album category with My Life, together with her song The Flood in Single of the Year and Female Vocalist.
Other members of the two-times club include Camille Te Nahu & Stuie French (Single and Group/Duo), Luke O'Shea & Medicine Wheel (Album of the Year for Listen To The Words and Group/Duo) and Harley Smith (Single and Female Vocalist).
"It was a record year for entries," said Awards co-ordinator John Arnold, "275 individual entries were received for the eight judged categories, representing recorded product from 116 individual artists and groups."
The Festival runs at three venues over three days – Friday September 8 at Glenorie RSL, Saturday September 9 at The Galston Club and Sunday September 10 (the main festival day) at Fagan Park.
Entry into the TIARAs is open to Australian independent country music recording artists who have released totally self-funded commercial release CDs in less than two years and who are 18 years of age or more.
Troy Cassar-Daley is a finalist for Artist of the Year, Single Release of the Year (with Lonesome But Free) and Album Release of the Year (with Brighter Day).
Kicking off next Tuesday (August 22), the Muster this year features more than 100 individual acts during the event's six days, concluding on Sunday the 27th.
TommyFest is a global concept in which Tommy gathers together "the greatest musicians from around the world to perform their own genius to his ever-growing legion of fans in Europe, America and now Australia".
The MerleFest Song Contest winner and two-time ARIA (Australian Recording Industry Association Awards) nominee Audrey returns to Australia to perform at Gympie and a series of dates in September to touch home-ground and to launch her new album here.
Ten Australian acts have already applied to showcase in the first week with more than 500 expected to apply this year for a possible 50 spots.
Daryl is widely known as a compere at Queensland events and for his regular program on 101.5FM out of Caboolture. He spent five years in commercial radio as a breakfast announcer on morning radio and wore a few hats behind the scenes as program director, music director and commercial copywriter at southern Queensland stations prior to moving to Brisbane and setting up his own business, VoicePRO.
Felicity Urquhart rises another place to number three with My Life as does Jeanette Wormald to number four with Boundary Rider's Daughter.
Catherine Britt (pictured) number one this week on the CMC (Country Music Channel) Top 50 playlist with her clip of Swingin' Door, pushing Kasey Chambers' Nothing At All to number two.
Plans for the new Music City attraction were unveiled last Thursday at the park across from the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Wilkinsons survive crash
Triple-platinum American country sensation Carrie Underwood has garnered yet another accolade with last week’s announcement that she has been named Country Breakout Artist of the Year by the National Association of Recording Merchandisers (NARM).
Filmmaker offers $3 million to find Elvis
When the nomination form for the 35th Country Music Awards of Australia was posted on the CMAA website, it was discovered that a number of significant changes had been made to the awards, effective immediately. These changes included the dropping of the Top Selling Album and Single of the Year awards and modification to Song of the Year, allowing the eligibility of songs co-written by non-Australian writers in this category.
After two years on dialysis and a successful kidney transplant, Jimmy realised the importance of all Australians being able to access quality health care no matter where they live and wanted to make a concrete contribution to those communities most affected by kidney disease.
Jean is a finalist for Western Swing Female of the Year and Western Swing Song of the Year.
Over the course of his career, John has delivered songs that have changed the musical landscape of Australia and have stood the test of time.
Aleyce was called upon to sing the national anthem at the ceremony before official proceedings began, and then later, appeared in the corporate video on the history-making project.
Male Vocalist of the Year was shared by Arthur Blanch and Noel Parlane while Shaza Leigh took the Gold for Female Vocalist of the Year and a Silver going to Anita Ree.
"The song is a graphic account of the battle 40 years ago when Australians overcame such unbelievable odds to gain victory," Graham said. "Long Tan is the icon of the Vietnam War, a battle fought by Delta Company 6 RAR which was awarded the US President Citation. The anniversary will be remembered this month on August 18."
Sally-Anne Whitten has released her latest single – On The Inside – on the latest NfS (107) and will celebrate the release at Country Music Capital's Regent this Thursday (August 10th).
The inaugural Longreach Muster will include an invitational Golden Spurs Campdraft, Invitational Rodeo and a Lee Kernaghan Concert.
A seven night package to Thailand has been developed providing travellers a holiday in Thailand's capital, Bangkok, and premier beach resort, Pattaya.
Meanwhile, Terry Gordon has announced his long awaited website has been launched.
A long time fan of Adam's, Kirsty is delighted she was invited to perform as Adam's curtain-raiser.
Vanessa's win was announced at this year's Champions event held late July at The Burnside Town Hall.
Kerrigan hits number four at moosak
"At that time, there were only three stations accepting it and the idea was if I could not improve the ratings of the program it would be 'axed'.
Kasey Chambers (pictured) takes over the top spot this week on the CMC (Country Music Channel) Top 50 playlist this week with her clip of Nothing At All, the debut single release off her upcoming new album.
Festival Director Peter Noble said, "We are very proud to be recognised for our efforts locally, and I’m humbled and grateful to the Australian music industry for voting us as winners two years running. We really are trying to put on something very different every year in Byron Bay – an event which looks beyond the traditional rock festival to take in blues, soul, reggae, jazz, world and roots pop music – in an environment which celebrates local talent, diversity and ethnicity and a safe environment for families."
"Doctors said there wasn't anything they could do for him," said Huerta, who didn't ask doctors how long her husband might live. "We can prolong his life with medication or chemo, but it's not a cure."
British Columbia's Aaron Pritchett leads this year's Canadian Country Music Awards nominees with nods in six categories for Male Artist, Album, Songwriter, Single, Independent Male and Independent Single.
The top 10 category nominees have been announced for the 12th annual Inspirational Country Music Awards to be staged by the Christian Country Music Association in Nashville on Thursday, November 9.
For the Rex Barry Award – John Arnold, Roxanne Brown, Nick Erby, Barry Harley and Lorraine Pfitzner.
The tour kicks off this Saturday (August 5) at Merredin and will include Bunbury, Broome, Mandurah and Perth.
As part of their current visit to Sydney, Horswood (Melanie and Geena) will appear on Mornings with Kerri-Anne tomorrow (Thursday, August 5).
FanFest was established by representatives of the major record companies as a platform to showcase their developing country artists and showcased many acts in the ensuing years.
The new awards, organised by the Kiwi Pro-Am Country Music Organisation and a first for Hamilton and New Zealand, will recognise professional artists for their service to country music.
Entrants in three categories – Traditional Country, Modern Country and Country Rock – compete in heats during the Muster being held at Amamoor Creek State Forest Park in Queensland from August 24 to 27.
From these recording sessions, overall winner will receive 500 copies of a two-track CD produced, $4,000 in cash, a scholarship to the College of Country Music in Tamworth in January 2007 (conditions apply), an appearance at West Tamworth League Club during the 2007 Tamworth Country Music Festival, an Akubra hat, Driza-Bone oilskin coat and a main stage appearance at the 2007 Toyota Muster.
Not only did Full Tank fit in with the revved up theme of the original album, ABC says, "but it was actually written as a sequel to Travis' latest single, I Was Wrong".
Two new categories have been added for this year and organisers have expanded the number of judges and increased the overall prize package to more than US$150,000 in cash and prizes including an overall grand prize package of US$25,000 in cash and over US$20,000 in merchandise.
"We’ve had quite a few calls asking us to extend the entry date and we all know musos like to do things at the last minute," said Pat Maloney from Musicoz.
A number of new aspects will be introduced into the event for 2007 which will explore new technologies, emerging trends and the evolving and expanding DIY empowerment that artists and music businesses are realising.
The competition is open to Western Australian amateur and professional songwriters who "want to take their careers to the next level".
Kenny Chesney's Living In Fast Forward drops to number four, Felicity Urquhart is steady at five with My Life while Jeanette Wormald rises two more places to number six with Boundary Rider's Daughter.
Grand Ole Opry legend Porter Wagoner was released from a Nashville hospital on Wednesday (July 26) after recovering from surgery to repair an abdominal aortic aneurysm.
Paul Brandt, George Canyon, Terri Clark (pictured), Aaron Lines and the Road Hammers have been nominated for the Fans' Choice Award at this year's Canadian Country Music Association awards show.