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MONDAY, JULY 29, 2012 Kasey and Adam to headline Boyup Brook 2013 Kasey Chambers and Adam Harvey have been announced as headline acts for the 28th Boyup Brook Country Music Festival in Western Australia next February.
This year, she won the Golden Guitar award for Vocal Collaboration of the Year with Beccy Cole for the song Millionaires. Kasey has also written a book and her new album with husband Shane Nicholson will be released later this year. Adam Harvey, the winner of eight Golden Guitars, including this year's Album of the Year for Falling Into Place, has a career that spans 10 years, three gold albums and total albums sales of more than 300,000. Early bird tickets for this Boyup Brook are now on sale and can be obtained by visiting www.countrymusicwa.com.au. The 2013 Boyup Brook Country Music Festival will run from Wednesday February 13 to Sunday February 17 on the banks of "the beautiful Blackwood River". Boyup Brook is located about 280 km south east of Perth in WA's South West region. Vale – Brian Kelly Brian Kelly – a pioneer of Tamworth, Country Music Capital – died on Friday (July 27).
He was involved in all of the station's early country music activities and was a member of the Tamworth branch of the Modern Country Music Association helping to establish it as the Capital Country Music Association (CCMA) and serving as President in 1971. Brian was also Secretary of the Tamworth Songwriters' Association when it formed in 1978. He continued to work for 2TM and NEN 9-8 television through the 1970s undertaking countless compering and presentation work with events like the CCMA Jamboree, Hands of Fame, Mr Juicy Concerts and many others. Among Brian's other activities in Tamworth were his Capital Three Ranch Band and the Capital Talent artist-booking agency. As a recording artist, Brian had success with his version of the Marijohn Wilkin/Kris Kristofferson hit One Day At A Time which was also successful around the same time for The Hawking Brothers. He ultimately moved to the Gold Coast where he continued his active involvement as a talented entertainer. Brian Kelly established himself as an enthusiastic and active participant in the country music scene, making a huge contribution in many different areas to turning Tamworth into Country Music Capital. "Those of us who knew and worked with this remarkable man are proud to call Brian Kelly a friend and a colleague," said country music industry authority Max Ellis. "Tamworth and country music will always remember him with great respect and affection." THURSDAY, JULY 26, 2012 The Wolfe Brothers "Australia's Got Talent" success After a whirlwind couple of months, The Wolfe Brothers are celebrating after being voted as one of the top two grand finalists on the popular Seven Network television talent search "Australia's Got Talent".
Singer/songwriter Andrew de Silva took top honours during last night's grand final after a nail-biting finish that saw brothers Nick and Tom Wolfe and band members Casey Kostiuk and Brodie Rainbird perform. Outstanding performances of their original songs Drivin' Fast, Livin' Easy from their self-titled EP, and It's On, the title track from their upcoming full length album which, incidentally, saw the band catapult on the iTunes country charts with six songs in the top 15, four being in the top 10, including first and second. The Tasmanian group (pictured after the grand final) has had much success over the past 12 months with their achievements on "Australia's Got Talent" adding to their long list of accolades. Since their grand final performance last night, the group's following and fan base has spread to phenomenal proportions. They now set their sights on their full length It's On album release and are most looking forward to touring the nation and meeting the fans whose voting assisted in runner-up place last night. With upcoming festivals and appearances all across the country, including Charters Towers and Weipa in Queensland, Wudinna in South Australia and performances at the Tamworth Country Music Festival 2013, the journey has just begun for the band with a national tour and tour dates to be announced. "A massive congratulations to Andrew De Silva on winning 'Australia's Got Talent' 2012!" The Wolfe Brothers said! "A true gentleman, talent and very deserving winner! AGT has been the most amazing experience for our band. "We've made so many new fans and friends and we've loved flying the country rock flag for all to see! We can't wait to see what lies in store for us next! The support we've received from day one has been nothing short of phenomenal! So from all of us, from the bottom of our hearts - THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!" Two other country acts had success in this year's running of "Australia's Got Talent" – The Pigs and Western Australia's Jonny Taylor but only The Wolfe Brothers made the grand final. Weblink – thewolfebrothers.com. WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 2012 Vale – Chris Duffy Australia's first National Banjo Champion Chris Duffy has died. Described as one of the nation's first generation of bluegrass banjo players in Australia, along with the likes of Trevor Warner and the late Pete Hayes, the star instrumentalist lost a short battle with pancreatic cancer yesterday in Kew, Victoria.
Also known as "Duffles" or "Digits Dufaye" Chris played the banjo for about 40 years with only a few episodes of respite along the way, spending about half his working life as a full-time musician putting in a few thousand hours on the road and in studio work. After launching his early career as a backing musician for Australia's best known country musicians, he toured in his own right and had several years performing in professional musical theatre as a pit musician and stage performer, most notably in the two-year run in Australia of the musical hit "Big River" as banjoist and guitarist. He also played on many movie sound tracks and written for TV shows. Chris had five albums released on the Larrikin label under his own name, not including the yet to be released CD. In the 1980s and '90s, he shook up the acoustic music fraternity by bringing artists to Australia and touring them. Artists like Byron Berline, Dan Crary, Vince Gill, Bill Keith and Mark O'Connor. An Australian Bluegrass Blog bio said Chris loved to play arrangements of fiddle tunes and ragtime pieces. "He also cooks up five string banjo interpretations of Latin and Classical themes and has recorded Bach and Mozart pieces." MONDAY, JULY 23, 2012 TSA Songcomp opens next week The Tamworth Songwriters' Association (TSA) will open entry to its January competitions next Wednesday.
The TSA is continuing with the new Blues Roots & Bluegrass section in the National Country Songwriting Competition and Duncan says "we are looking forward to the high standard of entries that are lodged in all the section for the TSA Awards". TSA Showcases will again be held during the Tamworth Country Music Festival in January "for members to get their songs out there". "We will be at some of the local hotels and will be taking expressions of interest from members in September (after the close of the competitions) to book their appearances for Festival. "The Awards concert at the Longyard Hotel is already planned, there will be a very special tribute to a very special songwriter and, as usual, anything can happen!" The Concert will be on the night of Tuesday January 22. Tickets will be on sale from December. "We will be holding two songwriting workshops in 2013," Duncan said, "to cater for demand and also to keep these wonderful sessions intimate." The Association recently joined in a successful Hats Off to Country festival in Tamworth where lunchtime showcases were staged at the Longyard Hotel and the Post Office Hotel. An impromptu evening showcase was also held at the Nemingha Hotel. Paul Bonner-Jones, Bowen & Clair, Brothers3, Steve Charles, Patricia Cruzado, Kate King, Leanne King, Christie Lamb, Bruce McCumstie, Carolyne Morris and Wendy Wood plus a few guests all gave wonderful friendly and entertaining performances, Duncan said. Details of all TSA activity can be found on the website www.tsaonline.com.au. Chart Update – second week at number one for Jetty Road Jetty Road's latest hit Sweet Goodbye retains the top spot on this week's national Country Tracks Top 30 singles chart.
Amber Lawrence's The Man Across The Street is another track up one place to number five while America's Rascal Flatts is at six with Banjo and Lady Antebellum's Dancin' Away With My Heart is at seven. Adam Harvey's Dig Two Graves is at eight, America's Lee Brice is at nine with A Woman Like You and Craig Morrison enters the top 10 at 10 with Just Another Sundown. Bullet performers for the week include O'Shea's Every Day Is A Good Day (19 to 15), Paul Cowderoy's Need To Need You (20 to 16), Catherine Britt's Always Never Enough (24 to 20) and Paul Costa (pictured) with Tractors & Bikes (new at 26). The full chart can be viewed at – www.countrymusicradio.com.au. THURSDAY, JULY 19, 2012 Glen cancels Australia and NZ tour Glen Campbell has cancelled his tour of Australia and New Zealand with Kenny Rogers next month for health reasons.
Glen has been performing on a farewell tour since going public with his Alzheimer's diagnosis last year. He said he was "very disappointed" to let down his fans. A statement from the promoter said: "Glen apologises and is very disappointed that he is unable to perform for his New Zealand and Australian fans one last time on what would have been his farewell visit and last international dates on his 'Goodbye Tour'. "However, due to a decline in his condition, his medical specialists have advised that the long international flight from Los Angeles would be detrimental to his health. "No one had anticipated the travel complication or impact on coming to our distant locations. The promoters sincerely apologise for this inconvenience but want to assure ticket buyers that they are still in for a great show." Kenny will continue with the tour, kicking off on August 10 in Christchurch, with Australian acts filling in the support slots. Five time Grammy winner Glen received the American Recording Academy's Lifetime Achievement Award this year. Entries now open for Telstra Road to Discovery Entries are now open for the Telstra Road to Discovery talent search. Recognised as one of the leading music development programs of its kind across a range of genres including blues and roots, folk, country and alt country, Telstra Road puts artists in touch with influential figures in the music industry, takes their music to a wider audience and increases their media exposure.
The first heat will be held at Melbourne University on Thursday August 16 with heats to follow at Freemantle WA on Sunday August 26, Dowerin Field Days WA on Wednesday August 29, Adelaide University on Friday September 7, Bundaberg Qld on Sunday September 9, Henty Field Days NSW on Tuesday September 18, Toowoomba Qld on Saturday September 22, Darwin NT on Saturday September 29, Floriade, Canberra, on Monday October 1, Elmore (Vic) Field Days on Thursday October 4, Australian National Field Days Orange (NSW) on Thursday October 18 and the Royal Hobart (Tas) Show on Friday October 26. A heat is also held for the songwriter category and entrants may also enter for the "digital heat". The ultimate performer and songwriter winners of the competition will each receive a highly sought after 12 month music mentorship which consists of a return trip to Nashville including a showcase gig at the Americana Festival, local gigs in Australia, face time with some of the biggest names in Australian music plus a $14,000 tailored music development fund. Heat winners and four songwriter finalists will attend the Telstra Road to Discovery Boot Camp, a three-day music mentoring workshop in Melbourne in November. At the judge's discretion a "wildcard" semi-finalist could be picked from any heat to attend Boot Camp and the semi-final. At Boot Camp, semi-finalists will spend time with a cross-section of industry leaders in the Australian music scene. The top seven performers progress to the Telstra Road to Discovery Final as part of the Tamworth Country Music Festival in January where the winning performer and songwriter will be announced live on stage. Weblink – www.beinvolved.com.au/telstraroadtodiscovery. TUESDAY, JULY 17, 2012 Vale – Kitty Wells
According to family members, she passed away from complications of a stroke. Kitty is credited with breaking open country music for women in America. While female vocalists had occasionally had hits, it was her It Wasn't Got That Made Honky Tonk Angels that gave a woman a number one country hit for the first time. Kitty was born Ellen Deason in Nashville in 1919 and sang as a child while learning guitar from her father. As a teenager, she sang with her sisters on local radio stations as the Deacon Sisters and, at the age of 18, married Johnnie Wright. It was while performing with her husband that Deason took on the stage name of Kitty Wells. In 1949, she signed with RCA. Even though Kitty released a number of singles, none of them broke through into the Country top 40 and she was dropped from the label. The decision to record the Honky Tonk Angels song for Decca records in 1952 changed her life. The song shot to the top of the country chart, staying at number one for six weeks. The record, which was banned from some radio stations because of its content, even crossed to the pop charts, making it to number 28. Angels started a string of 64 country top 40 hits in America for Kitty that would last until 1968. She left Decca in 1973 and, the next year, joined Capricorn Records where she recorded the album Forever Young with the Allman Brothers. She continued to record into the 1980s and remained a big concert attraction well into her later years. Kitty was inducted into America's Country Music Hall of Fame in 1976 and received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1991. Her husband Johnnie passed away last year at the age of 97. The couple had been married for 74 years. Chart Update – Jetty Road take over the top spot Jetty Road's latest hit Sweet Goodbye has taken over the top spot on this week's national Country Tracks Top 30 singles chart.
The McClymonts' Piece Of Me is up two to five, as is Amber Lawrence's The Man Across The Street to six and America's Lee Brice is at seven with A Woman Like You. Three more American acts hold the last three places in the top 10... Rascal Flatts with Banjo at eight, Lady Antebellum with Dancin' Away With My Heart at nine and Blake Shelton's Drink On It at 10. Bullet performers for the week include Paul Cowderoy's Need To Need You (23 to 20), Natalie Howard's You Oughta Marry Me (27 to 23) and Catherine Britt's Always Never Enough (29 to 24). New entries to the chart include Kristy Cox's Miles & Timezones (in at 29). The full chart can be viewed at – www.countrymusicradio.com.au. MONDAY, JULY 16, 2012 Kasey to perform for G'day USA Australia Kasey Chambers will perform for the G'Day USA Australia Rocks The Pier series in California next month.
Past years have featured stars like Missy Higgins and Ben Lee. Australian Consul-General Chris DeCure said: "We are delighted to again be partnering with the Santa Monica Pier Restoration Authority to bring Australian contemporary music to the Twilight Concert Series. "My hope is that through this program, Angelenos will develop a great appreciation of the diversity and creativity of Australian music. "We are thrilled that Kasey Chambers, one of Australia’s most awarded artists, will be joining us at the pier..." The event attracts thousands of Californians. Weblink – www.kaseychambers.com.au. FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012 $20,000 more for Slim and Joy statue From The Northern Daily Leader An unexpected gift of $20,000 to the Slim Dusty and Joy McKean Statue Appeal has bolstered fundraising to more than $140,000.
The donation, from the Premier's discretionary fund, takes the NSW Government's total commitment to the project to $30,000. The Premier announced a $10,000 donation to the appeal during his visit to the city in January for the annual Country Music Festival. A delighted Chairman of the Appeal Committee, John Sommerlad, said the generosity of the government meant the fundraising appeal's finish line was now within sight. "An additional $40,000 is needed to reach our appeal target of $180,000," he said, "which ensures all contingencies are covered. "The committee encourages the business community, corporations and others who see the merit in ensuring the legacy of these two great Australians is permanently recognised to contribute to the appeal." Kevin Anderson, who has taken a keen interest in the appeal since its inception, wrote to the Premier in May asking him to consider donating a further $20,000. In his response, the Premier described the statue as an important community project. "Both the Premier and I acknowledge that this project has great merit as it will drive the Tamworth brand as the Country Music Capital, boost tourism and add to the city's cultural significance," Kevin said. "I thank the Premier for his ongoing support and keen interest which was demonstrated earlier this year when he joined the Environment and Heritage Minister Robyn Parker in heritage listing Slim Dusty's home at Nulla Nulla Creek." The government has also contributed to the Slim Dusty Centre at Kempsey. Sculptor of the statue, Tanya Bartlett, has started on the project and it was anticipated the statue would be unveiled at a location in Tamworth's Peel Street during January 2014. Pictured: Kevin Anderson (left) makes a presentation to John. Weblink – www.slimandjoystatueappeal.com. THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2012 Compass Bros signs with EMI Country label and management company Compass Brothers Records has signed a distribution agreement with EMI Music Australia.
EMI Australasia Chairman Mark Poston said: "We are looking forward to working with Graham and Compass Bros on their new projects and of course their significant catalogue. "Compass Bros have been ambassadors in their approach to country artist careers, which is both respected and valued by EMI. This is another exciting development in EMI's long history with the country music community." The first new release for the partnership will be the debut album by Compass Bros' latest signing Chelsea Basham titled I Make My Own Sunshine on Friday August 24. Graham has also signed Chelsea to a management agreement, making her his first management client since Adam Brand, who he managed for 10 years from 1998. The Compass Bros catalogue includes hit albums from James Blundell, Adam, Melinda Schneider, The Sunny Cowgirls and others. Weblink – www.compassbrothers.com.au. Jetty Road's Melbourne face Top Aussie country group Jetty Road has been signed to be the face of a new ad campaign in Melbourne that will see the band's image on the side of city trains and billboards.
Box Hill TAFE has been the launching pad for other successful musicians such as Chris Cheny from The Living End. "We were honoured to be chosen as one the faces of the campaign," said Paula. "The ability to showcase Australian country music in Melbourne was an offer too good to refuse. On a personal note, Box Hill TAFE holds a special place for all four of us, so when we were approached, we were thrilled." The Melbourne campaign co-incides with Jetty Road's current chart success. Their latest single – Sweet Goodbye – currently sits at number two on the national Country Tracks singles chart and has also hit the top of the CMC (Country Music Channel) Top 50 Countdown. Described as a big hit with fans, the video clip for the single is now the band's sixth CMC number one and the third from as many singles off their May 2011 album release Far Away Places. Jetty Road are gearing up for a busy few months ahead, with recent news of their inclusion on the Country Music Cruise in November alongside Troy Cassar-Daley, Kasey Chamber, Beccy Cole and Shane Nicholson. The group will also be performing on the main stage at the Optus Gympie Muster and heading out on the road with Carter & Carter and Tamara Stewart for the "Taste of Tamworth Tour" from July 26 to August 19. Weblink – www.jettyroad.com. WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 2012 Wheels & Steel out next week Paul Costa's new album – Wheels & Steel – will be released next Friday (July 20). The fourth album from the Mallee-born musician is described as "hard hitting, raw and honest... full of tough, electric guitar driven, commercial country songs set in the landscape of rural Australia".
"The moods on Wheels & Steel range from the gentle sadness of Shake These Chains (featuring Nashville guitarist Brent Mason) to the hard-rocking fun of woman-tames-man love song Bad Boy," according to a spokesman for the artist. "The dominant theme, however, is hope – found in songs such as the uplifting Shine, (dedicated to Mission Australia), the empowering McAlister-Caswell tale Buying Back The Farm, and Meant To Be, a tribute to the happiness brought into Paul's life by his wife Suzie and their first child, Dylan. Wheels & Steel is another collaboration between Paul and his long-time producer Rod McCormack who has produced albums for Troy Cassar-Daley, Beccy Cole, Adam Harvey, Gina Jeffreys, Paul Kelly and many more. Rod came on board for Walking In These Shoes (2004), Restoration (2007), In This Life (2009) and the hit Survivor 1932 that earnt Paul a nomination for Male Artist of the Year alongside James Blundell, Adam Brand, Troy Cassar-Daley and Keith Urban at this year's Golden Guitar Awards. This year, Paul signed to Core Music making him a label-mate of luminaries such as Beccy Cole, Gina Jeffreys and Amber Lawrence. "Wheels & Steel was recorded at the Music Cellar which is owned by Rod and his brother Jeff," Paul said. "They are both great musicians – Jeff plays bass on this album and Rod plays guitar and just about everything else." A host of top country session players and guests joined Paul in the studio, including Scott Bird (harp), Mitch Farmer (drums), Mark Punch (guitar), Bill Risby (piano) and Amber Lawrence (who duets on Chained To The Wheel) plus US musicians Tim Crouch, Mike Johnson, Brent Mason and vocalist Wes Hightower. "The songs on Wheels & Steel collectively highlight Paul's growing maturity as a songwriter," the spokesman said. "They also show he's not afraid to address some of the serious issues facing the world today. Big End Of Town, for instance, is about inequalities in power and was inspired by the recent election campaign advertising. "Buying Back The Farm is a triumphant tale of a young farmer battling the banks, and Shine is a shimmering song in praise of Mission Australia, for which Paul is a goodwill ambassador. At heart, Wheels & Steel is about rite of passage. It is the accomplished work of an artist at last comfortable in his own skin and his career." Weblink – www.paulcosta.com.au. Chart Update – Adam at number one for fourth week Adam Harvey's Dig Two Graves is at number one for the fourth week in a row on this week's national Country Tracks Top 30 singles chart.
Camille & Stuie's Beverley Joy is at five, McAlister Kemp's Cool Beer Hot Women jumps three places to number six and The McClymonts' Piece Of Me is steady at seven. Amber Lawrence's The Man Across The Street is steady at eight while two American artists, Blake Shelton and Lee Brice, are at nine and 10, respectively with Drink On It and A Woman Like You. Bullet performers for the week include Craig Morrison's Just Another Sundown (17 to 14) and Paul Cowderoy (pictured) with Need To Need You (26 to 23). New entries to the chart include Catherine Britt's Always Never Enough (in at 29). The full chart can be viewed at – www.countrymusicradio.com.au. TUESDAY, JULY 10, 2012 New Hit Country album for release Included are award winning hits from Australian stars Kirsty Akers, Luke Austen, Sherrie Austin, Victoria Baillie, Adam Brand, Catherine Britt, Troy Cassar-Daley, Beccy Cole, Graeme Connors, Diana Corcoran, the Davidson Brothers, The Flood, Jedd Hughes, Jetty Road, McAlister Kemp and The McClymonts, Peter McWhirter, Melinda Schneider, Ian Simpson & John Kane, Felicity Urquhart and Talia Wittmann. International stars featured include Brooks & Dunn, Glen Campbell, Doc Walker, Alan Jackson, Miranda Lambert, Joe Nicholls, Blake Shelton, Randy Travis and Shania Twain. Artists and tracks featured on the compilation are winners of one of the following awards shows... America's CMA and Academy of Country Music Awards, the Canadian Country Music Awards, CMC Music Awards and Australia's Golden Guitar Awards. New from Connie Connie Kis Andersen has released a new single – On The Other Side Of Midnight.
"It's such a privilege to be able to successfully pursue one's musical goals and dreams," Connie said. "I know, however, that it is not possible without the support of fans, industry, and family. For that, I am eternally grateful and wish to express my sincere thanks." One of Western Australia's finest country music artists, this multi-award winning singer/songwriter has, in 2012, been presented with a TIARA (Tasmanian Independent Artists Recognition Award) for Female Vocal, a Gold Medallion Media Award for Female Vocal (Central West Region of Australia), Best Western Australian Independent Country Music Album for her album Connie Kis and the Most Popular Independent Female Artist at the Meet'n Greet Awards held at Tamworth earlier this year. Past accolades have included Best Country Music Female Artist 2011, 2010 and 2006, Best Independent Country Music Album 2008, all for Western Australia and numerous songwriting honours Australia wide. Weblink – www.conniekisandersen.com.au. MONDAY, JULY 9, 2012 Entries open for WA Awards Entries have opened for the 2013 Western Australia Country Music Awards to be held in conjunction with the annual Boyup Brook Country Music Festival in February.
From their beginning in 1987, the Awards have been a part of the Boyup Brook Club's long history of recognising and supporting Western Australian artists. Entry forms for the 2013 Western Australian Country Music Awards, sponsored by Go For 2&5, are available now and close on September 30. Entries are open to professional and amateur artists residing in WA who are serious about pursuing a career in country music, according to organisers. The Awards, predominantly a live performance event, are divided into three sections... Songwriter Awards, Development Awards (for Best Teenage Artist, Best Subteen Artist and Best New Country Talent) and the senior Western Australian Country Music Awards (with categories for Group/Duo, Male Artist, Female Artist, Single of the Year, Album of the Year and Video of the Year). Finalists are selected by a panel of experienced judges and will be invited to participate in the 2013 Boyup Brook Country Music Festival. "With a top line-up each year vying for these Awards it confirms the continued growth in the interest and accessibility of country music in Australia," according to a spokesman for the organisers. "The Western Australian Country Music Awards are special because they give acknowledgement and recognition of artists in our state. With the country music industry often being largely associated with the eastern states, these hard working and talented people would often otherwise go unrecognised." Past winners of have included Connie Kis Andersen, Chelsea Basham (pictured), Rose Carleo, Ronni Rae Rivers, The Sunny Cowgirls and Jonny Taylor. Many winners have gone on to be a part of the Australian Academy of Country Music, Toyota Star Maker and Australian Idol. Entry forms for the Awards are available online at www.countrymusicwa.com.au or by ringing the Boyup Brook Country Music Club on 08 9755 1657. New album from Kasey & Shane Wreck & Ruin is the title of the new album to be released in September by Kasey Chambers and Shane Nicholson.
Now, nearly five years since the release of their last collaborative album, the pair have braved the perils of a married-couple-locking-themselves-into-a-small-space and have recorded Wreck & Ruin. "Having been almost five years since we made Rattlin' Bones, we thought it was time to 'tempt fate' and challenge our marriage by making another album together!" the couple said. "We have both made solo albums in between but in the back of our minds we always knew we would end up making music together again. "The writing process fell into place easier than we had planned so we grabbed some musician friends and recorded us all jamming the songs on a farm for a week. Wreck & Ruin was born and gave us a chance to revisit the sounds of music that we love to make together where it can be 'traditional' but not 'conventional'." The cover artwork for Wreck & Ruin was commissioned from UK based Australian artist Kerry Evans. The album was co-produced by Kasey and Shane with Kasey's brother Nash at Foggy Mountain Studios. It will be released on September 7 with 13 tracks including the first single Adam And Eve which will be released on Monday, July 23. SATURDAY, JULY 7, 2012 Tayla and Sami tops at CCMA talent quest Tayla Clavarino and Sami Cooke have been named overall winners from this year's Capital Country Music Association (CCMA) Winter Junior Talent Quest staged in Tamworth as part of the 2012 Toyota Hats Off to Country festival this weekend. Tayla was judged the Overall 12 Years & Under champion while Sami took out the Overall 13 to 17 Years title.
Tayla, from Victoria, was named winner of the 12 & Under Open Country section of the talent quest staged through yesterday at the regular CCMA talent quest venue, the NorthWest Church in the city's south. Sami, who hails from Young in southern NSW, won the 13 to 17 Years Bush Ballad section and was runner up in the Female Vocal and Gospel sections. Taylor Pfeiffer, from Clare, SA was the biggest individual talent quest winner yesterday taking home trophiesin four sections – Female Vocal, Bush Ballad, Gospel and Instrumental in the 12 and under category. Kay-Lea & Clay Brown won the 12 & Under duo category while Kay-Lea also won the 12 & Under Open Country section. In the 13 to 17 Years section, Rebecca Scholfield took out Female Vocal and Gospel, Sam Jessen won Instrumental, Sam Jessen & Rebecca Scholfield won Duo, Jack Trow took out Male Vocal and Tennessee Daniels was named winner of Open Country. More than 80 individual entries were received for the talent quest which was revived this year after a number of years in recess. A full rundown of winners and runners-up will be available on the CCMA website – www.ccma.net.au – early this coming week. Photo (from left): Tayla Clavarino, Sami Cooke and Jack Trow (taken after the announcement of section winners on Friday). THURSDAY, JULY 5, 2012 Big T Jamboree – live from Country Music Capital This Sunday evening (July 8), the last day of this year’s Toyota Hats Off to Country festival in Tamworth, will see the launch of the BIG T JAMBOREE – a special concert that will be broadcast to the world via the Internet. The Big T Jamboree gets underway in the Country Music Capital from 6pm with the live one-hour broadcast taking place from 6:30 to 7:30pm from Enrec Studios in Calala. Artists will include Paul Bonner-Jones, The Crosby Sisters, Amy Pain, Deanna Rose & Si and Sally-Anne Whitten & Alwyn Aurisch and a surprise guest or two.
Enrec boss Steve Newton said he was delighted to be able to finally get the "live to air" concert happening."It's something we've been wanting to do for some time now so I'm really happy we're finally there!" The Big T Jamboree has a number of very important historical references as well as being a project with a huge potential future for Tamworth and Australian country music, Steve said. It is intentionally named in line with an event known as the Big T Jubilee that went live to air on radio in the early days of the Country Music Capital promotion back in the 1960s. The Jubilee was organised and promoted by the local radio station, 2TM, and went to air from the famous Hadley Studios run by Eric and Hilary Scott, the same studio, if not actually the same building, that Enrec now occupies. "We also want to pay tribute to the late Gary Brown," Steve said. "With the new technology of Internet live streaming, this was also an activity Gary pioneered just a few years ago. Unfortunately, the technology at the time was not up to the job." A limited number of seats are available at Enrec for anyone wanting to be in the audience for the launch of the Big T Jamboree. Anyone interested can call the studio on 02 6762 8072. "We'll be starting off slow," Steve said, "with just a camera or two and only running for an hour live to air, but we will be increasing the production values as well as frequency of the activity as time progresses." For those not in the studio audience – "the rest of the world!" – the website to visit for the broadcast is www.bigtjamboree.com. "That's w w w BIG T Jamboree dot com." Chart Update – top five remain unchanged The top five on this week's national Country Tracks Top 30 singles chart remain unchanged from last week.
Carrie Underwood is at six with Good Girl, The McClymonts' Piece Of Me is up three to seven, Amber Lawrence's The Man Across The Street enters the top 10 at eight, as does McAlister Kemp's Cool Beer Hot Women (at nine) while Chelsea Basham's I Make My Own Sunshine is at 10. Bullet performers for the week include O'Shea's Every Day Is A Good Day (26 to 23). New entries to the chart include Natalie Howard's You Oughta Marry Me (in at 29). The full chart can be viewed at – www.countrymusicradio.com.au. TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2012 Lee – another star for Toyota Hats Off Australian country superstar Lee Kernaghan is another headline act now featuring at this year's Toyota Hats Off to Country festival in Tamworth, Australia’s Country Music Capital.
Dubbed Hats Off to Toyota Star Maker, the concert will celebrate the talent search sponsored by the company since 1994, Australia's leading search for new talent in Australian country music. Lee will be joined by this year's Toyota Star Maker winner Bob Corbett, last year’s winner and Australian Idol runner-up Luke Dickens, 2010 Toyota Star Maker and Golden Guitar winner Luke Austen and 2007 winner Kirsty Akers. The concert will be hosted by 1999 winner and another multi Golden Guitar winner Brendon Walmsley. Toyota has continued its massive investment in country music and Tamworth with its support for the Hats Off Festival and the staging of the feature concert starring Lee Kernaghan. Barry Harley from Rural Press Events, organiser of Toyota Star Maker and the Hats Off concert, said this was another example of Toyota’s continued commitment to country music and "giving back to rural and regional Australia who have always supported them. "This particular celebration of Star Maker history, with Lee and some of the extraordinary Star Maker family, is funded by Toyota and is essentially a free concert with admission being by donation," he said. "It will also be a real treat to be back in the Town Hall where Star Maker all started in 1979 and where Lee won his Star Maker title." Toyota Hats Off to Star Maker will run from 11am on Saturday July 7. Admission will be by donation (minimum $2) with tickets (a limit of two per person) available at the Town Hall from 10am on the day. Star Maker concert to raise funds for Slim & Joy Statue The Hats Off to Toyota Star Maker concert in Tamworth this coming Saturday will raise money for the appeal for funds to erect a statue of Slim Dusty and Joy McKean in the city.
The appeal is responsible for the creation of a major sculpture of Slim Dusty and his wife Joy McKean to be placed in a prominent position in central Tamworth, commemorating the couple's immense contribution to Australian country music and to Tamworth, Country Music Capital. In the late 1960s, Slim and Joy threw their considerable reputation behind Radio 2TM's push to establish Tamworth as the focal point for Australian country music. When the Golden Guitar Awards began in January 1973, the couple was heavily involved and that commitment and unstinting support continued as the Festival grew into the major event it is today. Slim died on September 19, 2003, while Joy has continued to be a vigorous and committed participant in the Festival. The statues will be located in Peel Street and will be unveiled in January 2014. Tamworth Regional Council and the NSW and Federal Governments have already announced support and contributions to the Appeal which will run over the next six months. The Slim and Joy Statue Appeal Committee, formed under the auspices of the Australian Country Music Foundation, comprises Chairman John Sommerlad, Tamworth Mayor Col Murray, Max Ellis, Gavin Flanagan, Bob Kirchner, Kate Nugent, John O’Sullivan, Lorraine Pfitzner and Mary Ryan-Garnett. Toyota Hats Off visitors, locals and day trippers from the region, are invited to help with fund-raising for the Slim & Joy statue appeal by attending the Toyota Hats Off To Star Maker concert. Further information on the appeal can be obtained at www.slimandjoystatueappeal.com or by contacting John Sommerlad on 02 6768 1200 or Max Ellis on 0438 667 314. Click here for recent news |
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During her musical career to date, Kasey has won or shared in 18 Golden Guitars, eight ARIA awards, six APRA awards and sold more than a million albums.
Chris had been working on a new CD – Banjo Time (billed as "a wonderful collection of swing, ragtime and bluegrass") which will now be launched posthumously at a tribute/memorial concert in Melbourne on Sunday 23 September 23.
"We are pleased to announce that the National Country Songwriting Competition, the Song Salute and the New Songwriter Competitions will all be open as from the 'horses birthday' (August 1) for the 2013 Awards presentation," said Association President Duncan Hill.
Carrie Underwood's Good Girl is steady at number two while McAlister Kemp's Cool Beer Hot Women edges up one to number three as does The McClymonts' Piece Of Me to four.
Doctors advised the 76-year-old star who has Alzheimer's disease that travelling "Down Under" may be too much of a strain.
Contenders are invited to enter on line and go through a pre-judging process with finalists invited to perform live at their nominated heat.
American country music legend Kitty Wells has died at the age of 92.
Carrie Underwood is up one to number two with Good Girl while Adam Harvey's number one from the last four weeks – Dig Two Graves – is at three and McAlister Kemp's Cool Beer Hot Women is at four.
The free concert on Friday August 2 will also feature Matt Ellis and D Henry Fenton with television's Jamie Durie hosting the event.
"I am delighted to be working with the team at EMI to maximise exposure for our new artists and catalogue at traditional retail and on digital platforms," said Compass Bros boss Graham Thompson.
Eleven of the tracks were co-written by Paul, with collaborators Drew McAlister, Rod McCormack, Matt Scullion and Tamara Stewart, one a gift from Drew and legendary songwriter Allan Caswell, and the remaining track "a barnstorming cover" of the Joe Camilleri classic Chained To The Wheel.
Jetty Road's Sweet Goodbye is also steady at number two while Carrie Underwood's Good Girl is at three and The Harmonators' Perfect Storm is at four.
Hit Country is a new album set for release by Universal Music with hits from some of the biggest acts in country music from Australia and the world.
The latest release follows Connie's three previous hit singles and is described as a "honky tonkin' toe tapper" that has been well received at radio, according to feedback from presenters.
Boyup Brook has developed a reputation as one of Australia's top country music festivals and organisers are keen to see this reputation maintained and developed from the 2013 event. The festival attracts performers and audiences from around Australia and overseas.
In 2008, Kasey and Shane became only the second married couple in the history of the Australian album charts to have an album collaboration debut at number one (their platinum selling hit Rattlin' Bones). The prior couple? John Lennon and Yoko Ono.
After the initial launch event, it is planned to make the Big T Jamboree a monthly activity and even more frequently in the future.
Adam Harvey's Dig Two Graves is at number one for the third week in a row, Jetty Road's Sweet Goodbye is at two, The Harmonators' Perfect Storm is at three, Camille & Stuie's Beverley Joy is at four and America's Blake Shelton is at five with Drink On It.
Festival sponsor Toyota has announced that Lee will star in a special concert to be staged on the main Saturday of the festival in Tamworth's historic Town Hall.
Donations raised from those attending – minimum $2 – will go to the Slim & Joy Statue Appeal.