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This website brings you the latest Australian country music news. News releases can be sent to news@countrymusicbulletin.com.au |
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APRA finalists announced Casey Barnes, Brad Cox, Melanie Dyer, Morgan Evans and The McClymonts have been named as finalists for Most Performed Country Work in this year's APRA Music Awards.
Brad's nomination is for Give Me Tonight, written with Joseph Mungovan. Melanie's nomination is for Memphis T-Shirt, written with Emma-Lee and Karen Kosowski. Morgan's nomination is for Diamonds, written with Evan Bogart and Chris de Stefano. The McClymonts nomination is for I Got This, written by Brooke, Mollie and Samantha with Andy Mak. Other nominations of country interest include Ash Grunwald for Ain't My Problem, recorded with The Teskey Brothers and Busby Marou for Over Drinking Of You, writtern with Ivy Adara, Jon Hume and Lindsey Jackson... both finalists in the Most Performed Blues & Roots Work category. Award winners will be annnounced at a ceremony at the Sydney International Convention Centre on Wednesday April 28. This year, music fans will be able to watch rolling highlights on the night via the official APRA AMCOS YouTube channel. Weblink here. Bouldy back for 21 The Bouldy Bush Ballad Bash is back for 2021. To be held in May, stars of the show this year will include Kylie Adams-Collier, Jeff Brown, Ashley Cook, Sharon Heaslip, Keith Jamieson, Dianne Lindsay & Peter Simpson, Alisha Smith & Caitlyn Jamieson, Buddy Thomson & Lynne Bennett and Rob Walters.
Bush poets Ray Essery and Gary Fogartywill also feature. The Bash will run from Monday May 10 to and including Sunday May 16 at the Bouldercombe Recreation Complex. Bouldercombe is 20 minutes south of Rockhampton on the Burnett Highway. Manilla Micro Music Festival The town of Manilla, just north of Country Music Capital Tamworth, will be hosting a “micro music festival” in April.
The festival, described as “a celebration of contemporary music and artists from across the (NSW) New England and North West,” will run Friday and Saturday April 9 and 10 at the Manilla Town Hall. “Come and support live music as it ‘restarts’ again after Covid,” said a spokesman for organisers. “A relaxed table atmosphere will be on offer with food and bar services available.” The action kicks off at 6pm on Friday and runs Saturday from 12noon to 6pm. Wanita documentary A documentary on Australian country artist Wanita will make its world premiere at the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival this month.
It follows Australia’s self-crowned “Queen of Honky Tonk” Wanita Bahtiyar and will screen as part of the Artscapes strand of the Festival, a program that features work exploring creativity in the performing and visual arts. "I’m Wanita" is Walker’s debut feature, produced by Carolina Sorensen, Clare Lewis and Tait Brady with support from Screen Australia, Screen NSW and the ABC. Filmed over five years, the documentary follows Wanita from Australia's Country Music Capital Tamworth to Sun Studio in Memphis through to the streets and studios of New Orleans and finally America's Music City Nashville. A theatrical release for the work is planned for later this year via Label Distribution and before airing on the ABC. Of the film’s inclusion at Hot Docs, Sorensen said: “Wanita and her unique story have been overlooked up to this point, but we are thrilled that Hot Docs, with its ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion, is giving this film and woman the platform they deserve.” This year’s Hot Docs will run online from April 29 to May 9, with a slate of 219 films from 66 countries. Weblink here. Dorrigo Bluegrass set to go for 21 The 2021 Dorrigo Folk & Bluegrass Festival, the 19th to be staged, is going ahead.
The Festival will run over three days, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, October 22, 23 and 24 at the Dorrigo Showgrounds. Organisers say the event will be "a little different" this year and will announce details in the coming weeks. "As circumstances allow, we will be following as closely as we can to our normal program," they said, "with concerts, workshops, jamming, dancing, choir, poetry and more!" The event will run following COVID-19 safety rules. Performer Expressions of Interest are now open here. Weblink – www.dorrigofolkbluegrass.com.au. New from Troy Thirty years into his career in country music, Troy Cassar-Daley has today released what is described as his "most remarkable album to date", The World Today.
"On top of that, I lost my Dad in 2019. People knew of his passing but what I didn’t share is that he took his own life. It hit me incredibly hard and I feel I didn’t give myself the time to grieve. Then came Covid and that’s when I really hit rock bottom.” Pulling himself from that dark time, Troy found joy in writing with old friends and playing bass and drums on some of the rough demos in his home studio, then in Sydney in the hands of producer Matt Fell with "a handpicked bunch of incredible musicians" and engineer Ted Howard – the record was finished in just under a month. The new collection of songs stems from Troy’s story and his ability to write about a bigger picture that affects us all, said a spokesman for his record label, Sony. While Troy leads the song writing charge on the new album, he has also worked with Australian songwriting royalty in the process, including Kevin Bennett, Shane Howard, Paul Kelly, Ian Moss, Greg Storer and Don Walker. The album’s first single release, Back On Country, has been at radio for some time and is gaining widespread airplay. "It’s testament to the longstanding career of the 50th inductee into the prestigious Australasian Country Music Roll Of Renown," Sony said, "and the holder of numerous accolades including 37 Golden Guitars, four ARIAs, three APRAs, nine Deadlys, four CMAA Entertainer of the Year awards plus two NIMAs (National Indigenous Music Awards). After spending the majority of 2020 writing and recording at home, Troy is currently touring with Midnight Oil for their Midnight Oil & First Nations Collaborators – "Makarrata Live" tour and has a run of solo dates coming up, including Bluesfest Byron Bay, Gympie Music Muster, Deni Ute Muster and Savannah in the Round. Weblink – troycassardaley.com.au. New from Andrew Andrew Farriss releases his debut self-titled solo album internationally this Friday. Two singles have already been released from the new work to widespread critival acclaim as the former key member of pop band INXS delves deeper in to the country music scene and builds a broader fan base outside the opure pop field.
To co-incide with the album launch, a third single, Run Baby Run, hit the airwaves at the beginning of this month. Prior to COVID-19, Andrew’s album was initially flagged for release this time last year. In the meantime, he released a five-track EP, Love Makes The World, that spawned two hit singles, the title track, which recently hit the number five spot on the Australian Country Chart and All The Stars Are Mine. “It was a good thing that the EP came out before the LP,” says Andrew. “I have dived into the country music genre and so far, the response has been really good. It wasn’t designed that way, it was by accident, but it was a lucky accident for me. It was a chance to have an introduction.” For Andrew, it has never mattered what style of music he is writing. What is important, he says, is "how the song makes you feel, the story it is telling and how the track lingers with you long after the music has finished playing". It was this ethos he took with him when it came to penning the tracks for what has become his debut solo album, described as "a collection of songs that bring to life stories of outlaws, freedom, cowboys and love, and paint vivid imagery of gun slinging bandits, Australian history and international cultural spirituality". A prolific songsmith, Andrew had more than 200 songs already penned when he decided to create the body of work that would result in his self-titled release. Tracking songs in Nashville almost a decade ago, initially Andrew had no thoughts of recording an album, or even an EP. “I wanted to make the songs sound as good as possible so that I could play them to people,” he recalls. “I was more concerned about that than making a record. I realised, when I listened to my voice as a country singer, it began to make sense to me. That’s when the pieces of the jigsaw fell together for me. “One of the reasons many people have warmed to country music, is that it isn’t just happy songs,” says Andrew. “It is the sad songs; it is the gritty subjects that some of genres of music won’t go near. "That is something that attracts me as a songwriter. I don’t want to chase what train everyone else is on, I want to stay true to what I do as a songwriter, and keep a frontier sense of freedom. "When I was putting the album together, I steered away from cliches, plus I wanted to put my own personality in it. If my album doesn’t sound like anyone else, then that is good.” Weblink – www.andrewfarriss.com. AcademyX update The Country Music Association of Australia's Academy of Country Music will continue to deliver and expand its on-line AcademyX program in addition to its annual residential programs, thanks to the support of more than $40,000 in a grant from Regional Arts NSW over the next two years.
"The COVID-19 pandemic has meant everyone involved in the music industry has had to adapt to changed circumstances," a spokesman for the Association (the CMAA) said. Restrictions forced the CMAA to adjust its Academy of Country Music program from a face-to-face experience to on-line delivery this past January "to maintain the vital career development program that has traditionally been delivered for aspiring senior students (January) and juniors and parents (July) each year". The traditional residential course will continue in July 2021 for juniors and January 2022 for seniors, COVID-19 restrictions permitting, and AcademyX will run in addition to this. Regional Arts NSW, as part of Regional Arts Australia, has granted The Academy $41,652 to deliver AcademyX – the on-line version of the Academy program – over the next two years. "This funding will allow The Academy to continue to deliver a web-based version of the unique skills, business and career development program that, for more than 20 years, has provided many of today's country music stars with the opportunity to take their first steps on the path to professional success," the CMAA spokesman said. "In particular, the funding will allow the CMAA to deliver three on-line programs which will reach many more aspiring writers and musicians in rural and remote communities across the nation than it is traditionally able to do through the face-to-face program. We are all excited by the opportunity." “Our first AcademyX online offering in January this year attracted more than 80 students from across Australia," said Academy Director Lyn Bowtell. "We now look forward to expanding the educational and professional development opportunities we can offer students across the country, thanks to this grant." “We are grateful to our supporters for helping to gain this valuable grant, which will mean the unique experience the Academy offers, can continue without interruption, no matter where students are located,” said Academy General Manager Roger Corbett. Applications for the upcoming residential Academy courses are now open and can be made via the website www.academycountrymusic.com.au. Winton festival 2021 Winton's WayOutWest Fest is on this year immediately following the Easter weekend.
Stars will include Casey Barnes, Jeff Brown, Busby Marou, The Bushwackers, Beccy Cole, Tracy Coster, Pete Denahy, Adam Harvey, Hillbilly Goats, Keith Jamieson, Lee Kernaghan, Anne Kirkpatrick, Joy McKean, Chad Morgan, Dean Perrett, Ali S, Saltbush Six, Greg Storer, Sara Storer, Small Town Romance, the Travelling Country Band, The Wolfe Brothers and Gretta Ziller. The event will run from Tuesday April 6 to and including Sunday April 11. Main stage activity will take place at the Eric Lenton festival site while other venues will include the Winton Shire Hall, the Royal Open Air Cinema and the Australian, North Gregory and Winton hotels. The extensive festival program will include a Rise-up Showcase featuring Lilly Alexander, Luke Geiger, Alison Jensen, Leyon Milner and Tane-Rua. More information, including full program, can be obtained at the website wintonswayoutwestfest.com.au. New performing arts centre proposed for Tamworth Tamworth Regional Council is planning to build a performing arts and cultural precinct in the Country Music Capital. In 2008, the Council entered a 15 year sub-lease agreement for the Capitol Theatre and invested approximately $1.6million to theatrically fit out the venue for use.
An artist's impression of the new centre's Peel Street view. "With the lease due to expire in 2023, the Capitol has proved that a live theatre is crucial to the cultural fabric of the city and region," the Council said. "It has delivered positive social and economic outcomes but has some constraints with what it can deliver." Council is proposing a new community-owned asset that can support the growth of the Tamworth Region's cultural and social offering as well as help attract new residents and professionals and be a drawcard for visitors. "There is an identified need for an arts centre and cultural precinct that will meet the aspirations of our growing city. Time is right to explore the future of the performing arts and the important role it can play in the social and economic growth of the city," the Council said. "A new dedicated performing arts centre... will deliver an arts precinct that meets the needs of the Tamworth community and greater region for the next 50 years and beyond." The Centre is proposed to include a 600 seat main theatre, a 200 seat studio theatre, two rehearsal.breakout/function rooms, a cafe/restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating, a forecourt area creating a piazza, recording studio, function areas, outdoor event space and a community meeting room. It would also contain some commercial space and incorporate space for the Tamworth Regional Conservatorium of Music. Concept plans and more information can be obtained from the website here. Tania shares in movie win Tania Kernaghan shared the honours of an Australian Screen Industry Network Awards win in Brisbane last night. "An Unconventional Love" was the movie that won Best Short Film, Best Supporting Actress, Best Supporting Actor High Distinction and Best Cinematography High Distinction at the Awards.
Benjamin J Earle, one of the lead characters in the movie, has been raising his 14 year old, dying daughter since she was a very small child and he's been doing it on his own. He's a good man and a good father, who deceived his daughter by sending her letters and cards from her absent mother, because he believes strongly that a child should have two parents. His heart is breaking for the suffering he watches his daughter go through and now he's made her a promise to follow through on her dying wish, to see her mother one last time. Benjamin knows this is a tall order since Amy's mother, Mary Shane Earle, doesn't want to be found and he's preparing himself for a fight to find her and to get an uncooperative ex to return with him for Amy's sake. He finds her, and Mary abandon's Benjamin once again as she runs from the scene with her current partner, and now Benjamin's left with the difficult task of explaining to his dying daughter, why he hasn't come through on his promise to bring Mary back for one. The movie ending is a twist showing that family isn't always the white picket fence, and the ones who come through to help, when it counts, may not always get along, or even understand each other but sometimes people can surprise you. Weblink – taniakernaghan.com. Photo: Tania with some of the crew after the announcement of winners. Kenmore Park Muster Easter Country Easter Country at Kenmore Park (Qld), the property owned and run by entertainer and musician Glen Albrecht, is a goer for 2021.
Kenmore Park is on Hayes Road, Lower Wonga, 15 minutes out of Gympie just off the Wide Bay Highway. Stars of the 2021 event include Cathy Drummond, Lyn Jerrett, Mirror Image Duo (Glen Albrecht & Vanessa Sanger, pictured) and the Showpony Express duo. Billed as a weekend of camping and entertainment, earlybird entry will be available to the venue on Thursday April 1. The admission price of $80 per person includes camping and entertainment. The event will run in accordance with Covid 19 guidelines. Further informarion can be obtained via the website... Jimmy stars at Walgett Country star the late Jimmy Little is now a star attraction in the north west NSW town of Walgett.
The painting, based on a photograph by renowned Australian country music photographer John Elliot, was painted by Jenny McCracken and Frank Wright along with producer and creative project manager Andi Mether of Zest Events International. Jimmy, a Yorta Yorta man raised on the Cummerangunja Mission, was a celebrated and beloved Australian Aboriginal musician, actor and advocate whose career spanned six decades. He recorded his first single in 1956 and rose to prominence as an Aboriginal entertainer throughout the 1960s, topping the charts and becoming a household name with his recording of Royal Telephone in 1963 which sold more than 75,000 copies and went gold. His nation-wide profile continued to grow through regular TV appearances, radio airplay and constant touring. Jimmy also began acting in the late 1950s with a major role in "Shadow Of The Boomerang" followed by performances in stage plays including "Black Cockatoos" and a film by Wim Wenders, "Until The End Of The World". He was elevated to the Australasian Country Music Roll of Renown in 1994. The water tower painting of Jimmy has become a major addition to Australia's Silo Art Trail. Weblink – www.jlf.org.au/jimmy-little. |
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Casey's nomination is for A Little More, written with Michael Delorenzis and Michael Paynter.
Titled "I'm Wanita" the documentary was directed by Matthew Walker.
Organisers have been agonising over the past few months whether or not to trun with the event this year but decided yesterday to go ahead.
“An old uncle of mine used to say ‘it's not all beer and skittles’," Troy said, "and that saying is so true. Over the last couple of years the family life and work life balance that I’d always had, shifted. It became a monumental struggle.
The first single, Come Midnight, was released in 2019, the follow-up, Good Momma Bad, at the start of 2020, then, of course, the pandemic hit halting progress on the album release until this year.
The movie was written and directed by Antonia Rebecca Mcghee and Anthony Miller, who were also the lead actors with Tania whose recognition was for Best Supporting Actress. 
Details have been announced for the event which will run all four days of the Easter weekend from Good Frdau (the 2nd) to and including Easter Mondau (the 5th).
Jimmy's image now greets locals and visitors alike on the town's water tower.
