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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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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2018
Entries in the 2019 QMAs (Queensland Music Awards) close on Sunday November 12. The Awards cover 13 categories including Country, Roots, Blues, Singer Songwriter, Regional, Video and Folk. In their seventh year, the Awards will be staged at the Royal International Convention Centre at Brisbane Showgrounds on Tuesday, March 19. A major part of the 2019 Awards will be a $20,000 "promotional support" prize for Song of the Year, the second year for this category and the associated prize. Brad Butcher (pictured) won this year's Country category at the QMAs. Self nomination in the Awards can be made at the official Queensland Music Awards website. MONDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2018 Lee announced as Tamworth Festival Ambassador Lee Kernaghan has been announced as the 2019 Tamworth Country Music Festival Ambassador.
This year, he is celebrating a hugely successful 25 year career, including with a celebration concert in January. "I’m proud to be the 2019 Toyota Country Music Festival ambassador," Lee said. "It’s Australia’s largest music festival and the only place to be in January!". Lee was introduced to the festival by his dad Ray. "I loved everything about it. The big crowds, the long summer days filled with all the different styles of country music, not to mention the opportunity to see all the new talent bursting on to the scene." Now, as the official Ambassador for the Festival, Lee is wanting to support the next generation of country music artists. "I’d encourage all new and emerging artists to begin their journey in Tamworth," he said.
The Toyota Tamworth Country Music Festival will run from Friday January 18 to and including Sunday January 27. Dozens of concerts will run the week before in the "Festival Countdown" period. More than 700 individual artists will perform at more than 2800 events at 120 venues. The Tamworth Country Music Festival now has an aggregate attendance of 300,000. "If you haven’t been before, it’s definitely one for the bucket list! I know where I’ll be this January and I can’t wait to see you there!" Lee said. Weblink – www.tcmf.com.au. SUNDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2018 Tamworth concert raises $2 million for drought relief The Hay Mate: Buy A Bale Concert For The Farmers in Tamworth yesterday and last night raised $2 million for drought relief.
Every dollar raised will go towards farming charity Rural Aid to spend on drought relief, including the proceeds of a Qantas charity charter from Sydney to Tamworth. Major parts of the 10 hour concert event, which started mid afternoon and concluded just before 11pm with a rousing performance by John Farnham, was featured in a television event on the Nine Network hosted by David Campbell, Sonia Kruger and Richard Wilkins.
Organised by agent and promoter Glenn Wheatley, the event was supported by numerous corporate entities including Toyota and West Tamworth League Club; the concert was staged at Wests Scully Park ground. A star studded line-up included, in addition to John Farnham, Andrew Farriss (INXS), Daryl Braithwaite, Adam Harvey, Guy Sebastian, Aleyce Simmonds, Jon Stevens and The Veronicas. Photos – top: Aleyce Simmonds performs; right: Andrew Farriss (left) rehearses with Lawrie Minson (second from right) and The Davidson Brothers for his performance on the concert. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2018 Dorrigo festival this weekend The 2018 Dorrigo Folk & Bluegrass Festival is expected to draw thousands to the Dorrigo Plateau in NSW this weekend (today, tomorrow and Sunday).
Almost 60 individual acts – including featured artists Bryant & Brown, Dosca, Luke Plumb & The Circuit, John Reischman & Eli West, Jeff Scroggins & Colorado and Gina Williams & Guy Ghouse – will play during the weekend at the festival venue, the Dorrigo Showground. Artists hail from Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland and the USA and all shows will take place in covered venues. The line-up is "joyful, exciting, fresh, stellar, diverse, local, national and international, daring and brave yet comfortable and homely, beyond our imaginations; it is everything we could have hoped for and more," according to a festival spokesman. "The Festival Committee is so delighted to have all of these musicians on board." As well as the music, the Dorrigo Festival includes a number of instrument, vocal abnd band workshops conducted by some of the top artists in their field, who pass on their knowledge, skills, experience and heritage to a new generation of folk enthusiasts. This year's workshops – bluegrass, folk and old-time instrumental, vocal and band – include Old-Time Guitar primer with Doug Sharkey of the Blue Ridge Broadcasters, Old-time Banjo Tune-Up with Joseph Decosimo of the Blue Ridge Broadcasters, Harmonies with Tom & Jerry, Mandolin with John Reischman, Traditional songs from Asia & the Pacific with Anna Smyrk, Squareneck Dobro with James Church & Dan Musil, Tommy Jarrell style with Appalachian Heaven Stringband, Festival Choir with John Flanagan, Accompanying a Singer with Guy Ghouse, Mandolin with Mike Compton, A closer look at the mandolin family with Charlie & Jensen and Appalachian Songs on Uke with Lucy Wise. A full listing of artists, workshop detail and other festival information can be found on the website dorrigofolkbluegrass.com.au. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2018 New... TamworthTV TamworthTV – an initiative of Tamworth Regional Council, co-ordinators of the January country music festival in the city – was launched this week. The "channel" is a web portal featuring fortnightly videos of Australian country music artists, hosted on Council's behalf by Country Music Capital's own Aleyce Simmonds.
"This is such a unique initiative, particularly for emerging artists who are trying to get a foot in the door," said his Aleyce . "I’m excited to introduce and interview a new artist each fortnight and show the world what Tamworth and the country music scene has to offer. "It was so much fun filming the pilot and we are over the moon that we’ve been able to facilitate the launch of TamworthTV and assist in promoting our country music artists," she said. Tamworth Country Music Festival Manager Barry Harley, who came up with the idea, said he was ecstatic the community had come together to give (this) platform to emerging talent. "Tamworth is well known in Australia as the Country Music Capital," he said, "and now, slowly but surely, we are making further inroads to promote this great region on the world stage. "Our producers will secure the best local talent and the best artists touring, tape them performing a single song live in our studios and post the performance online to be enjoyed by a worldwide audience." The pilot episode – featuring multi Golden Guitar winner Luke O'Shea, is now online. Artists looking to be included on TamworthTV can make contact via the website. TamworthTV is a companion to the other major Tamworth video presence online, also co-ordinated by Council, via BalconyTV. Since June 2016, almost 50 individual videos have been posted, by artists including Lyn Bowtell, Matt Cornell, Paul Costa, Kristy Cox, Ashleigh Dallas, Steve Eales, Rachael Fahim, Kristy James, John Krsulja, Amber Lawrence, Ryan Sampson and Jonny Taylor. Weblinks – tamworthtv.com.au, balconytv.com. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2018 Keith serenades Marissa
Marissa English was on hospice care and couldn't attend Keith's sold-out concert despite having tickets to the Toledo show on Thursday night. Her nurses knew Marissa wasn't just a fan, but an Urban super-fan. They lobbied the country music superstar through social media and he made a surprise bedside visit, serenading her with Blue Ain't Your Colour. "We knew how important it was to Marissa to be at that concert," said nurse Jan Cassity. "Since she wasn’t able to, we were hoping to try and find some way to have Keith make a connection with her." Keith dedicated the Ohio concert to Marissa "who I truly think is my biggest fan". Marissa's mother said her daughter has memorabilia of other Keith Urban concerts they've attended. "She has a t-shirt that we put on a pillow that's beside her all the time. It's actually cute, because she'll pick up the pillow and hug it and kiss it (and)... she'll point at it and say, 'Mr Hottie'." USA Today reported 25-year-old Marissa was in rapidly declining health after being born with "a myriad of health conditions including water and an inoperable cyst on her brain, severe scoliosis and cerebral palsy." Picture: Kristi Coe Frederick. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2018 Vale – Lily Connors Australian country music pioneer Lily Connors died earlier this month. She was 87.
In 1948, Lily, her mother and sister Bonnie, travelled to America to visit her mother’s family. While there, Lily had her own half hour show on KFI Television in Los Angeles billed as "The Girl From Australia". She then joined a government sponsored touring show called "Nations in Review" representing Australia. She was offered a five year "starlet contract" in Hollywood but turned it down because she felt she would be controlled too much by the studio. In 1950, Lily returned to Australia and was soon a regular on shows organised by Ted Quigg and Tim McNamara. It was her version of Chime Bells that became her signature song. Lily was a regular on the 2GB radion program "Bonnington’s Bunkhouse" for five years and she was a frequent guest on "Bandstand" and Reg Lindsay’s country music television program. In 1962, she gave birth to her son Alan and it was here that she slowly cut back on her performing career. In 1972, Lily embarked on a short tour with Slim Dusty and it was to be her last major performance. In 1978, she was inducted into the Hands of Fame in Tamworth. Photo: Australian Country Music Hall of Fame.
Bill Davey – better known as "Wild" Bill Davey, a regular act at the Tamworth January and mid year country music festivals – has died. For many years, Bill has called the Tudor Hotel in Peel Street home for his popular festival breakfast shows which also offered the opportunity for new and visiting acts to perform. He performed regularly in Tamworth, northern NSW and Queensland. MONDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2018 Rex honoured with Living Legend award
The award, the Australasian Country Music Living Legend Award, was presented at the Slim Dusty Country Music Festival at Kempsey. Rex was first honoured as a legend in the year 2000 when he was elevated to the Australasian COuntry Music Roll of Renown in Tamworth, Australia's Country Music Capital. Rex performed at this year's Slim Dusty Festival with his talented family, sons Brett and Colin and daughter Ashley. "I am absolutely honoured and overwhelmed to have received tonight," Rex said. "A beautiful moment shared with my family and many thanks to the organisers and to the fans." Photo: Rex with his award and son Brett at Kempsey after the presentation. Weblink – facebook.com/rexdallasmusic. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2018 Vale – Max Thorburn Well known country music industry identity Max Thorburn has lost his battle with cancer.
He was also well known particularly as a writer and broadcaster having started Mildura's community radio station HOT FM in the 1980s. Starting his media career at the age of 13 writing football reviews, Max had tried to set up a new radio station in 1982 in opposition to the established local empire. The "powers-that-be" clamped down on him, so he broadcast illegally for 77 days – which led to a court appearance and a fine of $1. He got a permanent licence 10 years later. After many years of involvement, more latterly, Max was on the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia’s Community Radio Network (CRN) Advisory Committee. CRN manager Martin Walters called him, "A great supporter of community radio, in particular initiatives that served country music audiences." During his long career, Max travelled to, and worked for a time, as a broadcaster on a number of country music radio stations in America. In 2008, he was inducted into the Australian Country Music Broadcasters Hall of Fame. In 2011, he was presented with the Eric Watson Literary Award. At home, Max served as a councillor on the Mildura Rural City Council – he was to celebrate 10 years in the role this November – and worked for a long time as a sports broadcaster and commentator. In September, he was awarded a life membership of the Sunraysia Football and Netball League for his support of local sport. Max's daughter Cassandra, a well-known journalist, recalled: "My dad taught me to accept life is full of imperfect people, including ourselves and to approach each day as an opportunity to do better. "If you hurt someone be man enough to admit it and make amends. True gifts." Photo: Robyn McIntosh. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2018 Ausmusic T-Shirt Day Support Act – the Australian music undustry's benevolent fund – is appealing to "all those who love Australian music and who care about the people who make it" to join them on Friday 16 November 16 for Ausmusic T-Shirt Day.
Ausmusic T-Shirt Day, which kicks off ARIA Week 2018, is described as "a massive nation-wide celebration of Australian music that reminds us how lucky we are to have such a strong local music scene, with some of the world’s best artists coming out of our own backyard," Support Act says. Artists, music workers and music lovers are invited to donate via the Support Act Ausmusic T-Shirt Day website, and then post and share photos wearing "your best band t-shirt" using the hashtags #ausmusictshirtday and @supportact. "The cool thing about the website is that it enables artists and music lovers to create teams so they can get their workplace, school or social media networks involved in the campaign," said Support Act CEO Clive Miller. "It's a really simple and fun way to raise funds for a great cause and we really hope that music fans across Australia can be our ambassadors and get their workplaces involved; and that artists can mobilise the support of their fans." Support Act has also developed a set of music trivia questions – a “Who Am I” guessing game – and other music focused activities to engage friends and colleagues at morning tea, during lunch, or even over Friday night drinks. "Anyone who doesn’t already have a fave t-shirt is encouraged to... visit the merch section of your favourite artist website and buy one of theirs online!" Funds raised from Ausmusic T-Shirt Day will help Support Act expand its new Wellbeing Helpline and continue to provide crisis relief to artists and music workers in need. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2018
Kirsty Lee Akers is set to release two new Christmas songs, one an original. The original is titled I Never Want Christmas To End, co-written with Matt Scullion and reflects Kirsty's feeling of Christmas being a most special time for her. A cover of the classic Blue Christmas made famous by Elvis Presley is the second new recording by Kirsty. Released through Social Family Records, the two songs are available for pre-order now and will be released across digital retail platforms on Monday November 5. Weblink – www.kirstyleeakers.com. MONDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2018 After The War
The release – which includes the Lee Kernaghan I Am Invictus recording – also co-incides with the Invictus Games being staged in Sydney from Saturday. Lee will perform the song at the Games opening ceremony. It's "just full of great, great music by great and talented Australians," according to project supporter radio shock jock Ray Hadley. Brendan is "not only a former politician, he's also a tragic country music fan," Ray said. Artists featured on After The War include Wes Carr, Lee Kernaghan, John Schumann, Glen Shorrock, The Wolfe Brothers and more. All royalties from the album will be donated back to the Australian War Memorialmemorial, funding programs supporting young veterans. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2018 ARIA Awards finalists Finalists have been announced for this year's ARIA (Australian Recording Industry Association) Awards. For Best Country Album, the finalists are Adam & Brooke by Adam Eckersley & Brooke McClymont, Brave & The Broken by Travis Collins, Campfire by Kasey Chambers & The Fireside Disciples, Country Heart by The Wolfe Brothers and Real Class Act by Fanny Lumsden.
The Awards will be staged in Sydney on Wednesday November 28. Weblink – www.ariaawards.com.au. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2018 Adam and Aleyce part of star line-up for drought fund-raiser
Hay Mate: Buy a Bale — A Concert For The Farmers will take place on Saturday, October 27 at Country Music Capital’s Scully Park. John Farnham and Guy Sebastian will headline the event which will also include Daryl Braithwaite, Nat Conway, Andrew Farriss (INXS), Jon Stevens, The Veronicas and Tim Wheatley as well as Adam and Aleyce. Promoters are encouraging those who can’t attend, especially city dwellers, to buy tickets for farmers and their families. The concert is supported by News Corporation, the Nine Network, Sony Music, Toyota and West’s Entertainment Group. All money raised will go to Rural Aid. Weblink – www.wtlc.com.au. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2018 Tom dominates the Southern Stars
He won Album of the Year for Territory Time, Male Vocalist of the Year with the title track to the album, the prestigious Artist of the Year accolade and shared in Song of the Year with Luke O'Shea for Never Never Land. Aleyce Simmonds was named Female Vocalist of the Year for the second year running with Only On My Terms. Group or Duo of the Year was won by Carter & Carter with Better Day. Bush Ballad of the Year went to Dean Perrett for He Talks Of Going Back. The Rising Star gongs went to Emma Jene with A Girl Needs Her Daddy's Love and Angus Gill with Hands Are Clean. The Southern Stars are the pinnacle event of the annual Mildura Country Music Festival. Weblink – www.milduracountrymusic.com.au. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2018 Peter wins gospel awardSpringwood (NSW) musician Peter Christie has won a gospel music award in America.
According to the Awards website, winners are selected on their talent, skill, material and professionalism... nominee suggestions going through a lengthy review process and final voting by a team of industry leaders. Peter told the Blue Mountauins Gazette it was an honour to receive a Josie. “I didn’t expect it at all,” he said. “When they called out my name I couldn’t believe it. I thought that a mainstream artist would take out the award so it was a real honour.” The award follows the success of the song Two Ways To Sunday released early this year, which hit number 20 in the US Gospel charts. The track was co-written with Roger Corbett of The Bushwackers. It's Peter's second award this year... he won in the Gospel category of the Songs Alive Australian Songwriting Competition for God Guitars And The Open Road. Peter usually visits the US twice a year, mostly playing at festivals, and his music is particularly popular in the southern states. Weblink – www.peterchristiemusic.com. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2018 CMC Rocks Qld 2019 – another sell out CMC Rocks Qld has sold out “instantly” for the second year in succession.
This number will be a 1,000 increase on last year’s 20,000 attendance. CMC Rocks Qld will be held again at Willowbank south-west of Ipswich, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, March 15, 16 and 17. Local hit-makers Troy Cassar-Daley and Kasey Chambers will be joined by visiting acts including star American band Florida Georgia Line. Headliners will be supported by local acts including Imogen Clark, Melanie Dyer, Jedd Hughes and Aleyce Simmonds as well as a number of visiting artists. CMC Rocks has a record of hosting big name acts. Over the years, the likes of Busby Marou, Travis Collins, Lee Kernaghan and The McClymonts have graced the stage, together with visiting acts like the Dixie Chicks, Alan Jackson, Lady Antebellum, Toby Keith, Tim McGraw and Taylor Swift. MONDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2018 Mildura underway
And here it is... one of the biggest lineups of Australian country artists performing in the one place outside the annual Tamworth Country Music Festival in January... Connie Kis Andersen, Sharon Benjamin, Lance Birrell, Owen Blundell, Rob Breese, Jeff Brown, Allan Caswell, Stephen R Cheney, Aly Cook, Don Costa, Country Horizon, Dale Duncan, Angela Easson, Dwayne Elix, Emma Jene, Lee Forster, Paul Gibbs, Angus Gill, Terry Gordon, Bec Hance, Johanna Hemara, Kate Hindle, Ged & Trudy Hintz, Graeme Hugo, Michaela Jenke, John Krsulja, Glenn Jones, John Lecner, Dianne Lindsay, Warren Mahoney, Cameron Mason, Neil McArthur, John O'Dea, Steve Passfield, Evan Platschinda, Taylor Pfeiffer, Alby Pool, Reg Poole, Amber Joy Poulton, Dave Prior, Anita Ree, Kiara Rodrigues, Michelle Russell, Show Pony Express, Aleyce Simmonds, Pete Smith, Steve Sparrow, Justin Standley, The Long & Short Of It, Gina Timms, Rodney Vincent, Bryen Willems, Chooka Williams and Dani Young. Twenty two venues will host shoes up to and including this Sunday (Oct 7). The major event of the Festival, the Australian Independent Country Music Awards (or Southern Stars) will be held on Saturday night. Weblink – www.milduracountrymusic.com.au.
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Entries close soon for Queensland Music Awards 
Lee's mainstream introduction to Australia as a country music act "with a future" came in 1982 when he won the Star Maker Quest.
"What a story and what an icon for Australian country music," said Festival Manager Barry Harley. "We are thrilled to have Lee onboard as our official Ambassador, especially as we celebrate the 40th anniversary of Toyota Star Maker. His successful career is motivation for other aspiring artists, many of whom will be at the festival alongside Lee in January."
Richard announced at the conclusion of the concert that $2 million had been raised but donations were still being accepted online at 
Keith Urban made a dream come true for one sick fan at the Mercy Children's Hospital in Toledo, Ohio, last week.
Lily was born in Cessnock in 1931. At Age 11, she discovered she could yodel and won a heat of Australia’s Amateur Hour. In 1946, she went on to sing in the Radio 2KY competition which led her to perform in many variety shows touring the country.
Vale – Bill Davey
Australian country music legend Rex Dallas was honoured twice over at the weekend as an official legend of country music.
The co-founder of the Australian Independent Country Music Awards and Mildura Country Music Festival, Max died on Thursday (Oct 18), at age 72.
They day will raise funds for artists and music workers who are experiencing financial hardship, ill health, injury or mental health issues.
New Christmas music from Kirsty Lee
Country’s Adam Harvey and Aleyce Simmonds will join a star studded line-up in Tamworth for a special benefit concert in support of drought-stricken farmers later this month.
The award was for Christian/Gospel Music Male Artist of the Year, a part of the annual Josie Music Awards in Tennessee which recognises indendent artists from all music genres.
The 21,000 available tickets went on sale on yesterday morning and were all sold within hours.
The 2018 Mildura Country Music Festival is underway with a roster of more than 50 individual acts taking the stage this week and through the weekend.