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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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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2021 Queensland festival first to offer vaccines The Savannah in the Round country music festival in the Cairns hinterland this weekend will feature a Covid-19 vaccination hub. Queensland Health has teamed up with the event to get more jabs in arms in the battle against the coronavirus.
Also featuring will be the vaccination hub, offering festival goers a free dose of the Pfizer vaccine. While the festival claims to be Australia’s first to give out vaccines, there is global precedent: last month in the UK, pop-up vaccination centres featured at the Reading and Leeds music festivals; and in July, an electronic pop music festival in Ottawa, Canada vaccinated hundreds of festival goers. As of Wednesday, fewer than 50 percent of Queenslanders aged 16 and older were fully vaccinated, compared to NSW with almost 62 percent. Festival Director James Dein said the partnership with Queensland Health would contribute to the state getting back to normal. “Creating a festival in the middle of a pandemic is no easy task, but vaccination is the key to freedom,” he said. “We have worked hard for over two years now on ensuring our Covid plan is best practice, and while we’re proud of the event we’ll be delivering to the Tropical North this weekend, we are urging our patrons to join us in getting the jab so that normal life can be just around the corner.” Photo: a stage and audience pic from this year's event. Weblink – www.savannahintheround.com.au. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2021 Busking applications open for Tamworth 2022 The battle to become Australia’s next big-name busker is officially underway, with registrations now open for the highly anticipated Toyota Country Music Busking Championships taking place in Tamworth this coming January.As "an opportunity for budding stars to follow in the footsteps of award-winning artists like Keith Urban and Kasey Chambers, the 50th Country Music Festival is expected to see around 400 buskers lining Tamworth’s Peel Street, all searching for their big break," according to a spokesman for origanisers Tamworth Regional Council.
"Performing on Tamworth’s ‘Boulevard of Dreams’ is a rite of passage for many artists starting out in the industry," the spokesman said.“Every year my mum and dad would pack us kids up in the car, we would head to Tamworth, and camp for two weeks,” said Golden Guitar winner, Kirsty Lee Akers.“I would perform in talent quests and busk on Peel Street and the money I earned from busking paid for my first ever EP when I was 16.”Performing throughout the 10-day Toyota Country Music Festival, buskers will have a chance to impress, with judges roaming the streets to select the top 10 performers.Toyota Australia Chief Marketing Officer John Pappas said the busking championships were always a highlight of the Festival "and the music on the streets iss what really brings the community together.“Over the years we have seen some extraordinarily talented musicians and performers head for Tamworth for the busking championships and for many of today’s stars, it’s where they got their very first break,” he said.“It’s always a tough decision for the judges, but the championships really showcase that celebration of community spirit and support for regional and rural Australia that is at the heart of the whole festival,” he said.The 10 top performing buskers will have the opportunity to perform in front of a crowd of hundreds at the Toyota Best of the Buskers concert on the final Sunday of the Festival.In addition to the championship title, more than $5,000 worth of prizes are also on offer.Festival organisers have appointed a busking co-ordinator, who will begin work in October.Busking registrations can be made here.Photo: an iconic image from the archives of a very young Troy Cassar-Daley busking during the Tamworth Country Music Festival. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2021 ARIA Awards on-line again in 2021 It will be another year of a virtual awards ceremony for the Australian Recording Industry Association Awards this year. The 2021 ARIA Awards will be held in partnership with YouTube Music on Wednesday, November 24, and streamed live on YouTube.
“We would definitely rather be in a position where we can have a massive show at an amazing Sydney venue with thousands of people and amazing performances, but we have to deal with the situation we’re in, not the situation we wish we were in,” she said. Despite the challenges and disappointment, ARIA said they were going to really "lean in" to the partnership with YouTube Music and experiment with experiences and interactions it hasn’t tried before. “I am really excited though about the possibility and the opportunity that we’re being given," Annabelle said, "and we still don’t know exactly what life is going to look like in Sydney by November 24, but we didn’t want to keep planning for a half-and-half event. "We wanted to make a decision and turn around and put all of our resources into making a really great digital show that really celebrates and recognises the incredible nominees that we’re going to have this year,” she said. “Sometimes when you have to take a different turn than you would have expected, it can lead to some really exciting changes and differences, and this year, we’re going to lean into the YouTube stream experience, and try some things that we haven’t tried before, and be a bit more innovative, use some cool technology, get greater fan and audience engagement than we’ve ever been able to do before." ARIA Chair Natalie Waller said in a statement that the Awards would be back in-person in 2022, but for now “the choice to go digital was obvious”. “Taking into account the uncertainty around restrictions and overall public safety, the 35th annual ARIA Awards is taking a new digital show turn this year. It is vital for us that the event goes ahead in some form or another, to celebrate the determination, resilience and achievements within the music community during this very challenging period," she said. "The Australian music industry has been a beacon of light for many of us for almost two years now, we are delighted to be bringing this year’s event to people in a different format." YouTube’s Global Head of Music Lyor Cohen said: "YouTube is proud to be part of the ARIA Awards for a third year and to help stream the celebration around the world and into Australian homes for the very first time. "Since March 2020, it has been really tough for the music industry. It has made creating shared moments even more important – and last year’s Awards did just that," he said. "Australia has an outsized weight in the global music scene, and we will continue to empower and help local artists grow their audiences, connect with fans in meaningful ways and break songs around the world. I’m excited to see what will come out of Australia this year." Weblink – www.aria.com.au/awards. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2021 SAM Awards finalists announced Finalists have been announced for the 2021 SAM (South Australian Music) Awards – celebrating the achievements of South Australian musicians, venues and industry workers.
The list of nominees spans a range of genres. Winners will be decided by a panel of 15 national and local judges who represent and work across various facets of the industry. In the Country category, finalists are Ricky Albeck & the Belair Line Band, Jimmy Bay, Mark Curtis and the Flannelettes, Jaylee Daniels, Michaela Jenke (pictured), Ben McNeil, Paula Standing and Matt Ward (pictured). Finalists on the Blues & Roots category are Craig Atkins, Sturt Avenue, Trav Collins, Mojo Dingo, Sean Kemp, Mum’s Favourite, Wanderers, Cal Williams Jr and Nick Wilton. Music SA Chair Anne Wiberg said she was proud of the SA music community in 2021. “South Australian artists have, yet again, continued to produce incredible, world-class original music,” she says. “I am so happy that the SA Music Awards enables us to celebrate not only those who create it but everyone who supports and works in the industry.” Weblink – southaustralianmusicawards.com.au. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2021 ARIA removes gender specific awards categories Music industry body ARIA (the Australian Recording Industry Association) says it is attempting to open its annual awards up to "a more diverse range of performers" by removing gender specific categories in the annual ARIA Awards. ARIA CEO Annabelle Herd (pictured) said the division along binary lines excluded too many talented non-binary artists, and also prevented women from being recognised as men’s equals in the industry.
To compensate for the change, there will be 10 nominees in the category, instead of the usual five per gender. Annabelle said she didn’t want the ARIA Awards to be exclusionary in any way. “If you have categories that are limited to people who identify as male or female, then you are excluding a whole bunch of amazing artists that are non-binary. And it was clear that the time of excluding non-binary artists had absolutely passed,” she said. “The music industry is demanding a more equal, inclusive, safe and supportive space for everyone and ARIA is working hard to achieve that across the ARIA Awards and everything we do. "While the removal of gender-based categories is a significant change we are proud of, I recognise it is just one step in the continuous journey of reassessment, progression and ultimately evolution that we are committed to undertake," she said. "We’re determined to make the future of the ARIA Awards and the future of Australian music as bright as it can be." ARIA’s newly elected Chair Natalie Waller said removing the gendered categories felt like an organic step for the future of ARIA. “A key principle of ARIA and the Australian music community is that peers are given equal opportunity and treated to the unity they deserve. Therefore, we are incredibly proud to enter the next chapter of ARIA’s ever-evolving journey by removing the gender-based award categories, reconstructing the way in which the event has been traditionally held,” she said. Weblink – www.aria.com.au. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2021 New from Matt South Australian based country artist Matt Ward will release his second album in November. The album – If I Was In Dallas Tonight – will be released on digital, CD and vinyl, with 50 percent of album sales revenue going to the Women’s and Children’s Hospital (WCH) Foundation.
Challenge 21 is a fundraising initiative close to Matt’s heart, established for the WCH Foundation in tribute to his nephew Sam Roberts who passed away at four years of age (and would have been 21 this year) as a result of a rare genetic condition, Niemann-Pick Disease. Matt's new album follows the 2019 release of his acclaimed debut album Heartland which reached number one on the ARIA Australian Country Albums chart. An international collaboration, If I Was in Dallas Tonight was inspired by Matt’s travels and experiences across Australia and America and "all the highlights, challenges and mistakes along the way". He began recording the album at Yellow Dog Studios in Texas in 2019 after showcasing at Americanafest in Nashville, but due to the challenges of COVID, had to continue on remotely from Australia, also working with multiple ARIA and Golden Guitar winner, Matt Fell, in Sydney. "Off the back of his debut success, the quality and diversity of Matt’s new works stamps him as a serious creative force in Australian country and Americana music," according to a spokesman for the artist. "Combined with his authenticity as a storyteller, spirited live performances, and genuineness as a person, he is ready for country music’s biggest stages." The CD and vinyl version of the new album are available to pre-order from Matt's website. The digital version is available at online music portals. Weblink – www.mattwardmusic.com. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2021 Gold Coast Award winners
Five hundred people attended the Awards last weekend at the Gold Coast's Home of the Arts Theatre with artists take home honours in 10 categories. Multi-instrumentalist/producer Scott French won Musician of the Year. Finalists for various awards included Busby Marou, Hussy Hicks and Lindsay Waddington. Casey was a finalist in multiple categories including Song of the Year for Come Turn Me On and Release of the Year for Town Of A Million Dreams. “We’re still overwhelmed that the Awards actually happened," said Awards Director Chloe Popa. Weblink – gcmusicawards.com.au. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2021 Big names role in for Tamworth 2022 The 50th Tamworth Country Music Festival is shaping up to be the most memorable one yet, according to organisers, with more big names set to roll into Australia’s Country Music Capital to celebrate the milestone.Among the names added to the 2022 line-up is Roll of Renown Inductee and ARIA Hall of Famer John Williamson who will celebrate 52 years at the Tamworth Town Hall on January 21.
Golden Guitar winner Adam Harvey will perform at Blazes Show Room, as will Kirsty Lee Akers, Casey Barnes, Beccy Cole, Tex Dubbo, Gina Jeffreys, Tania Kernaghan and Amber Lawrence.Other artists included in the Wests Entertainment Group line-up include Darren Carr, Hurricane Fall, Christie Lamb, Hayley Jensen, Camille Trail, Michael Waugh and Kevin Bloody Wilson.And these are just a very few of the extensive line-up of festival acts which can all be found on the Entertainment Cenues website entertainmentvenues.com.au where ticketed shows and the Toyota 50th Golden Guitar Awards are now on sale. Festival Manager Barry Harley said it was exciting and fitting that so many accomplished artists are coming back to Tamworth in 2022 following the cancellation of the official festival in January 2021. “For many of these artists Tamworth is where it all began," he said. “Whether it was busking on Peel Street or performing as part of the festival early in their career, thereis a huge connection between country musicians and Tamworth. “And it is only fitting that they are here in the city for the 50th anniversary.” NSW State Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the 50th anniversary edition of the Tamworth Country Music Festival was shaping up to be a blockbuster event. “Fans can rest assured that country music will still be found in Tamworth next January, as this city is and always will be the capital of country music in Australia. “With NSW residents responding so positively to the call to get vaccinated, we can optimistically look forward to coming together for major events and welcoming visitors into our communities to the benefit of the local visitor economy,” the Minister said. Toyota Australia Chief Marketing Officer John Pappas said Toyota was proud of its long-standing support for the Toyota Country Music Festival and the artists on the bill for 2022 would give music fans something to "truly look forward to". “It’s been a tough couple of years for people across Australia so we’re extremely pleased to be able to support such a strong line-up of country music stars and help celebrate the community spirit that has been at the heart of the festival for 50 years,” he said. General festival information can be found on the official website tcmf.com.au. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2021 New from Michael Singer/songwriter Michael Waugh has released his fourth studio album, titled The Cast. Since his 2016 debut, Michael has released three albums of story songs based on characters and events from around his home town of Maffra in Eastern Victoria.
"It may be his love for storytelling in his work as a high school Drama teacher that has led to the character driven story songs which are uniquely specific to The Cast," the spokesman said of the 13 tracks on the record, they are "little slice of life dramas that play out through the album." “Working with kids keeps things real,” says Michael. “If you’re doing your job properly as a teacher then you need to empathise with where kids are coming from – imagining what it might be like to walk around in their school shoes for a day. I suppose if you’re doing your job properly as a songwriter, then you’re doing the same thing – trying to give voice to what it’s like to live inside a character’s skin.” Written and produced through the time of Melbourne’s 2020 COVID lockdown, the emotional core of the album is Michael's tribute to his parents who both died within six weeks of each other last year. "While I really missed touring and making music with my friends," Michael said, "I needed to be still after losing mum and dad – to reflect, to write and to be surrounded by my family. Being isolated in lockdown was a little like having a broken arm stuck inside a cast – it was frustrating and I was itching to get out, but ultimately it’s what I needed so that I could start to put myself back together again.” The album was produced by the multi-award winning Shane Nicholson who has now partnered with Michael on all of his four records. Weblink – www.michaelwaugh.com.au. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2021 Kristy pays tribute to health care workers Kristy Cox – Australia’s "Queen of Bluegrass" – has released her first single through her new deal with Billy Blue Records… a tribute to dedicated workers on the health care front line.
“I am so excited for my first single release on Billy Blue Records,” Kristy said. “Person Of The Year is such a special song that pays tribute to nurses and doctors who work tirelessly to save others. The last 18 months have been especially hard on them.” The song was written by Jerry Salley and Bill Whyte. “Jerry and Bill brought tears to my eyes with their lyrics that ring so true,” Kristy said. Kristy, who now lives in Nashville, has topped the Billboard charts and is a multiple Golden Guitar winner. In 2014, she was named Australian Country Music Independent Artist of the Year. The new Shades Of Blue albumwill be available in January. Weblink – www.kristycox.com.
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The Savannah in the Round festival, which will take place in Mareeba in the Cairns hinterland, will be headlined by James Blundell, Adam Brand, Busby Marou, John Butler, Casey Barnes, Troy Cassar-Daley, Beccy Cole, Graham Connors, Brad Cox, Lee Kernaghan, Sara Storer, John Williamson and The Wolfe Brothers.
ARIA CEO Annabelle Herd said while she would have preferred to have put on an in-person event this year, ARIA wasn’t willing to do things by halves, so taking it online was the right call.
The Awards will be staged at a COVID-safe outdoor format in the grounds of the former Adelaide Gaol now tourist attraction on Thursday November 18.
Instead, this year’s awardswill recognise the industry’s Best Artist.
Despite the challenges presented by the ongoing COVID pandemic, Matt is currently on his Challenge 21 tour in South Australia before heading to Groundwater Country Music Festival in November and Tamworth Country Music Festival in January.
Golden Guitar and ARIA Award and APRA Award winners Busby Marou will team up with Star Maker winner and four time Golden Guitar nominee Brad Cox for a double header at the Tamworth Regional Entertainment and Conference Centre (TRECC) on January 19.
On his latest release, Michael introduces a new roll-call of characters and "new territory covered – musically and lyrically," according to a spokesman.
Person Of The Year will appear on Kristy’s seventh album (her first on Billy Blue Records), Shades of Blue.
