Country Music Capital News - February/March 2018 Volume 43 No 2

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2018 VOL. 43 NO.2

(INC.GST)

$ 6.00

BILLY RAY CYRUS UNDER THE INFLUENCE

DARIUS RUCKER

NO PLAN B

TAMWORTH WRAP UP

GOLD! THE GOLDEN GUITAR AWARDS THE WINNERS & RED CARPET

TAMWORTH COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

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FROM THE EDITOR WHAT A SCORCHER!

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ver the years, we’ve experienced all kinds of weather throughout the Tamworth Country Music Festival however this year the 42 degree temperatures over the 10 days were something else affecting all areas of the event – some good, some not so much.

The only place to seek refuge was indoors, with an ice cold drink and the coolest country music. This was great for the Tamworth venues and the artists. The not so great, was that many of the outdoor activities suffered, including outdoor stages, markets, busking and, as street wandering was unbearable for most, some local traders noticed the effect with a fall in trade.

Having said all that however, the overall vibe in the town was pleasant and there were no major incidents or instances that might cause alarm or concern, making for a calm and peaceful festival.

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This month’s Capital News has some coverage of the festival and we’ve also put together a small selection of photographs, but believe me, there’s so much more that we simply can’t fit in these pages.

This month’s 11th CMC Rocks QLD will celebrate the vision and legacy of co-founder, the late Rob Potts and on behalf of everyone at Capital News we wish Rob’s son Jeremy Dylan and all the organisers all the very best for a memorable event.

Two new festivals are on this March; Crossroads In The Vine, in

Toyota Star Maker is an event close to my heart and I’m here with the band, Glenn Wilson, Duncan Toombs, me. Front: Clare O’Meara, MD Sam Hawksley and James Haselwood.

the Hunter Valley, NSW featuring US superstar Billy Ray Cyrus and Sydney’s all new Country Rocks Festival. Best of luck to organisers of both events.

I was so excited to hear that Shania Twain, the world’s top-selling female country artist of all time, will be bringing her “Now” tour to Australia in November and December. Tickets are available at livenationa.com.au I like the make up of the new CMAA Board as it now includes both artists and industry. Thanks to the outgoing members and best of luck to the new.

See you at a festival soon Cheryl Byrnes Cheryl@tamworthcountrymusic.com.au

years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2018 FEATURES GOLDEN GUITAR AWARDS GOLDEN COUTURE GOLDEN GUITAR RED CARPET TOYOTA STAR MAKER WINNER: BRAD COX

CMC ROCKS ON

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TAMWORTH: COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL 2018

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BILLY RAY CYRUS DARIUS RUCKER DUSTIN LYNCH GORD BAMFORD DAVISSON BROTHERS

EDITOR Cheryl Byrnes P: 0407 106 966 E: cheryl@tamworthcountrymusic.com.au SALES Joanne Maiden P: 0429 784 860 E: joanne@tamworthcountrymusic.com.au CONTRIBUTORS Allan Caswell, Anna Rose, Bec Belt, Bob Kirchner, David Dawson, Jeremy Dylan, Jon Wolfe, Lorraine Pfitzner, Peter Coad, Red Agency, Sara Crowe, Susan Jarvis, Tom Inglis,Toyota, Gemba, Tamworth Regional Council, and our great mates in publicity and record companies nationally and internationally.

PHOTOGRAPHERS Greg Sylvia cover shot, Antony Hands Chasing Summer, Lisa Maree Williams, Anna Rose, Bob Mcgahan, Patricia Cruzado, Robyn McIntosh, Phil Henry, Vicki Melouney and other photographers who supplied yet unknown to us.

TRC TEAM Jess Barnden, Karlee Cole, Linda Bridges, Eleanor Turnbull, Crystal Vero, Carol Hughes, Hayden Pannell.

ART AND DESIGN Sam Woods

PUBLISHER Tamworth Regional Council 437 Peel Street, Tamworth NSW 2340 P: 02 6767 5555

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REGULARS 8

NEWS

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NASHVILLE NEWS HEAR & THERE

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FESTIVALS

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SOUND ADVICE

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COUNTRY CHARTS

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BUSH BALLADS

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DOWN MEMORY LANE

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WRITING GREAT SONGS

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COMING EVENTS

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GIG GUIDE

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Country Music Capital News is compiled and published monthly by Tamworth Regional Council, 437 Peel Street, Tamworth NSW 2340. The views and opinions expressed in Capital News are not necessarily those of the publisher. Copyright 2017 Tamworth Regional Council, ABN 52631074450. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part by any manner or method whatsoever without the written permission is prohibited. All statements made in advertising are the sole responsibility of the advertiser in respect of legal and industrial relations. Printed by Fairfax Printing, 159 Bells Line of Road, North Richmond. 2754. ISSN 1440-995X years of bringing you the music 1975â&#x20AC;&#x201C;2018

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NEWS

Troy Cassar-Daley

QUEEN’S BATON

T

roy Cassar-Daley was a key carrier of the Queen’s (Commonwealth Games) baton in Tamworth, Country Music Capital last month.

The baton, nearing the end of its almost year-long journey from Buckingham Palace to the Games on the Gold Coast in April, came to Tamworth via Gunnedah.

Sixteen baton bearers, including Chris Watson (Chris Watson Travel), were selected as carriers through Tamworth that ended at a special celebration next to the city’s Bicentennial Park.

Troy said he was humbled to be given the honour of carrying the baton alongside local “unsung heroes”.

“They’ve done things you don’t ever hear about it – a lot of fundraising things, people who have fought for our country,” he said. “I just want to say I was completely humbled sitting in the bus hearing their stories...”

Queen Elizabeth II was in Tamworth in 1977 to officially open the PeelCunningham County Council Building which is now Tamworth Regional Council.

Since the Queen’s baton arrived in Australia it has travelled to Wagga Wagga, Narrandera, Griffith, West Wyalong, Forbes, Parkes, Orange, Wellington, Dubbo, Coonabarabran and Gunnedah.

From Tamworth, it headed north to its final destination in Main Beach on the Gold Coast.

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NEW MEMBERS WELCOMED TO CMAA BOARD THE COUNTRY MUSIC ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA (CMAA) ADDED FIVE MEMBERS TO ITS BOARD AT THE ASSOCIATION’S ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING IN TAMWORTH IN JANUARY.

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lthough some have been involved at board level previously, the “new” faces are artist manager Dan Biddle, artist manager, publicist Tom Inglis, KIX Country Program Director Justin Thomson and ABC

Music & Events General Manager Natalie Waller.

Association chairman Dobe Newton and current director Lachlan Bryan were re-elected.

These members join current directors Rebecca Belt, Roger Corbett (vice chairman) and Meryl Davis (secretary) and Ross Johnson (appointed treasurer).

Retiring directors (who did not seek re-election) are Allan Caswell, Peter Hebbes and Paul O’Gorman.

SCA LAUNCHED NEW DIGITAL RADIO STATION

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outhern Cross Austereo launched its new digital radio station Triple M Country to its digital radio stable going live at midnight January 31, complementing its existing portfolio of Triple M Modern Digital, Triple M Greatest Hits and Triple M Classic Rock Digital.

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Triple M Country will feature contemporary music by celebrated Aussie and international artists from Lee Kernaghan, Kasey Chambers and Keith Urban, to Sam Hunt, Florida Georgia Line, and Carrie Underwood.

Lee Kernaghan began hosting ‘The Range’ on January 28, with the show airing across the Triple M regional network and syndicated stations, each Sunday 6am – 8am. For two hours each week Lee will share his love for the music, the artists and stories behind ‘Today’s Best Country’.

Other shows include ‘Nashville Access’ with its weekly insight into the heart of American country music and ‘Hot Country Saturday Night’.

The new station will be available on digital radio in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, online at triplem. com.au/country, or via the Triple M app (available on iPhone and Android).

Southern Cross Austereo’s chief creative officer Guy Dobson, said, “The launch of Triple M Country signals the continued growth and diversification of the Triple M brand across Australia.” years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

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40 Kent Rd. Mascot NSW 2020 Ph:(02) 9582 0909 â&#x20AC;¢ Fax:(02) 9582 0999 www.jands.com.au

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DONN JONES/CMA

NASHVILLE NEWS

CMA TRIPLE PLAY

Kix Brooks (left) surprises long-time manager Clarence Spalding to present his trophy for CMA Manager of the Year during the sixth annual CMA Touring Awards in Nashville.

CMA TOURING AWARDS WINNERS

Shane McAnally received two trophies.

THE COUNTRY MUSIC ASSOCIATION WILL HONOUR RECIPIENTS IN THE NINTH ANNUAL CMA TRIPLE PLAY AWARDS AT A PRIVATE INDUSTRY-ONLY LUNCHEON ON FEBRUARY 20.

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ifteen songwriters will receive trophies this year: Rhett Akins, Ross Copperman, Zach Crowell, Jesse Frasure, Ashley Gorley, Ben Hayslip, Sam Hunt, Sam McAnally, Josh Osborne, Matthew Ramsey, Thomas Rhett, Trevor Rosen, Brad Tursi, Brad Warren and Brett Warren.

Songwriters who pen three #1 songs within a 12-month period based on the Country Aircheck, Billboard Country Airplay

and Billboard Hot Country Songs charts are acknowledged.

Ashley Gorley will receive three trophies in recognition of nine #1 songs, while Shane McAnally will receive two trophies in recognition of his six #1 songs.

CMA Songwriters Series presented by the U.S. Bank will be hosted by Troy Tomlinson, Sony/ATV Music Publishing President and CEO and CMA Board member.

NEW OPRY MEMBER

W Chris Janson on the Grand Ole Opry stage years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

arner Bros/WAR’s Chris Janson was surprised, during his sold-out Ryman Auditorium concert on February 5, by Grand Ole Opry member Keith Urban with an invitation to become an Opry member. “The Opry is where my heart is,” says Janson. “I could probably die if I never got to do anything else.” Janson’s induction will take place in the spring.

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he Country Music Association presented industry honours to country music’s top touring professionals during the CMA Touring Awards (formerly known as the SRO Awards) at Marathon Music Works in Nashville. The winners are Business Manager Of The Year Duane Clark – Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy, Inc., Coach/Truck Driver Of The Year - Danny Shelnut – Montgomery Gentry, FRONT OF HOUSE (FOH) ENGINEER OF THE YEAR - Arpad Sayko – Chris Stapleton, Lighting Director Of The Year - Dave Butzler – Garth Brooks, Manager Of The Year - Clarence Spalding – Maverick, Tour Manager Of The Year - Logan Kornegay – Thomas Rhett, Monitor Engineer Of The Year - Marc Earp – Eric Church, Production Manager Of The Year - John Garriott – Chris Stapleton, Publicist Of The Year - Jake Basden – Big Machine Label Group, Talent Agent Of The Year - Darin Murphy – CAA, Talent Buyer/Promoter Of The Year - Louis Messina – Messina Touring Group, Tour Caterer Of The Year Center Stage Events, Touring Musician Of The Year - Nathan Barlowe – Keith Urban, Venue Of The Year - Bridgestone Arena – Nashville, TN., and Tour Video Director Of The Year - John Breslin – Garth Brooks.

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IN THE KEY OF THE MCCLYMONTS COLLECTED THREE GOLDEN GUITARS FROM SIX NOMINATIONS AT THE 2018 COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS OF AUSTRALIA – THE TOYOTA GOLDEN GUITARS, TAKING THEIR TOTAL TROPHY TALLY TO 13.

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isters, Brooke, Sam and Mollie received the coveted Country Album of the Year for their #1 ARIA country chart album Endless, as well as Contemporary Album and Country Music Capital News Group or Duo of the Year.

On the back of last year’s trifecta, Travis Collins added three trophies to his collection, following the collaborative success of Our Backyard with Amber Lawrence. The duo won awards for Regional Australia Bank Vocal Collaboration of the Year, APRA AMCOS Song of the Year and Single of the Year. Matt Scullion received his first Golden Guitar as co-writer.

Shane Nicholson took his trophy tally to 10 when he was announced Male Artist of the Year and Aleyce Simmonds won her first piece of gold for Female Artist of the Year.

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Tom Curtain’s and Luke O’Shea’s Never Never Land won Toyota Heritage Song of the Year and their performance included their award-winning CMC Video Clip of the Year.

Other dual award winners include the Davidson Brothers, who picked up Bluegrass Recording of the Year (Back Where I Started) and CocaCola Instrumental of the Year (Evelyn’s Kitchen).

QantasLink New Talent of the Year went to Mackay singersongwriter Brad Butcher and

Bush Ballad of the Year to Dean Perrett and co-writer Neville Anderson (Henbur y Blues).

Rounding out the album of the year awards was Ashleigh Dallas and her dad Brett Dallas with the album Lighthouse, awarded the inaugural Traditional Country Album of the Year.

2018 Sanity Top Selling Album of the Year was announced prior to the awards night and was based on ARIA sales results. The Golden Guitar was awarded to superstar Lee Kernaghan for The 25th Anniversary Album taking his awards tally to 37, just one behind most-awarded Slim Dusty, with 38. The album, largely made up of collaborations, fit perfectly into the theme of the awards night.

Alt-Country Album of the Year (Endless produced by Paul Kelly and Nash Chambers) winner Kasey Chambers became the 51st person to be honoured with the industry’s most prestigious award – the Australasian Country Music Roll of Renown. In making the presentation, last year’s recipient, Troy Cassar-Daley said Kasey had earned the admiration and respect of both her industry

years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

COLLABORATION L to R: Andy Mak, Mollie McClymont, Brooke McClymont, Luke O’Shea, Sam McClymont, Dean Perrett, Kasey Chambers, Travis Collins, Matt Scullion, Amber Lawrence, Shane Nicholson, Brad Butcher, Aleyce Simmonds, Lachlan Davidson, Ashleigh Dallas, Hamish Davidson, Brett Dallas, Lee Kernaghan, Tom Curtain.

peers and her multitude of fans, all over the world.

Time and time again, Troy said, she has demonstrated her extraordinary ability to connect with country and mainstream audiences in both Australia and overseas.”

Toyota Australia’s chief marketing officer Wayne Gabriel said: “On behalf of Toyota Australia, we’d like to congratulate all of the finalists and winners of the 2018 Toyota Golden Guitar Awards for their outstanding musical achievements and contributions throughout the year.

“Toyota has been a proud partner of the country music festival in Tamworth for 26 years, and we are thrilled to be able to continue our commitment to supporting country music in Australia from a grassroots level and beyond.”

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian MP attended the awards and said: “The Tamworth Country Music Festival showcases the very best in global talent and has catapulted numerous Australian artists to stardom.

“Through Destination NSW, we will continue to do all we can to support these types of events. They are good for the economy, great entertainment and inspire our next generation of performers.”

The awards band opened with Betoota Stomp, followed

years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

by a combination of emotional, entertaining and powerful performances from Travis Collins and Amber Lawrence (Our Backyard), Davidson Brothers (Back Where I Started), Dean Perrett (Henbury Blues), Fanny Lumsden (Roll On), Tom Curtain & Luke O’Shea (Never Never Land), Aleyce Simmonds (Only On My Terms), Judah Kelly (When I Get Back Home), O’Shea (I Will Not Give Up), Kasey Chambers (Hey), Troy Cassar-Daley performed during the In Memoriam (Make The Most Of Every Day With You), Tania Kernaghan (Onto Something), Shane Nicholson (I Don’t Dance), Ashleigh Dallas (Lighthouse), Brad Butcher (Well Dressed Man), and The McClymonts (Don’t Wish It All Away) cementing their status as Australia’s number one country group.

The evening finished with The Bushwackers, John Williamson and The Bush Choir singing Waltzing Australia.

The awards were held at the Tamworth Regional Entertainment and Conference

Centre (TRECC) on Saturday, January 27, 2018 and next year’s Golden Guitars will be held on Australia Day, January 26, 2019.

The 46th Country Music Awards of Australia – the Toyota Golden Guitar Awards are supported by Toyota, the NSW Government via its tourism and major events agency Destination NSW, APRA AMCOS, Country Music Capital News, QantasLink, Regional Australia Bank, Coca-Cola and the Country Music Association of Australia (CMAA).

The Toyota Golden Guitar Awards are the only industryaffiliated country music awards in Australia and are the pinnacle event of the Toyota Country Music Festival, Tamworth.

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Davidson Brothers

Troy Cassar-Daley with Roll of Renown recipient Kasey Chambers and festival founder Max Ellis

Presenters Kristy Cox and Roo Arcus

Jeff Brown and Tracy Coster 14

Kasey Chambers receives a standing ovation

Presenters Drew McAlister and Jetty Road

Fanny Lumsden and husband Dan Freeman

Presenters Luke Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Shea and Felicity Urquhart

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James Blundell & Jasmine Rae

Judah Kelly

Presenters Gretta Ziller and Tim Daley

Dean Perrett

Travis Collins and Amber Lawrence years of bringing you the music 1975â&#x20AC;&#x201C;2018

Shane Nicholson

Brad Butcher

Awards finale

Aleyce Simmonds

Lee Kernaghan

Lee Kernaghan, Sam, Mollie & Brooke McClymont, Kasey Chambers, Troy Cassar-Daley and Adam Harvey

Dean Perrett and Luke O’Shea

Aleyce Simmonds and Karlee Cole years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

Tania Kernaghan

John Williamson with Gladys Berejiklian MP

Mark and Jay O’Shea

Amber Lawrence

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GOLDEN COUTURE

BY SUSAN JARVIS

FOR MANY OF THOSE PRESENT, THE LASTING MEMORY OF THE 2018 GOLDEN GUITAR AWARDS WAS CO-HOST JAY O’SHEA’S BREATHTAKING ARRAY OF COUTURE FROCKS.

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s she sashayed on stage wearing one stunning gown after another, the audience let out a collective sigh – of admiration, envy and sheer delight.

For Jay, the decision to go all out and “frock up” for the Golden Guitars was a mark of respect for the industry she loves so much, and that has been so good to her and husband Mark.

“When we got the call to host this year’s Golden Guitars, I instantly knew that I wanted to make it really special,” she said.

“I just love all the glamour and glitz of the big awards show, and so I felt that I had to give it my all to make the whole thing as glamorous and classy as I possibly could.”

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Fortunately, Jay knew exactly where to turn for her dream collection of awards outfits.

“I had met the amazing Randi Rahm through a friend,” Jay said.

“She works from Madison Avenue in New York, and she’s dressed major celebrities for awards red carpet appearances, including Eva Longoria, Carrie Underwood, Nicole Kidman, Catherine Heigl, Catherine ZetaJones and many others.

“She’d told me that if I ever needed anything special to contact her, so I reached out and she couldn’t have been more lovely.

“I flew to New York and spent six hours trying on about 30 gowns – it was absolutely amazing!

“There were three ladies employed there who did nothing but hand beading the dresses. I’ve never seen anything like it.

“Couture fashion is like a different world – it was so much fun! And when you put on one of those beautiful gowns, you instantly feel special. It was quite magical.”

“I wasn’t allowed to have an iron

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anywhere near the gowns – they were all hand beaded, and they take up to four months each to make, so we really needed to be mindful of them every moment,” Jay said.

I was a little nervous about transporting the dresses, but we followed all the instructions – they were all packed professionally to start with, and they fitted into two suitcases. It was a relief to hand them all back intact, though!”

Randi herself was beyond thrilled about the impact of Jay wearing her gowns.

“Having the opportunity to dress Jay for the Golden Guitar Awards was truly a treat,” she said.

“After meeting with her, I immediately knew what direction we were going in for the show! She is the quintessential Randi Rahm woman – bold and edgy with an elevated sense of sophistication.

“We wanted each look to showcase ‘the Real O’Shea’ to her fans through the eyes of Randi Rahm. I couldn’t have chosen a better woman than her to be the first to bring my designs to Australia!’

In the end, Jay chose six gowns to bring to Australia.

They were worth a total of $100,000, and came with detailed instructions about how to back and transport them, as well as how to put them on and take them off.

And that was quite a process in itself. Jay’s sisterin-law Mandie O’Shea and her niece Helena McIlwaine were enlisted as her dressers.

“Believe me, getting into some of those frocks was a two-woman job, and required a lot of wriggling and jiggling on my part,” Jay said.

“We didn’t have a lot of time for costume changes, so it was crazy out the back. And then I had to appear on stage looking cool and collected!”

years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

Walking in some of the gowns was also a bit of a challenge – as Jay discovered during rehearsals when she almost toppled over.

“You might have noticed that I was hanging on to Mark’s arm for dear life,” Jay said.

“While I do love him dearly, it was actually a deliberate strategy to stop me tripping over or ending up in a very embarrassing position.”

But Jay says getting to wear the frocks, and the audience’s reaction, were worth it all.

“I just loved wearing them, from the slinky green number, to the satin floral, to the gorgeous red dress, and the exquisite champagne beaded one, which I think was my favourite.

“I had a stunning black dress with gold beads for the red carpet, which I just adored. And then there was the dress I performed in, which was mind-blowing,” Jay said.

That dress, a stunning white, fitted gown with a huge fishtail, was the standout of the evening.

Jay wore it when she and Mark performed their powerful ballad I Will Not Give Up in the centre of the auditorium during the awards.

It was a spine-tingling moment, and the dress was perfect to reinforce the message of the song – to believe in yourself and keep working towards your dreams, whatever others may say to discourage you. The performance was enhanced even further with the voices of the CMAA Academy Choir.

“For me, the performance was the most important part – that’s who we are and what we do, so we wanted to make it a really memorable moment,” Jay said.

“When it came to the outfit, Randi said to me, ‘Jay, you’re going to be performing, so you need to stand out – to be over the top. It’ll be the highlight of the night, so you

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must have the va-va-voom!’ Who was I to disagree?”

Taking on the awards hosting was a huge task for Jay and Mark, and doing such a standout performance as well was stressful for them both.

“We did stop and think, ‘Can we actually do this – do we have the skills?’ But we’re so glad we took it on. It has been a real career highlight for us. We were both conscious of savouring the moment and really appreciating the opportunity,” Jay said.

The couple rose to the occasion brilliantly – yet there was some serious paddling under the surface that audiences had no idea about.

While Jay was frocking up for the awards, and she and Mark were rehearsing for the demanding role of hosts, their hearts and minds were in Nashville, where their two young daughters, Finley and August, and their nanny, had all come down with a particularly nasty bout of flu.

“I was so prepared – I’d organised every last detail from school lunches to pickups.

Everything was planned.

“Then they got sick, and I felt so bad. It was the first time we’d left them, but because it was such a short trip we didn’t think it was fair to bring them with us, and it was really hard that they were sick. I can’t tell you how glad I was to get home and hug them!” Jay said.

“Parenthood is the best thing we ever did, and generally a music career gives you a lot of flexibility with kids, but like everyone sometimes you have to do an amazing juggling act. We’re still working it out and probably always will be.”

Jay and Mark have a hectic year ahead of them. They’re spending February in Texas, at Rodeo Houston, where they are regulars return to Australia in March to perform at the Crossroads in the Vines festival in the Hunter Valley and tour with Billy Ray Cyrus.

Then they’re planning a US tour, and will be back Down Under in July for the Groundwater Country Music Festival on the Gold Coast.

In between, they’re working on producing a video clip for every track on their sensational 61-615 album, including for the next single the up-tempo, Karaoke and Coronas. Then it will be time to start writing for their next album.

“Things are going really well for us at the moment. It’s crazy busy, but we’re loving every moment. And it really is a privilege to get to do all these things and to be in an industry that is so welcoming, and encouraging and a pleasure to be part of,” Jay said.

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Shaun Ryan and Imogen Clark

Fanny Lumsden, brother Tom Lumsden and husband Dan Freeman

Lee and Robby Kernaghan

Virginia Coad-Hermel, Jim Hermel, Lynette Coad and Peter Coad

Colin Buchanan

The Bushwackers

Justina and Drew McAlister

Laurel Edwards and Troy Cassar-Daley

Jasmine Rae

Camille and Dean Perrett

Sisters Tracy Coster and Jayne Kelly

Isaac Leong Loon, Judah Kelly and Sonic Edwards

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Liz and Luke O’Shea

Emma Beau

Aleyce Simmonds

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INX’s Andrew Farriss and wife Marlina

David and Merelyn Carter

Toyota Star Maker Grand Finalists Tammy Moxon, Emily Joy, Cassidy Rae Gaiter

Lawrie and Shelley Minson

Jetty Road

Kate Arcus and Roo Arcus

Michael Carpenter and Kylie Whitney years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

The Wolfe Brothers

Michelle and Casey Barnes

Carpenter Caswell

Tom Curtain and Annabel McLarty

2018 Toyota Star Maker Brad Cox

Toyota Star Maker Grand Finalists Jake Sinclair, Hayley Wilson, Taylor Pfeiffer and Heath Milner C O U N T RY M U S I C C A P I TA L N E W S F E B RUA RY/ M A RC H 2 0 1 8

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Rachael Fahim, 2017 Toyota Star Maker

Matt Scullion and Sharon Packwood

Ashleigh Dallas

Tania Kernaghan 20

Aleyce Simmonds, Tori Forsyth and The Spurs

Kristy and Travis List

Matt Fell, Kit Falcon and Louisa Flynn

Missy Lancaster

Shane Nicholson

Amber Lawrence and Marty Newman

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Canadian Amy Nelson

NZs Kaylee Bell dressed by The Other Shop

Travis and Bec Collins

Small Town Romance years of bringing you the music 1975â&#x20AC;&#x201C;2018

PHOTOGRPAHY GREG SYLVIA

Lozz Benson and Jeremy Dylan (That Red Head)

Jayne Denham and Dave Blunderfield

Andrew Swift

Gabriel, Danielle, Darren and Olivia Coggan

Matt Cornell

Melanie Dyer and Dean Ray

Luke Austen, Luke Dickens, Karin Page and Liam Brew

Sonny and Stuie French years of bringing you the music 1975â&#x20AC;&#x201C;2018

Felicity Urquhart, Kevin Bennett, Lyn Bowtell

Lachlan Bryan and Caitlin Withers

Melissa Bajric and Mike Murray

NZs Jody Direen

Erin and Brad Butcher

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21

BRAD

COX WINS 2018 TOYOTA

STAR MAKER BRAD COX BECAME THE 39TH RECIPIENT OF AUSTRALIA’S MOST PRESTIGIOUS COUNTRY MUSIC TALENT SEARCH AFTER COMPETING IN THE 2018 TOYOTA STAR MAKER COMPETITION.

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or the second time in the history of the competition, the event was held in Tamworth’s Bicentennial Park, known as Toyota Park for the annual Toyota Country Music Festival – Tamworth. Not only was the event FREE allowing for thousands of fans to be a part of the historic announcement, it was accessible to a worldwide audience through live-streaming.

Brad Cox was inspired to pursue his country music career after a month-long song-writing trip to Nashville in 2015. He recorded his debut album of which his first single, Too Drunk To Drive, debuted at #2 on the iTunes country chart.

Judges this year were KIX radio program director Justin Thomson, artist managers Dan Biddle and Roxanne Brown, Craig Power - The Pub Group, HSF Artist Manager and Star Maker team member - Tom Inglis, ABC presenter on Australia All Over and Saturday Night Country - Scott Lamond and Toyota ambassador Brooke McClymont and Adam Eckersley.

Star Maker co-ordinator, Cheryl Byrnes said: “Toyota Star Maker continues to unearth exciting new talent and

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Toyota Australia’s Andrew Wearing with Brad

tonight is no exception. Over the past few years, the competition has been prepared to embrace new artists who identify as country music but to some may be on the fringe – and Brad has a unique country spirit.

“Everyone knows just how difficult it is to judge any competition, however one as significant as Toyota Star Maker has an expectation to the industry and fans to introduce a brand new star who is going to go all the way, and they want to travel with them.

“Many of the benefits of being part of the Toyota Star Maker family are intangible – but absolutely priceless. The networking is extraordinary. You can’t put a price on that.”

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Heath Milner, Jake Sinclair, Chloe Styler, Cassidy Rae Gaiter, Brad Cox, Emily Joy, Hayley Wilson (front), Taylor Pfeiffer, Tanya Cornish and Tammy Moxon.

The victory sees Brad Cox take home a prize pack including a new Toyota RAV4 for 12 months with an unlimited fuel card, Maton, Fender and Jands products, guaranteed performances at major festivals throughout Australia including at West Tamworth League Club and The Pub Group plus a return trip to Nashville in June for the annual CMAs courtesy of Chris Watson Travel and more.

2018 Toyota Star Maker winner Brad Cox thanked his family and friends for coming out to cheer him on all the way from Jindabyne, NSW. “I’m incredibly thankful for all of their support and also to Toyota Australia for making my dream a reality tonight,” said Brad.

In acknowledging his win, Brad paid tribute to Amy ‘Dolly’ Everett, the young girl from the Northern Territory who took her life earlier this year because of relentless online bullying.

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“She was 14 years old and her mum and dad are very good friends of mine; she was a beautiful little girl. We’re all thinking of you,” he told the crowd.

Loyal country fans were entertained by the finalists and last year’s winner Rachael Fahim, and Darren Coggan, who was also the compere for the night as well as husband and wife duo, Adam Eckersley and Toyota ambassador Brooke McClymont, surprised the crowd performing their new single Trainwreck, from their debut album. The nine grand finalists were Heath Milner, Jake Sinclair, Chloe Styler, Cassidy Rae Gaiter, Emily Joy, Hayley Wilson, Taylor Pfeiffer, Tanya Cornish and Tammy Moxon. All artists were

Adam Eckersley & Brooke McClymont

backed by the Star Maker band with Sam Hawksley MD, Glenn Wilson, Duncan Toombs, Clare O’Meara and James Haselwood.

Toyota Australia Senior Manager Marketing Integration Andrew Wearing was delighted to see Brad join the Toyota Star Maker family.

“We’d like to congratulate Brad Cox and the rest of the Toyota Star Maker finalists for showcasing the amazing talent that Australian country music has,” Mr Wearing said.

“Toyota Australia also wants to thank Rachael Fahim, 2017 Toyota Star Maker winner, who has truly made the most of her crown and is making her way into the country music industry.”

Toyota has a long and proud history of supporting country music in Australia, including 23 years of sponsoring the emerging artists of Star Maker and 26 years of the overall country music festival in Tamworth.

Among the exclusive Star Maker alumni are Lee Kernaghan, Keith Urban, Beccy Cole, James Blundell, Darren Coggan, Travis Collins, Kylie Sackley, Samantha McClymont, Kirsty Lee Akers, Kaylee Bell and many others.

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23

UNDER THE INFLUENCE

BY ANNA ROSE

ON THE EVE OF HIS FIRST TOUR DOWN UNDER IN ALMOST TWO DECADES, BILLY RAY CYRUS ADMITTED TO CAPITAL NEWS HE WAS “UNDER THE INFLUENCE” – AND PROUD OF IT!

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is new album, released in November, was originally titled Under The Influence, but as that had recently been used by another artist, it became Set The Record Straight.

The new disc is a tip of Billy Ray’s cowboy hat to his greatest musical inspirations – Don Williams, George Jones, Loretta Lynn, Ronnie Milsap and Waylon Jennings, among others.

He sets the tone right from track one with a rocking version of Tulsa Time, so you know there’s a heap of country goodness to follow.

“I was a huge Don Williams fan and it’s not long since we lost him,” Billy Ray said.

“He was a great artist and did as much for country music as anyone else. He certainly opened the door for guys like me. He and Eric Clapton had a hit with that song at the same time.

“On the album, I’m being joined on this new version by Jim Perry from Aerosmith, which is very appropriate.”

A fresh recording of his #1 hit Achy Breaky Heart is also included on the new disc, featuring Ronnie Milsap on piano. And if you want more after that, turn to track 13 for the Spanglish version, with the added vocals of American singer-songwriter Jencarlos Canela.

Asked if he ever got away without doing that song at a live concert, Billy Ray said he wouldn’t want to cheat his fans by missing it out of the set list.

“I love to do it. It’s a lot of fun and our shows are all about audience participation,” he said.

“From the first to the 20th song, the fans sing every song – and they know every word by heart.”

You’ll find some new songs on the album, songs from his TV show Still The King, including Hey Elvis, which he performs with Bryan Adams and the handy guitar work of Deep Purple’s Glenn Hughes.

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In Still The King, Billy Ray plays the role of a dysfunctional Elvis impersonator, and gets to indulge in some slapstick comedy, which he thoroughly enjoys.

“Through the years there have been some really important, special songs that kind of fell through the cracks – songs that nobody got to hear, and we’ve set the record straight on this new album,” he said.

“There are also some collaborations with my musical heroes and a special tribute to one of my greatest influences of all time – Ronnie Van Zant and the members of Lynrd Skynrd.

“With this being the 40-year anniversary of that tragic crash that impacted me and so many other fans around the world, I wrote and recorded The Freebird Fell.”

Billy Ray is also joined on the new disc by his daughter, Miley on the track Stand.

Country music could have lost Billy Ray to the world of acting, which he has a heap of fun doing – but it’s nowhere near as enjoyable as his first passion – being a singersongwriter and entertainer.

The shy young farm boy from Flatwoods, Kentucky, is out there

“IT’S ALL ABOUT MOVING PEOPLE AND FINDING A COMMON DENOMINATOR. MUSIC IS MEANT TO BE A BRIDGE, NOT A WALL.”

living the dream – writing songs and playing music – and his home studio is a hive of activity with people coming and going on a daily basis.

“I’ve been really fortunate. When I started out, I was a young fella. Well, no, I wasn’t a real young fella and I didn’t have a record deal.

“I worked for 10 years and by the time I got myself a record deal I was a middle-aged fella.

“Now I’m an old fella, but I’m still playing in the band and still getting to do what I started the band for in the first place.

“It’s all about moving people and finding a common denominator. Music is meant to be a bridge, not a wall.”

He lives for that connection with his audiences – and these days he’s noticed he’s playing to generations of fans.

“From what I’ve seen here in America and

years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

Canada, the whole family is coming out to our shows,” he said.

“There’s something for everybody – from the kids who’ve grown up watching Hannah Montana to fans of Still The King, they’re all on their feet from the first song to the last.

“Everybody stands up, dances and sings.

It’s way more fun than acting.”

When he began to assemble a band for his Down Under tour, Billy Ray went straight to the top shelf.

“I made up a list of killer studio players – young guns who were the hottest dudes in town. If I was going to do a world tour, I wanted the most killer band to take out on the road with me,” he said.

“These are great studio guys, all young and full of life. It’s their first trip to Australia and they can really bring it to the table, night after night.

years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

“Just being in the band with a team of first-class musicians is the best. We have a blast. There’s nothing like it.”

When Billy Ray hits Australian shores later this month, it will be almost 25 years to the day since he launched his first ever world tour Down Under.

With the enthusiasm of a kid before Christmas, he’s champing at the bit to get back here to launch the next 25 years of his career and meet another generation of Billy Ray Cyrus fans – and a heap of new ones.

He’s the headline act at Australia’s newest outdoor music festival, Crossroads Country in the Vines, at Roche Estate, Pokolbin in the Hunter Valley.

From 11am on Saturday, March 24, music lovers are in for more than 12 hours of some of the best country on offer.

There’s a virtual galaxy of stars on the bill. How’s this for a line-up? Lee Kernaghan, Kasey Chambers, John Williamson, The McClymonts, Sara Storer, Adam Harvey, Beccy Cole, O’Shea, Shane Nicholson, Travis Collins, the

Wolfe Brothers, Amber Lawrence, Buddy Goode, Caitlyn Shadbolt, Adam Eckersley Band, Viper Creek Band, Christie Lamb, Tori Darke, Bob Corbett and Casey Barnes.

Billy Ray has extended his tour to include Brisbane’s Sandstone Point Outdoor Arena and Melbourne’s famous Palms at the Crown Casino.

A full night of country music hits awaits fans, who can also catch very special guests Kasey Chambers, O’Shea, Caitlyn Shadbolt and Hurricane Fall supporting in Brisbane, and the brilliant Travis Collins as Billy Ray’s special guest performer in Melbourne.

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NO PLAN B:

DARIUS RUCKER ROLLS INTO THE FUTURE 26

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years of bringing you the music 1975â&#x20AC;&#x201C;2018

BY JEREMY DYLAN

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arius says “It’s just amazing how far technology has come,” in the middle of an anecdote about recording his latest album When Was The Last Time.

“I was in Hawaii shooting an episode of Hawaii Five 0 and we needed to get some vocals done.

So we Skyped in to the studio and Ross heard my voice just like I was standing there in front of him singing in the booth. We probably did five or six songs that way. There was no way I could’ve imagined this when I started out. But I started out in 1986 – I couldn’t have imagined the internet. I hope I live another 30 or 40 years to see what it’s like then because it’s been such a crazy jump forward. To be able to make a record like this has really been a lot of fun.”

Not many hit artists are excited about the idea of getting older. In some genres, being over 35 is slightly less damaging to your career prospects that having your hands amputated or vocal cords removed. Darius isn’t worried.

“I think what that comes down to is the country music fans.

They’re loyal. As long as you keep giving them great songs, you can have a career into your 50s, or even look at George Strait in his 60s. Country is a great place to be if you love songs, and there’s

years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

DARIUS RUCKER IS TALKING ABOUT PUNCHING ME IN THE FACE. NOT BECAUSE THE INTERVIEW IS GOING BADLY, BUT AS AN ANALOGY TO HIS DISBELIEF IF I’D TOLD HIM WHERE HE’D BE NOW BACK IN 1986, WHEN THE 20-YEAR-OLD UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA STUDENT HAD JUST STARTED ‘HOOTIE AND THE BLOWFISH’.

so many guys writing great songs. I like being part of the big community that Nashville is.”

Despite his love of the Nashville community, Rucker is happily ensconced in his childhood home town of Charleston and has no plans to relocate to Music City.

“I think if I was younger, I probably would have moved to Nashville. But after having the success I’ve had… if I want to be in Nashville, I can just get in my bus and go to sleep and wake up in Nashville. I’m where God wants me to live.”

The overriding aspect of Darius’s personality that shines through much of our conversation is his level of chill. Having two distinct careers as a purveyor of hit singles in two different genres might make some men arrogant, but for Rucker it seems merely to have removed the anxious fear of failure that plagues performers. It’s a quality that informs the story of how he ended up in country music in the first place.

“Out of the blue, one of the members of our band said he didn’t want to be a touring musician anymore, and we weren’t going to dump him and get someone else. We were a band.

“I thought ‘well I’m going to go make a country record’. I didn’t think I’d get a record deal, let alone have the success I had.

I wouldn’t have given me a record deal, but Mike Dungan from Capitol did.

“Looking back, I never had a Plan B, because this was my only plan. I was lucky because Hootie did so well, so it wasn’t like I was going to be worried about not eating next week.”

It’s easy to take this as false humility, considering he was coming off a rock career that included 16 times platinum selling album and a Grammy. But at the time, artists entering the country world from other genres were viewed with suspicion, as

“I THOUGHT

insincere carpetbaggers trying to capitalise on the commercial power of the format. Not to WELL I’M mention that Rucker was angling to be only the second GOING TO major black star in the history of country radio.

GO MAKE A In fact, he succeeded beyond COUNTRY anyone’s expectations, coming straight out of the gate with a RECORD. I smash hit single and racking up many more over the last DIDN’T THINK decade.

It was another barrier that I’D GET A fell to an artist who has made a career of ignoring any efforts RECORD DEAL, to put restrictions on what he can do. We’re talking about a LET ALONE man who has fronted an iconic rock band, sang jazz at Frank HAVE THE Sinatra’s 80th birthday, cut an RnB record, sang on an album SUCCESS I

by Americana troubadour Radney Foster and wound up HAD.” a Grammy-winning country star. Are there any boundaries he does acknowledge on his musical horizons?

“I can’t rap. I really, really, really, really, really love rap, but I can’t rap. When it comes to singing, I just want to sing what I feel like singing. I just don’t see boundaries, I hear songs. And I like songs, and I want to sing songs.”

Soon he’ll be singing them in Australia, on his first solo foray Down Under. In addition to his two theatre dates in Sydney and Melbourne, he’s headlining Saturday night at the sold out CMC Rocks QLD festival.

“I’m really excited, I’ve been trying to come there for eight years. People come back talking about how much fun it is. It’s amazing how much they know country music, not just Australian country,” he said.

“I looked at the lineup, it’s gonna be three great days.

I’m really excited knowing that it sold out that fast. They want to see us, so we have to bring it.”

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27

DUSTIN LYNCH IS

SMILING

BY JEREMY DYLAN

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ven in your mind’s eye, Dustin Lynch is flashing a gleaming grin and the look in his eye says ‘Hold on there while I take over the world’.

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PICTURE YOUR FAVOURITE COUNTRY SINGER. SOME HAVE A CHRIS YOUNG OR JOSH TURNER SOULFUL STATE. SOME HAVE THE ‘C’MON I GOT THIS’ SLY TWINKLE OF MIRANDA LAMBERT OR GEORGE STRAIT. Dustin Lynch is smiling now. I don’t know this for a fact – we’re speaking over a crackly cell-phone connection as he speeds down a highway between tour stops. But it’s a pretty good bet. I’d put more than $5 on it.

You take it for granted that Lynch has a lot to smile about. Last time I saw him, he was playing one of his hit singles (tick!) to an enthralled arena crowd (tick!)

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opening for Garth Brooks (bingo!). He gave his grandparents – who were watching from the crowd – a shout-out, and left it all out on the stage for his 20 minutes of allotted time. It’s almost a metaphor for the way Lynch seems like a distilled personification of country star dreams. He makes music

years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

“I’VE NEVER BEEN SO READY TO DO A LOT OF EXPLORING, A LOT OF CELEBRATING. EVERYBODY COMES BACK RAVING ABOUT HOW GREAT THE CROWDS ARE HOW NICE THE PEOPLE ARE. AND, MOST IMPORTANTLY, HOW MUCH THEY LOVE THE PARTY. YOU KNOW I’VE GOT A LOT OF AUSTRALIAN FRIENDS OVER HERE IN THE STATES AND I CAN SAY THEY PARTY. THEY PARTY HARD”.

that’s personal to him but broad in its appeal, loves George Strait but has no fear of drum machines, plays an opening set like a headliner and is handsome enough that women seeing me watch his videos tap me on the shoulder with inquiries.

He’s smiling about coming to Australia

years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

for CMC Rocks QLD. It’s “a dream come true”.

“I’ve never been so ready to do a lot of exploring, a lot of celebrating. Everybody comes back raving about how great the crowds, are how nice the people are. And, most importantly, how much they love the party. You know I’ve got a lot of Australian friends over here in the States and I can say they party. They party hard”.

He’s also smiling about joining CMC Rocks headliner Luke Bryan on two sold out arena dates. It’s not the first time they’ll have toured together.

“I’ve learned so much from Luke. He’s been somebody I’ve followed really right when he got his start. I was living with his drummer at the time and so that’s how I kind of discovered Luke and just kind of followed what he did and how he did it.”

This study clearly paid off.

A #1 debut self-titled album in 2012 kicked off a career that has yielded gold and platinum selling hits like Where It’s At, Hell Of A Night, Mind Reader, and Seein’ Red. “Fast forward several years I kind of had a little success and Luke asked me to be a part of this tour for not one, but two years in a row! He’s like a big brother to me. And we’ve had a lot of great times together both on and off the stage.”

Bryan even served as a sounding board for Lynch’s latest hit record, Current Mood.

I was able to run all of this new album past Luke. We’d play our new stuff for each other as we’re recording and looking for songs to record and write.

So it’s been a great learning experience.”

It’s not difficult to imagine Lynch being where Bryan is in a few years time. Whereas Bryan went from respected

journeyman country singer to genre-dominating superstar through a couple of outsized smash hits, it seems more likely that the younger man will reach the top through the path he’s trod to date – do it more, do it better, do it smarter, do it again.

While Lynch plays his cards close to his chest regarding his personal life, he is electrified with energy on the subject of connecting with his fans musically, starting with his approach to the songwriting process.

“I’ve learned to write on the road right on the bus. I like getting the songwriters out of their normal routine, getting them out on the road with me so they can see what type of crowds are showing up and the energy that is at our shows. I find it to be really helpful and very inspiring for them.”

While he doesn’t like to let all the new songs out of the bag before an album’s release, he did road test several of the songs from Current Mood to make sure they resonated on first listen with his audience.

“My goal is to have every single song playing or to feel great and be a moment of its own, its own character, so testing the music is something we really kind of focus in on. When we release an album now it’s about finding what songs connect the best.”

The resultant album is a diverse and more musically adventurous record than his previous two releases.

While still firmly rooted in country, Lynch is conscious that the new roads he travels on Current Mood might set some tongues wagging.

“I know it’s going to raise some eyebrows both politically and sonically but I think that’s a good thing because it’s a new chapter of my life. A lot of these stories happened with a lot of different types of music playing in the background, so you can’t help but kind of have those flavours pop back into my mind. I love Top 40, I love hip hop and R&B. You know my first band I was ever in was an Eagles cover band. I’m a huge fan of Bruno Mars and Drake”.

So with his most ambitious and personal album out in the world and his first trip down under imminent, what else is on the mind of one of country’s most focused and driven stars?

The answer, it seems, is paying it forward.

“I’m all about finding new artists because we’re taking these new steps – yes we are being direct support for big superstar acts, but in between that I’m having my own tour. So we’re setting out to do 15 cities this fall in the States and I’m taking new artists out.

I’m always looking for the next thing, the next act that I think’s going to hit big and be, you know, kind of the next wave of stars in the genre. I’m always looking for new, and new acts to collaborate with and work with them to bring out on tour. And it’s fun you know to be in this position, it really is.”

Dustin Lynch is smiling. And he’ll see you soon.

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29

EVERYTHING

I AM 30

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years of bringing you the music 1975â&#x20AC;&#x201C;2018

BY REBECCA BELT

SPEAKING TO CAPITAL NEWS ON THE HALFWAY POINT OF HIS CURRENT CANADIAN TOUR, THE EXCITEMENT IS CLEAR IN GORD BAMFORD’S VOICE AS HE TALKS ABOUT HIS UPCOMING AUSTRALIAN SOJOURN.

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itting in Tamworth, where it was 36 degrees Celsius, it was hard to imagine Gord all the way over in snowy Canada where he’s celebrating the release of Neon Smoke, his second Australian release and eighth Canadian release. Gord achieved three top five singles in Australia from the Tin Roof album, his first Australian release.

Being an ex-pat Aussie and knowing how to work the audiences in his birth country has meant fans have embraced his take on country music, including the new single, Livin’ On Summertime.

“We released that single here (Canada) in summertime then we released that there in the Australian summer,” he said.

“I think with any of the songs I do, Tin Roof, Breakfast Beer, and this one, my stuff is just really blue collar, down the middle, very simple stuff that people can relate to. Canada is really similar to Australia, except Aussies drink beer earlier in the morning than Canadians.

“I just pick songs that meet the market. The single has been the No. 1 song here and I’m glad it’s doing well in Australia, too.”

Gord is one of the premier country music artists in Canada with 24 Canadian Country Music Association Awards and two CMA awards under his belt, as well as 23 Top 10 singles, including the smash No. 1 hit When Your Lips Are So Close from his sixth studio release Cowboy Junkie.

He came to Australia for his first tour in 2016 after signing a record deal with ABC Music and toured with The Wolfe Brothers.

Gord grew up in Traralgon, Victoria, until he was five, when his parents separated and his mother moved he and his sister to Canada. It took 20 years before he returned to his country of birth. He is currently on a 31-show tour of his home country before he and his crew take a week off and then fly to Australia.

This will be the first time Gord has brought his entire crew and band to his birth country and he can’t wait to show Australian audiences his full show in all its glory.

“We are so excited,” he said.

“The whole crew and band are coming down. This is the first time I’ve brought them because it’s a long way to fly and gets expensive, and I’ve had the chance to work with The Wolfe Brothers and that’s been a lot of fun and Lee (Kernaghan) has been really good, but the whole goal is to bring the band with me.

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“IT IS A VERY HIGH ENERGY SHOW AND IT’S GOING TO BE NICE TO BE ABLE TO PRESENT MY MUSIC WITH THE WHOLE GROUP AS I HAVE BEEN DOING FOR MANY YEARS.” “We have a really polished show and you always have to make that investment in your career and they’re a huge part of my success.

The band are all world-class awardwinning musicians, it’s just different because they know every move I make and everything I do.

“It is a very high energy show and it’s going to be nice to be able to present my music with the whole group as I have been doing for many years.”

Gord begins this Australian musical mission with three performances at CMC Rocks Queensland before he takes his tour to Newcastle, Sydney, Melbourne and Hobart.

“Aussies are accepting of the fact I was born there and that they recognise that is amazing for me,” he said.

“We will spend some time at the front part of the trip enjoying the country and when we’re not playing, we are definitely going to be taking advantage of that to have a look around. It is such an amazing place and I’m so glad I’ve

had the chance to reconnect with my dad and see the country I was born in.

While he’s Down Under, Gord will be shooting another music video, which his Canadian fans have loved in the past.

“We’ve shot a couple of videos in Australia and they’ve done really well in Canada,” he said.

“Fall In Love If You Want To was up for a Canadian Country Music Award. I want to be able to support the Aussie people in my business as well, so we will do more clips as well for sure and we have plans for a new video this tour.”

The multi-award winning Canadian country artist said he loved performing at CMC Rocks Queensland, but would be missing its founder this year.

“I was really sad to hear about Rob Potts’ passing because he was a dear friend of mine,” Gord said.

“It’s an amazing festival and is as good as anything we have anywhere in the world.

People come and enjoy it and I’m looking forward to playing the main stage and attending the CMC Awards. We are very excited about our nominations and being part of the whole thing.”

Once his Australian tour wraps up, Gord and crew will head to France then shows in other parts of Europe before he hits the Canadian music festival circuit throughout autumn in the Northern Hemisphere then back to Australia before he takes to the road again in Canada for a Christmas tour to round off the year.

“Australian audiences know how to have a good time,” he says.

“They love their beer, music and downhome lifestyle – its everything I am. You are always nervous taking your music to places that are brand new, but Australia was so much different. I am very thankful my music has been embraced by the Aussie country music fans.”

Gord starts his Australian tour with CMC Rocks before he heads south as far as Hobart on his run of shows. If you miss him this time, he’s coming back around September, so stay tuned for more news.

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BY JON WOLFE

THE DAVISSON BROTHERS BAND IS HEADING DOWN UNDER WITH THEIR UNIQUE BRAND OF COUNTRY MUSIC THAT WAS FORGED IN THE HILLS OF WEST VIRGINIA.

I

f you say you’re from the hills of West Virginia, someone is bound to call you a hillbilly, but brothers Donnie and Chris Davisson say they are proud to wear the tag anytime.

“We’ll take that,” Chris said. “We’re happy to be very proud of where we’re from.”

The brothers grew up in a family that has lived in the West Virginia hills for generations and a family that played music whenever it got the chance. In fact the boys were playing instruments as early as two or three years of age.

“On our dad’s side of the family we go back several generations,” Chris said, “and they were all fiddlers until our grandad switched over to the guitar and that became our dad’s main instrument. That was passed on to us as guitar players, songwriters and singers.”

The brothers have earned a following that almost qualifies them as overnight successes, and their recent success belies the that fact they have worked as a band for many years and travelled extensively to bring their brand of country music to fans in the US. Chris and Donnie play acoustic guitars and are joined in the band by Aaron Regester on drums and Russell Repert on bass, and they manage to produce an energetic sound that is the envy of many electric guitar-based bands.

“We all grew up together and we turn up real loud,” Donnie said. “We do have a unique sound – we just honed in on what we got and make as much sound as possible with what we got.”

In fact the guitars the boys use are as much an integral part of the band as the players themselves. Chris has an old guitar that he has used since he was a kid.

“It’s a very unique guitar,” he said. “It’s the only guitar I play and I’ve refilled it and reworked it over the years and made it my signature thing.”

Donnie plays an Ovation guitar: “I’ve always stuck with it. I like to dance a lot and the Ovation is good because it’s not a full sized guitar and I can dance and move with it, it sounds great and it’s small and it always seemed to fit me.”

The boys are forging a reputation as songwriters and they credit their uncle for a lot of inspiration.

“He lives on the family farm, but he don’t come out of the holler very often,” Chris said. “He always just sat around and wrote songs about our family and wrote about the farm and we kinda picked up on that.”

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They have now set up in Nashville and have joined up with legendary producer Keith Stegall who has set them on a career path that sees them garnering plenty of airplay across the States and here in Australia with the single Po’ Boyz.

The song has hit the top of radio airplay charts across the country and it has provided the perfect introduction to the Davisson Brothers Band as it prepares to make its first international foray with appearances at this year’s CMC Rocks Qld in March.

“Yeah, it’s our first international tour,” Chris said, “and we’re looking forward to it.”

“We’re excited,” Donnie said.

“We’ve heard a lot about you Australians – that you’re wilder and you know how to drink beer better and we’ve heard that the people are the best thing!”

“We’ve heard nothing but good stuff,” Chris said.

“Everybody we’ve spoken to said we are gonna love it over there and we’re not gonna want to come back!

“We’d like to think that y’all are just like us – we come from the country and work for what we’ve got and we work hard. And we play hard as well, and we’re glad that translates to over there.”

There are plans to release an album in Australia in 2018, but the best chance you’ll ever get to hear the Davisson Brothers Band is to catch them live when they come Down Under this month.

years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

FROM THE HOLLER

TO DOWN UNDER years of bringing you the music 1975â&#x20AC;&#x201C;2018

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Dean Brody

CMC ROCKS ON Dan & Shay

Steve Forde

“CMC ROCKS FANS ARE THE BEST AUDIENCE, AND ARE SUPER PASSIONATE ABOUT THIS FESTIVAL”, SAID FESTIVAL CO-FOUNDER, THE LATE ROB POTTS. 34

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Luke Combs

Dove Shore

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s organisers prepare for the eleventh CMC Rocks QLD, co-founder Rob Potts will undoubtedly be in the thoughts of all the team as well as the artists he booked and fans who knew of the man who brought their favourite country and roots music to their door.

For the first time in the history of Australian country music – more than 50 years – CMC Rocks QLD sold out 18,000 tickets, in a record time of just under one hour.

Country music lovers lucky enough to snap up a ticket will see the world’s hottest country artists across a fabulous weekend of music, camping and fun.

Michael Chugg, executive chairman, Chugg Entertainment, said “To say we were taken by surprise is an understatement. To sell out in less than an hour is an amazing testament to the growth of the country music genre in Australia. We are all very proud, and are looking forward to our eleventh year, and the most amazing line-up yet”.

The festival will be headlined by twotime CMA Entertainer of the Year, Luke

years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

Luke Bryan

Bryan, on his debut Australian visit. Darius Rucker and Kelsea Ballerini, along with local duo Busby Marou and a phenomenal line-up of the very best artists the genre has to offer will hit the CMC Rocks stage between Thursday March 15 and Sunday March 18.

CMC Rocks has over the years hosted world-class sets from international music icons like Tim McGraw, Toby Keith and Alan Jackson to Lady Antebellum, Faith Hill, Taylor Swift, Dixie Chicks and Little Big Town annually complemented by an array of Australia’s most prolific stars and exciting up-and-comers, including Lee Kernaghan, Troy Cassar-Daley, Kasey Chambers, Morgan Evans, Caitlyn Shadbolt and more, CMC Rocks never fails to deliver the best of country music to local music fans.

Due to the huge demand each year, additional camping will be available and campers will enjoy an expanded festival program beginning at the Jack Daniel’s White Rabbit Saloon at 1pm on Thursday, March 15 through to 2am the next morning and on Friday, March 16, performers will kick off at 10:15am with gates opening at 9:15am.

On-site facilities include main stage, second stage, and undercover Jack Daniel’s White Rabbit Saloon, unique songwriters shows, artist CD signings, Sweethearts Saloon Speed Dating, Moet Champagne & Nail Bar, Boathouse Steakhouse indoor restaurant, CMC merchandise tent and over 40 food & beverage outlets.

A full list of artists includes Dustin Lynch (USA), Old Dominion (USA), Dan + Shay (USA), Busby Marou, Dean Brody (Can), Randy Houser (USA), Brett Young (USA), Steve Forde, Brothers Osborne (USA), Luke Combs (USA, Travis Collins, The Sunny Cowgirls, Russell Dickerson (USA), Davisson Brothers Band (USA), High Valley (Can), Ryan Follese (USA), Gord Bamford (Can), Troy Kemp, Jody Direen (NZ), Christie Lamb, Kaylee Bell (NZ), Melanie Dyer, Missy Lancaster, Baylou, Mustered Courage, The Viper Creek Band, Jayne Denham, Casey Barnes, Route 33, and 2017 Toyota Star Maker Rachael Fahim.

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ROBYN MCINTOSH

HOTTER

THAN A PISTOL

BUT SO MUCH FUN!

BY ANNA ROSE

IT WAS PROBABLY UP THERE WITH THE HOTTEST ON RECORD – BUT THIS YEAR’S TOYOTA COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL TAMWORTH WAS ONE OF THE BEST EVER –

BY A COUNTRY MILE. 36

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nd while the city’s primary water supply, Chaffey Dam’s levels may have dropped dramatically thanks to all the thirsty punters, most venue operators were delighted with the steam bath that was otherwise known as the 2018 Tamworth Country Music Festival.

The majority of operators interviewed agreed visitor numbers were greater than the previous year, and patrons’

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ROBYN MCINTOSH

ANTONY HANDS ANTONY HANDS

Travis Collins at the Opening Concert

Lee Kernaghan & the Wolfe Brothers at Toyota FanZone

behaviour, on the whole, was exemplary.

The two largest venues, Wests and Wests’ Diggers, thrived in the scorching conditions, according to CEO Rod Laing.

Rod has been through 33 festivals and believes this was the hottest he’d experienced in all that time.

“The days it hit 44, it backed up with similarly high temperatures for the days after and that was a good thing for our venues,” Rod said.

“It ensured our free entertainment areas were full to the brim right through. People didn’t want to stay outdoors and went looking for venues with air conditioning.

“I definitely saw more beer drinkers than ever before, which was all relative to the temperature. The first thing most people did was have a cold beer as soon as they came in from the outside heat.”

Beccy Cole and the Tamworth locals’ favourite show, Country Turns Pink, were both sell-outs at Wests, while Adam Harvey, Kevin Bloody Wilson and Amber Lawrence all had near-capacity crowds, but it was a free show that Rod was drawn to.

“It was the best Ladies of Country show in Legends I’ve ever seen,” Rod said.

“It was the first night of the festival and the sound was great and Gina, the show’s host, turned 50.

years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

“I went to both her shows, that night and the next, and her voice was just perfect. The place was packed to the rafters both times.”

When he can, Rod said he liked to “wander the streets and pick up on the vibe out there – the atmosphere created by the large crowds”.

“I only got out twice – once to the Welder’s Dog to see Tori Forsyth – I loved her voice; and the Star Maker winner, Brad Cox. I heard him on radio, so I caught one of his shows at The Albert.

He’s got a great big voice.

“Like my past 33 festivals, each one is different; each has its highs and lows. As an organisation, we always accept constructive criticism which we’ve done from year to year.

“The only negative arose with some patrons not being admitted, and these were mainly from interstate, or older people who didn’t understand the rules.

Younger people have grown up with it, so they were fine.

“I was certainly very happy with crowd behaviour in general

and all the concerts in the showrooms paid for themselves – we didn’t lose money. Some years you do.”

Tamworth Regional Council’s Entertainment Venues manager Peter Ross was pleased to report increased numbers at Capitol Theatre events this festival.

“It was great to see a few events and artists that have been slowly building up their audience base each year get to sold-out status,” Peter said.

“Marie Hodson has consistently delivered a great Patsy Cline tribute show over the past few years and she was sold out this year.

“Kristy Cox’s Tamworth Opry Show, Carter & Carter’s Gospel Show and Darren Coggan also got to sold-out status for the first time. Paul Costa, The Pigs, The Spin Drifters and more had over 80 per cent house with a few nearly sold out.”

Tamworth War Memorial Town Hall, the spiritual home of Australian country music, was ablaze with stars – the very biggest and the very newest.

“It was great to see Sara Storer present a show for the first time in this glorious art deco venue,” Peter said.

“With Sara, John Williamson, Graeme Connors and Melinda Schneider all presenting their own special magic, the venue showcased these much-loved artists as well as those starting out through the various ‘walk-up’ and ‘battle of the band’ activities during the day under the Coca-Cola Country banner.”

Peter said it was another big year at TRECC with The McClymonts, Troy Cassar-Daley and Lee Kernaghan all pulling big audiences.

“Of course, the jewel in the crown of our unique 10-day

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ANNA ROSE ANNA ROSE

JOHN KRSULJA

Leslie Avril at South Bowlo

Travis Collins at Stuie French’s Pickers Night at The Pub

festival, the Toyota Golden Guitar Awards went off with a bang and saw the audience numbers increase for the fourth year in a row,” he said.

“Through a media partnership with the ABC, the event was streamed live on Facebook and a ‘highlights’ show aired nationally on ABCTV the following day.”

A leisurely hour’s drive from Tamworth, in the hills of gold, The DAG Sheep Station owner John Krsulja smiles when he recalls the festival.

“Our numbers were similar to last year and most shows sold out, but we had a different mix of people,” John said.

“When we asked who’d been here before, (usually we get about 50-50); this year it was 30-70, with more new people than return visitors.

“There were some pretty cool concerts out here. Felicity’s live taping of Saturday Night Country always sells out fast and is always a great show.

“The Bushwackers had a massive gig. Our Retreat Songwriters show always goes well.

Dashville was a new addition this year and drew a respectable 90 patrons on a very busy Australia Day. “I still can’t believe people leave everything going on in Tamworth to drive out here, but they do – and we love it.

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Dashville Does The DAG

“All shows covered their costs, and we made some money presenting six lunch-time and three afternoon shows, with an average of 103 patrons at each gig.

“If the artists are happy, the punters are happy and all I’ve heard since is good feedback.

Most gigs here were showcases, so our patrons got to see a variety of acts. It’s a win-win situation.”

Elsewhere in Nundle, the village was a hive of activity with the Peel Inn presenting a tasty roster of alt-country acts. The caravan park was fully booked and cute little touristy destination was buzzing.

Back in town, The Pub Group’s Jarod Douglas said he was “pretty happy” with patronage at The Pub, Southgate Inn, The Family Hotel and the Longyard.

“The first weekend was really good and Monday and Tuesday were great,” Jarod said.

With the huge array of free and ticketed shows all over town, it was pleasing to see The Pub

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Group acts attracting such a large and loyal following.

“Hurricane Fall was our biggest free act, consistently packing out shows at both Southgate and the Longyard,” he said.

Of all the ticketed concerts, the 4 Highwaymen sold out at the Longyard, while the Bushwackers’ popularity continued to draw happy, music-loving patrons to all their gigs at that venue.

“Viper Creek Band, the Sunny Cowgirls and Iain Archibald Band were all excellent and Moonshiners Bar at the Family had a good selection of shows on offer,” he said.

“Stuie French’s Pickers’ Night at The Pub is always a highlight, and the songwriters’ shows presented at our venues were all very well received.”

Jarod said there was no trouble throughout the festival, with patrons all there for the one reason – to enjoy the great music, food and atmosphere that can only be found at The Pub Group venues.

The Servies Group CEO Kristian Brooks said he had no complaints about either Tamworth venue – the Services Club or North Tamworth Bowlo. Both did brisk business through the long, hot campaign.

“Crowd numbers were definitely up, not down,” Kristian said.

“Usually you’ll get one big weekend and one quieter, but I felt it was pretty evenly spread throughout the whole 10 days.

“Our program started much earlier, with nightly shows from Shane Teinaki giving patrons a taste of what was to come.

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ANNA ROSE

ANNA ROSE ANNA ROSE

The Beez at The North Tamworth Bowling Club

Travelling Country Band at The Longyard

“I think next year’s festival will be big because the Australia Day public holiday falls on the Monday.”

Kristian said there were lots of highlights this year – with The Songhouse concerts very well attended at the Marius St venue and Andrew Clermont’s Supper Club drawing consistently good houses nightly to North Tamworth Bowlo.

“There are several shows held through the day at the bowlo and some – like the Feral Swing Katz, Stuie and Camille and Darren Coggan were massive,” he said.

“A new concept at the bowlo, The Sheilas Show, was probably the best-kept secret in town, but those who went are still talking about the first-class line-up of ladies. We’ll be getting them back again.”

While loath to put a dampener on any aspect of his beloved festival (Kristian is a huge country music fan, as well as a highflying CEO), he said the 10 big concerts in the park were definitely having an impact on ticketed shows in the CBD. “I think we need to strike some sort of compromise here, so everyone gets a fair slice of the pie,” One small venue that puts in a mammoth effort each year is Des and Joyce Gilfillan’s Oasis Hotel on the Armidale Road.

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The Bushwackers Chardonnay Show at The Longyard

“It was pretty hot, but our crowds were good,” Joyce said.

Two of the pub’s first-time acts proved to be real highlights – Don Costa and Steve Sparrow.

“Both of these fellows were new to the Oasis and they were very impressive,” Joyce said.

The one sour note for the Gilfillans was the rudeness of some patrons who brazenly took advantage of the hotel’s hospitality.

“We were bitterly disappointed with all the water-drinkers who occupied the best seats from 10am to 10pm, leaving nowhere for the drinkers to sit other than outside, or stand up the back of the room,” Joyce said.

“We gladly supply water and foam cups for our patrons, but it’s a slap in the face when they don’t even reciprocate our hospitality by at least buying a soft drink or meal.

“At one stage we had 100 people in the bar, with only 10 of them buying drinks. Your hotel might be full, but the till certainly doesn’t reflect that. It’s just a

real shame because if it continues, we may not be able to afford to provide free entertainment.”

South Tamworth Bowling Club CEO Owen Walker was a happy man with good memories of the past festival.

“Our opening night with the acoustic showcase from all our main acts was huge,” Owen said.

“But the biggest show by far was Anthony Taylor’s album launch – it was chockers. The majority of our acts are traditional country, so each had their own fan base to come along to support them.”

Big crowds though don’t necessarily translate into a bulging till at the end of the night.

“It’s a good thing council increased the capacity of Chaffey Dam when they did,” he said, indicating the large number of water-drinkers with short arms and long pockets.

“Our Outback Shack, which provided a music-free zone for locals and those not keen to contend with the musicloving crowds, worked really well,” Owen said.

“The restauArant out there was kept very busy and we had good, positive feedback from it.”

Immediately following the Tamworth Country Music Festival most fans suffer a common complaint known as “Tamworth withdrawals – or “post-Tamworth depression”.

Before they succumbed, many filled social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram with glowing reports and photographic evidence of their best festival ever.

Search stories with the hashtag #TCMF2018 or #tcmf2018 – and you’ll soon discover why Tamworth is proud to be the Capital of Country Music in Australia.

Roll on 2019 …

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TOYOTA TOYOTA

Mark Atkins Troupe

4 x 4 Track

TOYOTA

The Pig & Tinder Box

TOYOTA

The Welder’s Dog

Family Zone

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Simply Bushed

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James Blundell years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

ANNA ROSE

VICKI MELOUNEY JOHN ARNOLD

Adam Brand

ANNA ROSE

JOHN ARNOLD

Aboriginal Showcase with Roger and Buddy Knox

JOHN ARNOLD

Finale Best of the Bush

Andrew Clermont Book Launch years of bringing you the music 1975â&#x20AC;&#x201C;2018

Back To The Bush Alissa Smith, Dianne Lindsay, Peter Simpson C O U N T RY M U S I C C A P I TA L N E W S F E B RUA RY/ M A RC H 2 0 1 8

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Terry Gordon, Steve Newton, Slim Newton

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Frank Ifield, Chad Morgan, Wayne Horsburgh

Simply Bushed Bush Dance

VICKI MELOUNEY

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Darren Coggan, Jon Wolfe, Adam Harvey

Brendan Nawrocki

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Beccy Cole

Alwyn Aurisch & Sally Anne Whitten 42

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Troy Cassar-Daley at TRECC years of bringing you the music 1975â&#x20AC;&#x201C;2018

ANNA ROSE

ANNA ROSE

Bill Chambers, Paul Novosel, Andy Toombs, Lucky Oceans

ANNA ROSE

Finn Macool at Moonshiners

ANNA ROSE

Small Town Romance @ The Tamworth

BOB MCGAHAN

The Cartwheels at Wests Diggers

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Brumby Awards C O U N T RY M U S I C C A P I TA L N E W S F E B RUA RY/ M A RC H 2 0 1 8

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TOYOTA

ANTONY HANDS

ANTONY HANDS

Toyota Ambassadors

Anna Rose celebrates with Gina Timms

Montz Matsumoto

Kirsty Lee Akers

TOYOTA

Zeta Burns 90th birthday cake during Jammo’s Legends Show

Lee Kernaghan at Tamworth City Toyota 44

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years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

ANTONY HANDS

TOYOTA TOYOTA

Kimberley Gold Busking On Peel Street

TOYOTA

Goldheist Busking On Peel Street

Jeff Brown TOYOTA

ROBYN MCINTOSH

Toyota Hat Giveaway

Johnny Greenwood years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

ROBYN MCINTOSH

The McClymonts ROBYN MCINTOSH

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Reg Poole at Jammo’s Legends Show

Hissy Fits’ Jordan Kachel with Guy Kachel

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VICKI MELOUNEY

Rae Moody & Liz Kinninmont

Turk Tresize at the Imperial Hotel

Kaylens Rain

Judah Kelly

Roxanne & Stephen Kiely Book Launch at Teamo

Troy Cassar-Daley, Keith Jamieson, Ernie Constance

BRENDAN NAWROCKI

Daniel Thompson

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Gold Medallion winners Lindsay Butler & Anthony Baxter years of bringing you the music 1975â&#x20AC;&#x201C;2018

LOU FARINA

Paul Bonner-Jones, Robert Schofield, Kay Burns, Patricia Cruzado in Nundle

Texas Strangers with Steve Killeen

Maddison & Charlie Waddington enjoy the festival

Carter & Carter’s Gospel Concert at the Capitol Theatre years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

Roo Arcus

Kevin Bennett & The Flood with Gary Carruthers at The Tamworth

INXS’ Andrew Farriss, Shelley & Lawrie Minson, Tania Kernaghan C O U N T RY M U S I C C A P I TA L N E W S F E B RUA RY/ M A RC H 2 0 1 8

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Lily Zhou YuPeng performs at the Mayor’s Welcome at the Tamworth Gallery

Rachael Fahim

Route 33 at #Live And Loud

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Aleyce Simmonds years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

Jason Owen

Gretta Ziller

Reece Mastin and Caitlyn Shadbolt

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Daryl Braithwaite at Wests

Melanie Dyer

Missy Lancaster years of bringing you the music 1975â&#x20AC;&#x201C;2018

Karlee and Michael Cole C O U N T RY M U S I C C A P I TA L N E W S F E B RUA RY/ M A RC H 2 0 1 8

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HAYSTACK MOUNTAIN HERMITS

Mitch Wiley, representing Toyota, congratulates Haystack Mountain Hermits

TEN OF THE BEST BUSKERS FROM ACROSS THE 2018 TOYOTA COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL COMPETED IN THE TOYOTA LANDCRUISER COUNTRY MUSIC BUSKING CHAMPIONSHIP ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 27 AT TOYOTA PARK.

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he event saw Brothers3 open the night and guest judge alongside CH On Peel owner and sponsor Jye Segboer as well as a return appearance of 2017 winner Tim Scanlan, along with return host Michael Hansen for his third year.

“This year’s finalists are a diverse range of extraordinary talent that includes new, young and emerging artists,” said Hayden Pannell, busking coordinator, Tamworth Regional Council.

The Top 10 finalists featured Zac & George, Simon Gudgeon, Charlie Fittler, Emmagen Rain and Shania Bonita all from NSW. Victoria and Queensland were also

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well represented among the finalists with Horizon, Embers, Jimmy Davis, Haystack Mountain Hermits, and Andrew Cousins.

The bona fide family band of six, Haystack Mountain Hermits, were named the 2018 Toyota LandCruiser Country Music Busking Champion in front of a huge crowd in Toyota Park.

The band had its genesis around campfires on a seven month big lap of Australia in 2011. Dave, Kerrie, Jackson, Marcus, Lachlan and Ella packed every instrument they could fit into their van and spent hours

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developing their musicianship on the long, straight bits of Highway One. The championships are one of the Toyota Country Music Festival Tamworth’s most highly anticipated attractions, with hundreds of buskers taking part in the always hotly contested competition.

Many of those who take part hope to follow in the footsteps of Troy Cassar-Daley, Kasey Chambers, Beccy Cole, and Keith Urban who all started by busking on Peel Street.

Wayne Gabriel, chief marketing officer, Toyota Australia said: “Each year the Toyota LandCruiser Country Music Busking Championship unearths incredible talent from more than 400 buskers performing on Tamworth’s iconic stretch of Peel Street.

Toyota is proud to support grassroots country music programs such as this, and we congratulate the winner Haystack Mountain Hermits as well as everyone else who took part in the Championships and brought a smile to the faces of tens of thousands of festival-goers in 2018”.

Tamworth Regional Council, manager country music, Barry Harley says the Busking Championships are a great launch pad for aspiring musicians and are one of the most vibrant and exciting parts of the Toyota Country Music Festival Tamworth.

“Busking in Tamworth is a key part of the country music journey,” said Mr Harley. “It is a perfect launchpad for aspiring musicians as it helps them to get their music out there to a large audience. It also helps them build a solid foundation in Tamworth and set themselves up to take on other opportunities such as Toyota Star Maker.”

As winner of the 2018 Toyota LandCruiser Busking Championships, Haystack Mountain Hermits took home a cash prize of $3000, plus the opportunity to perform at The Last Roundup, on Sunday 28 January in Toyota Park, and a guest appearance on the Opening Concert in 2019. Second place winners Zac and George took home $2000 cash prize along with third place going to Embers taking $1000 cash prize. People’s Choice winner Emmagen Rain took home a fantastic prize sponsored

by Line6 of a digital wireless microphone and wireless instrument system retailing at $1400

years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

PHOTOGRAPHY: SHOT BY GAV (GAVIN INGLISS)

BESTOFTHEBUSKERS

Tim Scanlan 2017 winner

Guest performers Brothers3

Mitch Wiley with Zac & George band

Busking coordinator Hayden Pannell with Emmagen Rain

Busking finalists

Simon Gudgeon soaks up the crowd years of bringing you the music 1975â&#x20AC;&#x201C;2018

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Lee Kernaghan

O’Shea

Darren Coggan

Troy Cassar-Daley

CAVALCADE

WINNERS

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inners in the commercial section were Ballet Stars (first), Tamworth City Dance Academy (second) and Dance Dynamics (third).

In the non-commercial section, Filipino Association of Tamworth took out first place with Fire & Rescue NSW second and The Northcott Society third.

In the non-vehicle/equine section, King of the Ranges Stockman’s Challenge was first, High Velocity Trick Riding came second and Australian Representative Tent Pegging Team was third.

In addition to the official placings, two entrants received “highly commended” from the judges, Australian Air League Cadet Group and Tamworth Pipe Band.

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The McClymonts DARRYL BROWN

ALMOST 100 INDIVIDUAL FLOATS MADE THEIR WAY DOWN TAMWORTH’S PEEL STREET ON SATURDAY MORNING JANUARY 27 TO THE CHEERS AND APPLAUSE OF THOUSANDS OF FANS LINING THE STREET FOR THE TOYOTA CAVALCADE.

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TCMF

DARRYL BROWN

DARRYL BROWN

Melissa Bajric

Tamworth City Dance Academy TCMF

DARRYL BROWN

Tamworth City Dance Academy

Rodney “The Clown” Walker

TCMF

Paul Costa TCMF

DARRYL BROWN

Ashleigh Dallas

Tamworth Pipe Band TCMF

DARRYL BROWN

TCMF

Brad Butcher, Casey Barnes, Matt Cornell

King Of The Ranges Stockman’s Challenge years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

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ALLAN CASWELL

HONOURED

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llan first came to Tamworth in 1979 where he competed and won Best Song at Tamworth’s Capital Country Music Association’s National Talent Quest with his song King Of The Rodeo, the song, which also won him his first Golden Guitar in 1980.

He picked up Song of the Year in 1981 (with brother Brian) for One Armed Bandit, in 1983 (with Keith Potger) with Used To Be A Gold Song and then again in 1986 for The Garden. His other Golden Guitars were in 1988 Male Vocalist Of The Year for Black Jack Blues Again, 2007 (with Drew McAlister) for Vocal Collaboration Of The Year with A Little Bit Of Countr y In Us All and in 2016 (with Manfred Vijars) for Bush Ballad Of The Year with One Last Muster. In all, he has been a finalist 37 times.

Allan’s family sailed out from Southampton, England in 1966. It was in the UK where his song-writing ability can be traced back to where he and his brother Brian would make up songs as children.

Allan writes from the heart and most themes include heartbreak, love and life ... and of course, drinking.

He has been quoted as saying; “There’s a big difference between a sad song and a miserable song. Miserable songs people don’t want to hear, but sad songs they do.

Sad songs have a sense of humour.”

Most careers have a use-by date and

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Allan once said that his “was probably back in the early ‘90s”, but he chose to ignore it.

He managed to ‘writethrough’ those years and his guidance and influence upon young songwriters some 20 years later is enormous.

The facial hair itself has become symbolic of Caswell’s career renaissance, with he, himself, joking that “the only difference between being a has-been and a legend is the length to which you can grow your beard.”

His song writing prowess has long been admired. The success of On The Inside, the theme song from hit TV series Prisoner is his signature song. Allan has earned seven Golden Guitars, ARIA and APRA awards, two gold singles, one platinum album and three gold albums, and has continued to stay relevant and in-demand as both a co-writer and performer.

Allan has also worked extensively with young juvenile offenders, using music to help them express themselves and find a better path in life.

Back in the mid ‘80s, his

ANTONY HANDS, CHASING SUMMER

SINGER-SONGWRITER ALLAN CASWELL HAS BEEN ADDED TO TAMWORTH’S GALAXY OF STARS WHERE HE JOINS SLIM DUSTY, JOHN WILLIAMSON, LEE KERNAGHAN, SMOKY DAWSON, JIMMY LITTLE AND OTHERS.

record was 52 ‘song cuts’ in one year, breaking his record a few years ago with more than 60 and last year he had 55 songs recorded.

His list of albums includes It’s A Countr y Song, Behind Bars, Just Kidding, My Version Of The Truth, Al’s Bar & Grill, 50 Years In Oz, Sometimes When You Lose You Win and Rules For Love.

Allan Caswell occupies a truly unique place in Australian music history.

He has received a dozen songwriting awards from the Tamworth Songwriters’ Association including 1988 Songmaker of the Year and at the Southern Stars Independent Country Music Awards in Mildura.

Over the past few years, there’s rarely a week when an Allan Caswell co-write or two hasn’t been on the Australian country charts.

The star is now a legend and a worthy recipient of this great honour.

Allan Caswell is the 27th inductee into the Galaxy Of Stars Tamworth. His star and 26 others can be viewed in the forecourt at the Tamworth Regional Entertainment and Conference Centre.

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BOB MCGAHAN

Country Music Queen Alexandra Kellahan and Princess Samantha Duncan

QUEEN OF THE COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL

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lexandra Kellahan was crowned the 34th Queen of Country Music during the festival.

Cheyanne Conolon was announced as the 2018 Princess while Samantha Duncan was awarded Miss Congeniality and Julie Fleck, Miss Social Media.

Alexandra was sponsored by H&L Plastering, Cheyanne by Plush Hair Designs, Samantha by Tamworth Aboriginal Lands Council and Julie by Tamworth Regional Council.

A total of 12 young ladies were a part of the 2018 Queen of Country Music Quest which was organised again this year by Tamworth Zonta.

In addition to the title holders named above, the entrants were Tamara Ferguson (Ruralco Property Davidson Cameron Real Estate), Ashley Ginn (sponsored by The Northern Daily Leader), Eedi Jennar (Kirinari Community Services), Jade Johnston (Challenge Community Services), Jessica Anne Kaizer (Kirinari Community Services), Brittany Meissner (AELEC: Tamworth Regional Council), Eliza Simpson (Challenge Community Services) and Jessica Joan Lloyd (House With No Steps).

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From left:, standing: Alison Jensen, Matthew Munro, Finnian Johnson, Jorja Dalton and Harriet Kelly; front: Michelle Hendriks, Campbell Landrebe and Angela Landrebe; with Aristocrat representative Peter Henderson.

ARISTOCRAT ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR

JORJA DALTON AND NEW ZEALAND’S M.A.C. TRIO – MICHELLE HENDRIKS, ANGELA LANDREBE & CAMPBELL LANDREBE – HAVE TAKEN OUT THE 2018 ARISTOCRAT COUNTRY ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR QUEST.

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taged annually at Wests Diggers, the quest carries a prize valued over $3,000 including recording time.

Jorja was winner of the junior section with the M.A.C. Trio winning the senior section.

Alison Jensen was judged second in the senior section, Outback Opry (Jorja Dalton & Harriet Kelly) came third.

Finnian Johnson was runner-up in the junior section, with Kasey Kilsby third.

Matthew Munro was presented with the Nathaniel O’Brien Encouragement Award (Nathaniel, a previous Entertainer of the Year winner, died tragically in 2015 in a motor vehicle accident aged just 19). years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

ATHOL LATHAM

ANTONY HANDS

ATHOL LATHAM

Marge Graham and John Slaven

ATHOL LATHAM

Brian Howard presents Anna Rose with the Tamworth Award

Ian Hands and Max Thorburn

Hands of Fame recipients

Toyota Fanzone

Toyota Fanzone years of bringing you the music 1975â&#x20AC;&#x201C;2018

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Brad Cox

Finale with Travis Collins PHIL HENRY

Lee Kernaghan

Luke Austen

Karin Page

Lightning overhead

Mickey Pye

Jared Porter

Sam Hawksley

Liam Brew

Luke Dickens

Caitlyn Shadbolt

Rachael Fahim

Dobe Newton

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Travis Collins

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Jenny Taylor & Lipstick Spurs

Mayor Col Murray with John Eggins

Brad Cox

COCA-COLA COUNTRY

WAS THE COOLEST FOR 40 YEARS, COCA-COLA HAS BEEN GIVING ASPIRING MUSICIANS THE CHANCE TO PERFORM ON STAGE WITH A PROFESSIONAL BACKING BAND AT THE TAMWORTH COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL.

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irst known as the Mr Juicy Concerts, Coca-Cola Country has been building a strong foundation with the famous Walk-ups and, more recently, the introduction of the Battles… of the YoungStars, of the Bluegrass and of the Bands and New Stars.

Former Toyota Star Maker winner Jared Porter proved to be a popular host and guest performer during the daily events and there were a number of star performances throughout the week from the 2018 Toyota Star Maker Brad Cox, Rebecca Lee Nye and Billy Bridge, Kristy Cox & Travis List, Jodie Crosby, Sally-Anne Whitten, Brett Clarke, Paul Costa, Toyota Star Maker grand finalists, and the sensational Murphy’s Pigs were surprise guests throughout the week.

Judges across the week included 2018 Golden Guitar finalist Mickey Pye (2015 Toyota years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

Star Maker winner), Brett Clarke, Kristy Cox, Travis List, Rebecca Lee Nye, Billy Bridge, Jodie Crosby, Glenn Crosby, Kellie Crosby, Karin Page, Ben Ransom, James Blundell, Kevin Anderson, Rick Sanderson, Paul Owen, James Craswell, Karlee Cole, Aleyce Simmonds, and Sally-Anne Whitten.

Winners of the competitions are Sam Thompson, Battle of the YoungStars (Junior section), Sarah Hamze, Battle of the YoungStars (Intermediate), Finnian Johnson, Battle of the YoungStars (Senior section), Michaela Jenke, Battle of the New Stars (18-49), Al Buchan, Battle of the New Stars (Golden Oldies), and The Zack & George Band, Battle of the Bands.

The bluegrass category had three equal winners William Louis playing banjo, Tommy Chandler playing guitar and Paddy Montgomery playing mandolin.

Finnian, Michaela, Al and Zack & George were invited to perform on the Winner’s Closing Concert in Toyota Park.

This year, Coca-Cola Country included the Capital Country Music Association’s National Talent Quest (CCMA) presenting an eight-day schedule of opportunities for artists of all ages and all stages to perform and compete in the luxury of the famous Tamworth Town Hall.

The CCMA has been providing the chance for artists to compete in categories from juniors through to “golden oldies” since 1966.

Following the finals of each of the battles, the iconic CCMA Jamboree ran its annual concert including the overall junior and senior champions.

Tayla Clavarino and Rory Phillips are Country Music Capital’s Champions of Champions as determined by the Capital Country Music Association (CCMA).

The CCMA invited all solo winners of known talent quests in Tamworth this January to compete on Saturday, 27 January for the titles of junior and senior Tamworth Champions of Champions.

These included winners of the CCMA’s own SongStars songwriting competition as well as the junior and senior talent quests conducted in the Tamworth Town Hall during the week.

As well as the “champion” titles, Tayla and Rory won scholarships to the CMAA Academy of Country Music.

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HEAR+THERE SOCIAL FAMILY RECORDS MULTIPLE-SIGNINGS SOCIAL FAMILY RECORDS HAS HAD A STRING OF ADDITIONS TO ITS INDEPENDENT RECORD LABEL FIRST SIGNING ALT-COUNTRY SINGERSONGWRITER, ANDREW SWIFT IN OCTOBER 2017.

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ndrew joined label-mates Matt Scullion, Gretta Ziller, Jason Owen, The Buckleys and Hayley Jensen, after making his first huge impression on the scene when he became a Toyota Star Maker grand finalist in January 2017. He will release his second album in March.

Kristy James, multi award-winning Melbourne-based trio, Jetty Road (identical twins Paula and Lee Bowman and Julian Sammut) and duo NeillyRich have also signed licensing deals for their next albums with Social Family Records taking over distribution of their current records.

Canadian country artist, Amy Nelson signed a distribution deal with her first single Hey Love. Amy has spent more time Down Under than in her native land; creating a buzz and building an Australian fan-base. She joins The Dungarees, Katie Jayne, Jay Seeney and Chalkie White, all with distribution deals.

& ] “Help Me Make It Through The Night”

Single Release

Musical Jour205ne, y

Feb 19th on CRS Vol Album from the forthcoming

Free Spirrchit201ed8.

#1 Single

National Top 40 Country Tracks Australia

due out in Ma

EP “That’s The Way Love Goes” Available Now! Key2 Artist Promotion key2artistpromotion.com.au/store Radio Distribution CRS Publicity

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Email: tracey@alanandtrace.com Website: www.alanandtrace.com Facebook: alanandtrace

&

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HEAR+THERE OVERCOMING ADVERSITY THROUGH SONG NATALIE HENRY’S LIFE HAS PLAYED OUT LIKE ONE LONG COUNTRY SONG.

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he product of a broken home, with numerous stepbrothers, sisters and mothers, the singer was raised by her truck driver father, a KB drinkin’, Camel-smokin’ man with the charm of Burt Reynolds. He would sing along to classics by Willie Nelson and The Highwaymen as Natalie lay in the sleeper cab of his prime mover, rolling interstate.

Natalie’s singing career didn’t begin until the age of 34, when she realised her love for writing was more than just words on a page, it was her way of feeding her emotion, an escape from the daily routine. In just three years Natalie has been up, down and across Australia singing and sharing her stories of love, loss and heartache, to festivals and shows all over, captivating audiences with her honest

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and chilling words along with her sound that fits all the missing links in Australian country music.

Her debut single If We Said Goodbye was produced by Bill Chambers and is a powerful message that ‘you can raise your babies equally as well, apart’.

“Natalie Henry’s music straddles that ragged fence between country and folky/blues, real life stories!

Combine Nat’s unique voice with Emily’s harmonies, superb guitar playing, and you have a powerful duo,” Bill Chambers said.

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FESTIVALS

GYMPIE

GYMPIE MUSTER REFLECTS 37-YEAR HERITAGE

THE GYMPIE MUSIC MUSTER HAS LAUNCHED ITS LINE-UP FOR 2018, UPHOLDING ITS 37YEAR TRADITION OF DELIVERING TRUE, GRASSROOTS COUNTRY FAVOURITES.

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s one of Australia’s largest charity festivals, the muster has a unique community spirit, based on collaboration and artist to audience connection.

This year marks a return to their heritage, after the 2017 festival showcased the emphasis on community that sets the muster apart.

In 2017, more than 10 headliners made surprise guest appearances in one another’s performances, collaborative events such as the Fender Guitar Jam drew bumper crowds, and audience members were given their own special chance to shine on stage with huge country stars. Patrons should expect nothing less from this year’s festival, as the Gympie Music Muster again brings together a family of artists to share their craft, and joins together performer and audience with an intimacy not seen at any other festival of this size.

At a launch event held at Gympie’s iconic Old Gympie Railway station on February 13, organisers revealed the headliners to perform at this year’s muster, across four massive days from the August 23 to 26.

The first announcement included Lee Kernaghan, Troy Cassar-Daley, John Williamson, Ian Moss, Beccy Cole, Sara Storer, The Wolfe Brothers, Shane Nicholson, The Pigs, Hat Fitz & Cara, Fiona Boyes, Lloyd Spiegel, and Blue Eyes Cry with many more to be announced.

Gympie Music Muster program director Jeff Chandler said this year’s line-up featured the cream of Australian country music, coupled with some of the hottest blues acts on the circuit.

“Musicians like Ian Moss, Troy Cassar-Daley, Beccy Cole and Hat Fitz & Cara have real history with the muster, and form part of our

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extended family of artists who regularly return to keep crowds entertained.”

“But what sets our festival apart is that it’s so much more than a line-up. Throw in intimate songwriter sessions, an all-star guitar-shredding jam, line and rock ’n roll dancing, instrument workshops and some surprise collaborations, and you begin to understand why the muster is a diverse and unique program that simply can’t be experienced anywhere else.”

The launch event also announced this year’s ambassador, Troy Cassar-Daley, a regular performer at the festival and much loved member of the Gympie Music Muster family.

“The Gympie Muster has given me many things and some great experiences, playing with my old friends the Blue Heeler Band in the early stages of my career around 1992, then meeting my future wife Laurel Edwards there back stage in 1993 now 22 years married!” said Troy. “This means the muster and I have quite a lot of personal history and every time I grace that stage the memories come flooding back of all those amazing times. I am so proud to be an ambassador in 2018 and can’t wait to share some tunes with you all up there!”

Troy performed at last night’s

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launch event on-board the soon-to-be resurrected Mary Valley Rattler train, an upcoming tourist attraction in the Gympie area.

Joining Troy on the line-up is Australia’s most celebrated country music star Lee Kernaghan, who has sold more than two million albums in Australia to date and has achieved a staggering 34 # 1 charting songs over his career. A favourite at the charity-driven muster, Lee is a long-time and passionate supporter of rural and regional Australia, having raised millions of dollars for drought, flood and bushfire relief, as well as being awarded an Order of Australia Medal and being named Australian of the Year in 2008.

Held in the Amamoor Creek State Forest in the beautiful Sunshine Coast Hinterland, two hours north of Brisbane and 40 minutes from Noosa, the muster is the perfect way to kick back and enjoy some of the country’s best talent. An unmissable and uniquely Australian event, one ticket price gives muster goers free camping and multi-venue access to all performances, to experience everything Australia’s biggest country music celebration has to offer.

Run by the community, for the community, the muster is a not-for-profit charity event which has raised in excess of $15 Million for charities Australia-wide since its inception.

It also gives a multi-million dollar boost to Queensland’s tourism sector every year, providing an economic boom for the region.

The Gympie Music Muster runs from Thursday August 23 to Sunday August 26, 2018 in the Amamoor Creek State Forest near Gympie. Tickets are available via www.muster.com.au. years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

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FESTIVALS

FIVE FUN FOLK DAYS

THIS EASTER, CANBERRA’S AWARD-WINNING NATIONAL FOLK FESTIVAL IS SET FOR ITS FIVE-DAY CELEBRATION OF MUSIC, SONG AND DANCE, WITH 200 INTERNATIONAL AND NATIONAL ACTS.

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ff the back of their recent two Golden Guitars win at the 2018 Country Music Awards of Australia, the Davidson Brothers are a highlight of the program.

All Our Exes Live In Texas, Damian Howard, Daniel Champagne, Fred Smith Band, The Good Lovelies (CAN), Harry Hookey, John Flanagan Trio, Liam Gerner & Luke Moller, Paddy McHugh, Paul Greene & The Other Colours, as well as a swag of other top country, bluegrass, traditional and

contemporary folk bands will also appear.

Offering ‘five days in a perfect world’, the 52nd National Folk Festival will run from March 29 to April 2 at Exhibition Park, corner Flemington Road and Northbourne Avenue, Mitchell, Canberra, ACT. Season passes and day tickets are on sale now.

For more information go to the website folkfestival.org.au or call 02 6262 4792 or email info@folkfestival.org.au

BRIAN TAKES ALL AT BUNGENDORE

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ountry balladeer crooner Brian Letton dominated the Stan Coster Memorial Bush Ballad Awards presented during the Bungendore Country Music Muster.

Brian snared four of the seven awards being named winner of the Male Vocal award with The Boyup Brook Waltz, Album of the Year for Western Australia Is Calling Me Home, the Comedy award for She’s Gotta Be Emu Export and the Songwriter award (with Warwick Edwards) for The Legend Of Wally Dowling.

There was an unusual situation with the Female Vocal which was shared by Sharon Heaslip with A Thousand Different Pictures and Dianne Lindsay with .

New Talent went to Bob Gregory with The Ghost Of Bold Ben Hall and the Instrumental Group or Duo award going to Lindsay Butler & Anthony Baxter for Things Are Not The Same On The Land.

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LOUISE WALPOLE

FOLK

GROUNDWATER

FESTIVALS

GROUNDWATER LINE-UP SWELLS ORGANISERS OF THE GROUNDWATER COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL SAY THEIR RECENT REBRANDING REFLECTS THE GROWING POPULARITY OF THE COUNTRY MUSIC GENRE IN AUSTRALIA, WHICH IS EXEMPLIFIED BY THE BLEND OF TRADITIONAL AND CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS IN THIS YEAR’S DIVERSE LINE-UP.

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estival director Mark Duckworth says, “Our festival has quickly gained a reputation for bringing together a collection of artists who, work together, to create a genuine festival feel. This line-up combines the best of Australian talent from the mainstream to the fringes of our land whilst fusing them with the authentic sounds of Nashville and Texas.”

Recently awarded three more Golden Guitars at the 2018 Country Music Awards of Australia, The McClymonts will be joined by US artists Granger Smith and his alter ego Earl Dibbles Jnr, Joshua Hedley and Lillie Mae. Granger was born and raised in Texas in the heart of country music, and achieved a US #1 album 2013 with Dirt Road Driveway, along with his 2016 single Backroad Song reaching #1 on mainstream charts in the USA. Joshua Hedley was hailed by Rolling Stone magazine as one of the most anticipated touring artists of this year. He brings his soaring, velvet voice and ‘60’s inspired songs to the festival whilst newcomer Lillie Mae who has been singing country and rock music on stages across America since childhood, is one to watch – with years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

Rolling Stone magazine already writing about her solo debut.

The first announcement of artists also includes Adam Harvey, O’Shea, Catherine Britt & The Cold Cold Hearts, Bill Chambers, Troy Kemp, Kirsty Lee Akers, Gold Coast local Casey Barnes, Travellin’ Still: The Songs of Slim Dusty with Pete Denahy & The Travelling Country Band, The Hillbilly Goats, Hurricane Fall, Doug Bruce, The Morrisons, and Melody Moko.

Broadbeach Alliance Chief Executive Officer Jan McCormick says, “In only its sixth year, the newly named Groundwater Country Music Festival has grown exponentially, with 2017 seeing over 54,000 people descending on Broadbeach to witness some of the most celebrated Australian and international artists. 2018 is no exception and with this fabulous line-up we know it will be an incredible three days.”

Broadbeach is a beautiful setting to see all your favourite country artists, for free.

“Diversifying our events calendar is critical in drawing people to the Gold Coast to soak up the atmosphere of our city and our people post the Commonwealth Games,” says Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate.

“This event is synonymous with country music and is now high on the national calendar.

Organisers have sensibly grown the format and allowed it to become a premiere event attracting tens of thousands of visitors. Bring on July.”

Groundwater Country Music Festival in Broadbeach includes the perfect mix of board shorts and banjos, surf boards and steel guitars, and country music’s finest over three days and nights of classic entertainment.

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FESTIVALS

THE DAG

REGISTRATIONS OPEN FOR

WINTER RETREAT AT THE DAG THE DAG SHEEP STATION IN THE BEAUTIFUL HILLS OF NUNDLE, WILL HOST ITS FIFTH WINTER SONGWRITER’S RETREAT, DURING TAMWORTH’S 2018 TOYOTA HATS OFF TO COUNTRY FESTIVAL FROM JULY 12 TO 17.

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articipants will get the chance to learn from some of Australian country music’s finest and successful awardwinning, singer songwriters including 2018 Golden Guitar winners Luke O’Shea, Aleyce Simmonds, and Shane Nicholson, previous Golden Guitar winners Felicity Urquhart, Kevin Bennett and well-awarded Jeremy Edwards.

The 2018 Retreat will focus on song writing and collaborating with artists also coached in stage presence, artist development, studio production and music business.

This retreat will be very hands on in its approach.

Participants will write and perform songs and learn in in-depth sessions that take seasoned artists years 66

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to learn through trial and error.

The 2018 Singer Songwriters Retreat has been designed to give new and established artists a place to meet and grow creatively. All genres, independent artists and artists under management are encouraged to be a part of this retreat, whether looking to improve song writing, performance skills, creative flow or market presence.

The program is laid back and allows time for collaboration, one-on-one tuition with a variety of tutors and a chance to find personal growth whilst surrounded by some of Australia’s finest song writers, producers, performers and supportive peers.

Thanks to APRA AMCOS Australia an indigenous artist from North West NSW will be awarded

the Indigenous Regional NSW Scholarship to attend the 2018 Retreat.

The DAG Sheep Station also awarded a second Scholarship to New Zealand artist, Jenny Mitchell to attend the 2018 Retreat. The DAG’s owner John Krsulja, was invited to travel to the 2017 Gold Guitars in Gore, New Zealand to help judge and select a recipient in which Jenny Mitchell was awarded overall Gold Guitar winner for the songwriters category.

Since the Songwriters Retreat’s inception, over 600 new songs have been written by attendees, with songs now recorded and appearing on both artists and tutors new EPs and albums.

One of the great successes has been The Old Man’s Shed, written

by Luke O’Shea and John Krsulja at the 2014 Songwriters Retreat.

Recorded by Luke O’Shea and released on his current album, Caught Up In The Dreaming, The Old Man’s Shed was awarded a Golden Guitar for Toyota Heritage Song of The Year at the 2017 Tamworth Country Music Festival.

In 2018 The DAG looks forward to continue on the success of the previous years and has added a second retreat to the calendar year in November, with the focus on song writing, with some of Australia’s finest songwriters.

For more information and to register visit www.thedag.com. au and click on Events/Singer Songwriters Retreat or phone John Krsulja on 02 67693 486 or email info@thedag.com.au. years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

FESTIVALS

CROSSROADS

VINES OF GOLD AT CROSSROADS FESTIVAL

Kasey Chambers

The McClymonts

A STAR-STUDDED LINE-UP OF 2018 GOLDEN GUITAR AWARD-WINNING ARTISTS WILL LIGHT UP THE STAGE AT CROSSROADS IN THE VINES ON MARCH 24.

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inner of three Golden Guitars, including the prestigious Album of the Year, The McClymonts, Lee Kernaghan who had the Sanity Top Selling Album of the Year, and newest inductee into the Australasian Country Music Roll of Renown and winner of Alt Country Album of the Year Kasey Chambers will all perform alongside the legendary Billy Ray Cyrus at this new festival located in the Hunter Valley’s picturesque Roche Estate on March 24, 2018.

Male Artist of the Year Shane Nicholson, three-times 2017 and 2018 Golden Guitar winner Travis Collins and Amber Lawrence also a three-times 2018 winner will join John years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

Williamson, Sara Storer, Adam Harvey and Beccy Cole, O’Shea, and The Wolfe Brothers.

The massive list of Aussie country stars at Crossroads in the Vines also includes emerging talents Caitlin Shadbolt, Viper Creek Band, Christie Lamb and many others.

“We’re delighted to be presenting some of 2018’s most awarded country music artists at the first-ever Crossroads In The Vines festival, Roche Group Managing Director Dominic Roche said.

With a mix of 2018 Golden Guitar award winners, established talent and fresh up-and-coming artists it’s set to be a once-in-a-lifetime chance to enjoy some of your favourite musicians in the magical surrounds of Roche Estate, just a two-hour drive from Sydney or one hour from Newcastle.

Roche Estate is a breathtaking venue with a picturesque setting in Australia’s premier wine region.

The award-winning structure comprises two Cellar Doors, a function centre, restaurants and shops, plus a 20,000 person capacity for concerts.

Roche Estate is located on the corner of Broke & McDonalds Roads, Pokolbin. For further information go to www. rocheestate.com.au or email enquiries@rocheestate.com.au “To cap it all off US country legend Billy Ray Cyrus is returning to Australia for the first time in eighteen years to entertain all those in attendance at Crossroads in the Vines.”

Crossroads in the Vines will be held on March 24 at Roche Estate, corner of McDonalds and Broke Roads, Pokolbin, NSW. Tickets are on sale now and available from https:// crossroadsinthevines.com.au

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SOUNDADVICE SONGS ABOUT LOVE & LIFE AND STUFF LIKE THAT SAM HAWKSLEY INDEPENDENT They don’t come much more talented than Sam Hawksley, with his gentle, slightly quirky songs, wonderful voice and ability to grasp the human experience. And this new album, Sam’s seventh, shows an artist at his peak. It has been written from a very intimate place, with his life and family front and centre, but it still conveys universal themes with great perceptiveness. Highlights include I Wish You More, based on a delightful children’s book Sam discovered, and Anything Is Possible, penned with Chelsea Basham. I loved Nothing In Life Is To Be Feared, written with Felicity Urquhart, We All Need Love – a contemplation of love lost and found – and Idle Observation #95. Also memorable are Countin’ My Blessings, inspired by the late Karl Broadie, and Kind Heart, Angry World, a duet with Leigh Nash from one of Sam’s regular bands, Sixpence None the Richer. You’ll instantly fall in love with this album – it makes you feel good, feel more and want to be a better person. It is an album to be treasured and listened to over and over again.

INDIE/SAMHAWKSLEY.COM SH007 SUSAN JARVIS

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THE ASHPHALT & THE OVAL

JODIE CROSBY

MISS DEMEANOUR

COUNTRY ROCKS RECORDS

INDEPENDENT

AMAJOR RECORD CO

INDEPENDENT

It’s got to be good for a recording artist if his new album can claim a couple of #1 singles and top 5 songs, and that is just the case for Ben Ransom’s 101. You’re The Reason Why, Let’s Go Driving, Dry Town and Heartland have all charted and the 10 songs on this effort all auger well for another few hits for Ben. Probably considered a country rocker (perfect that he’s signed to the Country Rocks label) and lead songs You’re the Reason Why and Let’s Go Driving fit that perfectly, Ben shows a softer side to his music with Beautiful World and Be With You Tonight. Eight of the songs are his own compositions and there’s a co-write with Allan Caswell on Heartland. The one cover, of Dragon’s Young Years, sits well alongside the originals and with Phil Emmanuel featuring on Rock This Town & Roll, you know you’ll be held by Ransom for some time to come.

Michael comes from the Gippsland area of Victoria and his songs are laced with insightful observations of the landscape, the people and the things that shape a young man. He made a splash as a Golden Guitar finalist in 2017 and although this album was recorded soon after the last one, he has kept it under wraps until now – and anyone who likes their country heartfelt, honest and flavoured with real Aussie truths should unwrap The Asphalt & The Oval. In person Michael is soft spoken and as humble as they come, but his songwriting presents a man sure of his way with words and observation of life and its foibles. These 13 tracks are at once insightful and wondrous, so have a close listen to They Don’t Let The Girls In The Game, Little C Word, the title track or Bloody Rain. He’s not afraid to tell it like it is and producer Shane Nicholson let’s Michael have his head, with tight instrumentation that sits perfectly in the groove.

They say country music is three chords and the truth… this is how Tamworth singer-songwriter Jodie Crosby lays bare her heart on her self-titled debut solo album. It is a collection of songs of heartbreak and love lost mixed with the Don Gibson’s classic (I’d Be) A Legend In My Time. Although this is Jodie’s first solo album, she’s enjoyed success, including a Golden Guitar, with her sister Kelly as the Crosby Sisters, so this is a great chance for Jodie to shine as an individual performer. Highlights for me were History Of Us and Woman Is The Wind. Recorded between studios spread from Tamworth to Goulburn, Jodie has co-produced this offering with Rusty Crook who also plays all the instruments except fiddle, played by Alan Russ. This is an album for those who love their country classic and want to listen to the words… and maybe even shed a couple of tears.

Honesty and powerful vocals and lyrics are what Jess Holland is all about. It’s been four long years since we had new music from the Mudgee-based singer-songwriter, but the wait is more than worth it. Jess is country through-andthrough, but the 13 tracks on Miss Demeanour range from country to rock to blues to genres in between, showing the diversity of this talented artist. Opening with Australian Dreamer sets the scene for this album of strong songs with lyrics that will take you from Linburn Lane to a Wild Boy and Hillbilly Family. With sass poured across tracks like Time’s Tickin’ and the title track Miss Demeanour, this album has Jess Holland written all over it, as she comes up with fresh originals that will have listeners wanting more.

BEN RANSOM

Country Rocks Records/www. ransommusic.com JON WOLFE CRR/MGM CR003

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MICHAEL WAUGH

INDIE/MGM PSMMW002 www.michaelwaugh.com.au JON WOLFE

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JODIE CROSBY

JESS HOLLAND

R10263 REBECCA BELT

FACEBOOK: JODIE CROSBY MUSIC/ JCA001 REBECCA BELT

years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

SOUND ADVICE - album reviews are the reviewers’ own opinions and do not necessarily reflect the view of Capital News or the publisher. Sound Advice will accept unsolicited albums for consideration, but cannot guarantee published reviews. Sound Advice does not review singles. Send 2 CDs together with biography or media release to Capital News, PO Box 555, Tamworth NSW 2340 and email a jpg of the cover to c.byrnes@tamworth.nsw.gov.au RICOCHET KRISTY COX COUNTRY ROCKS RECORDS Australians have known about Kristy Cox for years, but now Nashville’s taking notice, with Kristy snagging the no. 1 spot on the bluegrass charts for the two weeks in a row. Her first recording with new label Mountain Fever, this is album is personal, infused with bluegrass and completely addictive. Ricochet is the perfect first single, fast, catchy and captivating, and there are many more songs on the album that are just as good. They include Sweet English Rose, co-written with Allan Caswell, a superb a capella version of Kasey Chambers’ I Still Pray and some sensational bluegrass tunes, including South to North Carolina, Just Me Leaving and I Can Almost Smell The Smoke, one Kristy’s best tracks to date. I also loved her duet with Brandon Rickman, A Bed This Cold, as well as Blame It On God and Cry Me A River. Kristy Cox has a stellar career in front of her. This is definitely her finest album to date, but it’s just the beginning of even bigger things for this talented singer, songwriter and musician.

CRR/MGM CR1002 SUSAN JARVIS

CALAMITY

WHAT SHE KNOWS

BURGUNDY STREET

CMAA WINNERS 2018

WJO

MGM

INDEPENDENT

UNIVERSAL MUSIC AUSTRALIA

Trucking songs are what Jayne Denham does best and Calamity is no exception. The difference with her new album is that she headed to the US and recorded with Brian White in the production seat at the studio of Jay DeMarcus, from Rascal Flatts. This change is reflected in the polished sound and seen in the co-writing credits featuring some of the US’s top writers. Country rock features heavily with the title track, the first single, Stacks, and Love Is A… (which is also the only nontrucking song on the seven-track album). Jayne shines in the country rock genre, but she also knows how to turn out a ballad and highlights of the album include the slower songs Fear Of Flying and Black Coffee and White Lines. With the mix of tempos throughout the album, there are tracks on here to appeal to all country music lovers. Calamity is more than just an album for the trucking fans.

Melbourne singer-songwriter Alison Ferrier maximises fighting and precipitation metaphors on her third album. Evocative entrée The Boxer sets the tone in a bitter battle where the winner’s victory is his bitter-sweet farewell to the sport. It segues into riveting Rest Easy, maudlin memories in Do You Remember The Day and Once Had A Love where the foe is relegated to a sugar free diet. The singer’s rhetorical Am I On The Right Track, anchored in broken heartache, and Do You Ever Stop Loving Someone are equally bleak.

Ferrier drives a powerful message on single Waiting For The Rain as she explores pain of farmers in protracted droughts where crop and livestock income fails to cover loan payments. It segues into aquatic emotions in River Flow where the long suffering female in a pained romance with a drunk recidivist watches her tormentor meet his Waterloo. The singer becomes assertive on plaintive pleas of Don’t Patronise Me and fiery finale - revamped traditional Appalachian folk tune The Cuckoo.

Tamworth troubadour Sally-Anne Whitten turned tragedy into triumph in her recording rebirth with The Life You Left Behind. The song, inspired by premature death of a nephew at 19, fuels passion on her third album that kicks off with fiery freedom tune Watch It Burn and feisty female outlaw anthem Misfit. Whitten combined with fellow Peel Riverside resident Allison Forbes to write You Can’t Hide From A Broken Heart - also rooted in family trauma - with Forbes harmonies.

The tragedies preceded a 2015 New Orleans trip that prompted the album’s title, Allan Toussaint’s classic Southern Nights and Little Willie John’s historic Take My Love. Whitten follows revival of Al Anderson-Gary Nicholson tune Split Decision, with Mick Pealing, in a co-write with Tamworth troubadour Rae Moody on the evocative Tennessee Lullaby. She finds redemption in passionate advice of Save Yourself on a disc produced by guitarist spouse Alwyn Aurisch who adds Ganjo and mandolin. The fitting finale for this memorable missive is Don Henley-Glenn Frey tune Good Day In Hell.

The CMAA Winners compilation returns for another year featuring the very best of Australian country music recorded in 2017.

The album is a 2CD set containing 33 songs for the 46th CMAA Awards. It represents all award categories and features The McClymonts – House (Country & Contemporary Album & Group of the Year), Travis Collins & Amber Lawrence - Our Backyard (winner), Kasey Chambers – Satellite (Alt-Country Album of the Year), Morgan Evans - Kiss Somebody, Fanny Lumsden – Roll On, Judah Kelly - Count On Me, Shane Nicholson – Safe (Male Artist of the Year), Adam Brand – Get On Your Feet, Lee Kernaghan & James Blundell – Back In ‘92, Drew McAlister – Coming Your Way, Aleyce Simmonds (Female Artist of the Year) – More Than Meets The Eye, Brad Butcher – Well Dress Man (New Talent of the Year), Ashleigh Dallas – Lighthouse (Traditional Album of the Year, and many more representing a broad stylistic range.

JAYNE DENHAM

570938 WJO 570938 REBECCA BELT

ALISON FERRIER

MGM 9345195009416 DAVID DAWSON

years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

SALLY-ANNE WHITTEN

VARIOUS ARTISTS

UMA 5381580 CAPITAL NEWS

3110SAW03 DAVID DAWSON

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COUNTRYCHARTS ARIA TOP 20 AUSTRALIAN COUNTRY ALBUMS Week Commencing 12 February 2018 TW

LW

TI

HP

TITLE

ARTIST

1 3 92 1 Ripcord

KEITH URBAN

2 4 531 1 Greatest Hits: 18 Kids

KEITH URBAN

3 2 991 1 The Very Best Of Slim Dusty

SLIM DUSTY

4 1 56 1 Endless

THE MCCLYMONTS

The Story So Far 6 10 41 1 The Great Country Songbook Vol. II 7 7 77 1 His Favourite Collection 8 13 226 1 The Great Country Songbook 9 16 3 9 Accomplice One 10 5 46 1 The 25th Anniversary Album 11 8 54 1 Dragonfly 12 19 190 1 Fuse 13 17 227 2 A Hell Of A Career!

14 11 3 1 Piece Of Me 15 20 332 1 Ultimate Hits 16 14 222 2 Anthems - A Celebration Of Australia 17 R/E 450 1 Big Ones Greatest Hits 18 15 28 1 Count On Me 19 R/E 145 1 Spirit Of The Anzacs 20 R/E 91 5 Three Chain Road

KEITH URBAN

5 6

300 1

ADAM HARVEY & BECCY COLE JOHN WILLIAMSON

TROY CASSAR-DALEY & ADAM HARVEY TOMMY EMMANUEL

LEE KERNAGHAN

KASEY CHAMBERS

KEITH URBAN

JOHN WILLIAMSON

MISSY LANCASTER

LEE KERNAGHAN

JOHN WILLIAMSON LEE KERNAGHAN

JUDAH KELLY

LEE KERNAGHAN

LEE KERNAGHAN

OFFICIAL AUSTRALIAN AIRPLAY COUNTRY TOP 20 Week commencing 9 February, 2018.

TW

LW

TI

HP

ARTIST

TITLE

LABEL

1 3 23 1 Kiss Somebody

MORGAN EVANS

2 1 8 1 Drive On

LEE KERNAGHAN

3 2 19 2 Forget

MISSY LANCASTER

4 7 2 4 Parallel Line

KEITH URBAN

5 5 18 4 All The Pretty Girls

KENNY CHESNEY

6 9 18 6 Bad

CAITLYN SHADBOLT

7 10 17 7 When It Rains It Pours

LUKE COMBS

8 4 24 4 No Such Thing As A Broken Heart

OLD DOMINION

SME

9 12 4 4 I Do

MORGAN EVANS

WMA

10 8 24 3 Roll On

FANNY LUMSDEN

11 6 14 4 I’ll Name The Dogs

BLAKE SHELTON

12 24 6 12 Po’ Boyz

DAVISSON BROTHERS BAND

13 13 40 1 Body Like A Back Road

SAM HUNT

MCA/UMA

14 19 20 12 Coming Your Way

DREW MCALISTER

ABC/UMA

15 11 12 7 The Rest Of Our Life

TIM MCGRAW & FAITH HILL

16 17 8 15 Livin’ On Summertime

GORD BAMFORD

WMA ABC/UMA SME CAP/EMI SME ABC/UMA SME

IND WB/WMA SME

SME ABC/UMA

17 16 17 9 Take Me Back

KIRSTY LEE AKERS

18 22 35 6 Sun Don’t Let Me Down

KEITH URBAN FT. NILE RODGERS & PITBULL

19 15 20 11 Unforgettable

THOMAS RHETT

20 18 14 6 Every Little Thing

CARLY PEARCE

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MAVEN/SME CAP/EMI UMA IND years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

COUNTRY TRACKS Week commencing 10 February 2018. This chart is published by Country Music Services and updated weekly at countrytrackschart.com.au POS LW

TI

HP

TRACK TITLE

ARTIST

1 1 5 1(2)

Australian Heartbeat

DREW MCALISTER

2 3 11 1(1)

Don’t Bait My Hook

THE LONG AND SHORT OF IT

3 4 4 3(1)

Same Song Different Day

BEN RANSOM

4 2 14 1(2)

You’re The Reason Why

BEN RANSOM

5 5 4 1(1)

Help Me Make It Through The Night

ALAN AND TRACE

6 10 2 6(1)

Shotgun

LIAM BREW

7 16 3 4(1)

Men On Pause

GINA TIMMS

8 19 21 6(1)

Just Like Your Dad

DALE DUNCAN

9 0 1 9(1)

Sorry

DESTINY

10 9 5 5(1)

Loaded

CHRISTIE LAMB

11 7 16 1(5)

That’s Country

TONY COOK

12 8 5 7(1)

Younger In Urunga

KYLIE ADAMS-COLLIER

13 18 6 13(2)

It’s Okay To Be Me

TYSON LUCAS

14 13 5 13(1)

Seventeen

DARREN COGGAN

15 6 4 6(1)

Fishin’ In The Dark

RUNAWAY DIXIE

16 15 3 15(1)

Fired Up

VIPER CREEK BAND

17 24 9 9(1)

Always On My Mind

JESSICA MAUBOY & WARREN H. WILLIAMS

18 30 9 5(1)

No More Holdens

SIMPLY BUSHED

19 0 20 1(1)

Keep Me Coming Back

CASEY BARNES

20 0 1 20(1)

Too Drunk To Drive

BRAD COX

CMC CHART W/c 10 February 2018. This chart is updated weekly at countrymusicchannel.com.au or tune into CMC. # TITLE

ARTIST

1 Hit The Road

THE WOLFE BROTHERS

2 Kiss Somebody

MORGAN EVANS

3 Five More Minutes

SCOTTY MCCREERY

4 Train Wreck

ADAM ECKERSLEY &

LABEL

ABC

# TITLE

WARNER

BROOKE MCCLYMONT

TRIPLE TIGERS/SONY

LOST HIGHWAY

ARTIST

BRAD BUTCHER CHECKED LABEL SERVICES

28 Heart Break

LADY ANTEBELLUM

29 Lonely Night

KARIN PAGE

INDEPENDENT

30 Whisper In The Crowd PAUL COSTA

CHECKED LABEL SERVICES

5 Light It Up

LUKE BRYAN

EMI

31 Heatwave

6 Drive On

LEE KERNAGHAN

ABC

32 Summertime Soundtrack

7 Like I Loved You

BRETT YOUNG

BMLG/UMA

8 The Rest Of Our Life TIM MCGRAW/FAITH HILL 9 Make A Little

MIDLAND

10 Losing Sleep

CHRIS YOUNG

SONY

11 Livin’ On Summertime GORD BAMFORD

ABC

12 I Don’t Dance

SHANE NICHOLSON

13 Round Here Buzz

ERIC CHURCH

14 It’s Only Midnight

MATT CORNELL

LOST HIGHWAY/UMA EMI

CHECKED LABEL SERVICES

15 Bur y Me In Blue Jeans TAILGATE DRIVE CHECKED LABEL SERVICES 16 Queen Of Boomtown GRETTA ZILLER 17 Australian Heartbeat DREW MCALISTER 18 For The First Time

DARIUS RUCKER

19 I Will Not Give Up

O’SHEA

20 Written In The Sand OLD DOMINION 21 Favourite Distraction MATT SCULLION 22 Next Somebody

KAYLEE BELL

23 Your Anything At All IMOGEN CLARK

SOCIAL FAMILY RECORDS ABC EMI SONY SONY SOCIAL FAMILY RECORDS INDEPENDENT LOST HIGHWAY

EMI

MISSY LANCASTER HAYLEY JENSEN

SONY

SOCIAL FAMILY RECORDS

THE DAVISSON BROTHERS

33 Po’ Boyz

BIG MACHINE/UMA SONY

LABEL

27 From The Bottom Of A Well

DREAMLINED/SONY

34 Fly Away

JASMINE RAE

35 Reckless Desires

ANDREW SWIFT

36 Travellin’ Man

THE WEEPING WILLOWS

37 Weakness

MARGO PRICE

38 Take Me Back

KIRSTY LEE AKERS

39 Mr. Wrong

NATALIE PEARSON CHECKED LABEL SERVICES

40 Wasco

JAIME WYATT

41 Hot Countr y Girl

BROOKE CHIVELL CHECKED LABEL SERVICES

42 Get To You

MICHAEL RAY

43 In The Morning

TORI FORSYTH

44 Loaded

CHRISTIE LAMB

45 That’s Countr y

TONY COOK

ABC SOCIAL FAMILY RECORDS INDEPENDENT THIRD MAN CHECKED

FORTY BELOW

WARNER LOST HIGHWAY ABC INDEPENDENT

46 From Where I Stand DANNY PHEGAN CHECKED LABEL SERVICES

24 Stacks

JAYNE DENHAM CHECKED LABEL SERVICES

47 I Got This

JERROD NIEMANN

25 Hooked

DYLAN SCOTT

48 Yours

RUSSELL DICKERSON TRIPLE TIGERS/SONY

49 Happens Like That

GRANGER SMITH

50 Heaven

KANE BROWN

CURB/SONY

26 When Someone Stops Loving You

LITTLE BIG TOWN

years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

EMI

CURB/SONY

BBR/BMG WARNER

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BUSH BALLADS

ANOTHER GOLDEN GUITAR FOR DEAN

BY PETER COAD OAM WWW.BUSHBALLADEERS.COM.AU

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNERS AT THE 2018 GOLDEN GUITAR AWARDS THIS YEAR. BALLADEERS HOMESTEAD SUCCESS The ABBA operated venue ‘The Balladeers Homestead’ again had excellent crowd attendance and a happy week of shows and showcases during the Tamworth Country Music Festival. The venue will be running again in 2019 with another great line-up of entertainment already being planned.

BUNGENDORE WINNERS

O

n behalf of the Australian Bush Balladeers Association, I congratulate all the finalists and in particular Dean Perrett and Neville Anderson on receiving the Golden Guitar for Bush Ballad. I also congratulate the winners of the TSA, People’s Choice, Brumby and Gold Medallions. Well done to all. To be a finalist in any of these awards is a win in itself I think.

The Bungendore Country Music Muster held at the Bungendore Showgrounds in early February again yielded a great weekend of entertainment. The Coad Sisters Band on the Saturday afternoon and the Bungendore Country Muster Band Saturday evening and Sunday backed a top lineup of traditional country music artists over the weekend.

A highlight of the festival is the Stan Coster Memorial Awards night on the Saturday evening.

The major award winner was Brian Letton who took out the Male Vocal Of The Year, Album of the Year, Comedy Song Of The Year, & Songwriter Of The Year sections. There was an equal first in the Female Vocal: Sharon Heaslip with A Thousand Different Pictures and Dianne Lindsay with Uncle Harry.

New Talent: Bob Gregory. Instrumental Group

or Duo award: Lindsay Butler & Anthony Baxter.

Congratulations to all.

TERARA CM CAMPOUT The Terara Country Music Campout will be held from March 13 to 18. Terara is near Nowra NSW. Artists appearing this year include Rodney Vincent, Laura Downing, Craig Giles, Don Costa, Ernie Constance, Peter Coad & The Coad Sisters, Runaway Dixie, Brian Letton, George Farnham, Dale Hooper, Royden Donohue, John & Christine Smith, Jeff Brown and Dean Perrett.

CONDOBOLIN COUNTRY MUSTER Phil and Chris Coad will stage the first Condobolin Country Music Muster at the Condobolin RSL Club auditorium with all club facilities available over the 20th to the 25th of March 2018. Free camping and hot showers available on the lake area, along with caravan park and motel options. Artists are: Dean Perrett, Greg Bain, Barry & Lin Chandler, Reg Poole (OAM), Dale Duncan, Bill Bedford, Kylie Castle, Lynette Guest, John Smith & Sharon Heaslip plus walk-ups run by Rocket and Ally McRae.

HARTWOOD ON AGAIN Held over the Easter Weekend in April, the Hartwood Festival continues presenting a fine weekend of entertainment at their outdoor event. Artists appearing are Royden Donohue, Lynette Guest, Tom Maxwell, Paul McCloud, Jodie Crosby, Alby Poole, Pete Smith, Sharon Heaslip & Cameron Mason and bush poet Ray Essery.

ALBUM REVIEW JOHN BATTLE – MIXED EMOTIONS John Battle’s new album release, Mixed Emotions features 14 excellent songs. Ballarat-based producer Darryl Weckert has complimented each song with very nice musical arrangements and John has done a great job on the vocals. John has included a good variety of bush ballads and country songs. Some of the tracks I really like are John Williamson’s, Bells In A Bushman’s Ear, Ray Rose’s Gidgee After Rain, No Country Music On The Juke Box from Eddie Tapp, and Playground Of The South, which is a catchy track from Stan Dunn. Mick Finn’s Room Full Of Old Gold Records also another great inclusion, along with the Buddy Williams classic Wild River. The closing track When My Last Song Is Sung from Merle Haggard brings the whole project together making this album an excellent release from John and one that I’m sure will be enjoyed by ballad and traditional country music fans alike.

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years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

D O W N M E M O RY L A N E

ERNIE THE STORYTELLER WITH LORRAINE PFITZNER

ONE OF AUSTRALIA’S GREATEST STORYTELLERS, ERNIE CONSTANCE, HAS COME UP WITH 13 GREAT BUSH BALLAD SONGS.

H

e’s written about the things that mean a lot to him. Ernie writes of his experiences and the people he knows.

There are several stand-outs including the title track and one dedicated to his life partner, The Other Half Of Me, as well as If It Ain’t Broke.

Recorded and produced by Stuie French with first-class musicians, this is a wonderful new album from one of our premier balladeers.

As a youngster Ernie grew up on a grazing property near Cooma, in the Monaro district of NSW. He loved the old cowboy songs and listened to Slim Dusty, Trevor Day, Buddy Williams, Chad Morgan and Rick and Thel Carey.

In 1970 Ernie started writing lyrics and sent them to his idol, Slim Dusty. Imagine his delight when Slim chose Things I See Around Me as the title track to his 1975 long-player.

Slim went on to record 16 songs of Ernie’s, years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

including the popular tune When the Currawongs Come Down from the Mountains. Later in his career Ernie earned the nickname Currawong.

Many other well-known balladeers have recorded his songs including David Kirkpatrick, Gordon Parsons, Tom Maxwell, Reg Poole, Terry Gordon, Jeff Brown, Dean Perrett and Amos Morris.

Early in the ’90s Ernie began making public appearances, singing at charity shows and other events in his local area. This gave him the confidence to go into a recording studio with his many unrecorded songs.

In 1993 the first album, When The Currawongs Came Down

From The Mountains, was recorded at LBS Studios under the guidance of Lindsay Butler and released on that label.

Heartened by the reception to this album, Ernie’s career as a recording artist and bush balladeer entertainer began.

With this CD to promote Ernie started making appearances at Tamworth and Bungendore festivals, and he even busked on the Boulevarde of Dreams (Peel Street) for some years.

After recording and releasing five albums with LBS, Ernie moved to the Swingin’ Door Studio to record his sixth LP, Milestones, with Stuie French, in 2009.

The Songs I Wrote For Slim was a very successful album and reached the finals of the Golden Guitars in Bush Ballad of the Year with I Worship the Water He Walked On. Lead A Horse to Water is Ernie’s third album with Stuie French as producer.

Ernie has twice been a finalist in the Golden Guitars, and has won many TSA, Stan Coster Memorial and Gidgee Coal awards over the years.

In 2006 Ernie was inducted into the Tamworth Hands of Fame.

He spent well over 30 years as a very accomplished shearer while he was building up his sheep and cattle grazing property, Burrunga, in the locality of Peak View.

He is still the hardworking owner-manager of his now extensive holdings.

Due to his ongoing love for and commitment to his grazing property, Ernie still only appears at selected festivals and venues.

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WRITING GRE AT SONGS

SONG RADAR

BY A L L A N CA S W E L L

ONE OF THE MOST ASKED QUESTIONS IN INTERVIEWS AND IN MOST OF MY WORKSHOPS IS “WHERE DO THE IDEAS COME FROM?”

A

fair question, I guess, and really the focus of any song you write. If someone gives me the idea for a song, I usually give them 25% of the song … It’s that important. I almost never try to write a song unless I have an idea.

I might write nothing for a month then get a good idea, get on a roll and write 4 in a week. When I do get an idea, I’m all business, and worry it to death.

Co writing makes sense in this respect as you only need one idea between you and, as long as one of you has an idea, you’re ready to go. When I was going to Nashville regularly to write I would spend a month just coming up with titles.

I could then arrive at a writing session and whip out this idea that “I had last night” and avoid going in cold.

Here are a few ideas for coming up with killer ideas.

Listen to people … the great songwriters are usually great eavesdroppers. In an unguarded moment people will say things that you can turn into great ideas.

You just have to listen for them and keep your radar switched on. One of my favourite stories concerns my hero songwriter Mickey Newbury. One night, a friend called Mickey because his wife had left him and he needed the company. When Mickey arrived at the bar, his friend said “She even woke me up to say goodbye” … She Even Woke Me Up To Say Goodbye was a huge hit and Mickey’s friend was given a big piece of the song.

Newspapers, books, movies and even social media can be rich sources for song ideas. They can also be heavily laced with clichés so be selective.

Need driven songs … can be very effective. When you are one song short of an album and someone says “We need an up-tempo song that says …”, it’s amazing how often the right song idea can jump out. After the Boston try out for their new Broadway show My Fair Lady, Lerner and Loewe were discussing the show. One of them said he was worried about the gap in the action caused by the scenery change between Ascot and the Ball. They decided to come up with a song that could be performed in front of the curtain. Who hasn’t got a song? … Freddy Eynsford-Hill. They wrote On The Street Where You Live that night. I got the idea for On The Inside for Prisoner from a scene in the script for the pilot

for the show. Mum, one of the characters, is shown cutting a rose off a bush in the prison garden, just before a commercial break … “He used to give me roses …”.

Issue songs … can become effective in terms of supporting a cause and often work as songs but beware, they are fraught with danger. Any political song will generally give you a 50% split in people who like your idea or don’t like it. Can you afford to alienate half your audience? Your first duty as a songwriter is to entertain not preach. That said some songs have to be written because they are in you. Don’t be scared to write them … just don’t try to base your whole career on them.

Gifts are there if you want them …

People will always give you ideas that they think would make great songs. Some would but many wouldn’t … this is where quality control takes over from song radar. Often when someone says “There’s a song in that” the answer is “Good, you write it” Always remember that your first duty, as a songwriter, is to touch people and that all comes from the initial idea … no pressure.

See you next month … maybe.

If you have questions regarding participating in or hosting upcoming songwriting workshops, my “one on one” private songwriting coaching service (based in the Blue Mountains), my book or my “how to” DVD contact me on 0419 218 988 or at allan@allancaswell.com

1966 - 2016 CELEBRATING 50 YEARS SINCE ARRIVING IN AUSTRALIA ALLAN CASWELL’S BRILLIANT NEW ALBUM

50 Years in OZ

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years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

COMINGEVENTS FEBRUARY 2018 3-4

Bungendore Country Music Muster | NSW | M: 0458 896 180 | E: bungendorecountrymuster@outlook.com | W: bungendorecountrymuster.com.au

9-11

Longhorn Festival | Deepwater Inn | Deepwater | NSW | T: 02 6734 5111 | W: Eventbrite.com.au/d/Australia—deepwater/events/ | Early bird tickets $65 per head | Artists Amber Goldsmith, Amanda Faulkner, Andy Abra, David Prior, Graham Rodger, Peter Smokie Dawson, Keith Dunn, Terry Clark, Col Finley Band, Dave Proust, Anita Ree, Jeff Brown, Kylie Adams-Collier, Bob Howson.

9-10

Whittlesea CMF | Free community event | Vic | info@whittleseacountrymusicfestival.com.au | W: whittleseacountrymusicfestival.com.au

15-18

33rd Boyup Brook CMF & WA CM Awards | WA | T: 08 9765 1657 | E: countrymusicwa@westnet.com.au | w: countrymusicwa.com.au

16-18

Bonnie Doon Music Festival | Bonnie Doon Recreation Reserve | Vic | Contact: Chris Wilson | M: 0408 565 760 | E: info@ bonniedoonmusicfestival.com | W: bonniedoonmusicfestival.com | Facebook: bonniedoonmusic

17-18

Devil Country Muster presented by the Rotary Club of Smithton | Smithton | Tas | W: devilcountrymuster.com.au

16-18

Lake Charlegrark CM Marathon | Contact: John Naylor | E: johnfnaylor7@bigpond.com

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2018 Beauy Muster | Beaudesert Showgrounds | Beaudesert | Qld | Various artists, truck and ute show | camping on site | W: thebeauymuster.com

MARCH 2018 2-4

23rd Annual Cobargo Folk Festival | NSW | Artists Eric Bogle, Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band (USA), Neil Murray, Alan Kelly Gang (Ireland), Christine Collister & Michael Fix, The Northern Folk and more. | W: cobargofolkfestival.com

10 & 11

Reg Lindsay Memorial Talent Quest | Grand final prize 500 copies of a fully-produced 2-track CD by Roy Cooper | East Cessnock Bowling Club | Neath Street | Cessnock | NSW | Contact Ros Lindsay | E: info@reglindsay.com.au | M: 0412 967 863

11-12

SECMA CMF | Mt Gambier | SA

11

31st Annual Penrith Working Truck Show | 8am-4pm | Museum of Fire | 1 Museum Drive | Penrith | NSW | T: 02 4731 3000 | E: admin@museumoffire.com.au W: pwts.com.au

15

CMC Music Awards 2018 | The Star Gold Coast | Qld | W: foxtel.com.au/cmc

15-18

CMC Rocks QLD | Willowbank Raceway, Ipswich | Qld | E: info@cmcrocks.com | W: cmcrocks.com

16-18

Terang CMF | Terang Racecourse | Contact: Geoff Barby, Chairman | M: 0419 343 626 | E: info@terangcountrymusic.com.au | W: terangcountrymusic.com.au

17-18

The One Tree Festival | Concert Saturday night featuring Dianne Lindsay and Peter Simpson, Reg Poole OAM, Tony McKenna, JR Williams, Len and Jeane Connor and Jammo | Food, free camping all week | BYO chairs, water, drinks, blankets, swags | Contact: Keith Jamieson | M: 0427 731 088

22-25

11th Horsham CMF | Horsham Soundshell | Vic | Contact: Lyall Wheaton | T: 03 5381 1995 | E: lyallwheaton@bigpond.com | W: horshamcountrymusic.com.au

23-25

21st Yackandandah Folk Festival | Vic | Featuring Shane Howard, Sara Storer, Irish Mythen, Pete Denahy, Tennyson King (Can), Les Poules a Colin (Can), Martha Tilston (UK), Erynn Marshall & Carl Jones (USA), Fromseier Hockings (Denmark), Aoife Scott (Ireland) and many more | E: folkfestival@yackandandah.com | W: yackfolkfestival.com |

24

Crossroads In The Vines | Roche Estate | Hunter Valley | NSW | crossroadsinthevines.com.au

24-25

Country Music Rush | Oakey Cultural Centre | Contact: Dell Lowein | T: 0417 728 182 | E: lowien77@bigpond.com | W: gardencitycountrymusic.com.au

25

The Bay CMF | Sandstone Point Hotel | Sandstone | Qld

29-2 April 29th Annual Byron Bay BluesFest | Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm | Byron Bay | NSW | Featuring Jackson Browne, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, The Original Blues Brothers Band, The Wailers, The Teskey Brothers and so many more | W: bluesfest.com.au 29-2 April 41st Roma’s Easter In The Country | Roma | Qld | Featuring Christie Lamb, Liam Kennedy-Clark and more | E: info@ easterinthecountryroma.com.au | W: easterinthecountryroma.com.au 29-2 April 52nd National Folk Festival | Canberra | ACT | E: info@folkfestival.org.au | W: folkfestival.org.au 30-1 April Hartwood Campfires & CM | Featuring Roydon Donohue, Paul McCloud, Jodie Crosby, Alby Pool, Tom Maxwell, Lynette Guest, Cameron Mason, Sharon Heaslip, Pete Smith, Patti Morgan | Compere Barry Williams | Poets breakfast with Ray Essery and Bill Kearns Graham Rodger Sharon Benjamin | Contact: Tom Maxwell | M: 0456 780 824 | E: info@hartwoodfestival.com.au | W: hartwoodfestival.com.au years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

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GIGGUIDE ALICE BENFER

ANDREW SWIFT

FEBRUARY 17 Senior Citizens Centre, Gympie Qld MARCH 03 Lockyer Valley CM Roundup, Laidley Showgrounds Qld 11 Silky Oak Tea Gardens, Kia Ora Qld

MARCH

Please note all show venues & times are correct at time of printing.

Capital News recommends you check with the venue prior to attending.

Rockbank Vic 31 Riversands Winery, St George Qld APRIL 1 Riversands Winery, St George Qld MAY 25 Rising Sun Hotel, Rosewood Qld JULY 13 Rising Sun Hotel, Rosewood Qld AUGUST 05 Rising Sun Hotel, Rosewood Qld

02 The Skylark Room, Upwey Vic 03 City Sider, Tamworth NSW 04 The Stag & Hunter Hotel, MAYfield NSW 12 The Spotted Mallard, Brunswick Vic

ANGELA EASSON FEBRUARY 17 Lake Charlegrark SA

AMBER LAWRENCE MARCH 09 Orange Ex Services NSW 10 Yass Soldiers Club NSW 11 Museum of Fire, Penrith NSW MAY 17 Malanda RSL Qld 18 Reef Hotel Casino, Cairns Qld 19 Dalrymple Hotel, Garrett Qld 20 World Theatre, Charters Towers Qld 26 Bottle Tree Hotel, Ipswich Qld 27 Casino RSM NSW 31 Settlers Tavern, Margaret River WA JUNE 01 Charles Hotel, Perth WA 02 Mullewa Muster, Perth WA 03 Ravenswood Tavern, Mandurah WA

ANNE KIRKPATRICK FEBRUARY 17 Yeoval Memorial Hall NSW

AUSTRALIAN COUNTRY DANCE FESTIVAL ‘MAYWORTH’ MAY 02 West Tamworth League Club NSW

BEN RANSOM FEBRUARY 18 Towradgi Beach Hotel NSW 18 Royal Hotel, Bungendore NSW MARCH 03 Bella Vista Farm, Sydney NSW 09 Johnny Ringos Ipswich Qld 10 Beerwah Hotel Qld 23&24 Sydney Royal Easter Show, Olympic Park RAS Showgrounds NSW 26 Sydney Royal Easter Show, Olympic Park RAS Showgrounds NSW 30&31 Sydney Royal Easter Show, Olympic Park RAS Showgrounds NSW APRIL 1 Sydney Royal Easter Show, Olympic Park RAS Showgrounds NSW 20 Sarina Hotel Qld 21 Kinchant Dam Qld 28 Wests Diggers, Tamworth NSW

BILLY BRIDGE FEBRUARY 09 Plainlands Hotel Qld 15&17 Boyup Brook CMF WA MARCH 10 Grand Hotel Esk Qld 16&17 Gamekeepers Secret Inn,

BRAD COX APRIL 6 Man From Snowy River Festival, Main Stage 7pm 7 The Man From Snowy River Festival, Entertainment Marquee, 3:30pm

CAITLYN SHADBOLT MARCH 24 Crossroads Country In The Vines Festival, Pokolbin NSW 25 Sandstone Point Hotel, Bribie Island Qld

S O N GW R I T E R S J O I N T SA MEMBERS BENEFITS

• Informative quarterly newsletters • Reduced fees for TSA National Songwriting Contest Re • Reduced fees for TSA Sponsored So Songwriting Workhops • $69 Annual Single Membership includes 12mths Country Music Capital News Co • $35 Annual Single Membership excludes Country Music Capital News Co • Options Op for Junior and Household memberships • Pe Performances opportunities 76

C O U N T RY M U S I C C A P I TA L N E W S F E B RUA RY/ M A RC H 2 0 1 8

JOIN online or complete d e t a i l s b e l ow

and send to Tamworth Songwriters'Association Inc PO Box 618 Tamworth NSW 2340 Please send me a TSA Membership Application form Name: ..........................................................................

Address: ....................................................................... ....................................................................................... www.tsaonline.com.au years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

Please note all show venues & times are correct at time of printing.

Capital News recommends you check with the venue prior to attending.

CASH ONLY - THE JOHNNY CASH TRIBUTE BAND FEBRUARY 17 Wenty Leagues Club, Wentworthville NSW APRIL 07 Club Grandviews, Peakhurst NSW

13 Budgewoi Soccer Club NSW 15 Abermain Bowling Club NSW 16 Club Central, Hurstville NSW 27-29 Lameroo Memorial Hall SA MAY 04 Victoria Bowling Club, Ballarat Vic 05 Barham Services Club NSW 08 Shepparton RSL Club Vic 11 Wagga Aussie Rules Club Wagga Wagga NSW 13 Temora ExServices Club NSW 30 Kedron Wavel Services Club, Chermside Qld 31 Toowoomba City Golf Club Qld JUNE 08 Beenleigh Bowling Club Qld 10 Wynnum Municipal Hall Qld 11 Blue Fin Fishing Club, Inala Qld 13&14 Across The Waves Sports Club, Bundaberg Qld

DALE HOOPER CRAIG GILES FEBRUARY 3 Victor Harbor Lutheran Church Hall SA 4 Adelaide CMC, Dudley Park SA 7 Edenhope Bowling Club SA MARCH 17&18 Terara CM Campout, Nowra NSW 18 Terara CM Campout, Nowra NSW 25 Wagga Aussie Rules Club Wagga Wagga NSW APRIL 04 Temora ExServices Club NSW 06 Wagga Aussie Rules Club Wagga Wagga NSW 08 Bathurst RSL Club NSW 10 Ettalong Diggers Club, Ettalong Beach NSW 12 Canterbury Hurlstone Park RSL Club, Canterbury NSW

FEBRUARY 2018 10 Dubbo RSL Resort NSW 11 Bathurst RSL NSW MARCH 3 Nambucca Leagues & Sports Club, Nambucca Heads NSW 16-18 Terara Cm Campout NSW APRIL 29 Bathurst RSL Club NSW JULY 13 Dubbo RSL Club Resort NSW 14 Bathurst RSL Club NSW

DANA HASSALL

GIGGUIDE MAY 19 Bouldercombe Showground Qld 24 Casino NSW 27 Mona Vale RSL NSW JULY 7 St George Qld

GEOFF WILLIAMS

DEAN PERRETT MARCH 16-18 146 Millbank Road, Terara, Nowra NSW 24&25 Condoblin RSL Auditorium NSW MAY 26&27 Wyper Park Scout Camp, Bundaberg Qld JUNE 8-10 44 Hayes Road, Lower Wonga Qld

FEBRUARY 25 Pittwater RSL Club, Mona Vale NSW MARCH 25 Pittwater RSL Club, Mona Vale NSW APRIL 29 Pittwater RSL Club, Mona Vale NSW

DIANNE LINDSAY FEBRUARY 1 Goulburn Railway BC NSW 2 Bungendore Hall NSW 3 Bungendore Showground NSW 23 Barham District SC NSW MARCH 17 One Tree Plain Pub NSW 24&25 Nabiac Showground Hall NSW

GEORGIA FALL MAY 05 Caboolture Showground Qld

FEBRUARY 25 Wenty Leagues Club, Sydney NSW

DANI YOUNG FEBRUARY 16 Boyup Brook CMF WA

MADCDS

years of bringing you the music 1975â&#x20AC;&#x201C;2018

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GIGGUIDE

GORD BAMFORD MARCH 16-18 CMC Rocks QLD, Ipswich Qld 22 Lizottes, Newcastle NSW 23 Rooty Hill RSL Club, Sydney NSW 24 Village Green Hotel, Melbourne Vic 25 Longley International Hotel, Hobart Tas

HAYLEY MARSTEN MARCH 22 Lazy Bones, Marrikville NSW 31 Milk Factory, West End Qld APRIL 13 Ricks Garage, Palmwoods Qld MAY 05 City Sounds, Brisbane Qld

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HILLBILLY GOATS FEBRUARY 2 Gympie RSL Qld 17 Panthers Port Macquarie NSW MARCH 09 Port Fairy Folk Festival Vic 16 Allies Hotel, Bendigo Vic 17 Flying Brick Cider Co Wallington Vic 18 Royal Hotel, Meredith Vic APRIL 01 Kilkivan Bush Camp Qld 08 Beaches Resort, Yeppoon Qld 20 Gympie RSL, Gympie Qld 25 Reef Gateway Hotel, AIrlie Beach Qld MAY 01 Leap Hotel, The Leap (ex Mackay) Qld 05 Herberton Historic Village, Atherton Tablelands Qld 07 Yorkeys Knob Boat Club, Cairns Qld 19 White Cliffs Festival NSW 25 Gympie RSL Qld 26 The Shared, Yandina Qld 27 Peregian Beach Hotel Qld JUNE 03 Fisherman’s Wharf, Gold Coast Qld 16&17 Yorkeys Knob Boat Club,

C O U N T RY M U S I C C A P I TA L N E W S F E B RUA RY/ M A RC H 2 0 1 8

Please note all show venues & times are correct at time of printing.

Capital News recommends you check with the venue prior to attending.

Cairns Qld 30 Bush to Bay Festival, Hervey Bay Qld JULY 27 Groundwater CMF, Broadbeach Qld AUGUST 04 Cairns Casino Qld 10 Black Mountain Unplugged, Cooktown Qld 15 Rollingstone Big4, Rollingstone Qld 17 Anchor Bar, Airlie Beach Qld 19 Beaches - Rosslyn Bay Resort, Yeppoon Qld

MAY 27 The Irish Village, Emerald Qld JUNE 03 The Irish Village, Emerald Qld JULY 01 The Irish Village, Emerald Qld 12 Hats Off To Country, Tamworth NSW 29 The Irish Village, Emerald Qld

KEL-ANNE BRANDT

JOHN ‘K’ KRSULJA MARCH 31 Nundle Easter Festival, Nundle NSW APRIL 01 Nundle Easter Festival, Nundle NSW

KALESTI BUTLER FEBRUARY 24&25 CluBarham, Barham NSW MARCH 04 Boval Bowls Club, Boval Qld APRIL 29 The Irish Village, Emerald Qld

FEBRUARY 9 Budgewoi Soccer Club NSW 21 Belmont 16ft Sailing Club NSW MARCH 08 Riverwood Sports Club NSW 20 Merrylands RSL Club NSW 25 Smithfield RSL Club NSW 28 Blacktown Workers NSW APRIL 08 Cabra-Vale Diggers NSW 19 Heritage Village, Canton Beach NSW 22 Lake Munmorah Bowling Club NSW 29 Nelson Bay Diggers NSW MAY 02 The Juniors, Kingsford NSW 20 Sawtell RSL Club NSW JUNE 06 Belmont 16ft Sailing Club NSW

years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

Please note all show venues & times are correct at time of printing.

Capital News recommends you check with the venue prior to attending.

21 Wallarah Bay Recreation Club, Gorokan NSW 28 Everglades Country Club, Woy Woy NSW JULY 28 Campbelltown RSL Club NSW

KYLIE ADAMSCOLLIER FEBRUARY 9 Deepwater Inn NSW 18 Kempton Recreational Ground, Tas MARCH 3&4 Willaston Football Club, Willaston, SA 25 Coro Club, Griffith NSW 30 Poley’s Place, Gloucester NSW JULY 22 Country Heritage Association of Queensland Inc, Grandchester Qld

LEE KERNAGHAN FEBRUARY 17 Lake Charlegrark CM Marathon Vic MARCH 03 Country Rocks Sydney, Bella Vista NSW 24 Crossroads In The Vines, Roche Estate, Pokolbin NSW MAY 19 Ord Valley Muster, Kununurra NT JUNE 07 Costa Hall, Geelong Vic 08 Shoppingtown Hotel, Doncaster Vic

09 Macs Hotel, Melton Vic 10 Chelsea Heights Hotel, Chelsea Heights Vic

MERILYN STEELE FEBRUARY 16 Club Liverpool, Liverpool NSW 25 Pittwater RSL, Mona Vale NSW MARCH 03 Maroubra Seals, Maroubra Beach NSW 17 Bargo Sports Club, Bargo NSW 23 Penshurst RSL Club NSW APRIL 07 Denistone Sports Club, West Ryde NSW 15 West Tradies, Dharruk NSW 25 Bargo Sports club, Bargo NSW

GIGGUIDE 31 Riversands Winery, St George Qld APRIL 1 Riversands Winery, St George Qld MAY 06 Rising Sun Hotel, Rosewood Qld JUNE 15 Rising Sun Hotel, Rosewood Qld JULY 1 Rising Sun Hotel, Rosewood Qld 6 The Events Centre, Caloundra Qld 7 Star Casino, Gold Coast Qld

MURPHY’S PIGS MARCH 10 Woodford Memorial Hall, Woodford Qld 13 Twin Towns Services Club, Tweed Heads NSW 17 Mick O’Malley’s Irish Pub, Brisbane City Qld 17 Finn McCool’s, Brunswick Street Mall, Fortitude Valley Qld 18 Harrigan’s Drift Inn, Jacobs Well Qld MAY 04 Glen Innes Services Club Glen Innes NSW

PAUL COSTA MARCH 11 Casadio Park, Mt Gambier SA

PETER CAMPBELL FEBRUARY 25 City Golf Club, Toowoomba Qld

ROUND MOUNTAIN GIRLS FEBRUARY 4 Hotel Brunswick, Brunswick Heads NSW

FEBRUARY 23 The Pub, Tamworth NSW 25 Oasis Hotel, Tamworth NSW MARCH 03 West Tamworth Leagues Club NSW 08 Albury Commercial Club, Albury Vic 28 Twin Towns, Tweed Heads NSW APRIL 07 West Tamworth Leagues Club NSW MAY 12 West Tamworth Leagues Club NSW 25 West Tamworth Leagues Club Blazes NSW 27 Oasis Hotel, Tamworth NSW JUNE 10 Twin Towns, Tweed Heads NSW 15 West Tamworth Leagues Club, Tamworth NSW 24 Oasis Hotel, Tamworth NSW

RORY PHILLIPS FEBRUARY 17 Bonnie Doon Music Festival Vic

REBECCA LEE NYE FEBRUARY 15&17 Boyup Brook CMF WA MARCH 23 Park Lane Theatre, Ballina NSW 24 Saraton Theatre, Grafton NSW

SHELLEY MINSON

RYAN DAYKIN MARCH 24 Alexandra Race Club, Alexandra Vic

TROY CASSAR-DALEY MARCH 9&10 Port Fairy Folk Festival, Port Fairy Vic APRIL 26 Resort Town Square Lawn, Ayers Rock, NT MAY 25 Norfolk Island

37th REDLANDS MODERN COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL 2017 All weekend 4, 5 & 6th May 2018

Amateur talent quest, sections from juvenile to golden oldies. For entry form and more information see www.redlandscountry.asn.au

ON SITE CAMPING A FO INFO CONTACT DAWN 07 3206 4305 O 0438 050 249 O dawns1@bigpond.com.au years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

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C O U N T RY M U S I C C A P I TA L N E W S F E B RUA RY/ M A RC H 2 0 1 8

years of bringing you the music 1975–2018