Country Music Capital News - January 2018 Volume 43 No 1

(INC.GST)

JANUARY 2018 VOL. 43 NO.1

$ 6.00

A PROUD MILESTONE FOR

ADAM & BROOKE TOGETHER STILL, AGAIN, FOREVER, AT LAST

SIMPLY BUSHED

CHASE RICE CHASING THE TRUTH

PREVIEW

2018 TOYOTA STAR MAKER GRAND FINALISTS

WHO WILL BE AUSTRALIA’S NEXT BIG COUNTRY STAR? years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

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10 DAYS

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700 ARTISTS 2800 EVENTS

#TCMF2018

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tcmf.com.au

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

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

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FROM THE EDITOR HAPPY NEW YEAR! WELCOME TO OUR 43RD YEAR OF COUNTRY MUSIC CAPITAL NEWS. WOW!

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feel really proud to have been working with the magazine for the past 14 years-come-February, following in the footsteps of some wonderful editors.

We appreciate our committed advertisers and subscribers as well as the regular purchasers because, of course, without you, we have no magazine.

This issue of Capital News partners with the 2018 Official Guide To The Tamworth Country Music Festival, and is traditionally filled with information about the festival. This year, the Official Guide is a bumper 308 pages, the biggest in its history. I think it’s quite extraordinary, considering the popularity of social media. However, long after the festival is over, country music lovers can refer to this publication and enjoy the 20-track bonus CD as a wonderful souvenir of time spent at the biggest music festival in Australia.

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Whether or not you have access to a computer, there are various ways that you can purchase a copy. You can jump online at www.tcmf.com.au/ officialguide order and pay with your credit card; you can phone Entertainment Venues on 02 6766 2028 and also use your credit card; or you can buy from selected newsagents, including on arrival in Tamworth.

The CMAA board nominations opened midDecember and close early this month and if you’re a member be sure to take the time to think

about the future of the industry and vote for six of those standing who you think may be best for the future and the business of country music.

I laughed so much when I read some of the editorials in this edition, due to some very funny quotes from ‘bogan-of-his-ownadmission’, Adam Eckersley and his wife Brooke – our cover story written by Jeremy Dylan – and 2014 X-Factor Runner-Up Dean Ray. Dean chatted with Matt Lawrence, who I’m pleased to say found his pencil and returns to write for the magazine once again and I’m not sure who’s got the funniest quotes, so please tell me what you think.

If you’re coming to the Toyota Country Music Festival, Tamworth for the festival I hope to bump into you around the traps.

Travel safe and have the time of your life.

Cheryl Byrnes Cheryl@tamworthcountrymusic.com.au

years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

JA N UA RY 2018 FEATURES ADAM ECKERSLEY & BROOKE M C CLYMONT

SIMPLY BUSHED

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TOYOTA STAR MAKER GRAND FINALISTS

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TAMWORTH: COUNTRY TO THE CORE

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CHASE RICE DEAN RAY CHRIS YOUNG COL FINLEY SAM HAWKSLEY KRISTY COX

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, David Dawson, Jeremy Dylan, Jon Wolfe, Lorraine Pfitzner, Matt Lawrence, Max Ellis, Patricia Cruzado, Peter Coad, Susan Jarvis, Tom Inglis and our great mates in publicity and record companies nationally and internationally PHOTOGRAPHERS Thanks to our many suppliers.

TRC TEAM Jess Barnden, Karlee Cole, Linda Bridges.

ART AND DESIGN Sam Woods

VALE WALLY SPARROW

REGULARS NEWS NASHVILLE NEWS HEAR & THERE ONE TO WATCH: KORA NAUGHTON FESTIVALS SOUND ADVICE COUNTRY CHARTS BUSH BALLADS WRITING GREAT SONGS DOWN MEMORY LANE

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

COMING EVENTS 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

Jackson Browne

JACKSON BROWNE TO TOUR

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ackson Browne will return to Australia in March 2018 for a national tour. The writer of Running On Empty, Take It Easy, Somebody’s Baby, These Days, Lawyers In Love, For A Rocker, Doctor My Eyes and The Pretender was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004 and the Songwriters’ Hall of Fame in 2007.

Accompanying Jackson on the road in Australia are longtime band mates Bob Glaub (bass), Mauricio Lewak (drums), Val McCallum (guitar), Alethea Mills (vocals), Chavonne Stewart (vocals), Jeff Young (keyboards), and the acclaimed multiinstrumentalist Greg Leisz (guitar, lap steel, pedal steel). Testament to his enduring popularity in, and affection for Australia, where he first toured in 1977, this is his seventh tour here since 2001. Headline shows in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Canberra will supplement the already-announced performances at Bluesfest and at Leeuwin Estate Winery in Margaret River, Western Australia. For complete tour and ticketing details, visit livenation.com.au

MORGAN AND KELSEA MARRY AUSTRALIAN COUNTRY STAR MORGAN EVANS MARRIED US STAR KELSEA BALLERINI AT AN INTIMATE CEREMONY BY THE OCEAN IN CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO, ON DECEMBER 2.

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he couple’s relationship unfolded when they co-hosted the 2016 CMC Awards in Brisbane, Qld. Wedding guests included the closest of family and friends with Morgan and Kelsea happy to be surrounded by “their people”.

Morgan released his ARIA Gold

hit single Kiss Somebody which, on Spotify alone, has had more than 13 million worldwide streams. His latest release I Do was released last month. Morgan returns to Australia to support James Blunt’s tour in Sydney and Melbourne.

Mrs Evans will play an exclusive one-off all-ages show at Sydney’s Metro Theatre on March 20 following her return to the CMC Rocks QLD 2018.

NEW CEO AT MUSIC AUSTRALIA

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honda Davidson-Irwin has been appointed the new CEO of Music Australia.

Rhonda will be the third CEO in Music Australia’s 25 year history, taking over from Chris Bowen who announced his retirement in October after five years service.

“Chris has overseen a significant transformation of Music Australia and has positioned it as a strategic contributor to the development of the sector. For this the Music Australia Board extends its thanks.” said Music Australia chair Michael Smellie.

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Rhonda is a highly regarded music educator, producer, composer and performer. She has enjoyed a long relationship with Music Australia, having been a Councillor, Education Advisory Group member, and recently joined the organisation’s board.

Rhonda will take up her appointment from February 1, 2018.

Rhonda Davidson-Irwin years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

NASHVILLE NEWS

El Cosgrove was first in the folk/ singer-songwriter category

From left to right: Butch Spyridon, Nashville Convention and Visitors Corp President/Chief Executive Officer; Joe Galante, CMA Foundation Chairman; Bill Simmons, CMA Board President; Sally Williams, CMA Board Chairman; Nashville Mayor Megan Barry; Vince Gill, 18-time CMA Awards winner and Country Music Hall of Famer; Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer; Pat Emery, husband of Kitty Moon Emery, beloved Nashville business leader and former CMA Board chairman and president posthumously honoured with the Joe Talbot Award; Damon Whiteside, CMA Chief Marketing Officer.

CMA INDUSTRY HONOURS

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Katrina Burgoyne first in country this year

he Country Music Association presented industry honours to four highlydeserving individuals on Wednesday November 29 during an intimate CMA Board reception at the CMA Theatre at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

NASHVILLE TRIP PLANNER

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ashville Convention & Visitors Corp has created an interactive trip planner offering ideas on what visitors might like to do in Nashville based on interests, time, and travel style. Local experts, including restaurateurs, distillers, and songwriters, give some suggestions on unique ways to spend time in Music City. Or let it build an itinerary for you. Go to trip.visitmusiccity.com/trip/day years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

UNSIGNED ONLY MUSIC COMPETITION

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nsigned Only is a music competition designed for solo artists, bands, and singers all over the world.

The competition gives away more than $150,000 in cash and prizes, as well as the chance to be heard by some of today’s premier artists and industry editors and journalists. The Grand Prize winner receives a $20,000 cash prize, as well as one-on-one mentoring by an elite group of record company executives.

Categories include Americana, country, folk-singer-songwriter, vocal performance, teen and screen shot.

Screen Shot is now a permanent category, offering the opportunity for songwriters to have their music heard by some of the top music execs who are looking to place music in various projects. Screen Shot is for original songs only. First and second place winners will participate in prizes, as well as have their songs made available to almost 1,000 industry contacts who are looking for music for upcoming projects. The overall winner will get the opportunity to directly network with a group of execs who specialise in music placement. The deadline is January 24, 2018. www.unsignedonly.com

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ADAM & BROOKE:

TOGETHER STILL, AGAIN, FOREVER, AT LAST

BY JEREMY DYLAN

INSIDE THE FIVE-WEEK MARATHON ALBUM, DECADES IN THE MAKING. “HAVE YOU HAD ENOUGH OF THIS CRAZY RIDE YET WE’VE BEEN ON SINCE THE DAY WE MET” ADAM ECKERSLEY AND BROOKE MCCLYMONT, TRAIN WRECK

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ike Tim and Faith, or Batman and Superman, the team-up was inevitable. Two of Australian country music’s most respected singersongwriters, who also happened to be longterm romantic partners, coming together as a duo. There had been the occasional on-stage team-up, a duet here or there, but fans around the nation wondered: would Adam Eckersley and Brooke McClymont ever become Adam Eckersley & Brooke McClymont?

“We’ve always talked about it,” says Adam. “Our common bond when we got into a relationship was our love of music and country music. We met through country music when we were 16. We talked about it heaps but time just didn’t allow.”

The obstacle had always been their respective successes. While I avoid any hackneyed questions about where they keep their awards, they have enough ARIAs, APRAs, Golden Guitars and other trophies to fill up a whole spare bedroom. For over 10 years, Brooke and her sisters have lived one of Australia’s great mainstream country success stories as The McClymonts. Adam has led the Adam Eckersley Band through all corners of the nation building a reputation that stands up against not just any country artist, but in the rock world too. It was the realities of family life that opened up a window of opportunity.

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“Sam and Mollie were both having babies,” Adam recalls.

“We realised we have a window of time we can do this thing now – if we hook in right away.

So basically it was five weeks between us deciding to do this project together and us writing and recording the album and planning the tour.”

In an era where artists often spend months in writing and preproduction before even booking studio time, the looming hard deadline would have scared off less confident artists, but with instincts and talents honed through years of writing and recording, they bet on themselves, followed through and leapt in.

“I work great having a deadline,” says Brooke. “We just took it day-by-day. We’d put our little girl to bed and head up to the shed and got creative.”

“We certainly had to let go of sensible for a period of time,” says Adam. “Normally when we’re off the road and at home, we’re parents and that’s it. We weren’t neglecting that, but we knew we couldn’t just sit around and hope the creative stuff happened. So we got the scotch out, got the beers out, sat up in the shed and waited for the songs to come.

Sometimes that was at 7pm and sometimes that was at 4am.”

The pressures of the compressed timeline forced the couple of make decisions quickly and not second-guess themselves – pouncing on or abandoning ideas ruthlessly.

“When we started working on a song and it wasn’t happening, we just moved on to the next idea,” Adam said. “If it felt good, we wrestled it to the ground ‘til it submitted to us.”

The natural momentum of the project also led to a natural allocation of decisions about aspects of the production and sound between Adam and Brooke. Instead of a contrived ‘one from column A, one from column B’ approach to blending the soaring melody forward sound of the McClymonts with the guitar-driven earthiness of AEB, the couple instinctively fell into an easy blend of their musical sensibilities.

“I think we just trusted each other with it,” Brooke explains. “I trusted him with the sound of the band and he really trusted me with the melodies”.

“The common thing where we meet from years ago was country music,” says Adam.

“We borrowed a lot from the music from the past that we love, whether it was rock, country or whatever. We certainly wanted to create our own sound, but you can certainly hear

years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

“I WAS JUST A BOGAN, WHICH I STILL AM, BUT THE WHOLE WAY THROUGH, I THOUGHT SHE WAS AN ABSOLUTE FREAK OF A SINGER AND MAINTAINED THE RESPECT FOR WHAT SHE COULD DO. IT STILL SPINS ME OUT HEARING HER SING. SOMETIMES, HEARING HER SCREAM AT ME AT HOME, I DON’T KNOW WHETHER TO DANCE OR RUN AWAY. THAT ALL REMAINS THE SAME.”

years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

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TOGETHER STILL, AGAIN, FOREVER, AT LAST where Brooke’s influence comes in – she’s great at making sure there’s a hook and a melody that sticks with you. I love the sound of the band being a little bit free. It kind of just happened – we didn’t fight as much as we thought we might on it. We just met in the middle somewhere.”

The recording process was swift and painless – seven people in the studio, the fundamentals of the record cut more or less live in three-and-a-half days. After a few more sessions of tidying up and overdubs, the album was complete. The resulting record, simply titled Adam & Brooke, is probably what you’d expect – a collection of soulful original duets, as two of our most charismatic voices trade verses and bristle through tender harmonies, coaxing some of each other’s most passionate vocal performances.

It’s an album built on the depth and foundation of their real life emotional bond and love for each other. It’s also an album that they could only have made at this point in both their careers and relationship. As I learned when I asked the couple to recall their first impressions of one another when they met as teenagers, it hasn’t always been sweet harmonies.

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“I didn’t think much of him at all,” says Brooke without equivocation. “I thought he was very cocky and very sure of himself.”

“We lived in the same street as each other,” Adam recalls. “I was driving a V8 panel van and I had a pretty rockin’ mullet and was doing country-rock gigs at the pubs every Friday-Saturday night, chasing girls around as you do. I was pretty open in my pursuit of Brooke. From my point of view back then, when we were 16, she was working on the local radio and she was in the newspaper every second week – she was the small town hero and didn’t want a bar of me.”

Even at this point, Brooke’s unarguable talent was a big part of the attraction for Adam.

“I was just a bogan, which I still am, but the whole way through, I thought she was an absolute freak of a singer and maintained the

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respect for what she could do. It still spins me out hearing her sing. Sometimes, hearing her scream at me at home, I don’t know whether to dance or run away. That all remains the same.”

The two drifted apart, as Brooke travelled the world and Adam toured the pub circuit, living in his car. Years later, the two reconnected and hit it off. Some key factors had changed.

“The mullet was gone,” explains Brooke. “He’d grown into his nose, he was gorgeous. I just found him quite funny and we became really good mates. Adam ended up having his son while we were still mates, then about seven months later we kind of went ‘Are we gonna do this? It’s just too easy’.”

So mates become co-inhabitants of Adam’s van, and eventually a house. Now they’re in the midst of planning their first proper tour together – which Adam has unofficially dubbed ‘two fools on stools’, featuring the material from their duo record along with some favourites from The McClymonts and AEB catalogue.

While both Brooke and Adam are clearly having the time of their lives rolling out this album together, they are clear that fans of their best known musical identities need not be afraid.

“Certainly our priorities will still be The McClymonts and AEB,” Adam clarifies, “but we’re really excited with having this as an option now, to do in the downtime. We both love touring and playing music together, and I think this will be something we do forever as long as people keep turning out to shows and enjoying it, we’ll keep doing it.”

years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

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

CHASING THE TRUTH CHASE RICE HAS PURSUED PATHS AS DIFFERENT AS THE ACC COLLEGE GRIDIRON TO NASCAR PIT LANE; NORTH CAROLINA TO NASHVILLE.

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nd while his journey has swerved, his resolve to follow his personal truth has been unwavering. His accumulated experience, creative focus, and athletic drive is evident in his latest release, Lambs & Lions.

Chase has been steadfast in his desire to bring his new music directly to his fans, throwing Lambs & Lions listening parties for fans across the country and unveiling the “We Are Lions” contest, which calls on students to show their school spirit by entering for a chance to win a free Chase Rice concert at their school.

He has partnered with the CMA Foundation, the charitable arm of the Country Music Association, to help fund music education programs across the US. He also donated the profits from album sales at listening parties in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, New York City, and Phoenix to the Foundation, along with the proceeds to his sold-out shows at the celebrated Grizzly Rose in Denver.

Chase hinted at his plans to use Lambs & Lions as a vehicle to support music education over a month ago with the music video for first single Three Chords & The Truth. In a treatment he created himself, the video follows him as he surprises a young fan battling haemophilia by showing up to his home with a new guitar and personally giving him his first music lesson. The closing slate of the music video is an invitation to find out more about music education programs at CMAfoundation.org.

Three Chords & The Truth, is already in the Top 40 and climbing at country radio and digital retailers. It’s a song he believes in due to the personal transformative power of

years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

discovering songs such as Amazing Grace, Sweet Home Alabama, and Mama Tried, and how they changed his life.

“It’s personal in the sense that it goes back to high school and what it meant to me to hear those songs for the first time,” he said. “Three Chords & The Truth captures the power of following my dream to Nashville and namechecks my heroes Johnny Cash, Steve Earle, Merle Haggard, and Lynyrd Skynyrd.”

It’s a fresh approach and Chase is doing it his way. With a new label, Broken Bow Records, and a renewed sense of creative purpose, Chase is making music that draws from multiple sources and influences, but is unified by his vision, integrity, and honesty.

and the UK have true-to-the-core country music fans, and they genuinely blew our minds. Thank you for showing up and singing with us. The band and I are already planning our next tour as that was unreal!”

Among the positive reviews already stacking up for the tour, popular country website Nashville Over Here said “if you wanted an artist to get the party started, you’d be hard pressed to find

IT’S A FRESH APPROACH AND CHASE IS DOING IT HIS WAY. WITH ... A RENEWED SENSE OF CREATIVE PURPOSE, CHASE IS MAKING MUSIC THAT DRAWS FROM MULTIPLE SOURCES AND INFLUENCES, BUT IS UNIFIED BY HIS VISION, INTEGRITY, AND HONESTY. “This is an album that stands for what I stand for,” said Chase. “I don’t think of myself as a country artist specifically—I’m here to be an artist, period. I’m very proud of the country genre, and I think we have some big country radio songs on here, but outside of that, there’s a story I wanted to tell, regardless of genre. I had to completely put out of my mind what anyone else would think. I knew I wouldn’t be satisfied until I took it as far as I possibly could.”

Last month, he completed his first ever tour of the UK & Ireland, playing to sellout crowds across Glasgow, Manchester, Birmingham, London and Dublin. Audiences were treated to a rare solo acoustic performance from the star, with songs from the new album, along with picks from further back in his catalogue, including fan favourite Carolina Can and a version of the Florida Georgia Line hit Cruise, which Chase co-wrote.

In his own words: “The fans that came out to the shows sang every word to every song, including album cuts from Lambs & Lions which is only a couple weeks old. Europe

one better than Chase”; while Entertainment Focus noted “it won’t be long before he’s selling out much bigger venues here”.

The 10 songs on Lambs & Lions derive from Chase’s life and experience, triumphs and disappointments, and ultimately his determination to stand up for his convictions. Produced by Ross Copperman, Chris DeStefano, Mac MacAnally and Jacquire King (Kings of Leon, Cold War Kids), Lambs & Lions offers up sounds from the stirring horns on the title track to the spare piano and swelling choir of Amen. And it also reflects the unconventional path that led him to make music in the first place.

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TRUTH, HONESTY & CLEANING

BY MATT LAWRENCE

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hey are the raw vulnerable vignettes in which we are our best both honest and

truthful.

Speak to singer-songwriter Dean Ray about his latest offering The Messenger, and life in

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IT COULD EASILY BE ARGUED THAT THE MOST AFFECTING MOMENTS IN LIFE ARE THOSE UNTAINTED BY REFINEMENT OR UNNECESSARY REVIEW. general, and you fast realise these are the elements he holds most dear.

The Messenger is Dean’s second release, the follow-up to his 2014 debut after ending runner-up in that year’s televised talent show X-Factor. The two are worlds apart.

Unlike many sophomore efforts which confirm what we already know about an artist, The Messenger is intended to serve as the real introduction to Dean Ray. Free of the shackles of label executives and those attempting to sell him as a Michael Hutchence wannabe, the proudly independent

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Dean was adamant both honesty and truth shine throughout The Messenger.

Each of the tracks, whether close to his heart [The Winnings, Country Song and Indie Anna] or those penned from an observers perspective [Alcohol, Sapphire and Call It A Day], share an

years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

extremely organic delivery in which Dean is able to place his indelible mark.

“I’ve lied about shit a lot in my lifetime as we all have ... white lies about things and I’ve gotten to the point where I’m tired of that, I can’t do that any more, it’s not what it’s about,” Dean said.

“I wanted a really raw representation.

I think people were misled a lot. I was

years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

presented as this sort of Michael Hutchence wannabe rock star ‘80s thing, and I was like, ‘dude, I wasn’t even around then’. Michael Hutchence is Michael Hutchence, he was his own being. I am my own being. It makes me feel embarassed when people say that. He probably thinks I’m a dick, walking around and being related to him. He’s probably sitting up there going, ‘you’re an idiot, I’ve already done everything and you’re trying to be me’, and I’m like, ‘I’m not trying to be you, they’re just saying that’.

“That’s never been my thing. My thing has been an acoustic rock hybrid blues folk artist, with a bit of alternative country, that’s always been my thing. And I’ve always had this mentality of rock ‘n’ roll. I believe in rock ‘n’ roll. It’s more than a music style, it’s a mentality and it’s a way of life and a way of being. Rock ‘n’ roll really stands for being yourself and not being walked over or stood on by the corporates, that’s what rock ‘n’ roll is.”

Dean produced The Messenger with good friends Dan Corless and Luke Austen. Austen also donated his bass services to the recording, as did another good mate Marcus Ryan on drums.

He is quick to acknowledge that without the generosity of others the project most definitely would not have been able to go ahead. It was the result of a crowd-funding campaign. Those who contributed are named and thanked on the album’s liner notes.

“I still can’t get my head around it,” Dean said. “I don’t know how to explain it. The only feeling I can compare it to, is when I was a kid my father had a horse accident and couldn’t work for a few months. We lived in a country town [Meandarra, Queensland] and we had a lot of working dogs, and an anonymous person would drop off two bags of dog food a week and we didn’t know who did it. That’s the kind of feeling it was, a community came together to help me back on my feet.

“I had no money. I started this year with negative 32 cents, and that wasn’t because I had a big party, I had no money the day before. It went from pandemonium to absolutely dismal. I knew what the source was wanting me to do but I was like, ‘guys I know what you want me to do but I can’t do a lot with negative 32 cents because people don’t do shit for free’.”

In keeping with his honest approach

to album two, Dean steered away from studio trickery.

“It is really organic,” he said. “I didn’t want to use any form of tuning. All mainstream music that comes out has an element of pitch correction on it. If you’re not in the recording industry let me expose a simple thing, it’s called melodyne and melodyne is a way to tune a vocal to sound like it’s 100 per cent perfect without you really picking up on it.

“I had melodyne on all my other stuff because it was all out of my hands. The producers put it on there, whereas I produced this and I spoke to Dan, the co-producer, and I said, ‘we’re not having any melodyne on this because you lose the blue notes. There are notes on the record that I sing which if we had have corrected them wouldn’t give you goosebumps. There’s little parts where I’m slippin’ and I can hear it, I listen back and go, ‘Deano you hit that a little bit flat, buddy’ but at the time that’s what I felt and that’s what music is all about. Feeling. Why would you take that away?”

Despite his commercial musical introduction, Dean has been able to win over audiences far and wide, including many country fans.

“I appeal to a very large demographic and all different sorts of people,” he said.

“You go to a Triple J band and they’ve got all young kids trying to be cool and hip and wearing glasses with no lenses in them. I get some of those but I get a lot of people who want a break from the bullshit. They’re people who just want to come out to a gig and hear the truth and that’s what I love about the people who come to my shows.

“I grew up in a working class family, my mother used to cut our hair and make clothes and cook for us and dad was making 100 bucks and that wasn’t much in 2000. I had a great childhood. My parents gave us everything they could but they struggled to do it.

“I will always see myself as the cleaner.

I’ve been the cleaner many times, that’s what happens when you drop out at grade 10, you need a job, you’re gonna clean.

“I’ve always had that mentality of treating everyone equally. My mother still is a cleaner, she’s got her own cleaning business. I was in a band room a while ago and one of the guys was rude to the cleaner and I lost my shit. I was like, ‘don’t talk to my mother that way’.”

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C H R I S

Y O U N G

REFLECTS ON REMARKABLE YEAR CHRIS YOUNG – THE GRAND OLE OPRY’S NEWEST MEMBER WRAPPED 2017 AS SURPRISE GUEST FOR GARTH BROOKS’ SOLD-OUT SHOW IN NASHVILLE.

I

n a remarkable year full of career milestones, Chris Young counts his induction as the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry at the top of his bucket list. After joining Jason Aldean as special guest on his “They Don’t Know Tour” throughout 2017, Chris played his final show of the year on December 16, surprising a sold-out hometown crowd at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena with an acoustic performance before reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year, Garth Brooks, took the stage.

The banner year included the release of his highly anticipated seventh studio album, Losing Sleep, his third record in less than two years and second consecutive studio album to debut at #1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums Chart. Earlier this month, the title track from Chris’ chart-topping album was officially certified GOLD by the RIAA, hitting the 500,000-unit mark of combined sales and streams. The song, currently at #6 Mediabase / #9 Billboard and climbing on the country radio charts, marks the 32-year old Grammy nominated singer-songwriter’s 17th Gold/ Platinum certification.

In addition to the success of the new project, Chris hit another career milestone in 2017, celebrating his ninth #1 and Gold single Sober Saturday Night featuring Vince Gill, from

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his ACM Album of the Year nominated fifth record, I’m Comin’ Over. The RCA Records Nashville artist also earned RIAA Platinum certifications for his acclaimed album Neon and Grammy nominated single Think Of You with Cassadee Pope.

“This year has been such an emotional one for me on so many levels. All I can say is that I am grateful,” says Chris. “Thank you to country music fans, my friends at radio and in the industry, and the Opry. I feel so blessed.”

While Chris is a native of Tennessee, his Texas roots run deep and he was one of the first celebrities to launch efforts to aid those impacted by Hurricane Harvey. Young seeded and raised more than $395,000 in a GoFundMe campaign in addition to partnering with KYGO/Denver to load two semis with supplies to aid recovery.

Chris is looking forward to big things in 2018, kicking off the New Year headlining the “Chris Young Losing Sleep 2018 World Tour” starting January 11 in Indianapolis.

Guests include Kane Brown, Dee Jay Silver and Australia’s Morgan Evans, who recently married US star Kelsea Ballerini.

On March 9, the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum will unveil the exhibition American Currents: The Music of 2017, including memorabilia from Chris’ noteworthy year.

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BY REBECCA BELT

H

e’s preparing to celebrate 25 years in the music industry and launch a 25-song double album, The Collective, on January 25.

To celebrate the 25 years of music-making and touring here and overseas, Col will release The Collective: 25 Years, a limited edition two-CD set, during the Toyota Country Music Festival, Tamworth.

“The fans are everything – that’s why we do it,” singersongwriter Col said as he dedicated his 25 years in the music industry to those who have supported him.

Disc one contains 13 tracks including new songs and older songs that he’s re-recorded with all tracks having been written between 1994 and now, but he had never recorded until now.

“I felt they suited who I am now and the journey I’ve taken,” Col said.

The second disc is titled Most Wanted and comprises the most requested and most played tracks, but with a new sound as they have been digitally remastered.

“The people who have backed me, deserve me to keep making albums,” he said.

“This is a celebration of being a part of an industry for that amount of time. Music is such a tough industry and to do 25 years, to survive and still make albums in such a digital age, means there is plenty to celebrate.

22

I CAUGHT UP WITH COL FINLEY AS HE WAS SETTING UP FOR HIS LAST SHOW FOR 2017, AND DISCOVERED THAT 25 WAS HIS NEW MAGIC NUMBER.

The Maleny artist, who has called Tamworth and other parts of Australia home during his career, said he wanted to take his fans on a journey through the past quarter of a century.

“The album, and what I’ve produced for the fans, is probably the most honest album I’ve done, and they’ve all been honest,” he said.

“We’ve recorded it in a smaller studio in Maleny, and it’s more raw, honest and more traditional than I’ve been on other albums.

I wanted to take the people on a journey of my 25 years from the legends of the highlands from when I worked in the Snowy Mountains when I was 23, working on trail rides and then during the 25 years when I’ve struggled with alcohol to losing mates through depression and suicide.”

Col said the past decade had been the hardest in music because of the introduction of digital music platforms.

“The reason I’ve been able to keep doing this is not because I’m not the biggest artist in the industry, but I have a big fan base across Australia and they’ve stuck by me, always in communication with me, and are always coming to shows,” he said.

As well as his fans, he dedicated the album and his years in the industry to his family. He is married to fellow country artist Nellie Finley and they have two boys, Levi and Diezel, and he has an older son, Clay.

“Some of the biggest challenges are trying to juggle family life and music,” he said.

“Trying to be the husband and father they deserve you to be, and be the artist the fans need you to be, is a challenge, but I think I’ve juggled it fairly well.”

The country artist said his biggest musical highlights were still being invited to play major festivals including CMC Rocks Queensland 2017, Broadbeach Country Music Festival and the Toyota Country Music Festival, Tamworth.

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“With so many great young artists coming through, to have venues consistently book me for 10 to 15 years is one of the rewards I get back,” he said.

It was the songs and stories that drew Col into country music and it was the genre that featured as his earliest musical influences included Dolly Parton, Hank Williams, Slim Dusty and Tex Morton.

“My parents were big country music fans and we bred and showed blue heelers dogs, so we would drive all over the country and it would be Slim Dusty all the way,” he said.

“What got me into performing, is that people were interested in listening to my stories and that’s what country music is all about, so I just really connected to that and loved it. I’m musically-challenged because I’ve never learned how to play guitar, I’ve just taught myself so I can write songs, so always have good band members playing for me. It’s always been about the song I’ve written and the story behind it – country music is so much about that.”

Col will not be resting on his laurels following the release of The Collective and he has already named 2018 as possibly his biggest year yet with tours of the United States and New Zealand booked, a few Australian festivals already booked and plenty of touring centred around promoting the new album.

“I think 2018 is the beginning of the next 25 years and is going to lay the foundation for the next album,” he said.

It all starts with Tamworth.

“I look forward to Tamworth every year because, for people who have been doing it for so long, it’s like Christmas,” Col said.

“You’re catching up with your whole family in one place. I’m doing nine shows and catching up with so many good friends and fans and I love where Tamworth is going; it’s starting to develop into a really solid festival and they’ve got a good direction. I am really excited about the future of the festival. It makes me really excited to be part of the festival and future years.”

Catch Col Finley as he launches The Collective: 25 Years at the Toyota Country Music Festival, Tamworth, on January 25. He plays every day of the festival with shows at The Court House Hotel, Racy & Lucky Country Music Cocktails, Tamworth Services Club, Tamworth Square, and The Big Golden Guitar.

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

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LOVE, LIFE...

AND STUFF LIKE THAT

BY SUSAN JARVIS

S

am met the love of his life, Amanda, and married her, and since then the couple has produced an adorable little girl named Poppy, who is clearly the apple of her father’s eye.

“Everything’s changed for me over the last few years. Meeting Amanda, getting married and then having Poppy were transformative for me. I am in a very different place now – I’m settled, content, have a real sense of purpose,” Sam said.

And it is those feelings that have shaped Sam’s latest album, the remarkable Love & Life And Stuff Like That.

“The title of the album really captures where I am in my life, and also who I am. For me it’s more than just songs about love and life – somehow I had to take the sap out of what is a really profound experience, so in true Australian style I added the words ‘and stuff like that’,” Sam said.

For Sam, Nashville has now become home – he admits that his daughter is already a “little American”. But he says he will always feel Australian, and he tries to make a point of travelling home each year to visit family and perform at the annual Tamworth Festival.

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A LOT CAN CHANGE IN FIVE YEARS – AND SAM HAWKSLEY’S LIFE HAS CERTAINLY BEEN TRANSFORMED SINCE HE RELEASED HIS LAST ALBUM, BABY, BABY, BABY IN 2013.

This year, he will again be musical director for the Opening Concert, Toyota Star Maker and the big Toyota Stars Under The Stars concert on Australia Day, Friday, January 26.

“I look forward to Tamworth – partly because it’s hot, after a freezing Nashville winter, and mostly because I get the chance to catch up with so many people in the industry who are my friends,” Sam said.

This year he’ll also be promoting his new album, which is sure to resonate with his Australian fans.

The album is a diverse and universally appealing collection of songs – overwhelmingly positive reflections on love, life, humanity … and stuff like that.

Diehard fans will already be familiar with the exquisite I Wish You More, which features on YouTube. The song is based on a children’s book that Sam picked up in Maine during his travels, written by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld.

The book has enormous significance for Sam, who’d just met Amanda and used it to express his feelings.

“I would send her a photo of one page each day while I was on tour. I was being very romantic!” he said.

The song lyrics diverge slightly from the book – with the blessing of the author herself, who Sam sadly never met.

“I was trying to meet her, but she kept putting me off.

I didn’t know she was ill, and I only found out she’d passed away several months after her death, which was really sad,” he said.

The song and the book took on a whole new life after Poppy was born.

“Now when I sing the song, it captures all the hopes and dreams I have for her future,” he said.

A number of other songs on this album carry a similar message. One is Anything Is Possible. The song was cowritten with fellow Australian Chelsea Basham before Sam’s daughter was born.

“Chelsea and I wrote the song about four years ago

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– one of many we’ve written together. It is a hopelessly optimistic conversation with a future child, and these days I sing it for Poppy,” Sam said.

– this time about a future life partner – was also behind When I Find You, co-written with jazz singer Nina Ferro.

“I produced an album for Nina, and we cowrote this song for it with a Nashville friend named Chris Tuttle. My version is very different, however – it has a kind of white guy reggae slant,” Sam said.

“It’s about not yet having found the one, but imagining that when you do, it will change your world. And it did!”

Sam’s positive take on life is reflected more broadly on a number of tracks that reflect on life, humanity, society and the current state of the world.

Kind Heart, Angry World, featuring a stunning duet with Leigh Nash from the band Sixpence None the Richer, is another Nina Ferro cowrite – this time with Travis Meadows.

“It has become increasingly relevant to today’s world, particularly with the current political situation in the United States,” Sam said.

Nothing In Life Is To Be Feared – a standout track – was written with Felicity Urquhart a decade ago, before Sam moved to Nashville. It is based on a quote from Marie Curie, and was originally intended for Felicity, but Sam says he now feels able to do it justice.

“I love the unusual chord structure, and I think this song too has become very pertinent to society today.”

Other tracks that follow a similar train of

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thought are We All Need Love – a contemplation of love lost and found – and Idle Observation #95.

Actress and children’s entertainer Justine Clarke cowrote Love’s All Around, another song of hope and optimism.

The funky Countin’ My Blessings was inspired by the late Karl Broadie’s wonderful song Count Your Blessings, and was co-written with Danielle Deandrea, a regular songwriting collaborator.

The album’s final track, You Got Something leans in the direction of country rock, and ends the album with a bang.

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It’s a wonderful story song.

Life in Nashville is busy for Sam, who writes songs, produces albums and has toured regularly with The Bodeans for the past five years, as well as working with Sixpence None the Richer.

“I feel very privileged to perform with both bands – both have a lot that I like about music,

and I really enjoy working with them,” Sam said.

“While I still miss Australia, building my own family in Nashville has given me a new perspective, and the city has been very good to me – it has given me a raft of opportunities I never would have had if I had stayed in Australia.

“This is a boom city, and the possibilities are only going to increase.”

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25

TOTALLY

WORTH

IT

BY SUSAN JARVIS

WHEN I SPOKE TO KRISTY COX IN HER NASHVILLE HOME, SHE WAS PUTTING A POSITIVE SPIN ON THE FREEZING WEATHER THE CITY WAS EXPERIENCING.

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K

risty said “It’s so cold, but I’m really hoping for a white Christmas – it’s our first Christmas in our own new home, and my little girl is so excited about Christmas this year.”

Kristy shares her home with husband Travis List, also a talented and well-known country artist, and their three-year-old daughter Adelaide.

It was a huge leap of faith for Kristy and Travis to pull up roots and head for Nashville five years ago, and then to become parents while they were still getting established.

But they’ve pulled together and worked hard to achieve their dreams.

“I couldn’t do any of this without Travis and Adelaide. They give me purpose, and they’re an amazing support system,” Kristy said.

“Nashville can be a daunting place to live – if you don’t seize an opportunity, someone else will. But living and working here has definitely been worthwhile. It has made me grow as an artist – I’ve constantly been pushed to become better.

“We’ve got through the tough patches when we’ve just wanted to go home, and we’ve worked incredibly hard to achieve what we have. The expatriate community from Australia is also really important to all of us – we get together and share our experiences, and it really helps.”

Clearly Kristy’s own hard work is paying huge dividends. She has recently signed to America’s most prestigious bluegrass label, Mountain Fever, and released her first album with them, the stunning Ricochet.

“It has been a crazy time because they only gave me a short time to record the album and have it ready for them,” Kristy said.

“The focus was on getting the best possible songs – songs I related to. I’ve written a couple of the tracks, but my main concern was that the songs I chose spoke to me personally.

“I knew I had to create an album that was at least as good as the last one, Part Of Me – which did really well for me – and I feel that I’ve achieved that.”

The title track and first single from the album is an absolute winner. Cowritten by Kristy’s long-time mentor, producer, songwriting partner and friend (and now neighbor), Jerry Salley, the song is fun, sassy and captivating.

Like many of the tracks on this album, Ricochet is a fabulous bluegrass song, which showcases Kristy’s considerable talents perfectly.

“I just loved this song the minute I heard it, and we had a lot of fun recording it. It also sends the message that sometimes you never know what will happen until you try,” Kristy said.

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“This is a bluegrass-focused album.

I play mostly bluegrass festivals, so I really wanted a collection of music I could perform live, and these songs work brilliantly on stage.”

Other great bluegrass tracks on the album include the country-tinged South to North Carolina, which Kristy wrote with Jerry Salley and Michael Rogers, Just Me Leaving and the wonderful I Can Almost Smell The Smoke, which is one of the best songs Kristy’s ever recorded.

“Jerry pitched it to me about 10 years ago, and it has been on the short list for every album since. It seemed to fit here, and I’m so glad it has finally been recorded,” Kristy said.

Kristy’s favourite song on the album is the beautiful, folk-tinged Sweet English Rose, which she wrote with songwriting legend Allan Caswell.

“It’s an unknown part of Australia’s history, and I loved being able to share it in this song,” she said.

Perhaps the most breathtaking moment on the album is Kristy’s a capella version of Kasey Chambers’ I Still Pray. It is one of those songs that makes the hairs stand up on the back of your neck.

“I was nervous about doing it a capella, but Kasey was really enthusiastic. I brought in the vocal talents of Donna Ulisse, Jerry Salley and Josh Swift to almost act as instruments and I’m thrilled with the final version,” Kristy said.

A Bed This Cold, performed as a duet with Brandon Rickman, is also a standout track, while other highlights include Blame It On God and the emotional Cry Me A River.

Kristy picked up the Bluegrass Recording of the Year Golden Guitar in Tamworth last year. It was her second award – she took out the inaugural Bluegrass award in 2015.

She’s rapidly attracting a dedicated fan base in the United States for her fresh, contemporary take on traditional bluegrass music.

She has been shortlisted twice in the International Bluegrass Music Awards in the New Artist of the Year category, and is in hot demand to perform at festivals in Australia, Europe in the United States, including an official showcase at the 2015

International Bluegrass Music Convention.

While Kristy’s previous recording contract prevented her from releasing an album in Australia, her new label is happy for her to do so, and has partnered with new label Country Rocks to make that possible.

“I’m so excited, because this is my first album release in Australia in six years. It’s been frustrating not having anything available in my home country,” Kristy said.

The album will be launched in Australia this month, when Kristy performs in two big shows in Tamworth, the Bluegrass Comes to Tamworth concert with Pete Denahy, Karen Lynne, The Weeping Willows and Montgomery Church, and Great Country Love Songs with husband Travis.

“Travis and I don’t get to sing together nearly as much as we’d like, so we’re both really looking forward to that show,” she said.

In addition, she’s been putting together the program for the Tamworth Opry during the festival. The Opry and Kristy’s other shows will all be presented at the Capitol Theatre.

The album’s also being launched in Nashville this month, and as soon as she returns to the United States, Kristy will hit the road for a series of concerts and festivals.

She has a six-week Australian tour planned for August, and a tour of Europe scheduled for May. “It’s going to be hectic, but a lot of fun and really rewarding.

I’m living the life I dreamt about – and even though it’s probably harder work than I expected, it is absolutely worth it,” Kristy said.

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27

A PROUD MILESTONE FOR

THE BUSHIES

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BY REBECCA BELT

TWENTY YEARS IS A LONG TIME IN THE MUSIC BUSINESS, LET ALONE ATTENDING THE SAME EVENT FOR TWO DECADES CONSECUTIVELY, BUT IT’S A MILESTONE SIMPLY BUSHED IS PROUD OF AND CAN’T WAIT TO CELEBRATE THIS MONTH IN TAMWORTH.

F

rom camping in the back of a van to playing the official opening concert, the band members have soaked up each Tamworth Country Music Festival experience and continued to return for more. With each festival, the number of Bushies or Simply Bushed fans, have grown and they now pack out the venues they play. This year, they’re celebrating 20 consecutive Tamworth festivals with the release of their album, Here And Now. There is a true Tamworth flavour to the album, having been recorded in the city and the video for the first single, No More Holdens, was shot just up the New England Highway in Kootingal.

“From the first time at the Tamworth Country Music Festival, when my wife and I hired a caravan in the carpark in the back of Joe Maguires, on the rainy second night for what seemed like a small fortune, after spending the first night in the back of the Holden wagon (after which any price seemed reasonable), I could not wait to get back,” Simply Bushed’s Paul Grierson reminisced.

“I wanted to take a small step up the ladder, by having a gig that someone was going to pay us for, and from then on it was hook, line and sinker for me.”

Fellow front man, Chris Rieger first came to Tamworth playing in his mother, Helen Kay’s band.

“My first impressions of the Tamworth festival began back in the early ‘90s and was one of excitement and heat exhaustion,” he laughed.

“I backed my mum Helen Kay as she jumped between venues and stages as a performer. I have watched the trees in the main street grow with the festival and the vibe just gets better every year.”

For the band members, the festivals in January and July have become their favourite times of the year and the city has become more than just somewhere they come and play a couple of times a year, but turned into a second home for them.

“January has become my favourite times of year as I have watched the Tamworth festival change and grow,” Paul said.

“We have built a friendship with Tamworth that shows throughout the festival, not only at gigs, but when people who have become so much more than fans bring their children and grandchildren and refer to them as ‘new little

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“I LOVE THE TOWN TAMWORTH IS AND IT HAS EARNED ITS TITLE AS THE AUSTRALIAN COUNTRY MUSIC CAPITAL BY CONSISTENTLY BACKING UP EVERY YEAR TO ACCOMMODATE WHAT HAS BECOME ONE OF THE LARGEST MUSIC FESTIVALS IN THE WORLD.”

Bushies’. We feel like we know so much of the town and the people and we feel a small part of it.”

Chris said the city opened its arms to them and all the artists each year.

“I love the town Tamworth is and it has earned its title as the Australian Country Music Capital by consistently backing up every year to accommodate what has become one of the largest music festivals in the world,” he said.

“For that, I say thank you to all the locals. I am very excited about the 20-year milestone of the Simply Bushed name in consecutive festivals and I look forward to our involvement for many years to come.”

Paul said the band had so much to be thankful to Tamworth for.

“It is where Simply Bushed has grown up as a band. It has given us something to aspire to and to work towards and benchmarks to meet as we saw how the people at the top of the game did it, from excellent music to putting on ‘a show’ and how to invite an audience to join us for little sessions of heartfelt silliness and nonsense that somehow makes us all feel better,” he said.

“Yep, we love Tamworth.”

Simply Bushed knew there was nowhere else they would rather record than the Country Music Capital and when it came to getting a music video done in less than 24 hours, they knew they could count on the city to get behind them.

“We were so grateful to Tamworth and all the Holden owners for getting behind us and helping make the film clip what it is,” Paul said.

The Tamworth Classic Holden Car Club members and Holden-loving Tamworthians who saw the music video announcement on social media turned out in droves to have their vehicles star in this historic moment.

The band will help to open the Tamworth Country Music Festival, playing the Official Opening Concert in Toyota Park on Friday, January 19, perform at Tamworth Services Club on January 21 and 27, and hold their annual Giant Family Bush Dance at Wests on January 22.

Simply Bushed release their upcoming album, Here And Now, on January 26 at The Albert Hotel at 12.30pm. The album was recorded at Fat Track Studios in Tamworth with John Lee, and produced by Rob Mackay with Rusty Crook in the engineer’s seat.

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29

WHO WILL BE

AUSTRALIA’S NEXT BIG COUNTRY STAR? 2018 TOYOTA STAR MAKER

BY ANNA ROSE

Toyota Star Maker co-ordinator Cheryl Byrnes said it was always a joy seeing who applied for Toyota Star TEN OF AUSTRALIA’S TOP EMERGING Maker each year.

COUNTRY ARTISTS WILL VIE FOR THE “Within the industry, the quest is a highly-respected vehicle and there are any number of aspiring artists HONOUR OF BECOMING THE 39TH TOYOTA wanting to emulate the feats of previous winners such as STAR MAKER IN A WINNER-TAKES-ALL, FREE Keith Urban, Lee Kernaghan and Beccy Cole,” Cheryl said.

MUSICAL EVENT AT TOYOTA PARK, “It’s the ideal platform for artists to showcase what they have. It’s the perfect jumpstart to any career, with the IN THE LEAFY HEART OF TAMWORTH, $100,000 prize package that goes along with the prestige AUSTRALIA’S COUNTRY MUSIC CAPITAL. of the title.

“Many of the benefits of being part of the Toyota Star Maker family are intangible – but absolutely priceless. The oyota Star Maker continues the Lee Akers, Kaylee Bell and many networking among the past alumni and the current crop of tradition as the main event of more.

Star Makers is extraordinary. You can’t put a price on that.” the first weekend of the 46th The 2018 Toyota Star Maker Toyota Australia’s Corporate Manager Marketing Toyota Country Music Festival finalists, chosen from across the Integration Andrew Wearing said he was delighted to in Tamworth, and will be held country, are: continue Toyota’s support of Star Maker. on Sunday, January 21.

“It’s a wonderful thing that Star Maker continues to be For the second time in its long history, and 1 BRAD COX accessible to a worldwide audience through live-streaming thanks to the support of Toyota, this event Jindabyne, NSW in the park. Toyota is delighted to be able to present the will be free to the public, with all 10 finalists 2 CASSIDY RAE GAITER event absolutely free to the public,” Mr Wearing said. being judged on the night, and one winner Flagstaff Hill, SA “This company is very proud of its long association emerging.

3 CHLOE STYLER with such a prestigious quest and we offer our hearty The winner will receive a prize package Gold Coast, Qld congratulations to the 2018 finalists. which includes the use of a new Toyota 4 EMILY JOY “It is a pleasure to play a role in launching another new motor vehicle and an unlimited fuel card for Sorrento, WA 12 months, plus guaranteed performances 5 HAYLEY WILSON career onto the Australian country music scene. We wish all the finalists the very best of luck. at major festivals and events throughout Aspley, Qld “Toyota has a long legacy supporting rural and Australia.

6 HEATH MILNER regional Australia. Toyota Star Maker is yet another way Toyota has a long and proud history Mackay, Qld we continue to show our commitment to the bush.” of supporting country music in Australia, 7 JAKE SINCLAIR Toyota Star Maker will be held in Toyota Park at 7pm including 23 years of sponsoring the emerging Springhurst, Vic on Sunday, January 21. The event is FREE and one winner artists of Star Maker and 26 years of the 8 TAMMY MOXON will be decided on the night from the top 10 finalists. overall country music festival in Tamworth.

Hermit Park, Qld Darren Coggan returns as the esteemed compere and Among the exclusive Star Maker alumni 9 TANYA CORNISH there will also be a performance by outgoing Toyota are Lee Kernaghan, Keith Urban, Beccy Cole, Tintinara, SA James Blundell, Darren Coggan, Travis Collins, 10 TAYLOR PFEIFFER Star Maker Rachael Fahim and Darren Coggan.

Kylie Sackley, Samantha McClymont, Kirsty Walkerville, SA

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BRAD COX

CASSIDY RAE GAITER

JINDABYNE, NSW

FLAGSTAFF HILL, SA

SINGER-SONGWRITER BRAD COX IS READY TO GRAB THE STAR MAKER OPPORTUNITY AND RUN WITH IT IN BOTH HANDS.

NO STRANGER TO THE TOYOTA STAR MAKER STAGE, 2017 GRAND FINALIST CASSIDY RAE RETURNS IN 2018 TO PURSUE HER DESTINY.

month-long songwriting trip to Nashville in 2015 inspired the young man on his journey to Golden Guitar-winning producer Matt Fell’s Love Hz Studio to record his debut album.

The first single, Too Drunk to Drive, debuted at #2 on the iTunes country chart.

To promote singles from the disc, the 2012 NSW Talent Development Project graduate booked and arranged his own promotional tours, taking his music to the masses across the northern and southern parts of Australia.

he 22-year-old from Flagstaff, South Australia was raised on country music into a musical family with a mum who sang – didn’t everybody’s mum do that?

Thrust into the intimidating world of an Adelaide private school during adolescence, Cassidy struggled to find a friend who shared her passion for country music – and no encouragement from teachers.

Detouring into musical theatre, she gained her Bachelor of Music, and graduated in 2015. Cassidy then took a giant leap of faith towards making her dream a reality and travelled to America to work in a summer camp in San Francisco, eventually making her way to Nashville, Tennessee. It was here she recorded her debut EP, Shake It, Don’t Fake It.

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STAR MAKER WINNERS 1979-2017 • 1979 Grand Junction • 1980 Tommy Miller • 1981 Leanne Douglas • 1982 Lee Kernaghan • 1983 The Vic Lanyon Band • 1985 Great Divide • 1986 Jane Maddick • 1987 James Blundell • 1988 Jenine Vaughan • 1989 Craig Robertson • 1990 Keith Urban • 1991 Gina Jeffreys • 1992 Warren Derwent • 1993 Beccy Cole • 1994 Clint Beattie • 1995 Tanya Self • 1996 Darren Coggan • 1997 Lyn Bowtell • 1998 Kate Ballantyne • 1999 Brendon Walmsley • 2000 Grant Richardson • 2001 Kylie Sackley • 2002 Kieran Lancini • 2003 Todd Williams • 2004 Travis Collins • 2005 Samantha McClymont • 2006 Cat Southern • 2007 Kirsty Lee Akers • 2008 Talia Wittmann • 2009 Liam Brew • 2010 Luke Austen • 2011 Luke Dickens • 2012 Bob Corbett • 2013 Kaylee Bell • 2014 Jared Porter • 2015 Mickey Pye • 2016 Karin Page • 2017 Rachael Fahim

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CHLOE STYLER GOLD COAST, QLD

AS A FIVE-YEAR-OLD KID, GOLD COAST-BORN CHLOE STYLER WAS TAKEN TO A LEE KERNAGHAN SHOW.

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ast forward 15 years down the track – and Chloe has been given the opportunity to open for the Outback Club founder!

From that time to this, Chloe has been working away at her craft, being taught piano, singing, saxophone and then picking up the guitar and finding her own sound.

Chloe is a graduate of both the junior and senior CMAA Academy of Country Music and released her debut EP, recorded at Simon Johnson’s Hillbilly Hut, last January.

EMILY JOY SORRENTO, WA

FROM PERTH TO BOSTON, NASHVILLE TO TAMWORTH, THE PAST FEW YEARS HAVE BEEN QUITE A JOURNEY FOR WEST AUSTRALIAN SINGER-SONGWRITER EMILY JOY.

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er debut single, Barricade shot to #2 on the iTunes charts and is the first track lifted from her self-titled, Perth-to-Nashville-recorded EP. Channelling the storytelling and vocal hooks of Taylor Swift and Shania Twain, her music has been described as a combination of these with a modern twist.

Winning Emerging Artist of the Year at the WA Country Music Awards made a great start to 2017, just ahead of her second single release, Karma’s Gonna Catch Me, a fun, cheeky song that saw radio chart action as well as airtime for the accompanying Josh Favaloro-produced clip.

TOYOTA PROUDLY CELEBRATES 23 YEARS OF SPONSORSHIP OF STAR MAKER – THE MOST PRESTIGIOUS COUNTRY MUSIC TALENT SEARCH IN AUSTRALIA

2018 GRAND FINAL

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HAYLEY WILSON

HEATH MILNER

ASPLEY, QLD

MACKAY, QLD

BORN IN MOUNT ISA, QUEENSLAND, NOW BRISBANE-BASED SINGERSONGWRITER HAYLEY WILSON HAS HAD SOME TWISTS AND TURNS ON HER WAY TO THE TOYOTA STAR MAKER GRAND FINALS.

HE’S A VIRTUAL NEW SINGER ON THE BLOCK IN HIS HOMETOWN OF MACKAY, QUEENSLAND BUT HEATH MILNER IS A FAST LEARNER.

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long and winding road led Hayley to record her debut album, Further Than Forever.

This album of 10 songs, which features Aleyce Simmonds and Luke O’Shea amidst its collaborators, is a document of lessons learned about life and love, announcing the arrival of an artist with a timeless approach to country music.

The late Karl Broadie mentored Hayley until his untimely passing in April 2016. Accomplished producer Glen Hannah saw the album through to completion.

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n the past three years since he began singing, Heath has sung the national anthem at the PBR in Mackay, written songs with a bunch of Nashville writers and performed on a blind audition in season six of The Voice.

In this life-changing moment, Boy George told Heath he belonged in Nashville, so he generously offered Heath a return ticket to Music City USA. A graduate of both the junior and senior CMAA Academy of Country Music, Heath was the Judges’ Choice at the Gympie Music Muster 2017 Emerging Artist Showcase.

FREE IN TOYOTA PARK TAMWORTH 7PM SUNDAY 21 JANUARY 2018 2017 TOYOTA STAR MAKER WINNER HOSTED BY

RACHAEL FAHIM

DARREN COGGAN 1996 TOYOTA STAR MAKER WINNER AND THE SAM HAWKSLEY ALL STAR BAND

FEATURING THE TOP 10 GRAND FINALISTS years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

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JAKE SINCLAIR

TAMMY MOXON

SPRINGHURST, VIC

HERMIT PARK, TOWNSVILLE QLD

JAKE SINCLAIR’S PASSION FOR MUSIC IGNITED THE MOMENT HIS SIX-YEAR-OLD HANDS TOUCHED A GUITAR FOR THE FIRST TIME. EIGHT YEARS LATER HE PERFORMED IN HIS FIRST TALENT QUEST.

TAMMY MOXON HAS BEEN SINGING ON STAGE SINCE SHE WAS FIVE, PERFORMING WITH HER DAD AT FESTIVALS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.

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e was a graduate of Tamworth Camerata 2005, the predecessor to the Junior CMAA Country Music Academy, and began a career backing and playing for artists such as Travis Collins, Jayne Denham, Luke Austen and Travis Sinclair.

Raised on a mix of traditional and modern country music, his greatest influences were George Strait, Merle Haggard and Slim Dusty. Jake is now poised to move out of the backline and into the spotlight with the release of his debut EP, The Vibetone Sessions, produced by Benjy Pocock.

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he progressed through the ranks of talent quests, adding several trophies to her collection.

Career highlights, so far, have been many for the now 27-year-old artist.

Representing Australia in the Trans-Tasman Entertainer of the Year awards and coming home with runnerup and most promising artist trophies, was close to the top of the list.

She recently signed a publishing deal with Kobalt Music Publishing Australia and commenced work on her second album, a follow-up to Fall In Time, recorded with Roger Corbett at The Valley Studios.

TOYOTA PROUDLY CELEBRATES 23 YEARS OF SPONSORSHIP OF STAR MAKER – THE MOST PRESTIGIOUS COUNTRY MUSIC TALENT SEARCH IN AUSTRALIA

2018 GRAND FINAL

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TANYA CORNISH

TAYLOR PFEIFFER

TINTINARA, SA

WALKERVILLE, SA

DURING THE WEEK SHE TEACHES PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS THE THREE RS – AND OF A WEEKEND 27-YEAR-OLD TANYA CORNISH IS A COUNTRY MUSIC STAR!

IF YOU’LL PARDON THE PUN, MULTIINSTRUMENTALIST TAYLOR PFEIFFER HAS MORE THAN ONE STRING TO HER BOW.

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ith her warm, pure vocals Tanya has come to the attention of several country music industry key players – having been invited to perform on Bill Chambers’ shows at The Pub as well as other artists such as The Bushwackers, Kevin Bennett and Aleyce Simmonds.

She won the 2015 Trans-Tasman Entertainer of The Year on Norfolk Island.

Tanya is a graduate of the 2016 CMAA Academy of Country Music.

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he singer, songwriter, banjoist and self-taught yodeller can play just about anything that moves – and she’s just turned 18!

Most recently Taylor was invited to be part of the Aussie Road Crew with Beccy Cole and Libby O’Donovan, performing two shows in October on the South Australian leg of the tour.

Taylor has been invited to join Beccy’s Sisters of Twang band for the two Tamworth shows in Blazes.

Taylor has appeared at all the major festivals in recent years, and last January was thrilled to perform the national anthem at Lee Kernaghan’s Boys From The Bush 25th Anniversary Australia Day concert at TRECC.

FREE IN TOYOTA PARK TAMWORTH 7PM SUNDAY 21 JANUARY 2018 2017 TOYOTA STAR MAKER WINNER HOSTED BY

RACHAEL FAHIM

DARREN COGGAN 1996 TOYOTA STAR MAKER WINNER AND THE SAM HAWKSLEY ALL STAR BAND

FEATURING THE TOP 10 GRAND FINALISTS years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

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Lee Kernaghan performing at Toyota FanZone

TAMWORTH

BY MAX ELLIS

RECENTLY, I HEARD SOMEONE TALKING ABOUT TAMWORTH AND ITS PLACE AS AUSTRALIA’S COUNTRY MUSIC CAPITAL.

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he speaker remarked, in a rather disparaging way, that the city’s country music reputation was not a genuine reflection of the place itself. He said that Country Music Capital was an entirely made-up image and was not justified in any way by Tamworth’s history. It was, he said, a sort of fake overlay on the face of the city.

Well, as someone who is exceedingly proud of the role he played in creating Country Music Capital, I would like to make a few comments for that speaker’s consideration.

Of course, Country Music Capital was a made-up name and of course, it grew out of Radio 2TM’s magnificent promotion of Australian singers, songwriters, promoters, musicians, journalists and all those other dedicated and passionate supporters of our music.

It could have happened in other places and in fact country music did subsequently find a home in Gympie,

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Wandong, Mildura, Boyup Brook and Parkes to mention just a handful of places.

But to suggest that country music was just a superficial layer of theatrical make-up, plastered on the face of an unconnected community, is nonsense.

Tamworth’s country roots and heritage are second to none.

The legends and myths we have fostered over the years are an integral part of our nation’s nonurban culture. These manifest themselves in Tamworth in such sagas as the story of Thunderbolt the bushranger, who operated

in and around the district. Or there are the legendary drovers and horsemen like Nat Buchanan who is buried on the outskirts of Tamworth. Or Tex Morton, the famous showman who came to Tamworth first as a penniless drifter in the early ’30s and was locked up as a vagrant and later returned in the ’40s as a huge star, before receiving our first Roll of Renown award in 1976.

Remember Buddy Bishop, our first local star in the early ’50s, or Geoff Brown and Michael Cooke, country music pioneers, Arthur Blanch, another local who made good, and of course, the incredible genius of Tommy and Phil Emmanuel, who grew up in Gunnedah and Tamworth in the ’60s. And don’t forget Hadley Records, one of the most influential independent record labels in our nation’s history, which recorded and launched Slim Newton’s classic Australian song, Redback On The Toilet Seat for all the world to hear. And there are so many more examples.

Tamworth’s rich kaleidoscope of history is packed full of the men and women who over many decades have made country music such

years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

Arthur Blanch in 1951

Recording artist Michael Cooke with Hadley Records’ Eric Scott

Phil and Tommy Emmanuel

Gentleman Geoff Brown

COUNTRY TO THE CORE Buddy Bishop first to record in Tamworth

a powerful expression of the Australian character.

And the country friendliness and hospitality shown by the folks in Tamworth to the hundreds of thousands of visitors who have invaded their city over the decades, is just another example of how the country music ethic fits our city like a glove.

In fact, why not ask some of today’s major artists, like Keith Urban, Troy Cassar-Daley or Travis Collins, how Tamworth and its friendly people welcomed and supported them as ambitious youngsters. Ask how Tamworth helped get them established, often over many years from Peel Street buskers to Golden Guitar winners. Nothing superficial about the Tamworth they know and admire and nor are they backward in acknowledging their debt and their gratitude to our country town and its inhabitants.

In fact, Keith once told me: “Believe me, Tamworth played a HUGE part in getting me started! I sing her praises all over the world and have regularly cited Star Maker (1990) as THE real beginning of my recording career.”

American country music chose Nashville and not New York for the same reasons as Australian country music chose Tamworth and not Sydney because Nashville and Tamworth shared the beliefs, the struggles, the heritage, the culture and the lifestyles of what became the narrative and soul of country music; a narrative and soul that

years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

originated and prospered in the COUNTRY away from totally different environment of the big cities.

Tamworth was able to put the substance into the title Country Music Capital for two reasons.

One was the highly-motivated and expert team at Radio 2TM. Their vision and their blood, sweat and tears undoubtedly made it happen and we will always be proud of what we achieved.

But of equal importance is the fact that in Tamworth itself, the promotion of Australian country music was culturally, historically and perceptually, absolutely, appropriate … the perfect place for all this country music activity to emanate from.

We started the Awards and Festival in January 1973 and we proved our theory again in August that year by starting the

AgQuip Field Days in Gunnedah. We built it into the biggest farming and agricultural field day event of its kind in the southern hemisphere, another example of an activity, which could only work so brilliantly in a totally appropriate environment … the country.

And I must mention AELEC, our magnificent Australian Equine and Livestock Events Centre, which is yet another later example of Tamworth getting the right activity in the right place - once again!

Just as horses and farm machinery belong in rural Australia, so country music has its roots firmly in the country and Tamworth stands as it always has – a vigorously beating and totally inspiring heart in the grand country landscape of Australia.

Max Ellis OAM Max was one of the founders of Country Music Capital, the Golden Guitar Awards, Tamworth, Tamworth Country Music Festival and AgQuip in 1973 and has been intimately involved in just about every facet of the Tamworth Festival and the industry ever since.

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FRIDAY NIGHT SHOW: $20 7:00pm-10:00pm SATURDAY PACKAGE (Day & Night): $70 Day Session 9:30-5:00pm $50 Hoedown 6:30pm-11:00pm $40 Sunday Session 9:30am-12.30pm $20 WEEKEND PASS: Early Bird: $80 (ends 26th January 2018) 2nd Release: $90 (ends 15th March 2018) Gate Price (all sessions): $100 UNDER 16: FREE Meals available for purchase all weekend at venue. No BYO alcohol.

Enquiries: Geoff Barby 0419 343 626 info@terangcountrymusic.com.au

Major Sponsors

Buy Tickets Online at: www.terangcountrymusic.com.au 38

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HEAR+THERE JESSICA MAUBOY RELEASES DUET WITH WARREN H WILLIAMS THE CLASSIC ALWAYS ON MY MIND [J CHRISTOPHER/M JAMES/W CARSON] FEATURES ON SEASON TWO OF THE SECRET DAUGHTER, IN WHICH JESSICA STARS.

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ess pays tribute to country music, Warren H Williams as an elder, mentor and a significant part of Jessica’s wider Aboriginal family connections.

At the 2017 Yabun Festival the two caught up and made a promise to record together again. Despite Jess’s schedule, she made things happen including writing Warren into an episode of The Secret Daughter where he plays a cameo role as Billy’s Aboriginal uncle “Marlon” in a scene where ”Billy” is introduced to her Aboriginal family. The scene includes an acoustic version of the duet Always On My Mind, performed around the camp fire.

Warren will appear on Thursday, January 25 at The Family Hotel during the 2018 Tamworth Country Music Festival (doors open at 2:30pm).

Warren H William and Jessica Mauboy

A TAMWORTH FIRST

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The Heggarties years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

outh Australian six-piece The Heggarties will tick an item off their bucket list when they hit the Toyota Country Music Festival, Tamworth this month, with their self-titled album. The band, comprising Wren and Paul Heggart, Steve Lennox, Tim Bodman, Max Tulysewski, and Paul Cooper, wanted to have an album to showcase before they made the Tamworth trek.

“This is a massive experience for us because we’ve been aiming to do Tamworth for years,” Wren Heggart said.

They will showcase their music at Americana in the Park, Racy & Lucky Country Music Cocktails, and the Tamworth Hotel.

“A large part of it is the fact that Tamworth is the epitome of everything,” Wren said. “Every Australian country singer and songwriter wants to get to Tamworth and all I’ve heard is amazing things. I’m really looking forward to the adventure.”

The Heggarties’ shows are energetic and the band members encourage the crowd to get up on the dancefloor.

“I’m hoping audiences come away from our shows with sore legs from dancing their arses off,” Wren said.

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Amity Angels

AMITY ANGELS CELEBRATE THEIR SHARED PASSION FOR MUSIC WITH THEIR UPCOMING DEBUT RELEASE, THIS IS NOT A VANITY PROJECT.

he Newcastle teenage-duo Elyssa Faith and Immi Blyss are ready to hit the Tamworth festival this month showcasing their trademark harmonies.

“I am so grateful for the opportunity to be able to write these songs with my best friend and watch them develop into something beautiful and we’re so excited to share them with everyone at the Tamworth Country Music Festival,” Elyssa said.

The young artists were told the EP was a vanity project for them, but they want to show they’re serious about music.

They will host and perform in the Emerging Artist Showcase on the ABC Stage in Peel St on January 19 and January 20, appear at the Racy & Lucky Country Music Cocktails on Saturday, January 20, Storytellers at Tamworth Golf Club on January 24 and busk at Foot Locker on Peel St most days of the festival.

TAMWORTH’S WHERE IT BEGAN FOR TYSON

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Tyson Lucas years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

hen Year 12 comes to an end, most teenagers are thinking of celebrating with their mates, but Townsville’s Tyson Lucas is preparing for the release of his debut EP. “The title track is very important to me because I’m saying to the world It’s Ok To Be Me; I didn’t really know where I sat in life until I picked up the guitar at 13 and started to sing. That’s when I feel like I found my calling and passion in life.”

This passion led to Tyson playing a young Troy Cassar-Daley on stage at the Golden Guitar Awards and now he wants people to hear his original music with the EP launch on January 21 at Southgate Inn, Tamworth.

“I wanted to release it in Tamworth because it’s where things started to kick off for me with Troy Cassar-Daley, I’ve attended the CMAA Academy of Country Music and this release will add another milestone to my Tamworth story, which is really cool.”

The EP will be released on January 19.

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A DAY IN WILLâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S COUNTRY LIFE BRISBANE-BASED COUNTRY ARTIST WILL DAY HAS FINISHED OFF A YEAR OF NEAR BACK-TO-BACK GIGS WITH THE TITLE OF MALE RISING STAR.

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e won the award at the 2017 Southern Stars Australian Independent Country Music Awards before he released his latest single, This Country Life, in October.

The single is an upbeat country rock track about escaping

Will Day

the city for the weekend, hitting the open road and getting a taste of country life. The track was produced and recorded with Benjy Pocock and co-written with Troy Kemp, Col Finley and Damien Baguley. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When the four of us got together for the co-write, we clicked immediately because we

all have a great appreciation of country life,â&#x20AC;? Will said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We fleshed out the idea and had the song written in a few hours.â&#x20AC;?

Will grew up in Goondiwindi and has his heart set firmly in the country, although now lives in Brisbane to chase his musical dreams.

Last year, Will toured New Zealand, playing shows over 10 days, headlined the Goondiwindi B â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; S with record crowds and was announced as a finalist in three categories for the current ICMA awards.

This Country Life is the first single from Willâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s debut album, due for release this year, and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll find him at the Toyota Country Music Festival, Tamworth.

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O N E T O WAT C H

KORA NAUGHTON

BY SUSAN JARVIS

TWO YEARS AGO, WHEN WOLLONGONG TEENAGER KORA NAUGHTON WAS TOLD SHE’D HAVE TO GIVE UP HER PASSION FOR CHEERLEADING, IT SEEMED LIKE THE END OF THE WORLD.

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serious spinal cord condition meant Kora would have to put aside eight years of hard work and success, which saw her reach the national championships of her chosen sport.

But this was definitely one cloud with a silver lining. During this dark period of her life, when she faced two surgeries in 12 months, Kora turned to her other love: music.

“I just poured all my energy into my music, but I had no idea where it would lead me,” Kora said.

Now 16, Kora has exploded on to the country scene over the past year. She made her first visit to Tamworth in January 2017, with little clue about what was involved.

“My Dad suggested I go to Tamworth and busk, so I agreed. But my image of country music was just blown away when I got there. I discovered that there was far more to it than Johnny Cash and Slim Dusty. And I just fell in love with it,” Kora said.

“After the festival I decided to apply for the Junior Academy of Country Music, and I went back to Tamworth in July and

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did that. It was far and away the best thing I’ve ever done.

“I learnt more in 10 days there than I ever imagined existed. It wasn’t just about learning how the industry works, performance and interacting with other studies.

The most important thing I learnt was that I had a huge passion for country music, and that I had to be myself – not a version of someone else.”

To apply for the academy, Kora recorded one of her own songs, Wrong, which charted around the country, reaching #7 on the Australian Country Radio Top 10, #3 on My Country Australia’s Top 40 and #40 on the Country Tracks Top 40.

She entered the song in the Female Rising Star category of the Southern Stars Independent Country Music Awards at Mildura, and it clearly made an impression.

“I was stunned when I got into the final, and we quickly decided that the family had to go to the festival,” said Kora.

“But then they called out my name as the winner – I’ve still got a film clip where you can hear my mum screaming. It was the most amazing feeling.

With the Rising Star award under her belt, Kora has attracted the attention of some movers and shakers in the country music industry.

She has just released a new single, I Don’t Wanna Grow Up, which she wrote with David Carter at the Academy.

“It’s a song about wanting to stay in this period of life, and not wanting to have to face the responsibilities and problems of adulthood,” she said.

The song debuted in the number 1 spot on the My Country Australia Top 40 last month and has just reached the #10 spot on the Australian Country Radio chart.

Most significantly, Kora has been chosen as the first ever New Talent Spotlight artist on the new Country Rocks music label.

“It’s a real honour to have been chosen as the first New Talent Spotlight, and a wonderful opportunity to let a lot of people about my music,” she said.

Kora was also named a finalist in the Today’s Country 94.1 Brand New Star competition, and both Wrong and I Don’t Wanna Grow Up have been played by Triple J’s Unearthed.

She also wrote a song called Ceasefire following the Manchester bombing earlier in the year, which she performed on radio. Its powerful message attracted plenty of social media interest.

Kora’s had the chance to perform with the likes of Amber Lawrence, Jess Holland, Travis Collins, Bill Chambers and the Adam Eckersley Band over the past year.

She has just filmed a video for I Don’t Wanna Grow Up, and is working on material for an EP, which she’ll be recording with Rod Motbey early next year.

Kora will return to Tamworth to busk this month, as well as doing several spots at concerts during the festival.

“It will be a very different Tamworth from last year, and I’m so excited to be part of it, and to take the next step in my career,” she said.

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

VALE WALLY SPARROW A GREAT SERVANT OF COUNTRY MUSIC IN SA AND BEYOND

BY ROBYN (FLASH) MCINTOSH

HAVE YOU EVER ANSWERED YOUR PHONE TO HEAR SOMEONE SINGING TO YOU?

E

ach year on January 22, I would get that call from a very special friend of mine, or if we were both at

years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

Tamworth on the date, and bumped into each other he would get down on one knee and sing part of my favourite song Room Full Of Roses to me, no matter where. Unfortunately, I am one of those who blush when embarrassed.

That long-time friend was Wally Sparrow, who passed away on Monday November 20, just two days short of his 75th birthday, the result of a massive heart attack at his home in Hallett Cove, SA. From first meeting him, I have always called him Spoggy, or Spog (due to the names South Aussies call a sparrow), and he has called me Flash, the name Barry Thornton tagged me with many years ago (I’m a photographer).

Not only a singer, songwriter, journalist (a country music column in the Stock Journal for 12 years), a competent adjudicator, compere, and producer, he also judged the Golden Guitar Awards for around a decade, and the ARIAs, with that speaking volumes for his standing in the industry.

Spoggy also contributed to Capital News, Country Roundup, and the Country Music Bulletin, and was one of the founding members of the SA Council of Country Music (SACCM).

During his 50-odd years in the industry, Spog performed around our nation, and overseas.

A man with a heart of gold, a very caring man, one who craved affection, and most of us were lucky enough to receive one of his big bear hugs.

Always giving our talent quest entrants heaps of encouragement, Wally proudly watched many of our young artists flourish and become established and respected artists over the years. (Most of the parents really appreciated any advice he gave to their kids.)

Among his accolades was being inducted into the Hands of Fame, both at Barmera (1999) and Tamworth (2009), to the Broadcasters Hall of Fame, and receiving an Industry Award from SACCM in 2001 for his involvement in developing the South Aussie CM industry.

Wally was a contributor to Dave Prior’s country music show, Coast To Coast, for 12 years, and he learnt enough about radio from Max Thorburn of Mildura, to take on the role of broadcaster.

In 2005, Wally was invited to present a weekly country music program, Wally Sparrow’s Country Brekky, on Radio Adelaide, which built up a huge following, and earned him Most Popular Presenter several times.

The most recent, and the final show he was to host was Saturday, November 18, just two days before his untimely death.

Spoggy has been judging the SA Country Music Awards talent quest, held at Barmera, for many years, but unfortunately had a mini-stroke on the morning of the 2016 event and had to miss that one, though he did take his place to judge the SA Country Music Award of Excellence the next day.

A sizeable crowd of 230 friends were present at Wally’s funeral service, held at Pasadena, SA, on Tuesday, December 5.

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FA M I LY M A R K S A DECA DE

AT THE DAG

WITH MORE THAN 60 ARTISTS APPEARING OVER THE 10 DAYS, THE DAG SHEEP STATION AT NUNDLE HAS CREATED ITS VERY OWN “FESTIVAL WITHIN A FESTIVAL”.

O

wners John and Belinda Krsulja, with daughters Brooke and Jade, are celebrating their 10th year at the award-winning venue in the Hills of Gold and have an exciting program lined up.

From Saturday, January 20 through to Friday, January 26, it’s class acts all the way.

Friends of The DAG, starring Kevin Bennett, Kelly Cork, Karin Page, Errol Gray, Jenny Mitchell (NZ) and others kicks off the big week of activities.

Shows such as Tom Maxwell, The Bushwackers, Felicity Urquhart’s Saturday Night Country, 8 Ball Aitken and

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Richo’s Roundup are events to look forward to.

Songwriting is a huge part of what goes on at The DAG, particularly midyear during the Songwriters’ Retreat. On Wednesday, January 24, a showcase features some of those writers … who could say no to a gig with Luke O’Shea, Kevin Bennett, Jeremy Edwards and Jen Mize on the bill?

Celebrate Australia Day with some fair dinkum Aussies – Michael Waugh, Brad Butcher, Paddy McHugh, Jack Drake and special guests and don’t forget the new show

on the block – Dashville Does The DAG, starring William Crighton and Melody Pool.

The DAG is widely regarded as one of the finest listening venues in Australia, renowned for showcasing quality established and upcoming artists in airconditioned comfort.

Festival buses run daily to Nundle and The DAG, where you’ll find so much more than a venue – it’s a true experience.

TOYOTA COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL TAMWORTH 2018 – FRIDAY 19 JANUARY TO SUNDAY 28 JANUARY 2018.

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TRAVELLIN’ STILL THE SONGS OF SLIM DUSTY WHEN SLIM DUSTY’S TRAVELLING COUNTRY BAND PLAYED THEIR LAST FULL SHOW WITH SLIM IN 2002, THE BAND MEMBERS ALL WENT THEIR SEPARATE WAYS, JOINING, FORMING OR FINDING OTHER MUSICAL COMBINATIONS AND PURSUITS.

years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

F

ast forward to 2016 at the Slim Dusty Music Festival in Kempsey, NSW, when they found themselves on stage together. The years fell away as the old songs rekindled friendships and memories of travelling with “the boss”.

It was an audience member who suggested they take the show on the road. The old compadres thought: “Why not? There aren’t many bands around where all the members were part of the Slim Dusty Show!”

So, with the approval of Joy and the family, Rod Coe, Mike Kerin, Jeff Mercer and Pete Denahy decided to tour the show providing a unique musical experience for the listener.

Here are five musicians sharing stories, some of their own music and of course the songs of Slim Dusty, which will have that authentic sound … for very good reason. Ahead of the tour, frontman Pete Denahy said playing with the band would be “like putting on an old comfortable pair of boots”.

“I can’t wait to be playing the boss’s great old songs again,” Pete said. “I never thought we’d be playing these songs again

in these venues.”

Slim’s longtime MD and producer Rod Coe, is on bass; silver service fiddler Mike Kerin (25 years with the TCB); Slim’s lead guitarist and right-hand man Jeff Mercer; drummer of choice Doug Gallacher; and Pete Denahy on guitar and vocals – one and only Tamworth show at 7pm on Sunday, January 21 at the Longyard Hotel.

TOYOTA COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL TAMWORTH 2018 – FRIDAY 19 JANUARY TO SUNDAY 28 JANUARY 2018.

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COKE PUTS

FIZZ IN FESTIVAL FOR 40 FABULOUS YEARS

Troy Cassar-Daley with 2012 Youngstars winner Karrie Haywood

FOR 40 YEARS THE COCA-COLA COMPANY HAS HELPED GIVE ASPIRING MUSICIANS THE CHANCE TO PERFORM ON THE SAME STAGE AS SOME OF THE BIGGEST NAMES IN AUSTRALIAN COUNTRY MUSIC.

I

t happens every year during the staging of one of the biggest festivals in the world – the Toyota Country Music Festival Tamworth.

Recognised as one of the most important elements of the festival, CocaCola Country has been building a strong foundation with the famous walk-ups and, more recently, the introduction of the battles … the Battle of the YoungStars, the Battle of the Bluegrass and the very popular Battle of the Bands.

This year, in an exciting move, Coca-Cola Country will join forces with the Capital Country Music Association’s National Talent Quest (CCMA) to present an eightday schedule of opportunities for artists of all ages and all abilities to perform and compete in the luxury of the famous Tamworth Town Hall – along with their very own professional backing band.

Coca-Cola Amatil district sales manager John Eggins sees this annual tradition as an exciting opportunity to really encourage and support emerging Aussie talent.

“This is something to celebrate – a 40year partnership with the Tamworth Country 50

Music Festival,” John said.

“We value this partnership with Tamworth and are proud to keep building it together.”

The CCMA has been providing the opportunity for artists to compete in categories from juniors through to “golden oldies” since 1966 and its president, Steve Newton, said it was “a natural blend to include the CCMA’s junior and senior talent quest into the Coca-Cola Battles”.

TOYOTA COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL TAMWORTH 2018 – FRIDAY 19 JANUARY TO SUNDAY 28 JANUARY 2018.

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“With changes in society and technology that have been challenging traditional talent quests all over Australia, it is exciting to be able to combine two giant talent quests into a one-stop-shop for all aspiring country musicians whether competing or those who just want to walk up and sing.”

Toyota Country Music Festival Tamworth manager Barry Harley is also excited about the decision to combine these two giants in festival history and looks forward to a complete schedule of competitions running virtually every day of the 2018 Toyota Country Music Festival.

“Combining these two elements of the festival means we can reinvigorate the town hall schedule, providing more opportunities for artists and bands to perform and more opportunities for fans to discover musical talent,” he said.

To commemorate this 40-year relationship, Coca-Cola and the Toyota Country Music Festival have developed a hallmark logo for the 2018 event. This logo will appear throughout the Toyota Country Music Festival, guiding festival-goers to Coca-Cola Country to experience all it has to offer: Battle of the YoungStars – Junior Under 10; Intermediate 10 to Under 14; Senior 14 to under 18; Battle of the NewStars – 18 and over; Battle of the Bluegrass – all ages; Battle of the Bands – all ages; plus, the Famous Walk Up and Sing opportunities daily.

Following the finals of each battle, the CCMA Jamboree will run, also in the town hall, where all solo winners from the week’s activity will be invited to compete at the Jamboree for the titles of Overall Junior and Senior Champions.

All grand finals will be held after the Toyota Cavalcade on Saturday, January 27 from 10am and winners will receive trophies and cash prizes with some offering a paid gig as part of the prize. years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

music for your mouth years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

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AARON JURD, TORONTO NSW

AINSLIE ALLEN, PORIRUA CITY NZ

BEN WESTPHAL, ROTHWELL QLD

BENNY ALLEN, MENZIES CREEK VIC

BLAKE O’CONNOR, PORT MACQUARIE NSW

BRITTANY-ELISE JOHANSEN, CLINTON QLD

CATH PURCELL, MOUNT ISA QLD

ELIZABETH STEADMAN, KOOTINGAL NSW

JARRED TAYLOR, TAMWORTH NSW

JESSICA EMILY, BELMONT QLD

JESSICA PANEGYRES, GLENBROOK NSW

JOEL CUMMINS, GULGONG NSW

THE ACADEMY TURNS 22 KAITLYN THOMAS, WALLAN VIC

KELLY WINNING, RIVERVIEW NSW

KEVIN SULLIVAN, GERRINGONG NSW

KIM WRIGHT, BLACKSTONE QLD

LARA DUNCAN, AVALON BEACH NSW

LUKE DALLAS, MOONBI NSW

MADDISON COLLIER, LEUMEAH NSW

MATTHEW MUNRO, BUNDABERG QLD

MELLISSA PREUSKER, HOPE VALLEY SA

MIKAYLA J BIRTHISEL, TANNUM SANDS QLD

MITCHELL LYNEHAM, WYNNUM WEST QLD

MOLLY GOODEVE, CAMBRIDGE NZ

RACHAEL DUGGAN, GRACEMERE QLD

REBEKAH THORNTON, NAMBOUR QLD

SAMMY WHITE, TOWNSVILLE QLD

SHARON RUSSEL, DEHRADUN INDIA

TEGAN REID, TAURANGA NZ

MORE THAN 400 STUDENTS HAVE GRADUATED FROM THE CMAA ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC, SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN JANUARY 1997, AND THIS MONTH 29 NEW STUDENTS WILL JOIN THE HONOUR ROLL.

P

eter Winkler commenced as director of, what was then known as, the Australian College Of Country Music and he was supported by the CMAA Secretariat and specialist tutors Rod Coe, Deniese Morrison, Dobe Newton and Garth Porter, as well as specialist teachers.

This month, Country Music Association of Australia will host its 22nd group of aspiring singers, songwriters and musicians at the 2018 Senior Academy of Country Music.

The students come from all over Australia, New Zealand, and even India – a first for the academy, with ages ranging from 16 to 54.

Of the 29 students, 17 are female and 12 male, with 11 years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

from NSW, 11 Queenslanders, two Victorians, one South Australian, three will head to Australia from New Zealand, and one from India.

There are 24 students in the singer-songwriter course and five in the instrumental course.

“The students will undertake the world-class intensive music and business course in January under the guidance of some of the best artists in the country for two weeks in Tamworth,”

academy director Lyn Bowtell said. “They can expect to work hard, but grow as artists and people over those two weeks and the changes we see in them is incredible. The course gives them the chance to learn all they can about the music industry and form lifelong bonds with other aspiring singers and songwriters and award-winning artists.”

This year’s tutors are Ashleigh Dallas, Kevin Bennett, Lachlan Bryan, Simon Johnson, and assistant Liam Kennedy-Clark, with special guests invited to speak to the students about the business side of music, songwriting, media and other vital aspects of the modern music industry.

The CMAA is supported by Create NSW, Maton, Tamworth Regional Council, the New Zealand Entertainer of the Year Awards, and Mid North Country Music SA for their generous support of scholarships.

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TSA GETS SECOND WIND

40 YEARS ON

BY PATRICIA CRUZADO

A RENEWED SPIRIT HAS ENVELOPED THE TAMWORTH SONGWRITERS’ ASSOCIATION AS THIS YEAR IT CELEBRATES 40 YEARS SINCE INCEPTION.

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resident Duncan Hill said this sense of renewal was due largely to the strong, dedicated team driving the organisation and its numerous activities across the country.

Year-round TSA activities include the TSA National Songwriting competition, TSA Songwriters’ Salute Awards and Songmaker of the Year, Blue Mountains songwriting workshop (with SongsAlive! Australia), showcases and mini-concerts at the Tamworth Country Music Festival, artist appearances on TSA stages at Bluewater Festival, Port Stephens, Gympie Muster and Hats Off to Country in July in Tamworth, as well as the quarterly TSA newsletter.

A recent innovation has been the introduction by treasurer Athol Latham of a TSA members’ radio presentation, playing songs in a new online program on Tuesdays (9pm) and re-run on Saturdays (6am) with Capital Country Radio Tamworth at www. capitalcountryradio.com This online radio program was created by TSA supporter Bob Kirchner (Country Music Bulletin owner/editor) and has attracted a flurry of original songs, among them from acclaimed songwriters 54

Graeme Connors and Greg Champion.

“We should acknowledge those before us who established some of these events, especially Bev and Ron Daniel who gave 21 years of service to the TSA,” Duncan said.

“Since 2009 the TSA has further developed opportunities for the members to get their songs to the country music world, achieve exposure through songwriting competitions, radio and to perform at major festivals.”

From humble beginnings, the TSA sprouted from an investigative trip to Nashville, Tennessee by the late John Minson and Max Ellis in June 1977.

From this “eye-opening” experience they soon realised “songwriters had to be given equal billing if our industry was to expand and develop”, Ellis wrote in the History of the TSA at www.tsaonline.com.au An open meeting was held in the Tamworth Adult Education Centre, most recently home to the Australian Country Music Hall of Fame in Brisbane Street on January 28, 1978, out of which the TSA was born.

Johnny Ashcroft was elected president, Max Ellis vicepresident, Brian Kelly secretary and Pat Ware treasurer.

Among those on the first committee were Joy McKean, Diane Hawking, Nev Nicholls, Eric Watson, Coral Dasey, Ian Betteridge and Rocky Page.

Others present included Heather McKean, Glenda Callaghan (APRA), Les Wilson, Tim McNamara, Smoky Dawson, Stan Coster, Shorty Ranger, Pete Skoglund, Mike Hayes, Max Richards, Buddy Williams, Joan Martin, Johnny Mac, Nick Erby, George Dasey and many others.

“It was an impressive roll-up of influential country composers and industry figures,” Max said.

APRA was at that first meeting and that relationship continues to this day as they are a major TSA sponsor.

Radio 2TM assisted the newfound organisation until it became established.

The late Coral Dasey and her father, the late George

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Dasey created the organisation’s slogan, “First the Song”, while Barry Harley designed the logo.

In 1979 Eric Watson became president and by the 1980s, the TSA was powering ahead, running independently and building its membership.

Jazzer Smith, who had recently relocated to Tamworth from Melbourne, joined the committee.

In 1982 the Songmaker tributes were inaugurated with a presentation to Stan Coster of a special plaque mounted on a Folio of Fame at the original Southgate Shopping Centre.

This was later moved to the Tamworth Visitor Information Centre in 1994, on the corner of Peel and Murray streets.

Branches were started in several areas including Lachlan (NSW), North Queensland, Victoria and South-East Queensland, however, these have since folded as the internet now provides instantaneous communications.

“Songwriters now have the ability to produce songs on small portable equipment and place songs on their own websites,” Duncan said.

The TSA Songwriters’ Salute Awards were initiated on January 21, 1987 in the Tamworth Workmen’s Club, organised and staged for the association by Max Ellis Marketing. Eric Bogle took out the first Tex Morton Award in 1988.

Over the years, the TSA developed a dedicated and hardworking executive with people like Eric Watson (president 197987), Deniese McIntyre (president 1987-91), Allan Caswell (president 1992) John Martin (president 1993/vice-president, treasurer and long-time committee man), Bob Kirchner (secretary/ treasurer for many of the early years), Anna Rose, Lynne Carey, Don Morrison, Vicki Walsh, Wendy Wood, Shaza Leigh, Greg Williams and many others too numerous to mention.

In 1987, Eric Watson invited Bev and Ron Daniel to join the TSA committee after they moved from Bundaberg, Queensland to years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

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The late George Dasey, who with daughter Coral, came up with ‘First the Song’ - the TSA’s motto.

Husband and wife songwriting team Diane and Alan Hawking were great supporters of the TSA in the early days

TSA founder Eric Watson

THE ANNUAL TSA AWARDS HAVE CONTINUED TO BE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE TAMWORTH FESTIVITIES WITH AUDIENCE AND CROWD NUMBERS GROWING EACH YEAR. Tamworth. They both joined the committee and worked on a voluntary basis for the TSA. Among their many achievements, they organised the first TSA National Country Songwriting Contest shortly after they joined the committee. In 1998 they organised the first TSA Song Search competition, ran the prestigious TSA Songwriters’ Concert and Salute Awards presentations, Songwriters’ Workshops, Pass the Guitar Nights, Songwriters’ showcases and countless other events, with the assistance of their dedicated team.

For many years Ron used to make the distinctive awards trophies out of cedar. Kootingal woodturner Hugh Mitchell took over the role and then due to the inaccessibility of cedar, new trophies were introduced last year.

Bev held different positions and became president in January 1994 while Ron became vice-president in January 1995; positions they filled until 2008.

In 2008, Bev and Ron decided they needed to take some time away from TSA to concentrate on running their own management rights business on the Gold Coast and spend more time with family.

Sadly, Bev lost her battle with motor neurone disease on August 6, 2013.

During the annual TSA awards, a commemorative award has been named in her honour saluting her beloved bush ballad writers.

Since 2008, the committee has continued to carry on the legacy left by Ron and Bev with president Duncan years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

Hill, vice-president Chris Davies, secretary Lorraine Pfitzner, treasurer Athol Latham, song comp co-ordinator Judy Smith, artist/showcase co-ordinator Lydia Clare, stalwarts Wendy Wood, Carolyne Morris, Darryl Bowen, newsletter editor Patricia Cruzado and newcomers Kalesti Butler and Brendan Nawrocki.

The late John P Toomey was a life member, sponsor and a committee member for more than 15 years. Following his death on November 11, 2016 the Youth Award was named in his honour.

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The annual TSA Awards have continued to be an integral part of the Tamworth festivities with audience and crowd numbers growing each year.

The 40th anniversary 2018 TSA Awards concert is shaping up to be a significant celebration with Christie Lamb, Doug Bruce, Amber Lawrence, Karin Page, Molly Millington, The Weeping Willows, Dale Duncan, Ben Ransom, Allan Caswell, Greg Champion and Steve Passfield, with the Handpicked band, marking the occasion at 7pm on Tuesday, January 23.

“There is a renewed spirit and a feeling of optimism among the committee as we work together in celebrating 40 years,” Duncan said.

“The first 40 years of the TSA has seen a huge change in the way country music is created, produced and publicised.

“Our challenge for the future is to maintain this close-knit songwriting community that is the TSA; an organisation where members help and support each other because that is its spirit.”

Duncan encourages songwriters to join this vibrant organisation, check out the showcases, the concert and visit the new website.

Founder Max Ellis said it was a mighty achievement for what started out such a small and dedicated group to become the huge voice it now is in the Australian country music scene.

“How wonderful that the TSA has grown into such a strong and active industry body, giving songwriters everywhere a real presence and voice in the country music world,” Max said.

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UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH THE

MASTER STORYTELLER GRAEME CONNORS WOULDN’T DREAM OF STARTING THE YEAR ANYWHERE ELSE THAN AT HIS ANNUAL TAMWORTH TOWN HALL GIG ON THE FINAL FRIDAY OF THE FESTIVAL.

I Graeme Connors

t’s tradition! And as it’s often a sellout, it could be advisable to secure your tickets early.

Graeme’s new show, One On One, is a very personal performance showcasing the songwriter and his instruments.

With these tools of his trade, the consummate showman will take you through a wonderful selection of story-songs from his vast back catalogue that spans 40plus years.

Hear the songs the way Graeme first heard them, with simple guitar or piano accompaniment, and be reminded why Graeme Connors truly is one of Australia’s finest and most enduring singer-songwriters.

This year’s concert coincides with Australia Day, and in recent years the significance of this historic day has taken on greater complexity, with widely varying opinions as to how we can best celebrate inclusively the deep and rich community that Australia has become.

With Graeme Connors, every day is an Australia Day that celebrates all the different cultures that combine

to become the Australian community.

How about Connors classics such as Sicilian Born, So Father Uluru Says, A Little Further North, Watching Byron Raise The Flag, Let The Canefields Burn … songs that quietly and thoughtfully define our varied stories and our common Australian-ness.

Showtime is 3pm on Friday, January 26 – so don’t be late.

TOYOTA COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL TAMWORTH 2018 – FRIDAY 19 JANUARY TO SUNDAY 28 JANUARY 2018.

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NATIONAL PRIDE ON SHOW AT WILLIAMSON’S GIG

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John Williamson 56

an you think of a better way to celebrate Australia Day than spending an evening with Mr Australiana himself?

Yep. John Williamson’s annual Tamworth gig falls on Australia Day this year and Old Man Emu is pretty excited about that.

John is firmly cemented in the nation’s musical culture.

His impressive career spans more than 45 years and he has created our unofficial anthems, tributes to legends and unsung heroes, and tender ballads that capture the spirit of the nation in song unlike any other.

His honest and passionate songs are synonymous with the country that inspires him and connect him with his countrymen regardless of age, sex or creed.

Add to this his ability to deliver unforgettable live concert experiences that combine the perfect blend of humour, romance and campfire stories woven together by his music.

This is why John remains one of the most in-demand

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live performers in Australia.

Take a healthy dose of national pride as you sing along with Old Man Emu, True Blue, Cootamundra Wattle, Rip Rip Woodchip, Raining on The Rock, The Big Red, Winter Green, Salisbury Street, Galleries of Pink Galahs and Hawkesbury River Lovin’ to name a few of the 400-plus songs written by the multi-award-winning artist.

You can call him what you want, Mallee Boy, True Blue or just plain Fair Dinkum, but there is no denying John Williamson is truly an Australian icon.

Showtime is 8pm. Don’t miss this – or you’ll kick yourself. years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

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H Sara Storer

SARA MARKS

15 YEARS IN THE CIRCLE WHO COULD FORGET THE YEAR SARA STORER TOOK HOME A RECORD SEVEN GOLDEN GUITARS FOR HER ALBUM, BEAUTIFUL CIRCLE?

JOHN HOWIE

er Tamworth Town Hall concert this year marks 15 years since the release in 2002 of that landmark album which made history in January 2004 at the Country Music Awards of Australia in Tamworth.

The album also went on to achieve platinum status. And for very good reason.

Sara is one of our most celebrated and much-loved singer-songwriters, coming to the attention of the country music world a couple of years before all that with her first hit album, Chasing Buffalo.

Since the release of her sixth studio album, Silos, in early 2016, Sara has taken out the Country Album of the Year ARIA, as well as two Golden Guitars including Female Artist of the Year.

A winner of 21 Golden Guitars, Sara has earned high praise from her peers, media and audiences alike for her ability to capture the essence of Australian life, its characters and distinctive landscape.

John Williamson best sums it up in this way:

“Sara has a unique way of seeing and expressing her observations of love and life in the bush so she is a songwriter who will be remembered beyond her lifetime.”

To mark this historic release, Sara will perform the entire album which of course will feature its many hits including Back Out Back, Raining on The Plains (a duet with John Williamson), Tell These Hands and Drovers Call and of course, the title track, Beautiful Circle.

The Beautiful Circle 15th Anniversary Concert will also feature Sara performing a swag of her best-known songs from her albums Silos, Lovegrass, Silver Skies, Calling Me Home and of course, the one that started it all, Chasing Buffalo.

It’s an event not to be missed.

Showtime is 1.30pm on Thursday, January 25.

Mu s i c Tou r s

Hawaii Ukulele Music Cruise

Music Cruise/Tour

Las Vegas, Miami & New Orleans

with Wayne Horsburgh

with Adam Harvey, Camille and Stuie & Andy Toombs The Caribbean Music Cruise/Tour will be a wonderful opportunity to cruise on Celebrity Equinox, listen to fabulous music and enjoy the scenic highlights of the beautiful Caribbean region.

Also, spend time in three of America’s most colourful and 20 Sep - 10 Oct, 2018 interesting cities... Las Vegas, Miami and New Orleans!

TOP END & KIMBERLEY

Music Tour with

Pete Denahy

Discover the beauty of the ‘Top End’, visiting Darwin and Kakadu National Park. In Katherine, travel by boat through spectacular Katherine Gorge. Near Kununurra, visit El Questro cattle station and take a flight over the Kimberley coast (optional). Enjoy a fabulous cruise on Lake Argyle. Travel to the Bungle Bungles and Fitzroy Crossing before arriving in exotic Broome. Also, heaps of 6 - 20 Jun, 2018 great Aussie music and bush poetry.

The Hawaii Ukulele Music Cruise, with Wayne Horsburgh, will be a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the lifestyle aboard a luxury cruise liner, listen to lots of fabulous music and visit the beautiful Hawaiian Islands, with sightseeing in each port of call. Most importantly, the Hawaii Ukulele Music Cruise includes a host of concerts 7 - 20 Nov, 2018 ukulele workshops and jam sessions.

Music Tour of

Ireland & Scotland

Belfast, Londonderry, Donegal, Westport, Galway, Dublin, Liverpool, Glasgow, Mull of Kintyre Oban, Isle of Skye, Ullapool, Orkney Islands, Inverness and Edinburgh

Plus optional AMSTERDAM extension tour, including ANDRE RIEU concert in Maastricht!

1800 033 436 years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

with

Beccy Cole Experience fabulous scenery and fantastic music (incl. Edinburgh Military Tattoo). John Howie (tour leader) has been leading music tours to Ireland and Scotland for 23 years!

16 Jul - 7 Aug, 2018

sales@travelrite.com.au www.travelrite.com.au C O U N T RY M U S I C C A P I TA L N E W S JA N UA RY 2 0 1 8

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BURIED COUNTRY COMES

HOME TO TAMWORTH TWO YEARS AGO IN TAMWORTH A SMALL GROUP OF INDUSTRY INSIDERS WAS TREATED TO AN EXCLUSIVE “REHEARSAL GIG” OF BURIED COUNTRY: LIVE IN CONCERT.

Buried country stars Luke Peacock, Leah Flanagan, LJ Hill, Franny Peters Little, Roger Knox

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ow, two years later, the general public has been granted access to this fabulous touring stage show version of Clinton Walker’s iconic book, film and CD, Buried Country: The Story of Aboriginal Country Music.

It’s the ultimate celebration of this deep indigenous tradition, and the Jimmy Little Foundation is delighted to co-present the concert at this year’s festival.

Buried Country first came out in 2000, and after the book and album were re-released in new editions in 2015, it was this success that propelled it up onto the stage.

The show premiered at the Newcastle Civic Theatre in August 2016, after initial rehearsals at ENREC Studios in Tamworth in January of that year (the industry sneak peek).

It’s quite appropriate that rehearsal was held at ENREC, as this was the label responsible for the famous Koori Classic series of recordings, which has recently been re-released.

The show subsequently appeared at Melbourne Festival and Artlands Dubbo, and then, even despite the death of cast member, the beloved Auriel Andrew, two further performances at the Port Fairy Folk Festival and Dark Mofo in Hobart in 2017 were completed.

Buried Country’s Tamworth Festival concert at the Capitol Theatre on Sunday, January 21, then, is a muchanticipated homecoming to where the show began two years ago, and its first full-scale performance at Australia’s home of country music.

Buried Country: Live in Concert brings together a rotating cast of star singers from across the generations and across the continent performing a selection of the genre’s greatest hits.

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as well as tears, complete with a video-remix component drawn from the original Buried Country documentary plus a production design based on artwork by famed Aboriginal painter, the Blak Douglas.

Buried Country appearances by legendary elders like Roger Knox and LJ Hill with those by rising younger talents like Leah Flanagan, Luke Peacock and James Henry, and those in between like Warren H. Williams, Buddy Knox and Franny Peters-Little.

House band the Backtrackers, under the musical directorship of Brendan Gallagher, numbers an all-star line-up of some of the country’s hottest pickers.

The repertoire includes classic songs written by the likes of Bob Randall, Jimmy Little, Bobby McLeod, Vic Simms, Black Allan Barker and Harry Williams, many of whom cut their teeth in Tamworth.

Co-presenting the show in Tamworth is the Jimmy Little Foundation.

The late Jimmy Little was the first Aboriginal musician to achieve mainstream success in Australia, and he enjoyed a career that spanned six decades.

Jimmy’s music saw him officially recognised as a National Living Treasure, awarded an Order of Australia, and inducted into the music industry’s ARIA Hall of Fame in 1990, and onto Tamworth’s Roll of Renown in 1994.

He passed away in 2012 after a long illness.

TOYOTA COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL TAMWORTH 2018 – FRIDAY 19 JANUARY TO SUNDAY 28 JANUARY 2018.

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In January 2016, at the same time Buried Country was having its first rehearsals in Tamworth, complete with a cast including Jimmy’s daughter Frances PetersLittle and grandson James Henry, he was honoured by the unveiling a bronze bust that was added to the Country Music Trail in Tamworth’s Bicentennial Park.

The Jimmy Little Foundation is a non-profit organisation that carries on its namesake’s dedication to the improvement of the quality of life and health of Indigenous Australians, and it is proud to co-present Buried Country in Tamworth.

Buried Country: Live in Concert has proved its popularity as a show that takes audiences on a journey that’s at once sad, resolute and joyous, and it will ensure that the music – the songs and the stories – live on …

“The music and the stories of Buried Country are an important part of our history. The stage show will present hidden treasures to the public eye. Tales of celebration and survival. Not only would it be informative, it would also be highly entertaining.

This story must out,” said singersongwriter Paul Kelly, who was at that preview two years ago, as was ABC Radio Tamworth presenter Kelly Fuller, who said: “I really hope all Australians get a chance to see what we saw.”

That chance is a fleeting one.

It’s one show only – on Sunday, January 21, at 8pm at the Capitol Theatre. Don’t miss it. years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

R A C H A E L F A H I M Confetti is the hit single from the self-titled EP Rachael Fahim Available now on iTunes

rachaelfahim.com JANUARY 2018 *Tamworth Country Music Festival 19 Opening Concert, Toyota Park 7:00pm * 20 The Pig & Tinder Box 1pm * 20 Albert Hotel 5pm*

21 22 23 23 24

Toyota Star Maker Grand Final, Toyota Park 7pm* The Pub 4pm* Toyota FanZone 12noon* Albert Hotel 8:30pm* Wests’ Legends Lounge 2pm

25 26

Albert Hotel 1:30pm Toyota Stars Under The Stars, Toyota Park 7pm*

MARCH 2018 15 CMC Rocks Qld

P R OU D L Y S U P P OR T E D B Y

OR G A N I S E D B Y

HAIR DESIGN & MAKE UP

e: info@starmaker.com.au | w: starmaker.com.au years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

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MUSICAL ‘CAT IN THE HAT’

PRODUCES AN ALMANAC HE’S VERY TALL, WEARS A HAT, AND HAS THE ABILITY TO ATTRACT HUNDREDS TO HIM THROUGH HIS MUSIC AND CHARISMA.

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o, it’s not Dr Seuss’s Cat in the Hat – it’s Andrew Clermont and his famous International Supper Club – a feast of musicians on the fringe of the Tamworth festival.

Each year the musical chameleon arranges for up to 100 artists and musicians to put on a series of 15 shows at North Tamworth Bowling Club in two sessions daily.

This all started 20 years ago, and to mark that auspicious occasion, Andrew is

launching a celebratory book, an almanac filled with pictorial memories capturing some of that Supper Club magic.

The Supper Club has been a part of many festivals across Australia but bloomed first in Tamworth where it attracted a veritable orchestra of musicians.

The book has been created around the work of several exceptional photographers, capturing every conceivable expression and antic.

The official launch is at the Tamworth Library, 466 Peel St, at 11am on Tuesday, January 23, with performances by The Beez, Louise Adams and theatre stars Brookie and Daniel Gillett.

TOYOTA COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL TAMWORTH 2018 – FRIDAY 19 JANUARY TO SUNDAY 28 JANUARY 2018.

WWW.TCMF.COM.AU

Of course, it will also be available all week at the multifaceted nights of the Supper Club in Bligh St.

Music every day throughout the festival All shows FREE

Large family friendly outdoor area Open for Lunch & Dinner Daily Located on the Festival Bus Route at the Northern End of Peel Street

146-148 Peel Street Tamworth NSW 2340 (02) 6766 2114

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TCMF2018

FIBBER

A FAIR-DINKUM FESTIVAL CHARACTER WHEN YOU SEE AN ENTRY ON THE FESTIVAL PROGRAM – FIBBER’S ’AVE A GO SHOW, GO ALONG – AT LEAST ONCE!

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he bloke behind the name is somewhat of a Tamworth legend, having been part of the scene since the very early days of the festival.

Originally from Broome, WA, Fibber (aka Dennis Parker), first came to Tamworth in the early 1970s and his first stop was Joe Maguire’s Pub. Joe gave Fibber his first gig, paying him $20 a day plus bed and breakfast. Little did Fibber know that mattress on the old outside verandah came at a price … he also had to set up the

years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

FESTIVALS kegs and keep the pub clean.

Not long after his arrival in Tamworth, Fibber met local legend John “Doc” Riley and the two became inseparable, performing together until a few years when ill health prevented Doc from taking the stage. They remain the best of mates.

Fibber’s ’Ave A Go Show had a 20-year residency at the Courthouse Hotel and 24 years at the Loco. It has also featured at the Oasis Hotel, Bendemeer Hotel, Nemingha Tavern, The Pub Group, Tamworth RSL, Tamworth Services Club and West Tamworth Bowling Club.

A special guest on this year’s show is Fibber’s beautiful granddaughter, Mackenzie, a multi-instrumentalist and graduate of the CMAA Academy of Country Music.

TC Brown will keep the

keyboards cooking, while Joanne Hackett, widow of the late Willy Hackett (Willy Not Nelson) provides vocals and all the way from Tassie, Glenn Nicholls contributes rhythm and bass guitar.

TOYOTA COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL TAMWORTH 2018 – FRIDAY 19 JANUARY TO SUNDAY 28 JANUARY 2018.

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JAMMO’S SHOW SALUTES THE LEGENDS OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, KEITH JAMIESON’S LIVING LEGENDS CONCERT HAS BECOME ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE TAMWORTH COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL.

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osted by “Jammo”, it will be held at the Southside Uniting Church Hall on Monday, January 22 at 10am, opposite The Big Golden Guitar on Goonoo Goonoo Rd. As the name suggests, the show will feature many of our pioneers of Australian country music including Chad Morgan, Rex Dallas, Slim Newton, Steve Newton, Reg Poole OAM, Terry Gordon OAM, Johnny Greenwood, Paul McCloud, Keith Jamieson, Zeta Burns and Ian Hands.

The concert will also be a great way to celebrate Zeta’s 90th birthday.

The artists will be backed by two “guitar legends” – Rob Walters and Lindsay Hammond.

Rob toured with Barry Thornton many years ago and will play bass guitar. Lindsay is a top bush ballad lead guitarist who was inspired by Barry Thornton back in the early days.

It was 2012 when Jammo put together the first Living Legends Show, with the idea of honouring those artists who

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built the country music industry.

Since then, there have been so many special moments. It was on this show in January 2016 that Rick Carey sang with his daughter Lynne, recreating some of that

TOYOTA COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL TAMWORTH 2018 – FRIDAY 19 JANUARY TO SUNDAY 28 JANUARY 2018.

WWW.TCMF.COM.AU

Keith Jamieson and Jeff Brown

Rick and Thel magic of years gone by.

“The reaction was incredible,” Jammo said.

“There wasn’t a dry eye in the house. Sadly, it was to be Rick’s last public performance.”

This comfortable, acoustically-sound venue is comfortable for both performers and audience, with airconditioning and clean, wellmaintained amenities.

There’s plenty of free parking, wheelchair access and you can drop people off right at the door. Food and drinks will be available at all shows at the church all week.

Tickets are just $20 and are available at the door prior to the show.

years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

DROVER MUSIC PRESENTS

Melissa THE

BAJRIC

SHOW TAMWORTH EDITION

WITH THE

LINDSAY WADDINGTON SHOW BAND

Capitol Theatre Tamworth 10am, Tuesday 23rd January 2018 Special Guests: Lindsay Waddington, Lloyd Back, Bob Easter, Sharnee Fenwick, Donnie Soper and Runaway Dixie Tickets $25 | Phone 02 6766 2028 Online: www.capitoltheatretamworth.com.au In Person Capitol Theatre Tamworth, The Big Golden Guitar or Ray Walsh House www.melissabajric.com

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TRACY’S KEEPING IT COSTER ALL THE WAY WHEN TRACY COSTER RELEASED COSTER COUNTRY IN 2004, IT WAS PART OF HER GRIEVING PROCESS.

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he’d lost the love of her life, her dad, Stan Coster, and making music – his kind of music – helped in the healing.

“When that first album came out it wasn’t just part of the healing for me, it was for all of dad’s fans. We were all hurting.

“I’ve had repeated requests from people asking me to do another album of dad’s songs, so that’s how Coster Country Take II came about.”

For Tracy, the creation of this album was an eerie blend of past and present.

“A few ago when I first stepped through the doors of ENREC Studios in Calala there were goose bumps,” she said.

“Memories flooded back to me of a time when this building was owned by Eric Scott. Back then, Hadley Records was the hub of all recordings in Tamworth, the place I recorded my very first single back in 1984.

“Steve Newton, who owns ENREC, coincidentally recorded my first album, From The Heart, and produced a number of my dad’s recordings. Fast forward 30 years and here we are making this album of dad’s songs together.”

That first Coster Countr y album was not only helpful in managing Tracy’s grief. It also had the distinction of

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are Beccy Cole, Chad Morgan, Glenn Jones, Jeff Brown, and most special of all for Tracy, her sister and best mate, Jayne Coster Kelly.

“What can I say about my big sister? She has been there for me through every single stage of my life, loving supportive and always in my corner no matter what,” Tracy said.

“To know she is now singing after all this time is such a blessing and to have her on this album, I just know dad would be beaming with pride.”

Tracy will launch the disc in style at her Australia Day concert in Diggers’ Showroom, Keeping It Coster, with special guests Glenn Jones and Jeff Brown.

Tracy Coster

having a Golden Guitar-winning track on it – Tracy’s collaboration with Anne Kirkpatrick, Back to The Saltbush Plains.

It was sweet success for the two daughters – of Stan, the writer and of Slim, his mate, who recorded so many of his classic bush ballad songs.

Joining Tracy in duet on the new disc

TOYOTA COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL TAMWORTH 2018 – FRIDAY 19 JANUARY TO SUNDAY 28 JANUARY 2018.

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years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

TCMF2018

FESTIVALS

HEAVEN-SENT HARMONIES IN DIGGERS’ SHOWCASE

Adam Harvey

FAMILY FUN AND A NEW OPENING ACT FOR

The Sherrahs

IF EVER THERE WAS A “HEAVENLY HARMONY GROUP” IN AUSTRALIA, IT’S THE SHERRAHS, A FAMILY BAND BASED IN ADELAIDE, KNOWN FOR THEIR BLEND OF HARMONY SINGING.

T

o better showcase their talents, the family ban will present their Classic Harmony Hits show at Diggers’ Showroom on Tuesday, January 23 at 3.30pm and on Wednesday, January 24, at 11am.

Follow them on their journey through the harmony Hits, with songs from bands like The Eagles, Crosby Stills and Nash, The Seekers, Alabama, Trio, Oak Ridge Boys, Sons of the Pioneers and New Zealand-Aussie songs, plus many more.

One of the highlights of this show for the Sherrahs is being able to present such a variety of harmony songs and styles.

“It’s amazing how many of these tunes we grew up with either first hand or through our folks’ record collections,” said Steve Sherrah.

“These are tunes people will know and can sing along to.”

This collection of harmony tunes will have you reminiscing about the good old days with a fresh perspective.

Their vocal approach to harmony is one of the strongest pillars in this band’s sound.

Although all four met in Tamworth, their style is heavily influenced from their surroundings in country Victoria and New Zealand.

The Sherrahs are made up of two couples – Steven and Michelle Sherrah, and Anthony years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

and Tracy Stewart – but for these shows in Diggers the band will be expanded to a full six-piece with the addition of two of the industry’s best sidemen – Penny Somerville on fiddle and Scott Hills on drums.

The Sherrahs invite you to Classic Country Harmony Hits, to hear their interpretations and arrangements of some of the genre’s greatest voices.

The Classic Country Harmony Hits is not a show to be missed.

Tickets are available from Wests’ ticket box at the Phillip St club, or from the website, www.wtlc.com.au

TOYOTA COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL TAMWORTH 2018 – FRIDAY 19 JANUARY TO SUNDAY 28 JANUARY 2018.

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ADAM HARVEY

F

or country star Adam Harvey, Tamworth in January means one thing – family time!

The Harveys – Adam, Miss Kathy and children Conway and Leylah – look forward to their two-week holiday each year in the Country Capital.

This year’s family time will be extended to the stage when the beautiful Leylah joins her old man to sing a few songs at his two big shows in Blazes at Wests.

“She wants to become an opera singer, so she’s really stretching her father,” Adam admitted.

“On the cruise ship [Cruising Country 7, October 8-16], she even made me sing in Italian! Up until then, all I knew of that language was fettucine and cappuccino!”

Adam’s pretty chuffed to have his little girl on stage with him, (even if she does stretch his capabilities to the max), but he’s also pumped about his support act this year. Andy Toombs, who’s always been there in the background, quietly playing brilliant bass or adding his sublime harmonies behind Adam, is stepping into the spotlight.

“This will be Andy’s big Tamworth debut as a solo artist and it’s going to be great,” Adam said. “He’s got one of the best voices around and it really should be heard.”

Being Tamworth, Adam is sure to be joined by some very special surprise guests, including his good mate, Beccy Cole. The pair successfully toured the country to support their Great Countr y Songbook Volume 2 album, which is mandatory listening.

Adam is about to record his new album after the festival and can’t wait to road test some of those songs on his Tamworth audiences.

He’s been writing a heap of songs for the project with some of Australia’s favourite tunesmiths – Colin Buchanan, Troy Cassar-Daley, Mike Carr and Brooke McClymont.

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TERANG CMF

TERANG FESTIVAL

SURE TO BE A BEAUTY TROY KEMP WILL HEADLINE THE ANNUAL TERANG COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL IN MARCH.

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ince the end of the award-winning McAlister Kemp duo, Troy is now enjoying renewed success as a solo artist, with a growing fan base, through his constant performing and radio airplay.

He will joined by the legendary Ted Egan, Bennett Bowtell Urquhart, Tim Farren, Danny Stain, The Bakersfield Glee Club, Travellin’ Still, The Weeping Willows and Courtney Conway.

The event is well-catered with both outdoor and indoor arenas, food and drink available onsite and free camping is available at the venue with showers and toilets free of charge.

Characterised by a great feeling of being

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welcomed, Terang Country Music Festival is relished by music lovers and performers alike. The format is relaxed and easy going and features a great range of quality country music artists.

Dig deep into your soul as you enjoy the authentic voices of Bennett, Bowtell & Urquhart and catch up with Alice Springs treasure Ted Egan. Festival favourite, Tim Farren returns for his eighth year but won’t be outdone by Danny Stain who recently released his debut album

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Troy Kemp

In Another Time. Both Tim and Danny are vying to reach the highest energy levels at the festival.

The festival will be held at the picturesque racecourse in Terang, located 200kms south west of Victoria’s capital of Melbourne, from March 16 to 18, 2018.

Tickets are available now at www.terangcountrymusic.com.au

years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

FESTIVALS

MASTERCLASS

TOMMY EMMANUEL TO SHARE GUITAR TIPS TOMMY EMMANUEL WILL RETURN TO AUSTRALIA IN AUGUST 2018 FOR A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY THAT NO GUITAR FAN WILL WANT TO MISS.

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ver four days and nights, guitar students and aficionados will receive masterclasses and performances with Tommy and fellow guitarists Michael Fix, Simon Hosford and Richard Smith.

Tommyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Australian guitar retreat is on from August 15 to 19 in the beautiful Dandenong Ranges of Victoria. His instructors will be Michael Fix, Simon Hosford, and Richard Smith. Over the four days participants will be filled with learning, jamming and playing together and will eat, sleep, drink guitar! â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to spend our time immersed

in the magic of music. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what these events are all about,â&#x20AC;? Tommy said.

The Tommy Emmanuel Guitar Retreat Australia will take place at CountryPlace, right in the middle of the Dandenong Ranges and 40 minutes drive from Melbourne. Surrounded by the beauty of the mountain ash trees and the natural wilderness of the area, this luxury retreat is aimed at players of all ages, levels, interests and taste.

Whether you are a master player, a beginner, or just an enthusiastic fan, this four-day program offers activities and workshops for all levels of guitarists in a non-

competitive environment and strictly about the joy of music.

In a career that has spanned over five decades, Tommy Emmanuel has become one of the most respected and acclaimed musicians on the planet. One of five designated â&#x20AC;&#x153;Certified Guitar Playerâ&#x20AC;? (CGP), a tribute bestowed by iconic guitarist Chet Atkins, Tommy has received an incredible variety of accolades, including two Grammy Award nominations, two Golden Guitar awards and being twice voted Best Acoustic Guitarist

by US Guitar Player Magazine. In 2010, he added AM to his name after CGP, when he was appointed a Member of Order of Australia for services to music. â&#x20AC;&#x153;These four days of guitar playing and music are for players of all levels, and we are so looking forward to seeing you there! Take the time to invest in yourself with what is bound to be the best four days of your life.

Because YOU are the best investment you can make,â&#x20AC;? Tommy said.

Registrations can be made here http://tommyemmanuelguitarretreat.com

INTRODUCING

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FESTIVALS

BIG RED BASH

WEST AUSTRALIA’S CALLING WITH A CRACKER OF A LINE UP FOR 2018, IT’S NO WONDER BOYUP BROOK COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL AND THE WEST AUSTRALIAN COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS PRESENTED BY LIVELIGHTER IS BILLED AS ONE OF THE TOP COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVALS IN AUSTRALIA.

W

hy not make 2018 the year to join in the fun and you will find yourself under the enchantment and magic of this fabulous WA event that brings music and friendship together under summer skies and star filled nights.

The annual festival will be held from February 15 to 18 and for many, it’s warm days, sitting in the shade of gum trees by the river, surrounded by the buzz of people connected by a love of music. That’s the way it is at the Boyup Brook Country Music Festival and in 2018 it will feature The McClymonts who, over the past decade, have become Australia’s most successful country group, plus triple Golden Guitar and CMC award winner Travis Collins, and Warren H Williams and Dani Young.

There is an array of local, emerging, national

and international talent that country music lovers have come to expect. Some of these include: Benn Gunn Band, (NSW), Simply Bushed (NSW), Scott Douglas (USA) Craig Adams (NZ) Ray Rider (WA), Donna Lou and the Jay Katz (WA), Sandie Dodd (Vic), Billy Bridge & Rebecca Nye (NSW), Kate Hindle (WA), Graham Rodger (Qld), Hussy Hicks (Qld), Luke O’Shea (NSW), The Eastern Line (WA), Jasmine Atkins (WA), Savannah and the Strays (WA), Allan Caswell (NSW), Keith Jamieson and Alisha Smith (Qld), Pete Delle Coste (WA), Latehorse (WA), Kathy Carver & Desert Mist (WA) Codee Lee Band (WA) and many more.

The festival offers four days of fun with a friendly, country vibe

The McClymonts

with a street carnival, children’s activities, street theatre, bands, buskers and markets plus the Boyup Brook Ute and Truck Muster providing roaring entertainment through the streets. There’s hundreds of campers and caravanners vying for a camp site in one of the numerous temporary camp grounds. Food stalls provide fresh food on site, and the Country Music Club of Boyup Brook’s retail store, Hot Country, offers clothing, music, footwear and accessories for attendees to browse or buy.

The Boyup Brook Art Awards, are held in conjunction with the festival, and provide something a little different.

There is something to keep everyone entertained, including workshops with the artists in a Panel Session of Song Writing, Bootscooting lessons and the largest showcase of Bush Poets in WA whilst enjoying breakfast and a good laugh.

The festival is built on the backs of its many volunteers, who work tirelessly to create a festival that has become one of the best in the country, and a must visit destination for all country music lovers.

For further information or to purchase tickets go to www.countrymusicwa.com.au

DASHING ON THE ROAD

F

ollowing its 2017 success, Dashville On The Road, the musical jamboree, will head north to Nundle, Bellingen and Port Macquarie this month.

Dashville On The Road is a travelling group coming together for a series of special creative concerts that include singalongs and fun, with an array of performers, in varying styles, all coming together in a special fourhour showcase.

The DOTR concept brings the spirit and magic of Dashville’s corner of the world to other Australian locations. For over 13 years, the Hunter Valley has been host to the event and organisers have decided to take the show to the fans. years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

The artists this month include William Crighton, Fanny Lumsden, Nicholas Connors, Ahlia Rain, Baghead, Magpie Diaries, Dave Wells and a host of surprise guests.

On Friday, January 26 at 5pm, enjoy the show at The DAG Sheep Station, Nundle for $40 which includes show and a buffet dinner plus accommodation is available; a free show on Saturday, January 27 from 6pm at the Federal Hotel in Bellingen; and on Sunday, January 28 head to the Black Duck Brewery in Port Macquarie at 3pm for another free show.

Fanny Lumsden C O U N T RY M U S I C C A P I TA L N E W S JA N UA RY 2 0 1 8

73

TOYOTA CELEBRATING 22 YEARS SUPPORTING COUNTRY MUSIC TOYOTA

FESTIVAL FM

106.1 LIVE FROM TAMWORTH LANDCRUISER COUNTRY

Playing Australian Country Music 24 hours a day from Friday 19th to Sunday 28th January.

LIVE from the heart of Tamworth – Toyota Fan Zone You’ll hear the most up to date Toyota Festival program, live interviews with over 200 artists, on air giveaways, live performances and special segments including live coverage of the Toyota Star Maker Top Ten and the CMAA Country Music Awards.

PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY

74

C O U N T RY M U S I C C A P I TA L N E W S JA N UA RY 2 0 1 8

years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

FESTIVALS

GROUNDWATER CMF

SUCCESS SEES NAME CHANGE BROADBEACH COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL HAS CHANGED ITS NAME, AND BRAND, STAKING CLAIM AS THE FASTEST GROWING FESTIVAL IN AUSTRALIA.

O

rganisers of the Groundwater Country Music Festival, as it will be known, say event numbers increased by 77% this year.

They will stay true to the country roots and continue to follow the current music landscape to attract diverse audiences.

Broadbeach Alliance CEO Jan McCormick says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have been blown away by the growth of this festival on the Gold Coast. In just five short years it has become one of

the biggest music festivals of its genre in Australia and is a must do on the events calendar for music lovers and artists. Our small team is very experienced in producing events and we understand how pivotal artist programming is to keep surprising and delighting our loyal attendees whilst opening the door for first timers. We have been watching this musical genre closely on a global landscape and felt now is the right time to introduce a new brand signifying that we are ready to take the strength of this festival even further.â&#x20AC;?

The name â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Groundwaterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; was chosen as it reflects Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unique culture, drawing from both the Aborigineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s spiritual connection with the groundwater, as well as the farming communityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reliance on groundwater for survival. Groundwater also replicates the innate culture of the Australian people who use the rivers, lakes, streams, and oceans as a central part of life.

The Groundwater Country Music Festival at Broadbeach on the Gold Coast will be held from July 27 to 29, 2018.

A new swell is on the horizon )URP -XO\ %URDGEHDFK &RXQWU\ 0XVLF )HVWLYDO HQWHUV D QHZ HUD 0RUH RI \RXU IDYRXULWH EDQGV PRUH SHUIRUPDQFHV PRUH VXUSULVHV

ZZZ JURXQGZDWHUFPI FRP JFPI years of bringing you the music 1975â&#x20AC;&#x201C;2018

C O U N T RY M U S I C C A P I TA L N E W S JA N UA RY 2 0 1 8

75

SOUNDADVICE ACCOMPLICE ONE TOMMY EMMANUEL SONY MUSIC Collaboration works ... At their worst, they become messy bombastic flex contests on which the artists attempt to out-play one another. Thankfully, at the other end of the spectrum there are those albums that deliver something truly amazing … like Accomplice One. Throughout the 16 works offered one thing is very clear – it’s all about the song. Showcasing many styles, Tommy and his players run through a mix of favourites and Tommypenned compositions. The playing is exquisite. Just some of the assembled cast includes Jason Isbell [Deep River Blues], Ricky Skaggs [Mike McLellan’s Song And Dance Man], Mark Knopfler [You Don’t Want To Get You One Of Those] and Rodney Crowell [Looking Forward To The Past]. There are two amazing cuts with David Grisman and Bryan Sutton [C-Jam Blues and Watson’s Blues] - you can feel the love and respect in the room. Tommy’s improvisation work with Jack Pearson on Tittle Tattle is mindblowing, and Suzy Bogguss adds a touch of beauty to The Duke’s Message. You need this album.

SONY MUSIC 75283051202 MATT LAWRENCE

THE BROLGA

MARCUS HOLDEN

ALL THE RIVERS IN BETWEEN

ROUSEABOUT RECORDS

PETER DAWSON

Marcus Holden describes the music on this album as “folked up classics”. That may be true, but Marcus turns them into so much more with his remarkable musical talent. The album’s title refers to the Australian bird’s penchant for performing dances, and it captures the spirit of the album perfectly.

The 15 tracks range from the majestic to the evocative to simply exhilarating. Many are well-known pieces, but there are also a number of delightful surprises. Album highlights include the stately and elegant first track, Oh My Beloved Father, the frenetic Trying To Get To Sleep, Peter And The Cat, Bach’s “Prelude” and the final track, The Summer Knows. Other wonderful pieces include Siciliano, Tango and Scherazarde. You don’t need to be a classical music fan to appreciate these wonderful arrangements, and the musicality and musicianship are peerless. This is an album for listening quietly, for driving, for an elegant dinner party or simply for losing yourself in the beauty of the music. It is a beautiful collection that will continue to delight for many years.

INDEPENDENT

Peter Dawson takes his listeners through the whole gamut of emotions on All The Rivers In Between, from the mournful opening of Fisherman’s Daughter to the hopeful Moving On, that farewells the album. This is an album that is not afraid to sit itself squarely in the pure, Australian traditional country camp. The lyrics are king in each song with the melody there to support, but never overpower, the words Peter is singing, allowing the stories to shine through. All The Rivers In Between takes listeners on a journey through various parts of Australia, including Country Music Capital, Tamworth, with Moonbi No. 1 and the title track celebrates everything that Peter loves about his country. Joined by some of the best players in the business including Michel Rose, Mitch Farmer and Phil Emmanuel, this is an easy listen and bush ballad aficionados will definitely find plenty to live about All The Rivers In Between.

INDEPENDENT PDCD002 REBECCA BELT

UNDERCOVER MUSIC RRR73 SUSAN JARVIS 76

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THE WRECKAGE

DEAD END STREET

INDEPENDENT

INDEPENDENT

After more than 30 years in this industry, it takes a lot to make me excited. But this album prompted me to do a small happy dance because it’s exactly what country music needs right now.

The Wreckage is fresh, warm, real and delicious. It has managed to blend Americana, country and a pop sensibility that has universal appeal – not only to established country fans but to a whole new audience. Produced by Catherine Britt and Melody’s husband Michael Muchow, this is a positive, empowering album, and that really adds to its appeal. Standout tracks include the first single, Take Me, the intense title track, The Wreckage, Will You Wait, What I Used To Know (co-written with Catherine Britt), Bury Me Sane and my absolute favourite, the wonderful Secondhand Heart.

With a new baby on the way, life is sweet for Melody Moko right now, and it is set to become a whole lot more exciting (and considerably busier) as her career explodes over the next few months on the back of this remarkable album.

The best country voices carry a lifetime of love, loss, living and laughter. And Maleny songwriter Kelly Cork is definitely among them.

His latest album, Dead End Street, showcases that voice to perfection.

It is a rare ability to be able to convey emotion so powerfully, and Kelly’s voice encapsulates a life lived fully and well. Kelly is also a very accomplished songwriter – indeed, he took out the 2016 Australian Songwriters Association Awards open category. Highlights include the first single, Bad Weather – a duet with Jen Mize – and the opening track, Against The Grain. I also particularly liked the authenticity and earthiness of Cutting Cane and Two Hands. One of the real standouts is Dead End Street, a heartfelt and beautifully crafted ballad with a wonderful rough edge.

And the emotional Me Or You and What’s Going On capture the nuances and complexities of love perfectly. Kelly Cork is the real deal, and he writes about real emotions in a way that is fresh, exciting and powerful. This is a memorable and meaningful album.

MELODY MOKO

INDIE SUSAN JARVIS

KELLY CORK

INDEPENDENT SUSAN JARVIS

years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

Your breakfast is ready!

FROM 6AM EVERY DAY OF THE COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL • • • • • •

Bacon and egg rolls Hot beef rolls Gourmet rolls Toasted sandwiches Hot pies and sausage rolls Fresh fruit salad

• Full loaves and half loaves of bread • Plus...Savoury bread and very large rolls – all freshly baked every day • Cakes and slices

MARKER’S CAKE SHOP

• Huge variety of sandwiches salad rolls and wraps – fresh each day • Salad bowls • Coffee and tea and icy cold drinks - and much more...

Satisfy your hunger at 279 Peel Street, Tamworth (opposite Rivers Store – in the heart of the CBD) OPEN 6AM TILL LATE - PHONE: 6766 2673 Find us on www.facebook.com

THE BIG GOLDEN GUITAR TOURIST CENTRE Your One Stop Festival Shop FREE Meet & Greet Showcases Compered By Bush Poet Dave Proust Mon 22nd January 10.30am

Dean Perrett, Erol Grey, Dianne Lindsay, Jeff Brown

Tues 23rd January 10.30am

Tracy Coster, Reg Poole, Keith Jamieson, Kristy Cox, The Wolfe Brothers

Wed 24th January 10.30am

Angus Gill, Brad Butcher, Rick Hart, Ashleigh Dallas, Col Finley

Thur 25th January 10.30am

Paul Costa, Hayley Marsten, Jayne Denham, Lyn Bowtell, Matt Cornell

Fri 26th January AUSTRALIA DAY – 10.30am

Brewn, Ben Ransom, Jonny Taylor, James Blundell, Tania Kernaghan

OPEN 7 DAYS OPEN 8am - 6pm Saturday – Saturday During the Festival Sunday 8am- 5pm

THE BIG GOLDEN GUITAR TOURIST CENTRE Centre includes: Gallery Of Stars Wax Museum • Souvenir & Gift Shop • Coffee Shop Sporting Memorabilia Museum, Featuring Sir Donald Bradman • Country Music CD & DVD shop years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

2 The Ringers Road Tamworth | 02 6765 2688 info@biggoldenguitar.com.au www.biggoldenguitar.com.au

C O U N T RY M U S I C C A P I TA L N E W S JA N UA RY 2 0 1 8

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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 PIECE OF ME MISSY LANCASTER SONY MUSIC You can have a great song, but if you haven’t got the voice to bring it to life, it’ll never create a spark. Of course when the two combine, the result can be truly magical. Piece Of Me is certainly the latter. Keeping with the magical theme, with 10 finely crafted, hooky contemporary tracks and Missy Lancaster’s truly remarkable voice, this release is Copperfield as opposed to carnival sideshow. So impressive is Missy that she actually makes a good song better. Many a young Aussie has opted for a sound closer to that of their American cousins and got close. Missy knocks it out of the park. Fresh up-tempo tracks like the opener Never The Bride, the exciting Heatwave and Party Of The Year are sensational. Likewise the balladry Forget is dreamy and Never In Love is a tender jewel, allowing Missy’s voice to convey real emotion. It’s one heck of a debut release and as such, a rare treat. Essential listening.

SONY 19075812502 MATT LAWRENCE

DIG DEEP

LET ME IN

CITY BOUND TRAINS

HOW IT USED TO BE

INDEPENDENT

CHECKED LABEL

ABC MUSIC

INDEPENDENT

The title of Jonny Taylor’s second album says it all: he has delved deep within himself to produce a swag of powerful, beautifully crafted songs that will move and delight anyone who hears them. This has been an eagerly awaited follow-up to Jonny’s successful debut recording, Something To Say, and the wait has been worth it. Highlights of the album include the gentle You Are My Home and the perceptive Better Day, both written for wife Nicole.

I particularly liked the first single, Break Free, the evocative Winter Man and the dark and disturbing Wishing Well. Other standouts include Jonny’s killer version of James Blundell’s wonderful Amsterdam Breakfast, the latest single, Diamonds, and Victim To Your Love, about new beginnings.

The real star of the album, though, is Jonny’s compelling, warm voice that captures every emotion and conveys it straight to your heart.

This album captures the very best of Australian country music. It is fresh, perceptive, moving and highly entertaining. Jonny has proved that he’s here to stay and is going far.

Rowville singer-songwriter Rick Hart is indebted to his family for his debut album. Wife Vanessa duets on Little Pieces, niece Elysia Gomez joins him on finale Love Gets The Better of Me and Evan - one of his three sons - co-wrote Shooting Star. Hart, 34, masters moving metaphors for missing his family while on the road in Sweet Emmylou that name checks the 13-time Grammy winner. Rick also resurrected the late ‘Band’ drummer and actor in his biblical angst anthem about a woman whose partner is the victim of the demon drink in Levon Helm. Hart’s penchant for videogenic songs includes cheating tale To The Grave and escapist Driver Alone.

He vividly depicts a vanquished vixen in Cyclone Nancy and departing lovers in Close The Door and Weighing On My Mind. But there’s sweet solace in title track and healing hymnal Let Me In, Little Pieces and Love Gets The Better Of Me. Hart’s accessible vocals ensure his 11 original songs are radio friendly.

Paddy McHugh was raised in Tamworth, and then moved to Sydney, where he turned his musical leaning towards punk, before settling in Brisbane. Paddy’s music has seen a move towards gritty storytelling and songs with leanings towards country, and, as his bio says, ‘but it’s intelligent country, poignant and vivid’. This album presents like a collection of short stories told from a personal viewpoint and there are touches of Springsteen and Paul Kelly … but still with Paddy’s unique voice and viewpoint of the world. Subjects cover sex, rebels, desperation and trains and highways – in short, life.

Highlights are the title track, the tale of convict Sean McDonough, the poignant Old Men Of The Railway Hotel, the anthemic strains of Down To Sydney, Meanwhile In Wilcannia - which features the guitar work and BVs of one Troy Cassar-Daley and Happy Man, with BVs by Allison Forbes and The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Choir.

Hailing from South Australia, Amber Joy’s fifth album consolidates her recording association with ex-pat producer and musician Sam Hawksley and her love of real country music. Inspired by the likes of Dolly, Loretta and Patsy, she and songwriting partner Hawksley have come up with six originals redolent of a time when there was a distinctive ‘country and western’ sound. Highlights include Bad Case Of The Blues, Go Get Your Guns and You’re Already Gone. Amber contributes her own In Your Wildest Dreams, while Hawksley’s Not Foolin’ Around slides right into the groove. Troy Cassar-Daley joins Amber on his composition, In Case You Ever Think Of Me. The musicianship is top notch and producer Hawksley has achieved the perfect balance between backing and vocals, thus highlighting the richness in Amber Joy’s vocals, which are distinctive and suit the material well. If you like your country ‘country’, this is one for you and thankfully, there are singers like Amber Joy who can remind us why we fell for the genre in the first place.

JONNY TAYLOR

INDEPENDENT SUSAN JARVIS

years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

RICK HART

CHECKED RH-797776 DAVID DAWSON

PADDY MCHUGH

ABC/UMA 5790242 aJODIE CROSBY

AMBER JOY POULTON

www.amberjoypoulton.com.au JON WOLFE

C O U N T RY M U S I C C A P I TA L N E W S JA N UA RY 2 0 1 8

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COUNTRYCHARTS ARIA TOP 20 AUSTRALIAN COUNTRY ALBUMS Week Commencing 18 December 2017 TW

LW

TI

HP

TITLE

1 1 84 1 Ripcord 2 2

983 1

3 5 292 1 4 7

523 1

5 4 2 4 6 10 33 1 7 3 6 1 8 8 69 1 9 9 38 1 10 13 47 1 11 11 324 1 12 12 218 1 13 14 4 2 14 17 20 1 15 18 139 1 16 19 48 1 17 20 75 1 18 16 215 2 19 15 219 2 20 R/E 193 1

The Very Best Of Slim Dusty The Story So Far Greatest Hits: 18 Kids Aussie Christmas With Bucko And Champs The Great Country Songbook Vol. II From Where I Stand His Favourite Collection The 25th Anniversary Album Dragonfly Ultimate Hits The Great Country Songbook Aussie Aussie Christmas Count On Me Spirit Of The Anzacs ENDLESS 60 Summers Anthems - A Celebration Of Australia A Hell Of A Career!

Beautiful Noise

ARTIST

LABEL

KEITH URBAN

CAP/EMI

SLIM DUSTY

EMI

KEITH URBAN

CAP/EMI

KEITH URBAN

CAP/EMI

BUCKO & CHAMPS

MGM

ADAM HARVEY & BECCY COLE

SME

DANNY PHEGAN

KOB

JOHN WILLIAMSON

WAR

LEE KERNAGHAN

ABC/UMA

KASEY CHAMBERS

WAR

LEE KERNAGHAN

ABC/UMA

TROY CASSAR-DALEY & ADAM HARVEY AMBER LAWRENCE

SME ABC/UMA

JUDAH KELLY

UMA

LEE KERNAGHAN

ABC/UMA

THE MCCLYMONTS

ISL/UMA

GRAEME CONNORS

ABC/UMA

JOHN WILLIAMSON

WAR

JOHN WILLIAMSON

WAR

LEE KERNAGHAN

ABC/UMA

OFFICIAL AUSTRALIAN AIRPLAY COUNTRY TOP 20 Week commencing 18 December, 2017.

TW

LW

TI

HP

ARTIST

TITLE

LABEL

1 1 35 1 Body Like A Back Road

SAM HUNT

2 2 18 2 Kiss Somebody

MORGAN EVANS

3 3 14 3 Forget

MISSY LANCASTER

SME

4 4 13 4 All The Pretty Girls

KENNY CHESNEY

SME

5 5 19 3 Roll On

FANNY LUMSDEN

6 7 14 3 Drinking Problem

MIDLAND

7 9 19 7 No Such Thing As A Broken Heart

OLD DOMINION

SME

8 8 22 3 They Don’t Know

JASON ALDEAN

BMG

9 6 9 6 Every Little Thing

CARLY PEARCE

10 11 9 10 I’ll Name The Dogs

BLAKE SHELTON

11 10 22 1 Legends

KELSEA BALLERINI

SME

12 15 7 12 The Rest Of Our Life

TIM MCGRAW & FAITH HILL

SME

13 13 12 12 When It Rains It Pours

LUKE COMBS

SME

14 14 15 13 Unforgettable

THOMAS RHETT

15 17 12 15 Take Me Back

KIRSTY LEE AKERS

16 18 21 6 Our Backyard

TRAVIS COLLINS & AMBER LAWRENCE

ABC/UMA

17 20 13 10 Bad

CAITLYN SHADBOLT

ABC/UMA

18 21 3 18 Drive On

LEE KERNAGHAN

ABC/UMA

19 19 15 12 Coming Your Way

DREW MCALISTER

ABC/UMA

20 25 5 20 Train Wreck

ADAM ECKERSLEY & BROOKE MCCLYMONT

80

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MCA/UMA WMA

IND UMA

IND WB/WMA

UMA MAVEN/SME

UMA

years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

COUNTRY TRACKS Week commencing 23 December 2017. This chart is published by Country Music Services and updated weekly at countrytrackschart.com.au POS LW

TI

HP

TRACK TITLE

ARTIST

1 1 8 1(3)

That’s Country

TONY COOK

2 3 8 1(3)

Fakin’ It Just Makin’ It

EMMA JENE

3 2 7 2(2)

Streets Of Old Kilsyth

DESTINY

4 10 5 4(1)

Female

KEITH URBAN

5 11 6 5(1)

You’re The Reason Why

BEN RANSOM

6 17 13 6(1)

Just Like Your Dad

DALE DUNCAN

7 6 3 6(2)

Don’t Bait My Hook

THE LONG AND SHORT OF IT

8 4 3 4(1)

Love To Burn

ASHIE NOEY

9 13 3 9(1)

Live In The Moment

CHRIS WILLIAMS

10 25 3 10(1)

I’ve Been There With Slim

COL GENTLES

11 5 8 1(1)

Territory Time

TOM CURTAIN

12 8 5 8(1)

Drive On

LEE KERNAGHAN

13 12 4 12(1)

Mr. Wrong

NATALIE PEARSON

14 30 2 14(1)

Suitcase

PHIL DOUBLET

15 7 3 7(1)

Back To Blue

JASE LANSKY

16 9 14 2(4)

Just Down The Hall

KALESTI BUTLER

17 26 5 16(1)

Rowdy Deb

GINA TIMMS

18 16 3 16(1)

Old Bush Telegraph

SHARON BENJAMIN

19 18 15 1(1)

Can’t Just Kiss You

BECCI NETHERY

20 0 1 20(1)

Living In A Small Town

IAIN ARCHIBALD BAND

CMC CHART W/c 16 December 2017. This chart is updated weekly at countrymusicchannel.com.au or tune into CMC. # TITLE

ARTIST

1 Collide

IMOGEN CLARK

2 Only On My Terms

ALEYCE SIMMONDS

# TITLE

ARTIST

LOST HIGHWAY

LABEL

26 Favourite Distraction

MATT SCULLION SOCIAL FAMILY RECORDS

CHECKED

27 Queen Of Boomtown

GRETTA ZILLER SOCIAL FAMILY RECORDS

28 Stacks

JAYNE DENHAM CHECKED LABEL SERVICES

29 It’s Only Midnight

MATT CORNELL CHECKED LABEL SERVICES

30 When It Rains It Pours

LUKE COMBS

SONY

31 Next Somebody

KAYLEE BELL

INDEPENDENT

3 I’ll Name The Dogs

BLAKE SHELTON

4 Forget

MISSY LANCASTER

SONY

5 Take Me Back

KIRSTY LEE AKERS

INDEPENDENT

WARNER

LABEL

6 You Need To Run

JETTY ROAD

7 I Don’t Dance

SHANE NICHOLSON LOST HIGHWAY/UMA

32 Do You Wake Up

KAYLENS RAIN

INDEPENDENT

8 The Rest Of Our Life

TIM MCGRAW/FAITH HILL

33 Every Little Thing

CARLY PEARCE

BIG MACHINE/UMA

34 I Will Not Give Up

O’SHEA

35 Lonely Night

KARIN PAGE

36 Hooked

DYLAN SCOTT

37 Thorn In Your Side

KATIE BRIANNA

38 Whisper In The Crowd

PAUL COSTA

9 Hit The Road

SOCIAL FAMILY RECORDS

THE WOLFE BROTHERS

10 Kiss Somebody

MORGAN EVANS

11 Train Wreck

ADAM ECKERSLEY &

SONY ABC WARNER

BROOKE MCCLYMONT LOST HIGHWAY 12 Bush Party

DEAN BRODY

13 Drive On

LEE KERNAGHAN

14 Yours

RUSSELL DICKERSON TRIPLE TIGERS/SONY

15 Light It Up

LUKE BRYAN

16 Five More Minutes

SCOTTY MCCREERY

17 Losing Sleep

CHRIS YOUNG

18 Make A Little

MIDLAND

19 Bad

CAITLYN SHADBOLT

20 Round Here Buzz

ERIC CHURCH

21 Grave Robber ’s Daughter TORI FORSYTH 22 Happens Like That

GRANGER SMITH

23 Like I Loved You

BRETT YOUNG

24 Fight

JODY DIREEN

25 Bury Me In Blue Jeans

TAILGATE DRIVE

years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

RGK/ABC ABC

EMI TRIPLE TIGERS SONY

EMI LOST HIGHWAY/UMA BBR/BMG BMLG/UMA ABC INDEPENDENT

CURB/SONY INDEPENDENT

CHECKED LABEL SERVICES

39 When Someone Stops Loving You LITTLE BIG TOWN

EMI

40 Summertime Soundtrack HAYLEY JENSEN SOCIAL FAMILY RECORDS 41 Heart Break

LADY ANTEBELLUM

EMI

42 Travellin’ Man

THE WEEPING WILLOWS

IND

43 From The Bottom Of A Well BRAD BUTCHER 44 Never Never Land

TOM CURTAIN

45 From Where I Stand

DANNY PHEGAN CHECKED LABEL SERVICES

46 Reckless Desires

ANDREW SWIFT SOCIAL FAMILY RECORDS

47 That’s Country

TONY COOK

INDEPENDENT

48 Mr. Wrong

NATALIE PEARSON

INDEPENDENT

49 Hot Country Girl

BROOKE CHIVELL

INDEPENDENT

50 Basics Of Love

LACHLAN BRYAN &

BIG MACHINE/UMA ABC/UMA

SONY INDEPENDENT

FEAT. LUKE O’SHEA

INDEPENDENT

THE WILDES F/SHANLEY DEL ABC C O U N T RY M U S I C C A P I TA L N E W S JA N UA RY 2 0 1 8

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82

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BUSH BALLADS

Dean Perrett

Dianne Lindsay

Dale Duncan

Graham Rodger

Ian Quinn

BALLADEERS IN FRONT TAMWORTH

BY PETER COAD OAM WWW.BUSHBALLADEERS.COM.AU

IT’S THE SEASON TO ACKNOWLEDGE COUNTRY MUSIC’S BEST OF 2017 AND THE BALLADEERS LEAD THE WAY. GOLDEN GUITAR FINALISTS Congratulations to all finalists in the 2018 Golden Guitar Awards Of Australia. To be a finalist in these awards is one of our nation’s highest country music achievements.

As president of the Australian Bush Balladeers Association, I pay particular interest to the Bush Ballad Of The Year section and sincerely congratulate Dean Perrett, Dale Duncan, Ian Quinn, Dianne Lindsay, and Graham Rodger on your 2018 selection.

GIDGEE RESULTS The bush ballad was well awarded at the recent Gidgee Coal Bush Ballad awards with a strong line-up of finalists and winners. Presented as part of a

gala concert of balladeer artists, award winners this year were:- MALE VOCAL: John Smith – R.M., FEMALE VOCAL: Kylie Castle - Under the Belah Trees. SONGWRITING: Peter Simpson & Dianne Lindsay – The Bridge. NEW TALENT: Bob Gregory – The Ghost of Bold Ben Hall. GROUP OR DUO/COLLABORATION: Dale Duncan & Keith Jamieson – Yesterday Is History. INSTRUMENTAL: Terry Bennetts – Turquoise Bay. ALBUM: Terry Bennetts – Salt Of the Earth.

COMEDY/NOVELTY: Ged Hintz – Matilda, The Boxing Kangaroo. Encouragement Award: Kate Daniels. Gidgee Coal Living Legend Award: Ricky Shipp. Congratulations to all the finalists and in particular to the winners.

GWANDALAN FESTIVAL Gwandalan is an idyllic town situated on the banks of Lake Macquarie. Every January the Gwandalan Bowls Club stages a one-day event country music festival at the back of their venue on the parklands overlooking the river. This year’s event will be held on January 13. Artists appearing are Anne Kirkpatrick, Mike Kerin Duo, Steve Passfield, Peter Coad & The Coad Sisters, Runaway Dixie, and country rock acts Jasmine Rae, The Search Party and Whiskey Business. It is hosted by Dianne Lindsay and Peter Simpson.

The Tamworth Country Music Festival is one of Australia’s premier country music events and one that features a wide array of country music styles. The Australian Bush Balladeers Association will again be presenting the ‘Balladeers Homestead’ on Goonoo Goonoo Road, Tamworth with a jam packed lineup of bush balladeer showcases and concerts from Friday January 19 to Friday January 26. Check the Official Guide To The Tamworth Country Music Festival for all details. Pre-order the guide at tcmf.com.au/officialguide or ask your favourite newsagent if they stock it.

BUNGENDORE AWARDS/ FESTIVAL The Bungendore Country Music Muster will be held on February 3 and 4 at the Bungendore Showgrounds. The event has a great atmosphere, and along with top sound and great traditional country and bush ballad artists appearing this is definitely one for your calendar. The prestigious Bungendore Stan Coster Memorial Awards are highly respected accolades for our traditional music industry and the winners will be announced during a special finalist’s concert on the Saturday evening of the festival weekend.

REVIEW ERNIE CONSTANCE – LEAD A HORSE TO WATER Ernie Constance’s new album Lead A Horse To Water gives us 13 very strong songs, all with fresh stories written from Ernie’s life experiences along with those of old friends. Lead A Horse To Water showcases some fair dinkum bush ballads and it’s hard to select favourites, but I think mine are, Young Hands On The Rains, Jack, The Badja Calves, If It Ain’t Broke and the album title, to name just a few. The album was recorded and produced by Stuie French at his Sydney Swinging Door Studio and the musical arrangements compliment Ernie’s vocals on each song. This is an excellent album release from Ernie, who is one of Australia’s finest storytellers. years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

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WRITING GRE AT SONGS

GETTING HEARD

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?”

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s songwriters, we tend to do much of our work on our own (unless we are co-writing). It can be fairly lonely and, worse still, it makes it difficult to be objective about what you are doing. People often say, “My family loved this song”… they didn’t … they loved you … it’s their job. Sometimes you need your songs to be heard by people who don’t love you.

You need to get your song out in front of people, whether it’s a gig, a writer’s night or an open mic night, it gives you an opportunity to get your song heard.

If the song works, the crowd will let you know and if it doesn’t … you’ll know. If you don’t perform, it can be a problem but, at least, try to get someone else to perform your song. If you co-wrote the song ask your co-writer to perform it and go and watch the performance.

In the early days, songwriting competition can help you get noticed. This can give you co writing possibilities and open doors to getting your songs out there.

PERFORMING LIVE How many of your songs you perform on a gig can depend on a number of factors … how good are your songs? Is the venue expecting mainly covers?

Will they hear your songs above the noise? Your first duty is to entertain the crowd and sacrificing live work because of an insistence on only performing your own songs is counter productive. At the gigs I do, I am usually expected to be playing mainly my own songs but I always try to read my audience and vary the material to suit the crowd.

I have a few rules for performing your songs live: • Never use the words original or cover. Just play the songs.

• Never make a big deal about them being your own songs.

• Don’t tell people the story of the song before you play it. The song should tell its own story.

• If your own songs aren’t working play something else to get the crowd back before you do another one.

• Make sure there is variety about your show.

• At a Writer’s Night, NEVER talk through another writer’s songs • You are being paid to perform an entertaining show. By all means show what you can do as a songwriter

APRA In the current post streaming climate the income from a songwriter’s songs has slumped alarmingly. The income derived from your songs being performed in a live situation has become increasingly important. Every live performance of a song, other than busking and private functions, attracts royalties. As long as you are a member

of APRA and log these performances, you generate much needed royalties. If you are not a member, these earnings can help you become one. In checking my recent APRA reports, I could also see how much difference it made to have my co writers play our songs on their shows. By playing our songs at our gigs we all benefit. APRA collect licence fees from live venues all over Australia and it’s our money.

MOMENTUM Exposure for your work can come through radio, television and Internet transmission as well as live performances. Generally the more exposure you get, the more demand there is for your songs and therefore the more exposure you get. It’s not always how good you are so much as how well known you are. If I hadn’t written On The Inside other recordings of my songs might never have happened.

You write songs to be heard not stored in a filing cabinet somewhere. It’s not enough to write great songs you have to find a way to get them heard. I co write songs with a number of artists for their albums. Because they co wrote these songs, they believe in them, record them and perform them live … the songs get heard … that’s how it works.

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

GRAEME’S HUGE HEART WITH LORRAINE PFITZNER

THIS IS A 12-SONG TRADITIONAL COUNTRY RELEASE FOR GRAEME HUGO WITH THREE NEWIES INCLUDING IT’S ALL GOOD AND THE TITLE TRACK, ALONG WITH A COVER OF THE GEORGE JONES HIT, A GOOD YEAR FOR THE ROSES.

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ogether with Blue Eyes Crying in The Rain, Sea Of Heartbreak and The Prisoner Song, these are all standouts on what is another great CD for Graeme’s fans to enjoy and everyone who loves his style of music.

Graeme is a quiet achiever in country music. He started his career in 1972 at the age of 18 and has travelled the length and breadth of this country.

He worked the Sydney club scene and even appeared at the Sydney Opera House.

In more than 44 years in the country music business, Graeme has devoted a lot of his time assisting up-and-coming country music artists gain experience on stage and with a band – and still does.

One of his success stories was 2008 Toyota Star Maker, Tahlia Wittman.

Graeme has made it his mission in life to raise funds for organisations such the Isolated Children’s Scheme, SIDS, Kids with Cancer, Variety Clubs, the Royal Flying Doctor Service and Angel Flight.

He is one of Australia’s most popular, hardworking and successful independent artists with a natural appeal and rapport with

audiences of all ages.

One of South Australia’s favourite sons, Graeme is known as “The Voice” by media and fans alike, owing to his clear, distinct vocal delivery.

Graeme is recognised for his professionalism, enthusiasm, dedication, dynamic and unique contribution to the country music industry.

Even with his years of constant travelling, Graeme still managed to find time to record six successful albums.

His first, Raggedy Ann, came out on cassette in 1992, and due to its popularity was reissued on CD. Graeme is asked to sing the song wherever he performs.

In 1994 he released I’m Coming Through, followed by Like Father, Like Son. His fourth release was You Asked For It in 2011 and Take Five in 2013.

In 2001 Graeme started presenting a very popular country music festival at a

Camping during TCMF2018?

Have we got a spot for you...

Riverside Camping Make it easy and pay now.

Set up and relax.

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government-owned property, Lincoln Park Station, just south of Port Augusta.

He ran it there for five years, donating all profits to the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

Graeme then found another venue, a 150-year-old church at Sunny Vale, near Kadina, South Australia, where he presents his shows, catering for groups and coach tours.

Graeme has been awarded many accolades including an Australia Day Award for services to outback communities; 1998 Citizen of the Year for his voluntary service to outback communities; in 2003 inducted into the SA Hands of Fame and Avenue of Honour at Barmera; 2013 Citizen of the Year award for services to outback communities; and in 2015, he received the Kross Kut Industry Award for his outstanding contribution to country music.

For more details phone Graeme on 0427 810 175.

The Riverside Camping Grounds are a central camping location next to the Peel River and just minutes walk from the musical hype and action in the Tamworth CBD. Head to

tcmf.com.au and pay for your camping today.

years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

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

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COMINGEVENTS

TELL THEM YOU READ IT IN

JANUARY 2018 10-14 Parkes Elvis Festival | NSW | Contact: Cathy Treasure, Festival Director | T: 02 6862 6000 | E: elvis@parkes.nsw.gov.au | www. parkeselvisfestival.com.au 12-18 13 14 18-21 19-28

Countdown to the 46th Toyota Country Music Festival | Tamworth | NSW Nellijam Music Festival | Nelligen | NSW | W: steampackethotel.com.au Gwandalan CMF | Gwandalan Bowling Club | NSW | E: gwandalanbowlingclub.com.au | T: 0401 095 306 33rd Illawarra Folk Festival | Bulli Showground | Wollongong | NSW | W: illawarrafolkfestival.com.au Toyota 46th Country Music Festival | Tamworth | NSW | W: tcmf.com.au

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 28 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 | 24-25 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 8 BALL AITKEN JANUARY 12 Maryborough Sports Club Qld 13 Beerwah Hotel Qld 14 Harrigan’s Drift Inn, Jacobs Well Qld 19-28 Toyota CMF, Tamworth NSW

ADAM BRAND JANUARY 25 Toyota Park Tamworth NSW

4 HIGHWAYMEN JANUARY 22 Longyard Hotel, Tamworth NSW 27 Longyard Hotel, Tamworth NSW

ADAM ECKERSLEY BAND JANUARY 20&26 The Albert Hotel, Tamworth NSW

ADAM HARVEY JANUARY 20&26 Wests, Tamworth NSW

2018 TOYOTA STAR MAKER WINNER JANUARY 21 Toyota Star Maker Grand Final 22 Toyota Car Presentation, Tamworth City Toyota 22 Toyota FanZone, Tamworth NSW 22 Toyota Festival FM 106.1 Radio Station, Tamworth NSW 23 The Pig & Tinder Box, Tamworth NSW 24 Coca-Cola Country, Tamworth Town Hall, NSW 24 The McClymonts Guest at TRECC* 25 Maton Showcase, Wests, Tamworth NSW 26 Toyota Stars Under The Stars, Toyota Park Tamworth NSW 28 Farewell Concert, Toyota Park, Tamworth NSW

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ALEYCE SIMMONDS JANUARY 21 Tamworth Hotel NSW

ALICE BENFER JANUARY 22-25 Tamworth CMF NSW

ANDREW CLERMONT JANUARY 20-27 The Supper Club, North Tamworth BC

ANDREW SWIFT JANUARY 01 Inverloch Foreshore Camping Reserve, Inverloch Vic 02 BIG4 Phillip Island Caravan Park, Newhaven Vic 03 Kangerong Holiday Park, Dromana Vic

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

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

04 Anglesea Family Caravan Park Vic 05 Torquay Foreshore Caravan Park Vic 06 Eastern Beach Caravan Park, Lakes EntranceVic 07 Mallacoota Foreshore Holiday Park Vic 08 Eden Beachfront Holiday Park NSW 09 Merimbula Holiday Park NSW 10 Tathra Beachside NSW 11 South Coast Holiday Parks, Bermagui NSW 12 BIG4 Narooma Easts Holiday Park NSW 13 Murramarang Beachfront Nature Resort, South Durras NSW 14 Lake Conjola Entrance Park NSW 15 Shoalhaven Heads Holiday Park NSW 16 Easts Beach Holiday Park, Kiama NSW 17 Toowoon Bay Holiday Park NSW 19-28 Tamworth CMF NSW

21 Wests’ Diggers, Tamworth NSW 22&23 Wests, Tamworth NSW 24 Wests’ Diggers, Tamworth NSW 26 Wests, Tamworth NSW

ANGELA EASSON

JANUARY 12 Plainlands Hotel Qld 20-25 Tamworth CMF NSW 27 Grand Hotel, Esk Qld FEBRUARY 09 Plainlands Hotel Qld 15&17 Boyup Brook CMF WA

JANUARY 19-28 Tamworth CMF NSW FEBRUARY 17 Lake Charlegark SA

ANGUS GILL JANUARY 20-17 Tamworth CMF NSW

ANNE KIRKPATRICK FEBRUARY 17 Yeoval Memorial Hall, Yeoval NSW

ASHLEIGH DALLAS JANUARY 20 Wests, Tamworth NSW

BAYLOU JANUARY 24&25 Wests’ Diggers, Tamworth NSW

BECCY COLE JANUARY 20&26 Wests, Tamworth NSW

BEN RANSOM JANUARY 23-27 Tamworth CMF NSW

BENNETT, BOWTELL & URQUHART JANUARY 24 Wests, Tamworth NSW

BILLY BRIDGE

BLAKE O’CONNOR JANUARY 20-25 Tamworth CMF NSW

BOBBY HOWSON JANUARY 01 Green Valley Farm Fun Park, Tingha NSW JANUARY 20-25 Tamworth CMF 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.

BRAD BUTCHER JANUARY 20 Capitol Theatre, Tamworth NSW 21 Tudor Hotel, Tamworth NSW 22 Toyota Park Tamworth NSW 23 Southgate Inn, Tamworth NSW 24 The Albert Hotel, Tamworth NSW 25 Tamworth Services Club NSW 25 TRECC, Tamworth NSW 26 The DAG Sheep Station, Nundle NSW 27 Fanzone Stage, Tamworth NSW

BRETT CLARKE JANUARY 23 Capitol Theatre, Tamworth NSW

BRENDAN NAWROCKI JANUARY 17 Paradise Tourist Park, Tamworth NSW 18 Two Goats Café and Baa, Armidale NSW 19-26 Tamworth CMF NSW

GIGGUIDE CARTER & CARTER JANUARY 21-26 Tamworth CMF NSW

CASH ONLY - THE JOHNNY CASH TRIBUTE BAND

JANUARY 21-24 Tamworth CMF NSW FEBRUARY 17 Wenty Leagues Club, Wentworthville NSW

BRIAN LETTON JANUARY 20-24 Kootingal BC NSW 27 Kootingal BC NSW

CHLOE STYLER

BROTHERS3 JANUARY 21 Wests, Tamworth NSW 24 Longyard Hotel, Tamworth NSW 27 Wests, Tamworth NSW

BRUCE MCCUMSTIE JANUARY 22&23 Longyard Hotel, Tamworth NSW

CAITLYN SHADBOLT JANUARY 23 & 24 Tamworth CMF NSW

BRAD COX JANUARY 19 The Albert Hotel, Tamworth NSW 20 Hopscotch Restaurant & Bar, Tamworth NSW 20 Hogs Breath Cafe - The Loft, Tamworth NSW 21 Toyota Park Tamworth NSW 22&24 The Albert Hotel, Tamworth NSW

CAMPFIRE (RYAN SAMPSON AND PIXIE JENKINS) JANUARY 20 Forum 6 Cinema #3, Tamworth CMF NSW 21 Forum 6 Cinema #3, Tamworth CMF NSW 24-26 Forum 6 Cinema #3, Tamworth CMF NSW

MADCDS

CASSIDY RAE GAITER JANUARY 21 Toyota Park Tamworth NSW 22 Toyota FanZone, Cnr Peel & Fitzroy Street, Tamworth NSW 22 The Pig & Tinder Box, Tamworth NSW 23 Toyota Park Tamworth NSW 24 Toyota Festival FM 106.1 Radio Station, Tamworth NSW 24 AELEC Tamworth NSW

CHAD MORGAN JANUARY 19-27 Tamworth CMF NSW

JANUARY 20 Toyota FanZone, Tamworth NSW 21 Toyota Park, Tamworth NSW 22 Southgate Inn, Tamworth NSW 22 The Pub, Tamworth NSW 23 Post Office Hotel, Tamworth NSW 23 The Pub Tamworth NSW 23 Capitol Theatre Tamworth, NSW 25 Wests, Tamworth NSW 25 Tamworth Regional Entertainment and Conference Centre 26 Cattleman Steakhouse, Tamworth NSW 28 The Pig & Tinder Box, Tamworth NSW

CHRIS MATTHEWS JANUARY 19-27 Tamworth CMF NSW

CHRISTIE LAMB JANUARY 01 Gin and Raspberry Boutique Bar, Wanaka NZ 25 The Albert Hotel, Tamworth NSW

Don’t miss a gig at the TCMF

ORDER YOUR COPY NOW OF THE

Order online at tcmf.com.au years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

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GIGGUIDE CRAIG GILES JANUARY 12&13 Wagga Aussie Rules Club NSW 28 Imperial Footy Club Rooms, Murray Bridge SA FEBRUARY 03 Victor Harbor Lutheran Church Hall SA 04 Adelaide CMC, Dudley Park SA 07 Edenhope Bowling Club SA

DALE HOOPER FEBRUARY 10 Dubbo RSL Resort NSW 11 Bathurst RSL NSW

DANA HASSALL JANUARY 21-27 Tamworth CMF NSW

DANI YOUNG JANUARY 20-24 Tamworth CMF NSW FEBRUARY 16 Boyup Brook CMF WA

DAVIDSON BROTHERS JANUARY 25 The Pub, Tamworth NSW

DIANNE LINDSAY JANUARY 13 Gwandalan BC NSW 18-27 Tamworth CMF NSW FEBRUARY 01 Goulburn Railway BC NSW 02 Bungendore Hall NSW 03 Bungendore Showground NSW 23 Barham District SC NSW

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

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

21 Toyota Park Tamworth NSW 22 Toyota Festival FM 106.1 Radio Station, Tamworth NSW 22 Longyard Hotel, Tamworth NSW 23 Toyota Park Tamworth NSW 24 Toyota FanZone, Tamworth NSW 25 Hopscotch Restaurant & Bar, Tamworth NSW 26 The Albert Hotel, Tamworth NSW 26 Family Hotel, Tamworth NSW 27 Hogs Breath Café, Tamworth NSW 27 TRECC, Tamworth NSW

FANNY LUMSDEN JANUARY 25 Longyard Hotel, Tamworth NSW

FELICITY URQUHART JANUARY 20 Capitol Theatre, Tamworth NSW 22 The DAG Sheep Station, Nundle NSW 22 Tamworth Services Club NSW 24 Wests, Tamworth NSW 25 Capitol Theatre, Tamworth NSW

HAYLEY WILSON JANUARY 21 Toyota Park, Tamworth NSW 22 The Pig & Tinder Box, Tamworth NSW 23 Southgate Inn, Tamworth NSW 24 Toyota FanZone, Tamworth NSW

FINN MACCOOL JANUARY 19-27 Honky Tonk Bar, Family Hotel, Tamworth NSW

JANUARY 24&25 Tamworth CMF NSW FEBUARY 25 Pittwater RSL Club, Mona Vale NSW

JANUARY 19 Courthouse Hotel, Tamworth NSW 20 The Pig & Tinder Box NSW 92

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JANUARY 20 Toyota FanZone, Tamworth NSW 25 Wests, Tamworth NSW 26 Tamworth Shoppingworld NSW 26 Big Golden Guitar Tourist Centre, Tamworth NSW

JOEL CUMMINS JANUARY 19 Wests, Tamworth NSW 21 Tamworth Town Hall NSW

HEATH MILNER JANUARY 21 Toyota FanZone, Tamworth NSW 21 Toyota Park, Tamworth NSW 23 The Pub, Tamworth NSW 25&26 Wests, Tamworth NSW 27 Tamworth Square, Kmart Stage, Tamworth NSW

CHECK THE OFFICIAL GUIDE FOR TAMWORTH FESTIVAL GIGS

JAMES BLUNDELL

JANUARY 19-27 Tamworth CMF NSW 26 Toyota Park Tamworth NSW

GRAEME CONNORS

EMILY JOY

JANUARY 21 Toyota Park, Tamworth NSW 25 Moonshiners Honky Tonk Bar, Tamworth NSW

JARED PORTER

GEOFF WILLIAMS

JANUARY 26 Tamworth Town Hall NSW

JAKE SINCLAIR

HILLBILLY GOATS JANUARY 20-27 Tamworth CMF NSW FEBRUARY 02 Gympie RSL Qld 17 Panthers Port Macquarie NSW

JOHN ‘K’ KRSULJA JANUARY 19 Post Office Hotel, Tamworth NSW 19 Imperial Hotel, Tamworth NSW 20 The DAG Sheep Station, Nundle NSW 20 Tamworth Town Hall, Tamworth NSW 22 The DAG Sheep Station, Nundle Nundle NSW 23 Cattleman Steakhouse, Tamworth NSW 23 The Pub, Tamworth NSW 24&26 The DAG Sheep Station, Nundle NSW 27 Toyota FanZone, Tamworth 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.

KALESTI BUTLER JANUARY 19-26 Tamworth CMF NSW FEBRUARY 24&25 CluBarham, Barham NSW

KARIN PAGE JANUARY 20-26 Tamworth CMF NSW 26 Toyota Park, Tamworth NSW

KAYLEE BELL

KEL-ANNE BRANDT

JANUARY 26 Toyota Park, Tamworth NSW

JANUARY 05 Avoca Beach BC NSW 17 Campsie RSL NSW FEBRUARY 09 Budgewoi Soccer Club NSW 21 Belmont 16ft Sailing Club NSW

GIGGUIDE 06 Merimbula RSL, Narooma NSW 07 LongStocking Brewery, Pambula NSW 10 Kiama Market NSW 12 North Nowra Tavern NSW 13 Angels Bayside, Huskisson NSW 14 Surveyor General Inn, Berrima NSW 19 The Channon Tavern NSW 20 Guyra Lamb and Potato Festival, Guyra NSW 21 Bottom Pub, Uralla NSW 23-26 Tamworth CMF NSW 27 Roths Wine Bar, Mudgee NSW 28 Ballimore Inn NSW

KEITH JAMIESON JANUARY 02 Morwell Club Vic 05 Bowls Club, Bruny Island Tas 06 Bowls Club, Huonville Tas 07 Community Centre, Lindasfarne Tas 10 Copping Hall Tas 12 Menai Hotel, Burnie Tas 13 Australian/Italian Club, Launceston Tas 14 RSL Club, Deloraine Tas 16 Bocce Club, Kyabram Vic 17 Commercial Club, Wagga Wagga NSW 18 RSL Club, Gulgong NSW 20-26 Tamworth CMF NSW

LIAM BREW JANUARY 01 Johnny Ringo’s, Ipswich Qld 18-27 Tamworth CMF NSW 25 Moonshiners Honky Tonk Bar, Tamworth NSW 26 Toyota Park Tamworth NSW 26&27 Moonshiners Honky Tonk Bar, Tamworth NSW

LILY AND THE DRUM JANUARY 04 The Dromedary Hotel, Central Tilba NSW 05 Club Narooma NSW

MICKEY PYE JANUARY 18-27 Tamworth CMF NSW

PAUL COSTA JANUARY 19-27 Tamworth CMF NSW

PETER CAMPBELL JANUARY 19-27 Tamworth CMF NSW

W/ Runaway Dixie JANUARY 19&24 Balladeers Homestead Tamworth 24 Toyota Park Tamworth NSW

JANUARY 22-28 Tamworth CMF NSW FEBRUARY 09 Deepwater Inn NSW 18 Kempton Recreational Ground, Tas

JANUARY 25 TRECC NSW FEBRUARY 17 Lake Charlegrark CM Marathon Vic

JANUARY 07 West Tradies, Dharruk NSW

PETER COAD & THE COAD SISTERS

KYLIE ADAMS-COLLIER

LEE KERNAGHAN

MERILYN STEELE

LINDSAY BUTLER & SHAZA LEIGH WITH THE BUTLER SHOWBAND JANUARY 21-25 Butlers Auditorium, Tamworth NSW

LUKE AUSTEN JANUARY 17-28 Tamworth CMF NSW

LUKE DICKENS JANUARY 17-28 Tamworth CMF NSW

MELINDA SCHNEIDER JANUARY 25 Tamworth Town Hall, Tamworth NSW

RACHAEL FAHIM JANUARY Tamworth CMF NSW 19 Opening Concert, Toyota Park, Tamworth NSW 20 The Pig & Tinder Box, Tamworth NSW 20 The Albert Hotel, Tamworth NSW

Visiting Tamworth?

See Star Maker’s amazing journey at the Star Maker Café at Diggers, Kable Ave, Tamworth

1979

THE LEGEND CONTINUES

years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

2017

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93

GIGGUIDE 21 Toyota Star Maker Grand Final, Toyota Park, Tamworth NSW 22 The Pub, Tamworth NSW 23 Toyota FanZone, Tamworth NSW 23 The Albert Hotel, Tamworth NSW 24 Wests, Tamworth NSW 25 The Albert Hotel, Tamworth NSW 26 Toyota Stars Under The Stars, Toyota Park, Tamworth NSW

REBECCA LEE NYE JANUARY 13 Grand Hotel, Esk Qld 19-25 Tamworth CMF NSW FEBRUARY 15&17 Boyup Brook CMF WA

ROB BREESE JANUARY 17 Oasis Hotel-Motel, Tamworth NSW 19 Manilla BC NSW 20 Barraba Services & Rec Club NSW 21 Oasis Hotel-Motel, Tamworth NSW 22&23 Square Man Inn, Tamworth NSW 23 Manilla RSL Club NSW 24 Square Man Inn, Tamworth NSW 24 Oasis Hotel-Motel, Tamworth NSW 25&26 Square Man Inn, Tamworth NSW

ROUND MOUNTAIN GIRLS JANUARY 27 The Albert Hotel - Marquee, Tamworth NSW FEBRUARY 04 Hotel Brunswick, Brunswick Heads, NSW

RUNAWAY DIXIE JANUARY 21 Balladeers Homestead, Tamworth NSW 23 Capitol Theatre, Tamworth NSW

SHANE NICHOLSON JANUARY 24 The Pub Tamworth NSW

SIMPLY BUSHED JANUARY 19-27 Tamworth CMF NSW

ROSS MCGREGOR JANUARY 22 Moonshiners Honky Tonk Bar, Tamworth NSW 25 Wests, Tamworth NSW

94

TAYLOR PFEIFFER ‘THE BANJO GIRL’ JANUARY 5-7 Four Oaks Farm SA, Littlehampton SA 19-27 Tamworth CMF NSW

THE LONG AND SHORT OF IT JANUARY 16-26 Tamworth CMF NSW

THE McCLYMONTS JANUARY 24 TRECC, Tamworth NSW

THE WEEPING WILLOWS

RODNEY VINCENT JANUARY 20 West Tamworth Sports & BC NSW 21-24 West Tamworth Sports & BC NSW

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

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

TANYA CORNISH JANUARY 21 Toyota Park Tamworth NSW 22 The Pig & Tinder Box, Tamworth NSW 23 ABC Stage, Peel Street, NSW 27 The Pig & Tinder Box, Tamworth NSW

C O U N T RY M U S I C C A P I TA L N E W S JA N UA RY 2 0 1 8

JANUARY 14 Union Hotel Brunswick Vic 17 Leadbelly, Newtown NSW 19&20 Tamworth CMF NSW 21 Two Goats Cafe and Baa, Armidale NSW 21-26 Tamworth CMF NSW

THE SPIN DRIFTERS JANUARY 25 Capitol Theatre Tamworth NSW

THE WOLFE BROTHERS

TAMMY MOXON JANUARY 21 Toyota Park, Tamworth NSW 23 South Tamworth Bowlo NSW 27 Tamworth Shoppingworld NSW

TRAVIS COLLINS JANUARY 25 The Albert Hotel, Tamworth NSW 26 Toyota Park Tamworth NSW

TROY CASSAR-DALEY JANUARY 25 TRECC, Tamworth NSW

TWO GALS JANUARY 06 Paradise Tourist Park, Tamworth NSW 14 Wests, Tamworth NSW 16 Wests’ Diggers, Tamworth NSW 17 Wests, Tamworth NSW 19-28 Tamworth CMF NSW

WAYNE HORSBURGH JANUARY 21-25 Tamworth CMF NSW

JANUARY 24 Wests, Tamworth NSW

years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

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years of bringing you the music 1975–2018