Country Music Capital News - November 2018 Volume 43 No 11

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NOVEMBER 2018 VOL. 43 NO.10

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TROY CASSAR-DALEY

MOMENTS AND MEMORIES MUSTERED COURAGE MUSIC FOCUSSED

years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

JOHN HIATT

MASTER LYRICIST

CHARLEY PRIDE

A LEAGUE OF HIS OWN C O U N T RY M U S I C C A P I TA L N E W S N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 8

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years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

OUT NOW

OUT NOV 9

This new Deluxe Edition of Kelsea’s chart topping album features 4 new tracks including new pop hit ‘This Feeling’ with The Chainsmokers

The new album from the hottest new star in US country music. Includes the hit single ‘Lose It’ plus ‘Weekends’ & ‘Homesick’

OUT NOW

OUT NOV 2

This new album premieres new compositions alongside soulful reinterpretations of classics from Loretta Lynn’s phenomenal catalogue

Miranda Lambert, Ashley Monroe & Angaleena Presley are back with their latest high-spirited take on life the way real people live it!

LISTEN TO WHAT’S TRENDING IN COUNTRY MUSIC NOW ON

S ON Y M U S IC . C O M . A U years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

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years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

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FROM THE EDITOR

AWA R D S S E A S O N

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e are in the fortunate position at Country Music Capital News whereby the industry both here and abroad trusts us to deliver quality stories about their artists.

In this issue we can boast exclusive interviews with three legends, although I suspect all three would baulk at the reference.

Our cover story is about Troy CassarDaley who has released a deluxe double CD containing 42 tracks that includes 31 #1 singles. Troy told specialist writer Jeremy Dylan how he chose the collection, reflecting on his music and memories.

Jon Wolfe had a 30-minute interview with 85-year-old Charley Pride, who is set to tour Down Under in March 2019. It was more of a conversation than an interview, and Charley even sang a few songs down the line, making it an extra special memory.

Grammy-nominated singer songwriter

John Hiatt, who has released his first new album in four years, couldn’t have had a better person to chat with than our writer Lachlan Bryan who had opened for him a few years previously.

All of these things come to reason as to why we can capture intimate conversations with the stars and we know you appreciate the efforts we take.

Judging is underway for the ARIAs, Toyota Golden Guitars and Toyota Star Maker making this a nervous waiting time for artists, and their team members and families.

The finalists for the 47th CMAA Country Music Awards Of Australia – the Golden Guitars will be announced at an invited guests only event, at ABC in

Sydney, on November 20. The awards will be held on Saturday, January 26, 2019 at the 47th Toyota Country Music Festival – Tamworth, NSW and tickets are now on sale.

The Toyota Star Maker Grand Final Top 10 will be announced during the same week and the ARIAs will announce their winners on November 28.

We’ve got three other terrific stories on national artists in this issue – Mustered Courage, Matt Joe Gow and Danny Phegan – all with interesting stories I know you’ll enjoy.

I remember when I first discovered Mustered Courage. I was googling the artist Seal and his music video for Kiss From A Rose appeared. I clicked on a version by Mustered Courage and was hooked. I contacted them and highly recommending them to The Pub Group in Tamworth who booked them for the festival. It was such a thrill to see them win a Golden Guitar in 2015.

We are full steam ahead preparing for the festival and look forward to having our country music family together again come January 2019.

Keep it country Cheryl Byrnes Cheryl@tamworthcountrymusic.com.au

A journey of 10,000 gigs begins with the very first one. Make it count.

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years of bringing you DP the music 1975–2018

NOV E M B E R 2018 FEATURES TROY CASSAR-DALEY

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CHARLEY PRIDE

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MATT JOE GOW

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JOHN HIATT

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MUSTERED COURAGE

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DANNY PHEGAN

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EDITOR Cheryl Byrnes P: 0407 106 966 E: cheryl@tamworthcountrymusic.com.au ADVERTISING Joanne Maiden P: 0429 784 860 E: joanne@tamworthcountrymusic.com.au SUBSCRIPTIONS Linda Bridges P: 02 6767 5555

REGULARS NEWS

CONTRIBUTORS Allan Caswell, Bec Belt, Brad Cox, CMA, CMAA, Dan Biddle, David Dawson, Jeremy Dylan, Jon Wolfe, Lachlan Bryan, Lorraine Pfitzner, Penny Stevens, Peter Coad, Susan Jarvis, Tom Inglis, and our great mates in publicity and record companies nationally and internationally.

NASHVILLE NEWS

PHOTOGRAPHERS Andrew Pearson, Glen Hannah, Greg Sylvia, Tammie Arroyo/Shutterstock and to our many suppliers.

HEAR & THERE

LIVE CM SCENE ONE TO WATCH EMILY JOY

TOYOTA STAR MAKER UPDATE

TRC TEAM Jess Fitzsimmons, Karlee Cole, Eleanor Turnbull.

FESTIVALS

ART AND DESIGN Sam Woods

SOUND ADVICE

NEXT DEADLINE: December: November 10, 2018

COUNTRY CHARTS BUSH BALLADS DOWN MEMORY LANE

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

WRITING GREAT SONGS COMING EVENTS

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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 2018 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 1975–2018

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NEWS

GOLDEN GUITAR

TICKETS ON SALE ARIA FINALISTS ANNOUNCED

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inalists have been announced for the 32nd Annual ARIA Awards (Australian Recording Industry Association) Awards.

For Best Country Album, the finalists are Adam & Brooke by Adam Eckersley & Brooke McClymont, Brave & The Broken by Travis Collins, Campfire by Kasey Chambers & The Fireside Disciples, Country Heart by The Wolfe Brothers and Real Class Act by Fanny Lumsden.

Keith Urban will host the awards which will be held in Sydney on Wednesday, November 28.

Keith last attended the ARIAs in 2007 when he and John Butler gave an unforgettable performance.

Keith is no stranger to the ARIA charts with a total of 14 ARIA Platinum-selling singles and albums, earning him a total of five ARIA Awards.

TICKETS ARE ON SALE FOR THE TOYOTA GOLDEN GUITAR AWARDS, COUNTRY MUSIC’S NIGHT OF NIGHTS, TO BE HELD DURING THE TOYOTA COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL – TAMWORTH.

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he Country Music Awards of Australia is the nation’s longest running music awards. It is the jewel in the crown of the Tamworth festival and honours the works of artists, songwriters, producers and musicians over the previous 12 months presenting them with the coveted Golden Guitar trophy.

The awards will celebrate its 47th Golden Guitars on Saturday, January 26, 2019 at the Tamworth Regional Entertainment Conference Centre.

Ticket prices start at just $45 and can be purchased through tcmf.com.au or entertainmentvenues.com.au The night also includes a fast-paced concert, showcasing the cream of Australian country music artists and the songs that have left their mark on the fans throughout the past 12 months.

The awards are presented by Tamworth Regional Council and the Country Music Association of Australia (CMAA).

CMC ROCKS SELLS OUT AGAIN

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ustralia’s premier country and roots festival CMC ROCKS QLD has sold out for a second year within half an hour of going on sale.

Organisers revealed an epic artist line up for the 2019 event that returns to Willowbank, Ipswich Qld 8

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from Thursday to Sunday, March 14 to 17.

Music fans snapped up 21,000 weekend tickets forcing organisers to increase the capacity for the 2019 event.

International artists include Florida Georgia Line, Thomas Rhett and Luke

Combs and homegrown superstars Kasey Chambers and Troy Cassar-Daley.

The full line-up can be viewed at cmcrocks.com

years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

PHOTO TAMMIE ARROYO/SHUTTERSTOCK

NASHVILLE NEWS

CMA DON TURNS 60 McLEAN

THE COUNTRY MUSIC ASSOCIATION CELEBRATED ITS 60TH ANNIVERSARY IN SEPTEMBER WITH AN INVITE-ONLY INDUSTRY PARTY AT THE WILDHORSE SALOON IN NASHVILLE.

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hroughout the night, more than 20 acts performed 60 years of country hits, backed by Joe Denim and an AllStar Band.

After welcoming remarks from CMA chief executive officer Sarah Trahern, Jeannie Seely kicked off the evening with a stunning performance of Who Needs You. Michael Ray and Craig Wayne Boyd performed back-to-back Merle Haggard classics, with Ray singing Okie from Muskogee and Boyd singing The Fighting Side of Me. Other artists included Larry, Steve & Rudy, The Gatlin Brothers, Michael Ray, Mark Wills, TG Sheppard & Kelly Lang, Ty Herndon, Jamie O’Neal, Darryl Worley, Chuck Wicks, RaeLynn, Lee Brice and others.

Founded in 1958, the Country Music Association is the first trade organisation formed to promote a type of music.

The organisation, which started with 160 members, has grown to more than 7,400 industry professionals around the world representing every aspect of the business. The objectives are to serve as an educational and professional resource for the industry and advance the growth of country music around the world.

NASHVILLE NEW YEAR

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oted the best place to ring in the New Year by USA Today, the city of Nashville is set to host the annual Jack Daniel’s Music City Midnight celebration. The free event will feature Keith Urban as headline artist, and he’ll be joined by Peter Frampton, Judah & The Lion, Caitlyn Smith, Devon Gilfillian and The Fisk Jubilee Singers.

Contact the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corporation at visitmusicity.com to find out what accommodation and party packages the Music City offers. years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

SIGNS $4.5 MILLION DEAL WITH UNIVERSAL MUSIC PUBLISHING

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egendary American singer, songwriter, and performer Don McLean recently signed a third extension to his ongoing administration deal with Universal Music Publishing Group, worth $4.5 Million.

McLean, whose relationship with UMPG goes back to 1990, said; “Universal has done a great job at getting my songs in movies and TV shows, and they are a first class, worldwide organisation.”

With songs like American Pie, Vincent (Starry, Starry Night), And I Love You So, Castles In The Air, The Grave, and many more, McLean is one of many hit-makers represented by UMPG. McLean began the second leg of his 2018 World tour last month in Essen, Germany, and he will go to Switzerland, Holland, Belgium, Finland and Norway.

His most recent release Botanical Gardens released in March, 2018 is his 19th studio album and first in eight years. He said that “the inspiration for the project started years ago when I walked in the beautiful gardens in Sydney, Australia near the Opera House.”

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TROY CASSAR-DALEY LOOKS BACK ON HIS GREATEST HITS

BY JEREMY DYLAN

FOR TROY CASSAR-DALEY, MUSIC AND MEMORIES ARE INEXORABLY INTERTWINED – THE LIFE MOMENTS IMMORTALISED IN HIS SONGS, THE UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCES HE’S HAD TAKING THOSE SONGS TO HIS FANS AROUND THE COUNTRY AND EVEN THE VERY INSTRUMENTS HE’S USED TO MAKE MUSIC.

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peaking down the line as he plucks at a beautiful Fender Telecaster, Troy says “I’m sitting here at the moment, I’ve just dragged out an old guitar that I got many, many years ago. Every time I pull it out and play it, it’s a little walk down memory lane. You just gotta pull these things out a bit more often and not leave them sitting.”

Troy could well be talking about the vast catalogue of hit songs he has recorded over his career, collected together for the first time on his brand new Greatest Hits package. The timeless quality of his songwriting means that whether the tracks date from the mid-90s or the last few years, the songs both conjure up the memories of their initial release and exist completely in the moment when one listens to them today.

For many artists, putting together a best of compilation is as simple as slapping together their 10 best-known songs and calling it a day. For Troy, with a three decade career that has netted a shed load of awards and an expansive and loyal fanbase, narrowing down the selection to the 40 contained on Greatest Hits was no mean feat.

“We sort of had a bit of a laugh about it, but then I started getting serious and I thought ‘Well, first of all they have to qualify as something that’s maybe charted’. So I worked out that 31 of them had been to number 1 here in Australia.”

That was just the start of the process. When your records are as deeply stacked with meaningful and resonant songs as Troy’s are, your greatest hits aren’t just your ‘greatest hits’.

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MOMENTS AND MEMORIES “IT’S DEFINITELY A REFLECTIVE SMILE ON YOUR FACE WHEN YOU LOOK BACK AT A CATALOGUE THAT YOU’RE REALLY PROUD OF AND THE WAY IT’S BEEN A BIT OF A JOURNEY. I THINK ABOUT THE TIMES WHERE I WAS QUITE BROKE EARLY IN THE PIECE AND REALLY STRUGGLING TO WORK OUT IF IT WAS GOING TO BE A FULL TIME JOB OR NOT.”

“You’ve got to go with your heart Jeremy, and that was the hardest part because I was going off what people would ask for all the time. Back on that True Believer record, there’s a song on there called Bar Room Roses and so many people would ask me for that at shows, whereas it was never a single. So you sort of think to yourself “okay, I should put that on”. Some of the ones that aren’t singles are the ones that I just had to put on there because of people singing them at shows and actually requesting them online before they get to a show.”

This is emblematic of Troy’s deep and sincere connection with his fans. Though he’s many years removed from the Slim Dusty and Merle Haggard loving kid from Grafton busking in Tamworth, he’s never lost his appreciation of what being a country

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fan means. Reflecting on these songs as he put the track listing together was as much about the stories he’s heard from his audiences as his own memories.

“From people playing your songs at weddings and when they come up to you at the airport to come and say g’day or get a photo. A young teacher from Brisbane came up to me and said, ‘I just want to thank you for your song Freedom Ride.

We’d not heard at our school, the story of Charlie Perkins and what happened there, and so I decided I’d read it out to the school during NAIDOC week at assembly. Every NAIDOC week now we are going

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to sing that song’. Now, it doesn’t get much better than that.”

Listening to Troy’s Greatest Hits you can hear the story of his evolution as an artist and as a man. From the Proud Young Man pushing past his insecurities to make a stab at his musical dreams to the husband and father grateful for the Ladies In My Life to the modern country legend celebrating his homeland on Sing About This Country.

“It’s definitely a reflective smile on your face when you look back at a catalogue that you’re really proud of and the way it’s been a bit of a journey. I think about the times where I was quite broke early in the piece and really struggling to work out if it was going to be a full time job or not. When I first made that single Proud Young Man, I realised back then that there was a couple of crossroads I was about to come to that it was going to be that sort of decision, whether I was going to be able to continue on and believe that I could make a living out of it. Sometimes you just thought to yourself it wasn’t worth it, maybe I should get a real job.”

For an artist who is constantly moving forward and evolving, listening back to old songs can be a bit like looking at high school photographs.

“I had to stop being judgemental of the song writing craft. I look back on Beyond The Dancing for instance and even True Believer and go “oh geez, I could have said that so much better if I had have had a bit more experience,” but you have to realise that that’s when you’re in your 20s and that’s the way you see the world right now and they were the moments. And I hope that people that listen to some of these tracks too get taken to some moments in their life that they associate with a song.”

Many of the moments that stand out as most special from the creation of these songs are the collaborations.

Known as much for open heart and lack of ego as his incredible talent, Troy has always found eager collaborators amongst his peers and his heroes.

“I heard The Biggest Disappointment on the radio recently and I actually had to pinch myself that it was me singing with Slim. It took me back to the studio where Slim walked in and sang the song in one take. Then we spent three hours sitting around having a cup of tea before his hire car came and got him. I look at those things and think “wow, they were really defining moments in my career for me,” and moulded me as a person… same with Jimmy Barnes when we did Bird On A Wire.

“Getting to know someone like Jim has been a fantastic experience - it’s another world to country music, what he lives in and where he works and so that was amazing, but I looked at the co-writing too and I see Don Walker’s name in there as well. I remember the afternoon that we wrote the song that HQ454 song that they ended up recording with Cold Chisel. Now that’s a dream come true for me as a Grafton boy, to write a song with another Grafton boy with an iconic band like Chisel.”

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years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

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MOMENTS AND MEMORIES

“I JUST WANT TO BE ABLE TO HELP PEOPLE THROUGH IF THEY ARE ASKING FOR ADVICE AND IT’S AN IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY. I LOVE TO MIX IT WITH THE YOUNGER GENERATION AND SHOOT THE BREEZE WITH THEM AS WELL ABOUT WHAT THEY’RE DOING AND WHERE THEY’RE GOING AND WHAT THEY’RE TRYING OUT, WHAT THEY’RE WRITING ABOUT.”

Of course, as Troy has ascended to the peak of what any singer-songwriter – country or otherwise – could hope to achieve in Australia, he’s not just gotten to work with many of his heroes. He’s become a hero and role model for a whole subsequent generation of aspiring musicians.

“Yeah, I take that pretty seriously. Because people do have an expectation of who they look up to and I’m very happy to say that most of the people that I’ve met that I’ve absolutely idolised, have ended up being really good people. I just want to be able to help people through if they are asking for advice and it’s an important role to play.

I love to mix it with the younger generation and shoot the breeze with them as well about what they’re doing and where they’re going and what they’re trying out, what they’re writing about.”

While the Greatest Hits album is a retrospective and a summation of Troy’s musical journey so far (with two new songs bringing the story up to the present day), it definitely shouldn’t be mistaken for a full stop. Rather, it’s a comma, a marking of a milestone and a well-earned victory lap, as Troy takes some time to experiment, explore some paths off the beaten track as he contemplates the next steps in his career, with none of his drive diminished.

“Even at 49 I still do feel like I have something to offer musically. I really would like to go back to America as a singer-songwriter and open up for some other people because to me, it really is another world and it’s somewhere else to share what you do. The more I do it, the more I get hungry to go and try some different stuff. It’s an open canvas after this because I’ve done enough of looking back and it’ll be time to look forward to what comes up next.”

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A LEAGUE OF HIS OWN

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years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

BY JON WOLFE

WHEN THE LEGENDARY COUNTRY MUSIC STAR CHARLEY PRIDE HITS AUSTRALIAN SHORES IN LATE MARCH NEXT YEAR FOR WHAT SEEMS LIKE HIS UMPTEENTH TOUR HERE, HE WILL HAVE JUST TURNED 85.

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ut the years have not dulled his desire to sing in front of a crowd.

And don’t ever mention the idea of retiring to him!

“What kind of a word is that?” Charley said from the driver’s seat of his car in Nashville when I spoke to him last month.

“You have to look at me like Bob Hope and George Burns and Gracie Allen!”

In addition, and even at his age, he’s not all that comfortable with being called a ‘living legend’.

“I didn’t like that either you know, when they say ‘legend’ it kind of means that you’re done and gone,” Charley said.

Over nearly six decades Charley has deserved the title and he humbly said it has been wonderful.

However, as most fans know, he never really aimed to make a career as a singer – he wanted to be a big league baseball player.

“People say ‘What would you have done if you didn’t have the voice to sing?’ Charley said. “I’ve been thinking about it and I remember John Wayne was a prop man in the movies in Hollywood and ended up in front of the cameras, so I tell people it was the same for me – I just feel blessed that I had the voice to do it.”

Charley’s career has earned him a multitude of credits that include over 41 #1 hits internationally, platinum and gold recordings, induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame (2000), induction into the Grand Ole Opry and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1999.

Charley was hailed as country music’s first black superstar but it is a title he has really never laid much store in.

“A lot of reporters would ask ‘How does it feel to be the first Negro country singer?’ or ‘How does it feel to be the first black country singer?’ or ‘How does it feel to be the first Afro-American country singer?’ and I would say ‘I feel the same way when I was coloured! I don’t feel no different’ and that’s the way I answered. I’m a staunch American, that’s what I am.

“I understand why they asked – it’s a cultural thing – but I never had one iota of hoot calls from an audience in all my career, but some don’t believe it. So when I get that look I start naming my achievements - three Grammys, a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame between Gladys

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Knight and Leonard Bernstein, all of that.

“I was picked because I was a country singer – I just happened to have a permanent tan!”

One wonders if he has ever been overwhelmed by his success.

“No,” he said. “I try not to think about, you know, how awesome it is - people say that – but I think of it as like I was growing up in Sledge, Mississippi, doing what I had to do until I could do better.

“I don’t let it go to my head, I’m just a guy. That’s the way I feel and since I’ve been doing it all my life, it just comes naturally.”

Charley has a huge following in Australia.

“I just came down there and made fans, just like I did in Norway, Holland, Sweden,” he said, “and the best way I can explain it is that I sell lyrics, feelings and emotions, and I try to put those three things in one place and sell it to my fans and they make me feel the way I feel and they feel the way they feel – it’s a good combination.

“I don’t try to be nothin’ that I’m not. I love what I do and it seems to work.

Charley said he is often asked which song he likes to sing the most.

“People ask me that and I say the song I like singing the most is the one I’m singing at the moment!

“Kiss An Angel Good Morning was one of the biggest hits I had and I love singin’ it but if I’m singin’ another song that wasn’t nearly as big, I want to

put just as good a feelin’ into that as in any big hit I ever had.”

Charley is acknowledged as one of the finest interpreter of songs and his career is testament to the way he makes someone else’s song come to life as if it was drawn from his own experiences. So why hasn’t he written songs himself?

“I’ve wrote about one-and-a-half songs,” he said. “I never was a writer but first of all I was probably too lazy and the basic thing about writin’ songs is you have to say what you want to say in the least amount of words and I tell people I’m long winded.

“I wrote one on my Christmas album.

When I found out that there was no Santa Claus, it really hurt me, but my mother tried to make it easier on me and said ‘When you go to bed, go to sleep, ’cause if Santa Claus comes and sees your eyes open, he’ll put ashes in your eyes’.

“That was before I grew up of course, but I didn’t really believe it, but what I did was write a little song called Santa And The Kids.

Now, I’ve got to hold the story here – I’m sure it’s not every day that Charley Pride sings one-on-one to a journalist thousands of miles away while being interviewed – but he did for me!

“Christmas time is here again/Like every year before/You hear Santa on the roof/ He don’t come through the door/He’ll come down through the chimney/With cheeks all rosy red/It’s time for little boys and girls to be tucked in their bed/ Don’t look for Santa Claus my mother used to say/’Cause if he sees you peekin’ he’ll just go away/Listen to your mama and every word they say/They will never lead you wrong in any kind of way/ Just close your eyes and go to sleep/With haste and no delay/And your present he will bring on this Christmas day* Now back to our interview!

“I’ve got another half one that I sold to a publishing company,’ Charley said, “but I don’t know where it is!”

The 2018 New Zealand and Australian tour kicks off on March 23, 2019 and as one of country music’s favourite performers he is sure to perform before large crowds, most of whom are glad music won out over baseball, but to Charley Pride being a part owner of the Texas Rangers major league baseball team is the next best thing! *Santa And The Kids (Charley Pride)

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BY DAVID DAWSON

“IF YOU AIN’T GOT NOTHING, YOU AIN’T GOT NOTHING TO LOSE LET LOOSE TONIGHT IF THE MONEY’S TIGHT.” GAMBLIN’ MAN MATT JOE GOW/ANDREW POLLACK

W

hen expatriate New Zealand singersongwriter Matt Joe Gow needs creative inspiration he draws upon his musical family.

Parents Paul and Maria enrolled him in classical piano lessons at the age of five before switching to guitar at 13 as they exposed him to music throughout the world in their diverse academic postings.

Septuagenarian pharmaceutical professor Paul still sings in New Zealand choirs and his late grandfather Jim inspired biblical ballad Georgia Rose on his second album Seven Years.

“Yes, my family has had a big influence on my music dating back to their vinyl records and exposure to diverse cultures in their overseas postings,” Gow, now 40, told Country Music Capital News.

“My father still gives me a critique on my songs and music.”

But another family member will direct a video clip for the title track of his third solo album Break, Rattle And Roll that he is now promoting on an Australasian tour that includes his birthplace Dunedin on the south island of New Zealand.

“My sister Catherine is filming the video for Break, Rattle And Roll,” Gow added.

“She also appears in it. The single is also being released.”

Gow produced his album with long time guitarist Andrew Pollock at the Aviary and Leafy Green studios in inner Melbourne suburb Abbotsford.

Guests include Kiewa Valley raised singer Gretta Ziller, Katya Harrop, bluegrass duo The Weeping Willows and Dead Livers pedal steel guitarist Brendan Mitchell who live in southern Melbourne suburb Highett.

Gow and his band filmed his album’s first video Ride On at Bakehouse studio in Abbotsford.

The song, like several others, stems from his train travels and observation of fellow travellers.

“There’s references to trains on my previous records, it’s hard not to use them,” Gow explained.

“I find there is so much inspired by trains and train stations, sitting on platforms in Europe, watching people.

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C O U N T RY M U S I C C A P I TA L N E W S N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 8

GAMBLING WITH GENETICS

You see people saying goodbye and seeing each other for the first time in years. I find the image easy to use as a metaphor.

There’s a lot about moving on the record, there’s a lot about the journey. It’s the most diverse music with Americana influences.”

Gow also filmed the Gamblin’ Man video in September at Bakehouse.

“Gamblin’ Man is a tongue in cheek homage with analogies like ‘if you ain’t got nothing you ain’t got nothing to lose,’” Gow revealed of a song that shared a lyric with a 1982 hit by Octogenarian Bobby Bare.

“It wasn’t just the band playing, there’s a little bit of a story to that. It’s about going out

years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

there and making the most of it.”

Gow emulates Bare’s fellow Octogenarian Willie Nelson and Luke Combs with frequent videos to market his narrative songs.

“Down the road we’ll look at videos for Old Hotel Room and Sun Will Set,” predicted Gow who exploits weather metaphors in the latter and wry word play in ruptured romance in the title track Break, Rattle And Roll.

years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

“I liked the rattle and roll on the record but I was not really capturing the heartbreak so I added that,” Gow said.

“I initially wrote the song as a duet with Freya Josephine Hollick in mind as partner. There was a reference to Gram Parsons and Grievous Angel. I’m a music fan, I like putting my influences across.”

Those influences have a long incubation and emerged on previous EPs released in Canada and England.

“I left home straight after university after studying

philosophy,” Gow recalled.

“My grandfather was from China. I travelled through Asia and China, Europe then back to Canada where I also lived as a child in Toronto. I went to Vancouver. It was where I developed my love for Americana and alt country.”

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C O U N T RY M U S I C C A P I TA L N E W S N OV E M B E R 2 0 1 8

23

BY LACHLAN BRYAN

T

he show was at The Metro Theatre in Sydney, and it was one of those rare occasions when a half hour set before the main act actually felt like it constituted ‘gig of a lifetime’ status.

Not only did I get to play to his crowd (undoubtedly women and men of great musical taste) but afterwards I got to watch from the back of the room as this great man, standing right where I’d stood moments before, addressed that same audience with all the authority and generosity of a kindly father figure.

That night he played for us a selection from his vast catalogue of poignant, insightful and often understated writing, his raspy voice accompanied by a small, tight band that knew exactly how to stay out of the way of a great song.

It was no surprise to me that the warmth of Hiatt’s recordings, some of which were already 25 years old before I ever got to hear them, was no less present in his live show.

Neither was I surprised to read, just a few days ago, that early reviewers of his brand new record The Eclipse Sessions were already touting it as amongst his best and most commercially successful works (namely 1986’s Bring The Family and 2000’s Crossing Muddy Waters).

“This record kind of just fell into place the same way as those other two,” Hiatt explains to me down the telephone line, just before release day.

“I didn’t really have any idea about how a new record should

24

ABOUT FIVE YEARS AGO I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO OPEN FOR AMERICAN SONG WRITING LEGEND JOHN HIATT. sound, or even if I was going to make one. But I had a few songs and we just started recording full performances.

It was kind of serendipitous – and once it was finished it sounded like it was all connected.”

As is often the case on John Hiatt records, the arrangements on The Eclipse Sessions are generally sparse, leading me to suggest that the songwriter is only really interested in including the instruments and parts that really need to be there.

“I’ve had varying degrees of success with that with different producers and different musicians,” says Hiatt, “but it’s kind of what I’m about.

“Most of my songs come out of a chord progression, then a melodic idea, followed by the first blush of a lyric.

It seems logical that they kind of get recorded in that way too – I don’t feel like they need much more than that.”

Of course, whenever a writer of Hiatt’s stature hints a little at his process, it seems appropriate to press a little further.

At 66, he seems to have embraced the aging process more than most – even tackling it directly in songs such as Over The Hill (off the new album), and Same Old Man from 2008’s album of the same name.

“I’m comfortable (with aging) and very comfortable with who I am now,” he says.

“In fact, I feel more kid-like. I took things a bit too serious at times when I was younger, but now in my spirit I feel more kid-like.”

When you speak to John Hiatt today, it’s hard to imagine him taking anything too seriously.

His manner, like his writing, is relaxed and almost mischievous – as though he’s fully aware that he’s reached a status and a point in his career (and perhaps his life) where he can do exactly as he pleases, whether it’s releasing a record every 18 months (as he has for most of

“I GOT MY FIRST GUITAR, DID LESSONS FOR ABOUT A MONTH THEN I GOT THE MEL BAY GUITAR CHORD BOOK. ONCE I HAD THAT I LEARNED THREE CHORDS, WROTE MY FIRST SONG AND QUIT THE LESSONS.” “I don’t know if I’d say it (songwriting) comes easy”, he says, “but it is certainly a habit.

“I got my first guitar, did lessons for about a month then I got the Mel Bay guitar chord book. Once I had that I learned three chords, wrote my first song and quit the lessons. And since then the process has always been the same - it’s all about just sitting down and playing the instrument.”

“Of course,” he continues, “you keep doing the tiny little bits of discipline that you know, but mostly it’s about getting a little idea and running with it. It feels like you’re trying to explain something you’ve just seen for the first time but you don’t have the language yet. By the end of it, when you’ve finally written the song, it’s like you’ve finally learned the language you needed.”

It should be noted that Hiatt followed this particular eloquent musing on the elusive writing process by asking “did I disappear up my own ass just then?” I assured him that he didn’t.

The old ‘fine wine’ metaphor is wheeled out far too often to describe veteran artists, but it’s hard to imagine anyone for whom the comparison is more apt than Hiatt.

C O U N T RY M U S I C C A P I TA L N E W S N OV E M B E R 2 0 1 8

the 21st century or taking a four year break (as he did after 2014’s Terms Of My Surrender).

“I’d love to come back to Australia soon,” he says, in response to the obvious question.

“I’m not sure in what capacity it will be – I’ve done a lot of solo acoustic shows in recent years, so I don’t know whether I’ll do that or come back with a band. I haven’t thought that far yet.”

I signed off from my conversation with John Hiatt feeling much the same as I had when I packed my guitar and left the Metro that night a few years back.

I was inspired, of course – but also sad it was over. As for the new record? Well, I don’t like to do reviews, but I must admit I’m in agreement with those that I’ve read so far.

It’s a fine collection of songs, complemented by simple arrangements and delivered by a singer-songwriter at the top of his game.

The Eclipse Sessions, Hiatt’s 23rd(!) album, is out now through New West Records.

years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

MASTER

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 N OV E M B E R 2 0 1 8

25

BY LACHLAN BRYAN

T

he boys, especially guitarist Julian Abrahams, appeared to have their tongues firmly planted in cheek as they sweated it out on the balcony of the Longyard Hotel in Tamworth, peppering their set with unlikely bluegrass versions of hit songs – most notably Seal’s Kiss From A Rose and Australian pub-rock anthem Run To Paradise.

Of course, there was a more serious side to the band, and that was evidenced by the songwriting across their first three records – from 2011’s selftitled debut to 2015’s major-label back White Lies And Melodies.

Whilst each record (along with a gruelling Australian and American touring schedule), showed growth in both the band’s creative output and popularity, there was a sense that the 2015 release took a lot out of the guys individually and as a group.

“With a major label behind you, there’s an extra level of pressure to make something that gets big numbers and mainstream attention,” explains Abrahams, acting as the band’s spokesman on the eve of the release of new album We Played With Fire.

“That can be a bit of a negative and crippling frame of mind to be in from an artistic point of view. Sometimes it can make you focus on the numbers

26

C O U N T RY M U S I C C A P I TA L N E W S N OV E M B E R 2 0 1 8

IT SEEMS LIKE JUST A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO THAT MUSTERED COURAGE, A RAGGED COLLECTION OF BLUEGRASS-OBSESSED LARRIKINS, BURST OUT OF MELBOURNE FUELLED

BY YOUTHFUL ENTHUSIASM AND ENVIABLE MUSICAL CHOPS. rather than the music. We really wanted to focus on the music this time around and make a record that we loved, and that we feel our supported would also enjoy.”

The new record sees the band back in independent territory, thanks to a little crowd-funding help from their legion of supporters.

“I took the producer role on this record for the first time since our self-titled release,” explains Abrahams. “We tracked beds for 10 songs in a couple of days at Rolling Stock Studios in Collingwood and then overdubbed at our various home studios in Melbourne, with a few guest cameos from Nashville with allstar Dobro player Josh Swift, and fiddle maestro Jim VanCleve.

The album was mixed by myself and Isaac Barter who worked closely with me on the whole mix and gave the whole album a fresh set of ears and talents.”

The result is a strikingly traditional sound from a band known for pushing bluegrass boundaries. Abrahams acknowledges this change in approach.

“We made a conscious decision to strip this album back to a more acoustic instrumentation and make it as honest as possible… our last album was layered up thick with every instrument under the sun, which we loved and enjoyed doing. It sounded huge, but we rarely play with a live drummer these days and our live sound is more stripped back bluegrass instrumentation. We wanted this album to reflect this.”

In between records, it seems Mustered Courage have found themselves adapting to a more adult existence.

Josh and Nick both had babies fairly recently,” says Abrahams, “and after a hectic few years of touring through the USA and Aus, we definitely needed a little bit of R & R if we were to keep our sanity and health. Keeping a band together as adults is hard - paying the rent is always a challenge and time management is harder than ever. We have families and part time jobs and we need to juggle all of these things in order to keep making and touring music. You have to be efficient with your use of band time and be super organised.”

Thankfully for country fans, Mustered Courage are indeed super-organised – enough to guarantee a return to the road in time for Tamworth.

“We can’t wait to return to TCMF19 after a couple years break. We always have a ball and love catching up with everyone. We’ve got three big shows planned at the Tamworth Hotel on January 23, 24 and 25 that will feature a string of special guests and cameo appearances.”

Tamworth looks forward to welcoming the boys back.

years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

MUSIC FOCUSSED 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 N OV E M B E R 2 0 1 8

27

BY REBECCA BELT

D

anny, who’s looking at the other side of 40, has been playing twice a week since he was 16, honing his craft. The hard work culminated in his ARIA Chart-topping debut album, From Where I Stand.

“The album certainly exceeded expectations when it went #1, and that has been a huge encouragement to continue the journey,” he said.

“I’ve always wanted to write and record but I never thought I was good enough to risk putting all my eggs in one basket at a young age - particularly when I looked around as a young fella and all the blokes were better than me, prettier... and broke.

Now in my early 40s I am better placed to give it a crack and to be a struggling artist,” Danny said with a laugh.

“Some of the songs wouldn’t exist without a bit of life experience.”

The original tracks on From Where I Stand came from the farmer and businessman’s life with his wife and six children on their sheep, cattle and cropping property in Walla Walla, near Albury.

“At the start of the album I was just hoping to get a single on CMC. I would have been rapt with that and it would encourage my kids to practice their piano,” he said.

He’s achieved that and |much more.

“If you were to tell me 18 months ago, the album was going to go to #1 and that I’d have three singles on CMC, I’d have laughed at you,” Danny said.

28

HE MAY HAVE HAD ONE OF THE LONGEST APPRENTICESHIPS IN MUSIC, BUT THAT’S WHAT’S MADE SINGER-SONGWRITER DANNY PHEGAN THE ARTIST HE IS TODAY.

“Now that I’ve achieved those things, you tend to want to rule a line under it and push the bar higher.”

Danny said, that while he took great pleasure in seeing smiles on the faces of crowds he entertained, he was equally content to be playing to himself around a campfire camped out with the horses somewhere.

Before embarking on the recording project, Danny wasn’t sure he could write a song. Life was so busy that he never felt he had the headspace to write in, but once he completed a few co-writing projects with Mike Carr, Rod Motbey and Matt Scullion, the words flowed.

“This is the first time I’ve had a real crack at trying to write songs, and just by trying, I’m becoming a better songwriter,” he said.

“These songs were written for the album, but some of the content has been in the back of my mind for years. Pressure makes diamonds, and that’s what happened here.”

“THIS IS THE While he’s working on his property near Albury or simply experiencing life FIRST TIME with his family, Danny said he now saw a song in a lot of things.

I’VE HAD A “I’ve purposely dropped off a lot REAL CRACK of pressures because I’ve lost a few mates, so I know life is short and I want AT TRYING TO to tick some boxes in life before I get WRITE SONGS, closer to the holding pen,” he said.

His latest single, What A Life, is about appreciating living on the land.

AND JUST BY “We all know there are tough TRYING, I’M times that go with being on the land but this song celebrates the good BECOMING side of country life, and moments we are grateful for,” he said.

A BETTER The song had humble SONGWRITER,” beginnings with Danny jotting down lyrics on a Qantas napkin as HE SAID. he flew out of Weipa to Cairns with his band following a performance at the Weipa Rodeo. It was finished in Matt Scullion’s living room in Newcastle.

Another track that’s particularly close to the father of six is Little Man. “When I wrote that, I had one son and four daughters, and it could have been written for any of my children,” he said.

“We got affected pretty badly by the 2006 drought, but when we recovered from that I put in a new water line, hooked up to a town water system, buried silage and drought-proofed myself for a year, maybe two.

“Working on the property my children always wanted to come with me, but, as babies, they’d be asleep in the ute by the time I got to the first gate. I remember looking at Bill, when he was younger, and thinking how good it would be to sleep so soundly.”

C O U N T RY M U S I C C A P I TA L N E W S N OV E M B E R 2 0 1 8

“You’re lost in peaceful dreams mate, And be sure that you don’t hurry ‘em Take your time, For now, I’ll do the worrying” There’s much more to Danny than being a farmer, horseman, businessman, family man and a chart-topping country artist, he is also a passionate advocate for the Cancer Council and rode from Darwin to southern Tasmania, 5500km on horseback to raise more than half a million dollars.

This donation in 2003 led to a successful research program, resulting in new drugs to treat cancer, now in clinical trial.

The ride finished with a country music home coming concert led by Lee Kernaghan with Sara Storer, Martin Oakes, Melinda Schneider, Sovereign, Travis Sinclair, Kelly Hope and Southbound involved.

During the ride, he kept a diary which has been published in a hard-cover book, Trail Of Dreams, adding published author to his growing list of talents.

One of the many aspects of Danny’s music that draws audiences to him is that he has lived the songs he sings, and has shared experiences with the covers that he chooses to perform and record.

Danny is now looking to future recordings and said, although From Where I Stand represents him as a singer with a range of influences, his next album would probably have stronger alt-country leanings.

“We love performing the modern, upbeat stuff, but I really like the quirky alternate country that has solid lyrics,” he said.

years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

IT’S ONLY JUST BEGUN years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

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LIVE MUSIC SCENE

LIFT OUT

Please note all show venues & times are correct at time of printing. Capital News recommends you check with the venue prior to attending.

BRAD MARKS NOVEMBER 2 Dubbo RSL NSW 3 Tamworth Services Club NSW 16 Grafton District SC NSW DECEMBER 8 Crescent Head Country Club NSW 21 Port City BC, Port Macquarie NSW

BRENDAN SMOOTHER ADAM HARVEY

BECCY COLE

NOVEMBER 3 Murgon Music Muster Qld 9 Toowoomba City GC Qld 10 Kedron Wavell SC, Brisbane Qld 11 Dag Pub & Motel, D’Aguilar Qld 16 Halekulani BC, Budgewoi NSW 17 Lizottes, Newcastle NSW

With Sara Storer, Libby O’Donovan and Kelly Brouhaha NOVEMBER 9 Village Green, Mulgrave Vic 10 Mac’s Hotel, Melton Vic 16 Norwood Hotel SA 23 Club Sapphire, Merimbula NSW 24 The Oaks Hotel, Albion Park Rail NSW 25 Brass Monkey, Cronulla NSW 30 Highfields Tavern, Toowoomba Qld DECEMBER 1 Southport RSL Qld 2 Hamilton Hotel, Brisbane Qld 6 Lizottes Newcastle, Lambton NSW 7 Coffs Harbour Ex SC NSW 8 Casino RSM NSW 9 Maclean BC NSW JANUARY 219 25 West Tamworth LC NSW

ADAM TOMS NOVEMBER 10 Benalla Festival Vic

ANDREW SWIFT NOVEMBER 2-4 Ballina CMF NSW 9 Mingara Recreation Club, Central Coast NSW 10 Shoal Bay Country Club, Shoal Bay NSW 17 The King Island Club Tas 23 Wests New Lambton, Newcastle NSW 24 Wenty Leagues Club, Wentworthville NSW DECEMBER 7 Commercial Hotel, South Morang Vic 14 Granada Tavern, Hobart Tas 15 Saloon Bar, Launceston Tas 16 Bridge Hotel, Forth Tas

ANGELA EASSON NOVEMBER 10 Taps, Mooloolaba Qld DECEMBER 1&2 The Royal Hotel, Gympie Qld

years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

BEN RANSOM NOVEMBER 17 Tullamore BC NSW 24&25 Tathra Hotel NSW

BENNETT, BOWTELL & URQUHART NOVEMBER 17 The Spotted Mallard, Melbourne Vic

BILLY BRIDGE NOVEMBER 2-4 Ballina CMF NSW

NOVEMBER 03 Cherry Street – Street Stage, Ballina, NSW 04 Cherry Street Sports Club Stage, Ballina, NSW 09 Gollan Hotel Lismore, Lismore, NSW 18 Lismore Workers Club, Lismore, NSW

BRIAN LETTON

BRAD COX ***Guest of The McClymonts NOVEMBER 218 10 Dunedoo Tunes On The Turf NSW 23 Wee Waa BC NSW*** 24 Lightning Ridge BC NSW*** DECEMBER 218 7 York On Lilydale, Mt Evelyn Vic *** 8 West Gippsland Arts Centre, Warragul Vic ***

NOVEMBER 16 CWA Hall, Bundaberg Qld 17 Rockhampton Qld 18 Senior Citizens Club, Mackay Qld 24 Anglican Church Hall, Stanthorpe Qld 25 Tannymorel Hall Qld 26 Services Club, Evans Head NSW 27 Golf Club, Casino NSW December 6 Railway BC Goulburn NSW 7 Griffith Exies Club NSW 8 Young NSW 9 Commercial Club, Wagga Wagga NSW 17 County In the Village, Tamworth NSW

C O U N T RY M U S I C C A P I TA L N E W S N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 8

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LIVE MUSIC SCENE CATHERINE BRITT & THE COLD COLD HEARTS Guest Melody Moko NOVEMBER 3 Harmonie-German Club, Canberra ACT 9 Tumut River Brewing Co NSW 16 Commercial Club, Albury NSW 17 Club Mulwala, Mulwala NSW 22 Coomealla Club, Dareton Vic 23 Pretoria Hotel, Mannum SA 24 Trinity Sessions, Adelaide SA 30 Noojee Pub Vic DECEMBER 1 Bundy Hall, Bundalaguah Vic JANUARY 23 The Longyard Hotel, Tamworth NSW

GRAEME CONNORS NOVEMBER 9 Giant Dwarf Theatre, Redfern NSW

HAYLEY JENSEN NOVEMBER 10 Kick The Dust Up Festival, Goolabri, near Canberra NSW

14 Gympie RSL Qld 29 Kingscliff Beach Hotel NSW 31 Casino RSM NSW

JAMES STEWART KEENE

DALE HOOPER NOVEMBER 3 Johnny Cash CMF, Stanthorpe Showground Qld

DANA HASSALL NOVEMBER 18 Wenty Leagues Club, Sydney NSW

DELLA HARRIS NOVEMBER 3 Glenmaggie CMF Vic 4 Young & Jacksons, Melbourne Vic 8 The Publican, Mornington Vic

DIANNE LINDSAY NOVEMBER 25 Mona Vale RSL NSW

NOVEMBER 24 Brisbane River Cruises Qld

NOVEMBER 3 Sheba Dams, Nundle NSW

JUDAH KELLY

CHRISTIE LAMB NOVEMBER 3 Ourimbah RSL Club NSW 17 The Loaded Dog Tarago NSW 23 Young SC NSW 24 The Rock BNS, The Rock NSW DECEMBER 9 Lithgow Workers Club NSW 15 The Colonial Hotel, Werrington NSW

JOSH SETTERFIELD

JASMINE RAE HAYLEY MARSTEN NOVEMBER 1 The Green Owl, Brisbane Qld 17 The Milk Factory, Brisbane Qld 24 The Bearded Lady, Brisbane Qld 24 Mr Henderson, Brisbane Qld

NOVEMBER 10 Kick The Dust Up Festival, Canberra ACT 17 Burra CMF SA

2 Alexandra Hills Hotel Qld 3 The Shed Sunshine Coast Qld 9 City Golf Club Toowoomba Qld 10 Kedron Wavell Chermside Qld 11 Dag Pub Hotel D’aguilar Qld 16 Halekulani BC, Budgewoi NSW

HILLBILLY GOATS NOVEMBER 2 Stones Corner Hotel, Brisbane Qld 3 Cherry St Sports Club, Ballina NSW 4 Bearded Dragon, Mt Tamborine Qld 9 Airlie Beach Festival of Music Qld 15 The Leap Hotel, Mackay Qld 18 Beaches Resort, Rosslyn Bay, Yeppoon Qld 23 Toowoomba City GC Qld DECEMBER 1 Theebine Hotel Qld 7 Sth Grafton SC NSW 8 Lismore Workers Club NSW 9 Fisherman’s Wharf, Gold Coast Qld

NOVEMBER

17 Lizottes Newcastle NSW

JULIET OLIVER DECEMBER 14&16 Woodstock Wines, McLaren Flat SA 28 Royal Family Hotel, Port Elliot SA

JOHN WILLIAMSON NOVEMBER 9 Hornsby RSL Club NSW 10 Anita’s Theatre, Thirroul NSW 15 Townsville Civic Theatre Qld 16 Brothers LC, Manunda, Cairns Qld 17 Darwin EC NT 24 Twin Towns, Tweed Heads NSW

KALESTI BUTLER NOVEMBER 4 Geebung BC Qld 25 The Irish Village, Emerald Qld DECEMBER 2 The Irish Village, Emerald Qld

Visiting Tamworth?

See Star Maker’s amazing journey at the Star Maker Café at Diggers, Kable Ave, Tamworth

1979 32

THE LEGEND CONTINUES

C O U N T RY M U S I C C A P I TA L N E W S N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 8

2018 years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

LIFT OUT

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

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

KIDDNKELLY GANG *Neil Young tribute NOVEMBER 3 Majestic Theatre Pomona Qld* 23 Tiger Eye Bar, Petrie Terrace, Brisbane Qld 30 Tiger Eye Bar, Petrie Terrace, Brisbane Qld

KORA NAUGHTON

KEITH URBAN W Julia Michaels JANUARY 219 23 Newcastle EC NSW 25&26 Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney NSW 27 GIO Stadium, Canberra ACT 31 Brisbane EC Qld FEBRUARY 2 Brisbane EC Qld 5 Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Vic

NOVEMBER 10 Kick the Dust UP, Sutton NSW 10 Tunes On The Turf Dunedoo SC NSW DECEMBER 8 Tourist Hotel, Queanbeyan NSW

KYLIE ADAMSCOLLIER NOVEMBER 17 Pittsworth Town Hall Qld December 16 Windsor Markets NSW

NOVEMBER 17 Liverpool Catholic Club, Prestons NSW 22 Riverwood Sports Club NSW DECEMBER 7 Lake Munmorah BC NSW

MURPHY’S PIGS

MELODY MOKO

21 Top Stage, Queen St Mall,

Guest of Catherine Britt NOVEMBER 3 Harmonie-German Club, Canberra ACT 16 Commercial Club, Albury NSW 17 Club Mulwala NSW 22 Coomealla Club,Dareton Vic 23 Pretoria Hotel, Mannum SA 24 Trinity Sessions, Adelaide SA 30 Noojee Pub Vic DECEMBER 1 Bundy Hall, Bundalaguah Vic JANUARY 23 The Longyard Hotel, Tamworth NSW

MERILYN STEELE

LINDSAY BUTLER & SHAZA LEIGH WITH THE BUTLER SHOWBAND

KEL-ANNE BRANDT

DECEMBER 1 Oakey Community Centre Qld 2 Stanthorpe Anglican Church Hall Qld 21 West Tamworth League Club NSW

NOVEMBER 9 Maryborough Sportsman’s Club Qld 10 St Marys Hall, Rockhampton Qld 11 Bororen Community Hall Qld

*w band NOVEMBER 2 Penshurst RSL Club NSW 3 Henry Kendall Retirement Village, Wyoming NSW 6 Merrylands BC NSW 18 Matraville RSL NSW 25 Oatley Hotel NSW DECEMBER 1 Carols in the Park, Mascot Memorial Park, Mascot NSW 2 Tom Mann Theatre, Surry Hills NSW 7 Bargo Sports Club NSW 21 Smithfield RSL Club NSW

NOVEMBER 18 Colmslie Hotel, Morningside, Brisbane Qld DECEMBER Brisbane Qld

MUSTERED COURAGE NOVEMBER 7 Creatures Next Door, Fremantle WA 8 Settlers Tavern, Margaret River WA 9 Blues At Bridgetown Festival WA JANUARY 2019 23 Tamworth Hotel NSW 24 Tamworth Hotel NSW 25 Capitol Theatre, Tamworth NSW 25 Tamworth Hotel NSW

MICHAELA JENKE NOVEMBER 11 Eudunda Show SA 25 Gilbert Valley Hotel, Saddleworth SA

PETER CAMPBELL DECEMBER 23 City Golf Club Toowoomba Qld

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years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

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

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

Address: ....................................................................... ....................................................................................... www.tsaonline.com.au

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»

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LIVE MUSIC SCENE RODNEY VINCENT NOVEMBER 6 Dubbo RSL Club NSW 23 Encounter Bay Football Club Rooms, Victor Harbour SA 24 Vine Inn Hotel, Nuriootpa SA

DECEMBER 09 SevenHill Hotel SA 15 The Rising Sun Hotel, Auburn SA

*with Taylor Henderson **with The McClymonts JANUARY 219 22 The Albert, Tamworth NSW 23 Tamworth Regional EC NSW

RANDY HOUSER (USA) DECEMBER 11 The Tivoli, Brisbane Qld 13 Oxford Art Factory, Sydney Qld 14 Corner Hotel, Melbourne Vic

REBECCA LEE NYE NOVEMBER 2-4 Ballina CMF NSW DECEMBER 2 Rising Sun Hotel, Rosewood Qld

7 York On Lilydale, Mt Evelyn Vic 8 West Gippsland AC, Warragul Vic

THE WEEPING WILLOWS

RORY PHILLIPS

RACHAEL FAHIM

DECEMBER

NOVEMBER 30 Cork and Fork Fest, Wagga Wagga NSW

NOVEMBER

SHOW PONY EXPRESS SAMANTHA BELLAMY & RAY PRATLEY

10 The Spotted Mallard, Brunswick

NOVEMBER 1 Taree Club Old Bar NSW 9 Moruya BC NSW 10 Tomakin S&BC NSW 16 Central Hotel, Lakes Entrance NSW 17 BIG4 Whiters Holiday Village, Lakes Entrance NSW 23 Greenwood Bar, Launceston Tas 25 Latrobe Markets Tas 30 Launceston House Party Tas DECEMBER 1 Launceston Workers Club Tas 2 Latrobe Markets Tas 5 Hillcrest Caravan Park, St Helens Tas 8 Hillcrest Caravan Park, St Helens Tas 11 Big 4 Caravan Park St Helens Tas 15 Straun Retreat Tourist Park Tas 28 White Beach Tourist Park Tas 31 Glenorchy RSL Club Tas

SOPHIE RAINBOW NOVEMBER 16 Tumut River Brewing Co NSW 18 Cuppitt’s Winery, Ulladulla NSW 23 Handle Bar, Bendigo Vic 24 Open Studio, Melbourne Vic

SPECIAL OFFER

2 The Wesley Anne, Northcote Vic 3 Major Tom’s, Kyneton Vic Vic DECEMBER 9 The Spotted Mallard, Brunswick Vic

TAYLOR PFEIFFER *Guest of The McClymonts NOVEMBER 9 Hahndorf Old Mill SA*

THE APOSTLE STRING BAND TOUR NOVEMBER 1 Enrec Studio, Tamworth NSW 2 Chicken in the Window, Murrurrundi NSW 5 Witches Garden Mitta Mitta, Vic 8 George Kerferd Hotel, Beechworth Vic 15 Limestone Coast Pantry, Mt Gambier SA 16-18 Bluegrass & Roots MF, Wirrina Cove SA

THE MCCLYMONTS NOVEMBER 2 Alexandra Hills Hotel Qld 3 Aussie World, The Shed, Sunshine Coast Qld 9 Old Mill Hotel, Hahndorf SA 23 Wee Waa BC NSW 24 Lightning Ridge BC NSW

TROY CASSAR-DALEY NOVEMBER 19 Western Trucks Show & Shine, Glenvale, Toowoomba Qld JANUARY 2019 24 Tamworth Regional Entertainment Conference Centre MARCH 2019 2 Silverton Sunsets Music Festival NSW

MADCDS

Subscribe for 2 years and save $22 and receive the brand new CD from TSM winner BRAD COX Stay up-to-date with all the latest news, reviews, live music scene, new talent, coming events, bush balladeers, writing great songs, down memory lane.

SUBSCRIBE ONLINE www.capitalnews.com.au OR PHONE: 02 6767 5555 or E: info@capitalnews.com.au 34

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years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

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

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C O U N T RY M U S I C C A P I TA L N E W S N O OV VEMBER 2018

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

O N E T O WAT C H

T

he album, which is scheduled for release in early 2019, was inspired by the last three years of Tammy’s life, which she said took her to some very dark places, then back out into the light.

“I tend to see songwriting as a kind of therapy – my songs seem to capture what makes me sad, but also what makes me extremely happy – and there has been plenty of inspiration over the last few years,” Tammy said.

“I’ve tried to create an album that will reflect what I’ve lived – how I fell down but also how I got up and brought myself to a really good place. By poking fun at some of what happened, and reflecting a bit more seriously on other aspects, I can look back and understand it all a lot better.

Tammy came to the attention of many country fans in January this year, when she was a grand finalist in the Toyota Star Maker competition. Her pure, ethereal voice and wonderfully crafted songs made both the judges and the audience sit up and pay attention.

Tammy says her Star Maker experience was a real highlight of her career, for a number of reasons.

“Just to be up there on that stage, with an incredible band that brought my songs to life, and to have such a large, enthusiastic audience was really special,” she said.

“Star Maker also gave me some great contacts and opportunities that I’d never have had otherwise – including getting to perform at the Birdsville Races this year.”

Prior to Star Maker, Tammy had recorded and released her debut album, Fall In Time, which featured another batch of beautifully crafted songs. Her debut single, the beautiful Home Ground was released with an years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

TAMMY

MOXON

BY SUSAN JARVIS

IT’S WELL KNOWN THAT ART IS FORGED BY LIFE, AND THAT’S DEFINITELY BEEN THE CASE FOR TAMMY MOXON’S SECOND ALBUM, DRIVE ME SANE. accompanying video clip in 2016, and struck a chord with fans.

She says the songs on that album had been gathered over a lengthy period, whereas writing for Drive Me Sane was a much more intense experience, capturing a particular period in her life.

They include the title track and, Drives Me So Sane, written as a love song for her partner, Jason, which is due to be released as the first single this month.

The heartfelt Mama Is was penned as a Mother’s Day gift for her mum this year. She is planning to release it as a single to coincide with Mother’s Day 2019.

Other tracks to be included on the new album are Rocky Ride, Survive, Fantasy Drug, Dance With The Devil and –appropriately the last track – Start Anew. Even the titles capture the theme and direction of the album.

Tammy’s well equipped with recording knowledge, having completed a Bachelor’s degree in Audio Production at SAE Institute in

Byron Bay, where she not only learnt about the technical side of music, but found her voice after a long break by busking in the town square.

“It was a special time for me, but it wasn’t until I moved back to my home town of Townsville that I really considered music as a full-time career,” she said.

Tammy took out the Charters Towers Country Music Festival Talent Search in 2014, which enabled her to perform at The Grove at the 2015 Gympie Muster, and to be part of the Trans-Tasman Entertainer of the Year Quest on Norfolk Island, where she was named runner up and most promising artist.

She has supported Kevin Bennett and The Flood, Felicity Urquhart and The Bushwackers over the course of several Tamworth festivals.

Drive Me Sane was produced by Shane Nicholson, and Tammy is planning to launch it at the 2019 Tamworth Festival with a show at the South Tamworth Bowling Club on Tuesday, January 22.

She will also perform at a huge launch in Townsville in March, partly as a thank you to all those who’ve supported her in making the album, and partly as a joyful celebration of her home town success.

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37

HEAR+THERE CANCER SURVIVOR

HONOURS THE CHILDREN

QUEENSLAND’S KEELY JOHNSON, A CANCER SURVIVOR OF SIX YEARS, HAS RELEASED HER NEW SINGLE JEALOUS OF THE ANGELS HONOURING CHILDREN LOST TO CHILDHOOD CANCER.

K

eely had been heartbroken having lost many friends of childhood cancer during her own journey and after returning from a trip to Nashville she received news the cancer in her brain had spread.

She received two life-saving brain surgeries and thirty doses of radiation.

“The sadness the parents feel is indescribable so I thought this would be beautiful for them to remember their angels too,” Keely said.

“I wanted something special for all these

families across the world.”

A video for the song was shot at the privately owned The Old St Thomas Chapel in Narellan.

The families of Declan Hegarty, Cooper Christensen, Luke Spalding, Indie Rose Taurima, Charlee Ferrar, and Matilda Hardwick gave permission for the use of their angels in the video.

Having spent much of her young life helping others Keely started a charity in 2015 and has raised $900,000.

The Golden Octopus Foundation is a National Childhood Cancer Charity with an objective to implement childhood cancer nurses across Australia to help keep these families in their own homes. Keely’s mentor Lee Kernaghan is the foundation’s ambassador.

Keely’s debut album details will be announced shortly and $2 from every album sold will go to the foundation.

The Rhymer’s Roundup Graeme Johnson presents Australian Award Winning Bush Poets & Musos

Gregory North, The Rhymer from Ryde, Rhonda Tallnash, John Peel, Noel Bull & Special Guest: Pat Drummond At the NORTH TAMWORTH BOWLING CLUB SHOW DATES: FRI 18th – SUN 27th January 2019 POET’S BRUNCH: All shows 10.30 am – 12.30 pm TICKETS $10.00: AT THE DOOR (Meals available) (N.B. Not all artists all days)

DETAILS 38

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10 BIG DAYS!

www.therhymerfromryde.com years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

CELEBRATE 40 YEARS OF STAR MAKER PRESENTED BY TOYOTA

Wednesday, 23 January 2019 12noon – 3:30pm Doors open at 11:15am Tamworth Regional Entertainment & Conference Centre Hosted by Nick Erby

ADULT

Early Bird $40 (from Nov 1 $45)

ADULT PREMIUM EXPERIENCE $70 (includes meet & greet, gift pack)

CONCESSIONS Early Bird $38 (from Nov 1 $43)

SCHOOL STUDENT

Early Bird $13 (from Nov 1 $15) Groups 10+: Early Bird $36 (from Nov 1 $41)

GROUPS 10+ Early Bird $36 (from Nov 1 $41)

Book through Entertainment Venues | T: 02 6766 2028 | W: entertainmentvenues.com.au

REF SF8655

40 YEARS OF WINNERS 1979-2018: Grand Junction • Tommy Miller • Leanne Douglas • Lee Kernaghan • The Vic Lanyon Band • Great Divide • Jane Maddick • James Blundell • Jenine Vaughan • Craig Robertson • Keith Urban • Gina Jeffreys • Warren Derwent • Beccy Cole • Clint Beattie • Tanya Self • Darren Coggan • Lyn Bowtell • Kate Ballantyne • Brendon Walmsley • Grant Richardson • Kylie Sackley • Kieran Lancini • Todd Williams • Travis Collins • Samantha McClymont • Cat Southern • Kirsty Lee Akers • Talia Wittmann • Liam Brew • Luke Austen • Luke Dickens • Bob Corbett • Kaylee Bell • Jared Porter • Mickey Pye • Karin Page • Rachael Fahim • Brad Cox PLUS 2019 Toyota Star Maker Winner

years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

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

H+T OLD MAN’S WISDOM NEW ZEALAND EX-PAT, LIAM KENNEDY-CLARK, HAS RELEASED HIS LATEST SINGLE AND MUSIC VIDEO TAILS YOU SAY THE SAME.

I

t’s a story of a young man having troubles at home who receives advice to help save his marriage, from a wise old man in a bar.

“There’s nothing like travelling out west and chatting to the locals after a gig,” said Liam. “This one particular gig, I finished up a bit early and sat around at the bar getting to know a few of the guys, when I overheard a conversation happening beside me.

“The old bloke talking to the younger guy offered him a line …”I’m gonna flip this coin. If it lands heads, you tell your wife you love her, if it lands tails, you do the same.”

Taking poetic license, the song follows a bit of a journey from that night to when the young guy makes it home, and then onwards.

The song was produced by Simon Johnson of Hillbilly Hut, Liam orchestrated the brass and woodwind and Nashville’s Tim Crouch played the string section.

The music video, directed by Luke McDonagh, features a cameo from Allan Caswell and was filmed around Tamworth with the central part of the clip situated inside the great Tamworth Town Hall.

The multi-instrumentalist and gifted singer-songwriter has spent the past few years touring with Adam Harvey,

years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

IT’S A BOY Lee Kernaghan, The Bushwackers, James Blundell and others, as well as a lot of time in his home studio.

Music flows through his veins and with influences like Vince Gill, Merle Haggard, and Glenn Frey, there’s no hiding his old country soul. Throw that into the mix with his modern idols, Brad Paisley and Keith Urban, and you have the recipe for an authentic country sound.

A

mber Lawrence and Marty Newman have announced the safe delivery of a son, Ike Lawrence.

Ike was born on August 25 weighing 3.3kg and was 52cm long. He is named after his great great great grandfather Isaac Warren who was born in Eden in the 1880s and was an Australian fishing legend and friend of Henry Lawson.

Ike is already bringing great joy to the Lawrence and Newman families.

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TOYOTA STAR MAKER UPDATE

RACING FOR

RURAL AID

I HAD A GREAT TIME BACK IN THE NORTHERN TERRITORY WHERE I PERFORMED AT BOTH THE KATHERINE OUTBACK EXPERIENCE AND NOONMAH RODEO.

I

was away for almost two weeks, had fun at both gigs and spending time seeing everyone up there enjoying lots of good times and fishing.

When I got back I played at the Deni Ute Muster and nearly everyone was singing the words to my songs. It’s a great feeling seeing fans singing your songs.

42

Thanks to everyone who came to watch us play!!!

Last weekend was race day at Randwick with the team at TAB & Racing NSW. I performed the song I wrote for them called The Kosciusko to help promote the country race and raise funds for Rural Aid. The day at the races was mad fun.

I caught up with the Kozi Brew team from back home, and the whole atmosphere was good and the performance went well, singing in front of 35,000 people.

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Off to Nashville next week I have a few co-writes and meetings set up with some Nashville players which is great, looking forward to the whole experience, thanks to Chris Watson Travel and Toyota Star Maker.

Also working on the next single and music video that will drop mid-November, after the great response to Water On The Ground and the video, my team and I are keen to keep the ball rolling and release this next one very soon.

Other than all the above, I have had some down time back home in Jindy, which has been good seeing family and friends.

The band and I are all missing touring and we can’t wait to get back out on the road to the next set of shows this month and the big one at next year’s Tamworth Country Music Festival.

I am playing one show only at The Albert on Friday, January 25 from 4.30pm to 7.30pm.

Tickets are available from bradcoxofficial.com or at the bar at The Albert Hotel in Tamworth. Come and say g’day.

Hooroo Brad

years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY

ORGAN ISED BY

HAIR DESIGN & MAKE UP

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

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FESTIVALS

TCMF19

BACK WHERE IT

ALL STARTED WITH A LIST OF CREDENTIALS AS LONG AS THE DRIVE FROM CORRYONG TO TAMWORTH, IT SEEMS FITTING THAT COUNTRY MUSIC SUPERSTAR LEE KERNAGHAN BECOME THE OFFICIAL AMBASSADOR FOR THE 2019 TOYOTA COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL – TAMWORTH.

J

anuary marks thirtyseven years since Lee won Star Maker, the longest running and most prestigious country music competition in the country.

He is the recipient of 37 Golden Guitars, just one short of the King, Slim Dusty, whose tally reached 38 in 2005.

“I’m proud to be the 2019 Toyota Country Music Festival ambassador. It’s Australia’s largest music festival and the only place to be in January,” said Lee. Lee’s love of the festival dates back to the early ‘80s, when he began visiting Tamworth with his dad, Ray. “I loved everything about

it,” he said. “The big crowds, the long summer days filled with all the different styles of country music, not to mention the opportunity to see all the new talent bursting onto the scene.”

Little did Lee know that this epicentre of country music within Australia would become like a second home. Lee is recognised as having more chart hits in Australia than any other country music artist in the world with a staggering 34 #1 chart hit songs, and twice named Hit Maker of the Decade.

“I truly believe that Tamworth and the festival is an incubator for grass roots talent. So many of today’s top artists started their careers in Tamworth, busking on the street, or being discovered through Star Maker.

“I’d encourage all new and emerging artists to begin their journey in Tamworth.” The Toyota Country Music Festival, Tamworth has been a highlighted stop for Lee’s tour bus for many years. In 2017 he launched his tour, Boys From The Bush 25th Anniversary Tour on Australia day at the festival. The tour stopped in again in 2018 and will be returning in 2019.

Lee’s only full length show in Tamworth is on

Thursday, January 24 at TRECC. Tickets are on sale at tcmf.com.au now or phone 02 6766 2028.

“If you haven’t been before, it’s definitely one for the bucket list! With 700 artists performing at 2,800 shows across 120 different venues for 10 days in January, I know where I’ll be, and I can’t wait to see you there!”

TSA OFFERS NEW TALENT QUEST

R

egistrations open on November 1 for the Tamworth Songwriters Association’s inaugural TSA Talent Quest to be held at the Tamworth City Bowling Club.

Heats will be held daily from Monday, January 21 through to Thursday, January 24 with evening finals being held to select winners in youth, female and male sections.

Entrants will be required to sing two songs, and in keeping

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with the association’s “First The Song” motto, one must be their own composition and the over can be a cover version of a song of their choice or another original song. Entry is free, bookings are essential, spots are limited and there are no walk-ups. Contact Lydia Clare at tamworthsongwritersassociation@gmail.com for more information. years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

TCMF19

FESTIVALS

THE BEST SEAT IN TAMWORTH

AS A VIP! NOW YOU CAN EXPERIENCE SOME OF THE BEST ENTERTAINMENT THE TOYOTA COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL CAN OFFER, LIVE IN THE PARK, IN THE COMFORT OF THE COCA-COLA COUNTRY CLUB.

Y

ou can be part of an exclusive and strictly limited opportunity to soak up more than 100 artists performing in Toyota Park over the 10 days and under cover in the Coca-Cola Country Club.

Every night you will receive Coca-Cola beverages, snacks, and a guaranteed reserved seat.

Choose your individual nights or purchase the full 10 days and your Coca-Cola Country Club experience can be transferred among your friends on a nightly basis.

With the immortal words from Mayor Col Murray, “Let the music begin” the Toyota Country Music Festival Opening Concert on Friday, January 18 will feature performances from Australia’s best, including Jasmine Rae, John Stephan, Jayne Denham, Warren H Williams, surprise guests, emerging artists, the best of the buskers, the Toyota Star Maker winner Brad Cox, and some of the best bands around including Hurricane Fall and the highly entertaining Murphy’s Pigs.

Saturday 19th is a time for the youngsters and young at heart when the Tamworth Family Support Services present their Family Concert featuring Golden Guitar winners years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

Aleyce Simmonds and Amber Lawrence, plus a packed schedule of who’s who in country family entertainment.

Following in the footsteps of Keith Urban, Lee Kernaghan, Beccy Cole, James Blundell and many others, Sunday 20th marks the 40th staging of the Toyota Star Maker Grand Final which will launch the best emerging artist into the spotlight. The evening also features a gala performance by 2018 Toyota Star Maker winner, Brad Cox. Monday 21st is a must if you want to witness the fastest growing sub-genre of country music with Americana In The Park featuring established, award winning artists and the brightest stars on the horizon. Hosted

by Lachlan Bryan and featuring the talents

of Golden Guitar winner Kristy Cox, rising stars Megan Cooper, Rose Zita Falko, plus exciting new duo Montgomery Church and an international influence from Hannah Aldridge.

Coinciding with official Sister City visits from Gore (NZ) and Nashville (USA) Tuesday 22nd will see both these countries well represented on the International Showcase and joined by the Best of British country scene.

Wednesday, 23rd will see the very popular and massive Back To The Bush Spectacular that evening, featuring more than 40 Bush Balladeers, including Jeff Brown, Dean Perrett, Anne Kirkpatrick, Lindsay Butler, Dianne Lindsay, Brian Letton, David Kirkpatrick and Shaza Leigh.

If you like it loud, and you like it live then keep Thursday 24th clear for the Live & Loud Concert featuring some of the best, emerging and established modern country artists including Jasmine Rae, Melanie Dyer, Tori Darke, Jade Holland, Brooke Schubert, Bryce Sainty, Matt James and Juliet Oliver plus a few surprise guests.

Friday 25th Toyota presents Travis Collins and friends celebrating a new album his three recently received Golden Guitars and four CMC Awards.

Saturday 26th, the Australia Day Tamworth Proud Family Concert is the place to sit back and relax to some great entertainment from Tamworth’s best, hosted

by Jodie Crosby and including spectacular fireworks at 9pm.

The final event for Toyota Park on Sunday 27th is the 2019 Toyota Best Of The Buskers where the top 10 performances selected by the judges battle it out.

Choose your individual nights as a VIP at $15 per night or purchase the full 10 nights for only $100.

There is a strictly limited number available so book your spot now 02 67662028 or online at tcmf.com.au

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FESTIVALS

TCMF19

THE WOMEN BEHIND THE SONGS

Gina Jeffreys

Beccy Cole

Tania Kernaghan

FOUR OF AUSTRALIAN COUNTRY MUSIC’S BEST FEMALE ARTISTS GINA JEFFREYS, BECCY COLE, TANIA KERNAGHAN AND LYN BOWTELL WILL COME TOGETHER FOR A REUNION TO SHARE THE STORIES BEHIND THEIR SONGS.

T

he concert will be held on Tuesday, January 22, 2019 from 8:30pm at West Tamworth League Club and the women will share their personal stories about not only the songs but early days in their careers and some of the mischief they each got up to some 20 years ago.

On the eve of celebrating the pending marriage of Beccy Cole and Libby O’Donovan in Hahndorf SA all the girls signed a rough contract on a paper serviette confirming they’d get 46

together for a show at the Tamworth festival in 2019.

Ten times Golden Guitar winner Beccy Cole is the ultimate entertainer. The newly married Mrs O’Donovan is a working mum, comedienne, author, accomplished musician and songwriter who has more than a dozen #1 singles, three Gold certified albums and her current album is Lioness.

One of her best friends is Gina Jeffreys who hasn’t performed in Tamworth for 10 years. Gina has released seven career albums, won five Golden Guitars and will release her new album at the festival.

Tania Kernaghan, daughter of the legendary Ray Kernaghan and sister to Lee Kernaghan, has also released seven career albums with her latest release All Australian Girl. Tania has received four Golden Guitars and numerous Platinum and Gold certified albums.

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Lyn Bowtell

Lyn Bowtell won Star Maker in 1997 and together with Kate Ballantyne, who won the competition the following year, and grand finalist Karen O’Shea, the girls created the award winning trio Bella, an idea that came about by Star Maker producer Barry Harley.

Lyn went on to win six Golden Guitars and a MO Award and is busy with not only a solo career but as part of the award winning trio, Bennett Bowtell & Urquhart.

Lyn is the current director of the CMAA Academy.

Gina, Beccy and Lyn will be in Tamworth to also celebrate 40 years of Star Maker. Gina won in 1991, Beccy in 1993 and Lyn in 1997.

Add this special show to your favourites list. Tickets are available now through the club website wtlc.com.au and also through Entertainment Venues at tcmf.com.au

years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

WED THURS FRI SAT SUN TUES THURS FRI SAT SUN

DEC 05 DEC 06 DEC 07 DEC 08 DEC 09 DEC 11 DEC 13 DEC 14 DEC 15 DEC 16

Camooweal Mount Isa Julia Creek - Free Event Hughenden Townsville Nebo Middlemount Springsure - Free Event Bauhinia Monto

s on l y

t wo s h ow

Sunday 20th January 2019 - 8pm Sunday 27th January 2019 - 11am Matinee

CAPITOL THEATRE, TAMWORTH

02 6766 2028 | capitoltheatretamworth.com.au Capitol Theatre Tamworth | The Big Golden Guitar

www.melindaschneider.com 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 N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 8

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FESTIVALS

PHOTOS BY GREG SYLVIA

DENI UTE MUSTER

Gord Bamford

Troy Cassar-Daley

Amber Lawrence and Nick Cummins

Brad Cox

Kasey Chambers

PARTY ON THE PLAINS THE DENI UTE MUSTER CELEBRATED ITS 20TH BIRTHDAY WITH INTERNATIONAL SUPERSTAR CARRIE UNDERWOOD PERFORMING HER ONLY FULL AUSTRALIAN SHOW TO CLOSE THE ICONIC EVENT. 48

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T

he event attracted nearly 20,000 fans from across the country to the normally quiet

Riverina town.

Friday saw 2018 Toyota Star Maker Brad Cox, Pete Denahy,

Gomer & The Girl, The North Westers, and Iain Archibald perform on the day stage with Doug Bruce & The Tailgaters, Kirsty Lee Akers, Gord Bamford, Kasey Chambers, Troy CassarDaley, and Thirsty Merc light up the night stage. years of bringing you the music 1975â&#x20AC;&#x201C;2018

FESTIVALS

Carrie Underwood

The Pigs

Fanny Lumsden

Doug Bruce

Travis Collins

On Saturday the Deni Uke Muster, Ruby Saltbush, Ben Ransom, Jay Seeney, Paul Reid, Natalie Pearson performed on the day stage and bush poets, wild action, Amber Lawrence’s Kid’s Show, and Deni Showcase were on the day stage, both days.

The entrée to international superstar Carrie Underwood’s outstanding performance was Fanny Lumsden, The Pigs, Amber Lawrence, Busby Marou, and Travis Collins.

Everyone was catered for with big screens set up for AFL fans to watch the grand final. years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

Kirsty Lee Akers

Thirsty Merc

Both days provided plenty of action on the Sports Arena with Circlework and the Barrel Races sending up plumes of dust to roaring crowds while the slightly less dramatic Go to Wo, Show ‘n Shine and Best Ute competitions kept rev heads entertained across the weekend.

The muster introduced Speed Dating for the first time, and Nick “Honey Badger” Cummins dropped in on Friday

where he held court in the Iron Jack Bar and met many new ‘friends’.

The Deni Ute Muster holds two Guinness World Records - one for the most number of blue singlets worn at the one time, and the greatest number of utility vehicles gathered in the one place. This year’s Blue Singlet Count was an impressive 2,998 and organisers counted in excess of 7,000 utes around the ground.

The 2018 Deni Ute Muster was supported by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW. The 21st Deni Ute Muster will be held on October 4 and 5, 2019.

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FESTIVALS

ALL PHOTOS BY GREG SYLVIA

MILDURA

Steve Sparrow

Emma Jene

Aleyce Simmonds

Allan Caswell

Amber Joy Poulton

MILDURA Tom Curtain

Rob Breese 50

Jeff Brown

Kevin Sullivan

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Gina Timms

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

PHOTO: JOHN ARNOLD

Luke O’Shea, Tom Curtain, Angus Gill, Aleyce Simmonds and Emma Jene

John Krsulja

Kate Hindle

TOM CURTAIN

TAKES AWARDS QUADRELLA Dani Young

Taylor Pfeiffer

CMF Luke O’Shea

Glenn Jones years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

Evan Platschinda

TOM CURTAIN HAS TAKEN HOME FOUR MAJOR AWARDS AT THE 2018 SOUTHERN STARS – THE 22ND AUSTRALIAN INDEPENDENT COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS.

T

om won APRA AMCOS Australian Independent Album of the Year withTerritory Time, Country Music Capital News Male Vocalist of the Year with the title track of the album and APRA/AMCOS Australian Independent Single of the Year with Luke O’Shea with Never Never Land and he was also awarded with The Australian Independent Artist of the Year.

Dean Perrett picked up the Independent Bush Ballad of the Year with He Talks Of Going Back and Aleyce Simmonds again took out the Female Vocalist of the Year category with Only On My Terms.

Popular duo Carter & Carter, who have the most independent awards of any artists at the Southern Stars again, took out the Group/Duo section with Better Day. First time winners at the Southern Stars were Rising Star award winners Angus Gill in the Male section with Hands Are Clean, and Emma Jene in the Female category with A Girl Needs Her Daddy’s Love.

The awards are held annually as a highpoint to the Mildura Country Music Festival.

For further information, contact the awards co-ordinator on 0418 303 206.

Find the full awards details are on the Mildura Country Music Festival website at milduracountrymusic.com.au C O U N T RY M U S I C C A P I TA L N E W S N OV E M B E R 2 0 1 8

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

FESTIVALS PHOTO CHUCK WILLIAMS

PHOTO CHUCK WILLIAMS

JOSIE AWARDS

Peter Christie

Trace & Alan

JOSIE AWARD WINNERS SPRINGWOOD MUSICIAN PETER CHRISTIE AND GOLD COAST COUPLE ALAN & TRACE RECENTLY ATTENDED THE 2018 JOSIE MUSIC AWARDS HELD IN DOLLYWOOD, PIGEON FORGE, TENNESSEE.

T

he Josie Music Awards is an all genre music ceremony that began in 2015 created by mother and daughter Tinamarie and Josie Passantino. Thousands attend the event from around the globe including independent artists, songwriters, record labels, talent agencies, promotion companies, producers, engineers, management companies, press, music industry businesses and others.

Peter was awarded the Male Artist of the Year Award for Christian/Gospel Music and Alan & Trace received the award for Duo/Group of the Year for Traditional/ Classic Country.

Recognising independent artists from all music genres, Christie said it was an honour to receive a Josie.

The award follows the success of the song Two Ways To Sunday released early this year, which hit number 20 in the US Gospel charts. The track was co-written with former Blue Mountains musician Roger Corbett of The Bushwackers.

It’s Christie’s seventh

international music award.

This year he also won an Australian award in the Gospel category of the Songs Alive Australian Songwriting Competition for God Guitars And The Open Road, which also got to number 40 on the mainstream country music chart Country Tracks Australia.

Alan & Trace’s recording of Help Me Make It Through The Night went to #1 on the Country Songs Top 40 Chart in February followed up with The Josie Music Award has topped off a great year.

The couple perform regularly at The Green Frog Hollow Café & Restaurant, Yarabilba, Logan Village in Queensland performing their traditional country music.

Go to www.josiemusicawards.com for a full list of winners and look out for new music from both Peter and Alan & Trace real soon.

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years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

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FESTIVALS

TUNES ON THE TURF

Jess Holland

Brad Cox

TOP TALENT LINE-UP FOR

TUNES ON THE TURF

BY PENNY STEVENS

AN EXCITING LINE-UP OF TALENT HAS BEEN SIGNED UP FOR DUNEDOO’S ANNUAL MUSIC FESTIVAL, TUNES ON THE TURF, WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE FOR THE SIXTH SUCCESSIVE YEAR ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10.

B

ands and solo performers will entertain the crowd on a big stage overlooking Dunedoo’s picturesque golf course.

Headline act will be 2018 Toyota Star Maker Brad Cox with other top acts including popular five-piece rock band Legless Pedestrians, Jess Holland, Kora Naughton, Blake O’Connor, Two Up, and Australia’s latest

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country rock sensation The Redneck Gentlemen.

Star Maker Brad Cox hails from Jindabyne in the Snowy Mountains and spends most of the year on the road touring with his band. His self-titled debut album was released shortly after winning Star Maker as a part

C O U N T RY M U S I C C A P I TA L N E W S N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 8

of his prize. Brad’s connection with the Dunedoo district stems from a meeting with Tunes on the Turf organiser Rob Whackett when he was delivering hay for farmers affected by the devastating Sir Ivan bushfire last year.

Legless Pedestrians, one of the most popular bands on the pub rock circuit, comprises founder Anthony Gemmell (guitar/vocals), Degen Brown (vocals), Ian Davis (guitar), Tony Caton (bass) and Chris Leslie (drums). Although based in Dubbo, the band travels all over the state performing its take on rock from the ‘60s to the present day at clubs, pubs and special functions.

Tunes on the Turf is an event for the whole family with a range of food vans on the grounds and drinks available from Dunedoo Sports Club. Free camping is available and campers will be welcomed with entertainment on the Friday night.

The event will kick off at 12 noon and continue until midnight. Entry is $40 for adults, $15 for children aged 10 to 18, and free for children under 10, payable at the gate. Go to trybooking.com to purchase tickets online.

years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

ONLY AVAILABLE AT KFC TAMWORTH Cnr Bridge & Church Sts, TAMWORTH, 2340

EXP 1/02/2019. Available only at KFC TAMWORTH. See terms and conditions below.

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SOUNDADVICE REAL GOOD TIME JUDAH KELLY UNIVERSAL MUSIC Judah Kelly has had a lot more input into this second album than his first rushed release, which was in the shops just a week after he won The Voice in 2017. That’s enabled him to hone his abundant talents as a stellar interpreter of songs, as shown on tracks like Ian Moss’s classic Tucker ’s Daughter, Brian Eno’s I Come Running and Kevin Bennett’s wonderful House On The Hill and 2 Million Miles. But one of the standout tracks on this album is a Judah Kelly original, Nothing Makes Sense, which he wrote with regular collaborator PJ Wolf (aka Thief). Matt Fell’s done a stunning job on the production, crafting tracks superbly around Judah’s big, resonant voice. The songs are a good balance of up-tempo party tunes and more reflective ballads. Other highlights include the sensual Call It A Night and I Can’t Think. This album confirms Judah Kelly’s place in the country music industry, and shows that not only King Judah he here to stay, but that he’s shining brighter than ever.

UNIVERSAL MUSIC 6774535 SUSAN JARVIS

SHADOWS ON THE WALL

SWAMP STOMPERS

BLUES FROM THE IRENE BUILDING

INDEPENDENT

ANDY BAYLOR

If this isn’t love at first listen, it’s close to it. The music itself is one of the real heroes in this five-track release, the edgy guitar rifts are mesmerising and paired with catchy but thought provoking lyrics, Swamp Stompers have truly delivered a musical gift with this one. It has elements of blues and rock and oozes cool. The first track Wishing I had you is a real winner, and sets the tone for what you’re about to experience in this EP. Think dancing, think head bopping and think singing along as though you’ve known these songs for your entire life. There’s similarities between Swamp Stompers and many world class acts that have come before them. The title track, Shadows On The Wall is a great example and is musically reminiscent of something Maroon Five would produce. This EP from these three Aussie guys – Corey Legge (guitar & vocals), Luke Ligtenberg (bass, didgeridoo & vocals) and Oli Morley-Sattler (drums & vocals) – really was music to my ears and I highly recommend you do yourself a favour and listen to it yourself.

INDEPENDENT

Multi-instrumentalist Andy Baylor covered all roots genres in a 40 year career with bands including Dance Hall Racketeers and supports with artists diverse as Bob Dylan and Robert Plant. But here it’s just Baylor on guitar, violin and viola with drummer Sharkey Ramos and double bassist Peter Beulke.

They recorded a dozen Baylor originals at the Irene Building in inner Melbourne suburb Brunswick in 2012. Baylor showcases eclectic bluesy funk and swing roots on his 17th album - his first since Reel Of Joy in 2014. Instrumental entrée High Apartment Blues segues into swing propelled Some Love and ruptured romance requiem The Look In Your Eyes. The upbeat Warehouse Stomp, Good Rockin Guitar and Music Master Jump echo their titles and precede Restless Spirit Blues that explores Baylor’s life challenges including health issues.

The funky soul charged Blues Is Real segues into riff fuelled Money Talks, replete with a gospel message and sibling I Asked The Lord. They finish with plaintive I Love You, Want You and loping Hornpipin’.

INDEPENDENT HALEY SHERIDAN

andybaylor.com.au DAVID DAWSON

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CRY PRETTY

CARRIE UNDERWOOD

NO WONDER THE WORLD IS EXHAUSTED

CAPITOL

BEN LEECE

Seven-time Grammy winner Carrie Underwood proves why her sixth album topped Billboard’s all genre Top 200 chart on debut. The Oklahoma oriole injects credible passion into nine of 13 songs she co-wrote. Her album title track entrée is a salient signpost to soul baring that soars from loneliness in Low to guilty recidivist pleasure in Backsliding, joyous celebration in Southbound and comfort of family and religious saviours in Kingdom.

She explores sharing separation from a partner in Drinking Alone and fears of an absent lover over indulging in a hotel room in Spinning Bottles. Ironically success of the album’s first hit Love Wins accelerated when adapted by fans as a marriage equality anthem.

Equally ironic was reaction to The Bullet - penned by three peers - that was perceived as a timely post massacre gun control gem. Carrie, now 35, pays homage to sweet solace by mentors Hank, Haggard and Jones in Ghosts On The Stereo - vast contrast to genre hopping in bonus track finale The Champion with rapper Ludacris. Eclectic value.

INDEPENDENT

As you can expect in a debut album, we get to know Ben Leece a little better. It’s through these ten tracks that his song writing talents shine through and you can’t help but sit back and appreciate such a gift. He shares his life experiences; we gain an insight into his past, his triumphs and his tribulations. He lays it all there, bare for his listeners and it’s almost like you’re experiencing the highs and lows with him. Produced by the exceptional Shane Nicholson, the music in this release is a collection of sub genres from country rock to country blues.

It really is a well crafted album and you need to take the time to listen, appreciate and enjoy what’s been produced here and see the world through Ben’s eyes. Trust me, you won’t regret it. If this debut album is anything to go by, there’s plenty more to come from this Newcastle artist.

INDEPENDENT HALEY SHERIDAN

CAPITOL 6767335 DAVID DAWSON

years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

SOUND ADVICE - album reviews are the reviewers’ own opinions and do not necessarily reflect the view of Capital News or the publisher. Sound Advice will accept unsolicited albums for consideration, but cannot guarantee published reviews. Sound Advice does not review singles. Send 2 CDs together with biography or media release to Capital News, PO Box 555, Tamworth NSW 2340 and email a jpg of the cover to c.byrnes@tamworth.nsw.gov.au BUTCHERBIRD JOHN WILLIAMSON WARNER MUSIC AUSTRALIA John delivers what is certain to be his best album to date. There’s a smorgasbord of stories – a crazy song, a protest song and some reflections, underscored by his beautiful Numinbah Valley. He dedicated It Doesn’t Get Better Than This to wife Meg and his “mates in the garden” were at the heart of track one, The Valley of His Dreams. John speaks up for those affected by greedy cotton barons’ thieving water in the Darling basin with Pigs On The River and pays tribute to both the fallen with Looking For A Story and Buddy and Slim as a reminder of our country music trailblazers. John’s innate ability to paint pictures with words gets a real workout on the rollicking tune, Simpson Desert and he celebrates life with Lucky To Be Alive. The album title captures the simplicity of his favourite feathered bushland singer. It’s John’s 20th studio album and is a joyous, happy, funny, reflective, at times controversial offering for his dedicated legion of fans to savour. Enjoy!

WARNER 5419702417 ANNA ROSE

SMALL TOWN GIRLS

UNDER MY SKIN

COME SEE ABOUT ME

HIGHER GROUND

INDEPENDENT

SOCIAL FAMILY RECORDS

MOUNTAIN HOME

INDEPENDENT

Picture a Sunday drive through the country side on a warm sunny day, with fantastic country and bluegrass music playing in the background. This is how’d I’d describe the feeling upon listening to this album; it is instant warmth and happiness. It is incredibly easy to listen to and also easy to enjoy.

Written, recorded and produced in Australia, it’s really an album featuring a fantastic collection of stories about love, life, bush rangers and the good old days. It’s story telling at its finest. The use of multiple instruments throughout showcases the broader talents of this dynamic duo and each of the 13 tracks is a continuation of surprises to delight and excite you.

The passion that this duo share for their music really shines through in this release and it will leave you feeling satisfied and also excited about what’s yet to come from Dr Kym Watling and Geoff Bates.

Kirsty Lee Akers showcases her prolific song-writing on 11 songs on her self-produced fifth album in a career that began as a 14 year old street busker in Tamworth. She draws on her Hunter Valley roots from riveting entrée Skeletons to Facebook inspired finale That Ring Don’t Fit My Hand, both penned with Trey Bruce. She tore Change The World from her family back pages with Jace Everette and Chasing Ghosts and The First Time with fellow teenage busker Sinead Burgess. The rollicking album title track and vitriolic Heart Of Stone, both penned with expat Aussie Phil Barton and Bruce Wallace, find Kirsty in top gear. But the death of fellow Kurri Kurri High school student Hannah Rye of cancer at 15 triggered the evocative album pinnacle House Full Of Flowers (Hannah’s Song), written with Jerry Salley. The melancholic homage segues into romantic joy in It Was Always You - contrast to a partner’s deceit in Fallin’. Akers, just 30, proves maturity in her writing – a true talent that augurs longevity.

This is one for true bluegrass fans – and those who may be looking at giving it a listen. Released in the US to raise funds for IBMA Trust Fund which financially supports musicians suffering hard times, it is a good sampler of some of the best the genre has to offer.

You can’t go past Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver as somewhere to start and they have two tracks here, the appropriately titled All The Good Things We Could Do and We’ll Never Walk Alone.

There’s tracks from Sideline, the Lonesome River Band, Darin and Brooke Aldridge, The Grascals – an interesting version of Lennon/ McCartney’s Help – and the album finished with a combined cast of the Mountain Home Family on the title track. Love Canon, a new signing to the label, cover the Randy Newman classic You’ve Got A Friend In Me and overall this will suit long-time fans and newbies to the genre.

Thor is an Aussie multiinstrumentalist country, blues and roots singer-songwriter with a great voice that captures attention from the first note of this release, his second album. The album showcases Thor’s flat picking, expressive Dobro style and lyrics that go straight to the heart, with a lick or two of folk, bluegrass and settings that probably fit into contemporary country or Americana. Thor wrote eight of the nine offerings and shows that he can work his way around a lyric and a melody. Highlights are the title track, Horse To Water, Storm Is Breaking (A co-write with Jeff Palmer) and the heavily acoustic Dobro-laced Roll Down The Windows. And check out the rocky Jump Into The Pool – it shows the depths of his talents and is better than some who try to lay claim to country rock credentials. Thor is a new name to me, but I’ll be keeping an ear out for more from him in the future.

WATLING & BATES

INDEPENDENT HALEY SHERIDAN

KIRSTY LEE AKERS

VARIOUS ARTISTS

MOUNTAIN HOME MUSIC MH17182 www.mountainhomemusic.com JON WOLFE

THOR PHILLIPS

www.thorphillips.com JON WOLFE

SOCIAL FAMILY SFR0077 DAVID DAWSON

years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

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COUNTRYCHARTS ARIA TOP 20 AUSTRALIAN COUNTRY ALBUMS Week commencing 15 October 2018 TW

LW

TI

HP

TITLE

1 2 24 1 Graffiti U 2 NEW 1

2

3 3 7 1 4 7 13 1 5 5 127 1 6 12 10 2 7 6

566 1

8 4

1026 1

9 NEW 1 10 8

9

335 1

11 9 112 1 12 17 29 1 13 10 24 2 14 14 261 1 15 15 8 1 16 13 11 1 17 11 7 2 18 19 260 2 19 R/E 365 1 20 16 225 1

Real Good Time Butcherbird Milestones - 20 Years Ripcord From The Backcountry Great Hits: 18 Kids The Very Best of Slim Dusty Man Out Of Time The Story So Far His Favourite Collection Country Heart Campfire The Great Country Songbook Brave & The Broken The Nashville Tapes Lioness A Hell Of A Career!

Ultimate Hits Fuse

ARTIST

KEITH URBAN

CAP/EMI

JUDAH KELLY

UMA

JOHN WILLIAMSON

WAR

ADAM BRAND

ABC/UMA

KEITH URBAN

CAP/EMI

GRAEME CONNORS

ABC/UMA

KEITH URBAN

CAP/EMI

SLIM DUSTY

EMI

BRODERICK SMITH

BDL/UMA

KEITH URBAN

CAP/EMI

JOHN WILLIAMSON

WAR

THE WOLFE BROTHERS

ABC/UMA

KASEY CHAMBERS & THE FIRESIDE DISCIPLES

WAR

TROY CASSAR-DALEY & ADAM HARVEY

SME

TRAVIS COLLINS

ABC/UMA

ADAM HARVEY

SME

BECCY COLE

ABC/UMA

JOHN WILLIAMSON

WAR

LEE KERNAGHAN

ABC/UMA

KEITH URBAN

CAP/EMI

THE MUSIC NETWORK OFFICIAL AUSTRALIAN COUNTRY AIRPLAY TOP 20 Week commencing 18 October 2018 TW

LW

TI

HP

TITLE

ARTIST

LABEL

1 1 17 1 Day Drunk

MORGAN EVANS

2 2 18 2 Simple

FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE

BIG/UMA

3 4 26 3 Tequila

DAN + SHAY

WB/WMA

4 7 12 4 Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset

LUKE BRYAN

CAP/EMI

5 3 19 3 Hotel Key

OLD DOMINION

RCA/SME

6 6 13 6 I’d Rather Be A Highwayman

ADAM HARVEY

7 9 10 7 Party Down Under

ADAM BRAND

8 8 16 8 Life Changes

THOMAS RHETT

BIG/UMA

9 19 10 9 She Got The Best Of Me

LUKE COMBS

COL/SME

10 41 4 10 Love Wins

CARRIE UNDERWOOD

CAP/EMI

11 11 16 10 No Sad Song

THE WOLFE BROTHERS

12 13 7 12 What I Don’t Know

RACHAEL FAHIM

13 5 14 3 My Wave

KEITH URBAN FT. SHY CARTER

14 22 10 14 Drunk Girl

CHRIS JANSON

WB/WMA

15 21 21 15 Hangin’ On

CHRIS YOUNG

RCA/SME

16 12 8 12 Desperate Man

ERIC CHURCH

CAP/EMI

17 10 16 10 Get Along

KENNY CHESNEY

WB/WMA

18 16 26 4 Milestones

ADAM BRAND

ABC/UMA

19 14 12 13 Burning Man

DIERKS BENTLEY FT. BROTHERS OSBORNE

20 24 27 6 Neon Smoke

GORD BAMFORD

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WMA

SME ABC/UMA

ABC/UMA IND CAP/EMI

CAP/EMI ABC/UMA

years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

COUNTRY TRACKS Week Commencing 22 October 2018. This Chart Is Published By Country Music Services And Updated Weekly At Countrytrackschart.com.au.

POS LW

TI

HP

TRACK TITLE

ARTIST

1 4 5 1(1) When I’m Gone

THE LONG AND SHORT OF IT

2 1 4 1(1) Wouldn’t Change A Thing

TROY CASSAR-DALEY

3 2 6 1(1) Gypsy Girl

BRENDAN SMOOTHER

4 3 10 1(3) Honky Tonk Heroes

BRENDAN DUGAN

5 10 10 5(2) Waving At Trains

STEVE CHEERS

6 9 4 6(1) Set Sail

CASEY BARNES

7 5 6 3(1) Young Years

BEN RANSOM (FEAT. SHARON O’NEILL)

8 7 11 1(2) Lioness

BECCY COLE

9 31 3 9(1) Unclouded Day

CONNIE KIS ANDERSEN

10 12 11 4(2) Highways

SHELLY JONES BAND

11 6 4 6(1) Happy

TRAVIS COLLINS

12 0 1 12(1) Little Country Life

MELISSA ROBERTSON

13 8 7 2(1) Kissing A Girl Goodnight

DREW MCALISTER

14 21 12 1(1) Put On A Good Show

DESTINY

15 14 4 11(1) Love And Happiness For You

EVELYN BURY & JUSTIN STANDLEY

16 23 2 16(1) Hung Up On You

TROY KEMP & JAYNE DENHAM

17 16 3 14(1) Where The Pindan Meets The Ocean

TOM CURTAIN

18 26 30 1(7) Better Day

CARTER & CARTER

19 30 5 19(1) Backbone

MICHELLE WALKER

20 18 13 3(1) Girls, Beer, Utes & Rodeo

ALI S

CMC TOP 50 Week Commencing 20 October 2018. This chart is updated weekly at countrymusicchannel.com.au or tune into CMC. TW TITLE

ARTIST

1

SUGARLAND FTG. TAYLOR SWIFT BIG MACHINE

Babe

LABEL

TW TITLE

ARTIST

25 Break Up In The End

COLE SWINDELL

26 What I Don’t Know

RACHEL FAHIM

LABEL WARNER TOP DOG

2

I’d Rather Be A Highwayman ADAM HARVEY

SME

27 King Of The Sky

ANDREW SWIFT

SFR

3

Party Down Under

ADAM BRAND

ABC

28 Somebody’s Daughter

TENIELLE TOWNES

SME

4

No Sad Song

THE WOLFE BROTHERS

ABC

29 For A Moment

ABBIE FERRIS

SFR

5

Desperate Man

ERIC CHURCH

EMI

30 I Hate Love Songs

KELSEA BALLERINI BLACK RIVER/SME

6

Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset

LUKE BRYAN

EMI

31 If You Let It

BAYLOU

JIMMIE ALLEN STONEY CREEK/BMG

INDEPENDENT

7

Simple

FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE BIG MACHINE

32 Best Shot

8

Life Changes

THOMAS RHETT

33 Real Good Time

JUDAH KELLY

34 Drive Thru 35 This Is It

JADE HOLLAND INDEPENDENT SCOTTY MCCREERY

BMLG/UMA

UMA

MORGAN EVANS

WARNER

10 Drunk Girl

CHRIS JANSON

WARNER

11 Drunk Me

MITCHELL TENPENNY

SME

36 Good Girl

DUSTIN LYNCH BROKEN BOW/BMG

12 Lioness

BECCY COLE

ABC

37 Cinderella

KRISTY JAMES

SFR

SME

38 Late Night Girl

IMOGEN CLARK

LOST HIGHWAY

39 Born To Love You 40 Love Or Money

LANCO BENNETT, BOWTELL & URQUHART

9

Day Drunk

TRIPLE TIGERS/SME

13 Lose It

KANE BROWN

14 Get Down South

DAVISSON BROTHERS BAND SME

15 Hotel Key

OLD DOMINION

SME

16 She Got The Best Of Me

LUKE COMBS

SME

41 Burn Out

MIDLAND

BIG MACHINE

17 Happy

TRAVIS COLLINS

ABC

42 Secondhand Heart

MELODY MOKO

INDEPENDENT

18 The Valley Of His Dreams

JOHN WILLIAMSON

19 Love Wins

CARRIE UNDERWOOD

20 Burning Man

DIERKS BENTLEY F/BROTHERS OSBORNE

21 Kissing A Girl Goodnight

DREW MCALISTER

22 Wouldn’t Change A Thing

WARNER

SME CHECKED

43 Forever Won’t Be Long Enough HAYLEY JENSEN

SFR

44 Never In Love

MISSY LANCASTER

45 The One That Got Away

MICHAEL RAY

EMI

46 Camouflage

JESS MOSKALUKE

ABC

47 Eyes On You

CHASE RICE

TROY CASSAR-DALEY LIBERATION

48 House Full Of Flowers

KIRSTY LEE AKERS

SFR

23 You’re In It

GRANGER SMITH WHEELHOUSE/BMG

49 Dive Bar

GORD BAMFORD

ABC

24 One Life

GRAEME CONNORS

50 Shout The Land A Drink

THE HAY BALERS

SFR

years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

EMI

ABC

SME WARNER MDM/ABC

BROKEN BOW/BMG

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BUSH BALLADS

STRONG FIELD FOR GIDGEE COAL AWARDS

BY PETER COAD OAM WWW.BUSHBALLADEERS.COM.AU

BUSH BALLADS WILL RING OUT IN THE PITTSWORTH HALL ON NOVEMBER 17 AND 18 AS THE ANNUAL GIDGEE COAL BUSH BALLAD AWARDS AND CONCERT TAKE PLACE. CONGRATULATIONS TO SOUTHERN STARS WINNERS

Terry Bennetts

T

Bec Hance

he field is strong with Ernie Constance leading with four nominations, Terry Bennetts and Dean Perret with three a piece.

Male Vocal: Ernie Constance – Lead A Horse To Water, Dean Perrett – Drovin’ On, Reg Poole – Australia’s Fighting Son. Female Vocal: Bec Hance – Jelly Bean Man, Trudy Hintz – Saddle Up And Ride, Kylie Adams-Collier – On A Sandstone Ridge. Group or Duo Collaboration: Lindsay & Gail Hammond – Georgina, Band of Mates – Sons of Australia (Terry Bennetts, Evan Platschinda, Ginger Cox), Ged & Trudy Hintz – You’re Not A Fair Dinkum Aussie. Instrumental: Terry Bennetts – Bellbird Waltz, Lindsay Hammond – The Bushman’s Song, Terry Bennetts & Alisha Smith – Chicken Pickin’. Album: Dean Perrett – Earn Your Spurs, Ernie Constance – Lead A Horse To Water, Dale Duncan – What Country’s All About. Songwriter: Peter Simpson – Heart And Soul, Ernie Constance – Jack, Dean Perrett & Norma O’Hara Murphy – My Little Bay Mares Mother. New Talent: Vicki Walsh – Ballad Of The Weddin’ Mountain, Kylie Adams-Collier – On A Sandstone Ridge, Paula Hammond – Our Nan. Comedy: Michael Clare – That Mobile Phone, Bob Gregory – I’ve Been Married Mate, Ernie Constance – If It Ain’t Broke.

The awards will be presented as part of a concert weekend of artists, which include Dean Perrett, Jeff Brown, Ernie Constance, Amanda Faulkner, Alisha Smith, Gary Fogarty, Ray Essery, Michael Clare, Anthony Baxter, Keith & Caitlyn Jamieson, plus walk-ups.

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The Mildura Festival was a terrific success going by reports with emphasis on ‘The Year Of The Balladeer’ with many bush ballad artists contributing to the entertainment over the event.

Festival highlights include the presentation of the 2018 Southern Stars - The Australian Independent Country Music Awards. The 2018 winners: Country Music Single of the Year: Never Never Land - Tom Curtain & Luke O’Shea, Album of the Year: Territory Time -Tom Curtain, Bush Ballad of the Year: He Talks Of Going Back – Dean Perrett, Rising Star Male: Angus Gill - Hands Are Clean, Rising Star Female: Emma Jene – A Girl Needs Her Daddy’s Love, Male Vocalist of the Year: Tom Curtain - Territory Time, Female Vocalist of the Year: Aleyce Simmonds – Only On My Terms, Group/Duo of the Year: Carter & Carter – Better Day. Congratulations to the winners.

NEW ALBUM FOR MICHAEL CLARE Michael Clare has just released a new album Bushman By The Sea which features 12 original story songs and even a couple of humorous tunes in the mix. Michael is a quiet achiever and has a solid following for his storyteller style. Congratulations on the new album Michael.

DVD BALLADS OF AUSTRALIA This new DVD features an excellent selection of songs from 18 balladeers.

They include Johnny Greenwood, Dale Duncan, Dianne Lindsay, Ernie Constance, Ged And Trudy Hintz, John O’Dea, John Smith, Keith Jamieson, Caitlyn Jamieson and Alisha Smith, Lex K, Lorraine Pfitzner OAM, Michael Clare, Peter Coad OAM, Slim Newton, Band Of Mates (Terry Bennetts, Evan Platschinda & Ginger Cox), Tom Manning, Kylie Castle, The Coad Sisters, and Gus Helm. Some balladeers present their most popular song, while others are bringing a new song from their current or upcoming release. The overall presentation of Ballads Of Australia makes this DVD a great collection of traditional Australian country music and artists. years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

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

GOTTANI SISTERS

BY LORRAINE PFITZNER OAM

I RECENTLY HAD THE PLEASURE OF MEETING UP WITH PAULINE AND JENNY GOTTANI AND LEARNED MORE ABOUT THEIR MUSIC CAREER NOT ONLY HERE IN AUSTRALIA BUT IN THE USA.

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he sisters commenced their musical journey in North Queensland where they spent their early years attending country music festivals. In the late 1970s, they competed in many country music talent quests in particular the Charters Towers country music festival.

This led to support appearances with Slim Dusty, years of bringing you the music 1975–2018

Lee Conway, Redgum and Bullamakanka.

In 1981, the sisters represented Australia in the Seagram International Battle of the Bands in Nashville when they had the pleasure of meeting high profile American artists such as George Jones, Lee Greenwood and Buck Owens.

By Request was the girl’s first LP. It was the first studio album to be produced in Townsville.

In 1983 and 84 the girls were honoured to appear at the Gympie Muster which at that stage was organised by The Webb Brothers.

They were very proud to be working with Aussie greats as John Williamson and Eric Bogle.

Another busy and rewarding year for Pauline (guitar) and Jenny (guitar and banjo) was in 1985 when they were the support for Johnny Cash, Des O’Connor, and Gene Pitney at The Twin Towns RSL Club in Qld. At the Ipswich Country Music Awards that year they won the best Duo and Bluegrass sections.

The album Drops Of Water was released in 1986 on the Nev Nichols label Nichols & Dimes and received two Golden Guitar nominations.

They joined the Slim Dusty Show in 1988 for a part of his Celebration Tour and the opening of the Stockman’s Hall of Fame in Longreach Qld was one of the highlights.

In June 1988 they represented Australia at Fan Fair in Nashville when it was still being held at the Fair Grounds and were introduced on stage by the great George Jones in front of 25,000 country fans.

The popular back up group The Jordanaires sang with the girls on three songs as they shared the stage with Lyn Anderson. The Nashville Paper reviewed the girls as stand out artists on that show following thier standing ovation. They also made two guest appearances on Ernest Tubb’s Midnight Jamboree which goes to air over the famous Nashville radio station WSM and were introduced by Grandpa Jones before meeting up and chatting with Little Jimmy Dickens at this show.

The third album The Gottani Sisters was released in 1989. They returned to Nashville that same year to appear on TNN’s You Can Be A Star hosted by Jim Ed Brown and they took out second place in the grand final and were offered a tour with Jim but passed it up due to commitments they had in Australia.

Based in Sydney in 1990 and ‘91 and touring extensively around Australia during this period they recorded a single with Owen Blundell earning the trio a Golden Guitar nomination for Video of the Year and main act spot at the Gympie Muster.

A big move for the girls was made in 1992 when they moved to the USA performing their style of country/bluegrass music while living in Nashville, then Oklahoma followed by going to Branson, Missouri where they worked in the theatres there. At the Charley Pride Theatre they performed with Janie Fricke for three years, then toured around the US with her show.

Pauline and Jenny are back in Australia working the country music festivals and are planning to record and release a new album.

Currently they are getting the songs together.

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WRIT ING GRE AT SONGS

MANNERS, ETIQUETTE AND KEEPING IT FAIR

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

I HAVE WRITTEN A NUMBER OF COLUMNS RECENTLY THAT I THOUGHT WERE CONTENTIOUS AND, SURPRISINGLY, THE RESPONSE HAS BEEN VERY POSITIVE, WHICH HAS LURED ME INTO A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY.

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his column may sound to you like the musings of a grumpy old man … but I assure you that I think these issues are very important. These aren’t some international songwriting convention … they are my rules. You may not agree with them and you may feel free to argue with me but they have served me well for 40 years and I am convinced that they work.

WRITER CREDITS Never leave your co-writer’s name off any recordings of a song.

If you are performing a song live, you cannot be expected to say, “I wrote this with …” before every song (it gets boring) but don’t say “I wrote this song” if you had a co-writer.

This can be very hurtful to your co-writer, especially if he is at the gig.

Never make major changes to a song without consulting your co-writer. I once had a co-writer and a bridge added to a song and the first I heard about it was in a record review.

I still think the song worked better without a bridge. If your producer thinks a song needs changes, don’t do it and cut him in as a co-writer without consulting your original co-writer … it is ill mannered as well as dishonest.

The popular convention is that writer credits are shown in alphabetical order … if your name starts with “S” and your co-writer with “C” … does your ego really insist that your name has to go first? I co wrote an entire album with Doug Ashdown several years ago … he listed the credits as Ashdown / Caswell on song 1 and Caswell / Ashdown on song 2, and so on throughout the album … but that’s Doug … he’s old school.

If you are doing the credits for an album cover, make sure the writer credits are included,

otherwise it will look like you wrote all the songs yourself and you will appear mean spirited and credit hogging in the eyes of your co-writers.

CO WRITING ETIQUETTE There are a few things that I am convinced are important in developing a good co writing relationship: If you think you wrote most of a song keep it to yourself and never let it leave the writing room. Chances are that the next time you write your co-writer will write most of the next one. In a regular co writing partnership it usually evens up. If it doesn’t … don’t do it. If you count up the lines you wrote and try to get a bigger percentage, people will think you are a fool and will stop writing with you.

Any decisions regarding percentages are negotiable. I have often taken a smaller share when I thought it was warranted.

If you are not happy with anything that occurs in a songwriting partnership, either discuss it or quit but don’t let it fester.

WRITER’S NIGHTS AND SHOWCASES These nights are important in your development as a songwriter but I almost never go to them any more because of the lack of manners displayed by the participants. If you and your friends / disciples talk all through the other writer’s sets and then expect a respectful silence during your set, you will come over as a self absorbed little jerk. Trust me, your “twinkle twinkle little star” antics will not endear you to other writers or potential co writing partners.

BE HUMBLE Don’t bore us on Facebook with how great your songs are or ask us to vote for you in some meaningless competition. Put the effort into writing better songs and getting them cut.

Don’t be superior. If you want to write with someone, approach him or her with respect. Never treat your cowriter as your assistant even if you are writing for your album. Take the trouble to find out about your co-writer (his or her successes, style and reputation).

ALLAN CASWELL SONGWRITING SCHOOL For information about future workshops: 0419 218 988, allan@allancaswell.com

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COMINGEVENTS NOVEMBER 2018 2-4 Ballina CMF | Various venues | Ballina | NSW | T: 02 6686 9255 | W: ballinacountrymusic.com 8-11 Airlie Beach Festival of Music | Various venues | Contact: Gavin Butlin | T: 0411 477 908 | E: airliebeachfestivalofmusic@gmail.com | W: airliebeachfestivalofmusic.com.au 8-11 6th Kyabram RV CM Corral | Kyabram Showgrounds | Vic | T: 03 5853 2933 | E: ky47347@bigpond.net.au | W: kyrvcountry.com.au 10-11 1st The Great Huon Valley Festival | Times: Sat 11:30am to 10pm & Sun 10am to 6pm | Franklin Oval & Foreshore | 2 Hayes Road | Franklin | Tas | W: thegreathuonvalley.com.au | Tickets through Oztix 10 Tunes On The Turf | Dunedoo Sports Club | trybooking.com | Facebook.com/tunesontheturf | Artists: 2018 Toyota Star Maker Brad Cox, Redneck Gentlemen, Blake O’Connor, Legless Pedestrians, Jess Holland & 35%, Katie Jayne, Kora Naughton, Two Up 16-18 Burra CMF & TQ | Burra Showgrounds | SA | Camping, Food, Licensed Bar, Workshop, Bush Poetry | Contact: Secretary | M: 0428 922 614 | Artist applications contact Tracey’s mobile 0429 866 769 | E: burracmf@gmail.com | W: burracountrymusicfestival.com 17-18 Gidgee Coal Bush Ballad Awards | Pittsworth Showground and Bottletree Hall | Qld | Bush ballads, bush poets, walkups, food, damper | M: 0427 731 088 or 0427 578 264 20 Toyota Country Music Festival Launch | Sydney | NSW | tcmf.com.au 20 CMAA Country Music Awards of Australia aka Golden Guitar Finalists announcements | Sydney | NSW | country.com.au 20 Toyota Star Maker Top 10 Grand Finalists announcement | Sydney | NSW | starmaker.com.au 22-25 6th Temora CMF | NSW | Venues include Temora Bundawarrah Centre and Temora ExServices Memorial Club | Tickets on sale | Contact Roz Giles | M: 0408 597 307 | E: rozandcraig@bigpond.com | W: temoracmf.com 28 32nd ARIA Awards | Sydney | NSW | aria.com.au JANUARY 2019 11-17 Countdown to the 47th Toyota CMF Tamworth | NSW 12 Gwandalan CMF | NSW CANCELLED 18-27 47th Toyota CM Festival Tamworth | NSW | tcmf.com.au 26-27 Matamata Piako CM Awards | Overall Junior, Intermediate, Senior, Veteran & Songwriter categories will be eligible for the 2019 Entertainer of the Year

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