Country Music Capital News - June 2019 Volume 44 No 6 by Country Music Capital News

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JUNE 2019 VOL. 44 NO.6

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LEE KERNAGHAN TRAVELLING THE BACKROADS KASEY CHAMBERS INSPIRED BY AFRICA years of bringing you the music 1975â&#x20AC;&#x201C;2019

AMBER LAWRENCE BIG DREAM

THE WESTERN DISTRIBUTORS TRIUMPHANT RETURN C O U N T RY M U S I C C A P I TA L N E W S J U N E 2 0 1 9

KIX

THE HOTTEST COUNTRY

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FROM THE EDITOR

WHAT GOES AROUND HOW OFTEN DO YOU FEEL AS THOUGH YOU’RE ON A MERRY-GO-ROUND?

regularly do, but in this case I’m referring to the cyclic nature of the industry, an artist’s career, and annual festivals. It’s a constant consideration as to how to remain relevant, keep an image, change an image, and deliver the best festival, single, album, or show. Lee Kernaghan has done just that. He has been recording for 27 years, has 37 Golden Guitars, four ARIA Awards, 35 number one hits, been married to Robby for 20 years, is currently on a 45-day-tour…and there’s so much more. A great deal of Lee’s success is due to the

people he’s had travel this road with him including producer, Garth Porter, manager Steve White and the co-writers he’s put trust in through the years, as well as the new people who come into the fold. Susan Jarvis caught up with Lee for this month’s cover story to talk about his release, Backroad Nation, the latest of 15 studio albums. The inimitable ARIA Hall of Famer and Roll of Renown recipient Kasey Chambers shared some gems with Anna Rose, including her love of Africa and how a trip there influenced her ground-breaking album The Captain which has been rereleased 20 years later. Newly-wed Amber Lawrence told Haley Sheridan how her dreams have come true, with

most in the past three years, winning Golden Guitars, CMC Awards, given birth to a son, married, and released a new album. She is known as one of the hardest working, hands-on artists in the business. Runaway Dixie trio featuring sisters Virginia and Lynette Coad and Virginia’s husband Jim Hermel, have consistently delivered original compositions worthy of their finalist berths in the Golden Guitars. Garry Coxhead asked them how they’ve maintained their success. Jon Wolfe can’t get enough of The Western Distributors after becoming a fan with their original line-up, The Happening Thang. Jon caught up with them and found out what they’ve been up to for the past two decades. I trust you enjoy the stories that our contributors bring us each month and should you have any topic suggestions, please write or email and let me know. Cheryl Byrnes Cheryl@tamworthcountrymusic.com.au

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FEATURES

12 KASEY CHAMBERS 16 AMBER LAWRENCE 20 RUNAWAY DIXIE 22 VALE JEAN WILSON 24 THE WESTERN DISTRIBUTORS 26 TYING THE KNOT 41 APRA AWARDS 45 LEE KERNAGHAN

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 CONTRIBUTORS Allan Caswell, Anna Rose, Bec Belt, CMA, CMAA, David Dawson, Jon Wolfe, Haley Craig, Johnny Greenwood, Lorraine Pfitzner, Peter Coad, Susan Jarvis, and our great mates in publicity and record companies nationally and internationally. PHOTOGRAPHERS Andrew Pearson, Glen Hannah, Greg Sylvia, Bec Belt, Michelle Harkness and to our many suppliers and those credited throughout.

REGULARS NEWS NASHVILLE NEWS TSM UPDATE LIVE CM SCENE CMAA UPDATE THE SIDEMEN BEHIND THE MUSIC

TRC TEAM Karlee Cole, Eleanor Turnbull and Kyla Hill.

ONE TO WATCH – LINC PHELPS

ART AND DESIGN Sam Woods

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

UPCOMING DEADLINES: JULY 2019: 10 June 2019 AUGUST 2019: 10 July 2019

HEAR & THERE FESTIVALS SOUND ADVICE 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 2019 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 1975–2019

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NEWS

CAREER BOOSTING INITIATIVE

pplications are open to emerging songwriters and composers in the biennial APRA Professional Development Awards, which has helped further the musical success stories of Morgan Evans, Fanny Lumsden, and many others. The awards aim to create serious opportunities and in 2019, the prize pool offers nine individual winners $15,000 each to propel their career, plus Audio-Technica M50x Studio Headphones Limited Edition Red and an ‘Aon Wallet’ insurance package including Public Liability, Equipment and Personal Accident cover valued at $3,000 over three years. Applications close on Thursday, June 27. The Smugglers of Light initiative returns in 2019 with an award providing a promising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander music or media practitioner with a grant of $12,000. Applications close Friday, June 21. The APRA Professional Development Awards judging panel for 2019 includes Katie Wighton & Georgia Mooney (All Our Exes Live in Texas), Jenny Morris, Lior, Brooke McClymont, Dom Alessio (Sounds Australia), Jeremy Rose, Iain Grandage, Cat Hope, Caitlin Yeo, Jay Stewart, Leah Flanagan, Coco Eke (Bad Apples), Dan Zilber (Future Classic), and many others. For more information and to apply, visit apraamcos.com. au/awards/2019-awards/pda/

TROY PENS SONG FOR BARNSEY WHEN JIMMY BARNES WAS PUTTING TOGETHER SONGS FOR HIS NEW ALBUM, HIS FIRST IN ALMOST A DECADE, HE ASKED TROY CASSAR-DALEY IF HE HAD ANY TO SEND HIM.

roy said, “After reading Jimmy’s books, I had written a poem about Elizabeth, the South Australian town that Jimmy grew up in and as soon as I got Jimmy’s call, I turned it into a song overnight and sent it through the next day.” Shutting Down Our Town reflects on the closure of the Holden factory in Jimmy’s hometown of Elizabeth, SA. Jimmy said that Shutting Down Our Town is like a Working Class Man anthem but that song was written by an American and this one is like the real story.

My Criminal Record Jimmy’s seventeenth solo studio album with 13 pieces of burning, heartland rock & roll expected to resonate with anyone who has ever found themselves standing on the outside, looking in. The album was written by Jimmy, with significant assistance from his oldest sparring partner, Cold Chisel’s Don Walker, whose name appears on six of the tracks. Outstanding contributions also come from close friends Troy Cassar-Daley, Mark Lizotte (aka Diesel), and The Living End’s Chris Cheney.

MORGAN EVANS AUSTRALIAN TOUR

ashville-via-Newcastle singer-songwriter MORGAN EVANS has revealed the Australian dates on his upcoming World Tour – Sydney’s Enmore Theatre on Thursday and Friday, October 17 and 18, Perth’s Astor Theatre on Sunday, October 20, Adelaide’s The Gov on Monday, October 21, Melbourne’s Forum on Tuesday 22 October 22, Brisbane’s Eatons Hill Hotel on Saturday, October 26, and Toowoomba’s Empire Theatre on Sunday, October27 – his biggest home tour in his career. With the success of his debut album Things That We Drink To, Morgan continues to prove why he is one of Billboard’s 2018 Country Artists To Watch. Global smash Kiss Somebody hit #1 on the US Country Chart, reached Platinum status in Australia, and 66 million streams on Spotify alone and Day Drunk took over the Aussie charts, hitting #1 on The Music Network’s Hot 100 All-Genres Chart, staying atop The Music Network’s Country Airplay Chart for 25 weeks. Morgan has won two APRA awards for Country Work of the Year in 2018 and 2019. He’s scored five CMC Awards and America’s Country Music Association Award for a Global Artist of the Year. Morgan was in Australian last month to launch his new single Young Again.

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PHOTO: RANDY SHAFFER

PHOTO: CHRIS HOLLO/GRAND OLE OPRY

PHOTO: JOHN RUSSELL/CMA

NASHVILLE NEWS

MUSIC BIZ (L – R): Damon Whiteside (CMA Chief Marketing Officer), Danielle Bradbery, Cassadee Pope, Jim Donio, Kassi Ashton and Sarah Trahern

THE CMA HOSTED MUSIC INDUSTRY PARTNERS AND COLLEAGUES DURING THE MUSIC BUSINESS ASSOCIATION’S ANNUAL CONFERENCE – MUSIC BIZ 2019, LAST MONTH IN NASHVILLE.

MA sponsored the events, which included a welcome breakfast and Songwriters Series performance, at the JW Marriott in Nashville. Following opening remarks by CMA Chief Executive Officer Sarah Trahern, guests enjoyed a special CMA Songwriters Series showcasing rising country up-and-comers Kassi Ashton, Danielle Bradbery and Cassadee Pope. “We jumped at the opportunity to showcase these three talented artists,” said Sarah. “Each one is a talented writer, while also among the best and most unique

voices in country today. It’s exciting to support them as the next generation of superstars in our genre.” Following the inspiring songwriters round, Music Business Association President Jim Donio addressed the audience. Throughout the four-day Music Biz conference, attendees will enjoy industry panels, handson demos of new products and services, professional development seminars and more.

Chris Lane

INTRODUCING NASHVILLE

he Country Music Association’s international artist-focused touring series, Introducing Nashville, has announced dates for its upcoming tour from October 10 to 21. The tour will make stops throughout Europe and the UK with shows in Oslo, Stockholm, Hamburg, Berlin, Amsterdam, Manchester, Gateshead, Glasgow, Brighton and London. The line-up will introduce international fans to country artists Danielle Bradbery, Devin Dawson (Europe), Travis Denning, Chris Lane (UK) and Rachel Wammack. Go to IntroducingNashville.com for more information. So far in 2019, the tour has brought performances to fans in Amsterdam, Berlin, Auckland, New Zealand, Tokyo and multiple cities throughout Australia, featuring a variety of artists including Brandy Clark, Dawson, Lindsay Ell, Lauren Jenkins, Logan Mize and Tenille Townes. The unique format of the show has resonated with international audiences and allowed them to connect with artists in a new and personal way.

NASHVILLE MEETS LONDON

N Foreign Affairs duo – brothers Adam and Lawrence Purnell years of bringing you the music 1975–2019

ashville Meets London (NML), have announced more artists set to perform during this year’s music festival, to be held on Saturday, July 27 at Canary Wharf. Added to the line-up are singer-songwriter, actor bestknown for his pivotal role as Roderick Meeks on Glee, and

semi-finalist on season 13 of NBC’s America’s Got Talent, Noah Guthrie; country-rock duo Foreign Affairs from Bristol, comprising of brothers Adam and Lawrence Purnell; and BBR Music’s Twinnie, who has been recognised by Rolling Stone as a stand-out act. Headlining the festival is Lauren Alaina, and other previously announced performers include Sarah Darling and Robert Vincent, who took home the UK Americana Music Association’s award for “Album of the Year.” Nashville Meets London week is scheduled for July 24-27, 2019. C O U N T RY M U S I C C A P I TA L N E W S J U N E 2 0 1 9

TRAVELLING THE BACKROADS 12

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BY SUSAN JARVIS

IT’S SOMETHING LEE KERNAGHAN HAS ALWAYS KNOWN: THE STORIES THAT MATTER MOST IN AUSTRALIA COME NOT FROM THE BIG CITIES OR FAMOUS PEOPLE, BUT FROM THE SMALL TOWNS, OUTBACK STATIONS AND COUNTRY BATTLERS OF OUR LAND.

fter all, he’s been travelling the country for most of his life, playing music in Australia’s most far-flung areas, and meeting people from all walks of life – all with a story to tell. So when he came to write the songs for his new album, Backroad Nation, Lee knew exactly where to look for inspiration. “I’ve been collecting the ideas for this album for years,” he said. “Wherever I go, I meet people who want to share their lives and their experiences with me. And they all have amazing stories to tell. It’s a real privilege getting to meet them and learn about them,” Lee said. “For me, it’s always been the backroads of this country that lead to the most fascinating people and places. That’s where you find the real Australia, and it’s where you’re reminded of what matters most.” Backroad Nation has a fresh feel to it – an optimism and sense of hope that reminds you of Lee’s very first album, The Outback Club. “It really did take me back to that first album – it was recorded because Garth Porter believed in me, and it was made on the smell of an oily rag,” Lee said. “We were rejected by every record label we approached, until Meryl Gross – who’d just started at ABC Music – asked us to come back. The rest is history. The album has gone double platinum, its songs have become Australian classics, and Lee’s gone on to sell two million albums, win 37 Golden Guitars and four ARIA Awards (as well as an Outstanding Achievement ARIA Award in 2015), be named Australian of the Year and score 35 number one hits. It’s remarkable that after 27 years of recording, and a lifetime of touring – first as part of his family’s travelling show, then as part

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of his own stellar career – Lee can still view life, music and his country with the same enthusiasm and passion as he did back then. “If anything, I feel more strongly now about this country than ever, because I’ve been lucky enough to see and learn so much about it,” he said. “This album is very much where I come from. And my focus was definitely to do what I’ve always done: keep it real, and keep it Australian.” But Lee was also keen to press the refresh button for this album, after such a lengthy career. “These stories really mattered to me, and I wanted to go the extra mile,” he said. Lee and long-time producer Garth Porter decided that

“I FELT I NEEDED TO DIG DEEPER THAN EVER BEFORE, BECAUSE I REALLY WANTED THIS ALBUM TO RESONATE.” they’d head to Nashville for a very different songwriting and recording perspective. “We decided we’d approach two of the biggest Australian talents in Nashville, producer Lindsay Rimes and songwriter Phil Barton. Lindsay produced the album, with Garth as executive producer, and I wrote with a whole lot of writers, including both Lindsay and Phil,” Lee said. “I felt I needed to dig deeper than ever before, because I really wanted this album to resonate.” But in the songwriting process, Lee discovered something about himself. “A lot of songs were written in Nashville during that trip, but my music is so culturally connected to Australia that it always ended up being the songs I wrote with Phil and Lindsay that worked for me – and those were the ones we ended up using.” Of course, long-time collaborators like Colin Buchanan, Nick Wolfe and my wife Robby were also very involved in the songwriting process. The result is a dozen songs that are among the best

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“WHENEVER I’M OUT THERE, I FEEL THE WEIGHT OF THE WORLD COME OFF MY SHOULDERS.”

Lee’s ever brought to his fans. They’re powerful, authentic and uplifting, and capture everything from the sweeping, majestic scenery of the country to the small, personal moments of its people. The title track, Backroad Nation, ties the threads of the album together. It’s a celebration of the country, its people and Lee’s deep affection for his homeland.

Lee and Robby have recently filmed a wonderful video for the song, featuring a delightful couple who met at one of his shows, Les and Elle Regan. The other song that really captures the spirit of this album is The Trucks Came Through about the Burrumbuttock Hay Runners. The sense of community, of mates helping mates, and the impact of that assistance, is palpable. “I wrote this song after a phone call from [Australian War Memorial director and former politician] Brendan Nelson, who’d been driving

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along a country road when he saw a convoy of trucks. He immediately called me and told me I had to write a song about it,” Lee said. The road is something of a motif on this album, and this is nowhere more apparent than on the first single, the catchy, up-tempo Wheels, a celebration of freedom and of the vast open spaces of Australia. “When we were writing the songs for Electric Rodeo, we headed off on a road trip through Western Queensland. It remains one of the best trips of my life – travelling through little outback towns like Dirranbandi and Thargomindah, sleeping out under the stars in swags,” Lee said.

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“Whenever I’m out there, I feel the weight of the world come off my shoulders.” The video for Wheels was shot in Central Australia, on the Finke Road south of Alice Springs, and Lee’s wife Robby was roped in to star in it, which was a stroke of genius. As well as celebrating freedom and hope, the video captures the warm, close, fun-filled relationship between the pair.

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“What it doesn’t capture is how damn hot it was out there – most days when we were filming it was up around 46ºC. But we had a ball,” Lee said. Robby also joins Lee on the heartfelt love song Where I Wanna Be. She not only duets on it, but also co-wrote the song. The pair have been married for 20 years and are the parents of two teenage boys, Rock and Jet. They clearly adore each other,

and this song is a real celebration of that. “It’s the story of us. When we met, I knew immediately this was the girl I was going to marry. She knew nothing about me, or country music – she had her own life and career. Yet three weeks later we were living together and within two years we were married. Best decision I ever made!” Take It Down A Backroad is another love song and another tribute to Robby – a song about recapturing the start of a relationship. It’s a song filled with warm, tender images. But there are two songs on this album that really stand out. The first – and definitely one of Lee’s most memorable songs – is the evocative Watching Lightning. The images in the story alone make it a stellar track, but the story behind it – about love, life on the land, loss and resilience – is quite remarkable. “The song was inspired by a couple I met in the Pilbara, from Hillside Station. They worked incredibly long days mustering cattle, and I asked what they did to relaxed. They told me that when the wet season came, they could finally relax so they would sit on the verandah and watch the lighting and the storms rolling in. “Sadly they had to sell the station and move to Carnarvon, but their heart is definitely back at Hillside, and they still have hopes of getting back there.” The other is the powerful Live To Ride, inspired by the many Vietnam veterans Lee’s met over the years. “I have the greatest respect for those who’ve served and sacrificed. Some of the blokes I know are part of the Vietnam Vets motorcycle club. They tell me it’s about mates getting together and being in the moment – it gives them a sense of peace,” he said. “The words ‘I live to ride and I ride to live’ really mean something. I played the song to a Vietnam vet I knew, who I see at my local café regularly, and it just brought him undone. I’m very proud of this song.” ‘Round Here is another wonderful track. It has echoes of Hat Town (one of my all-time Lee Kernaghan favourites), and it really evokes life out in the bush, at Trilby Station out the back of Bourke – the video for Backroad Nation was in fact filmed there. “The resilience of people like the Murray family, who inspired this song, is just remarkable. They’d had no rain since 2016 when I was out there, and the financial and emotional impact is just devastating,” Lee said. The album concludes with the wonderful farewell song Till It Ends. It’s about the way bush folks like to celebrate – wholeheartedly. It was (unsurprisingly) triggered by the Deni Ute Muster, and an article by a city journalist. “She asked why they wanted to be there, amongst the mud and mayhem, and they just replied, ‘We love being a part of it all – we’ll be here until it ends! First to arrive and last to leave’.” Inevitably this song will close Lee Kernaghan shows for years to come. And speaking of shows, Lee has a huge tour planned for the remainder of 2019. “It’s been a couple of years since my last big tour, and we’ve already got 45 shows planned. I’m taking the Wolfe Brothers and Christie Lamb out on the road again, and I’m incredibly excited about playing these songs live,” Lee said. It’s fair to say that when they hear the tracks from Backroad Nation, the fans will be even more excited – it’s sensational!

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BY ANNA ROSE

AFRICA INSPIRES

THE CAPTAIN

HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR A TRIP TO AFRICA, KASEY CHAMBERS’ GROUND-BREAKING ALBUM, THE CAPTAIN, MAY NEVER HAVE HAPPENED.

few months before making the album, Kasey travelled to Africa with her mum Diane, not knowing how it would change her life completely. “My mum and dad’s marriage had broken up just before that trip, so it was a weird time for the whole family,” Kasey said. “The Dead Ringer Band was finishing up and things were all over the place. “I went into that trip not knowing what I was going to do with my life. “It took a little while, but it literally made me realise that

when I came home, I was going to make a solo record and I was going take this music thing seriously. “I realised this was going to be my path, making music and all of that came together on that African trip. “The whole African experience showed me I have this path I can take, that I’ve been given this beautiful life in a beautiful country and have such a lot of opportunities I shouldn’t waste.” Africa and Norfolk Island. They’re about as different as you could get, but both played a significant role in helping inspire the creation of Kasey Chambers’ ground-breaking solo album. Hailed by critics and the public as a blast of fresh air on the Australian country scene, it remains the cornerstone of Kasey’s remarkable

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career to date and will be celebrated with a nationwide anniversary tour from September 13 to October 27. As a salute to her roots, Kasey will reassemble the original band and have a few surprises along the way on her 19-date national tour that takes in every Australian state and territory. Created under near-perfect conditions on breathtakingly

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beautiful Norfolk Island, it continues to intrigue its creator two decades on. “It’s just so weird, it feels like yesterday that I made it, like it was a dream I once had,” Kasey said. “The Captain has been such a big part of my life – not 20 years ago – but for all of those 20 years. “I love to revisit those songs and never get sick of singing them.” With the benefit of hindsight, Kasey is well aware of the impact the disc has had, not only on her own life and career, but in inspiring others along their musical pathways. Her support act for The Captain 20th anniversary tour is a prime example. Go back two decades and singer-songwriter Charlie Collins (then 10-year-old Charlene Bailey) was invited by Bill Chambers to sing on

his show at The Pub in Tamworth. “I sang a Kasey song and halfway through, Kasey got up on stage with me and that feeling I got, I will never forget,” Charlie said. “My idol, my hero, my inspiration, making a little girl’s dreams come true. To be asked to join this tour is once again making this girl’s dreams come true. “The Captain was one of the first records I bought. It changed my life. I’m absolutely honoured to be a part of this 20th anniversary tour of what is still to this day one of my favourite records ever made.” With fresh memories of the

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trip to Zambia in her mind, in the idyllic island setting with brother Nash at the control panel, Kasey began recording the historic album. “When I made The Captain, I wasn’t setting out to influence anyone. I wasn’t trying to prove anything. I was just making a record we’d be proud of,” Kasey said. “If I’d known then it would in its own way help shape country music, it would have been overwhelming. That type of pressure often stops you being creative.” The Captain Deluxe Edition package includes the 12 original tracks, an unearthed track, Hey Girl, seven tracks from the bonus edition (released in 2000), and 13 previously unreleased track-by-track interview pieces from 1999. The accompanying 32-page booklet has never-beforeseen pictures of Kasey’s childhood, promotional and live images, and a copy of the original handwritten lyrics for title track, The Captain. It’s quite the celebration of a landmark event. Songs such as the title track, Cry Like A Baby and

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These Pines boasted a maturity beyond her years and a wealth of Americana-styled musical influences, yet the album had Australia and family at its core, ingredients that have been a staple of Kasey’s songwriting ever since. Mr Baylis, track eight on The Captain, was a simple birthday present for their driver, Bill Baylis. Kasey says she’s not sure if he’s even aware his birthday gift ever made it onto a record. An enduring legacy of The Captain journey is Kasey’s love of the African people and her role as ambassador for Our Rainbow House, an Australian-owned school in Zambia providing education and nutritional needs for orphans and vulnerable children from the region. “It is really special that a lot of the songs on The Captain were inspired by my first trip to Africa,” she said. “I didn’t know I would connect with it and it would stay a part of my life forever. Now it’s one of my favourite places in the world to visit. “I love to be able to be a part of that school, by teaching the kids music, and by being part of helping them get an education. “Now, when I go back to Africa, I can help kids find their path, their dream. It was such a lovely place for me to be inspired to follow my dreams.”

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DREAM

BIG BY HALEY SHERIDAN

he Australian country music sensation has shown the industry the fruits of hard work and persistence, in a career that has seen her go from strength to strength. Since the release of her last

WHEN WE ASKED AMBER LAWRENCE TO DESCRIBE THE LAST THREE YEARS IN JUST A FEW WORDS, SHE SAID IT’S BEEN “A DREAM COME TRUE”. solo album Happy Ever After, Amber has released two kids albums, a triple Golden Guitar winning collaboration with Travis Collins, and to top it all off she performed her original work, 100-Year-Handshake, for the US President Donald Trump and co-hosted this year’s Golden Guitar Awards with Adam Brand. Career aside, she’s also managed to embrace the journey of motherhood with her baby son Ike, born last year, and most recently she married her partner Marty in

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a close-knit ceremony in Port Douglas. So how does one juggle all of the above and manage to produce a brand new original album? Yes, you heard it here, in great news for fans, Amber is gearing up, this month, for the official release of her new solo offering Spark. The collection of 10 songs are what Amber describes as a reflection of herself as

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an artist and the style of music she enjoys performing. It was produced by Aria-nominated Stuart Stuart and it’s a chance for fans to gain an insight into Amber’s thoughts, feelings and her journey since her last release. “It’s ridiculous isn’t it?, I’ve had so much going on even if you look at it in isolation – it has been three years,” Amber told Capital News. “Last year I went to Nashville and started writing, I spent months writing songs, only a few made the album and that kick started the process. “I came back and I was pregnant last

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year and I thought I better finish it, and then I had Ike in August. “I went to Brisbane in late November, early December with my mum and baby and hired an apartment and recorded it with Stuart. “Of all the times do to it; in a city you don’t live in, it was the hardest with a new born.” Amber said the recording process was made simple by how she and Stuart worked so well together and their honesty on how they could strengthen the tracks and what should make the cut. “He came back with his top 10, I came back with my top 10 and then we agreed with the parts of the songs I could strengthen and improve,” she said. “I’m really grateful to Stuart for laying down his ideas.” Amber said she was determined the songs that made the album would fit the overall theme she was looking for. “A part of being a singer-songwriter is reflective of what’s happening in your life,” she said. “I wanted this album to be much closer to who I am as a performer. “Even if I did write songs on the album that were sad or introspective, it didn’t suit the vibe I was trying to achieve. “Calling it Spark was the overall element – if it doesn’t fit the vibe of having a spark, something special or some energy, it wasn’t going to go on the album. “Happy Ever After wasn’t an album I could recreate live ... it was so personal but this one is more relatable.” The new release exudes happiness and Amber’s contentment with life as she knows it. She says she feels a sense of pride on how far her work has come from the song writing process. “I have to look back and think how did I do this?,” she said. “Filming video clips three months after having a baby and recording an album four months after having him. “Having a supportive husband who works eight to six and juggling the baby and doing photo shoots, and picking album covers. “A lot goes into it, I’ve done it on much less hours sleep, and I am also proud to be able to have come back fairly quickly.” Her motherhood experience is featured prominently in a song on the new album, I Get It Now. “Once you have a child, you look at your own mothers and all mothers in a different light,” she said. “What they’ve achieved, what they’ve done is relentless. “Of course, having a baby is the most beautiful thing in the world, but he doesn’t know you’re tired or might need a break. “I guess my mum would say you never get a break, her children are adults and they’re just as needy as when

they’re eight months old. It’s not a job you can switch off from. “I’m like all working mums I’m surrounded by, I just have added a big important item (to my life.)” Amber says she is still blissfully reminiscing about her wedding where family and friends gathered in Port Douglas to witness she and Marty declare their love for each other. “It was perfect weather, clear skies but it threatened to rain all week,” she said. “It was a beautiful, sunny 29 degree day and there were 120 family and friends there to celebrate.” She said a highlight was a cast of her country music mates serenading her down the aisle, performing the song Stand By Me. “I had an amazing choir of Aleyce Simmonds, Dianna Corcoran, Fanny Lumsden, Luke O’Shea, Arna Georgia, Simon Johnson, Rod Motbey, Glen Harrison, Mal Lancaster and Dan Freeman,” she said. “I was blown away at how good they were.” With the nuptials made official, Amber is now gearing up to show off her new album, she said she’s been gauging the reaction from her fans with prealbum shows across the country. “It’s a really difficult world now with music,” she said. “You can put your heart and soul into the music but it comes out and nobody hears it. “I’m already touring it around with sneak previews and I’m really proud of it. “I have so many venues booked right through to December, it’s a juggling act and I don’t know how I’ll take the baby on the road, but the shows will go on. “It’s been a dream come true.”

C O U N T RY M U S I C C A P I TA L N E W S J U N E 2 0 1 9

BY GARRY COXHEAD

2019 MARKS THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FORMATION OF THE RUNAWAY DIXIE TRIO BY JIM AND VIRGINIA HERMEL, AND LYNETTE COAD. 22

his outfit have become ‘must sees’ at the various festivals and shows around Australia where they perform their exciting brand of music. To mark this anniversary Capital News caught up with them for an update.

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We started off by asking them whether the success they’ve achieved with Runaway Dixie exceeded their initial expectations, and how they describe the music they perform. “The idea of forming Runaway Dixie was to give an outlet to music the three of us had interest in performing and writing, so the band presents a dynamic mix of original and cover songs in traditional bluegrass and gospel with a vibrant country sound, not only with banjo and acoustic tones but electric as well. Americana has become a popular tag in Australian music, and may describe Runaway Dixie,

years of bringing you the music 1975–2019

RUNAWAY DIXIE CONTINUE TO PLEASE

Golden Guitars, in 2016 Bluegrass Recording of The Year with Lonesome and Blue, 2017 Instrumental of The Year with Roundabout, 2018 Bluegrass Recording of The Year with Southbound Train, and 2019 Instrumental of The Year with Tele Rambler. These are all original compositions; how do you feel when the judges have chosen your material as amongst the very best and your name is announced? “For independent artists like us, who do music as our sole income, such announcements are incredibly exciting and emotionally rewarding. We feel very proud as all four finalists were composed by Virginia and produced and recorded by all of us.” Just on two years ago, Runaway Dixie represented Australia at the Mississippi State Bi-Centennial Celebrations as part of the Jimmie Rodgers Festival in Meridian, U.S.A. Share a bit of the experience of being part of this tribute to the father of Country Music? “We felt extremely honoured to be invited and to have received major media exposure via U.S. television news services, a television morning show, radio interviews, newspaper articles, as well as meeting artists, music industry people, Mississippi State representatives plus family descendants of Jimmie Rodgers. Our performances included a spot in the Peavey Auditorium, and meeting Hartley Peavey. The experience overall, was certainly a career highlight for us personally and as a band.” Share a few highlights you have experienced over the last 12 months? “Being a Golden Guitar Finalist in 2018 with Southbound Train, and then being announced a finalist in the 2019 Golden Guitar Awards with the single Tele Rambler was certainly a musical highlight as well as a bonus that tidied 2018 up as we released the album Face the Wind in mid-December.”

but the formula we started in 2009 as a trio is still what Runaway Dixie does today and we feel fortunate to have done well.” Over the 10-year period, you have released five fine albums, Golden Mile, Breakdown, Bayou Queen, Poor Man’s Gold, and your latest Face the Wind. Do you have a personal favourite and if so why? “Albums that deliver chart success and are award-friendly plus inspiring audience support are

years of bringing you the music 1975–2019

always pleasing to us, but the title track Golden Mile from our first album remains a popular request, along with our cover version of the gospel standard Amazing Grace, so that album continues to be a solid seller at our shows due to those two songs.” You have picked up finalist spots at the last four Toyota

What is ahead for Runaway Dixie? “We released an original radio single Meant To Be early in 2019, which has achieved steady chart success, and will release another single from our Face The Wind album this month. It’s exciting times ahead as we have lots of festival appearances and shows planned so check out our website runawaydixie.com for all the details.” Based on your success and experiences, what is your advice to young people wanting to get into the music industry? “All we can offer is what we try to do ourselves and that is to present yourself the best way you can in all situations, be appreciative of all who help and those who support your music, be grateful for any accolade you receive and remember that old saying, opportunity might not knock twice!”

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VA L E

JEAN WILSON BY JOHNNY GREENWOOD

JEAN WILSON WIFE OF THE LATE LES WILSON (THE OTAGO RAMBLER) PASSED AWAY IN A BRISBANE NURSING HOME ON SUNDAY, MARCH 10.

ean (nee Calder) and her husband Les, who died in 1997, were originally from New Zealand where they recorded their material in the early â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;50s for HMV with Australian releases on the Regal Zonophone and Columbia labels. Les was a

great songwriter and one of the greatest yodellers in the Southern Hemisphere, recorded much of his work solo including such songs as Shadows On The Trail and The Old Yellow Moon. Jean recorded under her maiden name as Jean Calder and the couple were known for their marvellous duets such as the wonderful Prairie Rose and The Wahineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Farewell, recording sales of over

Johnny Greenwood, Jean and her husband Les

30,000 in NZ alone. In 1960 or so, they toured parts of Australia but after a tragedy during the tour, they ultimately settled in Queensland where in a short time they retired from the music scene. At Jeanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s funeral service, The Wahineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Song and Rolling Wagons was played as well as a solo recording of Jean singing The Holy City. The couple are survived by their two sons David and Geoff, and their families.

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A TRIUMPHANT RETURN BY JON WOLFE

ONCE UPON A TIME THERE WAS A COUNTRY MUSIC BAND CALLED HAPPENING THANG AND THEIR FRESH TAKE ON THE GENRE SAW THEIR RECORDINGS TOP CHARTS AND THEIR LIVE PERFORMANCES GARNER FANS THAT TURNED UP TIME AFTER TIME AND SPREAD THE WORD FAR AND WIDE.

T 26

hey released two catchy albums – The Happening Thang and Saddlepop - and their music turned into a Golden Guitar before they

decided to saddle up and say goodbye. Andrew Travers, the lead male singer, guitarist and songwriter said the band had run its course by the early 1990s. “It was a real lesson in how the record industry worked and how music worked,” he said, “and the pressure was on,

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but I personally didn’t want that to be all, do whatever it takes to crack it, pressure. The Happening Thang was a fun band that happened to find a niche.” Cathy Wearne, the female lead singer of the band was also pregnant at the time but teased me with the fact the Happening Thang pretty much had a third album ready to go at the time but said “No one was interested!” So, as the couple raised a

years of bringing you the music 1975–2019

“IT WAS A REAL LESSON IN HOW THE RECORD INDUSTRY WORKED AND HOW MUSIC WORKED AND THE PRESSURE WAS ON...”

The Western Distributors

family, Andrew continued to be involved in music, playing with bands around the Sydney scene and Andrew, who was working with a band called The Flaming Stars, was asked to do a set of country songs as the support for a visiting American act. “And I thought, hang on, I’ve always wanted to be in a band with guitarist Guy Donnellan,” Andrew said; “and I asked him if he wanted to do the set and along with Cathy, and Robbie Souter on drums and Greg Marshall, a fabulous double bass player in The Flaming Stars. So we threw a set together and that’s basically how The Western Distributors started.” The new band steadily built up a loyal following around Sydney and it eventually lead to the recording of an album.

years of bringing you the music 1975–2019

“It was actually Clare O’Meara, our fabulous fiddle-playing, pianoplaying, piano accordionist, who poked my chest and said you have to record an album, we have to record an album, this band is too good not to record an album,” Andrew said. “We hadn’t really thought about that, we were just plodding along doing gigs and just loving the fact that the band was growing and getting really good very quickly – so it was more or less Clare that spurred us on.” A self-titled album was released in March last year and quickly gathered more fans to the fold who followed the band’s gigs and the song Between The Suns reached the top 10 of the Auscountry chart and No One Will Miss Me reached number one on Tamworth’s Country Music Capital Top 20 later in the year. The band was invited to perform on the opening concert of this year’s Tamworth Country Music Festival and held the crowd in its sway as they closed the show on the first Friday night. By the Saturday afternoon the word had spread that there

was a great new band at the festival and The Western Distributors played to a full Legends Bar at the West Tamworth League Club and the crowd grew at all of the shows over the next week. For Andrew and Cathy, it was a triumphant return after almost 25 years. “We loved playing at Tamworth this year,” Andrew said. With Jamie Sampson on double bass, Guy Donnellan on Fender and Gretsch guitars and backing vocals, Clare O’Meara on fiddle, accordion, piano and backing vocals, John Kaldor on the pedal steel and dobro and Nerida Wu on drums, The Western Distributors present an eclectic mix of fabulous originals and covers of honky tonk, rockabilly, rock ‘n’ roll and tearjerking country songs in the style of the ’50s and ’60s golden years of country music. There’s plans to do some festivals and more recording and Andrew said there’s enough material for another album. “We’ve got a whole heap for a new album,” Cathy said. “We’ve been playing a few of them live already.” “It’s good to road-test the new songs,” Andrew said. I asked that when people realise the Happening Thang connection, do they ask for those old songs. “Yes,” Andrew said. “It’s mainly for I Don’t Wanna Go to Work, because that was the main one for us. “We had a lovely situation where a couple were in the audience who said they were in London and a Happening Thang cassette was all they had when they courted,” Cathy said. “They came to a Distributors gig and they asked us to do an old song and we threw it at the band and we enjoyed doing it.” Andrew said he thinks it’s now The Western Distributors not the Happening Thang and when someone asks he’s a bit reticent about doing the old material. Cathy said on June 16 they are doing a gig at the Marrickville Bowling Club along with The Cartwheels, a band that features the Happening Thang’s old bass player David Patterson and guitarist Jeff Mercer. “We going to do a quick Happening Thang thing at the end,” Andrew said. In between time, get on to The Western Distributors website or Facebook and get a copy of the album… I promise you won’t be disappointed.

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DEBUT ALBUM “EVERYTHING I FEEL” OUT 12 JULY 2019 FEATURING THE NEW SINGLE “EVERYTHING I FEEL” PRODUCED BY ADAM ECKERSLEY MIXED BY NICK DIDIA

** ALBUM LAUNCH * GUEST OF AMBER LAWRENCE JUNE 4 CHRIS WATSON TRAVEL EXCLUSIVE EVENT, NASHVILLE, TN JUNE 8 CMA SPOTLIGHT STAGE, NASHVILLE TN JUNE 21 LAURIETON UNITED SC NSW* JUNE 22 SAWTELL RSL CLUB NSW* JULY 13 HATS OFF TO COUNTRY, MOONSHINERS, FAMILY HOTEL NSW** JULY 27-29 GROUNDWATER CMF, BROADBEACH QLD AUGUST 9-11 60TH MT ISA RODEO QLD AUGUST 22-25 GYMPIE CMF QLD SEPTEMBER 30 – OCTOBER 3 MILDURA CMF OCTOBER 5 DENI UTE MUSTER, DENILIQUIN NSW OCTOBER 12-19 CRUISIN’ COUNTRY OCTOBER 20 WINGHAM ACOOSTIK FESTIVAL NSW NOVEMBER 23 HOMETOWN FESTIVAL, BOWEN HILLS QLD PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY

ORGANISED BY

HAIR DESIGN & MAKE UP

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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 J U N E 2 0 1 9

BLAKEOCONNORMUSIC.COM.AU years of bringing you the music 1975–2019

40TH TOYOTA STAR MAKER | BLAKE O’CONNOR

Blake performing

Blake with Laura, Karl and Jan Hancock, and Gary Quinn

COME FLY WITH ME

My new Fender

Chris Barnett, Brody Yonon, Ben Hardman

AS I’M WRITING THIS MONTH’S ARTICLE, I’M PACKING MY SUITCASE GETTING READY TO FLY OFF TO THE UK TO PLAY AT THE BUCKLE & BOOTS FESTIVAL.

’ve never been out of the country so this is really exciting for me. The Buckle & Boots Festival is located in what looks like a beautiful setting in a place called Whitebottom Farm, in the village of Marple Bridge, in the Borough of Stockport in Greater Manchester, in the United Kingdom – wow – so many places. It’s run by some great people who I met at this year’s Tamworth Country Music Festival. The organisers are Director Karl Hancock, his wife Jan, daughter Laura and singer songwriter Gary Quinn and they’ve made the entire process so easy and I can’t wait to be part of their festival and fly the Australian flag. I’ll tell you all about it when I’m home. Six days later, I fly from the UK onto Nashville to play at a special luncheon for Chris’ VIP travel guests and the CMA Spotlight Stage. Star Maker has had a relationship with the CMA for the past nine years and they’ve invited me to perform on that stage on Saturday, June 8 as part of the annual CMA Fest. The CMA is also giving me two tickets to the big four nightly concerts which will be amazing. None of this would be possible without the generous

years of bringing you the music 1975–2019

sponsorship from Chris Watson Travel who sponsors my return flights. I had the opportunity to work with the Tribal Apes crew to film the music video for my first Star Maker single Beautiful As You. We filmed it at Sydney Props and it was a load of fun! Something really different to what I’m use to doing but a great experience. Soon after I received my prize from Fender, they sent me up a ‘65 deluxe reverb reissue amplifier, which is absolutely amazing. I can’t wait to take it on the road. On May 3, I finished up my leg of the Adam Eckersley and Brooke McClymont tour, playing to an energetic sold out crowd in Scone NSW. I also ran into my mate Damien Leith whilst I was down there and it was great to see him.

I was also a part of the Big Country Festival in Berry NSW, hanging out and playing a gig for all the campers the night before the festival. Even though the weather was a little unpredictable, we powered through and enjoyed the night. Once I got home, I was straight into rehearsing with the band that night, practicing and getting read to play my album preview shows the following weekend. The show at The Church Bar in Windsor on Thursday came around really fast and I couldn’t wait to play my first-ever ticketed show which was to a sold out audience. I had a ball playing all of my new tunes from my new album with the band (Brody Yonon and Ben Hardman) and to have a ripper of a sound guy Chris Barnett working his magic, the gig was awesome. I released my single Beautiful As You that morning to find a great response on my social media, with the clip clocking over 40,000 views. The next day the crew and I drove up to Wauchope to play the second album preview show at The Bago Tavern, again to a sold out audience. The crowd had a ball and so did we. We can’t wait to play our next preview show at The Australian Hotel in Inverell on June 29, it’s going to be awesome. Thanks for joining me on this ride.

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years of bringing you the music 1975â&#x20AC;&#x201C;2019

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.

AARON JURD AND THE BANNED JUNE 1 Nambucca BC NSW 8 Shoal Bay Country Club NSW

ADAM BRAND JUNE 1 Mullewa Recreation Grounds WA

ADAM HARVEY

12-15 Sundeck Hotel, Perisher Valley NSW 17 Sundeck Hotel, Perisher Valley, NSW 31 Huskisson Hotel, Huskisson, NSW SEPTEMBER 6 Hotel Mackay Qld 7 Magnums, Airlie Beach Qld 8 Seabreeze Hotel, Slade Point Qld 9-11 KC’s Bar, Airlie Beach Qld

JUNE 29 Carnarvon Civic Centre WA OCTOBER 12 Cruisin’ Country

ASHLEIGH DALLAS *Album launch JULY 13 Hats Off To Country, West Tamworth League Club NSW

BEN RANSOM JUNE 1 Tourist Hotel, Queanbeyan NSW 7 Goulburn Workers, Goulburn, NSW AUGUST 10 Wellington Soldiers Club NSW years of bringing you the music 1975–2019

CARRIE UNDERWOOD (US) JUNE 4 Grand Ole Opry 7pm 4 Grand Ole Opry 9:30pm

CHARLEY PRIDE (US)

JUNE 4 Grand Ole Opry JULY 16 Grand Ole Opry

DARREN COGGAN

CHRISTIE LAMB

AMBER LAWRENCE

JUNE 8 Bribie Island RSL Qld 9 The Surf Club Mooloolaba Qld 16 Taps Mooloolaba Qld JULY 4-7 Twin Towns Services Club, Tweed Heads NSW

OCTOBER 4 Woop Woop Festival Site, Tingun Qld 25 Old Dubbo Gaol NSW

CHRIS JANSON (US)

JUNE 4 Kenmore Park, Lower Wonga Qld 8 Boonah GC, Boonah, Qld 14 Gympie RSL, Gympie, Qld JULY 5-7 Yellowbelly CMF, St George Qld 13 Rainbow Beach Hotel Qld

ANGELA EASSON

DANI YOUNG

JULY 11 City Lights Caravan Park, Tamworth NSW

JUNE 7&8 Grand Ole Opry

ALICE BENFER

JUNE 1 Muswellbrook Motors NSW 8 Kiama LC NSW 13 Robertson Public House NSW 14 Harmonie German Club, Narrabundah ACT 15 Rooty Hill RSL NSW 21 Laurieton United SC NSW 22 Sawtell RSL NSW 23 Coutts Crossing Coronation Hall NSW

BOBBY HOWSON

BLAKE O’CONNOR ** Album Launch * guest of Amber Lawrence JUNE 4 Chris Watson Travel Exclusive Event, Nashville, TN 8 CMA Spotlight Stage, Nashville TN 21 Laurieton United SC NSW* 22 Sawtell RSL Club NSW* JULY *Album Launch Hats Off To Country 13 Hats Off To Country, Moonshiners, Family Hotel NSW** 27-29 Groundwater CMF, Broadbeach Qld AUGUST 9-11 60th Mt Isa Rodeo Qld 22-25 Gympie CMF Qld SEPTEMBER 30 Sept- Oct 3 Mildura CMF OCTOBER 5 Deni Ute Muster, Deniliquin NSW 12-19 Cruisin’ Country 20 Wingham Acoostik Festival NSW NOVEMBER 23 Hometown Festival, Bowen Hills Qld

JUNE 1 Club Forster NSW 2 Glasshouse Theatre, Port Macquarie NSW 13 Horsham Town Hall Vic 14 Swan Hill Town Hall Vic 15 Riverlinks Eastbank, Shepparton Vic 20 Yoogali Club, Griffith NSW 21 Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre NSW 22 Albury EC NSW AUGUST 11 Central Coast CMF NSW 15 Mandurah PAC WA 16 Crown Theatre Perth WA 17 Bunbury Regional EC WA 22 Brolga Theatre, Maryborough Qld 23 Moncreiff EC, Bundaberg Qld 24 The Great Western Hotel, Rockhampton Qld 29 Cairns PAC Qld 30 Townsville EC Qld 31 Mackay EC Qld

CRAIG MORGAN (US) JUNE 18 Grand Ole Opry JULY 16 Grand Ole Opry

DALE HOOPER JUNE 7 Bathurst RSL Club NSW 8 Macquarie Inn, Dubbo NSW OCTOBER 13 Bathurst RSL Club NSW NOVEMBER 16 Bathurst RSL Club NSW

JUNE 6 Empire Church Theatre, Toowoomba Qld 7 The Events Centre, Caloundra Qld 8 Redland PAC, Cleveland Qld

DESTINY BAND OZ JUNE 22 Flanagan’s Irish Bar, Royal Exchange Hotel, Traralgon Vic 28 The Morwell Club Vic JULY 7 Bayview Homestead, Bittern Vic AUGUST 17 Latrobe Valley Maltese Club, Morwell Vic OCTOBER 4&5 Bowling Club, Ulverstone Tas

DIANNE LINDSAY SEPTEMBER 8 Grafton SC NSW NOVEMBER 9 Kyabram Showgrounds Vic 13 Nanango Showgrounds Qld

DUSTIN LYNCH (US) JUNE 19 Grand Ole Opry 25 Grand Ole Opry JULY 23 Grand Ole Opry

FELICITY URQUHART JUNE 1 The Masters Builders Club, Dee Why NSW 20 Corowa RSL NSW JULY 13 Hats Off To Country, The Pub, Tamworth NSW 19 Milton Theatre, Milton, NSW

C O U N T RY M U S I C C A P I TA L N E W S J U N E 2 0 1 9

LIVE MUSIC SCENE GRAEME CONNORS JUNE 7 Brolga Theatre and Convention Centre, Maryborough Qld 8 Gladstone ECC Qld 14 Pilbeam Theatre, Rockhampton Qld 15 Moncrieff EC, Bundaberg Qld

JULY 11 Mt Pleasant Tavern, Mackay Qld* 12 Emerald Star, Emerald Qld* 13 Bush To Bay Festival, Hervey Bay Qld* OCTOBER 12 Cruisin’ Country, Radiance of the Sea

HAYLEY MARSTEN

JOE NICHOLS (US)

JUNE 12 Can You Keep a Secret?, Woolloongabba Qld 23 Mr Henderson, Sandgate, Qld AUGUST 7 Can You Keep a Secret?, Woolloongabba Qld 14&16 Stockmans Bar, Bowen Hills Qld

HILLBILLY GOATS JUNE 2 The Bearded Dragon, Tamborine Qld 22 Australian Hotel St, St George Qld 29 Casino RSM NSW JULY 5 Seabreeze Resort, Mackay Qld 13 Beerwah Hotel Qld 20 Pullenvale Folk Festival, Brisbane Qld AUGUST 16 Gympie RSL Qld 17 Theebine Hotel Qld SEPTEMBER 7 Bulimba GC, Brisbane Qld 13 The GAS, Brooweena Qld 20 Toowoomba City GC Qld 21 Bony Mountain Festival, Warwick Qld 24 Winton Outback Festival, Gympie Qld 27 Emerald Star Hotel Qld 28 Byfield Rainforest Retreat, Yeppoon Qld

21 Bairnsdale RSL Club Vic 22 West Gippsland AC, Warragul Vic 23 Frankston Arts Centre Vic

KATIE JAYNE BAND JULY 12&13 Hats Off To Country, Imperial Brew House, Tamworth NSW

JUNE 7 Grand Ole Opry

JAMES BLUNDELL JUNE 7 Hervey Bay RSL & Services Memorial Club Qld 8 Grand Hotel, Gayndah Qld 21 Toowoomba Showgrounds, Glenvale Qld JULY 13 Seagulls Club, Tweed Heads NSW 28 Laura CMF SA AUGUST 2 Mittagong RSL NSW 16 Dubbo RSL Club NSW 17 Condobolin RSL Club NSW 23 Amstel GC, Cranbourne Vic

JOHN ‘K’ KRSULJA JULY 14 Hats Off To Country, The DAG Sheep Station, Nundle NSW

KEL-ANNE BRANDT

JOHN WILLIAMSON

JAYNE DENHAM *’Hung Up On You Tour’ w/ Troy Kemp JUNE 8 The George Harcourt Inn, Nicholls, ACT

SPECIAL OFFER

JUNE 1 Belmont 16s NSW 8&9 Hinterland Qld JULY 5 Shoalhaven EC, Nowra NSW 6 Sutherland EC NSW 7 Wenty LC, Wentworthville NSW SEPTEMBER 5 The Events Centre, Caloundra Qld 6 Brolga Theatre & Convention Centre, Maryborough Qld 7 Moncrieff EC, Bundaberg Qld NOVEMBER

JUNE 5 Bankstown SC NSW 30 Sawtell RSL NSW JULY 4 Camp Breakaway, San Remo NSW AUGUST 27 Cabra-Vale Diggers, Canley Vale, NSW SEPTEMBER 12 Heritage Village, Canton Beach NSW

KYLIE ADAMSCOLLIER JULY 6 St George Showgrounds NSW

MADCDS

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years of bringing you the music 1975–2019

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.

7 Kedron-Wavell SC, Brisbane Qld 13 Rooty Hill RSL Club NSW

LUKE O’SHEA JULY 13 Hats Off To Country, North Tamworth BC NSW

LYN BOWTELL

LEE KERNAGHAN *Backroad Nation Tour* JUNE 1 Club Forster NSW 2 The Glasshouse, Port Macquarie NSW 13 Horsham Town Hall Vic 14 Swan Hill Town Hall Vic 15 Riverlinks Eastbank, Shepparton Vic 20 Yoogali Club Griffith NSW 21 Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre NSW 22 Albury EC NSW JULY 28 Groundwater CMF, Broadbeach Qld AUGUST 15 Mandurah PAC WA 16 Crown Theatre Perth WA 17 Bunbury Regional EC WA 22 Brolga Theatre Maryborough Qld 23 Moncrieff EC, Bundaberg Qld 24 The Great Western Hotel, Rockhampton Qld 29 Cairns PAC Qld 30 Townsville EC Qld 31 Mackay EC Qld SEPTEMBER 5 Kingaroy Town Hall Qld 6 Empire Theatre, Toowoomba Qld

JUNE 13 Darwin Railway Club, Parap NT 14 Humpty Doo Hotel NT 15 Katherine Outback Experience NT 16 Mount Bundy Station, Adelaide River, NT 27 Django Bar, Marrickville NSW 29 Tilligerry RSL NSW OCTOBER 6 The Brass Monkey, Cronulla, NSW 27 Lizottes, Newcastle, NSW

MAREN MORRIS *Girl: The World Tour* AUGUST 19 Brisbane City Hall Qld 21 Forum Theatre, Melbourne Vic 22 Enmore Theatre, Sydney NSW 23 UC Refectory, Canberra ACT

5 The Stag and Hunter hotel, Newcastle NSW 7 McNamara park, Broke NSW 29 The Stag and Hunter hotel, Newcastle NSW JULY 3 The Stag and Hunter hotel, Newcastle, NSW 13 Hats Off To Country, Hogs Breath Cafe, Tamworth NSW AUGUST 7 The Stag and Hunter Hotel, Newcastle NSW

MELISSA ROBERTSON JUNE 8&9 Dubbo Macquarie Inn NSW

MICHAELA JENKE JULY 6 The Barn @ Wombat Flat, Neales Flat SA 7 Quorn Oval SA 8 North Blinman Hotel SA 10&11 William Creek Hotel SA

20 Astor Theatre, Perth WA 21 The Gov, SA 22 Forum Melbourne Vic 26 Eatons Hill Hotel, Brisbane Qld 27 Empire Theatre, Toowoomba Qld 29 Tuning Fork, Auckland NZ

MURPHY’S PIGS JULY 23 The Bug, New Farm BC Qld OCTOBER 19 Woodford Memorial Hall, Woodford, Qld

NORMA O’HARA MURPHY SEPTEMBER 16 Bony Mountain Folk Festival, Warwick Qld 20-22 Bony Mountain Folk Festival, Warwick Qld

PEPPER JANE AUGUST 02 Ground N Sound, Labrador, Qld

PETER CAMPBELL JUNE 14 Gatton View Hotel Qld

MORGAN EVANS MATT SCULLION JUNE

JUNE 18 Grand Ole Opry OCTOBER 17&18 Enmore Theatre NSW

21 Toowoomba Showgrounds Qld 30 Toowoomba City GC Qld SEPTEMBER 28 Twin Towns SC, Tweed Heads NSW

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LIVE MUSIC SCENE JULY 28 Groundwater CMF Broadbeach Qld AUGUST 3 Merry Curry Muster, Cloncurry Qld 15 Mandurah PAC WA 16 Crown Theatre Perth WA 17 Bunbury Regional EC WA 22 Brolga Theatre Maryborough

TAYLOR PFEIFFER JUNE 1 Wheatsheaf Hotel, Thebarton SA 7 Belair Hotel, Blackwood SA

THE WESTERN DISTRIBUTORS JUNE 16 Marrickville BC NSW 21 Ashfield RSL Club NSW 23 Port Kembla ‘Servos’ Food Truck NSW

9 Southern CMC, Clovelly Park SA

Qld 23 Moncrieff EC, Bundaberg Qld 24 The Great Western Hotel, Rockhampton Qld 29 Cairns PAC Qld 30 Townsville EC Qld 31 Mackay EC Qld

14 Lodge Hotel, Brahma Lodge SA 15 Crown Inn, Reynella SA 16 Karoonda Silo Art Launch SA 21 Paradise Hotel SA 23 Pt Noarlunga Hotel, Thebarton, SA 29 The Tower Hotel, Magill, SA 30 The Uraidla Hotel, Uraidla, SA

THE WEEPING WILLOWS JUNE 2 All Saints Bendigo Vic 9 Korumburra Southern Lights Festival Vic JULY 13 The Sider Diner @ City Sider Tamworth NSW 27 The Spotted Mallard, Brunswick Vic

THE WOLFE BROTHERS *Backroad Nation Tour* JUNE 1 Club Forster NSW 2 The Glasshouse Port Macquarie NSW 13 Horsham Town Hall VIC 14 Swan Hill Town Hall VIC 15 Riverlinks Eastbank Shepparton Vic 20 Yoogali Club Griffith NSW 21 Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre NSW 22 Albury EC NSW

TRAVIS COLLINS SEPTEMBER 28 C2C Festival, Sydney NSW 29 C2C Festival, Boondall, Brisbane Qld

TROY CASSAR-DALEY JUNE 13 Lizotte’s Newcastle NSW 14 Anita’s Theatre, Thirroul NSW 15 Rooty Hill RSL NSW 16 Milton Theatre NSW 20 Mandurah PAC WA 21 Friend’s Restaurant, East Perth WA 22 Civic Centre Gardens, Port Hedland WA JULY 18 The Event Centre, Caloundra, Qld 19 Town Hall, Kingaroy, Qld 21 Civic Centre, Ipswich, Qld 26 Berry School of Arts NSW 27 Mingara Recreation Club, Tumbi Umbi NSW SEPTEMBER 12 Sky City, Darwin, NT OCTOBER 18 The Old Mill, Hahndorf, SA 19 Barossa Arts & Convention Centre, Tanunda SA

WATLING & BATES JUNE 11 New Farm Bowls Club, Brisbane Qld JULY 27 Camp Davey, Lismore NSW

Visiting Tamworth?

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

1979 34

THE LEGEND CONTINUES

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2019 years of bringing you the music 1975–2019

PHOTO REBECCA BELT

CMAA Junior Academy Class of 2018

ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT ROLES THAT THE COUNTRY MUSIC ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA IS TASKED WITH IS NURTURING TALENT THAT IS COMING THROUGH THE RANKS AND WE ARE RAMPING UP FOR THE AMAZING JUNIOR ACADEMY NEXT MONTH.

e’ve just announced the list of students who will be joining us in Tamworth, together with their parent or guardian, for the intensive week-long course for up-and-coming singers, songwriters, performers and musicians. Aged from 10 to 16, and travelling from across Queensland, SA, Victoria, NSW and New Zealand, the students will be mentored by Simon Johnson, Fanny Lumsden, Mickey Pye and David Carter with Lyn Bowtell in the role of director and CMAA board member Roger Corbett as general manager. The students are Jacinta Byrne (15) from Thargomindah Qld, recipient of the Ekka Scholarship, Elaine Miller (15) from 15, Birdwood SA, recipient years of bringing you the music 1975–2019

of the Graham Allington SA Scholarship, Asra Ginders (17) from Hawarden NZ, recipient of the Buller CM Club Scholarship, Jorja Dalton (15) from Hillston NSW, recipient of the CCMA Scholarship, Sarah Hamze (11) from Chapel Hill Qld, recipient of the Homestead CMC Scholarship, Grace Amos (15) from Cobbitty NSW, recipient of the Mt Hunter Stampede Scholarship, Jolene Ross (13), from Mareeba Qld, recipient of the Walkamin CMC Scholarship, Zac Spalding (13) from Albury NSW, Tommy Drury (16) from Miles Qld, Mitch Rolfe (15) from Emerald Qld, Allegra Dunning (11) from Katoomba NSW, Grace Gladwin Paffett (13) from Figtree NSW, twin brothers Callum McPartlane (15) and Jackson McPartlane (15) from Frankston Vic, Jess Ferris (14) from Bywong NSW, Emmagen Rain (11) from Murwillumbah NSW, Lily Peters (13) from Burleigh Heads Qld, Lucy Beveridge (10) from Wyongah NSW, Sophee Jean Kerslake (16) from Heatherbrae NSW, Georgia Hudson (16) from Wingham NSW and Greer Webley (15) from Blackwater Qld, This year’s instrumental students are Josh Beveridge (13) from Wyongah NSW, Freddie Bailey-Cook (15) from Tamworth NSW, Jenna Orpwood (15) form Bathurst NSW, Isabell Fulton (15) from Bathurst NSW, and Belle Whitwell (15) from Bathurst NSW. The course will culminate with The Academy Live! Concert which will take place during the Hats Off to

Country Festival in Tamworth, on Friday, July 12 at 7pm in Moonshiners at The Family Hotel. Entry is $10 and we’d love to see you all there. In other news, we are proud to partner with the Australian Music Association and Live Music Office to support Make Music Day, which will take place on June 21. Make Music Day began in France in 1982 and is being adopted by countries across the world, including Australia and we are helping to spread the word to the country music community. This isn’t a festival, although participants can feel free to hold a festival around the day. Make Music Day is a day of community-led free musical expression and is designed to encourage everyone to find ways to celebrate and express music in their own communities. All events are free and open to the public and last year saw more than 100 events held in 80 locations across the country. Events may include free instrument lessons, school choirs, ensembles, orchestras and bands, community choirs, indigenous and multicultural performances, public pianos, public jam sessions, open mic sessions, library gigs, church gigs, country hall gigs, train station gigs, paddock porch or balcony gigs, town centre or park gigs, ukulele get-together, concert trucks, musical parades, flashmobs, pub choirs, drum ensembles, silent disco, street studios or existing events umbrella’d under Make Music Day. For more information or to register your event, head to makemusicaustralia.org.au Remember, to become a member of the Country Music Association of Australia, visit: country.com.au/membership/

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THE SIDEMEN

BY LACHLAN BRYAN

MELBOURNE’S DAMIAN CAFARELLA RELISHES LIFE ON THE SIDE.

feel a bit awkward calling Damian Cafarella a ‘sideman’. It’s true that on stage he is often to the side whilst I’m in the centre – but those moments are just a small part of our broad musical relationship. If anything, he and I are each others’ sidemen – taking turns to lead and follow. Mostly I’m following. Damian is a great musician. He feels music better than anybody I know. He sits just behind the beat in a manner that forces an instinctual, physical response. When Damian plays, your hips and your shoulders start to move involuntarily, and then your brain starts to feel better. It’s a true gift. For that reason, he often finds himself on stage behind a drum kit when in actual fact he should probably be playing lead guitar, or steel, or mandolin, or dobro. Sometimes he does a few of those things at once. I first met Damian when he was eighteen (I’m a couple of years older than him in ‘earth time’, but it’s always been obvious to me that his is an ancient soul that predates yours and mine by millennia). At that time he and his dad had a recording studio in their back shed. They were recording demos and EPs for indie bands like mine and Damian was playing lead guitar for better ones. “My dad has always been an enormous influence on

DAMIAN CAFARELLA

me, musically” Damian later explained. “He has a very similar skill set to me, in that he plays a few instruments and has more than a keen interest in how sounds are put together. Even to this day he loves the hippest music and is a subscriber to all the community radio stations here in Melbourne.” When I next came across Damian a decade had passed. He’d just finished a six-year stint as right-hand-man (yes, side-man I suppose) to Pinky Beecroft (of Machine Gun Fellatio) and was running his studio from Edithvale in Melbourne’s bayside suburbs. My band was in need of a new guitarist and, hearing Damian play again, he was the obvious choice. He ended up co-producing and mixing our next record – and within a few months found himself fully immersed in the Americana and country music worlds. It’s a world in which he’s flourished, without ever losing his sense of rock and roll. These days, he and I meet in the studio most days, and have produced dozens of singles, eps and albums together inside and out of the country music world. Damian claims his approach to production is simple: “The production should always be informed by the lyrics” he says, “Never have extras for extras-sake. If a guitar part, or a synth, or a drum fill doesn’t positively support what the artist is trying to communicate then it should be removed from the song immediately”.

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Having worked with Damian so much, I’m pretty confident to say that the magic he brings to a project goes well beyond that simple ethos. He cares deeply about the music and the artists he works with. In contrast to the reticence I expressed at the start of this piece, he happily embraces the sideman tag. “I’m a sideman in most of my life, and it’s something I’m very proud of,” he says. “When I play live I always try to be a support to the artist and assist them in putting on a show that they’re proud to present to their audience. And in the studio I’m in a supporting role to help the artist make the music THEY want to make.” But it doesn’t end there. “In my personal life I’m a sideman too,” Damian continues. “My wife, Melinda, was already doing a great job of life when we met. She already had two children that I feel very lucky to be able to assist in raising – and they also have a very capable father who would do anything for them. So again....many of my favourite things in life have come about from being a sideman – it’s a badge I wear proudly”.

years of bringing you the music 1975–2019

BEHIND THE MUSIC

CARVING A NICHE BY SUSAN JARVIS

MATT FELL MAKES NO SECRET OF THE FACT THAT HE MUCH PREFERS WORKING BEHIND THE SCENES OF THE MUSIC INDUSTRY.

ut the recent success of the ABC TV show The Recording Studio has changed everything. “I still get a shock when people come up to me at the supermarket and want to tell me how much they love the show,” Matt said. Matt is featured extensively in The Recording Studio – a moving series in which ordinary Australians are given the chance to record a song to celebrate something or someone special to them. The show also features the talents of fellow producer, and Matt’s close friend, Shane

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Nicholson, as well as a number of musicians who’ll be familiar to country fans – including Clare O’Meara, Camille Te Nahu, Glen Hannah and Mark Oats. Matt says he didn’t have a chance to view any of the shows before they went to air, so he’s glued to the television on Tuesday nights just like the rest of us. “The way these shows are made, you don’t really see the big picture – you just do your thing,” he said.

“We filmed it last August, so it has been a while – and I’m really delighted by the way the show has turned out and how it is being received. It is a really lovely series.” But while The Recording Studio is the most public view we have of Matt’s work, it’s only a small part of what this softly spoken, highly respected musician and producer contributes to the Australian music industry. Over the past decade, he’s steadily built up a reputation as country music’s leading producer – the “go to” man for artists ranging from John Williamson and Graeme Connors to Shane Nicholson, Fanny Lumsden, Sara Storer, Brad Cox, Brad Butcher and many more. They are all unanimous in their praise of Matt, who’s carved a career creating unique, memorable albums that put the songs and the artist’s vision at front and centre. “The way I see it, it’s not about me at all – it’s 100 per cent about the artist. And I approach each recording project different because every song needs to be produced in a way that’s right for it,” he said. Matt began his LovHz Studios with fellow producer Michael Carpenter 15 years ago, because they wanted the kind of studio in which they’d be comfortable. It clearly resonated, because artists began coming to them, and haven’t stopped. Matt’s career as a musician gave way to full-time production, although he still tours occasionally with Josh Pyke, and sometimes plays with Sara Storer, Shane Nicholson and John Williamson. He’s collected numerous awards over the years, including several for Best Country Album, Alternative Album of the Year and Best Producer, with Shane Nicholson and Sara Storer. He also travels to Nashville with artists regularly to enable them to have the US recording experience, but with guidance and understanding of what’s involved. Matt loves being able to work with artists to bring their vision to life, and he also loves the chance to play a variety of instruments on his recordings. “My goal is to take the sound inside an artist’s head and turn it into something they’ve never imagined. Sometimes that means you have to be counsellor, coach, therapist, a shoulder to cry on and someone to laugh with. I love every moment!” Matt said. And for Matt, that’s the ultimate pay-off. “I’ve always been more comfortable creating behind the scenes. I know how fortunate I am to be able to make a living this way – mind you, there has been a lot of hard work involved in getting to this point. But I get to do what I love every day, and every day is different,” he said. “And the best thing of all is that the music we make here goes out into the world, where it’s appreciated and loved. I didn’t even think about that until recently – but it’s an amazing feeling.

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O N E T O WAT C H

ver the past few months, the 27-year-old singer-songwriter from Gympie has re-launched a career that looked set to take off a few years back, following the launch of his debut album, Tempus. “I released Tempus back in 2016, and I poured a lot of myself into it. It was the best collection of songs I could release. Most of the songs on the album were originals, and I’m still really proud of the album,” Linc said. “The problem is that most of my live shows were quite different from the album – they have more of a bluesy, grungy feel, and there are quite a few covers, so there was a bit of a disconnect.” “I guess I also under-estimated the amount of effort it takes to build awareness of your music, as a relatively new, mostly unknown artist.” Linc hasn’t stopped performing completely in the time since Tempus was released, but his musical career was put on hold because he became extremely busy managing the Royal Hotel at Gympie with wife Stacey and then buying the pub. “We really had no option but to focus completely on the pub – it consumes every moment of the day. So the music was put on the back-burner for a while,” Linc said. “Eventually, though, I realised that it wasn’t what I wanted, and I made a conscious decision to sell the pub and get back into music, but with a much greater awareness of what it would take.” One decision Linc took was to enter the 2019 Star Maker competition. Not surprisingly, given the enormous talent revealed on Tempus, and Linc’s determination to succeed in the music industry, he was named among the top 10 finalists, and blew the crowd away with his performance. “Star Maker was amazing for me. It enabled me to let people know I was back, and that I meant business. It also meant I could reconnect with a lot of people I’d already met in the industry, and meet others. And it gave me an opportunity to get a feel for the landscape of the industry, which has changed quite a bit in three years,” Linc said. Most recently, Linc has begun to release singles from his latest recording project, an EP titled Shoutin’ From The Rooftop. The EP features five tracks. The first single is the heartfelt Overthinking, which he says

DETERMINATION

& DEDICATION BY SUSAN JARVIS

IT FEELS LIKE LINC PHELPS HAS BEEN AROUND THE COUNTRY MUSIC SCENE FOR A LONG TIME, BUT AS FAR AS LINC’S CONCERNED, THINGS ARE ONLY JUST BEGINNING. explores the way he tends to over-think everything, often to the point of destroying it. “It’s written about my incredible ability to make a mountain out of a mole hill by scrutinising and over-analysing even the simplest things,” he said. The track provides a perfect vehicle for Linc’s velvety, emotive voice, which captures every nuance of feeling. The next single, and the EP’s title track, is Shoutin’ From The Rooftops. It has a very different vibe, with a rocky, energetic feel. But the subject matter is very serious. “It’s about overcoming anxiety, depression and life-changing events. I wanted to put a

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celebratory spin on beating your demons,” Linc said. He performed the song at this year’s Gympie Muster launch at the end of March, where he was also named in the first artist line-up for the event. He’s performed there several times before, and is seen as something of a local hero amongst muster crowds. Linc also performed with Sara Storer in April at the Sisters of the North charity concert for flood relief in Cloncurry. The remainder of Linc’s album features some of the covers that are most popular at his live shows: Johnny Cash’s Big River, John Prine’s wonderful Angel From Montgomery and the Smokey Robinson classic Tracks Of My Tears. “I really wanted it to be a representation of what I do live,” he said. Linc’s currently working hard at honing his live act, doing shows up and down the Queensland coast and further afield. He’s keen to do some support acts, and is planning a tour of his own for the second half of this year. The new EP will be launched on the Thursday night of this year’s Gympie Muster.

years of bringing you the music 1975–2019

MICHELLE HARKNESS PHOTOGRAPHY

W H E R E A R E T H E Y NOW ?

TALIA WITTMANN

BY ANNA ROSE

THE MANY FRIENDSHIPS, FORMED DURING AND AFTER HER REIGN AS TOYOTA STAR MAKER 2008, WERE AMONG THE SWEETEST MEMORIES TALIA WITTMANN CAN RECALL A DECADE DOWN THE TRACK.

alia, who’s now retired from the music industry, said “I think it was the perfect time in my life to have experienced the Star Maker journey.” Until that moment, winning Star Maker had been her biggest career achievement. “It is an amazing feeling to be awarded such a prestigious prize that has started the careers of some of the biggest names in country music,” Talia said after her 2008 win. “I have longed to be a part of Star Maker ever since I started singing and performing and feel very privileged and grateful to be among the winners.” Talia described her win as “a dream come true”. After winning Star Maker, Talia went on to record her debut album, The Reckless Side Of Me, with Compass Bros Records and travelled extensively across Australia. She performed alongside some of her idols but playing with her band Overdrive at the 2008 Toyota National Country Music (Gympie) Muster was one of her biggest thrills. Ahead of the 2009 Golden Guitar Awards Talia was excited at future prospects and grateful for the year behind her. “I had enormous support from Toyota, Capital News, Rural Press Events and Maton, and to top it off, I was nominated for two Golden Guitars. It doesn’t get much better than that,” she said. “I remember sitting in the audience at the Golden Guitars as a

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little kid admiring the nominated artists. I am proud to say I got to experience that in 2009. Thank you, Toyota Star Maker for a great year and for making my dreams come true! Those dreams did come true for Talia when she walked away with the New Talent of the Year trophy, the icing on top of her Star Maker dream cake, however Talia’s career aspirations ran deeper than the stage. For almost a decade Talia has been living and working in Adelaide as a research scientist where she oversees the lab’s research project activity; assisting with scientific data management, grant writing, publication and research translation. Talia curates and maintains the lab’s digital communication platforms and provides general administrative and teaching support. On November 10, 2018, Talia celebrated the arrival of her first child, Edwin Otis Woodrow. Motherhood occupies Talia’s every waking moment now but she took time out to recall her priceless experience as a Toyota Star Maker winner. “It is such an amazing platform for young talent to emerge from,” she said. “I learnt a lot about the music industry and myself. In the end however, I decided it wasn’t the career path for me personally, but I am forever grateful for the experiences, friendships and lessons Star Maker taught me.

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PHOTO: PORT DOUGLAS WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY

T Y I NG T H E KNOT

AMBER & MARTY THE MARRIAGE OF AMBER LAWRENCE TO MARTY NEWMAN TOOK PLACE AT ST MARY’S BY THE SEA IN PORT DOUGLAS, FAR NORTH QUEENSLAND ON THURSDAY, MAY 2 FOLLOWED BY A RECEPTION AT THE SORT AFTER WEDDING VENUE AND HERITAGE-LISTED PORT DOUGLAS SUGAR WHARF.

earing a gown designed and made by her sister Peta Lawrence, Amber walked down the aisle on the arm of her brother, Adam. The custommade gown was a vintage-styled, beaded lace full length gown. Peta made the dresses for their mother Lorraine, the

three bridesmaids – Peta, Amber’s sisterin-law Tessa, and cousin Brooke – and the flower girls, her four nieces, Eden, Darcie, Sienna and Milla. Marty’s groomsmen were Aaron Smith and James O’Neill, and the couple’s eight-monthold baby, Ike Lawrence, was the ring-bearer,

C TRACY & MITCH years of bringing you the music 1975–2019

ountry artist, Victorian, Tracy Killeen married electrician Mitch Kennedy, last November 2018 after meeting on a blind date. They were surrounded by family and close friends at a small ceremony held at the Ensay Winery nestled in the picturesque hills of the Tambo River Valley in East Gippsland. A few months later on February 25, the couple’s son was born.

despite sleeping through the service. The colour theme was a succulent marine green and, whilst enjoying a few champagnes the night before the wedding, Amber and her bridesmaids made their own succulent bouquets. The couple’s first dance was the Hall and Oates classic You Make My Dreams Come True. Guests included mostly family and country music stars Dianna Corcoran, Aleyce Simmonds, Luke O’Shea, Arna Georgia, Fanny Lumsden, Simon Johnson, Rod Motbey, Glen Harrison, Mal Lancaster and Dan Freeman, and they thrilled the congregation with a rousing rendition of Stand By Me as Amber and Marty signed the wedding register. Aleyce and Dianna also sang a beautiful version of God Bless The Broken Road for the couple. Amber performed Achy Breaky Heart at the reception, alongside Arna, Glen, Luke and Rod, with their performance of The Horses causing the heavens to open. The bride and groom together with their guests danced in the rain, singing along, with everyone getting drenched during the fourminute downpour. Emcee, journalist Jonathan Moran, warned guests not to jump off the wharf as there were crocodiles lurking below.

Ryan Jack Kennedy is a brother for six-year-old Cora. Tracy said; “I love being a full time mum and home executive.” Tracy and Mitch have made their home in a small community in East Gippsland. A former graduate of the 2000 CMAA Academy of Country Music, Tracy continues to perform and having already performed on Cruisin’ Country in 2013, 2015 and 2018, she will join the cruise once again in 2020 to perform her popular show, ‘On The Trail Of Patsy Cline’.

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A D L

Sta rea big an

Lo Mi roa

yea

HEAR+THERE SAY BYE TO CANCER A FEW MORE DIRT ROADS FOR LIAM BREW

ast month, Sunshine Coast artist Liam Brew released his new single A Few More Dirt Roads. It’s been 10 years since Liam won Toyota Star Maker and whilst still a young man he’s reached an age where he’s starting to consider life’s big questions including slowing down, finding peace and quiet, and stopping to smell the roses. The single was written by Blake Bollinger, Kelley Lovelace and Randy Montana, and produced by Michael Carpenter, and is about finding more dirt roads to travel than the peak-hour traffic alternative. The 2010 Golden Guitar finalist has spent the past few years touring and re-discovering his musical headspace. His debut album Wild Heart was released in August 2009 and his follow-up album Faster, released in 2013, debuted at #20 on the ARIA Australian Artist Country Albums Chart peaking at #9 on the iTunes Australia Top Country Music Albums Chart.

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QUEENSLAND SINGER AND STUDENT SERVICE’S OFFICER AT HILLBROOK ANGLICAN SCHOOL IN ENOGGERA, LEISA BYE HAS SET HERSELF A GOAL TO RAISE $10,000 BY JUNE 30 FOR CHARITY, BY SHAVING HER HEAD.

t the time of going to print, Leisa had raised $6,790.54. Leisa has chosen The Women’s Cancer Foundation, specifically to Ovarian Cancer clinical trials, following her own experiences. “It’s very close to my heart as I am in a very high-risk category and right now one of our past students at Hillbrook, Kristen Larsen, is in her sixth year of fighting stage three incurable Ovarian Cancer and she is only 26. “Kristen has no more treatment options left, and it’s thanks to clinical trials she’s still with us, and is about to start one at the end of May.” Leisa also lost her 32-year-old sister-in-law to brain cancer and understands the impact the loss of cancer has on a family and it’s because of this that she wants to help. Leisa said; “It costs $1,500 to put just one woman through a clinical trial, which gives them

the chance of more time with their family and loved ones... maybe long enough to, one day, see a cure.” If you’d like to help Leisa reach her target type this into your search engine https://give. everydayhero.com/au/leisa-sheadshave-for-ovarian-cancer

years of bringing you the music 1975–2019

H+T OUT IN THE COUNTRY ‘AUSSIE AS’ MATT SCULLION MATT SCULLION’S NEW SINGLE AUSSIE AS, PRODUCED BY SHANE NICHOLSON, WAS RELEASED LAST MONTH ALONG WITH ITS ACCOMPANYING VIDEO SHOT IN NEWCASTLE NSW WITH LUKE MCDONAGH OF WHITE TIGER WORKSHOP.

t’s the follow up to his previous single, Shout The Land A Drink, which debuted at #1 on the iTunes Chart and appeared as ‘Clip of the Week’ on the Country Music Channel. Aussie As celebrates nippers on the beach, a footy on the roof and a hundred different cultures all rolled into one. The idea for the track was conceived at an Anzac Day service after Matt had returned from a long stint living overseas. “I’d been wanting to write a song about growing up in Australia,” says Matt, “and being back on home soil was all the inspiration I needed.” He took his idea to Paul Grierson of Simply Bushed and the song began to take shape. Together Matt and Shane, and seventime Golden Guitar winner Lyn Bowtell on backing vocals, created a stunning snapshot of Australia with beautifully layered guitars and a string quartet. When it came to shoot the video Matt wanted it to be about multicultural Australia. years of bringing you the music 1975–2019

There’s a range of Australian images represented but the highlight, Matt says, would have to be Alfie Carter. He’s a 102-year-old WWII veteran and we filmed him in his backyard standing by an old hills hoist, dressed up in his suit and medals. He smiled this cheeky grin as he threw pennies during a two-up game’. Matt won a Golden Guitar for Song of the Year for Our Backyard which was recorded by Travis Collins and Amber Lawrence, and a TSA award for Country Rock Song of the Year for White Side Of The Fence recorded by Simply Bushed. He hosts The Scullion Sessions songwriting events at various venues and you can find out where he’s playing in the Live Music Scene.

WHEN COUNTRY MUSIC FAN, JOURNALIST AND CAMERAMAN MARK PIEPERS DEVELOPED A CONCEPT FOR AN ONLINE MUSIC SERIES, OUT IN THE COUNTRY WAS BORN.

he fact he loves to travel has meant that no place is too far to track down the perfect artist or interview. Out In The Country launched on March 29 covering a range of established and emerging artists including James Blundell, the Dallas family, Mike McClellan, Slim Newton, Kim Wright, and Benny Allen. “Having a background in news and current affairs, I’m a journalist and a cameraman and when I started doing film clips, I found it was more fun than news,” Mark said. “I love dealing with creative people and I meet the most amazing people on the road.” Mark has been developing Out In The Country and setting up a studio cabin for two-and-a-half years and is getting more passionate about the concept with each episode. “The talent that is available from the artists and the songwriting is continuing to amaze me,” he said. “It is good to give a platform to those who don’t always get heard but have a lot of talent, and those who are emerging who could be the next James Blundell or Beccy Cole.” The YouTube series is beginning to get interest from as far away as the USA and Switzerland. “I want to appeal to Australian audiences and show them their own music, but it is always good to show Australian music to overseas audiences as well,” Mark said. Mark would love to hear from more artists who want to be part of Out In The Country, and country listeners artists can support the series by becoming subscribers on YouTube. You can find Out In The Country but searching for it or Mark Piepers on Facebook. C O U N T RY M U S I C C A P I TA L N E W S J U N E 2 0 1 9

Lindsay Waddington New Album PHOTO: STEVE LOWRY

NullarboR

Out Now!

www.krosskutrecords.com.au

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PHOTOS BY TONY MOTT

Above: Michael Chugg, Jeremy Dylan and Lee Kernaghan Right: Lindsay Rimes and Sony ATV’s Maree Hamblion

APRA AWARDS

MELBOURNE-BORN, LA-BASED SONGWRITER SARAH AARONS IS THE 2019 APRA SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR, AWARDED FOR HER BODY OF WORK IN THE PREVIOUS 12 MONTHS.

he also won Most Played Australian Work and Dance Work of the Year with the smash hit, Grammy-nominated song The Middle performed by Zedd, Maren Morris & Grey (and co-written with Jordan Johnson, Stefan Johnson, Marcus Lomax, Kyle Trewartha, Michael years of bringing you the music 1975–2019

Trewartha and Anton Zaslavski). She also received the award for Rock Work of the Year. Morgan Evans received the Country Work of the Year for his crossover hit Day Drunk,

and in-demand Australian songwriter Lindsay Rimes received the 2019 Overseas Recognition Award. Lee Kernaghan delivered a touching tribute to the late Rob Potts, who was posthumously honoured with the Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Services to Australian Music. The 2019 APRA Music Awards were hosted by Brian Nankervis with Kate Miller-Heidke as musical director and were held in Melbourne for the first time since 2013. For a complete list of awards go to the APRA AMCOS website.

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FESTIVALS

CMA NASHVILLE

Hunter Brothers

MUSIC CITY LIGHTS UP FROM THURSDAY, JUNE 6 TO SATURDAY, JUNE 8 THE ANNUAL CMA FEST KICKS OFF.

he BBR Music Group kick off festivities on Thursday night at the Firestone Country Roads Stage with headliner Chase Rice who’ll be joined by Jimmie Allen, Blanco Brown, Adam Craig, Lindsay Ell, Tyler Farr, King Calaway, LOCASH and Runaway June. Brett Young will headline the stage on Friday night and will be joined by Bailey Bryan, Jordan Davis, Adam Hambrick, Caylee Hammack, Jillian Jacqueline and Mitchell Tenpenny. Saturday night’s event will be presented by Warner Music Nashville with artists Hunter Hayes and Cody Johnson will co-headline the evening, joined by Ingrid Andress, Tucker Beathard and Ashley McBryde. “We are excited for the Ascend Amphitheater

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performances to return for a third straight year with a stellar lineup and are thrilled to offer an additional nightly concert series to festival goers as well as our local Nashville fanbase during CMA Fest,” said Damon Whiteside, CMA chief marketing officer. “With a portion of ticket proceeds benefiting highquality music education initiatives across the U.S. through the CMA Foundation, the loyal fans that attend the Firestone Country Roads Stage are helping to support this mission.”

Miranda Lambert

CMA Fest has revealed the line-ups for three daytime stages that are free to the public. They are the Chevy Breakout Stage at Walk of Fame Park, Maui Jim Broadway Stage at Bridgestone Plaza and Nashville Acoustic Corner Stage and will feature over 110 performances. Located at Walk of Fame Park, the lineup at the Chevy Breakout Stage will highlight rising artists including Carlton Anderson, Tenille Arts, Kassi Ashton, Drew Baldridge, Chris Bandi, Kelleigh Bannen, Bailey Bryan, Austin Burke, Dillon Carmichael, Adam Craig, Travis Denning, Cale Dodds, Adam Doleac, Clare Dunn, Brooke Eden, Filmore, HARDY, Jillian Jacqueline, James Barker Band, Austin Jenckes, Brett Kissel, Love and Theft, Tegan Marie, Steve Moakler, Muscadine Bloodline, Brandon Ratcliff, Brandon Ray, Teddy Robb, Noah Schnacky, Dylan Schneider, Seaforth, Smithfield, Matt

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FESTIVALS

CMA NASHVILLE

Jimmie Allen

Lindsay Ell

Stell, Sweet Tea Trio, Tenille Townes, Rachel Wammack, Waterloo Revival, The Wild Feathers and Carter Winter. Miranda Lambert will lead MuttNation’s Mutt March on Thursday, June 6. Starting at Nissan Stadium, the parade of pups will wind its way across the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge and into Walk of Fame Park, where Storme Warren will interview Lambert in a live broadcast from the Chevy Breakout Stage on SiriusXM’s The Highway. The Maui Jim Broadway Stage at Bridgestone Plaza will include the “BMI Tailgate” performances on Thursday, June 6 with Colin Elmore, House Whiskey, Josh Phillips and Dan Smalley. Additional acts taking the stage include The Adelaides, Jay Allen, Roan Ash, Gabby Barrett, Stephen Carey, Troy Cartwright, Crowder, Kyle Daniel, Jaida Dreyer, Ross Ellis, Everette, Fairground Saints, Ray Fulcher, Noah Guthrie, Adam Hambrick, Levi Hummon, Hunter Brothers, Caleb Lee Hutchinson, Lauren Jenkins, Willie Jones, King Calaway, The Last Bandoleros, Leaving Austin, Baylee Littrell, Hayley Orrantia, Drew Parker, Stephanie Quayle, Faren Rachels,

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Mitchell Tenpenny

Jordan Davis

Elvie Shane, Kalie Shorr, The Sisterhood Band, The Swon Brothers and Lainey Wilson. The Nashville Acoustic Corner Stage, located inside the NCVC Visitor Center at Bridgestone Arena, will feature Haley Mae Campbell, Seth Cook, Cross Atlantic, Jobe Fortner, Makayla Lynn, Jill Martin, David Ray, Maggie Renfroe, Joe Robinson and Anna Rose. Friday’s performances are presented by SESAC and feature Blanco Brown, Nora Collins, Spencer Crandall, Erin Enderlin, Aaron Goodvin, Kelly McGrath, Tom O’Connor, Jake Rose, Scott Stevens and Jenny Tolman. Saturday and Sunday’s lineups includes Beoga, Jordan Brooker, Brown & Gray, Shy Carter, Robert Counts, Crawford & Power, Hannah Dasher, Larry Fleet, Kylie Frey, Tony Jackson, Angie Keilhauer, Cory Marks, Jaden Michaels, Emily Ann Roberts, Shane Runion, SixForty1, Tiera,

Tyler Reese Tritt, Anna Vaus and The Wandering Hearts. Additional performers at CMA Fest include Billy Currington at the Chevy Riverfront Stage on Thursday, Randy Houser at Firestone Country Roads Stage at Ascend Amphitheater Presented by BBR Music Group on Thursday and Pam Tillis on the Budweiser Forever Country Stage on Sunday. All outdoor daytime stages are free and open to the public and artists performing at CMA Fest donate their time so a portion of ticket proceeds can directly benefit high-quality music education initiatives across the United States through the CMA Foundation.

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FESTIVALS

Andrew Swift

HATS OFF TO COUNTRY

Anthony Taylor

Ashleigh Dallas

TAMWORTH’S WINTER WONDERLAND THE 20TH HATS OFF TO COUNTRY WILL SEE GOLDEN GUITAR WINNERS FELICITY URQUHART AND BRAD BUTCHER HEADLINING THE MID-YEAR FESTIVAL

he ‘Country Music Capital’ will host the winter festival from Thursday to Sunday, July 11 to 14. This year’s “Hats Off” is sponsored by Tamworth City Toyota and has revealed a lineup that includes some of the best singers and songwriters in the country music business. There’s a few ticketed shows so be sure to get yours and the rest you can enjoy for free courtesy of venues in Tamworth, Nundle and Manilla. The festival is an intimate event for lovers of singer songwriters but also a long weekend for those wanting to party with friends whilst enjoying a variety of great music. “The Hats Off To Country Festival has entertained visitors and Tamworth locals for 20 years now and it

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is such a fantastic time to get together to enjoy some live music in the cooler weather,” said Cheryl Brown representing the Tamworth Stakeholders. “Tamworth is renowned for bringing together artists and avid music-lovers for the annual Toyota Country Music Festival, held each January. “Hats Off” is another wonderful opportunity that the locals take to welcome back established and emerging artists as well as visitors for a mid-year celebration. “It’s also a great opportunity

to support our local entertainment venues that provide fantastic entertainment and service. They really come together each year to make this festival such a success.” Host of ABC’s ‘Saturday Night Country’ and Tamworth homegrown star Felicity Urquhart, together with Queensland songwriter Brad Butcher, will bring their hit songs to The Pub (99 Gunnedah Road) on Saturday, July 13 from 7pm.* Two-times Golden Guitar finalist Brad Cox, the 2018 Toyota Star Maker will take you higher at Moonshiners Honky Tonk Bar, inside the Family Hotel from 9:30pm. * The popular Cowboy Crawl will be held on Saturday, July 13 and festival-goers can jump on board the bus and be taken to local venues being guaranteed a safe arrival and good time. * “Hats Off” will also be a launching pad for local golden girl Ashleigh Dallas and Port Macquarie’s 2019 Toyota Star Maker Blake O’Connor, both debuting their brand-new

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HATS OFF TO COUNTRY

FESTIVALS

Viper Creek Band

Brad Cox

albums along with country legend Allan Caswell launching his brand-new book My Version Of The Truth. Don’t miss Moscato Dayz Band on Friday night, Ashleigh’s launch on Saturday night, and 2019 two-time Golden Guitar winner Andrew Swift on Sunday from 2pm, all in the Legends Lounge at West Tamworth League Club. Dan Murphy will have you kicking up your boots at Scores Sports Bar at Wests Diggers on Saturday night and again on Sunday afternoon. The Servies Group is a crowd-pleaser, with relative newcomer Aaron Jurd and The Banned, performing over two nights, while at North Tamworth Bowling Club, Golden Guitar winner Luke O’Shea’s intimate dinner show is a definite highpoint. Michael Bryers as well as Col Finley & Will Day will also perform at both these venues over the weekend, plus at the Manilla RSL Club. South Tamworth Bowling Club,

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Blake O’Connor

affectionately known as “Classic Country Central” will feature Alby Pool, Anthony Taylor, and local artist Jared Scott. Tamworth’s pub scene will also be well represented during the “Hats Off to Country Festival” at the Pub Group’s venues, with highlights including the Viper Creek Band on both Friday and Saturday nights at The Longyard. Howdy’s Hoedown will go down at The Pub on Friday night. With a theme of singersongwriters, The DAG Sheep station is a must-add to schedules. John and Belinda Krsulja will host the Songwriter’s Retreat followed by the Songwriters’ Live On The Deck featuring artists from the retreat. There will also be a

Felicity Urquhart and Brad Butcher

number of showcases featuring Luke O’Shea, Felicity Urquhart, Kevin Bennett, Shane Nicholson, Jen Mize and Jeremy Edwards, Johnny K, Richo Richardson, Brendan Nawrocki, Jeff Gibson and others throughout the festival. The CMAA Junior Academy, comprised of 27 students from all over Australia, will perform the Academy Live! Graduation concert on Friday, 12 July in Moonshiners at the Family Hotel. The performance will showcase the talents and learnings of up and coming artists, who have been led by some of the industry’s best, including Academy Director Lyn Bowtell, Academy General Manager Roger Corbett (Bushwackers) as well as Simon Johnson, Fanny Lumsden, Mickey Pye and David Carter. The Australian Bush Balladeer Association will host a fundraising concert for the Bronze Bust for the late Brian Young OAM. The concert will be held at Southgate Inn on Saturday, July 13 from 1pm. The Tamworth Songwriters Association will be out in force as they are each year with events at various venues throughout the city. View the full program, purchase tickets and find out more at the website hatsofftocountry.com *Denotes a ticketed concert.

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FESTIVALS

GROUND WATER

Davisson Brothers,

FESTIVAL HAS INDUSTRY TICK THE ANNUAL GROUNDWATER COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL HAS CLOCKED UP SEVEN YEARS AND BOASTS THE TICK OF APPROVAL FROM THE COUNTRY MUSIC COMMUNITY.

estival Director, Mark “Duck” Duckworth measures the success of both Blues On Broadbeach and the Groundwater Country Music Festival on the response from the industry. 50

“I spend a lot of time curating the events to ensure it flows nicely year-on-year and to have the acts complementing us on the event and how well they’ve been looked after gives us a good feeling.” “It’s a special moment.” The first event was held in 2013 and was called Broadbeach Country Music Festival and

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Mark says that was just a ‘toe in the water’. “Once it was established we knew we could put a stamp on it. “’Broadbeach’ somewhat confined it to an area, whereas ‘Groundwater’ suggested a greater brand that celebrates the Gold Coast and gives our festival tribe something to connect with,” Mark said. It didn’t take long at all for ‘Groundwater’ to stick. The second line-up in 2019 sees US country-rockers Davisson Brothers Band, join an already impressive line-up that includes Lee Kernaghan, Beccy Cole and The Wolfe Brothers. The Davisson Brothers four-piece band hails from the hills of West Virginia and they’re known for their authentic and passionate country rock music. “Lee Kernaghan has never played at Groundwater and it’s located in his own backyard. “It’s going to be a cool for us to have Lee play and with years of bringing you the music 1975–2019

FESTIVALS

GROUND WATER

Mark Duckworth

his new album out this month, it’s going to be a great year for him.” The family-friendly event will be held on the Gold Coast over the weekend July 26-28 where nearly 50 acts will perform across 15 stages throughout Broadbeach’s bars, restaurants, streets and parks, allowing you to sit down and relax while listening to some of the biggest names in country music perform. The second line-up includes Graeme Connors, Drew McAlister, Freya Josephine Hollick, The Viper Creek Band, Hayley Jensen, Amber Joy Poulton, Benn Gunn, Angus Gill, Brooke Lambert, The Tony Q Band, Haystack Mountain Hermits, NeillyRich, local Gold Coast talent Casey Barnes and 22-year-old Chloe Styler, plus Country Music Cocktails and ABC’s Saturday Night Country hosted by Felicity Urquhart. Mark said; “I’m excited about bringing Tex Perkins years of bringing you the music 1975–2019

Lee Kernaghan

And The Tennessee Four to the stage. His ‘Far From Folsom’, songs of Johnny Cash show, is awesome with back to back hits and a killer band. “Groundwater will continue to give country music the respect it deserves, paying tribute to classic moments in the genre’s history with The Songs of Johnny Cash, celebrating story tellers like Graeme Connors and Drew McAlister, encouraging breaking acts and welcoming international guests like the Davisson Brothers Band to join the party...It’s going

to be a big year,” said Mark. “What better way to spend a weekend?” said Graeme Connors. “Sun, sand and the best Australian country music has to offer! I’m really looking forward to performing at Groundwater for the very first time.” Mark said that his favourite thing about the festival is showing off all types of the genre sounds to new fans who’ve never been to a country music festival before, once they’ve seen it, they’re coming back. With over 110 live music performances, more than 130 hours of free live entertainment, and unique artists that reflect such a wide array of the country music genre, fans new and old will have the time of their lives.

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Saltbushsix

James Ellis and the Jealous Guys

KEEN AS MUSTERED PLATINUM-SELLING COUNTRY MUSIC MAVERICK CHASE RICE IS SET TO LEAD THIS YEAR’S LINE-UP AT THE FAMOUS GYMPIE MUSTER FROM AUGUST 22 TO 25.

t a time when festivals need to stand apart, the muster has taken on board fan feedback and will deliver more international acts than usual to their unique festival in the forest. In an Australian exclusive, Chase, along with ‘rockgrass’ band Hayseed Dixie – wild Hillbillies from Tennessee who perform bluegrass covers of hard rock songs (think

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Highway To Hell with a lot of banjo lead) – Grammy Award-winning bluesman Micki Free, Canadian songstress Amy Nelson and fellow countrymen The Dungarees will feature at Amamoor this year. Chase became famous on reality television – Survivor Nicaragua and was voted in the top 10 ‘steamiest’ males on the show. Last month, Chase’s hit song Eyes On You topped the Country Airplay

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Tex Perkins

chart at #1, and it also entered the Top 40 on the All-Genre Billboard Hot 100. The song was co-written with frequent collaborators Ashley Gorley and Chris DeStefano. The multi-Platinum entertainer started his career as a songwriter on Florida Georgie Line’s Diamond-certified #1 crossover hit Cruise in 2012 before climbing the charts on his own with both debut single Ready Set Roll and follow-up Gonna Wanna Tonight hitting the top 5. After supporting Kenny Chesney’s The Big Revival Tour, Chase consistently sold out 2,500-3,000 set venues on his headlining JD and Jesus Tour, Ever ybody We Know Does Tour and Lambs & Lions Tour. Micki Free is a blues man, discovered

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FESTIVALS

GYMPIE MUSTER

Hayseed Dixie

Chase Rice

by Kiss’ Gene Simmons and will join the muster’s Guitar Jam. Canadian Amy Nelson is a human boomerang returning to Australia on regular visits. She boasts two Australian top 10 singles. Fellow Canadian band The Dungarees are huge fan favourites everywhere they play. With bassist/vocalist James Murdoch, guitarist/vocalist Robb Angus, guitarist/ vocalist Kiron Jhass, steel player Darrek Anderson and drummer Ben Shillabeer they take their musical mandate, undeniable lyrical styling, twangy telecaster and steel guitar that they love from classic country, and inject it with harmony, modern intensity and pop sensibility. They’ll be joined by legendary Australian R ‘n’ B artist Renée Geyer, blues rock icon Tex Perkins and his Fat Rubber Band, and Australian country music royalty Chad Morgan, Kasey Chambers, The McClymonts, James Blundell, Luke

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Chad Morgan Chad Morgan

The Dungarees

O’Shea and Felicity Urquhart. Other artists include; 8 Ball Aitken, Aaron D’ Arcy, Alice Benfer, Allan Caswell, Andrew Farriss & The Rainmakers, Andy Nelson, Back To The Bush Balladeers, 2019 Toyota Star Maker Blake O’Connor, Brad Cox, Brendan Smoother, Chloe Styler, Col Finley, Colt Seavers Band, Dan Horne, Davidson Brothers, Emma Beau, Georgia State Line, Gympie Blues Club, Jack Viljoen, James Ellis And The Jealous Guys, Jeff Lang, Jetty Road, Kaylens Rain, Kelly Cork, Kevin Bennett & The Flood, Kirsty Lee Akers, Kristy

James, Lance Friend, 2018 Gympie Muster Talent Search Junior winner Leyon Milner, Linc Phelps – 2019 Toyota Star Maker Top 10 Grand Finalist, Marco Gliori & The Muster Poets, Mason Hope, Megan Cooper, Melody Moko, Murphy’s Pigs, Natalie Henry, 2018 Gympie Muster Talent Search Open winner Natalie Pearson, Paddy McHugh, Redneck Gentlemen, Ruby Saltbush, Saltbush Six, Scarlet’s Way, Shelley & Lawrie Minson, Simply Bushed, Sue Ray, Tennessee Lights, The Faceless Men, The Fergies, The Muirs, The Smashing Bumpkins, The Viper Creek Band, The Wilson Pickers, Tim Gaze Blues Experience, The Dennis Sisters, Phoebe Jay, Vix And The Slick Chix, Whistle Dixie Band, Zoey Mills and more.

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FESTIVALS

Lee Kernaghan

60TH MT ISA

Busby Marou

LEGENDS OF AUSTRALIAN MUSIC AND RODEO COLLIDE COUNTRY STARS LEE KERNAGHAN AND BUSBY MAROU, BRAD COX, CASEY BARNES, OAKWOOD AND THE 2019 TOYOTA STAR MAKER BLAKE O’CONNOR JOIN THE LEGENDARY JOHN FARNHAM AND BIRDS OF TOKYO FOR THE 60TH MT ISA MINES RODEO.

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he live performances will be held in the red dirt of the famous Isa Rodeo Arena from August 8 to 11. “It’s my first time at the Isa Rodeo and I can’t wait to perform at this C O U N T RY M U S I C C A P I TA L N E W S J U N E 2 0 1 9

iconic Outback Queensland event,” said John. “It’s been a tough time in this region after the floods and stock losses, so it’s going to be a great time

for people to come together and enjoy themselves for a few days.” Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones said the line-up was an added boost to the profile of the biggest rodeo in the Southern Hemisphere. “This stellar line-up is testament to the event’s continued success, which saw it again win the Best Regional Festival and Event at the 2019 Australian Tourism Awards,” Ms Jones said. “This event is a celebration of music, outback culture and the coming together of communities for the Year of Outback Tourism, which is about promoting regional Queensland and encouraging years of bringing you the music 1975–2019

FESTIVALS

60TH MT ISA

Brad Cox

Blake O’Connor

visitors to get out and explore our state.” One of Australia’s most popular contemporary rock bands, sixteen-time ARIA Award nominated, Birds of Tokyo, will fire up the stage, kicking off the Rodeo Rock concerts on Friday night, August 9. Their current single, Good Lord is currently one of the most played songs on Australian radio. Their support act is Melbourne country rock act, Oakwood. The band is fronted by Jaime Holland, Deep Creek Road’s former female lead singer. Oakwood debuted at this year’s CMC Rocks Qld. The Saturday night concert on August 10 will feature country rock legend Lee Kernaghan, who is looking forward to performing songs like The Outback Club, Boys From The Bush, Hat Town, She’s My Ute and Australian Boy, which are modern day anthems for a generation of Australians living and working on the land. Kernaghan said playing the Mount Isa Mines Rodeo had been on his bucket list for many years. years of bringing you the music 1975–2019

Casey Barnes

“It is a legendary event and I can not wait to get back out there … it has been too long,” he said. “I can remember playing with the king, Slim Dusty, in Isa on his show many years ago and also doing a show at the Irish Club way back in the first few years of my touring career but to be playing the Isa Rodeo this year will definitely be one of the highlights of my 2019 Backroad Nation Tour. “Looking forward to seeing everyone for the party to end all parties at the Mount Isa Mines Rodeo in August,” said Lee. Lee will be supported by Golden Guitar finalist Casey Barnes, who is making a massive impact on the Australian country music scene, and the 2019 Toyota Star Maker winner,

Blake O’Connor. Many former Star Maker winners have performed at the Mt Isa Rodeo but this year organisers have included the new winner as part of their program. Blake said, “I’m so excited to be able to experience the 60th Mt Isa Rodeo in my 19th year, and I’m looking forward to playing at such an iconic event. I’m feeling really fortunate for this opportunity.” All rodeo tickets, accommodation, packages and tickets for the John Farnham Live in the Arena are on sale now. The concert features Farnham, Busby Marou, Brad Cox (the 2018 Toyota Star Maker winner), 2019 Toyota Star Maker Blake O’Connor and Dee Jaye Bux. Mount Isa is gearing up to host a week of rodeo festival including the free Isa Street Festival featuring a live concert by Thirsty Merc lead singer Rai Thistlethwayte organised by the Mount Isa City Council on Wednesday, August 7; Bush Poets Breakfast on Thursday, August 8, and much more. The Isa Rodeo has won Australian Tourism Awards in the Festival and Events category for Gold (2018), Silver (2017) and Gold (2016). Visit the isarodeo on the web, Facebook, Instagram, twitter and Youtube. C O U N T RY M U S I C C A P I TA L N E W S J U N E 2 0 1 9

SOUNDADVICE CAN’T SAY I AIN’T COUNTRY FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE BMLG The chart-topping duo enjoys a healthy dose of self-deprecation and faux preacher phone messages on their 19 track fourth album. Brother Jervel helps bro-country buddies Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley add humour to their title track and Y’all Boys featuring new age redneck Michael Hardy who co-wrote seven tunes on this eclectic disc. They include huge pre-tour hit Simple, sensual single Talk You Out Of It, social comment People Are Different, humorous hymnal Small Town and hedonistic Sittin’ Pretty. Hubbard and Kelley co-wrote eight tunes including self-explanatory Can’t Ride Red featuring Georgian star Jason Aldean and female homage Women with Jason Derulo as guest vocalist. They cover all bases on romance fuelled Speed Of Love, Told You, Like You Never Had It and Biblical finale Blessings. But the peak is Colorado with wry word play celebrating the state that has spread its allure to Willie Nelson’s home-grown harvests. Producer-whistler Joey Moi laces this mainstream melange with Paul Franklin and Russ Pahl’s pedal steel and mandolin, banjo, ganjo and Dobro by Bryan Sutton, Rob Ickes and Ilya Toshinskiy. Joyous ear-candy. BMLG 3003826 DAVID DAWSON

AMERICAN LOVERS

MARTY BROWN PLOWBOY RECORDS

IT GOES LIKE IT GOES

ALITA FAHEY AND TAYZIN FAHEY-LEIGH

Kentuckian Marty Brown’s return after a 23-year hiatus enabled him to recruit his namesake son as cowriter on the joyous I’m On A Roll - one of 10 songs he penned with co-producer Jon Tiven. Brown, 53, proves small town nostalgia is his strong suit in his entrée title track and Kentucky Blues where he name-checks Bill Monroe. Equally accessible is Umbrella Lovers that exploits mirthful metaphors in its video with extended family the lead actors. Brown explores road trip woes and joys of a Korean war survivor in Casino Winnebago and a baseball analogy for chasing dreams despite life’s challenges in Right Out Of Left Field. The singer ignites a vast contrast with his hook heavy ditty Shaking All Over The World followed by pathos primed warnings about risks of unbridled hedonism in When The Blues Come Around. Brown exhumes the power of loving and leaving restraints in Velvet Chains and tries a new touch to an old theme explored by David Allan Coe in his finale Mona Lisa Smiles. A welcome boomerang by a roots country survivor.

INDEPENDENT

PLOWBOY 691208071949 DAVID DAWSON

BROTHERS3 MUSIC SUSAN JARVIS

Alita Fahey is well known as the mother and manager of talented trio Brothers3. But she’s also had a long and illustrious career of her own as a singer, actor and musical theatre performer. So when son Tayzin suggested she join him to record an album of their favourite songs, she leapt at the chance. The result is a sweet, melodic and appealing album, featuring alternating lead vocals from the pair, with some gorgeous, seamless harmonies. All the songs are about journeys and memories, and there are some wonderful moments, including Diamonds and Dust and Talk To Me Of Mendocino, both featuring Alita. Tayzin’s superb renditions of the John Denver classics Back Home Again and Rocky Mountain High, and the pair’s duet on The Prayer. Tayzin’s uplifting version of You’ll Never Walk Alone is sublime, and I loved Alita’s rendition of the Kate McGarrigle song Talk to Me of Mendocino. This is a simple, unadorned album filled with beautiful vocals, great harmonies and lots of love. It is exactly as music should be.

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HAND IT OVER

HEARTLAND

INDEPENDENT

SOCIAL FAMILY RECORDS

Sunshine Coast duo Hat Fitz & Cara have developed their bluesy gospel hybrid since meeting at a music festival in County Mayo in Ireland’s west in 2008. Darren Fitzpatrick, 52, was raised on his outback dad’s country cassettes and Belfast born belle Cara Robinson, 45, escaped her family’s Hendrix vinyl trove for a gospel country penchant. Now, 11 years down the lost highway, Hat Fitz has blended his guitar and banjo with drummer Cara’s vocals on their fifth album. Chiko Train penned Step Up - soulful entrée of the nine-track disc - segues into equally vibrant City Lights and hook heavy single Hold On. Blind Willie Johnson’s historic Trimmed And Burning is a dirge of sorts and is followed by rollicking ADHD that’s true to its title and uplifting Under Wing. More melodic are the haunting original Painter ’s Guitar and soulful finale Unbound that benefit from Cye Wood’s violin and viola Cara’s acoustic guitar. It ain’t country but like some the local gospel fuelled R & B it ain’t bad.

Alt-country artist Matt Ward has teased us with three singles and at last we’ve welcomed his first full-length solo offering, which is a moving homage to the loss of his very young nephew, and a collection of pure country songs. From upbeat tracks including Back To The Country, Annabelle, Washed Up, and Take Me Home, to the moving What I Should Do Now, Heartland has songs for every mood you’re in, and gives an honest and highly personal insight into the Adelaide singer-songwriter as a person and an artist. What I Should Do Now is a beautifully sad shining light on Heartland and the most personal of all 10 tracks as Ward’s family continues to deal with a terrible loss. This is a song that anyone who has lost a child will instantly relate to as Ward poses the questions of how to feel, how to deal and what happens now. Heartland is a beautiful example of all that is good about Australian country music.

HAT FITZ & CARA

MATT WARD

SFR REBECCA BELT

HFAC-005 DAVID DAWSON

years of bringing you the music 1975–2019

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 GUITAR PICKER TERRY BENNETTS INDEPENDENT Terry Bennetts describes his first instrumental album as a labour of love, and that shines through on every track on this warm, appealing recording. This album simply glows with the joy of writing and playing music with friends – it’s a compelling combination. Well known as a songwriter and bush balladeer, Terry’s also an accomplished guitarist, who plays with great feeling and passion. The standout tracks on this album are Terry’s own compositions – particularly the powerful Riders Of The Kimberley and the evocative Trouble At The Diggings, both duets with Ian Simpson, and the wonderful Coonawarra Calling and the very catchy Chicken Pickin’, which he performs with Alisha Smith. I also loved Memories of Home. The album traverses a wide range of styles, from Apache to a fabulous Slim Dusty/Stan Coster medley and the beautiful Slim Dusty Rose, which he wrote with Keith Jamieson, and a moving version of Danny Boy. Guitar Picker is full of great playing, wonderful songs and above all, plenty of heart. It will leave you feeling better about life, with a smile on your face. INDIE SUSAN JARVIS

THE JOURNEY

THE GREAT UNKNOWN

OTHER SIDE OF TOWN

DESERT RECORDS

INDEPENDENT

The Journey is the first new album in about seven years from The Coad Sisters, Virginia and Lynette. In the interim, they have released material together with their brother Peter, including the fine album Banjo & Henry, and as part of the popular group Runaway Dixie with Face The Wind released last year. Nevertheless, it is good to see the sisters doing their own special thing again. These girls are steeped in all of country music’s genres, and on this album, they deliver a diversity of good songs. There are several great Australiana stories about characters and places, blended with yodelling, hard driving up-tempo tracks, a couple of classics, When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again and Blue, their versatility is shown with something for every style of country music fan. The production is excellent. You can sample this album on YouTube. It is available to digitally download or on CD. Thoroughly enjoyed it from track 1 through to 14.

Jade Gibson brings you six tracks of exciting new music. The title track of the new EP, The Great Unknown, debuted at #1 on the Australian iTunes Country Music Single Charts and you can tell why. The up-tempo, up-lifting single sets the scene for the rest of the release and it makes you want to keep listening. Written and recorded in Nashville, Gibson’s release exudes American countrypop vibes and themes and you get a feeling of nostalgia when you connect the familiar rhythms of her music to the earlier works of Taylor Swift or the guitar chords of a Keith Urban classic. But with that said, she’s still forging her own way with her unique vocals and way with words. It’s a great first release from a young and emerging artist who is clearly serious about making her mark in the industry. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys discovering new talent. It’s one worth having in your collection.

Music is about making people feel, and it’s impossible not to be drawn into a powerful emotional journey listening to Bec Willis’s raw and very personal third album. Bec has drawn on a rollercoaster of life experiences from the past four years to create a collection of songs that is raw, intensely emotional and above all real. That acts to draw you in to her story – of single motherhood, the loss of love and a marriage, the death of her mum, rebuilding her life and finding a new love. Bec’s voice cuts through artifice to touch your heart, and her songs do the same: they don’t gloss over the tough times, and they celebrate happiness without reservation. Highlights include the very touching Fly, about her sons, Dream In Your Pocket, a tribute to her mum, End Of Time, Promise and Nothing, but I also loved her grungier side on drive and the wonderful, angry White Ass. If you’re feeling a tad emotional, be warned that you’ll be swept away by this album, but it will be a moving, powerful and probably cathartic experience.

THE COAD SISTERS

WWW. PETERCOADANDTHECOADSISTERS. COM GARRY COXHEAD

years of bringing you the music 1975–2019

JADE GIBSON

INDIE HALEY SHERIDAN

BEC WILLIS

INDIE BEC003 SUSAN JARVIS

GUY

STEVE EARLE & THE DUKES NEW WEST

It’s no surprise Grammy winner Steve Earle followed his 2009 Townes Van Zandt tribute disc with this eulogy to another late Texan Guy Clark. Earle, 64, was born in Virginia but spent early years in Texas where he swung from writing ropes hung by Clark who died at 74 in 2016. The trio’s embryonic outlaw era featured in 1981 documentary Heartworn Highways with fellow Texan Rodney Crowell, ex-convict David Allan Coe and Steve Young. A 2015 Revisited sequel impacted so Earle created this 16-track gem ignited by oft-recorded Dublin Blues, Texas 1947, L.A. Freeway and Desperados Waiting For A Train.The latter were hits for latter-day Texan Jerry Jeff Walker and Coe - Rita Ballou and Heartbroke scored for artists diverse as Vince Gill and Ricky Skaggs. She Ain’t Going Nowhere, New Cut Road, Old Friends and The Last Gunfighter Ballad also won fame and fortune for Clark and peers. But here Earle resurrects them in the earthy style first delivered by Guy who toured here before and after Steve’s many visits. NW6455 DAVID DAWSON

C O U N T RY M U S I C C A P I TA L N E W S J U N E 2 0 1 9

COUNTRYCHARTS ARIA TOP 20 AUSTRALIAN COUNTRY ALBUMS Week Commencing 20 May 2019 TW

1 NEW 1

ARTIST

TITLE

LEE KERNAGHAN

LABEL

Backroad Nation ABC/UMA Things That We Drink To WAR KEITH URBAN Graffiti U CAP/EMI SARA STORER Raindance UMA KEITH URBAN Ripcord CAP/EMI SLIM DUSTY The Very Best Of Slim Dusty EMI KEITH URBAN The Story So Far CAP/EMI TROY CASSAR-DALEY Greatest Hits BDL/UMA JOHN WILLIAMSON His Favourite Collection WAR JOHN WILLIAMSON Butcherbird WAR ADAM BRAND Milestones - 20 Years ABC/UMA KASEY CHAMBERS 4 Album Box Set: The Captain/Barricades & Brickwalls EMI KEITH URBAN Greatest Hits: 18 Kids CAP/EMI FELICITY URQUHART Frozen Rabbit ABC/UMA THE WOLFE BROTHERS Country Heart ABC/UMA LEE KERNAGHAN Ultimate Hits ABC/UMA TROY CASSAR-DALEY & ADAM HARVEY The Great Country Songbook SME LEE KERNAGHAN The 25th Anniversary Album ABC/UMA KASEY CHAMBERS & THE FIRESIDE DISCIPLES Campfire WAR LEE KERNAGHAN Spirit of the ANZACS ABC/UMA

2 2 31 1 MORGAN EVANS 3 3 55 1 4 7 5 1 5 4 158 1 6 5

1057 1

7 8

366 1

8 10 30 1 9 11 143 1 10 14 38 1 11 9 44 1 12 20 146 10 13 16 597 1 14 6 3 2 15 17 57 1 16 13 390 1 17 18 290 1 18 12 81 1 19 R/E 47 2 20 15 164 1

COUNTRY SONGS Week ending 25 May 2019. This chart is published by Campfire Publishing and updated weekly at countrytrackschart.com.au POS

ARTIST

TRACK TITLE

1 6 7 1(1) GAYLE O’NEIL

OPEN ARMS

2 4 6 2(1) NEILLYRICH

HEY YOU

3 1 2 1(1) SHELLY JONES BAND

NICE TO BE WITH YOU

4 3 7 2(2) ALAN AND TRACE

COUNTRY’S WHAT I AM

5 21 2 5(1) ASHLEIGH DALLAS

VACATION

6 23 10 3(1) HAYLEY MARSTEN

WENDY

7 0 1 7(1) MATT SCULLION

AUSSIE AS

8 10 28 1(1) BENN GUNN

9 18 4 9(1) THE WOLFE BROTHERS

STORM ROLLIN IN

10 25 2 10(1) DESTINY BAND OZ

DANNY BOY

11 34 6 11(1) AMOS MORRIS AND JUSTIN STANDLEY

BROTHERS BY CHANCE

12 5 7 3(1) THE LONG AND SHORT OF IT

A LITTLE CRAZY’S KINDA NICE

13 12 6 12(1) ALLAN CASWELL

TRAIN TO GODFORSAKEN

14 16 5 14(1) COAD SISTERS

WITHOUT YOU

15 33 5 15(1) JASE LANSKY

HELLA GOOD TIME

16 0 1 16(1) JENNY MITCHELL

TROUBADOUR

17 2 13 1(9) DESTINY BAND OZ

MY FAMILY AND ME

18 26 3 18(1) FANNY LUMSDEN

PRETTY LITTLE FOOLS

19 28 3 19(1) KASEY CHAMBERS

HEY GIRL

20 30 7 10(1) KELL

COMING HOME

C O U N T RY M U S I C C A P I TA L N E W S J U N E 2 0 1 9

ONLY IN AUSTRALIA

years of bringing you the music 1975–2019

OFFICIAL AUSTRALIAN AIRPLAY COUNTRY TOP 20 Week ending 25 May 2019 POS LW

ARTIST

LABEL

TRACK TITLE

1 1 11 1 THOMAS RHETT

Look What God Gave Her

2 2 12 1 AMBER LAWRENCE

Outrageous

ABC/UMA

3 3 11 3 LEE KERNAGHAN

Wheels

ABC/UMA

4 7 13 4 CHRISTIE LAMB

Hot Hot Kiss

ABC/UMA

5 5 16 5 TRAVIS COLLINS

Road Warriors

ABC/UMA

6 31 4 6 BLAKE SHELTON

God’s Country

WB/WMA

7 4 16 4 FELICITY URQUHART

Chain Of Joy

ABC/UMA

8 18 2 8 FANNY LUMSDEN

Pretty Little Fools

9 6 16 1 MAREN MORRIS

GIRL

BIG/UMA

IND COL/SME

10 14 10 10 RODNEY ATKINS FT. THE FISK JUBILEE SINGERS Caught Up In The Country

CURB/SME

11 17 8 11 MICK LINDSAY

Drink About You

12 33 9 12 CHRIS JANSON

Good Vibes

WB/WMA

13 24 3 13 RUNAWAY JUNE

Buy My Own Drinks

SCR/BMG

14 13 10 11 SARA STORER

Raindance

15 21 17 15 OLD DOMINION

Make It Sweet

IND

UMA RCA/SME

16 10 24 8 SCOTTY MCCREERY

This Is It

TRIP/SME

LEE KERNAGHAN 18 8 15 8 MORGAN WALLEN 19 11 12 10 KAYLEE BELL

Backroad Nation

ABC/UMA

17 NEW 1

NEW

BLR

Whiskey Glasses

IND COL/SME

Keith Beer Never Broke My Heart

LUKE COMBS

CMC TOP 50 Week Commencing 25 May. This chart is updated weekly at countrymusicchannel.com.au or tune into CMC. TW ARTIST

TITLE

1 LUKE COMBS

Beautiful Crazy

LABEL SONY

2 MORGAN WALLEN

Whiskey Glasses

BIG LOUD

TW ARTIST

TITLE

LABEL

25 BENNETT, BOWTELL & URQUHART

Mountain Of Pain

CHECKED

26 GRAEME CONNORS

Kimberly Frontier

ABC MUSIC

27 KAYLEE BELL

Keith

28 CHRIS YOUNG

Raised On Country

29 KIRSTY LEE AKERS

Skeletons

30 KELSEA BALLERINI

Miss Me More

3 TRAVIS COLLINS

Road Warriors

ABC MUSIC

4 CHRISTIE LAMB

Hot Hot Kiss

ABC MUSIC

5 LEE BRICE

Rumor

CURB/SONY

6 AMBER LAWRENCE

Outrageous

ABC MUSIC

7 LEE KERNAGHAN

Wheels

ABC MUSIC

8 THOMAS RHETT

31 NATALIE HENRY

Apple And Pride

Look What God Gave Her BIG MACHINE

32 KANE BROWN

Good As You

9 CODY JOHNSON

On My Way To You

33 HAYLEY MARSTEN

Wendy

10 RODNEY ATKINS

Caught Up In The Country CURB/SONY

34 ABBIE FERRIS

Beat You At Your Own Game

35 DYLAN SCOTT

Nothing To Do Town

36 CHASE RICE

Eyes On You

37 CARLY PEARCE

Closer To You

UNIVERSAL

38 JASON ALDEAN

Rearview Town

BIG MACHNE

39 JAYNE DENHAM

Ladies Letting Loose

40 GRETTA ZILLER

Go On

SOCIAL

41 DIERKS BENTLEY

Living

EMI

42 VIPER CREEK BAND

Australian Girls

43 RASCAL FLATTS

Back To Life

44 NEILLYRICH

Hey You

45 HARDY

Rednecker

46 FELICITY URQUHART

Chain Of Joy

47 JETTY ROAD

Because We Can

48 JOSH SETTERFIELD

Broke

INDEPENDENT

49 MICK LINDSAY

Drink About You

INDEPENDENT

50 DANI YOUNG

Stepping Stones

SOCIAL

WARNER

11 THE WOLFE BROTHERS Country Heart

ABC MUSIC

12 BROTHERS OSBORNE

I Don’t Remember Me

13 BLAKE SHELTON

God’s Country

14 SARA STORER

EMI WARNER

Raindance

15 FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE Talk You Out Of It 16 RUNAWAY JUNE

Buy My Own Drinks WHEELHOUSE/BMG

17 CHRIS JANSON

Good Vibes

18 CATHERINE BRITT

Too Hot To Just Quit LOST HIGHWAY/UMA

WARNER

19 BRANTLEY GILBERT & LINDSAY ELL

What Happens In A Small Town

UMA

20 MAREN MORRIS

Girl

SONY

21 LEE KERNAGHAN

Backroad Nation

ABC MUSIC

22 FANNY LUMSDEN

Pretty Little Fools

RED DIRT RECORDS

23 THE WOLFE BROTHERS Storm Rollin’ In 24 CHELSEA BERMAN

Kiss Me Like You Miss Me

years of bringing you the music 1975–2019

ABC SOCIAL

INDEPENDENT SONY SOCIAL SONY INDEPENDENT SONY INDEPENDENT SOCIAL

CURB/SONY BROKEN BOW/BMG BIG MACHINE BROKEN BOW/SONY

C O U N T RY M U S I C C A P I TA L N E W S J U N E 2 0 1 9

CHECKED

CHECKED BIG MACHINE SOCIAL TVM/BIG LOUD ABC MUSIC SOCIAL

BUSH BALLADS

HONOURING

YOUNGIE

BY PETER COAD OAM WWW.BUSHBALLADEERS.COM.AU

THE AUSTRALIAN BUSH BALLADEERS ASSOCIATION WILL PRESENT A CONCERT TO RAISE FUNDS FOR THE BRIAN YOUNG OAM BRONZE BUST AT NEXT MONTH’S HATS OFF TO COUNTRY FESTIVAL IN TAMWORTH.

he concert will be held at the Southgate Inn on Saturday, July 13 from 1pm. Brian was described as The Singing Rough Rider, the Singing Bushman and the Voice Of The Outback. As a teenager, “Youngie” took to the road competing on the rodeo circuit, and in 1954 at the age of 18 won the World Brahman Bull Riding title. With his competing career cut short by injury, his love of performing country music came to the fore. The Brian Young Show commenced touring in 1977, and took entertainment to cities and towns and far reaches of the Australian Outback. The Golden Guitar winner was elevated to the Australian Country Music Roll of Renown and was a

WEETHALLE COUNTRY MUSIC MUSTER The inaugural Weethalle Country Music Muster attracted a huge roll up of fans that enjoyed a great line-up of traditional music artists. Held last month over the weekend of May 2 to 5 at Weethalle Showground in NSW, its success is sure to be a sign the event will be on again in 2020.

BUSH BALLAD RADIO PROGRAMS The Australian Bush Balladeers Association has a page on their website, which lists radio stations and presenters who predominately feature Bush Ballad content in their programming. Most of the stations listed have internet options, so fans around Australia and the world can listen in wherever they may be. Presenters reading this who have a dedicated program of traditional bush ballad content should let 60

C O U N T RY M U S I C C A P I TA L N E W S J U N E 2 0 1 9

recipient of the Tamworth Songwriters Association’s prestigious Songmaker award. Brian received TSA’s Tex Morton Award and the Outback Trailblazer Award. In 2001, Brian was awarded the Order of Australia in recognition of his Australian music achievements. The fundraiser concert will feature Lynette Guest, Graeme Doubleday, Lyn & Phil Manning, Greg Bain, Rodney Walker, Tom Chesterfield, Anthony Baxter,

Tom Manning, Dennis Costigan and I sincerely thank all these artists who have donated their time. The host for the event is Lorraine Pfitzner OAM. There is a $10 donation at the door with all monies raised going to Brian’s bust. Those who cannot attend, and wish to contribute, contact Lorraine direct.

the ABBA know by forwarding station information, program, time, contacts etcetera to info@ bushballadeers.com.au so the station and program can be listed on the website. It all helps spread the word of bush ballad music and artists to a wider audience.

the St George Showground, Qld. Artists confirmed to appear include Dean Perrett, Gary Fogarty, Bruce Lavender, Alice Benfer, Jeff Brown, Alisha Smith, Keith and Caitlyn, Ray Essery, Pete Smith, Kylie Adams Collier, and Laura Downing.

FESTIVALS COMING UP… YELLOWBELLY COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL 2019

Held at the Cunnamulla Showgrounds, over from July 9 to 14, artists this year include Justin Standley, Jeff Brown, Anita Ree, Chad Morgan OAM, John & Christine Smith, Ray Essery, Bec Hance, Pete Wilson, Gary Fogarty, Bruce Lavender, Alisha Smith, Keith and Caitlyn Jamieson.

The annual Yellowbelly Country Music Festival takes place this year over the week July 1-7 at

THE CUNNAMULLA POETS AND COUNTRY MUSIC MUSTER

years of bringing you the music 1975–2019

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

he track was played 28 times a day, changing Johnny’s life forever and saw the hit out-selling The Beatles for a period of two weeks in Adelaide. Johnny was born Lewis John Mackereth on August 17, 1932 in Parkside, a low-key district of South Australia. He was raised in a family of 10. He began selling papers at the age of seven and at 13 he bought his mother a washing machine and when aged 14 he bought her a hoover. His father was a World War II vet and suffered with demons, sadly dying when Johnny was 16. In 1955, Johnny and three mates took off on an adventure to England where he was greasing cars and driving trucks to make ends meet. Shortly after, he went to Montreal and then to the Canadian border town of Sault Ste Marie where he entered a radio competition singing Tex Morton’s Peg Leg Jack. Shortly after, his mates including Johnny Williams (drums) and Ed Rowe (bass) formed The Downunders in which Johnny became the lead singer. During this time in Canada, Johnny met the love of his life, Barbara, and just 11 weeks after meeting, they married. Between 1957 and 1960, the band opened for US stars including Johnny Cash, Jim Reeves, Jerry Lee Lewis, Buddy Holly, Johnny Horton, Hank Snow, Marty Robbins, George Jones, Faron Young, the Louvin Brothers, and many others over the time, as well as Carl Perkins who suggested Johnny buy a Martin D 28, which he still owns. In February 1960, they returned to Australia with their three daughters and Johnny continued his entertainment career as well as growing their family with three sons. Johnny became a regular on years of bringing you the music 1975–2019

A PIONEER WHO

LED THE WAY BY LORRAINE PFITZNER OAM

ON FEBRUARY 27, 1965, US CASH BOX MAGAZINE GAVE A BULLSEYE TO JOHNNY MAC’S US RELEASE OF PINK CHAMPAGNE AND A ROOM OF ROSES, A FIRST FOR AN AUSTRALIAN ARTIST. Bob Fricker’s Mountain Music radio program on Radio 5AD Adelaide every Saturday morning. The program had a big listening audience which was a great way to help Johnny build his profile. He became a popular act in the rock scene around Adelaide, making television appearances on shows such as Stairway To The Stars, Teen Time, Adelaide Tonight, Six O’clock Rock and others. Johnny went into Dale Cleves’ and Peter Hiscock’s G.A.S Recording Studios located in Mt Gambier and recorded So Sorry/Johnny’s Not Around followed by Sad Remembering with backing group, the newly-formed Victorian folk group The Seekers. Being a travelling salesman he was able to leave records on consignment at record stores throughout SA and Broken Hill and as sales rose, W&G offered Johnny a five-year contract for his first release on their label and with Dale Cleves & The Starrliners backing and The Seekers on vocal harmonies they recorded Pink Champagne & A Room Of Rose’s and flipside It Takes More Than A Big Sombrero. Johnny signed a contract with Channel 7 (ADS7 TV) Adelaide from 1964 to 1969, to work on the children’s show Wonderland before developing Johnny Mac’s Country Show Country Style after Roger Cardwell left. It ran for two and half year and featured some of SA’s top country acts such as Trev & Dennis and Carole Sturtzel and national guests like Chad Morgan. Soon after this, he released his first LP before recording several singles and three more LP’s, with one on Festival Records. During this time Johnny hosted two successful tours to Vietnam to entertain the troops. In 1983, while on holiday in America, Johnny purchased Elvis Presley’s 1969 Gold Eldorado Cadillac for $18,000 and raised $35,000 for charity, before selling the car in late 1987. Pink Champagne And Other Favourites is a compilation of Johnny’s four LP’s. He recently recorded a single with

Runaway Dixie written by Barbara and Johnny called Don’t Spare My Feelings that was retitled to Johnny Mac To Johnny Cash and the flipside was Thing-A-Me-Bob. In 1978, Johnny was inducted into the Tamworth Hands Of Fame; in 1986 inducted into Rocky Page’s Hall Of Fame & Avenue Of Honour at Barmera SA; in June 2012 received his OAM for services to country music and; in 2014, was inducted into the SA Music Hall of Fame. Johnny will be 87 in August and continues to make music at the request of his late wife Barbara who passed in 2015. He has credited his longevity as a performer to Barbara, who always supported him throughout his formative years. His son-in-law Terry Kavanagh is compiling a book on his life which is due for release later this year.

C O U N T RY M U S I C C A P I TA L N E W S J U N E 2 0 1 9

WRITING GRE AT SONGS

THE CONVERSATION storylines. In a song you only have three minutes to work with so every word counts.

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

THIS IS MY OPINION AND OPEN TO ARGUMENT RULES FOR “REAL” FROM OTHER WRITERS BUT I FIRMLY BELIEVE Here are a few guidelines for keeping your song sounding convincing and making it accessible to the listener. THAT A SONG LYRIC SHOULD ALWAYS BE A Keep it simple: When what you are trying to say is CONVERSATION BETWEEN YOU AND THE being propelled by a melody and has to sound attractive as well as making a point, you can’t afford to make it too PERSON LISTENING TO THE SONG.

he language and emotional voice of the song should be day-to-day and real. That is not to say that the images can’t be poetic but the message should come through loud and clear. Lyric writing is not poetry … they both come from the same place artistically but it is not enough for a lyric to have a great idea and get your story across … it also has to sound musical with rhyme, alliteration, assonance, repetition, rhythm and every other trick you have at your disposal to work with the tune to create the song. Songwriting is an art just like painting, sculpture, literature or filmmaking. The whole purpose of a song is to touch people and to make them feel something. Because a lyric is simple, it doesn’t mean that it is easy to write or trite. A simple, well written lyric can be incredibly moving and effective … you don’t need to dazzle people with your knowledge of the English language or use big, impressive words. You write how you speak and you need to communicate clearly. Grammar is the natural enemy of the lyricist … Bill Withers could have written “there is no sunshine when she is no longer here …” instead he

chose Ain’t No Sunshine When She’s Gone … ok it’s a joke but for a song to sound real you have to sing it that way. The greatest compliment you can be given as a writer is when someone says “You could have written that song about me.”

FROM THE HEART When you write to touch people, you can’t write to some arbitrary industry template, you can’t write some derivative “me too” version of an existing hit and you can’t slide by with something lightweight and fashion conscious … you have to be completely real. If you are in a conversation, you don t talk like a bad soap actor or a clichéridden reality show contestant you talk with passion, humour, anger and power. When you write a song lyric it needs the same qualities. When you write a novel, you can afford to use a chapter or two to set up characters and

complicated. Use everyday language: Think of a classic song like Sunday Morning Coming Down … “I woke up Sunday morning with no way to hold my head that didn’t hurt”. The language is everyday but it paints a vivid picture of loneliness and struggle. It’s not rocket science and it shouldn’t sound like it is. Stick with the hook: A successful conversation needs to stay on track and everything you ”say” in a song has to stay focused on the hook so that it doesn’t drift off the point. Originality: Being original is not saying something no one has ever said before. It is saying something that people say every day of their lives but finding a new way to say it. Structure: For a logical flow your song attention needs to be paid to the structure. Whatever happens in verse one has to be duplicated in verse two. The rhyme scheme has to be consistent throughout etcetera. In the same way a conversation needs a flow to it … so does a lyric. Form: English is a beautiful language … don’t bend words out of shape just to fit the tune. Keep the rhythm of the words so they blend seamlessly with the tune. See you next month … maybe. If you have questions regarding upcoming songwriting workshops, or my “one on one” private songwriting coaching service (based on the Gold Coast) contact me on 0419218988 or at allan@ allancaswell.com

MY VERSION OF THE TRUTH … A story of survival in the Australian Music Industry … and where it can lead you All enquiries: allan@allancaswell.com

C O U N T RY M U S I C C A P I TA L N E W S J U N E 2 0 1 9

years of bringing you the music 1975–2019

COMINGEVENTS JUNE 2019 1

Pioneer Valley CMF Fundraiser | Kuttabul Hotel | Qld | Time: 6pm | Facebook.com/pioneervalleycmf

6-9

CMA Music Festival | Nashville | USA | cmaworld.com/cma-music-festival

6-10

7-9

7-10

Bluewater CMF | Port Stephens | NSW | W: bluewatercountrymusic.com

8-11

10th Perisher Peak Festival | Perisher Valley | NSW | T: 1300 811 324 | W: peakfestival.com.au

14-17

Corowa RSL Club Annual CM Round Up | corowarsl.com.au

Yarrabah Music & Cultural Festival | Jilara Oval | Yarrabah | Qld | W: yarrabahfest.com.au

JULY 2019 1-7

Yellowbelly CMF | St George Showground | Qld | Featuring Jeff Brown, Dean Perrett, Bruce Lavender, Pete Smith, Gary Fogarty Ray Essery, Kylie Adams-Collier, Keith Jamieson, Alice Benfer, Alisha Smith, Caitlyn Jamieson | Entry to showgrounds from 9am Sunday, June 30 | Facilities include showers, toilets, power first in best dressed, food, hospital close by, motels, shops, dogs welcome on a leash | Entertainment: Walkups Mon-Fri, bush poets and invited artists Sat & Sun | Contact Keith Jamieson M: 0427 731 088

Muddy River Kids Country Music Awards | Whanganui | NZ | Facebook: Muddy River

9-14

Cunnamulla Poets and CM Muster | Featuring Justin Standley, Jeff Brown, Gary Fogarty, Ray Essery, Keith Jamieson, Alisha Smith, Caitlyn Jamieson, Bruce Lavender, Anita Ree, John & Christine Smith, Bec Hance, Pete Wilson| Entry to showgrounds from 9am Tuesday, July 9 | Entertainment: Walkups Tues-Fri, bush poets and invited artists Sat & Sun | Facilities include all weather venue, camping onsite, showers, toilets, dogs welcome on a leash, food available | Contact Keith Jamieson | M: 0427 731 088 or M: 0439 130 617 or Walkups M: 0419 577 650

11-14

Bello Winter Music Festival | Bellingen | NSW | W: bellowintermusic.com

11-14

Country Thunder Music Festivals | Saskatchewan Craven | Canada

11-14

16-18

26-28

26-28

Groundwater CMF | Broadbeach | Gold Coast | T: 07 5656 0100 | W: goundwatercmf.com

AUGUST 2019 3

Tunes In The Tropics CMF |Coral Coast, Sigatoka | FIJI

2-4

Lockington CMF | Lockington Community Hall | Vic | Big River Entertainment | T: 0408 597 307 | E: rozandcraig@bigpond.com | w: lockingtoncmf.com | Tickets: W: ticketebo.com.au/lockingtoncmf | Plenty of seating. Great dance floor. Snacks and meals available. A first class line up of entertainers all weekend including Craig Giles, Kinta, Col Thomson, Grant Luhrs, Annette & Kim (NZ), Kerran Keats, Rupe Adams, Ray Macartney, The Good Time Band and more.

9-12

60th Mt Isa Rodeo | E: isarodeo@gmail.com | W: isarodeo.com.au

Central Coast CMF | Contact Events Officer: Amelia Taylor | T: 02 4350 5130 | W: centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/events

15-18

Gulf Country Frontier Days Festival | Gregory Downs | Qld | Alec & Amy Doomadgee | W: thegulfcountryfrontierdaysfestival.com.au

16-18

Country Thunder Music Festivals | Calgary Alberta | Canada | W: countrythunder.com

18-20

Country Thunder Music Festivals | Twin Lakes Wisconsin | USA | W: countrythunder.com

22-25

Gympie Music Muster | T: 07 5482 2099 | Ticket Inquiries/Sales | E: info@muster.com.au | W: muster.com.au

23-25

The Drover’s Camp | Camooweal | T: 07 4748 2022 | W: droverscamp.com.au

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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 J U N E 2 0 1 9

years of bringing you the music 1975–2019