Tamworth Country Music Capital News

G’day Tamwor th

editor’s NOTE welcome

to a new year that I trust is filled with optimism and hope for you all.

Iwrite this note having just finalised the bumper 288page issue of the Official Guide To The Tamworth Country Music Festival. It hasn’t been this big for a number of years so that is definitely a good sign for the festival.

People often ask, “how’s the festival going to be this year?”. I honestly can never be sure; who can possibly know? We start getting an idea when comparing the number of tickets sold around the same time in previous years, as well as when we talk to local venues to see how their sales are going. More often than not it’s positive.

As we approach the Toyota 53rd Tamworth Country Music Festival this month, we look forward to another celebration of the music that we love and work in.

The many competitions and awards that take place during the festival play a pivotal role in shaping the careers of artists, offering them not only recognition but also the vital encouragement to propel their music into the spotlight. These platforms serve as a critical launchpad for

emerging talent, empowering artists to amplify their reach and secure a place in the highly competitive music industry. From the Toyota Best of The Buskers competition, to the Macca’s Golden Gig, People’s Choice Awards, Bush Ballad Music Excellence Awards, Toyota Star Maker, and the iconic Golden Guitar Awards, there’s something for everyone. Best wishes to all the nominees in every event.

I was fortunate to be the recipient of the Contemporary Achiever at the revised CMAA Achiever Awards, last month at a special event held at the JMC Academy in Sydney. The Achievers had not been held since 2007 so it’s terrific that the CMAA

has brought it back. I enjoyed the event with my daughter Claudia, in a room filled with so many fellow industry people, some I’ve known for nearly four decades. Congratulations to them all and to the CMAA for its initiative.

Yours in country, Cheryl Brown

Grab the spotlight at Australia’s largest country music event

Cheryl celebrating with daughter Claudia

MANAGING EDITOR

Cheryl Brown

P: 0407 10 69 66

E: cheryl@tamworthcountrymusic.com.au

ADVERTISING

Cheryl Brown

P: 0407 10 69 66

E: cheryl@tamworthcountrymusic.com.au

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Simone Mitchell

T: 0439 406 136

SALES:

Kyle Kash

CONTRIBUTORS

Allan Caswell, Bec Gracie, Darren Erskine, David Dawson, Georgia Vaughan, Jon Wolfe, Lachlan Bryan, Lorraine Pfitzner, Peter Coad OAM, Susan Jarvis, Wade Forster.

PHOTOGRAPHERS We thank all photographers who supply images on behalf of artists and festivals, with many acknowledged throughout.

ART AND DESIGN

Sam Woods

TROY WINS COUNTRY ARIA

TROY CASSAR-DALEY has received the 2024 ARIA Award for Best Country Album with his latest release, Between The Fires.

Fellow nominees were Casey Barnes (Mayday), Tori Forsyth (All We Have Is Who We Are), James Johnston (Raised Like That) and Henry Wagons (The Four Seasons).

This is the sixth time Troy has won the ARIA for Best Country Album having achieved the accolade in 1995 for Beyond The Dancing, 2000 for Big River, 2006 for Brighter Day, 2009 for I Love This Place and 2015 for Freedom Ride

Kasey Chambers joined Troy in a heartfelt performance, before US country superstar Kane Brown took the stage alongside Troy and Kasey.

GREAT ACHIEVERS

The Country Music Association of Australia (CMAA) has reinvigorated the CMAA Achiever Awards, which were last held in 2006.

The two categories were The Legacy Awards bringing to attention key personalities from our history who have been long standing supporters and achievers whilst the Contemporary Awards focus on personalities who have made significant contributions to our industry in the last 12 months.

The awards cover songwriting, artists, media, creative industries, musicians and more, and were chosen by the current CMAA Board, with an aim to create an inclusive and overall recognition of the contributions of key historic and contemporary figures within our community.

The recipients for the recognitions for this year are –

Historic Achiever 2024 – John Nutting, Legacy Artist 2024 – Bill Chambers; Legacy Songwriter 2024 – Graeme Connors; Legacy Musician 2024 – Lawrie Minson; Legacy Industry 2024 – Barbara Morison; Contemporary Achiever 2024 – Cheryl Brown; Media Achiever 2024 –Sophie Hamley; Young Achiever 2024 – Piper Butcher; Musician of the Year 2024 – Damian Cafarella; Songwriter of the Year 2024 – Allan Caswell; and Creative Industries 2024 – MSquared Productions.

These awards were presented at the inaugural presentation evening on Saturday, November 23, at JMC Academy in Sydney. The event included awards presentations, and performances from 2024 Toyota Busking Champions Robbi & Ben, Piper Butcher, Allan Caswell, The April Family featuring Michael Carpenter and Kylie Whitney.

The CMAA also held an Industry Symposium, comprising of a series of moderated panels and Q&A’s with industry professionals.

BABY NEWS

In November, New Zealand country music star Kaylee Bell and her partner Nick Campbell announced that they are expecting their first baby.

Due to childhood illnesses and ongoing chronic fatigue, Kaylee had resigned to the fact that she would remain childless.

The baby is due this February.

PHOTO: ARIA Lawrie Minson, John Nutting, Barb Morison, Allan Caswell, Cheryl Brown, Graeme Connors, Piper Butcher, Sophie Hamley

Troy Cassar-Daley and Kane Brown

WINNERS OF 58TH CMA AWARDS

The 58th Annual CMA Awards, held live at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, celebrated excellence throughout the evening with spectacular solo performances, mesmerising collaborations, unforgettable surprises and record-breaking wins.

Morgan Wallen won CMA Entertainer of the Year for the first time, while Megan Moroney was crowned CMA New Artist of the Year. Brooks & Dunn and Chris Stapleton both tied for the mostwinning CMA Award winners of all time, each with 19 total wins.

Hosts Luke Bryan, Peyton Manning and Lainey Wilson had effortless humour and quick wit, and

the newly formed trio’s remarkable chemistry kept the audience laughing and eagerly anticipating every moment.

Throughout the evening, country’s biggest names entertained, including solo performances by Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Ashley McBryde, Megan Moroney, Kacey Musgraves, Post Malone, Shaboozey, Chris Stapleton, Lainey Wilson and Bailey Zimmerman, and groundbreaking collaborations by Kelsea Ballerini and Noah Kahan,

ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

Three awards were presented at the CMA’s International Reception in Nashville on November 20.

Kip Moore was presented with the 2024 CMA International Artist Achievement Award. He has forged new paths for country music in South Africa, having first toured the country in 2023. Earlier this year, he headlined the first ever country music festival in South Africa, CTC: Cape Town.

Ron Sakamoto (President, Gold and Gold Productions Ltd) was presented with the 2024 CMA Rob Potts International Live Music Advancement Award by Matthew Ramsey of Old Dominion. Sakamoto has worked a long and storied career promoting individuals and groups across Canada.

Josh Ross was surprised on the awards night Red Carpet with the 2024 CMA Jeff Walker Global Country Artist Award by CMA Awards host Luke Bryan. This award recognises outstanding achievements by a Country Music artist who is originally based internationally and currently signed outside of the United States. Earlier this year, Ross received the CCMA Breakthrough Artist of the Year. His tracks have surpassed 300 million streams, and he has toured with artists like Nickelback and Luke Bryan.

The remaining 2024 CMA International Awards will be presented by the CMA, throughout the next several months.

Dierks Bentley featuring Molly Tuttle, Sierra Hull and Bronwyn Keith-Hynes, Brooks & Dunn featuring Jelly Roll, Jelly Roll featuring Keith Urban, Ella Langley featuring Riley Green, Post Malone featuring Chris Stapleton, Thomas Rhett and Teddy Swims, Cody Johnson and surprise guest Carrie Underwood, and a celebration of 2024 CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award recipient George Strait, which included a surprise appearance from the King of Country himself alongside Lainey Wilson, Jamey Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Parker McCollum and Chris Stapleton.

Winners were announced in 12 categories, presented by fellow country stars and legends, actors and actresses, musicians, athletes and internet personalities.

A full list of winners can be found at the cma.com website.

CMA SONGWRITERS’ SERIES

The Country Music Association returns to the UK in March 2025 for C2C: Country to Country festival.

The official kick-off, leading into C2C, is the CMA Songwriter’s Series at Indigo at The O2 in London.

The CMA is honoured to continue its mission of expanding the genre’s reach around the world. Country music continues to grow in popularity globally, with established stars setting new records and fresh talent gaining recognition like never before.

The CMA Songwriter’s series is on Thursday, March 13 and will feature performances by Jessi Alexander, Wyatt Flores, Mickey Guyton, Darius Rucker and Tucker Wetmore.

Luke Bryan, Lainey Wilson, Peyton Manning

KASEY CHAMBERS

THE RIGHT path

For a long time, it really bothered KASEY CHAMBERS that she didn’t fit the mould when it came to being a typical country performer.

Her huge hit Not Pretty Enough was more than just a song. It was a raw, heartfelt expression of her uncertainty, her vulnerability and her feeling of not belonging in a world of rigid parameters and surface appearances.

But what Kasey perceived as weakness and vulnerability was in fact her greatest strength. She admits she may have wobbled a bit, but she never wavered from her own path in life, and it has held her in good stead, turning into one of Australia’s most loved country stars, and earning her a place in the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2023.

Now, about to turn 50, Kasey says she can look back and see that sticking to her values, her morals and what she knew she should do was absolutely the right path to take.

“I’ve been through my fair share of times where I didn’t know who I was, where I tried to be something or someone else, where I tried to fit in one way or another. But I think the values my family taught me, and

the way I was brought up out on the Nullarbor Plain, in touch with nature and without all the luxuries of life, has held me in pretty good stead,” she said.

One thing that’s always helped Kasey is her father Bill Chambers’ favourite piece of advice: “Just don’t be a dickhead!” Which is why, when she decided to write a book about the lessons she’d learnt through her life, Kasey decided that had to be the title.

She faced a few challenges from a nervous publisher, but she says “I just put my foot down and told them that was the title. And I didn’t budge.”

Kasey began writing Just Don’t Be a Dickhead … and Other Profound Things I’ve Learnt on her phone during the pandemic – and that’s actually how she wrote most of it.

“I was just doing it for myself to start with, but it eventually became obvious to me that my random notes had evolved into a book,” she said.

“It’s very much written in my voice – even with the odd grammatical error, but I wanted it to be that way, so it would sound like me, and really convey the stuff I’ve learnt through my life – sometimes the hard way.”

At the same time, Kasey was working on her first album for several years, which she says has been a long time in the making.

“I think the creativity was working away in the background for years. I might not write a song for months, though, then the floodgates open and it all comes pouring out,” she said.

In the end, it became clear to Kasey that the songs she was writing for the album and her random scribblings about

KASEY CHAMBERS

“We often take the kids with us, and it has been life-changing. We’re all much more grounded and everyone’s just loving it. It has set my free spirit on fire.”

life somehow dovetailed – and that the album and book should be born into the world simultaneously.

“Though it was only at the last minute – when the book was about to go to the printer – that I had the idea of putting QR codes into it so people could listen to the songs that related to the relevant bit of the book. Fortunately, the publisher agreed, and it was able to happen.”

It was a masterstroke, and both the book and the album, Backbone, reveal a Kasey Chambers who’s very much at home in her own skin – a confident, content woman who is proud of her achievements and still unafraid to carve out her own path in the world.

Most recently, she’s made the

decision to reject many of the trappings of fame – the endless flights, airport lounges and luxury hotels – in favour of a way of life more akin to her childhood.

“My partner Brando [guitarist Brandon Dodd] and I bought a van – admittedly a pretty amazing one, with all mod cons – and wherever possible we now do road trips, and try to get out into the bush and camp wherever we can,” Kasey said.

“We often take the kids with us, and it has been life-changing. We’re all much more grounded and everyone’s just loving it. It has set my free spirit on fire.”

Kasey’s thrilled to have received four Golden Guitar nominations for Backbone (The Desert Child), the

title track from her new album (the album itself was released after the eligibility period, so will be eligible for the 2026 awards).

She’s up for Heritage Song, Song of the Year, Single of the Year and CMT Video of the Year, and is particularly delighted because the song is so autobiographical.

“It’s about my childhood, but it’s also about the kind of life I wanted to give my kids – simple, resilient, in touch with nature,” she said.

Backbone (The Desert Child) is just one of a swag of amazing songs on Backbone, which captures many aspects of Kasey’s life and philosophy.

“I’ve learnt that the more connected I am to my music, the

more real it is, the more the fans connect with it as well,” Kasey said.

Some of the highlights of the album are songs Kasey has written about her children.

“In my heart, A New Day Has Come is Talon’s song. I wrote it during COVID, and I want him to know that whatever happens in his life I’ll always be there,” she said.

The wonderful Arlo – one of the album’s real standout tracks – is about Kasey’s second son, written three years ago when he was 13. It is a powerful message of love from a mum who clearly adores her boy.

And Silverado Girl was penned for 12-year-old Poet, who Kasey’s proud to have brought up to believe she can do anything.

Kasey shares Poet and Arlo with former husband Shane Nicholson, and one of the album’s best moments is The Divorce Song, which at the time of writing was slated to be the next single. It’s a classic example of Kasey writing her own rules for life.

“It took us a while, but we’re doing divorce so well now – with the help of both our new partners. I asked Shane if he wanted to write this song with me, and we ended up recording it together. People just love it – and so do I!” Kasey said.

For those of us who remember Kasey and Shane performing and recording together, it’s an absolute delight to hear their voices in harmony again.

In a similar vein, Broken Cup drew inspiration from a comment made by Talon’s father, Cory Hopper, during COVID. He too remains a close friend of Kasey and Brandon. And the fabulous, rollicking Dart n Feather is a celebration of Kasey, Brandon and dad Bill’s weekly gig at the local pub during COVID – a celebration of life and togetherness.

Kasey’s partner Brandon is also a talented songwriter and artist, and there are two songs on Backbone that capture their relationship: You Are Everything To Me and A Love Like Springsteen.

This is an album about family, love, connecting with yourself and being grateful.

Kasey is beyond excited to be touring the album all over Australia this year, starting with a show at the Tamworth Town Hall on January 23. She then heads to NSW in March and April, South Australia, Western Australia and Victoria in May and Victoria and Queensland in June. She’s announced that Kiwi songstress Jenny Mitchell will be supporting her.

GOLDEN OPPORTUNITIES FOR 53RD AWARDS NOMINEES

Winner

of 40 Golden Guitars,

TROY CASSAR-DALEY

,  is the most recognised artist in the Toyota 53rd Golden Guitar Awards, with a total of six nominations.

Michael Waugh and Colin Buchanan have five nominations while Lee Kernaghan, Kasey Chambers, James Johnston and Kingswood each have four.

It’s been a big year for Australia’s country music industry with established and emerging talent producing new music and official music videos, as well as touring right across the nation and beyond. There were more than 650 entries in this year’s Golden Guitar Awards.

Tamworth Regional Council, with the support of the Country Music Association of Australia Inc (CMAA), revealed the nominees at a special event held at the Oxford Art Factory on Tuesday, November 19. More than 150 people including

nominated artists and industry representatives gathered for the announcement of 103 nominees from 50 artists across 16 categories. The exclusive industry event was hosted by two-time Golden Guitar winner James Johnston and 2024 New Talent of the Year and festival ambassador Max Jackson.

Troy Cassar-Daley, who was the recipient of Best Country Album at the 2024 ARIA Awards held in November, receives nominations for Alt/Americana Country Album of the Year and Toyota Album of the Year for his latest album Between The Fires, the single Let’s Ride is up for Single of the Year, and Some Days, written in collaboration with Kevin Bennett is in the running for Song of the Year, while Windradyne is nominated for Heritage Song of the Year. Troy

is also a nominee for Male Artist of the Year.

Revered songwriter and performer Michael Waugh has been nominated in five categories including Male Artist of the Year, Alt/Americana Country Album of the Year and Toyota Album of the Year for Beauty & Truth produced by Shane Nicholson, Heritage Song of the Year for Father’s Day and Vocal Collaboration with Colin Buchanan for their song Sing Me The Land

Nine-time Golden Guitar winner and 2023 Roll of Renown inductee, Colin Buchanan has five nominations, with his latest album Memory Town nominated for Traditional Country Album of the Year and Toyota Album of the Year. He’s also up for Bush Ballad of the Year for his track Laura &

2025 Golden Guitar nominees, present at the announcement

Giselle, while Sing Me The Land is nominated for Vocal Collaboration of the Year.

Toyota Golden Guitar Awards Executive Producer, Mr Peter Ross says this year’s list of nominees is a true reflection on the diversity of Australia’s country music industry.

Kasey Chambers, winner of 24 Golden Guitars and the recipient of the 2018 Roll of Renown, is nominated in four categories including Heritage Song of the Year, Song of the Year, Single of the Year and CMT Video of the Year for her song Backbone (The Desert Child)

In 2023 ARIA nominated band Kingswood spent eight weeks in the #1 spot on the ARIA’s Australian Country Charts. Their latest album, The Tale of GC Townes has landed them four nominations including for Traditional Country Album of the Year and Toyota Album of the Year. Their track Tell Me A Story is nominated for Bluegrass Recording of the Year and their song Jet is a contender for Instrumental of the Year.

James Johnston has received four nominations alongside Lee Kernaghan, including Vocal Collaboration of the Year, Song of the Year, CMT Video of the Year and Single of the Year for their song Who I Am

Max Jackson was announced as a nominee in three categories including Female Artist of the Year, CMT Video of the Year and Single of the Year for Little More Country

Eight other artists have also received three nominations including Andy Penkow, Ashleigh Dallas, Casey Barnes, Kristy Cox, Michael Carpenter & The Banks Brothers, Taylor Moss, Tori Forsyth and The Wolfe Brothers.

Recently hitting #1 on the ARIA Australian Country Albums chart, Adam Harvey is a nominee in two categories. Dual nominations also went to Andy Golledge, Graeme Connors, who last week was announced the 2024 CMAA

Achiever Awards Legacy

Songwriter, Henry Wagons, Jayne Denham, Kelly Dixon, Lane Pittman, Lindsay Waddington, Raechel Whitchurch, William Alexander, Zac & George and 2024 Female Artist of the Year Kaylee Bell.

There were 22 artists with single nominations including 2024 Toyota Star Maker Wade Forster, Denvah and Dylan Wright in the New Talent of the Year category, Abbie Ferris, Allan Caswell who last week was announced the 2024 CMAA Achiever Awards Songwriter of the Year, Amber Lawrence, Andrew Swift, Angus Gill, Brendan Radford, Brooke McClymont & Adam Eckersley, Darlinghurst, Dean Perrett, Hamish Davidson, John Williamson, Lachlan Bryan and The Wildes, Luke O’Shea, Phil Doublet, Small Town Romance, The Bushwackers, The High Street Drifters and The Pleasures.

Country Music Association of Australia (CMAA) Chairman Dobe Newton says the awards celebrate and recognise esteemed artists, writers, musicians, performers, and their creativity.

“We are particularly pleased with the depth and diversity of this year’s line-up. The results highlight both first-time contributors and young achievers such as Tamworth-

based 18-year-old Lane Pittman, alongside some of our most experienced and enduring talents, including 97-year-old songwriting legend Kelly Dixon of Slim Dusty’s Leave Him In The Longyard fame.

The CMAA congratulates all those named and extends its gratitude to each entrant in the awards, who contributed to a highly competitive field.” Dobe said.

Toyota Australia’s Vice President of Sales, Marketing, and Franchise Operations, Sean Hanley, shared his excitement for the 2025 nominees, calling them a standout lineup of Australian country music talent.

“We’re thrilled to support Australia’s iconic country music awards, celebrating the heart and soul of this vibrant community. The country music community feels like family and the Toyota Golden Guitar Awards brings together the finest from all corners of the country.

We look forward to witnessing all the exceptional winners in January; here’s wishing all the nominees the best for this year’s incredible event,” Sean said.

Tamworth Regional Council will present the Toyota 53rd Golden Guitar Awards live on Saturday, January 25, from the Tamworth Regional Entertainment and Conference Centre and livestream it via the festival website tcmf.com.au/live and Facebook at facebook.com/ tamworthcountrymusicfestival.

The Toyota 53rd Golden Guitar Awards will be livestreamed via tcmf.com.au. For ticket sales and to keep up-to-date on the 2025 Toyota Golden Guitar Awards, visit www.tcmf.com.au/awards.

Troy Cassar-Daley has six nominations

2025 NOMINEES

2025 hosts James Johnston and Max Jackson

MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Adam Harvey Casey Barnes

Lane Pittman Michael Waugh

Troy Cassar-Daley

FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Ashleigh Dallas Kaylee Bell

Max Jackson Taylor Moss

Tori Forsyth

COUNTRY MUSIC CAPITAL NEWS GROUP OR DUO OF THE YEAR

Darlinghurst The Pleasures

Small Town Romance Zac & George

Michael Carpenter & The Banks Brothers

VOCAL COLLABORATION OF THE YEAR

The Wolfe Brothers & Kaylee Bell – Beer in A Bar

Amber Lawrence & Andrew Swift – Fumes & Fireworks

Colin Buchanan & Michael Waugh – Sing Me The Land

Graeme Connors & Kelly Dixon – The Ringer’s Retired

Lee Kernaghan & James Johnston – Who I Am

NEW TALENT OF THE YEAR

Denvah Dylan Wright Lane Pittman Wade Forster

Zac & George

INSTRUMENTAL

OF THE YEAR

Gold Fever – Michael Carpenter & The Banks Brothers Jet – Kingswood

Kill Devil Road – Phil Doublet

The Red Centre – Lindsay Waddington featuring Brendan Radford

Wild Running – Lachlan Bryan and The Wildes

BUSH BALLAD OF

THE YEAR

A Big Thing In A Small Town – Written by Dean Perrett, Paul Ricketts, Lachie McLaine – Recorded by Dean Perrett

He Loves His Radio – Written by Allan Caswell, Manfred Vijars, Lindsay Waddington – Recorded by Allan Caswell

Laura & Giselle – Written and recorded by Colin Buchanan

Talk Around Taromeo – Written by Ian Quinn –Recorded by The Bushwackers

The Lone Drover – Written by Andy Penkow, Kath Stewart, Rip-Van Parks – Recorded by Andy Penkow

HERITAGE SONG OF

THE YEAR

Backbone (The Desert Child) – Written and recorded by Kasey Chambers

Be A Part Of This Land – Written and recorded by John Williamson

Father’s Day – Written and recorded by Michael Waugh

The Ringer’s Retired – Written and recorded by Graeme Connors and Kelly Dixon

Windradyne – Written and recorded by Troy Cassar-Daley

BLUEGRASS RECORDING OF THE

YEAR

Back To The Hills – The High Street Drifters

Let It Burn – Kristy Cox

Paspalum – Angus Gill

Running Out Of Gas – Michael Carpenter & The Banks Brothers with Abbie Ferris and Hamish Davidson

Tell Me A Story – Kingswood

Tamworth Regional Council will present the Toyota 53rd Golden Guitar Awards Saturday, 25 January 2025, from Tamworth Regional Entertainment and Conference Centre and live streamed via the festival website. For more information visit www.tcmf.com.au

SONG OF THE YEAR

Backbone (The Desert Child) – Written and recorded by Kasey Chambers

Little By Little – The Wolfe Brothers – Written by Nicholas Wolfe

Remember Me – Adam Harvey – Written by Adam Harvey, Mike Carr

Some Days – Written by Troy Cassar-Daley, Kevin Bennett – Recorded by Troy Cassar-Daley

Who I Am – Written by Lee Kernaghan, James Johnston, Nicholas Wolfe, Colin Buchanan, Nolan Wynne – Recorded by Lee Kernaghan & James Johnston

CMT VIDEO OF THE YEAR

Backbone (The Desert Child) – Kasey Chambers – Directed by Rosemary Whatmuff

Dharawal – Luke O’Shea – Directed by Luke O’Shea and Jay SeeneyBlacklist Productions

Little More Country – Max Jackson – Directed by Jeremy MinettEyes & Ears Creative

What Are You Waiting For – Brooke McClymont & Adam Eckersley –Directed by Jeremy Minett - Eyes & Ears Creative

Who I Am – Lee Kernaghan & James Johnston – Directed by Duncan Toombs - The Filmery

SINGLE OF THE YEAR

Backbone (The Desert Child) – Kasey Chambers

Let’s Ride – Troy Cassar-Daley

Little By Little – The Wolfe Brothers

Little More Country – Max Jackson

Who I Am – Lee Kernaghan & James Johnston

CONTEMPORARY COUNTRY ALBUM OF THE YEAR

Firecracker – Taylor Moss – Produced by MSquared – Michael Paynter, Michael De Lorenzis

Mayday – Casey Barnes – Produced by MSquared – Michael Paynter, Michael De Lorenzis

Moonshine – Jayne Denham – Produced by Brian White, Brian Bunn

Shades On Me – Andy Penkow – Produced by Shawn Moore

What A Time To Be Alive – Raechel Whitchurch – Produced by Matt Fell

ALT/AMERICANA COUNTRY ALBUM OF THE YEAR

All We Have Is Who We Are – Tori Forsyth –Produced by Scott Horscroft

Beauty & Truth – Michael Waugh – Produced by Shane Nicholson

Between The Fires – Troy Cassar-Daley – Produced by Troy Cassar-Daley, Jeff McCormack, Jordan Power

The Four Seasons – Recorded and produced by Henry Wagons

Young Dumb & Wild – Andy Golledge –Produced by Ryan Miller, Oliver Thorpe

TRADITIONAL COUNTRY ALBUM OF THE YEAR

Let it Burn – Kristy Cox – Produced by Jerry Salley

Memory Town – Colin Buchanan – Produced by Matt Fell

Setting Suns – Ashleigh Dallas – Produced by Brett Dallas

The Singing Stockman – William Alexander – Produced by Patrick Wilson

The Tale of G.C.Townes – Kingswood – Produced by Alexander Laska

TOYOTA ALBUM

OF THE YEAR

All We Have Is Who We Are – Tori Forsyth – Produced by Scott Horscroft

Beauty & Truth – Michael Waugh – Produced by Shane Nicholson

Between The Fires – Troy Cassar-Daley – Produced by Troy Cassar-Daley, Jeff McCormack, Jordan Power

Firecracker – Taylor Moss – Produced by MSquared - Michael Paynter, Michael De Lorenzis

Let it Burn – Kristy Cox – Produced by Jerry Salley

Mayday – Casey Barnes – Produced by MSquared - Michael Paynter, Michael De Lorenzis

Memory Town – Colin Buchanan – Produced by Matt Fell

Moonshine – Jayne Denham – Produced by Brian White, Brian Bunn

Setting Suns – Ashleigh Dallas – Produced by Brett Dallas

Shades On Me – Andy Penkow – Produced by Shawn Moore

The Four Seasons – Recorded by produced by Henry Wagons

The Singing Stockman – William Alexander – Produced by Patrick Wilson

The Tale of G.C. Townes – Kingswood – Produced by Alexander Laska

What A Time To Be Alive – Raechel Whitchurch – Produced by Matt Fell

Young Dumb & Wild – Andy Golledge – Produced by Ryan Miller, Oliver Thorpe

TOYOTA STAR MAKER WHO WILL BE AUSTRALIA’S NEXT COUNTRY STAR?

A new generation of country stars will compete in Australia’s biggest country music talent search this January, in the 45th Toyota Star Maker.

The three male artists and seven female artists will come together on Sunday 19

January 2025 to compete for the title. **Three top 10 finalists are returning for a second year and in alphabetical order they are:

BRIANA DINSDALE, Longholme Qld

BRYCE SAINTY, Springfield NSW**

CAIT JAMIESON, 18 Toowong Qld

ELLA POWELL, Terrigal NSW

FELICITY DOWD, 20 Bega NSW**

FELICITY KIRCHER, Tingalpa Qld

FINNIAN JOHNSON, Cessnock NSW**

JAMES KEITH, Warriewood NSW

KAITLYN THOMAS, Rifle Range Qld

TEAK, Tatham NSW

Toyota Star Maker Coordinator

Cheryl Brown says that this year’s top 10 is similar to the 2024 10 in that they will bring a variety of country music styles to the stage.

“Last year seemed to be a return of the cowboy and Wade Forster stood apart with his authenticity of someone who lives the life of a rodeo cowboy and country music singersongwriter. “Often there are one or two clear front runners but I think all 10 are definitely in the running and we are always anxious as we anticipate the result.”

In January 2025, Toyota Australia will celebrate a 30-year milestone as the longest continuous sponsor of an Australian country music event, partnering with Star Maker, Australia’s longest running and most prestigious country music talent search which offers over a $100k prize pool. Toyota’s contribution to the Australian country music industry goes beyond Star Maker, having commenced their long sponsorship of the Country Music Awards in January 1994 until 2005, and returning in 2014 until today.

Toyota has had a number of country music ambassadors over the years including Lee Kernaghan, The McClymonts, various Star Maker winners, and more recently

Last year’s Top 10 have all had a successful year

Tamworth City Toyota’s sponsorship of Zac & George, James Johnston and local artists Aleyce Simmonds and Ashleigh Dallas. This year, The Wiggles will enter the country sphere complete with their specially prepared Toyota Big Red Ute.

In addition to the ambassador sponsorships, Toyota’s investment over three decades has allowed country music artists to flourish through special events like the Toyota Busking Championships, Toyota FanZone – a performance stage for visiting artists, free to the public and the Toyota Stars Under The Stars on main stage at Toyota Park every night across the 10-day festival.

Toyota Star Maker is the nation’s most respected country music competition. More than 500 artists have performed as finalists over the past 44 years. The Star Maker alumni includes Keith Urban, Lee Kernaghan, Beccy Cole and James Blundell along with the latest stars including Kaylee Bell, Brad Cox, Blake O’Connor and Max Jackson.

The top 10 will perform two songs each at the 2025 Toyota Star Maker Grand Final on the first weekend of the Toyota 53rd Tamworth Country Music Festival, in Toyota Park.

We are delighted to have so many of our long-term support sponsors return as well as recent sponsors in Wheelhouse Agency, Corral Boots and in 2025, Queensland Music Trails will be added to the winner’s tour dates.

Sponsor Chris Watson Travel flew Wade to Nashville’s CMA Fest where he performed on the CMA Spotlight Stage and the Sounds Australia stage and this opportunity

is available for the new winner.

The grand final concert will feature a performance by previous winner, the 44th Toyota Star Maker Wade Forster, whose year has been nothing short of phenomenal. Wade said of his time as the winner; “Star Maker has given me the opportunity to showcase my talent not only in Australia but to the world as well. Performing on some of Australia’s biggest stages and meeting with some of Australia’s biggest names in the industry have been key in making sure this hobby is now a fulltime job for me.”

Wade has received his first nomination at the Toyota 53rd Golden Guitar Awards and said of his nomination; “I can’t believe this, what a year I’ve had and it’s all happened because I took a chance and entered Star Maker, and 10 months later, can you believe it.

“I know Toyota sponsor the festival and Star Maker but their support means so much to not just me but to so many artists who benefit from their support. I can’t thank them enough for the wheels and fuel this year to get me around the country to my music career a reality. “When I look back over this year, I can honestly say I wouldn’t change a thing.”

Wade’s Star Maker EP will be launched at his late-night headline show at the iconic venue, The Longyard Hotel, on Friday, 24 January at 10:30pm. The EP will feature his own material released this year, including Off The Drugs, Chemistry, Honky Tonky Bulldoggin’ Man a new collaboration with Max Jackson, to be released on January 17.

Toyota Australia Chief Marketing

Officer, Vin Naidoo said Toyota is proud to be celebrating 30 years supporting the Star Maker competition, which has provided unparalleled opportunities for emerging artists for many years to showcase their talent on a national stage. “We are proud to support all the talented musicians aiming to make a mark in the country music scene through the Toyota Star Maker Competition and it is always a delight to see the great talent that emerges from it,” he said.

“We look forward to watching the top 10 finalists perform on stage in January, and are thrilled to be able to contribute to the prize pack the winner will receive that will no doubt help propel their career within the country music industry.”

“Congratulations to all the country music artists selected as finalists in the 2025 Star Maker competition, we look forward to your performances at the grand final concert,” Mr Naidoo said.

STAR MAKER WINNERS 1979-2024

Cowboy Wade Forster’s reign has been phenomenal

BRIANA DINSDALE (20)

LOGANHOLME QLD

CONTEMPORARY COUNTRY

Since the age of 15, Briana Dinsdale has been in the audience of Star Maker keenly observing. She is fast establishing herself as a formidable talent in country music, with a voice that seamlessly blends heartache and hope. Her rise in the industry has been nothing short of impressive, earning her the prestigious Keith Urban Scholarship to The CMAA Academy of Country Music in 2022. Her electrifying live performances have captivated audiences at some of the most renowned festivals, including Groundwater and Lasso, and the Gympie Music Muster. Her talent has taken her to the heart of country music, Nashville, where she has played shows that further solidify her growing reputation. What sets Briana apart is her exceptional songwriting, deeply rooted in her everyday experiences. She crafts lyrics that resonate with listeners of all ages, bringing a unique blend of wisdom and relatability to her music. Her songwriting talent has led to collaborations with ARIA award winners Casey Barnes and Bill Chambers, and Golden Guitar winners Melody Moko, Liam Kennedy-Clark and Lyn Bowtell. Briana’s latest single, Real Time Love, co-written with her sister Ashlyn and Nashville songwriter Steve Dean, showcases her evolution as an artist. Produced by Michael and Caleb Flanders in Nashville, the track peaked at #7 on the National Airplay charts in Australia, marking yet another milestone in her career. Briana is poised to become a leading force in the country music scene where she draws inspiration from life’s everyday moments and turns them into unforgettable music.

BRYCE SAINTY (32)

SPRINGFIELD NSW CONTEMPORARY COUNTRY

Bryce Sainty returns to Star Maker, after being in the Top 10 in 2014.Over the past 10 years, Bryce has been in preparation to becoming a finalist, and winning Star Maker in 2025. He has released multiple singles and an EP, amassed over four million streams, toured with numerous Australian artists, and spent time in Nashville writing and performing. Since 2020, he has released many singles including Do You, which has been streamed over 400,000 times, before following it up with Nervous, showcasing a raw vocal performance, then closed out the year with a summer anthem, On The Weekend. In 2021, he teamed up with The Wolfe Brothers to co-write, then release, the first single from his EP Just Chillin’. This Summer’s The One was released in 2022 and peaked at #4 on the National Country Airplay charts. The longanticipated EP Hometown was released in April and Bryce hit the road teaming up with icons Andrew Farris (INXS), Tim Freedman (The Whitlams) and Rod McCormack as part of a songwriters showcase at the Tamworth Country Music Festival before joining the Wolfe Brothers on their national tour (NSW shows). In 2023, Bryce released both Sideline and When You Walked Into The Room before closing out the year with the summer smash Coast. Bryce took his show on the road performing at festivals including Cruisin’ Country and the Deni Ute Muster, before a sold-out headline show at the 2024 Tamworth Country Music Festival.

CAIT JAMIESON

(18)

TOOWONG QLD ALT COUNTRY

Cait Jamieson is the daughter of popular balladeer parents Alisha Smith and the late Keith Jamieson. She began touring the country with her parents when she was a baby and together, they travelled hundreds of thousands of kilometres playing at various festivals and events. In 2023, Cait was the overall winner of the Macca’s Golden Gig which granted her a scholarship to the CMAA Senior Academy of Country Music. She returned in July as an intern at the Junior Academy. Cait began playing the fiddle when she was four years old, and since then, has learned to play about 12 different instruments. Currently, she plays fiddle in 13 different bands around Brisbane and absolutely loves session work. I’ve played fiddle behind artists such as Kasey Chambers, Tori Forsyth, Melody Moko, Hayley Marsten, Shanleigh Rose, Tate Cole, and many others. Cait is very passionate about having a solo career and has three original songs released on streaming platforms, and one more in the final stages of production. Having watched her father relate to people and hear their stories, her goal in life is to tell her story through song and make people feel seen. Cait has played the Gympie Muster, Winton Way Out West Fest, Cruisin’ Country, and several other small music festivals, and the 2025 Tamworth Country Music Festival will be Cait’s 16th.

ELLA POWELL (20)

TERRIGAL NSW

CONTEMPORARY COUNTRY

Flashback to 2013: a 10-year-old Ella, armed with a mini guitar and a purple notebook, began writing songs in her bedroom. Little did she know, just over a decade later, she’d be traveling across Australia, performing at major festivals, supporting Australian icons, and releasing her debut EP. Her delicate, elegant, and relatable “girl next door” persona has drawn comparisons to the likes of Kacey Musgraves, Caitlyn Smith, and Megan Moroney. Ella made her mark in 2019 by winning the People’s Choice Award at the Tamworth Country Music Festival, and this year, she’s returning as a Toyota Star Maker Grand Finalist—joining the ranks of country music greats like Kaylee Bell and Keith Urban. Ella’s deep love and appreciation for the art of song-writing took root in her early childhood, which was spent amidst the serene English countryside. She fondly recalls family car journeys soundtracked by legends like Eva Cassidy, The Beatles, and Oasis. Inspired by these musical icons, young Ella began saving every coin she could to buy CDs from the local shop, igniting a lifelong passion for music. Since then, Ella’s debut EP, The End of the Beginning has surpassed half a million streams, earning spots on major Spotify and Apple Music playlists while steadily climbing multiple charts. Her music celebrates life’s authentic moments, from the joys of self-discovery to the bitter lessons of heartbreak. Ella’s emotive vocals, delicate harmonies and heartfelt lyrics leave a lasting and unforgettable impression. 2024 has been a whirlwind year for this rising star. From performing at iconic events like the Deni Ute Muster and Sunset Sounds Festivals to unveiling new music, Ella Powell is poised for an even brighter journey as she looks ahead to 2025.

FELICITY DOWD (20)

BEGA NSW ALT COUNTRY

Felicity Dowd was a Top 10 Star Maker Finalist in 2024 and returns with a keen eye on the prize. She has been making her presence known across the country with her diverse music that drifts between the boundaries of folk and country music and inspired by various genres. Felicity has received four Tamworth Songwriters’ Association Awards, including the 2023 New Songwriter of the Year. She was awarded Young Artist of the Year 2023 (Gill Rees Memorial Award) at the National Folk Festival and performed to 3000 people on the Budawang Main Stage.  In 2023, she played nine gigs across four states all the while growing her social media as a singer-songwriter and travel influencer.  She undertook work experience in various festival admin teams and has supported The Bushwackers, Josh Cunningham (The Waifs), Felicity Urquhart, Fanny Lumsden and Tex Perkins (The Cruel Sea). Felicity was a grand finalist in the 2023 Gympie Music Muster NAB Talent Quest, a graduate of the Talent Development Project (2021), and NSW Folk Federation Young Folk Artist of the Year (2020). In October 2023, she received the Youth Artist of the Year at the Australian Folk Music Awards. She has followed up her debut single Blue Skies with Miss You, Handle It, Honeycomb And Glue and Give And Take. This year, Felicity has received a number of grants including the Southeast Artist Micro Grant, Music NSW Regional Touring and the 2024 Greg Prior Scholarship (Talent Development Project) and granted the financial support to head to Nashville during June-July of 2025.

FELICITY KIRCHER (20)

TINGALPA QLD

ALT COUNTRY

Felicity Kircher is a multiinstrumentalist and no stranger to the stage with her captivating presence, sweet honey vocals and prowess with rhythm guitar. With a wealth of experience of over a decade, Felicity has toured throughout Australia playing hundreds of shows, with the Gympie Muster, Savannah In The Round and Tamworth CMF her highlights to date. Known as ‘the girl next door’, she has a hospitable nature that shines through her music. From the very first interaction, people are compelled and drawn to her artistry. Having recorded her first album at 15 with Rob Mackay, she’s gone on to work with Big Jet Plane’s ARIA Award winning-producer Govinda Doyle releasing two singles, Long Time Coming and Sweet Tea. In 2023 and 2024, she continued writing, and has recorded 12 tracks with renowned Australian producer/artist, Shane Nicholson. Her most recent I Am Cry, produced by Charles Dugan and Aaron Shannahan, is making waves across playlists and radio and is recognised as a contemporary timeless heart break anthem. As a young unique woman, she is incredibly inspiring with her craft, not bound to fit in a box and testing the musical waters. Felicity is bound to make a lasting impact with her goals including national and international touring and ticketed shows.

FINNIAN JOHNSON (22)

CESSNOCK NSW CONTEMPORARY COUNTRY

Finnian Johnson is no stranger to Star Maker having been a crowd favourite as a Top 10 Finalist in 2022. He is a musician based in the NSW Hunter Valley and is fast becoming known for his deep and honeyed tone. A self-taught guitarist, Finnian began performing at age 12, following almost a decade of bedroom karaoke. Since then, he has been a mainstay of the Hunter Valley live music scene, also taking the stage at a multitude of notable venues and events including the Tamworth Country Music Festival and Gympie Muster. In this professional environment, he’s sung alongside some of country’s best like Troy Cassar-Daley, Bill Chambers and Troy Kemp. He was a contestant on the popular television series The Voice Australia in Season 11, making the Top 12 and received valuable mentorship from coach Jessica Mauboy. He remains heavily influenced by artists who tell stories through their music, most notably Troy Cassar-Daley, Johnny Cash and Randy Travis and he is dedicated to growing as a country singer and songwriter. In 2023, Finnian joined Brooke McClymont & Adam Eckersley on their Country Music, You and Beer Tour along the east coast of Australia. He released his debut single, July, which has received over 1,000,000 streams and followed that up with his first original single, Dishonest, then his latest single, I’m Doing Well

JAMES KEITH (40)

WARRIEWOOD NSW

CONTEMPORARY COUNTRY

James Keith was raised in Orange, country NSW, and has led a dynamic life, from dominating the footy field to captivating audiences nationwide with his guitar and heartfelt songs. His debut album, Life Is Good Today, soared to the #1 spot of the ARIA Country Charts and secured #2 on the AIR charts. The album showcases James’ robust vocals and guitar skills, drawing inspiration from artists like Luke Combs and Zac Brown Band. James has collaborated with the NRL with his latest song, On Fire, taking his music to a broader audience. James, performed On Fire to a NSW Blues’ highlights reel to the who’s who of Rugby League at Sydney’s Star City Casino during this year’s Origin Series. He has been working on his second album with Golden Guitar-winning producer and artist, Matt Fell, a collaboration which promises to further refine and elevate James’ musical journey. James is becoming an influential figure spreading optimism one song at a time.

KAITLYN THOMAS (24)

RIFLE RANGE QLD

CONTEMPORARY COUNTRY

Kaitlyn Thomas is an independent Australian country rock artist whose rise in the music industry is marked by hard work, determination, and a unique sound that blends powerful vocals with captivating performances. Born and raised in rural Victoria, Kaitlyn now resides in South East Queensland, where she continues to develop her distinctive style. From a young age, Kaitlyn was immersed in a world of strong, independent female artists. Influenced by the likes of Sheryl Crow, Dolly Parton, Reba McIntyre, Linda Ronstadt, Shania Twain, and The McClymonts, she absorbed their spirit, style, and sass. At just 12 years old, Kaitlyn received high praise from Beccy Cole, who declared to her audience, “There’s a star in the making right there”. Kaitlyn has since evolved into a dynamic performer known for her edgy country sound and charismatic stage presence. Her music has garnered significant attention, with her recent singles receiving high rotation on major radio stations including KIX Country and Triple M Country. Her tracks have also been featured on notable editorial playlists such as Fresh Finds and Fresh Country on Spotify, and Aussie Country & Country Risers on Apple Music. Her single Damn You has achieved over 191,000 streams on Spotify, underscoring her growing popularity. In 2023, Kaitlyn gained national exposure by participating in the Australian Idol series, which culminated in a standout performance on the Toyota Park stage as part of the Girls Night Out show. Her latest release is Hell Of A Long Time.

TEAK (39)

TATHAM NSW ALT COUNTRY

Born and raised in Grafton NSW, Teak is a singersongwriter who has been performing in the Australian country music scene since the age of 11. Her first Tamworth Country Music Festival was at the age of 12 and she has spent many years since then performing at rodeos, festivals and in bars. Her love for music was passed on from her farming grandfather who was also a jazz musician. He had a studio in an old farmhouse stacked with records and recording equipment which inspired Teak to create. In 2010, Teak relocated to Central Qld and then entered The Voice Australia reaching top 12 with The Madden Brothers as her coaches. She has travelled to Stockholm, Sweden and Nashville, Tennessee to write and record. Her first single release, Eight Seconds, was in 2020, followed up with other single releases and a self-titled EP. Teak has won the Fender Player Plus worldwide competition and toured with PBR Australia and is currently touring with major rodeo companies in arenas throughout NSW and Qld.

THE ALL AMERICAN COUNTRY SHOW

Songwriters in The Round

CATHERINE BRITT DERIC RUTTAN ANTHONY SNAPE

Direct from Nashville

Tania Kernaghan ania & Jason Owen

POETIC ROCK STAR

Legendary rocker SUZI QUATRO is bringing her record-breaking tour to Australia, including a gig at Tamworth’s Regional Entertainment & Conference Centre, smack bang in the middle of the Toyota 53rd Tamworth Country Music Festival.

BY GREG BUSH

Australia has been a happy destination for the US rock star since first gracing our shores in 1974. Now, with her 40th tour Down Under kicking off this month, the groundbreaking singer-songwriter can lay claim to an impressive record – the most tours to Australia by an international artist. In the process Quatro boasts that she is getting one up on one of her contemporaries.

“Elton John is just behind me; I told him that,” Quatro laughed.

The bass guitar-playing singersongwriter has exciting things in store for local audiences this year. Her 11-date two-hour shows kicks off at Twin Towns, Gold Coast on January 17 through to the Cairns Convention Centre on February 2. However, the exciting news for visitors to the Tamworth Council Music Festival is that the multi-talented entertainer will perform at the Tamworth Regional Entertainment & Conference Centre (TRECC) on January 22.

Apart from her music, Quatro’s CV includes acting, writing poetry and hosting her own radio shows for the BBC. However, performing in front of an Australian country music crowd is somewhat new territory for the UKbased artist, although the genre itself is an area Quatro has unconsciously dabbled in over the years.

“I do like country music, but I’m not a country music person myself,” Quatro said. “I’m a rock and roller.

“But I’m a fan (of country music), I know quite a few of the people.” One of those artists included the late Waylon Jennings where a chance encounter at a US bar led to Jennings and Quatro jamming together on stage.

Another country connection came in 1978 when Quatro recorded the song If You Can’t Give Me Love, written by Australia’s Mike Chapman and London-born Nicky Chinn, for her 1978 album If You Knew Suzi.

“It’s a rock ballad but it has a flavour of country,” she said.

“But I’ve written quite a few through the years that could be

classed that way – definitely.

“Years ago, Mike Chapman always wanted to do a country album with me. He talked about it many times,” Quatro continued.

She believes any good rock and roller is capable of crossing over to the country genre, citing Jerry Lee Lewis as one such rocker who recorded a country album.

More recently, Quatro teamed up with Scottish singer-songwriter KT Tunstall for the duet album Face To Face. She points to one track in particular, Truth As My Weapon, as having a definite country feel.

Released in 2023 on the Sun Records label, Face To Face had its beginnings during a big Elvis Presley celebration gig at London’s Hyde Park in 2010 where Quatro fronted Presley’s old band, Taking Care Of Business, better known as TCB, performing a medley of All Shook Up and Johnny B Goode. Tunstall was also on the bill. The pair chatted briefly, but it wasn’t until years later that a friend of both Quatro and Tunstall arranged a meeting.

“We met for lunch, started to talk and something obviously sparked,” Quatro recalled. “She sent me a track, Overload, and we both kind of realised that something was happening there, so I invited her down to the house and she stayed for a few days.”

The pair began collaborating at Quatro’s home in Essex where she has lived since 1980.

“We started to talk, talk and talk about a subject, taking notes and we would pick up our instruments and there would be a song right in front us,” she added.

“I can’t even say who did what to tell you the truth because we’re both songwriters.”

In addition to her music, Quatro’s technique for writing lyrics has transferred to poetry, releasing two books of poems with another on the way. And that’s where those two artistic endeavours often cross paths. As an example, Quatro points to the title track from 2021’s The Devil In Me, the second album with her son

Richard Tuckey producing.

“I had the words for The Devil In Me, but I could not find a melody to go with it.

“I knew it was a song, and we were coming to the end of that album, and my son said, ‘There’s one more riff mum and we’re done, we’ve got enough songs’,” Quatro recalled the conversation.

“And he showed me this last riff, and it was The Devil In Me, and I said, ‘Oh my God, there it is’.

“You can’t predict it, you can’t harness it, you can’t dictate to it. Creation finds you.”

Despite being born and bred in Detroit, Michigan, Quatro has lived the majority of her life in England since the early 1970s. It was back then that renowned record producer Mickie Most offered her a solo recording contract, a move which meant splitting from her all-girl band The Pleasure Seekers.

“I went to London, October 31, 1971, and I was just supposed to go there, record and go back to Detroit but it just took time,” Quatro recalled. “It didn’t happen right away, and I was spending more time there, and everything started to kick off from the UK. So, without meaning to relocate completely to London, I ended up doing just that.

“I went back to America all the time to tour, but basically I was based (in London) from ’71 onwards. So, I ended up putting down roots there without meaning to,” Quatro said, adding that “I still think of myself as the girl from Detroit City.”

A frequent flyer between England and Detroit, she recently returned to her home town in preparation for a new album, tentatively titled Choose Yourself. In another collaborative effort, the first track recorded features evergreen rock star Alice Cooper on duet vocals.

“He’s from Detroit and we’ve known each other forever, and he agreed to be on my next album,” Quatro says.

Once again, Richard Tuckey will be in the producer’s chair. It’s a musical partnership that has evolved over time.

“He’s been in and out of bands since he was 14. He’s a vibey guy, he’s always into something,” she said.

“He’s very talented; I’ve learned to trust his judgement.”

In the recording studio, more often than not Quatro will pick up her trusty Fender Precision bass which she labels the “Rolls Royce of bass guitars”. Bought by her father Art Quatro in the mid-1960s, it’s an instrument that she keeps returning to.

“There is no better bass in the studio,” she said. “You don’t even have to adjust the tone; you can plug that straight into the board and the tone’s perfect. There’s no other bass that has that.”

Despite her longevity in the music industry, Quatro emphasised that this current tour won’t be her last. In fact, she will return for a few special dates late in 2025, including Adelaide and Perth. Moreover, she has no intention of slowing down.

“I’m at the privileged point of my career, 60 years on, where I’m doing my ‘dream shows’, two hours and an interval where I can show you the whole rainbow and take you through my life.

“So, I’m having a better time now than I ever did,” Quatro said. “So, I’m very lucky to be allowed to do what I do for 60 years now. Incredible!”

PAUL KELLY

“I think of that when I keep going back to older songs too, so I just try to finish things and get them right, and not be afraid to start again.

BY JON WOLFE

SONGS FROM THE ODD-SOCKS DRAWER

PAUL KELLY has earned a stellar reputation as a singer-songwriter and late last year he announced a major arena tour and the release of a brand-new album, Fever Longing Still.

When the name Paul Kelly comes up in conversation it’s generally in connection to rock music and the indelible mark he has left on Australian music, but his name has become linked to country music over the last two decades as he has spread his music far and wide.

He says he didn’t really listen to country music at home when he was young.

“It probably came a bit later,” Paul said. “At home I was hearing the music from my older brothers and sisters – I guess a lot more pop stuff –The Beatles, The Rolling Stones.

“But when I started playing guitar at about 18, I fell in with a group of people in Adelaide and they were playing Neil Young, the first two Gram Parsons records and country rock people like the Flying Burritos and Commander Cody and I was discovering a lot of music through Dylan – folk music, country music – people like The Stanley Brothers and Bill Monroe when I was in my late teens.

“I remember hearing bluegrass

music for the first time and thinking how weird it was. It sounded like music from another planet. Beautiful high, keening singing. That’s always stayed with me, that old time music, that strand of Bluegrass.

“Kasey Chambers is a good example of that. She’s a performer with all those streams of country music flowing into her.

Paul must also have gleaned plenty of inspiration from the storytelling side of country music as his songs are stories, whether of places, people or love.

“Telling stories and the truth,” he said, “Yeah, the storytelling has always been there, and of course the other big influence, and still a touchstone for me, is Hank Williams. I never tire of listening to him and learned very early on that what he was doing was something extraordinary and very innovative.

“Some of his songs are the saddest songs ever written – the likes of I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry, Cold Cold Heart, but the melodies are not.

“Most covers of I’m So Lonesome are slow, but the original isn’t that slow, there’s a little pep in the step

and there’s always that thing with Hank and his band, there’s always that little bit ‘fronty’ on the beat, that sort of push – there’s energy and pep and the melodies are sort of happy.”

I ventured that if Hank was alive today, he’d probably be described as ‘alt-country’.

“Oh yeah, he was alt-country. He was at odds with the country music establishment, and it wasn’t just because of his drinking. Hank Williams was raw, he was a long way from country music these days.”

Love has always been at the heart of many of Paul Kelly’s greatest songs - To Her Door, How To Make Gravy, Careless, If I Could Start Today Again, Deeper Water,

When I First Met Your Ma, Sweet Guy, Dumb Things, Firewood and Candles and The Oldest Story In The Book.

The new album Fever Longing Still presents another batch of Paul Kelly songs with an interweaving thread of love in its many forms.

“I never know what the themes are until I am in the middle of doing a record,” Paul said. “I don’t set out with an album in mind. Over the past 20 years, I just get the band together and put down a batch of songs. I put them in what I call my odd-socks drawer on the computer and as they accumulate, I see which ones work together.”

He said some arrive fully formed,

like the first single from the album, Houndstooth Dress.

“The song was new, I didn’t have a chance to rehearse it with the band. When we were in the studio I said, ‘Let’s try this.’ As they hear the song for the first time, they nail the performance in one glorious first take.

Another song on the album has a connection to Slim Dusty.

“Yeah, the song Let’s Work It Out In Bed. Ian Simpson, the banjo player on my Foggy Highway album, told me about playing with Slim Dusty. He said Slim recorded all the time and would come into the studio and say, ‘What offcuts have we got?’, which is what he

called outtakes from other sessions. They would spruce them up for the new record.

“I think of that when I keep going back to older songs too, so I just try to finish things and get them right, and not be afraid to start again.

“New Zealand singer-songwriter Reb Fountain helped us bring it home. It’s a duet all the way, from woe to go.”

Paul Kelly’s only live shows for 2025 include nine huge arena shows in Brisbane, Sydney, Hobart, Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne, Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland in August/September and he will be joined in Australia by US alt-country Grammy winner Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, as well as Fanny Lumsden and in New Zealand by Reb Fountain.

With his incredible live band by his side – including Peter Luscombe (drums), Bill McDonald (bass), Dan Kelly (guitar), Cameron Bruce (keys), Jess Hitchcock (vocals), and Ash Naylor (guitar) – Paul Kelly live is not to be missed.

WILD RIDE WADE FORSTER

From a rodeo cowboy who had never heard of Toyota Star Maker to winning Australian country music’s most prestigious talent search, the last two years have been a wild ride for WADE FORSTER.

BY BEC GRACIE

The 44th Toyota Star Maker winner has gone from campfire singalongs to a thriving music career and said the win changed not only his life, but the lives of those around him.

“It made my hobby a career which is, I guess, everyone’s dream depending on where you are in life,” Wade said.

“As much as I love working on the land, music was always a lot more fun and safer. Star Maker literally changed my life because I didn’t think of my music as much more than the campfire party trick I had. Now, I’m getting to sing all over the world. I’ve done a lot in America this year, Cody Johnson invited me on his tour of Australia and New Zealand, and I’ve played in the major cities of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. I never thought I’d get a crowd there.”

Wade is no stranger to hard work and he attributes much of his success to opportunities like the CMAA Academy of Country Music, which introduced him to the Star Maker competition.

“The Academy helped me a lot,” he said.

“Without it, I wouldn’t know what Star Maker is. I remember leaning over to Mark Lavender when Max Jackson came in to sing a few songs and talk about Star Maker, and asking, ‘What the f*** is Star Maker?’ After that, I went to it and watched Loren Ryan win, and I was like, ‘yeah, I’ll give this a go’.”

When Star Maker co-ordinator Cheryl Brown rang Wade to tell him he’d made the Grand Final, he even asked her what rodeo that was, as he’d forgotten that he’d entered.

Despite his initial uncertainty, Wade took a chance on the competition and put everything on the line.

“I came down in my old busted Land Cruiser, that’s done more miles than I’ve had hot dinners, and won it,” he said.

Cheryl said; “Wade really did come out of the chute at Star Maker,

and whilst the competition always comes down to a final three, when the judges weighed up all that Wade represented, it was a done deal.

“I felt somewhat hesitant, as Wade appeared to be quite green when it came to the professional side of the industry, and he was. However, he has worked the Star Maker platform as it should be used and both parties, Star Maker and Wade, were committed to the same goals and it’s paid off with Wade’s future bigger than anyone’s I’ve seen before him. He worked so hard this year, but he knows when his year is over, after the Tamworth festival, he’ll be on the next rung to bigger and better things, and we couldn’t be happier for him.”

Winning Star Maker has not only opened doors for Wade but has also profoundly impacted his family.

“It’s changed not only my life but my family’s life because me being able to do this music thing means they’re not paying out two paychecks, which is huge because out where we live jobs are hard to find, and the good ones are already taken. My little sister Holly now works full-time for dad and does a better job than I did, so it’s helped her too.”

Wade’s year as the Star Maker winner has been packed with milestones, including touring with country music heavyweights and playing iconic venues.

“I did tours with Lane Pittman and Tyler Hubbard, who was great to me. Playing the Enmore Theatre for him was surreal—I didn’t know what I was walking into, but it was incredible. I also got to play festivals like Gympie, Lasso, Sandstone Point, Deni Ute Muster, and the Sunset Bash. I’m heading to the US straight after Christmas and then back to Australia for Tamworth.”

Looking back, Wade said he was most sad to be giving up Reggie, his trusty Toyota Star Maker car. “I’ve clocked up so many miles in Reggie, and it’s bittersweet to be farewelling her and I feel like it’s a big piece of me that’s leaving, and if

I could have it my way, I’d keep the car.”

One of Wade’s proudest moments came with a Golden Guitar nomination, which he describes as another dream come true.

“I was working in the shed with dad on a 47-degree day in Winton and watched my name get read out,” he said.

“It’s good to be up there, you know, with people like Denvah, Dylan, Lane and Zac and George.”

The Winton cowboy said he has had plenty of support in his career over the past 12 months.

“There’s been so much support—people like Troy CassarDaley, Lee Kernaghan, The Wolfe Brothers, and so many others have helped me along the way,” he said.

His advice for others going into Star Maker and the music industry in general?

“My advice is to always be yourself because people love that,” he said.

“You don’t have to dress like me or anyone else to be country. Just be true to who you are, and people will connect with that. I see that it’s real popular at the moment to pretend to be a cowboy, but why do you want to pretend?”

Wade will continue to mix his love of rodeo with his music career.

“As

much as I love working on the land, music was always a lot more fun and safer.

“I want to be so busy this next year that I can’t think,” he said.

“If there are no shows in Australia, I’ll load up the band and play ten shows in the States. They don’t have to be sellouts—just genuine, good gigs where I can connect with people. I don’t think I could ever give up rodeo altogether: I think the dreams of being a world champion are out the window, but once you get that rodeo bug, it is hard to scratch. They will either have to cut off my hands or throw dirt on top of me, to stop me rodeoin’ but it’s definitely taking a back seat.

“Winning Star Maker felt like I’d just knocked out Muhammad Ali. I want to leave a legacy that inspires others to chase their dreams. Whether I’m an old bloke, smoking cigarettes and drinking beer, or still playing gigs, I hope people remember me as someone who gave it everything.”

Wade will launch his Star Maker EP, The Drifter, at the 10pm slot on Friday night, January 25 at The Longyard Hotel. He’s timed this to make sure all the cowboys and cowgirls can make it after the PBR.

The EP features three singles he released in 2024, Off The Drugs, Chemistry and Honky Tonk Bull-doggin’ Man, and Denim, the new duet with the 42nd Toyota Star Maker and winner of the 2024 Golden Guitar New Talent of the Year, Max Jackson. Denim will be released on day one of the Toyota 53rd Tamworth Country Music Festival, where the pair will appear at the Opening Concert.

THE POWER OF MUSIC

Receiving two Golden Guitar nominations for his latest single, Remember Me, was bittersweet for country legend ADAM HARVEY

On one hand, he desperately wanted the track to be recognised by his peers, because he believes it is the most important song he’s ever written.

On the other, his heart breaks a little every time he plays the song, because it is also his most personal and heartfelt composition,

“I am incredibly proud that this song has been nominated for Country Song of the Year, because it means so much to me,” Adam said.

“I wrote it about my beautiful mum, who is living with dementia. Watching her memory fade away has been heartbreaking, and I wanted to write it in her honour, to describe the fear of someone you

love forgetting who you are. It’s just a horrible disease.”

Remember Me has received an overwhelming response from everyone who’s heard it, with numerous people approaching Adam at shows, online and everywhere he goes to describe their own experiences of loved ones with dementia.

Adam was also approached by

BY SUSAN JARVIS

Dementia Australia in September to use the song in their annual Dementia Awareness Week campaign, and was proud to be part of the event. He is now an ambassador for the organisation.

A moving video clip for Remember Me was released late last year, produced by internationally recognised video maestro Shane Drake, who has worked with the likes of Taylor Swift. He approached Adam about making the clip because he too has been touched by dementia.

Remember Me was the fourth single to be released from Adam’s superb new album, Let The Song Take You Home, which was released in November, last year.

Fans were eagerly awaiting his first solo recording for three years – it is his seventeenth studio album – and they have certainly not been disappointed. It is a mixture of powerful ballads, exquisite love songs and the light-hearted party ballads for which Adam is so well known.

Still on the theme of memory, Let The Song Take You Home reflects on the power of a piece of music to instantly draw you back to a moment or a time in your life.

“I’d been listening to the old Kenny Rogers song Sail Away –which I also included on the album because I love it so much – and it took me back to my dad, and my childhood and got me thinking about how songs and memories are so closely related,” Adam said.

“From the minute I wrote the song, it was always going to be the title of the album.”

Memory also plays a part in As Good As It Used To Be, which Adam wrote with long-time friend, collaborator and fellow performer Beccy Cole at a motel in Echuca before the Deni Ute Muster.

“Beccy and I have performed so much together over the years, and this song really captured those decades of friendship and fun and experiencing the highs and lows of life together,” Adam said.

As well as Song of the Year, Adam has again been nominated for Male Artist of the Year.

“I’m always so proud to be among the finalists. I’ve been so fortunate in my career to have been able to perform and record and do what I love. I don’t do it for the awards, but that recognition always means a lot,” he said.

Certainly, Adam has received plenty of recognition. He’s already got nine Golden Guitars on his shelves and he’s notched

up half a million album sales and received numerous gold and platinum albums. He was named the CMA Global Country Artist in 2007 and has done more than his fair share of charity work, including with the McGrath Foundation and the Fred Hollows Foundation, as well as Dementia Australia.

As well as his solo recordings, he’s recorded three Great Country Songbook albums, the first with Troy CassarDaley and the last two with Beccy Cole.

Over the years, Adam’s really honed his skills at writing love songs, and this album is no exception. He was inspired to write both Her Way With Me and Meant To Be by wife Kathy, who he freely admits is the love of his life, and the foundation of everything he does.

“We’re empty nesters now, and we’ve set out on a whole new part of our journey in life, and I couldn’t think of anyone better to have by my side,” Adam said.

Part of that journey involves performing on cruise ships all over the world. Last year, Adam was joined by The French Family – Camille and Stuie and their kids – for a country cruise of the Mediterranean, and the event was such a hit that they’re all heading back to Europe later this year.

He also took a group of Australians.

“It’s a tough life, but someone’s got to do it,” Adam laughed.

“But I never forget for a moment just how lucky I am to be able to do this stuff. I still keep having to pinch myself.”

As always, some of the most popular songs on cruises, and at all Adam’s live shows, are the drinking and party songs. He’s released so many that he’s almost established his own genre, and this album features some more, What’s A Man Gotta Do? and It’s Getting’ Late. As always, the songs are a little tongue-in-cheek, a celebration of life and down-time and friendship.

It’s Getting’ Late was the first single to be released and was an instant hit; at the time of writing, it was still doing well on the country charts. He’s more recently released What’s A Man Gotta Do? accompanied by a wonderful video clip featuring his band.

And Adam says that band – Gabi Blissett, Liam Kennedy-Clark, Julia Day and Rod Motbey – has given him a whole new energy, as he tours Let The Song Take You Home all over Australia.

He did a string of shows in NSW, Victoria and Queensland in November to packed houses, and has plenty more planned for 2025.

“After some slow years after COVID, I’m getting some of the best crowds I have for years, which is fantastic,” Adam said.

He’ll perform two shows in Tamworth this year, on Saturday, January 18 and Friday, January 24, and no doubt will play to packed houses there too.

“Those shows are always a real highlight for me. Tamworth’s played such a big part in my life and career, and the festival gigs are a real celebration of that,” Adam said.

BY JON WOLFE

COMIC RELIEF WITH BAWDY BALLADS

While his songs and concert performances continue to rattle the cages of the ‘PC Brigade’, KEVIN BLOODY WILSON has earned his place in the international entertainment industry with almost zero mainstream media support, so why am I writing about him in mainstream country music magazine Capital News?

That’s easy to answer – he’s coming back to the Tamworth Country Music Festival in 2025 and he’s a mate.

Kevin has made a name for himself by writing and performing what many see as politically incorrect songs - songs with forbidden words and ideas and, songs that are basically just rude and outrageous –but also outrageously funny.

“People are sick and tired of political correctness and they come up with new names for it every now and then, like ‘woke’, and people see right through that and what I do are simply bawdy ballads.”

Now in his mid-70s, Kev is worried that he may be the last of the contemporary bawdy singers.

“I’ve been very lucky over the last 40 years as I’ve been able to tour the world and I have been coming back to Tamworth every two or three years, and I’m simply singing bawdy ballads.”

“I haven’t seen too much of it anywhere,” he said. “Given what I do, I thought I’d be exposed to it. A couple turn up that are absolutely putrid, but in my opinion, it has to be funny and it’s got to have a lot of wit around it.

“The difference between what I do, and any other comedic songs is that I tell the stories in the vernacular.”

If you observe an audience, which is made up of men and women from 18 to 88 (or maybe even older), they all, yes all, sing along to the songs and I guess part of that is they get to use some words they can’t normally use in public and laugh at some outrageous stories.

“Yeah, that’s true,” Kev said, ‘and you’ll have a doctor standing next to a labourer, and dare I say, a cop out of uniform, and that could be anywhere

in the world.

“I’ve been very lucky over the last 40 years as I’ve been able to tour the world and I have been coming back to Tamworth every two or three years, and I’m simply singing bawdy ballads.”

On a number of occasions Kev and I have spoken about bawdy ballads and we spoke about it again, this time with Chaucer and William Shakespeare coming up in the conversation.

“Yeah, they’ve been around for hundreds of years and what I do is just a contemporary take on that,” he said. “Wee Robby Burns wrote a book on it; Shakespeare wrote bawdy ballads. People you wouldn’t think of, and right up to today. I don’t think there’s a musician that has ever played that hasn’t changed the words – or wanted to change the words – to some of the popular songs they play at the time. “Terry Gordon had a go at it, Chad came close… maybe more by suggestion.”

Kev says the regular trips to Tamworth are a time to sit down and relax and have a few beers with mates and enjoy country music – and do a show.

“That’s one of the things we all have in common and certainly the people I’ve been involved in over the last 60 years [remember he started out a regular country

performer, touring with Rick and Thel Carey, amongst other things] are good solid people and it’s great to catch up with them.”

Kev started writing, singing and recording his songs for his mates while he was an electrician working on the Kalgoorlie goldfields and I wondered if he ever missed that part of his life.

“No, not at all,” he said. “I’d be a retired sparky now. I guess you could say I retired at 37 to pursue my hobby, which was the bawdy ballad. That decision organically defined the path that I took, so I’ve really been pursuing my hobbies.”

Kev’s famous DILLIGAF (you’ll have to Google that yourself) approach to PC is a breath of fresh air, clever, direct and funny and he’s looking forward to bringing a new album and show to fans in Tamworth.

Kevin Bloody Wilson will be performing at West Tamworth League Club on Saturday, January 25, to a packed-out audience and if you’re going along, be prepared for a night of laughter and bawdy ballads as only Kevin can present.

“Yeah, I’ll be there in all my radiant beauty,” Kevin told me, “and maybe, Jon, we’ll talk some more over a beer about the origins and what will happen to the bawdy ballad in years to come.”

KEVIN BLODDY WILSON

LUKE O’SHEA

BY BEC GRACIE

LUKE O’SHEA is deeply connected to the stories, history, and challenges that define modern Australia, and is never afraid to raise the difficult issues.

His eighth album, Different Drum, continues the themes he’s always been passionate about and addresses subjects he feels still need attention, with a particular focus on Australia’s history and the ongoing acknowledgment of First Nations peoples. His music also touches on other important areas, including the challenges faced by returned veterans and the strain placed on families whose partners work in flyin, fly-out (FIFO) industries.

“As a school teacher, you see the stress it places upon the family unit,” Luke said.

He said there was still a lack of adequate support for returned veterans and families impacted by FIFO work. For Luke, it’s about continuing the conversation and shining a light on these issues through his songs.

Luke’s respect for Australia’s First Nations people and his acknowledgment of our shared history continues throughout his Different Drum album with songs that capture the elements of history and community that shape the country’s culture, without resorting to clichés.

“We are at a really interesting crossroads where we are starting to see country as more than just a commodity to rip out and sell,” he said.

As the feature single from his album, Different Drum, Dharawal is the most important song to the singersongwriter on the album and has nabbed a Golden Guitar nomination for the accompanying video.

“As a songwriter you can skirt around subject matter that may cut a little too close to the bone - but it was definitely time that I sang up the Dharawal mob whose traditional

lands I grew up on and still share today,” he said.

“It is a personal reflection - a lament of sorts - due to the very strong feelings of dislocation that I felt as a young man growing up in the Royal National Park with no elder around that could teach or guide me through my stunning backyard.

“I have a strong Irish ancestry running through my veins but, after five generations of living on this land, I feel we are learning how to connect to the power of country and there is still so much to learn from those who looked after it for more than 50,000 years.”

The video highlights Dharawal land south of Sydney and features stunning scenery and poignant scenes starring First Nations people.

“I wish to sincerely thank the wide range of First Nation people who appear in the video - in particular the mighty Dharawal mob whose lands I grew up on and still live upon today,” Luke said

“I also want to thank longtime collaborator and co-director Jay Seeney of Blacklist Productions whose patience, specialised skills and can-do attitude is essential for helping me express and marry the lyrics and the production of the song to strong and subtle and at times very striking and powerful images.”

He said that Australians are beginning to feel a stronger connection to the land and believes this connection comes with a deep desire to protect it for future generations.

“When you are constantly being bombarded with multi-national corporations wanting to rip off and rip out as much of Australia as they possibly can, and you see your elected leaders willingly sign off on this paperwork that means irreparable damage, it’s incredibly

frustrating,” Luke said.

Not only does he sing about the effects mining is having on the land and the community, but he and his now late father, Rick O’Shea, locked themselves onto a pump drawing water for the Maules Creek Mine from the Namoi River in 2015.

Luke’s songwriting approach is one of respect for both sides of the fence.

“I love the ability of a song to be a sugar-coated pill where you can take a very big concept and sometimes a very challenging concept and clothe it in a sweet melody in a four-minute song and present it to people where it’s in a non-threatening style,” he said.

“That will, in turn, present a new point of view and hopefully gets people discussing the song and the issues around a dinner table somewhere and these issues can be addressed.”

Luke recently performed at Mt Kembla, marking the anniversary of Australia’s worst mining disaster with the lighting of 96 candles in honour of the victims, which inspired his song, Jumbulla (The Ghost of Mickey Brennan).

“There’s a key line in there, ‘don’t you put your trust in corporate greed’,” he said.

“They’re all working for faceless men who will put money ahead of everything, and that’s what caused that disaster 100 years ago.”

For Luke, it’s about advocating for the need to prioritise people, families, and communities over short-term profit and corporate greed. His songs push for the importance of looking after the country, the workers, and each other’s wellbeing.

Despite the serious themes present in many of his songs, Luke recognises the importance of balance.

“Even though, on an album, you can have those songs with a lot of

STRONG CONNECTIONS

weight, I fully appreciate the light and the dark,” he said.

Tracks like I Don’t Bounce Back, Different Drum, and South Beach Strip celebrate the sheer joy of playing music, providing an uplifting contrast to the heavier material.

For the 16-time Golden Guitar winner, the beauty of releasing an album rather than individual singles

is the continuity it offers.

“You feel the continuity of an album as a journey,” he said.

When it comes to live performances, the Tamworth Country Music Festival is the next big thing on Luke’s dance card.

He relishes the opportunity to mix things up. With eight albums worth of material, no two shows are

the same at his Tamworth home of the Services Club.

“Each show is completely and utterly different,” he said. Luke said he loves revisiting songs he hasn’t played in years, sitting alongside musicians he’s known and performed with, for over two decades.

“It’s a highlight of my musical year,” he said. Different Drum is not just another album for Luke O’Shea; it’s a continuation of his mission to tell the stories that matter, to sing up Australia’s past, present, and future, and to do so with authenticity and passion.

DION PRIDE

BY JON WOLFE

DION PRIDE may not have reached legendary status yet, but he has certainly inherited the other three virtues that his father CHARLEY PRIDE brought to the genre.

Talented, humble and a great singer, are words to describe both father and son.

While not the first time he has been to Australia – he toured with his father and played guitar in the band, Dion will be touring Australia in April and May –this time in his own right.

Dion said, growing up, his mother and father made it as normal as possible for him.

“Under the circumstances I considered fairly normal,” Dion said. “If I went out on the road with him or went to a show, I did get a taste of the . . . of the celebrity of it, so to speak, but at home it was always pretty normal.”

He was also a keen sportsman as a youth.

“I ran track, played football, basketball and baseball,” Dion said. “I was offered baseball and football scholarships, but I talked it over with my mother and she said, ‘You pretty much know what you want to do’. I was very close to taking the baseball scholarship.

“Music was a big part of growing up and I took to it like a fish in water, and dad did get me my first guitar to see if I would like it when I was five years old, but no one really had to motivate me.

“Of course, there was country music at home, but I will say I had a really eclectic background musically. My mother raised me listening to Jack Jones and Frank Sinatra, Vic Damone, Herb Albert and the Tijuana Brass. My brother played jazz to me, and my first cousin played me a lot of R&B.

“I played acoustic guitar and had five years of serious classical piano, from eight to 13, I started playing drums and I started playing bass at 12.”

At 14, Dion started playing in his

father’s band, playing in front of huge crowds or small intimate venues.

Dion said it was terrifying!

“Yes, it was terrifying in the beginning, and I think that would have been normal for anyone my age then,” he said. “But I had my father there to guide me and I feel I was trained by one of the finest vocalists. People don’t realise how technical he was with his singing.

“He was so smooth, he made it seem so effortless and he passed that down to me and what makes it effortless is, if you are singing with the right technique - breathing properly, using your diaphragm, and he always said articulation and enunciation were always paramount to my father and he always shared with me and one of his mottoes was, ‘If you can’t understand every word of a lyric, it might as well be an instrumental’.”

Initially, Dion played lead guitar and keyboards for his father’s performances and opened the shows for an impressive five years. However, as he began incorporating his own material into the sets, the audience’s enthusiastic response fueled his decision to venture out on his own musical journey.

Dion’s captivating performances have taken him across the globe, entertaining audiences in England, Ireland, Scotland, Canada, and throughout the continental United States.

While Charley was the consummate singer who could pick and choose, and make other people’s songs his own, Dion is a serious songwriter.

“I always wanted to write,” he said. “It’s good to be able to put down what’s in your head and compose something.”

One of his songs, I Miss My Home, showcased his songwriting

talent when his father recorded Dion’s composition, for his esteemed Choices album in 2011.

Dion’s 2025 tour of Australia is called Dion Pride Sings The Songs Of His Father and he will be joined by original Charley Pride touring musicians including Ronnie Miller (pedal steel guitar), Danny Hutchins (piano/keys) and Mark Kalson (fiddle).

Dion said; “With the lineup we have, and the songs, you won’t be lacking anything from what you’re used to hearing on my father’s records!

“I am really looking forward to this tour – it’s what I live for – there is nothing like touring – I love touring.”

With his impressive musical abilities, sincere heart, and unwavering dedication, Dion Pride has carved out his own distinctive place in country music.

From an early age, he displayed an innate talent for playing multiple instruments, and his decision to strike out on his own has proven to be a wise and rewarding choice.

Dion continues to leave a lasting mark on the country music scene, captivating audiences with his soulful voice, authentic performances, and undeniable passion for his craft.

When asked about the most significant lesson he learned from his father, Dion wholeheartedly attributes it to ‘humbleness’.

This quality has become ingrained in him, as he maintains genuine enthusiasm and excitement for country music, a rarity in today’s industry.

Despite his growing success, Dion remains humble, grateful, and committed to giving his fans the performance of a lifetime and Australian country music fans will now have the chance to see that for themselves. For tour dates go to www.dionpride.com.

A PROUD SON

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BY JON WOLFE

They include the ACM New Male Artist of the Year, Billboard’s Rookie of the Year and Amazon’s Breakthrough Artist for 2024.

Nate was first exposed to country music by his mum and his grandparents.

“They’re the ones,” he said. “Mum turned me onto Garth Brooks and Elvis and they were really the first country artists I heard and connected with and my grandparents, every time I visited them, they’d be playing old school stuff like Patsy Cline. I found her songs to be really haunting and emotional.

He, like many of his friends and acquaintances, gravitated towards rock and emo music.

“I was very into emo,” he said. “But Rascal Flatts and Keith Urban brought me back to country music.

“I wasn’t searching for country but it sort of found me and it felt like home to me. With the storytelling and the transparency of the songs, it felt like where I should be.”

Growing up in Paradise, California, his first attempt to break into the Nashville scene didn’t go well.

“At 23, I moved to Nashville and I had a Christian record deal on the table, I had a publishing deal and I wrote songs for other artists, but didn’t really know what I was doing.”

It was tough and he returned to Paradise and worked as a nurse, but fate soon saw him turning back to music.

In 2018 California’s most devastating wildfire tore through Paradise, destroying Nate’s home and everything he owned and to cope he turned to music for comfort, using a loaned guitar to co-write a song called One of These Days

“It was just to help me process, I guess,” Nate said, “and then hopefully help other people, too. The fire was a horrible thing to happen, but it did move me into a place to start doing what I think I’m supposed to be doing.

feels LIKE HOME

US country artist NATE SMITH burst onto the scene in 2024 with a

new record following a trio of awards.

The return to Music City has seen him generate an international following and he says it’s given him the amazing opportunity to touch people with music.

“I get to see the world,” Nate said, “and I get to do what I love doing.

It’s everything I wanted to do since I was a kid.”

Since returning to Nashville his career has seen him accumulate over 1.7 billion career streams, score three #1 records (Whiskey On You, World On Fire and Bulletproof), garner multiple gold and platinum records, sold-out shows across the US and the three awards mentioned in the opening of this story.

World On Fire is the opening song on Nate’s second album California Gold and he said it’s a special song for him.

“I chose this to come out first because I feel like it really showcases my influences and sonic taste. It’s a bit of a theme song for this new project.”

The 16-track album also includes other previously released tracks like Wish I Never Felt, a collaboration with Avril Lavigne and Alesso as well as the RIAA certified gold track Bulletproof, and new songs.

The title of the album comes from a song that came out of a conversation with a friend who said rain is California gold.

“It was the last song we wrote for the album,” Nate said. “There’s plenty of ‘Easter eggs’ in the song that talk about growing up.”

Sixteen songs on an album?

“I fall in love with a lot of songs,” Nate said. “It’s hard to whittle them down, but I promise you the 16 songs that are on this album are necessary. There was no way I could have put this album out without these songs.

“There’s always going to be two or three songs that stream more, but it’s important to me to put out a bunch of songs as an album, whether it connects or not.”

Nate performed at CMC Rocks Qld last year and said he loved it, as he got to play two nights in a row on the main stage and it was very special.

This year Nate Smith will be expanding his fan base with trips to the UK and to Norway, where he says he might have some relatives he wants to catch up with.

“I also hope to come back to Australia,” he said. “Maybe after album number three, which I’ll hopefully record this year.”

BY BEC GRACIE

For JOCK BARNES, one-half of the dynamic duo ROUTE 33, music is more than a career—it’s a journey that captures life’s milestones and moments.

With their latest album, Chapters, Route 33 has looked back on the band’s evolution, the creative process, and the stories behind their songs.

“Our new album really feels like we’ve found our feet and we have four different producers on this album,” Jock said. “From our first to our second album, you can definitely see how far we’ve come. Last First Kiss launched us, and we’ve been trying to catch up ever since.”

Plenty has happened in their lives since their last album in 2018 with Jock getting married and welcoming his first baby and Trent getting engaged, and they explore this on Chapters

“The break between albums happened because of the way we write, which is not a normal routine as it’s between our day jobs and we have released singles in that time, but we probably would have got an album out in that time if it wasn’t for COVID that put a dampener on things,” Jock said.

“We had a lot of milestones in that time and a lot of the songs reflect those. We are looking back on our younger selves and reminiscing on how we got to where we are and the album captured a lot of that journey, but we said let’s get this album out now.

“I am glad we held out, though, because we got Fall Guy on there and we re-recorded Country Girl. This album is a little bit of everything. It brings in some of the pop stuff we enjoy and adds a different element to what we do.”

One of these milestones stars on the album cover with Jock’s baby girl, Kenny, being the star of the show.

“I show her the cover and, she knows it’s her and, looks at it with a big cheesy grin,” Jock said.

“I had that photo on my phone for ages and Trent saw it one day and said it would be a great album cover. That’s where the whole Chapters came from – the chapters of our lives, so it’s fitting to have our bub on the front.”

The album’s songs were written by both band members in various ways, with the album show the band’s signature country-pop style with a more mature approach.

“Free is probably both Trent’s and my favourite track,” Jock said.

“That song started with a chord progression we pieced together. Then there’s Fall Guy—I came

up with the hook and chorus first, and then we worked on the verses, tweaking melodies and chord progressions as we went. It’s all about finding the time and letting the songs take shape naturally.”

Jock said their growth as musicians had influenced their sound on Chapters.

“The more you play and surround yourself with great musicians, the more it pushes you musically,” he said.

“That’s what’s so exciting about this journey because we are continuing to evolve.”

For Jock, every album and every show is another chapter in their story, so it’s an apt title for their latest offering.

“This journey has always been about capturing life’s moments and turning them into songs we want to write,” he said.

“We are just enjoying it as we go. For us, this isn’t a make or break for us, we love it and we are passionate about it, but fortunately we don’t have to pay bills and put food in our mouths through music, it’s just a great outlet for us. That means there is less pressure there and we write what we like when we like and it’s more about passion.”

And now it’s time to look at going back into the studio for the Queensland duo.

“We’re going to be working on a little EP with a few covers and a track we recorded a few years ago and we might re-record that,” Jock said.

“It’s got a lot of different song titles as the lyrics – we have brought together the songs that shaped us growing up in Aussie rock and country so we want to give a bit of a tip of the hat to that 1990s and 2000 rock and country together because it was such an iconic time in Australian music, so we want to capture that in song.”

Following the success and hard work they’ve already experienced, that’s worked to get their foot in the door of events and opportunities, Jock said they were building on this and aimed to play as many festivals as they could in the coming year.

“Off the back of this album, we’re trying to secure more festival spots,” Jock said.

“We love every bit of it—the race days, the balls, and especially the festivals like Tamworth Country Music Festival. It’s a chance to get excited, connect with fans, and jump on the festival circuit.”

Fans can catch Route 33 at this month’s Tamworth Country Music Festival and around the country in the year ahead.

MILESTONE MARKERS ROUTE 33

CLELIA ADAMS

lifting THE LID

Back in the mid-1970s, the name CLELIA ADAMS probably appeared in most issues of this publication, as she was a featured harmony singer on just about every record made in the Country Music Capital, at that time.

But the story of this remarkable woman began well before that, and it’s one that only Clelia herself could tell – and she has done it in her just published book called One Of A Kind – The Adventures Of Cleo From Go-Set Magazine

“I’ve always talked about the past with friends,” Clelia said. “I’d tell them some of the things that happened back in the day, and they’d say ‘Oh, man, you need to write a book!’

“I’d heard this for years and during Covid what happened there was all this time, and you know how

you always have that bottom drawer where you chuck all this stuff in, and you carry it around for years? Well, I cleaned out my bottom drawer and I found all these letters, all these press clippings that I’d saved from the Tamworth days and I just looked at it and went ‘Holy Dooley!’”

Clelia said she also had a friend who also put everything in scrapbooks in chronological order.

“I looked at them and thought ‘I could hobble together the whole history of Tamworth, ‘70s, ’80s and ‘90s,” she said. “The grass roots, not the big stars that came, but what we did as working musicians.

“In the studios every day, at gigs

where we were always called upon for anything that anybody needed. It was an absolute community that we had going in Tamworth, which, I’m sure, was the contribution to the development of the Country Music Capital because it wasn’t that to start with.”

Without giving anything away from the book, Clelia delves into the Tamworth story with an insight that could only come from someone who was on the apex of the scene –naming names, telling anecdotes and sharing her Tamworth story.

Clelia was a member of the bands Skarlett with Lynette Guest and Cate McCarthy, The New England Rangers, Garry and Clelia Adams (with former husband Garry Adams) and Clelia and Gary Brown before continuing a solo career.

But the book doesn’t begin in Tamworth, it actually begins in Italy where Clelia was born before moving to Orange in Australia and

Clelia with partner Rowly

With Gary Brown

The New England Rangers

With Garry Adams

Clelia with brother Albert

the first part of the book is steeped in tales of typical Italian families and households before she moved to the big city working with the top names in international and Australian rock music.

After originally working in the Woolies typing pool near Sydney’s Town Hall, she soon started working for Go-Set Magazine.

Go-Set was the first Australian pop music newspaper, published weekly from February 2, 1966 to August 24, 1974, and was founded in Melbourne by Phillip Frazer, Peter Raphael and Tony Schauble.

Widely described as a pop music “bible”, it was where Clelia ended-up working, before going on to work for record companies and the book tells the tales, the behind-the-scenes stories and all told firsthand.

“The Go-Set years were huge,” Clelia said. “I used to buy it every week and I saw an advert for a Girl Friday for the establishment of a

Go-Set office in Sydney and I got an interview.

“I got the job. In the interview I was asked why I should get the job, and I said, “Because I’ve read every copy of Go-Set Magazine since it came out – have you?’

“The fact that I didn’t look like a band moll probably helped a lot.”

Clelia has every right to drop some of the biggest names in the rock world in the book, not just from her Go-Set days, but during many years working for WEA Records both at home and overseas.

“That was the time that all the really big-name bands in the world were starting to understand that Australia was a cash cow,” Clelia said.

“We had the Stones, Yes, Led Zepplin, Jethro Tull, just so many of them and I had to organise press receptions, all the publicity stuff.”

Clelia lifts the lid on some of the quirks and shenanigans that the

stars got up to, while filling readers in on her personal ups and downs, including two bouts of brain tumour operations, and marriage and family stories.

A move to the North Coast of NSW eventually saw her rise as a popular country music singer on the NSW North Coast and surrounds, on radio and a stellar round of hits in Europe.

“I was only just starting to promote my recording and gigs online and a friend encouraged me to talk to Ross Allen in Canada who was releasing compilations of singles for radio into Europe, the US and Canada.

I didn’t even realise there was a country music scene in Europe and eventually I was topping charts and getting wonderful reviews for my music.”

Clelia covers that period of her career in detail and then goes on to talk about family and friends again and there’s a list of highlights and a discography before finishing in a very Italian way - with a few family recipes.

Those of us who know Clelia will find plenty to remember in this book but those who may be discovering this immensely talented woman for the first time will find inspiration, heartfelt stories, and wonder at her inner strength, and I suggest you source the recordings to complete the picture.

Clelia will have a Tamworth launch for the book at 12 midday, on Sunday, January 19, at The Press.

Go-Set Staff 1970

1973 John Prine tour

Clelia, Ray Essery, Kathryn Jones

Clelia, Lynette Guest, Kate McCarthy

a brush WITH FAME

With a new EP under his wing, an Australian Idol win in the bag, and a Golden Guitar nomination to his name, DYLAN WRIGHT, no longer has time to watch paint dry.

The country musician, who has been performing for more than 15 years, and is one-half of Sons of Atticus, has wrapped up the busiest musical year of his life, and there’s no slowing down.

“It’s been a bit of a crazy year,” Dylan said.

“This time last year, I never would have imagined I’d be here.”

Despite years in the industry, it was his appearance on the reality show that has made him a household name.

“I’ve been in the country music scene for a few years now, and the support from names like Andrew Swift, Amber Lawrence, and Lee

Kernaghan has been incredible,” he said.

“They’ve always offered words of wisdom, and it’s such a loving, familylike community to be a part of.”

Dylan’s decision to audition for Australian Idol was a spur-of-themoment, but life-changing, decision.

“I was working as a painter and literally watching paint dry,” he said.

“An ad for Idol came on, and I thought, ‘Why not give it a crack?’ I didn’t expect to go far, but I just wanted to see what I could learn.”

This decision saw him progress through the competition and take the crown.

“Even now, I’m not sure how it all happened,” he said.

“I think going in with no

BY BEC GRACIE

expectations and just focusing on improving myself made the difference. I formed such a bond with the other contestants. We supported each other through everything, whether it was forgotten lyrics or just needing a pep talk. It felt like a big family.”

Dylan’s recent signing with Sony Music, after winning Idol, has seen him release his new EP, Half A World Away in two parts!

Following his Idol win, Dylan wrote 20 songs in two weeks, selecting six for the new EP.

“There’s so much amazing music out there, and people don’t always have the time to sit down and listen to a full album,” he said.

“Releasing a few songs at a time makes it more accessible, and it allows each song to shine.”

Three tracks were released in September the remaining three, six weeks later on October 25 and showcase his musical versatility and wide-ranging influences.

Dylan worked with top-level producers and songwriters including Andrew Grant, Lach Bostock of Mansionair, Nick Zaharias and Robby De Sa.

The release coincided with an ambitious tour spanning Queensland, Victoria, New South Wales, Western Australia, and regional areas which isn’t over yet, and has Dylan’s best mate, Matt Joyce – the other half of Sons of Atticus, join him on tour.

“Regional Australia is the lifeblood of Australian music,” Dylan said.

“I’m so grateful for the people who come to the shows and listen to the music.”

The Get A Little Lost Tour is inspired by the first single from the EP, Little Lost

“Little Lost is a road trip song and about getting out of the grind of life,” Dylan said.

“Sometimes it feels like we’re being over worked and don’t have enough time to enjoy life to its fullest so this song is a reminder to get out there, smell the roses and enjoy the little things in life.”

As the Tamworth Country Music Festival approaches, Dylan is locked in to perform at Moonshiners on January 24 and is thrilled about his nomination for New Talent of the Year.

“I wasn’t even watching the live stream when the nominations were announced—I was picking up my daughters from daycare,” he said.

“When I got back into reception, I had so many messages and missed calls. It’s such an honour to be recognised alongside people I’ve looked up to for years.”

And there’s even more music to come from Sons of Atticus.

“Matt (Joyce) started by playing guitar for me, and then we decided to create something together which became Sons of Atticus,” Dylan said.

“We’ve got some new singles ready to go, and it’s exciting to see how it complements my solo work while still being its own thing.”

Dylan said, after the past year, he’s so thankful for everything that has happened and “can’t wait to see what’s next.”

T

CL A SSIC COUNTR Y

Perf ormed by

Islands in the Stream…Coal Miners Daughter……..Blue Moon of Kentucky……Kiss an Angel …..If Tomorrow Never Comes…..…. Stand By Your Man…….The Gambler……The Most Beautiful Girl in the World……Rhinestone Cowboy… Only the Lonely … The Gambler …Guitars & Cadillacs ….Today I started Loving You Again ….Country Roads … You Ain’t Woman Enough to Take my Man…. Blue Moon of Kentucky….. Harper Valley PTA …..Crazy Walking After Midnight ….. Don’t it make Your Brown Eyes Blue …..Jackson ….Will the Circle Be Unbroken…& more…

CAPITOL THEATRE TAMWORTH

THURSDAY JANUARY 23RD, 2025 - 10AM

C APIT OL THEATRE TAMWORTH

SATURDAY J ANU AR Y 25TH, 2025 - 3PM

BOLD AND unapologetic

Canadian artist CORY MARKS is kicking goals on Australian radio, and waiting for his home country to “get on board”, but with a new album now out, he’s ready to rock.

Sorry For Nothing, Cory’s second full-length album came out in December on both CD and a special red vinyl edition, while the digital version has an exclusive fourteenth track.

True to its title, Sorry For Nothing is unapologetic and bold, marking the culmination of a creative journey that Cory described as “incredible”.

“It’s been four years since my last full-length album and COVID gave me a lot of time to write, and out of the 100 songs I wrote during that period, I picked 14 of my favourites

that I thought the world needed to hear,” he said.

“It’s an album I’m really excited about. Some of these songs are among my greatest work—I’ve matured as an artist, and you can hear that in the music.”

Cory’s unique sound is a mix of influences that span decades and genres.

“I’d describe my style as country rock, or amped-up country—country music with a rock ’n’ roll attitude,” he said.

“I grew up on the pioneers of country music—Jimmie Rodgers, Buck Owens, George Jones, and Travis Tritt—but I also grew up

BY BEC GRACIE

listening to rock bands like Rush, Deep Purple, Metallica, and Pantera. It’s all mixed together in what I do: country rock with a little metal thrown in.”

Sorry For Nothing is not an album to be confined to one genre, offering a blend of Southern rock, country, and metal influences that creates Cory’s signature sound.

The production of Sorry For Nothing involved a team of three producers who each brought something unique to the project. Cory worked with Kevin Churko, who he credits with pushing him to new creative heights, and Kane Churko, with whom he recorded an entire album’s worth of material in 2021, some of which was repurposed for his I Rise EP.

Nashville producer Andrew Baylis also contributed, bringing a fresh perspective to songs like Make My Country Rock.

“We wanted to mix things up,” Cory said.

“We amped it up on the rocky songs and let the country songs really shine: it was about finding the right balance.”

The album features an impressive lineup of special guests, including country legend Travis Tritt.

“It’s an honour to have artists like Travis on this record,” Cory said.

“It’s one thing to have them feature on your songs, but for them to love and appreciate what I’m doing means the world to me. Travis and I played a show together, hung out after his performance, and even met up in Nashville. I pinch myself sometimes—it’s very special.”

Australian fans have also captured Cory’s heart, and he’s eager to perform Down Under.

“Australia has been on my bucket list for many years,” he said.

“I wasn’t able to make it before, but I’ve been getting great responses from Australian fans and radio. I can’t wait to play in places like Tamworth and share my music with everyone there.

“Having this record out and sharing it with fans in different parts of the world, like Europe and Australia, is what it’s all about. I like to put my albums together like a live show—a rollercoaster ride with ups and downs, songs for every emotion. I want listeners to enjoy the whole album, front to back, without skipping a song.”

BY SUSAN JARVIS

And everything about rising star Jemma Beech is the real deal.

Brought up in the bush, she’s lived in the Hunter Valley, the wide-open spaces of the Pilbara and has now returned to her home country of the beautiful Shoalhaven region on the NSW South Coast.

Jemma’s been singing as long as she can remember, and performing seriously since she was 16. She’s become adept at booking gigs, planning tours and of course writing wonderful songs about life on the land, her experiences travelling Australia and her emotional landscape.

Jemma blew the crowd away at the 2024 Toyota Star Maker grand final with her dynamic, energy-packed performance and her powerful original songs, and she’s been working hard ever since to capitalise on the exposure Star Maker gave her.

“It was an incredible experience to be recognised among my peers by being chosen for the grand final, and to perform in front of such a huge crowd was amazing. I’ve had a lot of opportunities come up over the last year thanks to Star Maker,” Jemma said.

“Then there were the people I met, both the other finalists and those in the industry. We’ve kept in touch, and I’ve worked together with Jake Whittaker a couple of times.”

Jemma also wrote one of her singles, If I Can’t Wear Boots, with former Star Maker winner, 2024 New Talent Golden Guitarist and Tamworth Festival ambassador Max Jackson.

Jemma released her debut album in 2018. That was the product of plenty of life experience, which has included working as a nanny, bartender, truck stop worker and

true to life

When a country girl writes a country song, the honesty shines through – particularly when she’s lived the experiences she sings about.

truck driver in the mines.

“Having that experience of living and working and travelling is just priceless, particularly for a songwriter. I can draw on all those memories when I’m writing, and I’ve got so many ideas for songs that have come from my life,” she said.

She also travelled to Nashville earlier that year to write songs for the album, That’s Just Me, which debuted at #19 on the ARIA Country Album Charts. Along with the title track, it featured songs like I’m A Girl and Stuck In The Mud

Since then, she’s released several singles, including the foot-stomping anthem If I Can’t Wear Boots, the soulful Four Leaf Clover and her most recent release, the catchy One Horse Town, which came from her time in the Pilbara.

“I don’t really make stuff up for my songs. I have to be able to remember it, to feel it, to visualise it. And I can still remember the tiny

one-horse town of Paraburdoo in the Pilbara that inspired One Horse Town,” she said.

This month, Jemma will release another new single, Growin’ Up On The Radio, a nostalgic look back at the music of her childhood, and how it inspired her.

“It always makes me smile, thinking about dancing around the radio as a kid,” she said.

For Jemma, the way she will perform a song live is central to how she writes it.

“I always imagine how it will be on stage, in front of a crowd, and how the video clip will look. Everything I write and sing is true to my life, from the heart and real, and I’ve found that people really respond so positively to that,” she said.

Another couple of singles are already in the pipeline, and Jemma’s keen to do as much songwriting – both on her own and in collaboration with other artists – with a view to releasing an album later in the year or in 2026.

She is planning another trip to Nashville, and meanwhile is busy locking in gigs for 2025, including a feature spot at A Night in Nashville in Orange in March.

She has four appearances scheduled for Tamworth: two at the Longyard Hotel front deck on Tuesday, January 21 and Friday, January 24, both from 5–8pm; a spot at the Toyota FanZone Stage on Tuesday, January 21 at 1.30pm, and a performance at the Riverside Stage at 8pm on Wednesday, January 22.

Tamworth Regional Council presents

HOSTED BY MAX JACKSON & JAMES JOHNSTON

BY ANNA ROSE AND MERYL DAVIS

VALE Heather McKean

B: 20 FEBRUARY 1932 – D: 25 NOVEMBER 2024

Australian country music pioneer, HEATHER McKEAN, sadly passed away in November, surrounded by her family.

Born in Gresford NSW, the younger sister of Joy McKean. They moved to Yanderra NSW in 1939 where Heather’s musical journey really began. While sister Joy was kept busy learning several instruments, Heather became fascinated with the ukulele. They would listen to old 78rpms of Harry Torrani, Jimmie Rodgers and The Carter Family. They began to make public appearances at school concerts and charity shows, fundraising for the war effort in the 1940s through to the 1950s becoming known as the sibling duo, The McKean Sisters. Around 1940, they made their first appearance on Norm Scott’s show on Radio 2GB.

In 1948, they worked in the record bar at Alert Radio, Parramatta and began hosting their own radio programme, Melody Trail for seven years, publishing country music magazine ‘Spurs’ and recording their own songs.

Heather went on to record numerous singles and albums as a solo artist, marrying Reg Lindsay in 1953 going on to raise their three daughters Dianne, Sandra and Joanne, all whilst touring with Reg, managing his burgeoning career, tour management, and even coproducing Reg’s popular television shows Country & Western Hour and Country Homestead, the latter earning several Logie awards. In 1973 she was invited to represent Australia in the International Fan Fair Show in Nashville, which was considered quite an honour.

Heather won a Golden Guitar in 1976 for Female Vocalist of the Year, and in 1977 moved to the US with Reg where she worked with the Country Music Association in Nashville for three years and represented Australia in the International Country Show. Heather was the very first Australian female performer on the Grand Ole Opry, and went on to perform on that revered stage over 20 times,

leading the way and opening doors for all female Australian artists who were to come. She was known to be a dedicated and passionate advocate for all Australian artists during her time in the US.

Returning home, Heather began touring once again with Slim, The McKean Sisters back in the saddle once again, performing together at every opportunity over the following years. She also managed the massive Slim Dusty Fan Club for many years, and was President of Country Music Australia, one of country music’s early industry groups.

The recipient of numerous awards and accolades, Heather was inducted into the Hands of Fame in 1977, had her wax likeness (along with Joy as the McKean Sisters) added to the Galaxy of Stars Wax Museum in Tamworth in the 1980s. Heather and Joy were inducted into the Roll of Renown in Tamworth in 1983, added to the Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2002, in 2010 Heather was presented with the Tex Morton Award for services to the country music Industry, and was even recognised by the Lane Cove Municipal Council for her lifetime contribution to the entertainment industry.

In 2013, Heather was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for her services to country music and the entertainment industry. Country music identity Alan Clement fondly commented on the occasion of the news of Heather’s OAM “she’s little, but she’s loud … and we all took notice”.

Heather was known to be a strong, intelligent, resilient, and funny woman, and a loyal and caring friend. The Australian country music industry is very much the richer for her contribution. On behalf of the industry we offer our sincere and heartfelt condolences to Dianne, Sandra and Joanne and their families, and to David and Anne and their families on the loss of their much-loved mum and aunty.

LIVING HIS CREATIVE DREAMS

Tamworth is a treasure trove of creative talent and, at Tamworth Regional Council, one of the stars of the show is PETER ROSS, Executive Manager of Creative Communities and Experiences.

Peter, who has been in Tamworth for 16 years this month, traces his passion for live performance back to a school musical in primary school.

“In Year 4, Year 6 I did The Flying Pieman, a musical set in The Rocks,” he said.

“That was the thing that made me fall in love with live performance and bringing all the elements together: the sets, lighting, costumes, the music, and the story.”

Growing up in Newcastle, Peter’s interest in the arts expanded as he learned piano, organ, and other

instruments during his school years. By high school, he was deeply involved in school productions and joined a local young people’s theatre, nurturing his love for stage management and live theatre.

His formal studies began with a Bachelor of Arts (Visual Arts), but an opportunity to work as an assistant stage manager at the Hunter Valley Theatre Company marked the beginning of his professional journey.

“I moved up to being a stage manager there and did a bit of directing and other community projects—directing musicals, plays, and putting together concerts for

festivals,” he said.

Peter’s career took him overseas to London, where he explored European theatre and backpacked across the continent. Returning to Australia, he joined Freewheels Theatre in Education, touring schools and mainstage productions— an experience he described as “a great training ground”.

In 1994, Peter began studies in Music Theatre at WAAPA, adding arts administration units to broaden his expertise. After returning to Sydney, he took on roles with companies including Ensemble Theatre and Sydney Theatre Company, and even worked on the Melbourne Commonwealth Games closing ceremony.

Peter’s career highlights include touring with The Boy From Oz starring Hugh Jackman as an associate director, but knew it was time to settle down when he and

PETER ROSS

then wife, Leonie, welcomed their first son.

“Toby, my first child, was born then, and I thought it was probably time to buy a house,” he said.

This led to a stint with Kookaburra – The National Theatre Company and eventually brought him to Tamworth.

“A friend was considering a theatre director role in Tamworth but decided not to take it,” he said.

“I was their referee and spent a lot of time on the phone talking to those in Tamworth because I’d been to Mackay and Rockhampton and Newcastle working in the arts and I was passionate about regional areas having access to great live experiences,” he said.

“I started in Tamworth on January 14, 2009.”

Since then, Peter has made a huge difference in both the Tamworth’s arts community and with the Tamworth Country Music Festival.

“Sydney was fantastic—you work hard, but you wonder if it’s making a difference,” he said.

“Here, you feel like you’re making a difference. You get told that, and you can witness it.”

Under his leadership, Tamworth

for artists and strengthened its reputation as a hub for country music and the arts. A key milestone was the council’s decision to take back the production of the Golden Guitar Awards in-house.

“It’s fantastic to have a council where the word ‘creative’ is in a directorate,” he said.

“It’s underpinned by our rich cultural history—country music, the conservatorium, and the longestrunning musical society in Australia, dating back to 1888.”

Looking ahead, Peter is excited

about plans for a new performing arts centre and the role of cultural tourism in attracting residents and businesses.

“The gallery, museums, venues, and events feed into economic development and it’s about retaining and growing cultural experiences across the city,” he said.

Despite his busy schedule, Peter continues to perform. In the past year, he’s acted in Yes, Prime Minister for the Dramatic Society and participated in In The Raw play readings. He also enjoys the creative challenge of directing the Golden Guitar Awards, which he describes as “a rollercoaster ride of entertainment”.

For Peter, country music shares similarities with musical theatre.

The Rhymer’s Roundup

“It’s lyric-driven, story-driven songs in a way that speaks and connects with the listener,” he said. aeme

SHOW DAT ES: FRI 17th - SUN 26th January 2025

POET’S BRUNCH: All shows 10.30am – 12.30pm TICKETS $15.00: AT THE DOOR (Meals available) (N.B. Not all artists all days)

DETAIL S www.th erhy m erfromr yd e.com

Johnson presents Australian Award Winning Bush Poets & Musos Gregory North,

Peter Ross (right) with Barry Harley

BUMPER FESTIVALS’ CALENDAR

Enjoy music festivals all year round!

All attempts have been made to have accurate information as at time of printing. Please refer to festival websites or social media.

JANUARY

17-26 Toyota 53rd Tamworth Country Music Festival | Tamworth | NSW | w: tcmf.com.au

17 to Feb 16 – Fringe World Perth | Northbridge/Perth | WA | T: 08 9227 6288 | E: hello@fringeworld.com.au | W: fringeworld.com.au

19 Toyota Star Maker | Start: 7pm | Toyota Park | Tamworth | NSW | starmaker.com.au

25 Toyota 53rd Golden Guitar Awards | TRECC | NSW | tcmf.com.au

23-26 Nundle Rocks Revival | Nundle Memorial Hall | Nundle | NSW | Matt Johnson | T: 0417 690 992 | E: mail@dashville.com.au | W: dashville.com.au/

FEBRUARY

1-16 (from Jan 17) – Fringe World Perth | Northbridge/Perth | WA | T: 08 9227 6288 | E: hello@fringeworld.com.au | W: fringeworld.com.au

5-9 Devil Country Muster | Smithton | Tas | Gina | T:0409 733 733 | E: music@devilcountrymuster.com | W: devilcountrymuster.com

7 Tasmanian Music Tour with John Howie | Travelrite International | T: 03 9836 2522 | W: travelrite.com.au and cruiseoffers.com.au

9 Citybound CMF | Start: 1pm | Bunjil Plaza | Narre Warren | Vic | Contact: Jamie Santilli | E: info@cityboundcmf.com | W: bunjilplace.com.au

21 to Mar 23 – Adelaide Fringe | Adelaide | SA | T: (08)8100 2000 | E: customerservice@adelaidefringe.com.au | W: adelaidefringe.com.au

14-16 Boyup Brook Country Music Muster | Boyup Brook | WA | Cindy Armstrong | T: (08) 9765 1657 | E: hello@wacountrymusic.com.au | W: countrymusicwa.com.au

17-24 Macksville Music Muster a Tribute To Glen Albrecht | Macksville Showgrounds | Macksville | NSW | Vanessa Sanger | T:0402 512 116 | E: macksvillemusicmuster@gmail.com | W: macksvillemusicmuster.com.au

20 to Mar 2 –Terara CM Campout | 146 Millbank Road | Terara | NSW | Contact: Owen M: 0402 475 987 or Tracey Cotterill M: 0419 985 799 | E: traceycotterill76@gmail.com | Facebook: teraracountrymusiccampout

22-23 Tumbafest | Goldfields Park, Tumbarumba Creekscape | Tumbarumba | NSW | E: hello@tumbafest.com.au | W: tumbafest.com.au

28 to Mar 3 – 36th Nannup Music Festival | Nannup | WA | E: info@nannupmusicfestival.org | W: nannupmusicfestival.org

MARCH

1-2 (from Feb 20) Terara CM Campout | 146 Millbank Road | Terara | NSW | Contact: Owen M: 0402 475 987 or Tracey Cotterill M: 0419 985 799 | E: traceycotterill76@gmail.com | Facebook: teraracountrymusiccampout

1-3 (from Feb 28) 36th Nannup Music Festival | Nannup | WA | E: info@nannupmusicfestival.org | W: nannupmusicfestival.org

1-23 (from Feb 21) Adelaide Fringe | Adelaide | SA | (08)8100 2000 | customerservice@adelaidefringe.com.au | adelaidefringe.com.au

1 Jarranfall RegFest | Jarranfall Camping Grounds | WA | W: regfest.com.au

7-9 Sandford Bush Music Festival | Sandford Village | Vic | Contact: Gazza | M: 0402 434 827 | E: info@sandfordfestival.com | W: sandfordfestival.com

7-10 Port Fairy Folk Festival | Port Fairy | Vic | Kay Bant | T: 0408 003 043 |

7-10

13-16

E: operations@portfairyfolkfestival.com | W: https://portfairyfolkfestival.com/

Burke & Wills Folk Festival | Burke & Wills Winery | Mia Mia | Vic | Contact: Andrew Pattison | T: 03 5425 5400 | E: wineandmusic@bigpond.com W: wineandmusic.net

Munna Creek Walkups | Contact: Lex K | M: 0428 293 145 | E: lexatmunna@gmail.com | W: munnacreekwalkup.com

21-23 CMC Rocks QLD | Willowbank Raceway | Ipswich | Qld | W: cmcrocks.com

21-23 Yackandandah Folk Festival | Yackandandah | Vic | Contact: Chris Smith | 0417 880 889 | folkfestival@yackandandah.com | W: yackfolkfestival.com

APRIL

3-6 Bingara CMF | Bingara RSL Club | NSW | Bookings: 02 6724 1404

10-13 The Man From Snowy River Bush Festival | Corryong | Vic | T: 02 6076 1992 | E: Admin@bushfestival.com.au  | W: bushfestival.com.au

17-21 Roma’s Easter In The Country | Various Venues | Roma | Qld | Contact: Jenny Flynn M: 0459 521 196 | W: easterinthecountryroma.com.au E: info@easterinthecountryroma.com.au

20 Qld Music Trails - Roma | Easter In The Country’s Outback Music Under The Stars | W: qldmusictrails.com

18-20 Hartwood Campfires and CM | Hartwood | Tambar Springs | NSW | Early Bird Arrivals Mon 7 8AM | Tom Maxwell | T: 0456 780 824 | E: info@hartwoodfestival.com.au | W: hartwoodfestival.com.au

22-27 25th Spirit of the Bush - Balladeers and Heritage Muster incl ANZAC Service (25 Apr 9am) | Boondooma Homestead | 8262 Mundubbera-Durong Road | Boondooma | Qld | E: info@boondoomahomestead.org.au | T: 07 4168 0159 | W: boondoomahomestead.org.au/events/spirit-of-the-bushtraditional-balladeers-muster-2025

23 Qld Music Trails - St George | Saddle Up Kick-Off Event | W: qldmusictrails.com

25-27 The Gum Ball | Dashville, Lower Belford | NSW | Contact: Matt Johnston | E: mail@dashville.com.au | W: dashville.com.au

26 Qld Music Trails - Thallon | The Gully Sessions | Nindigully Pub | W: qldmusictrails.com

28 Qld Music Trails - Charlotte Plains | Ballads & Bush Yarns | W: qldmusictrails.com

29 Qld Music Trails - Cunnamulla | Reels & Railway | W: qldmusictrails.com

29 to 2 May Weethalle CM Walk-ups | NSW | Weethalle Showground | NSW | Contact: Betty Fenning | M: 0427 756 191 | E: weethallemuster@outlook.com | F: fb.me/weethallecmmuster

30 Qld Music Trails - Thargomindah | BBQ In The Bush | W: qldmusictrails.com

MAY

1 Qld Music Trails - Eromanga | Unearthed: A Night at Eromanga (A) | W: qldmusictrails.com

1-2 (from 29 April) Weethalle CM Walk-ups | NSW | Weethalle Showground | NSW | Contact: Betty Fenning | M: 0427 756 191 | E: weethallemuster@outlook.com | F: fb.me/weethallecmmuster

1-4 33rd Australian Celtic Festival | Year Of Ireland & The Isle of Man | Glen Innes | Contact: Petar Grulovic | T: 02 6730 2400 |

E: pgrulovic@gisc.nsw.gov.au | NSW | W: australiancelticfestival.com

3 Qld Music Trails - Charleville | Outback Sounds (A) | W: qldmusictrails.com

6-11 Capella CMF | Bridgeman Park Complex | Capella | Qld | Ph: 0448 438 060 | W: capellaevents.com.au E: admin@capellaevents.com.au |

10-12 Qld Music Trails | The Southern Trail | Explore South West QLD | W: qldmusictrails.com

10 Shepparton RegFest | Shepparton Showgrounds | W: regfest.com.au

12-18 Jammo’s Bouldy Bush Ballad Bash | Bouldercombe Recreation Complex | Bouldercombe | Qld | Contact: Alisha Smith | T: 040 7302 059 | E: nellie8791@gmail.com

15-18 Music In The Mulga | Thargomindah | Outback Qld | Contact: David & Carmel Meurant | M: 0488 333 544 | E: dcmeurant@bigpond.com | W: musicinthemulga.com.au

16-18 The Big Chill Festival | Armidale Showground | Armidale | NSW | Contact: Maddie Fleming | T: 02 6770 3876 | events@armidale.nsw.gov.au | bigchill.com.au

16-24 Ord Valley Muster | Kununurra | WA | W: ordvalleymuster.com.au

JUNE

10 Mediterranean Music Cruise with Adam Harvey & the French Family Band | Travelrite International | T: 03 9836 2522 | W: travelrite.com.au and cruiseoffers.com.au

13 Slim Dusty’s Birthday Morning Tea | 10am-10:45am | The Slim Dusty Centre | Kempsey | NSW | W: Kempsey.nsw.gov.au and SlimDustyCentre.com.au

JULY

5-13 Qld Music Trails | The Reef Trail | Explore Mackay/Whistsunday Region | W: qldmusictrails.com

6 Blues Music Tour of Europe with Jules Boult | Travelrite International | T: 03 9836 2522 | W: travelrite.com.au and cruiseoffers.com.au

5      Lasso CMF | Eagleby | Qld | Contact: Ken Dinsdale | E: ken@ goldspur.com.au | W: goldspur.com.au

11-13 Hats Off To Country | Tamworth | NSW | W: facebook.com/HatsOffToCountry

12 Inaugural Tamworth Bush Ballad Awards | Tamworth Town Hall | 2pm | Contact: Peter Simpson M: 0401 095 306 and Dianne Lindsay | M: 0402 296 747 | Tickets W: entertainmentvenues.com.au

23-29 Yellowbelly CMF | St George Showgrounds | St George | Qld | Contact: Alisha Smith | M: 0407 302 059 | E: nellie8791@gmail.com

26 to Mar 3 – Rick Ferret & Friends Country Music Tour | Norfolk Island | T: 1800 140 066 | E: groups@nitravelcentre | W: norfolkislandtravelcentre.com/events/category/musicdance/

29 The Ireland & Scotland Music Tour with Pete Denahy | Travelrite International | T: 03 9836 2522 | W: travelrite.com.au and cruiseoffers.com.au

AUGUST

1-3 (from July 26) Rick Ferret & Friends Country Music Tour | Norfolk Island | T: 1800 140 066 | E: groups@nitravelcentre | W: norfolkislandtravelcentre.com/events/category/music-dance/

7-10 Mt Isa Mines Rodeo | Mt Isa | Qld | W: isarodeo.com.au

16 EKKA Country Music Showdown | Brisbane | Qld | T: 07 3253 3900 | E: entertainment@royalqueenslandshow.com.au | W: ekka.com.au

28-31 Gympie Muster Music | Amamoor State Forest | Qld | T: 07 5482 2099 | W: muster.com.au

30 Outback New South Wales Music Tour with Brendan Scott | Travelrite International | T: 03 9836 2522 | W: travelrite.com.au and cruiseoffers.com.au

SEPTEMBER

2-5 Big Sound 2025 | Brisbane | Qld | QMusic | E: info@qmusic.com.au | W: bigsound.org.au

11-14 Miles Back To The Bush Festival | Qld | E: info@backtothebushfestival.com.au | M: 0427 545 902 | W: backtothebushfestival.com.au

12-21 APEX Riverbeach CMF | Mildura Holiday Park | Mildura | Vic | Contact: Colin Stewart | T: 0452 564 075 | E: colin@apexriverbeach.com.au | W: apexriverbeach.com.au

27 Sunset Bash | Penrith | NSW | 2pm | Contact: Mal Lancaster | M: 0458 495 386 | E: Malcolm Lancaster mlancaster@ musictrolley.com.au | W: penrith.panthers.com.au

28 Murray River Music Cruise with John Howie | Travelrite International | T: 03 9836 2522 | W: travelrite.com.au and cruiseoffers.com.au

OCTOBER

3-5 Deni Ute Muster | Conargo Road, Deniliquin | NSW | W: deniutemuster.com.au

3-6 Goin’ to Gil Weekend + Under the Gums Festival | Gilgandra | NSW | Contact: Kathryn Larkin | T: 0400 471 648 | W: underthegums.com.au E: underthegums@gilgandra.nsw.gov.au |

3-5 The Skyline | Dashville, Lower Belford | NSW | Contact: Matt Johnston | E: mail@dashville.com.au | W: dashville.com.au

9-12 42nd Port Pirie CMF | NCMA Hall & Port Football Community Club | SA | Contact: Maureen Bishop | T: 0428 344 224 | E: info@ ncma.org.au

10-12 Savannah In The Round | Cairns & Great Barrier Reef | Far North Qld | Contact: James Dein | M: 0407 655 001 | w: savannahintheround.com.au

12 Music Tour of America with Craig Giles | Travelrite International | T: 03 9836 2522 | W: travelrite.com.au and cruiseoffers.com.au

16-19

Clarence Valley Country Muster & Kross Kut Records One Day Music Festival | Ulmarra, Grafton | NSW | Contact: Wendy Gordon | M: 0432 741 947 |E: wendygordon1952@gmail.com | W: cvcmuster.com.au

17-18 Groundwater CMF | Broadbeach | Qld | T: 1300 035 189 | E: info@groundwatercmf.com | W: groundwatercmf.com

20-26 Warwick Rodeo & Gold Cup Campdraft | Warwick Showground | Qld | T: 07 4661 9060 | E: info@warwickrodeo.com. au | W: warwickshowandrodeo.com.au

31 to Nov 3 Maldon Folk Festival | Maldon | Vic | Contact: Pam Lyons | M: 0421 643 478 | E: pamlyonsmgt@gmail.com | W: maldonfolkfestival.com

NOVEMBER

1-3 (from Oct 31) Maldon Folk Festival | Maldon | Vic | Contact: Pam Lyons | M: 0421 643 478 | E: pamlyonsmgt@gmail.com | W: maldonfolkfestival.com

7-9 Majors Creek Festival | Majors Creek | NSW | Contact: Hannah Gillespie | M: 0431 832 932 | E: majorscreekfestival@gmail.com | W: majorscreekfestival.org

18 Country Music Cruise to New Zealand | Travelrite International | T: 03 9836 2522 | W: travelrite.com.au and cruiseoffers.com.au

TAMWORTH COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL

PEACE TRAIN

Celebrating the music of Cat Stevens has never been far from revered performer

DARREN

COGGAN’s heart.

Darren said “There is something ethereal about the music of Cat Stevens. He inspired generations, and his music still has as much impact today as it did when he first penned songs such as Peace Train, Moonshadow, Wild World, Morning Has Broken, Where Do The Children Play and Father and Son.”

As the star of Peace Train – The Cat Stevens Story, Darren has received rave reviews for his portrayal of the music that shaped the world. He spent the past decade touring some of the world’s most prestigious theatres, such as Sydney Opera House Concert Hall, Glasgow Concert Hall and Liverpool Philharmonic, embodying the work of Cat Stevens and was even invited to meet the prolific songwriter himself.

Darren has carved an impressive career in the Australian country music industry with a swag of Golden Guitars under his belt. He kicked off his career winning the coveted Toyota Star Maker in 1996 and hasn’t looked back. He is equally at home in musicals and on screen, currently presenting the lifestyle TV program Sydney Weekender.

For Darren, paying homage to a performer such as Cat Stevens is a privilege. “The songs say something, ask questions, make statements, they have intelligent, poetic lyrics, and musically, while simplistic in presentation, they are very complex and always fun and challenging to perform. I love seeing the reaction from the audience each night and seeing them all stand up with an ovation - something I’ll never take for granted.”

“There are some personal reflections on the experience I had when invited to London to meet with the great Cat Stevens in 2007, where I heard first-hand some of the many anecdotes and stories that I have enjoyed sharing with our audiences over the past ten years. This new production also highlights how relevant Cat’s timeless songs and messages of peace, tolerance and understanding are in our world today, perhaps even more relevant than when they were first written back in the seventies. Our audiences leave with a real insight and understanding of who he was and his eternal spiritual search for fulfillment.”

Darren’s Tamworth festival show is at 2:30pm on Saturday, January 18 at the Capitol Theatre with more tour dates at www.darrencoggan.com.

BY BEC GRACIE

festivals CREATIVE FREEDOM

Multi-award-winning country music icon

BECCY COLE returns to the Tamworth Country Music Festival this month with her two big shows at Wests.

The star is back in the creative saddle, preparing to release new music, whilst also celebrating her son’s musical achievements.

“I’m really, really slowly getting back into new music,” she said.

“It’s taken so long to reach happiness, but now I’m feeling free, creatively. I’ve got a couple of sadder songs, but it won’t be a whole divorce album. I’m aiming to record in the first half of 2025.”

While Beccy focuses on her new material, her son Ricky Albeck is making waves in the music scene.

“I am so proud of him,” she said.

“He’s got his own thing going on, and he does it his own way, which I admire.”

Ricky’s involvement in Australia’s retro honky-tonk scene and his work with bands and artists across the country showcase his versatility and passion for music.

Beccy continues to charm audiences with her annual Tamworth Country Music Festival appearances. This month, she’ll perform her signature two shows at Wests in the Blazes Showroom, spotlighting emerging female musicians like Kahlia Martin and Julz Parker.

Beyond the stage, Beccy hosts ABC’s iconic Saturday Night Country

“I love it,” she said. “It’s such a tradition in Australian country music. It’s great that we are back broadcasting into metro areas, and doing the show has meant I’m always discovering so much great new music.”

Whether through her own songs, her festival shows, or Saturday Night Country, Beccy continues to inspire, proving that her creativity and influence are as vital as ever. Fans eagerly await what’s next from this beloved Australian artist.

2025 TAMWORTH COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL JANUARY

Sunday 19, 1:30pm Runaway Dixie’s Gospel, Bluegrass & Ballads – Balladeer Homestead

Monday 20, 2pm Tribute To Tradition – Dean Perrett, Peter Pratt with guitar legend Charley Boyter – North Tamworth Bowling Club $25 at door

Monday 20, 6pm Ronald McDonald Charity Show – The Pub

Tuesday 21, 9am Two Old Mates – Dean Perrett and Jeff Brown –Balladeer Homestead $25 at door

Wednesday 22, 10:45am The Atrium

Wednesday 22, 7pm Back To The Bush Spectacular, Toyota Park

Thursday 23, 1:30pm Slim, Bazza, Stan, Rick & Thel Tribute Show – Balladeer Homestead

Friday 24, 1pm Our Songs And Inspirations – Dean Perrett, Anita Ree and Paul Ricketts – Southside Uniting Church $25 at door www.deanperrett.com

festivals

BOUTIQUE INSTRUMENTS

Following a successful pop-up shop at last year’s Tamworth Country Music Festival, vintage guitar specialists Simon Wilkins and Ian Stehlik, from Capital Vintage Guitars in Canberra, will return in 2025 with a large range of vintage and boutique instruments.

This year, the Capital Vintage Guitars vintage shop will be hosted by the Tamworth Hotel at 147 Marius Street, Tamworth, and will be open from 11am to 7pm each day from Friday, January 17 through to Wednesday, January 22, inclusive.

Festival artists and visitors are welcome to call by and check out the range of older Martin, Gibson, Fender, and other acoustic and electric guitars, as well as vintage amplifiers.

Capital Vintage Guitars will also host a free “Vintage Sessions” concert on Monday evening at The Tamworth with special guests Kym Beare, Mick McCarthy, Brandon

‘Dingo’ Dodd, Ant Walmsley and others, who will demonstrate a selection of CVG vintage guitars and amps at the Beer Garden stage on Monday 20 January from 7:00 to 9:00pm.

According to CVG’s co-directors: “We found last year that the Tamworth festival players and visitors alike appreciate vintage guitars and amps as much as we do. We’ll be bringing a great selection, and everyone is welcome to call in to view our collection. We are also happy to discuss client’s instruments and provide valuations. Most of the gear we will be bringing will be for sale and we’re always happy to look at trades and deals.”

To find out more about Capital Vintage Guitars, visit www.cvguitars.com.au.

festivals

BY JON WOLFE

FUTURE FOCUSSED AT WESTS

The Wests Entertainment Group in Tamworth comprises the West Tamworth League Club, Wests’ Diggers, and the recently refurbished Courts @ East, formerly known as Treloar Park Tennis Courts.

For decades, Wests has hosted top country and rock acts during the Tamworth Country Music Festival and throughout the year. This year promises to be no exception, with fan favourites returning, exciting new acts, and a few surprises in store.

One of the first surprises for visitors to Wests (League Club) will be the new look, following the completion of the first stage of major renovations. Guests will be greeted by a fresh entrance façade and revamped layouts both inside and outside.

Wests’ Chief Communications Officer, Paddy Donnelly, highlighted the updates, noting that Legends Lounge, the club’s free country

music venue, will have a new look while continuing to feature plenty of regular acts and late-night bands. “Blazes will be in full force again,” Paddy said. “It’s not part of the stage one renovations, but it will again host old favourites that everyone loves like Beccy Cole, Adam Harvey, Amber Lawrence, and every couple of years we get Kevin Bloody Wilson. “Last year, Brian Cadd did a packedout show in Blazes Showroom, and he’ll be back in 2025 on January 22 with the band and Tamworth’s Crosby Sisters doing backing harmonies.”

Festival favourites like Murphy’s Pigs will deliver their signature Celtic music to both Diggers and Wests, while acts like Andrew Swift, Brooke McClymont and Adam Eckersley,

The Sunny Cowgirls, Doug Bruce and The Tailgaters, and the Maton Guitar Showcase are guaranteed to fill the venues as well.

Anne Kirkpatrick will present a retrospective of her career in the Event Centre, while the Cancer Council fundraiser Country Turns Pink returns on January 19 with a jam-packed lineup of amazing artists, plus a few surprises. Pete Denahy will bring his Travellin’ Still - The Songs of Slim Dusty show to the Event Centre on January 18, in addition to hosting his popular breakfast show each morning of the festival in the new Legends Lounge. Paddy added, “We’ve also got Darren Carr doing Breakfast and Belly Laughs over at Diggers. They’re both absolute favourites.”

Diggers Courtyard will offer a range of free shows, including lunchtime performances by The Mezcaltones, who Paddy said have been a huge hit in recent years.

“They’re unreal… it’s the theatre of it – the full package.”

Diggers Showroom has a packed lineup, including Andy Baylor and The Lost City Ramblers’ tribute to Hank Williams, Hurricane Fall, Golden Guitar nominee Michael Carpenter and The Banks Brothers, and if you haven’t caught the Haystack Mountain Hermits, 2025 should be the year you do!

Both clubs will also host tribute shows, such as The Ultimate

Adam Harvey and Beccy Cole, Wests’ favourites

An artist’s impression of Wests new reception area

Superstars of Country Party, The Keith Urban, Tina Turner & Bryan Adams Tribute, Dolly – I Will Always Love You, The Ultimate Luke Combs Tribute Show, and the Icehouse tribute – Great Southern Land.

For those looking for a bit of stand-up comedy during the festival,

Vince Sorrenti will take the stage at Blazes on January 22.

Paddy confirmed that all regular food and beverage services will be available at both Wests and Diggers, while the newly renovated Courts @ East will remain a no-music venue during the festival for those seeking

a quieter spot to enjoy a drink and catch up. “The Courts have always been music-free during the festival,” Paddy explained. “It’s a great place for locals and out-of-towners to escape the hustle and bustle of the festival.”

Wests publishes a regular newsletter and festival program, with full details, ticketing information, and updates available on their website wtlc.com.au. Everyone is welcome at Wests, and memberships are just $7.

Amber Lawrence and Andrew Swift

Brian Cadd

BY BEC GRACIE

festivals GRAMMY-NOMINATED NASHVILLE SONGWRITER

MAKES TAMWORTH DEBUT

Known for penning hits for country music heavyweights including Dierks Bentley, Blake Shelton, Morgan Wallen, and Luke Combs, as well as recording his own music, DERIC RUTTAN can’t wait to make his debut Down Under this month.

Chatting from his home office-studio, the wall behind the Canadian-born and Nashvillebased songwriter is full of ASCAP Awards and other accolades and he will bring his charttopping songs and storytelling to this month’s Tamworth Country Music Festival.

“My wife and I have always wanted to come to Australia, and this gig at the Capitol Theatre felt like the perfect opportunity,” Deric said.

“We’ll be staying for about ten days, exploring Tamworth and beyond, including the Blue Mountains, where I’ll celebrate my birthday and down to Melbourne. I can’t wait to experience the Australian summer and the legendary heat of the festival.”

The Grammy-nominated and multi-platinum songwriter’s connection to Australia started many years ago, though, through a birthday present when he was in primary school.

“The first album I ever owned was Business As Usual by Men At Work,” he said.

“I was in sixth grade, and a friend gave it to me for my birthday. It was my introduction to Australian music, and it left a lasting impression. Over the years, I’ve had friends from Australia tell me, ‘You’ve got to come visit!’ Now, I finally am.”

His foray into music began when his parents gave him a guitar that was a replica of AC/DC’s Angus Young’s red Gibson SG and his songwriting career began with wise words from his dad.

“I started writing songs almost immediately after getting that guitar, and I think I was 12 and I wrote just a terrible, terrible song, and played it for my dad and he said, ‘there’s a lot of meaning in that song and I think, you know, I’ve been trying to put meaning in my songs ever since just because he said that to me as a kid,” Deric said.

He may not have visited before, but he knows the importance of the Tamworth Country Music Festival.

“I’ve heard great things about the festival and also how great Australia is from artists who’ve performed over there, like Tim Hicks and The Road Hammers, as well as American acts like Eric Church and Dierks Bentley,” he said.

A self-confessed geography nerd, Deric said he was looking forward to exploring the different landscapes in Australia.

“It’s such a contrast to the snowy winters back in Tennessee,” he said.

As a songwriter, Deric has spent decades perfecting his craft. He said his early influences, such as Steve Earle and John Fogerty, inspired him with their ability to tell compelling stories through music. His career took off when he moved to Nashville, and he quickly became one of the most sought-after writers in the industry.

“Most of the time, I’m in a room with other writers, whether it’s another songwriter or an artist working on their album,” he said.

“But if I’m at home and an idea strikes, I’ll write it by myself.

“When we wrote Mine Would Be You, it was myself and my friends Connie Harrington and Jessi Alexander and it was three writers in a room trying to write the best song they could, and then we demoed it and I sang the demo and Blake Shelton heard it, and felt compelled to record it.”

Deric’s first Nashville hit was as a co-writer of Dierks Bentley’s charttopper What Was I Thinking

For his performance at the Capitol Theatre in Tamworth on January 22 with Anthony Snape and Catherine Britt, Deric plans to bring the magic of Nashville’s iconic Bluebird Café to life.

“The Bluebird is where you hear the stories behind the songs, stripped down to just a voice and a guitar,” he said.

“That’s what I’m aiming for—a show that feels intimate, like you’re

sitting in the living room of your favourite songwriter. I don’t stick to a setlist. I’ll decide what to play in the moment, based on the vibe of the audience or what the other artists on stage perform. It creates spontaneity and intimacy that you can’t replicate with a full band. Sometimes, people tell me after the show how surprised they were by the humour and camaraderie between songwriters. It’s one of my favourite parts of performing.”

In addition to his songwriting prowess, Deric has a successful career as a recording artist, particularly in his native Canada.

“In Canada, I’m known more as an artist, while in the US and elsewhere, I’m primarily seen as a songwriter,” he said.

“I love the duality of those roles. When I perform, I include some of my own songs alongside the hits I’ve written for others.”

Catch Deric in Nashville –Songwriters in the Round with Anthony Snape and Catherine Britt at Tamworth’s Capitol Theatre at 7.30pm on January 22.

festivals

PEOPLES CHOICE AWARDS

Finalists for this year’s Australian Country Music People’s Choice Awards have been announced with an impressive list of independent, established and “rising star” acts involved, many of whom will be featured performers on the awards show.

The finalists are:-

Best Female Vocal –Sandee Facy, Laura Frank, Courtney Keil, Shaza Leigh and Sandy Summers.

Best Male Vocal – Lance Friend, Corey Legge, Brendan McMahon, Andy Penkow and Scott Rathman Jnr.

Best Group/Duo – Bo’Ness Brothers, Highway 95, Patsy & Dave, The Silverline and Shelly Jones Band.

Most Promising Future Star – Alice Benfer, Glenn Levi, Hazel & The Thief, Scott Rathman Jnr and Sandy Summers.

Best Song – Hell Of A Highway by Sandy Summers, Missing You by Lance Friend, Next Heartbeat by Sandee Facy (written by Sandee with Michael Saleta), Speed Humps by Brendan McMahon and The Willow by Patsy & Dave with Russell Morris.

Best Bush Ballad – Beer Box Man by Matt Sculion, Daddy Had A Workshop by Peter “Smokie” Dawson, Just Like My Old Man by Paul Ricketts (written by Paul with Angus Gill and Lindsay Waddington), The Lone Drover by Andy Penkow (written by Andy with Matthew Park and Kathleen Stewart) and Old Felt Hat by Alice Benfer (written by Alice with Gregory Dillon).

Best Album – All Australian Made by Lance Friend, Shades On Me by Andy Penkow, Somewhere West Of Nowhere by Brendan McMahon, Voices From The Bush by Alice Benfer and The Willow by Patsy & Dave.

Best Video – Beer Box Man by Matt Scullion with Ted Egan (directed by Alice Springs Film & Television), Hell Of A Highway by Sandy Summers (Jay Seeney), Nothin’ Like A Sure Bet by Courtney Keil (Duncan Toombs), We Won’t Stop Runnin’

by Laura Frank and West Coast by Corey Legge (Jay Seeney).

Most Popular Musician or Instrumentalist – Alwyn Aurisch, Anthony Baxter, Peggy Gilchrist, Corey Legge and Lindsay Waddington.

Most Popular Country Music Broadcaster – Mark Eckel (Oz Country Music Radio, Mildura, Vic), Fyfie (SWR99.9FM, Western Sydney, NSW), Alan Gilmour (todayscountry94one, Central Coast, NSW), Rick Nash (2MCE Bathurst, NSW) and Ronnie Tee and Jaque (todayscountry94one, Central Coast, NSW).

Most Popular Radio Station or Program – Australian Country Songwriters’ Show with Alan Gilmour, Friday Drive with Ronnie Tee and Jaque (todayscountry94one), KIX Country, Rick’s Country Mix (2MCE 92.3) and todayscountry94one.

The awards will also recognise a new Australian Country Music Entertainer of the Year and elevate one or more broadcasters to the Australian Country Music Broadcasters Hall of Fame.

The awards will be presented during a gala presentation concert in the Tamworth Town Hall at 9am on Thursday, January 23.

At the time of going to press, confirmed performers on the show, all finalists of this year’s awards, are Peter “Smokie” Dawson, Sandee Facy, Laura Frank, Lance Friend, Hazel & The Thief, Highway 95, Corey Legge, Shaza Leigh, Brendan McMahon, Patsy & Dave, Andy Penkow, Scott Rathman Jnr, Matt Scullion, Shelly Jones Band and Sandy Summers.

Further information, including a direct link for ticket sales, can be obtained at www.peopleschoiceawards.com.au.

17-26 JANUARY

CALLING IT A DAY

After more than three decades of telling Australian stories, fans will be farewelling Simply Bushed at the 2025 Tamworth Country Music Festival.

Since their formation in 1992, the band has had fans across the nation up on their feet dancing, reaching for the tissues, and crying with laughter, with the current line-up sharing nearly 20 years of camaraderie and music.

Their journey includes more than 20 years of performances at the Tamworth Country Music Festival, starting in 1998.

In 2005, when Chris Rieger joined the band, Simply Bushed began to focus on original music that captured the hearts of Australian music lovers. They have enjoyed accolades including Golden Guitar nominations and TSA Awards and the People’s Choice Award.

They also nearly broke the Guinness World Record for the greatest number of people doing the heel-and-toe polka at one time.

Simply Bushed’s recorded music legacy spans six studio albums, two of which were recorded in Tamworth, as well as a live album. They’ve graced the stages of just about every major country music festival in Australia, performed in Germany in 2019, and entertained Australian troops on Forces Entertainment tours to the Solomon Islands and the Middle East, as well as countless Cruisin’ Country events.

Although the band won’t be performing together, front men Paul Grierson and Chris Rieger will perform as an acoustic duo, exploring folk festivals and other opportunities.

After the Tamworth Country Music Festival, Simply Bushed will finish their band shows at Tunes in the Tropics on Norfolk Island with their original drummer Nik Downing, due to current drummer Dave Roberton’s commitments with his new band.

Photo: L-R: John Healey (Padre), Dave Robertson, Chris Rieger, Paul Grierson, Hugh Curtis

AN EXCELLENT IDEA festivals

The Australian Bush Balladeers’ Association has announced the nominees in its inaugural ABBA Music Excellence

Awards.

The awards categories include both Australian bush ballads and traditional country music and have been judged by specialists with an understanding of the genres.

Leading the nominees is female artist Alice Benfer with an outstanding seven nominations. Lindsay Waddington has four, and Ashley Cook, Broken Creek, Dianne Lindsay and Lloyd Back have three each. Andy Penkow, Brian Stitt, Andrew Ryan, Jokeria, Shelly Jones Band and Mark Rigney each have two, whilst Anne Fraser, Carl Emerton, Craig Lloyd, Dianne Coombes, Kate Daniel, Ken ‘Chainsaw’ Lindsay, Lance Birrell, Lee Forster, Merelyn Carter, Peter Salata, Peter Simpson, Studio 8, Terry Bennetts, The Silverline, Tom Maxwell each have one nomination.

The awards will be held at the Balladeers Homestead, 328 Goonoo Goonoo Road, Tamworth NSW on Thursday, January 23 from 6pm to 9pm during the Tamworth Country Music Festival.Tickets are $30 and $25 for ABBA Members and are available at the door.

AUSTRALIAN BUSH BALLADCONTEMPORARY SONG OF YEAR

Wild Flowers On The Outback written by Alice Benfer/Gregory M. Dillon, recorded by Alice Benfer

Heading West Again written by Dianne Coombes/Angus Gill, recorded by Dianne Coombes

Everlasting Cactus written by Alice Benfer/Kevin Bennett, recorded by Alice Benfer Rolling Thunder written and recorded by Lloyd Back Beauty Of The Bush written and recorded by Andrew Ryan

AUSTRALIAN BUSH BALLADHERITAGE SONG OF YEAR

Roebourne Races written by Kendall Smith, recorded by Jokeria

The Sydney Jillaroo written by Shaza Leigh/Ken Knuth, recorded by Ashley Cook Widgee Widgee Station written by Alice Benfer/Kevin Bennett, recorded by Alice Benfer

The Lady Who Rides written by Cheryl Anderson, recorded by Kate Daniel Ballad Of Jim Darcy written by Luke Johnson/Michelle Morgan, recorded by Studio 8

AUSTRALIAN BUSH BALLADTRADITIONAL SONG OF YEAR

The Great Outback written by Shaza Leigh/Ken Knuth, recorded by Ashley Cook

What’s A Bush Ballad written by Peter Simpson/Dianne Lindsay, recorded by Dianne Lindsay

Banks Of The Goobra written by Peter Simpson/Pardre Jim Newton, recorded by Peter Simpson

Beneath Australian Stars written by Anne Fraser/Luke Austen/Christine Eccleston, recorded by Anne Fraser

Old Felt Hat written by Alice Benfer/Gregory M Dillon, recorded by Alice Benfer

OPEN SECTION - CLASSIC SONG OF YEAR

Blacksoil Plains Of The Outback written by Merv Maltman, recorded by Alice Benfer

Running Short Of Time written by Gordon Parsons, recorded by Tom Maxwell

That’s The Kind of Life I Live written by Gordon Parsons, recorded by Terry Bennetts and Lee Forster

The Tractor Pioneer written by Peter Pratt, recorded by Ashley Cook

When The Rain Tumbles Down In July written by David Kirkpatrick, recorded by Alice Benfer

OPEN SECTION - GROUP / DUO OF YEAR

Jokeria – No Place For Slim written by Kendall Smith

Shelly Jones Band – Love Is Like A River written by Lester Treuer/Shelly Jones

The Silverline – I Don’t Like Whiskey written by Michael & Catherine Lehnen and David Carter

OPEN SECTION - INSTRUMENTAL OF YEAR

El-Gringo written by Lindsay Waddington, recorded by Peter Salata

Kakadu written and recorded by Lindsay Waddington

Scalability written and recorded by Mark Rigney

Spinifex written and recorded by Lance Birrell

The Grain Store written by Erin & Lachlan Heycox, recorded by Broken Creek

OPEN SECTION - VIDEO CLIP OF THE YEAR

Aussie Rain written by Andy Penkow/Rip-Van Parks, recorded by Andy Penkow, video produced by Rip-Van Parks, directed by Duncan Toombs

Carved in Stone written and recorded by Carl Emerton, produced and directed by Carl Emerton

Rolling Thunder written and recorded by Lloyd Back, produced and directed by Charlie Spargalli

The Gathering Wool written by Erin and Lachlan Heycox, recorded by Broken Creek, produced and directed by Erin & Lachlan Heycox. Editing by JC Scadden.

You’re A Hero To Me written by M. Heyward/Dianne Lindsay, recorded by Dianne Lindsay, produced and directed by Neil Tyne

TRADITIONAL COUNTRYBLUEGRASS

SONG OF YEAR

Dislodge written by Erin/Lachlan Heycox, recorded by Broken Creek

I Don’t Drink Anymore written by Lindsay Waddington/Allan Caswell, recorded by Lindsay Waddington

I Was Born And Bred In The City written and recorded by Brian Stitt No Other Place written and recorded by Mark Rigney

The Voice written and recorded by Lloyd Back

TRADITIONAL COUNTRYHERITAGE SONG OF THE YEAR

Gunner The Kelpie Hero written by Ken ‘Chainsaw’ Lindsay/Lindsay Waddington, recorded by Ken ‘Chainsaw’ Lindsay

Lessons You Learn written by Allan Caswell/Lindsay Waddington, recorded by Lindsay Waddington

Little Country Store written by Craig Lloyd/Merelyn Carter/David Carter, recorded by Craig Lloyd & Merelyn Carter

Long Black Skirts written and recorded by Alice Benfer

You’re A Hero To Me written by M. Heyward/Dianne Lindsay, recorded by Dianne Lindsay

TRADITIONAL COUNTRY - SONG OF THE YEAR

A Trucker’s Life written and recorded by Andrew Ryan

Aussie Rain written by Andy Penkow/Rip-Van Parks, recorded by Andy Penkow

Defining Moments written by Shelly Jones/Lester Treuer, recorded by Shelly Jones Band

Just Like My Old Man written by Paul Ricketts/Lindsay Waddington/Angus Gill, recorded by Paul Ricketts

When I Think Of Home written by Lindsay Waddington/Allan Caswell, recorded by Lindsay Waddington

festivals

GOLD COAST TRANSFORMED

The Gold Coast was transformed into a country music haven of live music, in October, with beachside line dancing, cornhole, country markets and more, as thousands of fans kicked up their boots in Broadbeach.

Experience Gold Coast CEO John Warn said “Every year this unique country festival beside the beach gets better giving the tens of thousands of fans that turn out each of the three days an unforgettable live country music experience..

“The Gold Coast has such a vibrant and diverse calendar of annual events and Groundwater Country Music Festival has been a staple on that calendar for the past 11 years, attracting a dedicated community of country music fans from across the country and overseas to the city every year. That’s great news for local businesses with the festival expected to generate more than $11 million for the Gold Coast economy this year.”

Festival Director Mark Duckworth said this year’s lineup lived up to its promise of delivering a special experience for both the country faithful but also festivalgoers discovering country music for the first time.

“I don’t think you could have been in Broadbeach and not fallen in love with country music,” said Mark. “The energy of country music really took over the Gold Coast, showcasing an incredible and diverse lineup of homegrown and international artists, delivering something very special for everyone.”

“The beachside line dancing was new to our program this year and proved a huge hit with country fans of all ages, as did the cornhole and country markets.”

The 2024 lineup featured 55 artists performing across 12 stages and venues in Broadbeach, bringing fans a taste of all styles of

country from Bluegrass to American rockabilly, folk to pop, and everything in between.

Highlights included iconic Australian performer Shannon Noll and one of the country’s most successful recording artists, the Gold Coast’s own Adam Brand. While Ella Hooper captivated fans with her incredible tribute performance to the legendary Linda Ronstadt.

The festival also showcased more international talent including Nashville music legend Jim Lauderdale, Canada’s Jess Moskaluke and Gord Bamford as well as Tim Hicks, playing Groundwater CMF for the first time.

“Performing at Groundwater Country Music Festival is unbelievable, I never thought I’d ever get to do the music I do outside of the borders of Canada,” Tim Hicks said. “Whenever we get to do these sorts of things it’s super special.”

“Country music fans are the best

Max Jackson

Jim Lauderdale

Melanie Dyer

Shannon Noll

Gord Bamford

Kasey Chambers

fans in the world, doesn’t matter whether they’re from Canada, the US, Australia, or England. There’s a common thread in that they have a love for really great music.”

Rising country star Max Jackson said it was incredible to be playing Groundwater CMF for a second time.

“There is no other festival in Australia that is quite like this where you can hear the country music, dance in your boots and have a great time and then go have a dip in the water as well,” Max Jackson said.

“There are not many festivals across Australia where you can go at all levels of your career and showcase your music, so this is a particularly special one.”

The 2024 festival closed with an unforgettable set from Australia’s multi award-winning songstress Kasey Chambers, leaving festival fans excited to do it all again in 2025.

Groundwater CMF returns from October 17 to 19, 2025.

QLD MUSIC TRAILS

Queensland Music Trails’ The Outback 2025 will feature TROY CASSAR-DALEY, FELICITY URQUHART & JOSH

CUNNINGHAM, JAMES JOHNSTON, TAYLOR MOSS , 2024

Toyota Star Maker WADE FORSTER, BRONSON DIAMOND & GRETA STANLEY , and more.

Across 14 days, the Qld Music Trails –The Outback will connect iconic outback venues including Thallon’s Nindigully Pub, Charlotte Plains Station, Eromanga Natural History Museum, Bollon Civic Centre, and Charleville’s Showgrounds, for the headline event, Outback Sounds. Trail-goers will experience the richness of local country, folk, and First Nations music while enjoying local hospitality, iconic tourist attractions, authentic cultural experiences, and the untamed beauty of the magnificent Queensland outback.

The various Outback Trail events will feature different headliners across April 20 to May 3.

Following last year’s tremendous success, Daryl Raven, CEO of QMF, shared his excitement for what 2025 has in store. “We were overwhelmed by the response in 2024, and we’re excited to build on that energy with a new lineup and fresh experiences in 2025,” said Raven. “Thanks to the ongoing support from the Queensland Government, we’re able to create moments that resonate deeply with both visitors and locals. The Outback Trail is a unique opportunity for people to connect with the outback’s culture, its communities, and the music that defines this special region.”

The Outback Trail’s impact

will be felt in six council LGAs in South-West QLD, including Murweh, Paroo, Bulloo, Maranoa, Quilpie, and Balonne, and is forecasted to feature approximately 70 artists and arts workers, and 25 First Nations artists.

Trail-goers can travel via road trip in the family car, 4WD, caravan, motorhome, and do the trail at their own pace and customise the entire journey, utilising the suggested itinerary and music events listed at qldmusictrails.com.

Australian country music legend Troy Cassar-Daley joins The Outback Trail for the second time, this year headlining Easter In The Country’s Outback Music Under The Stars, says “I am excited to be headlining again at the Outback Trail, it’s a special opportunity to bring my songs and stories to the heart of the Qld outback. Performing in Roma, against the backdrop of rugged landscapes and under a canopy of stars, enhances the connection between artists and audiences. Outback Music Under The Stars is more than just a festival; it’s a celebration of community spirit and the resilience of the outback. I have fond memories of playing the club hotel in Roma many times in my early career, also gigs around Teelba and St George.”

For those seeking a comprehensive experience, grab the three-event Trail Traveller Pass, South-West QLD purchasers can access Local Legends tickets, and MobTix is available for First Nations residents in the area. Tickets for all events are available for purchase at qldmusictrails.com.

Adam Brand

Tim Hicks

BY ALLAN CASWELL

fixing STUFF

I hear hundreds of songs every year, at my workshops, doing research and just listening for pleasure and it never ceases to amaze me how songs with great hooks, lovely story lines, great tunes and lyrics can be virtually butchered by lack of attention to detail and bad housekeeping.

The effort you put in writing a potentially great song can all be undone by not taking care of the little details. Don’t listen to people who tell you that “You can edit too much, you know” … if you listen to the song as you are writing it … you can’t.

WHAT TO LISTEN FOR:

Note, I said listen for, not look for. Songs are meant to be sung not read. As you sing it, any flaws become apparent. If you stumble over a line more than once, check it out. It probably means that the line is a word or two too long or too short.

As you listen … listen for phrases that don’t ring true, don’t sound like the language you would use in normal conversation, contain ugly, hard to sing words or don’t rhyme in the right place.

Whatever happens in verse one needs to happen in exactly the same way in verse 2. This isn’t my rule, it’s a rule of nature. If you change the rhyme scheme, the meter, or the length of lines, it will sound uncomfortable and unpleasant to the ear.

Lines that worked when you wrote them can, with hindsight, sound a bit ‘me too’ or clichéd. Playing it safe is for politicians. Songwriters take chances … but are prepared to change things if they find they’re not working.

I can’t stress enough the need to sing your song as you edit it. On paper a word like ‘worry’ would appear to rhyme with ‘sorry’ … when you sing it, it’s not even close. Some words rhyme only if you sing in the right accent.

WHEN DO YOU EDIT?

Editing is an on-going process … generally you edit as you go, replacing bad lines and resinging them to check to see if they work. Wherever possible, I like to record an iPhone demo of the song and file it with a copy of the lyric in my New Songs file on my computer. I then revisit it a week or so later. Looking at it fresh and without the excitement of having just written it, I am in a better position to hear any flaws in the song.

BUT MY FAMILY LOVED THE SONG

Sorry … no they didn’t … they love you. Your song still sucks. You probably need to get out more and play to people who don’t love

you and see what they think of it. If you are a performer as well as a songwriter, you have a bit of an advantage. Go to writers’ nights introduce the songs in your gigs and see how they hold up. All songs are a work in progress until you record them, and people hear them. When someone hears your song, it becomes their property emotionally and the song is pretty much finished. Sadly, if there is a flaw in your song at this stage … you are stuck with it.

I WROTE THIS SONG IN 20 MINUTES

How many times have you heard this … or ‘I wrote three songs yesterday’. Yeah, we’re all really impressed but are they any good? When people used to interview me about On The Inside, they would always ask how long it took me to write it. I used to say, “10 years and 45 minutes” … 45 minutes to write it and 10 years to learn how to do it. In actual fact it took 10 years, 45 minutes and two weeks. The last two weeks consisted of singing the song, tidying up the phrasing, worrying the lyric to death and checking to see if the tune still worked.

If you have questions regarding upcoming songwriting workshops or my “one on one” private songwriting coaching service (based on the Gold Coast),my song appraisal service, my books Writing Great Song Lyrics, My Version Of The Truth, Secrets Of Stronger Songwriting or if you would like to host a workshop contact me: 0419218988 or at allan@allancaswell.com

REMEMBERING HEATHER McKEAN

It is with great sadness I note the passing of HEATHER MCKEAN, sister of the late Joy McKean.

The McKean Sisters, Heather and the Joy McKean, were true pioneers of our early Australian country music scene.

Highly regarded for their yodeling ability the McKean Sisters early hits featured harmony yodeling. Both sisters have left behind an invaluable legacy, along with thousands of memories of wonderful shows and music they created together and separately over the years.

On behalf of the Australian Bush Balladeers’ Association committee, members and myself, deepest sympathies to family and close friends of the Heather McKean family.

TERARA COUNTRY MUSIC

The annual Terara Country Music event will be held from February 20 to March 2 at 146 Millbank Rd (4km from Nowra). Artists include Brian Letton, Robyn Gleeson, Peter Coad & Coad Sisters, Jim Hermel, Owen Blundell, Rob Breese, Rodney Vincent, Sandy Dodd, Ged & Trudy, John & Christine Smith, Drew Blundell, Trevor Letton, George Farnham, Dwayne Elix, Joe Musico, Evan Platschinda, Bryce Rawlings, Dean Richardson, Irish Bread, Joe Reeves, Cameron Mason, Louise Bowerman, Ann Beckett, Dale Hooper, Ian Bidge Boyd, Lance Birrell, Stephen R Cheney, Kingsley & Christine Day, Vanessa Sanger, Ernie Constance, Craig Giles. Artists subject to change. This event raises funds for local charities.

GOLDEN GUITARS

Congratulations to all nominees announced in the 2025 Golden Guitar Awards of Australia. Well done and good luck at the awards presentations.

M.E AWARDS 2025

The announcement of the 2025 nominees for the A.B.B.A. Music Excellence Awards (which recognises Achievement in both the Australian Bush Ballad, and Traditional Country Music) in October yielded a great cross section of artists in the categories. Congratulations to all nominees, listed on another page in this month’s Capital News.

This is the inaugural year for these awards which were first announced in April 2024. The M.E. Awards Concert and Presentations will be staged from 6pm at the Balladeers Homestead on Thursday, January 23, during the Tamworth Country Music Festival. All details via The Australian Bush Balladeers Association website.

BALLADEERS HOMESTEAD

As I mentioned the Balladeers Homestead in the last article, I will mention it again briefly in this one as a reminder to those heading to the Tamworth Country Music Festival and looking out for bush ballad and traditional country music concerts/showcases. ‘The Balladeers Homestead’ (Salvation Army Function Hall), 328 Goonoo Goonoo Road, Tamworth, will again have a great lineup of concerts and showcases running from Saturday January 18 to Friday 24, featuring a huge array of our best bush ballad and traditional country artists.

Concert amendment since I wrote last is that ‘Ged and Trudy Hintz & Friends’ unfortunately had to cancel due to health issues. An ABBA Aussie Bush Ballad Showcase has filled their spot.

There are other wonderful traditional country and bush ballad shows playing throughout the festival at other venues, including shows organised by Alisha Smith and Caitlyn Jamieson at the Southside Uniting Church, Goonoo Goonoo Road, Tamworth.

Check the Official Tamworth Festival Gig Guide for all details.

COMPILATION ALBUM

The annual ABBA Compilation album is being compiled. Those with material they wish to submit should do so before April. More information via the ABBA website about the Compilation albums.

CLOSING NOTE

Anyone wishing to include a news item in this article that relates to bush ballad artists or events please email me petercoadmusic@bigpond.com

Heather McKean (centre), with Jean Stafford and Anne Kirkpatrick

sound ADVICE

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 cheryl@tamworthcountrymusic.com.au

MICHAEL CARPENTER AND THE BANKS BROTHERS

SPLITSVILLE

BIG RADIO AND RTC RECORDS

Sydney singer-songwriter-producer

Michael Carpenter and The Banks Brothers lured some vital guests from down south to fire their fourth album in 14 years. Hamish Davidson adds fiddle and dobro to bluegrass fuelled Running Out Of Gas featuring Abbie Ferris’ lead vocals and returns for Lassister’s Reef and instrumental finale Gold Fever. It’s most fitting for Carpenter’s haunting vocals on the death desert drama of the gold rush fever on Lassister’s Reef. Jy-Perry Banks pedal steel laces entrée song Dollar In My Pocket that segues into the title track and Zane Banks penned Self Taught Medicine Man and Carpenter tune Everyone’s An Asshole featuring pub crowd guests. Zane provides lead guitars, banjo, mandolin and harmonies and Carpenter adds his drums, organ, piano, guitar and lead vocals on their nine original songs. This dynamic disc hits home from Carpenter penned entrée Dollar In My Pocket to his other originals including Old Country Music. Equally accessible is Zane and Jy-Perry Banks tune No Getting Away. These nine nifty tunes prove they are in no danger of splitting up. BIG RADIO AND RTC RECORDS DAVID DAWSON

TANIA NICHAMIN TURN

IT UP

INDEPENDENT

The debut album from Tania Nichamin is a rollercoaster of emotions sure to have a song to suit all moods for listeners. From the vulnerable song written for her son, Good Man, and the moving This Is Our Love Song dedicated to her husband and written for their wedding, to Sunsets, written after the passing of her father, Tania knows how to play on her listeners’ heartstrings with her honesty. But never fear, if you’re wanting an album that also has you on the dancefloor, there’s plenty on offer for you as well. Bigger The Hoops is a dancefloor hit that will have you pulling the boots on for a scoot, and Lover Tonight will have you swaying and singing along. Tania isn’t afraid to back away from the tough issues, though, with Lorraine highlighting domestic violence and alcoholism and dysfunctional relationships in Hungover You featuring Cody Walker. This is a strong offering straight out of the blocks for the Wollongong singer-songwriter who knows how to bring tears as well as she knows how to get listeners throwing their arms in the air and dancing.

CHECKED LABEL SERVICES

BEC GRACIE

PETE CORNELIUS

SOUTHERN

INDEPENDENT

Following a raft of blues-rock releases, singer-songwriter Pete Cornelius has ventured down the alternate country road with his new album Southern. It’s a fairly smooth transition for the proud Tasmanian who co-produced the album with multi award-winner Matt Fell. An accomplished guitarist, Cornelius brings his bluesy riffs to Sump Oil City, the song’s lyrics telling of shrinking townships and industrialisation, and he sings of a touring musician’s lifestyle on Greasy RNRNB, a breezy honky-tonk track. Cornelius’ earthy vocals often draw comparisons with US artist John Hiatt, especially on Troubled Mind, a slow song of reflection. He looks outside society’s square on Sick Of This Town, a powerful mid-paced country rock track, and Cornelius continues the theme of escaping the rat race on the rockin’ Devil In The Company Car. As well as his eight originals, Cornelius offers impressive renditions of Don Walker’s Everybody and Mia Dyson’s Any 3 Chords. A classy album, Southern is released on February 8 in CD, vinyl and digital formats through the website www. petecornelius.com.

GREG BUSH

ANDY PENKOW SHADES ON ME INDEPENDENT

Sussex Inlet born singersongwriter Andy Penkow has returned from his latest Canada tour to promote fourth album dual discs Shades On Me in his homeland. He ignites his inspirational entrée on openly dealing with mental illness in Heavy On Me that segues into equally evocative Bottom Shelf, two of three new songs penned with producer Shawn Moore. Andy reaches far into the future with esoteric 2062 penned by David Borys and Jon Delaurier. He elevates his title track into a wry wrangle of dealing with both sides of a ruptured romance. Andy also longs for romantic returns in his delicious duet with Canadian chanteuse Jessica Sole on Love That Way Again and nocturnal bliss in Night Vision. He finishes the first disc with aptly titled The Last where he hopes his first love will also be his last. Penkow begins second disc The Singles with rollicking Pretty Petty Problems and Driving You Home, penned with Allan Caswell who adds sardonic splendour in Southern Highlands where a house falls victim to coal mining. Andy excels on Castlereagh River drought breaking rural requiem Aussie Rain, one of two penned with Rip-Van Parks, also his co-writer on fitting finale All The Ways. A bright shade. MVRP 93246903918

DAVID DAWSON

JAMES ELLIS

THE PARTY MIGHT BE OVER INDEPENDENT

Melbourne singer-songwriter, James Ellis has released his latest album The Party Might Be Over, and has been getting lots of good vibes and good reviews from the country loving people. Written during Covid 2020 and recorded in Nashville with Micah Hulscher, who has also worked with Margo Price, the album wasn’t completely finished till early 2024. This record is pure honky tonk heaven that makes you want to get up and dance or drink, and is recorded with some of Nashville’s best musicians, Chris Scruggs (Marty Stuart), Fats Kaplin (John Prine), Lillie Mae, Craig Smith, Alec Newman and many more have contributed to this fine record. The first two singles Don’t Drink All By Yourself (If You Can’t Be Drunk Alone), and Lonely, Sad & Blue, are a perfect explanation for what this album is all about, but there is so much more. Other great tracks are the opener, I Don’t Dance Waltzes, Happy Birthday Songs and Today Is Just Another Day. AVAILABLE ON BANDCAMP

DARREN ERSKINE

THOMAS RHETT

ABOUT A WOMAN

THE VALORY MUSIC CO

Thomas Rhett couldn’t be happier and he’s not ashamed to show it, sing about it and dance to the rhythm on the new stage in his life with wife, Lauren, and their four daughters. About A Woman sums up this album as he celebrates life, love and family and also tips a hat to musical influences – once with the song, Church, about the effect Eric Church has had on his life, and Don’t Wanna Dance, a post-break-up song and interpolation of Whitney Houston’s Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me). This album is full of ‘up’ songs or, as Rhett described his song choice as, “I felt like I wanted to roll my windows down and play 14 tracks that made me smile and made me want to dance”. He’s achieved this, with only one slower song, I Could Spend Forever Loving You, which farewells the album with this deep love song. About A Woman is an album that lovers of countrypop will have on repeat, but there’s also plenty for those who love a good story song and if you’re celebrating love, then it’ll feel extra special.

UNIVERSAL MUSIC AUSTRALIA

BEC GRACIE

LILY GRACE

OLD ENOUGH TO KNOW BETTER INDEPENDENT

Lily Grace is a young female singer-songwriter from the Gold Coast who has already started to make an impact with her perfect pop country songs and collaborations with major artists. Her shows have been an important part in Lily’s career she received some homecoming love at Groundwater on the Gold Coast this year. She has also performed at the Tamworth Country Music Festival and the Gympie Muster. Old Enough To Know Better was released in August 2024 and has had great success, claiming #5 on the ARIA Albums chart (all genres) and #1 on the ARIA Country Albums chart, sitting in the charts for over three months. It’s a beautiful country album with a pop flavour, featuring the singles Can’t Be Your Juliet, Give Me That, Maybe So, Bet On Us and Follow My Road. This album is for anyone that loves female country vocals.

DARREN ERSKINE

THE APRIL FAMILY

BABY I’M GONE

BIG RADIO-RTC RECORDS

Sydney alt-country band The April Family nail their third album in eight years with a spring in their step from entrée Too Much Of A Good Thing to fitting finale I’m Only Sad featuring their producer Michael Carpenter and The Banks Brothers. Lead singer Kylie Whitney shares harmonies with Carpenter and guitarist Casey Atkins as they turbo charge second song Fortune Teller and self-explanatory I Ain’t Gonna Fit Inside Your Box. The moody Matilda, not an Aussie soccer anthem, leads into the bluesy double shot Baby I’m Gone and It’s Gonna Hurt. They also revive their country roots in the rollicking I Can’t Get It Back, Too Much Of A Good Thing and Somebody Like You. Whitney’s vocals triumph with producer Carpenter and the recently departed Atkins adding clout. The album was recorded at Love Hz Studios until its closure in 2022, and completed at Carpenter’s new The House Studio. The band played most instruments with The Banks Brothers featuring on several of nine original songs from Whitney and Atkins. Catch the band on tour to share this joyous journey.

DAVID DAWSON

BIG RADIO-RTC RECORDS

REACH

JUNKYARD FIELDTRIP INDEPENDENT

Hailing from the western side of New York state, Junkyard Fieldtrip formed in 2014, this is their second full length album and it is an intriguing blend of country, Celtic, rock, Americana and R&B. The opening Bottle Away sets a cracking pace, while Heart Misunderstood and Nashville Feels Like Home immediately set Jim Croce in my mind, but with a modern caste. A side trip to Memphis hits home on Final Grain, while Dear John takes to the homeland isles of years ago. George Harrison would probably have loved the title track, Reachor is that just me!? The band takes on Steely Dan’s Reelin’ In The Years with gusto, while the closer, If I Sang Hallelujah returns to a Celtic vibe and I found myself wanting more of Junkyard Fieldtrip, but I had to settle for the repeat button, as this is an album that offers up great vocals, wonderful acoustic instrumentation - but is not limited to that - and something new each time you play it.

AVAILABLE ON ALL STREAMING PLATFORMS

JON WOLFE

COUNTRY SINGLES

Get your fix of some of the latest new single releases right here and listen on our Country Music Capital News Spotify List

Kaitlyn Thomas

Cait Jamieson

Teak

James Keith

Briana Dinsdale Bryce Sainty Ella Powell Felicity Dowd

Finnian Johnson Felicity Kircher

LIVE music SCENE

ADAM HARVEY

*w Beccy Cole

JANUARY

18&24 Blazes, West Tamworth LC NSW

31 Dag Pub & Motel, D’Aguilar Qld

FEBRUARY

1 Caloundra RSL Qld

6 Noojee Hotel Vic

7 Theatre Royal, Castlemaine Vic

8 Commercial Hotel, Albury NSW

9 Ballarat Mechanics Institute Vic

15 Lake Charlegrark CM Marathon, Minimay Vic*

21 Gulgong B&SC NSW

22 Bathurst RSL NSW

23 Oaks Hotel Motel, Albion Park Rail NSW

28 GV Hotel, Shepparton Vic MARCH

1 Swan Hill Town Hall PAC Vic

2 Coomealla Memorial SC, Dareton NSW

AMY

RYAN

JANUARY

18 TCMF NSW

ANDREW

SWIFT

JANUARY

25 Wests, Blazes Showroom, Tamworth NSW

FEBRUARY

1 Noojee Hotel Vic

MARCH

22 Horsham Regfest Vic

BILLIE-JO PORTER

JANUARY

23 Moonshiners Honky Tonk, Tamworth NSW

BRAD BUTCHER

W Tori Darke

JANUARY

30 Lefty’s Music Hall, Petrie Terrace Qld

31 Wallaby Hotel, Mudgeeraba Qld

FEBRUARY

1 Bribie Island Hotel, Bellara Qld

7 Eureka Hotel, Geelong Vic

8 Archies Creek Hotel Vic

9 Beer Deluxe, Albury NSW

13 Koala Tavern, Capalaba Qld

14 Kings Beach Tavern, Caloundra Qld

16 Coomera Lodge Hotel, Oxenford Qld

MARCH

7 Tamworth Services Club NSW

8 Macksville Ex-Services Club NSW

9 Coutts Crossing Hall, Granville, NSW

28 Old Bundy, Bundaberg Qld

29 The Junction Café Toondoon, Gladstone Qld

30 Great Western Hotel, Rockhampton Qld

APRIL

4 Metropolitan Hotel, Mackay Qld

5 Mansfield Hotel, Townsville Qld

10 The Brass Monkey, Cronulla NSW

12 The Beer Shed, Leumeah NSW

13 Royal Hotel, Queanbeyan NSW

BRIAN LETTON

JANUARY

15 Capitol Theatre, Tamworth NSW

BRIANA DINSDALE

JANUARY

17 Toyota FanZone, Tamworth NSW

19 Toyota Park, Tamworth NSW

21 Wests’ Diggers, Tamworth NSW

24 The Press, Tamworth NSW

BRITTANY ELISE

JANUARY

10 Jolly Collier Hotel, Dysart Qld

11 Blackwater Hotel Qld

17 Commercial Hotel, Kingaroy Qld

18 Criterion Hotel, Dalby Qld

23-24 Tamworth CMF NSW

MARCH

8 Hay Point Hotel Qld

BROOKE MCCLYMONT & ADAM ECKERSLEY

Up, Down & Sideways Tour

** The Amazing Gig w Pete & Bridget Helliar

JANUARY

23 West Tamworth LC NSW

24 Flamingos Live (Lizottes), Newcastle NSW

FEBRUARY

6 Wallaby Hotel, Mudgeeraba Qld

7 Koala Tavern, Capalaba Qld

8 Dag Pub, D’Aguilar Qld

14 Morwell Hotel Vic

15 Bairnsdale RSL Vic

MARCH

1 Northcote Social Club, Melbourne Vic**

MAY

10 Kedron-Wavell SC, Chermside Qld

17 Music In The Mulga, Thargomindah Qld

BRYCE SAINTY

JANUARY

17 Toyota FanZone, Tamworth NSW

19 Toyota Park, Tamworth NSW

22 Moonshiners, Tamworth NSW

BRYEN WILLEMS

*Canterbury Country **Bayou Boogie Boys ***w Glenn Skarratt

JANUARY

5 Salisbury Hotel, Stanmore NSW**

9 Canterbury Hurlstone Park RSL NSW*

11 Penrith RSL NSW**

17 The Pub, Tamworth**

19&20 Moonshiners, Tamworth NSW#

22 The Pub, Tamworth NSW**

CAIT JAMIESON

JANUARY

16 Moonshiners Bar, Tamworth NSW

18 Riverside Camp Grounds, Tamworth NSW

19 Toyota Park, Tamworth NSW

20 Southside Uniting, Tamworth NSW

21 Southside Uniting, Tamworth NSW

22 Toyota FanZone, Tamworth NSW

22 Toyota Park Tamworth NSW

23 Balladeers Homestead, Tamworth NSW

25 Southside Uniting, Tamworth NSW

CASEY BARNES

*w The Buckleys

JANUARY

23 The Longyard Hotel, Tamworth NSW*

CHELSEA BERMAN

JANUARY

23 Moonshiners, Tamworth NSW

CHRIS STAPLETON (USA)

FEBRUARY

25&26 Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Vic

28 Brisbane EC Qld

MARCH

1 Brisbane EC Qld

4&5 QUDOS Bank Arena, Sydney NSW

7&8 Spark Arena, Auckland NZ

DALE HOOPER

*w Tommy Miller

JANUARY

19 Dungowan Hotel NSW 1pm

20 Nemingha Tavern, Tamworth NSW* 12pm

21 Nemingha Tavern, Tamworth NSW 7pm

23 City Lights Tourist Park, Tamworth NSW 7pm

25 Nemingha Tavern, Tamworth NSW* 12pm

26 Nemingha Tavern, Tamworth NSW 7pm

FEBRUARY

20 – Mar 2 Terara CM Campout

APRIL

20 Wagga RSL NSW 1:30pm

DERIC RUTTAN (USA)

w Catherine Britt, Anthony Snape JANUARY

22 Capitol Theatre, Tamworth NSW

DION PRIDE

APRIL

11 Nex, Newcastle NSW

12 Glasshouse, Port Macquarie NSW

13 The Empire Theatre, Toowoomba Qld

16 Mackay Ecc Qld

19 Cairns Pac Qld

22 Brolga Theatre & Cc, Maryborough Qld

23 Pilbeam Theatre, Rockhampton Qld

26  The Star, Gold Coast Qld

27 The Events Centre, Caloundra Qld

30 The Playhouse, Darwin NT

MAY

3  Civic Theatre, Wagga Wagga NSW

7  Albury Entertainment Centre NSW

8 The Play House, Geelong Arts Centre Vic

12  The Palms At Crown, Melbourne Vic

14 Canberra Theatre Centre ACT

15 Her Majesty’s Theatre, Adelaide SA

17 Regional Theatre, Griffith NSW

DYLAN WRIGHT

JANUARY

24 Moonshiners, Tamworth NSW 4pm

ELLA POWELL

19 Toyota Park, Tamworth NSW

22 Toyota FanZone, Tamworth NSW

FELICITY DOWD

JANUARY

10-12 Cygnet Folk Festival Tas 17 Toyota FanZone, Tamworth NSW

19 Toyota Park, Tamworth NSW

21 Big Golden Guitar, Tamworth NSW

21 Riverside Camp Grounds, Tamworth NSW

24 Tamworth Community Event Centre NSW

25 Toyota FanZone, Tamworth NSW

FELICITY KIRCHER

JANUARY

19 Toyota Park, Tamworth NSW

22 Toyota FanZone, Tamworth NSW

FINNIAN JOHNSON

JANUARY

17 Tudor Hotel, Tamworth NSW

19 Toyota Park, Tamworth NSW

21 Tudor Hotel, Tamworth NSW

22 Toyota FanZone, Tamworth NSW

22 Joe Maguires, Tamworth NSW

25 Joe Maguires, Tamworth NSW

GRAEME CONNORS

JANUARY

24 Tamworth Town Hall NSW

FEBRUARY

12 Dolphin Theatre, UWA, Perth WA

19 Albany EC WA

LIVE music SCENE

6 The Palms at Crown, Melbourne Vic

7 The Play House, Geelong AC Vic

13 The Showroom, Twin Towns Qld

KAITLYN THOMAS

JANUARY

19 Toyota Park, Tamworth NSW 20 Toyota FanZone, Tamworth NSW

Tamworth NSW

JAMES KEITH

Moonshiners Honky Tonk, Tamworth NSW

Toyota Park, Tamworth NSW

Toyota FanZone, Tamworth NSW

Black-Tie Ball, NEX Newcastle NSW

JAMIE LINDSAY

JAYNE DENHAM

18 The Press Basement Bar, Tamworth NSW 21 Wests, Tamworth NSW*

JORDAN DAVIS (USA)

Guest of Luke Combs

JANUARY

17&18 Eden Park, Auckland NZ

24&25 Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Qld 31 Accor Stadium, Sydney NSW FEBRUARY

1 Accor Stadium, Sydney NSW

7&8 Marvel Stadium, Melbourne Vic

Tamworth Square, Tamworth NSW

KASEY CHAMBERS

JANUARY 23 Tamworth Town Hall NSW MARCH

13 Town Hall Theatre, Paranaple AC, Devonport Tas

14 Country Club, The Showroom, Launceston Tas

15 Odeon Theatre, Hobart Tas

19 The Art House, Wyong NSW

20 Newcastle Civic Theatre NSW

22 Evan Theatre - Panthers, Penrith NSW

26 Albury EC NSW

27 Anita’s Theatre, Thirroul NSW

28 Canberra Theatre Centre ACT

APRIL

11 The Cube, Campbelltown NSW

12 Dubbo RSL NSW

17 Darwin EC NT

MAY

1 Chaffey Theatre, Renmark SA

2 Woodville Town Hall, Adelaide SA

3 Northern FC, Port Pirie SA

10 Goldfields AC, Kalgoorlie WA

11 Esperance Civic Centre WA

13 Princess Theatre, Albany EC WA

14 Stage One, Bunbury REC WA

15 Astor Theatre, Perth, WA

30 Riverlinks Eastbank, Shepparton Vic

31 Ulumbarra Theatre, Bendigo Vic

JUNE

1 Frankston AC Vic

3 The Wedge PAC Sale Vic

14 The Tivoli, Brisbane Qld SOLD OUT

15 Empire Theatre, Toowoomba Qld

KEVIN SULLIVAN

JANUARY

22 Wests’ Diggers, Tamworth NSW

KIRSTY LEE AKERS

JANUARY

17-26 Tamworth CMF NSW

LANE PITTMAN

Guest of Luke Combs (USA)

JANUARY

17&18 Eden Park, Auckland NZ

24&25 Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Qld

31 Accor Stadium, Sydney NSW

FEBRUARY

1 Accor Stadium, Sydney NSW

7&8 Marvel Stadium, Melbourne Vic

LEE KERNAGHAN

JANUARY

TRECC, Tamworth NSW

LUKE COMBS (USA)

w Jordan Davis (USA), Mitchell Tenpenny (USA) & Lane Pittman (AU)

JANUARY

17&18 Eden Park, Auckland NZ

24&25 Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Qld 31 Accor Stadium, Sydney NSW

FEBRUARY

1 Accor Stadium, Sydney NSW

7&8 Marvel Stadium, Melbourne Vic

LUKE O’SHEA

JANUARY

Tamworth Services Club

Tamworth Services Club

20 The DAG Sheepstation, Nundle NSW

Tamworth Services Club

FEBRUARY

Camden Hotel NSW

Cobargo Hotel NSW

7 Noojee Hotel Vic

MAK & SHAR

JANUARY

23 Wests’ Diggers Showroom, Tamworth NSW

MAX JACKSON

JANUARY 23 The Longyard Hotel, Tamworth NSW

MEM DAVIS

JANUARY 21 The Press, Tamworth NSW

MITCHELL

TENPENNY

(USA)

Guest of Luke Combs (USA)

JANUARY

17&18 Eden Park, Auckland NZ

24&25 Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Qld

31 Accor Stadium, Sydney NSW

FEBRUARY

1 Accor Stadium, Sydney NSW

7&8 Marvel Stadium, Melbourne Vic

ROSS WILSON

3 Shearwater Resort Tas

Lighthouse Theatre, Warrnambool Vic

17 Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre, Mt Gambier SA

25 Memo Music Hall, St Kilda Vic

22 Agnes Waters Festival, 1770 Qld

1 Girrakool Blues, The Entrance NSW MAY

9 The Juniors, Kingsford NSW

SARA BERKI

*Mack Geiger

**Charlie Finn

FEBRUARY

7 Leftys Music Hall, Brisbane Qld*

8 La La La’s, Wollongong NSW** 14 Waywards, Sydney NSW**

21 Four5Nine, Perth, WA**

22 Grace Emily, Adelaide SA**

28 The Workers Club, Melbourne Vic**

SUZI Q

22 TRECC, Tamworth NSW TAYLOR MOSS JANUARY

19 Moonshiners, Tamworth NSW*

15 Howlin’ Fest, Newcastle NSW

TELITA LEE & THE HUSKIES

JANUARY

23 Riverside Stage, Tamworth NSW

THE WOLFE BROTHERS

JANUARY

24 The Longyard Hotel, Tamworth NSW

TOM CURTAIN

Good Life Tour

W Laura Frank, Chris Matthews

JANUARY

3 Dardanup Equestrian Centre WA

5 Jesters Flat, Margaret River WA

6 Augusta Oval WA

10 Albany Equestrian Centre, Robinson WA

11 Jerdacuttup Oval WA

12 Esperance Pony Club WA

17 Waroona Showground WA

22 Longyard Hotel, Tamworth NSW

31 Bridgetown Showground WA

FEBRUARY

1 Woodanilling Oval WA

2 Williams Campdraft Ground WA

7 Jarrahdale Equestrian Centre WA

9 Northam Equestrian Park WA

14 Boar Swamp Campdraft Ground, Pinjarra WA

15 Gidgegannup Showground WA

16 Moora Pony Club WA

MARCH

14 Jurien Bay Oval WA

15 Walkaway Polocrosse Ground WA

23 Exmouth Pony Club WA

28 Pegs Creek Oval, Karratha WA

29 Port Hedland Oval WA

APRIL

4 Broome Horse Riders Club WA

5 Derby Rodeo Ground WA

12 Kununurra Rodeo Ground WA

18 Katherine Outback Experience NT

20 Freds Pass, Darwin NT

TOMMY EMMANUEL

MAY

16 Sydney Opera House NSW

17 Civic Theatre, Newcastle NSW

18 QPAC, Brisbane Qld

20 Canberra Theatre Centre ACT

21 Sydney Opera House NSW

23 Hamer Hall, Melbourne Vic

27 Hamer Hall, Melbourne Vic

29 Riverside Theatre, PCEC, Perth WA

31 Her Majesty’s Theatre, Adelaide SA

TORI DARKE

W Brad Butcher

JANUARY

30 Lefty’s Music Hall, Petrie Terrace Qld

31 Wallaby Hotel, Mudgeeraba Qld

FEBRUARY

1 Bribie Island Hotel, Bellara Qld

7 Eureka Hotel, Geelong Vic

8 Archies Creek Hotel Vic

9 Beer Deluxe, Albury NSW

13 Koala Tavern, Capalaba Qld

14 Kings Beach Tavern, Caloundra Qld

16 Coomera Lodge Hotel, Oxenford Qld

MARCH

7 Tamworth Services Club NSW

8 Macksville Ex-Services Club NSW

9 Coutts Crossing Hall, Granville, NSW

28 Old Bundy, Bundaberg Qld

29 The Junction Café Toondoon, Gladstone Qld

30 Great Western Hotel, Rockhampton Qld

APRIL

4 Metropolitan Hotel, Mackay Qld

5 Mansfield Hotel, Townsville Qld

10 The Brass Monkey, Cronulla NSW

TROY

CASSAR-DALEY

JANUARY

23 TRECC, Tamworth NSW

WADE FORSTER

JANUARY

**EP Launch

^The LowDown Drifter Tour USA

#Cody Johnson Tour

2 Knuckleheads, Kansas City, Missouri USA^

3 Cains Ballroom, Tulsa, Oklahoma USA^

4 Gruene Hall, Gruene, Texas USA^

5 Gruene Hall, Saint Jo, Texas USA^

6 The Black Sheep, Colorado Springs USA^

17 Tamworth CMF Opening Concert NSW

19 Toyota Park, Tamworth NSW

21 Tamworth Town Hall NSW

23 Toyota FanZone, Tamworth NSW

24 The Longyard Hotel, Tamworth NSW**

FEBRUARY

22 Oberon Rodeo NSW

23 Tumbafest, Goldfields Park, Tumbarumba NSW

MARCH

20 RAC Arena, Perth WA#

25 Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney NSW#

27 Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Vic

30 Spark Arena, Auckland NZ

APRIL

20 Easter In the Country, Roma Qld

19 Toyota Park, Tamworth NSW

Tamworth

12 The Beer Shed, Leumeah NSW

13 Royal Hotel, Queanbeyan NSW

WOODY CAMPFIRE

JANUARY

2 Fremantle Buffalo Club WA

Toyota G enuine Stargazer

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