Today’s the day for Grace Mae

August 14, 2018August 14, 2018Leave a comment

YOUNG singer-songwriter Grace Mae is already ticking off items on an extensive list of goals, with the release of her debut single, Not Today.

Not Today shares Grace’s philosophy of walking away from things in your life that make you feel unhappy or aren’t right for you as a person.

“I know you don’t always have much control over some of the big things in your life, but we can look after the little everyday stuff ; friendships, bullying, choosing to do the right thing – it’s not always easy to stick up for whats right for you,” she said.

When playing live she has dedicated this song to children suffering from bullies and those who have experienced domestic violence. Continue reading →

Kip Moore and Lee Brice wow Tamworth with Charlie Worsham

June 20, 2018June 20, 2018Leave a comment

Review: Rebecca Belt
Photos: Gareth Gardner

TAMWORTH has witnessed plenty of massive concerts and big name artists, and the crowds turned out again in April to welcome US country stars Kip Moore, Lee Brice and Charlie Worsham.

Thousands of people packed the Tamworth Regional Entertainment and Conference Centre for a night of country music celebration with three of the biggest names from the US, and they shared it with their fellow country lovers. It’s a night that left many with sore heads but, most of all, wonderful memories of witnessing moments that may never be repeated in the Country Music Capital.

With fans lined up hours prior to the show and others catching a glimpse and a selfie at the airport, excitement was high in the city. Continue reading →

Tom Curtain and Sara Storer Speak Up for bullying victims

June 18, 2018June 18, 2018Leave a comment

GOLDEN Guitar winners Tom Curtain and Sara Storer are taking a stand against bullying with their new duet, Speak Up.

Tom wrote the track to raise awareness of bullying, after victim Amy “Dolly” Everett ended her young life earlier this year with the track reaching No. 5 on the iTunes Country Songs Chart on release day, June 18.

Before she took her life, Dolly wrote the words, “Speak even if your voice shakes”, inspiring the song. Continue reading →

Nashville headed for Tamworth

April 17, 2018April 16, 2018Leave a comment

TOP selling country artist Kip Moore may be one of the biggest names in his home country, the USA, but Australia holds a special place in his heart.

He rekindles his relationship with his fans Down Under this week as he begins his Australian tour with a show in Winton with musical mates Lee Brice and Charlie Worsham.

As a special treat for regional fans, they will play shows in Winton, Queensland and Tamworth, NSW as well as city shows in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.

“Australia has got a piece of my heart; it is special for me,” he said.

“I talk about it in all my interviews and this is something super unique for me and the band. I think the thing about Australia is that the fans have embraced me in a very special way and I have embraced them, so there is a lot of mutual love.” Continue reading →

Some Girls (Quite) Like Country Music – Lachlan Bryan and The Wildes

April 9, 2018April 9, 2018Leave a comment

LACHLAN Bryan and The Wildes return with an album that is sure to get your attention with the title as well as the tracks that hit all the right notes.

Some Girls (Quite) Like Country Music sees the band’s songs maturing and a more stripped back production, as they worked to capture their live sound on record.

“We wanted to make an adult-sounding country record,” Lachlan said.

“Thematically, that comes across in the songs and, as for our sound, we didn’t want to unnecessarily polish things and we didn’t want to underestimate the country music audience. Lot of people have complicated lives like we do, and we didn’t want to gloss over stuff. The lyrics in some of the songs are quite cutting and, if ever we had the thought of whether this was too risqué or close to the bone, our answer was always what the hell, we’re going to do it anyway.”

Continue reading →

GALLERY: CMC Music Awards winners announced

March 16, 2018March 16, 2018Leave a comment

COUNTRY headed to the coast, the Gold Coast that is, on Thursday, March 15 for the annual CMC Music Awards.

The cocktail function saw country music royalty dressed in their finest and fans of all ages soaked up the atmosphere at The Star Casino.

As well as mingling with their fans, country artists from the US, Canada and Australia performed at the awards function and were rewarded for their efforts over the year. Continue reading →

Dean Brody brings his Beautiful Freakshow to CMC Rocks Queensland

March 16, 2018Leave a comment

AS DEAN Brody prepared to hit the stage at CMC Rocks Queensland, he reflected on how similar country fans were, no matter what side of the world they were on.

The Canadian country singer is no stranger to Australia and our country music fans.

“One of the thing that surprised me was that country music fans, whether we are in Europe, North America or Australia, people who grew up in the country are used to the rural way of life and we share this musical genre as well,” he said.

“You guys really enjoy your beer and wine, though, and one of my favourite wines is Shiraz.” Continue reading →

Tom Curtain continues WA tour with No. 1 album

December 27, 2017Leave a comment

THE new album from Tom Curtain, Territory Time, has won the hearts of music lovers, debuting at No. 1 on the iTunes Country Albums Chart and No. 12 on the iTunes Albums Chart (all genres) on release on November 14.

The singer-songwriter has taken the album and his Katherine Outback Experience show on the road through Western Australia, continuing south through January, with Golden Guitar finalist spots under his wing.

Released on November 14, the Territory Time album is a reflection of Tom’s life living and working in the Northern Territory, running the Katherine Outback Experience tourist attraction and training dogs and horses.

“This album is a collection of stories I have experienced first-hand or heard while working in the outback over the past decade,” he said. “It celebrates the different way of life in the Top End. It includes stories of loss, hard work and never giving up, together with a few light-hearted fun songs.”

The country artist is taking the album and the Katherine Outback Experience show, on tour from Katherine, down through Western Australia until February. Continue reading →

Book Review: Six Ways to Sunday – Karly Lane

November 29, 2017November 29, 2017Leave a comment

KARLY Lane’s latest novel, Six Ways To Sunday, will take you on a rollercoaster ride through the life of Rilee Kincaid. This isn’t a will they, won’t they romance novel, as Rilee is already married to her knight is denim, Dan, but gives an insider’s look into life in a small town when you’re very much an outsider.

The main problem is Rilee is not only an outsider, she’s also married to one of the most eligible bachelors in the town and they got married quickly and secretly, not winning her any points with her parents-in-law, the formidable Jacob and Ellen.

Having known her husband for only a few short months before they were married, living with his parents who are openly hostile towards her and dealing with the vagaries of a small town who don’t welcome outside influence warmly, presents a multitude of problems for the city girl. Rilee’s somewhat alternative career also leaves the townsfolk of Pallaburra suspicious of the newcomer. Continue reading →

BREAKING: 2018 Toyota Golden Guitar finalists announced

November 21, 2017November 29, 2017Leave a comment


ALT COUNTRY ALBUM OF THE YEAR
From The Bottom of A Well	Brad Butcher				Producer: Matt Fell
Real Class Act	Fanny Lumsden				Producer: Matt Fell
Queen of Boomtown	Gretta Ziller				Producer: Paul Ruske
Dragonfly	Kasey Chambers				Producers: Nash Chambers & Paul Kelly
Love and Blood	Shane Nicholson				Producer: Matt Fell
CONTEMPORARY COUNTRY ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Get On Your Feet	Adam Brand				Producers: Alex Kline & Erin Enderlin
Coming Your Way	Drew McAlister				Producer: Andy Mak
61-615	O’Shea				Producer: Lindsey Jackson
Endless	The McClymonts				Producer: Andy Mak
Our Backyard	Travis Collins & Amber Lawrence				Producer: Matt Fell
TRADITIONAL COUNTRY ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Lighthouse	Ashleigh Dallas				Producer: Brett Dallas
The Wide Horizon	Darren Coggan				Producer: Ben Edgar
All You Need Is Music	Davidson Brothers				Producers: Mark Thornton & Larry Marrs
All Australian Girl	Tania Kernaghan				Producer: Stuart French
The Hungry Mile	The Bushwackers				Producer: Roger Corbett
MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Get On Your Feet			Adam Brand
From The Bottom of A Well			Brad Butcher
The Wide Horizon			Darren Coggan
My Soundtrack			Matt Cornell
Love and Blood			Shane Nicholson
FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
More Than Meets The Eye			Aleyce Simmonds
Lighthouse			Ashleigh Dallas
Real Class Act			Fanny Lumsden
Dragonfly			Kasey Chambers
All Australian Girl			Tania Kernaghan
COUNTRY MUSIC CAPITAL NEWS GROUP OR DUO OF THE YEAR
Better Day				Carter & Carter
All You Need Is Music				Davidson Brothers
61-615				O’Shea
The Hungry Mile				The Bushwackers
Endless				The McClymonts
REGIONAL AUSTRALIA BANK VOCAL COLLABORATION OF THE YEAR
Hey				Kasey Chambers & Paul Kelly
Back in ’92				Lee Kernaghan & James Blundell
Waltzing Australia				The Bushwackers with John Williamson, Sara Storer & The Bush Choir
When We Say It’s Forever				The McClymonts & Ronan Keating
Our Backyard				Travis Collins & Amber Lawrence
BUSH BALLAD OF THE YEAR
Just Like Your Dad		Dale Duncan				Songwriters: Allan Caswell & Manfred Vijars
Henbury Blues		Dean Perrett				Songwriter: Neville Anderson
Uncle Harry		Dianne Lindsay				Songwriter: Peter Simpson
Plains of Nappa Merrie		Graham Rodger				Songwriter: Graham Rodger
We Still Sing Three Rivers Hotel		Ian Quinn				Songwriter: Ian Quinn
TOYOTA HERITAGE SONG OF THE YEAR
Roll On		Fanny Lumsden				Songwriter: Fanny Lumsden
Outback Club Reunion		Lee Kernaghan				Songwriters: Garth Porter, Lee Kernaghan, Colin Buchanan
Dirt Under My Nails		The Bushwackers				Songwriter: Rich Davies
Never Never Land		Tom Curtain feat Luke O’Shea				Songwriters: Tom Curtain & Luke O’Shea
Our Backyard		Travis Collins & Amber Lawrence				Songwriters: Amber Lawrence, Travis Collins, Matt Scullion
COCA-COLA INSTRUMENTAL OF THE YEAR
Evelyn’s Kitchen				Davidson Brothers
Pick Me!				Michael Fix
Porch Pickin’				Mickey Pye
Easy Does It				The Bushwackers
Eva Waits				Tommy Emmanuel
BLUEGRASS RECORDING OF THE YEAR
Too Young, Too Cute, Too Pretty				Carpenter Caswell
Back Where I Started				Davidson Brothers
Southbound Train				Runaway Dixie
Cumberland Plain				The Morrisons
Long Way Over				Wide Island