Tom Curtain takes top independent honours

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SINGER-SONGWRITER Tom Curtain’s trophy shelf is groaning after adding another four accolades to his name at The Southern Stars Australian Independent Country Music Awards in Mildura on Saturday night.

The Katherine country artist couldn’t ask for a better year than 2018 after winning Independent Male Artist of the Year, Single of the Year, Album of the Year and Independent Artist of the Year.

These come on top of two Golden Guitars in Tamworth in January for his song and video for Never Never Land with Luke O’Shea. A few short months ago, he also got married to Annabel McLarty, making 2018 a year that’s hard to beat.

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Morgan Wallen gets Up Down Under for CMC Rocks 2019

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UP DOWN singer Morgan Wallen is shining proof that life can throw you curveballs when it comes to your childhood ambitions, but your dreams can still come true. He will add to those achievements when he heads to Australian for CMC Rocks 2019 in March.

The US singer-songwriter had dreams of being a professional baseball player, but an injury forced him to change his life direction and now he’s playing the stadiums he dreamed of as a child, just in a different field.


Morgan Wallen will join other international and Australian acts at CMC Rocks 2019. 
Photo: supplied

Morgan has released three singles – The Way I Talk, his latest Whiskey Glasses, but it was his second, Up Down, that caught the ears of new country fans, when he teamed up with chart-toppers Florida Georgia Line.

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CMC Rocks Queensland 2019 artists announced

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FULL ARTIST LINEUP

FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE (USA) – THOMAS RHETT (USA) – LUKE COMBS (USA)

MICHAEL RAY (USA) – LOCASH (USA) – FRANKIE BALLARD (USA) – CARLY PEARCE (USA) – CAM (USA) – DEVIN DAWSON (USA) – KASEY CHAMBERS – TROY CASSAR-DALEY – DANIELLE BRADBERY (USA) – ASHLEY MCBRYDE (USA) – BRANDY CLARK (USA) – LINDSAY ELL (CAN)

Thomas Rhett is among the headliners announced for CMC Rocks 2019

MORGAN WALLEN (USA) – THE SISTERHOOD BAND (USA) – JIM LAUDERDALE (USA) – JEDD HUGHES – TENILLE TOWNES (USA) – NOAH SCHNACKY (USA) – HOME FREE (USA) – ALEYCE SIMMONDS – IMOGEN CLARK – MELANIE DYER – OAKWOOD

THURSDAY 14* – FRIDAY 15 – SATURDAY 16 – SUNDAY 17 MARCH 2019

WILLOWBANK, IPSWICH QLD

*Campers entrance only

GENERAL PUBLIC ON-SALE: 9AM AEST (QLD), TUESDAY 2ND OCTOBER

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More Tamworth tix to come

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It may be the Queen’s Birthday public holiday in many states, but the Tamworth Country Music Festival is giving country fans the gifts with more shows on sale for the biggest country music festival in Australia on Monday, October 1.

With existing tickets in high demand, festival goers will be pleased to hear that additional shows are now available to add into their schedules for the 47th Toyota Country Music Festival, Tamworth.

Adam Brand returns with his festival-favourite show, the Birthday Bash

The DAG Sheep Station, Capitol Theatre and Tamworth Town Hall are just some of venues that will be drawing in the crowds as tickets for popular artists including The Pigs and Sara Storer and collaborations for Australian & Great Britain Country Showcase and Songwriters Retreat Showcase come up for grabs from Monday.

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Gord Bamford returns Down Under

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AS GORD Bamford readies himself for another visit to Australia, Rebecca Belt revisits her chat with the Canadian-Australian at CMC Rocks Queensland 2018.

Catching up at CMC Rocks, Gord said he was excited to be part of such a huge festival and to build on the success off his previous Australian visits.

“Things have really taken a big jump for me and I want to spend as much time as I can here,” he said.

“There are more Canadians here this year than I’ve ever seen and this is as good a festival as I’ve ever seen.”

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Dean Brody’s Australian Dirt Road Stories

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AS WE count down to the announcement of the CMC Rocks Queensland 2019 artist announcement, Rebecca Belt revisits some of her CMC Rocks 2018 interviews.

A FLYING visit Down Under in March saw Dean Brody perform twice at CMC Rocks Queensland to the delight of the Australian country music lovers.

Arriving on the Wednesday prior to the festival and leaving on Sunday didn’t give the Canadian singer-songwriter a lot of time in the country, but enough time to leave a lasting impression with new and old fans, alike.

The singer-songwriter said he would love to return to Australia and spend a month or more here to really appreciate the country and soak up the sights.

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Beautiful Weeds on Bennett, Bowtell & Urquhart’s new album

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By Rebecca Belt

IT IS hard to beat the harmonies and depth of songwriting of Bennett, Bowtell & Urquhart as the trio launch their album, Weeds, tonight, September 14, at the Acoustic Picnic in Sydney.

“Recording this album was easier this time because we know our sound and roles now and we all understand the space we have to leave, too,” Felicity Urquhart said.

“Leaving the gaps is just as important as the harmonies and the arrangements are fun to work out, too. This project was always about enjoyment, although we get in there and work hard.”

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Jemma Beech’s life as a country song on debut album

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By Rebecca Belt

FROM the rolling hills of Picton to the mine trucks of Paraburdoo, singer-songwriter Jemma Beech has experienced it all this year, and her experiences have resulted in her stellar debut album, That’s Just Me.

Released on Friday, September 7, That’s Just Me is a culmination of songs from Jemma’s life up to now with plenty of cheekiness and girl power thrown into the mix.

The 25-year-old country artist moved to driving mine trucks in the Pilbara in March this year and her songwriting has flourished.

Working seven days on, and seven days off has meant Jemma can concentrate on music on her days off and dedicate a block of time to her craft and gigs.

“I’ve enjoyed the new experiences that the move has brought,” she said.

“They love having a performer up here because I’ve been able to sing at the Anzac Day ceremony, supported the Johnny Cash tribute show and on a Wednesday night on my weeks off, I go out to Cheela Plains Stations Stay and play around the campfire for the guests and they love it.” Continue reading →