Ali S. Kix it up with new single

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FRIDAY, November 3 is a special day for Queensland country singer-songwriter Ali S. as he premieres his next single and music video, Talking Bout Brooks and Dunn, on Kix Country.

“Kix Country has supported my first single, I Need A Beer, so it’s a privilege to have them premiering my new song, Talking Bout Brooks and Dunn,” Ali said. “They are great promoters of country music across Australia.”

Crossy will interview Ali and premiere the new single after 7.30am QLD time on Friday morning. Continue reading →

Winton showcases international talent at Way Out West Fest

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WALTZING Matilda is ingrained in the Australian psyche and has inspired a nation. In April 2018, Winton celebrates the re-opening of the iconic Waltzing Matilda Centre with one of the biggest inland music and culture festivals ever held in Queensland, with Winton’s Way Out West Fest.

Bringing together artists from country, pop, rock and blues, the festival brings Jessica Mauboy, John Williamson, The Living End, Kip Moore (USA), Lee Brice (USA), Sheppard, Busby Marou, Russell Morris, The Black Sorrows, Pierce Brothers and more together for the the four-day festival from April 19-22. Continue reading →

CMC Rocks Queensland fans have Luke Bryan wishes granted

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THE name that has been high on CMC Rocks audience members’ lips for so long is Luke Bryan and organisers have granted their wishes with the country singer, known for his dance moves, headlining the 2018 festival.

Alongside Luke, fellow US artists Darius Rucker and Kelsea Ballerini round out the headliners. The excitement doesn’t end there, with a swag full of international and Australian acts gracing the stages of CMC Rocks Queensland in 2018.

Starting with the USA, we have Dustin Lynch, Old Dominion, Dan + Shay, Randy Houser, Brett Young, Brothers Osborne, Luke Combs, Russell Dickerson, Davisson Brothers Band, and Ryan Follese.

Continuing the international flavor, Canadians Dean Brody and Gord Bamford make a welcome return, joined by fellow Canucks High Valley.

From across the ditch, CMC welcomes Jody Direen and Kaylee Bell back to the fold.

The Australian line-up is nothing less than impressive with Busby Marou, Travis Collins, Sunny Cowgirls, Troy Kemp, Jayne Denham, Steve Forde, Melanie Dyer, Missy Lancaster, Baylou, Mustered Courage, The Viper Creek Band, Casey Barnes, and Route 33, with the current Toyota Star Maker Rachael Fahim rounding out the Australian contingent.

Crowds will begin flocking to Willowbank Raceway on Thursday, March 15 for campers and then Friday, Saturday and Sunday for the general admission ticket holders.

Pre-sale tickets went on sale yesterday, Wednesday, October 4, and sold out within an hour, but never fear, general public one-sale begins at 10am AEDT (9am Qld) on Monday, October 9, so don’t miss out. Continue reading →

Nicholson pours Love and Blood into new release

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By Rebecca Belt

A PRODUCER handing the reins of his own album to someone else can be a daunting experience, but it’s a plan that’s working out for Shane Nicholson and Matt Fell. Shane’s latest album, Love and Blood, sees Matt back in the production chair and Shane taking on the role of solely being the artist.

“Making my record, is not something I do in my studio anymore because I enjoy the process more if I’m just an artist,’ he said. “I did more of that this time and went down the same path.”

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BLOG: CMAA Junior Academy of Country Music celebrates

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WEDNESDAY may be hump day in the rest of the world, but at the CMAA Junior Academy of Country Music, every day is a party and we’re on the downhill run to our amazing graduation concert at 7pm on Friday night at Calrossy Anglican School.

Everywhere you turn at the academy, there is music. There are small groups going over the songs they will perform that they may have written together, there is the band rehearsing their songs and learning charts and there are full-on rehearsals happening in the hall in preparation for one of the biggest nights of the students’ careers so far.

With rehearsals for the grad concert in full swing, the tension and nerves are almost palpable no matter where you go on campus, but it all makes for an amazing experience. This is all mixed with media interviews and today another four students appeared on radio with Jon Wolfe and Jodie Crosby. Continue reading →

BLOG: CMAA Junior Academy of Country getting to pointy end

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I’m a day late with this update, sorry. Day 4, Tuesday, was the biggest day at academy thus far. I can’t believe we’re halfway through already!

Tuesday brought with it more co-writing with Allan Caswell and Aleyce Simmonds as well as the group leaders and the students have been writing with their peers. I’m amazed at the calibre of the songs these young people are coming up with. I would find it very difficult to write a news story with someone else, let along pour my emotions or my story out into a song with someone else’s input. I am truly amazed by their talents. Continue reading →

BLOG: CMAA Junior Academy of Country Music talent astounds

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DAY 3 dawned in below zero temperatures as is the case at this time of the year in Tamworth, but the talent and music coming out of this CMAA Junior Academy of Country Music is hot, hot, hot.

The biggest news on the block was former student Judah Kelly’s win on The Voice. There were massive celebrations here last night in the boarding house, with cups of tea as it’s a dry academy.

Today we had the company of Allison Forbes again, along with fellow Tamworth artist Aleyce Simmonds and Allan Caswell was back in the writer’s hot seat. Joining us to chat about media and country music magazines was Country Music Capital News manager Cheryl Byrnes. Continue reading →

BLOG: CMAA Junior Academy of Country Music Welcome

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THE students, parents, group leaders and support staff members have moved in and the CMAA Junior Academy of Country Music is up and running. Coming from as far away as Western Australia and Tasmania, the students are in for a treat during their eight-day intensive course.

Excitement was high as they all arrived in Tamworth on Friday night and Saturday moved into their rooms at Calrossy Anglican School on Saturday morning. The students and parents all got to know each other on Saturday afternoon as the students ran through songs for the show on Saturday night at The Pub.

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Darren Coggan focused on The Wide Horizon

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By Rebecca Belt
THE Wide Horizon could well be one of the most highly anticipated albums on the Australian country music calendar for 2017.

Singer-songwriter Darren Coggan is back with a range of songs that blend to form a work that makes you want to slide it into your car stereo and hit the road. As well as celebrating the country we live in and a couple of songs that have defined Australian music, The Wide Horizon also celebrates Darren’s love for his wife and children.
“The album overall is a really very accurate representation and picture of who I am in my life,” Darren said.
“With Peace Train (the Cat Stevens show), I have travelled a lot and it’s opened my eyes to a new audience and new way of performance and reaching out to people. This album really represents those last few years.” Continue reading →