Tag: country music

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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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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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 →

Muster be making a difference

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THE Gympie Music Muster kicks off this week – August 23 – and continues to give back to rural communities who are doing it tough.

Muster spokesperson Lori Hoffmann said rural communities have been suffering in these dry times.

“Depression and isolation become more prevalent, spending in regional towns decreases and the knock-on affect is widely felt,” she said.

“Music festivals like the Muster help to alleviate some of that pain, by bringing like-minded people together for a mental break and giving them the chance to relax for a few days. They also help to draw money into our regional communities at a time when it’s needed most.”

Seventy-five percent of 2017 Muster-goers travelled from outside the region to attend, contributing to an overall economic impact of $6.20m for Queensland, 83% of which was felt in the greater Gympie region.

“The Muster has always been about community coming together,” Lori said.
“And we are privileged to be able to be continue that tradition in a meaningful way again this year.” 

In the lead-up to this year’s festival, the Gympie Music Muster donated 30 four-day festival tickets to Drought Aid to bring drought-affected landowners to the event, and will also shout them a feed at the Muster’s Biggest Ever Bloke’s Lunch hosted by 2018 charity partner Prostate Cancer Foundation Australia.

The Muster is a much-needed helping hand for those regional communities doing it tough.

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Today’s the day for Grace Mae

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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 →