Hundreds Turned Up For The Turnout

The 2007 Tenthill Turnout was an absolute sell out last year, it was the Tenth annual concert to celebrate and pay tribute to, the music and the man that was Stan Coster.

Event coordinator, “Kevin Perks” says it was fantastic to see so many people come and support the night and we are hoping for yet another record crowd this year. Stan Coster was in my opinion, the finest bush ballad songwriter this country has ever seen, and I feel very strongly that his music and heritage should be preserved. So we came up with the idea to hold a tribute concert in Stan’s honour, each May on the Saturday closest to the day he was born, May 27th, 1930.

Stan had a real affinity with the people in the Tenthill district, so many of the folks from around the area became good friends of the Coster’s

Arnie Schulz was one of those folks, Stan first met Arnie in the late eighties and they got along really well, at the time Arnie mentioned to Stan that there was a mountain, near Ropely, that he one day hoped to buy. From that conversation, Stan wrote the song, “Shulzies’ Mountain”, for Arnie, so that song is really quite special   to folks around Tenthill. Arnie passed away last Christmas and he will be sorely missed this year at the Turnout.

The Stan Coster Show, first started playing the Tenthill Hotel, back in the eighties and the crowd swelled to the point that the pub couldn’t hold the people, so every year on their annual tour, the Costers ’would play at the pub on Saturday night, then the following morning Stan, Dottie, Tracy and the whole band would head up to Shulzies mountain. There they would meet up with around 100 or so locals for a barbeque and a yarn with Shulzie. From there everyone would head on back down the mountain to get spruced up for a Sunday afternoon show at the pub.

So, now every year Stan’s daughter Tracy makes the pilgrimage up to Ma Ma Creek Hall to host the night that honors her father. Tracy say’s, “I have really fond memories of playing at the pub, and heading up the mountain, I’m not exactly what you’d call a great horsewoman, but I remember one year we all rode up the mountain and Arnie picked out this really big quiet old horse called Moby for me and I rode him up the mountain alongside my Dad, the view is amazing from up there”!!

It’s interesting how the Tenthill Turnout came about, you see after Dad passed away, long time friend and country music enthusiast, Kevin Perks, and a few locals got together, to form the Lockyer/ Darling Downs, Stan Coster Memorial Committee, with the intent to erect two memorial plaques to honour Dad. One in the car park area of the Tenthill hotel, and one in Centenary Park at Clifton.
To raise the funds necessary to erect the memorials it was decided to have a concert just over the range at the local hall, in the little town of Nobby. This was back in 1998. Many up and coming bush balladeers offered to help out with the show, and gave of their time voluntarily.
In time, the money was raised and the plaques were erected in 2000. The show was so popular it was decided to make the Tenthill Turnout tribute concert, an annual event.

This year Tracy will be presenting a new cd for the first time at Tent Hill, “The Best of Stan Coster” Tracy say’s with so many favourites and hits it was tough to decide which songs to put on the album.” I hadn’t listened to a lot of the songs for quite a long time (couldn’t really). While I was compiling the tracks it was like hearing them for the first time.  I remembered the little things that went into the recording of them originally. It is all his original works fully remastered. It was really nice and I’m very proud of the end result I think it showcases the enormous writing talent he had.”

The Tenthill Turnout will be held at the Ma Ma Creek Hall via Gatton QLD. on Saturday the 31st of May,7.30pm. Tickets available at the Ma Ma Creek Store,
For bookings, phone  Nola, on :- 07 4697 3570 or go to www.tracycoster.com or  www.tenthillturnout.com.au

Gidgee Coal Bush Ballad Award Nominations Now Open
Rules and Conditions link is on left of page

Closing Date: 31st August 2008.

It is open only to Australian citizens whose Bush Ballad material has been written and recorded wholly in Australia and has been commercially released for distribution in Australia for the first time between The 31st August 2006 and 31st August 2008. Commercially released means 500 or more copies of any one title released for sale or commercial use.

Entries for these categories will be received from Independent Bush Ballad Artists or songwriters with nominations in: Male Vocal, Female Vocal, Group or Duo, Instrumental, Album, New Talent, Songwriter, Comedy/Novelty

Keith Jamieson

Brenda-Lee Heathcote Interview

Brenda-Lee is all set to launch a brand new album during the "Hats Off To Country" Music Festival at Tamworth in July. This album holds special signifigance to those who have lost someone close to them through tragedy. Read on & learn about Brenda-Lee.

Q: Where were you born and where did you grow up?

A:. Hi Joy! I was born in the Northern Qld town of Ayr. My Dad was a policeman, (Harry Heathcote and Mum Nancy) was a nurse. Dad's job included transfers from one town to another, so when I was about 5, we moved south to Redcliffe and Woody Point on the peninsula. We were there for 7 years, and then once again, Dad was transferred, this time up

to Maroochydore, Sunshine Coast. I did my high school at Maroochy High and at Burnside High, in Nambour. That was to the age where I left home (after year 12)

Q: Where were you born and where did you grow up?

A:. Hi Joy! I was born in the Northern Qld town of Ayr. My Dad was a policeman, (Harry Heathcote and Mum Nancy) was a nurse. Dad's job included transfers from one town to another, so when I was about 5, we moved south to Redcliffe and Woody Point on the peninsula. We were there for 7 years, and then once again, Dad was transferred, this time up to Maroochydore, Sunshine Coast. I did my high school at Maroochy High and at Burnside High, in Nambour. That was to the age where I left home (after year 12)

Q: Was there anyone in particular who played an influential part in shaping your career?

A: I had a very good grounding in music, from about age 7, when I started to learn the trumpet. I was a part of orchestra's for most of my school years, playing trumpet, and a year on French Horn. My mum also taught piano, of which I would hound her to have a go on all the time. So initially my parents. Then, the music of Chris Rea played a huge part in my direction. I just loved his melodies and lyrics. The person who taught me the do's and don'ts of songwriting above anyone else, was Gary Morris, former manager of Midnight Oil. He spent time going through my work when I was about 19 or so, and taught me about commercial writing for radio and song structure.

Q: How long is it since you first got started in the industry?

A: I probably performed in front of an audience in the orchestra's at about 8 or 9. I was performing in venues, in top 40 bands at about age 16 (shhh) don't tell Mum! Haven't stopped since then.

Q: You do a lot of song writing, but as I understand it you have never recorded an album?

A: I did bring out one release in about '95 called "Sugartown". It was more a collection of songs to be used as an example of my writing, but it went on to be played on radio quite a lot, and I gained a lot from it. It got me into Starmaker, for one thing.

Q: When were you aware that – “Hey, I am a song writer!” Did that just evolve, or did something happen that made you aware of it.

A: I feel that I always was a writer. I wrote my first full song at 11, called "Black Ballet". I moved to Sydney and Melbourne and lived in both for some time, around the age of 17 and 18, and concentrated on writing more than anything. The different cities give a real insight into life, the smells, the atmosphere, the poverty and wealth. I came home a swag of material. I just really never stopped writing. My friends call me 'The Conveyer Belt of songwriting!"

Q: You’ve had some songs recorded by some pretty well known people in the industry, would you like to elaborate on that

A: Sure. Here's some. Shaza Leigh has recorded 2 of my tracks on separate albums, one song was called "Woman At The Wheel". That went to #9 on "Country Music Top 30 Tracks". The last song Shaza released was in 2007, called "Fiddler's Creek", which also went to #9 on the same charts. Fergal Flaherty from Ireland has recorded 2 tracks (2 co-writes with him) called "25 years" and "On Another Day". Bobby Cash, "The Indian Cowboy" has recorded a total of 5 songs on 2 albums, one of which was sung with Smoky Dawson. (The title track called "Cowboy at Heart") I co-wrote 2 songs on the last album with Bobby, and 2 off the first with Lawrie Minson. I co-wrote a song with Matt Scullion, which was recorded by Melbourne band Pfea, The Spencer Band recorded one of mine in 1998, called "Shell Be Ok", which went on to win the 1999 TIARA Award for songwriting. It also went to #16 on the charts. The Wolverines recorded my song "The Ballad of Young Bobby Dale" a couple of years ago, and it is still getting lots of airplay and at their concerts.

Q: This latest exercise – the album “Light Of Hope” – started from a tragic event in your life would you like to elaborate on that.

A: Ok. My Brother, Brian James Heathcote, a well respected radio announcer was murdered while walking home from a venue in Brisbane, in January 2007. It's still going through court, so I can't say too much about it, but 2 people have been charged. I live in Coolangatta, Gold Coast, but was playing in a duo in Brisbane that night, not too far from where it happened. We were packing the next day to head to the January country music festival. We received a phone call that was just too hard to believe. I actually went out of performing, and writing for a while. I couldn't get my head around it. I couldn't even speak to anyone without breaking down. Even if the conversation had nothing to do with it. What made it harder too, was that Brian was "The Voice of Kmart". Over the past 4 -5 years, if you had entered a Kmart, SuperCheap Auto, or Super AMart, you would have heard his voice. He worked for Australian Retail Radio Network, based in Aspley, Brisbane. So even if I went into a shop, I would hear his voice - and - well it was pretty hard to say the least. I started painting (another of my favorite past times). I read an article in the paper about a lady, an artist from Cabarita NSW, who was putting on an exhibition of her artwork in a gallery in Murwillumbah NSW. She was dedicating it to her late brother Michael, who had been murdered 11 years earlier. I had to meet her. Her name is Cath Grant. We have become very close friends over the past year and a half. Cath has co-painted the album cover with me. The painting is called "Light of Hope" and will be auctioned at the album launch in July at "Hats Off". The money raised will go to the Queensland Homicide Victims Support Group. I was asked by a singer songwriter from Dubbo, Sharon Lane, to write some songs for an upcoming album she was working on at the time. I hadn't written anything at all since the death of my brother, so I said ok, but I couldn't guarantee what the song would be like. I tried not to make it too sad, but wasn't up to writing humerus lyrics or melodies, so I just wrote exactly how I felt at the time. The song is called "So This Is Life". Sharon didn't end up using the song, so I asked her if she would mind if I took it back. She was fine about it. I entered the song into the 2007 Australian Songwriter's Awards. I only had enough money for one song, as I hadn't worked since Brian's passing. The song went on to win the "Rudy Brandsma Award" for excellence in songwriting, out of a field of about 4000. Mum came to Sydney with us in the car (My fiance Scott Lloyd Shelly, who is producing the album) and we performed it live on the night. That was tough! Got a bit shaky towards the end I can tell you!
Once home, I started to think about the fact that the song was received so well, and decided to write a whole album of songs, for people who felt just the way I did, and thought that they might like to hear some music, written by someone who's been there, so to speak. As I said, I didn't have any money, so I applied for a grant, through the Gold Coast City Council, an RADF grant, which is for the career development of an artist. On the second round, and after much paperwork, I achieved it. We could start at least. Scott has produced the whole album, virtually for free, I have written all of the songs, and various wonderful artists put up their hands to sing the songs. We're also donating a percentage of profits back to the Homicide Victims Support Group, as they don't have any funds (very minimal) to help people in my situation, when you find yourself out of money directly related to homicide. We have some fantastic support on board too, Paul Stanley of the Matthew Stanley Foundation donated $1000 towards the project. Paul goes to schools and institutions speaking about "Party Safe" campaign, to help youngsters understand the dangers of today's house parties, and the "One punch can kill" campaign. The "One Punch Can Kill' Campaign is also backing our project. Some great friends have pitched in money to make the launch possible, and some businesses, such as Country Comfort Motels have given discounts on rooms in Tamworth on the night of the launch, and Tooheys are helping with some liquid treats!

Q: You have one track on there recorded by Paul & Helen Mateki all the way from America, that’s pretty special too… How did that come about

A: I met Paul quite a few years ago in Tamworth, when he was over at one of the festivals. I was running a stage in Tamworth Arcade with 135 acts over 9 days. Paul didn't have any gigs lined up, and asked me if I could give him any spare spots. So I jiggled and juggled, and managed to get him as many as I could, which was quite a few. He was always grateful, and we remained friends. He always liked one of my songs from a few years ago, and was going to record it. I told him about what had happened last year, and about the album, and asked if he would like to be a part of it. He said "YES"! He asked if I could write something that Helen could sing with him, so I wrote a duet, called "Come Cryin' To Me" of which they plan to release on July 4th in America, the same day that we will be releasing the album. The Mateki's have had a lot of chart success in America, so don't surprised to see them do something amazing with this song!

Q: Your most memorable occasion?

A: In Music? Winning the Rudy Brandsma Award in Sydney with family and friends there, and getting acknowledgment and official membership of my Publishing business "Meat Pie Music" this year, from APRA and AMCOS. Personal - good stuff? Being asked to marry Scott.

Q: Your most embarrassing moment

A: How Many?? Just one --- hmmm.... I'd have to say when I was about 16 or 17, big support up in Mooloolaba Sunshine Coast - supporting "The Divinyls" it was mid 80's and they were in their prime (so was I!!) All my school peers were at the gig. About 2000 people in the place. I did the big running stage entrance for the opening song, and slid with my new boots, all the way off the stage and into the audience........... high stage....... oh, that's even hard to think about now........ Chrissy Amphlett had even lent me her own microphone. dear oh dear. I have many sad yet funny tales. Bit clumsy really.

Q: I know you spent some time in Tamworth and enjoyed living there as a good place to write.

A: Yeah, I love Tamworth. I was told when I lived in Brisbane in the early to mid nineties, that I wouldn't achieve anything by living in Tamworth. They told me to stay in Bris, and do it from there. Well, I'm glad I moved. Not only did I fall in love with the place itself, the people I met are like family and always will be. I met a lot of people of whom I've written with also, and I met my fiance Scott there. What's not to like about it?!! I worked on a radio station for 3 years when I first went down, in Willowtree, and owned the old Post office there for 9 years. All in all, I was there for around 9 years including my time in Willowtree. I doubt I would have achieved the success I have to this point without my time there. The only reason I moved away, was to be with Scott, who for personal reasons, couldn't move down, so I had to move up to Cooly, otherwise I would still be there.

Q: I have placed the titles of the tracks below, and you may add a comment to any or all of them if you wish.

A: Anthony Snape, is such a talent. He moved to the USA in January of this year, and has been doing some amazing things over there. He has already had one of his songs from his latest album "Disappearing Day" played on America's version of "The Biggest Loser" and has been playing a fair bit with Tommy Emmanuel over there. He did a fantastic vocal on "So This Is Life" which was the first song to be singled from "Light of Hope". It's just entering the Mildura Charts now.

Candice Long. Candice is a once step daughter of mine, from many years ago. Candice's Dad and I split up many years ago, and I have always wanted to catch up with her. Apparently she did too! I had found her previously on myspace, and we had been chatting a bit on line. I told her about what had happened, and the album and asked her if she would like to be a part of it. She said "absolutely". She has performed a song which I initially wrote for the Corrs, but because of a major computer crash many years ago, they didn't get it. Maybe it was always destined for Candice. She sings it so well. Candice was the winner of Channel 9's "Lounge Room Legends" late last year.

Cross the Rubicon:- sung by Brad Lee. Brad lives pretty close to us up here, and has had a couple of albums out in the past. He's more of a bush balladeer though he does have a number of uptempo songs in his arsenal. He's been a Starmaker Grand Finalist, won a stack of awards, and plays the part of "The Big Bopper" in the touring Buddy Holly Show. Lovely guy, great voice, we've got to get him back out into the public eye as a recording artist himself!

The Mateki's. Just lovely people, and talented. I explained the story earlier. Paul and Helen are wonderful.

Vanya - "Talking To Ghosts" -- tell me this song wasn't hard to write. Perhaps one of the most heartfelt songs I've written for the album. When I was working on the radio in Willowtree, I used to play some of Vanya's tracks from the album she had out at the time. I always loved her voice. So did a lot of others! So when I moved up to the coast, and Vanya asked Scott to play guitar for her at one of her gigs last year, we became friends. I asked her if she would like to do a song, and she said she'd love to. Vanya also lost a cousin to murder some time back.

Michael King:- Michael and I have known each other since the early 90's. He's always been an amazing person, and such a talented artist. Butterfly Wings was not originally written for this album, but Michael had heard it years ago, and wanted to sing it on one of his albums. The album did not eventuate. We played Butterfly Wings at Brian's funeral. We thought it only appropriate that it be included on the album, and who better to perform it, than Michael. He agreed straight up to be a part of the album, and to sing the song.

Sharon Lane:- Sharon was the instigator for the album really. She was the one who originally asked for the songs for her album, from which I went on to write "So This Is Life". We both have bitter sweet moments over the past few years, and have become close friends. She endured life threatening brain surgery that she allowed to be filmed and aired on the tv show "RPA" and then again on the follow up series, "RPA Where are they Now?" I endured the loss of Brian. Sharon went on last year to win the "Most Promising New Talent" award at the Deadly Awards, I went on not long after, to win the Rudy Brandsma award for the song "So This Is Life" that Anthony Snape is now singing on the album. I had to have Sharon on this album. She was just a must have! She's such a lovely person and talented as well! I wrote her a song especially for her and the album, called "How's Your Journey Going?". We met in Tamworth on May 16th just gone to put her vocals down at Gary Brown's Hilltop Studio. She (and family) drove from Dubbo and Scott and I from Coolangatta. Lawrie Minson came up and donated his time and talents on pedal steel. It was a fabulous time.

Pam Spencer -- Ahh, Pammy. We go back as well. Like I said earlier, Pam and the Spencer Band recorded one of my tracks in 1998 on a 5 song EP. The band broke up a few years later, much to the disappointment of Northwest NSW fans. Pam asked me if I'd like to take her place as lead singer for a while, so I did. The band didn't ever go back to the original line up, so Pam's brother, Kevin and I, decided to work as a duo, called "Oak St" We worked for about 2 and a half years. Pam and I always remained good friends. She moved up to Queensland a few years ago, and knowing how much the local community had missed her personality and talent, I asked her if she would like to be a part of the album, hoping to boost her back into the spot light a little. I hope it does, because she's a wonderful artist who should be heard. I gave Pam an uplifting and happy song to sing, as I think it will make her shine.

Bobby Cash:- Bobby has become a good friend over the years, with his albums, and songwriting. I caught up with him at the Celebrity Cricket Match this year at the Tamworth Festival, where we were on the same team. (oh - incidentally -- We won!!) He asked about what I was doing and I told him. I asked him if he would like to be a part of it, and he said "Absolutely", so I have written him a song that I think will suit his style of singing and guitar playing. All of the songs have to suit the theme of the album also, so it's been a bit tricky juggling the elements!

Jason Kemp:- Kempy - what a larriken!! Funny funny guy, and just all round top bloke. A fabulous songwriter himself, he's picked up a writing deal in Nashville, through Australia's own Michael Flanders who has set up a publishing company "PIM" over there and is doing exceedingly well. Had to have Kempy on the album, and had to write him something he could relate too. So I wrote him an uptempo tune called "No Party On The Farm Tonight". Kempy lives in St George in outback Qld. He came and did the vocals while he was over for the Caboolture Country Music Festival.

Tania Kernaghan. Tania and I have become friends after my move up to the Coast. She said she would love to support the album. Initially I was going to write her a song, but she did tell me from the start that she had just taken on a massive job with her television show, so if time was of the essence, as it was, that she would give us a song which suited the theme of our album, from her album "Higher Ground". The song is called "Picking Up The Pieces". It's wonderful to have her support, she's a truly lovely person.

Q: Is there anything you would like to add that we haven’t already mentioned?

A: This album, is meant to be of benefit to everyone involved. Some of the artists performing, and radio dj's I have spoken to since the inception of the album have been closely affected by homicide. It's so much more prevalent than many people are aware of, or are willing to talk about. From the artists, (some need a boost back into the industry from a recording point of view) to the listeners (it may help some deal with grief knowing that the songs came from the horses mouth), the producer, the QHVSG, the Matthew Stanley Foundation,

The One Punch Can Kill campaign, myself as a writer, and getting the message out there, that there is too much violence within our communities. It leaves a devastating and lasting effect on all who are touched by it. Awareness is the first step. Thinking before acting - is the second.

Thanks for the interview Joy.
All the best
Brenda-Lee

Available from: http://www.brendaleeheathcote.com

Expressions of Interest sought for CMAA College

Expressions of interest are invited for the positions of Group Leaders and Musical Assistants for the CMAA Australian College of Country Music.

The CMAA is looking for three Group Leaders and three Musical

Assistants to be a part of the 2009 College experience, under the auspices of Peter Winkler, College Director.

Applications, addressing the Desirable Qualities listed, close Friday, 27th June, 2008. To download the position descriptions please click here <http://www.country.com.au/index.cfm?page_id=1155>.

Scholarships for the 2009 intake of the
CMAA Australian College of Country Music have now been confirmed.

The CMAA acknowledges the wonderful support offered to our next generation of Country music artists by:

Australian Bush Balladeers Association Inc.
Adelaide River Show Society Talent Quest
NZ Gold Guitar Awards
Queensland Country Music Festivals Champion of Champions
SA Council for Country Music Rocky Page Memorial Scholarship
Toyota National Country Music Muster
Troy Cassar-Daley Scholarship funded by Arts NSW *

The scholarships cover accommodation, meals, tuition, rehearsals and the College Graduation Concert - all the winning student has to do is look after their transport to and from Tamworth.

Some scholarships are connected to events that are held from now through to November, so anyone considering applying for a scholarship is advised to lodge their own application prior to the closing date of 29th August, 2008.

Click here <http://www.country.com.au/index.cfm?page_id=1118> for scholarship contact details.

* NSW based Indigenous artists are invited to apply for the Troy Cassar-Daley Scholarship funded by Arts NSW. Applicants need to complete and submit the Application Form <http://country.com.au/files/uploaded/file/PDFs/2009%20College%20Application.pdf> , noting in their application package that they wish to be considered for this scholarship.

Leanie Renton

Hillcrest Music

Congratulations must go to Ross Allen & Hillcrest Music for on his win

A Quick Hello From Michael Fix

Hello friends,

A quick note before I head of to Japan for my first tour. Looking forward this, nice to head overseas without worry of jetlag (only 1 hour time difference). Just 5 shows, if you happen to be in the area, drop in and say konichiwaS!

Tour dates are on the tours page
And then it¹s back to Sydney for another fantastic Hat Trick re-union concert:

Till we meet, again Ssayonara!
Best wishes,
Michael

Tamworth 2008 & Other Gig News Tidbits & Thanks

Welcome to 2008!,..  it's absolutely zipping past, thanks for a ll the emails and letters and keeping in touch.

Induction Into The Australian Country Music "Hands Of Fame":- I was very surprised and honoured to be one of the 2008 Inductees to the Tamworth :|"Hands of Fame" at the Tamworth Country Music Festival this year. It meant getting our hand immortalised in concrete in the Hands of Fame Cornerstone at the Hands of Fame Park on Australia Day along with five other inductees Mick Antonio, Kevin Knapp, Jim Muir, Wally Sparrow & Warren H Williams.  I thought it was just nice enough to sing at the "Roll of Renown" Concert,.. but as you can imagine the surprise

induction was the icing on the cake. Due to having to do a late gig at the Illawarra Folk Festival the night before, I was forced to do an overnight drive from Wollongong to Tamworth to attend rehearsals etc (baby & all!,.. not that he minded, he slept all the way!), and after such an effort I must say this award was indeed heartwarming,  this really was special and made me realise that my contributions to Australian Country Music were worth something,..  I was most humbled to receive it.

Martin Louis Wins Australian Banjo Championship:- Our successful week at the Tamworth Country Music Festival continued with Martin (aka my hubby!) winning the Australian National Banjo Championship (for the third time!!) in a field that included the top players in Australia. The contest was judged by Australia¹s best Bluegrass musicians who also performed a blistering set of bluegrass before the judging.  As the Championships were sponsored by Fender, the prize was a fantastic Acoustic Amplifier (of which William has delighted in playing with all the knobs!)

2007 Iama Prize:- Another wonderful surprise this month for me was not a Win, but a Runner Up position in the Country/Bluegrass Section of the International Acoustic Music Awards, a competition that is run worldwide specifically for acoustic performers. The winner was well-known USA Artist Randy Kohrs, and unlike many competitions these days which are run for glory and not much else, this one actually comes with a prize including cash, strings, a Management & Consulting Evaluation and other good stuff! The competition promotes excellence in Acoustic Music Performance and Artistry and judging is based on excellence in performance, production, songwriting or song choice etc and as well as the prize, I was named as a Top 10 Finalist in the Best Female Artist Section. Not bad for a little known indie from downunder!

New Singles Album Released To Rave Reviews: - The latest album (a compilation album of many of my radio singles over the years) is out there and has gone down a storm!,.. any Media personnel, Djs etc that haven't yet dared to add a Karen Lynne CD to their collection should contact me immediately and I'll organise it.

2nd Most Popular No.1 Single In Uk/Europe:- ...And while I'm on the subject of Singles, I should let you know that Frank Ifield reports that the numbers have been crunched & my winning single Blue Mountain Rain (released last year in UK & Europe in conjunction with my International Spur Award) officially stands as the Second most popular & played Number 1 single in 2007,.... not bad for a little Aussie bluegrass tune, hey!  After an enjoyable night performing at the Canterbury Country show in Sydney to hand the batton on to the 2008 winner, Kirsty Lee Ackers, it was a lovely piece of news to be told & made the long drive home all the nicer! 

Second duet Album Due For Release May 2008:- More good news from myself and long time duo partner Pat Drummond,.. we've actually done it!,  Yes indeed, we have finally stopped talking about it and are about to release our second duet album Long Journey Home. It's been many years since our first joint album Six Days in December album hit the streets in 2000 and far too long to wait for a follow-up, but it's finally (nearly) here. Most performers go through many different phases in their evolution as artists and we both realise that circumstances in both of our lives have meant that we will not be able to tour like we have done in the past so instead of moping about it we think it's time to celebrate our ten years singing & touring together and this album is just that.  It contains many of the songs that we sing in our shows and whilst some songs are tracks from Pat's past solo albums, the duet versions of these songs are very different. We will of course be doing a little touring together to promote the new album, where we can manage it, so please don't miss us if we are visiting your town. If you'd like a copy to promote, play, review etc etc Order Now!!!

Tamworth 2008 & Other Gig News:- Thanks for everyone who came to visit our shows in Tamworth,.. it is really important to support the indies at this festival as, let¹s face it, we do all the real hard work. More and more the major artists seem to just swan in and do their one big concert,.. and then with money bags under their hats, swan out again!,... not us,.. we are in for the long haul,.. we do gigs day in, day out, under not always the best conditions, sweltering in the heat and the rest, what would this festival be without the likes of artists such as us?  Amazingly, the weather was unseasonally comfortable!?,.. for the major part of the festival, the best weather I¹ve experienced in 23 years!   Sorry about the cancellation of our trip to WA & Nannup festival.  It¹s a sad day indeed when an artist has to cancel a gig but losing some of our gigs made the costs simply well outweigh the fees, don¹t worry, we are trying to rearrange this trip for 2009 - any help with promoters, venues, organisers etc would be appreciated. Apologies for not making the ŒShoestring Christmas Event¹, as little William was sick (I must admit after watching the horrendous weather unfold that day, I wasn¹t so disappointed!) Please catch up with us if we are passing your town,.. we have gigs in Nelson Bay and Lightning Ridge coming up.

Tidbits & Thanks:- thanks to all those Djs who spun my little sad winter ballad "The Healing Kind", it enjoyed many weeks wandering through the Top 30, so thanks for the support. Thanks to Andrew Clermont, Sam Smythe, Carter & Carter, Rod McCormack, Bruce Howat, Joan Douglas, Marilyn Morgan, Bill Arnett, Davidson Brothers, Cheryl Byrnes, Bob Howe for all the gigs, Val, Tracey and my Dad for the babysitting & Accommodation - we couldn¹t have got through Tamworth without you. Thanks to Festival Fm, Jill Cameron, Wayne Brennan, Louise Maher, Virginia Jones & Bonita Brown for all the interviews and assistance,.. again we couldn¹t do what we do without you. Thank you Nicki Gillis for the shoes!! (don't ask!),...I've have a few Djs tell me their Radio Stations read out artist Gig Guides regularly, please let me know if this happens at your station & where to send my gig guide details to.  Also If your Radio Station welcomes Artist gig Posters to brighten up it's walls, just let me know and I'll send some! Thanks for all your emailed jokes, Picture funnies, cards etc, but please DON'T send me the fancy powerpoint presentations (.pps files) as I can¹t open them and they take up a lot of download time,..

2008 - New Compilation Album For Karen Lynne

The new year brings forth another album for Australian Country, Folk and Bluegrass artist Karen Lynne. This album is the sixth album in her impressive independent catelogue, which now includes 3 solo albums and two collaborative offerings - one with Sydney Bluegrass band Acoustic Shock and the other with singer/songwriter Pat Drummond.

Titled The Singles, this album is her first compilation album, and combines many of the Radio Singles released from all five previous albums to date in a most delightful package. Being Singles released to Australian Radio, all the songs are top quality and present a genuine sample of each of the albums for anyone interested in seeking out a particular title. Said Karen, It's been well over 20 years now since I started out in my musical career and after all those years singing and five albums I think I've earned my stripes so to speak, and the right to present a compilation album! I guess you could say it was a kind of Celebration of my years singing and recording in the industry and a really nice summary of me & my musical journey so far. Also by using the Singles released to radio over the years, it means that the listener gets a snippet of some of the best tracks from each of my albums, all on one disc.

As Karen has always skated between Country, Bluegrass and Folk, it is a great album for first time fans who may not be familiar with her many styles. It has also been packaged for use as a great promotional tool for any Media personnel wishing to understand more about her music and not only contains 15 tracks, but includes a detailed Discography with biographical & album information, individual track chart placings, Award information for each album and a Video Clip as well. Anyone wanting to know more about the album should contact her through the contact details provided.

Other titles Available from Karen Lynne:-
Labour of Love ¬ Solo (SR 19)
Six Days in December ¬ Duet (SR 18)
Blue Mountain Rain ¬ Bluegrass (SR 20)
Second Wind ¬ Solo Country (SR 38)
Changes - Solo Bluegrass (SR 55)

New Single Release For Karen Lynne

Following on from her Induction into the 2008 Tamworth Hands of Fame and four previous single releases from her Bluegrass album “Changes”, Karen Lynne is now releasing her fifth and last single from this great album, "Blue Mountain Rain” (NFS 121 Track 13).

This track has previously made it to the top of the major 'United Kingdom/European' Country Music chart, debuting in at number three the day after she was named winner of the Frank Ifield International Spur Award (March 2007) and continuing on to hit the Number 1 spot a few weeks later. The single also gained a number one placing on the corresponding independent chart. The track was co-written by Richard Porteous and will hopefully do just as well as an Australian Radio single.

Information & interviews available by contacting:-
Karen Lynne Music, P. O. Box 250, Wentworth Falls, NSW, 2782, Australia
Ph: +612-4757 3292 Fx: +612-4757 3209
Email: KarenLynne@bigpond.com  & www.karenlynne.com or by contacting her management

William Blakeley Music Management
0414 910 014    bookings@williamblakeley.com,
PO Box 132 Enmore NSW 2042
"Country/Bluegrass/Alt-Country/Americana"

anyway,.......Lots of Love!,..
Karen Lynne

Kirsty Lee Akers

Just a quick email to let you know that Kirsty’s video clip, The Territory was to be shown on Video Hits last Sunday. As country music clips aren’t regularly shown on Video Hits this is a huge accomplishment for Kirsty and is another first for Compass Bros Records. This new feat is in addition to the single being added to over 30 radio stations across the country, entering the Country Tracks Top 30, being Country Pick on CMC a few weeks back and the clip already airing on ABC TV’s Rage.

Congratulations Kirsty!
Cheers, Kris

Radio Outreach
The Australian Country Music Hall Of Fame

G'Day Country Music Presenters one and all:

The following is the information available at this time for "Hats Off to Country" to be held in Country Music Capital Tamworth NSW July 3rd - 6th inclusive. The Festival this year includes more than 80 artists with 60 shows plus 150 hours of almost non-stop music for the for day celebration. Performances are scheduled throughout Tamworth with some of the hottest new talent in Australian Country Music plus many more well known established award winning stars.

Leading this star studded entertainment will be "The Slim Dusty Reunion Tour" with Joy McKean, Anne and David Kirkpatrick, their children Kate and James Arneman and Hannah and Daniel Kirkpatrick. Rex Dallas,

Golden Guitar winner and thre generations of his family will perform with other confirmed artists "The Wolverines, Brenda Lee Heathcote, Don Costa, Dale Duncan, Dally Croft, Those Gals, Nev Parnell" plus many more.

The final touches to the full programme are being made at this time and I will send you an updated format as soon as possible in June 2008. I hope you can use some of this during your Country Music programs.

Kind Regards

Barry Davis
for and on behalf of Radio Outreach

Lance Friend Has Friends On No Places
And He Sike Girls, Girls, Girls!!!

A serious singer|songwriter with a larrikin sense of humour Lance Friend says his latest single produced by Brendan Radford and distributed to radio through NfS, I Like Girls, Girls, Girls is inspired by the beautiful women of Australia.

Recorded late last year, Brendon Radford amassed a selection of Australia’s finest Chris Haigh on bass, Michael Rose lap steel, Lawrie Minson banjo, Hugh Curtis fiddle, David Bailey drums, and Michael Muchow and Brendon on guitar.

It’s the last offering in a round of singles released in Australia in the last few years.

Well known for hits like Longreach Sky, Just Met An Angel and Don’t Ring This Ringer Lance and band Friends in No Places, released debut album ‘Hard To Be A Man’ after a more than successful introduction to country music touring and festival appearances on the Northern NSW Coast into Central Queensland and in Country Music Capital.

Friends In No Places a familiar name at the Monto Country Music Festival, The Australian Bush Poets Festival, Outback Festival at Winton supporting Brian Cadd, Ipswich Country Music Festival, The Gemfestival, Lismore Country Music Festival and the Tamworth Country Music Festival gained notoriety for playing a modern country slant to songs not generally recognised in the country charts but recognisable to wider audiences. The band played a mix of modern country, rock and blues and bring to the music scene a fresh aspect with their mix of acoustic guitar, fronted with distinct vocals.

‘The organisers must have liked what they saw. ‘They got us to come back and then they gave us a main stage spot on the Monday’. So this year they were back again as one of the feature artists with Adam Harvey and the Wolverines.

The ability to entertain definitely runs in the Friend family. “I wouldn’t say mum is musical, but she’s certainly got a talent”. Lance said proudly and with good reason. ‘Mum’ is The Naked Poets Pommy poet, Shirley Friend, with hits like Australia’s Bather's and The Mammogram making her an unforgettable asset to the Naked Poet’s Line up.

We just came back from a radio tour all the way down to Geelong and back’ Lance said ‘It’s been a great response. We did a big gig at a college down in Victoria and there was about 1500 people there, I guess because we were from Queensland, we got some special treatment and they really loved it When you’ve got a crowd just standing there, completely into what you’re doing, it’s the biggest buzz around.”

Capital News January 2005

The Band
Friends In No Places’ unique blend of country, rock and blues produces a refreshing brand of country music.

Lance Friend vocals and rhythm guitar, writes or co-writes most of the band’s original music. His dynamic range lends itself perfectly to their sound and his wit on stage gives and added dimension to their live performances.

Brodie Friend on bass guitar and vocals drives the band with his punchy playing style and his fresh country looks are an added bonus!

Peter MacFadzen, crowd pleaser and ex ringer from up North with a style of his own has evolved into one of Australia’s finer country harmonica players.

Lance Galloway, former guitarist for James Blundell and David Bailey, one of Victoria’s premier drummers, FINP play with a passion and wit on stage to produce one of Australia’s top live country bands.

I Like Girls, Girls, Girls distributed to radio NFS 120 Track 11 February, complimentary single distributed in March

Listen out on your local radio station for this catchy, feel good song written and recorded by Friends In No Places now solo artist Lance Friend.

To get your personal copy email Lance for details on where to purchase.

For more information and radio interviews:
Lance Friend
M: 0421 509 780
E: lance_sbe@hotmail.com

Publicist: Rhonda Sinclair Mobile 0438 902413

Adam James' New Single - Free To Fans!!

2008 Toyota Star Maker Grand Finalist - Adam James - has decided to do what many artists consider the unthinkable - giving away his brand new single for free!

The single, "The Country Singer", has just hit radio and tells the familiar story of country singers putting in the hard yakka to make their dreams a reality.  It's something that is close to the heart of this exciting new star because for the last two years he has spent every opportunity performing his own brand of country songs to anyone will listen. This often means sacrificing personal areas of life including family, relationships and home. He understands the whole "blood sweat and tears" saying far too well.

Adam James has been causing quite a stir within country music circles lately - not only a Grand Finalist in the Toyota Star Make quest in January - but he launched his self funded debut EP, "Messages & Memories", to rave reviews and a packed Tamworth Hotel.  The first single, "Many Who Pretend", generated good airplay around Australia and he's also been invited to play at a number of prestigious music festivals including The Dreaming, Urban Country Music and Mildura Country Music Festivals as well as the 2008 North American Indigenous Games being held in Canada in August.

Adam has also been hard at work co-writing with the who's who of songwriters including Adam Harvey, Rod McCormack, Mike Carr, Fiona Kernaghan and Drew McAlister in preparation for his new album due for release in 2009.

Adam James' latest single, "The Country Singer", is available for free download at www.myspace.com/adamjamescountry or www.adamjames.com.au 

For further information or interviews, please contact:
Karen Waters, Red Rebel Music

Carter & Carter

have been nominated for the APRA 2008 Country Work of the Year with their #1 hit Run Away alongside Lee Kernaghan, Troy Casser Daley, James Blundell and Travis Sinclair.

'As songwriters we are thrilled to be nominated for this award in such

incredible company. To all the presenters out there who played this track, thank you so much for playing original Australian music.' - Merelyn & David

More exciting news for Carter & Carter as they set out on their annual tour of Victoria and southern NSW. Put three Multi Award Winners together in one big concert, and you’ve got a Taste of Tamworth at its best. Golden Guitar Winners - Carter & Carter and Travis Sinclair team up with 2008 Toyota Starmaker Winner – Talia Wittmann to give you ‘A Taste Of Tamworth’ you’ll never forget.

Each act brings their own unique form of music and personality to the stage and then team up for a spectacular finale. This show has quickly gaining a respected reputation for providing a high quality taste of Australia’s largest festival Tamworth – a taste that keeps people coming back for more. So come along and be part of the Tamworth experience as the artists launch into a string of their national #1 hits and some well known favourites.

Photo by: Duncan Toombs
Carter & Carter

Spotlight On Dolly Parton

Dolly Rebecca Parton (born January 19, 1946) is a Grammy Award-winning country music singer/songwriter, author, actress and philanthropist. To date, she remains one of the most successful country artists, with 26 number-one singles (a record for a female performer) and 42 top-10 country albums (more than anyone else).
She is known for her distinctive mountain soprano, sometimes bawdy humor, flamboyant dress sense, and her voluptuous figure.

Childhood

Parton was born in Sevierville, Tennessee, the fourth of twelve children born to Robert Lee Parton and Avie Lee Owens. Her siblings are Willadeene Parton (a poet), David Parton, Denver Parton, Bobby Parton, Stella Parton (a singer), Cassie Parton, Larry Parton (who died shortly after birth), Randy Parton (a singer and businessman), twins Floyd Parton (a songwriter) and Freida Parton (a singer), and Rachel Dennison (an actress).
Her family was, as she described them, "dirt poor." They lived in a rustic, dilapidated one-room cabin in Locust Ridge, a hamlet just north of Greenbrier in the Great Smoky Mountains of Sevier County, Tennessee. Parton's parents were parishioners in the Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee), a Pentecostal denomination, and music was a very large part of her church experience. She once told an interviewer that her grandfather was a Pentecostal "holy roller" preacher. Today, when appearing in live concerts, she frequently performs spiritual songs. (Parton, however, professes no denomination, claiming only to be "spiritual" while adding that she believes that all the Earth's people are God's children.)
On May 30, 1966, at the age of 21, she married Carl Dean in Ringgold, Georgia. She met Dean on her first day in Nashville, at age 18, at the Wishy-Washy Laundromat. His very first words to her were: "You're gonna get sunburnt out there, little lady." Dean, who runs an asphalt-paving business in Nashville, has always shunned publicity and rarely accompanies her to any events. The couple have raised several of Dolly's younger siblings at their home in Nashville, leading her nieces and nephews to refer to her as "Aunt Granny." Dean and Parton have no children together.
Dolly is the godmother of singer and actress Miley Cyrus .

Career discovery
Parton began performing as a child, singing on local radio and television programs in East Tennessee. At age 9 she was appearing on The Cas Walker Show on WBIR-TV in Knoxville, Tennessee, and at 13, she was recording on a small record label, Goldband, and appearing at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee. It was that night at the Opry that she first met Johnny Cash, who encouraged her to go where her heart took her, and not to care what others thought. The day after she graduated from high school in 1964 she moved to Nashville, taking many traditional elements of folklore and popular music from East Tennessee with her.
Parton's initial success came as a songwriter, writing hit songs for Hank Williams, Jr. and Skeeter Davis. She signed with Monument Records in late 1965, where she was initially pitched as a bubblegum pop singer, earning only one national chart single, "Happy, Happy Birthday Baby," which did not crack the Billboard Hot 100. Additional pop singles also failed to chart including "Without Love" and "Damn".
The label agreed to have Parton sing country music after her composition, "Put It Off Until Tomorrow," as recorded by Bill Phillips (and with Parton, uncredited, on harmony), went to No. 6 on the Country Charts in 1966. Her first country single, "Dumb Blonde" (one of the few songs during this era that she recorded but didn't write), reached No. 24 on the country charts in 1967, followed the same year with "Something Fishy," which went to Number 17. The two songs anchored her first full-length album,"Hello,I'm Dolly"

Music career
1967 – 1976: Country music success
In 1967, Parton was asked to join the weekly syndicated country music TV program hosted by Porter Wagoner, replacing Norma Jean, who had returned to Oklahoma. Initially, Wagoner's audience was reluctant to warm to Parton and chanted for Norma Jean, but with Wagoner's assistance, she was accepted. Wagoner convinced his label, RCA, to also sign Parton. Since female performers were not particularly popular in the late '60s, the label decided to protect their investment by releasing her first single as a duet with Wagoner. The duo's first single, "The Last Thing on My Mind," reached the country Top Ten early in 1968, launching a six-year streak of virtually uninterrupted Top Ten singles.
Parton's first solo single, "Just Because I'm a Woman," was released in the summer of 1968 and was a moderate hit, reaching number 17. For the remainder of the decade, none of her solo efforts — even "In the Good Old Days (When Times Were Bad)," which would later become a standard — were as successful as her duets. The duo was named Vocal Group of the Year in 1968 by the Country Music Association, but Parton's solo records were continually ignored. Wagoner and Parton were both frustrated by her lack of solo success, because he had a significant financial stake in her future — as of 1969, he was her co-producer and owned nearly half of the publishing company Owepar.
By 1970, both Parton and Wagoner had grown frustrated by her lack of solo success, and Porter had her sing Jimmie Rodgers' "Mule Skinner Blues," a gimmick that worked. The record shot to number three on the charts, followed closely by her first number one single, "Joshua." For the next two years, she had a number of solo hits — including her signature song "Coat of Many Colors" (number four, 1971) — in addition to her duets. Though she had successful singles, none of them were blockbusters until "Jolene" reached number one in early 1974. Parton stopped traveling with Wagoner after its release, yet she continued to appear on television and sing duets with him until 1976.
She stayed with the Wagoner show and continued to record duets with him for seven years, then made a break to become a solo artist. In 1974, her song, "I Will Always Love You" (written about her break from Wagoner), was released and went to #1 on the country charts. Around the same time, Elvis Presley indicated that he wanted to cover the song. Parton was interested until Presley's manager, Colonel Tom Parker, told her that she would have to sign over half of the publishing rights if Presley recorded the song (as was the standard procedure for songs he recorded). Parton refused and that decision is credited with helping make her many millions of dollars in royalties from the song over the years. It was decisions like these, in fact, that caused her to be called "The Iron Butterfly" in showbiz circles. She also claims to have made over $6 million from Whitney Houston's cover version of this song.

1977 – 1986: Branching out into Pop music
Parton later had commercial success as a pop singer, as well as an actress. Her 1977 album, Here You Come Again, was her first million-seller, and the title track ("Here You Come Again") became her first top-ten single on the pop charts (reaching No. 3); many of her subsequent singles charted on both pop and country charts, simultaneously. Her albums during this period were developed specifically for pop/crossover success. With less time to spend on her songwriting, as she focused on a burgeoning film career, the early 1980s found Parton recording a larger percentage of material from noted pop songwriters, such as Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, Rupert Holmes, Gary Portnoy, and Carole Bayer Sager. In 1978, Parton won the Grammy award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance for her Here You Come Again album.
From 1974 to 1980, she consistently charted in the country Top Ten, with no less than eight singles reaching number one. Parton had her own syndicated television show, Dolly, in 1976 and by the next year had gained the right to produce her own albums, which immediately resulted in diverse efforts like 1977's New Harvest...First Gathering. In addition to her own hits during the late '70s, many artists, from Rose Maddox and Kitty Wells to Olivia Newton-John, Emmylou Harris, and Linda Ronstadt, covered her songs, and her siblings Randy and Stella received recording contracts of their own.
Parton's commercial success continued to grow during 1980, as she had three number one hits in a row: the Donna Summer-written "Starting Over Again," "Old Flames (Can't Hold a Candle to You)," and "9 to 5." "9 to 5", the theme song to the movie Parton starred in 1980, along with Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, did not just reach No. 1 on the Country charts, but also No. 1 on the Pop and Adult Contemporary charts, giving her a triple No. 1 hit. Parton became one of the few female Country singers to have a No. 1 single on the Country and Pop charts simultaneously.
Parton's singles continued to appear consistently in the country Top Ten: between 1981 and 1985, she had 12 Top Ten hits and half of those were number one singles. Parton continued to make inroads on the pop charts as well with a re-recorded version of "I Will Always Love You" from The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas scraping the Top 50 and her Kenny Rogers duet "Islands in the Stream" (which was written by the Bee Gees and produced by Barry Gibb) spending two weeks at number one.
However, by 1985 many old-time fans had felt that Parton was spending too much time courting the mainstream. Most of her albums were dominated by the adult contemporary pop of songs like "Islands in the Stream," and it had been years since she had sung straightforward country. She also continued to explore new business and entertainment ventures such as her Dollywood theme park, which opened in 1986. Despite these misgivings, she had continued to chart well until 1986, when none of her singles reached the Top Ten. RCA Records didn't renew her contract after it expired that year, and she signed with Columbia in 1987.

1987 – 1994: Return to country roots
In 1987, along with Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt, she released the decade-in-the-making Trio album, to critical acclaim. The album strongly revitalized Parton's temporarily stalled music career, spending five weeks at #1 on Billboard's Country Albums chart, selling several million copies and producing four Top 10 Country hits including Phil Spector's "To Know Him Is To Love Him," which went to #1. Trio was nominated for a Grammy Award for Album Of The Year and was awarded "Best Country Vocal Performance - Duo or Group." (A second and more contemporary collaboration, "Trio II," would finally see release in 1999 and would be another Grammy-winning success). In 1993, she teamed up with fellow country music queens Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette for a similar project, the Honky Tonk Angels album.
1989's White Limozeen, which produced two number one hits in "Why'd You Come in Here Lookin' Like That" and "Yellow Roses." Though it looked like Parton's career had been revived, it was actually just a brief revival before contemporary country came in the early '90s and moved all veteran artists out of the charts. A 1991 duet with Ricky Van Shelton, "Rockin' Years," reached No. 1 in 1991, but Parton's greatest commercial fortune of the decade -- and probably of all-time -- came when Whitney Houston recorded "I Will Always Love You" for The Bodyguard soundtrack, and both the single and the album were massively successful. In 1993, she recorded the album Honky Tonk Angels with Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette. The album was certified "Gold" by the RIAA, and helped revive the careers of Wynette and Lynn.

1995 – present: Career today
Parton re-recorded "I Will Always Love You" with Vince Gill, and they won a CMA award for vocal event in 1996. Taken from the album Trio II, a cover of "After the Gold Rush" won a Grammy for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals in 1999, and Parton was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame later that year.
She recorded a series of critically acclaimed bluegrass albums, beginning with "The Grass is Blue" (1999) and "Little Sparrow" (2001), both of which won Grammy Awards. Her 2002 album "Halos & Horns" included a bluegrass version of the Led Zeppelin classic Stairway to Heaven. In 2005, Parton released Those Were The Days, her interpretation of hits from the folk-rock era of the late 1960s through early 1970s. The CD featured such classics as John Lennon's "Imagine," Cat Stevens' "Where Do The Children Play," Tommy James' "Crimson & Clover," and Pete Seeger's folk classic "Where Have All The Flowers Gone."

In 2006, she earned her second Oscar nomination for "Travelin' Thru," which she wrote specifically for the film Transamerica. Due to the song's nature of accepting a transgender woman without judgement, Dolly received numerous death threats as a direct result. She also returned to No. 1 on the country charts later that year by lending her distinctive harmonies to the Brad Paisley ballad, "When I Get Where I'm Going." In September 2007, Parton released her first single off her own record company, Dolly Records titled, "Better Get to Livin'", which eventually peaked at No. 48 on the Hot Country Songs chart. Her latest album, Backwoods Barbie was released February 26, 2008 and reached #2 on the country charts. The album's debut at No. 17 on the all-genre Billboard 200 albums chart was the highest in her career.

Songwriting
Parton is a hugely successful songwriter, having begun by writing country music songs with strong elements of folk music in them, based upon her upbringing in humble mountain surroundings, and reflecting her family's evangelical Christian background. Her songs "Coat of Many Colors" and "Jolene" have become classics in the field, as have a number of others. As a composer, she is also regarded as one of country music's most gifted storytellers, with many of her narrative songs based on persons and events from her childhood. Parton has published almost 600 songs with BMI to date and has earned 37 BMI awards for her material.

Lonnie Ratliff

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