March Birthdays

Jeff Brown On Tour

Traditional Country music artist Jeff Brown is currently on tour which commenced with performances at the 2010 Tamworth Country Music Festival.

A highlight for Jeff at this year’s festival was performing at Joy McKean’s (the wife of the late Slim Dusty) 80th birthday concert at the Capitol Theatre in Tamworth. Jeff was asked to sing a song written by Joy and was accompanied by the famous “Travelling Country Band” which was Slim’s touring band.

Jeff is currently touring with lead guitarist Ricky Shipp and Jim Strohfeld throughout Tasmania, Victoria and NSW, playing 4 nights per week. For

those unfamiliar with Jeff’s music, he loves singing and playing traditional bush ballads including songs about this land and its people. Jeff relates to the songs he sings and his easy listening voice gives them a fresh quality.

One of the highlights of Jeff’s career to date was winning a Golden Guitar at the Tamworth Country Music Festival in 2005 for “Bush Ballad of the Year”.

Check out the “Tours Page” to see where you can catch up with Jeff, for other enquiries, phone Jeff on 0429 623 796

Lyn Brown

Eliza Had A Busy Time In Tamworth

Eliza Parker & Joy McKean Tamworth 2010

Hi From Eliza.

Well what a busy time I had at Tamworth.
I was a guest artist at the Bush Balladeer Star Quest final and it was great to sing with Charley Boyter and this band. Of course Charley played and toured with Slim Dusty for many years.

I also sang as a guest artist at the ABBA star quest winners show. With Sharon Smith, Rachel Richards and Natham Charlton. Plus it was nice to meet Joy McKean, as I sing a lot of the songs that she has written over the years.

I also did some busking in Peel Street. Plus I sang at the Frog And Toad Centre with Anita Ree.

It was also good to meet up with my fellow South Australians when we did the SA Showcase at the Hands Of Fame Park.

I also sang at three talent quest, plus I sang at the Bush Balladeers Homestead. It was great to sing at the homestead and catch up with  ABBA members.

I also got the chance to sing with my good friend Des Morgan, and I sang my song Spanish Guitar about Tex Morton at the Tex Morton Touring Museum. We also saw a few shows and had a good look around town.

Well it was 10 days of full on action, but I can’t wait to go again next year

Thanks From Eliza
And Keep It Country

"Tubby" Dyer, Broadcaster on 96.3 and 94One F/M Central Coast with Hank

Hank Sasaki first came to Australia early2002 at the invitation of "Tubby", who had featured his music on the  "Bar-B-Q Country" Radio show after receiving tracks from Hank.

He became a regular visitor "Down-Under" and toured not only to Tamworth but Barham, Whittlesea, Tasmania, Oueensland, Central Coast and the Hunter Valley area to name a few, and Aussies instantly took to his genuine love of country, he even penned some relevent tracks, one being "Hank, Lefty, Slim Dusty & Me" which is featured on one of his four C/D releases.

He has just returned to Nashville after undergoing treatment in Japan for Lung cancer, and is hopefully on the road to recovery."Tubby" advises that E-mails of support can be sent to: hakimusic@aol.com...

Tubby Dyer

Country Music’s 10 Greatest Tragedies

Thanks to my friend Les Singer who keeps me updated with news that I sometimes miss.  There is one more great tragedy not listed which would make a total of 11 of Country Music’s Greatest Tragedies.  The 10 great stars we have lost were great losses to our industry and have taken their toll.  There are so many more that I can think of and I know you will also, but… I have listed #11.

 March 5th marks the 47th anniversary of the day the music died for country music fans. On that evening, a Piper Comanche airplane carrying Patsy Cline, Hawkshaw Hawkins, Cowboy Copas, and pilot Randy Hughes crashed not more than two hours from Music City on the way back from a benefit concert for a Kansas City air personality, killing all aboard. With that sad date in mind, LimeWire Music Blog looks back on ten of the most tragic dates in country music history. In each of these cases, I will offer my thoughts on what might have happened had these events not occurred, in an attempt to answer the never-ending question: What If?

  1. January 1, 1953: Somewhere between Knoxville, TN and Oak Hill, WV—nobody knows for sure—Hank Williams passed away in the backseat of a Cadillac while on his way to a New Years show in Canton, OH. Though his personal life had been erratic, a new marriage and huge success on the charts in 1952 offered hope that things would improve in the New Year. With radio being more prevalent than during the time of the death of Jimmie Rodgers some two decades ago, Williams’ death is one of those moments fans will never forget. While it did tragically cut short his life, it also froze him in time, captivating audiences almost six decades later.

What If? Williams had arrived in Canton safely, and performed a show that kicked off a strong year for him. After a couple of years away, he rejoined the Opry in 1954. And though the rock ‘n’ roll crowd took away some of his traditional-based audiences, he remained a chart and crowd favorite through the ’70s and ’80s, before turning over the spotlight to his son, Hank, Jr. His songwriting still became the gold standard in the format.

2. November 4, 1960: Johnny Horton’s ultra-cool voice and matinee-idol looks made him a natural for cross-over stardom, and he did just that. Horton recorded some of the biggest story songs of the era, such as “North To Alaska” and “The Battle Of New Orleans.” However, after a concert date in Austin, TX, he was killed on his way back to his home in Shreveport. Incidentally, his widow—Billie Jean—was no stranger to tragic ends as her first husband also died on the road. His name? Hank Williams.

What If? Horton had returned from his concert date, and kept recording for Columbia with much success. His rockabilly style made him a natural to record many songs from pop star Roy Orbison, the biggest being 1966’s “Oh, Pretty Woman.”

 3. March 5, 1963: Never before, and never since, have three giants in country all died in the same crash. While Cline’s name gets the most attention now, some argue that Cowboy Copas was the biggest name at the time of the crash. Maybe, but Cline was developing a name as the preeminent female vocalist of the day, and there was nowhere to go but up. Copas and Hawkins were both in the middle of career comebacks, with the latter’s “Lonesome-77203” hitting the airwaves just a few days before the tragic accident.

What If? The plane had arrived safely that evening at Nashville, and Cline continued her career climb, recording a long string of hits with Owen Bradley and Decca that kept her on the charts through the mid-’70s. Her biggest musical risk paid off as well, a 1969 album Moods,recorded in Memphis, which inspired countless female singers in pop, soul, and country. The careers of Hawkins and Copas also stayed steady, with Copas becoming a semi-regular on Hee Haw in the mid-’70s. A switch to Capitol in the late ’60s saw Hawkins record frequently with his wife, Jean Shepard.

4. July 31, 1964: Flying back from business trip to Arkansas, Jim Reeves was at the controls of his Beechcraft plane when he entered into rain upon approaching Nashville. The storm proved to be too much for Reeves to overcome, and the plane crashed a few miles south of Nashville. At the time of his passing, Reeves was one of the biggest stars in Nashville, and he stayed that way afterward due to an amazing supply of unreleased recordings that kept him on the charts until 1984.

What If? Reeves had made it home that fateful Friday? He had just released his first film,Kimberley Jim, and with his popularity here and abroad, there was no reason to think more acting wasn’t in the cards. He would have still been a giant on record, and his duet with Dottie West, “Love Is No Excuse,” hinted at a successful recording partnership with the newcomer. As long as he stayed on the charts posthumously, it’s intriguing to wonder if his run of hits would have lasted longer had he survived. One thing is for sure, he was one of the smoothest singers Music City had ever seen.

 5. November 10, 1973: David Akeman, better known as Stringbean, had a reputation for being one of the top comedians and banjo players in the business. His joining the cast of Hee Haw in 1969 helped to make him a household name. He also had a reputation for carrying a large sum of money as he reportedly didn’t believe in banks. After an Opryperformance one Saturday night, he and wife Estelle returned home, only to find two robbers waiting. The two were gunned down in what was definitely one of Nashville’s more dark moments.

What If? As Stringbean was never a fixture on the charts, one can safely assume that he would have stayed on Hee Haw, and became a prominent fixture on the roots music circuit in the ’70s. He probably would have kept up what he was doing, but only for many more years!

  6. July 17, 1974: Don Rich was the leader of perhaps the best back-up band in country music history, the Buckaroos. He could sing harmony, play guitar, and the fiddle like few before or since. He also had a love for motorcycles, which led to his death on a warm summer California evening. After his passing, Buck Owens—as a person or a recording artist—was never the same. Though his chart numbers in the ’70s were not what he was used to in the ’60s, after Rich’s death, he never hit the top as a solo artist again. Owens attributed the death of his “right arm” as one of the main reasons for his 1980 retirement from the stage. As a musician and a singer, Rich had few peers, and influenced so many that came after him, including Rodney Crowell and Vince Gill.

What If? Though Owens had not crested the top of the charts in a couple of years, one can assume that he would have stayed in the game a bit longer. I think with Rich’s influence, Owens might have experimented a little bit more musically in the latter part of the decade—perhaps recording an album of Eagles cover songs. After all, he did record “Hollywood Waltz” for his 1977 Buck Em’ album on Warner Bros., and with Rich backing him on songs like “Take It Easy” and “Lyin’ Eyes,” who knows? I think it could have been a hit!

 7. August 16, 1977: Of course, the importance of this date cannot be underestimated. About 4:00 CST that afternoon, the world stopped when it was announced that Elvis Presley had died. His importance to American music is obvious, but he had his first hits on the country charts, and his last hits on the country charts, a fact that many may not realize.

What If? Since I haven’t delved into what happened to anyone’s personal life had they survived, I’m not going to start here. I think that Presley’s role in country music would have been as big as he wanted it to be. He would always have had an audience for whatever he desired to perform. I think he might have tried acting one more time, having been forced by Col. Parker to turn down A Star Is Born.

  8. October 21, 1978: Things were looking up for Mel Street. The much-revered singer had just signed a huge deal with Mercury Records, and there were plenty of show dates on the books. Everybody in Nashville considered him a singers’ singer—including his hero, George Jones. That being said, it was a shock when news broke the singer committed suicide on his 45th birthday, for reasons that he only knew. As a singer, he was one of few that could rival “The Possum,” who showed up at his funeral to sing “Amazing Grace.”

What If? In Street’s case, I think the dye was being set. His deal with Mercury should have carried him into the big time, and even though Nashville entered the “Urban Cowboy” era in the ’80s, it wouldn’t have deterred Street, who would have had his hand on many of the top songs of the early ’80s, giving Jones a run for his money!  (Mel Street was one of my dearest, dearest friends and I was with him on the day before his untimely death.  He parked his bus where my trailer was always parked.  The bus had just pulled in and they were unloading, and me and my band were hitching the trailer to leave on tour.  Mel asked me to stay over and talk to him, but I had to leave……I wish I would have stayed home another day)

  9. May 9, 1989: In an era where the media wasn’t aware of every move a country star made, the news that Keith Whitley had died from alcohol poisoning at the age of 33 shocked many fans. Most had no idea of the demons the singer dealt with, or how deeply they ran. His death froze him in time as a tragic hero, a la Williams or Street, and cut short what could have been one of the most successful careers of all time.

What If? Whitley’s traditional style would have kept him on the radio through the mid ’90s, at least. The pop sounds of the latter part of the decade would stifle some of his success, but he would rebound—first by recording a duet album with his former Stanley Brothers band member, Ricky Skaggs, then with a stunning tribute album to Buck Owens in 1998 that included a Grammy-winning cover of “Together Again” with his wife, Lorrie Morgan. The album would be dedicated to the manager of Whitley and Owens, Jack McFadden.

 10. March 16, 1991: Reba McEntire had just been back on the road for a few months following the birth of her son, Shelby. She and her band took different flights out of San Diego for the next flight. Not too long after take-off, the plane carrying her band crashed, killing everyone aboard. She dedicated her next album, For My Broken Heart, to her fallen band members, which included the poignant album closer, “If I Had Only Known.” Though she didn’t write the track, many consider the song to be a tribute to those she lost.

What If? All of the musicians on the plane were talented artists in their own right, but Chris Austin was something special. He had recorded for Warner Brothers prior to joining Reba’s band, and I think that success would have been awaiting him, either in country or bluegrass.

 11.  THE DEATH OF COUNTRY MUSIC AS IT ONCE WAS. 

Marty Matell

HankWilliams

Johnny Horton

Patsy Cline

Jim Reeves

StringBean

Don Rich

ElvisPresley

Mel Street

\
Keith Whitley

Reba McIntire

Keri McInerney To Perform In New Zealand  March 2010

Keri McInerney will be performing. as a special guest, in New Zealand in March, at the New Zealand World Championship of Performing Arts National titles, to be held in Auckland.

Keri will once again showcase her talent, at New Zealand's prestige gala event. Keri will of course be performing her original songs, which won her five medals at the World Championships of Performing Arts (World Titles) in Hollywood in 2009.

As an active spokesperson for WCOPA, Keri will also be a guest speaker during the finals of the event, and will be speaking of her success in Hollywood last year.

"The entire WCOPA experience, can be life changing. There are many opportunities to be had, to create and further develop artists careers. WCOPA has certainly been a wonderful experience for me personally, it has opened many doors for my music. It's a pleasure to be associated with this incredible event on the world stage." Keri McInerney said.

Keri flys out of Australia on March 25th for a series of appearances in Auckland and will once again represent Australia at the world championships in Hollywood in July 2010.

Kerri McInerney

Inaugural Brand New Star Competition

Hi everyone,

Friday night saw the very successful end to our inaugural Brand New Star competition.  The winner was Makaylie Foodey whose prize includes:

A $3,000 scholarship to the CMAA Australian Academy of Country Music in Tamworth
A one song recording at the Music Cellar Studio, produced by Rod McCormack, delivered as a production master ready for manufacturing
An appearance with Adam Harvey at The Entrance Country Music Festival
An appearance with Beccy Cole at the todayscountry94one Easter Sunday Race Day
An intensive workshop with Gina Jeffreys
12 month’s support and airplay on todayscountry94one

The following finalists also won prizes:

Runner up was Georgia White who won a developmental deal with Rod McCormack as well as a workshop with Gina Jeffreys.

Encouragement Awards went to:

Chontia Robinson won a $100 gift voucher from JB Hi Fi
Cameron Cusack won a $50 gift voucher from JB Hi Fi
Hannah Smith won a $50 gift voucher from JB Hi Fi

Tubby Dyer

Winners - National Country Songwriting Contest

Amateur – Traditional   Sponsored By PC Entertainment
A Man Who Works The Land
Magdalena McDonald from Yackandandah in VIC
Born in Holland, and immigrating with her family to Australia aged 4, Magda McDonald is an aspiring songwriter whose name has appeared in amateur categories over the last few years, with songs like ’Never In A Million Years’ and ‘Fixing Fences’ finalists in the 2009 TSA National Songwriting Comp.

Amateur – Contemporary   sponsored by Sundown Music
The Seed – Kaylee Bell & Lance Coassin
Songwriting duo, former Camerata student and Gore Gold Guitar talent winner New Zealander Kaylee Bell & 2007 Queensland Champion of Champion Grand Winner Lance Coassin teamed up to write ‘The Seed’ after first crossing paths in Tamworth at the Jazzer Smith Talent Quest a few years ago.

Lyrics Only   sponsored by Sundown Music
Down On Dogs And Ducks – Merv Webster
Merv is a successful lyricist and poet.  He was a finalist in 2008, and a previous winner of the Lyrics only section in 2006 & 2009.  His win shows that Merv has a way with words that people appreciate, either as the lyricist of a good song, or as a Bush Poet

Professional – Traditional sponsored by Axiom Entertainment
G’day Mate – John Seers & John Battle
John Seers is best known for his original work co-written with Bob McGee and recorded by Denise Brooks, the very successful ‘A Scene From Long Ago, a Top 10 finalist in the 2008 People’s Choice Awards.  Originally from Bulladelah in NSW, John Battle  is a familiar face in the country music scene across the Hunter, Mid North Coast and Central Coastal areas, as well as a successful participant in many talent quests, and the reigning New Talent winner at the Gidgee Coal Awards.

Professional – Contemporary sponsored by Axiom Entertainment
When Grandma Would Reminisce – Wendy Wood
From Tamworth’s country music capital, Wendy Wood is consistently recognised in national awards, and equally internationally. In November 2008 'Do You Want Love With That?' received an Honour Award in France's 100Music.  In 2007 she was named a finalist in the NSW Gold Medallions Songwriter of the Year, and acknowledged earlier in the year at Tamworth's prestigious country music festival with 5 of her songs selected and performed by various artists in the finals of CCMA.  In 2004 for the first time in TSA history she tied for first place with not one but two of her own songs Key To The Door and The Other Side of Life to win the Capital News/TSA New Songwriter of the Year Award.  Wendy’s first big break came with the inclusion of 2 songs Don’t Tell Him and I Built A Bridge [To Get Over You] on the first TSA Country Song Search Winners Album and again on the TSA SongSearch 2 album with Till She Called Here last night.

Junior – sponsored by Australian Children’s Music Foundation
Your Mine – Amelia Richards
Born in Kempsey NSW. Amelia now lives in Sydney.  For obvious reasons Amelia loves Slim Dusty and loves to go back to Kempsey as often as she can.  Her goals are to keep writing songs and have them grow with her and to perform for people to make them happy.  Amelia was a grand finalist in the Queensland Champion of Champions, last November.

Winners | 2010 TSA Songwriter’s Salute Awards

Gospel Song Of The Year sponsored by           Orana Cm Association Dubbo
Golden Mile – Jim Hermel & Virginia Hermel
Songwriting team husband & wife Jim & Virginia Hermel are no strangers in the music industry.  Jim Hermel toured the United States in the early 80s,  performing at most of the top clubs in Nashville, Tennessee, including an appearance on the same show as legendary rocker, Jerry Lee Lewis at the ‘Jerry Lee Lewis Showroom’ in famous Printer's Alley, Nashville, again in 1986 when based in Austin Texas for 3 months, where he toured a second time, performing at top venues and appearing at Austin's Sixth Street, the home of Texas blues and former 'haunt' of the late Stevie Ray Vaughan, and more recently in 2004 when he married Virginia Coad, a member of the established act ‘Peter Coad & the Coad Sisters’, where together they performed at concerts in Arizona and Tennessee, whilst on their honeymoon.

Children’s Song Of The Year sponsored by Austraian Children’s Music Foundation
The Aussie Outback School – Megan Bartlett-Horne
What began as a children’s book, has become a very successful lyric, publication and CD release for Sanctuary Cove recording artist Megan Bartlett-Horne.  The Aussie Outback School has one very important message ‘Everybody is welcome’!  Available also as a 28 page illustrated picture book, it tells of the importance of school in a rollicking rhyme to engage children's attention.  The story addresses a young wombat's concern that he is ‘hopeless’ because he can't yet read or write or keep up with the other animals in the playground.  It was finalist last year, in the 2009 Australian Bush Laureate Awards."

Comedy/Novelty Song Of The Year sponsored by Daryl Kirkup  &  Col Elliott
The Barcaldine Cup – Graham  Rodger
Graham is a multi award winning singer/songwriter and recording artist specialising in Bush Ballads and Australiana, writing about real life people and places throughout the outback.  His numerous hilarious stories tell also, of his patriotic view of this country.  As a writer of comedy/novelty songs, Graham is a very popular performer wherever he travels.

Traditional Bush Ballad Of The Year sponsored By Tudor Hotel Tamworth
Sorry Mate – Ben Jacobs & Shaza Leigh
The combination of experienced writers Ben Jacobs & Shaza Leigh is proving a very successful partnership.  In 2009, they teamed with Lindsay Butler, and were named as finalists with the intriguing ‘His Little Shiralee’ in the Country Song of the Year.  Shaza Leigh is also one of a number of Australian country music finer songwriters, previously successful in the Songwriters Salute Awards, winning the Gospel Song of the Year in 2007, and sharing the Country Song of the Year with Leanne King in 2004.

Country Ballad Of The Year sponsored by LBS Music Group
The Almond Tree – Graham Rodger
This is Graham Rodger’s second award at the 2010 concert. Graham is a finalist in three categories in this year’s Salute Awards, and has four songs in the National Songwriting Comp.  Many of you may recognise ‘The Almond Tree’s’ win last year in the very same National Songwriting Comp, this year the strongest of contenders in the Salute Awards.
An exceptional writer, songwriting professionally since 1991, Graham Rodger is a past winner in this category, in 2006, 2008, 2009 and now in 2010.

Contempory Song Of The Year sponsored by Southern Cross University, Shool Of Arts And Social Sciences, Contemporary Music Program
The Writer – Garry Koehler
One half of the popular duo The Bobkatz, Garry Koehler continues to establish himself as an undefined ability for success, with a barrage of songs including ‘The Man in the Picture ‘ and ‘The Long Haul’, all receiving accolades of excellence.  The Writer, is no exception.  The Bobkatz collaboration combines Garry's song writing and vocals with Rob Mackay's multi instrumental talents and harmonies.  They like to call their music ‘Organic Country’  and describe it as depicting real stories of real people and real places.

Major Award Of The Evening | Country Song Of The Year
The Country Song of the Year is chosen from the winning songs of all sections.
Sponsored by Duncan’s Fuel & Country Store
The Writer – Garry Koehler
The title track from their latest album, ‘The Writer’ is undoubtedly a winner for writer and Bobkatz recording artist Garry Koehler, choosen tonight as TSA Country Song of the Year.  It confirms Bobkatz’s national growing popularity along with the packed venues at their appearances at Tamworth in 2009 & the Gympie Muster in 2008, and nomination in this year’s Gold Guitar Awards.  Touring is kept to a minimum for the guys due to writing, recording & travel commitments for their Music Publishing Company Pacific International Music P/L in Queensland & an office in Nashville USA.  ‘The Writer’ was recorded under the direction of producer Mike Flanders and is receiving rave reviews throughout the industry.

Winner | 2010 TSA/AVIS New Songwriter Award
Just Add Water – Vaughan Baker & Bec Hance
Lyrist Vaughn Baker teamed with Bec Hance who arranged the music to produce Just Add Water.  Reflective of the TSA motto, ‘First the Song’, Vaughn’s writing is right on the mark.  Bec is also a serious contender in this category in her own right, and in the comedy|novelty section, with another of her songs ‘You’ll Find A Bloke’.  She is one of the new generation of Australian singer/songwriters - along with the likes of Sara Storer and Amos Morris who feel a real affinity with the land, and aren’t afraid to express it. 

Presentation  | Life Membership   John Toomey
Presented by Vicki Walsh TSA President
From Dubbo in NSW, committee Member John P Toomey’s long association with TSA goes back many years..  At one stage he held membership no 49.  A songwriter John Toomey has written a number of well remembered tracks, one in particular Inside A Woman’s Handbag, recorded by Terry Gordon, was released on the very first TSA Country Song Search Winners Album in 1998, and again on the 30th Anniversary Limited Edition launched in 2008.  More recently, ‘The Bushman’s Reward’ ‘The Legend of the Outback’, ‘’I Went Fishing Instead’, ‘The Old Bush Sawmill’ and ‘Ode to Stan Coster’ were released on a number of Australian Bush Ballads Assoc - The Balladeers Series 2000-2009 releases.

Major Award Of The Evening | 2010 TSA  Songmaker Award
Jim Wesley  A posthumous award presented to family
Finalists:
Colin Buchanan, George Dasey, Jim Wesley, Reg Poole And Tony Brooks
The nomination process for this award takes place in October each year, with an outcome determined by mid November.  All TSA members are asked to participate in an election process, with the award going to the nominee who receives the most votes.

This year’s thirty-first recipient is songwriter Jim Wesley.  Sadly Jim passed away only a few weeks ago on New Year’s Eve.  This award is presented posthumously with a great deal of sadness and respect, to Jim’s wife Dorothy and family.  A lyric writer and poet, Jim had his first lyrics recorded in 1961.  His famous “White Crosses in the Jungle” was recorded by many Australian artists, while his best known song, “Maker of Raindrops and Roses” was recorded in both Australia and the USA, giving Jim international recognition.

At the age of 19, he published a book of poems titled My Australian Paradise.  His song writing career spanned over 40 years with his first lyrics recorded in 1961.  Mainly a lyric writer, Jim worked with many artists who added their own melodies, with the exception of about 5 songs.

Through the years many artists have recorded Jim’s work including Slim Dusty, Buddy Williams, Rick & Thel Carrey, Arthur Blanch, Brian Letton, Reg Poole, Barry Thorton, Anne Kirkpatrick, and an international cover by USA artist Margie Rayburn.  One of the first songs - a story about a local sighting in the New England area of NSW, was ‘The Panther’ a single recorded by Buddy Williams on RCA in 1961.  Jim seemed to have a good feel for these story songs, later writing ‘The Stairs That Namatjira Climbed’ and ‘When I Went Back to Sulva Bay’ recorded in 1965 by Rick and Thel Carey.  ‘Namatjira’ was recorded by Slim Dusty, Barry Thornton and others.  ‘What The Man Said’ and ‘Ten Golden Rules’ were two great gospel songs also recorded by Slim Dusty, Evelyn Bury and other recording artists.

More recently, in 2000 Brian Letton recorded two songs from Jim’s pen – ‘Two Hundred Flags’ and ‘No Medals for Mary’. Jim Wesley’s plaque will be added to the other 30 Songmaker plaques, which can be found displayed all year round on the lawn of the Tamworth Information centre, here in Country Music Capital.

Major Award Of The Evening | 2010 TSA Tex Morton Award
Heather Mckean
Presented by Dianne Lindsay on behalf of TSA foundation member Reg Lindsay
TSA acknowledges the support Australia’s country songwriters receive from all sections of the industry – and each year presents a special award to someone in the industry who has given support and encouragement to the songwriting community.  The award is named in honour of the father of Australian Country Music Tex Morton. 
This Award is presented on behalf of APRA|AMCOS who are major sponsors of TSA.

Heather McKean grew up with her older sister Joy, in a musical household where both their mother and father, who was a steel guitar playing school teacher , encouraged them to enjoy music of all kinds.  When they moved to the southern tablelands, the girls expanded their skills, and nurtured by their family, performed on stage and radio by the ages of 10 and eight respectively.  In 1942 the budding duo had a big opportunity … an appearance on Dick Fair's legendary Australian Amateur Hour Show followed by The Diggers Show at the Tivoli Theatre where they brought the house down.

Heather was only 13 when they began presenting their own country music radio show from 2KY in Sydney.  She mainly hosted the last few years on her own at the same time travelling with the Reg Lindsay Show.  In 1950 the McKeans did their first recording when they backed Tim McNamara on a couple of songs, steered by Tim in the following year, to the Rodeo Label, producing such country classics as McKean Sister originals The Gymkhana Yodel, Yodel Down The Valley and The Morning Mail.  In 1953, Joy and Heather started pursuing solo careers, also becoming two of Australia's most successful managers, working closely with their respective spouses Slim Dusty and Reg Lindsay.  As well as her partnership in Reg's growing career, Heather went on to build a life of her own as a solo artist, recording many albums and winning a Golden Guitar for Female Vocalist of the Year in 1976.  She worked in radio and TV production including co-production, working with Reg on his television shows National Country Hour in Adelaide NWS9, SA & Country Homestead in Brisbane, which they won several Logies for.

In the 70s, she worked for three years at the Country Music Association in Nashville where she also represented Australia on the International Country Music show appearing on the Grand Ole Opry.  Back in Australia she was President of Country Music Australia, one of our early industry groups.  With Reg, Heather also brought up three fine daughters Diane, Sandra and Joanne.  In the audience, were all three daughters and Heather’s first grandchild, Joanne’s daughter Grace.

Heather recorded several albums on her own, and was awarded female vocalist of the year in the 1976 Australasian Golden Guitar Awards with ‘Ï Can Feel Love’. In 1977 she was inducted into Tamworth’s Hands Of Fame.  In 1983, Heather and Joy returned to the stage together again for the first time in almost 30 years as the McKean sisters, when they became the eighth pioneering Australian country music act elevated to country music’s highest honour, the ACMF Roll of Renown. The recipient of the Tex Morton Award for 2010  -  is Heather McKean.

Sponsors | 
Compere Clair Hayes thanked TSA major sponsors, Rural Press Events publishers of Capital News, Australia’s leading Country Music publication – the glossy monthly magazine available from newsagents, for their corporate support;  and APRA|AMCOS Australian Performing Rights Assoc, and Australian Mechanical Copyright Association for their ongoing national support.

“First the Song” is the motto of the TSA
–        and songwriters wherever you are
–        we salute you.

Blazes Auditorium, Wests League Club, Tamworth
Comperes: Clair Hayes & Grant Luhrs
Guest artists: Allan Caswell, Karen Lynne, Craig Giles, Those Gals, David Delle-Vergin, Harmony James, Tom Maxwell, Ronni Rae Rivers, Grant Luhrs, Lou Bradley and Daly Stephenson, with a special tribute to Rita Schneider by Melinda Schneider, Mary Schneider, Geoff Mack.

Country Music Capital News |  TSA Notes March 2010 Edition
TSA Showcases – The Showcases were held for four days during festival in the Outback Bar at the West Tamworth League Club and were very well attended.
Many thanks to the artists who appeared on the Showcases. They were all met with great enthusiasm from the audience who thoroughly enjoyed hearing their original material.
Thanks to Paul Rowe and Jon Wolfe from festival FM Capital News for their support for the showcases and thanks also to Carolyn Stier and the Wests Entertainment Group, the Outback Bar is the perfect venue for the Showcases.
It wouldn’t have been possible to get the showcases off the ground without the marvelous organizational skills of Duncan Hill, who worked tirelessly to provide the audience with a wonderful array of songwriters, and his helpers on the day Angus and Nicholas Hill.
Song Central was at the rear of the room for each and every showcase as a sponsor and supporter of TSA, assisting songwriters to get their songs on the site and out there to be found and assisting industry to utilise the site in the best way.
This years’ Songwriting Workshop was run by award winning songwriter Alan Caswell. This festival he celebrated the 30th anniversary of his first Golden Guitar.
The workshop, which was held at the Tamworth City Uniting Church, St Andrews Room, was well attended and we have since had many favourable comments back regarding the day.  Thanks to Patricia Cruzado for catering for the day and looking after the attendees.
On Wednesday the 20th January, the TSA Gala Concert and Awards were held in the Blazes auditorium at Wests Leagues Club. Everyone who went enjoyed the new format of the show, where the awards were announced throughout the course of the evening.  A big thank you to Geoff Clapson and the TSA Showband for their wonderful music and support of the artists for the evening. Thanks also to our wonderful hosts Clair Hayes and Grant Luhrs. Congratulations to the winners and finalists on the evening. 
A full list of winners was published in February’s Capital News but can also be found on our website at tsaonline.com.au I would however like to mention one special award that was presented by TSA on this evening, the TSA Songmaker Award - this year’s thirty-first recipient is songwriter Jim Wesley.
Our Pass the Guitar Night was held on Thursday night and was well attended. We had a very friendly atmosphere and heard some amazing songs on the night. Great to see some old familiar faces and some new ones too!!!! A sausage sizzle was enjoyed by all thanks to super chef Chris Davies.
This years’ Cavalcade entry was our most ambitious yet. The theme this year was Carnivale and Chris Davies had spent months cutting and painting props. Everyone turned up on the day ready to party and dressed in bright colours and I am very proud to say that after many years of entering that the TSA WON the Non-Commercial/ Not for Profit section of the cavalcade.  Congratulations to all concerned.
The TSA Committee has already started organizing the events for festival 2011, so that it will be a bigger and even better festival than this year.

Footnote: The TSA committee would like to thank the five committed souls, working on the float until the early hours of Friday night, in addition to the many festival gigs (some 22 this year for Those Gals), plus commitments and preparation for other TSA activities, Pass the Guitar and Songwriter workshops: Chris Davies and Wendy Wood for their tireless work in pre and post design, sourcing and preparation, Darrell Daley and John Caulfield for being there as ‘blokes’ extra hands to do the hard stuff, the setting-up, lifting and construction, and the additional support given by Carolyne Morris   TSA also thanks Dasha’s Transport for the supply and use of the semi trailer, and to sponsors Avis Rent A Car for supplying transport to ferry float participants; and for use of their secure Gunnedah Rd property to house, construct and dissemble the float.
TSA also expresses its appreciation to treasurer, membership and comp co-ordinator Judy Smith for her dedicated commitment throughout the year, and the almost daily commitment from September to early February in pre and post festival committee obligations and award concert preparations.

Rhonda Sinclair

Homeward Bound With One Hand At The Wheel’
All Of Your World | Leanne Melmoth
Upcoming NfS Single & current  #47 Top 50 CMC clip

Album information
Perfect Day is a collection of original material, 10 songs in total, all written by Leanne.
the album recorded at Grove Studio's in Gosford, produced and arranged

by David Holmes.  Session musicians
David Holmes – Guitar; Jeff Camilleri – Bass; Andy Sorrenson - Keyboard, backing vocals and sound engineer
Mitch Farmer – Drums.  Perfect Day  is  available from The Music Shop chain around Australia, Songland Tuggeranong, and online at www.musicshop.com.au
Music video produced & directed by Ross Wood 171 Entertainment

When Canberra artist Leanne Melmoth launched her debut album Perfect Day, Deborah Minter’s album review for Capital News simply read ‘Leanne Melmoth, where have you been?!? ‘

What followed was two successful singles and in 2010 a possible third, if news last week charting in CMC Top 50 means anything, and soon to radio, available on NfS 139 from March 22.

With a run of low key successes, radio airplay and two very video friendly clips, the title track Perfect Day and Underneath the Radar, Melmoth established herself in the industry playing support at ACT gigs to major acts, and creating a market for her new album, described as ‘an irrepressible grin flashing in the rear view mirror from a woman with a passion for music.’

‘Perfect Day’s smooth fusion of country and adult-contemporary lyrics layered with hope and humour and up-beat melodies, conjure the feeling of being homeward bound with one hand at the wheel and the other weaving through the wind.’

A perfect analogy for the latest offerings, another articulate Ross Wood production, humorously combining the catchy, upbeat tune with a strong message for men to be good to the women in their world.

It’s a story of a normal day in a couple’s life;  a woman waiting on her man to go on a picnic, but of course.......he's at the racing track!  Instead of sitting at home sulking she decides to join his world and takes the picnic to the track.  After watching lap after lap, she finally gets involved and in a fun twist, shows him how it's done!!

Filmed at the Marulen Driver Training Centre at Marulen, Leanne was excited and apprehensive at the same time about the location ‘I love my cars so this film clip was a blast to make!  A dream come true!  The race car in the clip was an original Bathurst racing car and the guys just loved bringing it out for the clip.’

‘Apparently it doesn't get driven very often any more!  The neighbours around the driver training centre complain about the noise of the car so we were really limited with time and how long we could have it driving for!  It was an absolutely freezing day hence there’s a shot of me in a jacket and warm coffee!!!!’

‘I wrote this song in about 1 hour flat.  It was fun to write and flowed easily’ Leanne smiles ‘I love performing this song live, because all the girls sing along and the reaction from the guys is priceless!’

‘Its subtle tongue-in-cheek questions what every girl needs to consider before getting serious about a guy.  Will he rub your feet?  Will he take you shopping?  Will he love you without your makeup?  Will he look after the kids when you've ‘had a day’?  Will he fight for you?’

‘All of your world’ is our most requested song at live shows, I think that says something about how a lot of girls feel’

‘Sometimes we need to be all of someone’s world.’

Rhonda Sinclair

Greg Champion News

My twentieth straight Tamworth Festival has passed. Post Tamworth Depression, as well as Pre Tamworth Tension, have been negotiated once again. I still feel it’s the best fun of the year. It can sound cliché, that pleasure of catching up with once-yearly friends, but as time passes those friendships do become more and more special.

Highlights included playing at The Capitol Theatre, The Town Hall and the outdoor stage in the park on Saturday evening. And I get my kicks by going to watch Andy Baylor’s Cajun Combo every day if possible. They’re my favourite music-watching thrill. Sam Lemann’s guitar playing sends me to heaven, and sends a few others also. And the youngster Tom on drums is a revelation.

Two nights ago I enjoyed sharing the compering of the Victorian & National County Music Awards with Felicity. It’s always a happy friendly event, being a dinner in contrast to the Tamworth style of awards, and among the artists I was floored by the music of Sal Kimber. Watch out for that name.

Last Saturday night 13 Feb, while compering the Victorian & National Country Music Awards - Champs won the  Best Victorian Male Vocal Award for his song This Was My Town [Marysville]. The next day Greg said that this award meant more to him than the handful of others he had won in the past at these awards because he felt more strongly about the song, which was about the destruction of the town he loved, Marysville.

I was a finalist in three categories and brought home one gong in Male Vocal, for a song about Marysville. Of the four or five Victorian awards I’ve received in the past this would be the most special because I have been in love with the village of Marysville for thirty years, holidaying there countless times. When we heard the town was no longer there after the fires, well… we all struggled, and that song was my response.

In 2009 I recorded a duet with country singer Rodney Vincent for his new album, and Bit Of Dirt Never Hurt, which I’d written some time ago, has made it to number 18 on the Country Tracks Chart.

Champs

Adam Brand Dominates CMC Award

For the fourth year in a row Australian country music fans have chosen Adam Brand as the CMC OZ Artist Of The Year. Brand has won this award, which is voted for by viewers of Country Music Channel, every year since its inception in 2007.

“Winning this award is really important to me, it’s voted for by the fans and without the fans I don’t have a career. They are so loyal and I thank them from the bottom of my heart’ Brand said from Nashville early today.”

Adam is currently in Nashville recording new material for a U.S. release. He will soon commence a three month U.S. promo tour and return to Australia later this year.

Kris Katsanis

Adam Harvey Feat. Wendy Matthews  
EASY

Radio Date: 8th March 2010  
Album Instores: Both Sides Now in stores now!
Both Sides Now Limited Edition Tour Pack in stores 12th March 2010

•          Adam Harvey and Wendy Matthews are two highly acclaimed artists – Adam is a seven time Golden Guitar winner and Wendy has seven ARIAs to her credit – “Easy” is the highly anticipated third single from Adam’s duets album BOTH SIDES NOW

•          BOTH SIDES NOW garnered Adam Harvey his best ever ARIA chart debut when his sixth album debuted inside the top 20 on the ARIA Top 100 Chart at #19 (also debuting at #1 on the Australian Country Music Chart).
•          “Easy” is the Lionel Richie penned classic and is Adam’s favourite track from the album; “I think it’s my favourite song on the record, when Wendy came into the studio and sang it just made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up! Wow she can sing”

Following the success of the release of BOTH SIDES NOW Adam is set to release the Both Sides Now Limited Edition Tour Pack on March 12, featuring a behind the scenes ‘Making of Both Sides Now’ hosted by Adam, and three music videos including the Golden Guitar nominated video clip “King of the Road” featuring John Williamson, the Steelers Wheel classic “Stuck in the Middle ” featuring Guy Sebastian, and the brand new video clip “Easy” featuring Wendy Matthews.

Emma Smith

Adam Harvey And Sara Storer To Headline The “Homebush Easter Country Muster 2010”

The Historic Homebush Hotel is the venue for a huge outdoor event over the Easter weekend (3rd & 4th April ). One of the true ‘Outback’ country pubs which has stood the test of time, and still remains the ‘hub’ of the vast Western Lands Division of NSW between Balranald and Ivanhoe. 

With an Outstanding line up headed by two of Australian Country Music’s most popular entertainers Adam Harvey and Sara Storer along with multi award winning acts such as
 Paul Costa, Travis Sinclair, Jetty Road, Jayne Denham, David Delle -Vergin, Carmen  Fraser and many more, promise’s a weekend of Country Music at its best.   

Homebush Easter Country Muster
SAT 3rd & SUN 4th April, 2010 
Book your Tickets Now!
For Information and Tickets - Phone 03 50206803 or 0427987178

Gary Turner

State Senator Records Song About Charges Against Willie Nelson's Band

Raleigh - North Carolina’s singing senator has recorded a song that is critical of the marijuana and alcohol charges filed against members of singer-songwriter Willie Nelson’s band in January.

"It just looks like a special effort was made to go on that bus and cite them with marijuana," said state Sen. Charlie Albertson, D-Duplin.

The song, called "Leave the Man Alone," refers to the Jan. 28 citations issued to six members of Nelson’s band on charges of either possession of marijuana or possession of non-tax-paid alcohol. The band’s bus was outside the Duplin County Events Center in Kenansville.

Nelson canceled the show that evening. His staff said the show was canceled because the musician’s hand was hurting. But one woman who was at the canceled concert said practically no one believes that was the real reason.

"I don’t think it was his hand at all," said Sylvia Hawes, 70, of Rose Hill. She said she believed the alcohol and marijuana charges prompted the cancellation.

"Nobody believes that here," said Hawes who, along with her two grandsons, had gone to the concert. "I think Willie just did that (said it was because his hand was hurting) to save face. I think just as soon as he found out what had happened he told them to pull out of there. It was over."
Hawes said no one blames Nelson for pulling out of the concert. "They blame the law enforcement for coming in and trying to play cowboy," Hawes said. Ernie Seneca, a spokesman for the state ALE Division, said that the agents were doing their job.

"ALE’s presence was requested by local officials, to come and help monitor the crowd," Seneca said.

He said the Kenansville Police Department is small and that a crowd of more than 3,000 was expected. Agents often go to sporting events and concerts at places that have alcohol permits, Seneca said.

"The agents were there to help monitor the crowd and to make sure there weren’t any problems — underage drinking, illegal alcohol or drug consumption," Seneca said.

While the agents were there they came upon the bus, smelled marijuana and proceeded to check into it, Seneca said.

"They were allowed permission into the vehicle and to search," Seneca said. "They were not out there looking for this at all. It’s just something they came upon."

In the song, Albertson said that the law heard that "the outlaw was in town" and "took turns sniffing" around Nelson’s bus.

"It was over before it started," the song says, referring to the concert. "The law had busted Willie’s band."

Albertson sings that the event hurt the reputation of Duplin County. "Why don’t they leave the man alone? Let him write and sing his songs," the song concludes.

Hawes said the action was uncalled for. "They knew Willie Nelson has a reputation of smoking a little pot and they just figured there would be a little around somewhere," Hawes said.

Both Hawes and Albertson suggested that the code name for the evening’s operation — Operation on the Road Again — indicated that they were looking to find violations with the band.

Seneca, however, said the ALE agents were just doing their job. "Our agents saw a violation and took action," he said.

He added that the band members were cited, and not arrested.

Albertson, who is not seeking re-election to the Senate this year, said he doesn’t know if he’d have recorded the song had he decided to run for another term. He said there was some concern that people might not like the song. But the reaction to the song has surprised him.

"I’ve sung this song for two church groups," Albertson said, adding that the song is being played on country radio stations in New Bern, Greenville and Smithfield.

Barry Smith / Freedom Raleigh Bureau
Marty Matell

A Night Of Coutry With The Stars

One Tree Pub, with our host Sally Smith  38 klm north of Hay towards Ivanhoe on 20/21st March Saturday nite and Sunday morning, tickets at Hay Tourism or at the Gate, free camping but you must go to both shows. With Reg Poole, Dianne Lindsay, Peter Simpson, Cousin Dipstick, Allan Luscombe, Ted Thompson, Alisha Smith, Caitlyn Jane and me (Jammo),  also a bush poet Sunday morning.

Bring water, chair and own generator, parking for Motorhomes, caravans, campers, aeroplanes? and motorbikes also cars and tractors and swags … hope to see yas there.

Jammo
0427731088 or 0749340950

Selling Fast, Get In Early To Avoid Disappointment.

Oz Country Music Festival
Be part of
Fiji’s First Country Music Festival

Featuring
John Williamson, Bill Chambers, Felicity Urquhart & Glen Hannah, Jonah’s Road, Ashleigh Dallas Band and more to be announced.

August 1st – 7th 2010
Cost from $2299.00 per person

Twin Share includes:
Return Airfares from Sydney
Return transfers, 7 nights at a 4 Star Resort in Fiji
All Meals, Country Music Festival Tickets
Nightly entertainment, Firewalking Show
Welcome cocktail party
Canapes every afternoon during happy hour
Free Scuba Lesson, Free Snorkel Hire and more.

For more details call Country Music Holidays 1300 799 987

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