May Birthdays

A Suggestion From Col Millington

Hi everybody,

For many years I have been distributing my own CD’s to Radio Stations and Presenters around Australia and across the world. It is constantly becoming harder to keep my mailing list up to date and I am always trying to expand on my 500 odd airplay contacts.

My proposal is, if there is anybody with a similar size mailing list and would like to swap, then I am sure many of us could improve on our airplay and sales. This information is hard to come by and some of you may have had to pay for it. If we help each other we all improve our

chances of survival.

A mailing list must be Radio Stations and Presenters that play country orientated music.

If anybody is interested you can ring me on 0407 040318 or, e-mail colmillington@bigpond.com and I can mail or e-mail my information to you. I do suggest that you indicate on the list the Stations and Presenters that acknowledge your mail outs with, phone calls, text messages or e-mails.

Kind Regards,
Col Millington.

NT Country Songwriting Awards
Top Five Finalists With Winners In Red 2010

Contemporary

1 Riverwood - Debbie Beckett
2 Headin'for The Mines - Ernie Constance.
3 The Tranquillity-Bec Hance
4. Heaven Knows Little Cowboys- Craig Morrison
5. Eighty Mile Beach Memorial - Terry Bennetts

Comedy/Novelty

1. Joe Blake - John Battle
2. Baby Boomers - Debbie Beckett
3. Jack The Dog - Bec Hance
4. Over Fishers Fence - Ernie Constance
5. Take The Time To Smell The Roses - Evan Platschinda

Bush Ballad

1.  Brother Dan - Ray Rose/Evan Platschinda
2.  The Dingo - Wave Jackson
3.  Milestones - Ernie Constance
4.  Where The Thomson River Flows - Pete Smith/Lana Ross
5.  Kelly's Eyes  - Dianne Lindsay

NT Country Songwriting Contest
Top Five Finalists With Winners In Red 2010

Unreleased Professional

1. Restore My Faith  - Patricia Cruzado
2. Our Journey    - Yvonne Bradley
3. The Jungle Of Kokoda - John Seers/John Battle
4. It's Great To Be Australian - Stan Lenz
5. I Wish I Could Take It Back  - Yoris Wilson

Lyrics Only

1.Australia Land Of Beauty- John Seers
2.Our Journey- Yvonne Bradley
3 Cougar Bait - Joanne Weismann
4.The Old Brindle Bull- Lindy Lou
5.Charts And Graphic Arts - Peter Simpson.

Northern Territory Song Of The Year
Milestones  --Ernie Constance

Keith Jamieson

Merry Band Of Minstrels

A group from the Hastings Country Music Assoc. banded together and ventured to the Caboolture Country Music Festival at the weekend, where they did some busking plus they were welcomed to join in with the Pumicestone CM Club who had a stage set up for walk-up artists.

They wrote a song on the way, each member had to contribute a line - at least it filled in some time and created a lot of laughs in the process.

A good time was had by all.

Joy

Not Forty Is Looking Up At 23

When Tracy‘s Coster‘s single Not Forty entered the Australian Country Tracks Top 30 Chart it wasted no time racing though the twenties landing at number 23 this week.

For a song that is all about the age of forty being the new twenty, it‘s perfectly fitting that Not Forty is proving very popular on Australian country radio. So who is having the most fun? Radio listeners or Tracy? Let‘s say the feeling is mutual!

While Tracy continues to promote the single from her album Moving On she is determined to load it up with plenty of fun and good times.

’I guess I have got to a point in life that is really enjoyable – maybe that comes with age or wisdom, whatever the case, I‘m not complaining”! Say‘s Tracy.

While the single is playing on radio and the film clip on CMC, Tracy is busy making preparations for the annual Tent Hill Turnout this month. Last years event was an absolute sell out, and this year is billed to look the same as the district of Ma Ma Creek via Gatton in Queensland celebrate and pay tribute to the music and the man that was the late Stan Coster.

With a 2010 Golden Guitar nomination for, Bush Ballad Of The Year packed in her back pocket for, Old Black Quart, Stan‘s last ever recorded song, The Tent Hill Turnout is always a special time for Tracy and she hopes the legacy continues.

Tracy has just had news she will be performing at the Gympie Muster this year, and in June fans on the East coast can catch her at the Blue Water Country Music Festival in Port Stephens.

Amanda O’Bryan

Pete Smith Receiving Rave Reviews For His Latest Album Release “Western Star”

Released at the 2010 Tamworth Country Music Festival The Album was reviewed by Capital News Deborah Minter. Here is what she had to say

Western Star - Pete Smith -LBS Music
Western Star is the sixth album from bush balladeer Pete Smith, and it is easy to say it is his best to date. With the meticulous production of LBS

Music’s Lindsay Butler to colour Pete’s fine songwriting skills along with a smattering of outstanding classic bush tales, the album is a Bush Ballad country fan’s dream. Opening – and title – track Western Star is a first-rate trucker’s track, but the call of the beckoning star will also find empathy with travellers from gypsies to grey nomads. My Old Outback Home calls the traveller back home. Pete brings the unique characters of the outback alive with Dusty Old Time Ringer; an excellently crafted classic style ballad with a yodel. Where The Thompson River Flows is another excellent track with the distinctive time-honoured flavour that is our country heritage. Pete Smith is what is the best of what makes our traditional Australian country music unique. LBS Music LBS121CD

Deborah Minter

“Where The Thomson River Flows “written by Pete Smith and Lana Ross has just received a Top Five Nomination for Bush Ballad for The NT Songwriting Awards.

The Top Five for this Genre are listed below congratulations to all finalists

Bush Ballad

1.  Brother Dan - Ray Rose/Evan Platschinda
2.  The Dingo - Wave Jackson
3.  Milestones - Ernie Constance
4.  Where The Thomson River Flows - Pete Smith/Lana Ross
5.  Kelly's Eyes  - Dianne Lindsay

Pete’s Second Single From The Album “Western Star” will be released on NFS 140.

Lana Ross

New Album Release For Lana Ross  “Restless Wind”

This is the Second Album for Singer Songwriter Lana Ross with Industry Leaders commenting
 “ This would have to be one of the strongest follow up Album’s they have heard in a long time”
The success from her Debut Album “Stories To Tell” Lana obviously felt the pressure to say the least!, but if this is what pressure does, the Industry is very excited at what will come in future albums from this talented singer songwriter.

Six of the songs are written by Lana herself and also there is a co-write with Shazza Leigh and the results of this song is magical! Also other Songwriters featured on the Album is a Shirley Thoms Classic and also Ben Jacobs and Manfred Vigars have contributed a track which have been both co written with Shazza Leigh .

 Lana’s second Song from the Album to be released from the Album will be “A Little Western Gully”
A beautifully crafted Bush Ballad will be released on NFS140.
With many outstanding tracks on the Album it is sure to satisfy Lana’s fans and will also add many more to her fan base.

Management  (Interviews & Bookings) –   Lana Ross
PO Box 407 Marian Qld 4753
P:  07 49543 792     E: lanaross@lanaross.com

Lana Ross

Quinny All Out And About !

Ian Quinn has had a busy six weeks since releasing the first single of his album, Quinny and has now released the clip to ’Frontier Country‘ to CMC.

Filmed on parts of Queensland‘s Sunshine Coast, from the cane fields to the beach, the clip also captures the diverse and harsh climatic conditions of the Australian landscape and environment from the Kimberleys to the heart-wrenching Black Saturday Bushfires.

Ian has performed at a number of key events in Queensland including the Cawarral Country Music Festival, the Eidsvold Musicians Muster and at the Young Guns rodeo series at the Great Western Hotel in Rockhampton.

South of the border and Ian lent a hand to melanoma research performing at the ride4acure 2010 Horse Trek fundraiser night at Willawarrin Hotel in the NSW Macleay Valley, the event raising close to $3,500 for the Hannah Rose Melanoma Research Fund. The next day Maura Luxford started her 1800 km plus 81-day ride from Willawarrin to Melbourne. Hannah Rose was Maura‘s daughter who passed away to the disease at just 20 years old.

Ian Quinn and his new album Quinny has featured on Nick Erby‘s CMR Coffee Break and on ABC‘s Saturday Night Country with Scott Lamond.

Two Ian Quinn penned songs are finalists in the 2010 Queensland Country Music Awards were to be announced last Friday April 30 at the Charters Towers Country Music Festival. ’The Dust of Kalkadoon‘ (performed by Dean Perrett) is a finalist in the Queensland Bush Ballad/Heritage Track of the Year, and ’We‘re Doing Fine‘ (performed by Dean Perrett and Anne Kirkpatrick) is a finalist in the Queensland Vocal Collaboration of the Year.

This Saturday May 1 Ian Quinn is making his first appearance at the 2010 Urban Country Music Festival at Caboolture in the Songwriters Café.

Amanda O'Bryan

Slim Dusty Centre Paver Donations Closing Soon

Construction of the Slim Dusty Centre in Kempsey NSW is well and truly underway. The site clearing and levelling has been completed, piers and footings have been set on the site and construction of the slab and

walls are underway. Completion of the construction phase is expected by the end of 2010.

A feature of the Centre’s design is the ‘Truckies Tribute to Slim’ to illustrate and commemorate his links with truckies and the transport industry. For a tax deductible donation of $50, all truckies can have their name and the name of their rig engraved into a paver which may be laid within the Centre.

As completion of the Centre is nearing, donations of Truckies Tribute pavers must close on 1 July 2010 to enable them to be manufactured, inscribed and laid at the Centre for opening day.

CEO of the Slim Dusty Foundation Ms Kathryn Yarnold said “Slim held the Trucking Industry in high regard and so many of his fans were truckies, playing his albums as they traversed the country.”

“It is fantastic to see the progress of the construction of the Centre. Slim’s dream is coming to fruition and we want to ensure that all Truckies don’t miss the opportunity to donate their paver before the closing date of 1 July this year.”

“Other areas of the Centre will feature similar inscribed pavers giving fans the opportunity to have their name, message or personal salute to Slim engraved. Think how exciting it will be for you, or in years to come, your children and grand children to visit the Slim Dusty Centre and be able to walk through the courtyard and find your name or message as part of history.”

To donate your paver or Truckies Tribute paver simply call
1800 18 SLIM (1800 18 7546) or visit the web site www.slimdustycentre.com.au and remember 1 July 2010 is your final chance.

For comment: CEO Kathryn Yarnold 6562 6533

Queensland Country Music Awards

It's no surprise that Troy Cassar-Daley took out two awards at the QLD Country Music Awards; 2010 Male Vocalist of the Year and 2010 Vocal Collaboration of the Year with The McClymonts.

Our Ipswich darling, Harmony James took out 2010 Female Vocalist of the Year whilst Shea Fisher took out 2010 New Talent of the Year.

Dean Perrett won 2010 Bush Ballad/Heritage track of the Year.

Other winners included The Smokin' Crawdads (Group/Duo of the Year) and Michael Fix (Instrumental Track of the Year).

Cheers
Gary 'GT' Turner

Allan Caswell v/s Sony

I thought you might be interested in this. It is a website that details my ongoing problem with Sony over Alabama's apparent infringement of my song "On The Inside"

http://bastardsstolemysong.wordpress.com/

Allan Caswell

A Word From Clelia

Hello friends & fellow artists

I just want to make you aware of a situation that is happening to Allan Caswell at the moment.

Please take the time and go to the website, listen to both Alabama's version and the original of “On The Inside” and hear for yourself how Allan is being blatantly ripped off.

It seems this can happen to anyone who writes a song, and it is in all our interests to give him our support.

Thanks heaps
Clelia

Chelsea Basham

Crossroads Touring is thrilled to announce that Chelsea Basham has signed an exclusive management deal with the company.

Small town country girl Chelsea Basham grew up in the West Australian wheatbelt town of Wongan Hills. For her young years she has achieved a great deal. She was the winner of the Boyup Brook Junior Country Music Singer competition for two consecutive years and was named the West Australian Junior Country Songwriter in 2007. In 2010 she was a grand finalist in the prestigious Toyota Star Maker talent search. She’s supported some well‐known Australian artists, Lee Kernaghan, Adam Brand, Brian Cadd, Russell Morris and Glenn Shorrock.

As a graduate of the College of Country Music and John Curtin College of the Arts, Chelsea is ready to embark on her career in country music. She’s even taken the big step of leaving her family to relocate to Sydney.

Her first single ‘The Truth About Me’ is it at radio now.

Linda Chamarette

Michael Fix News

Hello everyone,

I've just returned from a very pleasant weekend in Charters Towers with an award for "Instrumental of the year" - Light at the end of the Tunnel, at the Qld CM awards.

I was presented with a "Queenslander" trophy! (see pic) Very cute.

I'm very excited about a series of concerts starting this week with multi-instrumentalist Paul Burton.

Way back in the '90s, Paul & I toured together as part of Graeme Connors' touring band, & we've remained friends ever since.

Paul has a duo partner - Andrew Toner - a fantastic young guitar player.
We are planning an action-packed show combining great entertainment, variety, and musical virtuosity!

Hope to see you at a concert soon!
Michael Fix

It's Our Anniversary!

It's the tenth anniversary of Tennessee Birdwalk, & the Official Homepage of Jack Blanchard & Misty Morgan.

Our thanks to webmaster Jerry Withers and his able assistant Lee Withers.

Please stop in for a visit at http://www.jackandmisty.com
There's a lot to see and hear. We're sure you'll enjoy it.

Jack & Misty

Thank You From Hermann

Good morning,

I would like to say thank you very much to all you great DJs in Country Music... we made it No 1. this week  with " What Are You In Here For "at the www.europeancma.com charts....  danke danke !!!

Thanks  James Allen Promions, David Pool, Phil York & Desert Kid Records Promotions

Also, thanks again for having my original  Alley Of Shame No1 for 4 weeks this spring... , wow. danke Ross (www.hillcrestcd.com/Desert Kid Promotions)

And there is a new song starting to climb the charts, a fine new version of the Carter Family `s  "Foggy Mountain Top"   a hot new HLM duet with New Zealand`s  Lady of Of Country Music ,  Ann Pascoe... which receives enormous airplay. 
 www.hillcrestcd.com/ www.annpascoe.com, Desert Kid promotions

I can not thank you enough,
Your friend 
Hermann

Queensland Country Music Awards Winners 2010

Queensland Male Vocalist of the Year
Troy Cassar-Daley - I Love This Place

Queensland Female Vocalist of the Year
Harmony James - Precious Little

Queensland Group or Duo of the Year
Smokin’ Crawdads -She’s Crazy for Leavin’

Queensland New Talent of the Year
Shea Fisher - Getaway Heart

Queensland Bush Ballad/Heritage Track of the Year
Dean Perrett - The Dust of Kalkadoon

Queensland Instrumental of the Year
Michael Fix - Light at the End of the Tunnel

Queensland Vocal Collaboration of the Year
Troy Cassar-Daley & The McClymonts - Ain’t Gonna Change For You

Mick Martin

The Heartleys Are Top Ten in New Zealand Songwriting Awards

Kayla Mahon and Taylor Cairns of the young, unstoppable, contemporary country duo The Heartleys together with their co-writing producer Roger Corbett have scored a place as a top ten finalists in the New Zealand 2010 MLT Songwiritng Awards.

Mike Hood, trustee‘s of the NZ Songwriting Trust says “the MLT Awards are highly regarded within the industry as an important platform to get songwriting recognised”.

Open to all songwriting genres and styles, the finalist entry from The

Heartleys is ’Fine‘, a song written and recorded with Roger at The Valley Studio last year and a possible contender for The Heartleys next album.

Since the release of their debut self titled album in 2009, The Heartleys have been on a whirl wind of activity both in New Zealand and in Australia. Their current single, ’Leaving Home‘ is playing on Australian country music radio nationally, and is a song about the insecurities of leaving home for the first time. With ’Leaving Home‘ on the airwaves, it‘s a reminder that the duo will be leaving home for their first ever European festival performance later in the year on invitation from the The Halogaland Country Music Festival in Norway.

In the meantime, home for The Heartleys is Southland NZ where the NZ NBL and National Netball League have signed up The Heartleys as the pre-game entertainment for each Southland home game.
The MLT Songwriting Awards will be held in June, good luck to The Heartleys!

Amanda O’Bryan

Leanne’s My Greatest Work Is Released To Radio In Australia Today

She says of the track ‘The underlying inspiration for the song is that although I am an undeniably proud farmer, nurse, daughter, mother, partner as well as singer songwriter, it’s clear to me that with all of this, my greatest challenge and achievement is that of mentor and role model to my two girls, the next generation, and it’s not been an easy road.’

‘I think it’s a responsibility that many of us find is harder, but also more rewarding, than we ever expected.’

It was a semi-finalist in the 2008 UK songwriters Awards, also pitched through LeAnne’s publishers Aussie Independent Music|Pegasus Music last year to US artists Leann Rimes and Martina McBride.

Once again LEANNE KING puts a little piece of herself on the page with the honesty of lyric that we have come to expect from this talented songwriter. Coupled with the unmistakeable energy of Clare O’Meara on fiddle, “My Greatest Work”, a Semi-finalist in the UK Songwriters Awards, is a warm and rollicking journey into the heart.
“We struggle with balancing all of our hard work, meeting our own challenges and still being there for the people who need us”, LeAnne says.
It occurred to me that with all we do in our lives our greatest achievement is to try and be a good mentor and role model to those we love… not an easy road, but worth every minute”
‘And that’s this album’s appeal:   every note, every word is authentic, and sung from the heart.’ Sue Jarvis, Capital News
Artist Profile | NfS 140

Learning As I Go – radio airplay across the country
Just a quick update to say thanks for the airplay over the last five months for the second release from my new album, ‘Make Time’.  The single went out to country music Australia on NfS 136 and internationally on Hillcrest 51.

‘Learning As I Go’ is a fun and light hearted song about new and unexpected love and features the genius of the Bushwacker’s Clare O’Meara on fiddle along with the superb lead guitar and production work of Audioscapes Martin T Hailey (played/produced Jimmy Little, David Campbell.)  It’s also the first single from the new album to go to Europe which is a whole new and exciting experience!

The first release ‘Nearly Said No’ received extensive airplay and lots of great feedback from listeners.   Thanks so much to everyone for your support!
LeAnne King
Hillcrest Radio Compilation has already distributed a followup track across Europe., out on Hillcrest 53, a re-release of the TSA and Top 30 radio charts award winning track|filmclip in Australia,  ‘You Win Some You Lose Some’.

LeAnne confesses ‘It’s based on a remark from my Monaro [near Canberra] farmer|uncle, something he said to me when he broke the news about his cancer diagnosis.  He was a tough old guy and outlived their prognosis by years.’

The song received a tenth spot in the Australian songwriters’ awards in 2001 charting in the National Top 30 in 2002.

New artist Tara Naysmith records Just Not Tonight written by LeAnne King;
Album produced by Rob Wilson

Just Not Tonight, penned by LeAnne King, appears on the latest album of emerging artist 2004 Starmaker finalist Tara Naysmith.

Recorded and produced by Rob Wilson, Naysmith Now’s The Time 13 song release, features five of her own, two from the producer including a duet, a Curtis Mayfield classic, one from Leanne King and the remainder ‘sourced from a variety of songsmiths’ as reported on her website. .
http://www.taranaysmith.com.au/

LeAnne appeared on the bill alongside Stuie & Camille, at the Entrance Country Music Festival in March this year, where Tara also played, and in Tamworth in January, appeared in the double billing with the Rob Wilson Show and the WJO Showcases, and at the TREC outdoor stage.
‘The weather was great for us at The Entrance, the band was crackin’ with Pete Figures, Brad Rose, Rob Wilson and Scott on bass’ she said.

LeAnne King - Biography   |   
Multi award winning Central Coast singer|songwriter LeAnne KING was first recognised by the Australian country music scene when her first commercial release, You Win Some, You Lose Some, made it into the Australian Country Music Top 30 in 2002. 

With top placings in many Australian Awards including the winner of the 2004 TSA Salute Country Song of The Year, 2005 finalist Contemporary Country Song of the Year, LeAnne has also achieved recognition in many International songwriting awards.  In 2007 she won the International Narrative Song Competition and in 2009 placed as a semifinalist in the UK Songwriting Awards and was one of only two Australians to place in the 2009 Unisong Awards.

Her new album “Make Time” showcases her both as a passionate songwriter and versatile vocalist.  The album is obviously drawn from the complex life situations that only time and keen observation can bring, and is at times a compelling insight into the journey that this songwriter has experienced as a parent, farmer, care-giver, daughter and partner.  LeAnne makes no excuses for the fact that her songs often cross styles and even genre… “I just write it as it comes and the emotion in the song always dictates the outcome”.

But it is obvious that most of her work is has a distinct “country” flavor , probably due the fact that a great portion of her formative years were spent on sheep and cattle properties at the foothills of the Snowy Mountains in NSW, an area that she still travels to “to get my head into gear”. Her love of the land is palpable as she talks about her other passion which revolves around her horses, many of whom have come from the Snowy region.

Her first album in 2002 “You Win Some You Lose Some” centered around the people and the life of the Aussie farmer, and included the rollicking ballad of the “Roan Mare” which is still one of her most requested songs. The title track was written about the true story of her uncle, a tough Monaro farmer, and his struggle with the land and illness. It was extremely well received by the Australian listening public, and it continues to generate great response wherever it is played.

4 years in the making, the new album was recorded primarily at Audioscapes Studios in Sydney with Martin Hailey (David Campbell, Jimmy Little) producing.  Some high profile Sydney musos feature on the album, Jimmy Barnes organ player Clayton Doley and the marvelous Clare O’Meara, fiddle player from the Bushwackers.  The songs were completed in the Hunter at Longhorn Studios with some of the Central Coasts finest players including Brad Bergen, Rob Wilson and Mick Albeck. Michel Rose completes the lineup on pedal steel.

LeAnne is looking forward to playing live again and at music festivals, and obviously  looking forward to lots more songwriting…it’s what she says she does 24/7 and it wakes her up in the middle of the night so there’s no escaping it! She will continue to pitch her songs to overseas markets, but foremost she says it’s fulfilling enough to know that she is putting into words for people what they sometimes find hard to say.

“To me, there’s no greater reward than having someone come up after hearing one of my songs and say “thanks for saying that for me”. It’s what keeps me going!”  

Definitely a name to watch in Australian Music…

Rhonda Sinclare

ASA Triple Nominee Danny Hooper At Work In South Australia’s Community,Writes Tribute For ‘Ride The Ali Way’

Danny Hooper’s sincerity as a songwriter has never been without doubt.

This week, the 2009 ASA triple nominee, and composer of the winning Spiritual Track of the Year ‘You Don’t Need Wings to Fly’, is in his

home-state’s community playing gigs along the south west coastal route from Port Lincoln north to Ceduna, promoting and raising funds in the ‘Ride for Ali’ Charity.

Ali is Ali Oestmann, who was diagnosed late last year with an inoperable brain tumor.  And ‘Ride for Ali’ is an initiative of a circle of friends, together with the local community of Ceduna, who united and organised a 400klm bike ride from Port Lincoln to Ceduna to raise funds to support Ali and her family in their fight to beat this disease.

Keen to have the opportunity to help the community rally round, and especially to support the project in aid of one of their own, Hooper from Clare in country South Australia, east of the peninsula and almost as far away as the ride itself covers, pitched in when he was approached to write and record a tribute song for the cause.

‘When I was asked to write this song for Ali, the tune and the words just flowed’ he said.

The sentiment and lyrics in Ali’s song are uplifting and inspirational, a buoyant expressive parallel similar to tracks on his much commended Rod McCormack produced CD The Legacy and the award winning ‘You don’t need Wings to Fly’.  

100% of ‘Ride The Ali Way’ CD sales benefit Ali and her family.
“……………      and she’ll ride, ride the Ali way”
You can hear this song and purchase a CD at any one of the select venues along the way:
Thu May 6 Marina Hotel – Pt Lincoln Bike Ride Start Dinner
Fri May 7 Port Neill Hotel - 8pm
Sat May 8 Wudinna Hotel - 8pm
Sun May 9 Ceduna Foreshore Hotel Motel - 2pm
Mon May 10 Ceduna Foreshore Hotel Motel - Bike Ride Finish Dinner

Donations can be made at Bank SA - BSB 105-100, account number 033798940

Radio Presenters and Broadcasters, please note:
The track is embargoed until 7 May, a hyperlink to mp3 download in available from blurb creative solutions blurbcs@bigpond.net.au; or Cate O’Donnell media rep cate.odonnell@hotmail.com

If you would like any information about ‘Ride The Ali Way’ or the fundraising dinners being held at Port Lincoln on May 6 or Ceduna on May 10 please call Senior Sergeant Tom Rieniets of the Ceduna Police.
T:  08 86262025
M: 0427311381
E: thomas.rieniets@police.sa.gov.au

Port Lincoln Times  Charity ride to raise money for Ali
http://www.portlincolntimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/charity-ride-to-raise-money-for-ali/1816135.aspx

An established writer, Hooper has either gained ASA first or finalist positions almost every year since 2004.  In 2008, ‘Just thought you'd like to know' won the 'Ballad' category.  In 2009, in addition to the Spiritual Award, two songs from his debut CD were named Top 25 finalists, ‘Already Gone’ and high on the list at No 3 ‘She’s the One’.

His first radio single and following releases have had considerable airplay on radio and pay television in Australia.  ‘Every Reason’ the first radio track, reached 36 on the Top 100 Country Hits chart and the Top 40 charts on CMC Country Music Channel, and ‘Already Gone’ came in at 39 Top 100 Country Hits, with CMC regularly featuring his clip ‘Heartache’ in its Australian Only segment  and the newest track ‘IPOD in My Ear’ in New Additions last week.

‘The Legacy’ reviewed by RadioIndy.com!  |   Title track ‘The Legacy’  NfS 131 Track 12
‘The Legacy’ by Danny Hooper is a contemporary album with soulful, emotional lyrics and an energetic, joyful tone. Danny's voice is that of a top-notch veteran, and he surrounds himself with high caliber musicians.  The arrangements are well layered and the sound complements Danny's style very well. The songs are very catchy, with big sing-along choruses.  Highlights are ‘Heartache’ with a foot tappin' rhythm and some nice work on the banjo.  The title track ‘The Legacy’ features a passionate vocal performance, beautiful acoustic guitar and nice fiddle work.  ‘Already Gone’ gets the room pumping with a catchy guitar riff and a rolling rhythm section. If you like pop country, you'll like this outstanding CD. William and the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team

Rhonda Sinclare

Adam Harvey Joins The Professional Bull Riders Tour For Four Very Special Dates

Australian country music superstar Adam Harvey is confirmed to perform three special performances on the 2010 Professional Bull Riders (PBR) Circuit. Adam will be joining PBR for the PBR Troy Dunn International at the Townsville Entertainment Centre on May 21 and 22, the PBR World Challenge at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre on May

29, and the PBR World Challenge Final at Sydney’s Acer Arena on Saturday, June 5.

Harvey is no stranger to the world of bull riding, having performed at PBR events in Townsville and Newcastle back in 2008.

Since then the laconic country crooner has recorded and released a highly successful duets album, entitled “Both Sides Now”, with some of Australia’s hottest vocalists. Artists such as Guy Sebastian, Shannon Noll, Kasey Chambers, Troy Cassar-Daley and The McClymonts came together with Harvey to create an unforgettable collection of classic songs.

“Whenever Troy Cassar-Daley and I get together we seem to find a corner somewhere out of the way and sit down, get our guitars out and sing old country songs,” Adam explained. “I said to him that we should record together and he said he’d love to. So I started to think, over the years I’ve had a few people say they’d love to record a duet or something with me and that’s when the idea first popped into my head.”

“People don’t call them records any more,” Harvey concludes. “But I call this one a record – it’s like you’re recording a moment in time.”

Each night on the PBR tour, Harvey will sing the national anthem to kick off proceedings before returning to the arena to perform three of his hits during the half-time interval. With six albums and a wealth of hit singles from which to choose, the toughest job for Harvey will be selecting a set list.

With the nation’s fiercest beasts and the world’s toughest athletes combined with the rock’n’roll sound, lights, big screens and pyrotechnics of a PBR show, the 2010 PBR Tour is one bull ride not to be missed. This is not a rodeo - this is the PBR!

2010 PBR Troy Dunn International
Townsville Entertainment & Convention Centre
Friday, May 21 and Saturday, May 22, 2010
Tickets available now from: Townsville Entertainment Centre Box Office, Dial ‘n’ Charge 07 4771 4000 or online at www.tecc.net.au
Tickets Prices: Diamond $120, Platinum $85, Saturday Silver $45, Friday Silver $25, Saturday Bronze $25, Friday Bronze $20, Family pass $85, Children $25

2010 Professional Bull Riders World Challenge
Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Tickets available now from Ticketek on 132 849 or www.ticketek.com.au
Tickets: Diamond $124.90, Platinum $80, Gold $60, Silver $40, Silver Child $20

2010 PBR World Challenge Final
Acer Arena, Olympic Boulevard, Sydney Olympic Park
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Tickets available now from Ticketek on 132 849 or www.ticketek.com.au
Tickets: Diamond $124.90, Platinum $80, Gold $60, Silver $40, Silver Child $20

Emma Smith

Scotland the Brave, Hamer Hall,
May 8th 2 and 8pm

Featuring Sean O'Boyle, Greg Moore, Suzanne Compass, Catherine Lynagh, Andrew Fuller and Marcus Holden.

Plus the Scotland the Brave Orchestra, Ashton-Smith Singers, Victorian Police Pipe Band, Melbourne Highland Dancers.

This show is so much fun.. !

I get run around on stage (in a kilt?) and play all these really fast fiddle tunes, some I orchestrated .....not "or castrated"!

Marcus Holden

Country Music Superstar Tim McGraw Confirms First Tour Of Australia

Country music superstar Tim McGraw is confirmed to tour Australia for the first time, promoters Chugg Entertainment and Rob Potts have announced.

McGraw, and his band the Dancehall Doctors, will bring his Southern Voice Tour to Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney for shows in September.

“My career’s been going for a while and I’ve been looking for opportunities to come down, and this is the first time the timing’s worked out.  I’m very excited,” said McGraw when asked about Australia and touring here for the first time.

Chugg Entertainment’s Executive Chairman, Michael Chugg said, “This is big news, full stop, but for country music fans, it’s massive! 

“It’s actually Tim’s birthday in the US (May 1), so to announce his first Australian tour timed with that is special.”

In Australia McGraw’s setup will include an 18-metre catwalk that takes him up the centre floor and puts him in the thick of it with audiences.

McGraw will play the Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Thursday 16th, Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena, Sunday 19th and Sydney’s Acer Arena, Tuesday 21st September.

Tickets go on public sale Monday 17th May from ticketek.com.au or 132 849.

Tim McGraw fanclub members can buy pre-sale tickets at www.mcgrawfan.com from noon Monday 10th May until 5pm Tuesday 11th May [AEST]. 

A Visa Entertainment pre-sale will run from 9am on Wednesday 12th May until 5pm Friday 14th May.  Pre-sale ticket details are available at www.visaentertainment.com.au.

Tim McGraw has released 16 albums (his latest 2009’s Southern Voice), has sold over 40 million units and landed 31 singles at Number 1 in the US, including his latest title track Southern Voice; he’s taken home 50 Awards, including three Grammys; and been in seven films.  He is Sandra Bullock’s husband in the Academy Award-nominated The Blind Side and has just finished filming Love Don’t Let Me Down with co-stars Gwyneth Paltrow, Garrett Hedlund and Leighton Meester. 

McGraw’s song Something Like That was the number 1 played song on US radio for the first decade of the 21st Century and with 7.8 million spins, himself the most-played artist.   

His 2006 Soul2Soul II Tour with wife, Faith Hill, beat Madonna and the Rolling Stones that year, is the highest grossing country tour of all time and in the top five of any. 

From hard rock to hip hop, McGraw has collaborated – singing, songwriting or live – with: Def Leppard, Kid Rock, Kim Carnes, Nickelback’s Chad Kroeger, Tony Bennett, the Eagles’ Don Henley and Timothy B Schmidt and rapper Nelly.

Outback Steakhouse is excited to extend its partnership with Tim McGraw’s 2010 Southern Voice Tour (http://www.timmcgraw.com/tour-dates.html), aligning with the record breaking artist’s first ever tour in Australia.  This extended partnership will allow Outback Steakhouse patrons special access to offers and events surrounding Tim McGraw’s Southern Voice Tour, in both the US and Australia.

Through this ground breaking partnership Outback guests will earn chances to concert tickets, VIP passes, special Outback Steakhouse food promotions and much more.

“Outback Steakhouse is thrilled to expand our partnership with Tim McGraw to cover the Australian leg of his 2010 Southern Voice Tour.  We could not imagine a more perfect fit than aligning with Tim in the land that inspired everything that Outback Steakhouse is about,” said Steve Nilsen, Vice President of Outback Steakhouse International. “Our friend and franchisee Mark Ivancic runs six award winning Outback restaurants in Australia and is ready to welcome Tim McGraw and his fans to experience Outback “down under.”

“Tim is a true superstar and many of his Aussie fans have been waiting almost two decades to see him,” said Rob Potts.  

“When Tim’s on stage he’s having a great time,” said Potts.  “He puts on a show that reaches out, mixes it up, makes sure fans have a great time too.”

Working with Potts, Chugg Entertainment is Australia’s only major-league promoter hitting home-runs with big name country tours like Keith Urban, Brooks & Dunn, LeAnn Rimes, the Dixie Chicks and is a partner in CMC Rocks the Snowys.

“Country music fans are loyal and dedicated and they probably don’t get enough of the artists they want to see,” said Chugg.

Tim McGraw Australian Tour Dates

Thursday 16th September - Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Sunday 19th September - Melbourne Rod Laver Arena
Tuesday 21st September - Sydney Acer Arena

Tickets On Sale: Monday 17th May www.ticketek.com.au or 132 849

Emma Smith

Dixie Chicks Sisters Release Court Yard Hounds Debut Album

Strictly speaking, it’s only a few feet from stage left or stage right to the center spotlight. But it took Martie Maguire and Emily Robison a couple of decades to move those couple of yards. As the mainstays of the Dixie Chicks since they formed the group in 1989, the sisters have been familiar faces to many millions of fans, yet just a little mysterious in that familiarity, content as they were to cede the lead vocalist position and

remain music’s most recognizable “sidewomen.” Chicks fans couldn’t help but hear those ever-present harmonies and wonder if Emily and Martie might ever come out from hiding in plain sight.

That’s just what they’ve done in their newly hatched incarnation as Court Yard Hounds, with a gorgeously assured debut album that has the siblings sounding like they’ve been fearless frontwomen all their lives. Is this band a side project? They can live with that label. Or something permanent? Yes, that, too.

Robison and Maguire could no sooner take an indefinite vacation from music than they could from being related. So as the mother band’s hiatus grew into a longer vacation than anyone originally anticipated, “dormant” began to equal “torment” for these two working musicians. The Dixie Chicks were last seen triumphing at the Grammys in early 2007, winning the exceedingly rare trifecta of album, record, and song of the year for Taking the Long Way and its flagship single “Not Ready to Make Nice.” Something else they weren’t ready to do was make records or tour again, at least for a long while, as it turned out. All three Chicks enjoyed family time away from the media glare—but after a while Maguire and Robison felt refreshed and rarin’ to go, which still left them one singer short of a quorum. The usually bold Maines’ reticence to put herself through the grind again had the effect of pushing her slightly shyer bandmates out of the nest.

“When Natalie first wanted to take a break,” says Maguire, “I remember this real fear in me, like: When are we getting back on the road? This is what I know! What will I do? I don’t have a college degree!” she recalls, laughing. Happily, rather than take night classes, they decided to school themselves in how to launch a new band. The Chicks haven’t disbanded, but Court Yard Hounds is no mere time-marker of a project. “Sony’s looking at this like an artist launch, and we’re looking at it like a new chapter in music,” Maguire avows. “We definitely are going to tour this and make another record. I know this isn’t just a one-time, get-it-off-our chests, get-these-songs-recorded-and-go-back-to-our-lives thing.”

Emma Smith

And The Winner Is... Harmony James  

Harmony James has been named the Female Vocalist Of The Year at the inaugural Queensland Country Music Awards. Harmony edged out fellow Sunshine State vocalists Tania Kernaghan, Rose Carleo, Sarah McMonagle and Shea Fisher to take home the award.

While Harmony was born in Melbourne, she grew up in Cairns before moving to the Northern Territory to run a stock camp and more recently deciding on Brisbane as her new home. Harmony is proud to call Brisbane home for the past year.

News of the win came to Harmony as she wrapped up three months on the road with The McClymonts, "It's nice to see Queensland celebrating its own local talent. It actually highlights the quality we have in our own backyard, probably without realising it. I think it’s an honour to be the first recipient of the QLD Female Vocalist Of The Year and it will be very interesting to see the winners of years to come."

May sees Harmony continue life on the road, this time around with Kasey Chambers and Shane Nicholson. For tour dates, check out Harmony’s new-look website:

Kris Katsanis

Borden, James G. "Hoot" Age 73 of Lebanon, TN. Died Sunday, May 2, 2010.

Hoot was a cowboy and a drummer and a story teller. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving during the Korean War. Hoot was also a member of Ernest Tubb and the Texas Troubadours, the Country Music Hall of Fame and was a Sumner County sheriff's deputy.

He has been a driver for the entertainment industry for almost 50 years and has been the subject of many music industry publications. "DFWI".

He is survived by companion, Angie Cacciacarro; children, George Ann (Chris) Bordelon, Billy Gus Hartwig, Shelly Max (Brenda) Borden, Jerry Don Borden, Kym (Andy) Kuhns and Sammie (Shane) Baker; 12 grandchildren; 3 great grandchildren.

Visitation will be 1-8 p.m., Wednesday and 1-3 p.m., Thursday

Funeral services will be conducted 3 p.m., Thursday, May 6, 2010

Bond Memorial Chapel with Dave Thornhill officiating.

Interment will follow at Cedar Grove Cemetery. at Bond Memorial Chapel, N. Mt. Juliet Road and Weston Drive, Mt. Juliet, TN, (615) 773-2663. OBIT LINE, (615) 642-2663

Marty Matell

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

Michelle Costigan & Jenny Haslem

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