June Birthdays

An Update From Connie Kis

Hello Friends in Music!

Was February really the last time I sent out an update?? I can't believe it!

Since discovering Facebook, it feels like I have been constantly in touch, letting you know my every movements including what I had for breakfast, lunch and dinner!

But for those not familiar with Facebook, I am way overdue with this

update ... I just don't know where the time has gone …

Maybe it’s because since the Boyup Brook Country Music Festival, where I was very honoured to receive the award as 2010 WA Best Country Music Female Artist, I have been busy writing, preparing and recording material for a new album, dealing with massive storm damage at home in Perth and then floods in Nashville when I was touring and recording … and so it goes on!!

After six weeks away I returned home to Perth and now, just over a week later with washing done, I have re-packed and am ready for my mini tour to Sydney and NSW this coming week.

While the heavy rains and floods in Nashville provided a completely different slant to my experience of the place - a rather distressing travesty to say the least - my actual tour / trip was, on all accounts, fantastic and I managed to achieve all that I set out to do as well as catch up with old friends and make new ones in the industry.

All 20 appearances in Nashville and TN ranging from special guest spots, showcases, radio interviews and songwriter rounds were again, very well received - you can click here for specific details of activities and venues played.

I am so thrilled to report too, that the new recordings are sounding super! We have recorded six tracks with at least another six to go. The album is planned for release in Australia at the Tamworth Country Music Festival in 2011 and a special WA launch at the Boyup Brook Country Music Festival in 2011.

Planning and goal setting with my US manager also went extremely well … I am so very excited about the future and really look forward to it - along with a lot of commitment and the hard work that is required, but more about that later!

Now for the immediate future …
Plans for my trip to NSW are just about finalised, with confirmation on two activities still pending … Again, I really look forward to catching up with all my music mates, from radio, fellow musicians and music enthusiasts … it should be heaps of fun!

My complete list of gigs and activities for NSW is posted below. Please note though, that I will not be appearing at the Bluewater Festival as previously advertised … unfortunately the change was unavoidable. I apologise sincerely to those who have already mentioned it in their gig guide and to those who were planning to catch up with me there.

So until the next update ... be safe and make, play or request great music!

Warmest wishes from
Connie Kis xx www.conniekisandersen.com.au

G'day From Keith (Jammo) Jamieson

G'day Folks,

Well the year is flying by so fast and lots of shows have been done around the ridges,
I hope the song that Reg Poole and Ourselves recorded called "Don't Let Them Murder Tamworth" goes some way to making people aware what some people are doing to our Heritage and Culture with Fair Dinkum Country Music right across the board, I see the blue print is out and about, we have read it, but we will keep our comments till we see it in big print,

It is a shame all the True Country Music followers were not able to be in Tamworth to attend the meetings, we will wait and see what happens.

We just held the Bouldy Bush Ballad Bash at Bouldercombe and a great success, to the Artists and People who supported the shows, Reg Poole, Jeff Brown, Ricky Shipp, Alisha Smith, Bec Hance, Daly Stephenson, Col Edmonds, Dianne Lindsay, Peter Simpson, Allan Luscombe, Ted Thompson, Caitlyn Jane, Trudy and Jed Hintz, Jimmy Williams, Nell carter, Nedd Dodd, Liz and Les Green, Sharon Heaslip, Uncle Arthur, Gary Fogarty, Peter Riddle, thank you, and thanks to all the walkup artists.

And it will be bigger next year with a special guest Chad Morgan and many more great Artists to be announced at a later date.

Thanks to John and Margaret Staunton and Rod and Doreen Crome, Jim and Marion, Allan and Merrilyn Luscombe, Ted and Dell Thompson and Mary and Bill Hughes for helping out once more , next years dates are 20,21,22nd May 2011 .

The Bundy Aussie Muster was a great success once more with Dave and Val Johnson and all the crew, and thanks from us for their hospitality,

We are starting our Australian tour with Jeff and Lyn Brown all states bar Tassie called The Boundary Riders Tour to check the fences to see where they are all getting through, we are excited about our tour with Jeff, Lyn and the boys. Caitlyn is excited as well she said she will be their big sister, tour dates will be in The Bulletin, Cap News and web sites

We will be doing our last show at Tannymorel on the 29th August at 2pm and then down to Marg Graham at Lismore for her Country Music Festival with many Guests and then up to Nanango Country Festival in September , thanks Henry.

We are playing at a Truck Show 25th September at Cleveland Showgrounds Brisbane for Glen Beutell should be a great show heaps of Mack trucks superliners built in 1988 and more.

We are also playing at The Millmerran Camp Oven Festival early October thanks to Buddy and Lyn Thomson and we are looking forward to it as well.

The Gidgee Coal Bush Ballad awards will be on in November the 20, 21st at Pittsworth and is open to all self funded cds from 31August 2008 to 31august 2010 walk up artist from Monday 15 November, Bush Poets with Gary Fogarty and Peter Riddle

Special Guest Reg Poole OAM, plus more artists to be announced soon, we hope to catch up to you somewhere around the ridges on our tour, give us a ring if you need some info 0427731088.

Yours with an Aussie Song
Keith Jamieson/Alisha Smith and Caitlyn Jane

Kathy Coleman - Waitin' On A Good Man

Kathy comes from a small country town in NSW and is one of 12 children. She has always been surrounded by country music, as a child at home her mother played the piano, acoustic guitar & Lap Steel, her brother the organ & a sister played the piano. There were always plenty of sing-alongs and all the children were encouraged to join in & have some fun. Kathy learnt to play the classical guitar, recorder & to read music in primary school.

When Kathy was a teenager she entered a Talent Quest in Parkes, she didn’t win, but she met a fellow there that was the President of the Hunter Valley Country Music Association & that was the start of regular practice nights, guest spots around the Hunter Valley & participation in Charity Events

It was at one of these Charity events that Kathy met her future husband Kelvin, who was a well respected musician in the Country Music Industry. From then on they were inseparable & formed a 5 piece covers band called “Rawhide” that played around the Hunter Valley area for many years with Greg Franks & Grant Richardson being a part of the band at different times. Kathy played acoustic guitar in the band, performed a 1/3 of the main vocals as well as backing vocals & harmonies. The venues she played in were huge, big auditoriums full of people that danced all night, it was fantastic & gave her invaluable experience in live performance.

Around 1999, duo’s were more appealing to the entertainment venues than the bands & so, gone were the band days & Kathy & Kelvin started working together as the duo called “Double Deal” in which they both shared lead vocals. Kathy learnt how to play the Bass guitar & she taught Kelvin how to play the acoustic guitar, as he was the drummer in their previous band. She has played a huge number of gigs as the duo "Double Deal" at clubs, pubs, Weddings, Tocal Field days, Steamfest & the 4wd expos at Maitland & the Central Coast. Double Deal was also the resident band at the “Old Texas Ranch” for a period of 7 years & for the past 2 years have played at “Buttai Barn” near Newcastle on most Saturday nights with their “Buckin’ Country Show” providing live music, teaching bush dancing, organising games together with mechanical bull rides on “Nutcracker”. People come back time & time again to see us as they love our live show which is full of variety, entertainment & lots of energy & great country music. They always tell us “That was the best night we’ve had in a long time”.

Kathy attended a song-writing workshop in Tamworth in January 2006 where Allan Caswell was the tutor & it was this that inspired her to start to write her own songs. Kathy entered one of her songs “One Piece at a Time” in the National Country Song writing Competition in Tamworth in 2009 and was a top 5 finalist. This spurred her on to record an album of all original material, which was completed in September 2009 with a release date of 22nd November. Kathy also attended the “Jaws 2009” masterclass with Renee Grant-Williams, Karin Paparelli, Bill DiLuigi & Gary Tally from Nashville which covered, voice, guitar & song writing.

Kathy’s Album “Waitin’ on a Good Man” contains 12 beautiful country songs about life, love & emotions that we all go through. The first single from the album “Little Piece of Heaven” was released to radio on NFS 137 in December 09 & reached the Final (top 5) of the 2010 TSA National Country Songwriting Awards in Tamworth, 2010 Traditional Section, a video clip of the song was released to CMC in mid February and as at the 8th May 2010 it is number 42 on the Hot FM Mildura Top 100 Country Hits Chart. The second single “The Old Man’s Money” was released to radio on May 3rd 2010.

The album was recorded locally at “Longhorn Studios” at Kurri & was produced by Rob Wilson. All of the musicians that contributed to the Album are well respected in the Country Music Industry being; Michel Rose, Brad Bergen, Mick Albeck, Greg Franks, Karen O’Shea & Rob Wilson.

Kathy originally recorded this album for herself, as this was something personal she wanted to do & she didn’t care if she didn’t sell 1 copy because the number one reason you play music for is the love of it, not the money. It just so happens that the album has turned out absolutely beautiful & she wants to share it with people out there that love true country music and songs that touch the heart, the kind of songs that make you cry and the ones that make you smile.

Being able to connect with people through music is a beautiful thing & Kathy hopes that her songs will reach out & touch the hearts of many country music loving people.

Kathy’s Website is http://www.kathycoleman.com.au the album is available for purchase from the website and at all good record stores through One Stop Country. Kathy can be contacted on  or email sales@doubledeal.com.au

List of tracks

I'm so glad Kathy contacted me to tell me she had this new album out. Now that I have had a listen to it, I can see why she was so excited about it. It is one of those rare albums that you happen to like ALL the songs on it.

A couple of my favourites are "Waitin' On A Good Man", "The Old Man's Money" and "Talk To Me"
But this is one album that should be in all good collections.

Joy

Sound Barrier Productions

Sound Barrier Productions is proud and honored to announce the signing of Country Music Artist Bobby Ray Spears to an exclusive management and  booking contract.

Due to the world wide acclaim of his latest CD, “I've Made A Lot of Friends Along the Way,” on the Town and Country label, Bobby Ray feels it is time for a move to an agency with more experience in the

world wide market.

Thanks to extensive air play and fan response  Bobby Ray was inducted into the Iowa Traditional Country Music Hall of Fame in 2009 for the title cut, I've Made A Lot of Friends Along the Way,” and has been invited back this year as one of the headliners of their awards show.

Due to the amount of overseas interest SBP is exploring the idea of an overseas tour starting late this year or the early part of 2011. Bobby Ray has expressed a desire to go to  Australia first as the DJ's 'down under' have been most gracious in playing cuts from his latest CD. 

Bobby Ray is available for engagements as a single or with his band “The Cain't Hardly Playboys”
which he  recently reformed with the aid of music director Jim Murphy.

Bobby Ray's next CD, as yet untitled, is in the planning stage as this is being written. Lovers of traditional country music are sure to love it as much as they did “I've Made A Lot of Friends Along the Way.” Release is planned for early 2011.

For booking information contact Sound Barrier Productions via one of the methods listed above.

Sound Barrier Productions

Sound Barrier Productions proudly announces representation of one of Fort Worth's oldest night club entertainers and bands “Bobby Ray Spears and The Cain't Hardly Playboys”.

Bobby and The Cain't Hardly Playboys was one of the most popular bands in Fort Worth for over three decades playing traditional Texas dance hall music in many of the most popular night clubs in the area. Dance halls like the old Nine Acres, The Sip and Nip and Houlihan's, which sadly belong to another era when real country and western music was king in the dance halls all over Texas and Oklahoma and the dancers still did the two step, polka and waltz, not the line dance.

Bobby's latest CD release “I've Made A Lot Of Friends Along The Way” is literally getting disc-jockey's attention all over the world. Almost daily he gets emails from Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and many other countries telling him one or more of his traditional country songs is on their play list. Stations in this country, including the DFW area, that program real Texas Country Music are playing songs off the “Friends Along the Way” CD also.

The success of his CD is one of the reasons Bobby decided to get the band back together one more time. He has managed to get guitarist Jim Murphy who played with him in the late 1970's and early 1980's back as band leader. Jim started his music career with Al Dean of Cotton Eyed Joe fame in 1959. He had one of the most popular dance bands in Fort Worth during the 1960's, playing such places as the Grand Ball Room in the old Texas Hotel and The Pioneer Palace in the Will Rogers Complex. His band played regularly at the Press Club and was mentioned often in The Elston Brooks column in the Star Telegram and the Jack Gordon column in the old Fort Worth Press. During the 1970's he was on the road with country stars Wynn Stewart and Johnny Duncan.

Bobby also has managed to re- recruit drummer Gilbert Gray, who was with The Cain't Hardly Playboys from 1959 until 1961 when he enlisted in the United States Air Force, he rejoined the band when his enlistment was up and played with Bobby until he married a girl whose father owned one of the most popular night clubs in Fort Worth and became the drummer for him. For years Gilbert was one of the most sought after dance band drummers in Fort Worth.

Rounding out the band are steel guitarist Paul Ivy and bassist Ralph Counts.
Paul was on the road for a while with Wynn Stewart in the 1970s. Playing in Las Vegas and other entertainment centers in the western states. Later he traveled extensively with Gary Van and the Country Caravan until giving up the road to play in some of the most popular clubs in the area. Paul played for several years at the old Water Hole night club in Grand Prairie where he backed acts like Mel Street, Cal Smith, Box Car Willie and even the great group The Ink Spots.
Water Hole band that Paul was when they backed some of the top names in the entertainment industry. Ralph also doubles on fiddle and with Jim or Paul switching to bass he is able to add another diminsion to the band.

One thing is sure, spend and evening dancing or listening to Bobby Ray and his band and you will most certainly become a devoted fan.

For information about booking Bobby Ray Spears and The Cain't Hardly Playboys contact Sound Barrier Productions at 817-584-4858 or email soundbarrier72@yahoo.com.

Visit Bobby Rays Web Site At www.bobbyrayspears.com

C J Murphy
Sound Barrier Productions
1613 Hillside Drive
Fort Worth, Texas 76114

soundbarrier72@yahoo.com
817-584-4858

Corowa RSL Country Music Round Up
17th 18th 19th 20th June 2010

Maurice Hardy

Country Young Guns

Young Artists from Collie
From left to right, Kristy Elvin, Tahya Magill, Ashleigh Magill, Kate Hindle, Shenae Magill

Lynwood Arms Hotel comes alive on Sunday 13th June at 2:30pm when 13 young and upcoming artists take to the stage in a Showcase of Modern and Traditional Country Music.

Hosted by Brendon T. Moylan, “Country Young Guns of WA” features young artists ranging in age from 11 to 21 years old performing songs from the likes of Bob Dylan to Taylor Swift.

Supported by WA’s fabulous country band, “Outback” and featuring guest artists Amber Forsyth trio“Third Time Lucky”, & Emma Neasham, this must see Family Show includes a 3 course meal in the ticket price of $30.

Tickets on sale now from the Lynwood Arms Hotel,
558 Metcalf Rd, Ferndale.
Ph: 94518577

W.A. Country Music Promotions: 0427 980 118

The Slim Dusty Foundation

The Slim Dusty Foundation is honoured to now include as one of their highly valued Foundation Donors the Phonographic Performance Company of Australia (PPCA).  This team of Music Licensing

professionals is headed by Chief Executive Officer Stephen Peach, with George Ash, Chair of the PPCA Board of Directors. 

The non-profit PPCA organisation was established back in 1969 to represents the interests of Australian recording artists and their labels. This industry organisation specifically looks after the granting of public broadcast licences for Aussie recordings, to entertainment venues, radio and television stations etc.  

The generous financial donation to the Slim Dusty Foundation, will be specifically aimed towards research and development of the state of art exhibitions and displays planned within the Slim Dusty Museum.
Stephen Peach, CEO PPCA made comment with regard to their generous donation that, “PPCA represents the interests of Australian recording artists as well as record labels.  You couldn’t get a more iconic Australian recording artist than Slim Dusty and we’re genuinely proud to be able to support such a worthwhile and important initiative in his honour”

The significance of the cultural benefits that will accrue from the successful completion of the Slim Dusty Centre, will resonate throughout many Australian industries, and with the support of PPCA will ensure an ongoing cultural facility that will assist to support the music industry into the future.  

Interim CEO of the Slim Dusty Foundation, Kathryn Yarnold acknowledges that support from the Australian music industry, to which Slim Dusty contributed substantially, is fitting. “PPCA’s association with the Slim Dusty project which has strong National appeal, links to young musical talent, indigenous Australia and sound connections to the music industry, may also be viewed as a mark of respect for ‘The Man Who Is Australia’, his contribution to Australian music, and an alliance with Slim’s own personal values that still ring true today.”

The team of the Slim Dusty Foundation is proud of the association with the PPCA and look forward to continuing the association with not only the PPCA, but all supporters, and look forward to the future as completion of the Slim Dusty Centre project continues to move closer each day.
 
For information regarding the Slim Dusty Foundation and its aims, please contact Kathryn Yarnold, CEO on (02) 6562 6533
Or Phone 1800 18 SLIM, or visit the website at www.slimdustycentre.com.au

Slim Dusty Admin

Golden Saddle Awards Now Open For Entries

The 2010 Golden Saddle Awards are now open for online entries.

The Golden Saddles recognises Excellence in the Independent Australian Country Music Scene.
Independent country music artists who have commercially released physical CDs &/or digital tracks between February 1st 2009 and May 31st 2010 are eligible to enter.

The Golden Saddles grand prize is $5000 cash – the largest cash prize in Australian Country Music.
Entries are open to all independent artists residing in QLD, NSW, ACT, VIC & TAS.

The 2010 Golden Saddles Concert & Awards will be held at Rooty Hill RSL on Saturday 9th October 2010, part of the TOTAL COUNTRY WEEKEND.
Entries close July 15th, 2010.

For more information and to enter online visit the website: www.goldensaddles.com.au

First In Australia For Country Music
Jason Lee On Iphone & Ipad Apps

Big News this morning on Jason Lee’s Facebook site.

‘Its official, Jason Lee is the first Australian Country Artist to release an iPhone and iPad music app from ilike Inc. Keep up-to-date with music, tour dates, blog, games and much more with the Official Jason Lee

iPhone app from Apple. Online Now.’

‘Maybe people won't get it, but at least it helps keep me on track’ Jason says.

‘When I spoke to the iLike inc people they said that there were a huge backlog for iphone apps, but mostly US based, and when a search for other Australian country artist was made there were none to be found.’

‘so I submitted my application about two months ago. It normally takes up to 3-6 mths for approval, and requires two approval processes you have to go through. I found out over the weekend, that it’s all gone through’.

It’s a first for the Australian country music industry. It makes Jason the first Australian country artist accessible online through the new age technology, the first to be released onto the app store after approval by Apple Inc.

It means the official Jason Lee app will be kept up-to-date- on a regular basis by management teams and alike, so you'll know where and when Jason Lee is playing, you'll know when Jason Lee releases a new single and video clip before anyone else knows.

There are puzzle games on there, tour dates, blogs, music, videos and photos.

Jason Lee is in the company of other artists and US superstars such as Brad Paisley, Tim McGraw, Billy Currington, Rascal Flatts, Vanessa Amorosi, Darius Rucker, Sugarland, Emerson Drive, Blake Shelton, Josh Turner and Jason Aldean.

All you need to do is tap on the App Store application on your iphone, hit search and type in Jason Lee and it will come up Jason Lee - Official App.

In another first, this time for the artist himself, fans can pre-order the new album using PAYPAL.

Radio News Jason Lee, rising south Sydney country artist, has seen his latest single, A Memory, the pre-release from his new album due out next month fly into country music charts around Australia, climbing steadily in the last 10 weeks in the CMC charts, and picking up even wider radio airplay in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and extensively in Sydney, and up and down the Queensland coastline, the south east corner and the outer west, at 4 in the Top 50 Hot Country Radio Charts for two consecutive weeks. CMR has an asterisk hot track prediction at 25, heralding other national charts already high rotation airplay and chart listings. A great precursor for what the industry buzz has as an even better album.

| # 31 this week after 10weeks, peak at #16 18 May Top 50 CMC Country Music Channel 1Jun10
| # 25 CMR Country Tracks * 5Jun10 up 3 places CMR * Signifies Hot Track
| # 38 Top 100 Mildura’s Hot fm 5Jun10 up 4 places
| # 10 Hot Country Top 20 Countdown KIX Country 6Jun2010 QLD | SA
| # 4 Hot Country Radio Qld TOP 50 6Jun10 | at 4 for two weeks 1611AM Emerald, Roma, Goondiwindi, St George & 1629AM in Dalby

Album Launch
Fred Chubb Lounge Rooty Hill SYDNEY NSW, 29 July 2010 7.30pm, Proposed second launch
Gympie Muster August 2010

Album produced & engineered by Simon Johnson at Hillbilly Hut, mixed and mastered by Ted Howard at Rancom Studios in Sydney

Trent Simonson - Drums/Percussion | Simon Johnson - Bass Guitar , Glen Hannah - Acoustic/Electric Guitars, Kym Warner – Mandolin, Lynda Barnes - BV's , Mike Carr - BV's
Music video produced & directed by Ross Wood 171 Entertainment

A superb cinematic walk in the past; a sentimental portrayal of a father’s melodic bequest to his son, ‘A Memory’ was shot on location around Tamworth and Kentucky near Armidale in NSW in late January 2010.

Rhonda Sinclair

Miranda Lambert Scores Back To Back # 1's With "The House That Built Me"

Fresh off the heels of her three ACM Awards including Top Female Vocalist and Album and Video of the Year, Miranda Lambert scores her second # 1 single with “The House That Built Me.” Earlier this year Lambert notched her first # 1 single with the self penned “White Liar,” from her critically acclaimed and award winning third album, Revolution.

Of the 14 tracks that comprise Revolution, Lambert wrote or co-wrote 11. And while she did not write “The House That Built Me,” the song has a special place in the hearts of Lambert and her parents. Lambert explains, "When I was about 5-years-old, my parents had their own business. And, you know, when the phone stops ringing and you're self-employed...the phone stops ringing. So we had to move and live with my uncle for a while. Then we got to rent this huge farmhouse that was dilapidated, I mean, it was in terrible shape. But it had so much potential and my mom could see that. We didn’t have a lot, but we had everything we needed and I don't feel like I ever missed out on one thing. I really learned valuable lessons at a young age and it means a lot to my parents because that made me who I am. 'The House That Built Me' describes that perfectly. I feel like the fact that I recorded this song lets my parents know that they did a good job with me."

After her headlining tour “Roadside Bars & Pink Guitars” makes a Texas stop this weekend, Lambert will head to Nashville for the CMT Awards where she’s nominated for “Video of the Year” and “Female Video of the Year” for “White Liar. She’ll also take part in the CMA Music Festival where she will perform on the LP Field stage on Friday night, June 11 and closing out the week with her appearance at Bonnaroo on Sunday, June 13th.

Three-time Grammy nominee, platinum-selling recording artist and hit singer/songwriter Miranda Lambert scored three awards at this year’s Academy of Country Music awards, including Album of the Year for Revolution, Female Vocalist of the Year and Video of the Year for “White Liar.” Her critically-acclaimed third album, Revolution debuted at number One and joins her previous two releases that debuted at the very top of Billboard’s Country Album Charts making her one of three artists in country music history whose first three albums landed the Number One spot out of the box.

Lambert received rare perfect reviews from countless publications including 4 stars from Rolling Stone and USA Today, an ‘A’ from Entertainment Weekly and exuberant praise from SPIN, NY Times, Washington Post and more. Many have claimed Revolution the “Best Album of the Year” in any genre including Houston Chronicle and NPR’s All Things Considered.

She won the coveted ACM Album of the Year in 2008 and ACM Best New Female Award in 2007.

Emma Smith

The Lees - Remember To Breathe

Australian country, folk/roots family band,
The Lees are turning the hop, skip and jump from their highly successful top ten hit, It Ain't Me Babe into a push for their newest and follow up single.

In the wake of It Ain't Me Babe comes Remember To Breathe. Equally radio-ready, Remember To Breathe keeps The Lees   telling their story in their own voice. Since releasing the album, Welcome Road, at the Tamworth Country Music Festival in January, The Lees have been putting their likeability to the test with country music fans and radio and coming up trumps.

The success of the first single came as a surprise to The Lees. For ten years this eclectic mix of family personalities has been on the road, homeschooled, living out of a bus and forging a living from playing music. Hard work, perseverance and growing up have certainly contributed to the road they are now on.

This is where Remember To Breathe takes centre stage. It’s a reflection on the daily grind, the relentless pursuit of getting ahead and the endless lists of things to do. It’s about remembering to breathe when things aren’t easy and it comes from a place of shared experience and maturity.  

For the last couple of months, the family has had plenty of things to do. Between playing gigs and promoting the album, running the family business and some other music projects, Raechel Lee got married and created a significant event in the lives of The Lees family. The Lees have introduced Raechel’s husband, Ben, who is also a musician, to life on the road with The Lees, growing the family to seven individuals all happy to be along for the ride.

Remember to Breathe is ready to LISTEN and for digital download now at D2D and will be available via sampler on NFS June 13th.

Amanda O'Bryen

Tracy Killeen News

Hi Everyone,
 
So excited! The launch of my brand new album ‘Driver’s Seat’ was unreal – I had the best night.
Thank you so much to everyone who came, bought the album, & really made my night so fantastic - what a great venue Rooty Hill RSL is!  (Truly any excuse to buy a new dress.) Huge thanks to; John Bond

from Cool Country 2KA for hosting the night, all you interstate travelers & those who clocked up the km’s to come,  my wonderful band, Mum, Dad & big sister Sharon making the journey from VIC, & one of my best mates (& soon to be flat mate!!) the super talented Sarah McMonagle for opening the show.
 
Sarah & I work so well together we are looking at touring together in the future, so let me know where you would like us to perform & we will do our best to come to a town near you!
 
My first single ‘Brave’ is going great, it’s currently sitting at #5 on the Country Tracks Chart (champagne cork popping in background) & the clip is positioned #24 on the CMC Top 30 Chart (sounds of me now sculling…I mean, delicately sipping, said champagne). Thank you for all your support, it is a song I personally can relate to & have since discovered there is a lot of you out there who can relate as well, so  to any of you that have ever had to be ‘brave’ – cheers.
 
I am looking forward to relocating back to Sydney at the end of June & performing more in NSW; check out my website for tour dates. I think I will freeze as I have finally acclimatized to the BrisVegas weather & now moving in winter…brrrrrr….
 
I had a jam packed May, performing at the Katherine Country Music Muster - it was so unreal to get back there, such a beautiful part of Australia & a fantastic diverse line up of artists - congrats to the organisers. I hope it's not too long before I get back there again.

Then it was off to another beautiful part of Oz, one that I had never been to, Nardoo Station at Cunnamulla for 'Music in the Mulga'. What fun - great people, great food, great atmosphere & I was even in my first celebrity cook off - I didn't win, but there is always next year.... I knew I should of put dirt in Col Finley's fish..... Make sure you get there, if you love the outback &  country music, Carmel, David & all their family & friends will look after you!
 
Now I'm looking forward to getting out there to promote the new album & perform the new material.  Which, by the way, you can purchase from; all good music retailers (if you can’t see it, just order it in at the counter), my website or download at ITunes.
 
Thanks again for all your support, keep requesting the video clip at www.countrymusicchannel.com.au & I hope to see you at a gig soon!
 
Take care.
Love,
 
Tracy xx

Audrey Auld

Howdy Friends, Fans and Fellow travellers,

I've been living a big and busy life, from LA to SF to Vegas, Grand Canyon, Charlotte, Graceland, Austin and back home to Nashville. Phew!  Throw in a flooded city, an IRS audit, outlaws, inlaws, a full house and gigs galore and you get the picture.... 

No complaints. Each night I'd read Shantaram and immerse myself in someone else's world for a bit and feel the blessings that surround me.

G'day to all the Aussies reading this. Fingers crossed I'll be back home in April next year.  It's been too long since I've trod that good earth.  Get in touch if you can help put on a show in your town. Audrey x

Roots On The River Festival

Calling all Fredheads!
I'm returning to the Roots On The River Festival in Bellows Falls, Vermont.  I'm playing on Saturday June 12 at 3.25pm accompanied by Kevin Maul and we'll all get to sing 'Happy Birthday' to Mez!
There's something auspicious about this....
In 2003 my 2nd U.S. tour started at this very same festival, and it ended 7 weeks later in California, falling in love with Mez and into a beautiful marriage.  Here we are 7 years later and my how the waters have run.  This picture with Willie P. Bennett was taken back in '03 at the festival. Tell an Aussie it's a 'roots on the river' festival and she's bound to get ideas!
There are loads of great acts playing, including our favorite Fred Eaglesmith.  It always feels like a family reunion when the Fredheads congregate.

Family Reunion

Speaking of family reunions.... I married into a big family that likes to get together. My sister (in pink) came to visit us for 6 weeks, so my 2 brothers came over too and we all had a pig-on-the-spit family reunion in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin with a few hundred Mezeras and a few happy dogs.
It's been too long since us 4 kids have spent time together and it was great. I learnt a lot seeing myself reflected in my siblings.  We think we're so unique until the parental thumbprints are revealed in group gatherings.  I do believe my siblings shopping sprees helped bolster the U.S. economy.

And The Rain Came Down

My sister lives in Alice Springs in Central Australia and only sees rain once a year or so.  She arrived into Nashville during the start of the biggest rainfall ever recorded and for two days it seemed like a waterfall from the sky.  Sunday we went exploring in Mez's big truck and drove through flooded areas.  By Monday the rain had stopped and the sky was clear, but the water continued to rise.  Eventually the Cumberland River peaked at 49' high, and both ends of our street flooded.  The other side of the river was flooded, including the Opry Mills mall, the Opry hotel and theatre (that hosts the Grand Ole Opry show).  Broadway flooded, power was out, we shopped by flash-light.  Many houses were flooded and are now gutted, emptied, trashed and in need of cleaning which costs thousands of dollars.  Many people have also lost their jobs due to businesses being flooded and out of action.  If  you can, please make a donation to the Red Cross who, as usual, have provided so much help in the way of clothing, food, furniture, etc. 
The Spirit of Nashville design house has created a limited run of super cool posters (pictured here) to commemorate the flood and help raise money for flood relief charities.  The poster is $30 and they have already raised $27,000 from sales.
I've posted some flood photos on my Facebook page.

Anne McCue - New Release

Anne McCue has just released a great new album Broken Promise Land.
It's the shot of great Australian rock you didn't know you've been missing!
It's a never-fail-crank-it-up-good-time rock album. I love it!
She's also making a DVD of the Nashville album release gig.

Texans: Anne's playing shows in Texas this weekend, including the Continental Club in Austin on Saturday night, June 5th @ 8pm, with a full band. Git along - she rocks!

Audrey Auld

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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