July Birthdays

Local Singers Head To Norway

Doug Bruce and Sandra Humphries are teaming up for a couple of Melbourne performances in July before venturing further north…way north!  Doug and Sandra have been invited to perform at the popular Halogaland International Country Music Festival in Norway in August. 

“I’ve been to Europe before but not to Norway so I am really looking forward to seeing that part of the world”, Doug says.

“I hear they really appreciate their country music over there so it should be fun performing and meeting some of the locals”. 

Sandra is equally keen to hit the skies. “I’m really excited to be given the opportunity to travel to Europe and do my thing. I have maxed out the credit card buying thermal underwear, unromantic as it may be!” says Sandra.

“I’m so excited to be heading over to Melbourne to do these shows with Doug and his fantastic band, The Tailgaters. Doug is a world class act and a lot of fun to work with!”

Doug and Sandra will be performing with The Tailgaters, on July 16 at Pascoe Vale RSL and on the afternoon of July 18 at the Tooradin Sports Club.  Doug and the band are also playing at The Barwon Hotel in Winchelsea on July 24. 

Both artists have also got their sites set on their next album. 

Sandra recently spent five days on the Central Coast with good friend and long time producer Bill Chambers.  “We played a couple of fantastic shows and attempted to do some song writing for a new album.  Think we spent way more time drinking coffee and talking a lot of bull! It’s always great fun catching up with Bill, Kate and the family”.

Doug’s new album, A Good Place,is nearing the finish line.  “I’ve been head down and tail up for the last few months working on getting the new album pretty much done before I go, so I’m looking forward to getting out of the studio and performing again”.

Both artists will also be performing at the 2010 Mildura Country Music Festival upon their return.

Doug Bruce

Craig Giles 86th News Letter 

Dear Friends,

Well winter didn’t waste any time getting here, I’d say it arrived about three weeks early. I’ve had a reasonably quiet time over the past few months, unlike Roz & Craig.

Early April they flew over to W.A. for the Bunbury Country Music Show which they agreed was extremely successful and well worth the trip.

Everything was very well organized thanks to Jeanette & Dick Hatfield and hopefully it will be on again in 2011.

On Anzac Day I joined them on a trip to Mulwala where Craig & Kinta presented a brilliant show to a full house. It was wonderful to see such a variety of dancers having a good time.

The inaugural Lameroo C.M.Festival weekend in S.A. exceeded all expectations. We were hoping for about 300 but were overwhelmed when nearly 500 people came from near and far to enjoy the event. Roz & the committee lost count of the amount of congratulatory emails and phone calls they received. The media were fantastic and really got behind it. WIN TV also covered the event which helped immensely.  The tiered seating in the Main Hall was a big hit as it allowed the audience clear vision of the stage over the heads of the dancers. The Farewell Breakfast Sunday morning in the Supper Room was also very popular and will go ahead next year.  Kath & John Ramke and the committee along with the rest of their team done a wonderful job with all the catering etc. The dates for 2011 are Saturday 30th April  &  Sunday 1st May. Tickets will be going on sale soon.

Thank you Kath & John for your wonderful hospitality.

From Lameroo we headed to Kangaroo Island where Craig was booked for a one-man-show at the Kingscote Hall. This also went well. It’s been quite a few years since Craig was on K.I. but the response to his show was very rewarding. Thank you Merilyn Henderson for your wonderful hospitality and efforts to promote the show.

After less than a week at home Craig and Roz headed off on their annual Northern Tour.

I’ll hand it over to Roz for a summary of that …..

Hi Folks, we had a fabulous tour. All of the shows were very successful and we met up with a lot of friends at the various venues. The Gympie Stampede is getting bigger every year. Congrats to Joy and Baz for all their hard work. There is talk of the Stampede moving to another venue so I’ll let you know more when I know. We had lunch with Paul and Hele McCloud and talked about next years Hartwood C.M.Festival. That is also growing every year. It’s extremely popular with caravaners. We managed to take a bit of time off and went to see some great shows including the magnificent “Outback Spectacular.”  We also spent some quality time with some very special friends.

Unfortunately we didn’t get to Rockhampton or Mackay this year but they should be back on the list for 2011. As I said, it was a very successful tour but it’s good to be home.

Now between regular gigs, we’re gearing up for our USA Tour. Boy, it’s exciting ! It’s great to see some fan club members will be joining us as well as Kinta, Craig’s Duo partner and some other friends we’ve made along the way. Craig is really looking forward to singing in Al Green’s Tabernacle Church and is very excited about presenting a Tribute To Elvis in Tupelo. As most of you would know, Tupelo is where Elvis was born and raised.

Travelrite & John Howie are very impressed at how quick this tour sold out, so much so that they have engaged us for a second tour in October next year. It will be much the same as what we are doing this year with a few variations.  If you are interested in next years tour contact me a.s.a.p. and I’ll send out some information.

If you like the 50’s & 60’s era & music, don’t miss Craig & Kintas’ Rock’n’Roll Dance at Benalla. Even if you don’t dance you’ll enjoy the atmosphere and entertainment. It’s not far off so make sure you book in.  Tickets are at the club and Roz is taking table bookings.

Keith Warren has asked us to help spread the word about the Gawler CMC 2010  C.M.Cavalcade ... Talent Quest on the 21st August,  9am till late.  This Talent Quest helps developing Country Music artists of all get the recognition they need and deserve.
Contact  Keith on  08 8255 8920  for full details   www.gawlercountrymusicclub.com.au

Craig’s Morning Melodies and Seniors Concerts have been going extremely well. Let us know if there is a venue near you that may be suitable.

June Draws :
Don’t forget to sign the June Draws sheet at Craigs’ shows for a chance to win 12 months free membership.  New members, in case you don’t already know, I have a sheet at the shows for members to sign and each year we draw out three names and they receive twelve months free membership. You have to be in it to win it ! 
This years winners are …
Barry & Jean Kearns of Yamba,  Maxine Clarke of Broken Hill, Kevin DeFazio of Wangaratta

Looking Ahead :
Club Mulwala is a popular venue and Craig will continue to do gigs there in 2011. It has beautiful views and a big dance floor.  Another new venue for Craig is Dubbo RSL. Hopefully this will go just as well.  As far as we know, Craig will be back at the Yass Bowling Club for New Years Eve. I will let you know definitely in the next newsletter or you can ring Roz next month.
We will be back at the Tamworth C.M.Festival in January 2011. This time there will be two “Remembering The Legends” to accommodate everyone. Let Roz know if you want Craig’s Tamworth Itinerary.

Product Watch:
Craig’s latest album,  “This Old House” is $25.  Financial C.G. fan club members will receive a $3 discount & therefore only pay $22. Please note that you will have to present your current membership card to receive the discount at shows.  I’m sure you’ll understand that there are hundreds of members & it is impossible for me to know who is paid-up & who isn’t. If you are sending for the album make your cheque or money order out to C & R Giles and post it to PO Box 111, Finley 2713.

If you have changed your phone number, email or postal address please let me know a.s.a.p.  to save any inconvenience.
*  $10 Membership subs are due by the end of February each year.
*  Make all Cheques & Money Orders payable to C & R Giles.

* If you have an email address, and we don’t already have it…please email it to Roz  at  bigriver@mcmedia.com.au   so we can notify you immediately if any circumstances change regarding any of Craig’s shows etc.

Keepin’ in touch
Lorna

Allan Caswell News

“Al’s Bar and Grill” re released and new album “Behind Bars” coming in August

Allan Caswell’s Golden Guitar winning album “Al’s Bar and Grill” is now available through Shoestring Records, which means that all his albums are now available through Shoestring.

The new album “Behind Bars” should be released mid August, also on Shoestring. “We are very excited about ‘Behind Bars’ but feel we should warn you that it is a very country album … the reaction from people who have heard it so far has been stunning”

Marion Caswell

James Allen Promotions

The new numbers are out on the ECMA Charts. 

# 1 is Miranda Lambert, #2 is Lady Antebellum and a strong #3 is David Pool and Hermann Lammers Meyer, singing "What Are You In Here For", written by Texas writer Jon Rutherford.  This song was #1 for 3 weeks, then dropped to #2, and still a strong #3 for 3 weeks.  Thanks Rafel for your fantastic support and a great playlist boad.

On the NGI Charts is Will Taylor's "She Needs Romance" at #17.  Thanks Oagee for such a great board.

We have some new releases this month to watch for, by Texas artist Lonnie Dean, and also another written by Polly for Ann Pascoe called 'Scared".  I would appreciate all the dj's taking just a second to listen to some new great country musc by some very deserving artists.

I would like to congratulate everyone involved, but a great big Texas THANKS for giving our artists such great support.

James Allen Promotions
Fort Worth, Texas
Lifetime Member CMA
ECMA

Doug Mcintyre 2010 Capital News ‘Male Rising Star’ Australian Independent Country Music Awards

dougmcintyrecountrymusic.com.au

Doug will be appearing at the Canterbury- Hurlstone Park RSL Club on Thursday 8 July 2010

“I’m really looking forward to meeting old friends and new friends, and performing my songs about this great country of ours from my forth-coming album “Australian Son”.

For further info go to: www.shownet.com.au/canterburycountry.html

Doug has almost completed writing the 12 songs for the album. Production will soon commence with Steve Newton, with release before the end of this year.

Thanks for Your continued support of Doug’s Australian Country

Doug McIntyre

Ashley & Rachael Announced As Finalists In The Junior Saddles Competition 2010 Heat 3 In Central Coast

The Junior Saddles Competition 2010 continues the journey around NSW, searching for young Country Music stars of tomorrow.
Heat 3 was held last weekend in Gosford on the Central Coast, and the

latest Finalists are Ashley Knight from Woy Woy & Rachael Fahim from Cherrybrook.

Ashley (16) performed two songs, ‘Over For Good’ (an original) and ‘Here For The Party’ (by Gretchen Wilson), which showed off her powerful voice, her songwriting ability & her incredible guitar playing skills. This young, talented all-rounder is having a great year – not only is she in the 2nd round of auditions for the NSW Talent Development Project, she has been asked to support Tracy Killeen, among others.

Rachael (14) performed ‘From This Moment’ (by Shania Twain), and ‘This One’s For The Girls’, (by Martina McBride), which showed off her beautiful vocals perfectly. Rachael is also having a successful year – this week she is performing at the Chinese Australian Forum Annual Dinner for Senator Penny Wong. Last year, Rachael was a featured performer at the 2009 Schools Spectacular.

Ashley & Rachael will join Finalists from around NSW at the Junior Saddles Competition Final in Sydney on October 9th at Rooty Hill RSL.

The ultimate winner of The Junior Saddles Competition 2010 will win $1000, and will perform at the prestigious Golden Saddle Awards that night.

For more information and to register visit www.juniorsaddles.com.au
For interviews contact Donna – info@juniorsaddles.com.au / 0414 781 231

Cheers,
Donna Boyd

Bringing It Home

Ami Williamson has a unique musical pedigree. Not only is she the daughter of legendary country singer John Williamson, she’s also a trained and internationally recognized opera singer, a qualified actress and an accomplished pianist.

Yet Ami's true passion is songwriting, and that’s the path she’s chosen to take on her stunning debut album, Close to Home.

“I feel I’ve nurtured these songs for a long time, Ami said. “I wanted to take them on the road, to test them, but now it feels like the right time to put them out there on an album.”
The album’s title is an apt one - all the songs it contains were written by Ami, and they are all intensely personal.

The result is a collection of sweet, quirky, touching and powerful songs that absolutely takes your breath away. These are songs that unfold like rose petals, revealing glimpses of something new and intriguing with every listen.

“The songs are pretty diverse because the things that inspire them come from all kinds of experiences. I just like to let each song unfold in a way that’s right for it and its subject,” Ami said.

“The most important thing to me when I’m writing a song is to cut away at any falsehoods and pretences. It’s really important to get as close to the bone as you can, because that’s how you touch other people.”

It’s not surprising that Ami’s father has come out in strong admiration of his daughter’s work.

“I guess he was my scariest critic, but he did a review of the album and I was really touched by what he wrote. He said although it was my debut album, it didn’t sound like it was my first. That meant a lot,” she said.

John hit the mark with that comment. The subtleties and nuances of her songs make it seem like Ami has been writing songs for decades. She has that rare ability to take the small moments of life and make them into universal truths.

Many of the tracks on Close to Home are about the complexities of life - love that might not be quite perfect, but is precious nonetheless; a life lived in all its heartaches and triumphs; the closeness of families and the pain of never getting quite close enough.

Ami takes a shades-of-grey approach to relationships in the quirky and extremely appealing We Travel In Cars, about two people who are very different but love each other anyway. The gutsy He’s Shy, I’m Not is in a similar vein.

The Soldier’s Wife was originally inspired by Ami’s tour of Iraq and Afghanistan, where she entertained Aussie troops. It’s a story of war and its aftermath from the woman’s point of view, and is both touching and thought provoking.

Two of the most memorable songs on Close to Home deal with parenthood. Your Time and All I Had are both about the need children have for their parents’ time, and how desperately they want to please those they love the most.

It’s a subject close to Ami’s heart, with her first child due any day. 

In honour of the birth, the album includes a love song to her husband, Beautiful. However, Close to Home explores many aspects of relationships, from the unrequited love of Little Cigarette to the full-on So Not In Touch, a song born of frustration at the differences between men and women.

Despite her operatic background (she is a graduate of The Sydney Conservatorium of Music) and has performed in Opera Australia productions- Turandot, Carmina Burana, Iolanthe and Sweeney Todd, and won a scholarship to study opera in Germany, where she spent almost two years - Ami says she has no plans to return to the operatic stage.

Instead, she’s likely to follow in her father’s footsteps and make her mark as one of Australia’s most remarkable singer/songwriters. Perhaps she caught the bug when he took her on tour as a teenager. Whatever the reason, we’ll be hearing a lot more from Ami Williamson in the years ahead.

A review by Susan Jarvis
(Capitol News)

Tori Darke And Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) Join Together To Support Seriously Ill Children And Their Families

After visiting Ronald McDonald House Westmead in Sydney, up and coming country singer, 19 year old, Tori Darke was so touched she had to write a song to express how she felt. ‘Not My Time to Fly’ was created with friend and colleague Drew McAlister and then recorded by Tori.

The response to this heartfelt song was so strong she decided to release it on iTunes with all profits going to Ronald McDonald House Westmead, dedicating it to all the special children and their families.  The Charity was so inspired by Tori’s song they approached her with the offer of using ‘Not My Time to Fly’ as the theme song on their latest testimonial charity  DVD.

Tori Darke

Phil Mack

Hi from Zoe at Phil Mack

Phil has had 3 songs in the ECMA charts, top 100 over the last year . All releases were on the Hillcrest Record label, run by Ross Allen in Canada.

Phil’s next release is out soon on Hillcrest, it is called Before I Met You.

Thank you to all the Radio stations worldwide who are spinning Phil’s records, we have listed many of you in our credit section on www.philmack.comThose of you who are awiting Phil’s latest album should receive this in the next 14 days.

Below are 3 links to Original songs recently recorded by Phil

Listen to The Girl From Donegal [ Written by Phil Mack www.philmack.com/page24.htm

Listen to  Homeplace In Mayo [ Written by Sam Moore ]  www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwsIUdQIJis&feature=channel

Listen to The Blue Stack Mountains  [Written by Vic Holdroyd ]
www.youtube.com/watch?v=my2I9ow6y_A&feature=channel

Listen to My Donegal Shore [ An evergreen ]  www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BFRM8Olh-c&feature=channel

Thank you all
Zoe McCole xx

The Ultimate Jam Session
Rock ‘N’ Roll History On Stage 

One electrifying day in 1956 when four of America’s top recording artists met and forever changed the face of popular music is re-created in a new Australian show commencing an Australian tour starting in July 2010. 

The Ultimate Jam Session stars James Blundell, with special guests Nick Barker, Dave Larkin (Dallas Crane) and introducing Ezra Lee. They all perform the songs of the legendary artists, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins. 

How these mega-stars came to record together for the first and only time is told in The Ultimate Jam Session, which took place at Sun Records in Memphis. 

It was pure chance that that the four were in the tiny Tennessee recording studio at the same time and, being musicians, it was perhaps inevitable that they indulged in some music making. This developed into hours of an impromptu jam session, each competitively trying to top the others and producing some of the best music you’ll ever hear … just making music for its own sake 

Ghost Riders in the Sky, Blue Suede Shoes, Heartbreak Hotel, Great Balls of Fire, Folsom Prison Blues and See You Later, Alligator are just some of the massive hits that are performed in the show, backed by the Sun Studio Trio. 

December 4, 1956 was a remarkable, unique, historic occasion in the transition of popular music, which The Ultimate Jam Session deservedly commemorates as “The Day the Music Lived”. 

This exciting theatrical event, created and produced wholly in Australia, by the same team who brought you The Man In Black (starring Tex Perkins), is premiering in five leading suburban venues ahead of a season in Melbourne later this year, followed by an Australia-wide tour. 

Neil Richards

The Beggars With Trev Warner - July 17th At The South Australian Folk Centre

The Beggars present their premier concert at the South Australian Folk Centre on July 17. The show will feature special guest multi instrumentalist Trev Warner.

The Beggars are three brilliant singer / songwriters with a crystal clear Australian voice. Their tune “The Banjo Song” hit number hit 1 # on the European Country Music charts in Jan 2010 and is still riding high on the charts after 24 weeks. This warm and welcoming mid winter show

will be one of the Beggars rare Adelaide performances and their first ever at the Folk Centre.

Special Guest Trev Warner is a multi instrumentalist, Golden Guitar and national banjo title winner, the last time Trev played at the folk Centre it was complete sell out.
For bookings call South Australian Folk Centre 8354 4606 office open Tuesday to Friday. 

Press quotes……….
“While listening to the compact songs you immediately think of greats like Gram Parsons, Van Morrison, Johnny Cash, or the Fairport Convention.”  www.musikreviews.de
“world-class musicians” www.rocktimes.de
“The crystal-clear voiced Renee Donaghey sounds like a conglomeration of Emmylou Harris, Joan Baez and Linda Ronstadt.” www.musikreviews.de

Double bass player Quinton Dunne says……..
“We are just a quiet little acoustic band from Adelaide who made an album in 2006. That record was like a magic carpet that took us around Europe. Our music is some where in the space between Country and Folk and we take pride in the tradition that has come down from our Australian stars like Slim Dusty, Buddy Williams & Chad Morgan.”

Quinton Dunne

Audrey's June '10 News

G'day fellow earth people,

I'm feeling my mortality; my bones, skin, blood and water; my dust to dust, ashes to ashes.  Who are we without clean air and water?  Characters in Cormac McCarthey's The Road?  Where would we be without oil? No gasoline, no plastic. We'd be walking, riding a horse or a bicycle, traveling less, staying home, getting healthier, saving containers once thought of as throw-away. But there is no "away", it's just out of our sight.  The oil in the ocean, and its effects, is highly visible.  But think of all the crap we pump into the air everyday that is invisible and doing us all in, breath by breath. Geez, I just have to go plant trees, bushes, flowers and food, install a frog pond, put only water down the sink and feed my chickens every bit of uneaten food.  Then I will sing a song with my neighbor, read a poem from Australia, walk the dogs at midnight and sleep to the froggy orchestra.... Sometimes it's just so hard to be a good human.

Roots On The River Festival
Wow! The Roots On The River Festival in Bellows Falls, Vermont was too much fun!  Before my set Mez was presented with a beautiful birthday cake 'cause it was his special day.  I had a great time playing music with Kevin Maul on dobro and laughing with all the Fredheads in the crowd.  At the end of my set I was presented with a gorgeous little 1940's Regal parlour guitar.  Each year they honor a performing songwriter with a guitar, and I got lucky.  It's the perfect size for playing in the van whilst touring.

Fred Eaglesmith was great and funny and his band is pumping.  He's added the Fabulous Ginn Sisters to the act and it's real sweet with their harmonies and Go-Go girl/tramp look.  Their new album (produced by Fred) is excellent and highly recommended - You Can't Take A Bad Girl Home  Fred's got a cool new record too, Cha Cha Cha, and it was especially exciting to watch them play on the Dave Letterman show.  Dave described them as "Germany, before the war".  Ever seen the film Salon Kitty?

Auld Archives
It was cool and I was chuffed to get a note from Nick Weare in Canberra, Australia advising he'd added my very first cassette tape demo recording to the National Film and Sound Archive. Feels like it was years ago that I made those recordings, 'cause it was.... [Illustration by Don Mackinnon].

What's Going On?
I'm headed back to Texas this month for some cool shows with great artists.  I'm keen to check out Casbeer's new digs in San Antonio and share the stage with Lisa Morales (of Sisters Morales) and Dustin Welch.  Then it's back to my favorite Threadgill's yum yum restaurant for a song swapping show with my good pal Colin Gilmore, with Andrew Hardin and Billy Crompton backing us up.  Friday I'll be in Dallas at Uncle Calvin's Coffeehouse, which is an awesome gig for its acoustics, attentive audience and good cake and tea in the break.  Plus I'm happy to be anywhere Jimmy LaFave is! This show is a celebration of the impending Woody Guthrie Folk Festival in mid July in Okemah, Oklahoma.  You have to come! It's hot, it's jamming, it's family, it's free!!!

Then I'm back in North Carolina for a couple of shows before heading to Ontario, Canada for some house concerts, the Fred Eaglesmith Charity Picnic which is lots of fun, camping, good music and great jam sessions, then on to Toronto.

Later I'm meeting up with Jess Leary and Anne McCue for a Lakeville, MA house concert.
If you'd like to host a show, get in touch. I'd always rather be playing!

New Album Project
My new album project is moving along slowly and steadily.  I'm $136 from $5000! This is very exciting and I'm uplifted by the continued donations from all over the world at the most unexpected times! Thank you to everyone whose gestures of faith keep me going.

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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