Performers
Adam Harvey
Graeme Connors
The McClymonts
Travis Collins
Catherine Britt
Travis Sinclair
Jonah’s Road
Celestino
Andre Camilleri & The Broken Hearts
J.R. Williams
Jetty Road
The Distance
The Junes
Arly Karlsen
Jackson Mackay
Olive Bice
Shady Deal
White Goat
Code One
Peter Sheahan
Peter Worthington
Born and raised in Geelong, Adam first appeared busking in Tamworth in 1993. He has since released five albums and won seven Golden Guitars, for vocal collaboration in 1998 and 2001, album and male vocal in 2002, male vocal in 2004 and 2005 and winning album of the year again at the 2008 CMAA Awards with his first release for Sony/BMG ‘I’m doin’ Alright’. Adam has also had great success in the Victorian and National Country Music Awards taking out the best new talent in 1995, Victorian male vocalist in 1999 and 2000, 2001 group of the year-national section with co-stars Beccy Cole, Darren Coggan & Felicity, in 2002 Adam was the winner of male vocalist of the year with track ‘Shake of a hand’, 2004 male vocalist of the year with track ‘Call it love’, 2005 male vocalist of the year with track ‘That’s what you call a friend’, 2006 male vocalist of the year with track ‘Missing Heroes’ 2006 song of the year ‘Missing Heroes’ co-written with Rod McCormack and Jerry Salley, and in 2008 the male vocalist of the year with track ‘Someone else’s dream’ which was also selected as the 2008 song of the year co-written with Rod McCormack. Adam performs constantly across Australia and is developing an overseas following with appearances in the USA and tours of Canada, China and Ireland. After performing at numerous ‘Convoy for Kids’ charity fundraisers, Adam was made patron of the charity in 2002. In 2003 he was awarded the Centenary Medal for his contribution to Australian Society. In 2006 Adam accepted the role of patron for the Whittlesea Country Music Festival. 2007 saw the CMA, Nashville award Adam the Global Artist Award for his contribution to country music. In 2008 he was appointed an Ambassador for the Fred Hollows Foundation. Adam is both a truly seasoned international performer and down to earth Australian country music star.
www.adamharvey.com.au
Graeme Connors
Graeme’s is universally acknowledged as one of Australia’s finest and most distinctive songwriters. From the Australian musical landscapes for which he is so well known - songs like ‘A Little Further North’, ‘Cyclone Season’ and ‘Let the Canefields Burn’, to the hidden territories of the heart, his 14 CD's and 2 DVD's represent a remarkable and enduring body of work.
His impressive live performance credits span years of touring and includes the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games, where he performed his stirring theme song - ‘Being Here’.
Also one of Australia's most awarded artists – Graeme’s 12 Golden Guitars are only the tip of the iceberg. He has two Victorian & National Country Music songwriting awards, two APRA song-writing awards, an ARIA Award (for The Road Less Travelled in 1997), two PPCA Awards for the most played country artist on Australian radio, two American Song Festival Awards, two MO Awards for live performance, and 12 Tamworth Songwriters’ Association Awards, including the prestigious Song-maker accolade for his overall contribution to Australian song-writing.
His first album North has gone platinum, and both ‘The Road Less Travelled’ and ‘The Best ‘Til Now’ are well past gold status.
www.graemeconnors.com
The McClymonts
The McClymonts debut album ‘Chaos and Bright Lights’ was released in November 2007 following the success of their 2006 five-track EP. In 2006/07 the three sisters Brooke, Samantha and Mollie, from Grafton NSW, toured with Lee Kernaghan and now headline their own shows. Now with three Golden Guitar awards and Victorian & National Country Music Award winners of the 2008 Best Australian Group, The McClymonts stake their claim to create their own music history, one that is rich with magical voices, heartfelt lyrics and unforgettable melodies.
www.themcclymonts.com.au
Travis Collins
With the release of his second album No Boundaries, Travis Collins is rapidly becoming one of Australia’s most exciting new talents.
Travis’s first kick-start came back in 2004 when he won the Toyota Star Maker Quest. After winning Starmaker, Travis released his first album, Start the Car. The album featured two tracks ‘Start The Car’ and ‘I Was Wrong’ which went to #1 on the Country Music Channel’s Top 30.
In 2007 he won the Heritage section in the Victorian & National Country Music Awards with track ‘I am Australian’. His most recent single, ‘Full Tank’ also made it into the Top #5 and earned him a Best Male Vocalist nomination at the 2007 Country Music Awards of Australia.
Travis headed to the US in June to perform in Nashville at the CMA Festival’s Global Artist Showcase. The festival is the most prestigious in country music anywhere in the world and 191,000 people attended.
Travis has also released songs in France, Denmark, Germany and the UK and in July 2007 he visited Europe to perform for fans for the very first time.
www.traviscollins.com.au
Catherine Britt
Catherine has toured, performed and recorded with some of country music’s biggest names and has recorded with some of Nashville’s finest producers. Catherine started writing songs, which attracted the interest of Bill Chambers who took the then young singer under his wing. By the time she was 14, Catherine had made her first recording, an EP called ‘In the Pines’. Two years later, Catherine and Bill returned to the studio in 2001 for her first full length CD ‘Dusty Smiles and Heartbreak Cures’ the self released project was quickly picked up and re-released by ABC Records and came to the attention of Elton John who helped Catherine establish contacts in America where she signed a recording deal with RCA Records. In 2002 Catherine and Bill were the winners of the ‘Duet of the Year’ at the Victorian & National Country Music Awards with ‘It’s not Love’. Catherine went on to record the album ‘Too far Gone’, and has three US hits to her credit, including her duet with Elton John ‘When we say Goodbye’. Her latest album ‘Little Wildflower’ was released to wide acclaim in January 2008.
www.catherinebritt.com
Travis Sinclair
Described as the ‘quiet achiever of country music’, Travis’s highly successful debut album ‘Rhythm of the Highway’ earned him an Australian record of ten consecutive Top Ten singles, as well as collecting a host of awards along the way, such as a 2003 Golden Guitar for best new talent. His duet with Lee Kernaghan ‘I’m from the Country’ spent three weeks in the top spot on the country charts as well as taking out the 2004 duet of the year in the Victorian & National Country Music Awards, he was also selected as the 2003 and 2006 Victorian Male Vocalist. In 2005 his follow-up album ‘Rush’ earned him an APRA nomination two years in a row and many more accolades, making Travis one of Australia’s most successful country music artists. His first-hand knowledge of the trucking industry has been incorporated into his albums, but he also sings of the experiences and emotions told, felt and lived by others.
www.travissinclair.com
Jonah’s Road
Jonah’s Road released the award winning second album, Counting Down The Days in 2007 with previous singles ‘Why Does She Love Me’, ‘Counting Down The Days’, ‘All Mine’ and ‘Giddy Up’ all receiving radio and television success.
The band have recently picked up several awards including Best Country Artist in the 2007 National Musicoz Awards, Best Independent Release at the 2005 and 2008 Victorian & National Country Music Awards and Best Country Album in the 2008 US Independent Music Awards Peoples Choice. They also received nominations for the People's Choice and TIARA along with Best Group at the 2008 Golden Guitar Awards.
With shared lead vocals by Jay, John & Rodney, great songs and a fantastic live show, Jonah’s Road is one of the hottest bands in country music today.
www.jonahsroad.com
Celestino
Celestino is a four-piece band comprising of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist, Tingy Celestino; lead guitarist and vocalist, Steve Clark; bass guitarist, Scott Munro; and drummer, Andrew Lukasz.
Formed in 2002, this band plays a variety of soft and hard pop / rock, acoustically influenced music with original songs.
In 2006, Celestino recorded an independent CD titled ‘One Of A Kind’. This album is indicative of what this band can produce – ‘Clean cut music, well thought out songs, mature lyrics and themes, songs about life and optimism, and of course love’ (quoted by Ren Parisi, producer, Melbourne Records).
On the edge of discovery, Celestino is destined to create more than a bit of interest in the contemporary field of easy listening.
www.myspace.com/tingycelestino
Andre Camillieri & The Broken Hearts
In 2000 Andre Camilleri moved from Malta to Australia, where he continues to follow his musical ambitions. Having served his apprenticeship playing the streets of Berlin and Malta’s capital Valleta, wearing his trademark cowboy hat, his world is one of acute and often intimate observations, tales of heartbreak and disaffection, with the occasional dash of youthful optimism.
Expect a rich blend of blues and country flavored tunes covering a diverse range of material: happy and sad songs, songs about booze, loose women, favourite horses, heartbreak and being on the road. His band the Broken Hearts is currently receiving airplay on ABC, RRR, PBS Radio and numerous international stations. The band performed two headline shows at the prestigious Melbourne Arts Festival in 2007. The Broken Hearts are: Paul Thomas- steel guitar, James Stewart-lead guitar, Chris Birnie- bass and Maurie del Citto- on drums.
www.andrecamilleri.com
J.R.Williams
One of the finest hard working performers in the industry JR was born and raised in the country and it shows in his happy laidback approach.
It is probably the intimate daily contact with the land that gives JR his ability to relate so well to his audience, on what seems an almost ‘person to person’ level.
He knows that life is ever changing like the seasons, and because music and nature are in natural harmony it is important to be always changing as an entertainer.
He was inducted into the Hands Of Fame in Tamworth in 1994. In 1996 was named Victorian Country Entertainer of the year. His long running radio show, ‘JR's Country’ can be heard on 1521QN, every Sunday. With the effect of drought on the land he penned a new song called ‘Who Gives A Stuff About The Farmer’. Since it's release it has been used to support the ‘Plug The Pipe’ protest. JR performed the song on the steps of Parliament House with the Protest Rally hoping the politicians might listen. He is currently gathering a group of good songs together to release a new album in 2009.
www.jrwilliams.com.au
Jetty Road
Twin sisters Lee and Paula, Julian and Simon make up this talented outfit, delivering their unique style of country music that strikes a chord with audiences worldwide.
With numerous successes on radio and CMC, including recent hits Real Smooth Cowboy, I Wanna Go Home and the #1 smash hit City Lights, Jetty Road have gone from strength to strength. Touring alongside James Blundell for two years, Jetty Road were invited to perform main stage at Canada’s Dauphin’s Countryfest, in 2008. A ground breaking year for the group, 2008 saw Jetty Road achieve a Golden Guitar Award finalist nomination, claim Best Live Act honours in Tamworth, the TIARA Award for Best Group as well as the coveted Victorian Album of the Year award at the Victorian and National Country Music Awards.
With successful tours to the U.S, Canada, France and Germany and the release of their highly anticipated third album in early 2009, it’s no wonder Jetty Road have established themselves as one of Australia’s premier acts.
www.jettyroad.com
The Distance
With an incredible warmth and energy that exudes from the band it's hard not to be sucked into the catchy melodies and flowing harmonies of their original music. The Distance have just finished recording their follow up album 'Grounded', released through 'One Stop Country' into music stores right around the country. The album features a guest appearance from iconic Australian Crawl front man James Reyne on the song 'Country Life' which was a Top20 CMC hit. The new album showcases their unique songwritting abilities.
The sound is classic Australian country rock, with a clever blend of 70's Americana with influences from the Eagles, Bob Seger and Aussie band The Flood. The Distance are Gavin Leadbetter (lead vocals, guitars), Jim Mournian (bass, vocals), Darren Shiels (drums) & Mitchell Dean (guitars, vocals).
www.thedistance.com.au
The Junes
The Junes are a country swing super-group formed in the wake of GIT and The Toe Sucking Cowgirls, two of the finest female fronted bands in the land. Barely containing the talents of Sarah Carroll, Suzannah Espie and Gleny Rae Virus, The Junes write, sing and play with all the skill and style of their combined years in the business. These gals may travel around the country and the world in other guises, singing other songs, but when The Junes get together, audiences are drawn to the sound like moths to a flame… helpless in the spell of the harmonies, the swing, and the sight of these beautiful women.
www.myspace.com/thejunestunes
Arly Karlsen (International artist from Norway)
Arly was born in South Norway in a typical farming district, and bought his first guitar at the age of twelve. He’s been lead singer and guitarist in numerous popular Norwegian bands during the 1970’s. At the start of the 1980’s, Arly and his fellow musicians formed ‘Western Swingers’. Their debut album was released in 1983 and sold more than 20,000 copies across Norway. The band attracted a large fan base through constant concert dates and TV/radio exposure, made 5 albums, selling hundreds of thousands of copies, they called it a day in 1996.
Arly launched a solo career in 2001 and writes a lot of the songs he records and performs live, and has co-written with several international songwriters. The many singles he has released across Europe and around 30 countries have established him as one of the most played country artists of the 21st century. Arly sings with passion, feeling and emotion, his reputation for quality music and a huge talent spreads ever wider day by day.
www.arly.net
Jackson Mackay (International artist from France)
Over the years Jackson has earned the reputation as one of Europe’s best country music performers. Born in Alsace, France, in the foothills of the Vosges Mountains, Jackson spent his early years on his grandfather’s farm and with his family band. He left home in 1980 to begin his musical career touring all over Europe as a bassist/guitarist, and later as an acclaimed composer and producer. Jackson was a three-time nominee at the French FACM Country music awards in 2003 and ’04, in 2004 and ‘05 he won Best Singer of the Year as well as Best Live Performance. While travelling through Australia, Jackson was deeply inspired by Australian Country Music and always performs some Australian songs on his own shows. He has never forgotten what Australian Country Music brought to him: a sound, a spirit, and the inspiration of honest people living in one of the most beautiful countries in the world.
www.jacksonmackay.com
Olive Bice
Over a career which has spanned 30 years, Olive has performed with some of the biggest names in country music including: Lee Conway, Jimmy Little, Slim Dusty, The Hawking Brothers, Chad Morgan and many more. Olive’s repertoire is huge, from the sweet sounds of Anne Murray to Patsy Cline to the ‘belters’ of Dolly Parton and Linda Rondstadt. She is also brilliant at performing traditional hillbilly standards and yodelling classics.
Shady Deal
Shady Deal are a specialist country music backing band with years of experience at backing country music artists including: Craig Giles, Laura Downing, Col
Thompson, Olive Bice, Owen Blundell, Steven Cheney, Lee Conway, Reg Poole, Kerrigan La-Brooy, Jimmy Little, Grant Luhrs, Ian Muir and the list goes on. Shady Deal are a four piece band with two singers, lead guitar, pedal steel guitar, bass guitar and drums.
White Goat
White Goat is a three piece band established in the heart of the Waikato, New Zealand, now based in Melbourne Australia. Lead guitar & vocalist, Steve Henderson, alongside his wife, bass guitarist Sharon Henderson, and Mike McKinley on drums have captured audiences with their vitality and enthusiastic performances. Their popularity has increased significantly, gaining independent radio airplay and recognition through out New Zealand, USA & Europe.
Steve’s raw passion for the guitar is reflected in his performance, captivating audiences with his guitar technique & vocal versatility. Sharon’s solid bass guitar ties the group together and sets the foundation for a great tight sound and a performance not to be missed!
www.whitegoatband.com
Code One
Code One, the Victoria Police rock band comprises of six uniformed members and has been scoring big PR goals for the Force for the last 18 years. The band plays pop music from early 50’s rock ‘n roll through to current ‘top 40’. Code One boasts the vocals of the amazing Senior Constable Brian Carbery and Constable Lorena Novoa. Lorena’s stage persona is all about dancing, singing and audience communication. Her versatility and infectious enthusiasm never fails to charm and woo any audience lucky enough to fall under her charms. Accompanied by Senior Constables Richard Bennett – drums, Jason Bond – sound tech, Simon Deppeler – bass guitar and Rick Varlet – guitar. Code One proves something we all already know, music rocks and so do cops. Code One is acknowledged as one of the top bands in Australia and never disappoint.
www.codeone.com
Peter Sheahan
Peter is a successful singer/songwriter who has been performing and recording country music for the past 20 years he has released 8 albums and written a large percentage of these tracks. In 1999 Peter was awarded Gospel song of the Year at Tamworth for ‘Hold The Ladder Lord’ and Children’s song of the Year for ‘Where’s My Teddy Bear’ in the TSA Songwriters Salute Awards of Australia. In 2003 Peter won the PVLC Australian Country Music Award. He performs many charity shows. Very much a ‘people person’, receives pleasure from entertaining the elderly. Wife Evelyn shares his interest and accompanies him and performs many of Peter’s award winning songs.
Peter Worthington
Peter has been writing and reciting Bush Poetry for many years. His unique style of humour leave the heart feeling inspired and contented. His accolades include 1998-99 Tamworth finalist, 1999 Judges most highly commended Award, Australian Bush Poet Championships, Mulwala, 2000 Inaugural Bush Poet & Yarn Spinner, Shepparton and Weekly Times Award 1000 Camp Fires, 2001,2,3 Senior judge at “Man from Snowy River Competitions” , 2002 runner-up Rusty Nail Poets Competition, Wedderburn. A series of heart attacks in 2002 & 3 forced Peter into retirement, he is well again and ready to resume.