Performers
James Reyne
Troy Cassar-Daley
The McClymonts
Felicity Urquhart
Catherine Britt
The Flood
Amber Lawrence
Travis Collins
Jetty Road
McCalister Kemp
Greg Champion
The Harmonators
Steve Eales
Geoff Achison
Matt Walker
The Distance
Darren Colston
Liam Brew
Carmen Fraser
Gayle O’Neil
Tori Darke
Smok’n O’Briens
Errol Gray
Adam Toms
Cousin Leonard
David Hosking
Bec Hance
Sal Kimber
Steve Doyle
Fat Chance
Pay Dirt
The Prairie Oysters
White Goat
Celestino
Buck and Deanne
Courtney Conway
JT
Greenwood Bluegrass
Chris Watson
Big River
James Reyne
James Reyne is one of Australia’s most loved singer songwriters. James led the seminal Australian Crawl to the top of the Australian music scene. With his prolific song writing and unique vocal style, James Reyne continued to chart the musical path he initiated in the last stages of his former band's career, achieving further success with his solo career, releasing 9 solo albums to date.
James hasn’t kept himself entirely in the studio or at live venues; his other projects have included hosting Dig TV for ABC 2, acting and some interview/hosting for various Foxtel VH1 specials. James recordings also feature on two Children's books (Mr Froggy Went A Courtin’ and Save The Bones For Henry Jones). Currently James is working on a new recording tentatively due out in late 2009.
James’ song-writing coupled with his idiosyncratic vocal style, has enabled James to transcend the disposability of music industry fashion and carve his place in the musical landscape of Australia.
www.jamesreyne.com.au
Troy Cassar-Daley
Troy Cassar-Daley is probably best known in Australia as the most likeable bloke in country music! He is also one of Australia’s most awarded and respected singer/songwriters.
Hot on the heels of his Gold Certified ‘Born To Survive’ - Best of CD & Platinum DVD Collection, Troy released the first single from his highly anticipated new album, ‘I
Love This Place’, in April, 2009 through Troy’s new record label; Liberation Music.
The driving, yet infectiously melodic ‘Big, Big Love’ will herald a career defining album for Troy. There is a real energy and positive spirit generated by ‘Big, Big Love’ - one that sets the theme for the entire album.
www.troycassardaley.com.au www.myspace.com.au/cassardaley
The McClymonts
The McClymonts have arrived with their debut album ‘Chaos and Bright Lights’.
Recorded in Nashville, Tennessee in June 2007 the girls-Brooke, Sam and Mollie had the privilege of flying over to the states to work with some of Nashville’s finest musicians and hit record producer Adam Anders(Nick Lachey, Backstreet Boys).
All 12 tracks were co-written by the sisters with both Australian and American writers. Smash hits include Save Yourself which saw the girls walk away with their 2nd ‘Group Of The Year’ Golden Guitar Award in Tamworth 2008, My Life Again and Finally Over Blue, a track that tipped The Eagles 10 month run off the top of the Australian radio airplay charts.The last year has seen them tour extensively around Australia promoting the new album and also taking part in large profile performances including World Youth Day.
www.themcclymonts.com.au
Felicity Urquhart
Felicity Urquhart is a multi Golden Guitar winner, CMAA Independent Entertainer of the Year winner, and with her latest album LANDING LIGHTS (distributed by Shock) has again shown her remarkable vocal and song writing talent. With hit singles from the album ‘Two Wheels’, ‘I Fall’ and ‘Roller Coaster’, Felicity keeps hitting the heights. Busy entwining her performing in between her presenting work on Channel 7’s ‘Sydney Weekender’, and when John Nutting is away hosting ABC Radio’s Saturday Night Country. 2010 will see Felicity touring Europe, the US and of course here in Australia. www.myspace.com/felicityurquhart
Catherine Britt
Catherine Britt has come a long way, she’s now an accomplished and mature singer-songwriter with three albums to her credit and a fourth due to be released this year.
Catherine has toured, performed and recorded with some country music’s biggest names such as Keith Urban, Tommy Emmanuel and Buddy Miller who all contributed to her superb second album, “Little Wildflower.”
Along with the experience of living in Nashville, writing and recording with some the music industry’s most talented people, Catherine has been a regular at annual CMA Music Festival and opened for The Brooks and Dunn/Alan Jackson tour in 2007.
While her first two albums were traditional country records, ‘Little Wildflower’ explored Catherine’s personal growth, the conflicting emotions that come with self-doubt, desire, loneliness, expectation, being in love, wanting to be loved and being faced with constant challenges and opportunity. It also showed a creative desire to grow musically and embrace all kinds of music
Catherine is currently in the studio working on her fourth album due to be released later this year. She has teamed up with Bill Chambers once again and multi-award winning singer/songwriter Shane Nicholson to produce this next album which will provide another glimpse into Catherine Britt’s musical journey through life.
The Flood
There's something prematurely mythic about The Flood. Their name swirls with the gravity of the Old Testament and the everyday calamity of life on the land: a force of nature, and a story thick with sediments of truth and fable. This band, in turn, has carved its own legend. Nashville troubadour Kevin Welch said his brief stint out front was "like getting behind the wheel of a Formula One race car". Fans have long known the feeling. Their last album, 'Everybody's Favourite' continued the great tradition of Australian storytelling, and now Kevin Bennett combines material from his newly-released album 'Solo' with the best of The Flood and some extra delights with a 'floating' line-up designed to keep the music fresh and unpredictable. Rhythms magazine calls The Flood "the best Australian country rock band since The Dingoes."
Amber Lawrence
When it all comes down to it, Amber Lawrence, the award-winning singer-songwriter has much to look forward to and be proud of – with news of her very first APRA nomination and the launch of her highly anticipated second album ‘When It All Comes Down’ (September 2009).
Recording the album with Golden Guitar winning-producer Rod McCormack was a delight for Amber, even though the year leading up to it had its share of joy and sorrow. The result is an album full of inspiration, fun, and happiness. Amber certainly has a way with words, and her cheeky personality and emotive vocals are what shine through on this album.
Amber’s first album, achieved two Golden Guitar nominations (2008) for Female Artist of the Year and New Talent of the Year, and was the recipient of four of the nine awards handed out at the Southern Stars Australian Independent Country Music Awards in Mildura - an unprecedented achievement.
For the remainder of 2009 Amber is teaming with fellow Country Music Association of Australia College graduate Travis Collins, whose live shows are known for their excitement factor. They’re taking this twice-the-value package show on the road. So watch out at a venue near you for this double-barreled evening of exciting, new age country.
Travis Collins
Travis’s country roots are buried deep in Australian soil so it’s no real surprise he was lying in the dry, red dirt when he realised there was no other career for him but music. He first picked up a guitar aged 9 and was busking the streets during Tamworth’s Country Music Festival by 11. Aged 19, he won the prestigious 2004 Toyota Star Maker Quest at the 32nd CMAA Country Music Awards in Tamworth.. A record deal with ABC music and his first album soon followed. ‘Start The Car’ showcased Trav’s evolving style of contemporary country/rock.
His second album, ‘No Boundaries’, was released in 2007. More touring and more number 1’s followed, and so did the awards and accolades.
The album included the #1 CMC Chart singles ‘Yeah She Does’ and ‘Rip It Up’.
http://www.myspace.com/travcollins
Jetty Road
Identical twin sisters, Lee and Paula Bowman, Julian Sammut and Simon Ross have been creating bright and energetic music under the name Jetty Road for over 5 years.
Since releasing their debut album, Full Circle in 2005, the band have had six tracks in the Top 20 on Australian country radio: Heart And Soul, Real Smooth Cowboy, I Wanna Go Home, City Lights, Good Times and most recently, Million Miles, which sat in the #1 position for 6 weeks consecutively.
Five of the video clips for these tracks made it to the Top 10 on CMC Top 30 (Country Music Channel) - 2 of them to the coveted #1 position, City Lights (2008) and Million Miles (2009).
Jetty Road currently continues on their international Life At A Million Miles Tour throughout France, Switzerland and Germany.
McAlister Kemp
‘McAlister Kemp’ was formed when Drew McAlister and Troy Kemp, met while performing in ‘Aussie’s Walk The Line’ show. The pair found that not only did they gel as songwriters but also their voices blended effortlessly.
In August 2009 they signed a record deal with ABC music, they’re currently in the process of recording their first record which is scheduled for release on January 15.
The Harmonators
Together for 5 years, The Harmonators, are Rae Moody Liz Kinninmont. 2009 TIARA Award winners for Best Duo and, finalists in the 2009 Golden Saddle Awards and Southern Stars Independent Music Awards. Their latest album ‘Here and Now’ has seen them reach new heights with the first single hitting the Top 20 on CMC and the Top 30 Country Tracks Chart with their current single ‘If Love Ain’t Crazy’, reaching #6 on the same chart. The Harmonators are two city girls with their feet (and hearts) firmly planted in country music.
www.theharmonators.com.au
Steve Eales
One of the most popular and energetic live performers in the country music scene, Steve powerfully delivers the songs from his 'Peoples Choice Album of the Year 2008' awarded album ‘The Battler’ and brand new album ‘This is the Life’.
The crowd pleaser, ‘Girls on Horses’ and radio charting hit ‘When a Cowboy gets the Blues’ are just a few of the popular songs in Steve’s show.
With that familiar voice from the highly successful country band Sovereign, Steve now continues on with the bands classics like ‘Its my Town’ ‘Stomp’ and the twice Golden Guitar nominated ‘Tooraweenah Cowgirl’.
A genuine country star with credentials like 2004 Male Vocalist of the year in the Victorian Country Music Awards, and now the 2008 Album of the year at Tamworth, Steve livens up any stage.
www.steveeales.com
Geoff Achison
Geoff Achison has a reputation as a guitarist’s guitarist.
Equally adept at acoustic or electric styles, either choice can be beautifully intricate or feature high energy explosiveness.
He has developed his own sound that is exquisitely tasteful.
Fans say you can recognize an Achison riff when you hear it. As a vocalist, Geoff possesses a soulful voice that evokes comparisons to Joe Cocker or Paul Weller. Add to this his award winning song writing skills and you have the whole package.
He has been a musical force on three continents and won honors on all of them. Twenty years of touring and playing with scores of artists such as Tommy Emmanuel, ‘Dutch’ Tilders, Phil Manning, Jeff Lang, Jorma Kaukonen & Hot Tuna, John Mayall, John Mayer, Levon Helm of ‘The Band’, Hubert Sumlin and Clarence ‘Gatemouth’ Brown to name a few, have challenged him to play as passionately and skilfully as they do.
www.geoffachison.com
Matt Walker
Most noted for his work with drummer Ashley Davies, Matt has had many adventures in music. Touring with people such as Bob Dylan, Patti Smith, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion and Nick Cave…as well as his own tours to different parts of the globe and recording critically acclaimed albums such as the ARIA award winning Soul Witness; it has been a good ride so far.
Recently Matt has been producing albums for Melbourne artists including Liz Stringer, Broderick Smith and Crystal Thomas. This has led him to establish his own studio, The 8-Track Shack.
Whether he’s playing solo, as part of his duo with Ashley Davies, or in one of his other many musical collaborations, Matt Walker continues to be involved in some of the best music to come from old Melbourne Town. And he’s a smoking hot guitar player to boot!
The Distance
There’s something to be said about the ‘company we keep’. On the long and winding road of a constantly travelling country rock band it’s always nice to be among good friends. That's exactly how The Distance have rolled from day one. The band has known each other most of their lives, and it is this chemistry and trust that makes The Distance one of the most invigorating and fresh acts on the Oz country rock scene today.
Darren Colston
Based on the Murray River, Darren is enjoying a fast growing reputation as a class act. To quote one music columnist, ”Darren is a gifted songwriter and storyteller with a clear and appealing vocal quality...his songs reflect life and love in Australia.” In January 2006 Darren was named TIARA Male Vocalist Of The Year and also received a Top 5 Golden Guitar nomination for The Boundary Rider from his second album, The Herm Kovac produced, Come By Chance. From the same producer, Darren has just released, in January 2009, a new self titled album (available at good record stores via One Stop Country) to great applause. The first single, “On The Bend By The Willow“ is charting well and with the new single release “Letters From The Frontline”, Darren is really consolidating his place in the Australian Country Music Industry.
Liam Brew
This young man from the Sunshine Coast of Queensland has had a memorable year as the 2009 Toyota Star Maker.
As winner of Australia’s most prestigious search for a country music star - and following in the traditions of past winners like KEITH URBAN, LEE KERNAGHAN, GINA JEFFREYS, JAMES BLUNDELL, BECCY COLE, TRAVIS COLLINS and SAMANTHA MCCLYMONT - he has stamped his mark on Australian country music.
Following the release of his Star Maker prize album Wild Heart, he has reaped plenty of accolades including a Top 10 chart single, and a finalist berth in Maton New Talent at the 2010 Golden Guitars. Oh What A Feeling is a great description of an outstanding year for one of Australia’s emerging country music stars.
Carmen Fraser
Carmen Fraser is a dynamic performer with the ability to transform life experiences into a lyrical poem, delivering a flawless performance from the opening line. Her debut album Silhouette showcases her songwriting ability and unique vocal style, including the Top 30 single "32 Days," and the poignant "Farmer's Wife." Audiences and industry professionals alike agree Fraser is an undeniable force to be reckoned with.
Tori Darke
With her strong vocals and mature voice, 2009 has been a sensational year for TORI DARKE with not only the release of her Debut EP and two single’s releases to Radio and CMC, Tori recently returned from Canada & Nashville where she was one of the opening acts for Kenny Chesney.
Bec Hance
Bec, originally from Lang Lang, Victoria, is one of the new generation of Australian singer/songwriters, who in 2009 was a CMAA College of Country Music Graduate and Toyota Star Maker Grand Finalist. Combining her strong vocals and heartfelt delivery, the release of her album “The Tranquillity” in 2009, shows Bec as an exciting and fresh country music talent.
Sal Kimber
Since her debut release ‘Sounds Like Thunder’ (2008), Sal Kimber and her band The Rollin’ Wheel’ have been gallivanting around the countryside offering their exciting take on Australian alt-country and blues. Sounding rural and rootsy but with urban savvy, they regale audiences with tales of ghost towns, rebels and romance.
Fat Chance
‘Fat Chance and the Bluegrass Playboys’ got together in October 2008 with a mutual love of that driving bluegrass sound.
In the tradition of bands like Hayseed Dixie and Cool Grass, the Playboys seamlessly blend music and comedy, taking all of their favorite songs and “playing them in the manner they were meant to be heard...bluegrass style!!”
Their repertoire covers many musical genres with examples including The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Paul Kelly, Ozark Mountain Daredevils, The Monkees, Dr Hook, Stealers Wheel and Elvis, just to name a handful. This makes for interesting!
www.myspace.com/fcatbp
The Prairie Oysters
The Prairie Oysters are regarded as one Victoria’s best country music acts making friends around the world with a repertoire that crosses over many styles of Country Music. They were voted Most Popular Band by The Country Music Guild of Australasia in 2007 and 2009, Golden Guitar Award Nominees in 2008 and were top ten finalists for Best New Talent in the 2009 National Country Music Awards.
White Goat
The “White Goat” band has captured audiences all over New Zealand and now in Australia with its ability to create such a fat full sound with only three musicians!
The group has the ability to cover many genres of music, but there passion falls into Blues & Country rock! A group not to be missed!
Celestino
Celestino came together in 2005 to create a show to entertain with their own version of country rock, an ultra smooth blend of wit-hot lyrics and country rockin' treats for everyone. When these guy's come together, it is not a show to miss.
John Tomaino
John Tomaino is a Melbourne based singer/songwriter/producer who recently recorded his debut EP with Grammy winning producer Scott Mathews of Bowie, Orbison, Cash, Stones, Santana, Beach Boys fame. His mix of acoustic driven pop/rock can be heard on www.jttunes.com and www.myspace.com/jttunes
Buck & Deanne
Buck & Deanne’s sound draws deep on the roots of country, rockabilly, folk and blues music. They sing songs of yearning, hurt and hope, about a place - like life - where joy and sorrow walk hand in hand. Together they collaborate on Buck's original material as well as placing their own special arrangements on the classics.