Tom Curtain, Lee Kernaghan and Sara Storer tribute to Joy McKean vies for Heritage Song of the Year Golden Guitar

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She Gave Us The Song, a tribute to Joy McKean, is in the running for the 2021 Golden Guitar for Heritage Song of the Year.

Kelly Dixon and Garth Porter penned the song, a collaboration between Tom Curtain, Lee Kernaghan and Sara Storer, featured on Tom’s latest album, We’re Still Here.

The song has already featured at the Golden Guitar Awards presentation, with Tom, Sara, Lee, Troy Cassar-Daley and Lyn Bowtell joining forces at the 2020 event for the finale song in front of music royalty.

“It was humbling to get up there with those amazing artists and perform the song in front of a packed house, but having Joy sitting in the front row was very nerve-wracking,” he said.

“It’s an honour to pay tribute to Joy through this song with Lee and Sara because she has done so much for country music and for Slim Dusty and is a great songwriter in her own right.

“It’s particularly special to have She Gave Us The Song in the top five finalist tracks of the Heritage Song of the Year category in the year the Slim and I documentary also paid tribute to the contribution Joy has made to Australian country music.”

Tom won Heritage Song of the Year with Never Never Land in 2018, with Luke O’Shea.

To view the performance of She Gave Us The Song at the 2020 Golden Guitar Awards, click here.

Tom is preparing to start his In The West tour in December, which will take him and his Katherine Outback Experience horse and dog show through Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory if border restrictions allow.

ONLINE EDUCATIONAL EVENT TO FEATURE SUPERSTARS AND LEADERS OF THE COUNTRY MUSIC INDUSTRY

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The Country Music Association of Australia Inc. are proud to announce the first ever ‘Academy X’ online educational event to take place Saturday 9 & Sunday 10 January, 2021. The Academy X program will feature superstars and leaders of the country music industry giving students invaluable information on various aspects of the music industry, including songwriting, record labels, publishing, management, festivals and touring, recording, performance, video production and media strategies. There will be a focus on resilience, innovation and mental health in a post-COVID world.

The two-day course will feature key note presentations by country music superstars Troy Cassar-Daley, Brooke McClymont, Kasey Chambers, Beccy Cole, Shane Nicholson, Amber Lawrence, Fanny Lumsden and Caitlyn Shadbolt along with industry leaders including Matt Fell (award winning producer, Love Hz Studio), Julz Parker (award winning producer), Dan Biddle (Artist Manager and Chairman, CMAA), Natalie Waller (Head of ABC Music & Events and Vice-Chair, CMAA), Duncan Toombs (award winning video director, The Filmery), Geoff Bell (Agent & Promoter, Laing Entertainment) and Simon Johnson (multi-instrumentalist and producer, Hillbilly Hut), as well as Support Act with a presentation on mental health and resilience in the music industry.

Group leaders and mentors for the students will include award-winning artists Lyn Bowtell, Dobe Newton, Roger Corbett, Catherine Britt, Amber Lawrence, Lachlan Bryan, Ashleigh Dallas, Kevin Bennett, David Carter, Jayne Denham and Mickey Pye and they will provide the intensive hands on experience that has been an integral part of The Academy for so long.

The Academy (previously known as the CMAA Academy of Country Music) has operated from Tamworth since 1997, normally running for two weeks preceding the Toyota Country Music Festival, Tamworth. The news of the move to the online format follows the announcement that the Tamworth Country Music Festival will be suspended for 2021 in light of restrictions due to COVID-19. This is the first time in the 24-year history of The Academy that an in-person event will not take place in January.

The Academy has been an important steppingstone in the careers of hundreds of artists including Jessica Mauboy, Brooke McClymont, Sara Storer, Travis Collins, Amber Lawrence, Adam Eckersley, Caitlyn Shadbolt, Judah Kelly, Kylie Sackley, The Sunny Cowgirls, Ashleigh Dallas, Melanie Dyer, Imogen Clark and many more. Academy X is set to continue that tradition and give a fresh group of emerging artists and songwriters the chance to connect with some of the best in the business and forge long-lasting connections with their peers.

The Academy Director, Lyn Bowtell and General Manager, Roger Corbett (both multi award-winning singer-songwriters) are excited by the opportunity to continue the important educational experience that The Academy provides, albeit in an online setting.

Corbett said, “Academy X is available to artists and songwriters from Australia and the world. From past Academy students looking to refresh and expand their careers to first time students gaining insights into the country music industry, they’ll be able to gain inspiration and insight from this amazing line up of key-note speakers and hands-on group leaders.”

Bowtell added “Students can expect the same passion and focus that our lecturers bring to the in-person version of the Academy and we look forward to nurturing the next crop of country music stars in a post-COVID world”.

CMAA Chairman, Dan Biddle noted, “We thank all of the key-note speakers and mentors who will come together to deliver an online presentation which will educate and unite our emerging country music artists.” He added “We look forward to The Academy returning to Tamworth in a physical capacity when restrictions ease and until that time, Academy X will provide the platform our industry needs in order to foster new talent for the future.”

Registrations for Academy X open at 11am Friday, October 16

with early bird pricing available until Monday, November 30

To register or for more information, visit www.academycountrymusic.com.au.

Manning Riverstage Opening concert fundraiser for the Australian Children’s Music Foundation

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A major concert fundraiser hosted by the Rotary Club of Taree will take place on Friday 6 November
2020 (7pm-9pm) – at the new Rotary/Lions Manning River Stage at Queen Elizabeth Park.
The “Riverstage Opening” event will showcase the magnificent foreshore entertainment space – with
monies raised going directly to support the incredible work of The Australian Children’s Music
Foundation (ACMF) within the Taree Schools Group.
Pending government regulations, the event will see as many people gather along the banks of the
river as restrictions permit. To allow for greater access and donations, the concert will be made
available online via live Stream-a-thon, enabled by Pluto Entertainment.
The Australian Children’s Music Foundation (ACMF) is a not-for-profit organisation inspiring
creativity and imagination by providing weekly music education classes and instruments to
disadvantaged children and youth at risk throughout Australia.
The ACMF has been delivering life-changing music programs to Manning Schools for almost a decade
at: Chatham High School, Chatham Public, Manning Gardens, Taree High, and Taree Public – with the
continued support of the Future Generation Investment Company, and Manning Valley Rotary Clubs.
The charity was founded in 2002, by singer/songwriter and talented entertainer, DON SPENCER
OAM. For over 18 years Don has worked to provide long term music education to disadvantaged
children across Australia.
Local teachers, Matt Zarb, Brad Bunyan and Stuart Lovell motivate, educate, and inspire school
children through a broad variety of music tuition, such as singing and song-writing, percussion,
drumming, guitar tuition, the forming of school bands, and music for special needs units. The ACMF
recently introduced a bushfire relief music program within the area, to aid the healing and recovery
of children and families affected.
Don Spencer will be present at “Riverstage Opening” concert – accompanied by a line-up of
outstanding music acts, including Rob Mills (who will compare the event pending Covid Government
restrictions), Casey Donovan, Darren Jack, James Johnston, Keanu Jai Live, Jake Davey, the
Taree High Support Unit, and a sensational performance by ACMF music students.
The “Riverstage Opening” concert presents an opportunity for local audiences to contribute to a very
important cause: benefiting the emotional and mental health of children, through music. For more
information, visit: www.acmf.com.au

Country on Keppel announces more gems

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Great Keppel Island’s own country music festival, Country on Keppel, has finalised its artist announcement with the addition of more Queensland gems.

Gympie’s Caitlyn Shadbolt, Hervey Bay’s Jade Holland, and Rockhampton duo Louise James FX are the latest artists to be added to the line-up that was modified due to the uncertainty of COVID-19 border restrictions.

Held from November 14-15, with a talent quest as a precursor on November 13, Caitlyn, Jade and Louise James FX will join headliners Matt Cornell and James Blundell, as well as other Queensland-based performers Brad Butcher, Saltbush Six, Tony Cook, and Anna Farquhar for Country on Keppel.

Country-pop artist Caitlyn Shadbolt can’t wait to get back on stage.

“I have never been to Great Keppel Island which makes me even more excited to be playing this festival for the first time,” she said.

“I can’t wait to play live again and be amongst the beautiful scenery that Country on Keppel has to offer.”

Jade, formerly of Townsville, will perform at Country on Keppel as part of her Do It Right Tour.

“I’ve never been to Great Keppel Island, so I’m firstly excited to be able to visit such a beautiful part of the world, but to be able to play on the island at a country show is just the icing on the cake,” she said.

“Who wouldn’t want to play country, on a gorgeous island, to a bunch of beautiful friends?”

Also announced recently was award-winning singer-songwriter and musician Matt Cornell who has played in both the rock and country scenes, and is also headed to Great Keppel Island for the first time.

“It’s always exciting being involved with a new festival,” Cornell said.

“Country On Keppel is only in its second year and held in such a unique setting – who wouldn’t want to head to an island, drink cocktails, listen to country music and hang out with likeminded people?

“I’ll be playing songs from all four albums, some Cornell & Carr tunes, and some of my favourite covers – this is going to be one hell of a party.”

Festival organiser Peter Blundell said Country on Keppel offered a unique experience for music lovers.

“There aren’t a lot of other country festivals on an island and the relaxed atmosphere of the festival means fans will have access to the artists,” he said.

“It’s a very family-oriented festival and fans can enjoy the music while being barefoot in the sand or listen to the music and then go for a swim in the ocean.”

Held on the weekend of November 13-15 at Great Keppel Island Hideaway, the sweet sounds of the best in country music will drift on the breeze across the Capricorn Coast, starting with the Green Brothers Country on Keppel Talent Search on the Friday night with prizes including a Takamine guitar worth $1000 plus a hard case, and a performance at this year’s festival.

From Saturday morning, a mix of award-winning and up-and-coming artists will take to the stage with a focus on contemporary Australian country.

Call (07) 4939 2050 for packages and more details or visit: greatkeppelislandhideaway.com.au/country-on-keppel/

COUNTRY MUSIC SINGER JASON OWEN PUTS 30 REGIONAL GIGS ON HOLD AMIDST CANCELLED WEDDING PLANS

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This year has been challenging for people in various industries including entertainment. Country music recording artist Jason Owen says he has had to cancel 30 planned gigs throughout 2020, mostly in regional towns.

The former X Factor finalist was in the middle of his Superstars of Country Music tour alongside fellow country singer Hayley Jensen when COVID struck in March, with the remainder of shows put on hold until hopefully next year. He was also forced to cancel his upcoming August tour Jason Owen sings John Denver tour which has now rescheduled it for August 2021.

Elsewhere most major country music events have been axed including the 2021 Tamworth Country Music Festival. The recently announced cancellation of the premier event, which on average brings in around $50 million to the town each year, will have major economic ramifications.

“It’s been a challenging time for all country artists and devastating to hear about Tamworth,” said Owen, who has performed at the iconic festival multiple times. “It’s understandable but disappointing for rural Australia that my tours and others had to be cancelled, particularly for towns where artists don’t often visit. People on the land, who are under stress need a night out occasionally to let their hair down. Hopefully we’ll be able to resume touring next year.”

The 26-year-old who is originally from the town of Albert, NSW, which has a population of just 12, has been keeping himself as busy as possible having just released his latest single – power ballad Before I Let You Go – out September 18. He’s also just finished shooting the latest series of his online show How Ya Goin With Jason Owen which this season features chats with farmers and rural community workers.

However, with extra time on his hands, Owen also took a job as a Menulog driver delivering take away food to a 15km radius around his home in the Central Coast. “I needed to fill in my time and keep active from a mental health point of view as I was getting really restless in my apartment all day. Lots of entertainers have been in this position. It’s been a bit of a surreal experience, some people recognize me at their front door and have asked for pictures and autographs.”

Jason was also recently forced to postpone his upcoming November wedding to fiancé Beccy due to COVID restricting the number of guests. “We’d invited 200 people and did not want to exclude anyone so made the tough decision to postpone it. There was also no dancefloor allowed which would have been difficult to forgo as I’m from a musical family and my relatives were planning to be the band.”

The wedding which was fully planned to go ahead in Albert in the church Jason’s great grandmother established, on the date of Jason’s grandfather’s 92nd birthday as a special nod, has tentatively been rescheduled for mid-next year.

In the meantime, Jason has continued to raise money the charity he established – Doin it for Rural Aussie Kids which helps kids affected by drought, bushfires and COVID. Last year Jason raised thousands of dollars through his bushfire appeal and delivered school stationary packs and toys to rural schools.

Before I let you go is available to pre order at: https://ABCMusic.lnk.to/BeforeILetYouGo

Iranian film festival dedicated to honor healthcare workers amidst COVID-19 pandemic

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Every year the organization committee of the Resistance International Film Festival (RIFF) questions and explores different aspects of social responsibility and adds new categories to the competition program. This year its definition is expanded to include dealing with the invisible threats such as viruses. A new section called “Defenders of Health” is added to the festival’s program to document and show health workers fighting the COVID-19 and thus sacrificing their lives on the path of protecting society’s health.

This festival for now is the only cinema event dedicating the biggest part of its program to this pandemic, and the organizers hope that it would help to gather different experiences in one place, and also to promote a further documentation of the recent events as it would become crucial evidence for the future generations.

Organizers of the festival announced that filmmakers from the United States, Brazil, Spain, Italy, Britain, France, India, Turkey, Iraq have already submitted more than 300 films to compete in this section of the festival and thus to express their gratitude to the health defenders from all around the world.

Of course, artists with their films covering and narrating any other forms of resistance, for example exploring current situation in Yemen, Myanmar, Palestine, Kashmir, India, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Bahrain, Bosnia and other places, opposing colonialism, dealing with the outcomes of capitalism, standing against imperialism and questioning dominant representations in public media, etc. are also more than welcome to participate in the competition.

Iranian cinema is highly held among the professionals of this field and all admit that it constitutes an important part of the world’s cinema. International film festivals held in Iran help to bring together different cinematic traditions and provide an opportunity to get to know them and to learn from them.

RIFF’s carefully curated program as well has earned this festival recognition from viewers and industry professionals alike. American filmmakers such as Michael Moore, Oliver Stone as well as many other artists from more than 100 different countries have participated with their documentaries and films in this festival. Also, many renowned international guests and exceptional filmmakers have come directly to present their films and interact with viewers, including, David Barsamian, Scott Frank, Rafael Lara, Darnell Stephen Summers, Yvonne Anne Ridley, Jasmin Durakovic, Robert Hofferer, Diana Kamal-al Din, Rashed Radwan, Yousef Wehbi, Ahmed Boulane, Basil al-Khatib, Saddam Wahidi Melika, Zairi Alper Akdeniz, Thomas Hayes, Daz Chandler and many others.

This year the deadline for submissions is October 21, 2020 and the event date is scheduled for November 21-27, 2020. Independent filmmakers around the world are welcome to submit documentaries, short and feature, as well as animated films relevant to the festival topics, that will be evaluated by the competitive jury and the best ones will be awarded. Workshops and professional panels related to the topics of the festival will be also organized probably online.

Townsville’s Sammy White CROWNED 41st TOYOTA STAR MAKER

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Townsville singer, songwriter Sammy White has been announced as the 2020 Toyota Star Maker in front of thousands of country music fans at the Toyota Star Maker 41st Grand Final held tonight in Toyota Park.

The 2020 Toyota Star Maker competition proved to be a momentous night for women in country music with nine of the ten finalists female.

White, who performed an exciting rendition of her #5 iTunes Country Chart song Drowning My Sorrows, was met with a huge applause from the crowd as she was announced the overall winner of the 2020 Star Maker competition.

Toyota Star Maker producer Barry Harley said: “Congratulations to Sammy White on winning the 2020 Toyota Star Maker title.

“Sammy is in good company with other female artists who have taken out the Star Maker crown and who are now leading the way in Australian country music including Beccy Cole, Gina Jeffreys, Lyn Bowtell and Kaylee Bell, and we look forward to watching her journey as 2020 Toyota Star Maker,” he said.

2019 winner Blake O’Connor, who has received two nominations in the Toyota Golden Guitar Awards for Qantas New Talent of the Year and Male Artist of the Year – says, “the possibilities are endless when you enter Toyota Star Maker.”

“Star Maker has opened doors and given me opportunities to show more people than ever my songs. It has put me on a greater platform to build a fan base for my career, and I have made friendships and met people that I wouldn’t have been exposed to if it wasn’t for Star Maker.

“This year has been a massive step forward for my career, and it’s one I’m very grateful for.”

Toyota Vice President Sales and Marketing Sean Hanley presented the award and said: “Each year, the Toyota Star Maker competition helps unearth some amazing new artists, showcasing the huge amount of talent we have coming up in Australian country music.

On behalf of Toyota Australia, I would like to congratulate Sammy on taking out the 2020 Toyota Star Maker title. She joins the ranks of past winners, which include Keith Urban, Lee Kernaghan and Sam McClymont. It’s a well-deserved and significant achievement, and we are so pleased to have been able to be part of what will no doubt be a huge career in music.”

Toyota has a long and proud history of supporting country music in Australia, including 25 years of sponsoring the emerging artists of Star Maker and 28 years of the overall country music festival in Tamworth.

In addition to the title of Toyota Star Maker winner, Sammy receives a prize package, which includes the use of a new Toyota vehicle and a fuel card for 12 months, a return trip to Nashville for CMA Fest with Chris Watson travel and performance in the Aussie showcase. Sammy will also perform at major festivals and events throughout Australia, and will also join the artists’ line-up on Cruisin’ Country in October.

The 2020 Top Ten Star Maker Finalists were:

1 Chloe Styler* Age 22 Runaway Bay Qld
2 Clancy Pye Age 27 Orange NSW
3 El Cosgrove Age 25 Dalby Qld
4 Hannah May Age 25 Mount Cotton Qld
5 Jarred Taylor Age 27 Tamworth NSW
6 Juliet Oliver* Age 21 McLaren Vale SA
7 Leigha Moore* Age 27 Sippy Downs Qld
8 Sammy White Age 22 Mount Louisa Qld
9 Taylor Pfeiffer* Age 20 Nailsworth SA
10 Zoey Mills Age 20 Mirani Qld

Tonight, the Star Maker Grand Final provided a chance for finalists to perform two of their songs live on the biggest stage in Tamworth in front of thousands of country music fans and an illustrious panel of judges which includes:

•Daniel Biddle, Chairman, Country Music Association of Australia;
•Justin Thomson, National Content Director, KIX Country Radio;
•Scott Lamond, Saturday Night Country, ABC Radio;
•Tom Inglis, HSF Artist Services
•Greg Shaw, Label owner, and artist manager;
•Craig Power, The Pub Group, Tamworth;
•Cheryl Brown, Star Maker Manager
•Barry Harley, Manager Country Music, Tamworth Regional Council.

For further information on the Toyota Star Maker competition, visit https://www.tcmf.com.au/star-maker.

THE McCLYMONTS TO BRING IN THE NEW DECADE WITH THE BIGGEST TOUR IN THREE YEARS

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Australia’s favourite country group have announced today that they will be celebrating the start of the new decade with their most extensive tour in three years. Their 2020 tour will be in support of their sixth studio album which they are currently recording with award winning producer Andy Mak.

While this is set to be their biggest tour in three years, Brooke, Sam & Mollie have been anything but idle in that time. In between releasing their fifth album, Endless (also produced by Andy Mak), which picked up the Golden Guitar award for Toyota Album of the Year in 2018, the girls have welcomed four new members to the McClymont family over the last few years while Brooke is expecting her second child in January.

The 2020 tour will feature songs from the new album along with their trademark hits such as “House”, “Forever Begins Tonight” and “Like We Used To”, performed with their full live band.

Time has flown since our last album and we can’t wait to get these new songs out into the world and start the tour, ” Sam commented. “This will be our biggest tour in three years and we’re planning to make these the most fun shows we’ve ever done,” Brooke added.”There will be something for everyone in this show, ” said Mollie, “we’re ready to kick off the new decade with a bang.”

The McClymonts have enjoyed incredible success since the release of their debut EP in 2006 with over 250,000 album sales and 20 million track streams. They have achieved one Platinum and two Gold album sales accreditations and received thirteen Golden Guitar Awards, two ARIA Awards and an APRA Award and become one of Australia’s favourite touring groups.

Tickets for the 2020 tour which is presented by KIX Country & CMC, are on-sale now from www.themcclymonts.net.au/tours or from the venues.

Stay tuned for more information on The McClymonts forthcoming sixth album.

Date Location Venue
Fri 17 Jan Tamworth, NSW Tamworth Town Hall
Fri 8 May Doyalson, NSW The Doylo
Fri 15 May Caloundra, QLD Caloundra RSL
Sat 16 May Chermside, QLD Kedron Wavell Services Club
Fri 29 May Chelsea Heights, VIC Chelsea Heights Hotel
Sat 30 May Corio, VIC Gateway Hotel
Fri 12 Jun Dee Why, NSW Dee Why RSL
Sat 13 Jun Menai, NSW Club Menai
Fri 26 Jun Castle Hill, NSW Castle Hill RSL
Sat 27 Jun Darwin, NT Darwin Pint Club
Fri 10 Jul Townsville, QLD Dalyrmple Hotel
Sat 11 Jul Cairns, QLD Brothers Leagues Club
Fri 24 Jul Ballarat, VIC Ballarat Civic Hall
Sat 25 Jul Bendigo, VIC Ulumbarra Theatre
Fri 7 Aug Albury, NSW Albury Commercial Club
Sat 8 Aug Wagga Wagga, NSW Wagga Civic Theatre
Fri 21 Aug Cessnock, NSW Cessnock Leagues Club
Sat 22 Aug Nelson Bay, NSW Wests Diggers, Nelson Bay
Fri 4 Sep Goulburn, NSW Goulburn Workers Club
Sat 5 Sep Blacktown, NSW Blacktown Workers Club
Fri 11 Sep Hahndorf, SA Old Mill Hotel
Sat 10 Oct Newcastle, NSW Wests New Lambton
Fri 23 Oct Coffs Harbour, NSW C.EX Coffs Harbour
Sat 24 Oct Tweed Heads, NSW Twin Towns Services Club
Fri 6 Nov Canberra, ACT Southern Cross Club, Woden
Sat 7 Nov Campbelltown, NSW The Cube
Fri 20 Nov Mount Evelyn, VIC York on Lilydale
Sat 21 Nov Traralgon, VIC Latrobe Performing Arts Centre, Town Hall
Fri 27 Nov Launceston, TAS Launceston Country Club
Sat 28 Nov Burnie, TAS Burnie Town Hall

Tim McGraw announces Australian headline shows Hunter Valley & Melbourne

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TEG Live and AEG Presents today announced that superstar Tim McGraw will perform two massive headline shows at the hugely-popular weekend destination, Hope Estate in the Hunter Valley on Friday 4 October and Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena on Sunday 6 October.

Presale tickets to these two shows will be available via VISA from 10.00am AEST, Thursday 16 May, before tickets go on sale at 11.00am AEST, Friday 17 May 2019 through Ticketek.

Fans attending these shows will witness why Tim McGraw is one of the biggest stars in music, as he brings the full firepower of his North American tour to the Hunter Valley and Melbourne.

“I have always enjoyed playing for Australian audiences, who are some of the loudest and most loyal music fans in the world. It’s been too long since I’ve been there, and I look forward to seeing you at these special concerts, bringing my full show to fans in the Hunter Valley and Melbourne,” said Tim McGraw.

Tim McGraw has sold more than 50 million records and dominated the charts with 43 worldwide #1 singles. He’s won 3 Grammy Awards, 16 Academy of Country Music Awards, 14 Country Music Association Awards, 11 American Music Awards, 3 People’s Choice Awards and numerous other honours. His iconic career achievements include being named the BDS Radio’s Most Played Artist of the Decade for all music genres and having the Most Played Song of the Decade for all music genres.

He is the most played country artist since his debut in 1992, with two singles spending over 10 weeks at #1. His career long tour successes include the record setting Soul2Soul The World Tour 2017 with his wife, Faith Hill. McGraw starred in and narrated the hit movie, ‘The Shack’, as well as played leading roles in Friday Night Lights and The Blind Side. McGraw recently released two news songs ‘NEON CHURCH’ and ‘Thought About You’, his first new solo music in two years.

Joining these Tim McGraw headline shows, as special guest, will be the popular American country music group, Midland, on their first ever Australian tour.

Midland, Hailing from Dripping Springs, TX lead vocalist Mark Wystrach fronts Midland’s rich sound that is rounded out with lead guitarist Jess Carson and bass player Cameron Duddy. Their critically acclaimed freshman album, “On the Rocks”, features 13 tracks with song writing credits from each member alongside hitmakers Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne. Launching to rave reviews from notable outlets such as the Los Angeles Times and Rolling Stone Country, “On the Rocks” was declared “the year’s best Country album” by Washington Post. The album earned the No. 1 position on Billboard’s Top Country Album Sales chart upon release. Their debut No. 1 single “Drinkin’ Problem,” which offers an intentional nod to Country music reminiscent of the 1970s and 80s, earned the band their first Grammy Awards nominations for Best Country Song and Best Country Duo/Group Performance. Midland was also named New Vocal Group of the Year at the 2018 ACM Awards and were nominated for three CMA Awards including Vocal Group of the Year, Single of the Year for “Drinkin’ Problem” and New Artist of the Year. Midland was also nominated for Group of the Year and Video of the Year (“Burn Out”) at both the 2019 ACM Awards and 2019 CMAs.

Also on the bill is seven-time Golden Guitar winner and back-to-back CMC Male Artist of the Year winner Travis Collins. His current album and sixth studio album, “Brave & The Broken”, debuted at #1 and has spawned two #1 singles, with the new single, “Road Warriors”, currently climbing the charts. With a growing string of hit albums, #1 songs, awards and a decade of winning fans all across the country under his belt, Travis Collins continues to cement his footprint as a mainstay on the Australian music landscape. He is as well-known for his masterful guitar playing and powerhouse vocals as he is for his depth of song-writing and high energy live performances. Travis Collins is a multiple CMAA and CMC Award winner and in March was presented with the CMA’s ‘Jeff Walker Global Artist’ award.

Tim McGraw will also headline the inaugural C2C Australia festival, where he will be joined by chart-topping, singer-songwriter Kelsea Ballerini (USA), Midland (USA), Drake White & The Big Fire (USA), Australia’s own The McClymonts, Travis Collins, Andrew Swift and more to be announced. C2C Australia will take over Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena on Saturday 28 September 2019 and Brisbane Entertainment Centre on Sunday 29 September 2019.

C2C AUSTRALIA PRESENTS
TIM MCGRAW
Special Guest Midland
supported by Travis Collins

Friday 4 October – Hope Estate, Hunter Valley
Sunday 6 October – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne

VISA PRE-SALE
10.00AM AEST, THURSDAY 16 MAY 2019

GENERAL PUBLIC ON SALE
11.00AM AEST, FRIDAY 17 MAY 2019
www.ticketek.com.au

Tim McGraw will also perform at the 21st annual Deni Ute Muster on Saturday 5 October 2019, with full details at www.deniutemuster.com.au

RUSSELL MORRIS RELEASES BLACK AND BLUE HEART

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With a staggering 50 year career and counting, Russell Morris returns with his brand new album, Black And Blue Heart (through Bloodlines/Liberation) .

Produced by the very highly regarded Nick DiDia (Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam, Powderfinger) alongside co-producer Bernard Fanning, Russell continues to find unique ways to challenge himself creatively.
When Russell sent his Black And Blue Heart demos to Nick and Bernard, the two producers were blown away. They rang him back immediately, saying they could not stop listening to the songs.

The two producers speed-dialled their studio ‘dream team’: guitarist Dan Kelly, drummer Declan Kelly and, from Fanning’s touring band, bassist Matt Englebrecht and former Wolfmother keyboard player Ian Peres. Perched between the tropical bush and panoramic ocean views of La Cueva Studios near Byron Bay, Black and Blue Heart found its rhythm fast.

“I met Bernard [Fanning] a few years ago,” Russell Morris remembers. The Powderfinger frontman came backstage at one of the Australian rock legend’s countless gigs to pay his respects with a mutual friend. “But it wasn’t ’til I moved up to Queensland last year that we sat down and started talking.”

The warmer environs had already exerted a strange, organic influence on the songs Russell was writing in the wake of the platinum-selling, ARIA-winning blues-rock trilogy – Sharkmouth, Van Diemen’s Land, and Red Dirt Red Heart – that so spectacularly relaunched his career from 2012 onwards.

“As soon as we heard the demos, the quality and grace of the songs was obvious immediately,” Fanning says of the album overall. “It sounded to me like the kind of music only someone with Russell’s backstory could make. He’s always been renowned for his incredible voice but it’s really come into its own now. His tone just communicates this unique life experience, so we just had to get that down.”

Born and bred in the USA, Nick DiDia only learnt of Russell’s top-shelf pedigree during the recording process “I was hearing of this amazing Australian music history for the first time as we were making the record,” he says.

It all started of course over 50 years ago when Russell Morris became the first Australian Artist to score consecutive number one singles with his first two releases. ‘The Real Thing’, which is one of the classic psychedelic singles of all time, and ‘Part Three Into Paper Walls’. Both reached #1 on the Australian Chart, and what followed has become one of the most remarkable stories in contemporary Australian music.
Fast forward to October 2012, when Russell Morris began a trilogy of albums, each with a theme of Australian stories. The first, Sharkmouth, is a collection of tracks about the Australia of the 1920s and 1930s. The album went on to reach #6 on the ARIA Chart, and is certified platinum.

Then came Van Diemen’s Land in 2014 which focused on significant events rather than the stories of individuals. From the prison ships that began Australia as a penal settlement, to the union strikes, the First and Second World Wars, Van Diemen’s Land covers a vast array of Australian history.

And in 2015 Russell released Red Dirt – Red Heart, with amazing musical stories with unique Australian themes which won the coveted Best Blues And Roots Album at the 2016 ARIA Awards.

And through it all, Russell remains one of the hardest working musicians in the country. For some Artists a new album can almost write itself after almost six decades on the road but it takes a rare combination of talent and circumstances to realise that vision as vividly and succinctly as Russell Morris does on Black And Blue Heart.

Russell Morris – Australian tour dates

Fri 12 Apr Darwin Casino | Darwin, NT
Sat 13 Apr Edgehill Hotel | Cairns, QLD
Thu 18 Apr Byron Bay Bluesfest | Byron Bay, NSW bluesfest.com.au
Wed 24 Apr The Espy | St Kilda, VIC (ANZAC Day Eve)
Fri 26 Apr The Gov | Adelaide, SA oztix.com.au
Fri 3 May Freo Social | Fremantle, WA moshtix.com.au
Fri 10 May Paddington RSL | Paddington, NSW
Sat 11 May The Triffid | Brisbane, QLD
Sun 12 May Toronto Hotel | Toronto, NSW Ph: 02 4959 1033
Thu 16 May APIA Good Times Tour
Bunbury Entertainment Centre | Bunbury, WA bunburyentertainment.com
Fri 17 May APIA Good Times Tour | Perth, WA perthconcerthall.com.au
Sat 18 May APIA Good Times Tour
Thebarton Theatre | Adelaide, SA ticketmaster.com.au
Fri 24 May APIA Good Times Tour
Geelong Performing Arts Centre | Geelong, VIC gpac.org.au
Sat 25 May APIA Good Times Tour
Palais Theatre | Melbourne, VIC ticketmaster.com.au
Sun 26 May APIA Good Times Tour
Ulumbarra Theatre | Bendigo, VIC gotix.com.au
Thu 30 May APIA Good Times Tour
Empire Theatre | Toowoomba, QLD empiretheatre.com.au
Fri 31 May APIA Good Times Tour QPAC Concert Hall | Brisbane, QLD qpac.com.au
Sun 1 Jun APIA Good Times Tour Twin Towns, Tweed Heads, NSW Ph: 1800 014 014
Sun 2 Jun APIA Good Times Tour Twin Towns, Tweed Heads, NSW Ph: 1800 014 014
Thu 13 Jun APIA Good Times Tour Civic Theatre | Newcastle, NSW ticketek.com.au
Fri 14 Jun APIA Good Times Tour Enmore Theatre | Sydney, NSW ticketek.com.au
Sat 15 Jun APIA Good Times Tour Anita’s Theatre | Thirroul, NSW ticketmaster.com.au
Sun 16 Jun APIA Good Times Tour Theatre Centre | Canberra, ACT canberratheatrecentre.com.au
Fri 7 Jun APIA Good Times Tour Wrest Point Entertainment Centre | Hobart, TAS
ticketmaster.com.au
Sat 8 Jun APIA Good Times Tour Princess Theatre | Launceston, TAS
mpv.tickets.com