Category: Tamworth Country Radio Network

Seven-time GRAMMY winning trio Lady Antebellum announced today that their fifth studio album 747will land in stores on Oct 3rd. The album’s sultry lead single “Bartender”  is already soaring up the country charts to become one of their fastest rising singles.  Nathan Chapman co-produced the 11-song disc with Lady A for the Capitol Records Nashville release.

“We unanimously knew that our album title had to be 747,” said Lady A’s Hillary Scott. “The track itself has this pushing, driving spirit about it that sums up our attitude right now.  We are pushing ourselves as a band and as songwriters…taking ourselves out of our comfort zone and not taking ourselves too seriously.   There’s an urgency and an energy to it that we’ve never released before.”

“We are so ready to get this music out,” continued Charles Kelley. “To get the reaction we’ve gotten from ‘Bartender’ has only made us more fired up about the rest of these songs!”

“We had the opportunity to write with some new songwriters and really dig for outside songs that were songs we wish we’d written,” added Dave Haywood. “As we took them into the studio, we changed our approach and challenged ourselves to try some new things that were outside of what we’d done before.”

The organisers of the 2014 Deni Ute Muster are thrilled to be able to lift the lid on this year’s amazing line of musicians set to take the stage over the October long weekend.

 

Now in its 16th year, the Deni Ute Muster celebrates all things Australian and is the largest event of its kind in the world.  Year on year the “Muster” continues to grow bigger and better and 2014 is on track to once again break all its records.

 

In its first year (1999), the Festival had approximately 5,000 patrons and set a new Guinness World Record for the most number of legally paraded utes at 2,839 – a record which still stands today.  Since 1999 the Deni Ute Muster has become the region’s biggest tourist drawcard and a “bucket list” celebration of all things Australian.

 

Without further ado, the artist line up for the 2014 Deni Ute Muster is … drumroll please:

 

Friday, 3 October, 2014

 

Morgan Evans, one of Australia’s hottest singer/songwriters, will be opening the main stage line up on Friday, 3 October.   A four-time CMC Music Award winner who’s toured with everyone from Taylor Swift to Alan Jackson, Morgan’s #1 selling debut album was recorded in Nashville and launched this year to great acclaim. His high-energy, dynamite performances are acclaimed by fans and media both here and in the US where he’s presently on tour before heading back home to perform tracks from his recently released, self-titled debut album at the 2014 Deni Ute Muster.

 

Blackjack Billy (USA) are the definition of fun – a group whose on-stage alchemy is impossible to describe in words but makes audiences holler and dance in delight. Their breakthrough signature hit Booze Cruise – an indelibly catchy ode to summer living – raced up the charts when it was released last year. Blackjack Billy made their Australian debut this year whipping the crowd into a frenzy at CMC Rocks the Hunter and sending their Get Some’ EP to number one the following week.  Be ready to rock when Blackjack Billy take the stage at this year’s Deni Ute Muster. 

 

James Reyne, Joe Camilleri, Daryl Braithwaite and Ross Wilson need no introduction to Australian audiences – between them they supplied the soundtrack to a generation and Deni Ute Muster is thrilled to welcome their The Time of My Life Band show to the line-up for Friday, 3 October.  Still individually selling out shows around the country, don’t miss the chance to experience the time of your life in one unforgettable night featuring all the iconic Australian hits from these four legends.  With countless chart hits between them, including The Horses, One Summer, Taxi Mary, Chained To The Wheel, The Boys Light Up, Hammerhead, Come Said The Boy and Bed Of Nails, the foursome will each take the stage to perform a selection of their most memorable singles, before joining forces to play together for the unforgettable finale.

 

There’ll be no time for sitting down when country superstar, Gary Allan (USA), takes stage to close the Muster’s first day in true country-rock style.  Gary Allan is a certified country music superstar and has been mixing honky-tonk bravado and grainy isolation across nine acclaimed studio albums; all the while mining the emotional turf that fuels a life well lived: the joys of parenting, the heartache of personal loss, the testosterone of disagreement and the unpredictability of love.

 

Gary Allan has had a string of #1 singles on US country radio including Man To Man, Tough Little Boys, Nothing On But The Radio, Watching Airplanes and Every Storm Runs out of Rain as well as his trademarks hits – the lonely Best I Ever Had and the swaggering Right Where I Need To Be.   Along the way he has amassed seven gold albums – three of them certified Platinum – and maintained the admiration of critics for his unwavering uniqueness.

 

Saturday, 4 October, 2014

 

After developing into one of the biggest Australian acts on commercial radio in 2013 (Top 10 on national radio), Brisbane indie-outfit Sheppard returned with a bang in 2014 with their No. 1 hit single Geronimo – the first track from their highly anticipated debut album.  It was Sheppard’s breakthrough hit Let Me Down Easy that first ignited radio airwaves around the world last year, hitting the Top 20 ARIA and airplay charts in Australia and the Top 10 in Thailand. The single, which is on its way to 130,000 sales, cracked the Top 100 on the CMJ college radio charts in the US last year and received further chart success in New Zealand, Holland and Thailand.  Sheppard are already lining up a handful of appearances in 2014, including showcase slots at Musexpo and the Worldwide Radio Summit in the USA, The Great Escape in the UK and opening slots for Keith Urban on his upcoming Australian tour in June before opening the stage on Saturday, 4 October at the Deni Ute Muster.

 

Spiderbait are considered Australian rock royalty with over half a million albums sold, 5 Top 20 albums, 19 ARIA Nominations and 2 ARIA Awards! They were the first band to make it to the #1 spot on triple j Hottest 100 for their pulsating guitar anthem Buy Me A Pony and their cover of Black Betty scored them a No. 1 single on the ARIA Singles chart and a Top 20 single in the US.  After an 8 year recording hiatus, Spiderbait returned in 2013 with a new self-titled album produced by François Tetaz. The album remains true to their rock heritage mixed with sweet sounds, double kick and gritty ball busting riffs.

 

The Mavericks (USA) are a country-steeped garage band that fuses elements of Tex-Mex and rock n roll to create the ultimate party every time they step on stage. They racked up hit after hit during the 1990s, crossing over to the mainstream with songs like All You Ever Do is Bring Me Down and Dance the Night Away.  After pursuing solo projects for most of the past decade, the group reformed in 2012 and unleashed their new album, In Time, like nothing had changed. They made their first ever trip to Australia last August and its Deni Ute Muster’s turn to be wowed and captivated by these irresistible legends.

 

Jimmy Barnes has been there and back. And, he says, “I’m glad to be back”.  He’s tasted glory as Australia’s favourite rock singer for more than three decades and Deni Ute Muster is proud to have him close the festival on Saturday, 4 October.

 

In the ‘70s and ‘80s, Jimmy Barnes was the wildest, loudest and most popular rock ‘n roll star in the country. In the 1990’s he reached mega-stardom with back-to-back No. 1 albums in both soul and rock genres. But it was the 2^nd gig he played when he was 16, as lead singer on the back of a truck one hot Saturday at Gawler Raceway in Adelaide, South Australia, that started it all – that band would become Cold Chisel.

 

Jimmy Barnes holds the record for most No. 1 records by an Australian artist and is currently working on a new album of his old songs with special guests to mark the 30th anniversary of his first solo record.

 

Deni Ute Muster General Manager, Kate Pitt, said, “It’s just an amazing line-up of Aussie and international acts on both Friday and Saturday nights.  Each year we’re able to raise the bar and this year, with such a depth of talent, we’ve been able to do it again.  I’m confident we can break last year’s crowd record, as well as setting new world records for the largest parade of utes and largest gathering in blue singlets.

 

“And the concerts are only part of the entertainment at our festival which continues to draw a more diversified crowd and becomes established as a ‘bucket list’ event for anyone with an interest in Aussie rural culture,” Ms Pitt added.

 

There will also be non-stop activity around the festival site with most of last year’s favourites returning, including the Bull Ride Spectacular, The Australian National Circle Work Championships, Ute Museum, Holden Grunt Off, Holden Barrel Race and Show ‘n’ Shine, plus a host of trade sites and food stalls.

 

Big kids and little kids also love Carnivale Corner, our helicopter rides, the mechanical bucking bull, woodchop demonstrations and Whip Cracking Championships.

 

Additional competitions will also be held for tradie’s utes, to encourage more of another iconic Aussie breed.

 

The 2014 Deni Ute Muster is proudly supported by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.

 

Tickets are on sale now and available at www.deniutemuster.com.au

The wait is almost over for Deni Ute Muster fans eagerly anticipating the 2014 music line-up announcement.

 Deniliquin Play on the Plains Festival Ltd. General Manager, Kate Pitt, yesterday confirmed she was in the final stage of negotiations … and made one big promise:

“We’ll be announcing some of the best musical talent from Australia and the United States.

“I can’t say any more at this point, but it’s a very exciting time for everyone at the Deni Ute Muster.”

 Ms Pitt also reminded the thousands of Ute Muster regulars from throughout Australia that the time for purchasing discounted early bird tickets was drawing to a close.

These are still available for only $179 for a full weekend’s entertainment and patrons can also use the ‘Time to Pay’ option.

“Our loyalty tickets have been in strong demand and that’s sure to continue for the next week or so. But don’t leave it too long, because soon after we announce the artists we will set the full ticket price and update the pricing on our website,” Ms Pitt said.

She added there was already a huge entertainment program which had been organised to complement an incredible music line-up.

A feature will be the amazing JCB Dancing Diggers – whose stunning acrobatics have become a YouTube hit – coming direct from the UK for a massive Australian appearance. Alongside this you can expect to see the powerful JCB V8 GT which can do anything from shooting out flames to wheel stands and is sure to be a crowd favourite.

There will also be non-stop activity around the festival site.

Most of last year’s favourites will return, including the Bull Ride Spectacular, The Australian National Circle Work Championships, Ute Museum, Holden Grunt Off, Holden Barrel Race and Show ‘n’ Shine, plus a host of trade sites and food stalls.

Big kids and little kids also love Carnivale Corner, our helicopter rides, the mechanical bucking bull, woodchop demonstrations and Whip Cracking Championships.

Additional competitions will also be held for tradie’s utes, to encourage more of another iconic Aussie breed.

Diversifying the program and festival audience, yet never forgetting it is centred around the ute culture, has helped the Deni Ute Muster evolve into an event like no other.

The 2014 Deni Ute Muster will be held on Friday, 3 October and Saturday, 4 October at the Muster Site, Conargo Rd, Deniliquin NSW.

The 2014 Deni Ute Muster is proudly supported by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.

Tickets are on sale now and available at www.deniutemuster.com.au

 

Deni Ute Muster

Conargo Road, Deniliquin, NSW

Friday, 3 October, 2014

– and –

Saturday, 4 October, 2014

www.deniutemuster.com.au

Facebook.com/deniutemuster

Twitter: #deniutemuster

Instagram: #deniutemuster

MORE TOUR DATES ADDED

Tasmania’s favourite sons The Wolfe Brothers have burst into 2014 full steam ahead with their ‘eye of the tiger’ approach to chasing their dream. The rockin’ country band continue to ride the wave that started for them almost 18 months ago when they captured the attention of the nation, and were voted into second place in the final of the nationally televised show Australia’s Got Talent.

“There is only one way to make dreams come true and that is through hard work,” says Tom Wolfe. “This is something all four of us agree on and live by. The good thing is we actually love doing everything that is required to be successful in this business. We are having the time of our lives right now”.

Since their time on Australia’s Got Talent in late 2012, the band have been on the road touring with Lee Kernaghan and playing to sell-out crowds across the country. Their debut album IT’S ON was released in January 2013 and so far has spawned three Top 10 singles, including their first #1 song and #1 video The Girl, The Bottle, The Memory. In their first year, they not only won the hearts of the nation, but also recognition by their peers. The Wolfe Brothers were nominated for four Golden Guitar Awards at this year’s Australian Country Music Awards.

“Just to be nominated was amazing for us,” says drummer Casey Kostiuk. “To be nominated in four categories blew us away, especially being one of the finalists for Highest Selling Album of the Year. The year 2013 was a great start for us”.

None of this was overnight success though, the band have certainly earned their stripes over the years. The Wolfe Brothers consists of two brothers, Nick and Tom Wolfe, and their two best mates, guitarist Brodie Rainbird and drummer Casey Kostiuk. They all grew up together on the same road just outside of Hobart. During their high school years they all started playing music together in different bands covering glam rock and heavy metal. After leaving school they all got together to form The Wolfe Brothers and for six years were weekend warriors playing covers in pubs and clubs across Tasmania. Their onstage energy, combined with their tight sound earned them a legion of fans across the home state – everyone loved to party at their local with The Wolfe Brothers whenever they were in town.

When the band decided to record some original songs they were drawn to the music that they loved most – modern country rock. The brothers grew up on a healthy diet of Australian country music, thanks to their mum, and the rock element came from their dad who still drums in his own rock band. After recording a four-track EP and selling thousands of copies, the band put their own money into recording a full length album which became their debut effort – IT’S ON. After laying down the tracks for the album in their bedrooms on a portable recording system they were signed for management by Stephen White Management [SWM], who also manages Lee Kernaghan.

SWM took the recordings to a friend in Nashville by the name of Luke Wooten. Luke is one of Nashville’s hottest producers (he has produced albums for Dierks Bentley, Kellie Pickler and is currently working with Brad Paisley). He loved the sound of the band and agreed to mix what was literally a bedroom recording. The end result is IT’S ON and it’s no surprise the album has earned acclaim around the country. The band finally met up with Luke in Nashville in June 2013 when they performed at the CMA Global Artists Party. After some late night bonding in various honky tonks around the country music city, they all became friends. Luke will fly to Australia in March and to produce the band’s second album, which is due to be recorded in Byron Bay at Studio 301. The band have spent the month of February locked away recording demo tracks of the new songs for their second release.

“We are incredibly excited about recording this next album from the start with Luke,” says Nick Wolfe. “He is a gifted producer who delivers sonically incredible work. We are all very happy with the batch of new songs that we have to choose from for the album. The hard part will be choosing what songs make it onto the album, we’ve got a short list of about 30 new songs”.

The Wolfe Brothers continue to tour with Lee Kernaghan’s Beautiful Noise tour throughout 2014 and are also headlining their own shows all around Australia. Their third and current single Lovin’ In The Summertime is climbing the Australian Country Music Charts and in true The Wolfe Brothers style, they still haven’t stopped working! It is all go… go… go… for The Wolfe Brothers – It’s On!

Don’t miss these opportunities to check out The Wolfe Brothers in concert – this is the band who are putting the ‘rock’ back into country! Tickets are on sale now.

MARCH 2014

 

Wednesday 12 March 2014 | 8pm

Mittagong RSL Club, MITTAGONG NSW

Bookings: (02) 4872 6700 | www.mittagongrsl.com.au

w/ Lee Kernaghan

 

Thursday 13 March 2014 | 8pm

Dapto Leagues Club, DAPTO NSW

Bookings: (02) 4261 1333

w/ Lee Kernaghan

 

APRIL 2014

 

Friday 4 April 2014 | 8pm

Carmens, Miranda Hotel, MIRANDA NSW

Bookings: www.oztix.com.au

Special Guest: Morgan Evans Band

 

Saturday 5 April 2014 | 8pm

The Small Ballroom, NEWCASTLE NSW

Bookings: www.oztix.com.au

PLUS Special Guests TBA

 

Sunday 6 April 2014 | 10am-6pm

Penrith Working Truck Show

Museum of Fire, PENRITH NSW

Bookings: www.pwts.com.au

Family day including McAlister Kemp, Kaylens Rain + more

 

Sunday 6 April 2014 | 7.30pm

The Roller Den, ERSKINEVILLE NSW

Bookings: www.oztix.com.au

Special Guest: Morgan Evans Band

 

Friday 11 April 2014 | 8pm

Spurs Saloon, DEVONPORT TAS

Bookings: (03) 6424 2252 | www.goodstone.com.au

Special Guest: Caitlyn Shadbolt

 

Saturday 12 April 2014 | 8pm

George Town Memorial Hall, GEORGE TOWN TAS

Bookings: George Town RSL & Heritage Isle

Special Guest: Caitlyn Shadbolt

 

Sunday 13 April 2014 | 3.30pm

Longley International Hotel, HOBART TAS

Bookings: (03) 6239 6378

Special Guest: Caitlyn Shadbolt

 

Saturday 19 April 2014

Easter in the Country Festival, ROMA QLD

Bookings: www.easterinthecountryroma.com.au

Family Outdoor Festival

 

Friday 25 April 2014

The Barn Palais, MT GAMBIER SA

Chapmans Newsagency, 11 Commercial Street West, Mt. Gambier | (08) 8725 3300

w/ Lee Kernaghan

 

Saturday 26 April 2014 | 8pm

Wimmera Events Centre, HORSHAM VIC

Bookings: Harvey World Travel (03) 5382 6699

w/ Lee Kernaghan

 

Sunday 27 April 2014 | 4pm

River Sound Shell, MILDURA VIC

Bookings: Mildura Arts Centre Box Office (03) 5018 8330 | www.milduraartscentre.com.au

w/ Lee Kernaghan

 

MAY 2014

 

Thursday 1 May 2014 | 8pm

Hallam Hotel, HALLAM VIC

Bookings: (03) 8786 0200 | www.ticketmaster.com.au

Special Guests: Brook Chivell Band

 

Friday 2 May 2014 | 8pm

Revolver Band Room, PRAHAN VIC

Bookings: (03) 9521 5985 | http://tickets.revolverupstairs.com.au

Special Guests: Brook Chivell Band + Jessica-Jade

 

Saturday 3 May 2014 | 8pm

The Saloon Bar, TRARALGON VIC

Bookings: (03) 5176 0463 | www.oztix.com.au

Special Guests: Brook Chivell Band

 

Tuesday 6 May 2014

Albany Entertainment Centre, ALBANY WA

Bookings: Entertainment Centre Box Office (08) 9844 5005 | www.ticketek.com.au

w/ Lee Kernaghan

 

Wednesday 7 May 2014

Bunbury Entertainment Centre, BUNBURY WA

Bookings: Entertainment Centre Box Office 1300 661 272 | www.bunburyentertainment.com

w/ Lee Kernaghan

 

Thursday 8 May 2104

Mandura PAC, MANDURAH WA

Bookings: Entertainment Centre Box Office (08) 9550 3900 | www.manpac.com.au

w/ Lee Kernaghan

 

Friday 9 May 2014

Crown Theatre Perth Casino, PERTH WA

Bookings: Crown Box Office & Ticketek 1300 795 012 | www.ticketek.com.au

w/ Lee Kernaghan

 

Saturday 10 May 2014

Queens Park Th. GERALDTON WA

Bookings: Theatre Box Office (08) 9956 6662 | www.queensparktheatre.com.au

w/ Lee Kernaghan

 

Saturday 17 May 2014

The Venue, TOWNSVILLE QLD

Bookings: www.ticketek.com

Plus Special Guests

 

Tuesday 20 May 2014

Nautilus Theatre, PORT LINCOLN SA

Bookings: Theatre Box Office (08) 8683 5088

w/ Lee Kernaghan

 

Wednesday 21 May 2014

Middleback Theatre, WHYALLA SA

Bookings: Theatre Box Office (08) 8644 7300 | www.countryarts.org.au

w/ Lee Kernaghan

 

Thursday 22 May 2014

Northern Festival Centre, PORT PIRIE SA

Bookings: Theatre Box Office (08) 8633 8500 | www.countryarts.org.au

w/ Lee Kernaghan

 

Friday 23 May 2014

Chaffey Theatre, RENMARK SA

Bookings: Theatre Box Office (08) 8586 1800 | www.countryarts.org.au

w/ Lee Kernaghan

 

Saturday 24 May 2014

Barossa Arts Centre, TANUNDA SA

Bookings: Theatre Box Office (08) 8561 4299 | www.barossaconvention.org

w/ Lee Kernaghan

 

AUGUST 2014

 

Saturday 9 August 2014

Jarndunmunda Nameless Festival, TOM PRICE WA

Bookings: www.namelessfestival.com.au

W/ The Potbelleez

 

Wednesday 20 August 2014 | 8pm

Orange Ex-Services Club, ORANGE NSW

Bookings: (02) 6362 2666 | www.oesc.com.au

w/ Lee Kernaghan

 

Thursday 21 August 2014 | 8pm

Bathurst Panthers Club, BATHURST NSW

Bookings: (02) 6330 0600 | www.bathurst.panthers.com.au

w/ Lee Kernaghan

 

Friday 22 August 2014 | 8pm

Parklands Resort, MUDGEE NSW

Bookings: (02) 6372 1020 | www.visitmudgeeregion.com.au

w/ Lee Kernaghan

 

Saturday 23 August 2014 | 8pm

Dubbo RSL Club, DUBBO NSW

Bookings: (02) 6882 4411 | www.dubborsl.com.au

w/ Lee Kernaghan

 

Saturday 30 August 2014

Gympie Muster, GYMPIE QLD

Bookings: www.muster.com.au

 

OCTOBER 2014

 

Saturday 4 October 2014

Looking Forward Music Festival

Bundaberg Agro Trend Grounds, BUNDABERG QLD

Bookings: www.gumnutpromotions.com.au

w/ Lee Kernaghan

Launching her new EP Nothin’ But Love at the 2014 Tamworth Country Music Festival, brings a massive musical year full circle for Queensland-based singer songwriter Sarah Head. At last year’s festival she was named one of the Top 4 grand finalists in the 2013 Toyota Star Maker competition, something which launched a whirlwind year of more accolades and the progression of her professional recording career. The year that was 2013 saw Sarah as a finalist in coveted awards such as the MusicOz Awards for Independent Artists and the People’s Choice Awards for Most Promising Future Star. It’s no surprise she has been receiving such recognition, this 2007 graduate from the Australian College of Country Music has been working diligently on her music for over a decade, honing her skills as both a singer and songwriter and performing at all sorts of venues around the country.

Sarah says she can’t believe what a huge year 2013 has been for her, and can’t wait to kick off 2014 with her new release. “I pinch myself every day thinking about what I’ve experienced and achieved last year,” she says. “I am so excited about the future, and to keep doing something that I love and am so passionate about. I can’t wait to release my new EP and songs at Tamworth – I think there is going to be something there for everybody. I’m really excited about just how perfectly the tracks reflect my style and personality.”

The EP Nothin’ But Love, and the first single from it – Gypsy Soul – were written and recorded in Nashville. Sarah moved to the country music capital for nine-weeks to co-write with some of the biggest names in the business and lay down tracks for her latest release. She won the 2013 Arts Queensland Individual’s Grant for ‘artists engaging in projects that deliver highly transformative and unique career opportunities’, which assisted in funding her trip. She also created a successful crowd-funding campaign to help finance the recording of her EP. “I am sincerely humbled by the amount of encouragement shown by fans, community members and local businesses for my recording project,” says Sarah. “It’s this kind of support that keeps my chasing my dream and reaching for new heights, and for that I am so very thankful.”

While residing in Nashville, Sarah attended co-writing sessions with the likes of world-class songwriters Lauren Lucas and Ben Daniel, and leading industry icons such as Bob Regan and Byron Hill. She also worked with producer B.James Lowry (whose guitar prowess features on #1 hit songs in 2013). Byron Hill, whose songs have been recorded by Toby Keith, Ray Charles and Kenny Rogers to name a few, wrote two tracks with Sarah for the EP. “Sometimes you sit down with a new co-writer and just know you’ll come up with something good,” says Bryon. “That was the feeling for me when Sarah and I wrote for the first time.”

The first single from the EP Gypsy Soul was co-written with Bob Regan – who has penned tracks for Keith Urban, Trisha Yearwood and Reba McIntyre to name a few) and producer B.James Lowry. The track is about self-discovery, written around the story of a woman’s moment of realisation where she embarks on a voyage of self-worth and revelation, determined to chase her dreams no matter what. “I do a lot of travelling with my music career and I always joke that I have a gypsy soul – never wanting to settle for the ordinary, always pushing the boundaries and daring to dream,” says Sarah. “That’s where the idea for Gypsy Soul came from – it’s about that point in your life when you realise you’ve been underestimated, like you’re faking being happy with the mundane and that you’re ready to show the world exactly who you’re supposed to be.”

Australia’s Nicki Gillis has ended the year on yet another positive note – being the most
popular female country recording artist in the UK. In the Hotdisc chart for 2013, Nicki’s self
written song, “I’ll Go My Own Way” just pipped good friend Hayley Oliver and Michelle
Wright as the highest charting female for 2013.

On the back of Nicki’s two tours to the UK in 2013 plus a tour of Germany, Nicki was
surprised by this news. ‘Wow I never thought I would be in the yearly chart, let alone the
leading female’, said Nicki as she took a break from rehearsing with Frank Ifield, Keith
Potger and Wayne Horsburgh for their new stage show, “When Aussies Ruled Britannia”,
‘and it’s so great to see Hayley (Oliver) in the chart as well, I’ve really loved the times we
have sung together on my last two tours in England.”

Nicki has had yet another busy year, apart from her overseas tours she has continued to
co-host Canterbury Country each month with Bob Howe while building her own event
management business and performance school. Much of her time in 2013 was spent
working in the community and speaking at various industry and business functions on
surviving in the entertainment industry and developing an international career as a mother
of two.

Aussies can get to see Nicki on stage in “When Aussies a Ruled Britannia” in late January
throughout regional NSW and Victoria.

Audiences at the 2014 Tamworth Country Music Festival are in for a special treat as songstress Melinda Schneider launches her intensely personal new stage show – BE YOURSELF – at the festival. This will be the first time the show has been performed in Australia and depicts the story of Melinda’s life through her own songs and those from other songwriters who have influenced her. Post-festival, Melinda will be taking the show on the road to theatres around the country, but when it came to selecting a place for the national launch of BE YOURSELF, Tamworth was the obvious choice for this multi-award winning country artist.

“Tamworth and the country music industry have always been very good to me,” she says. “It made perfect sense to premiere the show during the festival for the real die-hard country fans who will be there. I also think people who come back year after year really enjoy seeing something different. Country fans are so loyal, it feels good to be able to give them a whole new show.”

Penning a show about her life – both in the industry and on a personal level – has been something Melinda has always wanted to do. Inspired by the style of her theatre show paying homage to Doris Day – DORIS – So More Than The Girl Next Door – Melinda sought collaboration from friend and script writer David Mitchell, with whom she penned the Doris show.

“We got a rough song list together and started telling my story and writing the script from there,” she says. “Every song I have ever written has a story behind it and most of my songs have been inspired by happy or challenging times in my life. We all have them, I just tend to write about mine! It probably took about six weeks to write the show, then go over it and edit bits and pieces. There is also quite a strong visual element to the show, using some old footage from when I was a kid appearing on the Mike Walsh show and some other surprise bits and pieces. It takes such a long time to cut all of that together and get it looking the way you want it. It’s a mammoth task, especially with my little boy, 16-month-old Sullivan running around and keeping me up nights!”

Melinda is one of country music’s sweethearts. With nine albums under her belt, numerous awards including six Golden Guitars and a swag of sold out tours, she’s easily one of the most well respected performers in the industry today. Her songs have been recorded by artists as diverse as John Farnham, Olivia Newton-John, Ricky Skaggs and Paul Kelly. She made her stage debut at the age of three appearing with her mother, the legendary Mary Schneider, and she hasn’t stopped since. Her most recent achievement though hasn’t been musical, but personal, welcoming the birth of her first child. Her new show is an incredible legacy for him.

“Becoming a mum is the best thing that has ever happened to me,” she says. “The moment I saw Sullivan’s little face, a wave of emotion rushed over my entire body. I bonded with him straight away. I haven’t had a night away from him in 16-months and though motherhood is the hardest job I’ve ever done, I know it’s the most important thing I’ll ever do. I really want to be a good mum for him. Now I know what life is really about and what unconditional love is. Everything I do is for him.”

Sharing her life with audiences through this intimate show is nothing strange for Melinda. “I’ve always told personal stories on stage because they related to my songs and country music is all about the truth. I’m the type of person who wears my heart on my sleeve I guess, and Lord knows I love a chat, so really the show feels natural to me. I also think I decided to do this now, because I am in a great place in my life and by the time you reach the age of 40, you don’t worry as much about what others may think, you can really just be yourself.”

Melinda will be performing songs such as The Story of My Life, Sgt Bean, Courageous and of course, Be Yourself. There will also be some tracks from earlier in her career and songs from other artists who have influenced her. The show is an insight into Melinda as a person and what has made her the woman she is today. This is a show for anyone who is a fan of her music, or just a fan of great songwriting in general, and her only Tamworth performance. Don’t miss the chance to catch Melinda Schneider’s brand new stage show BE YOURSELF as it launches at Tamworth Country Music Festival in 2014. Tickets are on sale now.