Category: Tamworth Country Radio Network

For 2012 X-Factor runner-up Jason Owen, the forthcoming Tamworth Country Music Festival will be the start of what is going to be a massive 2014 for the rising star. He joins country starlet Amber Lawrence as her special guest. This is a rare chance for audiences to see two premier young country artists sharing the same stage. It’s also this budding country artist’s first time performing at the festival and he can’t wait!

Throughout 2013 Jason has been touring Australian beside Amber on their Islands in the Stream tour and they’ve already got a swag of tour dates locked in for 2014. The show has been a hit, selling out metropolitan centres and regional areas, earning Jason a whole new fan base. The 19-year-old caught attention with his break-out performance on X-Factor. His impressive talent and natural ease won the hearts of the judges and viewing public alike. His debut album Life is a Highway landed at #5 on the ARIA Album Chart and #1 on the iTunes Country Chart in its first week out. The album has also been nominated for a Golden Guitar for the Sanity Australian Top Selling Album of the Year. The Islands in the Stream tour was named after the duet single of the same name that Amber and Jason released mid-2013. The cover of the Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton classic hit is just one of the songs audiences can expect from the show in Tamworth.

“Amber and myself have so much fun together on stage,” Jason says. “We both love to perform our hearts out so our audience members can expect fun, great songs and a whole lot of entertainment. We’ve been touring Islands in the Stream throughout 2013 and have had a ball. The show contains songs from Amber’s three albums and me singing songs from my current album Life is a Highway.”

Life is a Highway is a collection of classic songs given a modern slant with Jason’s unique interpretations. They’re renditions of the tracks that he performed on X-Factor, and it’s easy to see why this teenager won fans and critics over. The album contains songs from John Denver, Elvis Presley, Bob Seger, The Searchers and Willy Nelson to name a few. There are even tracks originally made famous by The Black Keys, Green Day and Ronan Keating. Songs such as Always On My Mind, Against The Wind, If Tomorrow Never Comes, and Sweet Home Alabama are just a few of the tracks on this incredible debut release. Life Is A Highway marked the start of a new journey for Jason, who moved from his small country town of Albert in regional New South Wales to Sydney and is embracing his music career whole heartedly.

Jason says he’s really been enjoying touring the country and meeting fans face-to-face. He acknowledges it’s been a humbling experience. “What I’ve enjoyed the most is meeting all the fans that I have made from X-Factor and seeing the happiness on their faces when they meet me and I sing to them,” he says. “Also working with people like Amber and the other musicians is just amazing. The tour continues through 2014 – I think what appeals to fans the most is the way we engage with the audience. We try to entertain people no matter where we are or how many people are in the audience.”

With the tour continuing indefinitely throughout the next year, Jason’s calendar is jam-packed. With lots of things in the pipeline, including a new album release, he’s extremely excited about the year ahead and ever so thankful for the support he received in 2013. “It [2013] has been a massive year for me,” he says. “All I can hope for is that all the fans and people that Amber and myself meet around the country have enjoyed our shows. Just being given the privilege to work with the people I have in 2013 has been amazing and I want to thank all my fans for making it possible for me.”

Don’t miss Jason Owen at the 2014 Tamworth Country Music Festival as he performs as Amber Lawrence’s special guest. Tickets are on sale now.

As one of the Top 10 finalists in the 2014 Toyota Star Maker, the upcoming Tamworth Country Music Festival is going to be massive for songstress Tori Darke. Following on from her sell-out show at the last festival, this coming year she is also bringing some new tracks to showcase to festival fans. After spending a considerable amount of 2013 penning tracks for her next album – and working with some of the world’s most well-respected songwriters – she’s ready to give audiences a sneak peek of some of the tracks destined for her new release. Its not just new tracks that will be featuring as part of her rockin’ show either, Tori will also be performing tracks from her debut EP and debut long-player, including all the hit singles.

Tori’s debut long-player Dreams & Chances has already spawned several high charting singles, including Great Mistake and the recent release No You No Me. The single peaked at #6 on the Australian Country Tracks Top 30 [also reaching #1 on Cool Country 2KA and #1 on Mildura’s HOT FM]. Now comes the tricky task of picking material for her forthcoming second album, due for release in 2014. Tori has penned around 30 songs and is now working out which ones make the final cut. In fact, her upcoming show at Tamworth might just be the perfect opportunity to seek some fan feedback on the new songs.

“Sharing new tracks with fans is always fun,” Tori says. “Their reaction to the track can tell you a lot about how the song may do if it is released on an album or to radio. It is always good to hear your fans thoughts on the new songs as they will be the ones listening and buying your records.”

The tracks from the new album have been a work in progress over the past two years. Tori says she has made a conserted effort to really focus on her songwriting and it shows. This incredible musician has grown a lot since the release of her debut album and its evident in the maturity of her new material. She collaborated on co-writes with some of Nashville’s finest songwriters as well, refining her skills and creating a selection of songs which will set her apart from her contemporaries.

Its certainly been a busy few years for this country starlet. She’s travelled to Nashville twice for songwriting trips and performed in Nashville at a selection of venues, showcasing her material to American audiences and industry professionals. Now she’s taking up the coveted spot in the Toyota Star Maker finals and can’t wait to be involved in the competition.

“Toyota Star Maker is an amazing opportunity within our country music industry,” she says. “I chose to be a part of Toyota Star Maker because of the incredible opportunities it can provide. I know I’ll use every tool to the best of my abilities. It is an absolute honour [to be part of the competition] as there are so many talents within the industry and it is a privilege to be in the running.”

Tori says its important that projects such as Star Marker continue to give young artists the opportunity to shine. “It is important because without oportunities like this, we may not have discovered some of the greats within our industry, such as Keith Urban, Lee Kernaghan, Beccy Cole, etc.Toyota Star Maker gives artists a start in country music and all of the opportunities and tools to sustain a successful career.”

This year marks the 35th year for the national music competition, which is one of the most well respected in the country. The finalists were chosen from a panel of six judges, who had the hard job of picking 10 finalists out of more than 50 entries. Over the three and a half decades that Toyota Star Maker has been launching the music careers of Australian performers, it has given a weath of experience to more than 600 musicians. Tori Darke will perform as part of the Toyota Star Maker final 10 at Tamworth Town Hall on Sunday 19th January. The Toyota Star Maker final four will then be decided and will perform at Bicentennial Park on Friday 24th January.

The 2013 Tamworth Country Music Festival was Tori’s first ever ticketed show and sold out – an impressive achievement indeed. The showroom was jam-packed and Tori put on a high energy, unforgettable show. Her concert at the 2014 festival promises to be bigger and better.

“I was completely blown away by the response and to see such a packed house,” she says of last year’s concert. “For my first ever ticketed show to be a total sell-out was absolutely amazing. I’m so proud my first show sold out. Tamworth is the home of country music, so to be able to return again each year and play for country music fans is a massive higlight. I look forward to starting my year with that every year.”

Don’t miss Tori Darke’s only Tamworth Country Music Festival show.

Lou Bradley is set to launch her new record The Other Side with a run of shows during the Tamworth Country Music Festival! The album, to be released to iTunes on January 17, is going to be a perfect way of kicking off Bradley’s time in Tamworth next month.
From the debut release in 2007, through to various festival appearances alongside many great artists both country, mainstream and a well-established reputation for her headline shows, Bradley has been working hard on what has become her highly-anticipated third studio album. The Other Side has seen Bradley work alongside Anthony Lycenko (Busby Marou, Pete Murray), whose talent more than speaks for itself. The album, Bradley’s first co-produced effort, was one that came about in that great, organic way artists strive for.
“The Other Side is my first co-produced album. Working with Anthony [Lycenko] was kind of like working with myself, but with better ideas just when I needed them. He is very skilled at his craft, but also stays quite invisible or transparent, so as not to get in the way of the creative process; just right for me and this project.”
Aside from her duet with Bill Chambers on the aching “One of Those Nights”, The Other Side features no co-writes between Bradley and another, making the album all the more personal and noteworthy. Many of the songs are reflective and hold special stead with the songwriter herself, detailing many different points in her life or notes on observations made over the past year or so.
“Lou Bradley is the real deal. She’s one of the most talented songwriters I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with and she has a voice to match. There’s nothing phony about her; she’s lived every lyric of every song on this album.” – Anthony Lycenko
As a live performer, Bradley has continued to hone her craft and has remained a popular touring artist, as well as a consistently touring one. With her sights firmly set on ensuring Tamworth gets the full Lou Bradley treatment, the Byron Bay native is ready to bring more fans into the fold and showcase her latest material to those fans who may have not been able to see her give such songs a run yet.

Kaylens Rain Bringing Cool Change through Country in 2014

It certainly has been quite the year for Kaylens Rain – since the release of their debut album Found in October last year, Kaylee and Glen Harrison have multiple noteworthy achievements under their belts. The duo have been taking to stages at the Gympie Muster, Deni Ute Muster and CMC Rocks the Hunter along with their young dynamic band, as well as supporting Morgan Evans and appearing at the Australian Commercial Radio Awards (ACRAs), harnessing their live shows and proving to be more than just your average brother-sister act.
Says Glen of the past year of touring, “This year has been a blast we have had so much fun on tour and everyone has just been so supportive, we are so pumped for next year.”
Most recently, the sibling duo have been awarded two Golden Guitar nominations in the CMAA Country Music Awards in both the “Group or Duo of the Year” and “QANTASLINK New Talent of the Year” categories. Nominated alongside the likes of The Wolfe Brothers, Kaylee Bell, Ashleigh Dallas and the Adam Eckersley Band, Kaylens Rain are stoked to have been acknowledged in the same league as some of the best new talent in Australian Country Music and offer their congratulations to their fellow nominees.
Performing at the official nominations event at Sydney’s Hard Rock Café, it’s clear that Kaylens Rain has definitely developed into a live music unit that industry, as well as the public, have taken serious note of over the past year.
For the duo out of Sydney’s north west, the remaining months of 2013 are still packed with the goods, with their current single, “She’s a Wildflower”, continuing to build a strong radio presence since its initial service in October. A fitting follow up to the popular “Waiting on a Bus”, the newest Kaylens Rain track is one both Kaylee and Glen are excited about releasing.
For Kaylee, the past year really has been a dream come true. “We have had a ball this year touring and promoting the album. The support has been amazing and we can’t wait to keep living the dream in 2014”.
Already locking down a night time slot at the 2014 CMC Rocks the Hunter festival and a trip to Nashville in June, performing as part of the prestigious CMA Festival Global Artist Showcase (where they’ll be showcasing in front of some US Country Music heavyweights), plus much more in the pipeline, the next 12 months are looking to be massive for Kaylens Rain. A name already being talked about, the duo is planning on ensuring they remain at the front of the pack of great up and coming Australian country talent.

Tamworth Shows
Saturday 18th – West Diggers Courtyard – 7:30 – 10:30pm
Sunday 19th – Wests Leagues Legends Bar – 5:00pm – 7:30pm
Monday 20th – West Diggers Courtyard – 7:30 – 10:30pm
Tuesday 21st – TSA Awards Longyard – 7:30pm
Wednesday 22nd – Imerial Hotel – 7:00pm – 10:00pm
Thursday 23rd – Shoppingworld – 11:45am
Thursday 23rd – Longyard – 5:00pm – 8:00pm
Friday 24th – Family Hotel – 7:00pm – 9:30pm
Saturday 25th – Good Companions 3:00pm – 4:00pm Acoustic Album Set

The Deni Blues & Roots Festival has certainly hit the calendar with a bang taking out two Awards at last night’s NSW Tourism Awards at Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney. The inaugural Deni Blues & Roots Festival won the Best Festival & Event category and the Bronze Award in the New Tourism Development category.

The Deni Blues & Roots Festival, which took place over the 2013 Easter long weekend, saw thousands of music lovers descend on Deniliquin in New South Wales for the inaugural event which took world class music to inland Australian including international superstars Santana, Status Quo, Jason Mraz, Chris Isaak, Bonnie Raitt, Zac Brown Band and Newton Faulkner.

The two day Deni Blues & Roots Festival is unique for southern NSW and provides a great festival for music fans in the Southern States utilising the massive Deni Ute Muster site which is just 3 hours from Melbourne, 4 hours from Canberra and less than 5 hours by road from Adelaide. The purpose built site has had millions of dollars of permanent staging and lighting infrastructure, toilets and showers and bar facilities installed in recent years. Both events have been underpinned by overwhelming community support with an army of volunteers, contributions from many local businesses and great vision from the steering committee that established and built the site at Deniliquin. The inaugural Deni Blues & Roots Festival also took out the Best Festival Award at the Inland Tourism Awards earlier this year.

And there’s no time to rest on our laurels, the 2014 Deni Blues & Roots Festival is already set to outshine its debut with an amazing list of iconic artists already announced including John Mayer, Elvis Costello & The Imposters, The Doobie Brothers, Gary Clark Jr, Steve Earle & The Dukes, Boz Scaggs, Dr. John & The Nite Trippers, Michael Franti & Spearhead and many, many more (see below for full list).

Chugg Entertainment, Rob Potts Entertainment and Deni Play on the Plains Festival Ltd co-presented the event and were represented at last night’s ceremony by Project Manager, Nick Chugg, who accepted the Award on behalf of the promoter team, and Kathie Heyman, GM of Deni Play on the Plains.

Nick Chugg, Deni Blues & Roots Festival Project Manager said “We are thrilled to have won two NSW Tourism Awards last night. On behalf of the promoters I want congratulate all the staff and volunteers who worked on the Festival – these Awards wouldn’t have been possible without you. And particular thanks to all the patrons who came to the Festival earlier this year. We look forward to seeing you next year!”
Deni Blues & Roots Festival

Conargo Road, Deniliquin, NSW
Saturday, 19 April 2014

– and –

Sunday, 20 April 2014

After selling out her first ever ticketed show at the Tamworth Country Music Festival in 2013, Tori Darke is gearing up for a massive 2014 festival. After spending a considerable amount of 2013 penning tracks for her next album – and working with some of the world’s most well-respected songwriters – she’s ready to give audiences a sneak peek of some of the tracks destined for her new release. Its not just new tracks that will be featuring as part of her rockin’ show either, Tori will also be performing tracks from her debut EP and debut long-player, including all the hit singles.

Tori’s debut long-player Dreams & Chances has already spawned several high charting singles, including Great Mistake and the recent release No You No Me. The single peaked at #6 on the Australian Country Tracks Top 30 [also reaching #1 on Cool Country 2KA and #2 on Mildura’s HOT FM]. Now comes the tricky task of picking material for her forthcoming second album, due for release in 2014. Tori has penned around 30 songs and is now working out which ones make the final cut. In fact, her upcoming show at Tamworth might just be the perfect opportunity to seek some fan feedback on the new songs.

“Sharing new tracks with fans is always fun,” Tori says. “Their reaction to the track can tell you a lot about how the song may do if it is released on an album or to radio. It is always good to hear your fans thoughts on the new songs as they will be the ones listening and buying your records.”

The tracks from the new album have been a work in progress over the past two years. Tori says she has made a conserted effort to really focus on her songwriting and it shows. This incredible musician has grown a lot since the release of her debut album and its evident in the maturity of her new material. She collaborated on co-writes with some of Nashville’s finest songwriters as well, refining her skills and creating a selection of songs which will set her apart from her contemporaries.

Its certainly been a busy few years for this country starlet. She’s travelled to Nashville twice for songwriting trips and performed in Nashville at a selection of venues, showcasing her material to American audiences and industry professionals. The 2013 Tamworth Country Music Festival was Tori’s first ever ticketed show and sold out – an impressive achievement indeed. The showroom was jam-packed and Tori put on a high energy, unforgettable show. Her concert at the 2014 festival promises to be bigger and better.

“I was completely blown away by the response and to see such a packed house,” she says of last year’s concert. “For my first ever ticketed show to be a total sell-out was absolutely amazing. I’m so proud my first show sold out. Tamworth is the home of country music, so to be able to return again each year and play for country music fans is a massive higlight. I look forward to starting my year with that every year.”

Don’t miss Tori Darke’s only Tamworth Country Music Festival show. This show will sell-out so get your tickets early.

Tuesday 21st January 2014 | 8pm

The Outback Bar, Wests Leagues Club, Tamworth NSW

After a year based in the United States, bluegrass sweetheart Kristy Cox is returning to Australia for a special show at the 2014 Tamworth Country Music Festival to showcase tracks from her forthcoming album Living for the Moment. The album is due for world wide release on February 18 through US bluegrass label Pisgah Ridge and is a perfect representation of where this talented singer songwriter is in her personal and professional life. The first single from the album One Heartbreak Away hits the airwaves in Australia on December 6.
Kristy Cox’s career has been going from strength to strength since the release of her debut album From My Eyes in 2006. She’s had a string of Top 10 hits on country radio and country music television, and has been recognised as a rising star of Australian country to watch out for. In her career so far she’s been a Starmaker finalist and APRA Professional Development Award finalist. Her subsequent albums Breaking New Ground (2010) and Miles and Timezones (2012) have all earned her praise for her songwriting capabilities. Signing to Pisgah Ridge (an imprint of Mountain Home) in the US was a huge coup for the songstress and saw her move to the States for most of 2013 to work on the new album. She also signed an exclusive songwriting contract with Asheville Forest Music.
Picking One Heartbreak Away as the first single was an easy decision. “It’s a great up-tempo bluegrass track about a relationship that’s worth keeping, but that some things need to change,” says Kristy. “The song is a great reflection of where the album heads musically and how it expands on the bluegrass influences of my previous projects.”
The album, Living for the Moment, is a mixture of self-penned and chosen material and is an apt representation of where Kristy is heading musically. “The last 12-months have been a huge change for me,” she says. “This album was recorded with both the Australian country market and the US bluegrass market in mind. The songs on the album feature many different musical influences of mine with everything from a fast-paced bluegrass song to ballads and a country shuffle.”
Being based between the US and Australia has been both a great experience and a challenging one for Kristy. “The time difference means it is hard to get a lot done in work hours back in Australia, however I’m glad we live in the age of the internet as it makes everything feel closer than it is,” she says. “I miss my loved ones and sometimes feel out of the loop with what’s going on back home. However I’m writing music every day and for the first time in my life, I’m solely focusing on my career. I will continue to be back and forth – Qantas are going to love me!”
Returning to Australia to showcase the new material from her album at the Tamworth Country Music Festival is an exciting prospect for Kristy. She says she can’t wait to share the new songs – and all the old favourites – with Aussie audiences. “I have had huge support from our great industry back home,” she says. “I will be forever thankful for that. Not much could keep me away from it all for too long. I’m excited to bring this new stage of my music to everyone in the land of Oz, and to share some of my new songs and stories with those that know me best. There’s just no place like home.”
The show at Tamworth will be a world exclusive showcase for Living for the Moment. While the album isn’t released until February, fans attending the show will have the chance to purchase advance copies of the album, which are on sale for the night of the show only. These will be the first copies on sale anywhere in the world and Kristy is stoked to offer this exclusive to Aussie fans. “It’s exciting,” she says. “I will not only be performing new songs with my band, but also songs from my last albums. We will also have some featured special guests that are going to make an appearance. Overall it’s going to be a great fun night. I’m looking forward to it more than anything.”
Kristy’s new single One Heartbreak Away is at radio on 6 December 2013. The forthcoming album Living for the Moment is released through Pisgah Ridge world-wide on 18 February 2014.

Since barnstorming his way onto the country music charts with the mega hit Boys From The Bush, Lee Kernaghan has notched up 32 #1 hits on the Australian Country Charts, won a staggering 28 Golden Guitars and has sold two million albums in the Australian market. His music gave birth to rural rock, and songs like Hat Town, She’s My Ute and The Outback Club gave voice to a new generation of country Australia. Now he is back, stretching the musical envelope yet again with what industry insiders are calling another groundbreaking album – Beautiful Noise.

After sell out shows around Australia in 2013 Lee will continue taking his new album on the road throughout 2014 and has just announced details of the 2014 dates. This rockin’ live show features the new songs and sounds from the Beautiful Noise album plus all of his classic hits including Boys From The Bush, Hat Town, Dirt, Planet Country, Texas QLD 4385, The Way It Is…… and more.

Lee’s special guests for the tour are The Wolfe Brothers. Hailing from Hobart Tasmania, The Wolfe Brothers burst on to the scene in 2012 when the nation voted them into the Grand Final of Australia’s Got Talent. Their first album, It’s On, was released in January 2013 and on the week of release the album entered the ARIA Country Chart at #2 (behind Taylor Swift), #18 on the ARIA Chart and has produced two hit singles including their first #1 The Girl, The Bottle, The Memory. Their third single Lovin’ In The Summertime is at radio now.

To celebrate the announcement of his 2014 tour dates Lee has just released the fourth single from his Beautiful Noise album – It’s Only Country. The song is guaranteed to set the mood for what will be the country event of the year when Lee and The Wolfe Brothers bring their travelling country music party to areas that have yet to experience the Beautiful Noise Tour. TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

Wednesday 12 March 2014

Mittagong RSL Club, MITTAGONG NSW

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

Special guests The Wolfe Brothers

Thursday 13 March 2014

Dapto Leagues Club, DAPTO NSW

Bookings: (02) 4261 1333

Special guests The Wolfe Brothers

Friday 14 March 2014

CMC Rocks The Hunter, NSW

Bookings: 1300 923 314 | www.cmcrocks.com.au

Friday 25 April 2014

The Barn Palais, MT GAMBIER SA

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

Special guests The Wolfe Brothers

Saturday 26 April 2014 | 8pm

Wimmera Events Centre, HORSHAM VIC

Bookings: Harvey World Travel (03) 5382 6699

Special guests The Wolfe Brothers

Sunday 27 April 2014

River Sound Shell, MILDURA VIC

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

Special guests The Wolfe Brothers

Tuesday 6 May 2014

Albany Entertainment Centre, ALBANY WA

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

Special guests The Wolfe Brothers

Wednesday 7 May 2014

Bunbury Entertainment Centre, BUNBURY WA

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

Special guests The Wolfe Brothers

Thursday 8 May 2104

Mandura PAC, MANDURAH WA

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

Special guests The Wolfe Brothers

Friday 9 May 2014

Crown Theatre Perth Casino, PERTH WA

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

Special guests The Wolfe Brothers

Saturday 10 May 2014

Queens Park Th. GERALDTON WA

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

Special guests The Wolfe Brothers

Tuesday 20 May 2014

Nautilus Theatre, PORT LINCOLN SA

Bookings: Theatre Box Office (08) 8683 5088

Special guests The Wolfe Brothers

Wednesday 21 May 2014

Middleback Theatre, WHYALLA SA

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

Special guests The Wolfe Brothers

Thursday 22 May 2014

Northern Festival Centre, PORT PIRIE SA

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

Special guests The Wolfe Brothers

Friday 23 May 2014

Chaffey Theatre, RENMARK SA

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

Special guests The Wolfe Brothers

Saturday 24 May 2014

Barossa Arts Centre, TANUNDA SA

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

Special guests The Wolfe Brothers