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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

C2C: COUNTRY TO COUNTRY SYDNEY AND BRISBANE – SEPTEMBER 2019

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TEG Live and AEG Presents are proud to announce some of the incredible talent that will join superstar Tim McGraw along with chart-topping singer-songwriter Kelsea Ballerini and Midland at the very first Country to Country (C2C) Australia music festival in September 2019. C2C will take over Sydney Qudos Bank Arena on Saturday 28 September 2019 and Brisbane Entertainment Centre on Sunday 29 September 2019. Tickets on sale now via Ticketek.

Alabama native Drake White will return to Australia for C2C – this will be his 2nd visit to Australian shores. Immediately shooting to #1 on the iTunes Top Country Albums chart upon release, White’s debut album ‘SPARK’ has earned praise both commercially and across his loyal following. The undeniable sound of his soulful voice has whipped concert audiences into a frenzy as Drake and his band, The Big Fire, raise the roof and summon spirits to life onstage. It’s equal parts Baptist tent revival and amped-up southern rock festival. White, along with his band The Big Fire, have toured with superstars including Willie Nelson, Dierks Bentley, Little Big Town, Zac Brown Band, Eric Church and Toby Keith.

Since the release of their debut EP in 2006, sisters Brooke, Sam & Mollie McClymont – The McClymonts – have established themselves as Australia’s number one country group with over a quarter of a million album sales, two gold album sales accreditations, twenty-two chart-topping singles and a reputation for being one of the most exciting touring acts in country music. They are thirteen-time Golden Guitar Award winners including the 2018 ‘Album of the Year’ for their best-selling album ‘Endless’ (which went #1 on the ARIA country album chart). They have also won two ARIA Awards, an APRA Award, three Country Music Channel Awards and a CMA ‘Global Artist of the Year’.

Travis Collins is a seven-time Golden Guitar winner and a true Australian country music superstar. With a growing string of hit albums, #1 songs, awards and a decade of winning fans all across the country under his belt, he continues to cement his footprint as a mainstay on the Australian music landscape. Collins is as well-known for his masterful guitar playing and powerhouse vocals as he is for his depth of songwriting and high energy live performances. His sixth studio album ‘Brave and the Broken’ is out now.

Andrew Swift won two Golden Guitars in 2019 for ‘Alt Country Album of the Year’ and ‘New Talent of the Year’. His album ‘Call Out For The Cavalry’ unleashed 4 singles, including ‘Reckless Desires’, ‘Runaway Train’ (one of 2018’s most played singles on Australian country radio), ‘King of the Sky’, and the latest (and Golden Guitar nominated for Vocal Collaboration of the Year), ‘Fire & Ice’ featuring Catherine Britt, which climbed the radio and video charts since its release in November 2018, reaching #2 on Kix Country and #1 on the Country Music Channel (Australia) video chart in March 2019.

Judah Kelly won the 2017 season of The Voice Australia. Music has always been part of Judah’s life, from performing in front of family in a New Zealand church at the age of four to three stints at Tamworth’s Academy of Country Music and a number of years spent working for others as a live and studio guitarist and bass player. His second album ‘Real Good Time’ is out now.

Nashville duo Reverie Lane will make their first Australian debut at C2C. Coming together in 2014, singer-songwriters Spencer Bartoletti and Presley Tucker have achieved some impressive milestones which many musicians can only dream of, including performing on stage at The Grand Ole Opry and the Ryman Auditorium alongside Presley’s mother, country music icon and legend, Tanya Tucker.

Australian Sinead Burgess makes a welcome return to the country music scene and her first festival appearance since the release of her album ‘Damaged Goods’.

Also playing at the first ever C2C Australia will be Kiwi country singers Kaylee Bell and Jody Direen.

C2C will be 10 hours of country music, spanning multiple stages including the Main Stage, the C2C Spotlight Stage and the Town Square, and showcasing the best in country music as well as emerging talent from the United States, Australia and New Zealand.

C2C made its debut at the O2 Arena in London in 2013 and has now become an annual staple on the UK festival calendar with tens of thousands of fans attending each year to enjoy some of the very best of country music. In 2015, C2C went into mainland Europe for the first time with shows in Sweden and Norway. In 2019, C2C debuted in both the Netherlands and Germany, and now this annual country music festival is coming to Australia for the very first time in September.

Woodstock 50 announces Brian Cadd!

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Woodstock 50 Music and Arts Fair announced the official line-up of its three-day 50th anniversary celebration today including our very own Brian Cadd, one of only two Australian artists on the bill.

Taking place on its 50th anniversary weekend, 16 to 18 August 2019 in Watkins Glen, NY, the most iconic music festival in American history is bringing peace, love and music back for a new generation of fans, uniting people in a shared experience with great artists and encouraging active support of equality, inclusion and a shared sustainable future.

Woodstock’s Co-Producer/Co-Founder, Michael Lang, said today “Brian Cadd’s vocal resonance and stage performance reminds me of my friends in The Band. His new album Silver City rocks and I look forward to welcoming him at Woodstock 50”

Singer, songwriter, producer – Brian Cadd has now, officially, done it all. Cadd kicked off his career with two of the most celebrated bands of their day, The Groop and Axiom, with hits Woman You’re Breaking Me and A Little Ray of Sunshine. He followed this with a string of massive hits as a solo artist with songs like Ginger Man, Let Go, Alvin Purple and the soundtrack to the classic Morning of the Earth surf movie, before moving into a ‘behind-the-scenes’ role in the music industry, going on to produce and work alongside music heavyweights from around the globe.

Brian has written songs for the likes of Joe Cocker, Ringo Starr, John Farnham, Little River Band, Bonnie Tyler, Glen Campbell and The Pointer Sisters and his iconic status was acknowledged when he was inducted into the 2007 Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Hall of Fame.

2019 has already seen the release of Brian’s brand-new Americana inspired album, Silver City, recorded in Nashville with legendary producer Mark Moffatt. Silver City takes Brian’s musical history and consolidates it into a remarkable journey to critical reviews including:

“… here is one the most versatile and respected figures in Australian music at his shining best” – The Australian

Silver City debuted in the Top 10 on the ARIA Country Album Chart and the AIR Chart and tracks have been added to radio around the country.

Fans are reminded to only buy tickets from the official ticket agents listed below so as to avoid “reselling” sites such as Viagogo who typically advertise heavily online and often mislead consumers into paying much higher prices than necessary.

Brian is also appearing on the 2019 Apia Good Times Tour with Vika & Linda Bull, Joe Camilleri, Kate Ceberano, Russell Morris and Ross Wilson in May and June. See www.apiagoodtimes.com.au for ticket and venue information. Brian also has two solo shows this weekend in Cairns and Darwin and two special shows with Glenn Shorrock in Melbourne later in the year (see below for details).

Silver City is available now through Ambition Entertainment. Pics and background info can be downloaded from here.

Tickets for Woodstock 50 will go on sale 22 April 2019. Complete information is available on the festival’s website.

UPCOMING SHOWS

Brian and Band:

Friday, 22 March 2019 – Tanks Arts Centre, Cairns Qld
Saturday, 22 March 2019 – SKYCITY Darwin NT

Apia Good Times Tour Dates:

Thursday, 16 May 2019
Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre, Bunbury WA

Friday, 17 May 2019
Perth Concert Hall, Perth WA

Saturday, 18 May 2019
Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide SA

Friday, 24 May 2019
Costa Hall, Geelong Performing Arts Centre, Geelong, Vic

Saturday, 25 May 2019
Palais Theatre, St Kilda Vic

Sunday, 26 May 2019
Ulumbarra Theatre, Bendigo Vic

Thursday, 30 May 2019
Empire Theatre, Toowoomba Qld

Friday, 31 May 2019
QPAC Concert Hall, Brisbane Qld

Saturday, 1 June 2019
Twin Towns Services Club, Tweed Heads NSW

Sunday, 2 June 2019
Twin Towns Services Club, Tweed Heads NSW*
*Show commences at 7.00pm

Friday, 7 June 2019
Wrest Point Entertainment Centre, Hobart TAS

Saturday, 8 June 2019
Princess Theatre, Launceston TAS

Thursday, 13 June 2019
Civic Theatre, Newcastle NSW

Friday, 14 June 2019
Enmore Theatre, Sydney NSW

Saturday, 15 June 2019
Anita’s Theatre, Thirroul NSW

Sunday, 16 June 2019
Canberra Theatre Centre, Canberra ACT

Glenn Shorrock & Brian Cadd – The Return of Cisco & Pancho!:

Friday, 11 October -and- Saturday, 12 October 2019
The Palms at Crown, Melbourne Vic

The Proclaimers return to Australia in May for national tour!

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Scottish duo, The Proclaimers, are returning to Australia in May for a national tour with shows in Toowoomba, Brisbane, Caloundra, Newcastle, Sydney, Melbourne, Geelong, Adelaide and Perth.

It has been 32 years since Scotland’s finest Celtic soul brothers, Craig and Charlie Reid, aka The Proclaimers, emerged in our musical psyche. Since then, their enduring appeal across generations has carved a niche for themselves where pop, folk, new wave and punk collide as the emotional honesty, political fire, wit and sing-along raucousness of their songs and their extensive touring has enlightened and entertained fans around the World.

2018 saw The Proclaimers record their 11th studio album at the legendary Rockfield Studios in Wales in April with producer Dave Eringa (Manic Street Preachers, Roger Daltrey, Kylie Minogue) at the helm. Angry Cyclist , released in August 2018, became the band’s 8th UK Top 40 album debuting in the UK Official Album charts at 17 and at number 3 in the UK Official Independent Album Charts.

The Proclaimers performed 61 times on the 2018 leg of their Angry Cyclist tour including 5 UK festivals, 13 concerts in Canada and 43 sold out UK shows, playing in front of over 250,000 fans during the run. 5,400 minutes of Craig and Charlie, along with band members Stevie, Garry John, Zac and Clive, performing on stage!

“They effortlessly took this audience from heartache to joy without breaking a sweat. Completely unpretentious and with none of the fancy trappings of some stage shows, the brothers let their music and vocal range shine through” – Nottingham Post

It’s been 3 years since The Proclaimers last came ‘down under’ and they’re looking forward to returning, “We’ve been coming to Australia since late ’80s and have loved being there every time. We hope the audiences will enjoy the new songs and the old” said Charlie and Craig.

Craig and Charlie have reached a rarefied status: after three decades they are as innovative as ever and with every album and show played, The Proclaimers continue to garner new fans. Their songs are timeless: with their catchy tunes and stirring harmonies they capture the full gamut of human emotions.

Expect to hear all the classics – Let’s Get Married, Sunshine on Leith, Letter From America and I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) along songs from their recently released, highly acclaimed, Angry Cyclist, album.

Fans are reminded to only buy tickets from the official ticket agents listed below so as to avoid “reselling” sites such as Viagogo who typically advertise heavily online and often mislead consumers into paying much higher prices than necessary.

2019 Australian Tour

Thursday, 16 May 2019
Empire Theatre, Toowoomba Qld
Tickets available now from the Venue

Friday, 17 May 2019
Concert Hall, QPAC, Brisbane Qld
Tickets available now from the Venue

Sunday, 19 May 2019
The Events Centre, Caloundra Qld
Tickets available now from the Venue

Tuesday, 21 May 2019
Civic Theatre, Newcastle NSW
Tickets available now from Ticketek

Wednesday, 22 May 2019
Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House NSW
Tickets available now from the Venue

Saturday, 25 May 2019
Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne VIC
Tickets available now from the Venue

Sunday, 26 May 2019
Deakin’s Costa Hall, Geelong Performing Arts Centre, Vic
Tickets available now from the Venue

Tuesday, 28 May 2019
Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide SA
Tickets available now from Ticketmaster

Thursday, 30 May 2019
His Majesty’s Theatre, Perth WA
Tickets available now from the Venue

LEE KERNAGHAN ANNOUNCES NEW TOUR, NEW SINGLE AND NEW ALBUM – BACKROAD NATION TOUR KICKING OFF MAY 2019 WITH SPECIAL GUESTS MULTI-GOLDEN GUITAR WINNERS, THE WOLFE BROTHERS & CMC FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR CHRISTIE LAMB

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Lee Kernaghan is kicking off the year in a big way announcing his most extensive tour to date and an epic new album, Backroad Nation.

Lee says his Backroad Nation tour is set to cover a lot of country over the coming year with concert events planned Australia wide. The extensive run includes 45 shows that go on sale today and coincide with the release of the first radio single – Wheels. The new song from the forthcoming Backroad Nation album features the accompanying music video that was filmed on location in outback Northern Territory.

“It was absolutely spectacular out in that desert country and we were shooting in 46-degree heat – it was even too hot for the flies,” Lee recalls. Lee’s wife Robby also made a special appearance in the music video donning bikinis and Akubra hat. “When I first asked Robby if she’d be in the clip she said no,” he says. “So, I had to sweeten the deal and I bribed her with a couple of of cold beers at Lasseter’s Casino.”

Lee says the Backroad Nation album and tour is a celebration of ‘us, our way of life and the people who make our country great’. “Much of the inspiration for the songs has come from the people I’ve met and the places I’ve travelled to, from Alice Springs to the Deni Ute Muster, from the mighty Pilbara region in WA to the backroads of Queensland, and everywhere in between,” he says.

Kernaghan who has 38 number one songs to his credit says the new tour will feature all the hits and a whole lot more. “We’ve been working on creating a concert event that I hope people are going to really love being a part of,” he says. “A lot of new design elements have been added with the staging, lighting and screens plus the hottest band in the land, The Wolfe Brothers will be joining me and opening up the shows with a bunch of their own hits.”

The Wolfe Brothers made country music history in January becoming the first group to win four Golden Guitars in one night including the big one, Album Of The Year, for their outstanding release, Country Heart. One of Australia’s brightest new stars, Christie Lamb will also join Lee for his Backroad Nation Tour. Christie has notched up multiple number one hits on the charts; she was the Golden Guitar winner for New Talent Of The Year and in 2018 and was voted CMC Female Artist Of The Year.

Lee Kernaghan is considered a legend in the Australian music industry and for good reason. He has achieved a staggering 38 #1 chart hit songs including Boys From The Bush, Hat Town, Flying With The King, Australian Boy, Texas QLD 4385, Goondiwindi Moon, High Country and a veritable ute load of Golden Guitars – 37 in total. Lee has also won four ARIA Awards including The ARIA Special Achievement Award for the Spirit Of The Anzacs album – the Number One all genres album of 2015 and Highest Selling Australian Album Of The Year.

Tickets to the Backroad Nation Tour are on sale today. Lee Kernaghan’s new album Backroad Nation is set for release on May 10 through ABC Music. The first single from the album, Wheels, is at radio today. Check our the video clip for Wheels here https://youtu.be/TAkHv2Hr5bA

BACKROAD NATION TOUR DATES 2019

Saturday 11th May 2019
Berry Showgrounds, BERRY NSW
www.big-country.com.au

Thursday 30th May 2019
Saraton Theatre, GRAFTON NSW
www.saraton.com

Friday 31st May 2019
Cex Club, COFFS HARBOUR NSW
www.cex.com.au

Saturday 1st June 2019
Club Forster, FORSTER NSW
www.clubforster.com.au

Saturday 2nd June 2019
The Glasshouse, PORT MACQUARIE NSW
www.glasshouse.org.au

Thursday 13th June 2019
Horsham Town Hall, HORSHAM VIC
www.horshamtownhall.com.au

Friday 14th June 2019
Swan Hill Town Hall, SWAN HILL VIC
www.townhall.swanhill.vic.gov.au

Saturday 15th June 2019
Riverlinks Eastbank, SHEPPARTON VIC
www.riverlinksvenues.com.au

Thursday 20th June 2019
Yoogali Club, GRIFFITH NSW
www.oztix.com.au

Friday 21st June 2019
Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre, WAGGA WAGGA NSW
www.civictheatre.com.au

Saturday 22nd June 2019
Albury Entertainment Theatre, ALBURY NSW
www.alburyentertainmentcentre.com.au

Saturday 28th July 2019
Groundwater Country Music Festival, BROADBEACH QLD
www.groundwatercmf.com

Thursday 15th August 2019
Mandurah Performing Arts Centre, MANDURAH WA
www.manpac.com.au

Friday 16th August 2019
Crown Theatre, PERTH WA
www.crownperth.com.au

Saturday 17th August 2019
Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre, BUNBURY WA
www.bunburyentertainment.com

Thursday 22nd August 2019
Brolga Theatre, MARYBOROUGH QLD
www.ourfrasercoast.com.au/brolga-theatre

Friday 23rd August 2019
Moncrieff Entertainment Centre, BUNDABERG QLD
www.moncrieff-bundaberg.com.au

Saturday 24th August 2019
Great Western Hotel, Rockhampton QLD
www.greatwesternhotel.com.au

Thursday 29th August 2019
Cairns Performing Arts Centre, CAIRNS QLD
www.cairns.qld.gov.au/cpac

Friday 30th August 2019
Townsville Entertainment Centre, TOWNSVILLE QLD
www.tecc.net.au

Saturday 31st August 2019
Mackay Entertainment Centre, MACKAY QLD
www.themecc.com.au

Thursday 5th September 2019
Kingaroy Town Hall, KINGAROY QLD
www.oztix.com.au

Friday 6th September 2019
Empire Theatre, TOOWOOMBA QLD
www.empiretheatre.com.au

Friday 13th September 2019
Evan Theatre, PENRITH NSW
www.penrith.panthers.com.au

Saturday 14th September 2019
Canberra Theatre, CANBERRA ACT
www.canberratheatrecentre.com.au

Thursday 19th September 2019
The Barn Palais, MT GAMBIER SA
www.oztix.com.au

Friday 20th September 2019
Thebarton Theatre, ADELAIDE SA
www.thebartontheatre.com.au

Saturday 21st September 2019
Barossa Arts Centre, TANUNDA SA
www.countryarts.org.au

Sunday 22nd September 2019
Broken Hill Civic Centre, BROKEN HILL NSW
www.brokenhill.nsw.gov.au/broken-hill-civic-centre

Friday 4th October 2019
Deni Ute Muster, DENILIQUIN VIC
www.deniutemuster.com.au

16th – 21st October 2019
Cruisin’ Country Cruise
www.cruisincountry.com.au

Thursday 7th November 2019
Burnie Town Hall, BURNIE TAS
www.burniearts.net

Friday 8th November 2019
Princess Theatre, LAUNCESTON TAS
www.theatrenorth.com.au

Saturday 9th November 2019
Wrest Point Entertainment Centre, HOBART TAS
www.wrestpoint.com.au

Friday 15th November 2019
Ullumburra Theatre, BENDIGO VIC
www.thecapital.com.au

Thursday 21st November 2019
Bunjil Place, NARRE WARREN VIC
www.bunjilplace.com.au

Friday 22nd November 2019
The Palms @ Crown, MELBOURNE VIC
www.crownmelbourne.com.au

Saturday 23rd November 2019
The Palms @ Crown, MELBOURNE VIC
www.crownmelbourne.com.au

Thursday 28th November 2019
The Events Centre, CALOUNDRA QLD
www.theeventscentre.com.au

Friday 29th November 2019
Twin Towns Services Club, TWEED HEADS NSW
www.twintowns.com.au

Saturday 30th November 2019
Twin Towns Services Club, TWEED HEADS NSW
www.twintowns.com.au