Category Archives: Tamworth Country Radio Network

Townsville’s Sammy White CROWNED 41st TOYOTA STAR MAKER

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

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

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

C2C: COUNTRY TO COUNTRY SYDNEY AND BRISBANE – SEPTEMBER 2019

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.

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

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

LEE KERNAGHAN GEARS UP FOR A MASSIVE CONCERT AT TAMWORTH COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL

Lee KernaghanAustralia’s own ‘Boy From The Bush’ Lee Kernaghan is gearing up for a massive Tamworth Country Music Festival show in 2019 and audiences are in for a treat. Returning to Tamworth Regional Entertainment Conference Centre (TRECC) with a massive new show featuring all the hits and fan favourites. This is going to be a huge country music party!

Always passionate about performing at Tamworth Country Music Festival, Lee is well known for putting on a amazing show that always features some surprise guest artists and new talent. In 2019, he also takes on the official ‘ambassador’ title for the festival – a worthy title considering it was at Tamworth where he took home the Star Maker title back in the 1980s.

Lee Kernaghan reinvigorated Australian Country Music in the 1990’s, synthesising traditional country themes with his own brand of rural rock and images of an evolving regional culture. Songs like The Outback Club, Boys From The Bush, Hat Town, She’s My Ute and Australian Boy are now modern day anthems for a generation of Australians living and working on the land.

Lee continues to tour Australia and has recently completed a massive two-year tour with his Boys From The Bush 25th Anniversary Tour. In 2017 he sold out 29 of the 32 theatre shows he performed, and the tour was extended into 2018 and once again, most of these shows sold out.

Lee has sold over two million albums in Australia and is a four-time ARIA award winning artist. He has achieved a staggering 38 #1 chart hit songs over his career and has been awarded 38 Golden Guitars. He has been named Hit Maker of the Decade, twice, in 2001 and 2011. This accolade is in recognition of Lee having more chart hits in Australia than any other country music artist in the world.

Lee’s return to TRECC on Thursday 24th January 2019 will be one of the hottest tickets of the Tamworth Country Music Festival, so call your friends and book your tickets early to join the party with Lee at Tamworth 2019. Lee and his special guests will get audiences on their feet for a good time!

Lee Kernaghan’s Tamworth Country Music Festival concert event is proudly presented by Toyota Australia.

Thursday 24th January 2019 | 8.15pm
TRECC, TAMORTH NSW
www.entertainmentvenues.com.au | (02) 6766 2028

THE WOLFE BROTHERS GET READY FOR THEIR BIGGEST EVER TAMWORTH COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL WITH A HUGE COUNTRY HEART WITH SPECIAL GUESTS ANDREW SWIFT & JODY DIREEN (NZ)

The Wolfe BrothersThe 2019 Tamworth Country Music Festival is going to be one of the biggest yet for Australia’s favourite country rock band The Wolfe Brothers. Taking their Country Heart to the festival for one special night only on Thursday 23rd January at 8.30pm at The Albert Hotel, it brings full circle what was a massive 2018 for the Tasmanian rockers. The band released their album Country Heart in 2018, followed it up with a finalist nomination in the 2018 ARIA Awards for Best Country Album and are now heading to Tamworth with no less than five Golden Guitar nominations under their belt.

To help celebrate the release of their fouth long-player, Country Heart, The Wolfe Brothers have invited four-time Golden Guitar nominee Andrew Swift and New Zealand’s acclaimed female artist Jody Direen to join them in what will be one massive party! The band have already been out on the road throughout 2018 celebrating their studio release and have been packing houses at every show.

For Tom Wolfe, this special version of The Wolfe Brothers’ Country Heart tour, is really about bringing all country music fans together. It is essentially, about getting to the country heart – and showing that heart to audiences. The show is jam-packed with energy, fun, fantastic songs, great stories, and of course, a lot of country music. “We love to showcase country music in its many formats,” says Tom. “There is something in this concert for everyone.”

Heading to Tamworth Country Music Festival is always a highlight for the band. They’ve been making the annual pilgrimage for years now. Tom says they wouldn’t miss it for the world. “The festival is full of great music, mates and great times,” he says. “It is a highlight every year, we wouldn’t miss it.”

Aside from their show at Tamworth this year, The Wolfe Brothers will also be attending the Golden Guitars, with five nominations under their belt – Single Of The Year, Contemporary Country Album Of The Year, Country Music Capital News Group Or Duo Of The Year, APRA AMCOS Song Of The Year and CMC Video Of The Year. Post-festival, the band will be continuing to tour their chart-topping release around Australia throughout 2019.

The Wolfe Brothers Tamworth Country Music Festival show is a must-see concert – in fact it is more than a concert – it is a music party experience! So, don’t miss this one night only country music party. Come and celebrate with The Wolfe Brothers, and their mates, and celebrate their new show featuring tracks from Country Heart, plus all the hits from what is fast becoming one of Australia’s favourite country rock catalogues.

Book now for The Wolfe Brothers Live in Concert at Tamworth Country Music Festival with special guests Andrew Swift and Jody Direen. The Wolfe Brothers fourth studio album, Country Heart, is out now via ABC Music.

Wednesday 23rd January 2019 | 8.30pm
The Albert Hotel, TAMWORTH NSW
www.oztix.com.au | (02) 6766 6363

FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE ADD SECOND CAIRNS SHOW TO DEBUT AUSTRALIAN HEADLINE TOUR

Recently Grammy-nominated duo FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE today respond to overwhelming demand, announcing they will play a second show in Cairns, on their first ever Australian headline tour. The group will kick off their anticipated all-ages arena run at the Cairns Convention Centre with a newly announced show on Thursday 14 March, followed by a sold-out appearance on Friday 15 March. 



The band will also take in Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena on Monday 18 March, and Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena on Wednesday 20 March, along with a headline slot at the sold-out CMC Rocks QLD 2019 event, Australia’s premiere country music festival.

Over the past six years, Florida Georgia Line have taken the world by storm, exploding into the mainstream with collaborations with Bebe Rexha on global chart-topper ‘Meant To Be’, featuring on Hailee Steinfeld and Alesso’s ‘Let Me Go’, plus The Chainsmokers on ‘Last Day Alive’, The Backstreet Boys with ‘God, Your Mama, And Me’, Ziggy Marley, Tim McGraw, Nelly, and countless others.

Their genre-defying sound is top-shelf, making for an explosive live experience. True global entertainers, the multi-platinum duo have surpassed 31 million tracks and more than 4.3 million albums sold, played to jam-packed rooms across North America, and appeared live on US television programs The Late Late Show with James Cordern, The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon and more!

With a forthcoming album, Can’t Say I Ain’t Country, just announced for release on 15 February 2019, Florida Georgia Line will have some brand new hits to unleash on Australian audiences in March!

In Cairns, US hit-maker Morgan Wallen will join FGL for the ride, while country star Thomas Rhett will round out the lineup in Sydney and Melbourne. With a solid bill of country powerhouses, these shows promise to be a hit for music-lovers of all ages.

INTRODUCING NASHVILLE NEW ARTIST SERIES LANDS IN AUSTRALIA IN MARCH!

Announced today, INTRODUCING NASHVILLE is the brand new international artist touring series, presented by the Country Music Association of America. A four-artist bill featuring some of North America’s most exciting established and up-and-coming artists – Brandy Clark, Devin Dawson, Lindsay Ell, and Tenille Townes – will take in five intimate venues across Australia, kicking off at Lismore’s City Hall on Monday 18th March, and continuing through Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne.

Designed to introduce current artists from Nashville to music fans around the world, the two-hour seated show will present artists on stage together, in a rare stripped-back environment. Mirroring a quintessential Nashville writers round, Introducing Nashville will see artists take turns to introduce their songs, sharing the stories behind the tracks, along with personal life and career experiences; these shows are an opportunity for Australian audiences to catch a unique glimpse into the lives and art of some of their favourite Nashville artists.

Punctuated by unrehearsed banter, and with each of the artists featured occupying different lanes musically, music lovers will come away from the evening having experienced a true cross-section of what is coming out of Music City right now.

“We are excited to invest in artists who are building international careers and to help place them in front of fans in multiple cities who seldom experience Nashville artists live,” said Milly Olykan, Vice President, International Relations and Development. “Launching the first Introducing Nashville tour with these distinct artists, each of which occupy such different lanes musically, illustrates the broad range of sounds coming out of Nashville and the Country genre.”

Hailing from Nashville, BRANDY CLARK received her first of an impressive six career Grammy nominations in 2013 in the Best Country Song category, co-writing the Miranda Lambert No.1 hit ‘Mama’s Broken Heart’. Shortly thereafter, Clark independently released her debut album, 12 Stories, which was embraced by music lovers and critics alike and garnered two Grammy nominations, along with Best Album commendations from the likes of The Boston Globe, New York Magazine, NPR, New York Post and more.

2016’s sophomore album, Big Day In A Small Town, garnered two Grammy nominations for Best Country Album and Best Country Solo Performance, once again topping critics’ Best Of lists for the year, including NPR, Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly and Billboard, cementing Clark as one of Country Music’s most talented artists, beloved by fans, critics and fellow entertainers alike.

Breakout artist DEVIN DAWSON released his debut album Dark Horse, earlier this year, landing Top 5 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart on release. The record features Dawson’s current single ‘Asking For A Friend’, which he has recently performed on US television programs TODAY and Late Night with Seth Meyers.


Dawson has been recognised with multiple nominations this year including ACM’s New Male Artist, CMT’s Breakthrough Video of the Year and Radio Disney’s Best New Country Artist, among others. The Californian has received critical praise from outlets such as Billboard, Huffington Post, Entertainment Weekly, People, ELLE, The Tennessean, AXS, HITS and more, recently touring with Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, along with labelmate Brett Eldredge. His first headlining run, the Stray Off Course Tour, began in November and continues into 2019.

Lauded as one of “the most exciting and talented young artists in country music” (Forbes), LINDSAY ELL is a star on the rise. The Canadian singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist has toured alongside the likes of Luke Bryan, Buddy Guy, The Band Perry and Keith Urban, as well as impressing audiences as Carrie Underwood’s guitar player live on The 50th Annual CMA Awards and holding her own alongside icon Melissa Etheridge on Skyville Live. This year alone, Ell exhilarated audiences as part of Brad Paisley’s Weekend Warrior World Tour, Sugarland’s Still The Same Tour and select dates of Keith Urban’s Graffiti U World Tour. 


Ell’s first full-length album The Project debuted at No.1 on the Nielsen Soundscan Country Albums Chart, and was named Billboard’s Best Country Album of 2017. Her current single ‘Criminal’ was the most added song at U.S. Country radio upon release, becoming her first Top 20 hit in the US.

Up-and-comer TENILLE TOWNS is paving ground all of her own, touted as having the lyrical fortitude of Griffin or Lori McKenna, the soulful nature of Chris Stapleton or even Adele. Working on her debut album with acclaimed US producer Jay Joyce, Townes started her journey to becoming one of country music’s most promising new artists in her native rural Canada. Once settled in Nashville, Townes spent her days songwriting and her nights at guitar pulls or at the Bluebird Café, studying everything she could. Eventually, she scored a publishing deal with Big Yellow Dog and headed into the studio. Together, they tapped into her organic nature and her sheer ability to tell a story and emote it through the visceral range of her vocals – tender, bluesy, wise and full of wonder but never naive.

KEITH URBAN ‘A Benefit Show for Rural Aid Drought Relief’ Tamworth Town Hall, Tuesday January 22

Prior to the launch of his “Graffiti U World Tour Australia,” four-time GRAMMY Award winner and 2018 GRAMMY nominee, Keith Urban will give a special performance, ‘A Benefit Show for Rural Aid Drought Relief,’ to take place as part of the 2019 Toyota Country Music Festival Tamworth at Tamworth Town Hall on Tuesday 22ndJanuary. All ticket sales will go directly to Rural Aid,who provide a holistic support program to rural Australia, including those in NSW and most of Queensland who were hit hardest by the drought.

Tickets for the standalone benefit show are on sale at 10am AEDT today:
Phone: 02 6766 2028
Online: www.tamworthtownhall.com.au
In person: Capital Theatre Tamworth or The Big Golden Guitar
Limit 4 tickets per person.

An established charity, Rural Aid was formed to provide assistance for the relief of poverty, illness, distress or disadvantage of individuals and families conducting primary production businesses that have been adversely affected by natural disasters. With record dry conditions, financial hardship brought on by the drought means money is needed for essential items.

Keith Urban said, “A no frills, no production, free form set list and all to help people who could really use it. It’s gonna be a blast playing the old Tamworth Town Hall!”

‘Way Too Long’ is the recently released new single from Urban’s chart-topping, Gold-certified album ‘GRAFFITI U’, which just this past week received a GRAMMY nomination for the song “Parallel Line.” He’s consistently topped the charts in Australia and the US over the last decade, amassing more than 22 million in album sales worldwide, with combined sales of 1.4 million albums in Australia.

A five-time ARIA Award winner, Urban also has a total of 14 ARIA Platinum selling singles and albums and recently hosted the 2018 ARIA Awards.

Following ‘A Benefit Show for Rural Aid Drought Relief’ at Tamworth Town Hall, Urban’s “Graffiti U World Tour Australia” will begin with a sold out show at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre on January 23, followed by shows in Sydney (Qudos Bank Arena on January 25 and 26), Canberra (GIO Stadium on January 27), Brisbane (Entertainment Centre on January 31, February 2 and 3) and Melbourne (Rod Laver Arena on February 5 and 6).