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Tamworth 2004 Festival dates  are January 16th - January 26th  

Countdown starts 9th January

Click here for all Gympie Muster info

Press Release

Independent Album of the year

The ARIA Awards will be held at the Sydney SuperDome (this year on Tuesday, October 21), Network Ten will broadcast, Rove McManus will host.

 

Australian Club Entertainment Awards.

NOMINEES HAVE been announced for the sixth annual ACE Awards to be presented in Sydney this October. 

The nominees are...

 Country Female Act,,, Kel-Anne Brandt, Kasey Chambers, Beccy Cole, Felicity and Melinda Schneider;

Country Male Act... Adam Brand, Troy Cassar-Daley, Adam Harvey, Wayne Horsburgh, Lee Kernaghan and John Williamson;

Country Group/Duo... Buckshot, Feral Swing Cats, McCauleys Raiders, Southbound and the Wolverines.

In addition to the country-specific categories, Aubrey & Martin and Pixie Jenkins are nominees in the Vocal/Instrumental category.

Nominees were announced at the Revesby Workers Club, winners will be announced at the Canterbury-Hurlstone Park RSL Club on Wednesday, October 29.   

ACE stands for Australian Club Entertainment Awards. Further details are available from the ACE website http://www.aceawards.com.au/.

Country Concert
A Country Music concert is held at Warrnambool on the last Sunday
 of every month.   They donate all money after expenses to local charities (for example they have just donated $10,000 to Palative care.    Ken Smith who runs a a three hour radio program on the local radio station 3 WAY FM WARRNAMBOOL is the organiser.

UQ Ipswich to offer Uni course in country music
THE CULTURE of Australian country music will be under the spotlight in one of four new courses to be offered at UQ (University of Queensland) Ipswich.

The courses will focus on "music cultures" including popular and contemporary music.
#John Williamson and other leading country music artists helped celebrate the launch of the courses at a function hosted by UQ in conjunction with the Country Music Association of Australia (CMAA) at UQ Ipswich tonight (Monday, August 4).

Dr Shirley Tucker, who has been working in close consultation with the CMAA, said the organisation had been extremely supportive during the course development process.

"Clearly the industry is motivated by the prospect of gaining graduates who can specialise in the industry and enhance research in contemporary music culture," she said.

"Country music in particular, as the longest sustaining popular music genre in Australia, has made an important contribution to our understanding of what being Australian means."

#CMAA President John Williamson sang a duet with Golden Guitar winning artist Sara Storer at the launch and country music artists Dobe Newton, Pat Drummond, Jim Haynes and Brendon Walmsley also performed.

"An academic approach to our music is not something a lot of people would have contemplated before now," John said expressing the CMAA's delight at UQ's move into country music.

"It's an exciting move, one we are very pleased to see. The extension of country music into formal study will provide more substance to our industry, more pathways for people to examine and understand country music and opportunities for people already in the industry to extend their involvement to this level if they wish."

The courses will be offered through the Contemporary Studies Program at the Ipswich campus, where they will be part of studies in media and culture.

Two introductory first year courses, examining aspects of music and popular culture, will be available from 2004, and two advanced courses from 2005. Dr Shirley Tucker and Dr Keith Beattie will be developing the courses.

COUNTRY MUSIC ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA
PO Box 298 Tamworth NSW 2340
 

AND THE WINNER IS...

WEST TAMWORTH LEAGUE CLUB!

West Tamworth League Club WON five prestigious awards at the RCA's gala  Club of the Year Awards held in Sydney on Friday night.

The Club's achievements were acknowledged in

 Responsible Service Award

Best Marketing Award

Best Promotions and Entertainment Venue

Financial Management Award

Club Of The Year (Medium Size Club)

Secretary Manager, Rod Laing was still walking on air and said "it's an immense achievement for our whole team and what makes it even more exciting is that the Awards cover such a broad spectrum." 

All Clubs, both city and regional are in the running and vie for each of the awards. To win five in one year is a rare achievement and recognises the exceptional standard provided by the management and staff at West Tamworth League Club.

COUNTRY MUSIC CENTENARY MEDALS

from CMAA

TWENTY-TWO COUNTRY music or country music related people have been awarded Australian Centenary Medals.

Adam Brand, Darren Coggan, Beccy Cole, Felicity, Adam Harvey, Michael Harvey, Sara Storer, Keith Urban and Brendon Walmlsley were presented medals for services to Australian society through country music.

Kathleen Batchelor was presented with her medal for service to the annual Bunyip Country Music Festival.

Retailer Barry Bull from Toombul, Queensland, who has had a long association with the country music industry, was presented with his medal for distinguished achievement in business.

Troy Cassar-Daley was presented with his medal for distinguished service to the music industry.

Warren Fahey was presented with his medal for long service to the development of the Australian music industry and small business.

Paul Kelly was presented with his medal for service to music and the arts.

Lee Kernaghan was presented with his medal in recognition of service to entertainment, particularly country music.

Bob Kirchner was presented with his medal for service to the history of country music through the Australian Country Music Foundation.

Allan Edward and Stephen Pigram of Western Australia's Pigram Brothers were presented with their medals for service to indigenous people through recognition of their music.

Fabian Webb was presented with his medal for service to country music, the community, local government and the beef industry.

Gus Williams was presented with his medal for service to Australian society through Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander music.

Warren H Williams was presented with his medal for service to Australian society through music.

And John Williamson was presented with his medal for service to Australian society through singing and songwriting.

Medal recipients were announced last week by the Federal Government.

Dixie Chicks Pose Nude on Entertainment Weekly

2003 edition of the Directory of Australian

 Country Music

THE 2003 edition of the Directory of Australian Country Music is now available.

The Directory can be obtained by contacting Rural Press Events on telephone 02 6762 2339, email capitalnews@ruralpress.com.

Professional Members of the Country Music Association of Australia receive a complimentary copy of the Directory.

Josh Arnold and his partner Tash have a new baby girl.   Tyla Rose, Born Thursday March 27 at 2:30pm,  a sister for 16 month old Klay.   (Tamworth Ragepage would like to wish the whole family Peace and Happiness)

 

DONNA BOYD has been presented with the 2003 International Frank Ifield Spur Award in conjunction with the Galston Country Music Festival.

The award was presented by Frank in front of a capacity audience during Canterbury Country at the Canterbury-Hurlstone Park RSL Club last Thursday night.

A surprised and delighted Donna had just finished performing as a special guest on the show, when Frank came on stage with Tony and Vikki Page of the Galston Festival and presented Donna with her trophy.

The award is an encouragement award with a focus on aspiring new talent. As part of the prize, Donna's track All Roads Lead Back To You, from her TIARA winning album All Roads, will now receive significant airplay and promotion in Europe.

Later in the night, the show's host Bob Howe also introduced Karen O'Shea who won the 2001 International Spur award and went on to reach number seven on the European Country Music Top 40, and Wayne Horsburgh, winner of the 2000 Millennium Achievement Spur Award.

Wayne continues his work as an ambassador for Australian country music as he returns this month to Branson in the USA. He will be headlining the main show each night at Silver Dollar City for the next seven months.

JOHN WIBBERLEY has been named South Australian of the Year for services and contributions to music.

JOHN WILLIAMSON ­ NEW CHAIRMAN OF THE
COUNTRY MUSIC ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA
Australian country star, multi Golden Guitar winner and Roll of Renown inductee John Williamson is to take over as Chairman of Australia¹s country music industry body the Country Music Association of Australia in 2003.
John will succeed Joy McKean who has decided to step down as Chairman due to increasing work and personal pressures. Joy was a founding member of the CMAA, ³and one of our great strengths over the last 10 years,² according to CMAA General Manager Kate Nugent.
³Our Treasurer from the beginning until she took over the Chairman¹s reins last year, Joy has made a lasting and significant contribution to the development and promotion of country music in Australia through her dedication to, and work for, Australia¹s country music industry organisation.²
Also a founding member and Vice Chairman of the Association since its inception until the mid Œ90s, John was a driving force in establishment of the organisation which came into being in January 1992.
He was heavily involved in discussions and negotiations for the CMAA¹s eventual takeover of the Country Music Awards of Australia and played a pivotal role helping the Association find its feet in the early days.
³I feel very humble taking on this important role,² John said, ³ and to help steer the CMAA into its second decade.  All of Australia has significant challenges to face in the coming years and the music industry is no different.
³I believe the CMAA has done a great job over the last decade on behalf of its members and the industry as a whole.  Its work will be even more important over the next few years as we continue to promote Australian country music as part of our culture.²
CMAA¹s General Manager Kate Nugent said the Association was delighted to see John back directly involved with the organisation again.  ³John has tremendous respect throughout the Australian music industry and we will be proud to work with him to further promote and develop the Australian country music industry.²
John will take up his new role following the CMAA¹s Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, January 22, in Tamworth, Country Music Capital.

 

ACMF TALKABOUT SALUTES

 BUDDY WILLIAMS

The Australian Country Music Foundation (ACMF) will pay tribute to Australian country music pioneer Buddy Williams next Monday, August 12.
Buddy will be the focus of the Foundation's monthly Country Music Talkabout which aims to increase knowledge of and interest in the history and heritage of Australian country music.
Special guest for the evening will be Gary Coxhead, an authority on the life and work of Buddy who was the first Australian to record original country music.
Buddy was born in 1918, first recording for EMI in 1939. His career lasted almost 50 years until his untimely death in 1986. During this period, he left a wealth of recorded material, songs, stories and memories which have now gone down in Australian history.
Gary, a long-time broadcaster in Sydney and Tamworth, followed Buddy's career from the mid 1960s, shortly before he actually joined "The Yodelling Jackaroo" (as Buddy was billed in the early days) touring Australia until the early '70s.
Members of the public, including the country music community, are invited to attend the Talkabout which will commence at 7.30pm next Monday at the ACMF in Brisbane Street, Tamworth. Following Gary's presentation, a general discussion will take place to allow attendees to add to proceedings and/or seek answers to specific questions.
The presentation and discussion will be recorded and later transcribed for reference including on the Foundation's website http://www.acmf.org.au. Any enquiries can be directed to the ACMF which is open 10am to 2pm Monday to Saturday, telephone 02 6766 9696, email info@acmf.org.au

Ted Egan

THE NORTHERN Territory University has awarded its first honorary doctorate to Edward Joseph ("Ted") Egan.

Ted was made an honorary doctor of letters in recognition of his community service and and notable achievement in the fields of Aboriginal affairs, historical studies and the preservation and promotion of Australia's cultural heritage, particularly song, verse and folklore.

Slim Dusty

A new book, titled "On The Road With Slim" will be available through ABC Shops and general book shops nationally.

Tiara 

In 1998 the Tamworth Independent Artist Recognition Awards were commenced to recognise the immense talent and commitment of Independent artists in Australian Country Music.   We now have an online presence which should aid everyone who aspires to winning these prestigious awards.   Details can be found at www.tiara-awards.org including full list of past winners.  

Anna Rose

A photo of Anna Rose holding a Tamworth 

Ragepage website card.

 

Helen from Tamworth Ragepage would like to thank Anna Rose for her story in the Northern Daily Leader.

"I discovered Bert Wilder's poem while doing my daily checkout of Helen's fabulous website, www.tamworthragepage.com .  Anyone who loves country music will really enjoy this site. 

I'm absolutely convinced Helen never sleeps.   She must spend every night at the computer.  I wonder if she sleeps during the day?  Anyway, I intend to find out and will have more on Helen for you in a later column.    In the meantime, enjoy Bert's poem and thanks again to him and to Helen for allowing me to share it with you. "  

Bert Wilder's Poem   - A Thank You to Tamworth 

The Answer to Anna's  question -  No, I do not sleep in the day time.   Adrenalin and the enthusiasm for country music keep me going, before, during and after Tamworth.   

 

Young Hunter Valley Rising Stars

       

                  Catherine Britt                     Josh Canning                         Brooke Harvey                       

There must be something in the  water around the Hunter Valley area, the talent that is emerging from there is amazing.   Catherine Britt,  a singer songwriter who is only 16 years old has just brought out her 2nd C.D  "Dusty Smiles and Heartbreak Cures", containing  7 originals and a duet with Bill Chambers "It's not love"  The C.D is going very well and it only came out in August.   The September NFS album will have Catherine singing the single "Easy Living" written by Richard Porteous.   She has just finished touring with Kasey Chambers and what an honour it is to be selected to be on this tour but well deserved.    Catherine is heavily grounded in traditional music as is Josh Canning who is also 16 years.  Josh has a unique voice but sings traditional country and is just starting on his journey to the top in this field.  He has great musical taste, songwriting skills and he has the passion & dedication to Country Music.  

Brooke Harvey,  another young singer songwriter,  is at the moment studying and doing her H.S.C. but as soon as school's out, music's in.  Brooke is applying for a place at the 2002 CMAA College and if successful is hoping to hook up with some other young pickers and benefit from the experience of the college tutors.   Brooke is talented, classy and also  has a style of her own.   Brooke is hoping to bring out a C.D  early next year.   There is no telling how far these three Novocastrians will go as they all have the potential to reach the top and tamworthragepage wishes them luck in their future in Country Music.    Click here www.catherinebritt.com  to buy Catherine's  C.D.

*

THE LAST RIDE OF TEX MORTON      

Announcing a new release Feature Documentary re. The Father of Australian and New Zealand Country Music 1916 to 1983. This feature documentary follows the career of Tex Morton Aka Dr Robert Morton Hypnotist/sharp shooter actor etc toured America / Canada circa 1940's for more information Contact: Attitude Productions P.O. Box U233 Darwin NT,Australia. 0815   

Submitted By:Graham J. Archer Email:attitudeaustralia@austarnet.com.au

 

An Excerpt from Anna Rose 

 An excerpt from reporter Anna Rose's Country Music Notes from "The Northern Daily Leader "July 14th.

 "A visit to Helen's newsy website is an experience you won't forget.  This lady lives, breathes and oozes country music- she's a gem" 

Thank you Anna Rose.

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