Hallam Hotel Again! continues to support great country music after just having Beccy Cole and Troy Cassar-Daley, now in August they have Carter & Carter, Jetty Road, and Tamara Stewart; besides what they have already announced: June - Adam Harvey & Amber Lawrence and July - McAlister Kemp. Well done again Hallam!

Big very long weekend. Sunday we did a round Robin of country music and saw Leslie Avril, Hogbelly Morton's Country Revue and The Perch Creek Family Band then on Anzac Day eve Mooney Valley Drifters. Leslie was fantastic, Hogbelly Morton was an excellent show with lots of country classics, Perch Creek was fabulous and Mooney Valley just wonderful.

Well Done Hallam Hotel! The Hallam Hotel is once again sponsoring the Country Music Round Up on Good Friday, 6 April from 2pm. Last year this event was fantastic and raised money for Royal Children's Hospital. This year - The Prairie Oysters, Ruckus, The Blackhill Ramblers, Adam Toms, Brittany Pavlo, The Dalton Gang, Twyce Daily, The Bonafide Travellers, Susan Lily, The Bay City Hostiles, Danielle Hogan, Andre Camilleri & The Broken Hearts, and Nia Robertson Trio.

FM 94.1, Gosford, Central Coast, NSW Wins 2012 Australian Country Music People’s Choice Award ‘Most Popular Radio Station'. We always knew that station was good. Now the world knows! No matter where in the world you are, you can listen to 94.1 here.

Tamworth - Our favourites who are back in 2012: Travis List, Dan Mureau, Rob Wilson, Tomkins Showcase, Sandra Humphries, Davidson Brothers Bluegrass Breakfast, Daniel Thompson [and his gang of villains - Duncan Toombs, Andy Toombs and Mike Carr], Leslie Avril, Andy Baylor, Doug Bruce, Luke O'Shea, Waz E James, Alby Pool, Blowflyz, Kerry Kennedy, Buddy Knox, Jason Lee, Wanita, Michelle Little, Adam Harvey, Beccy Cole, Texas Rose, Archer, Chuck's Wagon. For you honky tonkers, a new show, Tomkins Honky Tonk 11:30pm Wests, Tomkins artists here.

Gympie Muster 2011: We had a fantastic time in the mud at the Gympie Muster. A few of the excellent acts we saw were Beccy Cole, Kasey Chambers, Doug Bruce, John Williamson, Troy Cassar-Daley, Catherine Britt, Bill Chambers, Amber Lawrence, and Luke O'Shea. We, and the huge crowd that gathered, also really enjoyed a quickly put-together band at The Grove (to fill in for a changed act) consisting of Peter Cooper, Glen Hannah, Mal Lancaster and Andy Toombs as the reluctant but excellent lead singer. The music and the humour was fabulous.

March/April 2012 -Get ready for some fabulous country music coming to Melbourne in March and April; it's like two months of country music heaven: Beccy Cole, Troy Cassar-Daley, Adam Harvey, Catherine Britt, Lyn Bowtell, Dierks Bentley, Lee Kernaghan, Taylor Swift, Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band, Davidson Brothers, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, and the list goes on.

Let's hear a big cheer for The Hallam Hotel supporting country music in Melbourne:
-Wednesday 27 July 2011, Doug Bruce.
- Wednesday 3 August 2011, James Blundell and Catherine Britt.
-Wednesday 10 August 2011, Carter & Carter, Travis Sinclair and Tracy Killeen.
-Tuesday 23 August 2011 Jace Everett (U.S.A) and Kirsty Akers.

Nashville June 2011 Once again Nashville exceeded our country music expectations. We aren't big fans of the CMA events (or the crowds) but one festival event we attended many times was the daily Tomkins Guitars showcase at The Sheraton Hotel; fantastic performers from Australia and in the audience (even if they weren't performing) were several other of the top touring artists from Australia. The huge number of Australians seen around town was stunning. We did the usual thing as written about previous trips below, basically Broadway between 4th and 5th plus The Station Inn. This time:
-Monday night Station Inn and the Time Jumpers. Dawn Sears singing Sweet memories with Paul Franklin on steel and Vince Gill doing backing vocals has to be the live performance of the century.
-Gary Gibson (The Wheel and The Stage) our favourite singer.
-Craig Cutis (Legends) Dave Cox (Roberts) and Pork McElhinny (Roberts) our favourite solo artists.
-Brazilbilly (Roberts) the best show on Broadway.
-Top Bands: Gary Gibson (The Wheel and The Stage), Kevin Stover (Wheel), Zack Neil (Wheel and Crossroads), Jake Mauer (Tootsies), Monte Siler (Legends), John England (Roberts), and David Tanner (Roberts)
-Also Seth Hopkins and Monte Good.

Redneck Motor Oil Top motor oil specially formulated for your classic car.
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Directory of Australian Country Music inputs close soon. List you act now!

35th Annual MO AWARDS COUNTRY PERFORMER OR BAND
Wayne Horsburgh
Troy Cassar Daley
Melinda Schneider
Nicki Gillis
The McClymonts
Kel-Anne Brandt
and in the INSTRUMENTAL OR VOCAL INSTRUMENTAL PERFORMER category, Bob Howe.

14-15 May 2011, What an awesome weekend of country music even though the Kingston Festival was cancelled. Belltones played quite a bit of old time country, Leslie Avril - tremendous as usual with guests Jodie Bell and Bobby Bright, Luau Cowboys -good old boys playing very laid back hillbilly music, and Waz E. James- Alt country with tremendous musos. Fan Tastic!

Hallam Hotel The Country Music Round Up on 22 April was absolutely fabulous with the best country music plus raising lots of funds for the Royal Children's Hospital. Thanks Hallam and everybody involved. Artists included Doug Bruce & The Tailgaters, The Prairie Oysters, Ruckus, The Aaron Daniels Band, The Blackhill Ramblers, Phoenix, Adam Toms, Nia Robertson, The Hannafords and Jan Dandridge. It was a perfect day of country music except that for the last few hours when the sound man's mix was more suited to a nightclub at 3am. More here.

McClymonts We caught the McClymonts show at Crown and they were excellent. Also a great sound man who knew how to present country. If you get a chance to see them before they head off to America, they are well worth it.

OK Buckaroos the documentary on Jerry Jeff Walker's life screened this week at the Dallas International Film Fest. We love hearing the Jerry Jeff songs on the radio thanks to 94.1!
mms://todayscountry94one.stream.in
tegritynet.com.au/todayscountry94one

Nashville August 2010, Music is better than ever in Nashville with less rock, less bad country, more good country bands. See previous scribblings on Nashville in this column but add Buck McCoy Legends Sunday, Scott Hisey The Wheel Thursday, and Buddy Owens Crossroads Thursday. Usually our only music off Broadway is the Time Jumpers on Monday but we also got to see Raul Malo (Mavericks), and Daryl Singletary at Douglas Corner ; both fantastic shows..

Patti Torrey, Springville Inn, 4 August 2010. If you happen to be in the US, North of Los Angeles on a summer Wednesday, be sure to stop in the tiny town of Springville for Patio Night at the Springville Inn, just an hour North of Bakersfield (Bakersfield is the home of Buck Owen's Crystal Palace). Great food, great country music, fabulous atmosphere at The Springville Inn.

Adam Harvey and Wendy Matthews: Fantastic show. Both Adam and Wendy put on fabulous performances and when both were on stage music was just stunning. Awesome musicians including a keyboard player who was sensational. Thanks to the sound man Noel who mixed perfectly. Noel, please offer your services to the Whittlesea festival; they need your help.

Blue Water Festival Port Stephens 2010: We didn't get to see much at the Blue Water Festival but what we did see was superb. The Bill Chambers, Sandra Humphries, and Catherine Britt show was excellent (and sold out) plus we really enjoyed Michelle Little and band, a very polished confident country singer.

Kingston? Saturday 29 May 2010. We had not heard of the Kingston Harvest Festival but when we saw the lineup, well, it had to be attended! Leslie Avril, Peter Baylor & The Roadhouse Romeos, Aleyce Simmonds, Felicity Urquhart, Gatorbait, and Ian Moss, for just a gold coin donation. They were all fantastic. Peter Baylor (we hadn't seen him before) takes you back to, say, 1955 with a bit of rockabilly and country. And what a great sound man; mixed country like country should be mixed and rock like rock should be mixed...Whittlesea Festival should hire him! The festival is held near Carrum, South of Melbourne.

Phil McGee, 94.1 Sunday 18 April 2010 - Awesome show tonight! Rodney Atkins, Roll With It, Easton Corbin Rockin of the Cradle, and so much more! 6-9pm Sundays
mms://todayscountry94one.
stream.integritynet.com.au/
todayscountry 94one!

Byron Bay Blues Fest Report:
Friday: Awesome artists including Joe Bonamassa, Buddy Guy, Troy Cassar-Daley and Hat Fitz but by far the most entertaining show was Rockwiz. If you ever get the chance to go to the touring Rockwiz, it is a must!
Saturday: Old Crow Medicine Show, John Mayall, Warren H. Williams, Jon Cleary, Johnny Greens Blues Cowboys, Joe Bonamassa (yes again), and Lyle Lovette, all just fabulous today.
Sunday: Taj Mahal (he still has IT at 67) Peter Green, Eugene "Hideaway" Bridges (great show ruined by a feral sound man), Wagons, Ray Beadle, Jon Cleary (yes again) and Jessica Mauboy who were all excellent.
Wrapup: So many awesome musicians but our top pick for the most entertaining act was Rockwiz and Joe Bonamassa was our favourite artist.

Musicoz Best Country Artist 2010 - Jetty Road. www.musicoz.org

Barbara Tomkins benefit concert 29 April 2010, Canterbury-Hurlstone Park RSL, Tickets $20, (02) 9559 0000.

Gary Browns Bluegrass Arvo 21 March 2010. Another fantastic 4 1/2 hours of bluegrass. Well worth the trip to Sydney. Next show is Sunday 18 April.

2010 Frank Ifield International 'Spur' Award was won by Johanna Hemara. www.frankifield.com. Johanna is appearing at the Central Coast Country Music Festival on Saturday at 11am at the Budgewoi Soccer Club.

Star Maker 2010 Finalists:
(Capital News)
Amanda Halloran, Armstrong Brown, Chad Shuttleworth, Chelsea Basham, Cory Hargreaves, Craig Morrison, Fiona Fields, Jesse Emmanuel, John Flanagan, Leila Fisher, Luke Austen, Mandi Jarry, Megan Cooper, Mickey Pye, Neil Douglas, Rebecca Moore, Rick Caballo, Tiffney Stroh, Tori Darke, Vanessa Lea.

Patti Torrey, Springville Inn, 19 August 2009. If you happen to be in the US, North of Los Angeles on a summer Wednesday, be sure to stop in Springville for Patio Night at the Springville Inn, just an hour North of Bakersfield. Great food, great country music, fabulous atmosphere.

Amber Lawrence at Lizotte's 19 July 2009. What a fantastic show by Amber. That was top entertainment with her original hits, excellent covers, and songs off her new album to be released in late August. Thanks also Amber for bringing a band of top musos: Rod Motbey, Aaron Pye, Simon Johnson with Dan Conway on rhythm guitar. A big thanks too for the enjoyable demonstration of adults-only tambourine playing. Amber will be at Canterbury Country on 13 August 2009. If you haven't been to that show, what a great opportunity to catch Amber and the best monthly country music show in Australia.

Jason Lee, Club Tuggerah 28 March 2009. "Now THAT is country music!" Jason's band mostly covers the very best American and Australian country songs. Great players in the band and his vocals are superb. If you haven't seen Jason, get out to one of his gigs soon! We also bought his EP and highly recommend you spend the $10 for some great music to take home. Sun29 March 2009 Beresfield Bowling Club 5:30pm. Sat 16 May Wyong RSL 2pm.

Two Weeks at the Tamworth Country Music Festival...just heaven! All our favourite acts and even one not on the schedule, Ray Hoff, fronted the Blues Cowboys for a couple sets; thanks Johnny!!
Tomkins Showcase Travis List, Dan Mureau, Andy Baylor, The Blow Flies, Leslie Avril, Peter Pratt, Rob Wilson, Sandra Humphries, Lee Forster, Lonesome Train, The Davidson Brothers, Sarah Carroll, Kaylah Anne, Briana Lee, Kerry Kennedy, Amber Lawrence, The Pigs, Dave Proust. Bands we haven't seen before that we liked: Chucks Wagon, Waz E James. More...

Starmaker 2009 Finalists: Kaylah Anne, 8 Ball Aitken, Amber Joy Poulton, Bec Hance, Briana Lee, Dean Johnston, Liam Brew, Michelle Cashman, Tori Darke, Todd Stewart.

Troy Cassar-Daley and Adam Harvey at Mingara 28 November 2008 doing all their favourite classics. Absolutely Awesome!! If you missed this night, and you like the classics sung by a couple of the best country singers in Australia, you better get down to the Blacktown RSL tonight 29 November 2008 and cough up your $35.
ring of fire
good hearted woman
stopped loving her today
most beautiful girl in the world
luckenbach texas 
mama tried
7 spanish angels
hey good lookin
gambler
lights on the hill
okie from muskogee 
behind closed doors
old dogs,,, watermelon wine
before the next teardrop falls
on the road again
And many more
Some gig guides are reporting that Troy is playing on the 6 and 13 Dec Adam Harvey gigs. According to Troy's and Adam's web sites, this is incorrect.

Nashville - We spent this week in Nashville and thought we'd give you our tips for visiting music city. Our emphasis is on traditional American country music. Except for a visit to the Opry and Monday night, there is little need to go anywhere else but Broadway between 4th and 5th. There you'll find at least 4 acts starting before noon, about 8 acts playing by 2pm, and more in the evening. Start at The Wheel and Roberts Western World. But the best way is to poke your head into all the honky tonks and go back to the one you like best. Be sure to visit Tootsies at least once. On Monday nights, you must go to The Station Inn for the Time Jumpers; probably the best music in town. When on Broadway, don't get stuck in a bar with a band doing rock; just leave and find some country! My top picks are: Gary Gibson (usually at The Wheel), Monte Good, (The Wheel and Roberts), Brazil Billy (Fri and Sat nights at Roberts Western World), and Wednesday 7 pm at Legends Corner (Monte Siler and the Short Notice Band). The Time Jumpers start at 9 pm but get there by 8:30 if you want a seat, and get there by 8:15 if you want a good seat.

Drew McAlister wins the 2008 Cooper's Golden Saddle Award at Galston.
Country Music Bulletin.

Nashville Tomkins Guitars Showcase 6 June 2008. Spectacular shows at both the Downtown Sheraton and the Fiddle & Steel Guitar Bar today! Allan Tomkins brought some great Australian Country Music to Nashville. Travis List, Patti Torrey, Tracy Killeen, Sandra Humphries, Henry Czerwonka, Wayne Horsburgh, future star Sharnee Fenwick, Jetty Road (Julian Sammut, Simon Ross, Paula Bowman, Lee Bowman, Ben Cant, Rusty Cochran). The backing band was Bob Howe on lead guitar, (Bob also sang several songs), Peter Figures on drums, Mike Fried on pedal steel, and of course Allan Tomkins on bass, plus Rusty Cochrane sat in on bass for several songs. Brad

18 May 2008 Rob Luckey and the Lucky Bastards...simply the best honky tonk band in Australia, and they proved it at this show.

For radio lovers, "Tubby" Dyer will be featuring the Chic Frontier girls on "Bar-B-Q Country", Tuesday nights at 6 pm on Coast FM 96.3 over the forthcoming weeks .............. local talent Matt Frost talks about his new Video shoot and album on May 27th..tune in. If it's Country, it's on "Bar-B-Q Country" !! Ad.

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