Chugg Entertainment, Rob Potts Entertainment Edge and XYZnetworks' Country Music Channel (CMC) are thrilled to announce ARIA award winner, Kasey Chambers, will complete the line-up for *CMC Rocks the Hunter 2011.
Already the biggest line-up of international country music stars ever seen in Australia, multi-platinum seller Chambers is a stellar addition to the list of roots and country artists. There is a total of 28 acts booked to perform at the event over the two days, Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th March.
The Festival is headlined by US superstar and legend, Alan Jackson, who has completely sold-out all five arena concerts here, with the recently announced CMA Female Artist of the Year, Miranda Lambert, and Australia’s Jasmine Rae.
CMC Rocks the Hunter 2011 is the only place fans can still purchase tickets to see Jackson and Lambert on their first-ever Australian tours. Also exclusive to the Festival are international country stars Joe Nichols (US), Jack Ingram (US), Emerson Drive (Canada), Buxton Hughes (US), O’Shea (US) and Dean Brody (Canada).
CMC Rocks the Hunter has already exceeded total ticket sales of any of the three years the event was staged in Thredbo as CMC Rocks the Snowys, which festival organisers are attributing to the new location and the unprecedented line-up of performers.
“The combination of a true music legend like Alan Jackson, and the move to the Hunter Valley, much closer to the bigger population centres, has proven irresistible to music fans,” says Rob Potts, co-promoter for the Festival.
A full list of performance times for the Festival is listed on the event page. Hosts for the event will be the Presenter of US TV’s “Headline Country,” Storme Warren and CMC Presenter and Aussie country rocker, Steve Forde.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Sunday, October 24, 2010
BIGGEST INTERNATIONAL COUNTRY MUSIC TALENT LINEUP EVER IN AUSTRALIA!
Chugg Entertainment, Rob Potts Entertainment Edge and XYZnetworks’ Country Music Channel (CMC) are proud to announce the lineup for CMC ROCKS THE HUNTER 2011, being held at Hope Estate* in the Hunter Valley, New South Wales over the weekend of Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th March.
This unprecedented roster of international and local country music stars is headlined by US legendary superstar, ALAN JACKSON.
Alan will be joined by Miranda Lambert (US), Joe Nichols (US), Jack Ingram (US), Troy Cassar-Daley, Emerson Drive (Canada), The McClymonts, Buxton Hughes (US), Jasmine Rae, Russell Morris, O’Shea (US), Dean Brody (Canada), Jonah’s Road and many more.
There is also one more surprise guest artist to be announced.
Alan Jackson (US) has spent two decades at the top of country charts. Countless hits, including 34 #1s, Grammys and CMA awards have cemented his place as an icon of modern country music.
“With Alan’s first-ever Australian Tour having sold-out everywhere within an hour, we are very happy to be able to offer his Aussie fans this additional chance to catch him performing live!”, says CEO of Rob Potts Entertainment Edge, Rob Potts. “To get this many international stars on the one bill, for this one event, proves the strength of audiences here for quality country music.”
Also making her first trip down-under, Miranda Lambert (US) made history this year, when she received more CMA nominations than any other female artist in history. Her three best-selling, critically acclaimed albums, including Revolution (which has just gone Platinum in the US), have made her a cross-genre favourite and the hottest female country star today.
Our returning champion is Joe Nichols (US). One of the great modern singers, Joe has a catalogue of contemporary classics like ‘Brokenheartsville’, ‘The Impossible’ and the cheeky ‘Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off’. He drew a rave reception from local fans when he rocked the Snowys in 2009 and is back to satisfy the call of Aussies eager for his return.
Jack Ingram (US) is one of the hardest working men in country music. He cut his teeth in the Texas red-dirt country scene, building a reputation as a killer live performer whose on-stage charisma could transfix any crowd – as Oz witnessed when he toured in 2010. He channelled that charisma into his recording career, yielding hits like the summer anthem ‘Barefoot and Crazy’ and the rowdy ‘Love You’.
Troy Cassar-Daley is synonymous with country music in Australia. A soulful singer, gifted guitarist and stellar songwriter, Troy has been a massive star on the Aussie country scene for over a decade. Six studio albums, 14 Golden Guitars, three ARIAs, countless tours and two stints of TV’s It Takes Two – he has a career most artists would envy, and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
Emerson Drive (Canada) is one of music’s most acclaimed country groups, known for their word-class harmonies, pop-flavoured sound and non-stop touring. Their tour bus recently clocked one million miles. Their last album featured the worldwide smash ‘Moments’ and they’re ready to bring their world-class live show to a brand new continent.
The McClymonts helped launch CMC Rocks the Snowys in 2008. Since then, they’ve gone from strength-to-strength, with their sophomore album ‘Wrapped Up Good’ grabbing big sales and mainstream attention. Their first album has recently been released in the US, where they’ve just finished touring. These three gorgeous sisters, with angelic voices and thrilling stage presence, are bringing it all back home for CMC Rocks the Hunter 2011.
Buxton Hughes (US) has been a long time coming. Jedd Hughes and Sarah Buxton are two of the most talented singer/songwriters working today. Ex-pat Aussie Jedd and ‘Stupid Boy’ writer Sarah turned their friendship into a duo and are hard at work with their first single, ‘Big Blue Sky’, which already reached #1 on CMC last month.
Jasmine Rae has had one of the fastest rising careers of any local artist in recent years. Her debut album ‘Look It Up’ yielded three #1 singles and the King of Australian Country, Lee Kernaghan, described Jasmine as ‘the hottest new artist to come out of Australia in a long time’. The ARIA-nominee will release her second album the day before the festival begins.
Russell Morris is a true Aussie rock icon, an ARIA Hall of Famer whose career reaches back almost 50 years, and is still wowing crowds around the country today. He’ll be opening up his classic songbook for the Hope Estate punters in March.
O’Shea (US) is an exciting mix of local and international. Husband-and-wife duo Mark and Jay O’Shea were born and raised in Oz, but set off to Nashville in 2007 to pursue their dream of a country music career. After a successful run on the US TV series, Can You Duet, the couple got the exposure they needed to kick-start their career and released their debut single, ‘Old School’, earlier this year.
Dean Brody (Canada) is a true storyteller. A singer-songwriter whose journey through his life and career has inspired the honesty of his songs. The romance that infuses the young hitmaker’s music is built on a truth that connects him to those that love his music. ‘Brothers’ broke through in the US and put him on the map, and now his journey is bringing him down under.
Jonah’s Road is no stranger to big stages. They rocked packed arenas this September with Tim McGraw, leading a whole new host of fans down the Jonah’s Road. This tight, energetic trio specialise in indestructible melodies, dynamic vocals and harmonies, and a memorable live experience, in a league of their own.
Hosts for the event are Storme Warren (US) and Steve Forde. Storme Warren is once again bringing his cameras and crew to record an Australian edition of his top-rating US television programme, Headline Country. Steve Forde, CMC Presenter and mainstay of the festival, is hosting the highlights and behind-the-scenes for his CMC Rocks the Hunter special, to be broadcast on the Country Music Channel after the festival.
Also appearing at the festival will be local artists Peter McWhirter, Dianna Corcoran, Mike Carr & Springfield, Victoria Baillie, Busby Marou, McAlister Kemp, The Wilson Pickers, Mark Wells, Harmony James, Liam Brew, Markus Meier, Jayne Denham and Stephanie Brownlee.
“It’s been a huge thrill for me to see the audience for this event grow and the talent get better every year”, says CEO of Chugg Entertainment, Michael Chugg. “The move to the Hunter will make the festival more accessible to more music fans and establish this as a major date in every country music fan’s calendar. It’s an incredible line up this year, including the biggest country star in the world, Alan Jackson.”
“The CMC Rocks brand is now firmly established on the Australian Country and Roots Music scene. After three fantastic years at Thredbo the decision to move in 2011 to the Hunter Valley is extremely exciting for all the partners”, says General Manager, XYZnetworks Music Channels, Shaun James. “We continue to see audience numbers grow and line-ups strengthen – 2011 is no exception and CMC looks forward to another fantastic event.”
Australia’s premiere roots and country music festival, CMC ROCKS THE HUNTER 2011, will take place on Saturday 5th & Sunday 6th March in the luscious surrounds of Hope Estate* in The Hunter Valley, New South Wales.
Now in its fourth year, CMC ROCKS has a reputation for offering music fans mind-blowing line-ups not seen anywhere else in Australia, and has become a major fixture on the roots and country music festival calendar. Line-ups from previous years have included Taylor Swift, Gary Allan, SugarLand, Lee Kernaghan, John Butler Trio, The Waifs, Ian Moss and Kasey Chambers.
For the latest pre-sale offers be sure to sign up to the Entertainment Edge (Red Carpet Club) mailing list before midnight Thursday 28 October – www.entertainmentedge.com.au
Tickets for CMC ROCKS THE HUNTER 2011 go on sale Wednesday 3 November at 9.00am from www.countrymusicchannel.com.au or call 1300 369 882.
For tickets, camping, travel and accommodation details go to www.countrymusicchannel.com.au.
This unprecedented roster of international and local country music stars is headlined by US legendary superstar, ALAN JACKSON.
Alan will be joined by Miranda Lambert (US), Joe Nichols (US), Jack Ingram (US), Troy Cassar-Daley, Emerson Drive (Canada), The McClymonts, Buxton Hughes (US), Jasmine Rae, Russell Morris, O’Shea (US), Dean Brody (Canada), Jonah’s Road and many more.
There is also one more surprise guest artist to be announced.
Alan Jackson (US) has spent two decades at the top of country charts. Countless hits, including 34 #1s, Grammys and CMA awards have cemented his place as an icon of modern country music.
“With Alan’s first-ever Australian Tour having sold-out everywhere within an hour, we are very happy to be able to offer his Aussie fans this additional chance to catch him performing live!”, says CEO of Rob Potts Entertainment Edge, Rob Potts. “To get this many international stars on the one bill, for this one event, proves the strength of audiences here for quality country music.”
Also making her first trip down-under, Miranda Lambert (US) made history this year, when she received more CMA nominations than any other female artist in history. Her three best-selling, critically acclaimed albums, including Revolution (which has just gone Platinum in the US), have made her a cross-genre favourite and the hottest female country star today.
Our returning champion is Joe Nichols (US). One of the great modern singers, Joe has a catalogue of contemporary classics like ‘Brokenheartsville’, ‘The Impossible’ and the cheeky ‘Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off’. He drew a rave reception from local fans when he rocked the Snowys in 2009 and is back to satisfy the call of Aussies eager for his return.
Jack Ingram (US) is one of the hardest working men in country music. He cut his teeth in the Texas red-dirt country scene, building a reputation as a killer live performer whose on-stage charisma could transfix any crowd – as Oz witnessed when he toured in 2010. He channelled that charisma into his recording career, yielding hits like the summer anthem ‘Barefoot and Crazy’ and the rowdy ‘Love You’.
Troy Cassar-Daley is synonymous with country music in Australia. A soulful singer, gifted guitarist and stellar songwriter, Troy has been a massive star on the Aussie country scene for over a decade. Six studio albums, 14 Golden Guitars, three ARIAs, countless tours and two stints of TV’s It Takes Two – he has a career most artists would envy, and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
Emerson Drive (Canada) is one of music’s most acclaimed country groups, known for their word-class harmonies, pop-flavoured sound and non-stop touring. Their tour bus recently clocked one million miles. Their last album featured the worldwide smash ‘Moments’ and they’re ready to bring their world-class live show to a brand new continent.
The McClymonts helped launch CMC Rocks the Snowys in 2008. Since then, they’ve gone from strength-to-strength, with their sophomore album ‘Wrapped Up Good’ grabbing big sales and mainstream attention. Their first album has recently been released in the US, where they’ve just finished touring. These three gorgeous sisters, with angelic voices and thrilling stage presence, are bringing it all back home for CMC Rocks the Hunter 2011.
Buxton Hughes (US) has been a long time coming. Jedd Hughes and Sarah Buxton are two of the most talented singer/songwriters working today. Ex-pat Aussie Jedd and ‘Stupid Boy’ writer Sarah turned their friendship into a duo and are hard at work with their first single, ‘Big Blue Sky’, which already reached #1 on CMC last month.
Jasmine Rae has had one of the fastest rising careers of any local artist in recent years. Her debut album ‘Look It Up’ yielded three #1 singles and the King of Australian Country, Lee Kernaghan, described Jasmine as ‘the hottest new artist to come out of Australia in a long time’. The ARIA-nominee will release her second album the day before the festival begins.
Russell Morris is a true Aussie rock icon, an ARIA Hall of Famer whose career reaches back almost 50 years, and is still wowing crowds around the country today. He’ll be opening up his classic songbook for the Hope Estate punters in March.
O’Shea (US) is an exciting mix of local and international. Husband-and-wife duo Mark and Jay O’Shea were born and raised in Oz, but set off to Nashville in 2007 to pursue their dream of a country music career. After a successful run on the US TV series, Can You Duet, the couple got the exposure they needed to kick-start their career and released their debut single, ‘Old School’, earlier this year.
Dean Brody (Canada) is a true storyteller. A singer-songwriter whose journey through his life and career has inspired the honesty of his songs. The romance that infuses the young hitmaker’s music is built on a truth that connects him to those that love his music. ‘Brothers’ broke through in the US and put him on the map, and now his journey is bringing him down under.
Jonah’s Road is no stranger to big stages. They rocked packed arenas this September with Tim McGraw, leading a whole new host of fans down the Jonah’s Road. This tight, energetic trio specialise in indestructible melodies, dynamic vocals and harmonies, and a memorable live experience, in a league of their own.
Hosts for the event are Storme Warren (US) and Steve Forde. Storme Warren is once again bringing his cameras and crew to record an Australian edition of his top-rating US television programme, Headline Country. Steve Forde, CMC Presenter and mainstay of the festival, is hosting the highlights and behind-the-scenes for his CMC Rocks the Hunter special, to be broadcast on the Country Music Channel after the festival.
Also appearing at the festival will be local artists Peter McWhirter, Dianna Corcoran, Mike Carr & Springfield, Victoria Baillie, Busby Marou, McAlister Kemp, The Wilson Pickers, Mark Wells, Harmony James, Liam Brew, Markus Meier, Jayne Denham and Stephanie Brownlee.
“It’s been a huge thrill for me to see the audience for this event grow and the talent get better every year”, says CEO of Chugg Entertainment, Michael Chugg. “The move to the Hunter will make the festival more accessible to more music fans and establish this as a major date in every country music fan’s calendar. It’s an incredible line up this year, including the biggest country star in the world, Alan Jackson.”
“The CMC Rocks brand is now firmly established on the Australian Country and Roots Music scene. After three fantastic years at Thredbo the decision to move in 2011 to the Hunter Valley is extremely exciting for all the partners”, says General Manager, XYZnetworks Music Channels, Shaun James. “We continue to see audience numbers grow and line-ups strengthen – 2011 is no exception and CMC looks forward to another fantastic event.”
Australia’s premiere roots and country music festival, CMC ROCKS THE HUNTER 2011, will take place on Saturday 5th & Sunday 6th March in the luscious surrounds of Hope Estate* in The Hunter Valley, New South Wales.
Now in its fourth year, CMC ROCKS has a reputation for offering music fans mind-blowing line-ups not seen anywhere else in Australia, and has become a major fixture on the roots and country music festival calendar. Line-ups from previous years have included Taylor Swift, Gary Allan, SugarLand, Lee Kernaghan, John Butler Trio, The Waifs, Ian Moss and Kasey Chambers.
For the latest pre-sale offers be sure to sign up to the Entertainment Edge (Red Carpet Club) mailing list before midnight Thursday 28 October – www.entertainmentedge.com.au
Tickets for CMC ROCKS THE HUNTER 2011 go on sale Wednesday 3 November at 9.00am from www.countrymusicchannel.com.au or call 1300 369 882.
For tickets, camping, travel and accommodation details go to www.countrymusicchannel.com.au.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Alan Jackson hat-trick meets Metallica head-on!
Country music gave heavy metal a run for its money this morning when legendary singer songwriter Alan Jackson sold out his third Brisbane Entertainment Centre concert in less than 30 minutes.
The Brisbane hat-trick put Jackson in stead with metal giants, Metallica—the only other announced touring act with three sell-outs at the venue.
“It’s fantastic,” said co-promoter, Executive Chairman of Chugg Entertainment, Michael Chugg.
“The Eagles, Michael Buble, Andre Rieu and Muse have all got two Brisbane concerts, but country and metal take the lead with three and they sell-out!
“Country’s the new heavy-weight and most of the mainstream hasn’t even really noticed yet,” he chuckled.
Jackson extended his first tour of Australia last Friday when tickets to all four of his east coast concerts, including two in Brisbane, sold-out within an hour. Co-promoter, Rob Potts, on-ground in Nashville with Jackson’s management at the time, undertook swift negotiations and a third Brisbane concert for Saturday March 12 was added. Tickets went on-sale at 9am Queensland time this morning.
“This is such great news,” said an elated Potts, who’s spent more than a decade working to get country music’s big names like Tim McGraw and Alan Jackson to Australia.
“I always knew there was a market for the big names to come here,” he said, “but I am so grateful to the fans who have made it even bigger and better than I thought it could be.
“To be sitting above the likes of the Eagles and alongside Metallica is just amazing.”
Alan Jackson tours Australia for Chugg Entertainment and Rob Potts Entertainment Edge in March next year. The hottest girl in country Miranda Lambert and Australia’s Jasmine Rae are special guests.
All shows SOLD-OUT!
Friday 4th March Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne - SOLD OUT!
Monday 7th March Acer Arena, Sydney - SOLD OUT!
Thursday 10th March Entertainment Centre, Brisbane - SOLD OUT!
Friday 11th March Entertainment Centre, Brisbane - SOLD OUT!
Saturday 12th March Entertainment Centre, Brisbane - SOLD OUT!
The Brisbane hat-trick put Jackson in stead with metal giants, Metallica—the only other announced touring act with three sell-outs at the venue.
“It’s fantastic,” said co-promoter, Executive Chairman of Chugg Entertainment, Michael Chugg.
“The Eagles, Michael Buble, Andre Rieu and Muse have all got two Brisbane concerts, but country and metal take the lead with three and they sell-out!
“Country’s the new heavy-weight and most of the mainstream hasn’t even really noticed yet,” he chuckled.
Jackson extended his first tour of Australia last Friday when tickets to all four of his east coast concerts, including two in Brisbane, sold-out within an hour. Co-promoter, Rob Potts, on-ground in Nashville with Jackson’s management at the time, undertook swift negotiations and a third Brisbane concert for Saturday March 12 was added. Tickets went on-sale at 9am Queensland time this morning.
“This is such great news,” said an elated Potts, who’s spent more than a decade working to get country music’s big names like Tim McGraw and Alan Jackson to Australia.
“I always knew there was a market for the big names to come here,” he said, “but I am so grateful to the fans who have made it even bigger and better than I thought it could be.
“To be sitting above the likes of the Eagles and alongside Metallica is just amazing.”
Alan Jackson tours Australia for Chugg Entertainment and Rob Potts Entertainment Edge in March next year. The hottest girl in country Miranda Lambert and Australia’s Jasmine Rae are special guests.
All shows SOLD-OUT!
Friday 4th March Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne - SOLD OUT!
Monday 7th March Acer Arena, Sydney - SOLD OUT!
Thursday 10th March Entertainment Centre, Brisbane - SOLD OUT!
Friday 11th March Entertainment Centre, Brisbane - SOLD OUT!
Saturday 12th March Entertainment Centre, Brisbane - SOLD OUT!
Thursday, October 7, 2010
3RD BRISBANE SHOW ANNOUNCED FOR ALAN JACKSON!
The biggest country music tour of the past fifteen years just got bigger—adding a third Brisbane concert for Saturday March 12, on-sale this Thursday October 14.
Touring Australia for the first time and proving undoubtedly he’s one of the greats, country music legend, Alan Jackson, sold-out his four east coast concerts this morning as fast as a speeding freight train.
Concerts in Melbourne and Sydney and two in Brisbane were all but gone in the three price categories – platinum, gold and silver – by 10am eastern standard time.
The phenomenal demand, obvious within minutes of general sales opening at 9am, prompted promoters’ Chugg Entertainment and Rob Potts Entertainment Edge to consider additional shows.
Potts himself, on-ground in Nashville with Jackson’s U.S management, watched speeding reports as fans burned through ticket sales. Negotiations were immediate and it was a quick decision to add a third Brisbane concert.
When reached on his boat about adding another date to the Australian tour, Jackson said, “I‘m a Southern man, and that‘s about as far South as we can go. Let‘s do it!”
“We’re over the moon,” said Potts.
“Alan and his team over here are excited too. And humbled. I guess no matter how famous you are it’s hard to imagine just how big you are in a country so far away.
“We told Alan Aussie fans would go crazy for him, now he knows it’s true.”
Jackson’s team agreed to extend the tour and a third concert at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre has been confirmed for Saturday March 12. Tickets go on-sale from www.ticketek.com.au or 132 849 at 9am eastern standard time this Thursday October 14.
Alan Jackson will tour Australia with the hottest name in country right now, the CMA female record-breaking nominated Miranda Lambert, and Australia’s hottest up-and-comer Jasmine Rae.
“This is an amazing line-up, certainly the biggest-name country music tour we’ve done,” said Potts.
In Australia, Chugg Entertainment and Rob Potts Entertainment Edge have joined forces on the biggest-name country music tours of the last few years including Brooks & Dunn, Tim McGraw and now Alan Jackson with Miranda Lambert and Jasmine Rae.
“They just keep getting bigger,” said Executive Chairman of Chugg Entertainment, Michael Chugg.
“Working with Rob Potts and getting the names, the big ones the fans want to see, has been a revelation.
“The fans have turned out in amazing numbers, made these tours hugely successful and paved the way for us to bring bigger and bigger names like Alan.”
No doubt about it people, today country music is the Promised Land and Alan Jackson its king!
Touring Australia for the first time and proving undoubtedly he’s one of the greats, country music legend, Alan Jackson, sold-out his four east coast concerts this morning as fast as a speeding freight train.
Concerts in Melbourne and Sydney and two in Brisbane were all but gone in the three price categories – platinum, gold and silver – by 10am eastern standard time.
The phenomenal demand, obvious within minutes of general sales opening at 9am, prompted promoters’ Chugg Entertainment and Rob Potts Entertainment Edge to consider additional shows.
Potts himself, on-ground in Nashville with Jackson’s U.S management, watched speeding reports as fans burned through ticket sales. Negotiations were immediate and it was a quick decision to add a third Brisbane concert.
When reached on his boat about adding another date to the Australian tour, Jackson said, “I‘m a Southern man, and that‘s about as far South as we can go. Let‘s do it!”
“We’re over the moon,” said Potts.
“Alan and his team over here are excited too. And humbled. I guess no matter how famous you are it’s hard to imagine just how big you are in a country so far away.
“We told Alan Aussie fans would go crazy for him, now he knows it’s true.”
Jackson’s team agreed to extend the tour and a third concert at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre has been confirmed for Saturday March 12. Tickets go on-sale from www.ticketek.com.au or 132 849 at 9am eastern standard time this Thursday October 14.
Alan Jackson will tour Australia with the hottest name in country right now, the CMA female record-breaking nominated Miranda Lambert, and Australia’s hottest up-and-comer Jasmine Rae.
“This is an amazing line-up, certainly the biggest-name country music tour we’ve done,” said Potts.
In Australia, Chugg Entertainment and Rob Potts Entertainment Edge have joined forces on the biggest-name country music tours of the last few years including Brooks & Dunn, Tim McGraw and now Alan Jackson with Miranda Lambert and Jasmine Rae.
“They just keep getting bigger,” said Executive Chairman of Chugg Entertainment, Michael Chugg.
“Working with Rob Potts and getting the names, the big ones the fans want to see, has been a revelation.
“The fans have turned out in amazing numbers, made these tours hugely successful and paved the way for us to bring bigger and bigger names like Alan.”
No doubt about it people, today country music is the Promised Land and Alan Jackson its king!
Sunday, September 26, 2010
US COUNTRY MUSIC LEGEND ALAN JACKSON ANNOUNCES FIRST AUSTRALIAN TOUR
Chugg Entertainment and Rob Potts Entertainment Edge are thrilled to announce that American country music superstar Alan Jackson will be making his first ever visit to Australia in 2011. Jackson’s Aussie fans have been clamouring for him to tour for two decades!
The tour begins on Friday 4 March when Jackson takes the stage at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena, before heading north to Sydney for a performance at Acer Arena on Monday 7 March. Jackson then takes on Queensland in not one, but two performances at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre on Thursday 10 March and Friday 11 March.
Alan Jackson is one of the most successful and respected songwriter/performers in music, inspiring audiences across several generations with his modern approach to classic country. A 16-time CMA and 16-time ACM Award winner and a GRAMMY winning songwriter/performer, Jackson’s career to date has included sales of more than 50 million albums and 34 #1 hit singles, including ‘Drive’, ‘Chattahoochee’ and ‘Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning)’.
“I’ve always heard that it’s just beautiful down there,” says Jackson. “Everyone I know that’s been has loved it. Said the people down there are really nice and welcome people from the US so generously. I know I’ve got a lot of fans down there and I know they like my kind of music – so I think it’ll be a fun trip!”
As if that wasn’t enough, Jackson is also bringing along special international guest Miranda Lambert, who made history this year when she received 9 CMA nominations, more than any other female artist in CMA history! One of the hottest country stars in the world today, Lambert will also be making her first trip to Oz and promises to deliver a show fans will never forget.
Also joining the tour will be our own Jasmine Rae. The ARIA-nominee has had one of the fastest rising careers of any local artist in recent years. Her debut album ‘Look It Up’ yielded three #1 singles and was described by the King of Australian Country Lee Kernaghan as ‘the hottest new artist to come out of Australia in a long time’. Her second album will be released on March 4 the day the tour commences.
TICKETS FOR ALL SHOWS GO ON SALE FRIDAY 8 OCTOBER, 9AM
FOR ACCESS TO THE ENTERTAINMENT EDGE PRESALE, SIGN UP TO THE RED CARPET CLUB HERE.
The tour begins on Friday 4 March when Jackson takes the stage at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena, before heading north to Sydney for a performance at Acer Arena on Monday 7 March. Jackson then takes on Queensland in not one, but two performances at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre on Thursday 10 March and Friday 11 March.
Alan Jackson is one of the most successful and respected songwriter/performers in music, inspiring audiences across several generations with his modern approach to classic country. A 16-time CMA and 16-time ACM Award winner and a GRAMMY winning songwriter/performer, Jackson’s career to date has included sales of more than 50 million albums and 34 #1 hit singles, including ‘Drive’, ‘Chattahoochee’ and ‘Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning)’.
“I’ve always heard that it’s just beautiful down there,” says Jackson. “Everyone I know that’s been has loved it. Said the people down there are really nice and welcome people from the US so generously. I know I’ve got a lot of fans down there and I know they like my kind of music – so I think it’ll be a fun trip!”
As if that wasn’t enough, Jackson is also bringing along special international guest Miranda Lambert, who made history this year when she received 9 CMA nominations, more than any other female artist in CMA history! One of the hottest country stars in the world today, Lambert will also be making her first trip to Oz and promises to deliver a show fans will never forget.
Also joining the tour will be our own Jasmine Rae. The ARIA-nominee has had one of the fastest rising careers of any local artist in recent years. Her debut album ‘Look It Up’ yielded three #1 singles and was described by the King of Australian Country Lee Kernaghan as ‘the hottest new artist to come out of Australia in a long time’. Her second album will be released on March 4 the day the tour commences.
TICKETS FOR ALL SHOWS GO ON SALE FRIDAY 8 OCTOBER, 9AM
FOR ACCESS TO THE ENTERTAINMENT EDGE PRESALE, SIGN UP TO THE RED CARPET CLUB HERE.
Monday, September 20, 2010
McGraw sets Down Under trend for Oprah
Married to singer Faith Hill and with three musical youngsters, US country star Tim McGraw has all the ingredients for his own Von Trapp family troop.
The Grammy winner has brought the clan - his wife and daughters Gracie, Maggie and Audrey - Down Under for his first Australian tour.
He laughs off suggestions a family album is on the cards.
"God forbid," McGraw jokes with AAP.
"My girls are musical. All three can sing, play the piano, one plays the guitar.
"They would be a lot better than me. But, hopefully, they take after their mum.
"If they want to do it (get into music) you hope they're good. It's a tough business, even if you're good."
For now though, McGraw says his girls are just happy seeing the sights and wildlife of Oz.
"We went to Australia Zoo today, had a fantastic time. They got to play with koalas and kangaroos."
Asked if his good mates "our" Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman warned him about Australia's drop bear population McGraw laughs.
"No they didn't ... We'll watch out for those," he said.
"They did tell us to take a boat around the (harbour) in Sydney."
Australians are some of the best people around, McGraw says before claiming credit for Oprah Winfrey's upcoming visit.
"She heard Tim McGraw's here, so she said: 'Well, I better go'," he says in his southern drawl.
McGraw, 43, has sold more than 40 million albums, and dominated the charts with 31 number one hits, since the release of his debut album in 1993.
He says Aussie fans can expect pure country on his Southern Voices tour.
"We just like to have fun," he says.
"We don't have a lot of bells and whistles, we don't go out there with things exploding and on fire, it's all about the music ... We'll bring the house down."
Four years ago, McGraw, a Democrat supporter, floated the idea of entering US politics with the encouragement of former president Bill Clinton.
If he does transition from entertainer to pollie, McGraw will join the likes of Californian Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, President Ronald Wilson Reagan and Clint Eastwood who had a stint as Mayor of Carmel in 1986.
"I grew up in Louisiana, so politics is a state sport for us," he says.
McGraw says he might have to knock on Australia's Midnight Oil rocker-turned-pollie Peter Garrett's door to get some advice.
"I may have to do that ... But, I've probably got too many skeletons in my closest to be a politician," he says.
"It's a long way down the road, the kids would have to be grown up ... It's not something I want to go out and seek.
"But, at some point in my life, if I feel I have something to offer then I will.
"It would have to be a situation where I saw something and could make a difference."
The Southern Voices tour continues with a show tonight in Sydney, before heading to Townsville for CMC Rocks North QLD. Details and tickets are available here!
The Grammy winner has brought the clan - his wife and daughters Gracie, Maggie and Audrey - Down Under for his first Australian tour.
He laughs off suggestions a family album is on the cards.
"God forbid," McGraw jokes with AAP.
"My girls are musical. All three can sing, play the piano, one plays the guitar.
"They would be a lot better than me. But, hopefully, they take after their mum.
"If they want to do it (get into music) you hope they're good. It's a tough business, even if you're good."
For now though, McGraw says his girls are just happy seeing the sights and wildlife of Oz.
"We went to Australia Zoo today, had a fantastic time. They got to play with koalas and kangaroos."
Asked if his good mates "our" Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman warned him about Australia's drop bear population McGraw laughs.
"No they didn't ... We'll watch out for those," he said.
"They did tell us to take a boat around the (harbour) in Sydney."
Australians are some of the best people around, McGraw says before claiming credit for Oprah Winfrey's upcoming visit.
"She heard Tim McGraw's here, so she said: 'Well, I better go'," he says in his southern drawl.
McGraw, 43, has sold more than 40 million albums, and dominated the charts with 31 number one hits, since the release of his debut album in 1993.
He says Aussie fans can expect pure country on his Southern Voices tour.
"We just like to have fun," he says.
"We don't have a lot of bells and whistles, we don't go out there with things exploding and on fire, it's all about the music ... We'll bring the house down."
Four years ago, McGraw, a Democrat supporter, floated the idea of entering US politics with the encouragement of former president Bill Clinton.
If he does transition from entertainer to pollie, McGraw will join the likes of Californian Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, President Ronald Wilson Reagan and Clint Eastwood who had a stint as Mayor of Carmel in 1986.
"I grew up in Louisiana, so politics is a state sport for us," he says.
McGraw says he might have to knock on Australia's Midnight Oil rocker-turned-pollie Peter Garrett's door to get some advice.
"I may have to do that ... But, I've probably got too many skeletons in my closest to be a politician," he says.
"It's a long way down the road, the kids would have to be grown up ... It's not something I want to go out and seek.
"But, at some point in my life, if I feel I have something to offer then I will.
"It would have to be a situation where I saw something and could make a difference."
The Southern Voices tour continues with a show tonight in Sydney, before heading to Townsville for CMC Rocks North QLD. Details and tickets are available here!
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Pics from Tim McGraw's first ever Australian show!
The great Tim McGraw rocked the Brisbane Entertainment Centre last night when he kicked off his first ever Australian tour. Check out some photos!
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Corb Lund finally making dent in U.S. country scene
By Renato Pagnani, edmontonjournal.com
CCMA PREVIEW
CORB LUND
Nominations: Fans' Choice Award, Album of the Year, CMT Video of the Year, Male Artist of the Year, Roots Artist or Group of the Year
- - -
"It's always fun to get called an emerging artist 18 years into your career," says Corb Lund.
The local alt-country superstar is speaking about his New and Emerging Artist nomination at this year's Americana Music Awards, where he's the only international act nominated for a trophy, as well as the only one performing at the awards.
The nomination is a tangible sign that Lund is finally making a dent in the American country scene, where his popularity has steadily been growing over the last few years.
"It's kind of funny because that award is usually given to younger artists, but it makes sense because we are still emerging in that world," Lund says on the phone from Texas, where he and his band, the Hurtin' Albertans, were in the midst of a three-week mini-tour through the southern state. "America's still getting to know us."
A little Canadian presence at the AMAs, which recognizes the best in Americana and roots music in the United States, is something that Lund is proud of.
"They might have to start calling it the North Americana Awards if this keeps up," jokes Lund.
"But being nominated is a real surprise. I'm still a bit shocked, actually."
The Americana Awards will be given out Sept. 9, just a few days before another important awards show for the Taber-born singer-songwriter -- the Canadian Country Music Awards -- where Lund is up for five trophies, including the Fans' Choice Award, Male Artist of the Year and Album of the Year, for last September's Losin' Lately Gambler.
Perhaps just as important as his flurry of nominations is the fact that this year's CCMAs are being held in Edmonton, which Lund has called home for more than a decade.
What do the CCMAs being in Edmonton this year mean for Lund?
"Home-field advantage," he laughs. "Seriously, though, it's a huge compliment. It certainly doesn't hurt to get the city splashed all over national TV, and I'm always happy to see Edmonton get some attention."
The CCMAs will turn the spotlight toward one of the biggest country and roots scenes in the country while celebrating the wealth of country artists from all across the nation. Because the Canadian country market is smaller than the American, the CCMAs serve double duty, recognizing the more mainstream country artists alongside the independent -- i.e. "underground" -- roots musicians, as Lund describes them. In the U.S., roots music is the realm of the Americana Music Awards, with everything else falling under the territory of the bigger Country Music Awards.
"There's a greater distance between the two in the States," says Lund, who's up for Roots Artist of the Year at the CCMAs. "In Canada you can have an independent act all over CMT (Country Music Television) and selling records. There's a wider gap between rich and poor artists.
"I think it's really important to acknowledge the roots part of the music, the older style of country. And the CCMAs don't have to -- they could do the show without it. But they always include it, and I think that's something to be commended."
Corb begins his Australian tour on September 24. For tour dates, click here.
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/entertainment/Lund+finally+making+dent+country+scene/3484537/story.html
CCMA PREVIEW
CORB LUND
Nominations: Fans' Choice Award, Album of the Year, CMT Video of the Year, Male Artist of the Year, Roots Artist or Group of the Year
- - -
"It's always fun to get called an emerging artist 18 years into your career," says Corb Lund.
The local alt-country superstar is speaking about his New and Emerging Artist nomination at this year's Americana Music Awards, where he's the only international act nominated for a trophy, as well as the only one performing at the awards.
The nomination is a tangible sign that Lund is finally making a dent in the American country scene, where his popularity has steadily been growing over the last few years.
"It's kind of funny because that award is usually given to younger artists, but it makes sense because we are still emerging in that world," Lund says on the phone from Texas, where he and his band, the Hurtin' Albertans, were in the midst of a three-week mini-tour through the southern state. "America's still getting to know us."
A little Canadian presence at the AMAs, which recognizes the best in Americana and roots music in the United States, is something that Lund is proud of.
"They might have to start calling it the North Americana Awards if this keeps up," jokes Lund.
"But being nominated is a real surprise. I'm still a bit shocked, actually."
The Americana Awards will be given out Sept. 9, just a few days before another important awards show for the Taber-born singer-songwriter -- the Canadian Country Music Awards -- where Lund is up for five trophies, including the Fans' Choice Award, Male Artist of the Year and Album of the Year, for last September's Losin' Lately Gambler.
Perhaps just as important as his flurry of nominations is the fact that this year's CCMAs are being held in Edmonton, which Lund has called home for more than a decade.
What do the CCMAs being in Edmonton this year mean for Lund?
"Home-field advantage," he laughs. "Seriously, though, it's a huge compliment. It certainly doesn't hurt to get the city splashed all over national TV, and I'm always happy to see Edmonton get some attention."
The CCMAs will turn the spotlight toward one of the biggest country and roots scenes in the country while celebrating the wealth of country artists from all across the nation. Because the Canadian country market is smaller than the American, the CCMAs serve double duty, recognizing the more mainstream country artists alongside the independent -- i.e. "underground" -- roots musicians, as Lund describes them. In the U.S., roots music is the realm of the Americana Music Awards, with everything else falling under the territory of the bigger Country Music Awards.
"There's a greater distance between the two in the States," says Lund, who's up for Roots Artist of the Year at the CCMAs. "In Canada you can have an independent act all over CMT (Country Music Television) and selling records. There's a wider gap between rich and poor artists.
"I think it's really important to acknowledge the roots part of the music, the older style of country. And the CCMAs don't have to -- they could do the show without it. But they always include it, and I think that's something to be commended."
Corb begins his Australian tour on September 24. For tour dates, click here.
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/entertainment/Lund+finally+making+dent+country+scene/3484537/story.html
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Jasmine To Start Recording Album #2 In September!
Jasmine Rae will head to Nashville and go into the studio in September to record the follow-up to her ARIA nominated debut album, Look It Up.
She will re-unite with Grammy nominated Nashville based Australian producer Mark Moffatt, who she recorded eight of her debut album tracks with.
As well as touring with Lee Kernaghan throughout 2010, Jasmine has colaborated with some of the best writers from the US and Australia.
The new album will be released in March 2010.
Monday, August 16, 2010
The Robertson Brothers hit the top ten!
Congratulations to the brothers as their new album “Ray Hadley Presents – Sharing the Night” has again done very well in the National ARIA charts.
This week it sits at number 10 ! Thanks to everyone who helped make this possible by purchasing the album. If you haven’t purchased it yet, now is the time to do so. "Sharing the Night" is available from all leading music stores including JB Hi-Fi, Sanity and Big W, with proceeds from album sales going to Motor Nurone Research.
Let’s help the boys move further up the charts towards that number one spot!
This week it sits at number 10 ! Thanks to everyone who helped make this possible by purchasing the album. If you haven’t purchased it yet, now is the time to do so. "Sharing the Night" is available from all leading music stores including JB Hi-Fi, Sanity and Big W, with proceeds from album sales going to Motor Nurone Research.
Let’s help the boys move further up the charts towards that number one spot!
Thursday, August 5, 2010
AWARD-WINNING CANADIANS DOC WALKER ANNOUNCE RETURN TO OZ IN JANUARY 2011
Following a triumphant debut voyage to Australia earlier this year, multiple-CCMA and Juno Award winners, Doc Walker, are returning here again in January 2011, for three shows only! The first show is a one-off event at the Tamworth Country Music Festival, followed by a concert in Brisbane and another in Sydney.
“We had such an incredible time in Australia”, said Doc Walker’s Chris Thornsteinson. “The way we were embraced by the Aussie crowds is unlike anything we’ve experienced outside of Canada. We can’t wait to get back!”
Doc Walker’s 2010 Australian Tour kicked off at CMC Rocks the Snowys Festival in Thredbo, followed by dates around NSW and QLD with Texan country-rocker, Jack Ingram, and our own Steve Forde. With their soaring harmonies, tight band interplay and easy-rockin’ country sound, the Canadian trio won over crowds around the country, making many new fans who are clamouring for them to return.
Their new album, “Go”, debuted at #12 on the ARIA Country Chart earlier this year. Their current single, ”I’m Gonna Make You Love Me”, just topped the Canadian video charts and features footage from their first Australian trip.
It was just announced that Doc Walker received nine nominations for the 2010 CCMA Awards, including Album, Single and Group of the Year.
The Doc Walker 2011 Australian Tour will kick off at the Tamworth Country Music Festival, after which you can catch them at Brisbane’s Pioneer Village Country Music Club and Sydney’s Rooty Hill RSL Club.
Special Guest on the Tamworth and Sydney shows is ABC recording artist, Peter McWhirter, the energetic country-rocker whose debut album, “Lucky As A Seven”, recorded in Nashville, is due out in September this year. Queensland country-folk duo, Busby Marou, will perform on the Brisbane show.
Tickets for all shows go on sale Monday August 9, 2010.
DOC WALKER AUSTRALIAN TOUR DATES
Saturday January 22 – Blazes Showroom @ Wests, Tamworth
Sunday January 23 – Pioneer Village Country Music Club, Petrie
Tuesday January 25 – Rooty Hill RSL Club, Sydney
Media Enquiries:
Kerry Roberts @ The Roberts Network
kerryroberts@therobertsnetwork.com.au
Phone - (02) 9712.8445
“We had such an incredible time in Australia”, said Doc Walker’s Chris Thornsteinson. “The way we were embraced by the Aussie crowds is unlike anything we’ve experienced outside of Canada. We can’t wait to get back!”
Doc Walker’s 2010 Australian Tour kicked off at CMC Rocks the Snowys Festival in Thredbo, followed by dates around NSW and QLD with Texan country-rocker, Jack Ingram, and our own Steve Forde. With their soaring harmonies, tight band interplay and easy-rockin’ country sound, the Canadian trio won over crowds around the country, making many new fans who are clamouring for them to return.
Their new album, “Go”, debuted at #12 on the ARIA Country Chart earlier this year. Their current single, ”I’m Gonna Make You Love Me”, just topped the Canadian video charts and features footage from their first Australian trip.
It was just announced that Doc Walker received nine nominations for the 2010 CCMA Awards, including Album, Single and Group of the Year.
The Doc Walker 2011 Australian Tour will kick off at the Tamworth Country Music Festival, after which you can catch them at Brisbane’s Pioneer Village Country Music Club and Sydney’s Rooty Hill RSL Club.
Special Guest on the Tamworth and Sydney shows is ABC recording artist, Peter McWhirter, the energetic country-rocker whose debut album, “Lucky As A Seven”, recorded in Nashville, is due out in September this year. Queensland country-folk duo, Busby Marou, will perform on the Brisbane show.
Tickets for all shows go on sale Monday August 9, 2010.
DOC WALKER AUSTRALIAN TOUR DATES
Saturday January 22 – Blazes Showroom @ Wests, Tamworth
Sunday January 23 – Pioneer Village Country Music Club, Petrie
Tuesday January 25 – Rooty Hill RSL Club, Sydney
Media Enquiries:
Kerry Roberts @ The Roberts Network
kerryroberts@therobertsnetwork.com.au
Phone - (02) 9712.8445
Monday, August 2, 2010
We're moving!
XYZnetworks’ Country Music Channel (CMC), Rob Potts Entertainment Edge and Chugg Entertainment announced today that after three very successful years in Thredbo, Australia’s premiere roots and country music festival, CMC ROCKS THE SNOWYS is moving.
In 2011, the festival will be held in luscious surrounds of The Hunter Valley, New South Wales in March and will be renamed CMC ROCKS THE HUNTER. The move is due to the growth of the festival and the need for a larger site.
The festival promoters Rob Potts Entertainment Edge, Chugg Entertainment and CMC, would like to sincerely thank their Thredbo partners for helping to establish the festival and supporting great live country and roots music.
Rob Potts, CEO, Rob Potts Entertainment Edge said “The fans have really taken this event to heart and with the plans we have for the continued growth of the festival, music fans can look forward to bigger and more exciting line-ups on the new site.”
Now in its fourth year, CMC ROCKS has a reputation for offering music fans mind-blowing line-ups not seen anywhere else in Australia, and has become a major fixture on the roots and country music festival calendar. Line-ups from previous years have included Taylor Swift, Gary Allan, SugarLand, Lee Kernaghan, John Butler Trio, The Waifs, Kasey Chambers and Joe Nichols.
Stay tuned – further details coming soon.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
TOMMY AND PHIL EMMANUEL REUNITED FOR THEIR 50TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT TOUR
Rob Potts and Jeff Lewis proudly present
TOMMY AND PHIL EMMANUEL REUNITED
FOR THEIR 50TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT TOUR
Less than a month after being honoured with the award of a Member of the Order of Australia, guitar maestro Tommy Emmanuel has announced plans to return to his home country this December/January - for a series of special concerts with his brother Phil.
Fans who have witnessed the incredible chemistry and intuitive energy of their live performances have been clamouring for the two to reunite and now they will get their wish. To celebrate 50 years of professional performance together, Tommy and Phil will be hitting the road with the TE All Star band.
This is a rare opportunity for fans to catch Tommy flexing both his electric and acoustic guitar muscles - and only the second time the brothers have toured together in 15 years. This is the complete Emmanuel experience! Singer-songwriter, and Phil’s daughter, Jesse Emmanuel will join the tour as special guest, making it a real family affair.
Recognised internationally as two of the world’s finest guitar pickers, Tommy and Phil have been performing live since the early 60s, when they were just young kids, honing their chops in the Emmanuel Family Band. They’ve gone on to enjoy huge success independently, their careers occasionally intersecting with collaborations on the 1995 album ‘Terra Firma’ and an exemplary performance at the 2000 Sydney Olympics Closing Ceremony.
The iconic fingerpicker, Chet Atkins, called Tommy “one of the all-time greatest guitarists on the planet”. Rock historian Glenn A. Baker said of Phil that “[his] musical prowess is so astonishing that there are times when the man becomes the guitar and the guitar becomes the man.”
“There’s a magic that happens when Phil and I play together”, says Tommy. “It’s like the two of us together makes a third player who’s better than both of us. After 50 years, we can still surprise each other on stage”.
TOMMY & PHIL EMMANUEL CONCERT DATES
Thu 9 Dec - Lyric Theatre, Star City Casino, Sydney
Sat 11 Dec - Palais Theatre, Melbourne
Sun 12 Dec - Royal Theatre, Canberra
Fri 17 Dec - Wrest Point, Hobart
Sat 18 Dec - Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide
Mon 20 Dec - Burswood Theatre, Perth
Wed 19 Jan - Blazes - West League Club, Tamworth
Thur 20 Jan - Tivoli Theatre, Brisbane
Sat 22 Jan - Jupiters, Gold Coast
Media Enquiries:
Kerry Roberts @ The Roberts Network
Phone - (02) 9712.8445
Thursday, June 17, 2010
MICHAEL CHUGG PRESENTED WITH CMA JO WALKER-MEADOR INTERNATIONAL AWARD AT 2010 CMA MUSIC FESTIVAL
NASHVILLE - During a press conference at 2010 CMA Music Festival last Thursday (June 10), Australian concert promoter Michael Chugg of Chugg Entertainment was given the Jo Walker-Meador International Award. The Award was presented by CMA Board Chairman Steve Moore, with CMA Board members Jeff Walker, President of AristoMedia/Marco Promotions, and Rob Potts, CEO of Rob Potts Entertainment Edge, in attendance.
"To receive such a wonderful award from CMA during their Festival week in Nashville was a great honor, and will take pride of place in my office in Sydney," said Chugg. "To be able to play a part in spreading music to the world is very special, and I thank the Board of the CMA on behalf of all the Australian Country Music fans."
The Jo Walker-Meador International Award recognizes outstanding achievement by an individual or company in advocating and supporting Country Music's marketing development in territories outside the United States.
Chugg is one of the most experienced and respected concert promoters in Australia, with a career spanning more than 45 years. He received the CMA International Talent Buyer/Promoter of the Year Award in 2006, has won every major music and entertainment award possible in Australia, and currently serves on the CMA Australian Advisory Group. Chugg has been involved with establishing Australia as a strong live touring market for international artists, and has promoted or co-promoted tours with Brooks & Dunn, Dixie Chicks, Willie Nelson, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, and Keith Urban among others. Chugg Entertainment will co-promote a Tim McGraw tour with Entertainment Edge later this year.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
TOMMY EMMANUEL AWARDED MEMBER OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA
He’s one of Australia’s most loved musical exports, and now the man Eric Clapton called “the best guitar player I’ve ever seen”, has been awarded the Member of the Order of Australia medal. This is a tremendous honour for Tommy, who still calls Australia home despite being based in Nashville, with an endless touring schedule that sees him regularly circumnavigate the globe.
“This is such a thrill for me”’ said Tommy. “It means so much to me to know my homeland has awarded me such a prestigious award. I couldn’t be more proud.”
Previous recipients of the Member of the Order of Australia include fellow musicians Peter Garrett, Rolf Harris, Col Joye and Angry Anderson. Tommy can now add the letters AM to his name, after CGP (Certified Guitar Player) - which was bestowed upon him by the late Chet Atkins.
The AM award was established "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service".
An unofficial Ambassador for Australia and fiercely proud of his birthright, Emmanuel spends most of his time on the road, spreading his message of love and harmony through “the universal language of the guitar.” Over the course of a year, he will play everywhere from USA to Russia, UK to Japan and China to New Zealand. Many of his original compositions meld the influence of American fingerpickers like Chet Atkins and Merle Travis with traditional indigenous music from Oz.
Tommy is planning to tour Australia again later this year.
www.tommyemmanuel.com
www.entertainmentedge.com.au
“This is such a thrill for me”’ said Tommy. “It means so much to me to know my homeland has awarded me such a prestigious award. I couldn’t be more proud.”
Previous recipients of the Member of the Order of Australia include fellow musicians Peter Garrett, Rolf Harris, Col Joye and Angry Anderson. Tommy can now add the letters AM to his name, after CGP (Certified Guitar Player) - which was bestowed upon him by the late Chet Atkins.
The AM award was established "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service".
An unofficial Ambassador for Australia and fiercely proud of his birthright, Emmanuel spends most of his time on the road, spreading his message of love and harmony through “the universal language of the guitar.” Over the course of a year, he will play everywhere from USA to Russia, UK to Japan and China to New Zealand. Many of his original compositions meld the influence of American fingerpickers like Chet Atkins and Merle Travis with traditional indigenous music from Oz.
Tommy is planning to tour Australia again later this year.
www.tommyemmanuel.com
www.entertainmentedge.com.au
Media Enquiries:
Kerry Roberts - (02) 9712.8445
kerryroberts@therobertsnetwoork.com.au
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
CANADA'S CORB LUND ANNOUNCES FIFTH AUSTRALIAN TOUR
He is six-time Canadian Roots Artist of the Year (including this year), whose quirky songs and on-stage charisma have earned him a huge Aussie following. Rob Potts and CMC are proud to present Corb Lund and his electrifying band, the Hurtin’ Albertans, as they head down under for their September 2010 Australian Tour.
In almost a decade of trips down under, Australia has become a second home to Corb. The Aussie crowds have embraced the characters and stories in Corb’s lyrics and the rowdy energy of his live shows. His 2005 single, Truck Got Stuck, is still one of the most requested videos on the Country Music Channel (CMC) today and a highlight at any Corb Lund gig.
The September tour will be the Canadian singer/songwriter’s biggest tour here yet, running from late September through till mid-October, and criss-crossing the country - from Atherton to Sydney, Hexham to the Deni Ute Muster. Joining Corb on the tour will be exploding new ABC recording artist, Peter McWhirter, whose new video and single, I Will Stand by You, is due for release in July, ahead of his debut album, Lucky as a Seven.
The second date on the tour will also see Corb team up with US country superstar Tim McGraw for the special CMC Rocks North Queensland show. This massive outdoor event will be staged at Reid Park in Townsville, and will be the biggest country music concert ever seen in North Queensland. The show will also feature local artists including Steve Forde and Jasmine Rae.
Corb says he sees a lot of similarities between Canadian and Australian audiences. His last visit to our shores was in 2009, when he played the CMC Rocks the Snowys Festival, exposing his music to an even wider audience. He used a live recording from his Snowys set as a bonus track on his new album, Losin’ Lately Gambler.
This new album features Lund’s signature character sketches - hard-luck gamblers, deadly female gunslingers, and stories drawn from Corb’s youth as a rodeo rider, working the oil rigs and his family’s experiences as ranchers. These vivid depictions of the Canadian West are never less than universal.
Lund notes, “My gut feeling at the beginning, which I think has been borne out, is if you write about what is familiar to you and do a good job of it, the specifics fade away and the universality of the message comes through. When I was younger, listening to Springsteen singing about the slums of New Jersey, that was alien to me, but I got it, because the music is so good. That’s what I aspire to - to paint a picture that’s intriguing.”
CORB LUND AUSTRALIAN TOUR DATES
SEPTEMBER
Fri 24 – Atherton International Club, QLD
Sat 25 – Reid Park, Townsville (CMC Rocks North QLD)
Sun 26 – Pioneer Village CM Club, Petrie QLD.
Tue 28 – Hallam Hotel, VIC.
Wed 29 – Bairnsdale RSL Club, VIC
OCTOBER
Fri 1 – Deni Ute Muster, NSW.
Sat 2 – Young Services Club, NSW.
Mon 4 – Yass Soldiers Club, NSW.
Wed 6 – Hexham Bowling Club, NSW.
Thur 7 – Davistown RSL Club, NSW.
Fri 8 – Rooty Hill RSL Club, NSW.
Media Enquiries:
Kerry Roberts – Phone (02) 9712.8445
Monday, May 24, 2010
Win tickets to BACK TO THE 70s!
Ray Hadley and the Robertson Brothers are taking you Back to the 70s! A night of live music, dancing, fun and prizes! Recapture the spirit of the 70s with The Robertson Brothers - Australia's favourite vocal duo, who recreate the magic of the classic hits with their crack band.
The shows will feature a special guest MC and The Robertson Brothers playing classic hits by artists like The Eagles, The Bee Gees, Little River Band and more. Ray and 2GB have pledged to donate their share of the profits from all the shows to Motor Neurone research.
The shows kick off in June with special guest MC Ray Burgess, and to celebrate we’re giving you the chance to win a double pass to the show of your choice.
Send us an email at info@entertainmentedge.com.au with your name, your preferred show and the answer to this question: What’s the weekend sports show hosted by Ray Hadley which regularly features The Robertson Brothers?
A) Ray’s Rugby Hour
B) The Footy Show
C) The Continuous Call
Get your entries in before Tuesday June 1 and we’ll announced the winner the next day. Good luck!
SHOW DATES
Thursday 3 June - North Sydney Leagues Club
Friday 4 June - Evan Theatre, Penrith
Saturday 5 June - The Cube, Campbelltown Catholic Club
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
COUNTRY MUSIC SUPERSTAR TIM McGRAW: THE HOTTEST TICKET IN TOWN!
Tim McGraw sold out the first concert of his Australian Southern Voice Tour at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre on Thursday September 16 in just 15 minutes when it went on sale on Monday.
A second Brisbane concert, for Friday September 17, was opened for sale and Gold tickets sold out. Side and rear tickets in that category were opened and only the rear is still available in blocks of two or more seats together.
Tickets to all four of McGraw’s east coast concerts, including the CMC Rocks North Queensland multi-lineup blockbuster, sold at a rapid-fire pace and put country music front and centre this week.
Reserved seated tickets for McGraw’s North Queensland concert at Townsville’s Reid Park on Saturday September 25 are almost sold-out, proving it an astute call by promoters last Friday to add more. General Admission standing tickets remain available.
Silver priced and newly-released Gold side and rear tickets are available for his concerts in Melbourne and Sydney at the Rod Laver Arena on Sunday 19 and Acer Arena on Tuesday 21 September.
Front of stage Gold priced tickets sold-out in 15 minutes in Sydney and by the end of the day in Melbourne.
“You never know for sure until you go on sale,” said promoter Rob Potts, “but we’ve been quietly confident of this result from the start.
“Ever since we announced Tim’s first tour of Australia the response has been simply staggering.”
Tim McGraw was the most-played artist on US radio for the first decade of the 21st Century and his song Something Like That was the number 1 played song.
Tim McGraw’s Southern Voice Tour is his first visit to Australia.
A second Brisbane concert, for Friday September 17, was opened for sale and Gold tickets sold out. Side and rear tickets in that category were opened and only the rear is still available in blocks of two or more seats together.
Tickets to all four of McGraw’s east coast concerts, including the CMC Rocks North Queensland multi-lineup blockbuster, sold at a rapid-fire pace and put country music front and centre this week.
Reserved seated tickets for McGraw’s North Queensland concert at Townsville’s Reid Park on Saturday September 25 are almost sold-out, proving it an astute call by promoters last Friday to add more. General Admission standing tickets remain available.
Silver priced and newly-released Gold side and rear tickets are available for his concerts in Melbourne and Sydney at the Rod Laver Arena on Sunday 19 and Acer Arena on Tuesday 21 September.
Front of stage Gold priced tickets sold-out in 15 minutes in Sydney and by the end of the day in Melbourne.
“You never know for sure until you go on sale,” said promoter Rob Potts, “but we’ve been quietly confident of this result from the start.
“Ever since we announced Tim’s first tour of Australia the response has been simply staggering.”
Tim McGraw was the most-played artist on US radio for the first decade of the 21st Century and his song Something Like That was the number 1 played song.
Tim McGraw’s Southern Voice Tour is his first visit to Australia.
TOUR DATES (Click date to buy tickets)
Friday, May 7, 2010
COUNTRY MUSIC SUPERSTAR TIM McGRAW CONFIRMED FOR NORTH QUEENSLAND
Putting paid to rumours circulating for the past week, promoters Chugg Entertainment and Rob Potts today confirmed superstar Tim McGraw will rock North Queensland for subscription TV country music channel, CMC.
CMC Rocks North Queensland will be the North's biggest ever country music event-a six-plus hour multi-lineup blockbuster to be held at Townsville's Reid Park on Saturday September 25.
Tim McGraw will lead the charge on a lineup which includes Canadian Corb Lund and Aussies' Steve Forde and Jasmine Rae with more to be announced.
Tickets for McGraw's North Queensland show will go on sale the same day as McGraw's Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney east coast concerts, Monday May 17, from Ticketek.
Tim McGraw fanclub members can buy pre-sale tickets at the fan club site from Mon 10 May, 12pm > Wed 12 May, 5pm (AEST)
Tim McGraw fans with Visa Credit, Debit or Prepaid cards can gain access to pre-sale tickets through Visa Entertainment. Advance Tim McGraw tickets across all seating categories will be available from 9am on Wednesday 12th May until 5pm Friday 14th May or until tickets sell out at Visa.
Executive Chairman of Chugg Entertainment, Michael Chugg-the man who brought Elton John to North Queensland, the region's most successful concert in history, said, "Ever since Elton we've been looking for the next big concert we thought would work.
"We believe, like Elton, we're on the money with Tim.
"North Queenslanders turned out in record numbers, showed us that the right concerts up North could work, really work.
"They gave the metro markets a run for their money and proved that if we brought the right artist, at the right time, they'd turn out in the tens of thousands."
Waiting almost two decades, Australian fans-a big number of them in North Queensland according to record company, Sony Music, Chugg and Potts are chuffed McGraw agreed to headline CMC Rocks North Queensland.
"Tim gets taking it to the country music heartland," said Rob Potts. "It's why, working really hard with him and his people, we were able to schedule a Saturday night for North Queensland.
"We know, and Tim understands, fans in a radius way beyond that of Townsville will travel amazing distances, and hours, to see him."
CMC's owner, XYZ Network's General Manager, Shaun James, said, "To be able to launch CMC Rocks - great country music in iconic Australian locations - in North Queensland, on a Saturday night, with Tim McGraw, is a mind-blowing privilege, for us, and Tim's fans."
Tim McGraw is a 40-million unit selling artist. He's topped the US charts with 31 #1 singles including the title track from his latest album, Southern Voice. He is married to Faith Hill. Tim McGraw was the most played artist on US radio for the first decade of the 21st Century and his song Something Like That the most played. He's starred alongside the likes of Sandra Bullock, Reese Witherspoon, Vince Vaughan and Gwyneth Paltrow in seven films, including the Academy Award-nominated The Blind Side and the soon to be released Love Don't Let Me Down.
He's got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and in September this star will be in Australia.
Tim McGraw rocks North Queensland at Townsville's Reid Park on Saturday September 25.
Outback Steakhouse is proud to continue their partnership with Tim McGraw's 2010 Southern Voice North American Tour, by supporting the record breaking artist's first ever tour in Australia. Through this ground breaking partnership Outback Steakhouse guests will earn chances to win concert tickets, VIP passes, special Outback Steakhouse food promotions and much more.
"Outback Steakhouse is thrilled to extend our partnership with Tim McGraw to cover the Australian leg of his 2010 Southern Voice Tour. We could not imagine a more perfect fit than aligning with Tim in the land that inspired everything that Outback Steakhouse is about," said Steve Nilsen, vice president of Outback Steakhouse International.
CMC Rocks North Queensland will be the North's biggest ever country music event-a six-plus hour multi-lineup blockbuster to be held at Townsville's Reid Park on Saturday September 25.
Tim McGraw will lead the charge on a lineup which includes Canadian Corb Lund and Aussies' Steve Forde and Jasmine Rae with more to be announced.
Tickets for McGraw's North Queensland show will go on sale the same day as McGraw's Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney east coast concerts, Monday May 17, from Ticketek.
Tim McGraw fanclub members can buy pre-sale tickets at the fan club site from Mon 10 May, 12pm > Wed 12 May, 5pm (AEST)
Tim McGraw fans with Visa Credit, Debit or Prepaid cards can gain access to pre-sale tickets through Visa Entertainment. Advance Tim McGraw tickets across all seating categories will be available from 9am on Wednesday 12th May until 5pm Friday 14th May or until tickets sell out at Visa.
Executive Chairman of Chugg Entertainment, Michael Chugg-the man who brought Elton John to North Queensland, the region's most successful concert in history, said, "Ever since Elton we've been looking for the next big concert we thought would work.
"We believe, like Elton, we're on the money with Tim.
"North Queenslanders turned out in record numbers, showed us that the right concerts up North could work, really work.
"They gave the metro markets a run for their money and proved that if we brought the right artist, at the right time, they'd turn out in the tens of thousands."
Waiting almost two decades, Australian fans-a big number of them in North Queensland according to record company, Sony Music, Chugg and Potts are chuffed McGraw agreed to headline CMC Rocks North Queensland.
"Tim gets taking it to the country music heartland," said Rob Potts. "It's why, working really hard with him and his people, we were able to schedule a Saturday night for North Queensland.
"We know, and Tim understands, fans in a radius way beyond that of Townsville will travel amazing distances, and hours, to see him."
CMC's owner, XYZ Network's General Manager, Shaun James, said, "To be able to launch CMC Rocks - great country music in iconic Australian locations - in North Queensland, on a Saturday night, with Tim McGraw, is a mind-blowing privilege, for us, and Tim's fans."
Tim McGraw is a 40-million unit selling artist. He's topped the US charts with 31 #1 singles including the title track from his latest album, Southern Voice. He is married to Faith Hill. Tim McGraw was the most played artist on US radio for the first decade of the 21st Century and his song Something Like That the most played. He's starred alongside the likes of Sandra Bullock, Reese Witherspoon, Vince Vaughan and Gwyneth Paltrow in seven films, including the Academy Award-nominated The Blind Side and the soon to be released Love Don't Let Me Down.
He's got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and in September this star will be in Australia.
Tim McGraw rocks North Queensland at Townsville's Reid Park on Saturday September 25.
Outback Steakhouse is proud to continue their partnership with Tim McGraw's 2010 Southern Voice North American Tour, by supporting the record breaking artist's first ever tour in Australia. Through this ground breaking partnership Outback Steakhouse guests will earn chances to win concert tickets, VIP passes, special Outback Steakhouse food promotions and much more.
"Outback Steakhouse is thrilled to extend our partnership with Tim McGraw to cover the Australian leg of his 2010 Southern Voice Tour. We could not imagine a more perfect fit than aligning with Tim in the land that inspired everything that Outback Steakhouse is about," said Steve Nilsen, vice president of Outback Steakhouse International.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
TIM McGRAW CONFIRMS AUSTRALIAN SPECIAL GUESTS, STEVE FORDE AND JONAH’S ROAD.
He’s one of Australia’s most popular live acts and they’re one of our most revered pop-country vocal groups. Now, Steve Forde and Jonah’s Road are hitting the road in September this year, with country superstar, Tim McGraw.
Steve Forde is an artist who has blazed his own trail through country music over almost a decade of recording and performing. A former rodeo rider who channels the same energy and spirit into his music, Steve has built a fiercely loyal fanbase throughout the years of crossing the length and breadth of Australia on his tour bus. After success as an independent artist, Steve signed with ABC Music, released a self-titled album in 2007, followed by the acclaimed 'Guns and Guitars' album in 2008, recorded in Nashville and showcasing a much more diverse and wider-ranging collection of songs than previously released.
Now Nashville-based, Steve Forde has a new album being released in mid-2010.
‘The cowboy in me can’t wait get out there and rock those arenas’ said Forde. ‘I’m sure Tim will be right at home with the Aussie crowds’.
Jonah’s Road is one of the most popular pop-country vocal groups in Oz. Their three-part, tight harmonies, indelible melodies and fantastic live shows have helped build a die-hard following in all corners of the nation. Their two independent studio albums ‘Hold On’ and ‘Counting Down The Days’ have yielded numerous #1 hits and videos and many awards.
Jonah’s Road has just released its third, long-awaited new album, ‘End of the World’, which will be available this month.
"This is a real honour for us. It really doesn't get much bigger than Tim McGraw. I can't wait”, said Jonah’s Road’s Jay Collie.
Handpicked by the international country hitmaker himself, Steve Forde and Jonah’s Road will appear on all three tour stops.
TICKETS ON SALE:
Monday 17th May, 2010
For any further enquiries;
Kerry Roberts on (02) 9712.8445
kerryroberts@therobertsnetwork.com.au
www.entertainmentedge.com.au
www.chuggentertainment.com.au
www.timmcgraw.com
Steve Forde is an artist who has blazed his own trail through country music over almost a decade of recording and performing. A former rodeo rider who channels the same energy and spirit into his music, Steve has built a fiercely loyal fanbase throughout the years of crossing the length and breadth of Australia on his tour bus. After success as an independent artist, Steve signed with ABC Music, released a self-titled album in 2007, followed by the acclaimed 'Guns and Guitars' album in 2008, recorded in Nashville and showcasing a much more diverse and wider-ranging collection of songs than previously released.
Now Nashville-based, Steve Forde has a new album being released in mid-2010.
‘The cowboy in me can’t wait get out there and rock those arenas’ said Forde. ‘I’m sure Tim will be right at home with the Aussie crowds’.
Jonah’s Road is one of the most popular pop-country vocal groups in Oz. Their three-part, tight harmonies, indelible melodies and fantastic live shows have helped build a die-hard following in all corners of the nation. Their two independent studio albums ‘Hold On’ and ‘Counting Down The Days’ have yielded numerous #1 hits and videos and many awards.
Jonah’s Road has just released its third, long-awaited new album, ‘End of the World’, which will be available this month.
"This is a real honour for us. It really doesn't get much bigger than Tim McGraw. I can't wait”, said Jonah’s Road’s Jay Collie.
Handpicked by the international country hitmaker himself, Steve Forde and Jonah’s Road will appear on all three tour stops.
TIM McGRAW AUSTRALIAN TOUR DATES:
Thursday 16th September - Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Sunday 19th September - Melbourne Rod Laver Arena
Tuesday 21st September - Sydney Acer Arena
TICKETS ON SALE:
Monday 17th May, 2010
For any further enquiries;
Kerry Roberts on (02) 9712.8445
kerryroberts@therobertsnetwork.com.au
www.entertainmentedge.com.au
www.chuggentertainment.com.au
www.timmcgraw.com
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Tim McGraw Confirms First Tour of Australia On His Birthday
Country music superstar Tim McGraw is confirmed to tour Australia for the first time, promoters Chugg Entertainment and Rob Potts have announced.
McGraw, and his band the Dancehall Doctors, will bring his Southern Voice Tour to Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney for shows in September.
“My career’s been going for a while and I’ve been looking for opportunities to come down, and this is the first time the timing’s worked out. I’m very excited,” said McGraw when asked about Australia and touring here for the first time.
Chugg Entertainment’s Executive Chairman, Michael Chugg said, “This is big news, full stop, but for country music fans, it’s massive!
“It’s actually Tim’s birthday in the US (May 1), so to announce his first Australian tour timed with that is special.”
In Australia McGraw’s setup will include an 18-metre catwalk that takes him up the centre floor and puts him in the thick of it with audiences.
McGraw will play the Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Thursday 16th, Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena, Sunday 19th and Sydney’s Acer Arena, Tuesday 21st September.
Tickets go on public sale Monday 17th May from ticketek.com.au or 132 849.
Tim McGraw fanclub members can buy pre-sale tickets at www.mcgrawfan.com from noon Monday 10th May until 5pm Tuesday 11th May [AEST].
A Visa Entertainment pre-sale will run from 9am on Wednesday 12th May until 5pm Friday 14th May. Pre-sale ticket details are available at www.visaentertainment.com.au.
Tim McGraw has released 16 albums (his latest 2009’s Southern Voice), has sold over 40 million units and landed 31 singles at Number 1 in the US, including his latest title track Southern Voice; he’s taken home 50 Awards, including three Grammys; and been in seven films. He is Sandra Bullock’s husband in the Academy Award-nominated The Blind Side and has just finished filming Love Don’t Let Me Down with co-stars Gwyneth Paltrow, Garrett Hedlund and Leighton Meester.
McGraw’s song Something Like That was the number 1 played song on US radio for the first decade of the 21st Century and with 7.8 million spins, himself the most-played artist.
His 2006 Soul2Soul II Tour with wife, Faith Hill, beat Madonna and the Rolling Stones that year, is the highest grossing country tour of all time and in the top five of any.
From hard rock to hip hop, McGraw has collaborated – singing, songwriting or live – with: Def Leppard, Kid Rock, Kim Carnes, Nickelback’s Chad Kroeger, Tony Bennett, the Eagles’ Don Henley and Timothy B Schmidt and rapper Nelly.
Outback Steakhouse is excited to extend its partnership with Tim McGraw’s 2010 Southern Voice Tour (http://www.timmcgraw.com/tour-dates.html), aligning with the record breaking artist’s first ever tour in Australia. This extended partnership will allow Outback Steakhouse patrons special access to offers and events surrounding Tim McGraw’s Southern Voice Tour, in both the US and Australia.
Through this ground breaking partnership Outback guests will earn chances to concert tickets, VIP passes, special Outback Steakhouse food promotions and much more.
“Outback Steakhouse is thrilled to expand our partnership with Tim McGraw to cover the Australian leg of his 2010 Southern Voice Tour. We could not imagine a more perfect fit than aligning with Tim in the land that inspired everything that Outback Steakhouse is about,” said Steve Nilsen, Vice President of Outback Steakhouse International. “Our friend and franchisee Mark Ivancic runs six award winning Outback restaurants in Australia and is ready to welcome Tim McGraw and his fans to experience Outback “down under.”
“Tim is a true superstar and many of his Aussie fans have been waiting almost two decades to see him,” said Rob Potts.
“When Tim’s on stage he’s having a great time,” said Potts. “He puts on a show that reaches out, mixes it up, makes sure fans have a great time too.”
Working with Potts, Chugg Entertainment is Australia’s only major-league promoter hitting home-runs with big name country tours like Keith Urban, Brooks & Dunn, LeAnn Rimes, the Dixie Chicks and is a partner in CMC Rocks the Snowys.
“Country music fans are loyal and dedicated and they probably don’t get enough of the artists they want to see,” said Chugg.
TIM McGRAW AUSTRALIAN TOUR DATES
Thursday 16th September - Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Sunday 19th September - Melbourne Rod Laver Arena
Tuesday 21st September - Sydney Acer Arena
TICKETS ON SALE:
Monday 17th May
www.ticketek.com.au or 132 849
FIND MORE INFO AT:
www.timmcgraw.com
Thursday, April 29, 2010
TOMMY EMMANUEL NAMED ‘BEST ACOUSTIC GUITARIST’ FOR SECOND YEAR IN A ROW
Aussie guitar god Tommy Emmanuel has been named ‘Best Acoustic Guitarist’ by readers of the respected US ‘Guitar Player Magazine’. This is the second year in a row that Tommy has been recognised by the magazine.
The issue also named Brad Paisley ‘Best Country Guitarist’ and Smokin’ Joe Robinson, who Tommy has helped mentor, as ‘Best New Talent’.
The award is a testament to Emmanuel’s increasing popularity around the world. Although he lives in Nashville, Tommy spends most of the year on the road, playing to packed houses in all corners of the globe, communicating his music through what he calls the ‘universal language’ of the guitar.
2010 will see him tour Italy, Canada, America, Sweden, Finland, Germany, Russia, Poland and the UK, before coming home to Australia in December for a special 50th Anniversary reunion tour with his brother and fellow-guitarist, Phil. This tour will also feature Tommy’s hand-picked All-Star band and will be the first time the Emmanuel Brothers have toured together since 2004.
Tommy recently recorded an electrifying take on John Williamson’s classic ‘Old Man Emu’ for John’s brand new tribute album ’40 Years True Blue’, which also features contributions from Kasey Chambers, The Waifs and James Reyne.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Jasmine Rae rocks Nashvegas
Jasmine Rae recently took a break from touring Australia with superstar Lee Kernaghan, to fly over to the country capital and write for her upcoming second album. She sat down with some of Nashville tunesmiths, including David Lee Murphy and Aussie ex-pat Sherrie Austin.
"Being my first official songwriting trip, I was super excited to see how the creative genius’ in Tennessee worked their magic .. I studied them tirelessly.I found it fascinating that I could bring in an idea for a song and they could think up ideas to compliment it so instantly. Their ideas would inspire me to think of a direction that I would not have thought of by myself, like a domino effect. A domino effect of coolness."
Check out Jasmine's blog about the trip here. The Deluxe Edition of Jasmine's album 'Look It Up' is out now, and she is on the road with Lee Kernaghan for this Planet Country tour through to November.
"Being my first official songwriting trip, I was super excited to see how the creative genius’ in Tennessee worked their magic .. I studied them tirelessly.I found it fascinating that I could bring in an idea for a song and they could think up ideas to compliment it so instantly. Their ideas would inspire me to think of a direction that I would not have thought of by myself, like a domino effect. A domino effect of coolness."
Check out Jasmine's blog about the trip here. The Deluxe Edition of Jasmine's album 'Look It Up' is out now, and she is on the road with Lee Kernaghan for this Planet Country tour through to November.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Go back to the 70s with The Robertson Brothers
Ray Hadley presents Back to the 70s, a night of live music, dancing, fun and prizes! Recapture the spirit of the 70s with The Robertson Brothers – Australia’s favourite vocal duo, who recreate the magic of the classic hits with their crack band.
The brothers have been an essential part of Ray’s hugely popular Continuous Call weekend show, with their jingles and song parodies setting the airwaves alight. Their long running friendship with the 2GB host inspired the idea of a regular night out where people loved to dance and loved the 70s could have an evening that brought back the memories of the time - with competitions and prizes. Ray loved the idea, and ‘Back to the 70s’ was born.
The shows will feature a special guest MC and The Robertson Brothers playing classic hits by artists like The Eagles, The Bee Gees, Little River Band and more. Ray and 2GB have pledged to donate their share of the profits from all the shows to Motor Neurone research.
So come out and relive the magic of the 70s with The Robertson Brothers!
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Dierks Bentley readies bluegrass album for release
Dierks Bentley To Release His Bluegrass-Influenced Fifth
Studio Album UP ON THE RIDGE on June 8, 2010
World Class Collaborators Include Del McCoury, Alison Krauss,
The Punch Brothers, Kris Kristofferson,
Miranda Lambert, Jamey Johnson and more
Studio Album UP ON THE RIDGE on June 8, 2010
World Class Collaborators Include Del McCoury, Alison Krauss,
The Punch Brothers, Kris Kristofferson,
Miranda Lambert, Jamey Johnson and more
Singer/songwriter Dierks Bentley has said many times that if he hadn't discovered bluegrass, he'd never have become a country singer or landed a record deal. His love for country was kindled by the energy and artistry of bluegrass, and he's never lost his passion for it. Now, seven years into one of the most distinguished and critically acclaimed country careers of modern times, Bentley has plunged deeply into acoustic roots music. The results of that creative journey will come out this summer as the very special new album Up On The Ridge.
Much more than just a bluegrass concept album with guests, Up On The Ridge features Bentley working with some of the finest acoustic musicians in the world, including long-time collaborators the Del McCoury Band and a magical new musical partnership with Chris Thile and the Punch Brothers. The disc also features a number of vocal and instrumental contributions ranging from Alison Krauss and Miranda Lambert to Tim O'Brien and Sam Bush, among many others.
"This album won't come as a surprise to my hard core fans," says Bentley. "They've asked me: 'when are you going to make a bluegrass record?' And I was just waiting for the right time." So with a grueling tour behind him, Bentley felt liberated to pursue the project. And for his career home, Capitol Nashville, Up On The Ridge represents a rare and exciting opportunity to capture an artist working entirely from the heart.
"I didn't want this to be 'Dierks Bentley and friends' or a 'Dierks does bluegrass' kind of album. I wanted each song to have something special about it, and in the end I think each song really does have its own thing going on."
Those songs came from Bentley's proven pen, as well as some unexpected sources, such as Bob Dylan. Working with an award-winning singer/songwriter/producer Jon Randall Stewart and world-class recording engineer Gary Paczosa, Bentley has crafted an album with rooted familiarity as well as big surprises. "It's my version of bluegrass music," he says. "It's not just banjos cranked up to eleven. It throws out a big net."
In the 1950s and 60s, bluegrass and country music overlapped, living side by side on the radio and in record bins. Even though that's rarely the case today, Bentley sees no reason why he shouldn't be able to pursue all the styles that influenced who he is as an American musician. He is clearly destined for a long career, and Up On The Ridge is likely to be regarded as one of its highlights.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Rollin with... Jack Ingram
Texas country-rocker Jack Ingram recently stormed his away across Australia for the first time, wowing the crowds at CMC Rocks the Snowys and on tour with Steve Forde and Doc Walker.
Prior to his trip down under, Steve Forde caught up with Jack in the US to find a bit more about the Red Dirt legend. You can see the first part of the special here:
Check Jack's YouTube page to see the other two parts when they're posted.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Fan reaction to CMC Rocks the Snowys 2010!
"Thanks CMC for a great weekend - even better than last year!! How awesome was Phil Vasser - and Doc Walker at the pub. Now need to recharge for CMC Rocks Orange!!" - BulldogHargy
"How awesome was Phil Vassar and Steve Forde just rocked the crowd. Thanks CMC for an excellent weekend." - Bootscooter
"Just got back home ..we could only get there for Saturday ..and it was a blast !!!...To all at CMC especially PD ...congrats Phil Vassar was outstanding and could have gone on longer as far as we were concerned Again congrats to all ..and a special thank you to above for just perfect weather on Saturday.." - roostown
"What an awesome weekend, absolutly loved both days even with the rain on Friday!! Phil Vassar was awesome, he put on an excellent show I feel sorry for those who couldn't get down to Thredbo to see him, hope he comes back soon." - afagan
Phil Vassar, Doc Walker and Guy Sebastian were the highlights for us... though special mention must also be made of Steve Forde and the boys, as they ALWAYS deliver the goods - year in and year out! Yes, they ARE part of the 'furniture' of RTS... though like a comfy sofa, they are worth keeping around for oldtimes sake! The crowd ALSO Love them! Sinead Burgess has improved out of sight since even last year's effort, so great to see that a lot of important music people's faith in her abilities as been justified! Well done, Sinead!
More kudos to Steve Forde for always trying to be so obliging to his fans... he personally thanked us for making the LONG trip down again from north queensland for RTS! He signed for something like 1hr 35minutes, I thought Master said on Saturday night... so well done, Steve and thank you for keeping it 'real' with your fans! Cool Thanks also to Robbo for having a chat to some fans and being a Legend on Saturday night... the band has a great role model in Steve for this though!" - retta73
"so this weekend was our first CMCRTS and will not be the last...we had a great time and met some great ppl!!!" - nomes76
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