For Immediate Release: Sunday 30 September 2012.
RASCAL FLATTS
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN AUSTRALIA
Rob Potts Entertainment Edge, Chugg
Entertainment and Foxtel
Networks are thrilled to announce
that American supergroup Rascal Flatts
(US) will be headlining CMC Rocks
the Hunter 2013 festival at Hope Estate. Joining them will be international
and local stars, including Billy Ray
Cyrus (US), Chris Young (US), The Band Perry (US), Adam Brand, Corb Lund and
the Hurtin’ Albertans (Can) and more.
Rascal Flatts is one of the most successful groups in country music
history, with over 21 million album sales, 25 million digital downloads, and 13
US #1 singles over the course of their 13-year career, including “Bless The
Broken Road”, “Fast Cars and Freedom”, “What Hurts the Most”, “Life is a
Highway” and “Banjo”. With over 40 awards, Rascal
Flatts is celebrated by their millions of fans globally for their
distinctive, knockout harmonies, high energy live performances and rich
catalogue of songs that is equal parts party anthems and soaring ballads. This
will be the first time the six-time CMA
Vocal Group of the Year has performed in Australia.
Michael Chugg said, “We pride
ourselves on delivering unique line-ups with huge international stars and this
year is no exception. People have been clamouring for Rascal Flatts for years
and we’re thrilled to have them for what is sure to be another terrific CMC
Rocks the Hunter.”
In the 20
years since his 9 x platinum debut album Some
Gave All, Billy Ray Cyrus has
conquered music, TV and film. He helped make country music a worldwide
phenomenon with one of the biggest
crossover singles in country history - the Grammy nominated “Achy Breaky Heart”
- and followed it up with 10 studio albums, 30 hit singles and over 25 million
album sales. His work with his daughter Miley on the Hannah Montana TV series and movie has brought him to a whole new
generation of fans, who will get to experience Cyrus’s hard-charging
rock-tinged live show at the Hunter in 2013.
“There are
artists from across the country and roots spectrum at this wonderful Festival,”
said Rob Potts. “Where else can you see the hottest young
stars, like Grammy-nominees The Band Perry and Chris Young, to
cross-generational hitmakers like Rascal Flatts and Billy Ray Cyrus?” .
Since winning Nashville Star, Chris Young, has emerged as one of country music’s finest young
singer-songwriters, with an instantly recognisable baritone and a fresh, sexy
take on the traditional country sound. Five consecutive #1 singles, including
the heartfelt ballad, “Tomorrow”; several CMA, ACM and Grammy nominations; and
three hit albums have cemented Young’s place as one of the best voices in
country music today.
The spotlight has
been shining on sibling trio, The
Band Perry, since the release of their self-titled debut album in 2010, yielding
5 hit singles, including the 4 x platinum Grammy nominated #1 smash, “If I Die
Young”, (written by lead singer, Kimberly Perry). As reigning winners of the CMA
“New Artist of the Year” award, their hip, contemporary sound combines elements
of country, folk, 60s pop and classic rock, making their music as exciting and
distinctive as their wonderfully blended three-part harmonies.
After conflicts in previous years with his busy
American touring schedule, we’re thrilled that 12-time Golden Guitar winner and
beloved Aussie artist, Adam Brand, will
finally make his CMC Rocks debut in 2013.
Brand is one of our most-requested artists, with a string of acclaimed
albums and hit singles, including his current #1 single from his 9th studio album
of the same name, “There Will be Love”. His passionate fanbase, known as the
Brandwagoners, voted him CMC Oz Artist of the Year for five years running, helped
him win television’s Dancing With The
Stars in 2009, and ensured his regular Presenting role on this year’s Great Outdoors TV travel program. It’ll
be great to see the Brandwagon rolling into the Hunter in 2013!
Australia is home away from home for six time Canadian
Roots Artist of the Year, Corb Lund,
who brings his mountain band, the Hurtin’
Albertans, back to rock the Hunter. A veteran of the festival, having
played CMC Rocks the Snowys in 2009
and CMC Rocks Nth Queensland in 2010,
his quirky, laconic lyrics are belied by the electricity of his on-stage
chemistry with his longtime musicians. Corb’s Australian fanbase has been
growing rapidly since his first trip ten years ago and is sure to turn out for
the poker playing, whiskey-and-hockey-loving singer-songwriter.
David Lee Murphy is known for classic contemporary hits like ‘Dust On The Bottle’, ‘Party
Crowd’ and ‘Just Once’, but the long, tall singer-songwriter is also the man
behind songs like Kenny Chesney’s ‘Living In Fast Forward’, Jason Aldean’s ‘Big
Green Tractor’ and Eli Young Band’s ‘Always The Love Songs’. The charismatic
Illinois native has a magic touch as a tunesmith, and he’ll be playing a
hit-filled set when he takes to the stage at the Hope Estate.
Canadian Dean Brody is a true
storyteller. The romance that infuses the young hitmaker’s music is built on a
truth that connects him to those that love his music. Breaking through with his
hit single ‘Brothers’, Brody’s star has continued to rise, with accomplishments
including this year’s recent CCMA wins for Male Artist of the Year and Album of
the Year, and wowing the crowds at the inaugural CMC Rocks the Hunter. There
have been calls for his return ever since, and we’re happy to oblige.
The lineup at the Festival also includes local artists,
Catherine Britt, Amber Lawrence, Morgan
Evans, The Bluegrass All-Stars, Bob Corbett, Doug Bruce & The Tailgaters, Craig
Morrison, The Wolfe Brothers and Aleyce
Simmonds, as well as ex-pat
US-based pioneers, The LeGarde Twins.
Many more artists will be announced soon.
Now in its sixth year, CMC Rocks the Hunter festival has established itself as the biggest
International Country & Roots Festival outside of North America. One of the
premiere events on the Australian music calendar, it brings together the best
international and local country and roots performers in at Hope Estate in the
beautiful Hunter Valley.
Previous years have seen performances by Alan Jackson, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Taylor
Swift, John Butler Trio, Kasey Chambers, Sugarland, Dierks Bentley, Joe
Nichols, Gary Allan, Pete Murray, Ian Moss, Tex Perkins, Jack Ingram and The Waifs.
In response to the huge queues lined up outside the
gates to get in in 2012, the promoters have announced the main stage program on
Friday 15 March will kick off earlier, running from 2pm to 11pm. The festival
will continue through Saturday and Sunday, when Rascal Flatts will close the
proceedings.
Once again, camping will be available on site at Hope
Estate. The late-night Camper’s Bar will be back in action again on Friday,
Saturday and Sunday nights, following the conclusion of the main stage
program.
Tickets go on sale Thursday
4 October at 9am with
limited one-day tickets available.
As in 2012, a
“Time to Pay” option will be available for ticket buyers, where tickets can be
ordered immediately, with payments spread over several months.
CMC
ROCKS THE HUNTER 2013
FRI
15 MARCH - SAT 16 MARCH - SUN 17 MARCH
TICKET
PRICES
3 Day Ticket -
Adult (15 and above) $259
3 Day Ticket - Child (Ages 4 to 14) $124
Friday /Saturday only Ticket - Adult (15 and above) $159
Friday/Saturday only Ticket - Child (Ages 4 to 14) $79
Sunday only Ticket - Adult (15 and above) $159
Sunday only Ticket - Child (Ages 4 to 14) $79
Free admission
to children under 4 years & accompanied by an adult.
TICKETS ON SALE THURDSAY 4 OCTOBER @ 9AM
For
CMC Rocks the Hunter queries: For Country Music Channel queries:
Kerry Roberts Rachel
Antella
(02) 9712.8445 or (02)
9712.8668 (02)
9813.7116
