Events

Contact us - info@bushballadeers.com.au To have your bush ballad/event listed on this page.
 If you are a A.B.B.A. member you can send Tour Dates/ to info@bushballadeers.com.au
More News info can be found on the "Happening" Page
 

*Please note: Whilst every effort is made to have the correct events/award dates on this page, changes can occur and events/awards cancelled without notice...so please contact event organiser, if you are travelling to it or submitting material for awards etc. - Virginia Coad - Website co-ordinator

JANUARY  2008
Go to >> Tamworth Festival

FEBRUARY
Bungendore Muster and Awards -31st Jan- 3rd Feb 2008
 - www.bushballadeers.com.au/bungendore.htm  2009 Awards close 1st October 2008.


BUSH POETRY BALLADS & YARNS SHOW
appearing at the:
'Wondara' Logan's Road, via Tumbarumba Road, Carabost, N.S.W. 3rd February 2008
Narrandera 5th February 2008
Deniliquin 6th February 2008
Whittlsea Country Music Festival 8,9,10th February 2008
Featuring:
BUSH POETS - CHRIS & THE GREY
AKA CHRIS & MERV WEBSTER
Multi award winning Bush Poets and six time finalists at the Bush Laureate Awards, Merv and Chris present their Laughter and Tears from the Bush Show featuring bush verse, ballads and yarns. Merv won the Lyrics Only section of the Katherine Country Music Muster’s Northern Territory Country Music Song Writing Awards back to back in 2005 and 2006. He also has taken out seven of the eleven nominations and won back to back the Lyrics Only section of the T.S.A. National country Music song Writing Awards in 2006 and 2007.
BUSH POET - RON LIEKEFEET
Australian Champion Male Bush Poet in 2005 Ron Liekefeet has won a number of awards for his performance and written poetry and these days acts as a judge at various bush poetry festivals. Ron also enjoys performing at Nursing Homes and for various Service Groups.
AND
COUNTRY & BUSH BALLAD SINGERS - BROOKS & MAGEE
Queensland based artists Denise Brooks and Bob Magee have managed to bring to the stage a genuine and warm presence that leaves audiences feeling good long after the music has finished. Both as a duo and individual artists.
Denise has a passion for the Australian Bush Ballad and the story telling style of music, and has just released her debut EP ‘Pioneers and Poets’, securing final nominations in several awards. Bob spent 22 years in the Royal Australian Navy which allowed him to combine his love for the sea and Country Music performing in Ports all over the World. They have released their first road album and have toured extensively through Queensland and NSW.
HOPE TO CATCH YOU THERE.
For more information contact Merv 07 4159 1868 0427591868


WENTWORTH COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL 8/9/10 February 2008
A country music festival is again being held at Willow Bend Caravan Park on the banks of the Darling River at Wentworth on the 8th 9th and 10th of February 2008. The park owners are Andrew and Donna Smith and they are again co-ordinating the weekend which follows on from Tamworth and Bungendore. All this makes Wentworth an excellent stop over for travellers returning from the eastern festivals. This festival also includes a Junior Talent Quest which was most popular during last year's festival. The festival this year includes a large number of A.B.B.A. members with Ken Smith of Warrnambool as compere, plus 5 other members appearing include Bluey Francis, Keith Wilkinson-Reed and Pam Court all from Broken Hill, Warren Mahoney from Horsham and Ernie Johns from the Bendigo area and Des Morgan from Woorndoo. Andrew and Donna present an excellent park, family friendly with ample powered and un-powered sites available as well as modern air conditioned cabins.
For further information or to reserve a site, give Andrew or Donna a call on 0350273213.
Warren Mahoney  0411078881

APRIL

BOONDOOMA 'SPIRIT OF THE BUSH' 2008

The annual Heritage Weekend & Balladeers' Muster will be held from Wednesday 23rd  to  Sunday 27th April 2008
Featuring some of Australia’s top Balladeers & Poets: Brian Young - Gary Fogarty – Merv Maltman - Lindsay Butler , Laura Downing - Dean Perrett – Sharon Smith - Lindsay Waddington, Peter Pratt - Lana Ross - Denise Brooks - Daisy May Wegner - Jeff Brown, Anita Ree - Roy Garland - Lynne Bennett  - Katy Sempf - Bob Magee , Johnny Greenwood - Neil Buttsworth  - Clyde Cameron - Les Lawson, Shaza Leigh - Harry Early – Ray Rose - Jeff Gibson - Dianne Lindsay , Ray Essery - Kate Botfield - Wave Jackson - Alec Beckett - Zeta Burns , Daly Stephenson - Chris & The Grey - Graham Parfitt – Annie Ree, John Major - John Colville - Buddy Thomson - Barry Offer – Ernie constance, Nev Molloy - Col Edmonds - Charmaine Pout - Lex  K - John Kilcullen, Ashley & Kimberley Cook - Ron Peters - Slim Jones - Peter Simpson, Pete Smith - Julie Perandes - Gordon Larkin - Geoff Sidebottom, Alan Luscombe - Ted Thompson - Viv & Shirley Kehl - Bill Jensen, Kev Groves  - Ian Hands - Dorrie Muller - Pam Thomasson - Bruce Bell, plus Walkup Artists.
Bush Ballad Song, Australiana Art & Poetry Competitions. For details of competitions & general information contact: Buddy Thomson or Lynne Bennett Ph/Fax 07 4168  0168.
Camp Oven Meals by Boondooma’s Balladeer Cooks . Guided Tours - Licensed Bar –BBQ - Stalls – Chips & drinks etc. Vintage Cars & Engines - Broad Axe, Adze, Photographic & Historic displays. Bush Camping available (Bring your own mug for free tea & coffee) Sec: Pattie Brown Ph 07 4168 0173. Camping inquiries: Caretakers: Ph 07 4168 0159

MAY
BROXBURN COUNTRY MUSIC BASH
Mayday Long Weeken2-4th.
Add the Bash to your country music calendar
For further information:
www.broxburnbash.com
Phone Pam: 0746 931 530
Debbie: 0746 931 755(b/h)
 
MULWALA MAY LONG WEEKEND 9^th, 10^th and 11^th  May  .
Contact Ron Morgan rmj00@optusnet.com.au


Bundy’s Aussie Country Muster 16, 17, 18th May 2008
Hi there!
This is Phil and Chris Coad letting you know all about the Bundy Aussie Country Muster kicking off in 2008. This will be Bundaberg’s first All Australian Music festival.
Co-ordinators for this occasion are: Phil Coad and Dave Johnston. The weekend will commence at 5pm on Friday 16th of May with 1 and a 1/2 hours of Walkup artists.
From 7-10pm members of the Bundaberg Country Music Club will be presenting a showcase of acts.
Starting Saturday morning 17th of May at 8am through ‘til Sunday 18th May - 3pm, you will be entertained by:
Pat and Micheal Pincott, Barry K. and Lin Chandler, Dean Perrett, Katie Brookes, Ashley and Kimberley Cook, Big Mal Coad, Rachel Richards, Greg Bain, Laura Downing, Keith Jamieson and Alisha Smith, Julie Perandes, Ian Quinn, Merv and Chris Webster, Phil, Chris and Micheal Coad.
The venue for this event will be the Agro Trend Showgrounds (Kendalls Road) Bundaberg.
Gate Fees: Friday Free entry, Saturday $15pp and Sunday $10pp.
On ground camping fees are as follows:
Unpowered site: per night $5pp. Powered Site: per person $7 per night. (Limited Powered sites available)
Showers and toilet facilities on grounds.
Hot Food, Tea and Coffee, soft drinks will be on sale at the venue.
Any person wishing to pre-book a camping site may do so by contacting Phil or Chris Coad on (07) 4152 0319 or Dave and Val Johnston on (07) 4152 9370
Updates on this event will be published in the April Balladeers Bulletin.
We sincerely hope to have many supporters for this Muster, so as to secure its future.
SEE YOU THERE!
 Phil and Chris Coad
(07) 4152 0319


BARHAM BUSH BASH 2008
23-25th May Held at the Barham Services Club, Barham, the annual festival this year will feature Rachel Richards, Peter Coad & The Coad Sisters, Olive Bice, Ernie Constance, Peter Perez, Brian Letton, and others. Contact Joyce Yates: 0408 218 411


ANNUAL EVENT; Stan Coster Birthday Celebration 2008
On the Saturday closest to MAY 27TH at Ma Ma Creek Halll, via Gatton there is a concert to honour Stan Coster, featuring Tracy Coster and various bush balladeers. Contact;  tracycoster@bigpond.com

JUNE
“BLUE WATER COUNTRY” Music Festival at Port Stephens -Bringing Country to the Coast 5th - the 9th June
 The organisers of this event is Nelson Bay Town Management Inc supported by Nelson Bay Chamber of Commerce Inc.
 Enquiries can be made to [02] 4984 4751 or website www.nelsonbaybusiness.com Accommodation can be booked online through the above website or by phone on [02] 4980 6900.

July
A.B.B.A. 'Ballads From The Bush' Fundraiser for Shirley Thoms Bronze Bust-  HAT'S OFF WEEKEND - Tamworth

The show will feature Dianne Lindsay, Greg Bain (Star Quest Winner 2007) Lynette Guest (Tamworth's own Sweetheart of Country) Peter Simpson, Rodney Walker & Daly Stephenson. Compere Lorraine Pfitzner.
Staged at the Scully Room, Southgate Inn Tamworth on the 5th July, the show will commence at 2pm.
Shirley Thoms will be the first female country singer to be honoured this way with a bronze Bust in Bicentennial Park.
Shirley Thoms "Australia's Yodelling Sweetheart" was Australia's first solo country girl singer to record when she did her first session for the famous green & red label Regal Zonophone in Sydney in 1941 at the age of 16 years. Her most popular and best selling recordings were The Faithful Old Dog, Where The Golden Wattle Blooms and Yodelling In The Moonlight. Shirley's last sessions were recorded here in Tamworth with Eric Scott for the former Hadley label in 1970 and ‘72 when Eric encouraged her to come out of retirement. Those recordings are still available on Bellbird Music today on a CD.
Shirley toured through out Australia and also did many shows for the army during the war years.
Inducted into Tamworth’s Hands Of Fame in 1980 and elevated to the Roll of Renown in 1980.

 For more details contact A.B.B.A. Secretary Lorraine Pfitzner lorraine@bushballadeers.com.au

SEPTEMBER
NANANGO COUNTRY MUSIC MUSTER

OCTOBER

2008 Australian Camp Oven Festival - Millmerran -  proudly sponsored by Heritage Building Society.
4th and 5th October.
Millmerran Showgrounds. Ph: 0429 727 503
Campsite Booking powered and unpowered sites. 0427 957 176
Festival contact: Sally Rigney-Vaughan: 07 46 939 134 .Mob: 0409 051 099 .Email Sally
Website: www.australiancampovenfestival.com.au

Blacktown Dorothy Poyck Memorial Bush Balladeers Concert 2008
October Sunday 26th.   Artists: Brian Letton, Peter Coad and the Coad Sisters, Greg white, Charmaine Pout, Greg Bain, Ron Sadler. Blacktown RSL Club Blacktown. 11am Start. For more details contact Ron Sadler: ronjsadler@optusnet.com.au

WONDARA WOOLSHED DO
7th and 14th October- Logan's Road, Via Tumbarumba Road, Carabost NSW
The 2008 Wondara Woolshed Do will be held between the 7th and 14th October at ‘Wondara’, Logan’s Road, Carabost NSW (follow signs)
Guest Artists: TOM MAXWELL, PETER HORAN, ERNIE CONSTANCE, REX DALLAS, CRAIG GILES, GARY GOUGH, plus VIC HALL, LINDY and JOCK CHARLTON, ALAN LUSCOMBE, KEVIN GROVES, and DAVID CROSER. Poets Breakfast: MERV WEBSTER & Others.
Entry Fee: Adults $50 pp (includes camping and entertainment)
Day Visitors: Fri/Sat/Sun $15pp (no camping)
Bring your own chairs.
Enquiries: (02) 6948 6128. Email: gazglo@bigpond.com or Ailsa and Ron Smith (07) 4927 7282

<< Mud Map...

 

WIDGEE BALLADEERS MUSTER
 The Widgee Balladeers Muster 23-26th October at the Widgee Sports Grounds - 20 minutes out of Gympie. A variety of bush ballad artists featured at this popular annual event... (Widgee Brochure PDF) 225kb
 Contact: Lex K. (07) 41 293145 Mobile: (0428) 293145  

The Bush Balladeer Star Quest 2009!
Are YOU an aspiring Bush Balladeer artist looking for a break? You could be the next winner!
Held annually at the Tamworth festival... the Bush Balladeer Star Quest encourages; Upcoming Bush Balladeers to be part of the Bush Ballad Industry and preserve Bush Ballad music for future generations. The Bush Balladeers Star Quest is a prestigious achievement on which the winner can build his/or her bush ballad career. Recording time & Appearances at Major Festivals; e.g., Tamworth Country Music festival (Major Bush Ballad Concerts), Bungendore Muster, the Gympie Muster, and the Mildura Country Music Festival, along with publicity support throughout the 12 months, ensures the Winner becomes established within industry and public circles.
The Bush Balladeer Star Quest purpose is to offer direction to young artists, a greater understanding of the industry, media, and to give them an opportunity to develop a solid foundation on which to build their career in Bush Ballad music.
2009 STAR QUEST ENTRY DETAILS      ENTRIES CLOSE 30th September 2008

NOVEMBER
The Slim Dusty Country Music Memories Show - 2nd November
For information regarding the Slim Dusty Foundation and its aims, please contact Kathryn Yarnold, General Manager on (02) 6562 6533, or 1800 18 SLIM, or visit the website at www.slimdustycentre.com.au
 

THE GIDGEE COAL BUSH BALLAD AWARDS
Pittsworth Town Hall 15th & 16th November 2008
Open To All Australian Independent Bush Ballad Artists and Writers
With 500 copies or more released for sale between 31st August 2006 & 31st August 2008.
Guest Artists: Dianne Lindsay & Peter Simpson, Jeff Brown ,Ricky Shipp, Rachel Richards, Dean Perrett ,Keith Jamieson, Alisha Smith
Walkup Artists at showgrounds prior to awards. Camping at showgrounds available
Accommodation also at Pittsworth Motels and Hotels
Bush Poets Breakfast at Tatts Hotel with Gary Fogarty And Friends
Info Ph 0749340950 Or 0427731088
Forms Available:  (DOWNLOAD PDF) (31.1 kb) or from bl27406@bigpond.net.au
or www.joysmusicworld.com
ENTRY CLOSES 31st August 2008

other events/awards.....
* 2008 Northern Territory (NT) "Country Song Writer’s Awards"& “Song of the Year” awards.
The Katherine County Music Muster, NT Country Song of the Year and Country Song Writer’s Awards is the Territory’s acknowledgement of Australian Country Music Songwriter’s and their songs.
It is open only to Australian citizens whose material has been written wholly in Australia and has been commercially released for distribution in Australia for the first time between 1st of May 2006 and 17th March 2008
Both lyrics and music must be original. Commercially released means 500 or more copies of any one title released for sale or commercial use. Closing Date: 17th March 2008..... More details and entry Form (PDF)
* T.IA.R.A awards - Vicki Thornecroft, 34 Croydon Avenue, Tamworth NSW 2340. Ph 0267658021)
* T.S.A awards - P.O. Box 618, Tamworth 2340 Email: Vicki Walsh 
* Stan Coster Memorial Bush Ballad Awards - Maureen and Greg Gordon 0262380224 (Closes 1st October)
* Mildura Country Music Festival (Closes 30 June) Phone 0350238182 P.O. Box 1272 Mildura 3502
* NZ Gold Guitar Awards - P.O. Box 382, Gore New Zealand CO11 6432058845
* Tasmanian and NZ Songwriting Contest - 1 Mimosa Place, Youngtown Tasmania 7249 Ph 0363446067 gaylene@vision.net.au
*Tasmanian Country Music Awards - P.O. Box 48, Longford Tasmania 7301 Ph 0363973305
* Wittlesea Awards - 50 Mitchell Street Kyneton Vic 3444 Phone 0354221329
* Boyup Brook Country Music Awards - P.O. Box 103, Boyup Brook WA 6244 ph 0897 651657
*CMAA Gold Guitar Awards- P.O. Box 298, Tamworth 2340 Ph 0267 661577 (Closing date 15th October)
* THE GIDGEE COAL BUSH BALLAD AWARDS 2008 - PITTSWORTH TOWN HALL - Sat 15th & Sun 16th NOVEMBER DOWNLOAD PDF
OPEN TO ALL AUSTRALIAN BUSH BALLAD MATERIAL RECORDED AND RELEASED BETWEEN 31ST AUGUST 2006 AND 31ST AUGUST 2008 BY INDEPENDENT ARTISTS.  RULES AND NOMINATION FORMS AVAILABLE FROM
www.pittsworth.qld.gov.au  For Information on Awards Ph 0427731088 or 0749340950. ENTRY CLOSES 31st August 2008
 

Contact us - info@bushballadeers.com.au To have your bush ballad/event listed on this page.
 If you are a A.B.B.A. member you can send Tour Dates/ to info@bushballadeers.com.au