What's Happeningt





Please forward a news item to this page if you wish.
Title your email 'What's Happening page'.
Email to info@bushballadeers.com.au


 

WELCOME to the ABBA

G'day,

Welcome to the Australian Bush Balladeers Association and our website.

If you have just joined the Association then on behalf of myself and the ABBA Committee and fellow members I welcome you aboard.

There is lots of information on this website and some of the key points which you may find of interest (if you are a radio presenter/artist/or event promotor) to participate in as part of some of this website's pages I will mention below.
Thank you again for your support of Australian Bush Ballad music and its artists.

ABOUT the ABBA WEBSITE
www.bushballadeers.com.au
The Australian Bush Balladeers Association's website helps promote and publicise traditional/Bush Ballad artists - Radio programs/Events/Tour dates/ via the site best we can, but are only able to do so with updated content from ABBA members & supporters.
Please contact us, if we can assist in helping publicise your project.

THE BALLADEERS HOMESTEAD
Organised by the Australian Bush Balladeers Association Inc, this venue is jampacked with artists/concerts throughout the Tamworth Festival week.
Check out the ABBA's BALLADEERS HOMESTEAD (concerts/artists/Showcases listed)

THE A.B.B.A. BLUEY FRANCIS MEMORIAL AWARD
The award recognises outstanding musical achievement within the realm of Australian bush ballad and traditional country music. (more info)

THE A.B.B.A. MUSIC EXCELLENCE AWARDS
This is an initiative by the Association in April 2024 to help highlight and support bush ballad and traditional country music artists in our membership and in the industry.
More information and how to enter the awards via M.E. AWARDS information

BUSH BALLAD RADIO SHOWS
The ABBA advise radio presenters members/supporters the ABBA does have a webpage on our site dedicated to listing radio programs contain all or a large percentage of Australian Bush Ballad/Traditional Country content.
BUSH BALLAD RADIO SHOWS


BUSH BALLAD EVENTS
We also remind members/event organisers that the ABBA run an EVENTS page on our website.BUSH BALLAD EVENTS

Please check the page for your event and if any changes please let us know.
ALSO
IF you wish to have your event added, please email details to info@bushballadeers.com.au


TOUR DATES
The ABBA also have an artists TOUR DATES page on our website.
Artists wishing to include dates may do so at any time (for thewebsite include a photo if you wish with dates).
(HELPFUL NOTE: The dates from the website are placed in each edition of the Balladeers Bulletin, so if your dates (are current) then they are automatically added to each quarterly Balladeers Bulletin for you without you sending again foran edition.)Please email dates to info@bushballadeers.com.au

NOT A MEMBER YET?
BECOME A MEMBER TODAY
by going to the ABBA MEMBERSHIP page for all the details to join online (or by mail)


THE BALLADEERS BULLETIN

Artists/event organisers/general members are always welcome to submit info/adsto the quarterly BALLADEERS BULLETIN

DEADLINES for the BALLADEERS BULLETIN (ANY YEAR)
APRIL edition - Deadline 9th of FEB
JULY edition - Deadline 20th May
OCTOBER edition - Deadline - 1st of August
*JANUARY FESTIVAL edition - DEADLINE - 20th October
* for general articles (because this is the January edition artists may have late notes re awards or events so they can submit items up until the 5th of November)The BALLADEERS BULLETIN promotes and supports Australian bush ballad music so if you have traditional country or bush ballad news/artist bio/event/cd advertising/tourdates/photos/ you are ALWAYS welcome to contribute.

Please forward information (anytime prior a deadline of specific Balladeers Bulletin edition) to info@bushballadeers.com.au
Or if needed please Mail to:

THE BALLADEERS BULLETIN
PO Box 90,
Tamworth NSW 2340.
(please post item at least two weeks prior deadline)

Many thanks
Peter Coad
(ABBA President)
0428 480 545
info@bushballadeers.com.au
www.bushballadeers.com.au

 

 


NEWS ITEMS

Please forward a news item to this page if you wish.
Title your email 'What's Happening page'.
Email to info@bushballadeers.com.au

 


 

2026 A.B.B.A.
MUSIC EXCELLENCE AWARDS

NOMINEES ANNOUNCED

6/10/2025

>>> GO


 

2025 TAMWORTH BUSH BALLAD AWARDS NOMINEES [ WINNERS ANNOUNCED ] !

 

Held as part of the Hat's Off To Country weekend in July 12 2025, at the Tamworth Town Hall, winners of the inaugural Tamworth Bush Ballad Awards (presented by Tamworth Regional Council), hosted by Peter Simpson OAM & Dianne Lindsay OAM were announced.

And the nominees/Winners were:

INSTRUMENTAL BALLADEER OF THE YEAR
• Slab Hut – Terry Bennetts
• The Jumping Jackaroo – Anthony Baxter ** Winner
• Wild River – Charley Boyter

FEMALE BALLADEER OF THE YEAR
• Australia’s Rainfall Army – Anita Ree
• My Country, My Australia – Kathy Carver
• The Music Man – Lynette Guest ** Winner

MALE BALLADEER OF THE YEAR
• A Dirranbandi Moon – Rob Breese
• Barefoot In The Dirt – Paul Ricketts
• Slim’s Guitar – Dean Perrett ** Winner

AUSTRALIAN BALLAD OF THE YEAR
• Old Felt Hat – Alice Benfer
• A Big Thing In A Small Town – Dean Perrett
• My Country, My Australia – Kathy Carver ** Winner

SONGWRITER BALLADEER OF THE YEAR
• Gundablui Girl – Allan Gumm / K & M Dixon ** Winner
• Slim’s Guitar – Dean Perrett / Lindsay Waddington
• Australia’s Rainfall Army – Anita Ree

 

BUSH BALLADEER OF THE YEAR recipient - ASHLEY COOK

 

NEW TALENT OF THE YEAR recipient - ALICE BENFER

 

 

2025 TBBA Winners:
Ashley Cook, Alice Benfer, Dean Perrett, Lynette Guest OAM, Anthony Baxter, and Allan Gumm / (Kelly Dixon not pictured), Kathy Carver (not pictured)

Photographer unknown - used with courtesy to those concerned.

-----------------------

CONGRATULATIONS to the 2025 WINNERS & NOMINEES
of the TAMWORTH BUSH BALLAD AWARDS
from
The Australian Bush Balladeers Association.

 


 

VOL 27 - Released late MAY 2025

 

 

GO TO Vol 27

 


 

 

ABBA Bush Ballads Concert

 

 

 

Tix at the door for the ABBA Aussie Bush Ballad Concert or you can book via TRYBOOKING LINK below.

 


 

NEW BUSH BALLAD AWARDS
happening in 2025!


The Tamworth City Council have announced new Bush Ballad Awards to coinside with the Hats Off To Country Weekend in July.

ENTRIES OPEN NOW!

More information via hatsofftocountry.com.au website

 

 


 

2025
M.E. AWARDS Recipients Announced!

Check out the 10 categories, the Winners & nominees and their songs

 

 

 

 



NEW!!

MUSIC EXCELLENCE AWARDS (ME)

Following on from the inaugural Bluey Francis Memorial Award for Musical Excellence the ABBA commenced this year, the ABBA will will also introduce a range of

MUSIC EXCELLENCE AWARDS (ME) in 2024.

 

 


More information via

https://www.bushballadeers.com.au/MEAwards.htm

 

 


 

UNVIELING OF BRONZE BUST


The ABBA were very proud to commision a Bronze Bust for the late and great Rick and Thel Carey. Unveiled by Rick and Thel's daughter Lynne, the Bronze Bust takes its place among the music pioneers in the pioneer walk.
I am so pleased to see these two great artists be included with many of our wonderful early pioneers of Australian Country Music in Bicentennial Park, Tamworth.
Brett Garland did the sculpture and did a wonderful likeness.

 


INAUGURAL AWARD


This year the ABBA introduced a special award to be presented to young upcoming talent - THE BLUEY FRANCIS MEMORIAL FOR MUSICAL ACHIEVEMENT 2024. Bluey was the instigator of the formation of the Association in 2000 and a great supporter of young talent so with the Francis family's blessing an award will now be presented each year by the ABBA in Bluey's memory.
This year's award was presented to ANTHONY BAXTER at the big BACK TO THE BUSH concert in Tamworth.
Anthony is a well respected bush ballad guitarist who now resides in Tamworth and is always on hand each year to help out on lead guitar duties and a few spots at the BALLADEERS HOMESTEAD and elsewhere around the festival.
Congratulations Anthony, a very worthy first recipient of this inaugural ABBA award.


To the public I say, please let us know of any young talent in the bush ballad world who you feel deserves consideration of our 2025 award email info@bushballadeers.com.au for ABBA committee consideration.

 

 

 

 



 


 

History info...

 

 

2022 Stan Coster Memorial Australian Bush Ballads Awards Finalists/Winners

Winners - announced 26th of February 2022 via virtual concert.
Virtual Concert - Youtube Link

 

Male Vocal
John Smith; For those Who Understand
Terry Bennetts; Not Without You Old Mate * Winner
Graham Rodger; Born To The Saddle

Female Vocal
Dianne Lindsay Just Let Him Be
Tracy Coster; The Man in the Colourful Suit
Sharon Heaslip; It’s Always the Son That Gets the Farm * Winner

New Talent
Ian Wilkinson; Women Of The Outback
Lachie Cossor; Southern Cross * Winner
McKay Brothers; Good Times Will Come Again

Instrumental
Lindsay Hammond: Lawson’s Ghost
Anthony Baxter; Wattle In Springtime * Winner
Lindsay Butler; Where The Roper Flows Tonight

Duo or Group
McKay Brothers; Your Still Just 22
Coad Sisters; Land of Acacia * Winner
Dianne Lindsay and Peter Simpson; Sounds Like Country To Me

Album
Tracey Coster; Southerly Change
John Smith ‘For Those Who Understand
Ken “Chainsaw” Lindsay; My Favourite Place * Winner

Songwriter
Terry Bennetts Not Without You Old Mate * Winner
Lloyd Back; Old Boots
Coad Sisters; Land of Acacia

Comedy
Tracy Coster; Beer I Bought for Dave * Winner
Ken “Chainsaw” Lindsay; The Day I Rode Chainsaw
Terry Bennetts; Welcome to Australia

 


-------------------

 

THE ALAN LUSCOMBE MEMORIAL
GIDGEE COAL BUSH BALLAD AWARDS FINALISTS/ WINNERS 2020/2021

* WINNER

MALE VOCAL
JOHN SMITH-THE PHOTOGRAPH * WINNER
PETER SIMPSON-THINGS I LEFT BEHIND
TERRY BENNETTS-A FORTUNATE LIFE

FEMALE VOCAL
DIANNE LINDSAY-GRAVEYARD HILL
KYLIE ADAMS COLLIER-CAMEL UP EARLSTON SAID
SHARON HEASLIP-A COUNTRY SCHOOL * WINNER

INSTRUMENTAL
TERRY BENNETTS-CALLING OF THE HEART
LINDSAY HAMMOND-LAWSONS GHOST * WINNER
PETER SALATA & LINDSAY WADDINGTON-EL GRINGO

ALBUM
TERRY BENNETTS A FORTUNATE LIFE
LINDSAY HAMMOND BUSH COUNTRY
JOHN SMITH-FOR THOSE WHO UNDERSTAND * WINNER

SONGWRITER/S
PETER SIMPSON-THE THINGS I LEFT BEHIND * WINNER
RAY ESSERY & TERRY BENNETTS-THE OLD MAN AT THE BAR
ASHLEY COOK & TERRY BENNETTS BALLAD OF THE COAL PIT PONIES

COMEDY/NOVELTY
TERRY BENNETTS-WELCOME TO AUSTRALIA * WINNER
LLOYD BACK-G STRING
JOHN SMITH-THE LOADED DOG

GIDGEE COAL LEGENDS
Gary Fogarty & Ray Essery, Johnny Greenwood.

Congratulations to winners and Finalists.
Thank you to all judges.

DUE TO COVID-19 DURING 2020/2021, WE HAD A LACK OF ENTRIES IN NEW TALENT AND GROUP/DUO SECTIONS SO DID NOT RUN THESE CATEGORIES THIS YEAR. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO NOMINATED.

INFO PLEASE PHONE 0427 731 088 OR EMAIL bl27406@bigpond.net.au

 


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The Australian Bush Balladeers Association Incorporated. ABN : 75798 969 415