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A.B.B.A. Update          Archives?  2006 Archive >>2004-2005 Archive
with Peter Coad (A.B.B.A. President)

► Check out EVENTS for a full listing of events around the country and also Tour Dates for where artists are performing.
► OCTOBER 2008 BULLETIN - Deadline  31st JULY - Ad rates?

Around The Traps...

Don't forget the the OCTOBER 2008 BULLETIN - Deadline  31st July- Ad rates?


A.B.B.A.— Shirley Thoms Bronze Bust fund Raiser—July Tamworth Hats Off weekend
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.Contact: Lorraine Pfitzner

HILLBILLY RD - NEW ALBUM FOR JOHN WILLIAMSON IN AUGUST!
"John Williamson will tell you he was brought up on grass, not on bitumen and it’s a perspective that’s always been evident in his lyrics. So when you get to a song like Flowers on the Concrete (from his new album Hillbilly Rd) it’s worth pausing to hear what he’s saying. Is this actually a positive song about living in the city?
“I do enjoy the city in small doses,” he admits and quotes a lyric from the song – “everything’s as handy as a roll of wire.” Whatever you want is five minutes away. But as much as he admires the young people ‘taking care of business for us all’, it’s a farm analogy that he returns to for the hustle and bustle of a busy city – ‘feeling like a sheep in a shearin’ yard.’
Because ultimately, John still hankers for the bush.
He’s been telling us for years about his hideaway in Springbrook and he’s trying to spend more and more time there now. It is this lifestyle that inspired the title track of Hillbilly Rd.
“Springbrook is going back to paradise,” he says. “The way of life I love is chopping wood, lighting the fire, discovering the bush, making things, building stone walls. Going back to being a kid again, going back to being a bush person again.”
After years of using the city as a convenient base from which to work, this is more the life he wants to live. “And when I spend enough time up there, then I look forward to going back to performing.”
He jokes about all the people in Springbrook being hillbillies and he doesn’t mind if you call him one now too. Just as he didn’t mind being called a Mallee Boy all those years ago. It’s typical of what he is about.
As is ‘Cydi.’ This song has been in John’s show for a few years now. Originally inspired by a letter he received describing a woman whose father had no sons and grew up to run the farm, he noticed a teenage girl up in Springbrook helping out her dad and his imagination did the rest.
“I’ve noticed you don’t have to be a bushie or a father to appreciate it. You only have to have a daughter. Father’s get teary no matter where I perform it.”
What’s also typical of John Williamson is that the album is an entertainment package, not just a sample of his songs. He doesn’t like to be pigeon-holed in one style, even though you’d be hard pressed to call ‘Hillbilly Rd’ anything but country.
“I could write an album of country ballads – but people wouldn’t listen to 12 of them; I could write 12 calypso songs and they wouldn’t listen to all of them either.”
So, he writes an album with variety, an ebb and flow of rhythms and rhymes and emotions.
And, yes, there are some ballads on the new album, romantic ones at that. Because, let’s face it, if you’re living in paradise - you want to share it with someone special.
Ray Farley - June 2008"
Album available in August. www.johnwilliamson.com.au


THE GIDGEE COAL BUSH BALLAD AWARDS 2008
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 http://www.joysmusicworld.com
ENTRY CLOSES 31st August 2008


ATTENTION WA BALLADEERS!
I’m writing to ask whether you might be able to help me locate a bush balladeer in Perth? Anglicare WA hold an annual Knit In on July the 9th, with over 400 knitting enthusiasts expected to attend, knitting squares, strips and much needed blankets for Anglicare WA’s Winter Appeal. These blankets are then distributed around the State to individuals and families in crisis though winter.During the Knit In we hope to be able to entertain the knitters with fantastic entertainment, and this year we would really like to feature a Bush Balladeer. I think our audience would absolutely love to hear from one of your members! I sincerely hope you, or one of your members might be able to help us out.I look forward to hearing from you.
Kind Regards,
Email: Lara Appelhans
Coordinator, Fundraising and Communications, ANGLICARE WA

The Slim Dusty Family …hit the Road on the REUNION Tour
The Slim Dusty Family, recently released their #1 charting ‘Reunion’ album to much public and media acclaim, and now the three generations are continuing a family tradition by hitting the road and heading out on tour.
It was announced that the first leg of the family tour will get underway on July 3rd. These concerts will not only be a first, but very likely the one and only opportunity for the country music fans to see all the various generations of the Slim Dusty family performing live together on stage.
Family matriarch and driving force behind the ‘Reunion’ project, Joy McKean confirmed this week that the line-up for the upcoming Reunion shows will include Slim and Joy’s son and daughter David and Anne Kirkpatrick, as well as their children Kate and James Arneman together with Hannah and Daniel Kirkpatrick. Joy is thrilled to also confirm that Slim’s long time record producer and tour Musical Director Rod Coe has managed to get Slim’s legendary Travelling Country Band (TCB) back together especially for this historic tour.
“We are very proud of the new album. Of course, we were all hopeful that Slim’s many fans would accept and embrace the new songs, but we were truly overwhelmed by the support shown to our family on the release of the album. We are so excited about the fans’ response and now all of us are just looking forward to getting out on the road to perform the Reunion album material live and singing quite a few of the old Slim Dusty classics as well,” said Anne Kirkpatrick.
The Slim Dusty Family are pleased to also announce the tour will be presented by the Country Music Channel. See tour dates
The Slim Dusty Family Tour now will also head to Victoria and Canberra !
Joy McKean has just announced that 4 new concerts dates will now officially go on sale today....and it's good news for the Southern Slim Dusty / SD Family fans..as the Tour will now head further south over the borders into Victoria and Canberra!

The exciting young bush balladeer and 2008 Golden Guitar winner Amos Morris... will be the special guest on all the Family concerts.
For further information: Tour Publicist Ronda Toner Ph: 02 9798 8824 Mob: 0408 704 345 rtoner@bigpond.net.au
or Leon Concannon (0404075545)or visit the websites: www.countrymusicchannel.com.au www.slimdusty.com.au l www.slimdustycentre.com.au


AUGUST ALBUM LAUNCH FOR JAY PODGER
Jay Podger's debut album "Feelin' Like Winter" was produced at Owen Blundells studio in Tumut, and it features 16 tracks 8 of which are Jay's originals with the title track entitled "Feeling like Winter". Jay wrote the song at the age of 18 when he was out on the family property near the Snowy River in the middle of Autum when the frost were starting to arrive and the afternoons had like a certain smell in the air like you Knew winter wasn't far away.
Jay's other songs are great traditional sounds which range from ballads,country rock to a old rock n roll number "Green Door".
"Our Wedding Day" was a track that Jay wrote for a commercial ("Mainly to see if I could write a song that would attract people to that special day").Jay had sung this song already at a few weddings, one wedding being Peter Simpson & Dianne Lindsay's.
Jay likes the music of the old Australian pioneers and has included two songs of Tex Mortons, one being a comedy style called Peg-Leg Jack & a Yodelling number Called I'll Be Hanged (If There Gonna Hang Me) which have that distinctive sound of the guitar playing.
Jay's debut album will be released on Saturday 16th of August at the Cooma Ex-servemens Club at 7pm and Sunday the 17th of August at the Cathcart War Memorial Hall at 2pm. $15 adult $5 child $35 a family.Artists include: Owen & Ian Blundell, Peter Pratt, Megan Carswell, Dianne Lindsay, and Peter Simpson and Lindsay Connelly,Darrel Ingram(Drums) and Brendon Podger(Sound Technician).
If you would like more information about Jay's cd Launch you can contact him on : Ph 0264522731 or E-mail jaypodger@bigpond.com
Jay will also be touring with Dianne Lindsay throughout the Southern NSW so check out the tourdates


NT COUNTRY SONGWRITING AWARDS AND COUNTRY SONGWRITING COMPETITION KATHERINE NT.2008 WINNERS marked in red:
BUSH BALLAD
Our Women Pioneers - Ray Rose
One Of Kidmans Men- Buddy Thomson
Born And Bred In The Nt- Ben Jacobs / Shaza Leigh
Banjo And Henry - Peter Coad
Woman On The Land - Graham Rodger
CONTEMPORARY
Wild Flowers -Clelia Adams
Thank God- Jay Collie / Tim Dutton / Jasper Sommerville-Collie
Free To Be Me - Michelle Little / Patricia Cruzado
Dreamland - Danny Hooper
Long Gone - Rodney Auld / Jay Collie /Jasper Sommerville-Collie
COMEDY/NOVELTY
The Boobs Song - Rita Schneider / Kath Fleming
Postman Kangaroo - Nathan Charlton
We're Real Aussies - Craig Stewart
Down On The Farm - Rita Schneider
There's A Hole In The Mozzie Net - Graham Rodger / Deidre Wilmington
NT COUNTRY SONGWRITING COMPETITION TOP FIVE FINALISTS:
PROFESSIONAL SECTION (Unreleased Material)
Temporary Loan - Lola Brinton
Million Miles - Leah Briggs
Manabadgerie Run - Graham Rodger/ Mark Kleinschmidt
I've Done It - Brent Lillie
Manarichie Rails - Johnny Kaye / Tom Mcivor.
AMATEUR SECTION
Katherine Through The Ages - Lindy Lou
Box Of Kisses - Lauren Brede
Island River - Mary Flynn
Coming Home - Edward Everingham
Rip It Up - Christie Lamb
LYRICS ONLY SECTION
The Old Brindle Bull - Lindy Lou
The Pride Of The Stockman - Alec Raymer
How Two Boys Lived Their Dream - Merv Webster
Strum - Manfred Vijars
The Fire At Granite Creek - Lindy Lou / Zac Finden

Song of the year wild" WILD FLOWERS" Clelia Adams.
Congratulations to all Winners and Finalists.


SHORTY RANGER MEMORIAL BRONZE BUST — KEMPSEY SUCCESS
Country music fans attended two memorable concerts held at the Kempsey Macleay RSL Club on Saturday 26th April. Some of Australia’s top country music artists gave their time to raise funds for the Shorty Ranger Memorial Bronze Bust Appeal. They included Peter Coad, Big Mal Coad, the Coad Sisters, Anita Ree, Keith Jamieson “The Guitar Pickin’ Chicken” Alisha Smith, local band Cedar Creek, Bob Easter, Bernie Parsons, Glenice Hollis, Daryl Turnbull, the Young Balladeers, (Nathan Charlton, Matt Manning, Dan Manning and Amos Morris.) Compere for the concerts was Lyn Manning.
The event raised $11,500. Funds raised at Tamworth in January, and from other sources, along with the Kempsey contribution see the bronze Bust manufacture underway. Thankyou to all who attended, especially those who travelled long distances to support this event and other projects/events re this fundraiser.
 

NEW ALBUM FOR MERV WEBSTER
Bush Ballad writer and bush poet, Merv Webster, released his new CD, "The Storyteller" at Boondooma's Balladeer Muster in April. Merv has taken nine out of the seveteen nominations in the Lyrics Only section of the T.S.A. National Songwriting Wards on 2006/7/8 and won it back to back in 2006/7. He has also picked up nominations in the Lyrics Only section of the Katherine's Northern Territory song Writing Awards in 2005/6/8 and won it back to back in 2005/6. There are nine original bush ballad tracks and six original poems. Mer'vs daughter Meagan sings "Flowers on a Friday" and "The Lady in the Locket." Other ballad tracks include Boondooma's Balladeer, So Many Roadside Epitaphs, The Ballad of Faylene Anderson, Bluey's Reflections, Keeping the Culture, That Motel Whiskey Dream, Where's the Water Gone? Poems include The Oriental Cure, The Wallet, Old Jacko in the City, Something For Our Stevie, Caravanning Mayhem and The Payday Dilemma. Contact Merv thegrey@tpg.com.au or go to web site www.users.tpg.com.au/thegrey

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.

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
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


BARHAM BUSH BASH
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
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

APRIL


THE MOST PRESTIGIOUS AWARD OF ALL
According to Dianne Lindsay and Peter Simpson, it was the privilege of being able to perform to the NSW Branch of the Rats Of Tobruk Association.
Recently Dianne and Peter wrote and recorded a song titled ‘Three Gum Leaves In Tobruk’. The song is a true account of a young soldier in Tobruk who received a letter from his father containing three gum leaves to remind him of his beloved homeland.
‘Even though their numbers are now few, we could immediately sense the wonderful strength of character and pride these men possess and as you can imagine, it was a very emotional though rewarding experience. These men are genuine Australian heroes and we should never forget the contribution of our servicemen and women to this country.’
Three Gum Leaves was released on Balladeers Volume No 9 and LBS Country Collection No 12 and has had a wonderful response including two finalist placings in the Tamworth TSA Awards as well as achieving ‘Songwriter of the Year’ in the NSW Gold Medallion Awards. The Australian War Memorial in Canberra has recognized the song as a worthy inclusion as part of their military history records.
Dianne and Peter hope to perform to each of the state branches of the Rats of Tobruk Association where they will individually meet each member and present them with a copy of the recording.
Pic: Centre (in white) Dianne Lindsay & Peter Simpson and the Rats Of Tobruk,


*** Jeff Brown Unable To Continue His Current Tour ***
Due to illness in the family, Jeff Brown is unable to fulfill his current tour schedule. Jeff wishes me to convey his apologies that this has happened but he has no alternative.
Would all the Presenters / DJs please let their listeners know to save them arriving for the shows. The list of the cancelled shows follows.
February
28 Central Wendouree Bowling Club – Balarat 7.30pm
29 City Bowls Club Colac 7.30pm

March

SMOKY DAWSON PASSES AWAY AGED 94
February 14, 2008
Country Music Capital Bids Farewell
Tamworth (NSW) is today in mourning with the news that one of Australia’s most prolific and influential country music pioneers has passed away. Smoky Dawson, a country music icon died late yesterday in Sydney aged ninety four. He is survived by his wife Dot.
Born in 1914 in the Victoria town of Warrnambool, Smoky Dawson was Australia's first cowboy. Together, he and his horse Flash were legendary. An entire generation of young Australians grew up listening to his radio show and abiding by his "code of the west". At its peak, the show was broadcast nationally on 69 stations
Smoky Dawson rose to prominence after WWII with his radio show The Adventures of Smoky Dawson, which was broadcast around Australia from 1952 until the early 1960s. He was awarded an MBE in 1978, was admitted to the Australian Record Industry Association Hall of Fame, was elected to Australia's Country Music Roll of Renown, and also received the Honour Award of the Grand Ole Opry and the American Country Music Association in Nashville, Tennessee.
The Mayor of Tamworth, Councilor James Treloar spoke from the Country Music Capital, “the loss of Smoky Dawson is a sad day for Tamworth, the Country Music Industry and Australia. Smoky was a treasured icon and legend who brought so much joy to so many, his memory and recordings will live on within country music”.
During the 2007 Tamworth Country Music Festival, Smoky Dawson made his last trip to Tamworth to be inducted into the prestigious “Galaxy of Stars” monument. During his visit he was celebrated at a small lunch and was in high spirits.
(SUPPLIED BY TOURISM TAMWORTH)

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)

STAN COSTER MEMORIAL BUSH BALLAD AWARDS WINNERS 2008!
Marked with **
NEW TALENT
** GREG BAIN - Can I Sing Trumby
DENISE BROOKS - A Scene From Long Ago
LEIGH MONEGHETTI - The Shakedown On The Floor

MALE VOCAL
BRIAN LETTON - Driving Through A Postcard
AMOS MORRIS - Follow The Footsteps
**GRAHAM RODGER - Woman On the land

FEMALE VOCAL
** LYNETTE GUEST - Murray River Blues
SHAZA LEIGH - You Can't wrap Your Arms Around A Memory
DIANNE LINDSAY - Local Mary Magdalene

GROUP OR DUO
LINDSAY BUTLER - Ramblin' Guitar
** TOM MAXWELL/LYNETTE GUEST - A Bushman Can't Survive
DEAN PERRETT AND PETER PRATT - Riding Down The Valley

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
** JEFF BROWN - Harvest Time Again
DEAN PERRETT - Return Of The Stockman
GRAHAM RODGER - Thunderbolt

SONGWRITER
** TREVOR DAY - An Empty Plate
LEX KUNST - Lakes Creek Judas Bullocks
GRAHAM RODGER - Woman On the Land

COMEDY
** TREVOR DAY - The Homemade Chair
KEITH JAMIESON - Old Pete's Yellowbelly
PETER PRATT - Mary Kathleen

Barry Thornton Encouragement Award: Lana Ross

RACHEL RICHARDS - BUSH BALLADEER STAR QUEST WINNER 2008!!

The 2008 Bush Balladeer Star Quest saw the field narrowed to just four finalists. All genuine balladeers, this Star Quest was one of the most competitive held so far, and intense competition.
The Quest saw top performances from EVAN PLATSCHINDA, SHARON SMITH and DEAN RICHARDSON, but it was RACHEL RICHARDS who took out the honours.

Guest appearances on the show: 2007 Star Quest winner Greg Bain, and Daly Stephenson Comperes: LYNN MANNING & ANITA REE. Backing band: The Charley Boyter Band.

RACHEL RICHARDS (WINNER)
Born 1974 in Mount Gambier SA. Rachel was introduced to Bush Ballads by good friend Bazza Salkeld and for the last 6 years has called Brisbane her home.
Rachel loves to write and perform Australian Bush Ballads. In 2007 Rachel was a Grand Finalist in Star Quest.
This year she returns with newly acquired skills in Bush Ballad Pick-Strum guitar.
Rachel has just released her debut album.
Rachel will be appearing at various festivals and concerts around the country, so keep an ear out for her. To keep up with her news and tour dates go to www.bushballadeers.com.au/richards.htm
CONGRATULATIONS - RACHEL!!

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


Fundraising begins to honour country pioneer Shirley Thoms
Fundraising has begun to erect the bust of the fifth Australian country music pioneer, Shirley Thoms, to be placed in Tamworth’s Bicentennial Park.
During the 2008 Tamworth Country Music Festival, the bust of Barry Thornton will be unveiled to the public, and officially handed over to the Tamworth Regional Council by the Country Capital Bronze Bust committee, chaired by Lorraine Pfitzner.
“With the completion of Barry’s bronze bust, fundraising has started in earnest for Shirley’s,” Lorraine said.
“This will be quite a significant bust, as it is our first female pioneer to be honoured in this way. Shirley Thoms was known and loved by many as Australia’s yodelling sweetheart.”
Shirley Thoms held the distinctions of being the first female solo act to record country music in Australia, she was the first Queenslander to be featured on disc and was the first female to be elevated to the Australasian Country Music Roll of Renown.
In 1941, at age 16, Shirley went to Sydney and recorded for the now famous red and green label, Regal Zonophone. One of her most famous songs, Faithful Old Dog, emerged from this first batch of recordings.
She toured with George Sorlie’s variety shows and, during the war, entertained armed forces throughout Australia and New Zealand. During this period, she kept on writing songs and recording and later toured with Sole Bros Circus where she met her first husband John Sole.
After recording several “sides” for the Rodeo label, Shirley gave up show business for home and family, but tragedy struck with the premature death of her husband John. The couple had only one child, a son, Peter.
In 1970, Shirley was encouraged by Tamworth radio station 2TM to come out of retirement and appear on the Captain Cook Bicentenary Show in the historic Tamworth Town Hall. This was to spur a brief re-emergence of Shirley’s career as Eric Scott of Hadley Records signed her to a recording contract. She recorded two albums with Hadley, the first released in 1970, the second in 1972.
Some of the most memorable songs Shirley is remembered for include Where The Golden Wattle Blooms and Yodelling In The Moonlight.
“With the great support this committee receives from the Australian country music public, January is the ideal time to launch Shirley’s fundraising drive,” Lorraine said.
“It is only through donations by individuals and organisations that we are able to honour our pioneers in this special way. The bronze busts are now a major tourist attraction in Tamworth.”
The first fundraising event for the Shirley Thoms bronze bust will be a concert at Tamworth’s Salvation Army Hall, known during the Festival as The Balladeers’ Homestead, at 1pm on Wednesday, January 23, 2008. Entry is by donation of $12.
Artists donating their time and talents to the cause include Amos Morris, Hank Sasaki, Jeff Brown, Dianne Lindsay, Lynette Guest and more.
Anyone wishing to donate at other times during the year can send a cheque made out to CCBB (Country Capital Bronze Busts), to PO Box 1207, Tamworth 2340.

 

SHORTY RANGER TRIBUTE TAMWORTH FUNDRAISER CONCERT

As part of the A.B.B.A week of entertainment at the Balladeers Homestead during the 2008 Tamworth Festival, a special Shorty Ranger Tribute Fundraiser is being incorporated with all Funds raised to aid the Kempsey Shorty Ranger Bronze Bust Committee, re funds toward a Shorty Ranger Bronze Bust in Kempsey.

The A.B.B.A. are staging the event on Sunday 20th Jan 7.30pm at the Balladeers Homestead (Salvation Army Hall) Sydney Road Tamworth:Artists appearing: Reg Poole, Peter Coad & The Coad Sisters, Greg Bain, Lorraine Pfitzner, The Young Balladeers (Matt Manning, Nathan Charlton, Amos Morris and Dan Manning) Charley Boyter, Lindsay Butler, Julie Perandes, The Durdins, Warren Mahoney, Bluey Francis and the backing band will be the Charley Boyter Band. Compere: Paul Rowe. Plus Guest Speakers.

Entry: $20 donation.

All artists will be performing Shorty Ranger material.  Songs from Shorty's vast reportoire of over 1,000 compositions, many of which have been recorded by mainstream artists such as Slim Dusty, Buddy Williams, Reg Lindsay, Reg Poole, Lee Kernaghan, John Vaughan, and many more.

Shorty's famous 'Winter Winds' which has been recorded by artists overseas, guaranteed to be performed on the day. Shorty Ranger- The Singing Wanderer - OAM has been a major contributor to the ongoing success of Australian and Bush Ballad Music for the last 60 years.

This Tamworth 2008 Fundraiser Concert will enable artists and bush ballad supporters the opportunity to make a lasting contribution to Shorty Ranger's memory in thanks for all the great songs he wrote and his lifetime dedication to Australian Country music.  - A.B.B.A.
For more A.B.B.A. Events go to www.bushballadeers.com.au/festival.htm


2008 TSA SONGWRITERS’ SALUTE AWARDS OF AUSTRALIA FINALISTS
The 2008 TSA Awards will be staged on Wednesday 23 January 2008, commencing at 7.00pm, West Tamworth League Club auditorium (Blazes).

CONTEMPORARY COUNTRY SONG OF THE YEAR
Luckiest Girl Alive – DONNA BOYD & DAVID CARTER
Picture On The Mantle – REG MEFFERT, CRAIG & ROSALYNNE GILES
Things That Bring Me Down – AMBER LAWRENCE
The Best Things In Life Are Free – DAVID & MERELYN CARTER
Strong Enough – ALLAN CASWELL & AL CRAIG

BUSH BALLAD OF THE YEAR
Driving Through A Postcard – GEOFF SIDEBOTTOM & SHAZA LEIGH
Thunderbolt – GRAHAM RODGER
Follow In The Footsteps – KEITH JAMIESON
An Empty Plate – TREVOR DAY
The Old Saddle – PETER & VIRGINIA COAD

COUNTRY BALLAD OF THE YEAR
The Tree That Died Of Shame – TOM McIVOR
Woman On The Land – GRAHAM RODGER
Three Gum Leaves In Tobruk – DIANNE LINDSAY & PETER SIMPSON
Old Brown Guitar Case – DIANNE LINDSAY
A Bell Is Ringing Out In Beaconsfield – WENDY WOOD

GOSPEL SONG OF THE YEAR
Strong & Gentle Love – ALLAN CASWELL & AL CRAIG
Let Jesus Travel With You – JAMES WESTWOOD
God Is Watching Over Me – COL MILLINGTON
A Guiding Light – PETER SIMPSON
When God Takes A Photograph – BRENDON WALMSLEY, MERELYN & DAVID CARTER

CHILDREN’S SONG OF THE YEAR
Go Goanna Go – TOM CURTAIN & GARTH PORTER
Why Does A Cow Go Moo – RITA SCHNEIDER
Dear Santa – JOHN NORMAN & GLENN JONES
Desert Groove – JULIE McALLAN
The Hemidemisemiquaver Song – JOHN HOWIE

COMEDY/NOVELTY SONG OF THE YEAR
The Home Made Chair – TREVOR DAY
I Just Wanna Lose Me Fat Belly – RITA SCHNEIDER
There’s A Hole In The Mozzie Net – GRAHAM RODGER & DEIRDRE WILLMINGTON
Old Pete’s Yellowbelly – KEITH JAMIESON
The Boobs Song – RITA SCHNEIDER & KATH FLEMING

COUNTRY SONG OF THE YEAR

Winner selected from winners of above sections.

TSA SONGMAKER AWARD
GRAHAM RODGER
WAVE JACKSON
GREG CHAMPION
GEORGE DASEY
TOM OLIVER

TSA/CAPITAL NEWS NEW SONGWRITER AWARD
It’s Just Turned Drinking Time – DAVID DELLE-VERGIN & NATHAN WARRICK
Three Gum Leaves In Tobruk – DIANNE LINDSAY & PETER SIMPSON
The Legacy – DANNY HOOPER
Old Brown Guitar Case – DIANNE LINDSAY
Streets And Headstones – CRAIG STEWART

36th CMAA COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS OF AUSTRALIA FINALISTS
BUSH BALLAD OF THE YEAR
Brian Letton - Driving Through A Postcard
Written by Geoff Sidebottom & Shaza Leigh
LBS Music
Jeff Brown - In The Wings Of The Yard
Written by Kelly Dixon, Marion Dixon & Jeff Brown
Independent
Amos Morris - Sign Of The Times
Written by Ian Quinn
Nulla Records
Peter Pratt - Sons Of The Snowy
Written by Peter Pratt
Independent
Graham Rodger - Thunderbolt
Written by Graham Rodger
Independent

INSTRUMENTAL OF THE YEAR
Ruckus - Black ‘n’ White
Independent
Michael Fix - Hobbity Hoi
Independent
Steve Passfield - Stump Jumpin’
Independent
Alisha Smith & Charley Boyter - Tanami Track
Kross Cut Records
Crakajak - The Lunger
Independent
For a full listing of finalists go to http://www.country.com.au/index.cfm

CONGRATULATIONS, ASHLEY COOK !
Ashley Cook has been voted BY THE PEOPLE as a FINALIST for BEST BUSH BALLAD for A BUSHMAN’S LIFE in the 2008 AUSTRALIAN COUNTRY MUSIC PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS
Awards will be announced and presented from 2 PM THURSDAY, JANUARY 24 at the REGENT THEATRE in TAMWORTH

THE 2007 GIDGEE COAL BUSH BALLAD AWARD WINNERS!
MARKED WITH *► Trophies made by John Staunton
MALE VOCAL
Peter Coad - Banjo And Henry
Jeff Brown - Old Ringer Sam*
Reg Poole - A Tribute To Slim
FEMALE VOCAL
Jenny Bennetts - Cold Wind
Dianne Lindsay - The Local Mary Magdalene*
Denise Brooks - The Vanishing Breed
SONGWRITER/S
Jeff Brown/Glenn Perrett - Beneath The Green And Gold
Peter Coad - I Heard A Hillbilly Song*
Wave Jackson - The Augathella Fella
ALBUM
Peter Coad - Outback Chapters
Jeff Brown - Harvest Time Again*
Dean Perrett - Return Of The Stockman
GROUP/DUO
Dean Perrett/Peter Pratt - Riding Down The Valley
Barry K & Lin Chandler - We're From This Land
Terry & Jenny Bennetts - I Miss The Good Old Days*
INSTRUMENTAL
Lindsay Waddington - By A Fire Of Gidgee Coal*
Peter Simpson - The Man From Snowy River
COMEDY/NOVELTY
Graham Rodger - There's A Hole In The Mossie Net
Neil Buttsworth - Couldya, Would Ya, Do Ya Wanna
Reg Poole - Ode To A Bull*
NEW TALENT
Leigh Moneghetti - Dusty Guitar
Denise Brooks - A Scene From Long Ago*
Evan Platschinda - Travelling Australia

ENCOURAGEMENT AWARD
Leigh Moneghetti - Dusty Guitar*

Featuring a wide array of bush ballad artists, the awards were staged at the Pittsworth (near Toowoomba) Town Hall on Sat 17th & Sun 19th NOVEMBER.  For Information on Awards Ph 0427731088 or 0749340950.

Akubras Hurled High in the Air to Celebrate the Announcement of Six Million Dollars to Slim Dusty Centre!
The Slim Dusty Centre has taken a giant step forward with the announcement in Kempsey on Saturday night (3rd Nov.) by Deputy Prime Minister, Leader of the Nationals and Member for Lyne, Mark Vaile that a Federal Government grant of Six Million Dollars would be made to the project under a re-elected coalition. He was accompanied by local MP for Cowper, Luke Hartsuyker.
Concept, planning and architectural designs for the Centre on the 35 acre site on the southern outskirts of Slim's home town, Kempsey NSW, are already well advanced.
The funding will be made available through an extension of the Northern Rivers and North Coast Sustainable Regions programme. The Sustainable Regions advisory committee recently wrote to Mr Vaile seeking an extension of funds to accommodate this commitment.
Chair of the Slim Dusty Foundation, Joy McKean hailed the grant saying it would enable the project to get underway in the near future and she paid tribute to those who had worked so hard to make Slim's vision a reality.
Joy said the Foundation wanted to thank the Prime Minister John Howard and Deputy PM Mark Vaile for their strong, on going support of the Slim Dusty Centre project and she also singled out the Minister for Defence, Dr Brendan Nelson for his unwavering commitment over many years.
"There are so many people to thank for their part in bringing the project to this point", said Joy. "In the fore front are the vast number of fans of Slim Dusty, who have contributed so much enthusiasm and support for so long".
"The people and Council of Kempsey, have played a huge role, and the release of Crown Land under lease from the NSW State Government, has also been very important in moving the project forward."
Finally said Joy, "The Slim Dusty Foundation's CEO Kathryn Yarnold deserves a special accolade for the dogged determination, unflagging energy, boundless optimism and vast skill she has shown in steering the project development through such a complicated maze over the past few years. Kathryn and her dedicated staff have earned our heartfelt appreciation".
"There is still so much to be done, said Joy, but with this grant we now have the means to make the Centre a fitting and outstanding memorial to Slim Dusty and his music."
Kathryn Yarnold, echoed the work that lay ahead. "The fundraising does not stop here. We still await a final decision from the State Government for our application for $1.5 million in funding, and continue to progress by moving into the Construction Certificate phase. We are undertaking ongoing involvement with potential exclusive sponsors of some of our exciting and innovative internal displays.”
Speaking from Kempsey after the announcement, Kathryn paid tribute to the team and the incredible positive effect being felt by everyone involved. “This funding announcement will certainly pump new life into a dedicated team, and a little closer to home, we could never have reached this stage without the dedication and hard work of the Slim Dusty Foundation Board and Patrons, and the inspiration and commitment of members of Slim’s own family. Equally important are our Foundation Donors, who have generously donated funds and services from the crucial initial stages.
The Grant was announced at the Slim Dusty Country Music Memories Show, organised by the Rotary Club of Kempsey West, and held in Kempsey on Saturday 3rd November. In excess of 600 people attended and the concert raised over $14,000 for the Slim Dusty Centre appeal.
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
Photos courtesy of Laurie Bullock, The Macleay Argus, Kempsey

>>Pic 1: Joy McKean with Luke Hartsuyker, Anne Kirkpatrick, Mark Vaile, and Dr David Kirkpatrick.

<< Pic 2: The Slim Dusty Foundation Team:Sonia Fingleton, Kathryn Yarnold, Bruce Woods (Events Co-ordinator, Rotary Club of Kempsey West) and Melissa Killmore.
 

2007 New South Wales Gold Medallion Awards For Country Music FINALISTS!!!!
For the third year running the NSW Gold Medallion Awards for country music will be presented in Hexham as part of a gala concert at the:Hexham Bowling Club, Saturday 24th November - 7.30pm
The concert will feature Golden Guitar winners Slim Newton and Lindsay Butler as well as Tom Maxwell, Karen Lynne, Sharnee Fenwick, Dianne Lindsay, Shaza Leigh, Lindsay Waddington, Ian Betteridge, Peter Simpson & The Sideys with Compere Mike Kennedy.
Awards finalists are also invited to appear during the awards presentation.
Several radio presenters from local radio stations will generously assist in presenting the awards in the following categories.
Male Vocalist of the Year
Neil Buttsworth, Steve Ford, Brian Letton, Drew McAlister, Peter Pratt
Female Vocalist of the Year
Kirsty Lee Akers, Felicity, Nikki Gillis, Lynette Guest, Dianne Lindsay
New Talent of the Year
Greg Bain, Lou Bradley, Dean Johnson, Amber Lawrence, Mistin
Musician of the Year
Charley Boyter, Lindsay Butler, Peter Horan, Bob Howe, Nev Malloy
Bush Balladeer of the Year
Peter Coad, Tom Maxwell, Amos Morris, Slim Newton, Charmaine Pout
Touring Artist of the Year
Lindsay Butler, Peter Coad & The Coad Sisters, Brian Letton, Tom Maxwell, The Sidey's.
Songwriter of the Year
Peter Coad, Dianne Lindsay/ Peter Simpson, Drew McAlister/ Alan Caswell, John Seers, Geoff Sidebottom/ (Shaza Leigh), Wendy Wood

Bookings at the Hexham Bowling Club phone: 02-49648079. For Media information contact Kay on (07) 5562 1292

New bust of legendary Australian guitarist to be unveiled in January
The fifth bronze bust of an Australian country music pioneer, Barry Thornton, will be unveiled in Tamworth’s Bicentennial Park on Monday, January 21, 2008 at 11am.
Barry is widely regarded as the creator of the bush ballad style of guitar picking, a unique sound he conceived while touring Australia’s highways and byways with Slim Dusty. Who could forget that famous riff in Slim’s recording of the Shorty Ranger tune, Winter Winds?
This is the fourth bust in the park sculpted by Canberra artist Peter Latona, whose amazingly realistic images of pioneers Tex Morton, Stan Coster and Gordon Parsons stop many a tourist in their tracks while wandering through Tamworth’s leafy heart.
The first bust to be erected in Bicentennial Park was that of Buddy Williams, and is the only bust in the park not created by Peter.
The unveiling ceremony is set to be a major event of the 2008 Tamworth Country Music Festival, which the public is more than welcome to witness.
There will be speeches and formalities prior to the unveiling, as the Country Capital Bronze Bust Committee, chaired by tireless country music supporter Lorraine Pfitzner, officially hands over the bust to Tamworth Regional Council for safekeeping – and for posterity.
“To install a bust of this quality, which is so life-like, takes a lot of hard work and skill by the sculptor, but it also takes a lot of giving by the country music fraternity of Australia, who willingly donate to the cause,” Lorraine said.
“For the past four years we have been fundraising for this event. A number of individuals have donated sizeable amounts, while other money has come in via competitions and concerts.”
Lorraine said how vital it was for the country music fans who come to this city to become familiar with the faces and stories of our pioneers.
“It was these hard-working entertainers who forged ahead and paved the way for the country music industry of today, so they should always be honoured. In that way, their memory lives on forever,” she said.
For further information, please contact Lorraine Pfitzner email: lorijoy@tpg.com.au

STAN COSTER MEMORIAL BUSH BALLAD AWARDS FINALISTS 2008!
NEW TALENT
GREG BAIN - Can I Sing Trumby
DENISE BROOKS - A Scene From Long Ago
LEIGH MONEGHETTI - The Shakedown On The Floor
MALE VOCAL
BRIAN LETTON - Driving Through A Postcard
AMOS MORRIS - Follow The Footsteps
GRAHAM RODGER - Woman On the land
FEMALE VOCAL
LYNETTE GUEST - Murray River Blues
SHAZA LEIGH - You Can't wrap Your Arms Around A Memory