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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