Country Music in Australia

Tips for the Tamworth Country Music Festival 2009

Plan now to attend for the whole festival. The best country music festival in the world. For your friends who say they don't like country music, tell 'em about the huge variety of quality live music.

Make your accommodation reservations for 2009 now!

Buy the Official Guide as soon as you arrive (or get them to mail it to you). It is put out by Country Music Capital News and Rural Press. This guide is a must! Only about $6.

Get a Wests Festival Membership Card - Make your second stop at Wests to get your festival membership card. Phone 02 6765 7588

Buy independent artist's albums - If you really like an artist, buy their album. Yes, you may get a lemon or two, but when you see a five or six piece band in a free show, the leader is making little if anything after paying the band. Buying an album is the effective way to show your appreciation and really helps the struggling unsigned artists.

Tamworth Buses - The biggest disappointment of the whole festival. The buses last year were not air conditioned and the windows can't be opened (what genius thought up that idea) making a daytime ride of more than 5 minutes a sweatfest. In the daytime, to go between town and the farther out places like Wests and The Pub, cough up the money and take an air conditioned cab. At $4 per person to travel even 500 metres in the bus, cabs are often cheaper!

Tamworth Taxis - The Tamworth cabs are wonderful the first few days and impossible to get the last few days. Their dispatchers are total jerks about not giving you an idea of how long the wait will be; so later in the festival, they'll gladly book a taxi for you, when they know the wait will be an hour. When you get fed up with the cabs - Travel Bug 0401 946 041.

Ken Date's 2008 Tamworth report. Watch the slide show and then click the "Tamworth" tab.

Brad

Tips for the Blue Water Port Stephens Country Music Festival 2008

17 April update: The lineup keeps getting better and better! So many great acts we worked up a dream schedule below.

Accommodation: Unlike other festivals, accommodation for the three nights of the Blue Water Port Stephens Country Music Festival is very inexpensive if you are willing to stay a few minutes outside the Nelson Bay area or in holiday accommodation.

The artists we like are Beccy Cole, Kerry Kennedy, Travis Collins, Rob Luckey, Amber Lawrence (Big Bush Brekky and Chic Frontier), Rob Wilson, Dave Proust (bush poet), Kirsty Lee Akers (Chic Frontier and Beccy Cole show), Kaylah Anne, Dianna Corcoran (Chic Frontier), and Victoria McGee. Be sure to get over to Kerry Kennedy's gig. We don't see him a lot in NSW but in a small room he's one of the best shows around! We aren't much on bush poetry but Dave Proust is world class! See him if you can. Also consider the "Working Class Country" Concert with Paul Costa, Travis Sinclair, Melanie Dyer, and Jim Haynes. The promoters have finally got the tentative full programme here. The paid shows are here.

We loved the double decker bus with onboard entertainment at The Entrance Festival. Check the artist schedule when it is published for an artist you like and get your tickets early. Best $6 you'll spend.

Dream schedule:
Friday: noon Kayah Anne, Ride the toboggan all afternoon, 7 Handpicked, 8:30 Kate Ballantyne, 10 The Pigs.
Saturday: White Pointer fishing at Stockton Beach until 1PM, 1 Amber Lawrence, 2 Working Class Country Concert or Kel Anne Brandt, 5 Lisa White, 8pm this is difficult...a bit of a drive to Rob Luckey or it must be Kerry Kennedy. Double Decker Bus 2 or 3:30.
Sunday: 9 AM Dave Proust for sure!, 4 Chic Frontier, 7 Rob Wilson, 8 Beccy Cole of course but many of you have seen her touring the region lately, if so then 8 Rukus or Rob Wilson who started at 7. Double Decker Bus 1.30pm, 3.00pm or 4.30pm

 

Tips for the Cessnock Country Music Festival 2008

This is a pretty small festival but what better excuse to visit the wine country. Our tips are:
Friday: Carter and Carter with Donna Boyd $15 (both acts are favourites of ours)
Saturday: Lisa White, Rob Wilson, and Amber Lawrence, 10.30am to 5.00pm, all free. Then Saturday night The Feral Swing Katz $20 (Stuie French and Camille TeNahu). We saw Stuie and Camille at The Entrance Festival where they were the best act of the entire weekend but haven't seen them billed as Feral Swing Katz lately.
Sunday: All shows on Sunday are free. During the day 10.30am to 5.00pm are Alby Pool, Melody Pool, Kellie Cain, Victoria McGee, and Sharnee Fenwick at East Cessnock Bowling Club while at the Cessnock City Bowling Club are The Balladeers. Sunday night at the Cessnock Ex-Services Club at 6:30pm it's contemporary country (with a bit of bluegrass thrown in) with Lachie Davidson of the Davidson Brothers Band, Kristy Cox, and Rob Wilson.
Let's hope in at least the paid shows the musos are able to do enough practice that they don't have to resort to music stands.
Check here for as much of the schedule as we can find.

Tips for the Central Coast Country Music Festival 2008

See the program here for all the gigs at the Central Coast Country Music Festival.

FRIDAY

My pick for Friday night will have to be dinner and the Chicken Train Skifflers at the Lakes Hotel. I recall they were pretty entertaining last year. The colourful local clientele at the Lakes always make the night very interesting.

SATURDAY

Are you skeptical about going to see the old favoruites from the early Rock and Roll days? Well don't worry about Lucky Star, He still has IT; 10AM Sails Stage.

Angela Hayden at 11 AM is a good singer, a spectacular yodeler and very entertaining. Her version of the the 1934 Tex Owens song "Cattle Call" is the best

The cattle are prowlin',
The coyotes are howlin',
Way out where the doggies bawl.
Where spurs are a jinglin',
And the cowboy is singing,
His lonesome cattle call.

1:40 - 2:30 Memorial Park Stage - Camille TeNahu & Stuie French - Don't miss

4:30 - 5:45 Melinda Schneider!!

If you haven't seen The Pigs, and you have a good sense of humour, you must be at the Budgewoi Soccer Club at 7:30.

SUNDAY

All worth seeing on the sails stage at various times: Daniel Thompson, Matt Frost, Grant Richardson, Jessica Belle.

Well worth seeing on the Memorial Park Stage: Amber Lawrence.

The Wolverines Free on the Memorial Park Stage. 3 - 5 PM - Don't miss..

Late night transportation: Nothing! Have a designated driver or you are out of luck. We believe the last bus service leaving The Entrance is at 10PM. Taxi's are pretty much not available (they seem surprised that there is an event on). Also, even though the Wyong shire web site proudly announces the night owl bus service, the night owl fares, and the bus schedule...it doesn't run! Good luck!

Saturday 8 March update:
10 out of 10: Stuie and Camille, Lucky Starr, Angela Hayden.
Very entertaining: Chicken Train Skifflers Hillbilly Band.
Scott Dann and Wayne Nuku...not sure what that was about.
Melinda Schneider - Great singing, but most or all the band had music stands...Why would the band (some top players) for the headline act need music stands? Not paid enough to practice? Somebody didn't send out a set list in time? It's a free show, so who cares?

Other country music news:

The Honky Tonk Swing Band has a gig every Thursday night with lots of dancing. Everglades Country Club, Woy Woy, NSW. Honky Tonk Swing Band: Brad Rose, Rod Coe (Slim Dusty Band), Peter Figures (Horseshoe Bend Roundup, Travis List Band), Chad Plane (Horseshoe Bend Roundup).

Tips for the Tamworth Country Music Festival 2008

24 Jan 2008 Festival update
Artists:

Rob Luckey and the Lucky Bastards - 10/10
Travis List - 10/10
Ray Hoff - Great to have his wonderful music back. Most gigs in big venues where his impact is lessened, but see him anyway. Boogie Woogie.
Lonesome Train - RnR 10/10
Sarah Carroll with Pirates of Beer - What a fantastic surprise seeing her for the first time. Thanks for the tip Smithy. Sarah was teamed up with Pirates of Beer just for this festival. Hopefully we'll find Sarah at some other gig.
John Stone - Sort of Hard Rock meets Hillbilly Tunes but what a great show!
Busses - Still unairconditioned and windows that won't open.
Cabs - Moving from venue to venue? Ask for a "callback" and stay in the venue until your mobile rings. Brilliant!

Don't make the same mistake I made and judge a band by the poor sound system/operator at theses stages: Fitzroy Tavern, Outdoor stage at Loco.. The artists are probably very much better than they sound at those stages.

2008 Tips

Buy the Official Guide as soon as you arrive (or get them to mail it to you). It is put out by Country Music Capital News and Rural Press. This guide is a must! Only about $6.

Get a Wests Festival Membership Card - Make your second stop at Wests to get your festival membership card. Call Wests right now and find out how to have your membership card waiting for you. I make a copy of the application from the web and fax it in. Having this card will save you hours standing in line at both Wests Leagues and Diggers; for $6. Phone 02 6765 7588

Buy independent artist's albums - If you really like an artist, buy their album. Yes, you may get a lemon or two, but when you see a five or six piece band in a free show, the leader is making little if anything after paying the band. Buying an album is the effective way to show your appreciation and really helps the struggling unsigned artists.

ARTISTS:
Travis List
- See the band (this year including Anthony Stewart on lead guitar and Warren Neilsen on pedal steel) at the Diggers and Wests main bar various times through the festival. I call it traditional country. Some great original country music. Lots of Merle Haggard, some Mavericks, and great vocals. This will be one of the best shows of the festival. Honky Tonk! Site | Wests and Diggers gigs
Rob Luckey and The Lucky Bastards - Lots of Honky Tonk favourites done in Rob's own style, often better than the original. Don't leave until you have heard Rob's versions of "I'm A Lonesome Fugitive" and "Long Black Veil". Get in early; Robs last Tamworth show is Wed 23 Jan. His shows are at the Southgate and Albert.
The Pigs - Must see The Pigs at least once.
Rob Wilson is back at Tamworth, albeit in a four hour show with many others; The Col Thompson show ($15). You probably will only get a taste of Rob's music in the show but Rob's albums are all terrific. I buy lots of albums at Tamworth but Rob's are the the few that I play year 'round. Also in Col's show are Billy Bridge (great country voice) and Angela Hayden ("Cattle Call" wow,).
Peter Pratt - If you like Western Music you'll love Peter. Just gotta find out where he is playing. If you do, go see him. Probably the best in Australia for this type music. Wait till you hear his whistling!! Site
Luke OShea - Don't miss! His bands may vary from year to year but his talent always overfloweth!
Blow Flies - Fantastic "traditional Australian music", but not exactly country.
Leslie Avril
- Leslie upstairs at the Tudor is one of my all time favorite gigs from previous festivals.
Dan Mureau - Lots of great bands at the Central Hotel last year but Dan Mureau was the best.
Ray Hoff is back - If his boogey woogey is as good as previous years, a show not to miss!
Others I like - Lee Forster, Casey Watt, Briana Lee, Andy Baylor & his Cajun Combo at the Southgate, Kerry Kennedy, Amber Lawrence, Nicki Gillis, Dave Proust, Sandra Humphries. Lonesome Train Rockabilly (Just don't buy a drink at The Courthouse with ice in it....). You must also see Wanita at least once (Albert).

This might be the biggest night of the festival - Sun 20 Jan 5PM to 3 AM Diggers - Casey Watt followed by Travis List followed by The Pigs.

I know it is bluegrass... and it is early... but breakfast with the Davidson Brothers at 8AM at Wests Leagues is always great.

Tamworth Buses - The biggest disappointment of the whole festival. The buses last year were not air conditioned and the windows can't be opened (what genius thought up that idea) making a daytime ride of more than 5 minutes a sweatfest. In the daytime, to go between town and the farther out places like Wests and The Pub, cough up the money and take an air conditioned cab. At $4 per person to travel 500 metres in the bus, cabs are often cheaper!

Tamworth Taxis - The Tamworth cabs are wonderful the first few days and impossible to get the last few days. Their dispatchers are total jerks about not giving you an idea of how long the wait will be; so later in the festival, they'll gladly book a taxi for you, when they know the wait will be an hour. When you get fed up with the cabs - Travel Bug 0401 946 041 (after Monday).

Ken Date's 2007 report. Check out the pics and then click the "Tamworth" tab.

Brad

One Tip for the Tamworth Country Music Festival 2008

Plan now to attend for the whole festival. The best country music festival in the world. For your friends who say they don't like country music, tell 'em about the huge variety of quality live music.

Tips for the Tamworth Country Music Festival 2007

Post Tamworth Report: There were so many superb free shows, we only had time in 9 days to attend one paid show; Travis Collins and he was tremendous. Our top shows were those mentioned below plus Dan Mureau at the Central, Harley Smith, Amber Lawrence, Peter Pratt, Casey Watt, Andy Baylor, Alby was great at the Southgate, Gleny Rae Virus and her extraordinary guest list, Johnny Green, Leslie Avril, and Luke O'Shea puts on a fabulous show for a 4-piece.

4 Jan 2007 update: These free shows are even better than last year: Travis List, Andy Baylor, Rob Luckey, Blow Flies, Lonesome Train. Unfortunately some of the young women of country, even the ones up for the "new star" type awards, have put together bands that haven't practiced, don't gel, and are plain boring; if you like the ladies of country, stick to the girls who have been around a while. Travis List's remaining shows may feature the top country guitar player from both NSW and SA; some amazing guitar picking exhibitions plus the extraordinary vocals. A great place to eat at 2AM - TCs Hamburgers on Goonoo Goonoo Rd across from the nursery.

Buy the Official Guide as soon as you arrive (or get them to mail it to you). It is put out by Country Music Capital News and Rural Press. This guide is a must! Only about $6. Until you get your guide, the tentative schedule is here.

Get a Wests Festival Membership Card - Make your second stop at Wests to get your festival membership card. Call Wests right now and find out how to have your membership card waiting for you. I make a copy of the application from the web and fax it in. Having this card will save you hours standing in line at both Wests Leagues and Diggers; for about $6. Application Phone 02 6765 7588

ARTISTS:
Travis List
- See the full band at the Diggers and Wests main bar various times through the festival. I call it traditional country. Some great original country music. Lots of Merle Haggard, some Mavericks, and great vocals. This will be one of the best shows of the festival. Honky Tonk! Site | Wests gigs
Rob Luckey and The Lucky Bastards - Lots of Honky Tonk favourites done in Rob's own style, often better than the original. Don't leave until you have heard Rob's versions of "I'm A Lonesome Fugitive" and "Long Black Veil".
The Pigs - Do not miss the Pigs. Great entertainment every late night at Diggers.
Peter Pratt - If you like Western Music you'll love Peter. Just gotta find out where he is playing. If you do, go see him. Probably the best in Australia for this type music. Wait till you hear his whistling!! Here are some of his gigs: Tues 23 Oasis Hotel 6pm, Wed 24 Oasis Hotel 2pm, Thur 25 Oasis Hotel 4pm. Site
Blow Flies - Fantastic "traditional Australian music", but not exactly country.
Red Hot Poker Dots
- Playing exclusively at Joe Maguires. Behind the wild look, these folks are great musicians.
Bill Chambers and Trev Warner - With a full band these guys together are as good as it gets. The show at the pub is great.
Leslie Avril - Leslie upstairs at the Tudor is one of my all time favorite gigs from previous festivals.
Dan Mureau - Lots of great bands at the Central Hotel last year but Dan Mureau was the best. Looks like somebody else noticed because he has moved up to the the Coyote Ugly Bar for a night. The Central Hotel Tamworth gigs are finally up!
Others I like - Briana Lee, Victoria Baillie, Nicki Gillis, Dave Proust, Sandra Humphries, Sweeney Killeen, Barramundi Brothers (great music but last year they talked more than they sang), Aurish & Kachel. You must also see Wanita at least once (City Tavern, Albert). You must see Texas Rose at least once! She is back at the Central this year. Lonesome Train (Just don't buy a drink at The Courthouse with ice in it....).

Buses - The biggest disappointment of the whole festival. The buses last year were not air conditioned and the windows can't be opened (what genius thought up that idea) making a daytime ride of more than 5 minutes a sweatfest. In the daytime, to go between town and the farther out places like Wests and The Pub, cough up the money and take an air conditioned cab. At $4 per person to travel 500 metres in the bus, cabs are often cheaper!

Taxis - The cabs are wonderful the first few days and impossible to get the last few days. Their dispatchers are total jerks about not giving you an idea of how long the wait will be; so later in the festival, they'll gladly book a taxi for you, when they know the wait will be an hour. When you get fed up with the cabs - Travel Bug 0401 946 041 (worked last year).

Joe Maguires has airconditioned their stage area (it used to be an oven on a hot day) which is great.. Unfortunately the acoustics were terrible with a huge echo, probably from the windows behind the artists? Sit near the back of the room and it does sound OK.
I never could figure out why I didn't like bands that played at The Fitzroy Tavern...After hearing a couple my favourite bands at the Fitzroy, I realize it isn't the bands...it is the acoustics or sound system.

For some great nostalgic photos of country stars, go to Helen's Tamworth Rage Page .

Brad