Gosford's 94.1 FM. Wins 2012 Australian Country Music People’s Choice Award ‘Most Popular Radio Station'. We always knew they were good. Now the world knows! No matter where in the world you are, you can listen to 94.1 here.

Gosford's 94.1 FM 2012 Brand New Star Competition: todayscountry94one, the Central Coast’s only all country music radio station is sponsoring a scholarship to enable a performer to free entry into the hugely sought after CMAA Australian Academy of Country Music in Tamworth. Previous graduates include Brooke & Samantha McClymont and Sara Storer. The scholarship worth $3,000 will entitle the winner to attend the two week residential music program, which will be held in June/July 2013. The successful applicants will take part in the heats to be held in July 2012.

Tamworth - Our favourites who are back in 2012: Travis List, Dan Mureau, Rob Wilson, Tomkins Showcase, Sandra Humphries, Davidson Brothers Bluegrass Breakfast, Daniel Thompson [and his gang of villains - Duncan Toombs, Andy Toombs and Mike Carr], Leslie Avril, Andy Baylor, Doug Bruce, Luke O'Shea, Waz E James, Alby Pool, Blowflyz, Kerry Kennedy, Buddy Knox, Jason Lee, Wanita, Michelle Little, Adam Harvey, Beccy Cole, Texas Rose, Archer, Chuck's Wagon. For you honky tonkers, a new show, Tomkins Honky Tonk 11:30pm Wests, Tomkins artists here.

Wyong RSL Thursday 3 November 2011. Another great night at Hillbilly Heaven but it didn't start quite right. Due to a misunderstanding, a lead guitar player didn't show. Calls went out to a dozen pickers to play for the large crowd but none available. Snowy Robson, the guest artist for the night, agreed to play lead guitar on his acoustic and off he went for the entire night. To the delight of the crowd the unstoppable Snowy ripped into endless country classics with Lisa White doing backing vocals, turning the event from a mess into one of the best Thursday nights ever. Ben Elliot on drums and Scott Greenaway on bass were excellent. We know Scott well but I think we'll be hearing more of Ben Elliot; a big smile and an excellent touch on the drums. That's the good news...rumour has it that the management at Wyong RSL plans to scrap most of the December Thursday Hillbilly Heaven sessions...

Gympie Muster 2011: We had a fantastic time in the mud at the Gympie Muster. A few of the excellent acts we saw were Beccy Cole, Kasey Chambers, Doug Bruce, John Williamson, Troy Cassar-Daley, Catherine Britt, Bill Chambers, Amber Lawrence, and Luke O'Shea. We, and the huge crowd that gathered, also really enjoyed a quickly put-together band at The Grove (to fill in for a changed act) consisting of Peter Cooper, Glen Hannah, Mal Lancaster and Andy Toombs as the reluctant but excellent lead singer. The music and the humour was fabulous.

Let's hear a big cheer for Wyong RSL supporting country music on the Central Coast! Every Thursday night and most Saturday nights we get great country music. Thanks to the club and John Bartlett! Aug 13th .. Rob Wilson and Band. 18th Guest Artist .. Jason Lee Hosted By .. Makaylie Foodey. 20th .. Lisa White and Highway One Band 25th Guest Artist .. Rob Wilson. Hosted By .. Tara Naysmith.

Nashville June 2011 Once again Nashville exceeded our country music expectations. We aren't big fans of the CMA events (or the crowds) but one festival event we attended many times was the daily Tomkins Guitars showcase at The Sheraton Hotel; fantastic performers from Australia and in the audience (even if they weren't performing) were several other of the top touring artists from Australia. The huge number of Australians seen around town was stunning. We did the usual thing as written about previous trips below, basically Broadway between 4th and 5th plus The Station Inn. This time:
-Monday night Station Inn and the Time Jumpers. Dawn Sears singing Sweet memories with Paul Franklin on steel and Vince Gill doing backing vocals has to be the live performance of the century.
-Gary Gibson (The Wheel and The Stage) our favourite singer.
-Craig Cutis (Legends) Dave Cox (Roberts) and Pork McElhinny (Roberts) our favourite solo artists.
-Brazilbilly (Roberts) the best show on Broadway.
-Top Bands: Gary Gibson (The Wheel and The Stage), Kevin Stover (Wheel), Zack Neil (Wheel and Crossroads), Jake Mauer (Tootsies), Monte Siler (Legends), John England (Roberts), and David Tanner (Roberts)
-Also Seth Hopkins and Monte Good.

Daniel Thompson and Mike Carr at The Bay Club Bateau Bay every Sunday. If you are looking for some excellent acoustic country music on a Sunday, don't forget this wonderful long-running performance.

McClymonts We caught the McClymonts show in Melbourne and it was excellent. Great sound man who knew how to present country. Appearing Mingara 28 April 2011 and Newcastle 29 April 2011 . Highly recommended.

OK Buckeroos the documentary on Jerry Jeff Walker's life screened this week at the Dallas International Film Fest. On the Central Coast, we love hearing the Jerry Jeff songs on the radio thanks to 94.1!

todayscountry94one 2011 Brand New Star Competition: 94.1 is sponsoring a scholarship to enable a young performer to attend the CMAA Australian Academy of Country Music in Tamworth.  The scholarship, worth $3,000 will entitle the winner to attend the two week residential music program. The scholarship winner will be selected through a talent quest to be staged in July 2011.  Applicants will take part in one of two Heats with five performers from each Heat making up the top ten to go through to the Final (date/time to be confirmed – end of July 2011).  Judges will be leaders in the Australian Country Music recording and entertainment industry and todayscountry94one. In addition to the $3,000 scholarship, the winner will receive a one song recording session at the Music Cellar Studio, produced by Rod McCormack.  The recording will be delivered as a production master ready for manufacturing.  The winner will also appear at the todayscountry94one Christmas Party Concert in December 2011 and receive 12 months support and airplay on todayscountry94one.

What a week for country music on the coast. We caught Rob Wilson and Bob Howe at the Wyong RSL, Bill Chambers at The Lakes Hotel, and The Round Mountain Girls at Bateau Bay Hotel. Bob and Rob were both fantastic. We don't often get to hear country instrumentals but Bob is a master at instrumentals and treated the audience to several. Bill Chambers and band were at their Honky Tonkin' best on Friday. Wow, four Hank Williams songs in a row; just magic. This was the first time we had seen the full Round Mountain Girls show and this bunch of very professional players did a great job. They play a wide range of music but the fiddle, mandolin and banjo make it more country than anything else.

Nashville August 2010, Music is better than ever in Nashville with less rock, less bad country, more good country bands. See previous scribblings on Nashville in this column but add Buck McCoy Legends Sunday, Scott Hisey The Wheel Thursday, and Buddy Owens Crossroads Thursday. Usually our only music off Broadway is the Time Jumpers on Monday but we also got to see Raul Malo (Mavericks), and Daryl Singletary at Douglas Corner ; both fantastic shows..

Patti Torrey, Springville Inn, 4 August 2010. If you happen to be in the US, North of Los Angeles on a summer Wednesday, be sure to stop in the tiny town of Springville for Patio Night at the Springville Inn, just an hour North of Bakersfield (Bakersfield is the home of Buck Owen's Crystal Palace). Great food, great country music, fabulous atmosphere at The Springville Inn.

Travis Collins and Lisa White, Wyong RSL Thursday 29 July 2010. A very special show with Travis Collins on lead guitar all night and then doing the guest spot on the last set. Travis did all country covers

Rob Wilson, Fubah on Copa. We hadn't seen singer songwriter Rob Wilson do an acoustic show before; absolutely excellent! Great food, big crowd, friendly atmosphere, and top country music; it doesn't get much better than that.

Adam Harvey and Wendy Matthews: Fantastic show. Both Adam and Wendy put on fabulous performances and when both were on stage music was just stunning. Awesome musicians including a keyboard player who was sensational. Thanks to the sound man Noel who mixed perfectly. Noel, please offer your services to the Central Coast Country Music Festival main stage and the Whittlesea festival; they need your help.

Blue Water Festival Port Stephens 2010: We didn't get to see much at the Blue Water Festival but what we did see was superb. The Bill Chambers, Sandra Humphries, and Catherine Britt show was excellent (and sold out) plus we really enjoyed Michelle Little and band, a very polished confident country singer.

Sandra Humphries Wyong RSL, Thursday 10 June 2010. A fantastic performance by Sandra, singing several songs from her latest record plus other excellent country tunes. And what a bonus, Bill Chambers sat in with the band and accompanied Sandra. Well done Wyong RSL! However, only about 50 people attended. The RSL had a top singer who packs the room elsewhere, a band full of some of the best country musicians in Australia, and only 50 in the crowd for the free show? Central Coast, what is wrong? Let us know.

Kingston? Saturday 29 May 2010. We had never heard of the Kingston Harvest Festival but when we saw the lineup, well, it had to be attended! Leslie Avril, Peter Baylor & The Roadhouse Romeos, Aleyce Simmonds, Felicity Urquhart, Gatorbait, and Ian Moss, for just a gold coin donation. They were all fantastic. Peter Baylor (we hadn't seen him before) takes you back to, say, 1955 with a bit of rockabilly and country. And what a great sound man; mixed country like country should be mixed and rock like rock should be mixed...Whittlesea and Central Coast Festivals should hire him! The festival is held near Carrum, South of Melbourne.

Hunter and Suzy Owens, Marrickville Bowling Club, Sunday 16 May 2010. What a great collection of country songs, including Mule Skinner Blues. Super sound; thanks David. And Tommy on pedal steel. A fantastic night!

Alby Pool's Turning Senior Citizen Birthday Party at Hexham Bowling Club 21 April 2010 - Do you know those gigs that you remember for years to come like for us the gigs at the Lakes Hotel with Bill Chambers and Trev Warner, or maybe Rob Lucky and Leslie Avril at Fingal Bay? Well this was one of those gigs! Fabulous talent, fabulous band, fabulous entertainment.

Daniel Thompson - Thanks for all the great work handling the Hillbilly Heaven nights at Wyong RSL the last few years. John Bartlett welcome back to that job. We look forward to some fantastic Thursday nights.

Phil McGee, 94.1 Sunday 18 April 2010 - Awesome show tonight! Rodney Atkins, Roll With It, Easton Corbin Rockin of the Cradle, and so much more! 6-9pm Sundays
mms://todayscountry94one.
stream.integritynet.com.au/
todayscountry 94one!

Byron Bay Blues Fest Report:
Friday: Awesome artists including Joe Bonamassa, Buddy Guy, Troy Cassar-Daley and Hat Fitz but by far the most entertaining show was Rockwiz. If you ever get the chance to go to the touring Rockwiz, it is a must!
Saturday: Old Crow Medicine Show, John Mayall, Warren H. Williams, Jon Cleary, Johnny Greens Blues Cowboys, Joe Bonamassa (yes again), and Lyle Lovette, all just fabulous today.
Sunday: Taj Mahal (he still has IT at 67) Peter Green, Eugene "Hideaway" Bridges (great show ruined by a feral sound man), Wagons, Ray Beadle, Jon Cleary (yes again) and Jessica Mauboy who were all excellent.
Wrapup: So many awesome musicians but our top pick for the most entertaining act was Rockwiz and Joe Bonamassa was our favourite artist.

Musicoz Best Country Artist 2010 - Jetty Road. www.musicoz.org

Barbara Tomkins benefit concert 29 April 2010, Canterbury-Hurlstone Park RSL, Tickets $20, (02) 9559 0000.

Gary Browns Bluegrass Arvo 21 March 2010. Another fantastic 4 1/2 hours of bluegrass. Well worth the trip to Sydney. Next show is Sunday 18 April.

Well done Central Coast Country Music Festival, again! (Well, except for the sound mixing of the bands at the Memorial Park Stage). If you are a honky tonk fan and didn't get to the Lakes Hotel on Friday night, you really missed something special. Bill Chambers put on a superb show with fantastic guest singers including Kasey Chambers, Andy Toombs, Michael Muchow, and Archer Broughton. You'll be hearing more about Archer Broughton I suspect . Rob Wilson's show was a hit, with several guest artists including the fantastic Stuie, Camille, Angela Hayden, and Travis Collins. On the Memorial Park stage Catherine Britt, Beccy Cole, and Adam Harvey did excellent shows only to be ruined by a sound mix of thumping bass drum and bass guitar that appeared to make the earth vibrate and could be likened to the mix you would expect for nightclub DJ at 3am, but certainly not for country music. To all the folks who did the mixing at the other venues, thank you, and well done!

2010 Frank Ifield International 'Spur' Award was won by Johanna Hemara. www.frankifield.com. Johanna is appearing at the Central Coast Country Music Festival on Saturday at 11am at the Budgewoi Soccer Club.

Musicoz Finalists for 2010 in the Country category: Brad Cole , Craig Morrison Little Cowboys , Jayne Denham , Jesse Emmanuel , Jetty Road , and Tania Kernaghan. www.musicoz.org

CentralCoastCountry
Music.com.au Christmas Party 2009
Almost nonstop country music with The Toombs Brothers Band from 7:30 to 11:30. One highlight was Lisa White fronting this super band for an hour with her confident superb voice. Lisa is always good but this was the best. Another of the highlights was Andy Toombs singing so many country songs so well when we are used to, at most, two or three when he is playing bass with other bands. The night started out with Sharnee Fenwick and her combination of beautiful singing and crafty wit fully entertaining the "locals". Next up was Kaylah Anne, so very entertaining, then Lisa. But oh that band!! Duncan Toombs, Andy Toombs, Mick McCartin, and Gary Brown; it doesn't get any better than that. Between the appearances of Sharnee, Kaylah Anne, and Lisa, and for an hour at the end of the show, we were treated to some of the best country playing you'll experience plus we got to hear Duncan sing a number of songs. You'll see Duncan or Andy or Mick any time you go to see the shows of Beccy Cole, Adam Harvey, or Katherine Britt or even Kasey's Little Hillbillies. Gary Brown puts on an awesome bluegrass show in Sydney that is well worth the trip to town. Thanks for the support:
- the Kincumber Hotel (Michael Brolly and Sam)
-Hunter-Douglas (Kane Fuessel)
-Gosford 96.3 FM (Tubby Dyer)
-Gosford 94.1 FM (Kaza and Chris James)
-whatsoncentralcoast.com.au (Debbi)

17 December 2008: What a fantastic week of country music with all the big stars coming together for a great cause at the 94.1 fundraiser last Thursday. Then tonight at Wyong RSL an awesome display of talent with three great guitar players (Rusty Crook, Greg Franks, and Brad Bergen) all on stage at once, plus Kelly Hope on vocals. The Central Coast is definitely hillbilly heaven!

Star Maker 2010 Finalists:
(Capital News)
Amanda Halloran, Armstrong Brown, Chad Shuttleworth, Chelsea Basham, Cory Hargreaves, Craig Morrison, Fiona Fields, Jesse Emmanuel, John Flanagan, Leila Fisher, Luke Austen, Mandi Jarry, Megan Cooper, Mickey Pye, Neil Douglas, Rebecca Moore, Rick Caballo, Tiffney Stroh, Tori Darke, Vanessa Lea.

Wyong RSL, Thursday 3 December 2009:
This was one of those rare nights when unexpectedly all the planets align and a fantastic country show just happens. It was billed as Lachie Davidson at Hillbilly Heaven but what you got was the extraordinary Lachie plus a country music extravaganza. We were entertained by Lisa White, Duncan Toombs, Matt Frost, Lachie Davidson on mandolin & fiddle, plus fabulous backing vocals of Brad Bergen on drums, Scott Greenaway on bass with Andy Toombs sitting in on bass. We hadn't seen Matt Frost in a while but he was awesome and his country voice just keeps getting better. You just had to be there, what a great night.

Golden Guitar Finalists
From country.com.au

Album of the Year:
Defying Gravity – Keith Urban, produced by Dann Huff (USA) & Keith Urban
Hell of A Ride – Adam Brand, produced by Richard Landis (USA)
I Love This Place – Troy Cassar-Daley, produced by Rod McCormack, Troy Cassar-Daley & Jeff McCormack
Life At A Million Miles – Jetty Road, produced by Julian Sammut & Mark Moffat
Tailwind – Harmony James, produced by Herm Kovac

Male Artist of the Year:
James Blundell – Good Wood
Adam Brand – Hell Of A Ride
Troy Cassar-Daley - I Love This Place
Paul Costa – Survivor 1932
Keith Urban – Kiss A Girl

Female Artist of the Year:
Harmony James – Precious Little
Tania Kernaghan – Second Time Around
Amber Lawrence – When It All Comes Down
Lianna Rose – Angels
Felicity Urquhart – Roller Coaster

Group or Duo of the Year:
Carter & Carter – Surviving Black Saturday
Davidson Brothers – A Showman’s Life
Jetty Road – Life at A Million Miles
The Bobkatz – The Long Haul
The Bushwackers – The Good Old Days

Vocal Collaboration of the Year:
Tangerine Sky – Australian Country Music Unites
Ain’t Gonna Change For You – Troy Cassar-Daley & The McClymonts
King Of The Road – Adam Harvey & John Williamson
Courageous – Melinda Schneider & Australian Girls Choir
You’ve Got A Friend – Songbirds (Gina Jeffreys, Beccy Cole & Sara Storer)

Bush Ballad of the Year:
Droving Cattle with the Boys – written by T Kernaghan/F Kernaghan, recorded by Tania Kernaghan
Old Black Quart – written by Coster/Coster/Quinn/Pritchard/Corbett, recorded by Tracy Coster
The Dust of Kalkadoon – written by Ian Quinn, recorded by Dean Perrett
The First Lady of Country – written by Graham Rodger/Deirdre Willmington, recorded by Graham Rodger
The Road To Thargomindah – written by Colin Buchanan, recorded by the Bushwackers

Heritage Song of the Year:
Chasin’ Rodeo – written and recorded by Troy Cassar-Daley
Surviving Black Saturday – written by David Carter/Merelyn Carter, recorded by Carter and Carter
Survivor 1932 – written by Costa/Costa/McCormack, recorded by Paul Costa
Tangerine Sky – written by Tamara Stewart, recorded by Australian Country Music Unites
When I Was A Boy – written and recorded by Greg Storer and Sara Storer

Fender Instrumental of the Year:
Flying Pig – The Bushwackers
Fox On The Freeway – Davidson Brothers
It’s Not Easy – Joe Robinson
Jolly Swagman – Tommy Emmanuel
Waiting At The Station – Lawrie Minson

Maton New Talent of the Year:
Victoria Baillie – Make Me
Liam Brew – Girls With Girlfriends
Jayne Denham – Shake This Town
Ronni Rae Rivers – Running On Fumes
Lianna Rose – Jack

APRA Song of the Year:
Big Big Love – written and recorded by Troy Cassar-Daley
Girl In The Mall – written by Felicity Urquhart/Mark Seymour, recorded by Felicity Urquhart
Survivor 1932 – written by Costa/Costa/McCormack, recorded by Paul Costa
When It All Comes Down – written and recorded by Amber Lawrence
Why’s It Feel So Long – written and recorded by Keith Urban

Video Clip of the Year:
Big Big Love – Troy Cassar Daley, directed by Ross Wood
Don’t Do Lonely Well – Amber Lawrence, directed by Glenn Wilson
I Want My Tractor Back – Lianna Rose, directed by Ross Wood
Kick It Up – The McClymonts, directed by Myles Conti
When I Was A Boy – Greg Storer & Sara Storer, directed by Duncan Toombs

Single of the Year:
Big Big Love – Troy Cassar-Daley
Kiss A Girl – Keith Urban
Million Miles – Jetty Road
Ready For Love – Adam Brand
Shotgun – The McClymonts
CMAA

Patti Torrey, Springville Inn, 19 August 2009. If you happen to be in the US, North of Los Angeles on a summer Wednesday, be sure to stop in Springville for Patio Night at the Springville Inn, just an hour North of Bakersfield. Great food, great country music, fabulous atmosphere.

Amber Lawrence at Lizotte's 19 July 2009. What a fantastic show by Amber. That was top entertainment with her original hits, excellent covers, and songs off her new album to be released in late August. Thanks also Amber for bringing a band of top musos: Rod Motbey, Aaron Pye, Simon Johnson with Dan Conway on rhythm guitar. A big thanks too for the enjoyable demonstration of adults-only tambourine playing. Amber will be at Canterbury Country on 13 August 2009. If you haven't been to that show, what a great opportunity to catch Amber and the best monthly country music show in Australia.

Canterbury Country -
We attended the Canterbury Country Bluegrass special on Thursday 9 July and the show was was wonderful.  The huge crowd was entertained by excellent musos including Barry & Holly Tashian (USA), Karen Lynne, and Gary Brown.  The night was well hosted Bryen Willems. As far as we are concerned, this is the best monthly country music show in Australia.  If you're a country music fan in NSW and haven't seen this show, boy have you missed out.  Second Thursday of every month.

Jason Lee, Club Tuggerah 28 March 2009. "Now THAT is country music!" Jason's band mostly covers the very best American and Australian country songs. Great players in the band and his vocals are superb. If you haven't seen Jason, get out to one of his gigs soon! We also bought his EP and highly recommend you spend the $10 for some great music to take home. Sun29 March 2009 Beresfield Bowling Club 5:30pm. Sat 16 May Wyong RSL 2pm.

Rob Wilson and the Paxton Hotel: Last Saturday (14 March 2009) we went to see Rob Wilson with a full band at the Paxton Hotel. Rob and the band were in top form, and so were we. We spent the day in the wineries, gardens and chocolate shops of the Hunter, and at the excellent Paxton pub bar and dining room. The Paxton is a great place to be when country music is on! The next big opportunity to mix a visit to the fabulous wine country with some great country music is the Cessnock country music festival in May. You can't go wrong inviting your Sydney friends up for a weekend of wine and country music in the Hunter.

Corb Lund Hexham Bowling Club, 3 March. Very big crowd for Corb and Catherine Britt. Both Catherine and Corb put on fabulous shows. Corb can still be seen in Sydney, Orange, and Thredbo. Well worth the trip to see him.

Hillbilly Heaven Thursday 26 Feb 2009. Well, Thursday nights at the Wyong RSL are still country even if the club has gone astray a bit on Saturday nights. Duncan Toombs, Mick McCartin on drums and Scotty Greenway on bass were the band. Duncan Toombs did a superb job of keeping everyone entertained the entire night. Instead of amateur walkups we had a couple of the best of the best get for a few songs each; Lisa White and Matt Frost. What a pleasure that was! The guest artist was the talented and beautiful local girl, Kelly Hope. A wonderful night! Get down to the Wyong RSL any Thursday night and support your country.

Two Weeks at the Tamworth Country Music Festival...just heaven! All our favourite acts and even one not on the schedule, Ray Hoff, fronted the Blues Cowboys for a couple sets; thanks Johnny!!
Tomkins Showcase Travis List, Dan Mureau, Andy Baylor, The Blow Flies, Leslie Avril, Peter Pratt, Rob Wilson, Sandra Humphries, Lee Forster, Lonesome Train, The Davidson Brothers, Sarah Carroll, Kaylah Anne, Briana Lee, Kerry Kennedy, Amber Lawrence, The Pigs, Dave Proust. Bands we haven't seen before that we liked: Chucks Wagon, Waz E James. More...

Daniel Thompson and Friends, 21 Dec.
Awesome this afternoon at the Bay Club, Bateau Bay! Duncan was back and on fire, Daniel's spectacular voice was back, Mike even sang a couple excellent country tunes, and Andy Toombs also joined in. After a rough morning at the beach, what a fabulous country music way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

CentralCoastCountry
Music.com.au Christmas Party
There appeared to be enough food and superb music to satisfy the crowd. Thanks most to Kincumber Hotel (Michael Brolly) for their generous support plus thanks to to these sponsors who also helped make the night possible: POGC Sensor Technology (Chris Ward), Hunter-Douglas (Kane Fuessel), ShiftReload.com.au Internet Service Providers (Michael Anderson), Top Shelf Records (JT), and particularly Travis List. The night started with some great entertainment from Kaylah Anne, then a set from the perfect country voice of Rob Wilson, and two sets by Travis List and his full touring band. Later in the night we also had a few songs from Lee Forster, future superstar Sharnee Fenwick, Bob Howe, Allan Tomkins, and Craig Morrison. Finally, thanks to the fabulous bar and bistro staff at Kincumber Hotel who made us so welcome.

Troy Cassar-Daley and Adam Harvey at Mingara 28 November 2008 doing all their favourite classics. Absolutely Awesome!! If you missed this night, and you like the classics sung by a couple of the best country singers in Australia, you better get down to the Blacktown RSL tonight 29 November 2008 and cough up your $35.
ring of fire
good hearted woman
stopped loving her today
most beautiful girl in the world
luckenbach texas 
mama tried
7 spanish angels
hey good lookin
gambler
lights on the hill
okie from muskogee 
behind closed doors
old dogs,,, watermelon wine
before the next teardrop falls
on the road again
And many more
Some gig guides are reporting that Troy is playing on the 6 and 13 Dec Adam Harvey gigs. According to Troy's and Adam's web sites, this is incorrect.

Welcome Back 94.1 FM, Today's Country. Today we celebrated the station's return to country music at the Crowne Plaza with Beccy Cole, Adam Harvey, Amber Lawrence, Kelly Hope and many others. Well done as master of ceremonies Prousty. Wow, Beccy Cole, what a tremendous show! If you are not on the Central coast of NSW, you can listen from anywhere in the world on the internet here. Want to know which artist is playing? Every artist every minute of the day here

Nashville - We spent this week in Nashville and thought we'd give you our tips for visiting music city. Our emphasis is on traditional American country music. Except for a visit to the Opry and Monday night, there is little need to go anywhere else but Broadway between 4th and 5th. There you'll find at least 4 acts starting before noon, about 8 acts playing by 2pm, and more in the evening. Start at The Wheel and Roberts Western World. But the best way is to poke your head into all the honky tonks and go back to the one you like best. Be sure to visit Tootsies at least once. On Monday nights, you must go to The Station Inn for the Time Jumpers; probably the best music in town. When on Broadway, don't get stuck in a bar with a band doing rock; just leave and find some country! My top picks are: Gary Gibson (usually at The Wheel), Monte Good, (The Wheel and Roberts), Brazil Billy (Fri and Sat nights at Roberts Western World), and Wednesday 7 pm at Legends Corner (Monte Siler and the Short Notice Band). The Time Jumpers start at 9 pm but get there by 8:30 if you want a seat, and get there by 8:15 if you want a good seat.

Drew McAlister wins the 2008 Cooper's Golden Saddle Award at Galston.
Country Music Bulletin.

Canterbury Country -
For more than eight years now, on the second Thursday of each month, Canterbury-Hurlstone Park RSL Club in Sydney has been presenting "the best in country music" ... regarded by many as the city's premier country music concert. September 11 the 100th "Canterbury Country" will be staged.This show will feature "a huge line-up" of guest vocalists including Donna Boyd, Kel-Anne Brandt, Cletis Carr, The Dead Setters, Dwayne Elix, The Harmonators, Murray Hill, Tracy Killeen, Victoria McGee, Alby & Melody Pool, Ronni Rae Rivers, Ami Williamson, Bryen Willems The "100th milestone" also co-incides with "Canterbury Country's" most popular night of the year, the Hank Williams Birthday Bash, two hours of classic songs associated with the era of the legend that was Hank. Country Music Bulletin.

Gary Brown's Bluegrass Afternoon
You better get yourself a train ticket and get down to Tempe if you like Bluegrass performed by excellent musicians. What a wonderful afternoon of country music. Gary has outdone himself this time with four hours of almost nonstop quality Bluegrass. His show is on again Sunday 21 September 2008. Today's lineup was Hunter and Suzy, Karen Lynne, Cathy Gibson, Murray Hill, Heather Mandich and Bryen Willems, plus each band had as many as 3 extra players joining in. Cooks River Motorboat Club, 3pm. Brad

Rob Luckey and the Lucky Bastards last gig, 17 September 2008, about 400 people packed into the little Cooks River Motorboat Club. Four encores... nothing else needs be said...

Daniel Thompson acoustic sessions at The Bay Sports Club Bateau Bay is well worth going to see. The vocals are tops, the harmonies tremendous, Duncan Toombs comes up with some magic guitar playing, and it is just a good time. A wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon. We saw the show 10 Aug 2008.

Nashville Tomkins Guitars Showcase 6 June 2008. Spectacular shows at both the Downtown Sheraton and the Fiddle & Steel Guitar Bar today! Allan Tomkins brought some great Australian Country Music to Nashville. Travis List, Patti Torrey, Tracy Killeen, Sandra Humphries, Henry Czerwonka, Wayne Horsburgh, future star Sharnee Fenwick, Jetty Road (Julian Sammut, Simon Ross, Paula Bowman, Lee Bowman, Ben Cant, Rusty Cochran). The backing band was Bob Howe on lead guitar, (Bob also sang several songs), Peter Figures on drums, Mike Fried on pedal steel, and of course Allan Tomkins on bass, plus Rusty Cochrane sat in on bass for several songs. Brad

18 May 2008 Rob Luckey and the Lucky Bastards...simply the best honky tonk band in Australia, and they proved it at this show.

The Chic Frontier ......... Individually Amber Lawrence..Kirsty Lee Akers..Aleyce Simmonds and Diana Corcoran are engrossing performers, but mix 'em all together and you definitely have a "Frontier" of Country worth following...young or old, male or female, they will lighten your load with energetic selections from their own albums, and covers. Recently at Lizottes, don't forget to catch 'em next time they are in town, you will not be disappointed. Tubby.

15 May 2008 Luke O'Shea and Lisa White at the Wyong RSL. In the band were Duncan Toombs, Mal Lancaster, and Simon Johnson. Luke O'Shea was at his best; a fantastic all-round entertainer. Lisa sang beautifully and was a great host. The band got rave reviews from the crowd, but Duncan's playing particularly his accompaniment of Luke, was excellent. Thanks Wyong RSL for bringing us such high quality country music.

13 May 2008 BBQ Country with Tubby Dyer 96.3 Coast FM Tuesdays 6:05pm for a couple hours. Great song selection, particularly all the pedal steel. Even one of our Eddie Arnold favourites
The cattle are prowlin',
The coyotes are howlin'
Way out where the doggies roam... Wonderful stories about country music in Australia.
Well done Tubby! Brad.

Ian Betteridge Wyong RSL 1 May 2008 - Another great country night from Wyong RSL: The excellent vocals and wacky humour from the host Sharnee Fenwick; stunning guitar work on his Gretsch by Pete Cooper; and Ian Betteridge, even fighting off a cold, what a fantastic country entertainer. Both Sharnee and Ian picked some great songs for the night. Also in the band were Mal Lancaster and Simon Johnson. Lisa White even added some impromptu backing vocals. An awesome night! In the audience was Trevor, one of the country music DJs from 93.3. Brad

Matt Frost Wyong RSL 26 April 2008 - What a top night this was. In the band were Pete Cooper, Ali Foster, Andy Toombs plus Matt brought up Lachie Davidson from Melbourne. Lachie's fiddle made what would have been a very good night into a great night. By the last set, Matt's vocals were right up to his usual flawless best. Full country band, great vocals, quality musicians, three hours of live music...it doesn't get much better! Thanks Matt and the Wyong RSL. Brad