Markus Meier

The "REAL DEAL, DETERMINED, A FRESH NEW FACE" are just some of the words being used to describe this great new talent on the Australian Country Music Scene. Raised in the Austrailian Outback at Halls Creek Western Australia, Markus began his musical journey at the age of five teaching himself chords on the guitar from an old book given to him by his prospector father.

Embarking on a solo career after starting at age 12 with his brother, he then played in many Darwin bands honing his skills on guitar, harmonica, banjo, mandolin and slide guitar before catching the attention of one of Australia's most successfull producers in Garth Porter (Lee Kernaghan, Troy Cassar-Daley, etc). who collaborated on this debut album 'Raindance', released in 2007. This album achieved 4 chart singles including 'In My Boots' which reached No. 1 in Queensland, No. 3 on the CMR National Charts & No. 6 on the European charts.

Markus was the major winner at the recent Mildura Country Music Festival Awards on October 8th this year taking out Top Male Vocalist, Best Album and Australian Independant Artist of the year. There is no question this 'Territory Boy' has well and truly grown up and is now ready to show audiences the raw talent he possesses and his unique style of country music that he writes and sings about so passionately.

For more info about Markus Meier visit his website below http://www.markusmeier.com.au

 

Jayne Denham

Jayne Denham is one of Australia's best music storytellers with a refreshingly new country sound, coming from the perspective of women and living a country way of life. She has a passion for what is unique about Australia, it's people, the land, the wheels of industry and those that keep them turning. Put simply, Jayne knows how to rock!

From her debut single in 2008, 'Chick Ute' to her lates hit, 'A Farmers Wife'. Jayne has gone from strength to strength. Her music speaks to people because it is about who and what we are.

Jayne's debut album, "Sudden Change in Weather", which included her debut single, 'Chick Ute', (which got to #12 on the European Country Music Association Top 100), and second single 'Cousin Jude', was followed by her much anticipated second album release 'Shake This Town'.

For more info about Jayne Denham visit her website below http://www.jaynedenham.com

 

Amber Joy Poulton

Amber Joy has performed as a singer for more than ten years and enjoyed every moment. She is well known for her fabulous "Honky Tonk Angels" Loretta Lynn Tribute show where she performs favourites including Coal Miner's Daughter. At the beginning of 2009 Amber Joy was selected as a Top 10 Grand Finalist in the Tamworth Toyota Starmaker competition and released her first original album, 'Taking Goodbye', co-written and produced by TIARA Best Male Vocalist, Doug Bruce. Rising Star has had radio play around the country and hit the Top 30 of the Australian Country Music Charts while "Good Old Fashioned Days" has been awarded the APRA SA Best Traditional Country Song of the Year 2009.

Amber Joy comes from a singing family and has seen the industry first hand through her auntie's career, Australia's favourite Julie Anthony. We are pleased to welcome back Amber Joy to Red Hill CMF by popular demand where she will be performing her own hits as well as those of the queens of country....Loretta Lynne, June Carter, Patsy Cline and more.

For more info about bout Amber Joy Poulton visit her website http://www.amberjoypoulton.com.au/

 

Peter Baylor & The Roadhouse Romeos

Since 1980 Peter Baylor has been involved in bands playing Rockabilly, Country, Rhythm ‘n Blues and Bluegrass such as The Dancehall Racketeers, Andy Baylor’s Cajun Combo, The Starliners, The Stringbusters, Flatfoot Shakers and Western Swing with The Baylor Brothers.

His many achievements include…
Touring Australia with Doug Parkinson, Ronnie Dawson, Dale Watson and Deke Dickerson and supporting Bob Dylan, Robert Plant and The Stray Cats ….just to name a few. His gigs overseas include Viva Las Vegas festival, Austin Texas, the European rockabilly circuit with the Flatfoot Shakers, and the Rockabilly Rave in England. Peter also played Scotty Moore in The 1994 Sydney production of "ELVIS The Musical"

He will be appearing at Red Hill with his new band "The Roadhouse Romeos" which reflect his interest in styles such as Western Swing, Hillbilly Boogie, Honky Tonk and Rockabilly. This is a four-piece band with steel guitar, guitar, double bass, and drums. They have just put out a new record on the Preston Label, Melbourne's Premier Vintage studio.

For more info about Peter Baylor visit his website below http://www.myspace.com/peterbaylormusic

 

Rough Cut

On Friday 2nd September 2011, Rough Cut won the 8th Annual Les Keats Memorial Award for the most popular band as voted by the members of the Country Music Guild of Australasia. They were one of 19 bands to perform at the Guild during the year 2010-2011.
In 1993 Rough Cut formed at the beginning of the country line-dancing scene and became one of Victorias most popular country bands, playing the latest new country songs along with a few originals. They released an album called “The Race of All Time”. After a ten year break band members of Rough Cut have come back together and will be performing new songs and those that made them so popular in the early 90’s.

For more info about Rough Cut visit the website below http://www.roughcutband.com.au/index.html

 

Chris Lee

Christopher Lee was born in Covington, Virginia USA a small industrial town bordering the beautiful Appalachain Mountains and spent his childhood years growing up in the quiet countryside of Alleghany County.
He began singing at age three to the music he heard on the family radio but it was in 1998 that Chris was in the position to finally pursue his dream of being a recording artist and recorded his debut cd “All Roads Lead To Home".
Chris landed on Aussie soil in 2008 and settled in Gippsland and has since co-written with his wife a touching ballad "We Won't Be Burned Out" which pays respect to all of those who suffered through the Australian Bushfires of 2009. Proceeds from the cd single to go toward aid in rebuilding his community both physically and in spirit.
He has returned to the studio and collaborated with long-time friend, Ray Whitlock in Tennessee to produce his first Australian cd, "Boots N' All".
Chris is really looking forward to meeting you all at Red Hill

For more info about Chris Lee check out his website below http://www.chrisleecountry.com/

 

Cooper West

Born in Melbourne one of five siblings Cooper grew up in the working class suburbs of Coburg and is now residing in rural Victoria.
He started guitar lessons at the age of 13 then later started taking singing lessons.
It soon became evident that he had the passion to become a singer songwriter but for the next decade or so he stood idle and struggled to write, never completing a song. Fortunately by chance one afternoon he found himself at a dump of a pub where he came across a bass player he hadn’t seen for many years Rocky Mesiti.
Cooper explained the rut he was in and Rocky invited him over to jam which they did regularly over the next few months. It was just the inspiration that Cooper needed to light the fire within him to write again.
Cooper has come a long way since that helping hand and has gone on to win the 2010 talent quest at the Whittlesea Country Music Festival and has competed in the Mildura Cmf Champion of Champions but his greatest accomplishment to date is the release of his debut EP “Edge of the World”
His songs reflect a diversity of music from metal to country.
Musically he has been inspired by various artists such as Ronnie James Dio, Richie Blackmore, Dwight Yoakam, Hank Williams Jnr & Charlie Daniels to name a few.
Any encounters, experience, or knowledge, can leave him in a frame of mind to write. His songs are factual, ranging from broken hearts, people who have affected him emotionally and vividly, and many hard grinding days at work.
His debut EP which features 5 tracks sends a powerful message musically and lyrically. The single Black Dog is a song that will touch many. It embraces a bit of country, rock and rockabilly. Capital News Independent David Turner writes “Cooper West is going to be red hot. His debut EP Edge of the World screams undiscovered country rockstar.”

Don’t miss this special performance by Cooper West at the 2012 Red Hill Country Music Festival.

For more info about Cooper West check out his website http://www.cooperwest.com.au/

 

Gunslinger

The answer is ”Yes” to all of you asking if it’s the original Gunslinger.
Gunslinger was a popular country rock band around Melbourne in the 70’s and 80’s and appeared regularly at Spurs and Country Music Festivals.
In June 2011 they reunited to celebrate former manager Glenn Knights 60th birthday where they played some great songs including Queen of the Silver Dollar, and Ghost Riders in the Sky.
There’s been a few band changes over the years but always featured lead singer Marion Rodda and Lead Guitarist Mark Meallin who later went on to work with Keith Glass & the Tumblers and Colin Jones in Texas Touch.
Don’t miss this chance to catch Gunslinger when they make a special appearance at the 2012 Red Hill Country Music Festival.

 

Rick Bartlett

Born in Geelong Victoria, Rick was encouraged by his family's love for Country & Rock to learn guitar at age 11 and spent most of his spare time learning and studying the history of this music and its artists. Music is his life. Rick was only 13 when he was first asked to play in a band, due to his abilities as a great guitar player and went on to study Sound Engineering at RMIT in Melbourne, while playing gigs with a Country/Rock Band. He is influenced by the likes of Chuck Berry, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, Hank Williams Jr, Merle Haggard, George Jones, Garth Brooks and Keith Urban, just to name a few.

Entering various competitions led him to the CMAA College in Tamworth 2006.
Rick then started presenting his very own "Rick Bartlett Cabaret Show"and contrasting, performs 'acoustic' shows also. His first album release "Wanted Outlaw", was a huge success and still selling well to this day. This year June 2011, Rick released his third solo album "Still Workin' On It", featuring new songs written by Rick and including some old time favourites. Rick is a skilled entertainer and an excellent guitar player with a promising song writing future.

For more info about Rick Bartlett visit his website bewlow http://www.rickbartlett.com.au

 

Compere Gary Turner

Gary Turner is a Melbourne based radio/journalist who has enjoyed working with and interviewing many artists including John Travolta, Elton John, Steve Martin, Clint Eastwood, Lee Kernighan, Dudley Moore, Slim Dusty, Peter Falk, Kylie Minogue, Sir Peter Ustinov, Hank B Marvin, Alabama, Joe Cocker, Toto, and many others.

He has worked at various radio stations throughout Australia and has compered many country music events including Spirit of the Bush and Country Music Stampede held in Geelong. Gary is a great supporter of Australian Music and is currently entertainment writer for newspapers in Melbourne and Queensland.

Gary has done a wonderful job as compere of the Red Hill Country Music Festival for the past few years and we again welcome him on stage for the 2012 Red Hilll Country Music Festival.