Country music
is a popular musical form developed in the southern United States, with
roots in traditional folk music, spirituals, and the blues.
Red Hill
Country Music Festival is one of the top events in Australian country
music calendar. It takes place every January in Red Hill, just South East
of Melbourne.
Hamish begun
fiddle lessons at Yinnar Primary School when he was
eight years old, but didn't discover bluegrass until he
was twelve. By the time he was thirteen he had won a few
fiddle contests and put his prize money towards his
first banjo. Hamish won the Australian Bluegrass Fiddle
Championship in 2000, graduated from the CMAA College of
Country Music in 2002 and won Best Overall Musician in
the 2003 National University Band Comp. He has appeared
on national television and at many festivals with such
artists as Adam Harvey, Beccy Cole, John Foreman, Sara
Storer, Troy Cassar-Daley, John Williamson, Lee
Kernaghan, Tommy Emmanuel, Kasey Chambers, Melinda
Schneider, Anne Kirkpatrick, Jim Lauderdale, Steve Forde
& Travis Sinclair. Hamish also studies Chiropractic at
RMIT University in Melbourne and produced the Davidson
Brothers' 2003 release, STAY ALL NIGHT.
Lachlan begun
performing at a very early age, starting the fiddle at
just 6. Not long after that he fell in love with
bluegrass, and started attending festivals with his
family. When he was 12 he bought his first mandolin from
busking money, when they were on a trip in the USA. He
looked up to players like Kym Warner, who showed him the
ropes. He started singing and playing guitar a little
after that. The guitar he uses on the road is one he
built for a year 11 school project. He attended the CMAA
college in 2003. He has played fiddle for many bands and
most recently, he spent 2003 touring Australia as Lee
Kernaghan's fiddle player playing crowds up to 60,000
people. Lachlan's major influences are Dan Tyminski,
Ricky Skaggs and Ronnie McCoury.
Country roots and travelling many
tracks can give great credentials for emerging country
talent.
Lee Forster,
born and raised in country Victoria, grew up in a
country music family. He knows his roots. From age 12,
he played drums and sang harmonies in his parents
country band. Lees parents both played with
Slim Dusty
in the early 70's and Lees mum
Hanny Forster
is the only female drummer Slim ever had. His father
Ken Forster
played Banjo, Bass and some lead guitar along the great
Barry Thornton
during their time with Slim. Both
Lees Folks still play today and his father is a sort
after guitar player.
Lee has
been writing songs, playing lead guitar and taking the
necessary steps to help his country music career for 20
years. Lee has been in many bands and has played
numerous Country Music Festivals all over Australia. He
has played at B&S Balls, Rodeos, Ute Shows, and 100's
of pubs. He has spent many years in Western Australia
living a mining outback life. This travelling lifestyle
has let Lee meet all types of characters and great
geographic icons of Australia. This has given him
armfuls of songs and concepts.
Lee Forster
has a great understanding of how great this country is.
Nicki
Gillis
An
extraordinary vocalist with the ability to capture her
audience's attention and mesmerise them with every
note. Her music comes from the heart and brings with it
a soulful understanding that draws her audiences near.
Originally from Western Australia, Nicki's commitment
and passion to her profession saw her relocate to the
East Coast to help develop her career.
A
stream of notable achievements including 1996 Gympie Muster
Winner, and 2002 headliner at the World Women's Hockey
Championships captivating her audience of over 10,000 plus via
satellite to viewers in 16 countries.
From her first recordings in 1996 with a 4-track single titled
Nicki, to the release of her debut EP Bed of Roses in 2002 - Nicki has shown constant talent and incredible writing ability.
Collaborating with Queensland producer Brendan Radford, Nicki
released her eagerly awaited single On The Mountain. The
irresistible bluegrass tune (co-written with Radford) was one of
4 tracks - all showcasing Nicki's remarkable voice.
The late 2005 release of her album To Here/Hear, saw Nicki
present a collection of past recordings.
2006 saw Nicki entertain the troops in Iraq with punk-rocker Lee
Harding and country artist Stacey Morris, as well as working on
her new album Lucy's Daughter with producer Roger Corbett
released late 2006. The album includes stand-out tracks Remember
Me, Little Bluer and Leavin' You For Myself. The first single
being the Don Walker penned classic Flame Trees, a tribute to
the troops in Iraq. Leavin' You For Myself, co-written with
Kevin Bennett, has become her first Top 10 hit. The current
single Remember Me has elevated Nicki to her second Top 10
success on the Top 30 Country Tracks chart.
2007 has seen Nicki named Coopers Golden Saddle Award Winner, as
well as being named the Open Album Of The Year and Independent
Female Vocalist Of The Year at the Inaugural Horsham CM Awards.
As a young girl growing up amongst the river red gums along the
Murrumbidgee, Wanita would sing at every opportunity. She had a
passion for country roots music, the songs and the singing of
Hank Williams, Patsy Cline and Loretta Lynn.
Wanita was encouraged by her
teachers and her family who saw her passion, enthusiasm and
talent. They gave her a "Hondo acoustic guitar" when she was
fourteen and her singing became an important feature of every
family occasion. She sang "Just a Closer Walk with Thee" acapella at funerals and belted out party rockers or country
ballads at birthdays, Christmas and other celebrations.
As she's matured Wanita hasn't simply indulged her passion.
She's worked hard to develop her natural talent and has taught
herself to play guitar and bass. Wanita has honed her
songwriting skills at the Tamworth Country Music College. More
recently, Wanita has put these skills to use playing in solo,
duo and full band formats in pubs and clubs throughout country
New South Wales. In the process she's developed a huge and
varied repertoire and a loyal following amongst traditional
country music fans.
Wanita has played with the cream of
Australian country musicians and earned their universal respect
and admiration. Many of them can be heard playing with her on
her CD. She has also developed a cult following amongst the
country fans of Tamworth and inner city Sydney. Wanita's shows
have a legendary reputation for wild spontaneity, rocking dance
songs, heart wrenching ballads and the singer's extrovert
personality. Her experience as a performer has taught Wanita how
to read an audience and to give them exactly the right song
delivered in exactly the right way to whip them into a frenzy or
have them crying in their beer.
Wanita's musical roots go deep,
real deep, so when you listen to Wanita she will take you on a
journey through the very heartland of country music.
Trevor
Dennis
For
Trevor Dennis, one of Australia's most versatile performers,
music has always been a way of life. Starting out in cabaret
show bands at the age of sixteen, Trevor developed a love for
all styles of music. As the lead singer/front man in these
bands, Trevor became an experienced and confident entertainer.
Because of his love for music, Trevor decided to become a full
time performer and has entertained at hotels, restaurants,
weddings, country music festivals, sporting and RSL Clubs and
private functions.
Trevor has not only built a good reputation with clients and
their customers, but is well respected as a professional
performer within the entertainment industry.
Requests are a specialty for Trevor and his versatility caters
for all age groups and function requirements, from ballads, rock
and roll, country music (traditional and line dancing) to the
novelty (macarena, bus stop, nut bush, chicken dance etc.)
Christmas, mother's day, Valentines Day, weddings, etc, are all
catered for with many song selections to enhance these special
occasions. Trevor is a full time entertainer and is available
for day or evening performances in your area.
Trevor Dennis can be contacted on 0419 552 592
The Blackhill Ramblers
The Blackhill Ramblers are a four piece Rockabilly,
Country, R&R band that have been playing around
Melbourne, country Victoria and South Australia for more
than eight years. The band is made up of Lead guitar,
Rhythm guitar, Bass, Drums and Vocals.
The venues range from Pubs, Clubs, RSL's, Rock n Roll
dances to Rodeos Music Festivals and private functions,
with numerous regular repeat bookings. The band has a
strong following that's kept up to date with 250 Gig
Guides mailed out monthly.
A professional approach is the key to the bands success,
they rehearse each week to improve and increase their
repertoire. Only the best equipment is used and a P A
system to suite every occasion is available
The Prairie Oysters are a Melbourne based band formed in
February 2006. The band got its name from a popular
Texan delicacy. That simple fact reveals the band's
twisted sense of humour and lets all and sundry know
that this is a band that is about playing music with
balls and having a good time.
It's pretty hard to nail down a particular style of
music The Prairie Oysters play. While predominantly
Country, they also cross over to Rockabilly, Southern
Rock and Blues. The band's influences include: Dale
Watson, Dwight Yoakim, John Fogerty, The Kentucky
Headhunters, BR549, Brooks and Dunn, George Strait,
Robert Gordon, ZZ Top and many more.
The Prairie Oysters are:
Mark "Yorkie" Crossley: Vocals, Guitars
Rob Street: Vocals, Drums
Lee Slater: Vocals, Lead Guitar
Tony Bonnici: Vocals, Bass Guitar
Mick "Burkey" Burke: Pedal Steel
Upon seeing the Distance it's easy to see why they are fast
becoming one of Australia's must see live acts. With an
incredible warmth and energy that exudes from the band it's hard
not to be sucked into the catchy melodies and flowing harmonies
of their original music. The guys have only been together just
on three years but have already notched up some incredible
achievements.
Not long after forming they hit the studio to record their debut
album 'Don't look back', released into music stores right around
the country. The first single release 'Get a little Dirt on your
Hands' with Australian country music legend 'Johnny Chester' on
guest vocals received strong airplay across the country and
helped John to win 'best independent release' at last years
Victorian CM awards. The band itself was top 5 finishers in four
other categories, including 'best album' and 'best vocal'. Their
debut album spawned three more radio singles 'Don't Look Back',
'This Land' and 'Waiting'. The video clips for all three songs
were played constantly on CMC and helped The Distance set their
mark with country fans across Australia. The band toured the
east coast of Australia later that year in support of their
debut album and won over many new fans on the way.
At the 2007 Tamworth Country Music festival the band was asked
to play as part of the official opening ceremony concert. And to
top off a great year the band played on the main stage to close
the entertainment at this years Deniliquin Ute Muster in front
of thousands of late night revellers. This is band that is just
as comfortable in the corner of a pub playing a heartfelt ballad
or rocking it out on the big stage.
The Distance is currently completing their follow up album which
will be released in January 2008.
What's it sound like? Well it's classic Australian country rock,
with a clever blend of 70's Americana with influences ranging
from the early Eagles and Bob Seger to Aussie band The Flood.
With a variety of influences shining through in every song, The
Distance has a little something for everyone. It's no wonder
Allied Artists booked these guys for 6 shows at the 2006
Tamworth music festival, plucking them from relevant obscurity.
The guys had a huge response, one punter even flying his wife up
from Sydney just to catch one of their live shows.
The Distance is Gavin Leadbetter (lead vocals, guitars), Jim
Mournian (bass, vocals), Darren Shiels (drums), Mitchell Dean
(guitars, vocals), and Rob Moe (boards, sax and vocals).
Walkin' The Line -
Johnny Cash and June Carter Tribute Show
ALAN BOWLES as Johnny Cash
Guitarist/Vocalist and twice National Open Harmonica Champion,
Alan has performed and recorded with many national and
international recording artists. He has appeared on TV shows
such as Countdown, Hey Hey It's Saturday, The Great Outdoors and
others. He has toured around Australia, the USA, Japan and the
South Pacific. He has also appeared in movies such as Phar Lap,
The Slim Dusty Movie, Squizzy Taylor and also in various local
TV productions.
CHRISTINA De ROCHE as June Carter-Cash
California born Singer/Songwriter, Christina sang in several
bands on the west coast of the USA before settling in Australia.
Her distinctive vocals, whether it be lead or backing are what
she is recognised for.
A vibrant personality makes her very appealing to audiences -
they can see she loves what she does, and that on stage aura is
very contagious! Christina has also had vast experience with TV
and live to air performances. Both Alan and Christina have been
performing this style of music for 25 years.
