2019 – Country Wrap

Hey everybody,

 

Ahead of wishing you all a happy new year, I want to thank you all for the fabulous music from both Australian and International Country Music folks and your friendship and inclusion in your  country family circle.

In essence, I am just a country music fan who is passionate about promoting and experiencing country music. I dips me lid to all of those who entertain us and those who support this beautiful genre.

I have had a rough year personally and professionally and music has seen me through it. I especially want to thank my Country Music Family in Victoria, not just musos but producers and fans and anyone involved in Country Music in Australia.

It was also good to see a resurgence of American country music, some by classic artists and others by those influenced by classic country artists.

I was lucky enough to be transported and accompanied by many country music fans, including Shirley Brown, Jenny Keck, Kaylene Pittaway, Cathy and John Dobson and Leonie  and  Clint Wilson and Bruce and Monica Nowack and many others who share my love for country music and want others to experience what we do. As does B and G Deshon and many others. And of course, Bruber. I wouldn’t have got to any of the gigs without him. Thank you to all

 

This year was the hardest ever for the Kazzies, which resulted in 105 categories and numerous artists in each one. It was such a boom year, which is an awesome headache to have.

I finally got to see my American male hero, Kris Kristofferson, which was just mind blowing after so many years of trying to see him and lots of amazing Australian artists.

Thanks to Cathy Dobson and Clint Wilson for allowing me on their 3MDR program and the great thrill of interviewing my Aussie Male Country hero in Mike Carr.

Thanks to Leonie for letting me do my 6am report on 2RRR every Saturday and my two guest appearances while I was in Sydney.

Tamworth was awesome, as it will be this year.

Sad to lose so many people in 2019 and also sad that so many awesome couples broke up. We can only hope that next year will be much brighter. On the other hand, so many folks had babies this year and new couples were formed.

So many great gigs, including Matt Ward (who was such a gem),  Gareth, Aaron, Lloyd, Rick, Hayley, Gretta, Michael Waugh, Swifty, Cornell and Carr, The Young Guns Reunion, Taste of Tamworth, Jetty Road and Della, Hannah Aldridge, the two Mikes and the enigmatic Khristian Mizzi, so many to rave on about, such a lucky gal to see all of these plus my dear friend, Sir Allan Caswell and Lachlan Bryan and the Wildes, Imogen Clark, Shane Nicholson and of course my April Family, and Fanny, Catherine, the wonderful Melinda Schneider and so many others. Thank you all for making me feel a part of your music lives and for all the joy that you bring me.

To Darren Colston, Angus Gill, Emma Jene, and those who I would never thought that I would associate their names with country: Dom Italiano, Kelly Brouhaha, aforementioned Khristian Mizzi, some wonderful new artists like Michelle Gardiner, Aaron (who has been awesome), Anderson Lane, Ingrid Mae, Georgie, Brittany Elise and my usual country music daughters, Amber and Leyce.  I am so very fortunate to have these beautiful folks and many more in my lot.

Felicity. Prayers and thoughts are with you.

Beccy, you and my 50th anniversary were special. Forbesy, Sal, The Crosby Sisters, all my Tamworth mob

Wendy Wood, you are a legend.

 

Lots of love and beautiful memories amongst the sad days to all. Thank you for including me into your circle.

 

Cheers

Kaz

Summary of the Kazzies 2019

 

For those who find the big list too painful, here is the “winners’ list”.

International Section:

International Female Vocal – Tanya Tucker

International Female Album – Tanya Tucker – While I’m Livin’

International Female Song – Bring My Flowers Now – Tanya Tucker

International Male Vocal – Vince Gill

International Male Album – Okie – Vince Gill

International Male Song – Mornings in Memphis – Justin Townes Earle

Group or Duo Album – Women and Trains – Reverie Lane

Group or Duo – Reverie Lane

Group or Duo – Song – Crowded Table – Highwomen

International Shower Song – Before the Rice hits the Ground – Reverie Lane

Australian ( and a couple of Kiwis) Kazzies

Peer/Fan voted

Best dressed Male – Brad Butcher

Best Dressed Female – Amber Lawrence

Best Dressed Band – Lachlan Bryan and The Wildes

Best Dressed Duo – The Weeping Willows

Special Mentions to Shelley Minson ad The Cruisin’ Deuces

Best Smelling Male 

Rick Hart, Mark Piepers and honorary mention to Kerry Kennedy

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Super Fans: Bruber, Gammy, Les, Jenny, Kaylene, The Naylors, Jacinta, Bruce and Monica Nowak and the rest of the Melbourne Mob.

Slim Dusty Road Hogs

Andrew Swift and Gretta Ziller

Fanny Lumsden and Co

Becy Cole and The Road Crew

Catherine Britt

Gayle O’Neill

Flag Flyers

The French Family, Tamara Stewart, Keith Urban, Morgna Evans, Diana Corcoran, Lachlan Bryan and The Wildes, The Weeping Willows, Troy Kemp, 8 Ball Aitken, Michael Fix, and Steve Passfield

Collaboration

Tie: Andrew Swift and Gretta Ziller – Second Hand

Clint Wilson and Jen Mize – One Button at a time

Road Song – The Road – Lachlan Bryan and the Wildes

Best Wearer of a Cowboy hat – Ben Mastwyk

Rob Wilson All Rounder – Michael Carpenter

Wendy Wood Shower Song – Gayle O’Neill – Open Arms

Tv/Music Presentations – Out in the Country – Mark and Mary Piepers

and The Recording Studio – ABC Tv

Video – Cornell and Carr – Things I Leave Behind

Male songwriter of the Year – Michael Waugh

Female Songwriter of the year – Felicity Urquhart

Phil Emmanuel/ Tom Fauvette  Muso of the Year –

Female: Chelsea Allen

Male Damian Cafarella

Best Drinking Song – Whiskey Song – Tie: Drowning in the Whiskey – Andy Penkow and George and Jack – Ian Burns

Best Drinking Song – All other Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic drinking songs – Water over Wine – Natalie Henry

Celtic Flavoured Country Song – We’d Prefer You Pay in Cash – Angus Gill

Off the Cuff Album – Some Other Morning – Khristian Mizzi

Bluegrass Release – Bad Politics – Allan Caswell and Damian Cafarella

If Ned Kelly and Waylon Jennings had a baby Outlaw award: Rory Ellis

The HHHottest country song of the year award – One Button at a time – Jen Mize and Clint Wilson

All Australian Song – Sing Me A Story – Luke O’Shea and Lyn Bowtell

Stan Coster Fair Dinkum All Australian Album – Tie – The Weir – Michael Waugh and Aussie As – Matt Scullion

Best Venues: The Mantra, Yarraville, The Press Club Tamworth and The Union Hotel, Brunswick

The Artists Helping Artists Award : The Long and The Short of It

Nathaniel O’Brien Rising Star Male – Nathan Seeckts

Rising star Male Song – Three Brothers – Nathan Seeckts

Kate Cook Rising Star Female – Katie Bates

Rising Star Female song – Hey Honey – Georgie Taylor

Jack In the Box Male – Dom Italiano

Jack in The Box Female – Katie Bates

Country Blues Album Male – Aaron D’Arcy – Charcoal and Ash

Country Blues Album Female – Kelly Brouhaha – Self Titled Album

Country Rock Album Male – Luke Dickens – After The Rain

Country Rock Album Female – Christie Lamb – Broken Lines

Country Soultry Album – Mat Black – Trucker Caps and Heart Attacks

Country Folk Album –  Male – Kelly Cork – Where I’m Going

Country Folk Album – Female – Claire Anne Taylor – All the Words

Best Covers Song – I’ll Be Home Soon – Gary Ellis and Tessa Libreri

Traditional Album – Welcome to My Heart – Angus Gill

Traditional Song – Tumbleweed – Roo Arcus

Most Liked/Shared Totally Biased Fan Review – Charcoal and Ash – Aaron D’Arcy  in a tight finish with Khristian Mizzi’s Some Other Morning

Best River song – River – Kelly Brouhaha

Best Train Song – Train to Godforsaken – Allan Caswell

Karl Broadie More than a song song – Tie – In the Cards – Angus Gill and Blue had You by The April Family

Best Song containing names of famous people: Cash – Gina Jeffreys

Audrey Auld Courage Awards – Jason Kemp, Felicity Urquhart, Bob Browne, Clelia Adams, Cazna Goodall, Jane E Robertson, The Bobkatz, Rodney Walker, Carter and Carter, Wendy Wood, Keri McInerney and Col Finley

Best Gigs – Tamworth – Woman Enough – Melody Moko, Fanny Lumsden, Catherine Britt, Natalie Henry, Gretta Ziller

Lyn Bowtell, Beccy Cole, Gina Jeffreys and Tania Kernaghan

Lock the Gate

Brad Butcher and Felicity Urquhart

Allison Forbes Medicine Shows

Best Gig (for the Vibe) – The Matt Ward Melbourne Album Launch and Gareth Leach and the Drunken Poachers – The Retreat

Most Unique Gig –

Carter and Carter, Megan Sidwell and Fred Smith – Songwriters in the Round – Tamworth Services Club

Best Quotes – Too Many!

Best Album Cover Art – Kristy Arthurson for Khristian Mizzi album Some Other Morning

Best Speech – Beccy Cole, accepting Golden Guitar for Best Female Vocal

Best Country Radio Show – Tie – Jukebox Junkie – Beth Brown and The Breakfast Show with Cathy Dobson and Clint Wilson

John Minson Best Radio Presenter – Leonie McClure

Best Country Music Radio Station – 2RRR – Leonie, Terry, Ronnie Boy and all the gang

Mall of Fame – Lyn Bowtell, Kevin Johnson and Glen Hannah

Humanitarian – Big Purple Heart Awards – Lyn Bowtell, Gina Timms, Dani Young, Wendy Wood, Leonie McClure, Amber Lawrence, Andrew Swift (for his work with the Dog on the Tuckerbox), Daniel Thompson, Melinda Schneider and Ryan Daykin

Special Kazzies: Katie Jayne for instigating the post on here recognizing Singles in The Single Life.

Purple Moments –

Adam and Brooke explaining the difference between Collaboration and Duo at the GG’s

Michael Waugh singing to his Mum at Maffra

Imogen Clark and the words that she said to me on the Red Carpet at the GGs

Swifty’s wins at the GGs

The beautiful connection that our country music family has.

Concept Album – Matt Ward – Heartland (Male) Hayley Marsten – Spectacular Heartbreak – (female)

Best House Concert – Shane Nicholson, Swifty and Michael Waugh – Jenny Keck’s House

Best Gigs – Fanny Lumsden (Female) Spotted Mallard

Khristian Mizzi (Male) Caravan Club

The April Family (band) with Rose and Mitch at Kym Poole’s house

Cornell and Carr (Duo) the Mantra

Special Events: The Young Stars of Country – 20 Years Reunion – Warragul – Beccy, Adam, Darren and Fliss and Taste of Tamworth at Moe RSL – Carter and Carter, The Weeping Willows, Jayne Denham and Della Harris

The Glen Hannah Best Producer – Matt Fell

Band Album – The April Family – House of Cards

Duo Album – Smith and Jones – Something Worth Learning

Female EEP – Georgie Taylor – The Deep

Male EEP – Ryan Daykin – Keeping Secrets

Female EP Tie – I wish you enough – Wendy Wood and Michelle Gardiner – self titled

Duo Song – Things I leave behind – Cornell and Carr

Male Song – Better Man – Matt Ward

Female song – Chain of Joy – Felicity Urquhart

Male Album – Tie – Some Other Morning – Khristian Mizzi and Heartland – Matt Ward

Female Album – Tie – Apple and Pride – Natalie Henry and Spectacular Heartbreak – Hayley Marsten

Best Duo – Cornell and Carr

Best Band – The April Family

Best Band song – Route 33 with Sarah McLeod – Hands of Time

Best Male Vocal – Matt Ward

Best Female Vocal: Gina Jeffreys

Best album of the Year (all categories) Spectacular Heartbreak – Hayley Marsten

Best song (all categories)Things I Leave Behind – Cornell and Carr

Entertainer of the Year – Beccy Cole

Best Self Promoter – Benny Allen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Kazzies – Purple Air Guitars 2019

Welcome to The Kazzies for 2019.

My name is Kaz Johnson and I am a country music fan – in fact, I am a music fan in general. I call them the Kazzies not to be egotistical, but to claim them as my own judgements. I have been lucky enough to be raised in what Adam Harvey calls the “two Hillbilly Heavens” in Australia, Tamworth and The Central Coast. Sometimes, in Tamworth, as a teenager, I may have cringed and stuck my fingers in my ears at some of the music back then, but that all changed, and in fact a lot of music that I listened to (mainly folk, 60’s rock and Blues) had connections to country music.

Country Music has evolved in Australia, and according to an email that I received a few years ago post Tamworth from the TCMF, there are 79 types.  I try to listen to all of them and keep my opinions broad and open like the genre is itself.

I have met many friends through country music, and I am a very minor part of a major country music family. Coming from Tamworth and Gosford, and being born at the foot of the Blue Mountains, this now Victorian based fan has been blessed with some amazing music and I have been able to review albums, go to gigs and even appear on some community radio stations.

This year’s Kazzies are bigger than ever. They reward many who never get a mention or only quietly. They are actually being announced a week later than usual, because there are so many categories and I have been busy with my “real” job. It is hard to give an award to everybody, let alone single out a few. As always, I have an International section, which is also a bit bigger this year, thanks to some great comebacks and some new musos who are harking back to what country should be in America.

There are very few rules, but there are some, as I have to have some guidelines. First and foremost, this is my opinion, save two novelty awards which were judged by musos and fans and I don’t usually do that, but that was fun. I love all of these guys and gals, otherwise, they wouldn’t feature in my Totally Biased Fan Reviews. I do hope that you realise that even though I can’t play or sing, I try to write fairly and honestly.

The rules are basic:

All music has been reviewed by me during the last year – (since the last Kazzies in December, 2018 until now).

Gigs are based on gigs that I have been to all music is based on music that I have listened to and/or reviewed.

My awards are judged on albums that have been released in this last year, not necessarily singles. This can be confusing to some, as some singles have been released this year off albums that have been released outside the time period. Unfortunately, they do not come into contention, in  fact, in a lot of cases, they were nominated in last year’s Kazzies.

There are two awards that were open for public opinion and mainly judged by other artists. These were two novelty awards. Thank you for your opinions.

This is my way of thanking all of those who have brought me great joy and who have helped me through some tough times too. Some of you may discover new music, or be reminded of how much wonderful talent we have.

 

International Section:

Female Vocal:

Nominations:

Reba McEntire

Amanda Cook

Allison Moorer

Hannah Aldridge

Trisha Yearwood

Sheryl Crow

Aly Cook

Tanya Tucker

Purple guitar goes to:

Tanya Tucker

International Female Album:

Nominations:

Stronger Than The Truth – Reba McEntire

Point of No Return – Amanda Cook

Blood – Allison Moorer

LIVE in Black and White – Hannah Aldridge

Every Girl – Trisha Yearwood

Caught in the Middle – Aly Cook

While I’m Livin’ – Tanya Tucker

Threads – Sheryl Crow

And the Purple guitar goes to:

While I’m Livin’ Tanya Tucker

International Female Song

Nominations:

Bring My Flowers Now – Tanya Tucker

Stronger Than the Truth – Reba McEntire

Nobody’s Perfect – Sheryl Crow featuring Emmylou Harris

I’ll Carry You Home – Trisha Yearwood

Heal – Allison Moorer

Goldrush – Hannah Aldridge

And the Purple Guitar goes to:

Tanya Tucker – Bring my Flowers now

 

 

International Male Vocal

Nominations:

Rodney Crowell

Vince Gill

George Strait

Justin Townes Earle

Phil Doublet

Darryl Worley

Richard Lynch

Bruce Springsteen

And the purple air guitar goes to:

Vince Gill

International Male Album

Okie – Vince Gill

Three Crows – Phil Doublet

Second Wind – Darryl Worley

Texas – Rodney Crowell

Honky Tonk Machine – George Strait

Think I’ll Carry it on – Richard Lynch

Western stars – Bruce Springsteen

The Saint of Lost Causes – Justin Townes Earle

And the Purple Air Guitar goes to:

Okie – Vince Gill

International Male Song

Nominations:

A world without Haggard – Vince Gill

Old Violin – George Strait

Mornings in Memphis – Justin Townes Earle

Pray on the Radio – Richard Lynch

Deep in the heart of Uncertain Texas -Rodney Crowell and friends

Tucson Train – Bruce Springsteen

And the Purple Guitar goes to:

Mornings in Memphis – Justin Townes Earle

International Group or Duo album

Nominations:

Breakdown on 20th Avenue South – Buddy and Julie Miller

Blue Roses – Runaway June

The Barker Family Band EP – The Barker Family Band featuring Sara Evans

The Highwomen – The Highwomen

Women and Trains – Reverie Lane

And the Purple Air Guitar goes to:

Women and Trains – Reverie Lane

 

International Group or Duo

Buddy and Julie Miller

Runaway June

The Barker Family Band including Sara Evans

The Highwomen

Reverie Lane

And the purple air guitar goes to:

Reverie Lane

Duo/Band Song

Nominations –

Crowded Table – Highwomen

Blue Roses – Runaway June

When Love Walks In – Reverie Lane

Can’t Cry Hard Enough – Buddy and Julie Miller

The View – Barker Family

The Purple Air Guitar goes to:

Crowded Table – Highwomen

 

International Shower Song:

Nominations:

Redesigning Women – Highwomen

Before The Rice Hit the Ground – Reverie Lane

Buy My Own Drinks – Runaway June

I’m Gonna Make You Love Me – Buddy and Julie Miller

Mustang Ridge – Tanya Tucker

And the Purple Guitar goes to:

Reverie Lane – Before the Rice Hit the Ground

 

Australian Awards:

Peer and Fan Voted:

Best Dressed: 

Male: Brad Butcher

Female: Amber Lawrence

Band : Lachlan Bryan and The Wildes

Duo: The Weeping Willows

special mention to Shelly Minson and The Cruisin’ Deuces

Best Smelling Country Music Male Personalities:
Rick Hart, Mark Piepers and an honorary mention to Kerry Kennedy.

The Purple Guitars: Australian.

Super Fans

Bruce “Bruber”, Gammy, Les, Jenny, Kaylene, The Naylors, Jacinta, Bruce and Monica Nowak and the rest of the Melbourne mob.
In the Tradition of Slim Dusty Road Hogs Awards:

Winners:

Andrew Swift and Gretta Ziller

Fanny Lumsden and co.

Beccy Cole and the road crew

Catherine Britt

Gayle O’Neill
Flag Flyers

The French Family

Tamara Stewart

Keith Urban

Morgan Evans

Diana Corcoran

Lachlan Bryan and The Wildes

The Weeping Willows

Troy Kemp

Michael Fix

Steve Passfield

 

 

Collaboration

Nominations:

Luke O’Shea and Lyn Bowtell Sing Me A Story
Andrew Swift and Gretta Ziller Second Hand
Gina Jeffreys and Lee Kernaghan – He Still Wants to Dance with Her
Felicity Urquhart and Karl Broadie – Slow it Down
Clint Wilson and Jen Mize – One Button At A Time
Angus Gill and James Blundell – Doesn’t Mean I Don’t Believe

Aaron D’Arcy and Dani Young – Postcards

Ryan Daykin and Aleyce Simmonds – Arms Length

Luke Dickens and Adam Harvey – Hung Up On You

Route 33 and Sarah McLeod – Hands of Time

And the Purple Guitar goes to:

Andrew Swift and Gretta Ziller – Second Hand and Clint Wilson and Jen Mize for One Button at a time (tough category)

Best Road Song:

Nominations:

Running on Empty – Aaron D’Arcy

The Road – Lachlan Bryan and The Wildes

Wrong Turn, Right – Liam Kennedy-Clark

One Headlight On – Andy Penkow

Highway Through The Snow – Bill Chambers

Forever Road – Luke Dickens

300 Miles – Ian Burns

Open Road – Kelly Brouhaha

Down The Road – Kelly Cork

Big – Matt Scullion

Big Things – Michael Waugh

Drive – Bec Willis

Navigate – Sophia Chesworth

HItchhiker – Tom Curtain

Drifting – Wagons

This Road – April Family

And the Purple Guitar goes to:

The Road – Lachlan Bryan and The Wildes

Man who wears a cowboy hat best: Outright winner!

Ben Mastwyk

The Rob Wilson All Rounder Award

(for someone who writes, plays, sings, produces etc)

Nominations:

Angus Gill

Michael Carpenter

Felicity Urquhart

Alwyn Aurisch

Damian Cafarella

Lachlan Bryan

And the purple guitar goes to: Michael Carpenter

Wendy Wood Purple Mic Shower Song (Australian)

Nominations:

Hell to Hallelujah – Amber Lawrence

Friends like these – The April Family

Choosy – Ingrid Mae

Open Arms – Gayle O’Neill

Hillbilly Cider – Jed Zarb and Dani Young

I Give My Heart To You – Aaron D’Arcy

And the Purple Guitar goes to:

Open Arms – Gayle O’Neill

Television/ Music presentations: Winners:

Out in The Country  – Mark and Mary Youtube

The Recording Studio – ABC Television
Video:

Cornell and Carr: Things I Leave Behind
Swift and Ziller  Second Hand
Amber Lawrence Hell to Hallelujah
Luke O’Shea and Lyn Bowtell Sing Me A Story
Jetty Road: Bumps and Bruises
Matt Scullion: Aussie As

And The Purple Air Guitar Goes To:

Cornell and Carr – Things I Leave Behind

 

Male Songwriter of the Year:
Michael Waugh

Female Songwriter of the Year:
Felicity Urquhart
Phil Emmanuel/Tom Fauvette Musos of the year:
Female: Chelsea Allen (Great Aunt and guesting with most bands around Melbourne – can play anything)
Male: Damian Cafarella (no introduction needed)

Best Drinking Song: Two Categories:

Best Whiskey Song

Nominations:

Intervention – Emma Jene

Drowning in the Whiskey – Andy Penkow

Drink it Up – Aaron D’Arcy

My Whiskey and Me – Peter Dawson

George and Jack – Ian Burns

Whiskey Drunk – Nathan Seeckts

Best Friend is Whiskey – Ian Burns

Hella good time – Jase Lansky

And the Purple Air Guitar goes to:

Drowning in the Whiskey – Andy Penkow  and George and Jack – Ian Burns

 

Best Drinking Song or one which includes mention of  other alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages

Nominations:

Cry in your Beer – Hayley Marsten

Red Wine, White Dress – Hayley Marsten

Blame it on the wine – Renee Jonas

Last Drinks – Michael Waugh

Must Have Been the Wine – Della Harris

Champagne – The April Family

Water over Wine – Natalie Henry

We’d Prefer You Pay In Cash – Angus Gill

 

Hillbilly Cider – Jed Zarb with Dani Young

Bottom of an Empty Bottle – Liam Kennedy Clark

Tenderness and Alcohol – The Maes

And the Purple Air Guitar goes to:

Water over wine – Natalie Henry

Celtic Country Song:

Nominations:

We’d Prefer You Pay in Cash – Angus Gill

On this fine occasion – Brendan McMahon

Beer Drinking Song – Ian Burns

Catherine Hill – Ashleigh Dallas

And the purple guitar goes to:

Angus Gill – We’d Prefer you pay in Cash

 

Off the Cuff Album

Some Other Morning – Khristian Mizzi

Bluegrass Release:

Nominations:

Bad Politics – Allan Caswell and Damian Cafarella

Champagne – The April Family

Sweetwater – Rod McCormack

Yesterday’s Heartache – Kristy Cox

And the purple air banjo goes to:

Bad Politics – Allan Caswell and Damian Cafarella

If Ned Kelly and Waylon Jennings had a baby Outlaw Award

Rory Ellis

The “Hhhottest” country song of the year award

One Button at a time – Jen Mize and Clint Wilson

 

All Australian Song

Nominations:

Aussie As – Matt Scullion

Big Things – Michael Waugh

That’s How I Remember You Best – Bill Chambers

Mannuem Falls – Tom Curtain

Dirt Farm Outlaw – Adam Toms

Wish A Storm On You – Angus Gill

Freshwater Lady – Brad Butcher

Train to Godforsaken – Allan Caswell
Sing Me A Story – Luke O’Shea and Lyn Bowtell

And the purple guitar goes to:

Sing Me A Story – Luke O’Shea and Lyn Bowtell
Stan Coster Fair Dinkum All Australian Album

Nominations:

We’re Still Here – Tom Curtain

Aussie As – Matt Scullion

Raindance – Sara Storer

The Reason – Peter Dawson

Warries: Fred Smith

The Weir: Michael Waugh

And the purple guitar goes to:

Tie: The Weir – Michael Waugh and Aussie As – Matt Scullion

Best Venue

Winners

The Mantra, Yarraville

The Press Club – Tamworth

The Union Hotel – Brunswick

The Artists helping Artists Award:

Winner: The Long and Short of It – Patsy and David

 

Nathaniel O’Brien  Rising Star Male

Nominations:

Nathan Seeckts

Liam Kennedy Clark

Gareth Leach

Ryan Daykin

And the Purple Guitar goes to: 

Nathan Seeckts

Rising Star Male Song

Ryan Daykin – The Way She Loved Me

Nathan Seeckts – Three Brothers

Mason Hope – The River

Liam Kennedy- Clark – Bottom of an Empty Bottle

And the Purple Guitar goes to: 

Three Brothers – Nathan Seeckts

 

Kate Cook Rising Star Female

Nominations:

Katie Bates

Georgie Taylor

Brittany- Elise

Michelle Gardiner

Sophia Chesworth

And the purple guitar goes to:

Katie Bates

Rising Star Female Song – 

Nominations:

Dorothy May – Brittany Elise

Polka dot dress – Katie Bates

Hey Honey – Georgie Taylor

More – Cassidy Rae

Sing Me A Memory – Michelle Gardiner

And the Purple Air Guitar Goes to:

Hey Honey – Georgie Taylor

 

Jack in the Box Male (Where the Hell have you been – Out of the Blue Artist) – Dom Italiano

Jack in the Box Female (Out of the Blue Artist and then she’s everywhere) – Katie Bates

Country Blues Album Male Aaron D’Arcy Charcoal and Ash
Country Blues Album Female Kelly Brouhaha  Self titled
Country Rock Album Male : Luke Dickens: After The Rain

Country Rock Album Female: Christie Lamb – Broken Lines

Country Soultry Album _ Mat Black – Trucker Caps and Heart Attacks

Country Folk Album Male: Kelly Cork – Where I’m Going

Country Folk Album Female: Claire Anne Taylor – All The Words

Best Covers Song:

Nominations:

I’ll Be Home soon -Gary Ellis and Tessa Libreri

House of the Rising Sun – Emma Beau

Steal Your Love – Aly Cook

Country Lovin’ – Your Good Girl’s Gonna Go Bad

You Belong To Me – Kel-Anne Brandt

And the Purple Guitar goes to:

I’ll Be Home Soon – Gary Ellis and Tessa Libreri

Traditional Album

Nominations:

This Girl – Anderson Lane

Holy Smoke – Ingrid Mae

Welcome To My Heart – Angus Gill

1952 – Bill Chambers

Reflection – Ashleigh Dallas

Another Habit – Liam Kennedy Clark

Fingerprints – Rod McCormack

And the Purple Air Guitar goes to: 

Angus Gill – Welcome to My Heart

Traditional Song:

Tumbleweed: Roo Arcus

Dirt Farm Cowboy – Adam Toms

Saloons n Outlaws – Ingrid Mae

Mamma – Kerryn Fields

Back to the Country – Matt Ward

I saw Mumma crying – Anderson Lane

Wish a storm on you – Angus Gill

And the purple air guitar goes to:

Roo Arcus – Tumbleweed

 

Most Liked/Shared Review:

(this is the only statistical award. Based on how many “hits” there have been on the blog)

Aaron D’Arcy Charcoal and Ash

tightly followed by Khristian Mizzi  Some Other Morning

Best River Song

Nominations:

Home by The River – Ria Brcic

Down To The River – Emma Beau

River – Kelly Brouhaha

River Bend – Kelly Cork

Living on The River – 8 Ball Aitken

The River – Ian Burns

And The Purple Guitar goes to:

River – Kelly Brouhaha

Best Train Song:

Train to Godforsaken – Allan Caswell

Railman’s Song – Mat Black

Keep Rollin’ – Blake O’Connor

The Train Song – Smith and Jones

End of the tunnel – Amber Lawrence

The Station – Rory Ellis

And the Purple Air Guitar Goes to:

The Train to Godforsaken – Allan Caswell

 

Karl Broadie More than a song song

I could Dance with You – Aleyce Simmonds

I get it now – Amber Lawrence

Cold Wind – Aly Cook

Room At The Table – Gina Jeffreys

Blue had you – The April Family

In The Cards – Angus Gill

The Letter – Rory Ellis

Hands of Time – Route 33 with Sarah McLeod

If You Could See Me Now – Cornell and Carr

And the Purple Guitar goes to: Tie: In the Cards – Angus Gill and Blue had you – The April Family
Best Song written about or containing the name/s of famous people

Nominations:

James Dean – Anderson Lane

This Song Reminds Me – Michael Waugh

Hole in My Heart – Jeff Gibson

Time Travelling Gypsy – Karin Page

Cash – Gina Jeffreys

She Gave Us the Song – Tom Curtain

I Walk The Line Revisited – Brad Butcher

Stanley and Slim – Peter Dawson

And the Purple Guitar goes to:

Cash – Gina Jeffreys

 

Audrey Auld Courage Awards

Jason Kemp

Felicity Urquhart

Bob Browne

Clelia Adams

Cazna Goodall

Jane E Robertson

The Bobkatz

Rodney Walker

Wendy Wood

Keri McInerney

Col Finley

 

Best gigs Tamworth

Winners:

Woman Enough – Melody Moko, Fanny Lumsden, Catherine Britt, Gretta Ziller and Natalie Henry at The Albert

Lyn Bowtell, Beccy Cole, Gina Jeffreys, Tania Kernaghan at Blazes

Lock the Gate Concert – Allan Caswell and a cast of thousands – Tamworth Town Hall

Brad Butcher and Felicity Urquhart  Blazes

Allison Forbes and friends Medicine Shows – Press Club

Best gig (for the vibe)

Tie: Matt Ward album Launch, Melbourne and Gareth Leach and the Drunken Poachers at The Retreat, Brunswick

Most unique gig

Carter and Carter, Megan Sidwell and Fred Smith – Songwriters in the Round – Tamworth Services Club.
Quotes of the Year

There were a lot of great quotes this year, most of which I cannot repeat!

Best Album Cover Art:

Kristy Arthurson – Some Other Morning – Khristian Mizzi

Best Speech of the year:

Beccy Cole accepting Golden Guitar for Best Female Vocal
Best Country Radio Show

Nominations:

Three Chords and the Truth – Jen Mize and Paddy McHugh

The Breakfast Show with Cathy Dobson and Clint Wilson

Jukebox Junkie – Beth Brown

My Kinda Country – Leonie McClure

All Kinds of Country – Barbara Morison

And the Purple Guitar Goes to: Tie

Jukebox Junkie – Beth Brown and The Breakfast Show with Cathy Dobson and Clint Wilson
John Minson Best Radio Presenter/Presenters

Nominations:

Paddy McHugh and Jen Mize

Beth Brown

Leonie McClure

Ronnie Boy

Clint Wilson and Cathy Dobson

Vickiree Melouney

Barbara Morison

And the Purple Air Guitar goes to:

Leonie McClure
Best  Country Music Radio Station

2RRR – Leonie, Terry, Ronnie Boy etc.
Mall of Fame Entrants

Lyn Bowtell, Kevin Johnson, Glen Hannah

Humanitarian Awards – Big Purple Heart Awards

Winners: Lyn Bowtell, Gina Timms, Dani Young,Wendy Wood, Leonie McClure, Amber Lawrence, Andrew Swift (for saving our favourite dog!), Daniel Thompson, Melinda Schneider, Ryan Daykin. You guys know why.

Special Kazzie for thinking of those who just release singles – This lead to the Single Life Posts. – to Katie Jayne

My Purple Moments awards

Adam and Brooke explaining the difference between Collaboration and Duo awards at the Golden Guitars

Michael Waugh singing to his Mum with Gretta and the boys at Maffra

Conversation with Imogen Clark on the Red Carpet, Golden Guitars

Swifty winning those Golden Guitars

To all of those in my country music family, especially the Victorian mob, thank you for providing so many wonderful moments.

Concept Album – Winners:

(A concept album is when a whole album revolves around a continuing story or idea – Past winners have included Craig Stewart’s Frontier, Angus Gill’s Nomad and Cathy Dobson’s Tales from a suburban housewife.)

Male:

Matt Ward  – Heartland

Female:

Hayley Marsten – Spectacular Heartbreak

Best House Concert

Shane Nicholson, Andrew Swift and Michael Waugh at Jenny Keck’s.

 

Best Gigs:

Fanny Lumsden (Female) Spotted Mallard

Khristian Mizzi (Male)  Caravan Club

The April Family (Band)  with Rose Zita Falko and Mitch Power – Kym Poole House Concert

Cornell and Carr (Duo) The Mantra

Special Event – The Young Stars of Country 20 Year Reunion –  Beccy Cole, Felicity Urquhart, Adam Harvey, Darren Coggan (Warragul)

and: Taste of Tamworth – Moe RSL – Carter and Carter, The Weeping Willows, Jayne Denham and Della Harris
The Glen Hannah Best Producer Award:

(Sadly, we lost our Glen this year. He was a fine producer and musician. He produced his wife Felicity’s album this year. I hope that this little re-naming of the award after him shows how much we all respected him in a small way)

Nominations:

Michael Carpenter

Damian Cafarella

Matt Fell

Angus Gill

Shane Nicholson

Rod McCormack

The Purple Air Guitar goes to:  Matt Fell

Band Album

Nominations:

House of Cards – The April Family

Songs from The Aftermath – Wagons

Because We Can – Jetty Road

Coro Drive – Route 33

And the Purple Air Guitar goes to: The April Family – House of Cards

Duo Album

Nominations:

Something Worth Learning – Smith And Jones

We Go Way Back – Cornell and Carr

The Maes – The Maes

Feel The Breeze – Country Lovin’

And the Purple Air Guitar goes to:

Something Worth Learning – Smith and Jones

Female EEP

Nominations:

Truth and Trickery – Paula Standing

Replay – Sophia Chesworth

The Deep – Georgie Taylor

Something More – Brittany Elise

And the Purple Guitar goes to:

The Deep – Georgie Taylor

Male EEP

The Purple Air guitar goes to:

Keeping Secrets – Ryan Daykin

 

Female EP

Joint winners:

I wish you enough – Wendy Wood and

Michelle Gardiner self titled EP

Duo Song

Nominations:

As I Am – Smith and Jones

Things I Leave Behind – Cornell and Carr

Feel The Breeze – Country Lovin’

Country’s What I am – Alan and Trace

Tenderness and Alcohol – The Maes

And the Purple Air Guitar goes to: Things I Leave Behind – Cornell and Carr
Male Song

Nominations:

I’m All In – Brad Butcher

In the Cards – Angus Gill

Better Man – Matt Ward

The Bed That You Made – 8 Ball Aitken

If I Said I Didn’t Love You – Ian Burns

Some other Morning – Khristian Mizzi

Like I Used To – Michael Waugh

Three Soldiers – Nathan Seeckts

Another Tinsel Town – Rod McCormack

Aussie As – Matt Scullion

And the Purple Guitar goes to: Matt Ward – Better Man
Female Song

Nominations:

Outrageous – Amber Lawrence

Who I Am Today – Natalie Henry

Catherine Hill – Ashleigh Dallas

Milestones – Gina Jeffreys

Open Arms – Gayle O’Neill

Chain of Joy – Felicity Urquhart

If I’m not here in the morning – Kelly Brouhaha

(I don’t wanna be) Your Baby Now – Peta Caswell

Sing Me A Memory – Michelle Gardiner

We’re All In It Together – Christie Lamb

Library on Livingstone Street – Wendy Wood

And the Purple Guitar goes to: 

Chain of Joy – Felicity Urquhart
Male Album

Nominations:

Trucker Caps and Heart Attacks – Mat Black

The Weir – Michael Waugh

Where I’m Going – Kelly Cork

Swamp Blues 2 – 8 Ball Aitken

Two Sides of Me – Ian Burns

The Heart Of The City – Nathan Seeckts

Heartland – Matt Ward

Welcome to My Heart – Angus Gill

Some Other Morning – Khristian Mizzi

Aussie As – Matt Scullion

And the Purple Guitar goes to: Tie: Some Other Morning – Khristian Mizzi and Heartland – Matt Ward
Female Album

Nominations:

Apple and Pride – Natalie Henry

Frozen Rabbit – Felicity Urquhart

Spark – Amber Lawrence

Reflection – Ashleigh Dallas

Beautiful Tangle – Gina Jeffreys

Spectacular Heartbreak – Hayley Marsten

Erosion – Emma Jene

Resignation – Harmony James

Kelly Brouhaha – Kelly Brouhaha

Broken Lines – Christie Lamb

And the purple air guitar goes to:  Tie: Apple and Pride – Natalie Henry and Spectacular Heartbreak – Hayley Marsten

Duo

Nominations:
Cornell and Carr
Smith and Jones
The Maes
Great Aunt
Alan and Trace
The Long and The Short of It

And the Purple Guitar goes to: Cornell and Carr
Band

Nominations:
The April Family
Lachlan Bryan and The Wildes
Wagons
Jetty Road
Route 33
Rattlin’ Cane

And the Purple Air Guitar goes to:

The April Family

Band Song:

Nominations:

Bumps and Bruises – Jetty Road

Adelaide – The April Family

The Road – Lachlan Bryan and The Wildes

Drifting – Wagons

Hands of Time – Route 33 with Sarah McLeod

And the purple air guitar goes to:

Route 33 with Sarah McLeod – Hands of Time

 

Male Vocal
Angus Gill
Matt Ward
Michael Waugh
Khristian Mizzi
Matt Scullion
Mat Black
Nathan Seeckts
Ian Burns

Kelly Cork

8 Ball Aitken

And the purple air guitar goes to:

Matt Ward

Female
Gina Jeffreys
Amber Lawrence
Felicity Urquhart
Ashleigh Dallas
Kelly Brouhaha
Hayley Marsten
Natalie Henry
Emma Jene

Harmony James

Christie Lamb

And the Purple Air Guitar goes to:

Gina Jeffreys

Album of the Year: Best Album (From all Categories)

And the Purple Air Guitar goes to: 

Spectacular Heartbreak – Hayley Marsten

Best Song (From All Categories)

Things I leave behind – Cornell and Carr

 

Entertainer of the Year:

Nominations:

Beccy Cole

Melinda Schneider

Amber Lawrence

Andrew Swift

Angus Gill

And the purple guitar goes to: Beccy Cole

 

Best self promoter of the year: (wish that I could help more)

Aaron D’Arcy

Aly Cook

Benny Allen

Carter and Carter

Angus Gill

8 Ball Aitken

And the purple guitar goes to Benny Allen

 

 

 

The Kazzies are Coming!

The Kazzie Awards – The Purple Guitars are coming. Sunday, 15th December, 2019. 5pm.

This is not a competition. This is just my gift to those who give me so much joy.

You are all winners.  Enjoy!

Totally Biased Fan Review: Three Crows – Phil Doublet

One of the Kazzie awards given each year by yours truly, goes to the album review most liked/shared by readers. Phil Doublet has won this award 3 times. Is he going for a fourth? Benny Allen won it last year, and Cleila Adams has shared it, but Phil is the King. Apart from being loved by many of his peers and appreciated for his crossings of the ditch from NZ to Oz on many occasions to perform with Luke O’Shea and The Medicine Wheel, by the fans, Phil is one of the most talented guitarists and one of the most versatile in the Southern Hemisphere.

Since he started releasing his solo efforts (though he still appears with good buddy, Luke), and having collaborated with his lovely and talented wife, Lana, he has gained a new audience and he has been doing the songwriters circuit in NZ and when he and Lana come over to Australia.

Each of his albums has been categorized differently. Rock, Country, Blues. He is all of that. Even though this album is categorized as Blues, it has a bit of everything, including instrumentals and a song which is a mixture of 50’s Rock and Roll and Cajun. Phil is quite capable of covering most of the 79 types of country music, but not the new 80th, which Allan Caswell has dubbed Temporary Country. He will never be that.

This album is quite different to Phil’s other albums, with a mixture of songs that have you getting ready for a tumbleweed rolling down a Western town street (The Outlaw), the abovementioned fusion with Rattlin’ Bones (not the Shane/Kasey song), the subtle plucking of the strings and then the sound of crows and fast paced flying fingers on the strings in The Trickster, the haunting opening instrumental, The Great Depression,  some in your face songs and some more bluesy ballads, Phil doesn’t disappoint.

Although he is a proud Kiwi, Aussie fans have embraced him and treat him like one of us. We have adopted him not just because of his wonderful music but also because of his personality.

This album is a classy collection of songs, a mixture of styles and a polished production of original and soulful material.

The last track is powerfully good and it does not feel like 5 minutes and 10 seconds long.

You don’t have to love a particular type of music to enjoy this album. There is something for everybody and the perfect album for a lazy Sunday afternoon.

 

Tracks:
1. The Great Depression

3:04
album only
2. Dustbowl Circus

4:19
album only
3. Come Hell or High Water

4:13
album only
4. The Runaround

3:33
album only
5. Where’s the Love?

3:37
album only
6. The Hunter & the Scarecrow

2:14
album only
7. Rattlin’ Bones

3:01
album only
8. The Outlaw

3:25
album only
9. The Trickster

2:55
album only
10. Blood in the Water

5:11
album only