Kaz’s Top 161 Australian Country Music Songs of 2023 – The last bit – 30 to one.

30 – Live A Country Song – Amber Lawrence

29 – There Stands the Reason – Wicker Suite

28 – Waiting on a Train – TC Cassidy and Angus Gill

27 – Heart – Sami Cooke

26 – Closing Time – Ingrid Mae

25 – Two to Tango – Matt Ward and Tasha Coates

24 – Raise Me – Travis Collins

23 – Next Best Thing – Luke O’Shea and Ashleigh Dallas

22 – Higher – Brendan McMahon

21 – Houseless never homeless – Jo Caseley

20 – Dance Through Time – Alan Fletcher

19 – Hurt – Connie Kis Andersen

18 – John – Duncan Phillips

17 – Where Does All The Love Go? – Courtney Keil

16 – Our Church – Matt Cornell and Adam Brand

15 – Big Ole Feelings – Gareth Leach and The Davidson Brothers

14 – Your Heart of Gold – Matt Joe Gow and Kerryn Fields

13 – Departure and Arrival – Angus Gill and The Seasons of Change

12 – Those Old Fiddle Tunes Make Him Cry – Pete Denahy

11 – Steel on Steel – Duncan Toombs

10 – My Mother’s Daughter – Imogen Clark

9 – I Hear Your Voice – (The Soldier) – Brendan McMahon and Montana Sharp

8 – Your Name Don’t Rhyme With Heartache – Rick Hart

7 – Together With You – Lynchburg and The Weeping Willows

6 – We are here – Michael Waugh

5 – Last Good Man – Melody Moko

4 – 1945 – The French Family Band

3 – Lost In Time – Melody Pool

2- I let the bottle do the lying – Darren Colston

1 – Dear Damascus- Gretta Ziller

And there you have it folks – plucked from most of the 94 types of Country Music. One shocks and surprises for you, but not for me. Cramming as much music as I can before I can’t hear it anymore. Thank you for the music. Love ya.

Kaz’s Top 161 Australian country songs of 2023 part 3 – 69-31

These songs are not just singles, they are from 2023 albums ( note, if the song was released last year or the album, they would have gone into last year’s list) – just my taste.

69 – Leaving Nowhere – Michael Carpenter and The Banks Brothers featuring Melody Moko

68 – Where’s Adam? Mason Hope

67 – The Tree Beside The Bend – John O’Dea

66 – Broken – Jase Lansky

65 – Queen of the Lost Highway – James Blundell

64 – Speak Soon – Lucy Wise

63 – Rucker’s Hill – Darren Colston

62 – Torn Piece of Paper – Michael Carpenter and The Banks Brothers featuring Melody Moko

61 – Soft Hands – The Bayside Brothers

60 – Lucky Ones – Les Thomas

59 – Hard Way to make a living – Jo Caseley

58 – For the birds – Rick Hart and Elysia Gomez

57 – Kosiciuszko- Norma O’Hara Murphy

56 – I watched you slip away from me – Nathan Seeckts

55 – Home – Sami Cooke

54 – Whiskey and Wine – Stefanie Duzel

53 – Heavy on Me – Andy Penkow

52 – This Chair – Anderson Lane

51 – Na Na Na – Ben Ransom

50 – Cassette In The Tape Deck – Nathan Seeckts

49 – A little luck – Brad Butcher

48- Over to Me – Ashleigh Dallas

47 – Raining Down on Me – Cathy Dobson

46 – Last Leaves of Autumn – Billie-Jo Porter

45 – Halley’s Comet – Chalkie White

44 – You and Me and a Bottle of Whiskey – Andrew Swift

43 – Special – Jo Caseley

42- The Stroll – Kevin Sullivan with KJ and Cha Cha

41- Close to Home – Dean Perrett

40- If you come home for Christmas – Riley Catherall

39 – The Ghost of Melbourne City – Les Thomas

38 – Son of a Father – John Flanagan

37 – On My Own – Aaron D’Arcy

36 – Different Drum – Luke O’Shea

35 – Start up the old dance again- Angus Gill and the Seasons of Change

34 – Coolatai Waltz – Watling and Bates

33 – A life well lived -Two Tone Pony

32 – All I Never Wanted – Wicker Suite

31- The Promise – Wendy Wood

End of Part 3

Kaz’s Top 161 Australian Country Music songs for 2023 – Part 2 – 100-70

The countdown continues! Remember that there is a fair bit of album music here and they are basically just my favourite songs from 2023.

100 -Ghosts – Jeremy Edwards with Shane Nicholson

99 – Lullaby – Tempany/Hams

98 – Little Bird – Brooke Harvey

97 – I Don’t Wish to be lonesome – William Alexander

96 – Broken Wings – Suzie Keenan

95 – Ugly Flowers – Fanny Lumsden

94 – The Dam that holds your tears – Rick and Vanessa Hart

93 – Jack and Jill – Ryan Daykin and Kelly Brouhaha

92 – Stay – Sami Cooke

91 – Small Talkin’ – Paul Costa and Aleyce Simmonds

90 – 27 Weeks – Paddy McHugh

89 – No ifs, no doubts, no maybes – Nathan Seeckts

88 – If the Wind be kind – Neil Murray

87 – I loved you before – Anderson Lane

86 – Sweet for you – Ashleigh Dallas

85 – Let their voice be heard – Benn Gunn

84 – Who Wins Wars – Bill Jackson

83 – Waiting for Something – Caitlin Harnett and The Pony Boys

82 – She Always Danced Alone – Alan Mackey

81 – Prophets – Watling and Bates

80 – One Song Brings you back – Kaylen’s Rain

79 – Voice from the Heart- John Williamson and Lindsay Waddington

78 – You never even called me by my name – Gareth Leach

77- What Happened to Dreams – Darren Colston

76 – Restless – Clint Wilson

75 – Cowboy Angels – Charlie Fittler

74 – Being a Mother – Aleyce Simmonds

73 – Nowhere I would rather be – Les Thomas

72 – Mickey Newbury – Donna Fisk

71 – Walking Away With The Moon – Alan Mackey and Anne Kirkpatrick

70- Til the day I die – Melody Moko

End of part 2

Kaz’s Australian Country Music top 161 songs of the year! 161 – 101

I have reviewed over 2000 Aussie singles this year and about 300 albums and EPs. (Mix of Aussie and international stuff)

I worked the 2,000 plus album music from Aussies down to 161. The top 25-30 are spot on but after that, they are just my faves of the year. I listen to more album music than singles and these are not necessarily chartbusters or big sellers. They are based on my taste – which is varied!

So, here is part 1: 161-101

161 – Emotionless – Craig Woodward

160 – What Would You Say? – Dane Sharp

159 – She is My Song – Fred Smith

158 – Always First – Courtney Keil

157 – Don’t Give Up (Just Yet) – Henry Wagons

156 – Wash the world away – Mark Lavender

155 – Back for a day – Matt Cornell

154 – It’ll be Alright – Patrick Wilson

153 – Silence – Pete Campbell and Ellen Soffe

152 – Single Problem – Petric with Christie Lamb

151 – All we need – Billie-Jo Porter

150 – Heart – Sami Cooke

149 – I Won’t Forget – Ben Walker

148- Mirror Mirror – Vixens of fall

147 – Best One Yet – Sandee Facy

146 – Too far down – Katie Brooke

145 – Heading West Again – Dianne Coombes

144 – She’ll never know – JoKeria

143 – Nothing Makes You Happy – Raechel Whitchurch

142 – Do it For June – Richo Richardson and the Homegrown Killers

141 – Eagle – John Flanagan (with The Maes)

140 – Hate that I Care – Ethan Calway

139 – Freight Man – Josie

138 – Love my baby more – Bud Rokesky

137 – Clear like a Bell – Jeremy Edwards, Felicity and KB

136 – Broken Ground – Tempany/Hams

135 – I love you – Pete O’Brien

134 – Friends with the Bottle – Sammy White

133 – Around the bend – Minor Gold

132 – Taking You Home – Anderson Lane

131 – Growing up with me – Andrew Swift

130 – Kate Kelly – Black Stump Band, The Whitlam and Felicity

129 – Even Cowgirls Cry – Caitlin Harnett and The Pony Boys

128 – Actually- Ben Mastwyk

127 – Back to When – Stefanie Duzel

126 – Simple Things – Route 33 and Brooke Schubert

125 – I’d Say – Kelly Cork

124 – Feels like home – Clancy Pye

123 – This is us – Dan Henwood

122 – My own drinking song – Dan Brodie

121 – Middle of Nowhere – Daniel Reeves

120 – 5 0’clock Wave – Darren Coggan

119 – What’s a Bush Ballad? – Dianne Lindsay

118 – My Kinda Cowboy – Abbie Ferris

117 – Someone who believes – John Flanagan

116 – For your love – Doug Bruce

115 – 1861 – Duncan Toombs

114 – Corners of my mind – Fred Smith

113 Here From There – Duncan Phillips

112 – Living your best life – Col Finley

111 – The Friends we lost too soon – Lindsay, Allan, Chad and Terry

110 – The way that I was meant to be – Matt Ward

109 – Sometimes – Tori and Shane

108 – Long Black Skirts – Alice Benfer

107 – My Girl Can – Aaron D’Arcy

106 – Million Dollar Farm – Allan Caswell

105 – Where Our Heart Lives – Anthony Baxter

104 – Should have known – Denvah

103 – Unsteady- Josh and Felicity

102 – Fighting Chance – Tammy Moxon

101 – Tell John – Bud Rokesky and Hayley Mary

End of part one

The Purple Air guitars summary 2023

International

Male Album: Loose Cannon – Jake Owen

Male EEP – Rustin’ In The rain- Tyler Childers

Male Song: In Your Love – Tyler Childers

Female Album: 1988 – Lori McKenna

Female EEP – A Cowgirl Rides On – Victoria Bailey

Female Song- She’s in his arms but I’m in the palm of his hands – Summer Dean

Band/Duo Album – Glory Days – Chapel Hart

Special Album – Live at the Ryman – Charley Crockett

Band/Duo Song – The last bridge you will cross Buddy and Julie Miller

Band/Duo of the year – Chapel Hart

Male Vocal of the year – Jake Owen

Female Vocal of the year – Tanya Tucker

Collaboration- tie: The Moon by Meg, Hillary and Lori and Breakfast in Birmingham by Tanya Tucker and Brandi Carlile.

Australian Section:

Female single: Gretta Ziller – Dear Damascus

Male single: Tie – Rick Hart – your name don’t rhyme with heartache and Darren Colston – Ruckers Hill

Band/Duo single, tie – wicker Suite – All I never wanted and The French Family 1945

Aussie collaboration single – Lynchburg and The Weeping Willows Together With You

Male EEP – Clint Wilson LA

Female EEP – Jo Caseley – High on Heartstrings

Male Album – Tie – Steel on Steel – Duncan Toombs and Ruckers Hill – Darren Colston

Female Album – Tie – Living in Mediocreville by Cathy Dobson and Suburban Dream – Melody Moko

Instrumental – Bayside Brothers – Soft Hands.

Duo Album: Wicker Suite – This Is

Band Album: Michael Carpenter and The Banks Brothers The Bluegrass Sessions Vol 1

Producer: Damian Cafarella

Songwriters of the year: Cathy Dobson – Female , Darren Colston – Male

Purple Moments: The French Family at the Grand Ole Opry

Fanny Lumsden at Glastonbury

Grand World Achievement: Tours by Lachlan Bryan, The Weeping Willows, The Pleasures Europe/UK

Nathaniel O’Brien Ones to watch: Ethan Calway (male) and Stefanie Duzel (female)

Folktry Album – Into the Blue – Lucy Wise

Musician of the year – Damian Cafarella

Video of the Year / Steel on Steel – Duncan Toombs

Album Cover Art of the year – Angus Gill and the Seasons of Change – Departure and Arrival EEP

Album Package Excellence: Out into the blue – Mark Tempany and Alison Hams

Surprise Surprise awards: Mark Tempany and Alison Hams and Stefanie Duzel

Bob Browne Radio Awards: Best Country Music Show: All Kinds of Country – Barbara Morison 2SER

Something for Everyone – Ronnieboy Country Roads Program – 2RRR

American Influencer – – Eddie White 2RRR

David Prior Songsmiths Special Program ABC

Wendy Wood Shower Dance Song – The Stroll – Kevin Sullivan with KJ and Cha Cha

Wendy Wood Purple Mic Shower song – Ben Ransom – Na Na Na

Karl Broadie More than a song song – Michael Waugh – We are here

Stan Coster Song of Australians Award – Les Thomas The Ghost of Melbourne City

Bluegrass Song: Gareth Leach and The Davidson Brothers – Big Ole Feelings

Stan Coster Bush Ballad – Dean Perrett- Close to home

We Shall Remember: I hear your voice (The Soldier) Brendan McMahon and Montana Sharp

Country Trad Album – Pete Denahy She loves me to the moon

Slow Dance Song – Alan Fletcher- Dance Through Time

Male Artist of the year – Duncan Toombs

Female Artist of the Year – Melody Moko

Duo – Wicker Suite

Band – The Pleasures

Entertainer of the year – Andy Penkow

Album of the year – Melody Moko Suburban Dream

Male best song – I let the bottle do the lying – Darren Colston

Female Best Song – Dear Damascus- Gretta Ziller

Special Event: The Purple Air Guitars aka The Kazzies 2023

Welcome to the 2023 Purple Air guitars. These awards are based on my reviews of favourite albums and songs of 2023 Country music. The awards are mainly for Australian artists but there is also an international section. I try to cover all 95 types of country music but to be honest, there is usually a heavy leaning towards folktry, bluegrass, Alt. Country and traditional styles. This is my way of thanking the artists for the therapy and pleasure of their music and generosity of spirit.

The International Section

International Male album of the year:

Nominations:

Loose Cannon – Jake Owen

Religiously -The Album – Bailey Zimmerman

Southern Star – Brent Cobb

Leather – Cody Johnson

Earned It – Larry Fleet

The Chicago Sessions – Rodney Crowell

Billboards and Brake Lights – Ray Scott

Ain’t My Last Rodeo – Riley Green

Stand in the Joy – William Prince

Family Ties – Charles Wesley Godwin

Little songs – Colter Wall

Gravel and Gold – Dierks Bentley

And the Purple Air Guitar Goes to:

Loose Cannon – Jake Owen

Male EEP (less than 10, more than 4)Nominations:

Across The Sheets – Brett Young

Me and a Fiddle – Ian Munsick

At the End of the road – Drew Parker

Rustin’ in the Rain – Tyler Childers

Pain Pills or Pews – Luke Grimes

Life Lessons – Wyatt Flores

Enlisted – Craig Morgan

Poet’s Resume – Tim McGraw

And The Purple Air Guitar goes to: Rustin’ In The Rain – Tyler Childers

International Male song:

Nominations:

It don’t, he won’t and you do – Jake Owen

Is this really over? Bailey Zimmerman

When Country Came Back to Town – Brent Cobb

Watching my old flame – Cody Johnson

Earned it – Larry Fleet

You Wouldn’t know it now – Ray Scott

Ain’t my Damn to Give – Riley Green

Peace of Mind – William Prince

Miner Imperfections – Charles Wesley Godwin

Long Live Cowgirls – Ian Munsick

In your love – Tyler Childers

Holes – Wyatt Flores

And the purple air guitar goes to: In Your Love – Tyler Childers

International Female Album

Nominations:

1988 – Lori McKenna

Ain’t Through Honky Tonkin’ Yet – Brennen Leigh

The Biggest Life – Summer Dean

Sweet Western Sound – Tanya Tucker

Brandy Clark – Brandy Clark

She’s an Angel – Grey DeLisle

River – Bonnie Montgomery

The Devil I know – Ashley McBryde

Feel Good – Jaime Wyatt

Edge of Forever – Jessi Colter

And the purple air guitar goes to:

1988 – Lori McKenna

International Female EEP

Nominations:

I’m in love – Hailey Whitters

Unlocked – Lauren Alaina

Dream of America – Hanna Aldridge

Greatest Show on Dirt – Meghan Patrick

A Cowgirl Rides On – Victoria Bailey

History of Heartbreak – Meg McRee

And the Purple Air Guitar Goes To: A Cowgirl Rides On – Victoria Bailey

International Female Song:

Nominations:

1988 – Lori McKenna

When Lonely Came to Town – Brennen Leigh

She’s in his arms but I’m in Palm of his hands – Summer Dean

Waltz across a moment – Tanya Tucker

Up above the clouds (Cecilia’s Song) – Brandy Clark

Anywhere the wind blows: Jenna Paulette

Who Bought The Boots Beside Your Bed? Grey DeLisle

No Way Around It – Bonnie Montgomery

Whiskey and Country Music – Ashley McBryde

Greatest Show on Dirt – Meghan Patrick

Hold Me One Last Time – Jaime Wyatt

End of The Line – Victoria Bailey

And the purple air guitar goes to: she’s in his arms but I’m in the palm of his hands – Summer Dean

International Band/Duo album:

Nominations:

Altitude – Marty Stuart and his superlatives

Unplugged – Ernest and The Fellas

A Cat in the rain – Turnpike Troubadours

Wandering Star – Flatland Cavalry

In the Throes – Buddy and Julie Miller

Glory Days – Chapel Hart

Dusk – A Boy named Banjo

And the Purple Air Guitar goes to: Glory Days – Chapel Hart

Tribute/Live/Special album

Nominations:

Live at the Ryman – Jackson Dean

Live at Billy Bob’s – Tracy Lawrence

Live at the Ryman – Charley Crockett

No Good in Juarez – Dallas Moore

I don’t know a thing about love – The Songs of Harland Howard – Willie Nelson

Day of the Doug – Son Volt

Stone Cold Country (Rolling Stones) various

Sweet Memories (Ray Price tribute) Vince Gill and Paul Franklin

A Gospel Record for Sinners – Dennis Quaid

Live at Third Man Records – John Moreland

Cover girl – AaronWatson

Shooter Jennings and the Wolverines of Los Angeles – A tribute to Warren Zevon

In the Cool of the evening (Live) – Joe Ely

And the purple air guitar goes to:

Live at the Ryman – Charley Crockett

International Duo/Band song –

Nominations:

The Angels Came Down – Marty Stuart and the fabulous superlatives

Dear Tequila – Chapel Hart

Songs we used to sing – Ernest and the Fellas

East Side Love Song – Turnpike Troubadours

A thousand miles an hour – Flatland Cavalry

Lonely in this town – Boy named Banjo

The Last Bridge you will cross – Buddy and Julie Miller

And The Purple Air Guitar goes to: Buddy and Julie Miller – The Last Bridge you will cross

Band/Duo of the Year: Chapel Hart

Male Vocal of the Year: Jake Owen

Female Vocal of the Year: Tanya Tucker

Collaboration: Nominations:

King of Country Music Drew and Mallory Parker

How I learned to pray – Charlie Worsham and Luke Combs

Whiskey Bent – Cody Johnson and Jelly Roll

Almost Home – Craig Morgan and Jelly Roll

Breakfast on Birmingham – Tanya Tucker and Brandi Carlile

Dear Insecurity – Brandy Clark and Brandi Carlile

Ain’t enough Whiskey – Jaime Wyatt and Butch Walker

Lost love song – Jessi Colter and Margo Price

The Moon – Meg McRee, Hillary Lindsey and Lori McKenna

Healing Hands of Time – Vince Gill and Paul Franklin

And the purple air guitar(s) go to: (a tie) – The Moon by Meg, Hillary and Lori and Breakfast in Birmingham with Tanya Tucker and Brandi Carlile.

Australian Section:

The Singles:

This first section is based on the Australian Singles that I reviewed in The Single Life. I had about 100 in each category. I had to get it down to 20 or 15! This is not to be confused with the Song category which could be singles or album songs.

Female Singles:

Gretta Ziller – Dear Damascus

Imogen Clark – My Mother’s Daughter

Sami Cooke – Stay

Amber Lawrence – Live a Country Song

Norma O’Hara Murphy- Kosciouszko

Wendy Wood – The Promise

Connie Kis Andersen – Hurt

Suzie Keenan – Broken Wings

Aleyce Simmonds – Being a Mother

Josie – Freight Man

Alice Benfer – Long Black Skirts

Ashleigh Dallas – Over to Me

Donna Fisk – Mickey Newbury

Tammy Moxon – Fighting Chance

Sandy Facy – Best One Yet

Jo Caseley – Special

Clancy Pye – Feels Like Home

Brooke Harvey – Little Bird

Fanny Lumsden – Hey Dawn

Raechel Whitchurch- Nothing makes you happy

And the Purple Air Guitar goes to:

Dear Damascus – Gretta Ziller

Male Single:

Allan Caswell – Things I should have told you

Travis Collins – Raise Me

Darren Colston – Ruckers Hill

Andy Penkow – Heavy on Me

Nathan Seeckts – Cassette in the Tape Deck

Pete O’Brien – I love you

Aaron D’Arcy – on my own

Andrew Swift – you and me and a bottle of whiskey

Rick Hart – Your name don’t rhyme with heartache

Matt Joe Gow – Between tonight and tomorrow

Col Finley – Living your best life

Angus Gill – Departure and Arrival

Michael Waugh – We are here

James Blundell – Queen of the Lost Highway

Brendan McMahon – Higher

Dean Perrett – close to Home

Riley Catherall – If you Come Home For Christmas

Paddy McHugh – 27 weeks

Jase Lansky – Broken

Mason Hope – Where’s Adam

And the purple air guitar goes to: (tie)

Rick Hart – Your name don’t rhyme with heartache and Darren Colston – Ruckers Hill

Band /Duo Singles

Nominations

Storer – Machinery Man

Michael Carpenter and The Banks Brothers – Torn Piece of Paper

The French Family – 1945

Brooke and Adam – Country Music, You and Beer

Wicker Suite – Old Pick up line

Kaylen’s Rain – one song brings you back

Watling and Bates – Coolatai Waltz

JoKeria – No Place for Slim

Kevin Sullivan, KJ and Cha Cha – – The Stroll

Route 33 – One Big Song

The Silverline – Cowboys and Dreamers

Felicity and Josh- Unsteady

Two tone Pony – A life well lived

Doug Bruce and the Tailgaters – For Your Love

The Pleasures – Paranoid

Watling and Bates – Prophets

Lynchburg – Pretty Queen of Hearts

Wicker Suite – All I never Wanted

O’Shea – Everything means nothing

Michael Carpenter and the CRC – Oh Caroline, you’re a dreamer.

And the purple air guitar goes to: tie:

Wicker Suite All I Never Wanted and The French Family – 1945

Aussie Singles – Collaboration

Nominations:

Ashleigh Dallas and Luke O’Shea – Next Best Thing

Paul Costa and Aleyce Simmonds – small Talkin’

Matt Joe Gow and Kerryn Fields – Your heart of Gold

Matt Cornell and Adam Brand – Our Church

Felicity, The Whitlam Black Stump Band – Kate Kelly

Route 33 and Brooke Schubert – Simple Things

Brendan McMahon and Montana Sharp – I hear your voice (The Soldier)

Two to Tango – Matt Ward and Taas ha Coates

Alan Mackey and Anne Kirkpatrick – Walking away with the moon

Lynchburg and The Weeping Willows – Together with you

Angus Gill and T C Cassidy – Waiting on a train

Allan, Chad, Lindsay and Terry – The Friends We’ve Lost too soon

Rick Hart and Elysia Gomez – For the Birds

Kelly Brouhaha and Ryan Daykin – Jack and Jill

Christie Lamb and Petric Single Problem

And the Purple air guitar goes to Lynchburg and The Weeping Willows – Together with You.

Aussie Male EEP

Nominations:

Copper Coin – Kerry Kennedy

Dying Breed – Charlie Fittler

L.A. – Clint Wilson

The Other Side of Me – Craig Lloyd

A Bit More Aussie – Benn Gunn

It’ll be alright – Patrick Wilson

The Way that I was meant to be – Matt Ward

Long Road Home – Ethan Calway

Parley – Pete Campbell

Rise – Josh Setterfield

And the purple air guitar goes to: Clint Wilson L.A.

Female Aussie EEp

Love and Loss – Kellie Cain

Lost In Time – Melody Pool

Unplugged – Katie Jayne

Heartline – Sara Berki

Home – Brooke Harvey

The Heartland – Taylor Moss

Cameron Street – Darcy Fox

High on Heartstrings – Jo Caseley

And the Purple Air guitar goes to: High on Heartstrings by Jo Caseley

Aussie Male Album:

Nominations:

Something Rare and Beautiful – Nathan Seeckts

Manhood Method Actor – John Flanagan

Easy of Everything- Brad Butcher

Between Tonight and Tomorrow – Matt Joe Gow

Outsider – Bud Rokesky

Fibro Sunset – Kelly Cork

Steel on Steel – Duncan Toombs

Ruckers Hill – Darren Colston

Different Drum – Luke O’Shea

Ghosts – Jeremy Edwards

All of My Friends are Superstars – Les Thomas

Lightning Strikes and Neon Lights – Andrew Swift

And The Purple Air Guitar Goes To: Duncan Toombs – Steel on Steel and Darren Colston – Ruckers Hill (tie)

Female Album:

Nominations:

Hey Dawn – Fanny Lumsden

Dirty Laundry – Sammy White

Living in Mediocreville – Cathy Dobson

Suburban Dream – Melody Moko

The Other Side – Stefanie Duzel

Girlhood – Hayley Marsten

Into the Blue – Lucy Wise

All these Walls – Gretta Ziller

The Good Kind – Courtney Keil

Closing Time – Ingrid Mae

Billie Jo Porter – Billie Jo Porter

Woman – Tamara Stewart

And the purple air guitar goes to: tie: Living in Mediocreville by Cathy Dobson and Suburban Dream by Melody Moko

Instrumental song:

Nominations:

Bayside Brothers- King of Thumbs

Bayside Brothers – Soft Hands

Lindsay Waddington – Love Always

Anthony Baxter – Where Your Heart Lives

Brendan Radford – Betoota Stomp

Michael Fix – Happy Place

Wicker Suite – Bowie’s Shuffle

John Williamson and Lindsay Waddington – Voice from the heart

And the Purple Air Guitar goes to: Bayside Brothers – Soft Hands

Aussie Duo Albums:

Nominations:

Birdsong – Felicity and Josh

This Is -Wicker Suite

The Wolf Cried Girl – Anderson Lane

Lynchburg- Lynchburg

Out into the Blue – Mark Tempany and Alison Hams

Up, Down and Sideways – Brooke and Adam

Northwest of Nowhere – JoKeria

Minor Gold – Minor Gold

And the Purple Air Guitar goes to: Wicker Suite – This Is

Aussie Band Album:

Gareth Leach and The Narratives of Hope – Gareth Leach and The Narratives of Hope

The Pleasures – The Beginning of the End

Kingswood – The Tale of GC Townes

Angus Gill and The Seasons of Change – Departure and Arrival

Vixens of Fall – Magick in the Chaos

Jen Mize and The Rough and Tumble – self titled

Kingswood – Home

Michael Carpenter and the Banks Brothers – The Bluegrass Sessions – Volume 1

Storer – Storer

Caitlin Harnett and the Pony Boys – All Night Long

And the Purple Air Guitar goes to : Michael Carpenter and The Banks Brothers – The Bluegrass Sessions Vol 1

Producer of the year: Damian Cafarella

Songwriters of the year:

Cathy Dobson – Female

Darren Colston – Male

Purple Moments: The French Family – Grand Ole Opry and Fanny Lumsden at Glastonbury

Grand World Achievement – Tours by Lachlan Bryan, The Weeping Willows, The Pleasures – Europe/ UK

Nathaniel O’Brien Ones to watch- Ethan Calway (male), Stefanie Duzel (female)

Folktry Album of the year:

Nominations:

1965 – Bill Jackson

Manhood Method Actor – John Flanagan

Fibro Sunset – Kelly Cork

Look – Fred Smith

All My Friends Are Superstars – Les Smith

Into the Blue – Lucy Wise

And The Purple Air Guitar Goes to Lucy Wise – Into the Blue

Musician of the Year – Damian Cafarella

Video of the year – Steel on Steel – Duncan Toombs

Album Cover Art – Angus Gill and the Seasons of Change – Departure and Arrival EEP

Album Package Excellence – out into the Blue – Mark Tempany and Alison Hams

Surprise Surprise awards (wow where did that come from:) Mark Tempany and Alison Hams and Stefanie Duzel

Bob Browne Radio Awards:Best Country Music Show: All Kinds of Country – Barbara Morison 2SER

Something for Everyone: Ronnie Boy’s Country Roads Program 2RRR

American Influencer – Eddie White 2RRR

David Prior – Songsmiths – Special Program – ABC radio

Wendy Wood Shower Dance Song:

Winner: The Stroll with Kevin Sullivan and KJ and Cha Cha

Wendy Wood Purple Mic Shower Song – Ben Ransom – Na Na Na

Karl Broadie More than a song song:

Nominations:

Chalkie White – Halley’s Comet

Aleyce Simmonds – Being a mother

Jo Caseley – Houseless, never homeless

Michael Waugh – We are here

Mason Hope – Where’s Adam

Les Thomas – Lucky Ones

Riley Catherall – If you come home for Christmas

And the purple air guitar goes to:

Michael Waugh – we are here

Stan Coster Song of Australians Award

Nominations:

Craig Lloyd – I call Australia home

Les Thomas – The Ghost of Melbourne City

Sari Abbott – Two Way Street

Darren Coggan – 5 O’Clock Wave

Darren Colston – Call It Australia

Benn Gunn – Let their voice be heard

Old Southcoast Line – Stuart Alexander

And the Purple Air Guitar Goes To: Les Thomas – The Ghost of Melbourne City

Bluegrass Song –

Nominations:

Those old fiddle tunes make him cry: Pete Denahy

Waiting for a train – Angus Gill and TC Cassidy

Big Ole Feelings – Gareth Leach and The Davidson Brothers

Back Around – Wicker Suite

If you’d have told me – Michael Carpenter and The Banks Brothers

And the purple air guitar goes to Gareth Leach and The Davidson Brothers – Big Ole Feelings

Stan Coster Bush Ballad

Nominations:

John O’Dea – The Tree Beside The Bend

Dean Perrett – close to home

Dianne Lindsay – What’s a Bush ballad?

Rex Dallas – Drovers of Song

Allan Caswell, Chad Morgan, Lindsay Waddington and Terry Gordon – The Friends We Lost Too Soon

And the purple air guitar goes to: Dean Perrett Close to Home

We Shall Remember

Nominations

Everyday is ANZAC Day – Benn Gunn

The Promise – Wendy Wood

I hear your voice (The Soldier) – Brendan McMahon and Montana Sharp

Crisis – Fred Smith

Parachute – Storer

And the Purple Air Guitar goes to: I hear your voice (The Soldier) Brendan and Montana

Country Traditional Album:

Nominations:

Matt Scullion – Nation of Abbreviation

Pete Denahy – She Loves Me To the Moon

Luke O’Shea – Different Drum

Charlie Fittler – Dying Breed

Sammy White – Dirty Laundry

Storer – Storer

And the Purple Air Guitar goes to: Pete Denahy – She loves me to the moon

Slow Dance

Nominations:

Leaving Nowhere – Michael Carpenter and the Banks Brothers with Melody Moko

Start up The Old Dance Again – Angus Gill and Seasons of Change

She Always Danced Alone – Alan Mackey and TC Cassidy

Dance Through Time – Alan Fletcher

Coolatai Waltz – Watling and Bates

And The Purple Air Guitar goes to: Alan Fletcher – Dance Through Time

Male Artist of the year:

Nominations:

Andy Penkow

Duncan Toombs

Darren Colston

Luke O’Shea

Kelly Cork

Brad Butcher

Travis Collins

Angus Gill

Andrew Swift

Brendan McMahon

And the Purple Air Guitar Goes To:

Duncan Toombs

Female Artist

Nominations

Melody Moko

Cathy Dobson

Fanny Lumsden

Gretta Ziller

Lucy Wise

Jo Caseley

Stefanie Duzel

Sammy White

Brooke Harvey

Courtney Keil

And the Purple Air Guitar goes to: Melody Moko

Duo of the Year:

Wicker Suite

Band of the Year:

The Pleasures

Entertainer of the year: Nominations:

Andy Penkow

Amber Lawrence

Fanny Lumsden

Andrew Swift

Lachlan Bryan

Catherine Britt

The Weeping Willows

Angus Gill

And the purple Air Guitar Goes to: Andy Penkow

Album of the Year:

(Across Genres and forms)

Nominations:

Wicker Suite – This is

Melody Moko – Suburban Dream

Cathy Dobson – Living in Mediocreville

Darren Colston – Ruckers Hill

Duncan Toombs – Steel on Steel

Luke O’Shea – Different Drum

Sammy White – Dirty Laundry

Ghosts – Jeremy Edwards

Fanny Lumsden – Hey Dawn

Minor Gold – Minor Gold

And the purple air guitar goes to:

And the Purple Air Guitar goes to: Melody Moko – suburban dream

Best Songs ( not necessarily singles)

Male:

Clint Wilson – Restless

Darren Colston – I let the Bottle Do the Lying

Duncan Toombs – Steel on Steel

Rick Hart – Your name don’t rhyme with heartache

Alan Fletcher – Dance Through Time

Brendan McMahon – Higher

Michael Waugh – we are here

Andrew Swift – You and me and a bottle of whiskey

And the purple air guitar goes to:

Darren Colston – I let the bottle do the lying

Female

Melody Pool – Lost In Time

Fanny Lumsden – Ugly Flowers

Melody Moko – Last Good Man

Courtney Keil – Somebody Else’s Perfect

Gretta Ziller – Dear Damascus

Imogen Clark – My Mother’s Daughter

Cathy Dobson – Raining Down On Me

Raechel Whitchurch- Nothing Makes You Happy

And the Purple Air Guitar goes to: Dear Damascus- Gretta Ziller

I will post a summary later. Thank you for your support. Thank you for the music.

Totally Biased Fan Review: The Compass Project-West: Brett Kissel

  1. Missin’ You in San Antone
  2. Oil and Cattle ft. George Canyon, Don Amaro, Brad Johner
  3. Legacy
  4. Deer Blind
  5. Wichita Lineman
  6. The Crib Song
  7. Strait Country
  8. Black Eyed Susans
  9. Behind Closed Doors
  10. Queen on the River
  11. Here’s Hoping There’ll (Always Be a Cowboy)

This is the third in the Compass project series, with North the last one coming soon.

The Canadian has taken on this ambitious project, offering up all directions in a chiefly autobiographical sense rather than a geographical sense.

Brett’s music is modern traditional with a few nods to well known methods, like spoken word and some covers to treasure like Witchita Lineman and Behind Close Doors.

There’s some Brad Paisley like guitar work, honky tonk feels, down home stories and some gentle humour.

He has a sweet sounding voice, which tenderly meanders through songs like Strait Country, a tribute to George. He can ramp it up and tell a story with the appropriate tone.

It will be interesting to see how North turns out, since that will probably focus more on Canadian content. Worth back tracking now.

Totally Biased Fan Review: Live at Third Man Records – John Moreland

Side A :
Hang Me in the Tulsa County Stars / Dim Little Light / Blacklist / No Glory In Regret

Side B :
In Times Between / Lies I Chose To Believe / When My Fever Breaks / 3:59 AM / You Don’t Care for Me Enough to Cry

Quote: Third Man Records’ live direct-to-acetate recordings take place in the Blue Room in Nashville, TN and are cut exclusively on a 1955 Scully lathe that originally came from King Records in Cincinnati. Recorded live in one-shot, with no overdubs, no redo’s, no starting-and-stopping, the process is truly of another time, rendered obsolete by the late 1950’s and only available nowadays in TMR’s locations in Detroit and Nashville.

John says that his music never attempts to give answers, it asks questions. He has a voice and a sound from another era. He is bluesy, soulful and has an old head wandering through a modern world.

His music is raw and gritty. He comes across as a gentle giant trying to find his way in the world.

Artists like John Hiatt, John Prine and co., come to mind. There’s quiet anger and frustration with the world here, and rightly so.

Despite the questions, sadness and troubles of these songs, they are so easy to relax to and I am feeling so mellow!

There is a gentle calming feel to these songs. Yes, it is live but in the way that the MTV unplugged series was and the audience are fairly gentle and considerate.

Totally Biased Fan Review – Cover Girl – Aaron Watson

I don’t write a lot of cover album reviews but this one needed to be addressed. Aaron teams up with a bunch of Indie women to sing a bunch of classics. These women have shared a stage with Aaron but they don’t normally get a lot of exposure. Most of the songs are either ones that don’t get covered a lot or they aren’t strictly country songs. Aaron’s daughter even gets a go.

Aaron’s support for these women is admirable. The way that they have taken on some challenging songs here and they have won shows that the gamble has paid off.

This was a big risk for Watson but he sounds good and the women do too.

All of the songs sound like pure country, even though they aren’t all country songs in their original forms.

Aaron has a lot of George Strait about him and has been around for over 20 years. Unlike many other artists, Aaron is a rare American Indie artist. He makes a lot of his own choices.

This was a really cool choice by Aaron. It is an enjoyable album.

Totally Biased fan Review : Dusk – A boy named Banjo eep

Dusk Track Listing:
1. “Something ‘Bout A Sunset”
2. “Heart Attack”
3. “Feel For You (Dusk)”
4. “Young Forever”
5. “Whiskey Dreams”
6. “Mama, I’m Misbehavin’”
7. “Goodbyes Are Sad”
8. “Lonely In This Town”
9. “Opposite Directions”

I try and cover most of the 95 types of Country music here. The nature of these posts is to bring people’s attention to the broadness of country music and to help a lot of artists get a little promotion that they normally wouldn’t get. As the name of these reviews suggests, this is only my opinion. I can’t write bad things about folks and I can’t write something nice if I don’t feel it.

I have as much joy discovering new (to me) artists as I do listening to old faves. I also like to recognise potential in artists. That brings me to this offering.

I am not in love with every song on this EEP but I really like about 4 of the 9 tracks and I see so much promise in this band. When they play songs like Mama I’m Misbehavin’, Goodbyes are sad (a bit Keith Urbanish), Lonely in this Town and Opposite Directions are solid songs with a distinct country sound.

At their best, they are very good. You can see that they are raw but it is there. They are young and starting out in many ways.

I’d like to revisit their music in a couple of years to see how they go.

Worth a sample.

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