Done and Dustyed – Tamworth Festival, 2022

My lead up to Tamworth was much like what the Festival went through! I had to transfer flights, rejigger my schedule, had accomodation problems, change my holidays, had flights cancelled, luggage lost, extra expenses, but the festival itself was awesome.

I started it with going to see my dear Melbourne troops at the Tamworth Hotel pre- Festival. Ben Mastwyk and his Trillions (also known as Millions and Billions but they get so much more amazing every time) and finishing off Festival proper with my mates Ian Burns and Benny Allen at their Whiskey Barrel Sessions at the Servies with Logan Hoswell.

In between, I crammed in as much as possible, with the usual clashes preventing me from going to everything.

Covid and artist rescheduling and conflicting festivals led to drop outs and shortened lists of appearances, but there was more than enough to see and do.

I was so pleased for Michael Waugh, Angus Gill, The Weeping Willows, Brendan Radford and the amazing Beccy Cole for their GG honours in particular.

Adam and Beccy should host every year.

Melinda Schneider’s Love Songs was incredible. Is there anything that this woman can’t sing? Lyn Bowtell’s gig was enormous and just brilliant. Della, Dan, Andy and Willow were fabulous. Sally-Anne Whitten and Wendy Wood were amazing as always. Lukie, Mike and the boys at The Long lunch, Lynchburg and Allan Caswell’s co-write show and my April Family were highlights. Seeing and hearing Col Finley, Kora and Kerry Kennedy was good for the heart and chatting with old pals and heroes was off the charts.

It was fantastic that Duncan Phillips could change his gig to The Peel Inn – I hadn’t been there since I was 16. My heart exploded when my Tamworth sister, Allison Forbes, walked in, as I didn’t expect to see or hear her at Tamworth. It was a beaut gig, shared with good pals.

The Weeping Willows and Brad Butcher were magnificent. Was there any doubt?

I loved everything that I saw, but I have to reserve special mention for a few people. Aleyce Simmonds, it was so beaut to hear you sing after such a long time, especially in our hometown. Alexis and Suzie, who were bloody amazing to me and their album is magic – review pending. Kelly Brouhaha who with DCaf and Bradley Bergen must have been the busiest at the festival. Renee Jonas for providing one of the most magical moments of the festival – making me like Dolly’s I will always love you again and shocking everyone into drinking milk at the Servies. Mike Carr for being Mike Carr, Melinda and Angus and To my Melbourne family of musos who were great on stage and off.

Well done for having something for Tamworth’s 50th. It must have been challenging and difficult to reconstruct. I still think that it belongs in January- history and tradition and all that, plus it clashed with four or five other festivals and without daylight savings it got dark early. Thank you to all of the musos for entertaining me and keeping me sane for a week. Thanks to my landlady for taking care of me and to all of the venues and the Bus service and Cathy and John Dobson and Phillips Perkins and Kaylene and Wendy for carting me around.

Suz Dorahy was my pick of artists that I hadn’t seen before.

Also, special mention to Bradley Christmas and Copperline – finally got to see them LIVE and talk to them, great stuff.

My trips down memory lane were sweet for me.

The Ladies in Country gig was awesome as always, led by Gina Timms.

My fuzzy, flu ridden brain can’t think of everything right now. Sorry for those that I didn’t get to see, I tried!

Please don’t compare the weather for April and January. If you think of Tamworth and can only think of the temperature, then you are missing the point.

Finally, a very special thanks to two of my very special Melbourne gals, Sandee Facy and my CMD, Michelle Gardiner who were great on stage and off and especially Michelle who said some beautiful words on stage to the crowd about a simple, greying cowgirl from Tamworth who loves and appreciates her country music family.

And James Stewart Keene, go strong and eye off the two golds – GG and Oscar!

Get well, everybody. Congrats to all of you and your 94 types of country music.

Tamworth Country Music Festival 2019 – Days 1,2,3.

G’day from the Country Music Cap of Australia. As we enter day 4 of the festival and things start getting even bigger, let us recap on my last (or first) 3 days here.

Friday 18 January

On our second day of travelling here from Victoria, we spent most of the day in the car and arrived (safely) at about 2.00pm. Coming to Tamworth, for me, is more than just the music, it is my hometown, so catching up with longtime friends outside of music and being in a place which still means home to me is just as important.

After settling in to my friend’s place, we started the musical journey. It was always going to be different this year. We have lost a few mates and there are people who are regulars to the festival who cannot come this year – both artists and fans.

Ladies of Country was my first stop at Wests Leagues Club. It is always a great way to start a festival. Gina Timms, a fine songstress herself, hosts this event every year with a mix of female artists, from the rookies to the veterans. Tinged with a little sadness with Sandra Humphries last LOC before she retires and courage with Clelia Adams getting up to sing after some major health issues which she is still dealing with. It was lovely to see Gayle O’Neill for the first time LIVE after we had talked on the phone via interview and on Facebook regularly. A bit of NZ was there too with Aly Cook and a few youngsters to keep the flag waving for a few years to come. An enjoyable night as always and my first hello to lots of old friends.

Saturday 19th January

Early start with Songwriters in the round with one of my favourites, Carter and Carter but also, two new acts to me in Fred Smith and Megan (sorry, I forgot her last name…will fix that later) one from Canberra, the other from NZ originally but now in Melbourne. Both of them were terrific, and it was an adventure with their stories and their songs. A great way to start the day. And of course, a hug from Michael Bryers is always a good thing.

Then I went to see Benny Allen at The Family Hotel for his launch at Moonshiners of his new album and he helped out a few young and rising stars as they supported him. It was a good little gig with Benny being Benny and being energetic and sincere.

Then off to catch Swifty (Andrew Swift) at The Tamworth Hotel after a quick visit to Fanzone to see Kate Hindle, another courageous and talented performer. Swifty was fabulous, though we all nearly melted in the sun. Caught up with some friends and fellow music tragics from Victoria and we enjoyed Swifty, Gretta Ziller and Catherine Britt.

I stayed for the next gig, Sally-Anne Whitten with Alwyn Aurisch and Stix and Trev. The funktry and soultry stylings of this talented lady and her very close band which is almost a family had even blokes getting up to dance.

Then on to the Tamworth Opry at the Cap with Felicity hosting an amazing show with Luke O’Shea, Catherine Britt, Andrew Swift, Gretta Ziller, Allan Caswell, Camille and Stuie and young Sonny, Tori Forsyth and Travis List and Neilly Rich with some other young artists added to the mix. It was a slight change in line up to what was advertised but it was a great show with something for everybody.

That was a big day.

Sunday 20 January – Day 3

Started off very early at Pete Denahy’s Bluegrass Breakfast at West Leagues for an hour or so, then off back into town to catch Brendan Smoother at the Atrium and then on to see Dan Murphy at Wests Diggers. Then I went to catch my Country Music Grandson at Fanzone and had a nice chat with him afterwards. Caught up with a few more old friends along the way. Caught the last bit of Michael Bryers’ gig after some lunch and then Kerry Kennedy for a couple of hours – always a treat. Chatted to Peter Smokie Dawson and caught up with some other friends between songs.

Then off to Luke Dickens’ album launch and it was a cracker. Some much welcome rain in Tamworth. It was a start, but of course not enough to break the drought. It was another big day of great music and catching up.

Thanks to all of the friends and artists who make me feel so special with their music and their support. Get better soon Col Finley.

 

Totally Biased Fan Review – Hats Off to Hats Off – A review of the Tamworth mid year festival

Hats Off to Tamworth is the mid-year much cooler Country Music Festival in Tamworth. Above are a few pictures of some of the gigs that I went to. I kicked off on my arrival on Thursday night when I went to see Sandra Humphries (on her farewell tour before retirement), Anthony Taylor, who has been around for a while but is now well and truly hitting his straps with an amazing album this year, and veteran, Alby Pool at South Tamworth Bowlo. A packed crowd listened and watched as the three artists sang mainly traditional country songs with a few originals thrown in. There were a lot of musos in the crowd who appreciate these three very much. I hope that Sandra reconsiders one day, and after a well earned rest comes back and sings us some more songs. We will miss her.  It was a good way to start the festival off.

On Friday, I did one of the first of my live crosses to Gippsland FM and met up with my best friend. Then on to see Don Costa at Shopping World, which is like not only traditional but mandatory when you go to Tamworth at either festival. Don sings country standards and he sings them well. For a sample, I will be reviewing his latest album soon. Don sweetly gave me a mention. In the end, I am just a fan.

Then on to see a few of the Tamworth Songwriters Association mob at Tamworth City Bowlo. I met up with may mate, Melissa Robertson (more later) and Kylie Adams-Collier and caught her set there. I also saw Brendan Smoother for most of his set. I had to leave then, as I amusingly related, I had to go and see Brendan Smoother!  I did beat him to his gig! The Brendans was a definite highlight for me. It was set at Carmen’s, a lovely Italian restaurant. Brendan Smoother and Brendan Nawrocki played some well known songs as well as those known best to us fans. I was honoured by Brendan N when he played the song that he sent for my birthday via video and facebook a few years ago. Brendan S sang me via request, what I call The Chimney Song, off his album. The boys have something special planned with some others soon and I can’t wait.

On Saturday, I headed off to Centrepoint Arcade to hear my mate Melissa Robertson sing a few songs. As always, she was top notch. Melissa will have a new album soon and currently has a top 10 song with Red Head at Heart. I also caught a couple of songs from Bec Nethery (the real red head) before I had to head off to the P.O. Hotel to catch mine host, Wendy Wood. Ah, a sweet voice and a great gal.

Off then to the Kora Naughton album launch at The Family Hotel (Moonshiners). Hosted by David Carter (Carter and Carter), a high energy spectacular by Kora was supported by pocket dynamo, Rory Phillips and a host of Country Music Academy graduates as well as a hot band  – Simon Johnson, Rod Motbey, Vaughan Jones and Ali Foster.  Kora’s album (reviewed here) is amazing, especially for a debut release by a 16 year old This girl will do big things.

Then on to Aleyce Simmonds and Brad Butcher. Sadly, I only saw Brad perform as time restraints made me have to leave to go and see Luke O’Shea at North Tamworth Bowlo. Luckily, I will be seeing Aleyce and Brad soon in Victoria. Sorry guys, did my best. I at least got to hear a couple of faves from Brad!

Then off to Luke O’Shea and he was awesome as always…over 3 hours of entertainment from Luke with dinner and a chat and photos. Luke is one of the most talented and nicest guys in Australian Country Music. It was an awesome night. Just Luke and his guitar and that was more than enough. Sister Mel and I re-created our photo with Luke that we had taken 5 and a half years ago.

Sunday, I started the day at The Hopscotch Cafe with Sally-Anne Whitten and hubby and extraordinary guitarist, Alwyn Aurisch. They were gems as always, singing and trying to keep warm at the Alfresco cafe.

I then did my second cross after arriving at Tamworth Town Hall for an extravaganza which included: Eloise Newell, Finnian Johnson, Jess Holland (oh my gosh, she just gets better), Johanna Hemara, Allison Forbes and Steve McAuley (the birthday bashees), Sal and Al, Sarah Byrnes, Rae Beth and Trev and others. It was a wonderful afternoon of ad lib and fun performances.

There were lots of other things going on on the Saturday and Sunday, but you can’t go to everything. There were a lot of singer/songwriters out at The Dag and a tribute to The Dallas Family, as well as a celebration of Tamworth artists (most of which I got to see at other things.) Adam Harvey, Matt Scullion, Michael Bryers, and others had gigs on too, but they all clashed. I think that they should have more things on during the day on Thursday and Friday and perhaps include the Monday as well.

It is an awesome little festival, though, in my old hometown, and considering that it is still virtually in its infancy compared to the January festival, it goes alright.

So it is Hats Off to Hats Off.

Thank you big time to James Stewart Keene, Melissa Robertson, Luke O’Shea and The Brendans in particular. A very big thank you to Wendy Wood.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hats Off to Country – Tamworth July

Program current as at 19 June 2018.

Show Title	Venue	Time	Ticketed or Free?
Wednesday 11 July 2018
CCMA Jam Night	South Tamworth Bowling Club, 11 Margaret Street, South Tamworth	6:00pm	Free
Thursday 12 July 2018
Australian Country Music Hall of Fame opens	561 Peel Street, Tamworth	9:00am	Adults $7/Children (Under 12) Free
Gallery of Stars Wax Museum opens	Big Golden Guitar, 2 Ringers Road, Tamworth	9:00am
Don Costa	Tamworth Shoppingworld, Bridge & Denne Streets, West Tamworth	10:00am	Free
Oasis Band with host, Wayne Elliott	Oasis Hotel, 583 Armidale Road, Tamworth	6:00pm	Free
Opening Night Acoustic Session with Anthony Taylor, Sandra Humphries, Alby Pool	South Tamworth Bowling Club, 11 Margaret Street, South Tamworth	6:30pm	Free
Albert’s Muso Jam	The Albert Hotel, 211 Peel Street, Tamworth	8:30pm	Free
Ryan Morris	Tudor Hotel, 327 Peel Street, Tamworth	8:00pm	Free
Friday 13 July 2018
Australian Country Music Hall of Fame	561 Peel Street, Tamworth	9:00am	Adults $7/Children (Under 12) Free
Gallery of Stars Wax Museum Opens	Big Golden Guitar, 2 Ringers Road, Tamworth	9:00am
Don Costa	Tamworth Shoppingworld, Bridge & Denne Streets, West Tamworth	10:00am	Free
Centrepoint Walk-up Stage presented by Capital Country Radio and Country Music Bulletin	Centrepoint Arcade, 374 Peel Street, Tamworth	11:00am	Free
Bobby Valentine	The Welder’s Dog, 37 Dowe Street, Tamworth	5:00pm	Free
Trevor Coombes	Oasis Hotel, 583 Armidale Road, Tamworth	6:00pm	Free
TSA Songwriters featuring Kylie Adams Collier, Brendan Smoother, Melissa Robertson and Wendy Wood	Tamworth City Bowling Club, Napier & Brisbane Streets, Tamworth	6:00pm	Free
Anthony Taylor	South Tamworth Bowling Club, 11 Margaret Street, South Tamworth	6:30pm	Free
Oasis Band with hosts Lawrie & Shelley Minson	Oasis Hotel, 583 Armidale Road, Tamworth	7:00pm	Free
2018 CMAA Junior Academy of Country Music Graduation Concert	The Family Hotel, 190 Bridge Street, Tamworth	7:30pm	Free
The Brendans’ Dinner & Show	Carmen’s Restaurant, 2-24 Spains Lane, Kingswood	7:30pm	$50 per person including three-course dinner. Bookings essential on 02 6762 6700.
Rachael Fahim	The Albert Hotel, 211 Peel Street, Tamworth	7:30pm	Free
Howdy’s Hoedown	The Pub, 99 Gunnedah Road, Tamworth	8:00pm	Free
Hurricane Fall	Longyard Hotel, 10/12 Ringers Road, Tamworth	8:00pm	Free
Goldheist	Post Office Hotel, 8 Fitzroy Street, Tamworth	8:00pm	Free
Finnian Johnson	Tudor Hotel, 327 Peel Street, Tamworth	8:30pm	Free
Missy Lancaster	West Tamworth League Club, 58 Philip Street, Tamworth	8:30pm	Free
Michael Bryers	North Tamworth Bowling Club, 20-26 Bligh Street, North Tamworth	8:30pm	Free
Simply Bushed	Tamworth Services Club, 199 Marius Street, Tamworth	8:30pm	Free
2018 Toyota Star Maker Brad Cox	The Albert Hotel, 211 Peel Street, Tamworth	8:45pm	Free
Rachael Fahim	The Albert Hotel, 211 Peel Street, Tamworth	10:00pm	Free
2018 Toyota Star Maker Brad Cox	The Albert Hotel, 211 Peel Street, Tamworth	11:15pm	Free
Saturday 14 July 2018
Australian Country Music Hall of Fame opens	561 Peel Street, Tamworth	9:00am	Adults $7/Children (Under 12) Free
Gallery of Stars Wax Museum opens	Big Golden Guitar, 2 Ringers Road, Tamworth	9:00am
Don Costa	Tamworth Shoppingworld, Bridge & Denne Streets, West Tamworth	10:00am	Free
Songwriters Live on the Deck	DAG Sheep Station, Crawney Road, Nundle	10:00am	Free
ABBA Bronze Bust Fundraiser for Frank Ifield	Southgate Inn, 16A Kent Street, Tamworth	10:00am	$10 Donation at door
Gary Daniel	Oasis Hotel, 583 Armidale Road, Tamworth	10:00am	Free
Tamworth Songwriters Association (TSA) Songwriters featuring Georgie Taylor, Ian Wilkinson, Trinity Woodhouse, Wendy Wood, Red Heart Blue, Ian Burns, Becci Nethery, Tony Kennelly, Melissa Robertson, Dunc & Sue, the Shelly Jones Band, Kathryn Luxford, the Floyd Black Band, Kylie Adams Collier, Peter Salata and Brendan Smoother	Post Office Hotel, 8 Fitzroy Street, Tamworth	10:30am	Free
Songwriters’ Showcase featuring Shane Nicholson, Luke O’Shea, Felicity Urquhart, Kevin Bennett, Aleyce Simmonds & Jeremy Edwards	DAG Sheep Station, Crawney Road, Nundle	11:00am	Click here to buy tickets
Showpony Express “Make A Wish Come True” Single Launch	Big Golden Guitar, 2 Ringers Road, Tamworth	11:00am	Free
Wayne Elliott	Oasis Hotel, 583 Armidale Road, Tamworth	11:00am	Free
Centrepoint Walk-up Stage presented by Capital Country Radio and Country Music Bulletin	Centrepoint Arcade, 374 Peel Street, Tamworth	11:00am	Free
John Lecner	Oasis Hotel, 583 Armidale Road, Tamworth	12:00pm	Free
Kora Naughton “Ride or Die” Album Launch	Moonshiners Honky Tonk Bar at The Family Hotel, Bridge & Belmore Streets, Tamworth	1:00pm	Free
Triple T	Oasis Hotel, 583 Armidale Road, Tamworth	1:00pm	Free
Michael Bryers	Tamworth Services Club, 199 Marius Street, Tamworth	2:00pm	Free
Tamworth Live & Local Acoustic presented by 88.9FM Jodie Crosby	West Tamworth League Club, 58 Philip Street, Tamworth	2:00pm
Bob Easter	Oasis Hotel, 583 Armidale Road, Tamworth	2:00pm	Free
The Weeping Willows & Allison Forbes	City Sider Motel, 237 Marius Street, Tamworth	2:00pm	Free
Hattie Oates	The Welder’s Dog, 37 Dowe Street, Tamworth	2:00pm	Free
Greg Bain	Oasis Hotel, 583 Armidale Road, Tamworth	3:00pm	Free
Gayle O’Neil	Oasis Hotel, 583 Armidale Road, Tamworth	4:00pm	Free
Aleyce Simmonds and Brad Butcher	The Welder’s Dog, 37 Dowe Street, Tamworth	5:00pm	Click here to buy tickets
Matt Scullion & Friends	Hogs Breath Cafe, 265-267 Peel Street, Tamworth	5:00pm	Free
Graeme Doubleday	Oasis Hotel, 583 Armidale Road, Tamworth	5:00pm	Free
Tamworth Songwriters Association (TSA) Songwriters featuring Kathryn Luxford, Shelly Jones Band, Ian Burns and Red Heart Blue	Tamworth City Bowling Club, Napier & Brisbane Streets, Tamworth	6:00pm	Free
Don Costa	Oasis Hotel, 583 Armidale Road, Tamworth	6:00pm	Free
Sandra Humphries and Jared Scott	South Tamworth Bowling Club, 11 Margaret Street, South Tamworth	6:30pm	Free
Luke O’Shea Dinner Show	North Tamworth Bowling Club, 20-26 Bligh Street, North Tamworth	7:00pm	$35 Tickets includes 2 course dinner – Buy tickets from the club
Oasis Band with host Trevor Coombes	Oasis Hotel, 583 Armidale Road, Tamworth	7:00pm	Free
Rachael Fahim	The Albert Hotel, 211 Peel Street, Tamworth	7:30pm	Free
Hurricane Fall	Longyard Hotel, 10/12 Ringers Road, Tamworth	8:00pm	Free
Adam Harvey	West Tamworth League Club, 58 Philip Street, Tamworth	8:00pm	Click here to buy tickets
Jonny Taylor	West Diggers, 4 Kable Avenue, Tamworth	8:30pm	Free
Simply Bushed	Tamworth Services Club, 199 Marius Street, Tamworth	8:30pm	Free
The Cartwheels	West Tamworth League Club, 58 Philip Street, Tamworth	8:30pm	Free
Sally-Anne Whitten & the Rumour Mill	Tudor Hotel, 327 Peel Street, Tamworth	8:30pm	Free
2018 Toyota Star Maker Brad Cox	The Albert Hotel, 211 Peel Street, Tamworth	9:00pm	Free
The Beau Hatch Country Band	Post Office Hotel, 8 Fitzroy Street, Tamworth	9:00pm	Free
Rachael Fahim	The Albert Hotel, 211 Peel Street, Tamworth	10:15pm	Free
2018 Toyota Star Maker Brad Cox	The Albert Hotel, 211 Peel Street, Tamworth	11:30pm	Free
Sunday 15 July 2018
Australian Country Music Hall of Fame opens	561 Peel Street, Tamworth	10:00am	Adults $7/Children (Under 12) Free
Don Costa	Tamworth Shoppingworld, Bridge & Denne Streets, West Tamworth	10:00am	Free
Songwriters’ Live on the Deck	DAG Sheep Station, Crawney Road, Nundle	10:00am	Free
Chris Strohfeld	Oasis Hotel, 583 Armidale Road, Tamworth	10:00am	Free
Songwriters’ Showcase featuring Shane Nicholson, Luke O’Shea, Felicity Urquhart, Kevin Bennett, Aleyce Simmonds & Jeremy Edwards	DAG Sheep Station, Crawney Road, Nundle	11:00am	Click here to buy tickets
Tamworth Songwriters Association (TSA) Songwriters Over Lunch featuring Duncan Hill, the Floyd Black Band, Chelsea Rollings, Brendan Smoother, Peter Salata, Kylie Adams Collier, Tony Kennelly, Becci Nethery and Shelly Jones Band	Longyard Hotel, 10/12 Ringers Road, Tamworth	11:00am	Free
John Lecner	Oasis Hotel, 583 Armidale Road, Tamworth	11:00am	Free
Centrepoint Walk-up Stage presented by Capital Country Radio and Country Music Bulletin	Centrepoint Arcade, 374 Peel Street, Tamworth	11:00am	Free
Lyn & Phil Manning	Oasis Hotel, 583 Armidale Road, Tamworth	12:00pm	Free
Songwriters Show featuring Michael Bryers and special guests	North Tamworth Bowling Club, 20-26 Bligh Street, North Tamworth	12:30pm	Free
CCMA Hats Off Tribute to the Dallas Family	South Tamworth Bowling Club, 11 Margaret Street, South Tamworth	1:00pm	Free
Bob Easter	Oasis Hotel, 583 Armidale Road, Tamworth	1:00pm	Free
Lawrie & Shelley Minson	West Tamworth League Club, 58 Philip Street, Tamworth	2:00pm	Free
Jonny Taylor	West Diggers, 4 Kable Avenue, Tamworth	2:00pm	Free
Ryan Morris	Longyard Hotel, 10/12 Ringers Road, Tamworth	2:00pm	Free
Allison Forbes presents: The Big Birthday Bash Bonanza	The Tamworth Hotel, 147 Marius Street, Tamworth	2:00pm	Free
Greg Bain	Oasis Hotel, 583 Armidale Road, Tamworth	2:00pm	Free
Triple T	Oasis Hotel, 583 Armidale Road, Tamworth	3:00pm	Free
Songwriters’ Retreat Showcase featuring Shane Nicholson, Luke O’Shea, Felicity Urquhart, Kevin Bennett, Aleyce Simmonds, Jeremy Edwards PLUS special guests Brad Butcher, Jeff Gibson, John Krsulja, Brendan Nawrocki and artists from the 2018 Songwriters’ Retreat*	DAG Sheep Station, Crawney Road, Nundle	4:00pm	Click here to buy tickets
Graeme Doubleday	Oasis Hotel, 583 Armidale Road, Tamworth	4:00pm	Free
Alby Pool and Pals	South Tamworth Bowling Club, 11 Margaret Street, South Tamworth	4:30pm	Free
Oasis Band with host Rob Breese	Oasis Hotel, 583 Armidale Road, Tamworth	5:30pm	Free