Click Here for our Tamworth 2000 Festival Photo Album
It was interesting to note that this year, at least twenty of the Finalists of the 28th Toyota Country Music Awards of Australia have their own Web site. Not just a page in their record companies site, but their own complete presence on the Internet. That's about double the number for last year, which reflects the growth of the World Wide Web in general.
Click Here for our Tamworth 2000 Festival Photo Album
On February 26th 2000, there will be a giant 'Prisoner Turns 21 Party'
and reunion bash at Melbourne's Forum Theatre, in aid of 'Oz Showbiz Cares/Equity Fights Aids'. Cast members from the TV show, which still has a huge cult following, will be regrouping for the event. What's the Country Music connection? Well, Allan Caswell's classic song 'On The Inside', theme song for the show, is set to feature largely in the proceedings. The linedance version by Australian duo 'Frankie Goes To Holloway' that was released last year in the UK will be launched locally at the Melbourne party as part of a fund-raising CD. The disc also features a harmonica treatment of the song, some serious bass playing, versatile Sydney vocalist Maz, and the infamous Frank Ifield as "The Narrator". The mysterious duo behind 'Frankie Goes To Holloway' has extensive credentials in the Australian Country Music scene. You might learn their identities by visiting the Frankie Goes To Holloway Web Page where the new disc will be available on-line.
Kiwi Clark Reid and self-styled 'Down-Under Country Outlaw' claims to be the first country artist broadcast in the New Millennium anywhere in the world. New Zealand was one the first places in the world to see the dawn of the year 2000. A phone-in poll was held to see who should be the artist played first at the stroke of Midnight on New Zealand's 88CountryFm. The station selected Clark's version of 'Country Roads', the 90's remake of the John Denver classic as it was Clark's No.1 hit in 1999, following four other top ten singles from his successful debut album 'Give My Regards To Nashville'.
Once the excitement of the Tamworth Festival is over, why not consider a trip to Fan Fair? At the Web site of The Country Music Store, you will not only find information on all the latest CD releases, but details of trips to Branson, Nashville and Fan Fair. Ron and Rosie Adsett are the escorts on the tour which will be hosted by TANIA KERNAGHAN, and they all certainly know their Country Music. This year will be their 8th Annual Tour. You can see the full diary of last tour at their site, and read about all the great stars their travellers met on the way.
Known affectionately as the 'Father of Country Music' in Sydney, Bill Kelly's career as a performer ranged from entertaining the troops in WW2, to being the first country artist to sing for a Governor-General (in 1949). He was inducted into the Tamworth 'Hands of Fame' in 1982. A great promoter of young talent, his influence is felt on the Sydney scene to this day. After long stints at other venues, Bill Kelly began a Country Show at Ingleburn RSL Club, Sydney in 1982. When he passed away in July 1992, the show continued in his name as a tribute to his work. Sadly, due to renovations, the show ended its record-breaking run after 17 years and one month. The end of an era. At The Bill Kelly Memorial Country Show Web page you can see pictures of the last show, and watch for any news of the show's return.
Don't forget to listen out for Cowboys in Cybersp@ce
each month on the radio waves with Belinda Miller of
Murri Country , 4AAA –FM (98.9 in Brisbane).
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