"Just Like Being There" Congratulations to all the winners of the 36th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, but especially to Top New Male Vocalist, Keith Urban and Top New Female Vocalist, Jamie O'Neal. For most of us here in Australia, the next best thing to being there would have been to log into the ACM Web site. Although the actual ceremony was reserved for broadcast on US Cable and TV stations, there was still a lot on offer over the Internet, including up to the minute results. You can still go to the archives now and see photo albums from the Backstage, the Awards, and the Red Carpet arrivals hosted by Jo Dee Messina. There are a number of video interviews, including Keith and Jamie, plus transcripts of some of the comments made by the winners during their acceptance speeches. During the telecast there was an ACM Instant Poll for those on-line. Among the questions was "… who has represented Australia best during the ACMs… Jamie O'Neal, Keith Urban, or Tina from Survivor …?" I'll let you log on to find out the result! Webcasts will become more and more common as the broadcast industry moves towards the goal of delivering content 'on demand' to us, the user. Quality can be mixed at present, depending on a number of technical considerations, but sometimes the results can be outstanding. Recently I watched Tommy Emmanuel being broadcast live from the stage of The Basement nightclub via their Web site. The visuals were good and the sound quality was outstanding (well done, John Bee). I wasn't using any special fast connection; just a regular 56k dial-up modem. Occasionally they repeat the shows, so keep an eye on their site. Meanwhile, in their 'Replay Room' you can find song selection from concerts and studio appearances. The Basement continually broadcasts a live Internet audio-visual show - Doug Mulray is often at the helm - and recent guests have included Melinda Schneider, Kieran Kane and Kevin Welch. Look for them, plus Tommy Emmanuel in 'The Replay Room'. Before we leave the subject of Webcasts, virtueoz.com is a site that specialises in 'streaming media', and in their concert archives you can watch Kasey Chambers (a full 90 minute show) or Kinky Friedman doing their thing. To get the best from your Webcast experience, you will need the latest software, and good sites will provide you with the links you'll need. The latest versions of the RealPlayer, Windows Media Player, and QuickTime are all free and available as downloads. Voting has begun in the third annual Australian Online Music Awards (the ONYAS!), and the dedicated Country Music (and associated) sites that are nominated include: Australian Artist Site - BECCY COLE, BRENDAN MAROLLA, BRIELLE, COLIN BUCHANAN, FRANK IFIELD, JOHN WILLIAMSON, KASEY CHAMBERS, LEE KERNAGHAN, LESLIE AVRIL, PAT DRUMMOND, PAUL KELLY, SLIM DUSTY, TAMARA STEWART, TANIA KERNAGHAN, THE BUSHWACKERS, THE FIDDLERS FESTIVAL, TOMMY EMMANUEL, TROY CASSAR-DALEY Australian Online Radio Station or Program - 2SER, COOL COUNTRY RADIO Australian Print Music Publication Site - COWBOYS IN CYBERSP@CE Australian Music Video Network or Program - MUSICCOUNTRY Australian Independent Record Label Site - SHOCK Australian Online E-Tailer - THE COUNTRY MUSIC STORE Music Industry Resource - CMAA One lucky Australian resident who VOTES in the ONYA!s could win an Apple iMac Flower Power computer.

Some more new and updated Country Music Web sites to check out: Brooks & Dunn took out the Top Vocal Duo spot at the Academy of Country Music Awards. Their latest album 'Steers & Stripes' continues in the musical tradition of all their previous chart-topping releases. This time around though, the songs are more adventurous and, as it says on the liner notes, visit their Web sites to read the lyrics (you'll find them in the discography section). You'll also find more of the 'Slim & Howdy' saga. Kerrigan La-Brooy was number one on the Worldwide Mainstream Charts for Most Played Artist for several consecutive weeks. It's apparently the first time an Aussie has topped these charts. Visit Kerrigan's Web page and download a copy of his recording of 'Countrycity Unity'. Lorrie Morgan and Sammy Kershaw have a new duet album entitled 'I Finally Found Someone', and they certainly did. News from Lorrie's Web site says that they have set their wedding date for Sept. 29th in Nashville. The album is a terrific updated take on the duet traditions set by George Jones & Tammy Wynette, and Loretta Lynn & Conway Twitty. Their respective Web sites have a 'down home' feel about them too. Lorrie has opened a new restaurant called 'Hot Chickens.com', while Sammy's latest recipe for 'Barbeque Hot Beef Sandwiches' wouldn't be the same without the teaspoon of 'Louisiana Hot Sauce' from his sponsor. The following items are repeated to preserve continuity with the print edition:- Nattasha is a fine talent from Victoria who has a single 'Million Dollar You' on Country radio at present and a Web site for you to surf to; Nattasha is a fine talent from Victoria who has a single 'Million Dollar You' on Country radio at present and also a Web site for you to visit. Check out some of Nattasha's music samples and also a radio interview. If you're going to San Francisco and feel the need for a bit of bootscootin', visit The Sundance Association for all the Bay Area Country-Western Dancing information. Lots of event listings. Dance steps and how to avoid 'road rage' on the dance floor with Dance Etiquette. The Concert for a Landmine Free World tour featured some of the finest singer/songwriters of our time led by Emmylou Harris. Learn more at the Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation (VVAF) Website. Read about the brilliant CD and watch a short video clip, and find out how you can support this worthwhile cause. Every 22 minutes, someone is maimed or killed by a mine - 90 per cent are civilians, many of them children. Featuring - Emmylou Harris, John Prine, Guy Clark with Verlon Thompson, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Bruce Cockburn, Nanci Griffith, Gillian Welch & David Rawlings, Patty Griffin, Kris Kristofferson, and Terry Allen.

If you want to share the location of an interesting site you’ve seen or request a topic for discussion in future columns, why not E-mail me.

Don't forget to listen out for cyberBob each month on the radio waves with Belinda Miller of Murri Country, 4AAA (98.9 FM in Brisbane) and Barbara Morison on 2SER (107.3 FM in Sydney).

Until next month, happy surfing.

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