16 Jan 2009: Slim Newton (above right) is announced as the latest Australian legend to be elevated to the Country Music Roll of Renown. Best known for his hit song “Redback on the Toilet Seat”, Slim Newton joins the list of inductees which includes last year’s winner Geoff Mack (above left).
If you are a KEITH URBAN fan, my guess is that regardless of whether you were naughty or nice last year, you asked Santa to bring you KU’s latest DVD, Love, Pain & the whole crazy World Tour. While our U.S. cousins will find it available exclusively in Wal-Mart, here you can find it at your regular retailer (via EMI Australia). Containing two hours of concert plus ‘behind the scenes’ footage from the world tour, this is a visual and aural feast. 18 songs go by and even the “intimate” section of the show can barely contain the energy and adrenalin of Keith and the band. The tour -150 shows in six countries and three continents - gained critical acclaim with comments like “…fans would be hard-pressed to find a much better country - or rock - show anywhere.” The stage presentation, especially the opening sequence, is outstanding and the cameras capture every angle, although sometimes a little disconcertingly with their reluctance to linger on any one shot. Then again, if you were in the audience, no doubt your eyes would be darting around trying to take it all in, so perhaps that’s an added layer of realism? You may fear for Keith’s well-being as he enters the crush of the crowd but then share the shock and joy of the fan who receives a signed guitar. The DVD is directed by Chris Hicky who has worked with Keith on several of his music videos. Enjoy the performances and backstage antics from this tour before it all begins again in the U.S. in May, promising to deliver “another pulse pounding new concert experience”.
THE SUNNY COWGIRLS new DVD is a more laidback rural affair. It begins with a half hour documentary – The Story So Far – introduced by Adam Brand, but largely told by Sophie and Celeste in their own words. Archive footage illustrates the tale of the sisters’ childhood years and the adventures that finally led them to becoming one of our top-selling country music attractions. You will also follow the development as their experiences flow into their songwriting and we see them making their third album Dust Will Settle. The genuine affection of the sisters for each other and life on the land is reinforced throughout the interviews and the music. Also included are all eight of their music videos so far, including Acting Stupid and Dancing On The Darling, plus Someday, a duet with Adam Brand that was filmed for the Compass Bros House Concert DVD. For trivia buffs, the song was written by Tony Barber, an original member of Billy Thorpe’s band The Aztecs. Tony later became a huge success in the toy design business so I wonder if their version of his song might inspire a line of Sunny Cowgirls as dolls or soft toys. It would only be fitting as they are surely one of our most lovable acts.
(Compass Bros. via Shock)
What do you do if you have big ideas but no film crew and the budget requires eleven dollar bills and you only got ten? ED MATZENIK from Johnny Green’s Blues Cowboys has an instrumental version of the Dylan classic Subterranean Homesick Blues on YouTube. Shot in glorious monochrome with a cheap security camera and a bit of help from country luminaries Peter Figures on drums and Lawrie Minson on harmonica, Ed takes the least melodic song in history and turns out a charming video that will have Dylan fans laughing in their Boots Of Spanish Leather.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zm5-wyqO85I
Finally, Happy New Year to all ‘Cowboys In Cyberspace’ readers, both here and online. I hope to meet up with many of you in Tamworth so if you see me onstage with the Travis List band, Honky Tonk Nights at the Family Hotel, the Tomkins Guitar Showcase, Lifeline Concert or any other gigs, come and say G’day!
Until next time, happy surfing!
27 Dec 2008 - Barbara Morison of All Kinds Of Country on 2SER 107.3 FM spoke to Bob Howe about the highlights of the year at Canterbury Country and the 2008 Cowboys In Cyberspace columns .
He’s a fretboard wizard…
Chet Atkins said that TOMMY EMMANUEL was "…one of the greatest guitar players on the planet…” and “…the greatest finger-picker in the world”. Eric Clapton said Tommy was “…the greatest guitar player I’ve ever seen”. What more can I tell you but run, don’t walk to the nearest record store and get all of Tommy’s new releases! First up, CENTER STAGE a live concert from the Sierra Nevada Brewery in Chico, California, that comes as either a two CD set, or a DVD in High Definition vision and 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround Sound. During the concert (on the DVD version) Tommy points out the special cable he plugs in to his guitar and comments on the extra cameras and latest technology being used for the recording. Perhaps you think this is overkill to capture one man and a guitar? Well, then you have obviously never been to a Tommy Emmanuel concert. Capturing the sheer exuberance of the man is no mean feat, but this DVD comes extremely close to that ‘just like being there’ experience.
So what of the music? Included in the 107 minute set-list are favourites such as the outstanding and ever-expanding Beatles Medley, Mombasa and Initiation, which has developed over the years from an evocative Aboriginal-inspired tune with guitar-wrecking percussion effects, to a fully-fledged performance art piece and show-stopper. There are also several of Tommy’s own compositions from his last few albums plus four new works. He also sings three songs including the Merle Travis classic Nine Pound Hammer and Merle Haggard’s Workin’ Man Blues, which kicks off an enjoyable and diverting segment that features fabulous special guest ‘Dangerous’ Bob Littell on harmonica. Extras include longer spoken introductions and commentary on three of the tunes, particularly Lenny Bro’, for which Tommy describes his first meeting with Chet Atkins and the man the song is named for, Lenny Breau. Throughout the concert Tommy is at one with his guitar and the music flows through him like a powerful life force.
EMMANUEL LABOR is Tommy’s new instructional video; a close-up personal demonstration of selections from his recent albums, Only, Endless Road and The Mystery. This was filmed during the three days that also included the evening concerts that were recorded for Center Stage. Non-guitar playing TE fans will still find this DVD enjoyable as he performs 16 tunes, first right through and then in sections for an analysis of the playing techniques involved. This is not for the beginner or faint-hearted, for even when Tommy plays the slowed down versions, they are still mind-boggling for us mere mortals. No music or tablature is included, but transcription books are available via his website.
Bonus features include artificially slowed down riffs, still in pitch, for extra practice. How different things are now for serious students compared to when Tommy himself had to wait to see a photo of Chet Atkins for the first time to learn that Chet was in fact using a thumb pick. A huge revelation for young Tommy who had been learning the tunes from the radio and attempting to play them with a flat-pick!
Center Stage and Emmanuel Labor are released in Australia on ABC Music, distributed by Universal Music.
Until next time, happy holidays and happy surfing!
Finalists were announced today for the 37th CMAA Country Music Awards of Australia to be presented at the Tamworth Regional Entertainment and Convention Centre (TRECC) on Saturday, January 24, 2009. Pictured above, just some of the finalists who were present for the announcement at the harbour-side Opera Point Marquee located at the Sydney Opera House. Congratulations to all the finalists.(Photo by Bob Howe)
L to R: Felicity Urquhart, Sara Storer, Jasmine Rae, Catherine Britt, Melinda Schneider, Talia Wittmann, Joy McKean, Shane Nicholson, Kasey Chambers, Lachlan Davidson (obscured), The Robertson Brothers, Drew McAlister, Kneeling: Travis Collins, Hamish Davidson.
For the full list of finalists, visit www.country.com.au
Free on-line previews of the recent releases…
Until next time, when we take an in-depth look at Tommy Emmanuel’s three new releases, happy surfing!
Bob talked to Barbara Morison on 2SER 107.3 FM about this month’s column and more…
A quick look at some exciting new finds…
Here at Cowboys In Cyberspace we’ve always been keen on enhanced-CDs or anything that makes full use of the potential of the shiny-disc medium. The trend these days seems to be more towards including a bonus DVD disc in a package, often as a limited edition as an incentive for early-bird purchasers.
JESSICA SIMPSON’s new country release DO YOU KNOW (Sony/BMG) debuted at No.1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums Chart. As a performer so entrenched in the visual age, it was no surprise to see the album first released here with a DVD disc featuring the video of the hit Come On Over and a selection of behind-the-scenes and interview footage both in a short edited form and a longer unedited take. Hear the advice that Willie Nelson gave her (to bring out her Gospel background) and how Dolly Parton encouraged her – don’t forget to listen to the CD as well, especially for the title track which is a duet with Dolly. On hearing the news of the chart success, Jessica said, “I’m extremely touched by the overwhelmingly positive response to the album. There is so much honesty and raw emotion in there, showing who I really am … and I’m just thrilled that country fans are giving it a chance!”
The bonus DVD included with AWARD WINNING COUNTRY VOLUME 7 (Sony/BMG) is a straightforward compilation of 15 videos selected from the 20 audio tracks on the main CD such as recent hits from artists like Carrie Underwood, Kenny Chesney and Adam Harvey. This is an excellent selection clips without too many redundant literal story depictions. There are emotional performances – tastefully understated by Melinda Schneider (Stronger), compellingly heart-wrenching by Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles (Stay) – and favourites like Troy Cassar-Daley (Everything’s Going To Be Alright) and Sara Storer (Land Cries Out). Strum Sara, strum!
TAMARA STEWART has a competition to launch her new website. Fans are invited to send in their favourite Tamara Stewart experience in 25 words or less to go into the draw to win an awesome pack - an autographed copy of her new album ‘Love, Laughter, Lessons’ plus an autographed original photograph, a poster and personal letter from Tamara. Maybe you met her after a gig, maybe it’s a personal reflection on one of her songs, or maybe she’s inspired you in your life. No matter what it is, jot it down and send it in via her site. Tamara is pictured here performing at CANTERBURY COUNTRY in Sydney where she makes a welcome reappearance this month. The show recently celebrated their 100th concert and their website includes photos from every single show! Many of the live artist photos, like this one below, are by multi-talented drummer and photographer Terry Phillpot of Eyegraphics.
Most of you will already know that CMR (Country Music Radio) has moved from the regular radio to the internet and that 2007 International Country Music Broadcaster of the Year NICK ERBY can be heard online presenting “Australia’s biggest country hits and all-time favourites all day - every day”! The live stream pops up in a small window and you’ll need to keep the home page open if you want to see what track is playing and what’s coming up next – a useful feature. On the weekends the playlist goes Classic and on Sunday from 8am & 8pm (Tamworth time) there are some popular regular features that fans will recognise from the previous radio format including the Country Tracks Countdown, Country Music News Update and the Coffee Break feature interview. Those interviews are also archived and can be played on-demand, including backstage snippets from the Gympie Muster, Reg Lindsay tributes and the Southern Star Awards Finalists. When I spoke to Nick recently he was very excited that this new CMR format allowed him the freedom to create interviews anywhere and quickly include them in the programming. Nick is pictured above at work, interviewing Sara Storer.
Until next time, happy surfing!
Bob talked to Barbara Morison on 2SER 107.3 FM about this month’s column and more…
Memories of days gone by…
It was the early seventies and it seemed like SLIM DUSTY and REG LINDSAY were the twin peaks of Australian country music. Slim of course, favoured the traditional path and in doing so, took the bush ballad style to an all-time high. Reg on the other hand, while by no means ignoring that same heritage, pursued a more modern sound which was influenced by the American style of country that was emanating from Nashville at the time. He was one of our first (perhaps the first) to record an album utilising their best players at the R.C.A. Studios, released as ‘Reg Lindsay in Nashville’ and produced by ex-pat musical giant Bill Walker. The sad passing of Reg Lindsay has reminded us that although he was highly-regarded overseas, he ultimately chose to concentrate on his career in Australia.
From a technological point-of-view, our local recording scene was just coming into its own and by the mid-seventies was starting to rival the overseas facilities. Pat Aulton had produced Reg’s biggest hit Armstrong (1971) at Festival Records in Pyrmont, most likely on a four-track tape recorder. In 1974 the company upgraded their studio and now boasted a 24-track facility with the latest English-made Neve mixing console. Studio A was so advanced at that time that it attracted many visiting overseas stars and gained a world-class reputation. It would have been inconceivable back then to imagine that one day recordings would be made on small computers and that a software company (Universal Audio) would sell a computer-based version of the mighty Neve desk at a tiny fraction of the original price!
On 25th May 1976, producer Martin Erdman was at the controls at Studio A, and his task was to record some tracks for a new Reg Lindsay album…songs that would sit alongside four recordings left over from the previous Nashville album. Pee Wee Clark from Reg’s band was there on pedal steel, along session men Milton Saunders on piano and from the jazz-rock fusion band Crossfire, Greg Lyon on bass, and Doug Gallacher on drums. 
For reasons that are lost in history, there was no guitar player and at the last minute, someone thought of the fresh-faced teenager who worked in the PR office around the other side of the building. but who always seemed more interested in what was going on in the studio. That dear reader, was how I got called to play my first professional studio session. When it came time to record Reg’s composition Johnny Foster (The Old-Time Travellin’ Showman), I played the finger-picking part on my Japanese ‘imitation’ guitar. This was back when ‘copy’ guitars looked good but sounded average. Reg said,
“…Here, try this one…”
as he handed me his black 1938 Gibson acoustic to play! The album was released as The Travelin’ Man in August of 1976 and featured a very elaborate cover (for country music at the time) with a leather-look printed background and an insert sleeve with photos of Reg’s career to date. I know he was proud that the local tracks did indeed match up to the overseas recordings.
In this age of mobile phones and the internet, it is hard to imagine how popular Citizen’s Band Radio was at the time. Recognising the trend, Reg co-wrote a song entitled just that, C.B Radio, and I was called back for another session on October 16th. Festival Records not only had a studio in their building, but also a pressing plant. Such was the rush to release this track as a single, it was in the shops exactly one week later! Although I would only play one live show with Reg (and his niece Anne Kirkpatrick) that year, a couple of years later I joined his band The Overnighters to tour with his show and also play on over 40 episodes of the Logie award-winning TV show Reg Lindsay’s Country Homestead. We can only hope that some of Reg’s television legacy will get released again one day. There were 156 hours of the Brisbane shows recorded, not to mention the earlier Adelaide shows. Somewhere there in the vault, is probably the most comprehensive visual history of a golden era of Australian country music.
Until next time, happy surfing!
Go ahead and yodel…you know you want to!
Local western music fans may fondly remember Wylie & The Wild West visiting our shores late last century. WYLIE GUSTAFSEN, “the coolest cowpoke around”, later went on to have his biggest hit with perhaps his shortest recording “…Yahooooooo!” We’re talking about the trademark Yahoo! Yodel here, which immediately identifies the internet company of the same name. Last month we were visited by 13 year old TAYLOR WARE from Nashville (pictured left), who won theYahoo! Yodel Challenge at age nine. Taylor came to Australia to promote the new Yahoo!7 website and the ‘ODEL TO THE YODEL’ site dedicated to…well, you know what. Taylor yodelled her way into American hearts last year on America’s Got Talent and she created a stir at appearances in Sydney and Melbourne during her trip Down Under. ‘Odel to the Yodel’ features a how to yodel demo from Taylor, video of Wylie yodelling while playing his Australian Tomkins bass guitar, and information on the health benefits of yodelling from our own Dr. Timothy J Sharp (a.k.a. Dr. Happy). “Starting your day with a yodel is great because it opens up the lungs, relieves stress, awakens the soul and opens you up for the possibility of the day,” says Dr Happy. Can’t argue with that!
While searching the web for yodels I found a wealth of material at YouTube (of course) including a surprisingly fast yodel from Jewel and vintage clips of our own FRANK IFIELD, plus elsewhere, local talents MARY SCHNEIDER, JOHANNA HEMARA, and globetrotter WAYNE HORSBURGH who has not one, but two websites.
MARTINA McBRIDE came to visit us once briefly (see Cowboys In Cyberspace - December 1999) and has continued to be a major star ever since, plus a Grammy winner and four-time CMA Female Vocalist of the Year. Back then, at a small promotional appearance, the sheer power of her voice was amazing to hear in person, but her new live DVD may be the first chance for many to realise why she is one of the top female touring acts in America. MARTINA McBRIDE: LIVE IN CONCERT is 98 minutes of live concert recorded last September at Moline, Illinois’ I Wireless Center, for the series PBS’ Great Performances. The hits are there: A Broken Wing, Independence Day, This One’s For The Girls; fan favourites such as Over the Rainbow and Pat Benatar’s Hit Me With Your Best Shot; plus a lovely segment of classics from her Timeless album, (I Never Promised You A) Rose Garden, You Ain’t Woman Enough To Take My Man and Help Me Make It Through The Night. The DVD is packaged with an eight-song live CD that includes two songs not included in the video - From The Ashes and Whatever You Say. This is a big concert, but filmed with just the right subtlety to capture all the action without dizzy camera cuts. Martina is stunning…mesmerising…what are you waiting for?
Available through Sony BMG Music Entertainment 88697283382
Bob talked to Barbara Morison on 2SER 107.3 FM about this month’s column and more…
Until next time, happy surfing!
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3rd July 2008: MELINDA SCHNEIDER launched her stunning new album
‘Be Yourself’ at Sydney’s City Tattersalls Club. The excited capacity crowd was treated to a brilliant performance of the new songs by Melinda and her band, confirming her status as a world-class artist. Pictured above, Melinda with Angela Bishop, Lizzi Dayney, Tammy McIntosh and Dianna Corcoran.
Can you teach an old dog new tricks?
Cowboys In Cyberspace is just back from a week in Nashville, Tennessee, coinciding with the excitement of the 4-day CMA Music Festival, which the majority of people still refer to by its former name of Fan Fair. With an average daily attendance of 52,000 and temperatures hovering in the mid-to-high nineties, it was a hot time in Twang Town. You couldn’t walk down the main street with out tripping over Australians and Keith Urban made a surprise appearance at the Friday stadium show, performing a seven-song mini-concert, leaping from the stage to walk around LP Field and finally autographing and handing his guitar to an overwhelmed fan. Here’s hoping it wasn’t his Australian custom-made Tomkins guitar! I was in Nashville hosting nine Tomkins Guitars Showcases that featured Travis List, Sharnee Fenwick, Tracy Killeen, Sandra Humphries and Jetty Road, plus surprise guests that included Audrey Auld and Wayne Horsburgh. More than one young local guitar picker said to me, “…we love your playing…we dig those old skool guitar licks…” to which I replied, “…thanks, but they were new when I got ‘em!”
My highlight for the week, as a spectator, was Marty Stuart’s Late Night Jam at the Ryman Auditorium - over four hours of non-stop musical magic from 10pm to nearly 2.30am - raising money for MusiCARES who provide a safety net of critical assistance for music people in times of need (much like our own Support Act Limited, Australia’s Music Industry Benevolent Fund). This was Marty’s seventh annual Late Night Jam and for the first time it was an official CMA Music Festival event. Guests included the legends (feisty Charlie Daniels, the gorgeous Connie Smith, former Johnny Cash drummer W.S. ‘Fluke’ Holland), contemporary stars (John Rich, Gretchen Wilson, Kathy Mattea), bluegrass bands, up-and-coming talent and much more. Songwriters featured strongly including surprise guest Mel Tillis who sang Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love To Town and Kostas, who performed Ain’t That Lonely Yet and Blame It On Your Heart. The man who came close to stealing the show was veteran songwriter Dallas Frazier, who gave us not only If My Heart Had Windows and Elvira, but also the classic There Goes My Everything – as close to a perfect country song as you will ever hear.
The next night I met two of the stars of the Late Night Jam - WSM and Grand Ole Opry announcer Eddie Stubbs (pictured below, with me) who was broadcasting from the back of Ernest Tubb’s Record Shop and his special guest Miss Connie Smith. Eddie and Miss Connie were delighted to learn they had Australian fans listening to Marty’s show live via the internet. Eddie sure knows his stuff, having previously been a member of the Johnson Mountain Boys and playing fiddle for Kitty Wells and Johnnie Wright. WSM Radio is still one of the best places to hear real country music. One of the best places to see and hear traditional country music downtown is Robert’s Western World, voted #1 Best Honky Tonk Club in The Nashville Scene. As their slogan says…Burgers, Boots and Beer!
Bob talked to Barbara Morison on 2SER 107.3 FM about this month’s column and more…
Until next time, happy surfing!
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