Tamworth 2009 has come and gone again and, in the main, a very successful festival it was. Following is news on our Battle of the Bands event together with links to our promotional pages for our 2009 winners.
Craig Morrison Little Cowboys wins band title
Craig Morrison & Little Cowboys took out the Toohey’s New Country Music Challenge: Band Search held in Tamworth in January.
 "It's been an excellent competition," said Co-ordinator Jim Guider, "more diverse" than last year.
"The attraction of the substantial cash prizes, together with the Enrec Studio recording package and other add-ons has drawn a huge response from bands right across the country, Jim said.
A close second in the competition was newcomers Bushfire.
Adding to the already substantial Band Search prize pack is the WJO Distribution Pack for the winner, Jim said.
Aim of the Toohey’s New Country Music Challenge: Band Search is to make the country music band entry level "just a little bit easier by providing an opportunity to be recorded by one of the best in the business, Steve Newton from Enrec."
"The Enrec Studio package is all about encouraging the winning band to put their best original material forward, to get it professionally produced and noticed in the wider music industry,” Jim said.
Support is there for both winner and runner up with Electro-Voice, Country Music Bulletin and Musicians’ Headquarters also adding to the prize pool.
More information can be obtained from Jim by emailing jim@musiciansheadquarters.com.au.
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| And following are links to some of our 2009 activities... keeping them on line for your information prior to the finalisation of details for 2010. |
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Breaking News... Guitar Unleashed at Urban Country... click here for more! |
The Atrium:Ayers Guitars Acoustic Lounge 2009
Setting the scene for a chilled out relaxed sanctuary over Tamworth 2009, is The Ayers Guitars Acoustic Lounge at The Atrium from Saturday 17 to Saturday 24.
The Ayers Guitars Acoustic Lounge meshes in with the quality lifestyle aspect of The Atrium featuring class profiled entertainment every day under the guiding hand of internationally recognised feature artist Terry Lee Barker.
Terry will provide the foundation with a mix of country blues and roots plus a sprinkling of genuine cowboy songs over the seven days.
Also taking part every day is special guest and European success, Jackson Mackay with his International Showcase, ably assisted by Terry as guitar sideman.
Jackson will be delivering a stripped back acoustic show unlike his mega band gigs in Europe in countries like Germany, France and Switzerland (click here for more about Jackson's visit).
Grammy 2008 nominee Connie Kis Andersen is dropping in for a couple of shows on Wednesday and Thursday at midday. Connie's mate from WA, Andrew Winton, the slick rootsy guitar slapper is appearing as well as being a fixture on Adair's Corner in the early part of the week.
Globe trotting Queensland outfit Texas Tea are also doing Adair's Corner and partaking in the Ayers Acoustic Lounge in the latter part of the week during mid afternoon.
Golden Guitar nominee 8 Ball Aitken will be there delivering his own special breed of country roots that fits in so well with the steamy festival summertime.
Young Tamworth talent Arley Black will showcase her talents with Acoustic Lounge stints in the early part of the week as well as Jo Casely and Megan Cooper doing several spots each.
However, the pinnacle of every day will be the Ayers Guitars Celebrity Playoff featuring prime Ayers Guitars players. The playoff happens in conjunction with Draytons Wine tasting every day at 4 and promises huge surprises as any major endorsed Ayers player can turn up.
Draytons Wines are also partnering with Westpac Rescue Helicopter in fundraising which will revolve around a special commemorative Port being released for Tamworth CM Festival 2009.
Westpac will be taking part in the activities at The Atrium.
Acoustic Lounge sessions commence at 10am every morning with a break between 1 and 3.
During the break, various activities will take place including linedancing sessions under the direction of Chris Watson from Travelworld in The Atrium.
If you are seeking a quality entertaining chillout centre, and who's not in the Tamworth heat, come to The Atrium Ayers Guitars Acoustic Lounge.
For fine food, lifestyle focussed shopping and performing artists of the highest profile, The Atrium has it all.
Enquiries can be directed to Co-ordinator Jim Guider on mobile 0409 795 492 or by emailing jimguider@westnet.com.au.
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Toohey’s New Country Music Challenge: Band Search 2009!
Craig Morrison and Little Cowboys, Bullet and heaps more bands are lined up for Toohey’s New Country Music Challenge: Band Search taking place at Dom's Room, The Family Hotel, on Monday night January 19.
Co-ordinator Jim Guider said: "Following the success of Country Music Challenge: Band Search 2008, with Ruckus coming out on top, the competition is ready to roll again for 2009.
"The attraction of the substantial cash prizes, together with the Enrec Studio Recording Package and other add-ons has drawn a huge response from bands right across the country, in town for the Tamworth 2009."
Adding to the already substantial prize pack is the WJO Distribution Pack for the winner. This worthwhile addition comes from Will Osland from new distribution outfit WJO," Jim said.
The Toohey’s New Country Music Challenge: Band Search aim is to make the country music band entry level just a little bit easier by providing an opportunity to be recorded by one of the best in the business, Steve Newton from Enrec.
The Enrec Studio Recording Package is all about encouraging the winning band to put their best original material forward, to get it professionally produced and noticed in the wider world of the music industry.
The Country Music Challenge support is there for both winner and runner up with Electro-Voice, Country Music Bulletin and Musicians’ Headquarters also adding to the prize pool.
"Support the bands that entertain you and get along to the Country Music Challenge in Dom's Room at The Family Hotel. It is guaranteed to be a big night for both bands and fans with a sponsor prize pack for one lucky fan."
Country Music Challenge: Band Search 2009 – support sponsors * Australian Guitar Mag * Aussie Media * Country Music Bulletin * Electro-Voice * Enrec Studios * Musician’s Headquarters * WJO Distribution.
Enquiries can be directed to Jim on 02 6766 9205, mobile 0409 795 492 or by emailing jim@musiciansheadquarters.com.au.
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Guitar Unleashed – Australia Day at The Albert!
The Vintage Guitars Guitar Unleashed: Long Live the Lead Break breaks out in the Big Marquee at The Albert, Peel Street, Tamworth, Australia Day 2009.
See a hot mix of guitarists totally living the lead break and taking it to the max.
Guitar Unleashed: Long Live the Lead Break is dedicated to the Guitar Gods such as Chet Atkins * Angus Young * Slash * Ritchie Blackmore * Duane Allman * Jimmy Page * Jimi Hendrix * Keith Richards * Steve Vai * Tommy and Phil Emmanuel plus more.
Vintage Guitars have come on board as the Major Sponsor for Guitar Unleashed: Long Live the Lead Break 2009. Vintage Guitars are hugely successful with many of their models having that sought after retro look.
Long Live the Lead Break is designed to attract guitarists to present their best lead breaks and walk away with a gorgeous electric guitar, courtesy of Vintage Guitars, as well as other incentives.
Vintage Guitars Guitar Unleashed : Long Live the Lead Break is the perfect place for players of all genres to showcase their playing, get noticed and win prizes worth $2,500 in value.
Special International Guest is Jackson Mackay, European success out from France for Tamworth CM Festival 2009.
Jackson is a dedicated guitarist himself used to playing gigs all over mainland Europe.
Guitar styles to be featured in GU:LLLB so far include Country/Rock, Hard Rock, Metal and Neo-Classical Rock.
The six players involved will be announced closer to the event.
Vintage Guitars Guitar Unleashed: Long Live the Lead Break 2009, in partnership with Bundy Rum, is set to rock and entertain the punters.
This festival, Guitar Unleashed is one big show on Australia Day at The Albert, being the grand guitar climax of Tamworth 2009.
If you love guitar, hot players and great entertainment, you simply have to be there!
The show is free and kicks off at 8pm.
Enquiries can be directed to Co-ordinator Jim Guider on 02 6766 9205, mobile 0409 795 492 or by emailing jimguider@westnet.com.au.
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European music success Jackson Mackay Australia bound in 2009
Making his way to Australia in 2009 for an East Coast promotional tour is Jackson Mackay.
Jackson hails from the borderlands in France where three countries meet – France, Germany and Switzerland. The tour ties in with the release of his new album Borderlandsnamed after his place of origin, Alsace, also renowned for excellent white wine.
Throughout his career, Jackson has enjoyed considerable success on the European Continent through awards and festival exposure as well as major corporate events.
His achievements thus far include being a three time nominee for the French FACM Awards for 2003 and 2004.
For the FACM Awards 2004 and 2005, Jackson won Best Singer of the Year as well as Best Live Performance.
Other accolades include winning the prestigious European Music Box CM Award for Best Singer.
Jackson will have a jam packed three weeks of performance in Australia plus taking in sightseeing as he absolutely loves Australia and wants to see more of the bush.
His first encounter with Australia was in 1993 when he wandered off the tourist track and took in some outback touring going to places like Cloncurry and elsewhere. This was good for his musical soul and became a major influence on his songwriting at the time.
In 2009, Jackson's three weeks will take in the Tamworth Country Music Festival with a full program of appearances including The Atrium Ayers Guitars Acoustic Lounge – Sat 17 to Sat 24th.
Also, Jackson has been invited to perform on Lee Kernaghan's Bi-Centennial Park Concert on Friday night January 23rd being Lee's Special International Guest. Jackson is over the moon about being on Lee's show as, together with Jimmy Little, Lee has been a major influence for Jackson.
The last Sunday of Tamworth CM Festival sees Jackson as Special International Guest of Daryl Kirkup at The Last Roundup at LBS Studios.
Along the way, Jackson will pop into the People's Choice Awards and do several media slots on radio and elsewhere.
Jackson's final day for Tamworth is Australia Day when he will be Special International Guest guitarist on Vintage Guitars Guitar Unleashed:Long Live the Lead Break at The Albert in Peel Street... the grand guitar climax of Tamworth Country Music Festival 2009.
After Tamworth, Jackson takes in a couple of days being a tourist before heading south for the Whittlesea Country Music Festival and the Victorian Country Music Awards.
He will be performing at the Awards and the Festival with other gigs possibly thrown in, if there's time.
To sample what Jackson has to offer, go to myspace.com/jacksonmackay for live video or just come to one of his gigs, when Jackson visits Australia in 2009.
For media and interviews: contact Jim Guider, Cross Country Promotions, on mobile 0409 795 492, email jimguider@westnet.com.au.
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Guitar Unleashed : Long Live the Lead Break@Urban Country!
Guitar Unleashed : Long Live the Lead Break makes it’s exciting debut at Urban Country for one big showcase on Saturday afternoon of the Festival in May this year.
Guitar Unleashed is being run to find the hottest guitarists in the Urban Country Festival as well as anyone who wants to enter from SE Queensland or elsewhere.
GU:LLLB Co-ordinator Jim Guider said: ''Since Guitar Unleashed launched itself in its home base at Tamworth CM Festival 2007, guitarists such as Rob Bostock (The Bostocks) and Dan Ebbels (Aaron Daniels Band) have taken home electric guitars to enhance their playing careers."
To show the playing quality, finalists have included "Smokin'" Joe Robinson, 8 Ball Aitken and Terry Mandryk from Craig Morrison and Little Cowboys, Jim added.
Long Live the Lead Break is an all genre competition designed to attract guitarists to present their best lead breaks and walk away with a state of the art electric guitar as well as other incentives.
Being all genre and free ranging, guitarists can break away from their usual playing confines and become their musical selves, totally living the lead break.
Guitar Unleashed: Long Live the Lead Break@ Urban Country is the perfect place for both Guitar Guns and Gunettes to showcase their playing, get noticed and win a heap of prizes.
Guitar Unleashed: Long Live the Lead Break is dedicated to the Guitar Gods such as Chet Atkins * Angus Young * Slash * Ritchie Blackmore * Duane Allman * Jimmy Page * Jimi Hendrix * Keith Richards * Steve Vai * Tommy Emmanuel plus more.
Guitarists wanting to take part in Guitar Unleashed@ Urban Country are urged to submit demo tracks for selection, being one fast track and one slow track.
Please send to PO Box 1812 Tamworth 2340 by February 15th 2009 for your chance to be selected as one of the six to take the stage at Urban Country in town central.
Special guest guitarists will be invited to support Long Live the Lead Break. Guests will be announced closer to the date in 2009.
Guitar Unleashed: Long Live the Lead Break eagerly looks forward to a solid partnership with Urban Country in taking Guitar Unleashed to the festival masses.
Guitar Unleashed hits the Urban Country stage at 3pm May 2nd 2009 and entries are open.
Enquiries: Jim Guider GU:LLLB Co-ordinator, phone 02 6766 9205, mobile 0409 795 492 email jimguider@westnet.com.au.
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