October 25th, 2017

Downunder Beats 22

G’day Folks!

Fast notes:
Sally-Anne Whitten and her Rumour Mill are in the studio putting down tracks to the long awaited Soultry (Country Soul) album. Rick Hart officially releases his album this weekend in Melbourne. I will be following that up with an album review. Tasmanian Indie Country Awards were announced on the weekend and they were awarded to a diverse range of artists from all kinds of country. The Blues and Roots Festival in Sydney in December had its lineup announced, headed by legendary Kevin Borich.  Stars have been announced for The Sydney Country Music Rocks Festival for early next year, held in Sydney’s North Western suburbs. The line up is not finalised yet. Tamworth tickets are selling fast for January where all kinds of country music are represented. Brad Butcher and Michael Waugh, two of our finest singer/songwriters are teaming up for some concerts.
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Tokenism

Golden Guitar winner for best new talent this year, Fanny Lumsden, posted on Facebook that lately the festivals in Australia have had very few women country music artists.  There seems to be only token representation. Fanny is one of many fine women artists in a boom period for Australian Country Music. I do not understand why the line ups are dominated by men. I am not denigrating the wonderful talents of Australian Country Male Artists, I just know that women are at their strongest at the moment and they are topping the charts and are regulars on the gig scene. This is 2017, this is not acceptable. ​
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The return of the Model S Forde

Steve Forde is back in the saddle after a long time in the pasture. It is good to hear Steve’s name back in Country Music. He was one of our most interesting artists in the early 2000s and it is great to hear his name bandied about at gigs and festivals. Steve is one of the great characters of Australian Country Music for many reasons. ​​Steve is only one of many making a return. While we are not sure in what capacity Steve is hitting the stage with, Adam Toms, Chris Thomas, Shanley Del and others are all recording or doing gigs after hanging up the tools for a while. Hold on to your hats.
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Chris Thomas and Shanley Del (borrowed from NZ) are two of our finest female singers. Adam Toms is country rocking it and his new release is going great guns. ​
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Adam Eckersley

I must admit that it took me a while to take to Adam’s music. He has changed his style a bit and I went a long for the ride. There was something there....a cross between the rocker look and the bluesy sound and I had to persist. I am glad that I did. After all, he is married to one of the McClymonts, Brooke! I have really warmed to his sound now and he is a very popular singer/songwriter, with and without his band of merry men.  His duets with Brooke are my favourites. Brooke and her sisters form one of Australia’s most popular trios. ​
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Gigs and reviews are coming!

There are a heap of albums ready to be released. The Tamworth nominations are coming through soon and there are gigs aplenty coming up in the next few weeks. We were visited by a superstar (and daughter of a legend), Jet Williams this week in my area. The daughter of Hank has been well worshipped in this country. Thank you for visiting us. ​
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Merelyn’s Courageous Battle

One of Australia’s most loved Indie artists, Merelyn Carter, one half of the Dynamic Duo, Carter and Carter, is facing the biggest battle of her life against the big C. Our thoughts are with our dear Merelyn and her husband David and their children and young grandchildren. They are the most beautiful people and they have survived so much. If you have a good vibe to send or a prayer to give up, please give it up for our lovely, talented and inspirational Merelyn. ​
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Just a shorty this time, folks, but some big ones are to come.
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Hooroo,
Kaz