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 8 Ball Aitken
Emerging independent country musician 8 Ball Aitken is authentic -- a real-deal swamp character who rattles the roof, stomps the planks, and gets his audiences whooping and hollering along in a frenzy of pure exuberance. He plays a sizzling hot blend of original FNQ country tunes. 8 Ball’s material delivers a fresh serve of honk, stomp, Aussie swamp music, straight from the Mareeba Delta.
FESTIVALS: Tamworth Country Music Festival, Gympie Muster, Urban Country Music Festival, Canberra Country Music Festival, Adelaide Fringe, Melbourne Fringe, APAM, Blues On Broadbeach, Byron Bay’s Bluesfest, Australian National Blues Festival, Brisbane Blues Festival, Blues At Bridgetown, Woodford Folk Festival, and many more. International highlights: International Folk Alliance in Memphis, Canadian Music Week in Toronto, Americana Conference show at the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville, and festival gigs North America, Europe & Japan.
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 Steve Brown
Played saxophone in family band (bush dances, ballroom dances, sixties rock) from age 10 to 18. Moved onto guitar and started playing country covers with my two brothers for a few years before getting distracted with work and life (played guitar in a few local musical productions for some fun though). Decided at the end of 2009 to try my hand at writing some songs after picking up the guitar again and after writing a few, workshopped them with my drummer brother. After much enjoyment with the creative process i continue to write and play music with my brother. |
 Lachlan Bryan
My initial experience in songwriting came from conversations I had as a child with pop and musical theatre composer Lionel Bart (who stayed with my family in the early 90s). It was pretty much then that I decided I wanted to be a songwriter and I have been working tirelessly at it ever since. At high school I discovered the work of Tom Waits and Bob Dylan, the two artists outside of the country genre that have been my most major influences. I've spent my twenties writing songs for my own bands and a few others (such as The Basics). My current band The Wildes plays exclusively my songs - and we have started to get a good run since releasing our debut Ballad of a Young Married Man in 2009. I write story songs, for the most part, and I truly believe that there is a place for intelligent, articulate songwriting in Australian country music. |
 Sophie Clabburn
Singer/songwriter Sophie Clabburn performs with her sister Celeste as The Sunny Cowgirls.
“The songs we write come from a very real place – they’re always inspired by where we’ve been and the people we’ve met. If we stay away from the bush for too long, we find we just can’t write,” said Sophie.
“We write about what we know, and we write from our hearts. The reason our music connects with people is because we’ve lived the songs and the country life. We are fortunate to be able to do both the things we love – live in the bush and still write and sing our music.”
“We know how lucky we are, and our music is a celebration of Australia and the amazing way of life we have.”
The result is a stunning collection of real, heartfelt songs that capture life in the Australian bush in an authentic and contemporary way.
www.sunnycowgirls.com
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 Kimberley Clemens
As a kid in choir, I used to change the lyrics, singing something rude, so my friends would burst out laughing. The whole back row toppled down once, highlighting to me, the power of a good lyric. At six, I fell in love with country music when my Godmother gave me Tom T Hall’s Greatest Hits Volume 2. I fronted a cover band at uni, we sucked. A friend came down to the coast; being a former Australian star he brought his guitar. I started to make up songs. Recognising my personal epiphany, he left the guitar for a while. The local milk bar owner, Johnny Chester, came around to hear my songs, offering shiny words of encouragement, I gleaned experience in the studio recording and writing with Scott Carne and Michael den Elzen. Hooked up with some local boys and formed a band. Determined, to secure a gig in the front bar at The Espy, I rang a talent agency and literally rented a crowd! It worked and we continued to get bookings and great Reviews. Band broke up. I’m staying. |
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 Andrew Cochrane
From the age of 10, Andrew Cochrane started penciling his first tunes. As a young teenager he cut his teeth as a guitarist working in 80s hit bands such as Blaze, Satellite Spies and The Straight. Also playing local studio sessions, it wasn’t long before Andrew became focused on the whole process of writing and producing with other artists. Following this passion, today Andrew is an independent writer/producer living in Brisbane and working with successful local bands and artists such as Citipointe Live, Nainby, The Veronicas, Col Finely, Stephanie Brownlee, the Harrisons and Chardon Lewis. Inspired by past and present great writers, Andrew’s ambition is to write truly inspiring songs. Andrew’s songs have been recognized as finalists for international songwriting competitions including ISC and NSAI. Wrote and produced Col Finleys last album Hold for Major artist include: Trace Atkins: My Stuff Rascal flatts: Don't Come Over Til I'm Over You Emerson Drive: Dont Come.....
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 Kristy Cox
Kristy’s raw talent and versatility really shone through with her much anticipated debut album From My Eyes in 2006, but it was the subsequent four song EP Fallen, recorded in Nashville and produced by award winning Mark Thornton which saw the transition to the bluegrass influences that now define her in her 2010 release Breaking New Ground. The new album includes some self-penned songs and features a superb mix of bluegrass and acoustically based country, the album was produced by noted U.S songwriter Jerry Salley, recorded at EMI studios in Nashville TN, and features some of the world’s best musicians including Bryan Sutton, Andy Leftwich and Alecia Nugent. The album has already produced Kristy’s first Top 5 chart hit, That’s Where The Faith Comes In, and her second single also reached number 6 on the Country Tracks radio charts. |
 Noel Downs
I was born in East Fremantle in Western Australia in 1964. Prior to 1997, most of my life was spent on the move. I served in the Army for thirteen years, worked as a stockman, farm labourer, horse breaker, computer programmer, I.T. manager, Office manager on a Horse Stud and most recently CEO of a Local Aboriginal Land Council. I have seen a lot of Australia and finally settled in a place that feels like home, where Christine and I breed Arabian horses. I have always liked writing but didn’t seriously start song writing until 1999. I have spent a good while developing my skills and style ... I can be prolific and can turn my hand to most subjects with a good deal of empathy. My passion is ballads, and I see myself more of a Country/folk writer than anything else. If push comes to shove I can play a passable chord progression on my guitar but I prefer to let composers with real talent and feel for music make great words greater songs. |
 Abraham Dunovits
Abe was born in Argentina and grew up in Spain, soaking up the music as he went along, studying in the local "tablaos" where flamenco music was played in Madrid and going to see rock concerts at night. He has lived and worked in Australia since 1989. He is a musical virtuoso on string instruments but self-taught.
Abe has extensive experience in the music business, as a composer, in live settings and recording, in many styles, from his beginnings in Perth original indie rock bands in the early nineties such as Rosie's Kitchen, The Whitlam Years and Spooky to the community conscious Latin American ensemble Malembe. Abe has lead the most successful Big Band Salsa and Latin jazz group Sabroson since 2000, has played bass for the hi-power Zimbabwean band Shangara Jive for over 5 years, does regular gigs with Senegalese drumming master Ziggy Djane and plays sessions for film and TV. Abe played support gigs for a variety of Australian artists in the early nineties, such as Tommy Emmanuel, Deborah Conway, and international artists such as Yossou N'dour in 2005, Oliver Mtukudzi (Tuku) in 2007 and 2008.
Abe's band Funkalleros won the 2008 WAM Best Song of the Year prize in the category of Mixed Bag. They were finalists in the Next Big Thing band competition in 2005 and finalists in the WAM song of the Year competition in 2007 for their song "Upside Down". They were included in the International West Coast Blues and Roots Festival in Fremantle in 2008 amongst artists such as John Fogerty, Ozomatli, Jools Holland and Seasick Steve.
http://www.sonicbids.com/funkalleros |
 Morgan Evans
At the age of 13 Morgan played his first gig and while still at school he took part in The Talent Development Program & The Schools Spectacular. Morgan's band, SOLVER, took out Artist of The Year & Best Rock Act at The MusicOZ awards in 2006 ahead of over 5000 entries. In 2007 Morgan won The Telstra Road To Tamworth and flew to Nashville where he recorded his debut single and performed on an international artists showcase. Morgan was asked to join the biggest stars in Country Music at LP Field in front of over 50 000 Country Music fans becoming only the second Australian ever to do so (Keith Urban was first). When Morgan returned to Australia his single Big Skies went to #1 on The Country Music Channel Chart and #1 on the Australian Country Radio Charts. He toured with Brooks & Dunn, Gary Allan, Shannon Noll, Adam Harvey & was personally selected by Taylor Swift to open her first Australian tour. |
 John Flanagan
John Flanagan blends Americana stylings with deeply honest Australian storytelling to create his simple and expressive style of bluegrass/folk. Travelling around Australia with his guitar and banjo at the start of 2008, John’s music has been inspired by the many faces and landscapes of this country. In late 2008 he joined forces with seasoned musicians Jane Patterson, Andy Zito and Mark Zito forming John Flanagan & the Begin Agains and recording his debut solo album 'Meet Me In Between'. With influences including Alison Krauss and Nickel Creek the 4-piece Melbourne band has developed a stirring sound characterised by lush vocal harmonies and delicate acoustic textures. Together they are making their mark on the Melbourne music scene, supporting acts such as Ian Moss and Felicity Urquhart. Meet Me In Between reflects on themes of love, passions and hardships and has been praised for its heartbreaking beauty. They are now preparing to record their latest single ‘Young Minds’, which will be released in 2011. |
 Dana Hassall
Eighteen year old Singer/Songwriter, Dana Hassall, from South-East Queensland, has been paving her way towards a career in music for ten years. After discovering singing at the age of eight, Dana took up guitar with six months and penned her first song by her tenth birthday. In the following years she has written and performed in a variety of settings, strengthening as a singer, songwriter and acoustic guitarist. Having grown up listening to a diverse range of artists including the likes of Paul Kelly, Troy Cassar Daley, Jonah's Road, Travis Collins, Thirsty Merc and Missy Higgins, Dana's original music reflects a lot of these styles. With roots in country, she draws inspiration from other genres to produce a new sound that is unlike her country predecessors, yet maintains a country feel. Now Dana is preparing to record her debut EP and begin to make her mark on the music industry. With her refreshingly original music and her contemporary style, this promising young artist is one to watch for the future. |
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 Leanne Hawkins
Singer/songwriter and Second Generation Forgotten Australian, Leanne Hawkins has recorded and recently released an EP of her family's experiences at Ironfest called In Memory of Forgotten Australians. Leanne's original song Momma was selected in the final 20 at Tamworth's Capital Country Music Songwriting Competition 2009.
leannehawkins.com.au
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 Bill Jackson
Bill Jackson – A Short Bio Albury born, Gippsland reared and now Melbourne based singer/songwriter Bill Jackson has had a big eighteen months. His 2008 release 'Steel & Bone' was awarded ‘Folk Alliance Australia Radio Presenters Album of the Year' and he was invited to tour the US alt country hotspots later that same year with his Acoustic Orchestra (Peter Fidler / Ruth Hazleton). Jackson was invited back to to the US earlier this year to showcase at the International Folk Alliance Convention in Memphis (Feb 2010) and to play gigs at selected venues like The Bluebird Café in Nashville. Whilst in Nashville, Jackson was also invited to join progressive US Performing Rights Association SESAC and co-write with some of their stable.He returned home to support internationals Eleanor McEvoy and Chris Smither as part of the Brunswick Music Festival and is currently working the independent release of an EP he recorded ‘Live’ in the studio in Nashville – ‘The Nashville Session’ |
 Rebecca Jackson
JAXONVILLE is an exciting,fresh,young,talented Country/Pop Duo from Australia,consisting of uniquely talented singers Rachael&Rebecca Jackson who play Guitar&Fiddle with strong vocals&harmonies.Jaxonville are going from strength to strength with a TIARA Award win for Best Duo in Australian Country Music.They have been successful with their“Summer Tour”nationally&internationally.They are well accomplished songwriters+have performed their own songs at many established venues+Festivals over the past number of years including“The Lord Mayors Golden Casket-Channel 7 Xmas Carols”in Brisbane,which was televised QLD wide+to an audience of 50,000.In 2005Jaxonville were recognised for their ability+were invited to perform their original songs on the ABC Trailer in Bi-Centennial Park Tamworth&were the only new unknown,young act invited for a direct to radio interview&live performance to be broadcasted direct to air on ABC/New England alongside many well known Major signed Artists&Bands. Performances:Caboolture QUT Urban Country Music Fest2007,2008,Gympie Music Muster2007,2008,Tamworth Country Music Fest2007,2008,2009,Mud Bulls&Music2007,2008.Their songs have received an extensive amount of airplay&support from Country Music Radio.Nominated Top4finalists in the Annual Q Song Music Awards+the Music Oz awards held in Sydney’s Enmore Theatre for Country+Pop sections,finalists at The 16th Annual American Independent L.A Music Awards held at Kodak Theatre USA,Nescafe Big Break semifinalist.This exciting vibrant duo has the unique ability to engage the audience with their performances far surpassing other artists who are more widely known.In2008 they travelled to the USA,living between Brisbane&Nashville which was self funded,to further their writing skills with other artists/songwriters they found it such a benefit they decided to return and continue to write & record. |
 Kate Jacobson
Kate Jacobson is one half of popular Brisbane indie-country/folk duo, Texas Tea. Texas Tea have been rising in popularity since their inception in 2004. With almost 6 years of song writing, recording and touring up their sleeve, Texas Tea have successfully scratched their name in the oak of Australia’s independent music scene. They have also recently made a name for themselves by touring other countries around the world, with most notable enthusiasm coming from Northern France. Kate is revered as one of Queensland’s up-and-coming song writing talents. She has been shortlisted for the APRA Songwriters awards on two occasions, been nominated several times in the Q-Music Song Of The Year Awards and most recently was a finalist 2 years in a row for the Grant McClennan Memorial Fellowship. Kate has toured locally and internationally with Texas Tea and has recently joined and toured extensively across Australia with Seja Vogel's dream pop outfit 'Seja'. |
 Harmony James
In early 2007 Harmonys song Tailwind was announced the first Australian song to win the country category of the International Songwriting Competition. The 2nd single and number 1 hit Somebody Stole My Horse, was Australia’s third most played country song of 2008. With the 2009 release of her debut album, TAILWIND, Harmony confirmed that she is a talented and skilled singer songwriter. Harmony was named Rising Star at the 2008 Victorian Country Music Awards, and a 2008 New Talent Golden Guitar finalist. In 2009 she was awarded Independent Female Vocalist of the Year at the Southern Stars awards. Now featuring again with Precious Little the second biggest song of 2009 at country radio, Harmony has found herself right up with the best of the business as finalist for the 2010 CMAA Album of the Year and Female Artist of the Year. After a busy year touring as guest artist with country music darlings the McClymonts, Harmony has a swag of new songs ready to record for her sophomore release. |
 Christie Lamb
SHORT BIO - 2010 * Mo Award Nominee 2010 – Johnny O’Keefe Encouragement Award - Best Young Talent * Talent Development Project Graduate 2010 – Sydney Entertainment Centre * CMAA Senior College of Country Music Graduate 2010 * Selected to Perform at the Opera House for ENCORE of HSC Music with own composition “When it gets this Hot"" * Selected as Feature Vocalist Schools Spectacular 2010 * Pre – show entertainment for Carole King, James Taylor and Cat Stevens – Sydney Entertainment Centre * Tamworth Jazzer Smith Open Age Talent Quest Winner * CCMA National Talent Quest – Best Young Talent Vocal and Gospel Winner * CCMA National Open Age Songwriting Winner 2009 & 2010 * Australian Country Talent Seekers Quest (ACTS) Winner 2010 * Mildura Top of the State Senior Overall Champion and Open Songwriter Winner 2010 * Performed at Sydney Olympic Park for the Ten Year Anniversary of the Sydney Olympic Games |
 Robert Lonetree
Rob Bruce lives in Northern NSW, near the little town of Nimbin, deep in the heart of Bundjalung Nation, on the great continent Terra Australis. Rob performs his music and poetry at various folk festivals, clubs and hotels in Eastern Australia. He is also a writer of novels, screen plays and political essays.
Rob has recorded six long play albums including The Somnambulist, (2009), Tanglefoot (2008), Paint The Pony (2007), All Fools Day, (2004), and a collection of Out-takes (1999-2010)
Rob's music and lyrics derive much of their inspiration from his travels in Latin America, where he lived for some years whilst conducting his doctoral studies in anthropology working with shamans in Andean and Amazonian South America. His music is also inspired by the great land Australia, her myriad peoples and cultures, her stunning landscape and coast.
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 John Lynam
John Lynam is a singer/songwriter from Palmwoods QLD.
www.myspace.com/johnlynammusic |
 Julian Matthews
Currently my main band (and main vehicle for my songs) is called THE LEVEL SPIRITS. We have just released a self funded debut album last week (the three songs I submitted are from this album). The band and album have been getting a great response from both local and overseas musicians/radio. http://www.myspace.com/thelevelspirits I have toured with other musicians/bands in both the US and Europe extensively over the last 5 years playing both guitar and bass. Including played SXSW in 2008. In March this year I played bass in a band that toured Spain, Italy and Greece with members of The Stems and Paul Kelly's touring band. I am (assuming the acts are offered spots on the festival - which seems likely) playing at SXSW in March 2011 with two different acts. I play usually around 3 times a week locally in Melbourne with different bands. |
 Grant Millar
Grant Millar is an accomplished songwriter and performer who has called Longreach home since 2001. As the artist whose work was chosen as the Official Song for the Inaugural Year of the Outback in 2002, Grant has had the opportunity to perform in both intimate venues and arena events. His work has been recorded by Australian Country Music icons The Bushwhackers and performed in the main arena at Brisbane’s ECCA (Agricultural Show). From creek bed's in Broken Hill to a State of Origin games in Brisbane, Grant served as an Ambassador for the Outback in 2002, showing a genuine knowledge of the land and its people through well developed lyrics and haunting melodies. Today Grant continues to bring his own unique storytelling to life through his original approach to outback life. |
 Craig Morrison
With music in his blood, Craig was introduced to the showbiz arena at a very young age, singing harmony vocals touring Australia with his dad, veteran rock & roller, LUCKY STARR. One of the more memorable tours was the annual trek to the Tamworth Country Music Festival to perform alongside his legendary father.
Craig’s musical tastes evolved to pop rock forming a band called De Mont, which was Albert Productions most promising young band. De Mont enjoyed great success with a charting first album and supports for many major Australian and International acts.
In 2006, to develop and refine Craig’s musical direction, he spent time in one of the world’s most prominent musical cities, Nashville TN. Invigorated, Craig put together his country pop band in 2007 - performing his new style songs at many major festivals nationally, creating quite a stir for his high octane shows. Since Craig has collected an impressive swag of competition wins over the last two years, enabling Craig to record his debut album, ‘Heaven Knows’.
The album ‘Heaven Knows’ has achieved Multi-Awards and been positively embraced by radio stations nationally cementing a strong foundation for Craig in the country music industry as a force to be reckoned with.
http://craigmorrisonmusic.com/Site/bio.html
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 Michael Pye
Mickey Pye is a 22 year old Country-Rock artist from Oberon in NSW. With a true mix of country and rock'n'roll in his upbringing, Mickey was raised on the sounds of Slim Dusty and Elvis Presley. Now, an accomplished guitarist, singer and songwriter, Mickey is sharing his own style of country that is proving popular with audiences all over Australia, branded 'high energy, country rock' (Rick Grossman, Hoodoo Gurus/Divinyls).
Winner of the Gympie Muster's 2009 Maton Talent Search, Tamworth's Aristocrat Entertainer of the Year in 2009, and a 2010 Toyota Star Maker finalist, Mickey has just released his debut single and video clip 'Got the Feeling,' currently proving popular on CMC and country radio. 'It is the first time I've ever heard a song online and put it to air the same day' -program director, Cool Country 2KA. Mickey is currently working on his debut album to be released later this year. |
 Sonny Rolfe
Sonny started songwriting in 1998 - his Webpage is www.sonnyrolfe.com. Born in the UK, Sonny moved to Australia in 1967 and has been living in Perth since 1971, where he started his own business (an Antiques shop, Inport, in Stirling Hwy, Nth Fremantle) in 1974. Travelling around Australia to various Music Festivals and being interviewed by local radio stations has been a big part of his life since becoming a songwriter. |
 Susan Jane Russell
A life altering experience five years ago propelled Susan Russell into song writing. Without any prior music experience, other than having recently joined a soul and gospel choir, the songs just started coming. Without an instrument to assist her song writing but with the encouragement of a musician friend, Susan set about teaching herself to play the ukulele and just four years ago started performing her songs at open mics. Three years ago, Susan joined forces with Narelle Jolley to create the duo Sweet Delores and has quickly progressed from the open mic scene to performing at local venues and festivals including the Queenscliff Music Festival and the Gympie Muster. Susan recorded the Sweet Delores debut album ‘Loco’ with Narelle in 2008 and is working towards recording the Sweet Delores sophomore album early next year. In the last two years, Susan has started to teach herself guitar, which has provided another dimension to her song writing. A fiercely independent songwriter Susan draws on her own life experiences incorporating the good, the bad and the ugly aspects of life. Honest, gritty and at times irreverent lyrics combine with sweet melodies to create unique songs that audiences identify with. |
 Frederick Ryan
Biography Of Fred Ryan Age 4Oyrs Nationality Australian Aboriginal Marrita Status; Married, 3 children Hi, my name is Fred Ryan, Im form Western Australia where i was born and have lived all my life. My place of birth is a little coastal town in the North West called Derby. I was removed from there as a baby and raised by a wonderfull family in the Midwest or Murchison area as it is known where i grew up on sheep and cattle stations where my family lived and worked.My early years of schooling were out on the stations until we(the family) had to move to town to better my education. The nearest town was a wheatbelt town called Mullewa where i attended public schooling for 2 years up to year7 then attended a Pallottine Mission for around another 3 years of highschool. This is where my schooling ended and i moved back to the bush to help my parents on the station where my working carreer began as a station hand. Music has always been a passion of mine but due to our location and financial situation i have never had any music or song writing lessons so what you hear from my lyrics/songs is as i see it. Im currently in the process of trying to produce and release my first album which has been a longtime coming. The tracks on this first album tells stories of my childhood and the people and surroundings that inspired me through these times The first song on the enclosed cd is called (Hat Turned Down In Front) and its my tribute or thank you to the Australian Country Music artists that have inspired me. The second song is called( Murchison River) which is a picture of what i saw as a child growing up in this area I call home. The third song is called(Here I Am) which i wrote about people with disabilities, voices that don’t get heard, in general the ones society tends to leave behind. |
 Joshua Shelton
Playing guitar from the age of six, singing and writing songs from the age of 12, Joshua Shelton has dedicated his life to the craft of music. Josh pursued his musical education at tertiary level and completed a Bachelor of Music Technology at the QLD Conservatorium of Music in 2004. Josh's first group project, Brisbane Indie Rock band The Black Arts wherein he received acclaim with the song ""War on Hurricanes"", as it was chosen as a pick of the week by Triple J's Richard Kingsmill. The Band went on to tour North America in 2006 taking in the NXNE Music Festival and Conference in Toronto Canada, as well as plying shows in LA, and New York. Josh's latest project, 7 piece Alt-Country with Josh up on Vocals and guitar he is writing more passionately than ever before and finding true inspiration through the conduit of Country Americana. Josh will be performing with Rattlehand at the up-coming Woodford Folk Festival, Tamworth Country Music festival and the Apollo Bay Music Festival. |
 George Sich
George Sich is a Sydney based singer/songwriter in the country blues style. As a younger man, George could be found busking at the Rocks and playing the pubs and clubs and around the Sydney area. In 1985 George co-wrote a musical commissioned by the Campbelltown Community Youth Support Scheme, this production ran for 2 weeks at the Campbelltown Theatre. In the late 80's George played guitar with a club dance band earning his chops, before throwing it all in to raise a family, run a business and generally “get a life”. Now that the kids are “all up and grown”, George is back playing the pubs and clubs once again, with new songs built on life's experiences. George is a regular at many songwriter and open mic nights around Sydney honing and perfecting songs and performance skills. These experiences have resulted in George's debut, self produced EP “True Story, I Swear”. |
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 Jo Kelly Stephenson
Jo Kelly Stephenson's debut album 'I See Flowers, You See Cars' has won numerous awards including 'Alt. Country Album of the Year - Vox Populi' in the US Independent Music Awards (IMA's)'. She took out a Major prize in Australia's largest song contest, ‘The ASA 28th Annual Australian Songwriting Competition’. She performed at the industry awards night which was televised across Australia. Jo Kelly was also awarded 2nd place in the Billboard World Song Contest R&B / Blues category and reached the top 5 for the IMAs Alt. Country Song of the year.
Jo Kelly has toured and played at top music venues and festivals throughout Australia, including Australia's historic international venue, The Palais Theatre. She showcased at Michael Chugg's 'Australian Music Week', with an average attendance of 300,000 people and completed a BA Music (With Distinction). Her independent release has sold more than 1000 copies and receives airplay on several stations throughout Australia, Europe and the USA. Jo Kelly completed a short US tour in late 2009. Most recently her music featured in new TV series 'The Glades', 'Rizzoli & Isles' and US short film 'Alone'.
Jo Kelly currently produces tracks from self owned and run Red Desert Studios, for which she sings and plays most of the instruments. She has a back catalogue of over 100 songs to which she controls both song & master rights. Jo Kelly currently seeks international publishing opportunities.
“I See Flowers heralds the arrival of someone with the potential to blaze a trail far beyond home territory” - Performing Songwriter Magazine.
www.taxi.com/jokellystephenson
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 Greg Storer
‘Backwater’ Greg Storer's debut album, ‘Backwater’, has all the right people talking. They’re saying the right things, too. Marty Jones from Rhythms Magazine enthused “(the) stories…will remain with you long after the CD player is turned off.” And to think that Backwater began to take shape as a lark, fuelled by a couple of stubbies and a simple rhyme. ‘I rhymed “tiger” with “Steiger” and away I went,’ laughs Greg, a father of four, who runs a family property in rural NSW. Sister Sara joins in on that song, ‘When I Was A Boy’ (winner of Video Clip of the Year Country Music Awards 2010), and their heartfelt duet makes a lot of sense — after all, the Storers share more than a few memories of growing up together on the Murray. ‘This song is about childhood dreams,’ says Greg. ‘Growing up and learning a few tricks from loving parents, like how to drive a tractor, a header, a loader, and a dozer, while listening to the footy.’ |
 Jim Turner
Was born at Penrith NSW and the only music qualification I have is an Advanced Diploma in Music Industry Business with Distinction awarded in 2008 under teacher Geoff Weule at TAFE NSW Western Sydney Institute Nirimba, I was also awarded the Music Business Academic Achievement Award for the Diploma and Advanced Diploma courses in 2008. The words are always written first and the music written up to two years later with the structure of the whole song including vocal line often being written in a couple of hours or less. I know instinctively when the music sounds right even though I have no idea how the song will sound when I begin writing the music. I have no formal music training of any kind, I never studied music at school I cannot play piano or read music. |
 Sean van Doornum
Traditionally trained from 8 y.o in Classical guitar by his grandfather Edward van Doornum, Concert Master for the Symphony Orchestra of Den Haag, Sean also learnt Jazz/Blues and Rock styles of guitar. Whilst at high school, Sean completed his AMEB Classical guitar exams up to level 8. Shortly after high school, Sean undertook a Bachelor of Composition Degree from the Sydney Conservatorium which he graduated from in 2007. Sean has performed in and composed for the Conservatorium Chamber Choir as well as various other mixed ensembles. Sean has been working as a session performer/composer for several music and film production companies as well as teaching guitar, voice, theory and musicianship at Schools and Colleges. In 2009, Sean spent 6 months in New York were he performed with EUSH at venues such as Joe's Pub and Rockwood Music Hall. In 2009, Sean received the ArtStart grant from the Australia Council. |
 Luke Webb
Luke Webb has a unique background which has helped shape his musicality and songwriting and led him to winning this year’s Telstra Road to Tamworth Songwriter category. He was born in Papua New Guinea and then travelled the globe with his family, living in Connecticut, New Zealand and North Carolina before permanently relocating to Australia. Raised in a musical family, Luke experimented with punk music before being presented with a banjo from his parents at age 18 which cemented his obsession with the country genre. Luke’s North Carolina roots reveal themselves in his unique musical style, some songs infused with a strong southern feel, whilst others show hints of blues, folk and rock. Luke funded the production of two independent recordings “Whistling in the Dark” and “River That Runs So Deep” both receiving rave reviews and increased his solid fan base. With a talent for writing timeless songs in the tradition of Paul Kelly and Neil Young - Luke Webb represents one of Australian music’s best new talents. |
 Danny Widdicombe
2010 Grant McLennan Memorial Fellowship award winner Danny Widdicombe has a list of credentials too long to list.
The two time Aria award nominee (with band The Wilson Pickers) has proudly played lead guitar for Andrew Morris, Bernard Fanning and Karl Broadie, as well as touring the country as part of Tim Rogers’ Temperance Union.
Danny is currently writing his third solo album due for release prior to his trip to Berlin in May 2011.
http://www.myspace.com/dannywiddicombe |
 Mike Wilkinson
I leant to play guitar about 8 years ago, at the age of 35, after my life was turned upside down. It was something I had always wanted to learn, and it’s been such a positive journey to where I am today. I started writing and composing songs within the first year of learning guitar, impressing my guitar teacher. I have always loved country rock music. My biggest idols are Keith Urban and Brad Paisley. Their songwriting and guitar playing styles are something I would like to accomplish. I have written, composed and produced two independent albums in the last two years for my band “Nashdrive”, and still continuing to write, for our up and coming third album. I love writing songs about everyday life, placing lyrics together with music, to create something of your own. I love performing my own original songs allowing people to enjoy them as much as I do. It’s a real buzz for me when people connect with your song and it can take them to a special place in their life. |