:: CMC Rocks the Hunter 2012By: Carmine PascuzziThe already star-studded lineup for CMC Rocks the Hunter 2012 has just expanded with the addition of four stellar artists who hail from the Hunter Valley region - Catherine Britt, McAlister Kemp, Morgan Evans and Kirsty Akers. Catherine Britt has come a long way since Elton John discovered her as a traditionalist teenage prodigy. After a six years living and recording in Nashville, Catherine returned to Australia to be crowned Female Artist of the Year at the 2009 Golden Guitar Awards. She has continued to blaze her own path as one of our most dynamic and poetic singer-songwriters. She recently returned to the US to perform a special showcase at the Americana Music Festival. McAlister Kemp were named CMC New Oz Artist at this year’s CMC Rocks the Hunter, but were unable to accept the award as the rowdy duo were on the road, opening for country icon, Alan Jackson. Just another milestone in the career of the reigning Golden Guitar New Artist of the Year, who are readying the follow-up to their hit debut album, “All Kinds of Tough”, for release soon. Morgan Evans spent his teenage years fronting a Newcastle rock trio, before incorporating his love of country music as well to his contemporary sound. The singer-songwriter’s debut single, “Big Skies”, went to #1 on radio and the CMC National Video Chart and he quickly built a devoted fanbase. His energetic on-stage charisma led to tours with US superstars, Taylor Swift, Brooks and Dunn and Gary Allan. Morgan’s new EP is set for release in coming months, with his self-penned track, “Live Each Day”, as the new single. Kirsty Akers makes music that owes as much to Mumford and Sons as it does the traditional sounds of Dolly Parton. The singer-songwriter began her professional career at age 17 and has gone on to become an acclaimed performer and Golden Guitar winner. Kirsty’s local roots are deep - she’s a descendant of the Wanaruah people, who have lived in the Hunter Valley region for centuries. Now in its fifth year, the CMC Rocks the Hunter festival has established itself as the biggest International Country & Roots Festival outside of North America. One of the premiere events on the Australian music calendar, it brings together the best international and local country and roots performers in the beautiful surrounds of the Hope Estate. “The Hunter Valley region isn’t just a gorgeous location for the festival, it’s home to a number of hugely talented singer-songwriters and musicians,” said festival co-promoter, Rob Potts. “It’s great for us to be able to feature some world-class performers in their own backyard.” In a first for 2012, the promoters have announced the addition of a main stage program on Friday March 16 from 4.00pm-11.00pm. The festival will continue through Saturday March 17 and Sunday March 18, when US headliners, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, will close the proceedings. Artists announced for 3 days of CMC Rocks the Hunter 2012 are - TIM McGRAW and FAITH HILL (US), Dierks Bentley (US), Lee Kernaghan, Eli Young Band (US), Tex Perkins and The Dark Horses, James Blundell, Craig Campbell (US), Jim Lauderdale (US), Colt Ford (US), Steve Forde, Shane Nicholson, Jedd Hughes (US), Felicity Urquhart, Pete Denahy, Buddy Goode, Jetty Road and Jayne Denham. The four local area artists are also now included - Catherine Britt, McAlister Kemp, Morgan Evans and Kirsty Akers. More artists are still to be announced. The festival will once again be hosted by GAC television personality, Storme Warren (US), from Headline Country. Storme will be joined by co-hosts, Darren Carr and Mike Carr. For the first time in the festival’s history, organizers have introduced a Time to Pay Option, which has received an overwhelmingly positive response and take-up from fans. However, this option is only available until Tuesday November 15, where tickets can be ordered immediately, with payments spread over several months. After this date, tickets must be purchased with one single payment. For tickets, camping, travel and accommodation details go here CMC ROCKS THE HUNTER 2012 TICKET PRICES ***************************************************************** **Update as at November 12, 2011** Already bursting at the seams with brilliant performers, festival organisers for CMC ROCKS THE HUNTER 2012 announced twelve more artists in the line-up. They are Beccy Cole, The Sunny Cowgirls, Travis Collins, Peter McWhirter, Harry Hookey, Luke Austen, The Davidson Bros, Harmony James, Kaylee Bell, Travis List, Doug Bruce & The Tailgaters and Ross Ward’s Express, who will now all be appearing at the beautiful Hope Estate in the Hunter Valley (NSW) over the 3-day weekend of March 16-18 next year. These twelve newly-announced artists will be joining US superstars, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, who are headlining the festival in their first Aussie tour together, Dierks Bentley, Lee Kernaghan, and many more international and local performers, who have already helped establish this annual event as the biggest country and roots festival of its kind in Australia! Artists announced for 3 days of CMC Rocks the Hunter 2012 are - TIM McGRAW and FAITH HILL (US), Dierks Bentley (US), Lee Kernaghan, Eli Young Band (US), Tex Perkins & The Dark Horses, James Blundell, Craig Campbell (US), Jim Lauderdale (US), Colt Ford (US), Steve Forde, Shane Nicholson, Jedd Hughes (US), Felicity Urquhart, Catherine Britt, McAlister Kemp, Morgan Evans, Kirsty Akers, Pete Denahy, Buddy Goode, Jetty Road and Jayne Denham. The newly-announced artists in the lineup are - Beccy Cole, The Sunny Cowgirls, Travis Collins, Peter McWhirter, Harry Hookey, Luke Austen, Davidson Bros, Harmony James, Kaylee Bell, Travis List, Doug Bruce & The Tailgaters and Ross Ward’s Express - with even more artists still to be announced. The festival will once again be hosted by GAC television personality, Storme Warren (US), from Headline Country. Storme will be joined by co-hosts, Darren Carr and Mike Carr. For tickets, camping, travel and accommodation details go here CMC ROCKS THE HUNTER 2012 on MARCH 16-18, 2012 **************************************************************** **Update as at November 24, 2011** After months of impressive artist announcements and record ticket sales, Rob Potts Entertainment Edge, Chugg Entertainment and XYZ Networks are thrilled to announce the final four additions to the lineup for CMC Rocks the Hunter 2012. They are US country music superstar, Wynonna Judd (US), traditional country music hitmaker, Tracy Lawrence (US), and successful ex-pats, now living in Nashville, Sherrie Austin (US) and O’Shea (US). You can see them all at the three-day festival, held at the beautiful Hope Estate in the Hunter Valley (NSW), over the weekend of Friday March 16 - Sunday March 18, 2012. Five-time Grammy winner, Wynonna Judd (US), commands her audience with her rich and powerful voice and was described by Rolling Stone as “the greatest female country singer since Patsy Cline”, After selling 20 million albums as one half of legendary duo, The Judds, Wynonna launched her solo career in 1992, with her quintuple platinum self-titled debut. This was followed by a string of hit solo albums, chart-topping singles, another 10 million album sales, and numerous awards, including ACM’s Female Vocalist of the Year. Wynonna’s unique bluesy twist on country music is why she’s such a beloved singer and artist worldwide. Tracy Lawrence (US) has eighteen #1 singles to serve as a potent reminder that Lawrence is one of the premiere country artists of his generation. One of the leading lights of the 1990s neo-traditional country movement, the singer, songwriter and producer is known for his unmistakable voice and retaining his own pure country sound through changing trends and fashion. One of our brightest exports, Sherrie Austin (US), headed to the US in the late 90s as a sitcom star (The Facts of Life) and released two stellar albums, before taking a break to concentrate on her songwriting full-time. It paid off, with artists like Tim McGraw and George Strait recording her songs. Now, Sherrie has recorded a new album of her own, Circus Girl, and for the first time in twelve years, is eager to come home to perform at CMC Rocks the Hunter 2012. O’Shea (US), the popular husband-and-wife duo, rocked the Hunter this year to an enthusiastic reception and now, the ex-pats are coming back for more in 2012. Mark and Jay O’Shea were both born and raised in Oz, but set off to Nashville in 2007, to pursue their dream of a country music career. A successful run on the US TV series, Can You Duet, kick-started their career together and led to their dynamic debut album, Mr. and Mrs. All artists included in the final festival lineup of CMC Rocks the Hunter 2012 are: TIM McGRAW and FAITH HILL (US), Dierks Bentley (US), Wynonna Judd (US), Lee Kernaghan, Tracy Lawrence (US), Eli Young Band (US), Tex Perkins & The Dark Horses, Craig Campbell (US), Jim Lauderdale (US), Colt Ford (US), Jedd Hughes (US), Sherrie Austin (US), Beccy Cole, Steve Forde, James Blundell, Shane Nicholson, Pete Denahy, O’Shea (US), Catherine Britt, Felicity Urquhart, Sunny Cowgirls, McAlister Kemp, Morgan Evans, Kirsty Akers, Buddy Goode, Jetty Road, Travis Collins, Davidson Brothers, Harmony James, Peter McWhirter, Kaylee Bell (NZ), Luke Austen, Jayne Denham, Harry Hookey, Travis List, Doug Bruce and The Tailgaters and Ross Ward’s Express. The festival will once again be hosted by GAC television personality, Storme Warren (US), from Headline Country. Storme will be joined by co-hosts, Darren Carr and Mike Carr. For tickets, camping, travel and accommodation details go to www.cmcrocks.com.au TICKETS ON SALE NOW ************************************************************ **Update as at March 1, 2012** Country Music Channel (CMC) recently announced that Australian music legend James Blundell will be the inaugural recipient of the CMC Hall Of Fame Award at the CMC Music Awards 2012 to be held in March. The CMC Hall Of Fame Award is a new addition to the Award series which also consists of four viewer voted Awards: CMC New Oz Artist of the Year, CMC Music Video of the Year, CMC International Artist of the Year and CMC Oz Artist of the Year. The CMC Hall Of Fame Award recognises artists who have had an impact on Australian country music beyond their own careers. In 2012, CMC is honouring the road paved by James Blundell, starting with his self-titled debut album in 1989. His influence on recording, touring and marketing his music is still having an impact on artists today. Widely acknowledged as been single-handedly responsible for turning a younger demographic of Australians onto country music, James Blundell was the first young country artist to create an impact on the mainstream pop charts and for many years was the highest selling country artist in the nation. As the first Australian act to sign a major label recording deal in Nashville, he paved the way for the likes of Keith Urban, Kasey Chambers and many others. Throughout his illustrious career, James Blundell has won nine CMAA Golden Guitar Awards, one ARIA Award and has reached double platinum, platinum and gold record sales. It is only fitting that the CMC Hall Of Fame Award be added to these achievements. The inaugural CMC Hall of Fame Award will be presented to James Blundell on Friday March 16 at the CMC Music Awards to be held at Hope Estate in the Hunter Valley. The event marks the start of roots and country music festival, CMC Rocks the Hunter. The Award will be presented by Lee Kernaghan after special acoustic performances of some of James Blundell’s classic songs by rising stars of Australian country music, Catherine Britt and Travis Collins. News of James Blundell’s induction in to the CMC Hall Of Fame has been well received in the music industry. A country music icon himself, Lee Kernaghan commented, “James Blundell gave birth to a new era in Australian country music. He was the first country artist to tour Australia with semi trailers hauling a major concert rig and live production. His music crossed over and hit the top of the Australian pop and country charts bringing a brand new younger audience to country for the very first time. His willingness to innovate and do things his own way continued in the studio where he and his record producer Garth Porter redefined how a contemporary country record should be written and produced. He broke a lot of rules, he kicked down a lot of doors and ultimately changed the way things are done… it was a revolution.” Producer Garth Porter, who has worked with James Blundell on numerous albums commented, “I first met James in 1989, he had just been signed by EMI. He was beginning a career in music, and I was beginning a career as a writer/producer. We went on to make three successful albums together, James Blundell, Hand It Down and This Road. Not even James's good looks could mask his unique talent, especially his lyrical ability. He was then, and has remained one of my favourite writers. Inspired, gifted and at times courageous. James's career has always been driven by his artistry, and his insatiable sense of musical adventure. A remarkable talent, a friend for life, and an original. Congratulations James.” For the full list of nominees in the four viewer voted awards and to cast your vote head to www.countrymusicchannel.com.au. By voting in the CMC Music Awards 2012, you go in the draw for the major prize, a trip to CMC Rock The Hunter 2012 including tickets to the CMC Music Awards event. |
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