2010
LBS News
SHAZA
LEIGH
-
‘Country Music’s Golden Girl’
During
the Tamworth Country Music Festival the National Gold Medallion Awards were
presented to artists to acknowledge excellence on the Australian airwaves
throughout the past year. Shaza Leigh won the ‘QLD Female Vocalist of the
Year’ for the 5th consecutive year.
The World Alliance for Radio Presenters (WARP) went national for the first
time in 2010, recognizing all states and territories and also introduced
three national awards including ‘Most Popular Female Artist of the Year on
Radio’. Shaza was ecstatic to win this award amongst an incredibly high
standard of talent including Dianne Lindsay (NSW Female Vocalist of
the Year), Lynette Guest (South East Female Vocalist of the Year) and
Sandra Humphries (Central West Female Vocalist of the Year).
Shaza regards these ladies as being amongst the finest vocalists in the
country and was honoured to be presented the national award, excitedly
thanking her marketing team and producer Lindsay Butler in front of her
peers on the evening.
Her third Gold Medallion Award for the evening was the ‘Listeners Choice
Artist of the Year’ which saw Leigh almost speechless. This was an award
she had viewed as one earmarked by the males for sure. ‘This is a tough
award for a female to win’ she exclaimed. A statement justified considering
it was against a field including Troy Cassar-Daley (NSW Male Vocalist
of the Year), John McSweeney (QLD Male Vocalist of the Year), Paul
Costa (South East Male Vocalist of the Year) and Brian Letton
(Central West Male Vocalist of the Year & Most Popular Male Artist of the
Year on Radio). Her excitement was paramount at collecting this award
judged by the fans.
Shaza has been a favourite with the national media due to her many years on
the road as one of our leading female touring artists. She has toured with
many of the greats throughout her career, conducts countless interviews in
any given year and has established a firm friendship with many presenters
around the country. These awards signify her popularity within the
Australian music business.
The Gold
Medallion Awards proved beyond doubt that the media representatives on radio
judging the awards, showed no prejudice with winners coming from the major
labels and independent ranks of the music industry. The awards were a
refreshing addition to the Tamworth Country Music Festival.
Shaza tours annually with Lindsay Butler who was also awarded ‘NSW
Musician of the Year’ at the awards. Lindsay won this category for the
fourth time and has always been considered one of Australia’s best musicians
and greatest guitar players of his generation.
Shaz and Lindsay have just returned home to Tamworth from performances at
the Bungendore Country Muster, near Canberra where Shaza also had the
privilege of presenting The National Bush Ballad Awards with country music
legend Ted Egan.
Shaza was born and raised in North Queensland on her family’s cane and
cattle property, hence Qld being her state of origin. Now proudly residing
in Tamworth, country music capital, Shaza possesses one of the most
dedicated work ethics of any performer and exudes positive energy at all
times. It is just deserts for one who puts in tireless hours not only
promoting her career but is always there to lend a helping hand to her
fellow artists at all times.
Shaza
Leigh is truly one of Country Music’s Golden Girls and deserves all
accolades that may come her way and her new album Seasons continues to grace
our Australian airwaves.
(Photo Courtesy of June
Underwood)
PETE SMITH - ‘Western Star'
Pete
Smith is the real deal and has joined the LBS Group and is proud to present
his 6th Album “WESTERN STAR”.
Released in Tamworth 2010, the Album is already being hailed as his finest album to date and is enjoying requested airplay across the country.
The first single released from the Album “Where the Thomson River Flows” earned Pete a Top 3 nomination for ‘NSW Bush Balladeer of the Year’ at the Gold Medallion Awards 2009, presented in January at The Tamworth Country Music Festival.
Pete is a dynamic entertainer and Lindsay Butler has captured the” Pete Smith Style” of Country Music.
The album
includes a wonderful selection of songs written by our Australian Country
Music Pioneers, as well as self-penned Pete Smith originals.
This album is a must have for all traditional bush ballad fans. Keep an ear
out for his first radio single “Western Star”.
- 2010 Tamworth Country Music Festival Special -
(Published January 2009)
LBS Studio
Open Day Concert
The Biggest Traditional Country Music Concert at festival
The annual LBS Studio Open Day Concert is the biggest traditional
country music concert at the festival. It will be held at Lindsay
Butler Studios – The Moonbi Complex (New England Gully Rd) on Sunday 17th
January at 10am.
This major festival event features over 20 of the best traditional
country recording artists each year and attracts a huge audience of
enthusiasts to enjoy this relaxed concert experience.
Lindsay Butler and The Butler Showband provide the backing for the massive roster of talent. Sweet melodies filter up the valley for the, 4 hour, action packed concert.
Artists confirmed for the 2010 concert include leading male vocalists and bush balladeers - Brian Letton, Tom Maxwell, Ashley Cook, Greg Bain, Dale Duncan, Bob Easter, Peter Salata, Les Lawson, Trevor Adamson, Greg Williams and yodelling Pete Smith.
The best female line-up to be mustered in the country will be present -
Shaza Leigh, Lynette Guest, Lana Ross, Dianne
Lindsay, Melissa Bajric, Rachel Jillett and Chic
Taylor.
The guitar pickers are always well represented by Lindsay Waddington,
Peter Simpson & Barry Benning and bush poet Manfred
Vijars will make his debut at the open day this year.
There are also three album launches - Judy Stevens ‘At Last’,
Peg Gilchrist ‘Queen of Country Piano’ and the festival launch of
Lindsay Butlers ‘Another Side’.
The LBS Studio Open Day Concert is only $15 per ticket for this entire
cast, so bring your chair, relax and enjoy the music under the marques
and trees for the first Sunday of the Tamworth Country Music Festival.
Full catering provided by The Kootingal Lions Club.
Full catering is supplied by the local Lions Club. (BYO chair).
What’s on at Butlers
Butlers Auditorium (336 Goonoo Goonoo Road) opens on Saturday 16th January, presenting major country showcases each day until Sunday 25th as part of the Tamworth Country Music Festival.
Butlers Auditorium will once again burst at the seams with the finest country music talent during the Tamworth Country Music Festival.
LBS open the gates at 9am for complimentary tea or coffee prior to the commencement of the concerts daily at 10am.
The LBS Morning Teas . . . .
Lin
dsay Butler, Shaza Leigh & The Butler Showband appear daily from Monday through till Thursday with a selection of leading recording artists.Three artists who are making a worthwhile contribution to the Australian Recording Industry will be inducted onto “The Australian Country Music Wall of Honour”. Tuesday morning will see Col Edmonds make the wall, Wednesday morning
Deniese Morrison takes her place followed by Craig Giles on Thursday morning.
* Monday 18th January
Tom Maxwell - Shaza Leigh - Lindsay Butler (Special concert)
The Butler Showband – Geoff Clapson – Peg Gilchrist – Greg Williams
* Tuesday 19th January
Lindsay Butler – Shaza Leigh - Lynette Guest - Bob Easter – Rachel Jillett
The Butler Showband – Ashley Cook – Peg Gilchrist – Greg Williams - Manfred Vijars
Wall of Honour Recipient: Col Edmonds
* Wednesday 20th January
Lindsay Butler – Shaza Leigh - Greg Bain - Lindsay Waddington - Melissa Bajric
Les Lawson - Trevor Adamson - Manfred Vijars
The Butler Showband – Ashley Cook – Peg Gilchrist – Greg Williams
Wall of Honour Recipient: Deniese Morrison
* Thursday 21st January
Lindsay Butler – Shaza Leigh – Lana Ross – Pete Smith – Dale Duncan
Chic Taylor – Barry Benning – Manfred Vijars
The Butler Showband – Ashley Cook – Peg Gilchrist – Greg Williams
Wall of Honour Recipient: Craig Giles
On completion of the concert each day, the studio will be open and all patrons are invited to wander through the memorabilia and studio, chat and catch up with the artists on a personal level for autographs and photos.
This festival experience finishes around 1pm each day and is one not to be missed. The Butlers are renowned for creating a warm friendly environment and as they welcome you into their Tamworth home of country music.
Brian Letton Album Launch Concert
Brian has created a substantial fan base through years of continual touring and quality recordings. It’s been quite sometime since a new Brian Letton album has hit the market and this one 'Timeless' is a beauty.
Brian Letton has won many vocal awards during his 20 year career and continues to feature prominently on the country music circuit as one of the most powerful vocal performers in the business.
Not only will you be treated to Brian Letton, at his best at this concert, but he will be joined by the legendary guitarist, Lindsay Butler OAM and the effervescent Shaza Leigh with The Butler Showband.
This trio have periodically toured the country together throughout the years and are always one of the most popular combinations. Individually they are all exceptional performers in their own right. Together they are a formidable team, musically complimenting each other.
Pete Smith Album Launch Concert
Why not
start the 2010 Festival with One of Country Music’s Favorite
Sons Pete Smith.
Pete will be launching his 6th Album “Western
Star” at the Butlers Auditorium on Saturday the 16th
January at 10.00am. There will be performances from Pete
Smith and Lana Ross on the day, as well as the
Official Launch of the Album.
This presentation of songs from the new album will be
followed by light snacks and cool drinks which is all
included in your ticket price of only $10.00.
There is a special added bonus to commemorate Pete's release
of 'Western Star' on the day. Everyone who purchases a
copy of Pete’s Album at the show will receive a
complimentary autographed poster.
Hillbilly Heaven Show
Check out this new Show !!!!! Yodeling Pete Smith and Lana Ross present “Hillbilly Heaven” at the Butlers Auditorium on Saturday 23rd at 7.00pm Admission price is only $10.00.
Pete
Smith and Lana Ross will start the show off followed by an
amazing line up of exciting talent including Ashley Cook,
Greg Bain, Judy Stevens, Natalie Foley, Phil Manning, Lynne
Bennett, Lex K and Buddy Thomson.
Its sure to be a hoot! Come along and have a bit of
fun with the “Hillbilly Heaven Show”.
Craig Giles
Shows
Craig Giles presents four extremely popular concerts each
year at Butler Auditorium hand-picked guests backed by his
Goodtime
Band.
The Country Crooners Show stays in it's Monday afternoon
timeslot from 2pm to 5pm followed by last years sell-out
concert Remembering The Legends at 7pm.
Last year Craig's Rockabilly Show was introduced at 7pm and
returns due to popularity and he rounds out his festival
with the Craig Giles & Friends Concert on Saturday 23rd at
2pm.
The Yodelling Greats Concert
Wednesday afternoon at Butlers has become a tradition to feature the Yodelling Greats and this year Ian B McLeod makes a return performing his Slim Whitman classics and other popular yodels.
Angela Hayden has been a regular on this concert since it's inception and is undoubtedly one of the most popular female yodellers on the country music circuit. Other yodellers are yet to be confirmed.
Drover Entertainment 10th Anniversary Show
Drover celebrate 10 years involvement with the country music industry with one major concert event during the Tamworth Country Music Festival.
The concert features the four artists to release albums with the Drover label - Norma O'Hara Murphy, Graham Rodger, Melissa Bajric and Bob Easter.
The Brekky Show
Lindsay Waddington & Friends kicks
off Friday morning with the first show of the day a little
earlier than usual. Gates open at 8am for breakfast
followed by the concert, commencing at 9am.
The Brekky show makes it's entry to the festival this year to
offer festival-goers something a little different. Ticket
price is only $15 including breakfast with the concert.
Williams Family Show
Warren H Williams brings his special brand of outback country to
Butlers on Tuesday afternoon at 2pm.
Warren and his family proved very popular at last years festival
and bring their crew to the studio to film Warren's performance.
ACMF Salute To
The Pioneers
The Australian Country Music Hall
of Fame presents the Salute to the Pioneers show on Tuesday
night at 7pm. All funds raised from this concert go to the
ACMF towards their archives to allow them to continue to
preserve Australian Country Music History. Ticket price is
only $14 and all artists are donating their time.
The show features the legendary Chad Morgan as the
pioneer performer on the evening with a roster of guest artists
paying full tribute to the pioneers.
Gordon Larkin (Tex Morton), Ashley Cook (Buddy
Williams), Virginia Coad (Shirley Thoms), Bob Easter
(Slim Dusty), Matt Manning (Barry Thornton) and other
surprise guests.
2009
GOLD MEDALLION AWARDS
WARP
(World Alliance of Radio Presenters) have notified everyone that
the GOLD MEDALLION AWARDS have now expanded to a national
structure, encompassing all states and territories.
The awards will now be presented in Country Music Capital
Tamworth in January at Butlers Auditorium at 7pm on Thursday 21st.
It was decided to present all divisions (states & territories)
at the one national event due to economic times and lack of
sponsorship this year. Members of WARP are now judging
their most popular radio tracks of the year and the finalists in
each category for every division will be posted on the Gold
Medallion Awards site by the 21th December.
The Gold Medallion Awards were designed to reflect radio activity and the success of artists and tracks released during that current year and these awards show no prejudice and encompass all country music artists and releases from major and independent labels. Results to date have been wide and varied with all artists from all sectors, contemporary and traditional, amongst the winners.
The awards
are based on all artists state of origin and the four national
divisions are Queensland, New South Wales, South East (Vic/Tas)
and Central West (SA/NT/WA). It is believed that these
divisions will evenly break the artists due to state
populations.
The awards have also been streamlined this year and artists are
recognised in five categories - Male Vocalist of the Year,
Female Vocalist of the Year, New Talent of the Year, Musician of
the Year and Bush Balladeer of the Year.
The
presentation concert and presentations will run for
approximately 2 hours with refreshments available at the
completion of the event.
Festival Round-Up
The festival
closing concert made it's way onto the festival programme a
couple of years ago at Butlers Auditorium. The concert is
hosted by Darryl Kirkup, recorded 'live' and aired on Australian
Showcase via CMR Nashville.
This year the concert will be compered by Jon Wolfe as Darryl is
unable to attend the festival but the show will still feature on
his international radio show.
The concert features over 20 of the leading recording artists of
the year performing their hit singles.
The concert commences at 10am on Sunday 24th with a ticket price
of only $15 including complimentary free tea & coffee plus light
finger food.