The Gympie Music Muster presents Spirit of the Country has been heralded a success with the major concert delivery on Sunday 20th March attracting 20,000 flood affected victims, SES workers and country music fans in Toowoomba.

With rains sporadically pouring down throughout the six hour event, performances continued with the biggest country music line-up ever presented all in the hope of raising spirits of those affected by the devastation that swept across Southern Queensland in January this year.

The concert was hosted by radio and television personality Ray Hadley and featured a collection of Australia's top country acts including Lee Kernaghan, John Williamson, Kasey Chambers, Troy Cassar-Daley, Shane Nicholson, McAlister Kemp, Beccy Cole, Adam Harvey and Catherine Britt. The final delivery was a spectacular fireworks display to signify the conclusion of the event.

Whilst not taking to the stage, a special appearance was made at the concert by Prince William as part of his scheduled tour to meet with victims of flood affected communities. Whilst at the concert, the Prince met with heavily impacted victims and SES workers spending time to personally chat with them. Prince William took the Toowoomba Showgrounds balcony to wave to the gathered crowd before being presented with an Akubra Hat by country music star Troy Cassar-Daley giving thanks for his visit.

The one off event that was free to attend was made possible only through the support of major organisations, companies, local business houses, artists and individuals who donated generously to ensure the uplifting concert could be staged.

"The Gympie Music Muster presents the Spirit of the Country concert was definitely a successful event. Whilst the weather presented some challenges and there were some traffic congestion issues we are thrilled with what we delivered and the response we received. An event like this would have cost in excess of $1.2million to present if we had not received such generous support. It is because of our sponsors, partners and kind donations received that this was achievable. Our sincere thanks to all who came on board and assisted", said Marius Els, one of event co-ordinators.

The nominees for Australia's recording industry awards, the 2010 ARIA Awards have been announced. And the nominees for "Best Country Album" are;

Adam Harvey - Both Sides Now
Catherine Britt - Catherine Britt
Jason Walker - Ceiling Sun Letters
Lee Kernagahn - Planet Country
The McClymonts - Wrapped Up Good

The awards are held on Sunday November 7, however the country award winner will be announced in the week prior on a date to be advised. 

Adam Harvey will release his first greatest hits collection on August 20 through Sony Music.

Best So Far is a collection of Harvey's favourite tracks spanning his career, plus two new songs. He will also release a DVD in August, entitled Best So Far, which will include many of his currently unavailable music videos, a brand new video for his new song Better Than This, as well as interview footage and a candid documentary of Adam throughout his career.

Harvey won his first Golden Guitar with Tanya Self in 1998. In a career spanning more than a decade, he has gone from strength to strength, winning seven Golden Guitars, receiving the Global Artist Award in Nashville, and being invited to perform at the Grand Ole Opry Ryman Auditorium

Adam Harvey's brand new single, 'Better Than This', has now been released. It's a track Harvey wrote specially for this album; “I have the best job in the world, and I’m very grateful – its just doesn’t get any better than this!”

US country hitmaker Phil Vassar and renowned American singer-songwriter Nanci Griffith, along with local favourites Steve Forde and Tania Kernaghan, complete the massive lineup for the 2010 CMC Rocks The Snowys Festival to be held on March 5 and 6 at Friday Flatts in Tredbo.

Renowned for the raucous energy of his live shows, Phil Vassar has been writing hits for himself and others for over a decade. Country music’s "Piano Man" has scored big with songs like 'Bye-Bye' and 'I’m Alright' (both massive hits for Jo Dee Messina) and 'Just Another Day In Paradise'. The rowdy spirit of his life-affirming anthems translates to his concert performances, and he’ll be making his first trip down under for a one-off performance.

Steve Forde is a Snowys crowd favourite, a mainstay of the festival, and one of Australia’s best loved live performers. He’s an artist who’s blazed his own trail through country music over almost a decade of recording and performing. A former rodeo rider who channels the same energy and spirit into his music, Steve has built a fiercely loyal fanbase through years crossing the length and breadth of Australia. His rockin’ live shows are legendary among Aussie country fans and he will return to rock the Snowys in 2010. Forde's lastest album, Guns & Guitars was one of the highest selling local country albums of 2008/09.

Grammy-winner Nanci Griffith has found success across rock, folk and country, and earning the respect and admiration of collaborators like Jimmy Buffet, Emmylou Harris and Willie Nelson. The singer-songwriter has penned enduring songs including 'Love at the Five and Dime' and 'Outbound Plane' in a career spanning over 30 years. Never afraid to tackle difficult topics head on in her songs, her performance is always full of passion and deep honesty.

Tania Kernaghan is part of one of Australian country’s most famous families. Daughter of Ray and brother of Lee, Tania grew up with a passion for country music and a love of live performance that has taken to the top of the country scene. From the release of her first (platinum-selling) album December Moon in 1996, Kernaghan has remained one of country music’s premiere female artists.

All up the final line up includes; Phil Vassar, Lee Kernaghan, Kasey Chambers, Guy Sebastian, Jack Ingram, Nanci Griffith, Doc Walker, Adam Harvey, Steve Forde, Richard Clapton, Tania Kernaghan, Peter McWhirter, Dan Sultan, Mike Carr, Kirsty Lee Akers, Paul Greene, The Wilsons Pickers, Jetty Road, Amber Lawrence, Mark Wells, Victoria Baillie, The Harrisons and Busby Marou.

Adam Harvey's brand new duets album featuring some of Australia’s finest talents, Both Sides Now debuted inside the top 20 on the ARIA Top 100 Chart.

Adam Harvey's upcoming duets album titled Both Sides Now features some of Australian music's biggest names.

They include Guy Sebastian, Wendy Matthews, David Campbell, Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson, John Williamson, Shannon Noll and The McClymonts to name just a few.

It's released on October 9 through Sony Music Australia.   

The organisers of CMC Rocks The Snowys, being held at Friday Flat, Thredbo on Friday 5 and Saturday 6 March 2010, have announced the first round of appearing artists.

Boys From The Bush: Men Of Aussie Country has debuted at #5 on the ARIA Country Album sales charts this week

This 20 track compilation, themed on a great Aussie song, is a celebration of the great Aussie bloke, great Aussie songs and what it means to be Australian.

Many of the artists on the compilation are also great Australian dads! (hint.. hint..)

It features many of Australia’s favourite male country artists and great Australian icons including Lee Kernaghan, Adam Brand, Troy Cassar-Daley, Adam Brand, Adam Harvey, Steve Forde, Morgan Evans, Peter Denehy and Drew McAllister.

Track Listing: 1. Troy Cassar-Daley – V8 Town 2. Adam Brand - You’re A Rev Head 3. Lee Kernaghan – Southern Son 4. Morgan Evans - Big Skies 5. Matt Scullion – Giddy Up 6. Steve Forde – Roughstock Riders 7. Travis Sinclair – Midnight Run 8. Adam Harvey - Workin’ Overtime (On A Good Time) 9. Mike Carr – Legend 10. 8 Ball Aitken – Cyclone Country 11. Luke O’Shea – No Day Like Today 12. Troy Kemp – Throwaway Day 13. Steven Rowe – Broken Hill 14. Lee Foster – 1000 Headlights 15. Peter Denehy – The Ringing Of The Steel 16. Rob Black – Regular Guy17. Adam James – Country Singer18. Drew McAllister – Somewhere, Somehow 19. Brad Cole – Hits Me Like Lightening 20. Danny Hooper – Heartache

Buy Now at