The smokin' east coast tour, CMC Rocks, kicks off in two weeks. Featuring US artist Jack Ingram, Canadian super-stars Doc Walker and local chart topper Steve Forde. It follows the CMC Rocks The Snowys festival on March 4 and 5 in Thredbo.

Jack Ingram is renowned for his high-octane stage shows and gritty, hard-edged music. Honing his skills as one of the kings of the Texas red-dirt country scene, Ingram has released eight studio albums, six live albums and has scored many Top 40 singles including the number one 'Wherever You Are'. His new album 'Big Dreams and High Hopes' is a gutsy mix of Southern Rock and dynamic country ballads and features the hit single 'Barefoot and Crazy', as well as collaboration with folk/rock icon Patty Griffin. This is Jack's first trip to Australia.

Steve Forde is one of Australia's best live performers. He's an artist who has 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 on his tour bus. After years as a extremely successful independent artist, Steve signed with ABC Music, releasing a self-titled album in 2007 and in 2008, the acclaimed 'Guns and Guitars' which topped the Australian Country sales charts.

Canada's Doc Walker have amassed countless accolades over their 12 year career, including a staggering 10 Canadian Country Music Awards. They've earned the title of 'the hardest working Country band in Canada the old fashioned way, through relentless touring putting over a million miles behind them in Canada alone, forging a lasting relationship with their audience. The hitmaking trio is gearing up for their first ever shows down under, promising Aussie audiences a night they won't forget. 


TOUR DATES
March 9 - Rooty Hill RSL Club, Sydney NSW

March 10 - Orange Ex-Services Club, Orange NSW

March 11 - West Tamworth League Club, Tamworth NSW

March 12 - Rumours International, Toowoomba QLD

March 13 - The Tivoli, Brisbane QLD
 

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, Sinead Burgess, 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.

Krystal Forscutt is described by on the cover of September's Ralph Magazine (in stores this week) as "Australia's Sexist Swimwear Model", and who are we to argue?  

However we think she looks even better on the cover of Steve Forde's Deluxe CD/DVD Edition of Guns & Guitars which also goes on sale this week, on friday August 21.

The original release of Guns & Guitars, produced by CMA Award winning producer Richard Landis, topped the ARIA Australian Country Albums charts in October 2008 and has continued to sell strongly throughout 2009. 

This Deluxe CD/DVD Edition includes all the tracks from the original album, Forde’s five most recent music videos (all of which have been #1 music videos on Country Music Channel), a bonus track and a special Behind The Scenes video. It's "must have" material for all Steve Forde fans.

Check out this behind the scenes footage of Steve, Krystal and others at the filming of the Guns & Guitars music video, which features on the DVD componment of the new release. Additional footage (that you wont see here) also appears on the DVD...

Buy Guns & Guitars (Deluxe CD/DVD Edition) at

Related Article: Steve Forde Releases 'Guns & Guitars' Music Video

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 

ABC Music artist Steve Forde has been signed to new US record label Stroudavarious Records.

Stroudavarious Records is headed by award winning US producer and former Universal Music Group Nashville co-CEO James Stroud. Stroud has produced albums that have collectively sold over 52 million copies worldwide.

Forde's first single in the US will be released later this year.

After releasing three albums independently and becoming a channel host for the Country Music Channel, Forde signed a record deal locally with ABC Music in early 2007.

The announcement of this US deal follows the releases of his self-titled album in September 2007 and his latest album Guns & Guitars last October. The later album topped the ARIA Australian Artist Country Albums Charts. 

“Steve Forde champions the ideals of rural Australia's youth with his songs and live show. In creating this niche for himself he's continued to build a career both locally and now in the US as well. This announcement is very exciting and a great reward for the years of dedication Steve has committed to his music career,” said Robert Patterson, Head of ABC Music. 

This news follows the signing of fellow ABC Music artist Shea Fisher to the same US label earlier this year.

Steve Forde's new music video 'Guns & Guitars', the title track from his latest album, has just been released.  

The video for the album's third single features popular magazine model Krystal Forscutt, a villian and a high roller poker game! 

Check out the new clip right now...

Buy Guns & Guitars now