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Special guests Dierks Bentley (US) Adam
Harvey and Jasmine Ray
Adam with one of the Noll
Brothers
Adam Harvey, Catherine Britt and The Noll
Brothers
Tuesday
February 12 2008 Channel 7 "It Takes Two" -
Adam will be performing
alongside fellow Aussie musicians: Ricki-Lee Coulter, Ian Moss,
Kate Ceberano, Wendy Matthews and David Campbell.
Channel 7 personalty Sara Groen will step up to the mike with
Adam. Sara & Adam 1902 5577 15 or SMS "Sara" to 19 19 77
Adam Harvey’s new single Someone
Else’s Dream at radio on Monday
Adam is living his dream
with the release of his 5th album
I'M DOIN’ ALRIGHT
Adam Harvey’s new album I’m Doin’ Alright features his best work
yet. This is Adam’s fifth album and his first with SONY BMG,
set for release September 22.
The first single, Someone Else’s Dream, is a stirring ballad
co-written and produced by Rod McCormack. The track showcases
Adam’s extraordinary voice and his thoughtful song writing.
Adam is thrilled to be home touring and playing his new songs
having just returned from Nashville where he received the Global
Artist Award.
Someone Else’s Dream - on your desks Monday.
I’m Doin’ Alright released
on September 22, 2007 through Sony BMG
FOR INTERVIEWS WITH ADAM HARVEY
Please contact:
Jen Carmody, Product Manager - Country
T: 02 9383 6384
ADAM HARVEY starts his National
tour for his new album
“I’m Doin’ Alright”
in Queensland!
Adam Harvey, one of Australia's
premier country music stars, announces the release of his new
album, “I’M DOIN’ ALRIGHT”, on September 22nd, 2007. This is his
first since signing a worldwide deal with Sony/BMG last year and
follows on from 3 consecutive gold albums on ABC Music.
Bringing his exciting new show combined
with the songs from “I’m Doin’ Alright” to his fans Adam plans
to be touring nationally for the next 12 months in support of
“I’m Doin’ Alright” and is excited to be playing to Queensland
audiences first on this long trek. Having recently been filling
in hosting the KixCountry breakfast radio show for Larry Cann
("The Larrican") Adam is also looking forward to meeting all the
listeners at his shows while in Queensland.
Adam’s new single “Someone Else’s Dream” is at radio now. It is
one of 9 songs that Adam wrote that appear on the 13 track
album. Take the time to be introduced to Adam and the stories
behind his journey to releasing his fifth album “I'm Doin'
Alright” and you'll get caught up in this guy's warmth, his
disarmingly honest passion and his innocent but hilarious sense
of humour. I'm Doin' Alright is an inspiring collection of
memories and thoughtful messages delivered by a talented
musician and true storyteller.
Adam Harvey is a colourful and engaging live performer. He has
had endless comparisons to the greats - his musical delivery has
shades of Johnny Cash, and there's even a touch of Elvis there -
but it's all uniquely Adam Harvey. Adam has only recently
returned from Nashville where he was awarded the CMA Global
Artist Award for his efforts and dedication to country music
through his career. This is a wonderful recognition of his
talent and enthusiasm for country music from around the globe
and follows on from a huge amount of touring from NZ to Ireland
since the release of “Can’t Settle For Less” in 2005. That album
was certified gold with three #1 singles and received 5 Golden
Guitar nominations.
Over the last few years Adam Harvey has scooped the pool at the
Tamworth Guitar Country Music Awards winning the coveted Golden
Guitar for Male Vocalist of the Year in 2005, 2004 & 2002 and
Album Of The Year in 2002 along with numerous other accolades
including Mo Awards & ARIA nominations. His success has been
further established with certified gold sales of his albums,
“Workin’ Overtime” and “Cowboy Dreams” and numerous #1 singles
and #1 video clips.
Adam Harvey has been named the
official Ambassador of the Telstra Road to Tamworth, for a
second year in a row, another first. Telstra Road to Tamworth is
a nationwide talent quest that identifies heat winners from
across Australia. The heat winners qualify for the finals series
which will be held at the Tamworth Country Music Festival in
January next year. “I am really proud to be the ambassador for
this contest as country music can’t move forward without
programs such as Telstra Road to Tamworth. I only wish this
competition had been around when I was an unknown kid trying to
make it in the country music game. The competition reflects the
growth of country music as a popular genre and will help
identify and foster aspiring country music artists” said Adam.
In recognition of the success of the competition has achieved so
far Adam’s special guest for this tour will be 2007 winner of
the Telstra Road To Tamworth, Morgan Evans.
Morgan Evans the Newcastle-based Singer, Songwriter and
Guitarist is ready to take his music to the world. In January
2007 Morgan took out the national Telstra Road To Tamworth
Competition ahead of 600 other hopefuls.
This earned him a trip to Nashville
to perform and record his debut single “Big Skies” due for
Australian release on Sony/BMG in August. He has just finished
filming the video clip for the song on Newcastle Beach where not
long ago the bulk coal carrier Pasha Bulker ran aground bringing
media attention to the beach before Morgan got there to film.
This energetic and talented performer is only 21 and is now
finding successes after almost 9 years of unrelenting gigging,
writing and recording. Just months before in November 2006
Morgan was again, acknowledged on a national level when his rock
trio SOLVER were announced “Best Rock Act” and “Artist Of The
Year” in the national independent music awards. SOLVER came in
ahead of over 5000 other entries in the MusicOZ competition.
These two massive achievements come after a series of other
accolades.
In 2004 Morgan and SOLVER were
announced “Artist Of The Year”, “Best Male Vocal” and “Best
Young Talent” in the Australian Broadcasting Associations Music
Awards.
Morgan is no stranger to big crowds having performed regularly
to crowds in excess of 15,000 at the Sydney Entertainment Centre
and the Sydney Superdome and over 30,000 at the Riverfront
Stadium in Nashville on the same bill as Brad Paisley, Big &
Rich, Gretchen Wilson & Miranda Lambert. With such experience
and youthful talent Morgan will be getting the evenings off to a
great start.
With Adam’s passion for traditional country music and humorous
story telling his shows sell out regularly. Now with his new
show plus songs from the new album and having Morgan’s young
country music talents opening the show it will be a highly
charged evening giving fans and newcomers alike a night not to
be forgotten for a long time.
Tickets are on sale now at
the following venues:
Tuesday 11th September Murgon Town Hall ph: (07) 4168
1044
Wednesday 12th September Gladstone Entertainment Centre -
Gladstone ph: (07) 4972 2822
Thursday 13th September Rockhampton Leagues Club ph: (07) 4999
2600
Friday 14th September Andergrove Tavern - Mackay ph: (07) 4955
5444
Saturday 15th September Jupiters - Townsville ph: (07) 4722 2333
Sunday 16th September Brothers Leagues Club - Cairns ph: (07)
4053 1053
Adam Harvey, 2007 CMA (Country
Music Association, America) Global Country Artist Award supports
the International Country Music Day
The International
Country Music Day is held on September 17 every year,
commemorating the birth of Hank Williams, one of the foremost
legends of country music.
Australian country
singer Adam Harvey, winner of the 2007 CMA (Country Music
Association, America) Global Country Artist Award, expressed his
feelings about this celebration: “Having it on Hank Williams'
birthday is a nice touch but more so it is great to see lots of
people around the world recognizing and enjoying country music”.
This year one
Elvis song will be designated Official Song of the International
Country Music Day 2007.
2007 marks the 30th anniversary of Elvis' passing, and
therefore, the country music associations and websites that
celebrate the International Country Music Day would like to
honor the legend of the King.
By his own admission, Elvis was
not strictly a country artist, but he always showed a great deal
of respect for the genre and went on to record countless country
numbers, giving country music his own special touch. That is why
we have decided to honor Elvis and his musical legacy by
designating one of his songs as the Official Song of the
International Country Music Day 2007, next 17th september.
The winning song will come
out of votes cast in Argentina, Spain, the United States,
France, Greece, Uruguay, and the rest of the world. The songs
entering the poll have been selected among Elvis’ best country
releases according to their quality, chart position, and success
of Elvis’ performance. They are the following: Blue Moon of
Kentucky (1954), I'm Left, You're Right, She's Gone (1955), I
Forgot to Remember to Forget (1955), (Now and Then) There's a
Fool Such as I (1958), There's Always Me (1961), Guitar Man
(1967), I Was Born About Ten Thousand Years Ago (1970), Little
Cabin on the Hill (1970), Always On My Mind (1972), I'm So
Lonesome I Could Cry (1973) and Moody Blue (1977).
International
Country Music Day Keeps Growing
The International Country Music Day was created in 2003 by the
Country Music Association of Spain -CMA-Spain- in order to bring
together all artists, musicians, and country music fans all over
the world, as well as to promote our music worldwide. Since
then, many associations have embraced the event, including the
Country Music Association of Uruguay –AMCU-, country2.com
–Argentina-, Country CD –France- (fomerly FACM), the Country
Music Association of Greece –CMA-Greece-, and several artists,
groups, radio stations such as Dímelo Country –DCWR-., websites,
and fans throughout the world.
In 2007, the
United States Hispanic Country Music Association has been added
to the long list of associations embracing this event.
Her president, Maritza Baca,
believes country music is a universal musical language: “I have
been to Mexico and have seen people there listen to Country
music in English and Spanish. I believe Country music can be
played in both English and Spanish and garner fans, depending on
your language preference and where you live. Look at Billy Ray
Cyrus's hit "Achy Breaky Heart." I have seen more people line
dancing to that song in Spanish at weddings and quinceaneras
than anywhere else. I believe Country music is very universal.”
Finally, she had some
very positive words to say about the International Country Music
Day: “I salute the International Country Music Day for its
efforts in extending Country music to fans worldwide. The CMA
Spain, CMA Uruguay and the international organizations are doing
great work to spread Country music in their Countries and
develop their local artists. I hope to continue to provide
opportunities to Latino Country artists from all over Latin
America and to also help spread Country music internationally
with tours and events. Que viva la música Country!”
Come celebrate with us and enjoy country music!
For any further
information:
Andoni Urkiaga
International Country Music Day
icmday@gmail.com
url:
http://internationalcountrymusicday.blogspot.com/
Up from Down Under with
Australia's Adam Harvey
By Bob Doerschuk
© 2007 CMA Close Up News Service / Country Music Association,
Inc.
Adam Harvey has the look. Handsome, 6' 3", rangy, a little
sultry, he projects a rugged-yet-sensitive charisma, brightened
now and then with a grin that suggests a sly sense of humor.
It's a look that says Country all the way.
All the way, that is, back to Australia, home base to Harvey,
winner of this year's CMA Global Country Artist Award. He's had
a solid career there since 1999, when the Country Music
Association of Australia gave its Golden Guitar Award for Best
Vocal Collaboration to the young performer and another rising
star for their duet single, "Drive Away."
By 2002, he had found his own place in the spotlight, thanks to
the CMAA's decision to name Harvey Male Vocalist of the Year and
honor his album Workin' Overtime as Album of the Year. From the
opening chord on track one, "The House That Jack Built," a
Telecaster shimmer that melts into a sizzling,
fiddle-and-steel-sweetened dance-floor groove, his feel is right
on target. And when his baritone voice hits the first verse, its
smooth timbre and relaxed way with a phrase make it clear that
Harvey is an artist with a future far beyond his turf.
Looks, then, are only part of the picture: Harvey's voice,
songwriting talent and his lifelong love for Country Music are
the real keys to his success.
"I was 'brainwashed' with Country Music as a kid by my dad,"
Harvey said. "He had a great record collection and knew
everything about the great singers of the '60s, '70s and '80s. I
remember sitting next to the stereo as a kid, learning all those
great old songs on my guitar."
From the first time he heard Tom T. Hall's "Old Dogs, Children
and Watermelon Wine," Harvey devoted his life to Country Music.
He first topped the Australian Country Music charts in 1999 with
"Gypsy Queen," one of a string of singles spun from his first
album, Sugar Talk. His ascension was swift, leading him in less
than a year to Nashville for his debut on the Grand Ole Opry.
Since then he has recorded three more solo albums - Workin'
Overtime, Cowboy Dreams and Can't Settle for Less, each of which
has been certified Gold (35,000 units) by the Australian
Recording Industry Association. Honors have come his way too,
including two more CMAA Male Vocalist of the Year awards, in
2004 and '05, and an Australian Centenary Medal, presented by
Prime Minister John Howard.
Harvey returned to the United States in 2004 for another
appearance on the Opry and gigs at other venues. The more he
played, the more evident - and amusing - differences he noticed
between American and Australian audiences.
"The biggest difference is that America has 10 times the
population of us, which means that the crowds are much bigger
than we're used to," he said. "There are also words we use in
Australia to describe some things, but in the States that word
can mean something totally different. A 'thong,' for example, is
a thing you wear on your feet back home - but I've found out
it's something very different in your country."
Crowds may be bigger in the United States, but the future for
Country Music in Australia seems unlimited to Harvey.
"Country Music is in good shape Down Under," he insisted. "We're
producing music at a much higher standard and selling as many
albums as mainstream acts, which would never have happened 10
years ago. Our biggest hurdle is getting more radio airplay. We
have several dedicated Country radio stations and programs
across Oz, but Country Music could use some more support from
our mainstream radio too."
On June 9, at this year's CMA Music Festival in Nashville, CMA
COO Tammy Genovese and Jeff Walker, President of AristoMedia and
Chairman of the CMA Global Markets Committee, presented Harvey
with his CMA Global Country Artist Award, at his performance on
the Greased Lightning® Daytime Stages at Riverfront Park.
"Adam Harvey's international outreach in recent years makes him
a worthy recipient of this award," Walker said. "In addition to
his huge success in his native Australia, Adam has been
successful in recent tours in Canada and Ireland. His personal
commitment to global outreach should only be enhanced by this
well-deserved honor."
On the Web:
www.adamharvey.com.au
Photographer: Pierre Baroni
Jim Lauderdale and Adam Harvey Tamworth
Festival 2007
Adam Harvey Gigs
June
30 – Hunter Valley Gardens, NSW (Telstra Road To Tamworth)
July
14 – Penrith RSL Club, NSW (Telstra Road To Tamworth)
August
15 – Hallam Hotel, VIC
16 – Wonthaggi Workmen’s Club, VIC
18 – Bairnsdale RSL Club, VIC (Telstra Road To Tamworth)
25 – Gympie Muster, QLD
30 – Vikings Club, Erindale, ACT
31 – Goulburn Workers Club, NSW
CONGRATULATIONS to Adam Harvey,
who was just announced winner of the 2007 CMA Global Country
Artist Award.
Click here for more info
Candidates Announced for
US CMA's 2007 Global Country Artist Award
Adam Harvey and Melinda Schneider among strong slate of
international candidates vying for 5th annual CMA Global Country
Artist Award.
NASHVILLE – Nominees have been selected and ballots are being
distributed this week to a panel of International music industry
leaders to determine the recipient of this year’s CMA Global
Country Artist Award. Initiated in 2002 by CMA’s then-Global
Markets Task Force, the award recognizes outstanding achievement
by a Country Music artist who has furthered the popularity of
Country Music and brought attention to the genre in their
foreign-based territory.
“As CMA continues to promote Country Music around the globe, we
honor the artists who perform Country Music in their homelands and
beyond,” said Tammy Genovese, CMA Chief Operating Officer. “On
CMA’s international trips, I have learned how important
recognition from CMA is to Country Music artists in other nations
as they continue to build their careers.”
“These eight artists have all achieved great success in their
countries as well as other territories,” said Bobbi Boyce, CMA
Director of International. “CMA is proud to recognize the success
of all the nominees.”
Other nominees include Corb Lund (Canada) - who appeared in
Tamworth 2004; Tom Astor (Germany); Calaisa (Sweden); Rodrigo
Haddad (Brazil); Rachael Warwick (United Kingdom); Michelle Wright
(Canada)
For full list of candidates and their bio's see:
Bio
Adam Harvey (Australia) – Harvey has
enjoyed a career with many defining moments – including achieving
Gold status from the Australia Recording Industry Association
(ARIA) for three albums: Workin’ Overtime; Cowboy Dreams; and his
current project, Can’t Settle For Less. He is one of Australia’s
most awarded Country Music performers in the last decade. Among
his many honors are winning the Australian Country Music
Association Awards for Male Vocalist of the Year in 2002, 2004,
and 2005; and Album of the Year for Workin’ Overtime in 2002. John
Howard, the Prime Minister of Australia, gave Harvey the
Australian Centenary Medal. Harvey is also the current holder of
the CCMC Artists Excellence Award for 2006. Although based in
Australia, Harvey has toured the world including performances at
the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville in 2001 and 2004; two
successful Canadian tours in 2004 and 2005; and an invitation to
perform in China in 2005 as the representative for Australian
Country Music and the Tamworth City Council. Harvey was appointed
the Ambassador for the Telstra Road to Tamworth for 2006. He also
served as the tour host and media front man for the CMA Australian
Advisory Group’s travel initiative to the 2006 CMA Music Festival.
For more information, visit Harvey’s website at
www.adamharvey.com.au.
ARIA AWARDS NOMINATION
BEST COUNTRY ALBUM
Adam Harvey - Can't Settle For Less (ABC Country)
Audrey Auld Mezera - Texas (Vital/Digeridoo)
Keith Urban - Be Here (Capitol/EMI)
Paul Kelly & the Stormwater Boys - Foggy Highway
Sara Storer - Firefly (ABC Country)
Golden Guitar winner Adam Harvey is a huge
hit in China this week as a Tamworth country music ambassador – playing to
crowds of 50,000 in Beijing.
from CMAA
The 2005 Male Vocalist of the Year is
headlining the country music invasion and the taste of Tamworth at the huge
Chaoyang pop music festival.
Harvey’s having such a great musical experience he’s talking about coming home
and recording some of his songs in Chinese to release over there.
Adam is one of a five man band in China as part of a Tamworth Regional Council
cultural exchange tour. He is the only Aussie on the star list – and the
Chinese audiences are loving his deep, strong ballads and his booming country
beat.
Deputy mayor of Tamworth, councillor Phil Betts, says Harvey is the flavour of
the month with his laid back style and his deep Aussie voice.
Adam has so far played three big gigs and will be a star performer on the
festival grand finale line-up on Saturday.
Mr Betts says the six-times Golden Guitar winner has been a headline act – and
his face is centre stage of a huge billboard about five metres by 50 metres
long in central Chaoyang district, a province of about 3million people in
Beijing city.
Harvey said from Chaoyang Thursday afternoon that the trip and the festival
gigs have been a huge success.
“I thought at first that the language barrier would make it so hard you know.
I thought it would be my toughest gig ever – but it’s been great,” he said,
just before going on stage again.
“I’m singing a few big ballads, and they all clap, and it’s nice, it’s real
good. They’re pretty subdued as an audience, they don’t go crazy and dance all
over the place like they do in Tamworth during January, but they stand and
they listen and they seem pretty impressed with it all.
“I’ve picked up a couple of Chinese sayings and I use them to introduce some
of my songs – and they seem to really appreciate that and applaud.”
Harvey says he’s the real baritone on the Chinese bill. “Everyone else seems
to have very soft or high voices, but you know I reckon I nearly sound like
bloody Kamahl, I’m so much deeper.”
Harvey says the Tamworth crew – topped up by backing band Rod Moteby and Hugh
Curtis, and with his manager – has won wide publicity with Chinese media,
including national television interviews and photographs and interviews in
Beijing papers. “They all seem pretty keen about us and the publicity here has
been good, I think, because the story in the paper is completely
indecipherable to us all, but we’ve been told it’s good.”
The trip was organised by Tamworth Regional Council after an invitation from
last January’s Chaoyang delegation to Tamworth – when Chinese acrobats
performed at the opening festival concert. There’s been a Sister City
agreement between the two since 1994.
The provincial government asked Tamworth to send a country star to China, and
Adam accepted the gig from mayor James Treloar.
He’s playing to packed houses in Chaoyang Park – which councillor Betts says
is about 10 times the size of Bicentennial Park. “Just imagine from Bridge St
through Kable Ave and the parks to Paradise Bridge. That’s the gigs Adam’s
playing. He’s a big hit with them. And his CDs are playing through the park
during the day,” says councillor Betts.
Both councillor Betts and Adam believe there’s more scope for the festival in
China after this trip. They’ve been sounded out about coming back again.
“I think it will lead to even bigger things, not just for me but for
Australian country music,” said Adam.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ADAM HARVEY
GOLDEN GUITAR "MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR"
WINNER 2005 & 2004
"CAN'T SETTLE FOR LESS" debuts #20 ARIA national album chart w/e
24/1/05
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The CAN’T SETTLE FOR LESS tour
Adam Harvey’s reputation as a great live performer means he never will settle
for less when it comes to performing the country music he loves in front of
his ever growing legion of fans. Now with his new album ‘Can’t Settle For
Less’ he has gathered another fantastic collection of songs to take to the
concert stage.
Adam’s success has been established through hard work headlining tours across
the country, certified gold album sales and his albums ‘Sugar Talk’, ‘Workin’
Overtime’ & ‘Cowboy Dreams’ finding a permanent place on Australian country
radio play lists. ’Can’t Settle For Less’, his strongest album to date, will
be released at Tamworth on 17th January 2005. The first single ‘That’s What
You Call A Friend’ is still high in the charts while the party anthem of the
year ‘God Made Beer’ is likely to race it up the charts.
Over the last few years Adam Harvey has scooped the pool at the Tamworth
Country Music Awards. Winning the coveted Golden Guitar for Male Vocalist of
the Year in 2004 & 2002 and Album of the Year in 2002. In all, Adam has
collected 5 Golden Guitars along with numerous other accolades including Mo
Awards & ARIA nominations. This January 2005 he is nominated for Male Vocalist
of the Year for a ballad from ‘Can’t Settle For Less’ he co-wrote, called
‘That’s What You Call A Friend’.
Adam continues to find the perfect balance between true sentiment and wry
humour on ‘Can’t Settle For Less’. His new songs ‘God Made Beer’ & ‘The
Doghouse’ will happily join those great songs with a twist ‘The House That
Jack Built’ & ‘Beauty’s in the Eye of the Beerholder’ while the new ballads
‘Once Upon A Long Gone Time’ and ‘Lady Lay Down’ are bound to tug at
everyone’s heartstrings
Adam Harvey’s rich, extraordinary voice is instantly recognisable and with his
passion for traditional country music and humorous story telling no two shows
are ever the same. Now with his style finding him international recognition in
Canada and over 100 shows throughout 2005 it will be a busy year.
The Corb Lund Band are the fastest rising stars back home in Canada with their
hit album, Five Dollar Bill, having given them the success to tour
internationally and bringing them back to Australia for the 2nd time in 18
months. Corb’s reputation has grown quickly with his roots-country based music
winning him fans worldwide. Corb & Adam became friends when Adam toured Canada
in 2004 and now they can take some of the fun in their music onto the same
stage.
With Five Dollar Bill appearing on the Best of lists in Americana UK,
Toronto's Exclaim!, The Globe and impressive chart action on the Americana
Airplay Chart and the Roots Music Roots-Country Chart the band won two
Canadian Country Music Awards in 2004 for Roots Artist or Group of the Year &
Independent Group of the Year further strengthening their position as one of
the most in demand acts touring Canada today. Together Adam & Corb are bound
to create one great night of fun fuelled country music that will be talked
about for the rest of 2005.
Ronda Toner ph: (02) 9798 8824 e-mail: rtoner@bigpond.net.au
www.adamharvey.com.au
www.corblund.com
********* CRANIUM MANAGEMENT *********
PO BOX 240, ANNANDALE, NSW, 2038, AUSTRALIA
exclusive representation:
Adam Harvey www.adamharvey.com.au
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Adam’s voice has been described as “the best in the
business” and listening to his new album “Cowboy Dreams”; you will know why he
picked up the Golden Guitar for Male Vocalist of the Year in Tamworth a few
weeks ago. With influences like Hank Williams, Merle Haggard and Elvis
Presley, this 28 year old Geelong born singer now lives on the Central Coast
with his wife Kathy and their two young children.
Prior to his success as a country music singer, which includes Male Vocalist
of the Year (2002 and 2004) and Album of the Year Golden Guitars, a Gold album
for his “Workin Overtime” album and a string of number one hit singles. Adam
leads a very different existence; and if there’s one thing he misses about his
life as a truckie and a goldminer, it’s the huge machinery he used to drive.
“They were the ultimate big toys – you get a real buzz out of driving those
things. But I miss the blokes I used to work with too – they were real blokes,
who knew what if was to do a hard day’s work. And the other thing I often
think about is the smell of the dirt.”
These days, the only dirt Adam Harvey gets to see is in front of the stage at
music festivals all over Australia. In just a few short years, he’s become one
of the country’s most in-demand country singers and one of country music’s
most colourful characters.
“The way I see it, the reason I can make the most of the opportunities I’ve
been given in the music business is because I’ve known the other side of
life,” Adam said.
“And I reckon it’s good to have lived that life, to know what it’s like to
sweat your guts out and sit down afterwards with a beer. I can sing about it
because I know how if feels.
“But how lucky am I to have been able to make a career in country music? I
have to pinch myself, still – how many people get to do what they love for a
living?” Adam said.
“I still remember all those years driving trucks, waiting to be loaded while I
wrote down ideas for songs and dreamt of singing for a living.
Back in those days, Adam was driving huge trucks at a goldmine near Bendigo,
where he’d perform in the local pub for the other miners on a Friday night in
return for free beer.
“I’ve loved music ever since I was a little kid. My mum used to park me in
front of the stereo while she did the housework, and when I was 10, my aunt
gave me an old beat-up acoustic guitar she found. My dad had a huge collection
of all the greats of country music, so I played along,” Adam said.
His first big break came at the age of 10 when he appeared on a touring
“Tamworth on Parade” show when it came to Geelong. He only knew one song – Tom
T Hall’s “Old Dogs and Children and Watermelon Wine”, so when the crowd
demanded an encore, he sang the song again.
Adam’s next break – and the one that made all the difference – was an
invitation to tour with Tania Kernaghan. He’d just enrolled in the
Horticulture course at university, but threw it all in to pursue his country
music dream – with the full support of his parents.
“You’ve just got to take your chances when they come,” he said. “My dad was
going to be a great footballer, he used to play Rugby League for Norths, and
he was so good he was contracted to tour New Zealand. The night before he was
due to leave, he was hit by a car and cracked his kneecap. That’s why he’s so
proud of what I’ve achieved – he’s always backed me to take any opportunity
that’s come my way.”
It’s not only Adam’s father who’s inspired him. His grandfather, Stewart
Hogan, was a World War II digger, one of the famous Rats of Tobruk, who also
fought and was wounded on the Kokoda Trail.
Adam had the chance to pay tribute to him last year when he recorded the
moving “Kokoda Anthem” with Gina Jeffreys.
The song was released as part of the inaugural Battle for Australia Day, to
remind Australian schoolchildren of those who gave their lives for our
freedom.
“Those soldiers – and those they left at home – gave up so much. I think it’s
really important for more to be written and sung about it, so the kids know
what it’s all about,” Adam said.
Kids are a real passion for Adam. He and his adored wife Miss Kathy have two
of their own – Conway, aged two and a half, and Leylah, 18 months. As an
indication of the importance of music in the Harvey household, Conway was
named after the late, great American country star Conway Twitty, and Leylah
was inspired by Eric Clapton’s song of the same name.
As for the name “Miss Kathy”, Adam says it’s a mark of respect.
“When I met Kathy, it was a case of lady and the tramp. She was really classy,
and I was just a bum who liked to drink beer. We were friends and she used to
come along to my shows. Then she went overseas for a while, and worked as a
nanny. When she got back, she had a twinkle in her eye – it became clear that
friendship had turned into something more,” Adam said.
Kathy – who worked in the disability field for more than a decade before she
and Adam started their own family – worked day and night so support the family
when Adam’s music career began.
“She’s been amazing – she’s the best thing that ever happened to me,” Adam
said.
Having such a happy, close-knit family can make it hard to spend so much time
on the road, though.
“When I’m out on the road I really miss my family, but when I’m home I start
getting restless and just want to be on the move again. I guess it’s just the
way it is when music’s your life and career,” Adam said.
Adam’s love for children – and trucks – have been put to good use over the
past couple of years. He’s the official ambassador for the Convoy of Kids, an
annual series of truck-driver gatherings that raise funds for disadvantaged or
sick children.
“I got involved through a column I write for Trucking Life magazine – I’ve
been a truck fanatic ever since I was a kid – and I perform at all the Country
for Kids events all over Australia,” Adam said. This year, the funds will be
donated to the Leukaemia Foundation.
“I’ve been lucky enough to have two healthy, wonderful kids, so anything I can
do for those who are less fortunate is a real privilege and pleasure for me.”
When he does get some spare time, Adam heads to the beach with his fishing
rod.
“I just love catching fish, but it’s more than that, I get down to the beach
just as the sun’s coming up, and it’s a chance to think about music and life –
it’s a really special time. And as a former Victorian, I love the fact that
where I live now – on the Central Coast – I don’t have to catch a cold to
catch fish!”
Adam’s attitude to his other favourite sport – golf – matches his approach to
fishing.
“I think – no, I KNOW – I’m terrible at it, but every chance I get you’ll find
me on a course hacking away. It’s a bit like fishing; it gives me time to
think. But the only handicap I admit to is golf itself!” he said.
Being a Victorian, Adam’s also passionate about AFL football. He supports
Essendon, although how that came about would horrify purist fans.
“My dad used to work on the tourist boats in the Whitsunday’s in Queensland.
The Victorian tourists always wanted to talk AFL, and the only team he could
remember was ‘Essington’, When our family moved to Victoria – and learnt the
correct pronunciation – it was just natural to barrack for Essendon,” he said.
Like his dad, Adam has a huge collection of old vinyl records.
“I always stop at garage sales to hunt for more. And I’m a Phantom comic nut
as well – I collect as many of those as I can too,” he said.
There’s no doubt that Adam Harvey is a contented man. With a string of hit
singles – including several number 1 tracks behind him, Adam continues to
gather new fans wherever he goes.
Having just finished performing shows with top Canadian country star Terri
Clark on her Australian tour, he has another Canadian star, Jason McCoy, as
his special guest on his first tour of 2004.
During Jason’s visit down under; the pair will record a duet, which is
scheduled for release in Canada mid-year. He’ll head off in August and
September for his first Canadian tour, and is certain to take the country by
storm with his remarkable voice.
“The market there is similar to ours, and my music isn’t really specific to
Australia – it has a more universal appeal – so it should be very accessible
to the Canadians. I’m really looking forward to the tour,” Adam said.
Adams will also return to the United Stares later in the year. His last visit
saw him realise a long held dream: performing at the Grand Ole Opry – the
ultimate country music venue, where everyone from Elvis to Patsy Cline and
Shania Twain has performed over the years.
“That was a nerve-wracking night, but once I walked on stage, it was like all
the country singers who’d gone before were there supporting me. I’d love to do
it again,” Adam said.
Adam Harvey Discography and Award
Albums
‘Can’t Settle For Less’
Workin’ Ovetime (released August 2001, certified Gold
Status 35,000+)
Cowboy Dreams (released May 2003)
‘Sugar Talk’,
Number 1 Hits
“The House That Jack Built”
“Shake of a Hand”
“Workin Overtime”
“Beauty’s in the Eye (of the Beer holder)”
“How Wrong is it”
“When Lonely Met Love”
Golden Guitars
1998 Vocal Collaboration of the Year, “Drive Away”
2001 Vocal Collaboration of the Year, “Do I Ever Cross Your Mind?”
2002 Male Vocalist of the Year
Album of the Year
2004 Male Vocalist of the Year, “Call it Love”
2005 Male Vocalist of the Year
ADAM HARVEY
PUTS FINISHING TOUCHES TO HIS NEW ALBUM
Current CMAA Male Vocalist of the Year Adam Harvey is in the studio right now,
finishing his new album “Can’t Settle For Less”. It will feature the current
single “That’s What You Call A Friend”, which is receiving high rotation on
radio stations across the country and moving up both radio and CMC video
chart.
Adam is not long back from Canada, where he attended Country Music Week and
toured with Jason McCoy. His “Workin’ Overtime” album has been released there
to critical acclaim and he plans to return to perform at several of the
northern summer’s major outdoor events including the spectacular Calgary
Stampede in July 2005. One Australian delegate who was in Canada at the time
said: “I saw the first show of his tour, where he played to a totally new
audience - He had them from the first song, his humour and personality
connected, as did the songs.”
Since returning to his home shores, he has been hard at work in Music Cellar
Studio with award winning producer Rod McCormack putting the finishing touches
to his third ABC Country album, to be titled “Can’t Settle For Less”. "Can't
Settle For Less" shows that Adam finds the perfect balance between being every
man's best mate at the bar with songs like "God Made Beer" and "Doghouse" and
winning the girl's hearts too with ballads like "Lady Lay Down" and "Once Upon
A Long Gone Time".
“God Made Beer” will go to radio at the beginning of December and “Can’t
Settle For Less” will be launched on Friday, January 14th at the Tamworth
Country Music Festival. The album will be in stores nationwide on January 17th
2005.
The multi-Golden Guitar winner (he’s now up to five including Male Vocalist of
the Year twice) will hit the road at the end of February and will take in
every major music festival and every state in Australia before the year’s end.
Sara Storer and Adam Harvey from CMAA
Sara Storer and Adam Harvey were among the winners at the recent Gold
Manuscript Awards, the ABC's sixth annual awards for composers and songwriters
held in Sydney before many representatives from the music and television
industries.
Other winners were screen music composers Tim Prince and Pete Lawler for the
theme and original music in Heart & Soul: Kylie Kwong, Kim Cunio for the
original music in the Compass special Tomorrow's Islam, Amica or Daniela
Taliangis, Kristina Visocchi and Natalie Strother for their debut Life Is Fun.
The night began with a keynote speech from Michael Gudinski, chairman of
Mushroom Music.
Presenters included Jerry Salley, America's SEASAC 2003 Country Songwriter of
the Year, Nashville-based songwriter Jim McBride, (in Australia for a
songwriters retreat with Salley, Rod McCormack and writers Adam Harvey, Beccy
Cole, Gina Jeffreys and Lyn Bowtell), Valli Little, food editor of glossy food
magazine Delicious, ABC radio broadcaster Rachael Kohn and Art Phillips,
internationally known writer and President of the Australian Guild of Screen
Composers.
Acoustic performances came from Sara Storer and Beccy Cole (who was
unexpectedly joined on stage by an amazing line-up of Sara, Tamara Stewart,
Melinda Schneider and Becky Willis for a rousing version of Single Girl Blues)
as well as Josh Arnold who is currently working on a new release for
ABC Music's new Roots label.
Canada's COUNTRY MUSIC NEWS paper Oct 2004 Vol 25 # 7
---------------------------------------------------
Page 11: Features album reviews for ADAM HARVEY, JEDD HUGHES,
and KEITH URBAN.
All posted on the COUNTRY MUSIC NEWS WEBSITE
http://www.countrymusicnews.ca
ADAM HARVEY with ( 3 ) photo's plus the album cover
with reports in from our Western Canadian reporters .
1: Adam and Indie artist Aaron Pritchett rug-up in ski toque
and ski jackets warm up at the Country Music Week Golf Tournament
this year played in freezing temps.
2: Posted by Bill Borgwardt EDMONTON Alberta a photo of ADAM
with Universal Music rep Ron Harwood who was this years Record company person
of the year.
3: Jan Patterson who reports to CMN from Calgary Alberta with a photo of ADAM
with Jason McCoy on stage at
the Country Music Week fan-fest.
Last paragraph in ADAMS Working Overtime review
" Adam Harvey proves there are no boundaries or borders when it comes to
singing a great Country Song "
Your Australian Countrymusic Connection
Richard Drumdee Patterson in Canada
Email: cancountrynews@yahoo.com
PO Box 988 Stn B Ottawa ON Canada K1P 5R1
Click below comments on Adam at Grand Ole Opry
Adam Harvey's first single from the new album
"That's what you call a Friend" will be released September 20th.
Adam headed to Nashville at the end of August 2004 with
record producer Rod McCormack to co- write for his new album.
He is also going to Canada to attend the Canadian Country Music Week and to
tour with Jason McCoy. Adam's first single from the new album
"That's what you call a Friend" will be released September 20th.
The album will be released at the 2005 Tamworth Country Music Festival.
Australia's reigning Male Vocalist of The Year has produced four number one
hits from his Cowboy Dreams album which is fast approaching Gold status.
Adam leaves for Nashville at the end of August when he and producer Rod
McCormack will be co-writing songs for his new album to be released at the
2005 Tamworth Country Music Festival. As part of his visit to Nashville, Adam
has been invited to perform at the Grand Ole Opry, which he describes as "one
of the most amazing feelings ever".
He then heads to Canada where, while attending Canada's Country Music Week, he
will represent Australia as a delegate on an International panel. Adam will
then perform for Canadian and American music industry heavyweights before he
joins the Jason McCoy tour of key Canadian cities. His album will be released
locally through Open Road Recordings on September 14, the day after the
Canadian Country Music Association Awards, which Adam will also attend.
On his return to Australia, Adam will perform at the Deniliquin Ute Muster
(Vic) on October 2 and the Walkamin Festival at Mareeba (Qld) on October 16.
The first single from Adam's new album is That's What You Call A Friend, which
was written earlier this year by Adam, Rod McCormack and Jerry Salley who
attended a writer's retreat with a number of Australian country music artists
in the NSW Hunter Valley, NSW.
The single will be released commercially on September 20.
- ADAM's new album "Cowboy
Dreams"
- Carol Young talks about
- Adam and Rod McCormack
- (Part of Carols Report)
- "Lots to tell, but firstly, had a great time with Rod
McCormack and Adam Harvey when they jetted in at the
end of October...the whole town is still talking about
them. They made an impression on this town and we miss
them now they've gone. I just wish Gina could've made
the journey but I hear she's got bigger things to
think about."
- Adam Harvey and Miss Kathy have had a
little girl Layla, sister for Conway born Tuesday August 6th . Ragepage wishes them
much happiness.
- Golden Guitar Winner for the Year 2002
- Male Vocalist
- Adam and Kathy
Click
here for Award Winner's Photos
Print out and have
the memories
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