Scroll down for photos of some of the 2004 Tamworth Festival heat winners finalist

 

Tamworth Talent Guaranteed Global Exposure
Australia’s up and coming country music stars will be given unprecedented access to some of the world’s top record industry heavy weights at the 2005 Telstra Country Music Festival in Tamworth next month.

Three American-based record company executives will for the first time join local industry officials to judge the Telstra Road To Tamworth country music talent competition Grand Final.

Telstra Road To Tamworth Ambassador, Australian country music star, Gina Jeffreys, said the international judging panel refects the competition’s prestigious nature.

“I can’t recall any music competition anywhere in the world that has attracted so many senior music executives as judges,” Jeffrey’s said.

“It clearly demonstrates the immense international and national regard the Telstra Road To Tamworth competition has generated.
The three American record company executives are;
• Pat Higdon, Universal Music Publishing Group Nashville Senior Vice President/General Manager
• Larry Willoughby, Capitol Records Vice-President of Artist and Repertoire
• Paul Worley, Warner Brothers Artist and Repertoire executive

Mr Higdon, Mr Willoughby and Mr Worley will join Sony BMG Strategic Marketing Manager Andy Jones, Country Music Channel Program Director, Tim Daley and Allied Artists joint Chief Executive, Marius Els.

Thanks to Telstra’s innovative web-cast technology, Higdon, Willoughby and Worley will view the Grand Final live in America at www.telstra.com/countrywide/countrymusic .

On conclusion of the finalists’ performances, an international telephone hook-up between the three Tamworth-based judges and the American trio will be conducted to determine the 2005 Telstra Road To Tamworth Grand Final winner.

34 heat winners from across Australia will participate in two Finals heats in Tamworth on January 17 before the top eight contenders proceed to the Grand Final on January 18.

Mr Higdon serves on the America’s Country Music Association (CMA) Global Task Force. One of the task force’s objectives is to reach out to the countries that have strong country music presence and bring talented performers to the attention of the Nashville labels.

Mr Higdon said he was excited to be asked to judge the 2005 Telstra Road to Tamworth Grand Final and saw it as a great opportunity for the CMA to support the event - and hopefully discover the next country superstar.

“It will be challenging judging live performances via the Internet but in reality it will be no different from watching a DVD of a live performance. A great artist in today's technological environment has to cut through like this,” he said.

The 2005 Telstra Road To Tamworth Grand Final winner will receive prizes designed to launch a professional music career including;

• A single recorded and produced in Nashville through BMG Australia, including international airfare and accommodation.
• A Performance on the Riverstage at CMA Music Festival / Fanfair
• Publicity of their performance in Nashville by leading PR company AristoMedia
• Two Gold pass Tickets to CMA Music Festival / Fanfair 2005
• One years membership of the CMA America
• A video clip produced by and played on the Country Music Channel shown on Austar and Foxtel pay television
• Two paid professional live performances organised through leading Country Music agency, Allied Artists
• A Maton EM325C acoustic guitar, including case, with fitted AP5 professional pre-amp
• A paid performance at FanFest during the 2005 Telstra Country Music Festival in Tamworth
• A scholarship to either the CMAA College of Country Music Tamworth or the Camerata in 2006

TELSTRA ROAD TO TAMWORTH FINALISTS DETERMINED
The countdown is now on to determine who will win the 2005 Telstra Road To Tamworth country music talent competition after the remaining finalist was determined in Charleville, Queensland, last Thursday night.
Mick Lindsay, an 18-year of apprentice carpenter from Toowoomba, was flown to Charleville by his pilot father to grab the 34th and last place before the finals at the Telstra Country Music Festival in Tamworth next month.
The Finals will be held in two sessions, 10.30am and 2.30pm on January 17, before the top eight contestants proceed to the Grand Final on January 18 at 8.00pm. All sessions will be held at West Tamworth League Club.
The heats and the Grand Final will be webcast live at www.telstra.com/countrywide/countrymusic.
The 34 heat winners are:
Leah Briggs (Port Pirie, SA) Nicholas Laing (Geelong, Vic)
Mollie McClymont (Grafton, NSW) Briana Lee Brassil (Shepparton, Vic)
Peter Gervasoni (Melton, Vic) Krystal Donnelly (Townsville, Qld)
Aleyce Simmonds (Armidale, NSW) Tamara Bull (Rockhampton, Qld)
Jacqueline Izod (Darwin, NT) Claye Middleton (Maroochydore, Qld)
Penelope Somerville (Bendigo, Vic) Lee Kirby (Kalgoorlie, WA)
Krystal Stone (Albany, WA) Rob Coleman (Bundaberg, Qld)
Warren Milera (Murray Bridge, SA) Amos Roberts (Coffs Harbour, NSW)
Victoria Baille (Traralgon, Vic) Paul Buckberry (Wollongong, NSW)
Jenna Brooks (Toowoomba, Qld) Meegan Marmora (Orange, NSW)
Rebecca Lee Nye (Mildura, Vic) Clancy Fisher (Horsham, Vic)
Caitlyn Patman (Geraldton, WA) Sarah Barnett (Richmond, NSW)
Katie Brianna Garfoot (Erina, NSW) Kimberley Bowden (Mareeba, Qld)
Tom Coulson (Hobart, Tas) Hailey Burgess (Wodonga, Vic)
Tameaka Fairfull (Gold Coast, Qld) Morgan Evans (Newcastle, NSW)
Gina Timms (Launceston, Tas) Megan Doherty (Cranbourne, Vc)
Steve Gilbert (Goulburn, NSW) Mick Linsday (Charleville, Qld)
 

The Telstra Road To Tamworth competition has been a spectacular success attracting over 770 entrants across regional Australia.

Telstra Road To Tamworth Ambassador, country music star, Gina Jeffreys, said the competition will uncover an exciting new generation of country music stars and help launch their careers.

“The Telstra Road To Tamworth competition covered the length and breadth of Australia to provide aspiring and talented singers the opportunity to be discovered,” said Jeffreys. “I know first hand the importance of these talent competitions, as my own career was launched over 10 years ago when I won a talent quest,” she added.

Jeffreys said the package of prizes for the ultimate Telstra Road To Tamworth winner, including a trip to Nashville to record and produce a single through BMG Australia, was unprecedented in country music.

The prizes include:
• A single recorded and produced in Nashville through BMG Australia including international airfare and accommodation.
• A Performance on the Riverstage at CMA Music Festival / Fanfair
• Publicity of their performance in Nashville by leading PR company AristoMedia
• Two Gold pass Tickets to CMA Music Festival / Fanfair 2005
• One years membership of the CMA America
• A video clip produced by and played on the Country Music Channel shown on Austar and Foxtel pay television
• Two paid professional live performances organised through leading Country Music agency, Allied Artists
• A Maton EM325C acoustic guitar, including case, with fitted AP5 professional pre-amp
• A paid performance at FanFest during the 2005 Telstra Country Music Festival in Tamworth
• A scholarship to either the CMAA College of Country Music Tamworth or the Camerata in 2006

Telstra Country Wide Managing Director, Mr Doug Campbell said the Telstra Road to Tamworth competition creates opportunities for talented, aspiring singers to realise their musical dreams. “This competition demonstrates Telstra Country Wide’s commitment to people across Australia and supports their hopes and aspirations no matter where they live,” said Mr Campbell.

Telstra Media Contact:
Alix Varley Tel: 02 9206 0087 Mob: 0413 838 404
Telstra’s national media inquiry line is 13 1639 and the Telstra Corporate Communications Centre is located at: www.telstra.com.au/newsroom
 

 

Newcaslte singer/songwriter Katie Brianna has won the Erina heat in the 2005 Telstra Road to Tamworth competition. Make sure you come along to the Tamworth Country Music Festival in January to support Katie and all of the other talented rising stars of country music.
For more info go to:
http://www.telstra.com/countrywide/countrymusic/roadtotamworth/index.asp
 

National Talent Search Opens On-line.
"Telstra Road To Tamworth", Australia's most comprehensive national search for the next Country Music Star, opened to young hopefuls today. The official web site www.telstra.com/countrymusic  was open for entries from 9 am.

Staged in 35 heats across the entire country, taking in all States and Territories, the event provides the opportunity for young aspiring artists from the capital cities to the most remote areas, to travel to Tamworth and compete for an amazing pool of prizes.

The winners of each of the 35 heats receive $1,000 in cash to start them on the "Telstra Road To Tamworth" (TRTT). In January they compete in a series of two finals with 8 contestants winning through to the Grand Final. Each of the 8 Grand Finalists receive a further $500 T-Shop voucher from Telstra Country Wide.

Competing before a panel of local and American judges (live via the internet) the winner of the Grand Final will receive a package of prizes aimed at delivering a huge launch into the professional ranks of Australian and International country music.

The prizes are a combination of support from the Australian music industry and a partnership established between the Country Music Association of America (CMA), based in Nashville, (via their CMA Global Talent Search) and the Telstra Road To Tamworth.

This exciting partnership has provided Australian country music's young talent with the chance of a life time.
Prizes:
1. A single recorded with BMG at Emerald Studios in Nashville Tennessee along with airfare and accommodation. Recording with both a Nashville producer and session players.
2. A performance spot on the "Riverstage" at America's biggest and most famous country music festival - the CMA Music Festival/Fanfair in Nashville, June 2005.
3.A performance spot at the CMA Global Artist Showcase in one of the major clubs in the famous downtown Nashville area during CMA Music Festival/Fanfair, June 2005.
4. A video clip that will be showed on the Country Music Channel (CMC) nationally across the Austar and Foxtel platforms.
5.Two gold passes to all the concerts and events at CMA Music Festival/Fanfair June 2005.
6. Twelve months membership of the CMA.
7.Two paid live performances booked by Allied Artists in 2005.
8.A Maton EM325C acoustic guitar, including case and fitted with an AP5 professional pre-amp.
9.A paid performance spot at "FanFest" during the Telstra Country Music Festival, Tamworth, January 2005.
10.Publicity in Nashville in support of their visit and performances June 2005, provided by leading Nashville based PR company AristoMedia.
11. A residential scholarship at either (the junior college), Camerata or the CMAA College of Country Music held in Tamworth in 2005/6 determined by the winner's age.
For further information contact
Rosemarie Els at @llied @rtists
Ph 61 2 9712 3300
Fax 61 2 9712 3884
email: rosemarie@alliedartists.com.au 

 

TELSTRA ROAD TO TAMWORTH 2005 from CMAA

FOLLOWING THE success of the inaugural Telstra Road To Tamworth country music talent competition, Telstra Country Wide is extending the program from 20 to 35 regions, with the major prize now including a trip to Nashville.
 

Telstra Country Wide Managing Director Doug Campbell launched details of the 2005 Telstra Road To Tamworth program in Darwin on Wednesday.

The launch was attended by Northern Territory Chief Minister Clare Martin, Northern Territory Administrator Ted Egan, leading country music performer Gina Jeffreys and this year's competition winner 14-year-old Darwin schoolgirl Jessica Mauboy.

The Telstra Road to Tamworth is an initiative borne from Telstra's sponsorship of the Tamworth Country Music Festival and the company's national and international interest in contemporary country music.

The first Telstra Road To Tamworth heat in the new competition will be held during the Southern Flinders Country Music Festival in Port Pirie, South Australia, on May 16.

Each winner of the 35 heats staged throughout the country will receive a $1,000 prize to assist in their travel to Tamworth for the 2005 Telstra Country Music Festival, recognised as one of the largest country music festivals in the world.

The final and grand final will be staged during the 2005 Telstra Country Music Festival in Tamworth where contestants will perform in front of an audience including a high profile industry judging panel and other leading industry talent scouts.

The Grand Final winner will receive an unprecedented package of international and national prizes designed to help launch their professional career including...
a single recorded and produced in Nashville through BMG Australia including international airfare and accommodation...
a performance on the Riverstage at CMA Music Festival / Fanfair in Nashville...
publicity for their performance in Nashville by leading PR company AristoMedia...
a video clip produced by and played on the Country Music Channel shown on Austar and Foxtel pay television...
two paid professional live performances organised through leading country music agency Allied Artists...
a Maton EM325C acoustic guitar, including case, with fitted AP5 professional pre-amp...
a paid performance at FanFest during the 2005 Telstra Country Music Festival in Tamworth... and
a scholarship to either the CMAA College of Country Music Tamworth or Tamworth Camerata in 2006.
Following the finals, eight artists will be chosen to progress to the grand final and each will receive $500 Telstra Shop gift vouchers.

Mr Campbell said the Telstra Road To Tamworth competition created opportunities for talented, aspiring singers to realise their musical dreams. "The competition has already discovered a host of remarkable young singing talent such as Jessica Mauboy," he said.

"The expansion of the competition from 20 to 35 heats is further proof of Telstra Country Wide's commitment to regional Australia, discovering more country music talent across the country and providing them with the opportunity to pursue a singing career.

People interested in entering should visit www.telstra.com/countrymusic  from April 19 for entry details and stay tuned to the Country Music Channel on Austar and Foxtel.
 

Telstra Road To Tamworth attracts major support

Music industry heavyweights have declared their support for the Telstra Road To Tamworth competition.
Key competition partners include BMG Australia, Country Music Channel, Maton and leading Country Music agency, Allied Artists.
Rob Potts, Chief Executive of Allied Artists, said the competition was unique in its structure and the prizes that are on offer.
“The Telstra Road To Tamworth competition embraces regions and communities throughout Australia and has the ability to identify talent no matter where it is,” said Potts.

“It also provides prospective artists the opportunity to launch a career with the assistance of some remarkable prizes.”
Jacquie Riddell, general manager, XYZ network Music Channels, said; “The Country Music Channel is Australia’s only national country music TV medium and, as such, we are delighted to work with Telstra for the second year as the major media partner for the Telstra Road to Tamworth.

“We have a deep commitment to country music and in taking the very best that Australia has to offer to a national audience. Telstra Road To Tamworth is an exciting and unique initiative and one we are helping grow in 2004/5.”

Ed St John, Managing Director of BMG Australia, said his company was proud to be associated with the Telstra Road To Tamworth competition.
"We are very pleased to be in partnership with Telstra to promote and
develop Australian talent by being the official record company for the
winner of the Telstra Road To Tamworth talent competition,” Mr St John said.
“We look forward to being a partner in the delivery of a world-class recording star to the Australian country music scene."
 

More country music talent waiting to be discovered

says Gina Jeffreys
Country music star, Gina Jeffreys, said the Telstra Road To Tamworth talent competition would make a major contribution to maintaining and enhancing Australia’s celebrated international and national country music reputation.

Jeffreys, who has been appointed Telstra Road To Tamworth Ambassador, witnessed first hand the range of new country music talent discovered by the Telstra Road To Tamworth competition in January when she appeared as the “special” guest performer at this year’s Grand Final in Tamworth.

“The contestants ability was incredible. They all performed with confidence and displayed amazing talent,” said Jeffreys at today’s launch in Darwin.

“Australia has been fortunate to produce country music stars such as Keith Urban, Lee Kernaghan and many others and the Telstra Road To Tamworth competition will ensure that more young, aspiring artists have the opportunity to be discovered - no matter where they live across Australia.

“The unearthing of new country music talent is crucial in the on-going development of our musical genre. The Telstra Road To Tamworth competition will ensure that the next generation of artists are discovered and developed for all Australians to enjoy,” said Jeffreys.

The 2005 Telstra Road To Tamworth competition has expanded from 20 to 35 heats around Australia and will commence at the Southern Flinders Country Music Festival in Port Pirie, South Australia, on May 16.

The overall 2005 Telstra Road To Tamworth winner will receive a package of prizes designed to help launch their professional career, including a trip to Nashville, Tennessee to record a single.
 

Aaron Bolton and Jim Haynes (host)

 

Aaron Bolton

 

Josh Canning

 

 

 Jessica Mauboy,
 

 

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