James Blundell

Following the release of his 9th studio album, Ring Around The Moon, James will be undertaking his first full band tour in many years as he hits the road for the remainder of the year. James will be performing two warm-up shows this weekend at Mittagong RSL & Eden Fishermans Club before starting the tour in Hexham NSW on August 30th. Joining James on the tour will be some of the hottest young acts in Australian country music: Travis Collins, Jetty Road and on various dates Dianna Corcoran, Amber Lawrence and 2007 Star Maker winner Kirsty Lee Akers. JAMES BLUNDELL: Iconic Australian country artist James Blundell returned to his country-rock roots with Ring Around The Moon, released in March this year. Inspired by celestial phenomena, childhood memories, life lessons, homesickness and love, Ring Around The Moon is the latest offering from an artist who changed the landscape of Australian country music when he emerged in the late 80’s. James was the first of a new breed of Australian country artists to find a young audience and achieve gold and platinum sales. When the first single, Higher Than Heaven was released in February, it was quickly added to stations across the nation and the video reached the No.1 spot on The Country Music Channel’s Top 30 Countdown. The follow-up single and album title track, has followed quick followed suited – giving James two No.1s in the space of a couple of months. TRAVIS COLLINS: With the release of his second album No Boundaries, Travis Collins is rapidly becoming one of Australia’s most exciting new talents. The young contemporary country/rock performer is being enthusiastically embraced by a new generation of young fans as well as lovers of great country music alike. Collins is a former Toyota Star Maker winner and was nominated for two Golden Guitars in 2007, including a nomination for Male Vocalist Of The Year. He also performed at the CMA Festival in Nashville in June – attended by 191,000 people. Returning from his UK tour, Travis will launch No Boundaries at the 2007 Gympie Muster and then join James Blundell across Australia. JETTY ROAD: Since debuting in 2005 Jetty Road has established itself as one of the hottest young bands in Australian country music. Following the release of its debut album Full Circle, the group received extensive radio airplay with the singles Heart and Soul and Run to You reaching the top of the Australian Country Charts. Striking twin sisters, Lee and Paula Bowman, truly impress with sophisticated vocals and rich blended harmonies which are perfectly complimented by the outstanding talents of multi-instrumentalists, Julian Sammut and Simon Ross. The group’s much anticipated second album Dirt Roads, City Lights was released in early 2007 and features the singles Real Smooth Cowboy and ‘Til The Day I Die – both constant favourites on The Country Music Channel. KIRSTY LEE AKERS: In January 2007 Kirsty Lee Akers was crowned the winner of the Toyota Star Maker competition, Australia’s oldest and most successful music talent search and a major stepping stone in the careers of country music legends such as Lee Kernaghan, James Blundell, Keith Urban and Gina Jeffreys. Kirsty’s musical talents have been recognised nationally and internationally; winning the 2006 Telstra Road to Tamworth Songwriter’s Encouragement Award and being named a grand finalist in the International Songwriting Competition are just a few of her achievements to date. Her debut album, Little Things – a major part of her Toyota Star Maker prize is released on the 4th August, 2007. DIANNA CORCORAN: 2004 New Talent Golden Guitar winner Dianna Corcoran returned to Tamworth in January to release her brilliant new album Then There’s Me. This release follows Dianna’s 2003 debut Little Bit Crazy and showcases her pristine soprano and distinctive song writing talents. Dianna was born and raised in Parkes in the Central West of New South Wales. She spent her childhood on motorbikes, horses and driving around the country with her parents performing at talent quests. The songstress was offered a recording contract with Compass Bros Records after label head Graham Thompson heard her on ABC radio’s Saturday Night Country with John Nutting. AMBER LAWRENCE Amber Lawrence may be a city girl, but the country is where her heart and music really lies. The first single Things That Bring Me Down from her exceptional debut album The Mile is currently No.6 on CMC and No.12 on the Country Music Radio Chart and still climbing! The Mile was released through MRA Entertainment on July 7th and entered the ARIA Australian Artist Country Chart at No.4. The album showcases Amber’s natural talent as an insightful singer and songwriter. All 12 tracks on the “The Mile” were written or co-written by Amber and the album was produced by Rod & Jeff McCormack. Amber is a dynamic performer and her ability to engage audiences with her enthusiasm, honesty and humour is truly captivating.