CountryRoutesBlog
take a look at the 2019 The Tamworth Country Music Festival, it includes:
CMAA 2019 Red Carpet Fashion, Photo and Gallery Links, Tamworth
Country Music Festival 2019 RECAP, The International Showcase & 2019 Queen and
Princess of Country Music
TOYOTA STAR MAKER 2019
Blake O’Connor was announced as the 2019 Toyota Star Maker in front of thousands of country music fans at the 40th Toyota Star Maker Grand Final held at the Tamworth Country Music Festival.
Blake’s performance received high praise from the judging panel, to win the prestigious title, for his first song If You Wanna Get To Heaven (Ozark Mountain Daredevils) and second song, Blake’s own original, Worth A Little More.
Blake grew up in a home surrounded by country music – mostly Johnny Cash. At 14, he scored a gig as a wedding singer, so he wrote his first song for the occasion, and hasn’t stopped writing and performing since. In 2015 he was a featured artist in the NSW Schools Spectacular playing four shows at the Sydney Entertainment Centre with audiences of more than 20,000 people.
Blake has opened the show for a number of big stars including Adam Eckersley and Brooke McClymont, Adam Brand, Russell Morris, Drew McAlister and Brad Cox, the 2018 Toyota Star Maker winner.
Like many big stars before him, Blake has entered and won talent quests, busked on the streets of Tamworth, won the CCMA Junior National Talent Quest and received a scholarship to the CMAA Academy.
In 2018 Blake released his debut, self-titled EP, which saw the singles 'Travelin' Man' and 'Blackwater' receive significant airplay and chart success.
Blake said; “TCMF19 was my best festival yet and one I won’t ever forget. To have been crowned the 40th Star Maker on the first Sunday of the festival was definitely the highlight and will be a night I’ll remember for a very long time! I am absolutely stoked to be able to fly the Toyota Star Maker flag around Australia and can’t wait to hit the road and play some shows!”
Prize includes:
Use of the title 2019 Toyota Star Maker;
12 months use of a brand new, fully-serviced Toyota motor vehicle; A fuel card for the length of reign;
Return air flight including 4-nights accommodation for one to Nashville for the CMA Festival in June 2019 courtesy of Chris Watson Travel; Photographic portfolio with Andrew Pearson Photography Tamworth;
Return flight to the UK + Accommodation for the weekend 24 -26 May to perform to shows at Buckle & Boots the UKs premier outdoor country music festival
A Maton acoustic guitar; Fender products; Shure products from Jands Australia;
A recording session with Australia’s top musicians and producer;
Recording, distribution and promotion of a four-track EP; Production of two professional video clips by an award-winning director; 12 months media promotion in Australia’s only monthly country music magazine Country Music Capital News
& much more!
See all the Past Winners at tcmf/winners-star-maker
Star Maker finalists in the TCMF 2019 Cavalcade (L-R) Lizzie Steadman Music, Juliet Oliver Music, Arna Georgia, Leigha Moore, Stephanie Penrose and Chelsea Berman.
Blake O'Connor receiving his new Toyota Rav from Andrew Wearing, Senior Manager, National Marketing, Toyota Australia at Tamworth City Toyota as part of his 2019 Toyota Star Maker package:
Among the exclusive Star Maker alumni are Lee Kernaghan, Keith Urban, Beccy Cole, James Blundell, Darren Coggan, Travis Collins, Gina Jeffreys, Samantha McClymont, Kirsty Lee Akers, Kaylee Bell and many more.
The 2019 Toyota Star Maker finalists, chosen from across the country, were:
Arna Georgia, Blake O'Connor, Chelsea Berman, Jake Sinclair, Juliet Oliver, Leigha Moore, Linc Phelps, Lizzie Steadman, Matt James, Stephanie Penrose.
2019 Toyota Star Maker Grand Final Video:
2019 Toyota Star Maker Grand Final Video:
Tamworth Country Music Festival 2019
WHEN: Friday, January 18, 2019 - Sunday, January 27, 2019
WHERE: Various locations around Tamworth, Tamworth
The second biggest country music festival in the world — after Nashville, nonetheless — Tamworth attracts tens of thousands of boot scooters every January. It's a ten-day shindig that takes over the entire town with outdoor concerts, pub gigs, bands, singer-songwriters, buskers, whip crackers, sheep dogs and every other element of country living you can think of.
Best of all, much of the program is free. So, if you're on a budget, park your tent at Riverside Park and go wandering from gig to gig, without spending a cent. Every night, Toyota Park hosts a massive free concert under the stars, including the Toyota Star Maker Grand Final and the Toyota Busking Championships.
Festival Wrap Up Video:
Festival Wrap Up Video:
The International Showcase
LIVE from Toyota Park, featuring artists from USA, Canada, New Zealand and the UK!
Soundcheck underway for our main stage show.... 2 hours to go! @TCMF_Official #BuckleandBootsDownUnder2019 pic.twitter.com/29E2KZr1Ie— Buckle & Boots (@BuckleandBoots) 22 January 2019
Performances:
UK: Izzie Walsh ("Silver & Gold", "Not Today"), Gary Quinn ("Body Language", "Shallow" Lady Gaga/ Bradley Cooper cover), Kezia Gill ("They Fall", "Diane" Cam cover, ), Jade Helliwell (Boom Tick, Repeat), Darcy ("Think Of You" Chris Young cover, "Hooked") all artists perform "Days Go By" Keith Urban cover.
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| Gary Quinn & Kezia Gill perform "Shallow" |
USA & CANADA: Kristy Cox introductions Amanda Cook ("Magnolia Wind", "Til' I'm Too Old") , Gary Jackson ("I'm Travellin'"), Amy Nelson ("Hey Love", "Ish", "Dontcha Dare Do It" with Jade Helliwell), Dylan Jakobsen ("Just Enough"?, "Silverado"), The Dungarees ("Anywhere With You", "I'll Die Tryin'"?, "I'm Down")
NZ: Aly Cook intros Kaylee Bell ("Getting Closer"), Brendan Duggan, Tony Lee ("Stand And Fight"), Kevin Greaves ("Daddy's Radio"), Arun O'Connor ("Tennessee Whiskey" Chris Stapleton cover), Molly G ("I'm Not Lisa" Tanya Tucker cover), Jenny Mitchell ("Troubadour"), Eddie Low ("I Can't Stop Loving You" Elvis cover), all artists perform Maori love song "Pokarekare Ana"
CONNECT with Tamworth Country Music Festival:
2019 CMAA Red Carpet Fashion
Related BLOG POST: 47th CMAA Country Music Awards of Australia: Winners and Nominee listing, Show Report, Watch the whole Awards Show
Abbie Ferris – The “Beat You at Your Own Game” (single) singer wore a gorgeous one shoulder bold floral print dress styled by Racy & Lucky (“We Dress The Music”; Website) adding chunky black sandals; Beauty Essence Of Hair & Beauty (Instagram Pic | Instagram >> Carpet Video )
Related BLOG POST: 47th CMAA Country Music Awards of Australia: Winners and Nominee listing, Show Report, Watch the whole Awards Show
Abbie Ferris – The “Beat You at Your Own Game” (single) singer wore a gorgeous one shoulder bold floral print dress styled by Racy & Lucky (“We Dress The Music”; Website) adding chunky black sandals; Beauty Essence Of Hair & Beauty (Instagram Pic | Instagram >> Carpet Video )
Aleyce Simmonds – The singer-songwriter donned a beautiful floor length embroidered gown with beige/nude lining.
Amber Lawrence - Talented and beautiful: She looked classy in Romance The Label (Website) Tara Maxi Dress with a plunge front and a high low hem adding pointy heels. The brand is slated as a youthful Australian fashion-forward brand, bold, feminine and flirtatious!
Arna Georgia - Dressed by legendary stylist Amber Lawrence! The Country singer/songwriter from Sydney, NSW (Facebook) is a graduate of the 2016 Academy of Country Music. She wore a deep blue velvet one-shoulder outfit. She shared: ... what a week that was!! I’ll never get over how special it is to catch up every January, and share music and I’m so thankful for our beautiful Country music family!
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TOP (L-R): Abbie Ferris, Aleyce Simmonds, Amber Lawrence, Arna Georgia
BOTTOM (L-R): Catherine Britt, Chelsea Berman Felicity Urquhart & Lyn Bowtell
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Catherine Britt – The CMAA 2019 performer, double nominated and former Golden Guitar winner wore a deep green maxi print dress adding brown sandals.
Chelsea Berman – The 'Kiss Me Like You Miss Me' (Instagram with Abbie Ferris) singer and Toyota Star Maker finalist was styled by Racy & Lucky wearing a lovely beaded embellished gown with mesh detailing to provide a 3D texture and a short train.
Felicity Urquhart – The CMAA 2019 presenter and Vocal Collaboration of the Year nominee rocked BoHo in a casual white number with wide short sleeves adding some fetching aqua BOHO CHIC Necklaces and an arm Bracelet.
Felicity Urquhart – The CMAA 2019 presenter and Vocal Collaboration of the Year nominee rocked BoHo in a casual white number with wide short sleeves adding some fetching aqua BOHO CHIC Necklaces and an arm Bracelet.
Hayley Jensen - Blonde Ambition: The gorgeous singer certainly “Turned Up The Dial” and wowed wearing a plunging beige beaded embellished bodycon dress and adding matching open-toe platform pumps. Get the look with this BooHoo Boutique Sequin Panelled Bodycon Dress - Link
Hayley Marsten – The “Lonestar” singer wore an Alice McCALL sleeveless button front lilac The Be Mine mini dress with cutout details. This mini takes on a look featuring diamante buttons and a cut out neckline with fresh Spring-time cute vibes. (Product; $125). She added ankle strap heels and carried a silver purse.
Imogen Clark - Nominated for 3 Golden Guitars (Alt Country Album of the Year, Female Artist of the Year, and New Talent of the Year) and performed at the Awards. She donned a halter0neck sleeveless Nasty Gal trouser dress with backless cross-strap cut-out detailing (Instagram).
Jasmine Rae – The “Heartbeat” singer-songwriter was there to present an award and wore a green playsuit adding silver necklace and platform sandals.
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| TOP (L-R): Hayley Jensen, Hayley Marsten, Imogen Clark, Jasmine Rae BOTTOM (L-R): Jody Direen, Juliet Oliver, Kacey Chambers, Katrina Burgoyne |
Jody Direen - Often referred to as 'The Queen of Country Music' in New Zealand (Facebook), (Instagram Video) she wore a girly light pink dress with capped sleeves. She added some fab strappy green heels
Juliet Oliver – The lovely dark haired Toyota Star Maker finalist and “I Don’t Want To Get Over You” (iTunes) singer wore a pretty Zimmermann Women's Laelia Diamond Flutter Dress all-over 'Meadow Floral' print with delicate broderie anglaise throughout, and has been cut with a deep V-neckline. Fluted ruffle sleeves complement the ruffle, peplum hem, which both add volume to the mini silhouette. She added some open nude colored sandals.
Kasey Chambers – Leading the way with 7 Toyota Golden Guitar nominations the singer-songwriter was rocking boho-chic/ gypsy-inspired wearing a SPELL (Byron Bay, AUS) dress, adding bespoke ShyDragonfly and Indie and Harper jewels.
Katrina Burgoyne – The Gunnedah, NSW 2 x Golden Guitar Nominated Singer/Songwriter and seen on Channel 10’s The Bachelor Season 2 rocked classy in a dark blue mini dress capped sleeves and beading across the shoulder. She added open-toe pumps and carried a black frilled purse.
Kirsty Lee Akers – The “Burn Baby Burn” singer styled was by Racy & Lucky with a lilac mini dress with a floaty flower print floor length chiffon overlay
Leigha Moore - The Sunshine Coast Country Rock/Pop artist (Facebook) and Toyota Star Maker finalist wore a belted leopard print Asymmetric Hem long sleeve Plunge Maxi Dress. She added black open-toe booties.
Melanie Dyer – The sassy “Fresh” singer-songwriter wore a strapless deep pink dress with a side slit. She added cute floral decorated ankle strap heels and carried a floral print purse.
Missy Lancaster – The “Never the Bride” single was there to co-present the ‘Single Of The Year’ award as well as nominated for Female Singer of the Year. She wore a creation by Multi award-winning Australian Bridal, Red Carpet Couture designer Judy Copley (www.judycopleycouture.com) where each piece designed is created with a Brides' vision in mind throughout the whole journey ending with a unique gown. See Runway Show
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| TOP (L-R): Kirsty Lee Akers, Leigha Moore, Melanie Dyer, Missy Lancaster BOTTOM (L-R): Montgomery Church’s Cielle Montgomery (Tulle and Batiste), Rachael Fahim (Lexi Chakra) |
Montgomery Church – Formed in 2016 Cielle Montgomery and James Church are ‘Montgomery Church’ - a blend of acoustic folk, americana and bluegrass influences, grown and distilled in the Snowy Mountain ranges of country New South Wales. They have been quietly but quickly gathering a fan base who site their undeniable musical and personal chemistry as a rare and beautiful thing to see live. Cielle rocked a Tulle and Batiste Jamawar Rose Maxi Dress in Florence Green. She added Boho Layer Boot; Hair & MU (Bare Beauty Cooma)
The Jamawar Rose Maxi Dress - Florence Green ($170 USD; Product) is available in three gorgeous colours, Florence Green, Scarlet Red and Moonless Black. This striking maxi dress will be a classic Tulle and Batiste head-turner and sure to be your favourite this season. This stunning gown is made from a super soft lightweight rayon and flows and ripples as you walk. A soft elastic waist and drawstring, with our signature wind chimes tassels, creates a super flattering silhouette.
Rachael Fahim - Rachael became the 2017 Toyota Star Maker after winning the Grand Final. She wore a flared Lexi Chakra Dress – Olive ($89.00; Product) - Instagram
The Chakra dress is made from a unique, lightweight, Air Mesh fabric which gives a sheer look and retains shape.
Features: Lexi's signature circular A-line skirt with flat front panel to flatter the body. A crinoline hem to provide additional structure for the ruffle, holding it in place and away from the body. Accentuating seam binding to complement the deep ‘V’ neckline. DRESS HIRE AU https://www.dresshireau.com.au/
Sammy Lee – The social media publicist stunned in a dark green flowing halter-neck sleeveless gown with beaded embroidered details.
Sara Storer – Monochrome: The singer-songwriter there on presenter duties went for a casual look with a grey patterned to, black flares and open black sandals.
Shelley Minson – The Rockabilly & Honky Tonk Singer Songwriter and Aussie Pin Up Gal attended with hubby Lawrie Minson who won the Musician Of The Year award. Lawrie wore a tailor made shirt by Jessica Ledgerwood (Suite 1, Level 1, Market Square Newcastle Mall). Shelley’s ‘42nd Street’ Lace dress and belt were from Kitten D'Amour, boots by Bait Footwear and Makeup & Hair by Glamour Empire (Tamworth NSW Makeup & Hair Studio Centrepoint Arcade, Peel St)
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| TOP (L-R): Sammy Lee, Sara Storer, Shelley Minson BOTTOM (L-R): Stephanie Penrose, Weeping Willows’ Laura Coates, Tori Forsyth |
Stephanie Penrose – The Moore Creek, NSW artiste and Toyota Star Maker finalist wore a sleeveless dark fetching number with a sky-high side slit. She added cream ankle strap heels.
Tori Forsyth – The Hunter Valley, NSW “Grave Robber's Daughter” singer (Facebook) wore a Free People trouser suit combo, adding a black crochet lace bralette and booties, Hair And Makeup (Hair and makeup www.plush-hair.com.au)
The Weeping Willows - Acoustic Americana/Country/Folk (Band Members Andrew Wrigglesworth - vocals/guitars/resonator) Laura Coates (vocals/piano accordion/autoharp) wore a lovely strapless large rose red and black floral gown.
PHOTOS
TCMF 2019: Photos, red carpet coverage Slide Show: northerndailyleader.com.au
Tamworth Country Music Festival - Facebook Gallery
“Snapped at a Gig” Snapped at a Gig © 2019 Neil McTernan Facebook Gallery TCMF2019 - 47th Golden Guitars (Auditorium Photos)
2019 Queen and Princess of Country Music
Rebecca Hunt, sponsored by Hunts Joinery, was crowned 2019 Queen of Country Music and Casey Skewes, sponsored by National Australia Bank, was crowned Princess at a gala dinner held at Tamworth Jockey Club (Jan 29).
Emerie Anonical was awarded Miss Congeniality and Lauren Foley was awarded Miss Social Media.
Born and raised in Tamworth, Rebecca Hunt is the 35th Queen of Country Music.
With a love of people, she has built a successful career in retail and is currently working with Adairs. Encouraged by her manager to step out of her comfort zone and enter the Queen Quest, Rebecca has enjoyed growing her network and being seen as a positive role model for women. When not working, she is either riding horses or spending time with her large and extended family.
Ms Skewes, newly crowned Princess, is a sales assistant at Stormriders in Peel Street.
Both the Queen and Princess will be ambassadors for Tamworth and the Region throughout 2019, spending the next 12 months volunteering their time and assisting at a range of high-profile civic and community events, guest speaking engagements and corporate and festival functions.
Phil Betts, Tamworth Regional Council Deputy Mayor, said the Queen of Country Music Quest is one of the great ongoing traditions of the Toyota Country Music Festival, Tamworth: “Entrants play an important role during festival, attending official events and supporting visitors to the town with their enquiries.
