News
(incorporating News Archive)
Artist Spotlight : Court Yard Hounds
Who Are Court Yard Hounds?
From their beginning in Texas roots circles, sisters Emily Robison and Martie Maguire made a firm imprint on the scene as pre-teen prodigies before joining with Natalie Maines in 1995 to form the Dixie Chicks. Their successful and also controversial career has seen them collect a succession of awards and accolades, including a string of Grammy Awards, as well as developing a long-term love affair with Australia. On hiatus currently, Robison & Maines have kept the creative cogs turning in their side-step project of Court Yard Hounds.
What Was The Controversy With Dixie Chicks?
Upon embarking on their 2003 sell-out Top Of The World Tour in London, Dixie Chicks front-woman Natalie Maines' comments on President Bush and the US Army's presence in Iraq spurred a watershed junction in the Dixie Chicks' career that sparked intense criticism from conservative media and country music fans alike. The furore spurred an uproar which would see the group receiving death threats and accusations of being unpatriotic, but despite all of this the group held steadfast and in 2006 made their almighty comeback with the release of the single Not Ready To Make Nice in advance of their upcoming album Taking The Long Way - a song which directly addressed the political controversy that had surrounded the group for the previous three years.
What Did They Have To Say About It?
Robison said, "The stakes were definitely higher on that song. We knew it was special because it was so autobiographical, and we had to get it right. And once we had that song done, it freed us up to do the rest of the album without that burden." She said writing the song had become their "therapy," since they had had to hold in so many stored emotions for so long. Thus, the group considered the album not so much a political one as very personal.
So Why Court Yard Hounds?
After achieving such a level of international success and fame, album after album, all three women decided it was time to focus on their families & personal lives. However it wasn't long before Martie & Emily started to become restless and returned to creating new material. Amidst all this Robinson experienced a moment of clarity and while it had never occurred to her to sing as the lead, there was a sudden acceptance that maybe the last 20 years of pure harmonising should be taken to the next level. And so with her sister in tow as a fellow partner in crime the Court Yard Hounds came to be.
What Is Their Music About?
As Dixie Chicks, Maguire and Robison have grown used to having their private lives and thoughts put up for public scrutiny. Some Court Yard Hounds listeners may be eager to put every lyric up to a magnifying glass... and it's not necessarily completely misguided, given that the sisters have penned obviously deeply felt songs before, even when Natalie was singing them. It's no secret that Robison's divorce sparked a good part of the material, but the sisters do discourage anyone from reading the album as a diary. "Everyone from our manager to our publicist already thinks it's completely autobiographical, that everything's so true and personal," says Robison. "And it IS personal. But not everything is my life, even though people are gonna think it is. It's better just to say that maybe 70% of it's true, but I'm not gonna tell you which parts." She laughs. "Keep 'em guessing!"
So What's Happening With Dixie Chicks Now?
Robison says "I think the elephant in the room for people is always 'Well, what's going on with the Chicks?' When that presents itself, we'll figure out how to marry the two," says Robison. "Natalie will be the first one to tell you that she's very supportive; she just doesn't want to be in the studio and going through the whole process right now. Martie and I love to work and create and be making something, so being off was difficult for us. Just to be able to fulfill that and not have to dismantle the Dixie Chicks-why can't we do both? We're going to push to make it a complete entity and have fun with it."
Court Yard Hound's debut self-titled album was recently released in Australia to rave reviews and fans can expect to see this rootsy alter-ego to the Dixie Chicks take shape in their anticipated appearance in Australia. Featuring Robison on lead vocals, there will be no shortage of spine-tingling bluegrass tones and harmonies, acoustic ballads, banjo good-times, and some gorgeous guitar-and-fiddle folk songs.19 July 2010
3rd announcement: Star artists line up for 15th Great Southern Blues Festival 2010
October 1 - 3 weekend and one day tickets on sale now!
Batemans Bay, 19 July 2010: Today's release of the third major round of artists lined up to play at the Great Southern Blues Festival over the Labour Day weekend in Batemans Bay confirms it will be the biggest event in the festival's renowned 15 year history.
Festival lovers, if the October long weekend date isn't already marked in your diary - do it now! Capacity is still limited to ensure Great Southern Blues Festival remains an intimate and inviting music festival of the highest calibre.
Stellar performers sign up for third announcement
Joining the captivating list of performers already announced:
- Lil' Band O' Gold - some of the most important bunch of musicians to emerge from Louisiana - this is the Swamp Pop supergroup formed by vocalist and guitarist CC Adcock.
- Toni Childs - the three time Grammy nominee will be bringing her blend of roots, rock, folk and gospel songs in her signature husky vocals.
- Pink Martini - an original force in contemporary music from Portland, Oregon drawing inspiration by crossing genres of classical, jazz and blues, performing their multilingual repertoire on concert stages around the world.
- Matt Southon - hailing from the far south coast of NSW, the emerging star will perform his unique blend of blues inspired by the passion and fire of old style bluesman like Son House, Charlie Patton & Leadbelly.
- The Snowdroppers - the Sydney group delight in deliver boozed up, toe tapping, foot stomping blues rock, all with a thrillingly 'tip your hat' homage to nostalgia.
- Mick Hart Experience - Our own wonderful Australian singer/songwriter applauded by music critics and fans who has played support to the likes of Bob Dylan, Van Morrison and Sting, returning to our Festival.
- Whose Muddy Shoes - This swinging Wollongong band is together again for selected shows - they're re-vamped, re-vibed and are burning up on re-entry!
- Watermelon Slim - winner of six Blues Music Award nominations in one year - 2007. Only B.B. King, Buddy Guy and Robert Cray had ever landed six. Back with us after making his Australian debut in 2000 at the Great Southern Blues Festival.
Cavalcade of much-anticipated existing artists
The new names join the major international and local artists already announced last month which included: Todd Rundgren, Harry Manx, Wolf Mail, Blue Shaddy, Dallas Frasca, Jon Cleary, Cedric Burnside & Lightnin' Malcolm, Lonnie Lee, Ben Kweller, Rick Estrin & The Nightcats, The Pete Cornelius Band, Dave Hole, Kim Churchill and Ray Beadle Band.
While Festival director Neil Mumme is excited to be able to announce this stellar line up of stars, he is juggling some mixed feelings. "It is with a heavy heart that we have made the move from Narooma. It was the Festival's birth place and we have had a very happy 14 years in a great location. But the Festival is now well into its teens and the reality is: we've grown. Greater numbers of artists and fans need a larger site, plus more accommodation and infrastructure options."
Unique festival spirit lives on
"Batemans Bay has proved an inspired choice because it allows us to keep all the best things that made Narooma special - the sense of friendliness, of family, with artists and audiences mingling. The same crew are with us, too," said Neil with obvious enthusiasm.
Neil Mumme points out that it will still remain an intimate 3-stage Festival over the three days in Mackay Park, but with a capacity to cater for 6,000 festival lovers a day instead of 4,000. There is also a wide range of excellent accommodation readily available in the area.
The festival partnership now with Michael Chugg and his team at Chugg Entertainment this year has underpinned this major step. Michael Chugg paid tribute to Neil Mumme and the team of people "who have worked tirelessly to build the festival, to ensure its ongoing viability and most of all, to ensure that this festival continues to meet, and exceed the expectations of its many loyal fans".
Spectacular welcome awaits at the 'Bay
The town of Batemans Bay and its neighbouring area boast some of the most spectacular and unspoiled coastline in New South Wales. The Great Southern Blues Festival is sited to take advantage of the magnificent views across the Clyde estuary, the sparkling ocean and to the mountains in the west.
The town is approximately 2 hours drive south east from Canberra, 4 hours south from Sydney and about 850 km north of Melbourne.
It maintains its small town atmosphere and welcomes its visitors with its fabulous estuary location, country hospitality and charm, an unspoilt natural environment and with attractions and facilities for holidaymakers of all ages and preferences.
Festival lovers can make the long weekend a longer stay - a few more days to take in the delights of the area:
- Whale watching - this great spectacle will be at its peak in early October.
- Dozens of clean beaches, some with gentle shallow waters perfect for young children and others to challenge the more discerning of surfers, windsurfers and body boarders.
- Several world and Australian records have been broken for the game fish caught locally and charter boat operators sail out for a great day's reef fishing or to chase a 'big one'.
- Beautiful lakes and other waterways offer peaceful bush walks, in the company of many species of coastal frequenting birds and native wildlife.
- Drive out to the pretty quiet village of Nelligen, 10 kilometres upstream on a calm and attractive reach of the river.
- Step back in history at the pioneer village or the dinosaur museum in historic Mogo - only 5 mins south of the Bay. Visit the famous Mogo Zoo or even pan for gold in the pioneer tradition.
FOR GREAT SOUTHERN BLUES FESTIVAL TICKETS
Select from our ticket offers - the 3-day pass, or pick your choice of one day pass on the TICKETS page.
ACCOMMODATION
Need accommodation and holiday planning help? The experts can be found at the Batemans Bay Visitor Centre
Freecall 1800 802 528
Website: Click HERE
MEDIA INFORMATION
For media information or interviews please contact Gaynor Crawford on:
EMAIL or telephone 02 6685 9714
5 July 2010
Second Round of Artists Announced!
Great news, festival lovers. The time has come for the anticipated second artist announcement for the 2010 return of The Great Southern Blues Festival.
Wolf Mail measures amongst the top of a new generation of blues guitarists with his passion and mesmerising mixture of traditional blues and soul.
In his welcome return to Australia, British born and New Orleans bred, Jon Cleary: Piano, Bass & Drums, will bring his combination of masterful piano, soulful vocals, and a knack for composing infectious grooves with melodic hooks and sharp lyrics.
For close to a decade, singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and indie darling, Ben Kweller, has changed his musical course from 1960s pop and acoustic rock to alt-country and everything in between. Bringing his genre-bending wears to Batemans Bay, the 29 year old wunderkind is one not to be missed.
Australia has its own Legend of Rock'n'Roll in Lonnie Lee. He is one of the initial pioneers of Aussie popular music, and is without doubt, the last man standing, not just from his own era, but also those after him. He is still writing, producing and releasing songs, playing important and current venues, and receiving performance awards.
Roots festival stalwarts, Marshall & The Fro, are known for their powerful, pulsing roots/rock music, the soundtrack to the summer for many a carefree festival-goer. This is a group guaranteed to strongly appeal to fans who appreciate rock swagger and progressive roots.
Allow us to introduce The Pete Cornelius Band, setting the pace for many Aussie touring rhythm & blues bands. It's hard to label exactly what these boys are laying down. Some say its vintage R&B, west coast jump blues, tough Texan shuffles, hearty soul driven sparse ballads & up tempo rockabilly. Some just say its damn good.
Rich from 20 years of experiences garnered from performing all over the world, the Ray Beadle Band will be sure to take you on a ride from slinky, swinging tunes to bubbling Rhythm 'n Blues and crooning blues gospel.
All of these stellar acts and more to be announced will be joining the already amazing lineup of Todd Rundgren, Harry Manx, Cedric Burnside & Lightnin' Malcolm, Rick Estrin & The Nightcats, Dallas Frasca, Dave Hole, Kim Churchill & Blue Shaddy.
Early bird tickets are now on sale for a limited time so be quick! Be sure not to miss out on this wild weekend.
Go to the Ticket Info page for all ticketing and festival info.
21 June 2010
First Round of Artists and Ticketing Details Announced!
We are very pleased to be able to bring you the first exciting artist line up announcement as well as some very important ticketing information!
As with each of our previous years, 2010 will see our stages graced with some of the most extraordinary local and international talent - without further ado, here is our first round of artists to be announced!
Taking to the stage at the Great Southern Blues Festival will be a special performance entitled TODD RUNDGREN'S JOHNSON. This show features a collection of classic Robert Johnson songs interpreted and re-crafted by legendary American recording artist, producer (Meatloaf, New York Dolls) and songwriter Todd Rundgren. After impressing crowds as part of the 2010 Sydney Festival's Rogue's Gallery, Rundgren will be back on our shores to present his latest project at Batemans Bay.
Unique Canadian bluesman HARRY MANX returns to Australia with his signature east-meets-west blend of traditional American 12-bar blues and mystic Indian sounds. Playing lap-slide guitar, harmonica, cigar-box guitar, banjo, stomp box and 20-stringed Mohan Veena, Harry is set to amaze with his warm vocals and haunting songs.
CEDRIC BURNSIDE & LIGHNIN' MALCOLM come from a new generation of blues greats, playing with a relentless and highly rhythmically charged style featuring hip-hop and funk influences. Grandson of RL Burnside and son of Calvin Jackson, Cedric Burnside's incredible talent as a powerhouse drummer and strong vocalist are fitting for his legendary musical heritage. Lightnin' Malcolm, an in-demand session player with a telepathic sense of how to play archaic styles, has joined up with Burnside to create a duo who are bringing new life and energy to the blues.
Returning to Oz will be the charismatic and hugely talented RICK ESTRIN & THE NIGHTCATS. Rick, who ranks among the very best harmonica players in the world, will be joined by long time Nightcats members J Hansen, Lorenzo Farrell and fiery guitarist Kid Anderson to bring you a blues sound that is harmonica-driven, rocking, guitar-fueled rave-up.
Aussie dynamo DALLAS FRASCA will blow the crowd away with her exhilarating live show which cuts a blue line through rock, roots, blues, soul and pop. After playing numerous major festivals across Australia and in Europe over the past 5 years, Dallas will be hitting the Great Southern stage with a fire in her belly and a story or two to tell.
After nine releases and innumerable world tours, DAVE HOLE is now widely regarded as one of the all-time slide guitar greats, with accolades from around the globe and a growing worldwide fan base. With his furious energy and amazing 'over-the-top' style of playing, Dave will bring you a performance drenched in waves of fret-melting guitar riffs that infuse the spirit of blues and rock slide legends.
Guitarist and songwriter KIM CHURCHILL is truly a gifted soul. At just 19 years of age, his implausible talent and unique approach to music is something to be in awe of. Kim's style is explosive, with intricate finger picking, percussive beats on the body of his guitar, and two-handed tapping intertwined with an earthy stomp box, powerful blues harmonica melodies and a soulful voice. See this prodigy in action at Great Southern before he explodes onto the international scene.
Also performing at Great Southern Blues Festival 2010 is infectious country/roots group BLUE SHADDY. The band's performances, which can only be described as loud, feral and unpretentious, manifest an affinity between players that can only exist between musical kin. With front man Jim sitting centre stage sporting his signature smile, he is set to whip his gang into a musical frenzy for your enjoyment.
Now that we've given you a taste of what's to come in October, we're sure you're asking yourself how you can get a ticket! Well, following on from our past success with Early Bird tickets, we're doing it again for our loyal e-newsletter subscribers.
Please note that Early Bird tickets will only be for sale online via our website here at www.bluesfestival.tv and this special offer is being advertised to mailing list subscribers only.
Please click HERE for ticketing details.
12 May 2010
Welcome to the 15th Annual Great Southern Blues Festival!
As most of you will know by now, 2010 brings with it an exciting revitalisation of the formerly named Great Southern Blues & Rockabilly Festival - also affectionately known simply as 'Narooma Blues Festival'.
This year we move to the beautiful Batemans Bay and we are all excited about the possibilities that the event is presented with in its new location.
Of course, as in previous years, Neil, Rhonda and the team are working towards making this year the best yet and for those of you who love Blues 'n' Roots music, boy have we got a stellar line up in store for you!
The Great Southern Blues Festival is certainly not the biggest blues event in Australia but we have always delivered an exciting and extremely talented line up of international and local artists, which have continued to draw in the fans over the last 14 years.
Another reason for our success over the years has been the fact that we aren't trying to compete with other major festivals throughout the country. Our intimate, 3-stage site on the beautiful NSW South Coast, within easy walking distance from most accommodation, is in itself something unique and special.
Please check back to the website frequently to keep up with all the latest festival information and why not join the mailing list for exclusive offers and specials?
We value your feedback and encourage you to participate in our online survey throughout the year. Whether you have a comment about which artists you would like to see or would like to suggest an improvement to our facilities, all comments are most welcome.
Whether you are a regular Great Southern attendee or are contemplating coming to the festival at Mackay Park, Batemans Bay for the first time this year, we encourage you to book early to avoid disappointment. Sellouts on selected days have happened in the past and may well happen again.
Here at HQ, we look forward to catching up with all our friends and welcoming new folk to the Friendly Festival.
10 April 2010
Welcome to the 15th Annual Great Southern Blues Festival.
As many of you are already aware, the Great Southern Blues & Rockabilly Festival has embarked on a new and exciting chapter in 2010.
During the first 14 years of the event, it has grown significantly to become one of New South Wales' favourite music festivals. Whilst maintaining the high standard of artists, festive ambiance and local feel, 2010 sees the event move to a new home within the Eurobodalla region, Batemans Bay, on the NSW coast.
While Batemans Bay is the largest NSW coastal town south of Nowra, it has all the charm and country hospitality of a small town and it's location at the mouth of the Clyde River provides an abundance of unspoilt natural beauty. For more information about Batemans Bay please click on the links below.
We can also exclusively reveal that from 2010 onwards, the event will be known as The Great Southern Blues Festival which we believe maintains the well-loved atmosphere of the festival while representing the growth and development of the location change.
I would like to personally assure all of our loyal supporters that the Great Southern Blues Festival 2010 will be our most exciting event yet and Rhonda, our dedicated team and I will be working tirelessly throughout the year to ensure that in 2010 we continue to meet and exceed our audience's expectations.
The Great Southern Blues Festival will once again be staged across the October Labour Day long weekend - 1st, 2nd & 3rd October, 2010.
Please sign up to our email newsletter HERE and check back at this site for our first exciting announcement in [eg. early May] with your chance to be an integral part of the festival's history book and to win a great prize!
See you all real soon,
Neil Mumme
Links
- Visit NSW: www.visitnsw.com/area/Batemans_Bay_Eurobodalla_and_Surrounds.aspx
- Eurobodalla Tourism: www.eurobodalla.com.au/batemansbay.html
26 October 2009
THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT FOR THE GREAT SOUTHERN BLUES & ROCKABILLY FESTIVAL
The Great Southern Blues & Rockabilly Festival is one of New South Wales' favourite music festivals, and its growth over its first 14 years has been significant. Today, Festival Director Neil Mumme from Instep Management Group announced an exciting new chapter in the event's history.
Leading Australian promoter Michael Chugg and the team at Chugg Entertainment will come on board as partners in 2010, working with Neil Mumme to ensure the continued growth of this great event including movement to a new site, which will bring great potential for the expansion of the festival.
For the past 12 months, Neil and his team have been reviewing every aspect of the festival and exploring the best way forward for the event. Chugg Entertainment became a clear choice as a business partner due to their many years of touring international artists, and experience in producing some of Australia's greatest music festivals and special events.
Chugg Entertainment will work closely with Neil Mumme and the team of people who have worked tirelessly to build the festival, to ensure its ongoing viability and most of all, to ensure that this festival continues to meet, and exceed the expectations of it's many loyal fans.
The event will continue to be held on the October Labour Day weekend but will have a new home in Bateman's Bay from 2010.
Neil Mumme commented, "It has been a very tough decision to move to a new site. Whilst we have always valued the ongoing support of the Narooma community, after 14 years we had to make a commercial decision to secure the future of the event. We are thrilled to have Chuggi and his team onboard and their commitment to throw their weight behind the festival to take it to the next level.
"We have outgrown Narooma due to lack of accommodation and with the ever increasing number of patrons looking to attend the festival the decision to move to an area with more facilities is necessary. We want to keep it in the Eurobodalla, and therefore Batemans Bay was the natural solution," said Mumme.
Executive Chairman of Chugg Entertainment, Michael Chugg, said, "Neil has created a fantastic festival and we are thrilled to be working with him and his team to continue to build on the foundations of the event, and continue give the audience a great experience, that will always be our first priority. I am also excited to be working with the local Batemans Bay community to ensure great outcomes for the region."
Mr Mumme added, "I'd like to thank everyone in Narooma who have supported the event for so many years, and whilst I am sad to see it leave it's current home, I'm truly excited about the future of the festival. Stay tuned for some exciting announcements next year!"
Further announcements regarding the 2010 Great Southern Blues and Rockabilly Festival will be made in early 2010.
Media Contact for further information:
Neil Mumme - 0412 860 488
