subject: A Glimpse Of Australian Country Music [print this page] Australian country music has a surprisingly lengthy deep rooted tradition. And people mainly think of South America when they think country music traditionally. Or at minimum, they just think of America. But there is some very good sounding singers coming from Australia and they're really worth getting to know, as they're making quite an impression in America, UK, Canada and Germany.
Of the first in Australia, Olivia Newton-John probably was one of the first associated with country music. She had quite a few big hits in the 70's and also, was quite famous in the movie scene, recording Grease where she co-starred with John Travolta, which didn't have one iota of counry music in it. To find her real country music, you need to dig deep, and search elsewhere to find it. For example, John Denver wrote a song "Take Me Home, Country Roads".
The most successful Australian country music export has been Keith Urban and he could very well be Australia's claim to country music fame. Following in his footsteps, born and bred Adam Brand, has also started to carve a very nice US career. Both have won virtually every award Australian country music can offer them.
Kasey Chambers is also an excellent singer/songwriter. She has had great success in her home country, but has not caught on as much in other countries. However, she is a very emotional and powerful performer, and deserves much more success. She's the daughter of steel guitar player, Bill Chambers, and brother to producer Nash Chambers.
Australia also has it's fair share of amazing country music festivals. The main one being Tamworth Country Music Festival, and there's also the "Bundy Bash" in Bundaberg Queensland, which is very famous for supporting indie Australian country music artists.
The Gympie Muster festival began near Gympie, Queensland in 1982. This non-profit community-based gathering raises money for charitable causes. It brings in about 25,000 concert goers each year. It also features talent ranging from mainstream performers, to alternative country.
Lastly, there is the Mildura Country Music Festival, which spotlights the Australian Independent Country Music Awards annually each October.
All the famous songs about truckers, bush life, and outlaws, there's a lot in common with US country music. But there's a lot of Australian country music songs influenced by Celtic and English folk music also. This was derived from American country music, but is still varied enough to be quite unique in it's sound.
Nobody will ever confuse country music with world music, but it would be wrong to suggest that the style is not truly international these days. Country music is popular in Australia, and just about every place else.
