Rug Up And Hoe Down
Sun Herald
Sunday May 28, 2000
Country music fans have another reason to visit Tamworth, writes Susan Jarvis.
REGULARS at the Tamworth Country Music Festival know the blistering January heat, summer downpours and a constant search for shade. They often wonder what Tamworth's like in winter.
Now festival organisers are giving them the chance to find out. A new Tamworth festival the Hats Off To Country Festival will be held on the June long weekend.
``We wanted to provide another reason for Tamworth to be seen as Australia's country music capital," Country Music Association of Australia CEO Meryl Gross said, ``particularly following the construction of the Tamworth Regional Entertainment Centre, where the awards are held each year.
``This will be a different kind of festival, with a focus on the quality available in Australian country music rather than an emphasis on free street entertainment, as happens in January."
The focus of the three-day festival will be a huge tribute concert to king of country Slim Dusty, who is due to launch his 100th album in July.
The Hats Off To Slim concert will be held at the regional entertainment centre on Saturday, June 10, and will feature many of the artists associated with Dusty either on his recordings or his tours over the years.
Some of the big names performing Slim Dusty songs will include Troy Cassar-Daley, James Blundell, Colin Buchanan, Beccy Cole, Ted Egan, The Bushwackers and long-time Slim guitarist Barry Thornton.
Dusty's family will be out in force to help celebrate, with the McKean Sisters, Anne Kirkpatrick and Slim's son, David Kirkpatrick, all taking part.
And, of course, Dusty will perform.
The Flying Emus are reuniting to take part in the Bluegrass 2000 afternoon concert on June 11. Also getting back together for the event are the Three Chord Wonders, who will be joined by Anne Kirkpatrick and other guests.
Sunday morning will see a return to the Town Hall of the highly successful FanFest, a sellout twice over in January. On Sunday night, another swag of stars will roll up for the CMAA Country Hoedown.
Mr Hoedown, John Minson, has been lured out of retirement to compere the show.
Plenty of other entertainment is being planned for the thousands of fans expected to flock to the city for the new festival.
* Tickets to all shows are on sale through the Tamworth Information Centre, phone 02 6755 4305. Further information is available on the CMAA website at www.countrymusic.asn.au/hatsoff.html. Accommodation can be booked direct or through Harvey World Travel, which is offering festival packages.
© 2000 Sun Herald
