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WHICH former Gunnedah singer-songwriter is in Nashville right now writing her heart out in preparation for a new album?

The gorgeous Katrina Burgoyne, who didn’t snare the bachelor, isn’t too concerned about that outcome.

She’s getting to co-write with some of the best song scribes in the business in Music City USA. 

Can’t wait to hear the results of her labours – it should be a little beauty.

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SAD news from the land of the rising sun: The Japanese Cowboy, Matasanka (better known as Hank) Sasaki, has passed away at the age of 77.

He was a regular visitor Down Under in the early 2000s, and became one of the must-see acts at the Tamworth Country Music Festival.

Always a great ambassador for traditional country music, Hank picked up his western moniker due to his penchant for singing the songs of Hank Williams.

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HERE’S a date for your diary: On Friday, September 25, the Nundle Supper Club cranks into action at the Nundle Memorial Hall.

The absolutely divine Sarah Carroll, aka the Ukulele Queen from Bellarine, is the featured act, so this will sell out quickly. Sarah’s musical style crosses all the boundaries so deliciously, I’m not quite sure how to categorise her.

In each performance there’s a touch of roots, a dash of country, a pinch of rock’n’roll and a little gospel, stirred but not shaken with equal measures of bluegrass, swing and calypso.

For ticket inquiries, phone Toni Swain quickly on 0412 630 457. Don’t worry. You’ll thank me later.

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WHICH pocket rocket from Werris Creek is about to enter the recording studio to make a new album? You guessed it – it’s Marie Hodson, who’s breaking with tradition and walking through Stuie French’s Swingin’ Doors in Sydney rather than flying to Nashville to utilise the talents of Jason Roller, who’s produced her last two albums.

According to Marie, “there’s no one else in Australia that would give me what I love in my style of country music than Stuie French”.

With session players like my Mauritian cousin, pedal steel supremo Michel Rose, and drummer extraordinaire Brad Bergen, along with the dulcet tones of Camille Te Nahu, Chances Are it’s going to be a cracker. 

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DON’T forget to get along on Sunday afternoon to support two wonderful people, John and Elva Grills, who’ve given so much to Tamworth over the years.

A fundraising concert is being held at the Family Hotel to assist with travel and medical expenses incurred since Elva’s ankle operation earlier this year.

Elva has been laid up in Manilla MPS since her surgery and has a long road ahead before she’s back on her feet again.

If you asked John Grills, he probably couldn’t tell you how many benefit concerts he’s performed at during his lengthy career in music. I figure it’s a case of karma – what goes around comes around – and if anyone deserves a hand, it’s this lovely couple. The concert starts at 2pm and there will be raffles and country music by the truckload. 

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NOW for the big one: Aspiring bands from across the country are being offered a “passport to Airlie” – the chance to play at what’s rapidly becoming one of Australia’s biggest music festivals.

A series of band battles will take place at selected locations, from Cairns to Newcastle, offering original musicians the chance to win a gig at the Airlie Beach Festival of Music in November.

During each battle, bands must perform a half-hour set with three original songs. Judges will then decide a winner from each venue, with the prize including four nights’ accommodation in Airlie Beach, VIP tickets to the festival and $1000 cash.

Entrants can perform any genre of music except heavy metal and must be over 18 years of age. Applications can be made online at www.airliebeachfestivalofmusic.com.au

Regional winners will battle it out in the finals over the festival weekend at Magnums in Airlie Beach.

Last year Natural Culture narrowly beat Bad Luck Kitty, formerly known as Adam and the Talent, a Newcastle band.

The winning band will be announced on the Sunday evening of the Airlie Beach Festival of Music and will be invited back to play the following year, with a further $1000 cash, VIP tickets and accommodation provided.

Festival promoter Gavin Butlin said the competition offered up-and-coming bands a great kickstart to their careers.

“The Passport to Airlie gives young musicians an opportunity to play at a festival in front of larger crowds and really get some recognition,” Gavin said.

“They gain the invaluable experience of seeing many of the national and international professional bands perform over three days, and get to network with them and pick up some ideas and tips along the way.”

Gavin said judges at the battle heats would be influenced by the crowd reaction, as well as how impressive the band performed on the night.

“The Wickham Park Hotel in Newcastle has so many local bands wanting to enter, they are running heats every Thursday night, from August 6 through to September 3, with the finals on September 10,” he said.

The Airlie Beach Festival of Music runs from Thursday, November 5, to Sunday, November 8.

There are three concerts in the main marquee on the edge of the Coral Sea at the Whitsunday Sailing Club, with 74 bands performing at a range of venues throughout Airlie Beach, Cannonvale and the Abell Point Marina. More than 200 musicians and headline acts will feature at this year’s event, including legendary ’70s UK rock band 10CC, American diva Toni Childs, Scottish singer-songwriter Sandi Thom and leading Aussie acts Richard Clapton, Wendy Matthews, The Black Sorrows, Angry Anderson with the James Southwell Band, Bondi Cigars, the Phil Emmanuel Band, Mason Rack Band, House of Shem, and Tamworth’s own Wanita and the Honky Tonk Bar Dwellers.

A three-day pass is just $245 and can be purchased at www.mackayecc.com.au and www.bigtix.com.au 

Visit the website, www.airliebeachfestivalofmusic.com.au