YEAH RIGHT

Harley Smith

THE FLOOD

Felicity Urquhart

A HEAVENLY BODY

Travis Sinclair

WIVES DON'T LIKE OLD GIRLFRIENDS

Camille te Nahu & Stuie French

HIGHER GROUND

Tania Kernaghan

LISTEN TO THE WORDS

Luke O'Shea & Medicine Wheel

MY LIFE

Felicity Urquhart

CHANGES

Karen Lynne

THE HAT

Michael O'Rourke

WOULD CLANCY BE WELCOME

Dean Perrett

I DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT RAIN

Tracy Coster

HIGHER GROUND

Tania Kernaghan

ALEX WATT

Window Down

CRAIG STEWART

From A Country Town

LEE FORSTER

The Way He ROlls His Swag

JASON RYAN

Long Summer's Day

KIRSTY LEE AKERS

Bashed Up, Beaten, Battered, Broken Heart

VICTORIA BAILLIE

Lord Don't take Me Yet

AMBER LAWRENCE

I've Got The Blues

REBECCA LEE NYE

Gotta Say Goodbye

PAUL COSTA

It's Good To Be me

MICHAEL O'ROURKE

The Hat

TRAVIS SINCLAIR

A Heavenly Body

JAMES BLUNDELL

Greylands

KAREN LYNNE

The Circle Is Small

FELICITY URQUHART

The Flood

TANIA KERNAGHAN

Harley McTaggert

HARLEY SMITH

Yeah Right

LUKE O'SHEA &: MEDICINE WHEEL

Listen To The Words

CARTER & CARTER

Ride

JONAH'S ROAD

Why Does She Love Me

CAMILLE TE NAHU & STUIE FRENCH

Wives Don't Like Old Girlfriends

Kirsty Lee Akers

She’s not much taller than her guitar, but when Kirsty hits the stage she delivers a performance that has everyone’s foot tapping, and wanting more. Add a winning smile to that image, and that’s a lot of fun! Since the recent release of her very popular radio single, Bashed Up, Beaten, Battered, Broken Heart she’s busy performing to follow up on airplay demand for personal appearance performances, and has a jam-packed 2006. She mesmerises audiences with her original and cover songs. A "natural" singer from a musical family, she started singing and winning awards at the tender age of three!
Kirsty Lee is a finalist in Independent Rising Star Female.

Victoria is a vibrant young performer, who captures an audience’s attention with her talent and unique style. Her musical achievements and highlights have seen her travelling throughout Australia. She began singing at the age of 3 and has continued performing regularly ever since. 2005 was a big year for Victoria, she graduated from the Australian College of Country Music, supported Lee Kernaghan and toured with Adam Harvey. With extensive experience as a performer, her individual stagecraft stems from a solid background in dance and theatre. Victoria’s live performances are a true indication of her dynamic ability and natural presence. Victoria has released her self-titled debut EP, including the songs Lord Don’t Take Me Yet and Something Comin’ On. Accomplishing so much in her short journey through country music to date, Victoria is destined to continually grow and develop into one of this country's most talented artists.
Victoria is a finalist in Independent Rising Star Female.

Victoria Baillie

James Blundell

One of Australian country music’s true success stories, JAMES BLUNDELL has been the recipient of 9 Golden Guitar awards and is a four-time ARIA (Australian Record Industry Association) Award nominee. During his 15 year career, James has earned himself a reputation as a master story teller with his ability to weaves tales of contemporary Australian life and traditional values into a style that appeal to the heartland of this wide brown land. James’ new album Deluge sees the platinum-selling performer widening his repertoire with a sound guaranteed to appeal to country and rock fans alike.
James is a finalist in Independent Male Vocalist of the Year.

Golden Guitar Winners Carter & Carter have created history as independent artists with their multi-award winning albums and chart topping hits. They received honours in 2004 with the APRA Most Performed Country Work. Carter & Carter have been voted CMAA Independent Entertainers of the Year and Australian Independent Country Music Artists of the Year at the Telstra Country Wide Southern Stars Australian Independent Awards three years running, plus numerous other awards for Single of the Year, Album of the Year and more. They have released 10 singles all of them making the National Top 10, including six #1's, and three albums to date, Dance Away The Night, Every Minute, and the latest release Acoustic Gospel. Their new single Ride, a taste of the forthcoming album due for release in Tamworth in January 2007, looks set to follow suit.
Carter & Carter are finalists in Independent Group/Duo of the Year.

Carter & Carter

Paul Costa

One of the hottest new acts on the scene — Paul has a rich and powerful voice with a fresh and exciting sound. Hailing from Robinvale near Mildura, Paul is well known from his band The Costa Bros and has now branched out on a solo career. In January he released his debut solo album in Walkin’ In These Shoes, produced by Rod McCormack, to excellent reviews, and it already has produced two Top 10 hits - I Think I Like It and House Of Mirrors. Paul has co-written with Rod McCormack, Adam Harvey & Gina Jeffreys. He has featured on television shows such as CMC and A Little Bit Of Country. It’s Good To Be Me, his new album, again recorded with award winning producer Rod McCormack, will be hot off the press at the 2006 Mildura festival.
Paul is a finalist in Independent Male Vocalist of the Year.

Tracy Coster possesses a warmth and distinctive quality shaped by the endless road, and as a songwriter, she displays unique qualities. Tracy's music is a rare product born of experience, and puts her firmly and uniquely on course at the head of the new wave of our bush balladeers. Tracy is flying high following the whirlwind of success from her last album Coster Country. Her string of awards have included Heritage Song Of The Year at the Australian Independent Country Music Awards; then she scored a Golden Guitar for Vocal Collaboration of the Year with Anne Kirkpatrick for Back To The Saltbush Plains. Tracy off won Comedy song and Album of the year at the Bungendore Bush Ballad Awards, and capped it off with a win in the Album of the Year at the 2006 Independent Country Music Awards. Her latest single I Don't Want To Talk About Rain was released during the 2006 Tamworth Festival, and gave Tracy yet another chart hit.
Tracy is a finalist in Independent Heritage Track of the Year - Traditional.

Tracy Coster

Lee Forster

Singer/songwriter Lee Forster grew up in a country music family — both his parents play country music and were once a part of Slim Dusty’s Travelling Country band in the 70s. Lee was a graduate of the of the Country Music College in 2001, toured with the Brian Young Show 2002 and is a 2003 Toyota Star Maker grand finalist. He recently released a single Kimberley Gold which gained him strong radio airplay. Now based back in Victoria, he is currently working towards his debut album.
Lee is a finalist in Independent Rising Star Male.

Popular Sydney outfit JONAH’S ROAD is going from strength to strength this year with their harmony-driven, country-pop sound for which the band is fast becoming known. They’ve collected a number of awards as well as two Golden Guitar nominations for Best New Talent and Best Group. The widely acclaimed album Hold On has produced four hit radio singles with excellent response from radio, including the Top 3 radio chart single Missing You.
Jonah's Road are finalists in Independent Group/Duo of the Year.

Jonah's Road

Tania Kernaghan

Following the chart success of her comeback single That’s What I’m Here For, multiple Golden Guitar winner TANIA KERNAGHAN is back after a four-year hiatus, with a brand new independent album Higher Ground. With its universal musical appeal, it's testament to the fact that Australian country music is evolving – and getting cooler every day. Like her award-winning December Moon, the new album has a huge input from songwriter sister Fiona Kernaghan (who wrote or co-wrote all the songs); and Tania is still the authentic female voice of Australian Country Music.
Tania is a finalist in One Stop Independent Album of the Year, Independent Heritage Track of the Year - Traditional & Independent Female Vocalist of the Year.

Amber is fast becoming recognised as one of country music’s outstanding new talents, with a real strength as a performer. Amber has had an amazing start to her country music career with a 2005 Star Maker Grand Final berth culminating in a TIARA nomination for the Michael Cowdroy Memorial Songwriting Award. Following the release of her EP, I’ve Got The Blues, she has had two highly successful radio singles – the title track and the recent The Lonely Road which also saw her accompanying film clip receiving high rotation on CMC.
Amber is a finalist in Independent Female Rising Star

Amber Lawrence

Karen Lynne

It’s been a ground-breaking year for KAREN LYNNE with the release of her superb Changes album. Impeccably produced by ROD McCORMACK and HERM KOVAC, the album features the trademark crystalline vocals from Karen, amazing musicianship and a wonderful song selection ranging from traditional bluegrass offerings to more contemporary ballads creating a blend that is beautifully balanced. The first single The Circle Is Small was also a ground-breaker, rising to #2 on the Country Tracks Top 30 Chart – a singular achievement for a bluegrass song, and the latest single We Should Only Have Time For Love was released to radio in August. Karen has also been named a Grand Finalist for the 2006 Golden Saddle Awards, and rest assured, the accolades for this year are far from over.
Karen is a finalist in One Stop Entertainment Independent Album of the Year and Independent Female Vocalist of the Year.

Rebecca is one of the most exciting young talents to emerge on the country music scene in recent years, and had outstanding success in 2004 winning the Victorian Female Champion of ChampionS. Tamworth's 2005 festival saw Rebecca become a grand finalist in the prestigious Telstra Road to Tamworth. She also released her debut EP I Started Living, and her debut single It’s A Heartache became a top 20 chart hit. Rebecca's live shows make her in demand for festivals and events all over Australia.
Rebecca is a finalist in Independent Rising Star Female.

Rebecca Lee Nye

Michael O'Rourke

Brisbane singer/songwriter MICHAEL O’ROURKE is back following the great success of his debut award winning album Mining Dust Burning Sun with his new release Till Forever Is Gone. In typical O’Rourke style the songs and production (once again joining with Producer James Roche) are of the highest standard. The songs depict what has become important in his life over the last 5 years. Family, love, life and the environment are all close to Michael’s heart as his writing clearly shows. The songs are honest, emotional and thought provoking, showing a real depth to Michael’s writing both lyrically and musically, and he has enjoyed excellent reaction to the first two singles, the title track and the award winning The Hat.
Michael is a finalist in Independent Heritage Track of the Year & Independent Male Vocalist of the Year.

LUKE O’SHEA and the members of MEDICINE WHEEL ~ Phil Doublet, Steve Kelly and David Sleishman – have gained a "must see" reputation at Festivals throughout Australia with their constant touring, exciting live shows and well crafted songs. Their debut album No Day Like Today saw them as Finalists in the 2003 Golden Guitars and MO Awards. In 2005 their single Wild Colonial Boys, made the Golden Guitars Judges Top 10, and they were Finalists in the 2005 Music Oz and 2006 TIARA Awards. Their last single, Listen to the Words, the title track to their latest album, has been described as "The ultimate tribute to country music" (Sue Jarvis, Capital News) and received high rotation across Australia and abroad. Their new single Making Memories is following suit.
Luke O'Shea & Medicine Wheel are finalists in One Stop Entertainment Independent Album of the Year and Independent Group/Duo of the Year.

Luke O'Shea & Medicine Wheel

Dean Perrett

Multi award winning singer/songwriter Dean Perrett knows the bush and writes bush ballad songs from his heart. Dean has to his credit three Bush Ballad Album of the Year Awards and four TSA Songwriting Awards including Country Song Of The Year in 2005. Dean’s albums and touring have earned him a position as one of the leading traditional artists in this country. Dean has recorded seven albums to date, including the most recent release New Traditions, produced by Stuie French and hailed as a ground breaking release for Dean. His first radio single Would Clancy Be Welcome? has attracted excellent national airplay.
Dean is a finalist in the Independent Heritage Track of the Year - Traditional.

Toowoomba singer/songwriter Jason Ryan recently released his debut album Long Summer’s Day. Produced by three-time Golden Guitar winner MICHAEL FIX, this album showcases Jason’s versatility as a singer/songwriter. Jason has written all twelve tracks on the album, and the album showcases Jason’s diversity, touching on many different musical styles throughout the tracks from blue grass, blues, modern country and even a little western swing. He has released two successful radio singles, My History and Live On An Island. With numerous shows and festival appearances around the country, Jason is now gaining the attention of many in the country music industry with a style that is very much his own.
Jason is a finalist in Capital News Independent Male Rising Star.

Jason Ryan

Travis Sinclair

It’s been an amazing journey for TRAVIS SINCLAIR since the release of his debut album Rhythm of The Highway. A Golden guitar, nine consecutive Top 10 chart singles including the most recent, Rush cracking the #1 spot, and his new album Rush selling up a storm have pushed Travis to the top. The combination of Travis and his producer and often songwriting partner GARTH PORTER has proved extraordinarily successful, and this year has plenty of surprises still in store for the talented Victorian.
Travis is a finalist in APRA/AMCOS Independent Single of the Year & Independent Male Vocalist of the Year.

A clever blend of roots, country and rock, Lismore (NSW) singer/songwriter HARLEY SMITH has emerged from raw beginnings to one of our finest new artists. In late 2002, her debut independent EP Rock On earned her wide praise and extensive playlist additions on commercial radio in both regional and metropolitan areas. In 2005 her single Yeah Right was a Top 5 chart hit, and the subsequent single In The Dark also attracted strong radio airplay. Both songs were produced by multi-awarding winning GARTH PORTER.
Harley is a finalist in APRA/AMCOS Independent Single of the Year & Independent Female Vocalist of the Year

Harley Smith

Craig Stewart

Port Macquarie singer/songwriter CRAIG STEWART has made a big impression in the last two years, his accolades including Grand Finalist (twice) in Toyota Star Maker and the Gympie Muster Talent Search. In Capital News, Deborah Minter stated "His rich mellow vocals are remarkably mesmerising and is one of the most listenable singers to emerge since the turn of the century. His new CD The Spirit Of Australia is an accomplished showcase of his talents. His songwriting abilities are equally superb, without resorting to clichés he takes us to the things that matter. Thirteen high quality tracks leave you wanting to hear more and more of this great performer."
Craig is a finalist in Independent Male Rising Star.

The duo album Not Without You from Camille Te Nahu and Stuie French, was one of the outstanding country releases last year. Highlighted by a great bunch of songs, Camille’s superb vocals and the brilliant musicianship and production talents of Stuie, the new album is full of surprises with a mixture of excellent originals and some memorable classics, with their latest single Wives Don't Like Old Girlfriends rising to number one on the national Country Tracks Top 30 Chart. The album has reaped plenty of awards and accolades for the pair, including 3 TIARA Awards and 2 Golden Guitar nominations in January, and Independent Artists Album Of The Year Award at the 2005 Tasmania & New Zealand Songwriting Awards.
Camille & Stuie are finalists in APRA/AMCOS Independent Single of the Year & Independent Group/Duo of the Year

Camille Te Nahu & Stuie French

Felicity Urquhart

2006 started with a bang for FELICITY URQUHART at the Tamworth CM Festival, with her new album My Life being launched to thousands of fans in the main street, a sell-out concert, a finalist in Female Vocalist of the Year at the CMAA Awards for her Top 5 hit The Flood, and invited to join friend RUSSELL CROWE and his band to perform a duet at the Golden Guitars. The second single My Life was also a Top chart hit.
Felicity is a finalist in APRA/AMCOS Independent Single of the Year, One Stop Entertainment Independent Album of the Year & Independent Female Vocalist of the Year

Singer/songwriter Alex Watt has been getting plenty of attention with his debut album Window Down. Produced in association with Roger Corbett, the album features 12 tracks including 7 offerings written by Alex. The first single and title track reached #25 on the Country Tracks Top 30 national airplay chart, and the follow-up Daddy’s Boots also attracted strong radio attention. Born and raised on the land in the tiny W.A wheat belt town of Koorda, Alex has always had his heart and soul in the soil. Moving to and now residing in Tamworth, Alex is following his dream, and his soulful music is appealing to city and country folk alike.
Alex is a finalist in Capital News Independent Male Rising Star

Alex Watt

2006
FINALISTS

PREVIOUS
WINNERS

AWARDS
MEDIA RELEASE

PREVIOUS INDEPENDENT
ARTIST'S OF THE YEAR