AICM students in Tamworth
For the first time, the AICM was represented by real live people at the Tamworth Festival this year. Members from the Certificate III program and the adult classes made the trip down the New England, most for the first time. The photo above shows James Dean (guitar), Linc Phelps (vocals) and Cameron McPherson (guitar) on stage at the Coca Cola Battle of the Bands during their heat. Luke Gear (drums) Brodie Newsome (bass) and Hayley McMahon (vocals) are obscured.
Their band, The Institute, was successful in getting through to the finals in both the Coca Cola Battle of the Bands and the Jazzer Talent quest held at The Pub. They were not placed in either of the finals but everyone on the trip was excited for Linc Phelps who was awarded a $1500 scholarship to Camerata as a result of his onstage performance with The Institute. Camerata is held in Tamworth during the June/July school holidays and gives Linc and his mother the opportunity to stay in Tamworth for a week and for Linc to be tutored by some of the country music industry's top artists.
The trip to Tamworth by AICM Cert III students was made possible through the generous support of Gympie High Schools CMSOE and the teachers involved, Ron Junggeburt and Don Reid. Everyone enjoyed the time in Tamworth and the opportunities that were made available. We look forward to further combined presentations.
Have a look here for more photos of The Institute at Tamworth.
Claude, Karen and Meg in Tamworth
Tamworth is not just a place for the young 'uns. A number of the members of the AICM adult groups make a pilgrimage to the Festival. Claude McLachlan and his manager/wife Janice made their second trip down the highway. They had been to Tamworth once before but this time they knew enough about what happens during the festival go get in a lot more singing gigs. Claude sang at the Bush Balladeers, the Oasis Hotel, the Coca Cola Tent and was invited by Lefty Fahey to perform with him at the Cricket Ground. He also made it a mission to busk in Peel Street a couple of times.
"We reckoned it was really great" said Claude and Janice. "We'll go again and next time we will be even more organised so we'll be able to play at more venues". In preparation for next year, Claude and Janice have purchased a baby stroller which they will convert to a trolley on which to cart their gear around the streets of Tamworth. "The hardest part of this year's festival was carrying around the equipment. Sometimes we had to park the car half a mile away from Peel St" said Claude.
Karen Thompson made her first trip to Tamworth and it won't be her last. Karen performed at every walk-up stage she could find and was invited back to a number of them. She performed at the Coca Cola Tent, the Campsite Stages and on Des Morgan's Stage. She had some success with the Balladeers, having 2 scheduled appearances and being invited by Graham Butterworth to appear on the Friday night Schowcase.
According to Karen, "It was just great. The biggest thing for me was the fantastic spirit down there".
Meg Edwards also made her first trip to Tamworth in 09. Here's her story
Tamworth was a great experience - my first time to Tamworth during the festival and I vow to go back every year possible. I flew down on Tuesday night and went straight to the Tiara Awards (Independent Artists) where I had three friends nominated as finalists.
Late that night I caught up with a co-student who had been on the 'Jaws 2009' course the week before (Lee Kernaghan was also student at) run by Renee Grant-Williams, recognised as the top vocal coach in the world and co run by her Nashville colleagues Gary Talley (guitarist) and Karen Paparelli (songwriter) all from Nashville - they were also in Tamworth for the '09 Festival, Jayson and I caught the Rob Black gig on that night.
Wednesday morning found me doing line dancing with my Westpac work colleagues outside the branch, busking, attending an APRA songwriters workshop and then off to the Tamworth Songwriters Awards where friend Anita Ree took out a prize for best children's song.Thursday continued to pack things in with breakfast with the NZ crew over in Aus (organisers and others from the NZ Gold Guitar Awards), the Tamworth Songwriters circle and then joined Claude and Karen from Gympie for the camp concert where I did a few originals. Friday was a crazy good day.... first attempt at Karaoke and the compere was a bit nervous about my song choice before starting; Amazing Grace and I will always love you (Whitney Houston) but much to our delight Karen and I were both asked back to perform on the Saturday as guest artists.
That afternoon was with the Balladeers, then caught the end of Lee K's gig before (and get this - completely sober) singing on the table at 1am in the morning at the Garth Brooks tribute show then sat up chatting to the band until almost the Balladeers breakfast at 6am (met Marcus, an absolutely amazing violinist).
Without a doubt I was exhausted on getting back into Brisbane Saturday night to drive home, but what an amazing few days - completely worth it, the new friends, catching up with old and existing ones, the music, the atmosphere. An absolute must do at least once (because once you've been once will want to keep going back again and again) for anyone into country music.
Music industry training
Certificate III in music
The Certificate III program started yesterday (12/02/09) with over 20 students attending the first day. Students were excited to be in the first day's activities which included viewing photos and video of the experiences in Tamworth. For more info on the Cert III see the AICM website or email Debra.
Certificate IV in music
The AICM is planning to run a Certificate IV in Music to be delivered one night per week over a 2 year period. It is a great opportunity for adults and post secondary students to gain an industry qualification. For more info on the Cert IV see the AICM website or email Debra.
Gympie kids rock
The first session of the Gympie Kids Rock program will get under way on Wednesday 18th of February at 3.30pm. 15 students have signed up for the program.
More information about Gympie Kids Rock can be found at the AICM website.
Heart of Gold Preview
A report by Debra Powell, AICM Admin Officer
Last Wednesday night (11th February) I attended a preview screening for the Heart of Gold international film festival. Although I have lived in the area for a number of years, and had heard of the festival, I had never actually attended it. I was really impressed by the quality, diversity and the uplifting nature of the short films. It is a really professional festival with entries coming in from all over the world.
This year we will have one arm of the festival run at our building in Channon St. There will be two days of workshops on filmmaking, a half-day session on making music videos, and two days of programs of short films. It is a great opportunity to see some wonderful movies, and as an added bonus, you can get to see our new building (the old Lands Office) at 28 Channon St Gympie. The festival starts on March 25.
Nick makes it to the TRTT finals
Gympie singer/songwriter/musician and former Gympie High School CMSOE student Nick Aitken reaped the rewards of years of hard work by winning one of the heats of the Telstra Road to Tamworth. The win meant that Nick was one of 14 young people to compete for 8 spots in the Grand Final which was held in Tamworth. The final was held on Monday and the Grand Final was held at the Tamworth Regional Entertainment Centre (TREC) on Tuesday evening.
Nick didn't make it to the Grand Final but everyone from Gympie was excited that he had made it to the final. By getting to that point, Nick gained first hand experience in how the real live music industry works, particularly behind the scenes. For instance he had access to a stylist and a makeup artist each of whom spent up to an hour with the girls but only "10 seconds with the boys".
Another interesting experience was the photo shoot. All contestants had access to the photographer and the photo chosen of each contestant was the one that would be used if s/he won the competition.
Adam Harvey had a lot to do with the Telstra Road to Tamworth and Nick, along with the other contestants attended a lunch at which Adam spoke. Prior to the competition itself, the contestants were given a briefing on how the whole program would work. "It was interesting to see how all of the technology works. The recording of the program was computer controlled and we had to make sure we were in the right place at the right time so that when the computer finished doing its thing, we were ready to go. If we weren't there we missed out" said Nick.
Nick enjoyed the experience, especially meeting with the other contestants. The all got on well together, event to having a night on the town in Tamworth looking at other acts. Nick is keeping in touch with his fellow contestants and looks forward to meeting up with them again.
Click here to see a slide show of more photos of Nick in the Telstra Road to Tamworth.
Workshop with Charley Boyter
Wednesday 25th February- $15 per person – contact Meg Edwards on 0402 641 488 or email
Charley Boyter the “Penrith Picker” has been entertaining audiences for 40 years. Originally from Windsor NSW, Charley was removed from his family as a youngster along with his brother and sisters.
As time moved on he has travelled Australia with his wife Sandra and children Allan and Sharon.
Charley began playing around with a guitar at the age of fifteen and so began a page in his life that had him playing lead guitar for Slim Dusty 13 years later.
He joined the Travellin' Country Band in 1977 and has toured most of Australia, New Guinea and the Solomon Islands
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Charley's unique acoustic guitar sound can be heard on some Aussie Classics such as Walk a Country Mile, Country Revival, Duncan and Leave him in the Longyard.
Charley has recorded on so many of Slim's albums Slim once remarked “Charley has played on more of my albums than any other guitarist”.
He has recorded albums with many other great artists such as Glenn Jones, Smoky Dawson, Lindsay Butler and Barry Thornton, Lee Kernaghan and many more.
Charley has released his first full instrumental album on the Kross Kut Records label.