TSA NATIONAL
COUNTRY SONGWRITING CONTEST RESULTS
2010 TSA/CAPITAL NEWS NEW SONGWRITER AWARD FINALISTS
The Seed – Kaylee Bell & Lance
Coassin
Memories Of Tent Hill – Rachel A
Jillett & Evan Jillett
Happy Birthday To Me – Lauren Lee
Williams
A Memory – Lynda Barnes & Jason Lee
The Old Man’s Money – Kathleen Coleman
2010 TSA SONGWRITER’S SALUTE AWARDS FINALISTS
TRADITIONAL BUSH BALLAD OF THE YEAR
An Old Time Drover – Rod Williams
The Battered Billy Tin – Ben Jacobs,
Shaza Leigh (music)
The Cooper Coming Down – Graham Rodger
Mr Jack – Tony McKenna
Kidman Jillaroos – Lex K
CONTEMPORY SONG OF THE YEAR
Billy Ringer – Tony McKenna
Behind Bars – Allan Caswell
Sweet Maree – Brendan Radford
Who Gets The Friends – Allan Caswell
& Marian Caswell
His Wooden Friend – Graham Rodger
All I Ever Wanted – Damian Howard
COUNTRY BALLAD OF THE YEAR
Don’t’ Let Them Murder Tamworth – Reg Poole, Keith Jamieson
Angels Without Halos – Graman Rodger
Spirit Of The Land – Tony McKenna &
Leanne Hall
The Maree Line – Ted Egan
Your Fathers Son – Ben Jacobs
COMEDY/NOVELTY SONG OF THE YEAR
Cat Yella – Lana Ross
Queensland Opera – Ted Egan
Ripped Off – Lex K
Uncle Bill’s Legacy – Graham Rodger
& Don Ireland
Grandma Rides A Harley – Debbie
Lehmann, Olive Bice (music)
CHILDREN’S SONG OF THE YEAR
The Fish Song – Jeff Aschmann
The Laughing Game – Ted Egan
Tortoise In The Dam – Alita Fahey &
Shardyn
I Want To Talk To Santa – Debbie
Lehmann, Olive Bice (music)
A Simple Song – Alita Fahey &
Makirum
GOSPEL SONG OF THE YEAR
Calling You Home – Lana Ross
I’m Only Human – Allan Caswell & Al
Craig & Matt Scullion
Our Angels – Debbie Lehmann, Olive Bice
(music)
Tuppence Ha’Penny – Graham Rodger
A Beautiful Place – Johnny Greenwood
AMATEUR – TRADITIONAL SEMI FINALISTS
The Drover’s Dog – Robert Cooper
Hear That Music – Lisa Scelzi
The Cattle Sale
– Robert Cooper
Little Aussie Characters – Jan Keogh
Proud To Be Called An Australian – Ron Robinson
AMATEUR – CONTEMPORARY SEMI FINALISTS
Born To The Land – Lisa Scelzi
In The Middle In The Ute – Ian Hughes
The Windward Side – Craig Battams
You’r My Man – Rachel Summerell
18 Wheel Girlfriend – Wayne Higgins
She Wonders – Craig Preston
One Of The Lucky Ones – Rachel Summerell
PROFESSIONAL – TRADITIONAL SEMI FINALISTS
Smokey – Maurie Marion & Warren Kearney
The Silent Deep Lagoon – Graham Rodger
Livin In Oz – Doug Hendry
Standing In The Rain – Maurie Marion & Warren
Kearney
Crosses At The Gate – Magdalena
Macdonald
An Affair Of The Heart – Graham Rodger
I Build Roads – Chris Mustica
PROFESSIONAL – CONTEMPORARY SEMI FINALISTS
Messing Around – Mark Fitzsummons
Country Hospitality – Jan Bentley
Our Angel – Amelia Richards
Only In Dreams – Ben McCauley
Breathe – Deb Beckett
Just Passing Through – Jan Bentley
Dreamland – Danny Hooper
Liberty Road – Robyn
Payne
Loves Highway – Mark Lucas
Too Many Beers – Bobby Valentine
Imaginary Girl – Grant Morris
Until She’s Mine – Mark Lucas
Flying – Deb Beckett
Mexican Ladies – Neil Andrews
Deliver The Thrill – Billy Bridge
Initials In A Gum Tree – Mark Willis
When The Rooster Crows – Lola Brinton & Allan
Caswell & W Sedunary
JUNIOR – FINALISTS
Take 2 – Sonyta Trahar
Billy’s Ride – Margie May Hockey
Good Luck With That! Romany Elmas
It’s Time To Be A Friend – Margie May Hockey
LYRICS ONLY – FINALISTS
The Brick – John Toomey
Dreamtime Fantasy – Ellis Campbell
Hey Banjo! – Merv Webster
A Valid Ballad – James Westwood
Things Worth Knowing – Alec Raymer
Distributed Rhonda Sinclair | blurb creative solutions 2010

WINNER | 2010 TSA/AVIS NEW SONGWRITER AWARD
JUST ADD WATER – VAUGHAN BAKER & BEC HANCE
Lyrist Vaughn Baker teamed with Bec Hance who arranged the music
to produce Just Add Water. Reflective of the TSA motto, ‘First
theSong’, Vaughn’s writing is right on the mark. Bec is also a serious
contender in this category in her own right, andin the comedy|novelty
section, with another of her songs ‘You’ll Find A Bloke’. She is one of
the new generation of Australian singer/songwriters - along with the
likes of Sara Storer and Amos Morris who feel a real affinity with the
land, and aren’t afraid to express it.
PRESENTATION | LIFE MEMBERSHIP JOHN TOOMEY
Presented by Vicki WalshTSA President
From Dubbo in NSW, committee Member John P Toomey’s long
association with TSA goes back many years.. At one stage he held
membership no 49. A songwriter John Toomey has written a number of well
remembered tracks, one in particular Inside A Woman’s Handbag, recorded
by Terry Gordon, was released on the very first TSA Country Song Search
Winners Album in 1998, and again on the 30th Anniversary
Limited Edition launched in 2008. More recently, ‘The Bushman’s Reward’
‘The Legend of the Outback’, ‘’I Went Fishing Instead’, ‘The Old Bush
Sawmill’ and ‘Ode to Stan Coster’ were released on a number of
Australian Bush Ballads Assoc - The Balladeers Series 2000-2009
releases.
MAJOR AWARD OF THE EVENING | 2010 TSA SONGMAKER AWARD
JIM WESLEY A post humous award presented to family
Finalists:
COLIN BUCHANAN, GEORGE DASEY, JIM WESLEY, REG POOLE and TONY BROOKS
The nomination process for this award takes place in October each
year, with an outcome determined by mid November. AllTSA members are
asked to participate in an election process, with the award going to the
nominee who receives the most votes.
This year’s thirty-first recipient is songwriter Jim Wesley.
Sadly Jim passed away only a few weeks ago on New Year’s Eve. This award
is presented post humously with a great deal of sadness and respect, to
Jim’s wife Dorothy and family. A lyric writer and poet, Jim had his
first lyrics recorded in 1961. His famous “White Crosses in the Jungle”
was recorded by many Australian artists, while his best known song,
“Maker of Raindrops and Roses” was recorded in both Australia and the
USA,giving Jim international recognition.
At the age of 19, he published a book of poems titled My
Australian Paradise. His song writing career spanned over 40 yearswith
his first lyrics recorded in 1961. Mainly a lyric writer, Jim worked
with many artists who added their own melodies, with the exception of
about 5 songs.
Through the years many artists have recorded Jim’s work including
Slim Dusty, Buddy Williams, Rick & Thel Carrey, Arthur Blanch,
Brian Letton, Reg Poole, Barry Thorton, Anne Kirkpatrick, and an
international cover by USA artist Margie Rayburn. One of the first
songs - a story about alocal sighting in the New England area of NSW,was
‘The Panther’ a single recorded by Buddy Williams on RCA in 1961. Jim
seemed to have a good feel for these story songs, later writing ‘The
Stairs That Namatjira Climbed’ and ‘When I Went Back to Sulva Bay’
recorded in 1965 by Rick and Thel Carey. ‘Namatjira’ was recorded by
SlimDusty, Barry Thornton and others. ‘WhatThe Man Said’ and ‘Ten
Golden Rules’ were two great gospel songs also recorded by Slim Dusty,
Evelyn Bury and other recording artists.
More recently, in 2000 Brian Letton recorded two songs from Jim’s
pen – ‘Two Hundred Flags’ and ‘No Medals forMary’. Jim Wesley’s plaque
will be added to the other 30 Songmaker plaques,which can be found
displayed all year round on the lawn of the Tamworth Information centre,
here in Country Music Capital.
MAJOR AWARD OF THE EVENING | 2010 TSA TEX MORTON AWARD
HEATHER McKEAN
Presented by Dianne Lindsay on behalf of TSA foundation member Reg Lindsay
TSA acknowledges the support Australia’scountry songwriters receive
from all sections of the industry – and each year presents a special
award to someone in the industry who has given support and encouragement
to the songwriting community. The award is named in honour of the
father of Australian Country Music Tex Morton.
This Award is presented on behalf of APRA|AMCOS who are major sponsors of TSA.
Heather McKean grew up with her older sister Joy, in a musical
household where both their mother and father, who was a steel guitar
playing school teacher , encouraged them to enjoy music of all kinds.
When they moved to the southern tablelands, the girls expanded their
skills, and nurtured by their family,performed on stage and radio by the
ages of 10 and eight respectively. In 1942 the budding duo had a big
opportunity… an appearance on Dick Fair's legendary Australian Amateur
Hour Show followed by The Diggers Show at the Tivoli Theatre where they
brought the house down.
Heather was only 13 when they began presenting their own country
music radio show from 2KY in Sydney. She mainly hosted the last few
years on her own at the same time travelling with the Reg Lindsay Show.
In1950 the McKeans did their first recording when they backed Tim
McNamara on a couple of songs, steered by Tim in the following year, to
the Rodeo Label,producing such country classics as McKean Sister
originals The Gymkhana Yodel,Yodel Down The Valley and The Morning
Mail. In 1953, Joy and Heather started pursuing solo careers, also
becoming two of Australia'smost successful managers, working closely
with their respective spouses Slim Dusty and Reg Lindsay. As well as
her partnershipin Reg's growing career, Heather went on to build a life
of her own as a soloartist, recording many albums and winning a Golden
Guitar for Female Vocalistof the Year in 1976. She worked in radioand
TV production including co-production, working with Reg on his
television shows National Country Hour in Adelaide NWS9, SA& Country
Homestead in Brisbane, which they won several Logies for.
In the 70s, she worked for three years atthe Country Music
Association in Nashville where she also represented Australiaon the
International Country Music show appearing on the Grand Ole Opry. Back
in Australiashe was President of Country Music Australia, one of our
early industry groups. With Reg, Heather alsobrought up three fine
daughters Diane, Sandra and Joanne. In the audience, were all three
daughters and Heather’s first grandchild, Joanne’s daughter Grace.
Heather recorded several albums on her own, and was awarded
female vocalist of the year in the 1976 Australasian Golden Guitar
Awards with ‘Ï Can Feel Love’. In 1977 she was inducted into Tamworth’s
Hands Of Fame. In 1983, Heather and Joy returned to the stage together
again for the first time in almost 30 years as the McKean sisters, when
they became the eighth pioneering Australian country music act elevated
to country music’ shighest honour, the ACMF Roll of Renown. The
recipient of the Tex Morton Award for 2010 - is Heather McKean.
SPONSORS |
Compere Clair Hayes thanked TSA major sponsors, Rural Press Events
publishers of Capital News, Australia’s leading Country Music
publication – the glossy monthly magazine available from newsagents, for
their corporate support; and APRA |AMCOS Australian Performing Rights
Assoc, and Australian Mechanical Copyright Association for their on
going national support.
“First the Song” is the motto of the TSA
and songwriters wherever you are
we salute you.
Blazes Auditorium, Wests League Club, Tamworth
Comperes:Clair Hayes & Grant Luhrs
Guest artists: Allan Caswell, Karen Lynne, Craig Giles,
Those Gals,David Delle-Vergin, Harmony James, Tom Maxwell, Ronni Rae
Rivers, Grant Luhrs,Lou Bradley and Daly Stephenson, with a special
tribute to Rita Schneider by Melinda Schneider, Mary Schneider, Geoff
Mack.
All photos available for purchase from TSA official photographer
June Underwood Country Creative Image
P OBox 5222 South Tamworth NSW 2340
t: 02 67658965 m: 0407936023
e: june@ccimage.com.au w: www.ccimage.com.au
Country Music Capital News | TSA Notes March 2010 Edition
TSA Showcases – The Showcases
were held for four days during festival in the Outback Bar at the West
Tamworth League Club and were very well attended.
Many thanks to the artists who appeared on the
Showcases. They were all met with great enthusiasm from the audience who
thoroughly enjoyed hearing their original material.
Thanks to Paul Rowe and Jon Wolfe from festival
FM Capital News for their support for the showcases and thanks also to
Carolyn Stier and the Wests Entertainment Group, the Outback Bar is the
perfect venue for the Showcases.
It wouldn’t have been possible to get the
showcases off the ground without the marvelous organizational skills of
Duncan Hill, who worked tirelessly to provide the audience with a
wonderful array of songwriters, and his helpers on the dayAngus and
Nicholas Hill.
Song Central was atthe rear of the room for each
and every showcase as a sponsor and supporter ofTSA, assisting
songwriters to get their songs on the site and out there to be found and
assisting industry to utilise the site in the best way.
This years’ Songwriting Workshop was run by award winning songwriter Alan Caswell. This festival he celebrated the 30th anniversary of his first Golden Guitar.
The workshop, which was held at the Tamworth City
UnitingChurch, St Andrews Room,was well attended and we have since had
many favourable comments back regarding the day. Thanks to Patricia
Cruzado for catering for the day and looking after the attendees.
On Wednesday the 20th January, the TSA Gala Concert and Awards
were held in the Blazes auditorium at Wests Leagues Club. Everyone who
went enjoyed the new format of the show, where the awards were announced
throughout the course of the evening. A big thank you to Geoff Clapson
and the TSA Showband for their wonderful music and support of the
artists for the evening. Thanks also to our wonderful hosts Clair Hayes
and Grant Luhrs. Congratulations to the winners and finalists on the
evening.
A full list of winners was published in
February’s Capital News but can also be found on our website at
tsaonline.com.au I would however like to mention one special award that
was presented by TSA on this evening, the TSA Songmaker Award - this
year’s thirty-first recipient is songwriter Jim Wesley.
Our Pass the Guitar Night was
held on Thursday night and was well attended. We had a very friendly
atmosphere and heard some amazing songs on the night. Great to see some
old familiar faces and some new ones too!!!! A sausage sizzle was
enjoyed by all thanks to super chef Chris Davies.
This years’ Cavalcade entry
was our most ambitious yet. The theme this year was Carnivale and Chris
Davies had spent months cutting and painting props. Everyone turned up
on the day ready to party and dressed in bright colours and I am very
proud to say that after many years of entering that the TSA WON the
Non-Commercial/ Not for Profit section of the cavalcade.
Congratulations to all concerned.
The TSA Committee
has already started organizing the events for festival 2011, so that it
will bea bigger and even better festival than this year.
Footnote:The TSA committee would like
to thank the five committed souls, working on the float until the early
hours of Friday night, in addition to the many festival gigs (some 22
this year for Those Gals), plus commitments and preparation forother TSA
activities, Pass the Guitar and Songwriter workshops: Chris Davies and
Wendy Wood for their tireless work in pre and post design, sourcing and
preparation, Darrell Daley and John Caulfield for being there as
‘blokes’ extra hands to do the hard stuff, the setting-up, lifting and
construction, and the additional support given by Carolyne Morris TSA
also thanks Dasha’s Transport for the supply and use of the semitrailer,
and to sponsors Avis Rent A Car for supplying transport to ferry float
participants; and for use of their secure Gunnedah Rd property to
house,construct and dissemble the float.
TSA also expresses its appreciation
to treasurer, membership and comp co-ordinator Judy Smith for her
dedicated commitment throughout the year, and the almost daily
commitment from September to early February in pre and post festival
committee obligations and award concert preparations.
FOR MORE INFORMATION |
Contact: Vicki Walsh President T: (02) 6382 3035
Or TSA Publicity Officer,
E: tsa@tpgi.com.au, A: PO Box 618,Tamworth NSW 2340
W: http://www.tsaonline.com.au
Checkout more information on TSA activities, workshops and songwriting contests, or how to become a member on http://www.tsaonline.com.au
Distributedby | Rhonda Sinclair blurb creative solutions for TSA Tamworth Songwriters Association 2010
blurbcreative solutions |artist services | rhonda sinclair | e: blurbcs@bigpond.net.au | m: 0438 902413