Scroll below to see who is performing in 2020.
Adam Harvey
Brief Bio
Adam Harvey has long been one of Australian country music’s premier artists. With eight Golden Guitars on the mantelpiece – including Male Vocalist of the Year Golden Guitars in 2002 (for ‘The Shake of a Hand’), 2004 (for ‘Call It Love’), and 2005 (for ‘That’s What You Call A Friend’), and Album of the Year wins in 2002, 2008 and 2012 (for Workin’ Overtime, I’m Doin’ Alright and Falling Into Place respectively), Adam ranks among Australian country music’s most decorated artists. Add to that more than half a million album sales, back-to-back No.1 albums on the ARIA Country Albums Chart, three ARIA nominations, and a succession of Gold- and- Platinum-certified albums, and it’s easy to see that Adam’s trophy room sparkles from every angle.
Pete Denahy
*with Aron McLean
Brief Bio
Pete Denahy is perhaps best known as the person responsible for “Sort of Dunno Nothin’ “ the song about teenage disinterest that went viral on Youtube, with more than 1 million plays to date. The song has been played on TV shows such as Spicks and Specks, Rage, Today and The Morning Show.
The multiple guitar winner, Pete first came to the attention of the music world as a member of Slim Dusty’s Travelling Country Band.
As well as being an accomplished and highly regarded fiddle player, guitarist, singer and song-writer, Pete is also one of the industry’s true characters. His off-the-wall, fly by the seat of your pants comedy adds another, truly hilarious dimension to his shows.
The French Family
Brief Bio
Camille and Stuie have three children but together with their son “Sonny” will be performing as The French Family. Sonny is 12 years old and plays guitar and sings. He released an album in 2013 called “Seven” and was a feature artist in the NSW Schools Spectacular the following year. Recently Sonny appeared on the National Television Show “Little Big Shots”.
At the 2013 Tamworth Golden Guitar Awards, Camille and Stuie won their first Golden Guitar Awardtogether for “Best Alternative Country Album of the Year”. In March 2014 they were awarded the Frank Ifield International Spur Award.
Camille and Stuie have also had two of their songs (Gone for all money and Pretty Katalina) featured on the hugely popular, new Channel 7 drama “A Place to Call Home”. Camille also featured on New Zealand television this year with a full episode of her musical life on “Unsung Heroes of Maori Music”.
"ELVIS" AKA Royden Donohue
Brief Bio
NAMED 2005 TIARA AWARDS MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR - 2005 NATIONAL COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS BEST NEW TALENT OF THE YEAR - 2005 GOLDEN SADDLE AWARDS FINALIST
Royden Donohue is already a familiar name in Australian country music. Over the past few years, the 24-year-old has released no less than four independent albums — Born to be a Heartbreaker, Rope the Moon, Solitary Man and Kentucky Rain. He’s enjoyed considerable radio airplay, and gained the respect of the whole country music industry, as well as building a large and solid fan base around his home town of Nyngan in western New South Wales.
His third album, Rope the Moon, took him into the finals of the Australian Independent Country Music Awards in Mildura in 2000. He’s twice been a Star Maker grand finalist — in 1999 and 2000 — and graduated from the prestigious CMAA College of Country Music in 1999.
But during his time in the desert over the past couple of years, Royden came to the realisation that it was time to take the next step forward with his career. So he contacted award-winning producer Rod McCormack — who’s been responsible for the success of artists like Beccy Cole and Adam Harvey, amongst others — to produce his new single.
Royden was keen to capture the quality of his live performances on the new tracks. “I wanted songs that were positive, that reflected my musical style — which is influenced by people like Dwight Yoakam and Elvis — and that would appeal to a mixed audience,” he said.
Under Rod’s guidance, Royden selected three songs to record: “We’re Gone” “Call It What It Is” and “Is It Love?”
The songs are all pure country, and reflect Royden’s deep country roots as well as showcasing his powerful voice and dynamic style. “I’ve gone that extra step with these songs, and given them everything I’ve got. Working with Rod has made the world of difference, and I’m really happy with the result,” Royden said.
The catchy single “We’re Gone” is extremely radio friendly – and was a Top 20 hit on the Australian charts.
Alchemy
Brief Bio
Andrew Blanch and Ariel Nurhadi have been playing as a guitar duo since 2014. They have been described as "two stunning young guitarists...virtuosic" (Sydney Arts Guide) and have been praised for their "dazzling guitar playing"(ArtsHub). Their performances as a duo have taken them around Australia and New Zealand and they also collaborate with Australia's celebrated baritone Jose Carbo in a group named The Jose Carbo Trio.
Their current duo project, entitled Älchemy", is named after the very first piece they learnt together, by the late great Australian guitarist and composer Phillip Houghton. Alchemy is something of a world tour, featuring some of the finest music written/arranged for guitar duet, with masterpieces from France, Spain, Brazil, Argentina, USA and Australia, including Houghton's acclaimed "Three Duets"that encapsulate Alchemy.
Snez
Brief Bio
The music of SNEZ embodies the art of songwriting in its most personal and universal forms. This enchanting songstress has a forte for describing the experiences of everyday life in a way that resonates with people everywhere, articulating moments of deep pain and pure joy. Coming from a Macedonian working-class family, where stories about hardship, romance, black magic, mysticism and work ethic have been passed down through generations, Snez subtly weaves these influences into her own stories and songs, and in the process produces engaging, personal and intimate performances. Featuring snez on vocals, acoustic guitar and bouzouki.
Andy Toombs
Brief Bio
Collectively and individually, Andy and Duncan Toombs have toured and performed nationally and internationally with the cream of Australia’s country music scene for more then 15 years… Kasey Chambers, Bill Chambers, Beccy Cole, Lee Kernaghan, Catherine Britt, Sara Storer, Adam Harvey, Troy Cassar-Daley & Adam Brand to name but a few.
Powerful, emotive vocalists in there own right, The Toombs Boys play a mix of original music and songs they grow up with. Duncan and Andy are consummate professionals. They have honed their craft on some of the biggest stages worldwide. Rest assured when the Toombs brothers unite, It’s party time !
Jauntybelle Trio
Brief Bio
Jesse, Mel and Chris have shared a musical journey together for many years with a strong connection spanning more than three decades. Jauntybelle, originally formed in 2009 as a trio with Jesse’s sister Michaela where they performed for a couple of years around Northern Victoria at festivals and events, then spending three months in Europe in 2010 before Michaela moved interstate.
Jauntybelle continues as a trio with Mel joining Jesse and Chris with the trio maintaining strong vocal harmonies and a range of instrument options for the diverse range of music presented.
Drawing on many musical genres and leaning toward acoustic instruments they are influenced by their remote rural location, and inspired musically by each other and a wide variety of songwriters and acoustic musicians.
Leroy Johnson
Brief Bio
Between working as an advisor for the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet and meetings of the Mutawintji Land Council, the husky-voiced Leroy Johnson, eyebrow ring hanging above his left eye, manages to occasionally get in a strum or two of his guitar.
For Leroy it's a seat by the campfire at Wilcannia or out at Mutawintji National Park where you're most likely to find him playing.
"Just get around the campfire where you can hand the guitar round and listen to different people play".
At this festival in 2019 I’ve been asked to do a workshop on playing the didgeridoo. Then later in the weekend I look forward to doing what I love best; playing around a campfire with everyone joining in and having a good old sing-a-long.