Friday October 5, 2007 – Mildura Weekly • 7 Story ALAN ERSKINE • Photographs JOE PASQUALE & GREG SYLVIA Big event means big money for Sunraysia JOHN Arnold couldn’t be happier. “Last year the estimate was that (around 40,000) and the Gympie dependent awards to- The crowds have been as big as ever, it was worth just over $7 million to Muster (25,000), but Mildura has the morrow night. and well behaved, events have been the local economy, and predictions most unique event, providing thou- Broadcast live, it will go to 30 com- on time, the weather’s been great, and are that this year will be the same,” sands of hours of free entertainment mercial radio stations around Austra- the artists are already talking about he said. from scores of independent artists at lia, along with community radio na- next year. John, the festival’s chief organiser 24 venues across the district, day and tion-wide via a satellite hook-up. The Sunraysia Country Music Fes- as well as being the Mayor of Mildura, night. John said all district venues had tival has celebrated its 21st year in said the city had welcomed crowds of They range from the Poet’s break- reported good crowds again this year, style, but according to John, the Mil- up to 12,000 for the festival in recent fast at the Setts to the well supported with probably the biggest being up to dura event came of age many years years. talent quest, to the glamour night 2000 people at the Henderson Park ago. It’s a long way behind Tamworth – the Southern Stars Australian In- concerts. Some shining stars from this year’s stunning festival CRAIG GILES her life openly and honestly. Last year was a many years before. dous reaction with the successful chart song BASED in Finley, NSW, Craig spends most of hugely successful year for Nellie with the re- After travelling the Australian Coun- ‘Bandy The Rodeo Clown’, he was a finalist his time on the road appearing at festivals lease of her album ‘Steppin’ Out, a finalist in try Music circuit ,supporting such artists as in the 2004 Golden Guitars with ‘Gidgee and clubs Australia wide, and the versatile the MusicOz Awards, and two successful ra- Troy Cassar-Daley and , Kelly After Rain’, and won best male vocal at the entertainer is a huge crowd favourite. dio singles ‘Sing Me An Angel’ and Cruisin’. recorded her first tracks ‘Summer Train,’ in Stan Coster Memorial Awards. He has won numerous awards and ac- 2003. His new album ‘Sometimes’ was released in colades, and released 11 successful albums DONNA BOYD In January, 2005, Kelly was a top 20 final- 2005. including the most recent release ‘Kick It.’ LAST year, award-win- ist in the Toyota Starmaker competition in In September, 2005, Crain won the Open ning international art- Tamworth , and on stage she’s been the main SALLY-ANNE Contemporary Section of the 2005 Tasmania ist Donna Boyd start- attraction of both International and Austra- WHITTEN & New Zealand Songwriters Contest with ‘A ed a new phase of her lian crowds ever since. A BORN singer/song- Million Beerdrops’ and ‘Riding That White career. The first single writer, Sally-Anne Line.’ He has released three successful singles released ‘A Good Day’ CASEY WATT comes from a musical from the album – ‘Who Said Girls Don’t hit Number 5 in the CASEY has built a family. From the age Drive’, ‘Riding That White Line’ and his lat- Country Top 30, while strong following of 14, she has been a est single ‘A Million beer Drops.’ her first music video around the Queens- regular face in back- clip climbed into the land club circuit, ing bands, studio ses- TOM CURTAIN Country Music Chan- winning best female sions and concerts, TOM Curtain is a nel Top 30. vocal act for three and been involved in ‘Mr Versatile,’ jug- Her stunning new album ‘Luckiest Girl consecutive years. many leading bands. gling horse-breaking Alive’ has excited fans and industry all over She has had a wealth Her style is said to and country music Australia since its official launch in Tam- of experience in live be best described as a careers. He is enjoy- worth earlier this year. performance in im- good mixture of coun- ing the enormous pressively diverse try and soul. success of his debut ANGELA HAYDEN genres of music, but Her musical talent, both as a singer and album ‘Smack Bang,’ ANGELA began her career at the age of 11, her country roots still as a guitar player, make her an outstanding, which grabbed two and in less than three years had been award- shine through, giving dedicated and passionate musician. nomi- ed more than 100 trophies and awards. her a unique vocal style. Casey is a two time nations and spawned By the time she was 18,her CD and Cas- Star Maker Grand-finalist and multi-award DON COSTA four hit singles. sette sales had exceeded 22,000 from three winning female vocalist. ONE of the true leg- Tom teamed up albums, and she had earned the title, “the Her first single ‘I Don’t Want To Work ends of Mildura coun- with multi Golden- yodelling sweetheart”. This Hard’ reached Number 6 on the Coun- try music. Started out guitar winning producer and writer Garth Her 1999 self-titled album attracted ex- try Tracks Top 30, and the second single ‘If I with family group Porter, and was back last November with his cellent reviews and great reaction from her Needed You,’ a Tamworth winner this year, Shadow Rock, and new album ‘Heatwave.’ legions of fans. was another Top 10 chart hit. now recognised as one The first two singles ‘Born Out Here’ and of Australia’s top solo ‘Chew Like Hell’ continued Tom’s amazing KELLY HOPE TOM MAXWELL performers in his own chart success, and the latest single ‘Wearing KELLY Hope is a 22-year old singer-songwrit- TOM has earned his reputation as one of right – to the stage Out Leather’ looks certain to follow suit. er about to take the country music world by Australia’s finest bush balladeers. where he has moved storm. He won the Banjo Paterson Songwriters from Robinvale to NELLIE DONOVAN Born in Albury, Kelly has been perform- Award in 1994, made the finals of Star Maker Queensland to make THERE’S something about Nellie Donovan ing and writing her own songs since the in 1995, won the Gordon Parsons Memorial the best of limited opportunities. that draws people in the moment they hear age of 14. Most recently, she has released Award for Australian Bush Balladeer in 1996 Don has released three new CD’s in re- her sing. Her rich, soulful voice delivers her debut single ‘Heartbreak Road’ late in and released his debut album ‘New Wave Of cent months, and as well as performing at songs with conviction and emotion. 2006. She graduated from Tamworth Col- The Bush’ (with five self-penned tracks) in Mildura, hosted several shows to capacity People in her audience embark on a jour- lege of Country Music in January, 2007, but 1997. crowds at various venues around the district. ney with a songwriter not afraid to expose her achievements as singer-songwriter began His album Rodeo Wind received tremen- His message to Mildura fans: “I’ll be back.”

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