Tamworth
2019
Once
again, Graham shone like the brightest star in our heavens. At the Brumby Awards, which was the first set
of awards for the festival, Graham was acknowledged
with three of them. These awards are decided by a group of approximately fifteen country
music presenters carefully chosen for their integrity and knowledge of the
industry. This year Graham took out all
three of the major awards, namely: Best Songwriter, Best Ballad (Ringers in the
Sky) and once again, Best Country Music Album for 2019.
A
great achievement Graham, truly very well deserved and a strong acknowledgement
of your achievements during the last twelve months. It is no wonder we regularly hear,
particularly from radio presenters a strong link between the name Graham Rodger
and the term “King of the Australia Ballad”.
Below is a photo of Graham
with his Brumby Awards.
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Click the title for the video of
"Ringers in the Sky" Click this link for a video
of “Tiny Bush Grave”
The
Brumby Awards was the opening of the festival for Graham and nine days later
was the People's Choice Awards which was the closing of Graham's Tamworth Country
Music Festival for 2019.
Again,
Graham had an incredibly successful festival as regards the People's Choice
Awards. He is always very thankful for
the wonderful support he receives, not only year after year, but all year
round. As was the case in 2018 Graham
placed in five finals. He was the only
artist to take out more than one award, as he received acknowledgement for the
Best Bush Ballad ("Ringers in the Sky") and once again he was awarded
first place in the major category of Best Album for "Ringers in the
Sky". Congratulations Graham, no
wonder you are so often referred to as the “King of the Australian Ballad”.
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Graham Rodger acknowledging
the presentation for “Best Bush Ballad”.
The presentation was made by Rhonda Francis, who had just been
announced as Best Presenter of Country Music for 2019 |
Graham
proudly displaying his two awards - Best
Bush Ballad and the big one Best Album. |
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All
People's Choice Awards winners on the night. |
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The
three balladeers – each one a winner at the People's Choice Awards. |
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Concert Number 1 – The Balladeers Homestead
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“I’m
an Old Black Man” achieved a string of firsts.
It was the first time Graham worked with George Czender as they co-wrote
this beautiful song. It was the first
time Graham had recorded a song with Col Hardy and at this concert was the
first time they performed the song together live in public. Unfortunately, even though having reached the
People's Choice Awards finals, it took a few more weeks before it won a major
award at the Stan Coster Memorial Awards in Bungendore.
Over
the years, these three men have given very generously of their time and talents
to the Australian country music industry and it is great to see their efforts
acknowledged in this fashion.
Unfortunately,
the Balladeers Homestead is not airconditioned and with temperatures often
exceeding 40 degrees, the venue is heavily reliant on noisy industrial fans,
which does effect the sound quality of any video.
However,
by clicking on This link, it will take you to the best we can offer. We hope
you enjoy it. If you want to listen to a
good quality sound track of “I’m an Old Black Man” you will have to purchase
Graham's CD - “Ringers in the Sky”
Click on this second link to see a 2 song medley of Col Hardy’s performance at the Balladeers Homestead.
Concert Number 2 – The Cream of Country
The Cream of Country, what a brilliant name for this show! It was packed beyond ‘filled to the brim’ as far as Australian country music was concerned. Graham had performed with John O’Dea on many previous occasions, but it was the first time he shared the billing with Justin Standley and Kiara Rodrigues. In putting this show together Graham demonstrated his exceptional entrepreneurial skills, producing one of the best shows available in Tamworth in 2019.
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The star of the show. |
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The Cream of Country |
Justin Standley and John
O’Dea. Along with Kiara, these
two men teamed up beautifully with Graham to well and truly display “The
Cream of Country’. |
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Graham with the ‘new talent’ on the show – Kiara Rodrigues. |
Two old mates onstage
Kiara had a great time |
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John O’Dea – the thinker |
John O’Dea – the
entertainer |
Concert Number 3 – Laughter and Song
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Individually they are exceptional artists, but together they are brilliant |
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To view a video clip of Graham and Laura from Laughter and Song concert click on this link.
Concert Number 4 – Graham Rodger and Tom Maxwell
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The first part of
this video features Trevor Tolton with Graham.
The second part highlights Tom and it can be viewed
by clicking here.
Concert Number 5 – Graham Rodger, Amber Poulton
and Laurel Calvert at The Dag Sheep Station.
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Amber Joy Poulton |
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Laurel Calvert |
Laurel and trainee washboard artist, ‘Alfie’ Calvert |
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Tuning the guitar ready for the show |
Graham enjoying the show as much as the audience |
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Select this link to view the video of Graham and Laurel performing “Stronger For It All”
Concert Number 6 – Australian Icon Tribute Show
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A tribute to Buddy Williams by
Trevor Tolton |
Alita Fahey, paying tribute to
Olivia Newton John, performing for the first time on a Graham Rodger
show. Alita is the mother of the
Brothers 3 and watching her perform, it was easy to see where they got their talent from. |
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A short medley concludes our pictorial
display of Tamworth 2019. Graham, backed by Trevor Tolton performs one of his
favourite Slim Dusty songs, followed by the brothers
paying a short tribute to their mum. The entire cast then conclude not only the
show, but the festival for 2019 with the iconic
Seekers song, “The Carnival is Over”
Australian Icons Tribute Show. Click here.