Travelradio Australia

Tuesday, 15 January 2008

Norfolk Island hosts country music festival

• PICTURE: The Flood band members from left to right: Scott Hills, Tim Weede, Kevin Bennett (front man) and James Gillard.
Aussie country musicians Bill Chambers and The Flood along with New Zealand trio The Darlings will feature at this year’s Norfolk Island County Music Festival from May 25 - June 1.
Now in its 15th year, the festival has become a hot item for both country music fans and performers, the latter competing for the festival’s Trans-Tasman Entertainer of the Year Award.
The Flood, which took out the Tamworth 2006 Golden Guitar Award for Vocal Group, will take centre stage with singer-guitarist Bill Chambers, father of country music icon Kasey Chambers.
Sharing top billing will be The Darlings’ Jackie Clark, Callie Blood and Wayne Bell, who regularly woo audiences around NZ with melodic versions of numbers made great by the likes of Emmy-Lou Harris, Lucinda Williams and Johnny Cash.
Providing support will be 2007 Trans-Tasman Entertainer of the Year winner Kylie Austin, fellow New Zealanders Jenny Blackadder on the banjo and Marion Burns, who will lend her energetic fiddling skills to Sydney-based soloist Steve Passfield, formerly with popular Country group Handpicked Band.
Also on the four-day program will be Aussie duo Camille Te Na Hu and Stu French, and American Charley Groth, a member of America’s National Traditional Country Music Association Hall of Fame and a regular on the international circuit performing swing, country, blues, jazz, folk, ragtime and American roots music.
This year’s Trans-Tasman Entertainer of the Year award will see eight entrants compete for the Norfolk Pine trophy and $7000 in cash prizes plus $5000 worth of recording time.
The festival takes place over four evenings, allowing fans plenty of time during the day to enjoy Norfolk’s rich history, beautiful coastal scenery, beaches, fine dining, stylish bars, low-tax shopping and new adventure activities and eco experiences.
Oxley Travel is offering special seven-night Country Music Festival packages for the event, with deals available from Aud$1207 from Brisbane, Aud$1260 Newcastle, Aud$1282 Sydney and Aud$1475 Melbourne. Prices are per person twin share and include return flights with Norfolk Air, seven nights accommodation and car hire, airport transfers, a half day island tour, entry to three evening sessions and passes to after-show parties. Subject to availability. Call Oxley Travel toll-free on (Aus)1800 671 546 or visit www.oxleytravel.com.au
For general information on Norfolk, visit www.norfolkisland.nf

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