TimHolland.com - The Big Issues!

Country Girls Fake It More

2011-08-16T19:44:00.003+10:00

Keeping in line with this blog's dedication to "the big issues"... did you know that apparently country girls are more likely to "fake it" than city girls?

Well according to a new survey this is true. Country Girls are 9% more likely to 'fake it' than city girls.

Now of course interpert the actual meaning of all this in your own way... in the meantime take a look at Jasmine Rae's new hit single 'I Faked It'.

The timing couldn't be better!

What Is Scientology? Terrific Alan Shore Moment

2011-08-09T14:18:00.001+10:00

"So, basically, every time you piss puke or crap, you're a step closer to immortality." - Alan Shore

I never bothered to take any time to find out what Scientology actually was and ultimately I never needed to.

Why? Because in this magical and memorable piece of television brilliance, Alan Shore of The Practice/Boston Legal (played by James Spader) sums it up for us perfectly!

Check it out...

Australia's Carbon Tax

2011-07-11T22:38:00.001+10:00

I have no idea whether pro-climate change science is accurate or not. I was terrible at science at school and have never taken the time to evaluate climate science. So on that basis, I don't have an opinion on whether the introduction of a carbon tax in principle has merit or not.

What disappoints me however is the Labor government's motivation for bring in the tax.

Before the last election, the Prime Minister stated that "their will be no Carbon Tax under the government I lead".

While this would appear to now be a straight out lie, it seems obvious to me that Labor have actually decided to sell their souls and bring this in to ensure the Greens continue to support their minority government. This means Bob Brown is effectively the real prime minister of Australia, despite the small percentage of votes his party received at the election.

I like to think that a Prime Minister and government should have some level of integrity if they want the nation's support. Sure, politicians break promises, but this one is a real howler!

Love them or hate them, the Coalition took both the GST (twice) and Work Choices to elections and the people had their say at the ballot box.

The Prime Minister and the Labor Party should have done the same thing.

Music Video - Lee Kernaghan & Dierks Bentley With Scars

2011-06-14T21:05:00.001+10:00

What a huge moment!

The coming together of two country music superstars... one is an Australian icon ... the other, a massive US Country music star.

I'm of course talking about Lee Kernaghan and Dierks Bentley who recorded a track called 'Scars' and the song's music video has just been released to the world!

It's from the Planet Country album. Check out the music video below...

Keith Urban, A Long Hot Summer It Is Not!

2011-06-11T00:01:00.001+10:00

Australian country superstar Keith Urban performed what is probably is next single, 'Long Hot Summer' at the CMT Awards yesterday.

I think it's safe to say this song completely contradicts the awfully cold whether in Australia right now. However let this performance give us hope that in a couple of months, it will all be well and truly behind us.

Shania Twain Falls, But She's Back On The Way Up

2011-06-10T23:26:00.003+10:00

What a moment it was... as country music superstar and role model and inspiration to most young female acts globally, Shania Twain walked into the Bridgestone Arena to present the Best Male Music Video award at the CMT Awards (The MTV Music Awards of Country Music), she spectalularily fell over... and boy did she fall. The good news is that she was not injured at all.

Of course, Shania simply got up without any fuss and presented the award. She has also insisted she doesn't need a stunt double. She handled everything with pure class.

The male video award winner Blake Shelton later tweeted... "Whoa!!! Not only did I win but Shania Twain is falling for me!!!"

The fall can only be seen as good for Shania. She's got a new book out, she opened the show in a special feature with Taylor Swift and everyone has been talking about her ever since.

Shania quickly posted a "response to the fall" soon after the show and this is all an indication that Shania Twain is well and truly back. I think people want Shania back in their lives. If a new hit song is going to follow very shortly, this star will be dominating the charts once more.

I wish her all the best.

Blake Lively & Her Alleged Naked Photos

2011-06-05T14:12:00.008+10:00

Forget Carbon tax, the biggest news story this week across the world seems to be that of alleged leaked nude photos of Gossip Girl star Blake Lively.

I do watch Gossip Girl but lately have found that it has become a little ridiculous. I find Lively's character of Serena to be glamorous, yet a little selfish.

Now Lively's people are saying that these photos are not of her. Perhaps she has a naughty and more adventurous identical twin sister we don't know about?

However, the producer of Girls Gone Wild Joe Francis has the belief that it's all a bit of a set-up.

"I would say 90 percent it's an orchestrated attempt or act on her part [to raise her profile]. I'm not sure, but my inclination is that it's coming from her. She knows what she's doing or someone in her camp does," said Francis in a recent article.

I tend to agree. This all happens far too often with young female stars to be a co-incidence. Most "stars" by their very nature are very self-indulgent. It make sense that they want to take photos of themselves, even naked.

And this leaked naked photo stuff has all become a very standard process. Photos are leaked, the celebrity denies it's her, she gets the publicity she wants and we all move on.

I think it's a shame the young women feel the need to do this. I'm dead against it. There's a lot to be said for mystery. But I'm just old fashioned I guess...

Ronnie Dunn Bleeds Red With A Solo Album

2011-06-04T13:10:00.002+10:00

Depending on whatever the circumstances may be, forgiveness can be difficult to consider, comprehend and contemplate. It's also, at times, a very necessary element of moving forward in your life.

Ronnie Dunn's brilliant hit single 'Bleed Red' is a song completely centered around forgiveness, apologizing and the pain that goes along with betrayal and the personal suffering that this can cause.

You can't help but feel a sence of hope by the end of the song. And how can you not when it's being delivered by the great Ronnie Dunn who is releasing his first solo album next week.

The old cowboy is getting on a bit, but he's still as brilliant as anyone at delivering compelling and emotive stories with his magical vocals.

He has also become very active on social media.

I look forward to listening to the album.

But until then, enjoy 'Bleed Red'...

Carrie Underwood Will 'Undo It' In Australia

2011-05-25T00:46:00.007+10:00

I thought that Simon Cowell's greatest legacy wasn't his controversial, yet entertaining manner on the American Idol program, but the prediction he made following a performance of Heart's classic hit 'Alone' by contestant Carrie Underwood.

What a moment it was...

"...Not only will you win this show, you will sell more records than any previous Idol winner." said Cowell to a mild mannered and appallingly styled Underwood following the performance.

His prediction has proven to be right.

Who would have thought? She's a country artist!

But it's true.

13 million albums, five GRAMMY awards, three CMA Female Vocalist of The Year and two ACM Entertainer of the Year awards later, Underwood has been the most successful Idol winner anywhere in the world.

She'll be in Australia in mid June for her first promotional tour outside of North America, promoting her latest album Play On through Sony Music.

Underwood will visit a number of states and do a exclusive showcase in Sydney for lucky prize winners (one assumes?) and "industry" persons whom are considered important.

Those in a attendance will see for themselves a commanding performer with remarkable vocal power and quality. When I saw Carrie Underwood perform a verse and chorus of her first hit single 'Jesus Take The Wheel', at the CMA Awards at Madison Square Garden in New York City in 2005, I was breath-taken by her vocal quality and strength.

Her success makes complete sense to me.

Here is one of her big songs, 'Undo It' from the new album. Except to hear it on more than just country radio very soon.

Vampires & Peter McWhirter's New Music Video

2011-05-24T20:32:00.003+10:00

The whole vampire craze is globally massive.

First there was Buffy The Vampire Slayer, and that was really all for a long time. But then a wave of rather erotic sci-fi vampire programming hit us in droves.

The True Blood series on Showtime has been a huge success, all the Twilight movies, the Vampire Diaries and the list goes on. Young people can't get enough of it all, it would seem.

I'm guessing Peter McWhirter's terrific new music video for 'Devil's Daughter' is the first country music video to feature a slutty vampiress though. Tell me if I'm wrong?

The song itself is a total hoot. It's kind of a blend of bluegrass, mixed with alt-country rock and blues... it's a little wild, crazy and unconventional . Perhaps the opportunity was therefore perfect to throw in a vampire for this one!

Decide for yourself by watching 'Devil's Daughter', produced by Jeremy Dylan, below...

Go Cubs Go

2011-05-17T19:56:00.001+10:00

I follow the New York Yankees very proudly in baseball and therefore have little time for arch rivals, the Boston Red Sox.

With "Interleague" play occurring in Major League Baseball this weekend, the Red Sox are playing a series against the world famous Chicago Cubs at Fenway Park for the first time since 1917.

While not wanting to come across as a "hater", I wanted to post the video below to demonstrate my support for the terrific opposition this weekend!

This is probably my favourite sporting team jingle. When you listen you'll think, "how could it not be?"

R.I.P. Tobi Steamer

2011-05-10T17:42:00.008+10:00

You may remember that nearly two years ago, a terrific young woman recommended I buy a Tobi Steam Iron or Tobi Steamer after being impressed by late night/early morning advertisements.

I went on to "famously" buy one and share the experience of using it for the very first time online.

At time of writing, the video has had 17,278 views, which is more views than many credible country music videos (I don't know how I feel about this yet). It seems to have brought some level of entertainment to some people, which to be honest has really been the highlight of having it in the first place.

The sad but honest truth is that unfortunately my Tobi Steamer original has well and truly carked it... to the point of basically not working at all.

In fact, it wasn't very good at all. If I wasn't patiently waiting for steam to actually come out of the nozzle, it was spitting water everywhere.

I have now replaced it with a $50 steamer from K-mart which works beautifully... much better than the Tobi ever did. So the Tobi has been relegated to the rubbish tip.

Tobi Steamer, while I will never forget you, I'm probably going to be happier I've now replaced you!

McAlister Kemp's Hard Work

2011-04-29T13:21:00.005+10:00

Drew McAlister and Troy Kemp of McAlister Kemp are doing a terrific job.

With the fundamental combination of a great debut album full of top notch songs and a strong live act, they've undoubtably been the break out act in Australian Country Music over the past 12 months. They recenty won both of Australia Country Music's major "new talent" awards - the fan voted CMC 'Best New OZ Aritst' award and the indsutry voted Golden Guitar for 'Best New Aritst'.

In March, when Miranda Lambert fell ill, they got the opportunity to open for Alan Jackson at five sold out arena shows. In in June they head to Nashville in the US to represent Australian Country music at the prestigous CMA Global Artist Party.

The 'Hard Work' is really paying off which makes the release of their new single and music video so highly appropriate.

Should 'Hard Work' be the new national anthem?

Take a look at it...

The Royal Wedding

2011-04-28T16:48:00.010+10:00

My late Grandmother was a proud British woman. With a name like Barbara Rose how could she not be?

Naturally, she was therefore a stanch monarchist.

She was a woman of great strength, integrity and you can completely blame her for conditioning me to live by many of the old-fashioned core values she professed to me in my developing juvenile years.

If she were alive today, not only would she be 102, but she wouldn't have initially liked the idea of a "commoner" marrying the Prince of Wales.

My guess though, is that unlike Sarah Ferguson whom she had little time for, she would have come around this time. She would say that Kate Middleton has ultimately proven to be an appropriate choice for Prince William.

This wedding is quite something. Forget about the validity, or otherwise, of the Monarch for a moment....

I think the main reason this wedding is such a big deal is that people (particularly young woman who are the ones most excited about all this) want to believe fairytales really do exist. Perhaps they need to in the crazy flood/tornado timed world we live in today?

And this wedding really is the ultimate fairytale. "Commoner Kate" is marrying the charming Prince and will one day become queen. So often social status and/or outside influence and pressure (often detrimentally) gets in the way of great love stories like this. But here is a case where the Prince has chosen true love ahead of the influence of anyone (including the dear Queen apparently...) who said to him, something along the lines of, "the commoner isn't suitable". Good Man!

It goes without saying that for many reasons this one needs to work. Belief across the world in many fundamental values depends on it. It's a huge burden for the new Prince and Princess of Wales to carry.

I wish them all the best.

Catherine Britt Plays A Trashed Mentally ill Psycho

2011-04-08T17:33:00.003+10:00

"I’ll take care of this one. She’s just my kind of psycho,” said Eddie Nero (played by Rob Lowe) on the season finale of Californication Season #4 recently.

I reckon Eddie wouldn't have been able to take care of this one though...

Catherine Britt plays a trashed mentally ill psycho in her latest music video 'I Want You Back'.

Catherine thrives in this role... it takes her to depths on camera she has never been even remotely close to previously. And she triumphs in droves.

Well done Catherine, Duncan Toombs and the production team for nailing this one.

Country Strong

2011-04-07T16:52:00.011+10:00

I really wanted to love this movie... I hoped it would be the Pure Country of our generation. And while I didn't hate it, Country Strong is OK at best.

The movie is released straight to DVD in Australia at the end of this month.

It's been a long wait for Australian country music fans as this movie was released in the US prior to Christmas last year and much of the publicity has flowed our way in recent months. Country Strong is highly unrealistic in some respects, yet very realistic in others.

The biggest problem is that lead characters are highly unlikeable... Tim McGraw's character is just awful and Gwynth Paltrow's character is fundamentally pathetic and would never had made it in the real world. I felt no empathy for her at all.... even at the end.

Also, you don't get support gigs on major tours playing a few tunes at The Stage (particularly really badly!), even if you look really pretty. But this is a movie of course...

Country Strong has some nice moments and the strongest performance comes from Garrett Hedlund, who plays Beau. Leighton Meester is far more impressive as "Bee" in Gossip Girl, but her performance in this certainly has done harm to her career.

Two stars..

P.S. This movie is still better than Beer For My Horses...

William Shatner At The State Theatre

2011-04-06T15:23:00.018+10:00

I've never been a Star Trek fan. Never have been, never will be. But I loved the Boston Legal series. The writing on that show was sensational, particularly for the roles of Denny Crane and Alan Shore. The delivery from William Shatner (Crane) and James Spader (Shore) was equally as impressive. It remains my favorite TV show of all time.

So my love of that show and the Denny Crane character ensured I couldn't miss Shatner's show Kirk, Crane & Beyond at the State Theatre in Sydney last night.

The man is in remarkable condition for an 80 year old. What a life he has lead.

On a stage reminiscent of Boston Legal's famous balcony, the night featured stories from Shatner's time as Captain Kirk and Denny Crane and discussion about his new show S**t My Dad Says. He talked about his love of Ben Folds' music and shared many personal moments (including one particularly tragic one) with the audience as well.

He really is very funny. What a legend! It was a very entertaining night. I particularily enjoyed his commentary regarding playing a character who is about to, and then going to, die.

Shatner finished the evening with a spoken word musical performance of Men At Work's 'Down Under'. Everyone stood and applauded. How could you not? Denny Crane.

Joe Nichols Joins Jasmine Rae On Stage At Acer Arena

2011-03-19T20:25:00.010+11:00

What a great moment it was recently at Acer Arena on the Sydney leg of the Alan Jackson Australian tour, when US country star Joe Nichols joined support act and ABC Music artist Jasmine Rae on stage. They performed the terrific new track 'I'll Try Anything', which is the new single from Jasmine's new album, Listen Here.
Joe is coming back to Australia in a couple of months for a bunch of shows of his own. He was a huge hit at the recent CMC Rocks The Hunter festival... so much so that his new Greatest Hits collection went to #7 on the ARIA Country Sales charts last week.
He has one of the great voices,has recorded many hit songs and the young girls just love him. A great combination really if you want success.

I'm looking forward to seeing one of the shows as I missed his CMC Rocks set due to my attendance at the wedding of Michael and Jae Tame!
Jasmine, who will also be a part of the new tour, has recorded a wonderful new album and her #35 ARIA Album Chart debut (all genres) and #3 ARIA Country Chart debut is a huge result for a new country act in the Australian market.

Check out the music video for Joe and Jasmine's single 'I'll Try Anything'....

Sinead Burgess Records A Song For Queensland

2011-02-02T17:29:00.003+11:00

Sinead Burgess has recorded a special song in support of flood relief. I think her house was surrounded in water when she wrote it. It's fantastic... take a look, take a listen, and tell your friends about it!

There's more from where this came from in the coming months from Sinead who is going to release her debut album this year.

The Ashes

2010-12-29T00:19:00.011+11:00

Unfortunately the excitement of Australia's win in the 3rd cricket test clouded the fact that Australia had the same problem it did when it lost by an innings in the 2nd test... their top order batting isn't good enough right now.

The Australians won despite being 4-38 in the first innings and 3-60 odd in the second.

This weakness has been apparent for quite some time... Earlier in the year the Australians were dismissed for even less than the shocking first innings total of 98 on Boxing Day... 88 against Pakistan.

The biggest problems have been Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke's dramatic loss of form. Ponting, it would appear, is not the brilliant player he was and I'd like to see him captain a winning side in the 5th test and then call it a day as the test captain. He's been a brilliant player, but it's now starting to get ugly.

If Steven Smith is not being picked as a bowler, he shouldn't be in the team. His first class record doesn't warrant his selection as a #6 test batsman. Brad Hodge, Cameron Smith or Callum Ferguson are more appropriate selections.

Phil Hughes is not up to test standard... I get that people want him to be great (they must - i've never heard so many excuses and positive outlooks from commentators on his constant failures) but he's just not good enough yet. Usman the Muslim is and should play in Sydney instead.

Overall, there seems to be a general problem with the selection process. Picking Michael Beer, who has played 5 first class games in his entire life is plain stupidity. Instead, stick with Nathan Haurtiz, who has a great record in Australia or play Smith as the spinner. If Beer is good enough, pick him in two years time after he's a had a couple of strong first class seasons under his belt.

To ad insult to injury, Australia's best bowler in the series Ryan Harris broke down with a stress fracture today. Doug The Rug should come back in for him.

McAlister Kemp - It Don't Buy You Love

2010-07-08T22:27:00.005+10:00

This is a truly fantastic song. Brilliantly written by Drew McAlister and Mike Carr.

I urge you enjoy the song and music video below...

Phil Vassar

2010-03-22T13:39:00.008+11:00

You've got to love it when you have high expectations for a show and the performer delivers something even better than you dreamed it would be.

That's what Phil Vassar did at the recent CMC Rocks The Snowys festival.

I've been a fan of Phil's for nearly 10 years now... ever since he released the huge hit 'Carlene' back in the day... and even though I'm regularly in Nashville, I'd had never seen him live before.

Phil Vassar is one of the great songwriters (in fact probably more acclaimed in that regard) who has written hits for most of US country's major acts.

His set was sensational at the festival. It was kind of like Billy Joel meets Garth Brooks.... just not on such a HUGE scale as Garth...

It was just a pleasure to be there for it.

Check out his chat with the tremendous Jasmine Rae for HitCountry.TV

Doc Walker

2010-03-19T23:31:00.012+11:00

At ABC Music, our charter is primarily to release Australian music (as it should be!), but we do get the opportunity to release some international product.

And we had the great pleasure of having Canadian country/rock band Doc Walker visit Australia earlier this month. They've won 12 Canadian Country Music Awards and a Juno Award (Canadian ARIAs). We released their new album Go on March 5, having released their previous album Beautiful Life last year.

Doc Walker performed at CMC Rocks The Snowys and then with Steve Forde and the impressive US act Jack Ingram in Sydney, Orange, Tamworth, Toowoomba and Brisbane the following week.

What a great tour it was!

Firstly, these guys are first class. Great people and totally professional. And the other thing is that they play great.

They performed a selection of their Canadian hits to punters who had never seen them before and won them over to the point where the Go album scored a ARIA Country Album Sales #12 debut. And at their Thredbo after party gig, they even performed Aussie classic 'What's My Scene' quite brilliantly. I remember suggesting to them that doing such a thing (even if they didn't quite nail it.... as Australians love an underdog after all!) was preferable to using appalling 'shrimp on the barbie' terms to connect with Australian crowds. Murray Pulver (who took lead vocal for the track) did a sterling job and the crowd just loved it.

Not only do these guys sound great, but as a live act they do the little things so well... they are just a very polished act all round.

The trip was so successful that another one is already in the works. I wont say when just yet, but rest assured Doc Walker will be back sooner rather than later.

Check out some dodgy live Youtube footage of Doc Walker below and make sure you catch a gig next time they are back in Australia.

Meet Bertie Big Balls, The A&R Guy

2010-02-25T17:39:00.013+11:00

If you know anything about the record label business, I reckon you'll find this highly amusing...

Walter Mason's Destination Saigon

2010-02-24T13:58:00.015+11:00

During my days at the Leading Edge Group, I worked with a terrific gentleman called Walter Mason... a unique, well cultured and educated man, with a dream of being a published writer.

We worked together in a time when opening PDF files would virtually freeze your computer screen and the concept of the csv file was just too complicated to comprehend. Think 7/8 years ago...

Oddly, we used to take comfort in the idea that Brad and Jennifer would never have to worry about such things, before heading off to host karaoke evenings for independent retailers. Those where the days...

And while Brad and Jennifer's union didn't last, PDF files have now become quite easy to open and csv files have actually become quite useful to me, my friendship with Walter Mason remains very strong. So much so that I'm looking forward to celebrating the launch of his terrific book, Destination Saigon - Adventures In Vietnam next Thursday night.

Destination Saigon being described as a "funny, touching and truly unique journey through contemporary Vietnam". It's on sale this month.

Walter is conducting a bunch of talks regarding the book and Vietnam in general. I'd urge you to drop in if you're in the area. Refreshments will be served at all functions as an added bonus!

Krystal Forscutt Announces Her Retirement

2010-02-22T21:33:00.014+11:00

It's always great to say you retired on your own terms. And that is what Krystal Forscutt is doing. She has announced her retirement from bikini modeling, meaning she'll no longer be appearing on mens magazine covers.

This week's Zoo magazine cover will in fact be her last.

"I'm looking for a challenge and trying to crack the acting world," she announced yesterday (as reported by News Ltd press).

"I'm also currently enrolled in a singer/songwriter course and just trying to broaden my skills beyond wearing a bikini."

I briefly worked with Krystal last year when she featured in Steve Forde's Guns & Guitars music video. Check it out below. She did a terrific job... she was engaging and professional and if her work ethic and passion is anything to go by, I reckon she has a future in the entertainment business in some form.

That commitment and the right people guiding her will be the key.

Good luck Krystal!

My 2 Cents On The Taylor Swift GRAMMY HOO HA

2010-02-05T11:29:00.015+11:00

Writers around the world have been quick to be incredibly critical about Taylor Swift's GRAMMYS performace this week. Swift won the major award on the night, Album of the Year as well as three other awards, but her vocal performance with Stevie Nicks has been widely critized.

Critic Patrick Goldstein of the Los Angeles Times said, "Even though Swift was the big winner Sunday night, she has largely been derided by critics and is viewed as a youthful enthusiasm, not a serious artist. (If you watched the show, you may have noticed that while she has lovely hair, she can barely sing."

Popular online music critic Bob Leftez said, "Taylor Swift shortened her career last night. And since she says she calls all her own shots, she has to shoulder the blame. Yes, her dream came true, she made it, she's a star, but the real test is longevity. Elton John can play with GaGa decades later. Will Taylor Swift be duetting with the stars of the 2030s? Doubtful."

Scott Borchetta, the head of Swifts record label, Big Machine Records responded to the critics by saying...

“The facts say she is the undisputed best communicator that we’ve got. So when she says something or feels something it affects more people than anybody else. Maybe she’s not the best technical singer, but she is the best emotional singer. Everybody gets up there and is technically perfect people don’t seem to want more of it. There’s not an artist in any other format that people want more of than they want of Taylor. I think (the critics) are missing the whole voice of a generation that is happening right in front of them. Maybe they are jealous or can’t understand that. But obviously the people that she talks to are engaged with her. No one is perfect on any given day. Maybe in that moment we didn’t have the best night, but in the same breath, maybe we did.”

There will always be differing and highly emotional views on what a "true artist" is until the end of time.

But here's my take on this issue...

I like the idea that the best music impacts you on some level emotionally... whether it be a vocal melody or instrumental piece.

I agree that it wasn't Taylor's best performance. But critics should also remember that she hasn't sung any better previously either, and that it isn't her voice that draws people to her, but the message she delivers in her songs. She connects with an emormous amount of people who want something real and honest... in a way that no one else simply is able to do anywhere in the world at the moment. And that is what makes her the artist she is.

But because she is young, pretty and sings pop-country, your everyday music snob will never acknowledge the significance and relevance she truely has.

Is Taylor Swift a great singer? Absolutely not.

But should she have won Album of the Year at the Grammys? Absolutely!

Why? Because she is in fact a "voice of a generation" who is simply unmatched globally in that regard right now.

Some Thoughts On Tamworth Country Music Festival 2010

2010-01-26T23:38:00.010+11:00

Much talk at this years Tamworth Country Music Festival centred around protests from retired country music "authorities" regarding the inclusion of non-country acts at the festival - in which currently 60% of the attendees are over 65. That stat alone explains why each year, the event's numbers drop that little bit more.

I have no drama with anyone performing at the festival, but ironically I don't think rock/pop acts are going to get more people to Tamworth. If people want to specifically see those acts, they will go to a pop festival.

Instead start bringing some international acts to the festival... acts the younger demos like. That's how you'll grow the festival. Image Taylor, Carrie or Kenny in Tamworth, exclusively! Your talking tens of thousands more people at the festival and a potential economic win for the city, as well as more people to see the great Australian talent on show.

The festival should also start genuinely embracing and promoting all types of country in it's marketing of the event - not just traditional and the same "contemporary" artists, and start focusing on propagating young talent rather than simply using the same acts each year to meet short term budgets.

New festivals like Coboulture, Perth Muster and CMC Rocks The Snowys are doing just that and giving people an alternative to Tamworth.

Those acts shouldn't have the pressure of carrying the Tamworth festival each year.

The CMAA should also start including younger judges in the first round of the awards voting process. In fact, they should expand it completely so that all "conflicts of interest" are equally represented in that process, rather than having the small voter base that appears to "filter out" certain artists at present. Again, more focus on the now and the propagation of relevant and commercial new talent, and less (but appropriate) focus on the past is needed.

Over half of CMC's audience is under 40, a statistic that should be recognized and acted upon across the board. This, among many other things would also help generate more much needed corporate interest in the CMAA Awards and Tamworth festival.

And festival publicists need to start saying no to media pieces that focus on the novelty elements (which make it look like a total joke) of the festival rather than the great artists and music.

Country music is a very sensitive genre and I'm sure people have other views as well, and fair enough. This view is simply mine.

10 Things I Loved About The 2009 CMA Awards

2009-11-15T13:25:00.016+11:00

I'm back from Nashville after a great CMA Awards week. The 10 best things I love most about the awards themselves were....

1. This awards show is one giant party... as it should be... when you are celebrating success and great music, it should be just that!

2. The weather was fantastic in Nashville. Unseasonably warm.

3. I had the opportunity to meet Reba among many others after the awards and all I can say is that this woman is 1st class in every way. You will not find a better and more humble role model. I was also thrilled to chat with the very talented video director Trey Fanjoy, who won a CMA in the video category.

4. From Jamey Johnson and George Strait to Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift, the CMA Awards show acknowledges artists who sing both pop-country and traditional country. They award artists with fan bases young and old. They even have awards voters who are under 50! If only we... (Ok, not today Tim...)

5. Zac Brown totally rocked the house. What a talented guy.

6. So glad Jamey Johnson's "In Colour" won Song of the Year.

7. When Taylor Swift won an MTV Award and referred herself as a country artist, she immediately got my Entertainer of the Year vote. In becoming such a phenomenal global ambassador for country music she rightly won the big award... and three others.

9. Darius Rucker's speech blew me away. So genuine and so well deserved.

10. I'm told CMC's live industry viewing in Sydney was a great event. I'm glad those back home were also able to capture the excitement live.

P.S. Was great to see Brooks and Dunn perform one final time and Jack Ingram is a great performer you MUST check out at CMC Rocks The Snowys next year.

Tim's Product Reviews: Tobi Steam Iron (Tobi Steamer)

2009-07-29T00:49:00.008+10:00

When you look at the TV ads late at night on commercial TV, the Tobi Steam Iron looks like a dream come true for those who hate or simply can't iron clothes (i.e. me).

A terrific young person recently informed me about this product and in a desperate attempt to find a solution I decided to become an early adopter of this new ironing/cleaning item. Who would have thought?!

Clothes steamers seem to be a real in thing right now.. The Tobi product is just one of many enticing alternatives out there.

The manufactures claim is as follows...

"It will never burn or scorch your clothes like an iron. Steam is the gentlest and safest way to remove wrinkles. The Tobi plumps up the fibers in your clothes rather then flatten them like an iron. The Tobi heats up quickly - just 30 seconds."
Many reviews haven't been overly glowing (I have since found out!) but I feel my demonstration below is actually positive in an overall sense.

I have since encountered a condensation issue after further use, but take a look for yourself below at the results from my live demonstration...

Why Does Greg Inglis Still Play For Queensland?

2009-07-08T16:15:00.004+10:00

The rules are very clear in realation to what State of Origin side you should play for. It doesn't matter who you'd like to play for or where your heart lies.... the state you play for is determined by the state (NSW or QLD) in which you played your first football after you turn 16.

Greg Inglis was selected for the maroons on the basis that he played his first senoir football for Wavell High, a Queensland school.

However, recent investigations have discovered that Inglis played his first senior game for Newcastle's Hunter Sports High School, at the age of 16. This is a school in New South Wales (Source: David Midelton).

He is therefore not eligible to play for Queensland.

If a mistake was made, that's fine. These things happen. But why haven't the ARL now corrected it by making Inglis eligable for NSW instead of QLD?

It's now time for someone at the NRL to make the appropriate call.

The fact Inglis is winning games for QLD against the team he should be playing for is a farce. The rules are clear and the ARL are not policing them.

There's no doubt that the teams would be much more evenly matched with Inglis playing for NSW. While that is just co-incidence in relation to this series and not an argument for my point of view, it's an interesting point to make.

Are Manly Sea Eagles Fans Really This Stupid?

2009-02-23T19:15:00.009+11:00

Are Manly Sea Eagles fans really this stupid?

Apparently they are, with football club members taking issue with club saviour Max Delmage who has suggested that their disgraceful media manager Peter Peters (pictured left) should be sacked for making innapropritate comments.

Delmage has poured millions into Manly - saving them not so long ago when they were close to insolvency.

Such a gentleman would have been welcomed with endless open arms 9 years ago when North Sydney were in need of such financial help.

Delmage has given Manly $12.5 million according to media reports.

I agree with Delmage, Peters should be sacked. The man has been a PR disaster for Manly for decades. Many of the people that hate Manly, do so because of Peters. He's a dreadful man.

Imagine... a world where Manly is still hated... just not as much!

And if Delmage he wants to slap KPI's on Des Hasler, then so he should. He's the one who has given the club $12.5 million after all.

McGrath Foundation

2009-01-07T23:16:00.007+11:00

The 3rd cricket test was a great success. Not so much becasue the Australian team won, but because of the success of the McGrath Foundation "Pink Test" promotion. It was great to see this cause dominating the news.

The cause is a great one and the people involved are simply wonderful human beings. Glenn McGrath is not only was a champion fast bowler, but was also a model husband and father (as he continues to be in the later case).

Jane McGrath was an inspirational woman who despite battling cancer for over 10 years, put a smile on peoples faces and made a fantastic contribution to the community right up until her passing.

A dear family friend of mine passed away a couple of years ago. She too was a victim of breast cancer and was also a wonderful mother and wife who also always put a smile on peoples faces right up until her passing. I thought of her during this test match.

It was great to see Channel 9 and the print media be so supportive of this cause.

Better they do that than continue commentary on the whereabouts of some rich idiot ex-porn star from overseas.

And incidentally, if she can be paid $600,000 to fly here and annoy everyone on new years, we should be giving much more to the McGrath foundation.

Over $500,000 was raised during the test match and lets hope that continues to build.

I for one, have made a donation. We should all be supporting this foundation.

Visit http://www.mcgrathfoundation.com.au/ for more information.

Alan Jones Recovering From Surgery Again

2008-12-20T12:48:00.014+11:00

It's been a challenging year for Alan Jones, who you may know as being Australia's leading radio broadcaster and a former Australian Rugby coach.

Or maybe you just know him as the star of these infamous closet recordings.

Earlier this year, Jones announced he had prostate cancer and had surgery he described at the time as "robotic" and "invasive".

Alan recovered and returned the radio 2GB later in the year, but it's now been revealed that he's also recovering from the removal of a brain tumor.

While Jones has been far less descriptive in discussing this surgery, apparently it was also successful.

I wish Alan a speedy recovery.

In these questionable economic times, Australia needs a fit and well Alan Jones to go into bat for the increasing amount of people on Struggle Street.

When he returns to the airwaves, one hopes he also returns to a clean and dust free studio... Errghh.