Planet Country store now open
Due to popular demand the entire range of Planet Country merchandise is now available online.
Click on the image above to visit the store
Also available: The "Outback Club" Akubra
PLANET COUNTRY TOUR DATES
The August dates are:
Wed 11 August Bathurst NSW - Panthers Club
Thu 12 August Orange Ex Services Club NSW
Fri 13 August Dubbo Regional Theatre and Convention Centre NSW
Sat 14 August Mudgee Parklands Resort NSW
Sun 29 August Optus Muster - Gympie Qld
The full 2010 Planet Country tour schedule, and ticketing information for the above concerts, is available on the Tours page
Lee Kernaghan Joins CMC
Country Music Channel (CMC) has announced that Australian country legend, LEE KERNAGHAN is joining the channel to present a new series of artist profiles and insights. In his first role for CMC, Lee will be presenting a series called Lee Kemaghan: The Stories. In the series, Lee profiles emerging country music artists, handpicked by him from THE MCCLYMONTS, MARKUS MEIER, and VICTORIA BAILLIE, to JASMINE RAE, the DAVIDSON BROTHERS and more.
Lee shares personal stories and thoughts about these rising stars of Australian country music, and gives us his insights into what makes them great. "Australian country music is fortunate to have a wealth of extremely talented artists and this series is all about telling their story, where they come from and what makes them great," said Lee. "CMC plays an integral role in promoting Australian artists both here at home and internationally, and it is about as much fun as a country boy can have hitting the road with CMC and making this series."
Lee Kemaghan: The Stories premieres on CMC in May.
Kernaghan pens salute to troops
Two Blackhawk helicopters slowly descend towards the tarmac, smoke billows in the air and country music star Lee Kernaghan does what he does best — he belts out a song that captures the attention of everyone watching. This scene was what played out at the Oakey Army Aviation Centre yesterday afternoon as Mr Kernaghan filmed the video clip for his latest single Australian Boy.
Mr Kernaghan wrote the song after corresponding with his friend who was commanding troops in Afghanistan. He said the letter exchange brought home to him the dangers Australian’s servicemen and women face when serving overseas.
"It pays tribute to our servicemen and women, I wanted to convey my feelings and respect for them." Mr Kernaghan said it was a privilege to be able to spend a day and a night at the Oakey Army Aviation Centre. "It will be an event in my life I will never forget."
Oakey Army Aviation Centre deputy commandant Lieutenant Colonel Tim Witenden said the filming was a great opportunity for the base to showcase what it does. "We are very proud of what do and what we have here," Lt Col Witenden said. He said it was great a singer of Mr Kernaghan’s calibre recognised the work of the defence forces.
Source: Alyssa Kimlin, The Chronicle, March 16, 2010
Tour expanded - New dates plus some date changes
Lee's manager Steve White advises that "the Planet Country tour has been expanded to incorporate more concerts in 2010 and some date changes were necessary to accommodate the expanded tour and the 2010/11 Summer Tour"
Lee's management apologises to anyone who may be inconvenienced by the change of dates and ticket holders can either hold their concert tickets for the new date or receive a refund at the box office.
The new and rescheduled dates are:
Sat 17 Apr Rock The Mount Melrose, S.A. - Outdoors
Sun 18 Jul Kernot Hall Morwell
Sat 6 Nov Albury NSW
Fri 12 Nov Swan Hill Town Hall
Sat 13 Nov Gol Gol Hotel Mildura - Outdoors
Sun 14 Nov Broken Hill Entertainment Centre
Sat 20 Nov Bonnie Doon Hotel - Outdoors
More 2010 concert dates will be announced March 1
View the Planet Country tour dates here
Audience strikes gold with Todd and Lee
COUNTRY music legend Lee Kernaghan and Beaconsfield mine rockfall survivor Todd Russell put on their best Kenny Rogers impersonations last night in front of a packed Princess Theatre.
The pair teamed up to perform their version of The Gambler as part of Kernaghan's Planet Country Australian tour, which he dedicated to Cressy's Batchelor family, who lost their 13-year-old son to cancer on Boxing Day last year. The event was the third time the pair had performed the song together.
"We've only ever performed The Gambler and Lee mentioned we're going to have to come up with another song to perform," Mr Russell said. The nerves had not yet set in before Mr Russell's performance, which was the last song of the last set. "I wouldn't say I can hold too much of a tune, they always keep me for the last song to clear the place when it's finished," he said.
Mr Russell said growing up surrounded by country tunes and an interest later in Kernaghan's music made last night's performance all the more special. "Lee is such a great Aussie guy and to sing along with him is just fantastic," he said. "Lee and I have kept in regular contact since we met in 2006 and this is the third time I've performed with him and the second time in Launceston."
Source: Emma Webb, The Examiner, February 6, 2010
Planet Country - Chart Breaking Success
Lee's latest hit album Planet Country has spent a record breaking nine weeks on top of the Australian Country Singles airplay chart, two weeks longer than his biggest hit to date Hat Town which maintained the number one position for seven consecutive weeks.
The Planet Country music video also ends the week as the number one music video on the Country Music Channel Top 50 chart. Lee has just returned from the Country Music Awards and festival picking up Album of the Year at the Australian Country Music Peoples Choice Awards.
LK said today he is "totally pumped" to be heading out on the Planet Country Australian Tour which kicks off in Burnie, Tas on the 3rd of February. Lee will be touring througout 2010 with support stars Jasmine Rae, Marcus Meier and previous CMAA Female Vocalist of the Year, Tania Kernaghan.
Toyota Concert for Rural Australia
Toyota is treating country music fans to a free concert during this year's Tamworth Country Music Festival, and will be calling on guests to dig deep and make a donation to its charity partner. Toyota’s concerts for rural Australia have donated thousands of dollars to not-for-profit organisations including Aussie Helpers and the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Headlining the concert will be Toyota Ambassador Lee Kernaghan.
Friday 22nd January
5.00 pm
Bicentennial Park, Tamworth
Lee announces Planet Country Australian Tour 2010
Lee Kernaghan has just announced his Planet Country Tour dates for 2010. Check out the dates here!
In an Outback Club exclusive, fans have the opportunity to be the first to purchase the best tickets for Lee's shows in 2010.
Public sales available from Wednesday December the 2nd, so be quick to snap up your seats for the biggest Australian country show to tour in 2010! The Planet Country Tour!
Lee has invited some very special guests to tour with
him. Be sure to check his website www.leekernaghan.com.au for the very latest
news updates, twittering, goss and rumours ...
Love In A Time Of Drought
Lee Kernaghan had to go back to the drawing board to make his latest album, writes Bruce McMahon (The Courier Mail, 21st Nov 09)
LEE Kernaghan's phone was full of notes collected for his next album. Late last year he handed the phone to his youngest son Rock. The six-year-old took a step backwards, tripped and fell into the pool with the phone in hand.
Planet Video Is Here
Lee has recently returned from the Planet Country Music Video shoot which was filmed on location in Western Sydney by acclaimed production company Conti Bros.
The clip features special guest appearances from new stars Morgan Evans and Victoria Baillie along with cameos from several ute loving locals who were invited to be a part of the making of the music video.
Planet Country is now being broadcast on The Country Music Channel and is also available on YouTube.
Order Planet Country Now On iTunes And Get A Bonus Track!
Fans of Lee Kernaghan can now pre-order Planet Country (officially on sale November 6, 2009) on iTunes.
If you purchase the album on iTunes you will also recieve a special exclusive track 'Feeling' Pretty Naked'.
Click Here to listen to 30 second samples of each album track and to order Planet Country now!
20 YEARS OF AUSTRALIAN COUNTRY HITS - THE HITMAKERS - LEE KERNAGHAN IS No. 1
Over the 20 years, 508 artists featured on the Country Tracks chart. 60% of the hits were by Australians (with a very noticeable growth since 2000). I've listed the most impressive hit makers (based on the ratio of top 10 hits) - 14 of the top 20 are Australian.
LEE KERNAGHAN ranks as the #1 hit maker with 38 hits - 38 top 10 - 27 No. 1's, followed by ALAN JACKSON, GARTH BROOKS, GEORGE STRAIT, KASEY CHAMBERS and KEITH URBAN.
- Nick Erby
http://www.countrymusicradio.com.au
RURALCO AND LEE KERNAGHAN LAUNCH AUSSIE HELPERS CHILDREN’S FUND
Ruralco and 2008 Australian of the Year, Lee Kernaghan have announced the formation of a strategic alliance to help disadvantaged children in rural Australia. The launch of the Aussie Helpers Children’s Fund was a highlight at the CRT National Conference in Adelaide. Aussie Helpers Children’s Fund is an extension of the self-funded, volunteer organisation, Aussie Helpers, of which Lee is the patron. Lee has campaigned strongly since becoming involved with the organisation in 2006 to raise awareness of the social, financial and emotional consequences that one of the worst droughts on record has had on rural communities. Through his involvement with rural families, Lee identified a need for greater assistance for disadvantaged kids living in rural and regional areas. He said support and resources are required across:
- Education
- Sporting equipment
- Musical equipment
- Computers and books
- Career assistance
- Medical assistance
- Scholarships for sport, music, education, etc
Lee put steps in place for the establishment of Aussie Helpers Children’s Fund and his vision was realised when Ruralco became a major contributor to the Fund. A percentage of the profits of Ruralco’s newly launched OSKA™ Professional tool range will go to the Fund. “When Ruralco came to me with the concept of getting behind a cause that I am so passionate about, with the intention of having their entire network of rural-based businesses involved with Aussie Helpers Children’s Fund, I knew this was a company that I wanted to be involved with, said Mr Kernaghan.
“I’m looking forward to working with this great Australian company and, together, helping to make a difference for children in the bush,” he added. Ruralco’s Managing Director, John Maher, said he was thrilled Ruralco and its retailing businesses throughout Australia were in a position to support such an important and worthwhile charity.
Click here to read the full Press Release
LK'S TOP TEN OUTBACK STAGES
1. Broome, WA
They say it's where the outback meets the sea and for me Cable Beach, Broome, is about as close to heaven as it gets. It's always a huge event playing there. People travel in from all over the outback and hitting that beautiful beach is always memorable.
2. Texas, Qld
I came across Texas on a road trip out west and as I turned up the main street, something told me I had to write a song about the place. The little border town is loaded with character and the locals will probably greet you with a friendly "hey yah!". When the song, Texas Qld 4385, was finally recorded, I went back to Texas with my band and we put on a show at the Royal Hotel so the locals could be first to hear their song.
3. Yaraka, Qld
Located about 200km south of Longreach, the locals rely on a bush medical clinic and the Royal Flying Doctor Service for their medical needs. We put on a concert to raise funds to buy a defibrillator for the clinic and we were all amazed when the population swelled from 30 locals to more than 3000, as people travelled out to Yaraka for the show. The little town experienced its first-ever traffic jam that night and, for many, Yaraka is still the centre of the universe.
4. Mount Remarkable, Flinders Ranges, SA
The Rock the Mount festival is held each year at the base of majestic Mount Remarkable just outside Melrose at the southern point of the Flinders Ranges. There are great places to camp, set up the caravan or roll out a swag, and the music line-up features all the big names in Australian country music. A steak and a beer with the locals at the North Star Hotel is a "bucket list" experience.
5. Kuranda, Qld
In the rainforest about an hour from Cairns, Kuranda Amphitheatre will be a highlight of my 2010 Planet Country tour. It'll probably be hot and sweaty, and it might rain, so I recommend swimming togs and a drizabone.
6. Deniliquin, NSW
There is nothing like this on the planet. The Deniliquin Ute Muster is about as Australian as it gets and, with the utes, music and the country crowd, is always legendary.
7. Broken Hill, NSW
Photographers and artists from all over the world come here for the amazing light unique to this part of Australia. My last two album covers were shot on a station near Silverton. On the road out, stop at the Mundi Mundi Plains lookout where you can see the curvature of the earth with the naked eye and marvel at the vastness of the outback.
8. Rockhampton, Qld
The only pub in Australia with its own indoor rodeo arena, the Great Western Hotel is one of the ultimate concert venues on the Australian tour. Everyone up there knows how to have a real good time - it's the place where Central Queensland comes to do what they do so well... party!
9. Western MacDonnell Ranges, NT
My mate Troy Dann introduced me to this part of the Territory when I was writing songs for the Hat Town album. TD choppered us across the ranges bordering Amburla Station and they were awe-inspiring. I've never seen so many falling stars as I did sitting around the campfire that night. It's an experience that stays with you for life.
10. Gympie, Qld
Walking out on stage to sing to 50,000 people at the Gympie Muster in the Amamoor Creek State Forest is a heart-pumping, awesome event. You never know what might happen. A few years ago my guitar pyrotechnics were put on backwards and I accidentally set fire to my Maton as I was singing This Cowboy's Hat. After extinguishing the flames I tossed the smoking wreck out into the audience. There's nothin' like a country crowd.
Source: QANTAS Magazine
Our mate Tom
Photo courtesy of the Singleton Argus
Read the full article written by the Singleton Argus
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AUSSIE
HELPERS
Come fire, flood or drought, show your support for country families and kids doing it tough.
Find out more about AUSSIE HELPERS here.
1300 665 232