LEE SET TO ROCK THE NORTH

DARWIN CITY MUSTER - GARDENS AMPHITHEATRE
SATURDAY 11TH JULY 2009 6PM - 11.30PM

The 4th Darwin City Muster on Saturday 11th July is the ultimate family night out under the stars with the legends Lee Kernaghan, John Williamson and Sara Storer, supported by Harmony James and Mick Denigan in The Gardens Amphitheatre.

You'll be kickin' back and lettin' loose as MC Charlie King introduces the recipients of more than 60 Golden Guitars performing bush ballads, heartbreakers and high energy country rock with their own bands in concert length sets. And you can meet the artists direct from the stage in the Country Music Shack Merchandise Tent.

Tickets for the premier event on the country music calendar are $65 (inclusive of fees) and on-sale from Friday 22nd May so avoid the stampede and purchase your tickets early from The Darwin Entertainment Centre Telephone 8980 3333 [www.darwinentertainment.com.au] . Darwin Tourism Top End Visitor Information Centre, Nightcliff Newsagency, Casuarina Sounds of Music & Country Music Shack Humpty Doo. Children under 14 accompanied by an adult are free.

There's plenty of parking nearby at the Mindil Beach Markets site and the Gardens Amphitheatre gates open at 5pm (enter via Gardens Road bottom gate) one hour before the concert kicks off.

Please bring cameras, bottled water, rugs and chairs - seating is not allocated. Note Under 18’s: Must be accompanied by a responsible adult and may not enter the bar service areas. Darwin City Muster acknowledges the support of Channel 9, NT News, Top Country 92.3 & Mix 1049, Bridge Toyota, Lion Nathan, Total Event Services and Darwin Airport Resort.

www.citymuster.com.au

 

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NEW ALBUM ON THE WAY

Before heading out on the 2009 Spirit of the Bush tour of Victoria, Lee spent a few days up in the hills writing songs with his mates Garth Porter and James Blundell. The boys first got together to write songs for the Hat Town album and have since penned such hits as Goondiwindi Moon, Cowgirls do and Rock my World. Lee said "It was great writing with James and Garth. They are both formidable writers and the new songs are feeling really good. We wrote almost non stop for three days. I cranked up my Gibson guitar and let it rip. I also have this amazing Maton acoustic that sounds so good the songs almost write themselves. I've been collecting ideas for this album over the past two and a half years so in some ways the songs are reflective and in other ways there's a fair amount of edge."

The new Lee Kernaghan album is due for release in October 2009 with an extensive national tour scheduled to commence just after the release date.

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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

 

 

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A STARLIGHT DREAM COME TRUE

THE dreams of two Whiteside brothers' came true on Saturday the 2nd of May when they sang with Lee Kernaghan at the QUT Urban Country Music Festival.

Jai Barber, 10, and Elijah, 6, met Kernaghan backstage at the Main Concert and - by asking politely - were invited on stage to sing Spirit of the Bush.

"Lee introduced them to the massive crowd, saying `I had the privilege of meeting these special boys, both little battlers today'," said delighted mum Alison Barber.

"At one part in the song, a part that's spoken, Lee bent down and said to Jai `Take it away, mate' and Jai spoke the lines on his own. The crowd went off, they just went insane yelling at Jai."

The Starlight Foundation organised the meeting as part of its Starlight Escapes program.

Mrs Barber said her sons, and in particular Jai, were overwhelmed to meet Kernaghan and perform on stage.

"I looked at him (Jai) while we were standing outside waiting to meet Lee Kernaghan and he was crying, he was so overwhelmed," Mrs Barber said.

It was just one of many highlights as an estimated 35,000 day visitors lapped-up the festival's 500 performances on 11 stages.

[Miranda Forster: Pine Rivers Press - Photo: Josh]

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