(Nashville, Tenn. – Sept. 12, 2012) The famed Bluebird Café played host to some of Australia’s most talented singer-songwriters Tuesday night, as approximately 20 artists from Down Under delivered a pair of sold-out sets to help kick off Nashville’s Americana Week.
For the third year in a row, Australian government-supported music industry organization Sounds Australia has brought a group of Aussie artists to Nashville to participate in the Americana Music Conference and Festival. This year’s group is the largest yet, with more than two-dozen acts making the trip.
The 6 p.m. show featured artists (pictured below L to R): Kelly Menhennett, Lee Morgan, Sue Ray, Felicity Urquhart, Lachlan Bryan, Catherine Traicos, Jordie Lane, Jen Mize, Karl Broadie, Clare Reynolds, Andrew Redford, Sounds Australia manager and executive Dobe Newton, Glen Hanna.
The 9 p.m. show included acts (pictured below L-R, back row): Jane Patterson, John Flanagan, Bex Chilcott, Jason King. (L-R, front row): Lianna Rose, Melody Pool, Damian Howard.
Thursday, Sept. 13, 5 p.m. – “Sisters Are Doing It…” Join Sounds Australia, Sister Cities of Nashville and the Tamworth Music Festival at the Sheraton Listening Lounge with artists 8 Ball Aitken, Lachlan Bryan, Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson, Felicity Urquhart and special U.S. guest artist Kim Richey.
Friday, Sept. 14, Noon – Maton Presents “The Aussie Lunch” at The Second Fiddle. Free lunch provided for AMA attendees, with performances from: Chris Altmann, Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson, Caitlin Harnett, Chris Pickering, Shandell and Felicity Urquhart. Hosted by Mark and Jay O’Shea.
Friday, Sept. 14, 8 p.m. – Official showcase performance by Caitlin Harnett at The Basement.
Saturday, Sept. 15, 8 p.m. – Official showcase performance by Felicity Urquhart at The Rutledge.
Saturday, Sept. 15, 11 p.m. – Official showcase performance by Jordie Lane at The Rutledge.
Sunday, Sept. 16, Noon – 10 p.m. – Stagemothers Aussie BBQ at The Basement. Performances all day and night at Nashville’s iconic live music venue and attached record store. Included is a sausage sizzle provided by Nashville’s Aussie rules football champs, The Nashville Kangaroos, and the Sounds Australia Music Passport prize drawing. Performances from: 8 Ball Aitken, Chris Altmann, Karl Broadie, Lachlan Bryan, Kristy Cox, John Flanagan & The Begin Agains, Lee Griffin, Caitlin Harnett, Damian Howard, Jordie Lane, Kelly Menhennett, Jen Mize, Lee Morgan, Chris Pickering, Melody Pool, Sue Ray, Andrew Redford, Lianna Rose, Ruby Boots, Shandell, Ben Wright Smith, Catherine Traicos and Felicity Urquhart.
Wednesday, Sept. 19, 7 p.m. – Music City Roots “DownUnder Special” concert. Weekly radio program Music City Roots hosts a special night of Australian talent, with performances from Chris Altmann, Caitlin Harnett, Jordie Lane, Felicity Urquhart and “honorary Aussies” Tom Mason & The Blue Buccaneers.
