Well on behalf of the Country Music Association of Australia, welcome to the 1997 Toyota Country Music Awards. Whether you're joining us on radio, TV, and stars, and we'll be hearing the best country music from either side of the black stump. That's right. And who better to get the night rolling than the 1996 Aria Award winners, the Dead Ringer Band. I got lost in a hurricane, heard somebody call my name, but I was unable to respond. Late that night I heard a sound, made me think you were around, but I saw the signs of over time. So I took to moving on, in my mind I'm already gone. Well I got left with a heavy head, I put away to the road instead, I lose that hurricane to the common sense. And then those words would talk so loud, to meet you in the common crowd, well I was on my way to out of here. So I took to moving on, in my mind I'm already gone. I got an empty head from left to right, leaving my heart here at night. I want to make my time spend moving on, in my mind I'm already gone. Well I got asked to appear again, I turned it down for a better friend, he didn't even show up in the end. And I told him all to meet me down, somewhere out the lost and found, the only place I seem to be left on. So I took to moving on, in my mind I'm already gone. I got an empty head from left to right, leaving my heart here at night. I want to make my time spend moving on, in my mind I'm already gone. I got an empty head from left to right, leaving my heart here at night. I want to make my time spend moving on, in my mind I'm already gone. In my mind I'm already gone. Fantastic, well it is the time, it's time to announce our first award for the evening. Well being a songwriter I've always felt that having the big songwriting award first up is very appropriate, because if you haven't got a great song then you just can't make a great record, you can't have great country music. That's for sure, and to present the Apra Song of the Year and Best New Talent of the Year, would you please welcome our first presenters. The irrepressible Bushwhackers front man himself, and I can't wait to see the jacket he's wearing tonight, Dove Newton and also three times Golden Guitar winning singer songwriter Norma O'Hara Murphy. Hi folks, I've already picked up the award for most appallingly dressed as usual. G'day Norma, how are you? How are you Dove, you're looking gorgeous as usual. Thank you, that's not what you said. Now I actually said, what I actually said was Dove they won't know whether to talk to you or read you. Well enough of this jolly old chatter. I'm going to present the Apra Song of the Year and the finalist are... Where the Murray meets the Darling, written by Tanya Kernigan and Garth Porter. World Weary Heart, written by Marco Shea and Fiona Kernigan. And Born a Travelling Man, written by Keith Urban and Peter Clark. And the winner of the Apra Song of the Year for 1977, The Road Less Travel, written and recorded by Grant Collins. Take the long way around, let your life unravel as you cover that ground. Thank you Dove, thank you the judges who thought the song worthy. And thanks to my wife Lynn and my children for creating an atmosphere in which I can be creative. To my co-producer Mark McDuff and the musicians who helped bring the song to life. To ABC EMI for sending the song out in the world there so people could hear it. I treasure this. Apra Song of the Year, Grant Collins. I'm here to present, I'm very proud to be here to present the Best New Talent Award and the finalists are... Darren Coggan, The Dream Remains the Same. Cam Fletcher, Kicking Up Dirt. Wayne Law, Small Town Dreamer. Tinch committed the party's surprise, Lying in My Bed. Include the country more populous than Mr Cook thought it. Include the country more populous than Mr Cook thought it. Lying in my bed, sweet lullaby. This is amazing. The feeling up here is...wow. Firstly I'd like to thank my family. Thank you so very much mum and dad and grandma. I love you all so very much. To the Toyota, Toyota for sponsoring these awards. Thanks for your support of country music. And the Country Music Association of Australia, all the judges and anyone that's ever supported me. Thank you, I appreciate it. New Talent of the Year ladies and gentlemen, Tina Martin. Hi I'm Jim Brown. Don't miss our two part special show, Golden Guitars Silver Years. When the Our Country team looks at 25 years of Tamworth country music. New series beginning 6.30pm Saturday 15 February. See you then. Cut, pork, rum and a thousand. Raw area. All tied in the back. Hilux, Australia's favourite ute. I want a feeling, Toyota. Because it's unbreakable. Wouldn't you like to get a free CD or cassette of the hottest country music every month? Here's how, just subscribe to New Country Magazine. And every month you'll get a free CD or cassette packed with at least ten new songs from top country artists. Folks like Garth Brooks, Pam Tillis, Neil McCoy and John Michael Montgomery. And every issue of New Country Magazine delivers exclusive features and lively interviews with country music's biggest stars. Plus reviews and ratings of more than 100 new country albums every month. It is absolutely free. All you pay is posted handling. There's no to join no company. From what? Nobody does it better. Do you like it? Thank you Mr. Walker. And the award for the best double CD goes to winners five. The music from this year's country music awards is yours to keep on a specially priced double CD. 30 great tracks. If you love Australian country, this album's a must. Winners five, in store now. It's the bull riding event of the year. It's the Carlton 2NM APBA Australian Championship finals and music's spectacular. The 7th and 8th of February at White Park in Scone. 45 of the country's best pro bull riders versus the nation's wildest Brahmin bulls. Plus, run number one Radio Clown and Steve Gibson live in concert camp. Let you and Andrew Clam on three times National Bluegrass Champion. Side shows, amusements and much more. It's the February 7th and 8th nightly from 7pm. Don't miss this one, it'll be worth every buck. The two piece speed. Right now with KFC's two piece speed you can mix and match. So that's your choice of two pieces of chicken, regular chips, potato and gravy, a roll plus a Pepsi. All for just $4.75. Take us out of here Mr. Sulu. Walk factor two. Their ruthless crims afraid of no one but one cop is out to put them away. Federal officer. Wesley Snipes and speeds Dennis Hopper in the full on action thriller. And that is that. Toiling Wings, 8.30 Sunday on Prime. A hot summer's night in the Tamworth Town Hall, January 28th, 1973. Australian country music would never be the same again as the team from Radio 2TM launched the very first Australasian Country Music Awards. There were 94 nominations and most of the people are still involved in our industry. Slim Dusty, Joy McKeon, Ted Egan, Lindsay Butler, Barry Thornton, Reg Lindsay and many many others. The late Buddy Williams was there and even John Laws had two entries. The new Golden Guitars had been prepared by John Minson and the very first was presented for the Apra Song of the Year to Joy McKeon for Lights on the Hill. The song also won two Golden Guitars for Slim Dusty. Slim Newton, Cole Hardy and the Hamilton County Bluegrass Band were also winners that very first year. In the years that followed Slim Dusty dominated the awards with a constant string of hits including this classic. The Indian Pacific, she goes a-rollin' down the track, five thousand miles to travel before she's there in bed. Gene Stafford, Reg Lindsay, Rex Dallas, the Webb Brothers, Joy McKeon, Reg Poole, the Hawking Brothers and Suzanne Prentice were all big winners in the 70s as the awards grew. In 1976, the great Tex Morton was the first legend to be elevated to the Country Music Roll of Reg. By the end of the decade, the Country Music Awards were already established as one of Australia's major music events, firmly placing country music and the Tamworth Festival in the national consciousness. Wow, well I think you'd agree it's been 25 years of some pretty incredible shirts and frocks. And I don't feel so bad about wearing green tonight seeing Slim in a pink shirt there. Well Australian country music does have a real heart and a warmth. And our next performer has released a string of albums. He has won four Golden Guitars over the years. And he has an army of followers who've crossed the line from fans to friends. He is a great performer and it's my great pleasure to welcome him to the stage here tonight. He's got a heart like far left, they say. Here he is, Rick Dallas. In remembrance of you, old mate, I unlock memories gate and wander back to the oldest while I can. To a place we both knew well, where we once used to dwell, to the country town of Old Palermo Wang. Oh I remember still the old home upon the hill, where the flowers bloomed along the pathway, and the time dried. The back verandah where we sat, and evening times to chat about the goings on in Old Palermo Wang. The years have prickly flowed, and to manhood I have drawn, while in peaceful reverie, old mate you lay. With your hands so old and warm, from the life which they were born, a cold mining man in old Palermo Wang. Tell the story, Rick. The shovels and the picks, the horses and the skips, in memory I see them passing by. The creaking of the trunks, the eerie silence when it stops, and in the darkness the miners' lamps go flickering by. Like the coal mines that have gone, old mate you now can't stop, and to hold my tears back I don't think I can. Yes it makes me sad, old mate, so I relock memories gate, and let you rest in peace in old Palermo Wang. Take us on home, Rick. Ladies and gentlemen, please thank Rick Stallis. Here's Harry and the aliens celebrating the season premiere of Third Rock from the Sun. Dick's a very freaky alien, I'm gorgeous, from the Third Rock from the Sahara. But now his evil twin is taking over, and he's locked Dick in the basement now. He's evil Dick, evil Dick, he wants to rule the planet. He's evil Dick, evil Dick, and good Dick just can't stand his power. Right, we've got a good batting line-up, but the question is what do we do if we win the toss, bat or do we bowl? KFC's hot and spicy is bad, get it while it's hot. And the kindness. In this month's Women's Weekly Nicole Kidman, the sad secret I share with my mum Kerri-Anne's loving gift to her sick husband Derren Tell's No Money No Wife and I'm Scared Cosmetic surgery to the rescue amazing photos The Women's Weekly For women who want it all And the award for the best double CD goes to Winners Five Good woman's love, yes I have So take the road, let's travel The music from this year's Country Music Awards is yours to keep on a specially priced double CD 30 great tracks If you love Australian country, this album's a must Winners Five, in store now It's bargain time during the Green Hills Homemaker Center's huge car park sale There'll be a free sausage sizzle and everything is discounted With some items at half price The Green Hills Homemaker Center's car park sale of the century All this weekend, Mitchell Drive, Green Hills From Indonesia, exotic gift ideas from JTS Imports Become a club member and get 10% discount on everything and discount at JTS Stationery JTS Imports, open seven days, 356 Hunter Street, Newcastle Trade inquiries welcome Right, we've got a good batting line-up But the question is, what do we do if we win the toss? Do we bat or do we bowl? I think we should bowl We bowl, yeah KFC's hot and spicy is bad Get it while it's hot Please welcome to the stage two former Star Maker winners Who between them have won a stack of golden guitars To present the awards for Instrumental of the Year and Bush Ballad of the Year Gina Jeffries and Keith Urban Applause Thanks Thank you Hi Gina Well Keith Welcome back from Nashville Thank you very much Thank you It's been good to have him back Applause Well tonight I'm going to present the Instrumental of the Year And I'm shaking Oh they're going to read the nominations I think Yes, no they're going to read the nominations We do need to find out who they are Do you want to know who's been nominated? Here they are now We do Ned Kelly's tunes Falling Michael Ficks Hen House Shuffle Greg Gardner with Mark Molino The Three Ways Rod McCormick and Mick Ulbeck And Action Jackson Laurie Minson And the Instrumental of the Year for 1997 is Action Jackson by Laurie Minson Applause Music Thank you very much I had absolutely no idea that this was going to happen There are a few people I'd like to thank First of all ABC for their tremendous job and tremendous support all through the Family Tree project It's just been absolutely wonderful and EMI for getting the record out there Also I'd like to credit the other musicians who played on the track Mark Meyer on drums Ian Lees on bass and Charlie Cole on piano Andrew Clement played some fantastic violin Mark Collins and there's one more, another six Ah, Kim Warner played some mandolin I'd also like to thank Colin Simkins, my engineer He just did a fantastic job And last of all I'd like to thank all my family for being here It's the first time in about eight years I've had my brother and sister and mum and dad all here And thank you all Thanks The instrumental of the year, Laurie Minson Laurie you legend That's awesome I'm going to be presenting the Bush Ballad of the Year award This is interesting because I see two trophies up here So the finalists are Hart Creek debutante, Graham Connors Take Me Back to Naukatanga, Stan Costner Must Have Been a Hell of a Party, Slim Dusty For Return, Brian Letton You Come Back to Tassie, John Williamson And the winner, the winners are, is, am Must Have Been a Hell of a Party by Slim Dusty, written by Slim Dusty and Tom Oliver I sit on my bed and I pull on my boots And there are my spurs and my wallet The two, my trade, the money I've made But my wallet, there is my pocket A big silver buckle and $500 all gone and my cob is still snowing Hey, we sure must have had a swan hell of a party The way that I'm feeling this morning Here we go now Oh yeah Calm down I sit on my bed and I pull on my boots Thank you very much indeed This is really, really unexpected It was one of those songs that Tom Oliver, he rang me up one time And I have a circle of songwriters that I am in contact with And we talk over the phone And he rang one day and I said, how are you going? He said, I'm not too well this morning, it must have been a hell of a party we had last night So I followed up and I said, you should write a song about that, I mentioned that a bit later So he twisted around to a couple of Buckjump writers having one hell of a time And so I set it to music and we recorded it on the last album And so it's really great because old Tom, years ago in conjunction with Joy, he wrote one called The Beat of the Government Stroke And Tom was almost going to come down and say, I don't suppose we're going to win anyway But thanks very much that he wrote the song, I'd like to thank all the people at EMI for their assistance And of course the family, my family that have stuck to me over the years Thank you, God bless and God bless Australia And we're going to take it into the new venue next year, yes sirree Oh, all of that, all of that Well last year our next performer released her debut album, December Moon, right here in Tamworth It's been a big 12 months for this girl and she stands before us this evening with five finals nominations Including Album of the Year and Female Vocalist, what an achievement Would you please welcome to the stage Tanya Kernigan We got an all out camp out party going on down at the river on the 9 mile run Stoke up the fire, gonna have some fun down at the river on the 9 mile run You take a lift down the lane, it's split as green We've been planning this shit, big and waiting all week The king's woods are loaded, dogs in the back Everybody's heading down the bungalow in a track We got an all out camp out party going on down at the river on the 9 mile run Stoke up the fire, gonna have some fun down at the river on the 9 mile run Splashing in the river, swinging on a rope Dancing on the bank to the radio Crossing up the dirt box, hanging out of cars Blankets by the bonfire under the stars We got an all out camp out party going on down at the river on the 9 mile run Stoke up the fire, gonna have some fun down at the river on the 9 mile run Swishing in the river, swinging on a rope Dancing on the bank to the radio Crossing up the dirt box, hanging out of cars Blankets by the bonfire under the stars We got an all out camp out party going on down at the river on the 9 mile run Stoke up the fire, gonna have some fun down at the river on the 9 mile run Stoke up the fire, gonna have some fun down at the river on the 9 mile run 9 mile run, 9 mile run, 9 mile run Wanna play Macmillan? And you could win a new hold Nostra Na na, na na na na na Rye is Hilux the biggest selling ute Is it the comfy interior The extraordinary power Or the toughness to take a full tut in the back Hilux, Australia's favourite ute I wanna feel it, boy over Because it's unbreakable You're up very bright and early Cool, huh? I always knew your only taste was in your mouth Speaking of grape taste, it's time for more fat, juicy sultanas and toasted multi flakes I'm reading here that as well as tasting grape, sultana bran is packed with fibre That's a good reason to stop What? Stop eating sultana bran? I'm not reading The Log Sultana Bran is nutritious food made tasty In the sunburned land we've come a long way It's time to get together and honour our day White, yellow, black, from near or far Wherever Aussies are there's always Coca-Cola, yeah True Coca-Cola, Aussies and Coca-Cola Oskar's yummy heart, he's my word Nobody does it better Thank you, Mr. Oka You're the best Well, it's worth noting that tonight all our presenters have had a long association with the Country Music Awards of Australia. In fact, nearly all of them are multiple Golden Guitar winners. Our next two presenters are no exception. Here to honour the 1997 Producer of the Year and also the award for Video Track of the Year, would you please welcome the living legend himself Smokey Dawson and three times Golden Guitar winner Reg Poole. How are you, Reg? Smokey. Living them out there, Reg? Wonderful. Look at them. What a fabulous night. 25 years we've been doing this, you know. Wonderful. Absolutely marvelous. You look good tonight. Mate, you do too. Don't they speak smile on your face? Always. If they say if you keep a smile on your face nobody will notice you've got dirty boobs. Are you all right? I was just having a fun. Well, I suppose I better get on with it and say hello to everybody here and how proud I am to be coming up to Tamworth for this fantastic award night and it is my great pleasure now to present the Producer of the Year award and the finalists are... Rod Coe, Graham Connors, Rod McCormack, Larry Mahoborak and Garth Porter. I'm the one who knows I'm going to keep you in suspense. I've done this before and I knew he was going to get it. It's Garth Porter. Hey! Congratulations. You did it again. Oh, isn't it a beauty? All the best. Congratulations. Thank you very much. This is... Oh, boy. I get nervous as I get out on places like this. I'm much happier sitting in a room writing with the artists that I'm working with or in the control room working with the musicians and the artists. Not to mention Ted Howard, the engineer's recording tonight. This really is a tribute to all of the incredibly talented people that contribute to Australian country music and I'd like to say a special thank you to my wife and children who put up with me when my mind is a million miles away. I might be at home but my brain is in the studio and with my artists. To the CMAA and all the wonderful artists that I work with and the people that voted for me, thank you very much. It is a great honour. Thank you. APPLAUSE Thank you. 1997 Producer of the Year, Garth Porter. APPLAUSE How about that, eh? Oh, that was great. Smokey, I bet you've seen plenty of changes over the years. Oh, sure, we might have had so many changes. Some good, some pretty bad, too. Video music is the coming part. Oh, yeah, just be called Hillbilly music. Now it's most important these days of video clips and it's my pleasure to present the award for the Video of the Year. And the finalists are... Ramblin' Man, directed by Joe Katman. MUSIC SONG SONG Somewhere Out There, directed by Shanley Doe. MUSIC SONG Somewhere Out There, directed by Neil Johnson. MUSIC SONG What have you done for Australia? Josephine, directed by Lindsay Fraser. MUSIC SONG You gotta let him go And The Dreamer, directed by Ross Wood. MUSIC SONG SONG SONG SONG And the winner of the Video Track of the Year is... The Dreamer, Mark O'Shea, directed by Ross Wood. MUSIC SONG SONG SONG SONG SONG SONG SONG SONG SONG SONG SONG SONG SONG SONG Goodness gracious. Thanks very much. Obviously, more important than I, well equally important, was my input. LAUGHTER In the clip is the director, Ross Wood, and he certainly did a favour and... I've lost words, sorry. But he certainly put a lot of time into it that I guess a director of his calibre probably wouldn't normally put into a clip of such a small budget and stuff like that, so I want to thank him personally as well. I want to thank Marilyn and everyone at the ABC, and Rex Hadidamai, and John Bromwell, of course, at Warner Chappell, all the people who have supported me since I got into this field, my family for being there and stuff. LAUGHTER And I just wanted to take this opportunity, not only to thank these people for the work on the clip, but also for supporting me in the record and in everything I do. So thanks very much. On you, Brad. Thanks. APPLAUSE Video track of the year, Mark Osho. APPLAUSE Well, now it's time to turn back the hands of time a little and plunge into the 80s as we look at the history of the Golden Guitar Awards. The 80s, starting with a brand new venue to handle the growing crowds wanting to be a part of the awards. After the big top almost blew away in a storm in 1983, the awards were moved to the huge music factory and later to two school auditoriums. While the organisers battled with unsuitable venues, the artists kept on performing. People like Alan Caswell, Patsy Rigger, Buller McAnker, Denise Morrison, Jewel and Arthur Blanche, the Bushwhackers, Norma O'Hara Murphy, the Flying Emus. They all emerged on the awards stage, while many of the other established artists like Slim Dusty and Kirk Patrick, Johnny Chester and Gene Stafford maintained their places on the list of Golden Guitar winners. Dominating the second half of the decades was John Williamson, whose albums Mallee Boy, Boomerang Cafe and Warragal sold hundreds of thousands of copies and whose song True Blue became an anthem for many Australians. As the 80s closed, a new era was dawning. It appeared first in a young bushbread singer whose charisma and talent gave a new meaning to country music for young and old all over the nation. James Blundell had arrived to be followed in the next few years by a whole generation of new stars all ready to make their marks on the history of the Country Music Awards. MUSIC Of all the things I've done with my life, one of which I'm most proud is being a dad. Monday, Patrick Duffy, Linda Carter in Daniel Steele's most moving story of a husband shattered by infidelity. Is there someone else? Oliver. Why? Who refused to give up on his kids. To know how much I love you. Or on life. You're a very special man, Oliver. If you've ever been part of a family, don't miss Daniel Steele's Daddy, Monday night, 8.30 on Prime. To get the best price, get the sign that sells on your product. Nobody does it better. Do you like it? Thank you, Mr. Wilkite. MUSIC This is our Becky. She lives in London now. She's so far away. And there's so much we want to know. Is she looking after herself? Is she happy? That's why we're calling her now. Today, call the UK, Ireland, the US or Canada with Telstra. Talk for as long as you like and it won't cost you more than $20. Oh, the Becky isn't worth more than $20. But it's nice to know you don't have to worry about the clock. Just Becky. Call the UK, Ireland, the US or Canada today for no more than $20 with Telstra. Hello? When the bells start to sing, there's a knock and a ring. That's the door ring? And World of Doors have got the best selection of doors. Quality solid timber doors, great-looking entrance sets, heaps of internal doors and lovely led lights. World of Doors will also paint or stain and fit and deliver. You're sure to find a door to suit your home, because it's a World of Doors after all. World of Doors now open at Northcott Drive Katara next to Marble Effect. Cause soon you'll be asking... One more door, eh? The Sydney Autumn Caravans Race. A fishing competition where you can win a fantastic boat and trailer, a parade of greyhounds and 2KY will be broadcasting live. The family will enjoy themselves, that's a certainty. Face painting, a scrumptious sausage sizzle and plenty of rides with our little kiddies. It's the Family Race Day in Expo, February 16th, Canterbury Racecourse. There's twoies via tasting too. Gee, you were thirsty. We want it, we got it, at Harvey Norman. Buy now on two years' interest-free terms at Harvey Norman. Unbelievable but true. Furniture, electrical, bedding, carpets, Manchester computers and much more. Buy now and pay no interest for two whole years. What a deal. Lounge suites, bedding, bedroom furniture, Manchester TVs, videos, computers, mobile phones, carpet and vinyl floor coverings. Two years' interest-free terms. This is a limited offer so don't miss out. At Harvey Norman. At Nova Credit Union we lend money for home renovations and extensions. For pools and spas, furniture, gardens and landscaping, new kitchens and bathrooms. Call Nova today for your modern living loan. It's worth getting to know Nova, the friendly credit union. Here's three more reasons to get the huts. The crunch, thin crust, the deep pan and the new ultimate deep dish. When it comes to the crunch, nobody tops Domino's. Scratch the huts for once in the box with the dots. Domino's. To present the Golden Guitar for vocal collaboration and to announce this year's inductee, it's very important, into the role of renown, would you please welcome CMAA Chief Executive Max Ellis and CMAA Secretary, our Treasurer and legend in her very own right, Miss Joy McKean. Thank you. And now I'm here to present the vocal collaboration of the year, the Golden Guitar for the vocal collaboration of the year 1997. And the finalists are... The Bushwhackers with Slim Dusty, Lee Kernigan and Tommy Emmanuel. When the rain tumbles down in July. Graham Connors and Elizabeth Lord. All that matters now. The Crosby Sisters and Russell Morris. The Wings of an Eagle. Tanya Kernigan and Lee Kernigan. A Bushman Can't Survive. And James Saunders and Rod McCormick. I Am a Child. And the winners of vocal collaboration of the year 1997 are... Tanya Kernigan and Lee Kernigan. A Bushman Can't Survive. And the winner of vocal collaboration of the year 2007 is... The Rock and Rollin' High. His moon shines on the silver low. If it's down in the land of the slow. Out there with the yellow billy. He tries to please his woman. The lady of his life. And the man of his life. God this is wonderful, thank you so much. This is the very first Golgothar ever won and I'm definitely going to put it on the table. I'd like to thank Tan for having me on the record. When it comes to that song that we sang, I think of the great works of Henry Lawson and the power of those songs. And this is another one written by John Williamson and John O. What a classic. Thank you. Vocal collaboration of the year. Tanya Kernigan and Lee Kernigan. Joy, I had the very great privilege and pleasure of presenting the first role of Renown to the great Tex Morton back in 1976. Seems a lifetime ago. But also I remember presenting it to you and to Slim and of course to Buddy Williams. So I seem to have been through this a few times before. But this one. Associated with the Country Music Awards from their inception. Right from year one. He's done wonders for us. Thank you. Thanks Joy. But this is a reward for a man who is really special. And I know you'll all agree with me. Our recipient was born on November the 1st, 1945 in Kwaumbahtook in the Victorian Mallee. In 1969, his first song launched him as a national entertainer. In 1982, he wrote a song which expresses his passion for Australia. And this song has become an anthem for all who share his feelings. Acclaimed as a composer and performer, top selling recording artist, a founder of the CMAA. He has played many leading roles in Australian country music. His ability to distill the character and idiom of Australia into his ballads. Make him an artist and a writer of national significance. Respected, acknowledged and loved throughout our nation. Ladies and gentlemen, the 1997 role of Renown winner, John Williamson. Is it me, is it you, is it my and dad, is it a cockatoo, is it standing by your side when he's in a fight or just vegged by the frugal earth. Well thank you very much and stuff me. I was hoping to make an acceptance speech for the Tassie song but I didn't expect this. I tell you what, it is a real honour and I think it's about time a young fella got on those rocks. And it's just so fantastic to see how far country music has gone since I started in 1970. And it's just fantastic to see that it is such a family thing and it's becoming more of a family thing. It's about nurturing Australian music and Australian things. And tonight it's been so much that way with the Minson's and with Dead Ringer Band, all families. Rex Dallas, a big family. Country music is about the family of Australia. And I'm so very proud to receive this. I must say thank you very much to my darling Mary Kay and my two girls for putting up with me all those years. And thank you very much Tamworth. And thanks Phil. Thank you Phil. And all over now ladies and gentlemen, John Williamson. Well it was my job to introduce our next act but I was thumbing through a new idea I found backstage. Is that your new idea Laurel? I think it might have been. And I was flicking through a lovely photo of a wedding and it turns out that my co-presenter, the beautiful Laurel Edwards, married this bloke just late last year. In fact twice she married this guy. Once in Nashville and once in Australia. So I think it would be nice if she introduced her hubby. What do you reckon? Good girl Laurel. Thank you very much. Well that means I can say anything I want really Colin. You can say whatever you like. Great. I think he's wonderful. Our next artist won an Aria Award and his first Golden Guitar after the release of his debut album Beyond the Dancing. He has just released his new album True Believer at this year's festival and tonight he's going to do a couple of songs from that album. And I'm glad he's ironed his shirt. Would you please welcome... Would you please welcome to the stage 1996 Male Vocalist of the Year, Troy Cassadaylee. Do you remember that flower I gave you when we were nearly nine? Was a little yellow daisy, broken still, looking so sad and tired. What about that first kiss behind that old barn, hoping that we'd never be found? We couldn't chase those butterflies from our belly's back then, you give me the same feeling now. Did all things, all the treasures kept inside, did our hearts forever satisfied? Sweetest memories that are never out of touch, oh it's the little things that mean so much. You said you loved me by the river one day, when we were only sixteen. We carved our names in the shape of our hearts, right there in the trunk of that tree. Now you're lying beside me by the fire's warm glow, and there's tears of joy in our eyes. It's the sweet sound of laughter from an angel's first smile, your loving arms are holding our child. Did all things, all the treasures kept inside, did our hearts forever satisfied? Sweetest memories that are never out of touch, oh it's the little things that mean so much. Sweetest memories that are never out of touch, oh it's the little things that mean so much. Prime News Update brought to you by National Mutual. Good evening, a desperate struggle today to save two whales stranded on a Sydney beach. The giant mammals ran aground in the middle of a surf carnival on Wanda Beach. It was at four. One of Australia's most wanted men has been recaptured during a dramatic bush raid in Queensland. William Fox, who's been on the run for the past five months, was arrested at Mount Glorious. He was wanted over a mass shooting at Gympie in August last year. And Australia struggles for form after an early batting collapse against the West Indies in the fifth test at the Whacker in Perth. Mark Warren and Michael Bevan combining late in the day with a solid partnership to steady the fall of wickets. That's all from the Prime News team for this Saturday. Morning is coming up for you tomorrow night at six. I'll see you then. Good night. Well, I'm off to burn some calories. Shame really. I've just spent that 17.95 of yours and picked up two large pizzas, garlic bread, Pepsi and a cheesecake. Save us some cheesecake. Pick up the 17.95 takeaway cheesecake feast. When all you're dreaming of is a brand new home with no renovating and no fuss, you'll find it at Hunter Homeland. See over 40 exhibition homes from some of Australia's finest builders. The right home to suit your family is at Hunter Homeland. So forget the hard work when it's a new home that you really want. Discover yours now at Hunter Homeland Pacific Highway, Warrabrook. Open every day. This is our Becky. She lives in London now. She's so far away and there's so much we want to know. Is she looking after herself? Is she happy? That's why we're calling her now. Today, call the UK, Ireland, the US or Canada with Telstra. Talk for as long as you like and it won't cost you more than $20. Well, the Becky isn't worth more than $20. But it's nice to know you don't have to worry about the clock. Just Becky. Call the UK, Ireland, the US or Canada today for no more than $20 with Telstra. Hello? At Hunter Homeland, you'll find over 40 exhibition homes from builders like Alworth, Beechwood, Huxley, Masterton and more. House and land packages are now available. So discover your new home at Hunter Homeland. To present the awards for Heritage Song of the Year and Top Selling Album, please welcome multi-golden guitar winners, brother and sister, John and Jenny Kane. APPLAUSE Thank you. Well, it's very nice to be back here, I must say. Isn't it? Yes, big event. Missing Michael and Ian and Hanuman and the rest of the evening is up here. That would have been a bit crowded, I guess, so we get to be the representatives to present. Well, in my case, I'm presenting the Heritage Award tonight. The Heritage Award will be presented to the track, judged to be the best to reflect Australian culture, customs and tradition. And the nominations are... MUSIC And the winner is... The winner of the Heritage Song of the Year is Old Time Country Halls by Slim Dusty. MUSIC Never will replace... Well, thank you very much, very, very much once again. And I think this has been an amazing production tonight. We've seen some great talent, we've heard some great songs, and there's still some great talent still to come. Looking back at the footage there, there's some funny outfits, my sideburns and God knows what. And it's great to be on stage with two great people here too. And I must, you know, I must thank my daughter Anne and my wife Joy. They came in on that last track when we did 91 Over 50, and Joy pumped the old piano accordion. And of course, all the people who helped, Mark Jago, who did the video and all that sort of stuff, my record producer and the boys who did the recording in there. And this was the last two days of the old studio, so there's a lot of memories there. But thanks very much once again, it's been great. And we have seen some great talent and heard some great songs tonight. And of course, it's only the start. Country music in Australia is really on the move and will be in the new venue next year. God bless you all, God bless Australia, that's the main thing. Yes, it is. I'm here tonight to present the top selling album. This is the only category that has no finalists, and it's a category I think every single one of us would love to win. So I'm not even going to say who the finalists are. I'm just going to tell you the winner of the top selling album is... 1959, Lee Kernigan. Well, thanks everyone. Thanks everyone. I'd like to thank Meryl Gross and Rex Barry for signing me when I was just a kid from Aubrey to ABC EMI Records. My publisher, John Bromwell at Warner Chapel, who gave us a bit of money to make our first album. I'd like to thank my management team, Jeff, Dave, Vicki, Jeff Chandler Management. I'd like to thank all of the people that played on the album, all of the great musicians. Garth made...he knows how to produce records, and Ted Howard knows how to mix them. And I thank them for that. I'd like to thank Toyota for the support that you've shown me and Country Music over the last 12 months, for allowing us also to do the amount of miles that we do around Australia and to do it in comfort and do it in safety. Thank you to them. But most importantly, I'd like to thank all of the people from towns up around Cairns, down to Burnie in Tasmania, and Gatton Ag College all the way out over to Perth. Without you, I wouldn't be standing here tonight. And I thank you and I appreciate it. Top-selling album, Lee Kernigan. The latest addition to the role of renowned John Williamson. Yeah, thank you very much. How about that? We split up on an award and Slim Wins both of the things. Don't go looking through that old counter box, woman. You know those old things only make you cry. When you dream upon that little bunny rug. Makes you think that life has passed you by. There are days when you wish the world would stop, woman. But then you know some wounds would never heal. But when I browse the early pages of the children. It's then I know exactly how you feel. Today it's July and the winter sun is shining. And the Coodamond Rowattal is my friend. For all at once my childhood never left me. As wattle blossoms get back again. Monday and you should stop the worry, woman. Come out here and sit down in the sun. Can't you hear the magpies in the distance. Don't you feel the new day has begun. Can't you hear the bees making honey, woman. In the spotted gums where the bellbirds ring. You might grow old and bitter cause you've missed it. You know some people never hear such things. Today it's July and the winter sun is shining. And the Coodamond Rowattal is my friend. For all at once my childhood never left me. As wattle blossoms bring it back again. Whistling Don't buy the daily papers anymore, woman. Read all about what's going on in hell. They don't care to tell the world of kindness. Good news never made a paper sale. There's all the colours of the rainbow in the garden, woman. And symphonies of music in the sky. Heaven's all around us if you're looking. But how can you see it if you cry. Hey it's July and the winter sun is shining. And the Coodamond Rowattal is my friend. For all at once my childhood never left me. As wattle blossoms bring it back again. Whistling Applause You're a witch, witch with real magical powers. I just turned the most popular girl in school into a pineapple. Na na na na na. Why is Hilux the biggest selling ute? Is it the comfy interior? The extraordinary power? Or the toughness to take a full tut in the back? Hilux, Australia's favourite ute. Because it's unbreakable. The biggest star. Your first issue of New Country magazine is absolutely free. All you pay is postage and handling. There's no club to join, no obligation to buy. Send no money now. What have you got to lose? Nothing. Just listen to the music and enjoy New Country magazine. Call 1-300-781-881 and subscribe to New Country magazine. And receive your first issue free. Same old menu. Newville cuisine. I wouldn't eat there if I were you. It's Morteen Nest Kill. Yeah, yeah, compliments to that. They are bitten off more than I can chew. Now he's killed his mates. That Morteen Nest Kill was a recipe for disaster. New Morteen Nest Kill Cockroach Fence. Nothing kills like nest kill. And the award for the best double CD goes to winners five. Good woman's love, yes I have. So take the road, let's travel. The music from this year's Country Music Awards is yours to keep on a specially priced double CD. Great tracks. If you love Australian country, this album's a must. Winners five, in store now. If you need to be independent but want companionship and security, then come on up to Banksy O'Grove. A new home here can be yours at a very affordable price. You can take it easy. Or you can become involved in many activities like tennis, bowling, aerobics. We can go for a walk in the rainforest. Home out. There's no need to be lonely. You see at Banksy O'Grove, you don't just buy a home, you buy a whole new way of life. Come and visit Banksy O'Grove and see the great new lifestyle you can afford. To present the Golden Guitars of Vocal Collaboration of the Year and the very coveted Album of the Year, would you please welcome John Laws and Ann Kirkpatrick. How fantastic it is to be amongst you again this year. It was wonderful last year. It's bigger and better this year. It's bigger and better for me because my dear friend, and you know I love him, John Williamson, my little brother, won his award and he deserves it. That was fantastic. And now to be on a stage with you, Ann, is equally fantastic. I feel very privileged to be here. You're a whole lot better at this than I am because you've been here four times and had four Golden Guitars. So I'll leave it to you. Well thank you John. And yeah, it's been a great night for our family too. It's been fantastic. Yeah, it sure has. But every year is a great year for your family. They do too. But it's a real pleasure to have been involved in the Tamworth Country Music Awards for the 25 years. I was here for the very first awards and it's amazing to stand here tonight and see how it's evolved. Luckily I've picked up a few Gold Guitars along the way, which has been great. Four? Yeah. I'm here to present the best vocal group or duo of the year and the nominees are... The Crosby Sisters, Train of Desperation. I'm on a train of desperation, heartbreak and desolation. The Dead Ring a Band, Already Gone. In my mind, I'm already gone. Hot Diggety, Hearts Were Gone. Hearts were gone. Heart can never be wrong. The Wheel, Saw You Runnin'. Be no surprise cause I saw you runnin', saw you runnin', saw you runnin' from where I lay. Wolverines, Howl at the Moon. Howl at the moon, my lonely song. Howl at the moon, baby, all night long. And the winner of the best vocal group or duo is... The Wheel, Saw You Runnin'. Don't be lucky, honey, when I find I've got you comin' away. Be no surprise cause I saw you runnin', saw you runnin', saw you runnin' from where I lay. I've got a line upon the road. I've got a hand to share my heavy load. Well, that was exciting. I always expected it. If anyone was here last year, you might remember last year, Kim was so nervous, he couldn't even grab this thing out of his pocket. So I'm gonna let him go first to see how he goes. Well, I've got no bit of paper this year at all. Didn't expect to win this at all this year and I'm thrilled. Actually, it's fantastic. Thank you very much. The people that really need thanking are the five people on this stage. I mean, we've hung in and done all sorts of stuff over the last couple of years to keep this happening. And the Wheel is Mitch Farmer here on the drums, Jeff McCormack, Mick Holbeck and Kim Cheshire. Thanks very much. Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, vocal group of the year, The Wheel. Well, now we're about to present the Album of the Year Award. And the nominees are... And the winner... Is Tanya Koenig. Where the Murray meets the darling She gave her heart away When the heart is gone Oh, thank you so much. I'm just stoked, absolutely. This is such a surprise. I've got to thank this album, really, this Golden Guitar rather, I've got to share it with my sister Fiona because she is the best songwriter that I've ever known. And she's got a big future, I know, in writing. And also, Mum and Dad, can't believe it. And also, once again, to Jeff and Vicki Chandler, my management, they're great. And also to the other nominees to their fine albums. And I'm very proud to be standing up here and accepting this award in such great company. Thank you very much. Album of the Year, December Moon by Tanya Koenig. And now let's follow the story of the Country Music Awards into the 90s. The early 90s. The new generation was taking over. James Blundell was followed by Keith Urban, Carl Buchanan and many other talented young artists. In 1993, top producer and songwriter Garth Porter joined forces with a dynamic young entertainer, Tanya Koenig became the hottest thing in country. Gina Jeffries became the Golden Girl of the Awards. And in 1995, Graham Connors started his phenomenal gold guitar winning run with many others, including Troy Casadaly, the Wheel, Tanya Koenig, Pixie, Clint Speedy and Marco Shea, all staking their claims on the future. Many of the original names just kept on appearing. There was controversy too, resulting in a new force in country music, the Country Music Association of Australia. Under the leadership of Slim Dusty and John Williamson, the CMAA took over the awards in 1993, bringing them back to the people in this huge arena. With such a long and strong tradition to build upon, the future of the Toyota Country Music Awards is secure. A national survey shows massive support for country music and the first CMAA College of Country Music has demonstrated just how much new talent is waiting in the wings. After eight venues in 25 years, Tamworth City Council will have a new auditorium ready for the awards in January of 1998. We salute the many artists and organisers who have worked so hard since 1973 to make the awards dream come true. Their commitment in the past, Main's Way can look forward with confidence to the future of the Country Music Awards of Australia. Faire shooting cops. Diverge. Faire hitting the mob. Faire crimps afraid of no one. But one cop is out to put them away for good. Federal officer. And the only rights he wants to read them... It's got to be by the book. ...are their last. I'm gonna put them in a box. By the book. Starring Wesley Snipes and Speeds Dennis Hopper in a full-on action thriller. And that is that. When Prime Television presents Boiling Point, 8.30 Sunday. How you going, huh? Hey. You fancy a couple of pizzas? Mmm, twisted my arm. Uh-uh. Don't have them delivered. I'll pick them up. Save three bucks. Three bucks? But it's pouring. That's OK. I'll catch a cab. It can't be done. The strapper's right. He's meaner than a Tyson fight. How do you feel? The city's slicker. Oh, that'll bruise. Still want to be a Jackaroo? How do you feel? Hop again. Don, take a grip. This is some apprenticeship. Oh, no. How do you feel? Dig your heels in. Hold on tight. You've tamed a ton of dynamite. How do you feel? I feel like a two-ease. I feel like a two-ease. I feel like a two-ease or two. How do you feel? How do you feel? I feel like a two-ease or two. When all you're dreaming of is a brand-new home with no renovating and no fuss, find it at Hunter Homeland. See over 40 exhibition homes from some of Australia's finest builders. The right home to suit your family is at Hunter Homeland. So forget the hard work. When it's a new home that you really want, discover yours now at Hunter Homeland. Pacific Highway, Warrabook. Open every day. It's on now. The Nova Castrian Bathroom Centre's massive relocation sale. All stock of quality bathroom products including spas, vanities, taps and accessories, showers, mirrors and cabinets must be sold. We're moving to a brand-new store with new stock. So this is your chance to make huge savings. Bank finance is available to approve purchases. Come on in to Nova Castrian Bathroom Centre this weekend and save big dollars. Nova Castrian Bathroom Centre, the force in bathroom wear. Northcott Drive, Katara. Open seven days. At Hunter Homeland, you'll find over 40 exhibition homes from builders like Alworth, Beechwood, Huxley, Masterton and more. House and land packages are now available. So discover your new home at Hunter Homeland. Hey Gunnar, fancy a couple of pizzas? I'll pick them up and we'll save three bucks. But it's pouring. I'll take a cab. The world that goes more confused each day The temptation gets stronger for an easy way Don't you cut that cord to play the lottery Bend the rules a little when no one can see But it gets us nowhere Cause the truth within says it's not the thing there But the journey that matters in the end Take the road less traveled Take the long way round Let your life unravel As you cover that ground Ride high in the saddle Make the world alone Take the road less traveled And find your way home With the time we're given And all we want to do Occasionally a little fear may creep up on you And those voices will soar in back of your head Why try so hard Give up instead But it gets us nowhere Cause the heart still knows If our lives all have any meaning There's only one way to go Take the road less traveled Take the long way round Let your life unravel As you cover that ground Ride high in the saddle Make the world alone Take the road less traveled And find your way home Take the road less traveled Take the long way round Let your life unravel As you cover that ground Ride high in the saddle Make the world alone Take the road less traveled And find your way home Take the long way round Let your life unravel As you cover that ground Ride high in the saddle Make the world alone Take the road less traveled And find your way home Take the road less traveled And find your way home Take the road less traveled And find your way home Well, it's good to be out here, Lee. It's been the most amazing night, a great night of entertainment and some great awards presented. Really. I'm proud, slim, to be a part of the Country Music Awards and proud to be a part of Australian Country Music, particularly when you see the fantastic talent that's emerging out of Australia now. It's going to be huge as we move into the 21st century. That's right. Anyway, I think I'm the first female vocalist of the year to present, and the nominees are Becky Cole, Big Girls Shandley Dell, Never a Good Goodbye Gina Jeffries, The Bridge Tanya Kernigan, Where the Murray meets the Darling And Tina Martin, Lying in My Bed Okay, this is a big one. This is what we're all waiting for. And the female vocalist of the year, wait for it, Tanya Kernigan Where the Murray meets the Darling And find Martin's love again In a secret valley He laid up like a dam It was there beside the river He pledged his love that day Where the Murray meets the Darling She gave her heart away Thanks so much, Slim and Lee. Oh, wow, this is fantastic. Once again, thank you to everybody who's supported me and encouraged me throughout my whole career to date. And he's gone out and bought the album and the t-shirt and also to my band too that travel with me on the road. They're a great bunch of guys and I love working with them. And to the fellas who worked on the album too, Gee, you did a great job and I really appreciate it. And once again to be nominated with the girls, Tina and Gina and Becky and Shanley, I consider them all my very good friends and girls, this is for us. Thanks a real lot. Female vocalist of the year, Tanya Kerdingen. Well, Slim, the time has come to announce possibly one of the most prestigious awards of the night. The male vocalist of the year and the nominees are Troy Caffer-Dailey, Good Woman's Love Graham Connors, The Road Less Travel Cam Fletcher, Kicking Up Dirt Mitchell Shadlow, Can I See You Again and John Wibbley, Hearts on the Run And the winner of male vocalist of the year for 1997 is Graham Connors. The Road Less Travel Well, you can ask John Williamson what I was doing out the back. This is a wonderful surprise. Songs are like children. You work really hard at them, you send them out and hope they do some good in the world. But they can never replace the real thing. That's it. Ladies and gentlemen, the 1997 male vocalist of the year, Graham Connors. She invited him home for a drink. Then he joined the ranks of Australia's Most Wanted. What happened? Join me for a special sneak preview of this year's most arresting new series. And the first Macmillan winner announcement, Australia's Most Wanted, 7.30 Monday. And the second Macmillan winner announcement, Australia's Most Wanted, 7.30 Monday. To succeed at school, you need a good teacher, you need to study, and most of all, you need Get down to Angus and Robertson Book World for our great school book discounts. Educate your child with our books starting from as low as $3.95. And we've got a huge range of reference books on every subject and for all ages. Why pay normal prices when we've got Collins and Oxford dictionaries at 10% off? So don't pay high prices for school books. Call in to Angus and Robertson Book World now. And bag an education. The 2P Speed. Right now with KFC's 2P Speed you can mix and match. So that's your choice of two pieces of chicken, regular chips, potato and gravy, a roll, plus a Pepsi, all for just $4.75. Take us out of here Mr Sulu. Walk Factor 2. As part of the bicentenary, the Hunter Orchestra will be presenting the Shell Symphony in the Park. A free outdoor performance in King Edward Park February the 8th starting at 6pm. The highlight of the evening will be performances by tenor Jamie Allen and bass Michael Saunders, appearing courtesy of the Australian Opera. Bring your family, friends and a picnic basket to King Edward Park February the 8th and celebrate Newcastle's bicentenary. This is our Becky. She lives in London now. She's so far away and there's so much we want to know. Is she looking after herself? Is she happy? That's why we're calling her now. Today call the UK, Ireland, the US or Canada with Telstra. Talk for as long as you like and it won't cost you more than $20. Becky isn't worth more than $20. But it's nice to know you don't have to worry about the clock. Just Becky. Call the UK, Ireland, the US or Canada today for no more than $20 with Telstra. Hello. Oh cop the bald spot. Looks like you're not the only one who got burned on cheap paint sport. Ah, here's what you need in this heat. A nice couple of cans. Should have used a decent drop in the first place. Not a moment too soon either. Spread your dollar wisely the first time around with the UV protection of Berger Exterior. Yeah, listen to your walls and keep on keeping on. Right, we've got a good batting line up. But the question is what do we do if we win the toss? Do we bat or do we bowl? We need to bowl. We're in board here. KFC's hot and spicy is back. Get it while it's hot. Hi, I'm Jim Brown. Don't miss our two-part special show, Golden Guitars Silver Years, when the Our Country team looks at 25 years of Tamworth country music. New series beginning 6.30pm Saturday the 15th of February. See you then. You've got something that belongs to a friend of mine. He stole his heart and then he broke his. And I'm picking up the bits from your left eye. Dear Josephine, you never really loved me. I don't understand why you won't let him be. I can feel your shadow come between us. While it's there he'll never fall in love with me. Josephine, you gotta let him go. Your faith's over. I've let a new love grow. Josephine, please stop holding on. He's got my heart. I'll make you Josephine. Josephine says he loves me. That he doesn't think about you anymore. Sometimes when we kiss, I get the feeling. Someone else's lips used to say goodbye. Josephine. You gotta let him go. Your faith's over. I've let a new love grow. Josephine. Please stop holding on. He's got my heart. I'll make you Josephine. Josephine. Josephine. You gotta let him go. Your faith's over. I've let a new love grow. Josephine. Please stop holding on. He's got my heart. I'll make you Josephine. You gotta let him go. Your faith's over. I've let a new love grow. Josephine. Please stop holding on. He's got my heart. I'll make you... That's Junia Jimfrey. Wow, what a night. Well, I think there's only way to cap it off tonight, Cole. What do you reckon? Oh, jeez, I reckon you're right there, Laurel. Good. This song has become an anthem for Australia, and I'd like you to sing it as loud as you like, get up on your feet if you want to, shout holler and enjoy this song, and join Gina in this encore finale. Hate you, blue. Don't say you've gone. Say you've knocked up for a smoker. And to be back later on. Hate you, blue. To you. Give it to me straight. Face to face. Are you really disappearing? Just another dying race. Hey, true blue. Here we go. True blue. Is it me and you? Is it mom and dad? Is it a conqueror too? Is it standing by your mate? When he's in a fight. To edge your mind. True blue. I'm asking you. Hey, true blue. Can you bear the load? Will you tie it up with wire? Just to keep the show on the road. Hey, true blue. Hey, true blue. Is it a big bad income? Is your heart still there? If they sell us up like sponge cake. Do you really care? Hey, true blue. Here's where you're really joining folks. Come on now. Is it me and you? Is it me and you? Everybody. Hi, mom and dad. Is it mom and dad? Cockatoo. Is it a conqueror too? Standing by your mate. Is it standing by your mate? When she's in a fight. To edge your mind. True blue. I'm asking you. Everybody. Is it me and you? Is it mom and dad? Is it a cockatoo? Is it a standing by your mate? When he's in a fight. Or just edge your mind. True blue. True blue. Thank you. Happy Australian Day. The 25th anniversary of the Tamworth Country Music Awards was proudly brought to you by Toyota Australia. A husband shattered by infidelity. Is there someone else? Oliver. Hi. Who refused to give up on his kids. Don't you know how much I love you? Or online. You're a very special man. Daniel Steele's blockbuster novel, Daddy. Monday nights, 8.30 on Prime. The hustle in 97. We've got the hard work. The hard work in one place. Our country, our country. We are the voice of the land. This is our country, our country. Listen to the voice of the land. Hi, I'm Felicity. And welcome to Our Country. The show that brings to you the best Australian country music talent. And lots more as well. Hello, I'm Jim Brown. I'd like to thank those of you who took the trouble to telephone or write to the station and say how much you like the show. It's clear you want to see Australians singing Aussie songs, like Felicity and my mate Noel. Thanks, Jim. And speaking of mates, this week's featured artist is Graham Connors, a bloke I've known for a fair while, who until recently hasn't been getting the success he deserves. Now it's all happening for Graham, a great performer, a great artist with songs like A Road Less Travelled. In a world that goes more confused each day The temptation gets stronger for an easy way To cut that corner, play the lottery Bend the rules a little, when no one can see But it gets us nowhere, cause the truth within Says it's not the being there, but the journey that matters in the end So take the road less traveled, take the long way round Let your life unravel, as you cover that ground Ride high in the saddle, face the world alone Take the road less traveled, and find your own way home But the time we're given, and all we want to do Occasionally a little fear may creep up on you And those voices whisper in back of your head Why try so hard, give up instead But it gets us nowhere, cause the heart still knows If our lives ought to have any meaning, there's only one way to go Take the road less traveled, take the long way round Let your life unravel, as you cover that ground Ride high in the saddle, face the world alone Take the road less traveled, and find your own way home Take the road less traveled, take the long way round Let your life unravel, as you cover that ground Ride high in the saddle, face the world alone Take the road less traveled, and find your own way home Take the long way round, let your life unravel, as you cover that ground Ride high in the saddle, face the world alone Take the road less traveled, and find your own way home Take the road less traveled, and find your own way home I really have to tell you, I keep thinking, everything's wonderful I mean, I've got a great wife, you know, who gets to travel around the, you know I mean, I have traveled overseas but primarily Australia Who gets to travel in their work like we do Meet some wonderful interesting characters, see some wonderful things Have the products of your mind listened to by people Purchased and kept and listened to again I find it hard to say there's one moment that there's a pinnacle I think there's something ahead of me that's going to be bigger and better than all that has happened in the past And that's not in any way being disparaging about the past It's just that I'm an optimist, it's always, it's always just out there I can almost reach it Honey pack your bags, grab your old blue jeans, we're gonna go fishing in a mountain stream And oh, a little shack way up in the hills, 25 miles from Herriville In the high country Honey, you should see all the stars up there, they shine so bright through the cold night air I'm gonna build you a fire that'll burn real hard and I'll stay with you at the old camp hut In the high country I've got my four wheel drive and I'm ready to roll I wanna go flying up an old dirt road Up in the hills where the Brumby's roam This land must surely be God's own In the high country In the high country, yeah In the drought of 1882, the Madison's brought the cattle through From mountain creek to the staircase spur We'll follow the tracks where they push the bird Up to the high country I've got my four wheel drive and I'm ready to roll I wanna go flying up an old dirt road Up in the hills where the snow guns stand You can see for me, the cross is the land In the high country, that's where I wanna be Walking with you by a mountain stream High country, that's where I wanna go Got my bags packed, I'm ready to roll I've got my four wheel drive and I'm ready to roll I wanna go flying up an old dirt road Up in the hills where the snow guns stand You can see for me, the cross is the land I'm heading for the high country Heading for the high country I'm heading for the high country That's where I wanna go High country Got my bags packed, I'm ready to roll Up to the high country Heading for the high country Heading for the high country Heading for the high country High country High country Come take this trip, watch me fly I know what I'm doing, come inside Take this time, let it go forever Don't ever let it run away Love makes me feel like a girl who just left school Free to do whatever I please And love gives to me all the things that I never had I need it so bad Love comes easy baby, in the morning baby Love comes easy baby, when I'm with you baby Love comes easy baby, in the morning baby When I'm with you baby Now time never waits for lovers silly games Please stay and let's just play all day Only time's gonna tell if it's heaven or it's hell Please let it go forever Love comes easy baby, in the morning baby Love comes easy baby, when I'm with you baby Love comes easy baby, in the morning baby Love comes easy baby, when I'm with you baby You can run and hide, no rocks, no sky They're gonna cover you Oh, I ain't one to brag But I can take my pick from any boy or girl But it's you that I choose Now time never waits for lovers silly games Please stay and let's just play all day Only time's gonna tell if it's heaven or it's hell Just let it go forever Love comes easy baby, in the morning baby Love comes easy baby, when I'm with you baby Love comes easy baby, when I'm with you baby Love comes easy baby, in the morning Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh When the Lord comes And it's baseball cats on backwards Like they're wearing them in L.A. Coca-Cola, Nike shoes and dope, they say So I figured there's an answer Somewhere in between Beverly Hills, 90210, the great Australian dream Looking for an answer To the great Australian dream The great Australian dream has been a song that has brought forward a lot of comment from many people Some comment I feel a little sorry to hear It's a bit really parochial and a little savage just saying Yeah, we don't want anything to do with America whatsoever And we're with you and I have to pinpoint the fact that that's not what it's about It's really a case of as a society having the things that matter discussed amongst ourselves It's not really a case of polarizing opinion and criticizing someone else It's a case of trying to benefit from everything else that's coming towards us Pick the things that matter to us Music In our first show we introduced you to Fred Hillier who lives at Moonby near Tamworth He's famous for his gallery of miniature ceramic dunnies which he's fashioned himself But you know he's also well known for his bush yarns inspired of course by the outhouse Now this is a treasure that could be used for testing the ripeness of bananas giving the old banana a product punch It could be used as a snake fence simulator which is in actual fact what it is Snake fence simulator So when you open the door at the back of the old dunnies where the can was This old fella he said I played a trick on my sister he said what I did was I got two nails And I put in the end of the broom handle point out snake fang width apart And when she went in I give her a good jab she run out I'm inbitten by a snake Mum looked at the bottom sure enough two fang marks She was in hospital for four days before she was discharged And the old fella that told me was 87 he said you're the first person I've ever told That's why I'm also known as a dunnie professor Out country We are the voice of the land We are the voice This is our country our country Listen to the voice of the land Out country We are the voice of the land This is our country, our country. 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