The Finale May 30, 2008

Well, well, well its about that time of the semester, everything is being summed up ready for completion. I’d firstly just like to congradualte everyone for putting in a big effort for our blog, its been quite fascinating reading everyones post and responses.

This Blog for me, like many of us is the first I have ever participated in; I have learned a great deal form this blogging activity, I never understood why people would even want to blog, now I do; it can be quiet satisfying, especially when you know your reaching the outside world. We have had some high profile comments outside our blog group, which I am still finding difficult to comprehend, I think that at the very least this indicates our blog has been a success; for example one of my blog post on the Kernaghans was commented on by Steve JW Roberts who is Lee Kernaghans Personal Assistant.

It amazes me how easily our blog reaches out to the world, the internet truly is a wonderful medium; while I have learned a great deal about country music, I have also learned some new internet presentation skills such as adding pictures and videos to posts, which I think adds an attraction factor to blog posts. This project is by far the most satisfying assignment I have ever been apart of! I has changed my perception on the Country Music Industry, and I hope what we have done will help to alter other peoples perception as well.

My Perception of Country Music Has Changed!

Previously I have been rather critical of the country genre, in one of my previous blogs ‘A different way to think about country’ I suggested that “I don’t really enjoy the sound; in fact, I would pass up listening to country music for most other forms of music”, this blog has helped to expose me to the country music scene, I have found that now I don’t mind country music so much, I am not going to run out and buy a Cd or anything, but I am far less likely to change the radio station or put in a Cd when a country music song comes on. With continued exposure to the country music genre, who knows I might even become a country music lover, but at this point I’m content that I have come to find I really quite enjoy folk country styles of music (Lisa Mitchell Inspired), I may even add some to my collection.

This blog has facilitated much learning capacity for the country music beginner,  we have brought to light so many different country related topics. My knowledge of the country industry is now much greater than the Australian country music awards and the Tamworth music festival, both which previously I avoided watching or reading about. I have even began to notice the country songs in my favourite genre, bands like Yellowcard and Panic at the Disco, have country sounding tracks incorporated on some of their albums and these to the dismay of most people that ride in my car are now some of my favourite songs.

The posts I have most enjoyed doing were the ones based on feminism in country music, music reviews and the modern cultural constructions of country music. I have been able to take a lot of information away from this blog, although our posts were not always academic, just the analysis of country music from sources such as myspace, youtube, news articles and websites has helped shape my perception of the country music genre. The combination of sources has allowed for wider audience participation, this construction of our blog has therefore supported the Country Music Industry in a postive way. I hope that now everyone has developed a far more authentic view of country music; I know that I have been able to develop many new ideas of what country should be, such as a form of expression, comedic and serious incorporated with life’s various issues, family, love, political, feminist etc… There is one thing I know for sure I’d rather be a Hillbilly or bluegrass country lover than a Lapdancer! How about you?

The great thing about this activity has been the fact that the blog will continually be exposed to the outside world but….

Just Like the final song an artist plays at a gig the blog is coming to a close… will there be an encore, only time will tell…

So for now I bid you all a fond farwell…

“Goodbye Y’all”

I sure have enjoyed being apart of this blog!

Post by: Ryan Witt

Australian College of Country Music May 26, 2008

In my last post I talked about the SA Country Music Festival and I found out that they strongly support the Australian College of Country Music so I decided to look further into this college.

After the first CMAA Country Music Awards in 1993, the board members wanted to start something long term for the organization. Members of the board had always been interested in education and assistance for young artists exploring country music as a career. The board discussed many different options for this education system such as a mentoring program, but they decided on setting up a college that would be in conjunction with TAFE New England and they would use the Clarossy School in Tamworth for the college. Several meetings were conducted and TAFE agreed to give $20,000 for the curriculum of the college. Peter Winkler was hired in 1996 to create the curriculum.

The first College was held from January 4^th -19^th 1997, with Peter Winkler as the Muscial Director. Rod Coe, Deniese Morrison, Dobe Newton, and Garth Portor were tutors that also helped out. This first college was a huge success and continues to be today. In 2005 there were 189 young artists from all over the nation that had graduated from this college since it opened. Some of these artists have gone on to become Golden Guitar Winners and new stars in Australian country music.

The college is now sponsored by many different organizations like the NSW Ministry of Arts, The Australia Council for the Arts, Tamworth City Council, APRA/AMCOS, the Country Music Association in Nashville, and many others. Many students that attend this college are also sponsored by country music organizations and talent quests.

Now that we know the history of the college, the next question is what exactly is it? This college is a 15 day course with only 21 students a year being accepted. The students accepted are all over the age of 17 and enter with all different levels of music talent, some part time entertainers and others who are just starting off. However, all students go through several different programs such as, training, song writing, stage presentation, industry studies, studio recording, instrument training and concert performance. The 21 students are separated into three groups of 7 and each group works with a tutor during the afternoons of college, but the entire group still has lectures together in the mornings. During the afternoon tutor sessions, each student is required to compose, arrange, rehearse, and record several original songs that will be presented on stage at the graduation concert. They will also be allowed to record a couple of their songs under the supervision of Garth Porter. Many already established artists will even drop in to offer some words of encouragement to these young artists. At the very end of the college each student receives their CMAA certificates and TAFE Statement of Attainment.

Ellis, M. 2002, ‘How the Australian College of Country Music works’, History of Country Music in Australia. http://www.historyofcountrymusic.com.au/collegeworks.html

‘History of the College of Country Music’, History of Country Music in Australia. http://www.historyofcountrymusic.com.au/collegehistory.html

-Natalie Boyce

Promoting Country Music May 25, 2008

I found this flyer promoting a country music station called Kinda Country! (I tried to post it, but I couldn’t get it to work – so click here to view it!) The website has a bunch of different country music website links and some other pictures and cool stuff. You should all check it out!! Click here NOW!

Also, I found an interesting class offered at The University of Queensland entitled “Country Matters: Country Music and the Media”. The class details said “the reporting of country music is used as a case study to show how the print media portrays & constructs country music performers & audiences. A theoretical approach to print media will provide students with an opportunity to examine a number of key cultural concepts & theorists. In particular, students will analyze the influence of the media on the development, growth, popularity, & demographic appeal of country music.” Both of these, the flyer and the class, show that there are people out there trying to promote country music and bring it more coverage!

-Natalie Boyce

You Like Country, Want to Play Country, Why Not Learn? May 25, 2008

I found this interesting little country music guitar lesson, if anyone is interested in learning a bit of country. The Lesson is by Robert Dean a very exceptional musician (he markets himself and his learning products quite well), I think playing country music would be quite liberating for a ‘muso’ I have been taught a few country riffs that sound great, and even though I don’t really like country music, it is still fun to play!

Take a look, get out your guitar, have a go you might even have fun!

For those that are interest in bluegrass, go to the video below for a short lesson.

Enjoy!

Post by: Ryan Witt