Monday 17 September, 2012
A number of American musicians with an international profile will come to Tamworth for the first time during the 2013 Tamworth Country Music Festival in January.
It is one of a number of initiatives being introduced to next year's Festival as a result of three Tamworth Regional Council staff to travelling Nashville earlier this year.
The 2013 Festival will also have a dedicated `fan zone' for the first time at the 2013 Festival where country music enthusiasts will have the chance to meet their favourite artists.
Destination Tamworth's Gavin Flanagan (Business Events Manager), Kate Baker (Business and Commercial Enterprises Coordinator) and Catherine Burton (Business Events Officer) visited Nashville to gain insight into what 'Music City USA' has been able to achieve over the years and identify ideas how Tamworth could benefit from its experience.
The Destination Tamworth team met with civic leaders, music industry representatives and artists during their 10-day visit.
Tamworth Mayor Col Murray said the Nashville trip was `highly productive'.
`From a business sense, the trip was a logical step in Council's efforts to keep the Festival progressive and fresh for fans,' he said.
'A recent workshop for councillors explained the insights and ideas the Destination Tamworth team have been able to bring back – there's no doubt it was highly productive.
'The Destination Tamworth staff said they were extremely impressed by what they saw and the pride that was felt amongst the Nashville community. Their detailed report was well received by councillors and made it clear they returned with a range of ideas which can only add to the success of our own Festival.'
Ms Baker said a stronger connection between artists and fans is one of the Nashville strengths that Destination Tamworth is looking to replicate at the 2013 Tamworth Country Music Festival.
'With this in mind, in 2013 the Festival will introduce a dedicated Fan Zone, where country music enthusiasts will have the chance to get up close and personal with their favourite country artists,' she said.
'This concept is very innovative, and while the Fan Zone will be in existence for the duration of the Festival, it will also continue to be the place where fans can engage 365-days-a-year.
'The Fan Zone is a highly saleable property, with corporate entities showing enormous interest in this exciting new venture. In fact, the Fan Zone is so lucrative that this one concept alone will pay for the entire Nashville trip many times over.'
The inclusion of international artists will be an ongoing feature of the Festival from next year.
'We believe that it is very important that Tamworth and the Tamworth Country Music Festival is recognised for its contribution to music both nationally and internationally,' said Ms Baker.
'Destination Tamworth will work closely with selected international artists, emphasising and leveraging existing connections with Australian artists.
'Any international artists invited to be part of the 2013 Tamworth Country Music Festival will be here to engage with the Australian country music industry. They will be in Tamworth for the majority of the Festival and give Australian fans and artists the opportunity to experience Nashville right here in Tamworth.'
Ms Baker said another benefit of the trip to Nashville was the opportunity to lay the foundation for ongoing relationship building.
'Tamworth also needs to be represented in Nashville and last week a series of Australian artist events surrounding the Americana Music Festival and Conference were held in Nashville,' she said.
The Bluebird Café hosted Tamworth Presents 'A Taste Of Australia' during the Americana Music Festival. It featured Karl Broadie, Lachlan Bryan, John Flanagan, Damian Howard, Jordie Lane, Kelly Menhennett, Jen Mize, Melody Pool, Sue Ray, Andrew Redford, Lianna Rose, Ruby Boots, Sons of Summer, Catherine Traicos and Felicity Urquhart. Kasey Chambers and Shane Nicholson and Caitlin Harnett also performed showcases during the week.
'International events such as these will help Tamworth strengthen its place as Australia's country music capital and as a genuine visitor destination,' Ms Baker said. 'The future for the city and the Festival has never looked brighter.'