Country Bands Festival 2010
8.00pm Matt Zarb
8.40 Minnie Marks
9.10 Hussy Hicks
10.00 Chuck’s Wagon
Chuck's Wagon
Chuck's Wagon is a four piece Alternative Country Rock Band based in Sydney. Chucks Wagon plays heartfelt country rock songs, inspired by Steve Earle, Lucinda Williams and Johnny Cash.
Chucks Wagon have toured nationally and have enjoyed killer tours at the Tamworth Country Music Festival in recent years with their debut video clip“Black Road” reaching 38 on the Country Music Channel, and most recently their 2nd video“Last Man Standing”hit number 32 on the CMC.
Chucks Wagon has also toured Texas in 2008 and 2009 where they recorded Live in Austin Texas released in 2009. The band's third album Lipstick and Sin was released in August 09 in Australia.
“Lipstick and Sin consolidates their previous work with catchy rhythms, infectious melodies and a set of lyrics which tell it like it is. Songwriter and lead singer Chuck Stokes has managed to click into the country sensibilities with an alt-country approach that at times is more country than some of today’s top stars”. (Jon Wolfe Capitol News).
Chucks Wagon will be returning from another red hot tour of Texas, Colorado, Illinois & Los Angeles in September 2010 with the release of the their 3rd Single “Texas” to perform at the Nabiac Country Bands Festival at the Nabiac Charity Rodeo on Saturday October 2nd don’t miss out!
Listen to their music www.chuckswagon.com.au
Hussy Hicks
Following recent sell-out concerts in Forster and the Central Coast, Gold Coast-based band the Hussy Hicks are excited about performing at Nabiac in October. Guitarist Julz Parker has been described by the legendary Phil Emmanuel as “the country’s top female player” and, with singer Leesa Gentz, the Hussy Hicks regularly perform as part of the Acoustic Guitar Masters Australia series in various venues along the Eastern seaboard.
Ever since a chance meeting in a pub Julz and Leesa have embarked on a musical journey which has seen them the Hussy Hicks become crowd favourites at the Tamworth Country Music Festival as well as country and folk festivals around Australia. Julz and Leesa have taken their unique acoustic music across the globe performing on some of the most prestigious venue and festival stages across Europe, China, America and the Middle East appearing at international music festivals including Glastonbury in the UK.
Julz Parker’s eclectic approach to the acoustic guitar, initially inspired by her dad’s extensive blues record collection, is rooted in the Emmanuel-esque tradition then inspired by Spanish streets, European gypsies and Arabic intricacies and has been celebrated by guitar enthusiasts all around the world.
Leesa Gentz is most recognised for her soaring vocals, endearing stage presence and her ability to express her deepest emotions in every song. Despite the heavy touring schedule Julz and Leesa still find time to write their own material and spend time in the recording studio.
Their music touches upon funk-gypsy through folk/country to high energy blues/roots and with their harmonies and intense rhythms they pump out a heck of a lot of sound for two small girls. Hussy Hicks have just released their second studio album, A million different truths which follows on from their debut CD Life plays out and their DVD Live at the Soundlounge.
The Hussy Hicks will be appearing at the Nabiac Rodeo and Country Bands Festival at the Nabiac Showground on Saturday 2nd October along with Matt Zarb, Minnie Marks and Chuck’s Wagon.
Listen to the Hussy Hicks at www.hussyhicks.com.au OR www.acousticguitarmastersaustralia.com
Matt Zarb
Local singer/songwriter and virtuoso guitarist Matt Zarb has hit the ground running since moving to Harrington. Matty has the honour of being the inaugural artist of the Country Bands Festival, kicking off last year’s event and is back to do the same this year. With Matty’s diverse range of musical styles he has been in demand performing gigs everywhere from Lizotte’s on the Central Coast, Newcastle, Tamworth, Gold Coast and all points in between.
Matt and wife Lesley have launched the Acoustic Guitar Masters Australia concert series to showcase the talents of local acoustic guitarists at a range of venues in the local area. International artists from the US Acoustic Guitar Masters circuit will be touring and performing in January next year.
Matty hosts his own radio show on local rootsy station 2BOB 104.7FM.
Following on from the success of his 2009 CD Rose Matilda, Matty has a new CD due for release later this year recorded live at Lizottes on the Central Coast and Newcastle.
Minnie Marks
Sixteen-year-old Minnie Marks from Crescent Head has been performing regularly on the Acoustic Guitar Masters Australia circuit. According to Matty, “She is a talented singer/songwriter who plays a mean guitar.” Matty and Minnie have been playing music together for a couple of years now. They met on Peel St at the Tamworth Country Music Festival where Minnie was busking barefoot harder than ten year old asphalt with a right hand like a machine gun and smile as happy as sunshine. They describe a performance of young Minnie as like dropping a Fruit Tingle into a can of Coke. She currently has a fantastic CD called Mystery Box. Minnie is quickly becoming a household name in the world of guitar players and music lovers alike.
Listen to Minnie Marks’ perform at www.myspace.com/minniemarks