May 12th, 2008 admin
Promotional photo of Berril von Amburg, Manager of World of Country
Berril von Amburg was born in Bellville, Cape Town, in South Africa. Privileged to have parents that were involved in and loved music, Berril attended many shows and learned to love the music world as a child.
Berril lived in Hartenbos, where she completed her studies, and then joined the South African Police in 1984. Five years later, Berril returned to school to study Law and Theology, qualifying as a Pentecostal Minister. But in the end, she followed her family tradition and cut her first solo CD, Mooi Is Die Lewe, at the turn of the century, in 2000.
A year later, a second CD, Magic Love, was recorded. During that time, Berril helped to produce Verlore Is Ons Nie, a CD to benefit Casa Caritas, an institution for the mentally handicapped.
In 2003, her country gospel CD followed, entitled My Tribute To The King. Of course, the title does not refer to Elvis in this occasion, but to Jesus…
In 2006, Berril’s first music video was “Wil Jy Of Wil Jy Nie,” titled after her brand-new album. This CD was a combination of Afrikaans traditional and contemporary music, country, and gospel.
Today, Berril’s children –Irvin and Tanya– assist their mother and other artists operating sound equipment, a job that they enjoy, especially when touring South Africa with a group of artists.
Berril loves to work as an emcee and to discover new singing talent. Her versatility extends to writing scripts for radio and film, with a special passion for country music.
Living in Johannesburg, South Africa, Berril is the director of a recruitment agency and manager of WorldOfCountry.com.
Andoni Urkiaga, coordinator of the International Country Music Day Organization interviewed her recently for www.icmday.org:
ICMDAY: South Africa is really a center for country music in Africa, and I don’t think many people are even aware of this. When did country music start to be known and loved in your country?
Berril: Country music in South Africa really started with cowboy movies, when South Africans heard singers like Gene Autry, who introduced us to the country sound. Back in the sixties, Jim Reeves toured South Africa. He made more effort than most, even singing local songs in Afrikaans. I would say that such visitors inspired our singers to do country. Obviously, many South Africans loved this and the country music culture has stayed with us ever since.
ICMDAY: When and why did you start World of Country?
Berril: Country music in South Africa was in decline because country and western is not popular with most black people here. Consequently, it gets little TV and press coverage and so we needed a forum to promote country music and to revive public interest.
ICMDAY: Was World of Country welcomed by the fans?
Berril: World of Country is earning a central spot in South African country music. Many singers and fans are delighted that we feature biographies of South African country legends as well as snippets of their music. The foundation for expansion is there, and we have the support to move forward and promote our music.
ICMDAY: Is it helping you to create a strong musical circuit in your country?
Berril: It is assisting us to make a breakthrough to the youth, who are generally unaware of country music because there is currently too little exposure. At present we cannot claim to have a strong musical circuit, though it is improving.
ICMDAY: What would you emphasize about the artists that joined World of Country?
Berril: Our published artists include the country greats of South Africa such as Lance James and Barbara Ray, who lived through the best years of country music and would love to assist in a revival of our country culture.
ICMDAY: There are great black country music artists in America, and country music has definitely no color or political agenda. Do you think you need to work a little harder in order to promote country music among the black population of your country?
Berril: Tradition can be a very positive influence, but a dominant tradition can also repress minorities. It is only realistic to admit that country music in South Africa is perceived as “white music” and at present gets limited exposure. I am aware of one black country singer from Lesotho who appeared on a show hosted by one of our members, but this was several years ago, and I have not heard of this singer since then. For the moment, country music in South Africa is mostly supported and promoted by whites, though one does see the occasional black fan at shows. Bear in mind that South Africa is still a very segregated society.
ICMDAY: Is a new generation of country music artists and fans emerging in South Africa?
Berril: This is the chicken-and-egg problem of which comes first. Singers cannot perform if they do not have enough fans, and young fans will only flock to concerts by successful young singers. This is the essence of our problem, but we believe country music is slowly winning the battle.
ICMDAY: What would you need to be more successful?
Berril: We need young singers to include country music as part of their show in order to introduce the genre to the younger generation. We also need to send our singers overseas to broaden their experience. Major promoters are reluctant to spend money and effort on country music because this is not where the big money lies.
South African country music stars: Bobby Angel & Berril von Amburg
ICMDAY: Who is Berril von Amburg as a country music artist?
Berril: Berril von Amburg works with country stars such as Bobby Angel, Barbara Ray, and Lance James. We do country music and love our audiences. I have produced several CDs featuring country music in Afrikaans, and a new country CD in English is to be released later this year.
ICMDAY: Gospel is a strong influence in your music…
Berril: Yes, I sang in a gospel band before attempting any other type of music. Both country and gospel music can use similar instruments and tell stories from life and about people, so I move naturally from one to the other.
ICMDAY: You also sing popular folk songs. What genre do you feel more comfortable with?
Berril: The dividing line between folk music and country music is not rigid. Folk music can often take on a country mood or a country beat, but country music often becomes the folk music of the next generation. I think most country singers do both, and I certainly feel comfortable with both.
ICMDAY: You support organic farming like Farm Aid does in the USA. Do you think the way of life of these farmers and, more broadly, the traditional country way of life should receive more recognition and support?
Berril: At the moment there is no chance that the South African authorities will offer any help to these farmers, but I believe that organic farming should be encouraged and promoted in every way possible. The country way of life will outlive all the modern, short-lived trends and we should preserve such responsible, healthy culture for our children.
ICMDAY: Tell us about your upcoming festivals…
Berril: On August 30, 2008, a Country Music Festival will be held in Springs. Several Country Festivals will be hosted here throughout the year. This venue has become synonymous with country music.
On May 17, 2008, Country Legends will perform in Cape Town at a similar festival.
ICMDAY: What do you envision for the future of World of Country?
Berril: I trust that World Of Country will play a role in preserving country music and our country culture for generations to come.
ICMDAY: Do you think that initiatives like the International Country Music Day can help to spread the idea that country music is now a music for the world and not only for Americans or merely for white people?
Berril: World Of Country supports any initiative that promotes country music, and we are delighted to support the International Country Music Day. Thank you for the opportunity to talk to fellow country music enthusiasts. We appreciate your support of South African country music. We are all one family in country music, and this brings us all closer together.
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April 23rd, 2008 admin
As the daughter of Tamworth pioneer, the late “Gentleman” Geoff Brown and sister of guitar picker/recording studio operator Gary and sound man Greg, Cheryl has naturally been involved in country music all her life from the early days of the Capital Country Music Association through her employment with Radio 2TM, BAL Marketing, Max Ellis Marketing, the CMAA and The Pub Management. Born and bred in Tamworth, Cheryl remains in Australia’s Country Music Capital working with Rural Press Events as Manager of Country Music Capital News and Coordinator of Toyota Star Maker, Australia’s longest and most prestigious search for a new country music star.
Cheryl Byrnes at CMAA Achiever Awards, 2005.
In these days of internet, blogs, broadband, and new media commotions, taking the time to sit and enjoy reading an exciting country music magazine sounds like a perfectly relaxing experience. Andoni Urkiaga, coordinator of ICMDAY.ORG, recently interviewed Cheryl Byrnes, Manager of Country Music Capital News.
ICMDAY: When and how did you come up with the idea for the magazine?
Cheryl Byrnes: Country Music Capital News (Volume 1, Number 1) was first printed on January 25, 1975 as an eight-page newspaper-style publication. The title was chosen at the time because it was “News” from the “Country Music Capital” of Tamworth… hence Country Music Capital News. The first print run was in conjunction with the annual Tamworth Country Music Festival. Volume 1, Number 2 was printed on January 29, 1975 and listed the results of the third Australasian Country Music Awards. It was published by Tamworth Radio Development Co Pty Ltd (Radio 2TM Tamworth) and printed in Tamworth by the Tamworth Newspaper Co (The Northern Daily Leader).
Kris Kristofferson & Cheryl Byrnes. Australian Tour, 2005.
ICMDAY: What is Country Music Capital News for Australian country music lovers right now?
Cheryl Byrnes: Country Music Capital News is published monthly and brings you the latest news, views, album reviews, festival reports, feature articles, photographs, charts, as well as keeping you up-to-date with your favourite artist’s gig guide and coming events.
ICMDAY: Your magazine has published lots of interesting interviews with music celebrities. Which ones do you remember most fondly?
Cheryl Byrnes: I’m not a journalist, so I don’t generally conduct the interviews. I do, however, get to chat with most of the artists and love every minute of it. Just recently I have been fortunate enough to attend a BROOKS & DUNN concert in Sydney, a DON MCLEAN concert in Tamworth, and a tribute concert for the late Australian pioneer SMOKY DAWSON.
Back: Mike Smith, Cheryl Byrnes. Front: Barry Harley, Dot Dawson, Kate Nugent & Smoky Dawson, 2006.
What I do love about the industry and the stars that I meet is that they are mostly friendly and ordinary people. They are, however, deserving of their “Star” status and should be treated with that respect. Too often when a star is friendly to a fan, the fan can take this way too seriously and decide they are then “mates.” It is indeed part and parcel of the role of a celebrity, yet one that needs to be carefully handled. My favourite Australian stars that I have met are Keith Urban and Tommy Emmanuel. There is a young artist in Australia right now called Travis Collins who has joined my personal list and if his dreams come true he too will be a superstar!
Keith Urban & Cheryl Byrnes, 1977.
ICMDAY: In this period of time how has Australian music changed? Could you name a couple of factors that have contributed to changing the scope of Australian country music?
Cheryl Byrnes: Interest in Australian country music rose internationally due to the superstardom of home-grown male artist KEITH URBAN. Rootsy hillbilly female artist KASEY CHAMBERS also changed the perception of country music to music lovers particularly within Australia.
ICMDAY: Talking about Australia’s country music amounts to talking about the great Slim Dusty. In what ways is he influencing the new generations of artists and fans?
Cheryl Byrnes: Slim Dusty continues to influence new generations as our greatest pioneer in the history of Australian country music. I think Slim’s influence particularly on the artists would be for his greatness through his longevity, his ability to capture the Australian spirit in its entirety, his affection for outback Australia, and his commitment. It will be a very long time before anyone will ever come close to replicating Slim Dusty. His own family have just released their third family album and embarked on their first Australian tour since Slim’s death. The family includes Slim’s wife, Joy McKean, daughter Anne Kirkpatrick, and son David Kirkpatrick and their children.
ICMDAY: Australia is not an island in country music and has given great moments to international country music, but it seems that lately the TV, the industry, etc, is placing too much emphasis on the new American rock pop wave…
Cheryl Byrnes: Hmmm, it’s hard not to be intimidated by the new American pop wave, that’s for sure. I have no doubt that when the very successful AMERICAN or CANADIAN COUNTRY MUSIC artists begin to travel DOWN UNDER more regularly, the effect will strengthen our industry. Our artists will have to step up if they want to be compared. Australia has some brilliant artists (you already have our KYLIE SACKLEY living in Nashville, KEITH URBAN, TOMMY EMMANUEL) … we all just need to start hooking up for some international tours worldwide. How fantastic could that be!
ICMDAY: Bush music is a jewel, one of the genuine genres within Australian country music. Is there a new breed of artists and enough true loyal followers to support it?
Cheryl Byrnes: The Australian Bush Ballad has gone through a rebirth in the past few years. It’s an exciting time for the bushies with a strong group of young performers coming through. The Australian Bush Balladeers Association nurtures and encourages the young performers, for example, by providing a scholarship to the annual CMAA College Of Country Music (over 18 years) and the Tamworth Camerata (18 years and under). This not only encourages the young balladeer but it allows them to blend in with the up and comers with a knowledge and respect for their music. Australian Country Music has a short history, but each time we lose a pioneer, we are reminded of their contribution to the industry.
Beccy Cole, Cheryl Byrnes, Gina Jeffreys at Smokys Bar & Grill, 2005.
ICMDAY: Australia’s musical scene is very rich: there are a lot of festivals, talent shows, even musical academie Is Tamworth more than a musical city for country music?
Cheryl Byrnes: Let’s face it: there has to be a Mecca and Tamworth is just that for country music in Australia. Over the years, a small number of industry people have been disgruntled at this. However, in most cases they are people who’ve become involved for a short period of time and really don’t understand the history and how it came to be. It’s simply ignorance, in my opinion. The opportunities that have been created for members of the Australian country music industry due to what began in Tamworth in the early 1950s to the commencement of one of the world’s largest festivals in 1975 is outstanding. It is a welcoming industry and most genres that come under the banner of country music are welcomed. The downside of this is that the tier level is very bottom- to mid-range heavy but the cream really does rise to the top. In my opinion, I believe there are less than fifty major artists with less than five having the possibility of super stardom.
ICMDAY: Could you name some of the new Australian artists that have impressed you this year?
Cheryl Byrnes: I coordinate the longest-running search for a country music star in Australia, known as Toyota Star Maker, which has been going on for 29 years. I was impressed by a number of the new artists who entered. The winner was TALIA WITTMANN, and out of the 20 finalists, the Grand Finalists that were different and stood out as favourites were 8 BALL AITKEN, MICHAEL MUCHOW (pro as LOCO). There are many, many more.
Talia Wittman
ICMDAY: Do you think it´s possible that the festival could have been celebrated in this city as some rumors had it?
Cheryl Byrnes: The infrastructure is already in place, and the buzz that is created based around both the Festival and the CMAA Country Music Awards Of Australia gives the Industry an excitement over a minimum of two months with major media coverage as it prepares its artists for the “place that makes dreams come true”.
Cheryl Byrnes with The McClymonts, Nov. 14, 2007, at their new CD launch.
ICMDAY: We have witnessed the rise of a new giant way of communication: the internet. What can a country music magazine give to a country music fan in 2008? What are your plans for the future?
Cheryl Byrnes: We find that most of our readers really want the experience of still kicking back at any time to flick through the pages of their ONLY MONTHLY Australian Country Music magazine in Capital News. Since 1975, fans have been able to keep up to date with all things country not only within Australia but also throughout the world, and we’ve only just scratched the surface.
ICMDAY: Do you think that the International Country Music Day is a good way to do away with the isolation that many country fans have always suffered in different countries?.
Cheryl Byrnes: The International Country Music Day can only be one hell of a selling point WORLDWIDE. It’s a great thing.
Cheryl Byrnes, Ronni Rae Rivers & Felicity Urquhart
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March 13th, 2008 admin
Good news for international country music! The International Country Music Day Organization announces the incorporation of its new members and the launch of its new website which includes among its first news pieces an interesting interview with Feizal Samath, the president of the Country Music Foundation of Sri Lanka, coinciding with the celebration of the Country Roads Festival that will be held on March 16th in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
The International Country Music Day was created in 2003 in order to bring together all artists, musicians, and country music fans all over the world, as well as to promote our music worldwide. Since then, many associations have embraced it and joined this non- profit organization including country2.com –Argentina-, Country CD –France- (fomerly FACM), the Country Music Association of Uruguay –AMCU-, the Country Music Association of Greece –CMA-Greece-, the United States Hispanic Country Music Association (USHCMA), the Country Music Association of Spain and several artists, groups, radio stations such as Dímelo Country –DCWR-, and fans throughout the world.
And now, celebrating its fifth anniversary, the International Country Music Day Organization proudly announces its new members originating from four different continents: Latonky (USA), TISBA (USA), Capital News (Australia), the Country Music Foundation of Sri Lanka, Saudi Salutes Country Music (Saudi Arabia), World Of Country (South Africa) and A Rienda Suelta (Mexico)
All of them are participating in the launch of the new ICMDAY website, which is a project that will reflect the goals of this celebration on the internet. It will also be a showcase of country music all over the world, spotlighting the many ways in which country music is enjoyed all over the world.
And just to start, Andoni Urkiaga, ICMDAY Coordinator and former Executive Director of CMA-Spain, interviews Feizal Samath, one of the foremost country music personalities in Asia and Sri Lanka’s UNICEF supporter.
The International Country Music Day is held on September 17 every year, commemorating the birth of Hank Williams, one of the foremost legends of country music.
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March 13th, 2008 admin
We know that country music is a universal language, and that is why we celebrate the International Country Music Day: to promote country music internationally and to unite fans all over the world. Yet sometimes we are surprised about how far country music has gone and how it can touch people’s hearts with its magic.
Sri Lanka´s Country Music Foundation (CMF) was launched in that country in South Asia in 1988 as a non-profit organization with three objectives: promoting country/western and folk music, raising awareness on children’s rights and raising funds for children in need.
This outfit was founded by Feizal Samath, a part-time country/folk singer and professional journalist then working for the Reuters news agency, who, having visited children in several refugee camps across that island nation as a writer, wanted to help these children and brighten up their lives. He was joined by his music colleague Juragan Majid, who is now responsible for the tasks of music production and concert organization. All through these years, the CMF has heralded a range of activities, the most important being an annual concert titled “COUNTRY ROADS”. The CMF acts as a bridge, bringing together the business community –as a socially responsible group-, UNICEF and Save The Children, and the public to work towards improving the lives of underprivileged and deprived children.
(Dirk, leader of the german band The Mavericks visiting one CMF pre-school)
The concerts promoted by the CMF have helped to raise public awareness on children’s rights and needs through music in addition to raising funds for these projects. Perhaps the most important message of these concerts has been the need to help children, particularly those affected by war or poverty. This link between country music and charity in a distant country like Sri Lanka has amazed us, so we recently interviewed Feizal Samath for the new ICMDAY website.
ICMDAY: How come you have a passion for country music in a country like Sri Lanka? Do you identify yourselves with country music? I mean, your culture seems to be rather different from American country & western…
Feizal Samath: Yes. However it’s not quite amazing. There is a lot of interest in English pop music and in the 1950-60s, the most popular singers were Jim Reeves, Ricky Nelson, Elvis, etc, who were mostly country/country rock artistes.In the 1990s, while there is a segment of the English-speaking population who enjoy all kinds of western music, country music and jazz have come to stay as popular forms of music enjoyed by many. Shops are filled with country cassettes and CDs. It’s not difficult to attract a 1,000-person audience for a good country show with top billing artistes. However there are very few bands here as not many hotel lobbies (where most bands get work) prefer to use country music artistes which is still not commercially popular. It has its own following.
ICMDAY: You are a journalist that loves country music, but one day you decided to launch the Country Music Foundation of Sri Lanka… Why did you have the idea to organize the Country Roads Festival?
Feizal Samath: I grew up on the music of Jim Reeves, Ricky and the guys in the 1960s and started playing a ukulele before progressing to a 6-string guitar and now a 12-string guitar. If I didn’t go into journalism as a profession (I have been a journalist for more than 25 years), I may have ended up as a professional musician! However in the late 1980s when I worked as a journalist for REUTERS International News agency in Colombo I traveled to many parts of the country covering the war that has ravaged this land. I regularly visited refugee camps and wrote about them, got a nice byline and many of the stories were carried across the world in newspapers. When I go back to these camps a few weeks later however I found that their plight (particularly children) hadn’t changed despite bringing local and world attention through my work as a journalist. This was the turning point: I thought to myself “I get a nice byline and a pat on the back for writing a nice story” but what about the plight of these kids, their life doesn’t change. Since I was doing music as a hobby, I thought maybe I’ll do a small concert for children to raise some money for them. It was just meant to be one show, a feel-good show for me – to get the feeling that ICMDAY: How has this festival evolved through the years?
Feizal Samath: Continuing from my earlier response, the first concert in 1988 was an unbelievable success. We raised 30,000 Sri Lanka rupees (small change then and just US$300 according to current exchange rates) and donated this money to the government to help in a home for children orphaned by the war. A UNICEF official who came for the concert was impressed and asked whether UNICEF could get involved. I said yes and that’s how the show has evolved over the years into 16 concerts (with the March 16, 2008 event) and in which we have brought musicians from across the world to perform for needy children in Sri Lanka, playing side by side with their local counterparts. For the past two years our partners are Save The Children.
(CMF pre-school kids)
ICMDAY: Children are the innocent victims of many disasters. Do you think that music is a way of moving the wheel of positive change?
Feizal Samath: Definitely yes. Our message is using music to cut across all barriers and blocks and bring children into the spotlight in terms of their rights and needs. My work as a journalist has helped me spread this message through music. It has been a very enriching and rewarding experience for everyone who has been on the COUNTRY ROADS bandwagon. We have created change by helping children to read, write, study, acquire knowledge, make sure other non-victims of conflict emphathise with those affected, build schools so that children won’t be idle, etc. MOST IMPORTANTLY WE HAVE ALSO WORKED IN ALL THREE COMMUNITIES OF SRI LANKA – SINHALESE (MAJORITY COMMUNITY, TAMILS AND MUSLIMS, AND ALSO BROUGHT THEM TOGETHER TO WORK TOGETHER AS A TEAM, AS A COMMUNITY.
Another aspect is that the Mavericks band from Germany and Astrid Brook from the UK have no problems coming to Sri Lanka and say they want to help in spite of concerns about conflict, etc … that might deter other tourists. Their position is that terrorism is happening in many parts of the world and that they want to help children here.
(1989 – CMF hands over donation for UNICEF to chief guest at the concert, US Deputy Ambassador
ICMDAY: Tell us about your collaboration with UNICEF.
Feizal Samath: In 1989, we began collaborating with UNICEF where we raise money through the show and handed over all these proceeds to UNICEF for a project that was designed with our input. UNICEF also contributed some costs. We would either have a separate project – building water wells; pre schools, workshops of rights; libraries, etc and join up with a UNICEF on-going project and sponsor a particular aspect of that project. This partnership worked for many years until 2005 (a total of 14 concerts) when we moved onto a special project of providing 15,000 mosquito nets to children and their families in remote areas, and then to work with Save the Children since 2007.
ICMDAY: Save the Children is another humanitarian organization you are collaborating with…
Feizal Samath: That’s right. We partnered Save the Children who have also been impressed by the work of the CMF. In 2007 together with Save the Children’s local community partners, under a 3-month project many events were held. These included providing libraries and books, child rights seminars, health camps, two day camps, etc. The children came from the northwest district of Mannar – in the heart of the war – and the northcentral district of Anuradhapura. At the end of the 3-month project, TAMIL children from Mannar came to Anuradhapura to join their Sinhalese colleagues in a joint 2-day camp. We hope to show the activities under this project on screen at the next concert. It was I would say one of our most productive years in helping children.
ICMDAY: What are your next projects to help children?
Feizal Samath: This year for the 16th annual concert, we are continuing to work with Save the Children, UK and the project this time is to raise money to provide a library and books to 14,000 children in a village in eastern Sri Lanka which has been cleared of terrorist activity. The village wanted a library and that’s how we have got involved. We are also continuing support to the village in Anuradhapura as they have a few unfinished work.
ICMDAY: This year you have done it again, and the Country Roads Festival will have another exciting group of artists playing on its stage. Tell us about them.
Feizal Samath: Yes, the concert will be held on March 16th, 2008 at the grand 200-year old Mount Lavinia Hotel and features the Mavericks from Germany, folk singers Astrid and Amelie from the UK and local artistes.
The Mavericks (4-piece band) will be one of the star attractions. You could view them on www.mavericks.de for details and how they have helped Sri Lanka. The band has been playing in Sri Lanka for the past 10-12 years. In addition we have two folk/country female singers from UK, Astrid Brooke and Amelie. Local bands include the COUNTRY REVIVAL BAND (with myself on 6-string ukulele/12-string acoustic/vocals and four others two of whom are playing banjo and harmonica – we generally do some good, old country songs), and two bands – Cosmic Rays and ANNO DOMINO. We try to change the flavour every year by introducing different instruments. This time we’ll have – in addition to guitars and drums -, ukulele, banjo, pedal steel and dobro. On occasion we have also brought in an east-west fusion set up like an acoustic guitar player backed by Indian traditional drums called TABLA OR GHATAM which provides a rich east-west sound!
(Astrid Brooke)
ICMDAY: What is the future of Country Roads?
Feizal Samath: Very good – though its getting more difficult for me every year as I am getting on the years (started this show at 34 years and 20 years later, I am now 54 years). Because of my solid contacts as a journalist and now a Business Editor at a local newspaper, I have many contacts for sponsorship and financial support. Without that, we wouldn’t have gone this far. We have solid backing from the US embassy in Colombo too. My involvement in everything – organizing local/foreign artistes, getting hotels/airlines sponsorship, financial sponsors, etc – is paramount as I have all the contacts. Thus I am compelled to get involved in every issue or organization. Every cent we raise goes to children. All costs are kept to a minimum. The CMF doesn’t change a cent for administration and organization. I am hoping to run it as long as the 25th concert (in 2016) and then maybe hand it over to a TRUST to take it along – that’s if it is physically impossible in terms of my active participation. In the past 2-3 years, every year we raise between Rs 500,000 to Rs 750,000 per year (that’s about US$5,000 to $7,500) which is sizable in local terms and a lot of children benefit from this. God willing this will continue.
(CMF-supported playground) ICMDAY: Country music is listened to, danced to, and enjoyed around the world. What is your message to the world for the next International Country Music Day?
Feizal Samath: Country Music as Sri Lanka has shown is being used to show the world that we need to care for the underprivileged and the needy. Our message is, and always has been – Dedicated to helping the needy of the world through music. Country Music, as we have also proved, can be any form of music; traditional, eastern, western – reflecting the cultures of the people; the values of society. Country music, unlike any other music form is easily reflected in its name itself “COUNTRY”. Where there is a country and people who are friendly, there is country music.
ICMDAY: Good Luck and Ayubowan (*), Feizal.
Feizal Samath: Ayubowan.
(*) Ayubowan means in English May You Live More.
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September 18th, 2007 admin
The second edition of the Hank Williams tribute (La Noche de Hank Williams) was held last September 16 in Montevideo, Uruguay, paying tribute to the legendary singer-songwriter, and celebrating a new edition of the International Country Music Day. Uruguayan artist John Fisher opened the night with his acoustic renditions of such Williams’ classics as “I don´t care (if tomorrow never comes)”, “(Last night) I heard you crying in your sleep”, “I´m so lonesome I could cry”, “Lonesome whistle”, “There´ll be no teardrops tonight”, “I´d still want you”, “Lovesick blues”, “Hey good lookin´”, “I´m a long gone daddy”, “There´s a tear in my beer.”Invited to perform on this night, Argentinian duo Hard Travelin´ covered more of Hank’s compositions, which included “Alone and forsaken”, “Nobody´s lonesome for me”, “I´ll never get out of this world alive”, “Swing wide your gate of love”, “My main trial is yet to come”, “Wedding bells”, “Howlin´ at the moon”, “I just don´t like this kind of living”, “I can´t help it (if I´m still in love with you)”, “You´re gonna change (or I´m gonna leave)”, “Be careful of stones that you throw”, “I want to live and love”, “Take this chains from my heart”, “Moanin´ the blues.”
The five-piece band Honky Tonk Blues, also from Uruguay, was in charge of the second part of the tribute. Honky Tonk Blues is a band which specializes on the music of the unforgettable Williams and therefore, they offered their personal renditions of “I can´t get you off of my mind”, “Long gone lonesome blues”, “Cold cold heart”, “You win again”, “Honky tonkin´”, “Move it on over”, “Mind your own business”, “Why don´t you love me”, “Settin´the woods on fire”. Singer Andrea Pochellú was their special guest to perform on such classics as “Honky tonk blues” and “Your cheatin´ heart”. The show closed with Fisher, Hard Travelin, Pochellu and Honky Tonk Blues performing “Jambalaya” . The event took place at the prestigious Shannon Irish Pub in Montevideo, Uruguay, where the two-night Tribute to Elvis Presley by Uruguayan band Bel Air was held in August. All these shows have been sponsored by the Country Music Association of Uruguay (Asociacion de Musica Country de Uruguay, AMCU) and Zona Country Prod.
Raúl Tejeiro
President of AMCU, Association of Counrty Music of Uruguay
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September 17th, 2007 admin
“I Forgot To Remember to Forget has been chosen by the readers of http://internationalcountrymusicday.blogspot.com/ as the song that brings together country music artists and fans all over the world, as well as representing the values that our music stands for during the International Country Music Day, which is held every year on September 17.
This year, the associations and websites that are taking part in the event: Country Music Association of Spain -CMA-Spain-, Country Music Association of Uruguay –AMCU-, country2.com –Argentina-, Country CD –France- (fomerly FACM), Country Music Association of Greece –CMA-Greece-, United States Hispanic Country Music Association and Dímelo Country –DCWR-.have decided to pay tribute to Elvis Presley on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of his passing, thereby honoring his outstanding contributions to the country music field.Country fans all over the world have made their choice among a list that includes Elvis’ 11 best country numbers. The winning song, “I Forgot To Remember to Forget” got 32 % of the votes, just in front of “Always On My Mind,” which came out second with 20 % of the votes, and “Blue Moon Of Kentucky,” which came out third with 16 % of the votes.
Jessi Colter on the Internacional Country Music Day
Country singer Jessi Colter, wife of the late country great Waylon Jennings, has praised the celebration of the Country Music Day: “I think it’s a very good idea. Country music fans all over the world are always very kind and really appreciate the music. They deserve something like this!”
International Country Music Day Keeps Growing
New associations and websites such as TISBA (The International Singing Brakeman Association, devoted to the promotion of the memory of the father of country music, Jimmie Rodgers) and the Hispanic country website latonky.com have decided to support this non-profit celebration starting next year. The organizers of the International Country Music Day invite everyone interested in promoting cooperation between country artists, professionals, and fans worldwide to join the celebration.
The International Country Music Day is held every year on September 17, commemorating the birthday of Hank Williams.
Come celebrate with us and enjoy country music!
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February 2nd, 2007 admin
The International Country Music Day was created in 2003 by the Country Music Association of Spain (CMA-Spain) in order to bring together all artists, musicians, and country music fans all over the world, as well as to promote our music worldwide. Since then, many associations have embraced the event, including the Country Music Association of Uruguay (AMCU), Argentina’s country2.com, France’s Country CD (formerly FACM), the Country Music Association of Greece (GMAC), and several artists, groups, radio stations such as Dímelo Country (DCWR), websites, and fans throughout the world.
In 2007, the United States Hispanic Country Music Association has been added to the long list of associations embracing this event.
The International Country Music Day is held on September 17 every year, commemorating the birth of Hank Williams, one of the foremost legends of country music.
Come celebrate with us!
Posted in News | No Comments »
