John Fogerty
John Fogerty's contribution to popular culture cannot be overstated; his songs have become part of rock’s DNA, the very building blocks upon which much of American rock and roll has been built. As famous for his time with the classic rock-blues band Creedence Clearwater Revival from the late-1950s until its demise in 1972 as he is for his following solo career, Fogerty is the writer of such rock classics as "Proud Mary", "Centerfield", "Bad Moon Rising", "Rockin' All Over the World", "Born on the Bayou" and "Fortunate Son". 2007’s Revival is Fogerty’s first album of new material on Fantasy following a very public 30-year battle with the label over his catalogue. The reconciliation led to the first complete retrospective of his career, The Long Road Home, which came out in late-2005. Fogerty was inducted into the prestigious Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2005 and was honoured as a composer with the 1997 Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Association of Songwriters. His 1997 album, Blue Moon Swamp, won the Grammy for Best Rock Album. Revival is not just a great Fogerty album ¬– and a great rock album – it's an essential musical work by an artist without peers, which will certainly stand as one of the most compelling albums of 2007.

www.johnfogerty.com

Keith Urban
'Nearly a decade and a half after he first came to America from Australia, Keith Urban has arrived as a global musical force. This accomplished singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist has slowly but surely established himself as one of the most consistent and exciting talents not simply in country music, but in our music world as a whole. There's been a series of increasingly acclaimed solo albums from 1999's Keith Urban to 2002's Golden Road to 2004's Be Here, which topped Billboard's Top Country Album charts and gave Urban his first Grammy Award for Best Male Country Performance as well as the prestigious Entertainer of the Year Award from the Country Music Association. Love, Pain & the whole crazy thing, released in 2007, is a multi-textured work which Urban co-produced with longtime collaborator Dann Huff before embarking on a world tour in support of the record. Now a certified superstar of country music, Urban is returning home to Australia from his base in Nashville to perform at Southern Roots Tasmania.

www.keithurban.net

Ray Davies
Several noted commentators have named Ray Davies, one of rock and roll’s most successful and influential songwriters- and frontman for seminal band The Kinks, the 20th century’s finest UK songwriter. A big call, but not a difficult argument to present. Consider these incredible songs: Waterloo Sunset, Lola, You Really Got Me (written when he was 15!), Sunny Afternoon, Dedicated Follower of Fashion, Victoria, Come Dancing, Tired Of Waiting For You – and there are so many more absolute classics. Davies is undoubtedly one of the all time greats – once again Waterloo Sunset was a No 1 hit on the UK Indie Chart in May 2007 – proving just how perennial Ray Davies is as a musical force. In 2006, Davies released a long awaited and well received solo album Other People’s Lives. In late 2007, he followed it up with Working Man's Café – a rockier and even more rapturously received album. Both feature stunning new songs, and serve as a veritable master class in songwriting. Combining Ray’s distinctive vocals with his instantly recognizable and astutely observed lyrics, the new music brims effervescently with Ray’s heady, unmistakable style and talent. Ray Davies live in concert will be an experience for all lovers of exceptional pop songwriting, sure to include many gems from Ray’s entire catalogue. His recent Oct 2007 performance at the UK’s Electric Proms was received rapturously: “A stunning display of classic English songwriting. None of the other living legends on the bill (Paul McCartney, Siouxie Sioux) could better this warm and witty performance… for those present, a night they will never forget” - The Evening Standard.

www.myspace.com/raydavies

Michelle Shocked
Michelle Shocked is a two-time Grammy nominee who made a big impact on the music world with a trio of acclaimed releases - her first three Mercury albums, Short Sharp Shocked (1988), Captain Swing (1989) and Arkansas Traveler (1992). As Rolling Stone says, "A decade before Ani DiFranco emerged as this generation's hardcore female troubadour, Michelle Shocked escaped the hills of east Texas (via Amsterdam and San Francisco) to play her revolutionary folk blues, a music that is less about politics than it is a personal declaration of independence." Her latest record is a celebratory live album, ToHeavenURide. In the beginning, Shocked writes, "I was moved by the power of rock 'n' roll. And if you follow the trail from rock 'n' roll, it always leads you back to the blues, sweet soul music and finally to the churches and gospel music."

www.michelleshocked.com

Patty Griffin
The wonderful Austin, Texas-based singer songwriter Patty Griffin is coming to tour Australia for the very first time. With a major underground swell occurring for Patty over the last decade or so, she is an inspiration to many fans and music critics, and to countless recording artists.

Patty has been known as something of a songwriters' songwriter, but all that is rapidly changing with the release of her latest album, Children Running Through, which brings her to Australia, touring here for the first time. Patty will play a string of the country's more intimate theatres, accompanied by her guitarist Doug Lancio.

Who is Patty Griffin? To put it simply, Patty is one of the most acclaimed recording artists in the world today. She appeared in the mid-'90s with two stunning albums, and has since had songs recorded by everyone from Emmylou Harris to Bette Midler to the Dixie Chicks. For many years, Patty was considered a well-kept insider's tip. Steadily gaining the recognition she deserves, she is now regarded as one of today's most significant songwriters.

Never making music that's easy to categorize, Patty's songs move effortlessly from straightforward folk to gospel-tinged ballads right on through to unabashed rock and roll anthems, defying attempts to pigeon-hole her into a genre. As one critic put it, ìIt's music that seems to exist on its own plane, like that of Joni Mitchell or Billie Holiday. One comes to Patty Griffinís music on her terms, not yours.'

Patty's national tour kicks off in November 2007, and promises to be a mesmerising evening of astonishingly good songwriting delivered by a warm and engaging soul with a simply exceptional voice.

Angus & Julia Stone
Raised on Sydney’s northern beaches, brother-sister duo Angus and Julia Stone’s love of music is inextricably linked with growing up in a musical family. A long line of musicians made for an environment that encouraged them to express themselves with their voice and any of the many instruments lying around the house. The pressed their first EP, Chocolates and Cigarettes, themselves to sell at their local gigs, eventually catching the attention of local radio stations and a booking agent, which lead to appearances at festivals around the country. A move to London added drummer Mitchell Connelly to the band. Not long after moving, they came under the wing of singer-songwriter Fran Healy from Travis, who began to help out with the material that would become their debut album A Book Like This. The album is like a story book, with each song revealing itself like a different page. While Julia’s songs expose her as a young woman in love dealing with relationships and interactions, Angus’s songs seem to surface from a different perspective, one which showcases a unique view on society and what goes on around us. Together, the songs are strikingly poignant and textured recordings that immediately draw listeners into the simple and endearing vision of Angus and Julia Stone’s world.

www.angusandjuliastone.com

Weddings, Parties, Anything
With their name "borrowed" from a Clash song ("Revolution Rock"), and listed influences as Woody Guthrie, Tex Morton, and The Rolling Stones, one gets the idea that it is not easy to categorise much-loved Australian band Weddings, Parties, Anything (WPA). And it isn't. One part rock, one part punk/alternative, one part country, and one part whatever strikes their fancy. Principal writer (and leader of the band), Michael Thomas, formed WPA in 1985. An independent EP and constant touring of Australia caught the attention of WEA Australia, who signed the band in 1987, and promptly released their debut album, Scorn Of The Women. Following 1989's The Big Don't Argue the band spent a great deal of time touring over the next three years, releasing only one EP in 1990, titled The Weddings Play Sports (and Falcons). The band resurfaced in 1992 and produced King Tide in 1993. WPA released Donkey Serenade in 1996, and the music style shifted somewhat from folk to a more alternative country sound. They decided at this time to concentrate on the Australian market, and did less touring outside of their native Australia. WPA finished 1997 with Riveresque before deciding to take a break in 1998 to work on several solo projects, until their re-emergence in late 2006. A band with a unique mix of influences, and sounds, who have demonstrated the ability to grow, explore, and be creative with new additions, while maintaining their own style of music.

Music Maker Foundation
Many claim to be fighting the good fight for music, and many certainly are. But who’s really keeping the blues and southern roots music alive? Music Maker Relief Foundation, Inc. is the inspired and inspiring non-profit North American organisation dedicated to helping the true pioneers and forgotten heroes of Southern musical traditions gain recognition and meet their day-to-day needs. Their mission is to give back to the roots of American music. Music Maker Relief Foundation, Inc. receives all of its funding from private and corporate donations and contributions to Music Maker directly support traditional musicians in their efforts to keep playing, performing and recording music. After knockout, truly inspiring, humbling and fantastic East Coast Blues & Roots Festival performances in 2005 and 2006, the Music Maker Relief Foundation is returning to Byron Bay in 2008. This year we’ll be featuring the authentic talents of players like Beverly “Guitar” Watkins, Albert White, Pura Fe Crescioni, Eddie Tigner, Tommy Brown, Little Joe Burton, and Dr. G.B. Burt. For more information visit:

www.musicmaker.org

Jeff Lang
Australian based musician Jeff Lang has earned worldwide acclaim as a virtuosic guitarist, a dynamic songwriter and a startlingly unique live performer. Jeff has a back catalogue of 13 studio albums and has been featured at major festivals, pubs, clubs, arts centres and venues internationally for the past decade. Blending rock, roots, folk, blues, ballads, instrumentals, improvisation and a devastatingly high level of musicality, Jeff Lang is a singularly unique performer in our world. Jeff has been showered with many achievements and awards in his life, the most outstanding would be his six Aria award nominations as well as his win in 2002. 2007 was an action packed year for Jeff Lang. Three albums licensed worldwide, two released in Australia, too many local and overseas tours to count, Aria nominations and the honour of being the Artist in residence of the inaugural Adelaide International Arts Festival. 2008 will see the worldwide release of Jeff’s new studio recording; Half Seas Over.

www.jefflang.com.au

Amali Ward
Amali Ward is a Sydney based soul singer/songwriter who first came to the public's attention at just 15. After making the top 10 of Australian Idol, Amali insisted on writing and developing as an artist, working with established talents including RHyNo (True Live), Pip Norman (TZU), Tyrone Noonan (george) and N'Fa (1200 Techniques).

2007 saw Amali, now 19, release her independent, self-written, self-produced debut EP, a mixture of vintage funk grooves, pop hooks and a smokin’ band. The EP was a success with both fans and critics – the Daily Telegraph raved “taking her time has paid off,” and the EP received a MusicOz award.

It’s this maturity and musicianship that has always set Amali apart from her contemporaries, putting her in the same artistic stratosphere as old school influenced Amy Winehouse, Joss Stone and Alicia Keys - the kind of artist that backs it up live, with a powerhouse band, ready to rock out in Hobart this March.

www.myspace.com/amaliward
www.amaliward.com.au

Bridget Pross
Growing up in remote Westerway in the Derwent Valley (Tasmania), Bridget has honed her craft by playing in smoky pubs surrounded by very loud customers, with only an un-amplified guitar and her voice to carry her through the night.

She was first introduced to the Hobart music scene in high school where she became involved in the “River Rock” movement. This program gave high school students a chance to record their own music. Representation in the Tasmanian Rock Challenge with the band ‘Grover’ followed, along with an award in the ‘Most Promising Female Award’ category of the competition.

In November 2005, Bridget embarked on a trip through Europe and the U.S.A, where she recorded the 6 tracks for her first E.P. release ‘Long Distance Traveller’. This was recorded at the University of Miami in Florida.

Since returning to Tasmania things have taken off for Bridget, with support performances for Deborah Conway, Bertie Blackman, Sarah Mcleod (ex SuperJesus), Sarah Blasko, Women in Docs, Madviolet, Tim Rodgers and the Audreys. Bridget also recently opened the ‘Live and Loud’ concert in Dover, Tasmania, which included such luminaries as the Black Sorrows, The Choir Boys, Deborah Conway and TV Rock. On the 14th and 15th of August, 2007, Bridge also did the local support for the John Butler Trio and Josh Pyke in Launceston and Hobart. Later this year she will be opening for Lior, Chris Wilson and the Audreys. Check the performances page for details and updates.

Bridget has recently returned home from recording in Miami, where she worked on the second half of her soon to be released album. She had the pleasure of working with members of Miami band van*gloria, as well as many other talented local musicians.

www.bridgetpross.com.au

Pete Cornelius and the DeVilles
Pete Cornelius and the DeVilles est 1999, have set the pace for many Aussie touring rhythm & blues bands. Its hard to Label exactly what these boys are layin' down. Some say its Vintage R&B, West Coast Jump Blues, Tough Texan Shuffles, Hearty Soul Drivin' Sparse Ballads & Up Tempo Rockabilly influenced grooves. Some just say its damm good. What ever you wanna call it, The DeVilles sure have they're roots deep in that early American sound, when Hollow-Body Guitars and fat gas guzzlin 'Cadillac's roamed the streets.

The DeVilles include Ben Edwards - Upright Bass/Vocal, George Brugmans - Drums and o'course Pete Cornelius - Guitar/Vocal.

The Multi Award Winning Band have released 4 full length albums, toured endless miles accross our lovely country playin' all the major festivals, including time in the USA and UK.

Endorsed by Fender Australia. Better catch 'em if ya can...

www.petecornelius.com

Unleash the Nugget
Defn. to unleash the nugget (verb inf.): to allow ones inner fool to wreak havoc on the world.

Derived from the burbs of Hobart, Tasmania, Unleash The Nugget (UTN) are THE definitive band on how to get the party started. Hailing from the burbs of Hobart, this hiphop/funk/party explosion are set to take over Tassie, then the mainland, then the planet Earth with their Aussie brand of party goodness.

Unleash The Nugget had their beginnings at College in Tasmanias South during 2002. They have since honed and developed their own blend of musicianship and lyrical mastery to deliver high energy, high precision shows with attitude. Unleash the Nugget sports drums, electric bass, keyboards, guitar and two MCs.

www.unleashthenugget.com

Dean Stevenson
A long time ago, Dean decided that music was all there was to do. It just made more sense than anything else he had seen before it. It took him many years to come to terms with what that meant however. Like many of us, life was a ‘getting by’ story until all that was left was the music you now hear.

At that point Dean’s voice was breaking, he wanted to be a Radio Jock. This obsession meant he would spend hours listening to the ads and announcers and turn it off when the music came on. Later, out of performing arts school, Dean spent 10 years as a photographer and printer working, ironically, amongst the hopefuls of the music industry putting artwork together for folios and album covers. Melbourne boy born and bred, he now finds Hobart home. “Things sound better here” he says.

After arriving in Hobart, Dean went to the conservatorium where he took out the coveted Director’s prize for performance excellence. Also at this time, he was performing in approx 5 bands around Hobart making a living as a player of any genre he could get his hands and ears to. “It’s amazing how different and deeply textured things can be when you really listen”.

In recent times Dean has shared the stage with artists such as Alex Lloyd, Stephen Cummings, Marcia Hines, Lior, Serena Ryder, Jeff Martin, Clare Bowditch and others.

Dean’s album ‘In Time’ marked the new territory of Tasmania as his home of writing and making music.

New recordings have followed including an album recorded in Sweden due for a 2008 release.

Through a spirited menagerie of musicians and writers, Dean mingled his way through to the songs he now writes. These songs are peppered with the memories from the journey here.

Stick around. It will be interesting.