Steve Earle (born January 17, 1955) is a singer-songwriter best known for his country music and rock 'n roll tinged "alt-country." He is also a published writer, a keen political activist (particularly in protesting against the death penalty in the U.S., as in his song "Ellis Unit One" from the movie Dead Man Walking), and has written and directed a play. Steve also had a small role as a recovering addict on the HBO television show "The Wire".
Wellington 5-piece The Thomas Oliver Band have spent the past few years touring and playing live throughout New Zealand with the likes of Fat Freddy’s Drop, Gin Wigmore and Britain’s Oli Brown. Within this time the band have also written and recorded their debut full-length album ‘Baby, I’ll Play’ to be released in early 2011.
“From the sexy, dirty blues/rock of ‘Nothing Left’ and ‘In My Bones’ to the glorious, perfect-pop balladry of ‘A Letter’, Every Penny is flawless.
The Delta Lions are an Australian country/indy/blues influenced rock band based in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. Comprising Michael Ferfoglia (guitar/vocals), Mat Taylor (drums/vocals), Ryan Wilson (bass) and Ben Leece (guitar/vocals), The Delta Lions punk rock roots and love for classic song writing, give the band a unique, soulful, sincere sound. Strong guitar driven riffs and sing along choruses with lyrics about the good old days help the band reach an audience young and old.
Ted Egan is an Australian folk singer/songwriter who grew up and lived most of his life in the northern parts of Australia. His songs are many, and tell stories about people and times in Australian history, sometimes serious, sometimes quite funny. Currently, Ted is the Administrator of the Northern Territory of Australia, appointed in 2003. Official site has more:
http://www.tedegan.com.au/bio.htm As does the NT government page:
Jimmy Buffett (born December 25, 1946 in Pascagoula, Mississippi) is an American singer and songwriter, best known for his "island escapism" lifestyle and music including hits such as "Margaritaville (Songs of the Century #234)," and "Come Monday". He has a rabid, but genial, cult following known as "Parrotheads." They call the youngest members "Parakeets." Buffett has written three No. 1 best sellers.
JIm Lauderdale is a Nashville showman in the grand tradition. He's also one of the city's finest songwriters, as the Dixie Chicks, Patty Loveless, Mark Chestnut, Vince Gill and George Strait will be glad to attest. Beyond Music Row, Lauderdale is well known in bluegrass and jamband circles. He recorded two albums with the legendary Ralph Stanley, one with Donna the Buffalo and he collaborated with Grateful Dead lyricist Robert Hunter on <i>Headed for the Hills</i>, his 2004 release on Dualtone Records.
Carus Thompson is the vocalist, guitarist and songwriter of the Australian reggae band Carus and The True Believers. Carus was born in Fremantle, Australia in 1976. He developed a taste for music at a young age and began playing musical instruments at 12 years of age. By the time he turned 18 Carus was making a living out of performing and so he began the band, Carus and The True Believers. Carus describes his music as being a mix of roots, folk, reggae, and funk, though in a recent interview pointed out he would like his music to be known mainly as "Australian.
Dan Sultan was born with pure and extraordinary talent and is quickly gaining the momentum and recognition that he deserves. He was nominated for a 2006 Deadlys Award “Most Promising New Talent”, which has now been followed up by nominations in 2007 for Artist of The Year and Single Release of The Year for "Your Love is Like a Song". Dan was invited by Paul Kelly to contribute to the Kev Carmody tribute album and identified by John Butler who has funded Dan’s debut album through The JB Seed program.
Dolly Rebecca Parton (born January 19, 1946) is an American country singer, songwriter, composer, producer, entrepreneur, author and actress. Parton began performing as a child, singing on local radio and television in East Tennessee. At age 12 she was appearing on Knoxville TV, and at 13, she was recording on a small label and appearing at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. When she graduated from high school in 1964 she moved to Nashville, taking many traditional elements of folklore and popular music from East Tennessee with her.
The Kill Devil Hills are a 6 piece country, swampy blues band from Perth, Western Australia. Their 2004 release Heathen Songs was followed in 2006 by The Drought, an album which has been widely praised by local reviews. The multi-award-winning group spent the best part of 2009 completing their third album, ‘Man, You Should Explode’ released nationally in September 2009 through Torn and Frayed/Shock.