NASHVILLE -- Australian Festival Director Peter Beare and Festival Music Director John Lomax III today announced that the 9th annual Festival will also present over a dozen Australian based acts from numerous musical genres.

The Greencards, presently opening shows on the Bob Dylan-Willie Nelson tour, will headline the Thursday night "G'Day Nashville" welcoming concert. 21 year old Australian newcomer Catherine Britt, whose RCA duet with Elton John was released in late June, will be the featured performer at the Friday night "Gum Trees Gala"

"Aside from SXSW, this is the most Australian acts ever presented in a North American music festival", noted Lomax. "We'll have numerous shows throughout the week, beginning with a special concert for Vanderbilt Children's Hospital starring legionary Australian folklorist/author/label exec Warren Fahey."

Additional performers include Nashville's own Aussie émigré Pru Clearwater, debuting her new rock band, and the following artists direct from "down under": R 'n' b newcomer Nessa Morgan, country songbird Felicity, Perth rock/roots band Dreamcatcha, sizzling blues band Harper, compelling pop/rocker Sam Hawksley, South Australian rockers August Falls, Melbourne born Stockholm based "Cobainesque" singer-songwriter Kitto, Australiana folk-blues stylist Paul Killingly, aboriginal artist and didgeridoo maker Lewis Burns, pop-rocker Neil Anthony, rising country stars Kelly Hope and Connie Kis Andersen plus industry vet Keith Glass who has fashioned careers as an artist, author, importer, radio DJ and producer.

"Altogether, we'll have over a dozen acts here for the Festival", added Beare. Lomax further stated that there will be more announcements coming including the overall Festival headliner for the Saturday evening "Gathering: The Australian Homecoming Concert". Some of the artists will also appear in evening performances at 3rd & Lindsley and The Commodore Lounge, at the Select Inn/Vanderbilt, host hotel for the Festival. 

"In future years people will remember 2005 as the year the Australian Festival became a first class American music showcase", Lomax predicted.

A multi-day, family-oriented event, The Australian Festival consists of 7 key areas - Kids Down Under, Music Down Under, Sports Down Under, Aussie Expo, G'Day Cafe, the Australian Pavilion (& Jackaroo's and the Woolshed).  The Festival features Australian animals, music, merchandise & products & services, food & drinks, sports, games, events, clinics, demonstrations, workshops and concerts. 

The Australian Festival will also be hosting the 2005 ANZACC National Conference (including Food, Wine, & Travel Trade Show), the Kanga Kids Walk, and the G'Day Mates Schools program.

For more general details about the Australian Festival please visit - http://www.australianfestival.com

Come Say G'Day!

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2005 Australian Festival - September 9, 10, & 11, 2005
Centennial Park
Nashville, Tennessee

Contacts:

Peter Beare - Festival Director
Australian Festival
P.O. Box 128156
United States
Nashville TN 37212
(615) 460-1401
E-mail : director@gdaynashville.com