NASHVILLE -- Australian Festival Director Peter Beare and Festival Music Director John Lomax III today announced that down under rock icon Ross Wilson will be the Festival headliner and will top the bill at "The Gathering: Australian Homecoming Concert" on Saturday, September 10. 

Wilson, who began his career with a cover version of "Louie, Louie" in 1965, is a genuine Australian superstar and was one of the first artists inducted into the Australian Recording Industry Association (A.R.I.A.) Hall of Fame in 1989.

Over a 40 year career, Wilson has been successful as a singer, songwriter, producer and music publisher. His dynamic performance and classic rock vocals defined Daddy Cool, Australia's first hugely successful rock band.

In the '80s he penned and sang the chart topping songs for his next band, Mondo Rock. He has produced numerous albums by bands including Skyhooks, Jo Jo Zep & the Falcons and the Screaming Jets. Ross has even recorded with international superstars The Wiggles, performing as "King Mondo" with the band to the delight of millions of children (and parents!) worldwide 
Over the years he has constantly reinvented his career and continues to write and record fantastic songs. This year he was invited to permanently display his rock & roll memorabilia at the Hard Rock Cafe in Melbourne and now a book and DVD celebrating his years with Daddy Cool and his huge contribution to Australian music are in preparation.

His best known composition, "Eagle Rock", was recently voted one of the top three most popular Australian songs of all time and was a major influence on Elton John's song, "Crocodile Rock". Ross's original '70s version will be featured in the fall Miramax Films release, Wolf Creek.

"It's a huge honor for us to be presenting the solo U.S. debut of an artist of Ross's magnitude", stated Festival Director Beare. "He's been a musical hero to millions of Australians for over 30 years", he said. 

"And it's a great honor for 'Music City U.S.A.", Lomax added. "ASCAP is giving a special reception for Wilson to welcome him to Nashville. And he'll be talking with publishers and doing some co-writing". 
"The Gathering: An Australian Homecoming" will be held on Saturday September 10th from 7:30 to 10 p.m. and is a separately ticketed event. Maori soul /r'n'b singer Nessa Morgan will perform before Wilson takes the stage.

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 information about Ross Wilson, please visit: - http://www.rosswilson.com.au

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

Australian Festival Fact Sheet - Click Here - Australian Festival Layout - Click Here

Contacts:

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