DAVE'S DIARY - 19 FEBRUARY 2006 - PREVIEW EPISODE 6 - SERIES 5

CATHERINE BRITT

Expatriate Australian country star Catherine Britt received a pleasant surprise on her arrival in Nashville - a writing session with revered Texan tunesmith Guy Clark.

The singer, then a teenager, wrote social comment tune Poor Man's Pride with Guy and Jerry Salley.

Catherine's video of the song is a highlight of this week's episode of Nu Country TV on C 31 - Tuesday February 21 at 9 p m - and repeated at 3.30 p m Friday.

Clark volunteered to write with Britt after hearing her version of Big Rock Candy Mountain - hidden track on her debut album Dusty Smiles And Heartbreak Cures.

Britt launched Poor Man's Pride here as a single before release of acclaimed second album Too Far Gone on January 15.

Catherine spoke about the song's embryo in an exclusive interview with Nu Country TV during a whirlwind tour of NSW, Queensland and Van Diemen's Land.

She performed one Victorian gig at Traralgon to promote her disc and returns here for another tour mid-year that includes Melbourne.

Meanwhile she has released new U.S. single Swingin' Doors as a kick-start for U.S. release of the disc that produced two Top #34 singles The Upside Of Being Down and Where We Both Say Goodbye.

Catherine has kindly autographed copies of her new CD for Nu Country TV viewers who wish to become members or renew their membership.

CLICK HERE for details on our membership page.
CLICK HERE for a Catherine feature from the Diary on February 12, 2006.

SUGARLAND

Chart topping Georgian trio Sugarland, now a duo, perform a video of their latest hit Just Might Make Me Believe.

The group beat rockers, rappers, hip hoppers and others for best all genre new talent at the American Music Awards in 2005.

And, after selling more than two million copies of their debut disc Twice The Speed Of Life, they made the finals of the 2006 Grammy Awards.

Sugarland might be ignored by commercial radio here but has a solid fan base from exposure on Pay TV channel CMC, Nu Country TV and ABC and community radio.

CLICK HERE for an interview with Sugarland singer Jennifer Nettles who also had a song in popular soapie Dawson's Creek.

HIGHWAYMEN

The legendary Highwaymen perform the Jimmy Webb classic that gave them their name back in the eighties.

The Highwaymen cut a clip for the song - one of many highlights of their Australian tours in 1991 and 1995.

Cash told Nu Country the song was given to him by former son-in-law Marty Stuart 10 years after it hit for four times wed Arkansas born singing actor Glen Campbell.

Johnny Cash and Kristofferson returned here in 1994 on a separate tour to Waylon & Willie who were joined by Billy Joe Shaver for their return tour.

Although Waylon died at 64 on February 13, 2002 and Cash went to God at 71 on September, 12, 2003, their music lives on.

Success of the Walk The Line movie has prompted a flood of Cash re-releases and Waylon's widow Jessi Colter has released a new album.

Their son Shooter Jennings has also recorded a second album after wide acclaim for his solo debut Put The O Back In Country.

Meanwhile Shotgun Willie, basking in the glow of Brokeback Mountain, has hit the headlines again.

Willie, 72, cut Dylan song He's A Friend Of Mine on the soundtrack but his cover of a 1981 tune by Lubbockian Ned Sublette that has scored most exposure.

With perfect timing Willie released Cowboys Are Frequently, Secretly (Fond of Each Other) on Valentine's Day.

Sublette appeared on Nu Country TV on March 19, 2005, with video of Ghost Riders In The Sky.

Here are some lyrics of the popular Sublette tune sung by Willie that was rejected for Brokeback Mountain.

You read it here, as always, first.

Cowboys Are Frequently, Secretly (Fond of Each Other)
"There's many a strange impulse out on the plains of West Texas;
There's many a young boy who feels things he don't comprehend.
Well small town don't like it when somebody falls between sexes,
No, small town don't like it when a cowboy has feelings for men.
Well I believe in my soul that inside every man there's a feminine,
And inside every lady there's a deep manly voice loud and clear.
Well, a cowboy may brag about things that he does with his women,
But the ones who brag loudest are the ones that are most likely queer.
Cowboys are frequently secretly fond of each other
What did you think those saddles and boots was about?
There's many a cowboy who don't understand the way that he feels towards his brother
Inside every cowboy there's a lady who'd love to slip out."

CLICK HERE for a Cash story from the Diary on September 23, 2003.
CLICK HERE for a Kristofferson story from the Diary on July 21, 2005.
CLICK HERE for Barbara Dowling's Waylon obituary from the Diary on February 15, 2002.
CLICK HERE for a Willie Nelson feature from the Diary on February 20, 2005.

JUNE MILLS DEBUT

June Mills, best known for the Mills Sisters with guitar playing siblings Alyson and Barbara, debuts on Nu Country with a clip of her tune Hard Working Woman.

The Darwin diva released the video to promote her new album I'll Be The One on Skinnyfish Music, distributed by MGM.

June and her sisters won acclaim when they supported international artists diverse as Charley Pride and Tina Turner on Australian tours.

The CD cover for I'll Be The One is based on traditional Larrakia designs and is taken from June's own artwork called Gorawa.

June follows in the slipstream of award winning Koori star Troy Cassar-Daley after a variety of Victorian concerts and media appearances in 2005.

ROD DOWSETT

Rod Dowsett is the hottest export from NSW coastal city Coffs Harbour since Carol Young left town to form the acclaimed Greencards in Texas and Tennessee.

Dowsett performs a video for his single Thrill Of The Chase from his debut album Dodging Bullets.

The album is a sequel to his EP Six Tracks Down.

Dowsett hired Bill Chambers to play on seven tracks after the veteran singer invited him to play on his gigs in Tamworth.

Check out TONKGIRL'S gig guide here for Rod's gigs.

ANDREW MCCUBBIN

Popular Melbourne singer-songwriter Andrew McCubbin also performs a video of new song The Last Breeze.

McCubbin, fronts the Hope Addicts, and books rock venues when not singing for his supper.

The singer frocked up in western gear for his clip that will also be screened in many of the popular venues that he books.


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