Wednesday Wanderings. Enjoy, laugh, smile and sigh – with our true stories, facts and loves.
Rural Romance author Mandy Magro is dancing us through some of her top picks for independent country music artists - including her own hero, husband Clancy - so kick off your shoes, there’s music involved.
Hit PLAY and listen to the deep, husky tones of Clancy as you read…
Clancy - “A Walk in the Rain” from the album Drive (2012)
Over to Mandy…
Howdy 🙂
I’m incredibly excited to be invited to chat about my favourite independent country music artists, and not only because I love country music, but out there in this big beautiful country of ours are so many amazingly mind-blowing, goose-bump enticing, strong, captivating voices who aren’t given enough recognition…in my opinion!
Today I will be introducing you to my top three, Clancy, Allison Forbes.and Tara Naysmith
Clancy, Allison, Tara
Clancy
In January 2014 I joined the massive throngs at the Tamworth Country Music Festival along with Clancy as he was performing at a few of the pubs there, and I have to say I was blown away with the “unsigned” talent I was fortunate enough to hear sing their hearts out. Tears prickled my eyes with the poignancy of some of their voices, and as I stood awestruck by their brilliance it got me wondering what all the big wigs in the recording industry were doing! I mean, don’t get me wrong, there are a lot of very gifted country singers that have made it to the top, but there are also some that make me wonder how they got even got there in the first place – especially after witnessing first hand the astounding hidden talent at the Tamworth festival. For those of you that haven’t made it to this wonderful event (the second biggest country music festival in the world after Nashville), do yourselves a huge favour and tell the boss you’re going to be M.I.A for two weeks, pack your hat and boots, and hit the road in search of the most amazing time you’ll ever have. I promise you won’t be disappointed!
Clancy
As some of you may already know, I’m married to my all time favourite country musician, Clancy…no, not biased at all! 🙂
I feel extremely blessed to be able to hear my hubby strumming away at his guitar while I’m wandering about at home, and especially while I‘m writing – there’s just something so very special about it. His voice is deep and husky, much like the legendary Waylon Jennings, and it carries me away to faraway places and entices emotions deep within. Exactly what good music should do, and Clancy does it so very well.
Clancy recorded his debut album “Drive” in January 2012. He has spent his life living and working in the bush as everything from a drover to an interstate truck driver and most things in between, as well as a few short stints living and working in the city-his wealth of experience shows when you listen to his music. His forte of songs include bush ballads such as “Old Mates” and “Let em’ Go” that speak of a love of the bush and all that goes with it, to intimate love songs such as “A Walk in the Rain” (My all time favourite of his - makes me all swoony!!). There are songs that will make you laugh, songs that will make you tap your feet, and songs such as “ Drive” with powerful guitar riffs.
The Drive video clip has also been played on CMC.
Clancy
Find Clancy on his webpage ClancysCountryMusic.com
Find Clancy on Facebook
Tara
Tara Naysmith (Photo by Kylie Mitchell, Heart In Motion)
Tara Naysmith blew me away when I first heard her sing. Her voice is powerful and strong, and reminds me of the country music star, Trisha Yearwood. Her debut EP “Strong Hands” was released in 2004 just prior to reaching the finals of the Star Maker competition (Travis Collins took out the title that year). The low-key release featured mainly self-penned tracks, was produced locally and received solid airplay in the Newcastle/Hunter region.
In 2009 the singer-songwriter teamed up with fellow country music artist Rob Wilson to produce her debut album, “Now’s The Time”. The 13 track release generated four radio hits including the duet ‘Do You Wanna Dance’ written by the album’s producer – the single peaked at No.18 on the Country Tracks Top 30 and No. 38 on the Country Music Channel, a definite career highlight for the 2004 Star Maker finalist.
2013 saw the release of Tara’s second full-length collection “What It Takes” with Rob Wilson once again, sitting in the producer’s chair. Tara spent most of 2012 preparing this release and has written or co-written 6 of the 14 tracks. The first radio single, ‘Loveable’ was a favourite with Australian country radio; with the second single ‘What it Takes’ also a standout on radio and the video clip appeared on CMC.
Tara’s voice is astonishing. It has so many different octaves that I lost count on how many. Her strength is in the ballads, but she is just as at home with the faster numbers. From the catchy and honest opener, ‘Loveable’, to the last track, ‘What’s a girl supposed to do’, this is a well-produced, polished album with not a bad song on it. – Kaz Johnson
Tara Naysmith’s rich and soulful vocal, shines throughout her debut full-length release, “Now’s The Time”. Well worth a listen and as the title suggests, now may just be Tara Naysmith’s time. Matt Lawrence, Country Music Capital News
What it Takes - Tara Naysmith
Tara Naysmith (Photo by Kylie MItchell, Heart In Motion)
Tara Naysmith, Hang on to Your Halo on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vASw3wBY_V4
Tara Naysmith (Photo by Kylie MItchell, Heart In Motion)
Tara Naysmith and Rob Wilson, Do you Wanna Dance on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptQkEGZPxZ4
Find Tara on her website TaraNaysmith.com.au
Find Tara Naysmith on Facebook
Allison
Allison Forbes (Photo by Karissa, Image Photography Tamworth)
Allison Forbes was the first singer in Tamworth to bring tears to my eyes with her delivery of the seventies classic, Delta Dawn. Her voice is powerful, full of emotion and one you will not forget. She expresses warm but edgy vocals thrown onto a classic country pillow with a dash of bluegrass on the side.
In August 2013 Allison released her long-awaited debut E.P “What’ll Happen To Me Now”, and my favourite on this album is “Heartache Countdown”. The E.P reached number 12 on the iTunes Country Charts with the likes of Alan Jackson, George Strait and Keith Urban. Certainly something to be immensely proud of!
In February 2014 and March 2015, Allison was thrilled to be announced as a semi-finalist in the WORLD FAMOUS International Songwriting Competition. Her songs “What’ll Happen To Me Now?” and “Devil May Care” was heard by a judging panel including some of the most famous country artists and producers in the world such as Martina McBride and Old Crow Medicine Show.
What’ll Happen To Me Now, Allison Forbes
BUY What’ll Happen To Me Now (EP) by Allison Forbes on iTunes
Allison Forbes (Photo by Di Stacey)
Find Allison on her webpage AllisonForbesMusic.com
Find Allison Forbes Music on Facebook
Find Allison Forbes on Reverbnation.com
Thank you Clancy, Tara and Allison for visiting!
We’re hoping Mandy comes back soon with more of her top pick independent country music artists. What do you say? Should we ask her?
That was fantastic. All three are very talented and have gifted voices.. It was so informative and the songs and videos . were all awesome . Something different from rural fiction. I like country music but hardly know any especially Australian Singers. Thanks Mandy for sharing. Would love see and hear more about her top pick independent country music artists. That was an awesome treat to my ears. Loved it.
Hi Jessy 🙂 I’m thrilled you have enjoyed learning about our “hidden” country talent! 🙂 Mandy
All these songs on here by these three great singers makes my skin dance. They have beautiful voices.
I’m thrilled you love their voices, Margaret 🙂