Groundwater Country Music Festival to honour James Blundell with all-star tribute on Gold Coast

THE fastest-growing shindig on the Australian country music calendar — the Gold Coast’s Groundwater Country Music Festival — will pay tribute to TSS old boy James Blundell.

James Blundell. Photo by Brook Mitchell/Getty Images.

THE fastest-growing shindig on the Australian country music calendar — the Gold Coast’s Groundwater Country Music Festival — will pay tribute to TSS old boy James Blundell.

Formerly known as the Broadbeach Country Music Festival, this year's Groundwater will see acts including The McClymonts, Casey Barnes, Bill Chambers, Catherin Britt and the Cold Cold Hearts, Troy Kemp, Granger Smith and Adam Harvey perform free shows in the streets and venues of Broadbeach from.

The latest rollcall of acts locked in to play this year’s fifth annual event, from July 27-29, will see some of the genre’s biggest stars join rising talents to perform songs from throughout Blundell’s career for 30 Years of Pride — a tribute to James Blundell.

CMC Music Awards hosts The McClymonts headline the Groundwater Country Music Festival in Broadbeach in July. Picture Mike Batterham

“I’ve watched from their first public performances and all the artists involved in the 30 Years

of Pride, I’ve been involved with one way or another for years,” Blundell said.

The latest line-up announcement also features Suzanne Vega, Amber Lawrence, Bennett, Bowtell & Urquhart, Ashleigh Dallas, Davidson Brothers and Jasmine Rae.

Blundell said it was a privilege to play this year’s event alongside some of his favourite acts.

“Some of the acts I’ve grown up in awe of — Suzanne Vega and Kevin Bennett,” he said.

He said the event, presented by Broadbeach Alliance, had become one of his favourites.

“Broadbeach has always had a special place in my affections, as it was our family’s holiday

destination since the late 1950s when Dad’s parents bought a classic old (brand new then)

beach apartment directly across the road from Kurawa Surf Life Saving Club,” Blundell said.

James Blundell will be honoured at the Groundwater Country Music Festival.

“Seeing that part of the Gold Coast mature into the precinct for the coolest country festival in Australia 2018 Groundwater Festival is very similar to watching your children grow up.

“It’s a great event, open, friendly and jam packed with interesting performers.”

Other new additions to the festival line-up include Matt Cornell, The Weeping Willows, Colonel Finley, Billy Bridge and Rebecca Lee Nye, A Band Called Twang, 2018 Starmaker winner Brad Cox, Amy Nelson, The Whiskey Mountain Boys, Brook Chivell, The Cherry Pickers, Tyson Coleman, Pine Mountain Cartel, Paradise Road, Bud Rokesky and Ruby Gilbert.