Groundwater Country Music Festival lineup: Jim Lauderdale and Lily Grace share their story
A two-time Grammy award-winning country music singer has landed on the Gold Coast for the first time and is gearing up to play the “incredible” Groundwater Country Music Festival. Check out the lineup
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A two-time Grammy award-winning country music singer has landed on the Gold Coast for the first time and is gearing up to play the “incredible” Groundwater Country Music Festival.
Nashville songwriter Jim Lauderdale will play the closing day of Groundwater Country Music Festival on Sunday.
Lauderdale said the free festival was an “incredible thing” for the industry and the country music scene on the Gold Coast.
“I really jumped at the chance when my manager had been contacted by Groundwater,” he said.
“I have never heard of a free country music festival.
“It’s really a gift.”
Lauderdale said he was blown away by the “high calibre” of country music artists in Australia when he first visited 28 years ago.
“The music scene is really great here,” he said.
“The country music artists from Australia can certainly hold their own when coming to the United States.”
Lauderdale said he was pleased to see a selection of Gold Coast country music artists on the line-up.
“These young artists are really great and it’s inspiring to see,” he said.
“It’s hard for any artists to break through … and keep going. The music business is a tough business in general.
“This festival is great that they can get the exposure.”
The country music star - who has hits with George Strait, Blake Shelton, The Chicks and more - said he would be playing a variety of songs from his discography.
“I just put out my 37th album in June so I will play some songs from that and a few some from my previous albums,” he said.
“I have a lot packed in.”
Kasey Chambers, Tim Hicks and Shannon Noll will headlining the weekend-long festival which will also feature homegrown talent including Redland Bay artist Tyla Rodrigues.
“Tyla is a remarkable talent in the realm of old-school country music infused with her own modern twist,” a Groundwater Country Music Festival statement said.
STREETS OF BROADBEACH TO NASHVILLE: COAST STAR SHARES STORY
Gold Coast sensation Lily Grace has revealed the pivotal part Groundwater Country Musical Festival has played in her journey to recording in Nashville, USA.
The 18-year-old will perform at the Broadbeach festival on Friday and Saturday and she said “there is nothing better than blending my two favourite things, country music and the beach”.
Grace said, prior to playing her first Groundwater gig at 15-years-old, she would busk on surrounding streets of the festival singing ‘Take Me Home Country Roads’.
“That introduced me to the Davisson Brothers Band from West Virginia, who have become my great friends,” she said.
“Groundwater has been a big part of my journey.”
Grace said Groundwater rivalled Australia’s big festivals – Gympie Music Muster and CMC – with its “beautiful relaxed vibe”.
“The reality is, is that not everyone loves to camp and Groundwater is the best of both worlds,” she said.
“It’s like a holiday and festival in one, no mud or dust here. Just some sand between your toes.”
Grace said she had witnessed Groundwater grow into an event which now attracts international artists like Jim Lauderdale, Tim Hicks, Gord Bamford and more.
“Gold Coast is not typically a country city but you get to see the community it has (during the festival),” she said.
“The festival draws talent from overseas, interstate and locally which helps emerging artists get discovered.”
Grace said she was planning to perform her debut record ‘Old Enough To Know Better’ which was recorded in Nashville and released in August.
GROUNDWATER COUNRTY MUSIC FESTIVAL LINEUP:
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Originally published as Groundwater Country Music Festival lineup: Jim Lauderdale and Lily Grace share their story
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