The 2006 Australian Festival Music applications are now open. With a tremendous showcase of 20 Australian & New Zealand acts at the 2005 Festival combined with a great deal of interest from all sorts of Aussie entertainers and bands eager to showcase their talents here in Music City USA, this years event promises to provide great exposure, industry connection, education & networking opportunities for musical acts from the Land Down Under.

Australian & New Zealand entertainers wanting to appear at the 2006 Festival can electronically register at www.musicdownunder.org

Last years event was the most Australians ever presented in a North American music festival aside from SXSW.  Headlining in 2005 were The Greencards (above), Australian newcomer Catherine Britt, whose RCA duet with Elton John was released in late June, and Nessa Morgan, whose R'n'b was very well received at the Gathering Concert. 

Performers included Nashville's own Aussie émigré Pru Clearwater, debuting her new rock band, and the following artists direct from "down under": Perth rock/roots band Dreamcatcha, sizzling blues band Harper, compelling pop/rocker Sam Hawksley, Melbourne born Stockholm based "Cobainesque" singer-songwriter Kitto, Australiana folk-blues stylist Paul Killingly, aboriginal artist and didgeridoo maker Lewis Burns, pop-rocker Neil Anthony, rising country stars Kelly Hope and Connie Kis Andersen plus industry vet Keith Glass who has fashioned careers as an artist, author, importer, radio DJ and producer. Also Kylie Harris, The Tullys, Natalie Howard, Megan Laurie &, Janine Leclair performed at the Australian Festival - to review their profiles - click here.

"This year we'd like to bring our American audiences Australian artists who, while they share some influences with their American counterparts, can offer some distinctive flavors of the Land Down Under. In addition to some big name headliners, we'll be showcasing talent who can show audiences different facets of what is means to be Australian."... states 2006 Music Director Pru Clearwater.

With 3 stages running, Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Festival - the Parthenon and Tuckerbox States as well as Jackaroos Pub - there is tremendous opportunity to expose great Australian talent. Our special concerts & music forum planned at this stage include:

The 10th Annual Australian Festival
Friday-Sunday Sept. 15-17, 2006 
Centennial Park, Nashville, Tennessee

• Over 40 hours of music & entertainment
• On 2 main stages - Parthenon & Tuckerbox
• Parthenon Stage - The heart of the festival
• Tuckerbox Stage - Family entertainment

Gum Trees Gala - Celebrating 10 Years 
Thurs. Sept. 14, 2006 / 7:00-10:00 pm
Australian Pavilion - Centennial Park

• Honoring Australian Music Contributions
• Recognizing our visiting artists
• Australian Bush Music Theme
• Celebrating our 10th Anniversary

The Australian Music Festival
Sat. Sept. 16, 2006 / 7:30-10:00 pm
Australian Pavilion & Jackaroos Pub

• Festival's Premier Music Event
• Parthenon Stage & Jackaroos Pub
• Featuring our Festival Headlining Act 
• Dreamtime Village Indigenous Culture

Australian Music Business Forum
Thurs. Sept. 14, 2006 / 9:00-12:00 pm 

• Songwriting & Publishing
• Media & Marketing
• Immigration & Visas
• Support Programs
• Industry Tour (in afternoon)

To meet our 2006 Music Director Pru Clearwater - Click Here 
To meet our 2006 Production Director Tom Mason - Click Here

"The Australian Festival consists of 10 key areas - Kids Down Under, Music Down Under, Down Under Market Place, Australian Expo, Australian Pavilion, Sports Down Under, Dream Time Village, Exhibition Field, G’Day Café & Jackaroos Pub. The festival features Australian music, animal education, merchandise, food & drink, sports, games, events, clinics & demonstrations, workshops, and concerts...."  

For more information please visit www.musicdownunder.org