The 2006 Australian Festival has received 62 applications (well over 100 Australian artists and their band members) from the land down under looking to take center stage in September in Music City, USA. This year we saw applications double from 2005 as more Australian artists look at Nashville as a gateway for launching or enhancing their music careers in the United States. Directors Pru Clearwater and Tom Mason are now going through the selection process, which is difficult in that it includes catering to an additional 10 returning and VIP acts on top of the all "Australian" applications We expect around 25 artists and their bands will be in this years lineup. All joining forces to make this year's event the largest Australian Music Festival held in the US. 

The Australian Festival will feature around 40 hours of music over the weekend, highlighted by our premier music event on Saturday night - The Australian Music Festival - as well the Gum Trees Gala and our Music Forum that will be focused on bringing Nashville industry knowledge to our music participants. We also aim to show Nashville some unique and indigenous aspects of Australian music...  

"This year we'd like to bring to our Nashville audiences several Australian artists who, while sharing some influences with their American counterparts, can offer 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 it means to be Australian," states 2006 Music Director Pru Clearwater.

Last year's event saw the most Australians ever presented in a North American music festival aside from Austin's annual SXSW.  Headlining in 2005 were The Greencards, Australian newcomer Catherine Britt (pictured above), whose RCA duet with Elton John was released in late June, and Nessa Morgan, whose scorching R & 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 performing at the 2005 Australian Festival were popular New Zealand country artist Kylie Harris, and Australian artists The Tullys, Natalie Howard, Megan Laurie, and Janine Leclair. To review their profiles - click here.

With 3 stages running on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Festival - the Parthenon and Tuckerbox Stages as well as Jackaroos Pub - there is tremendous opportunity to expose great Australian talent again in 2006. Our special concerts & music forum planned to date include:

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

• Over 40 hours of music & entertainment
• 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
Amphitheatre, Australian Pavilion & Jackaroos Pub

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

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

"Founded in 1997, the Australian Festival is an Australian celebration held annually in Nashville, Tennessee. From the early days of the Festival, a commitment to Australian authenticity - matched with quality and attention to detail - has produced the largest Australian showcase in North America. 

Over 50,000 patrons have attended the Festival since its inception, enjoying Australian arts & culture, tourism & travel, education & immigration and business & trade -  all from the Land Down Under. The Australian Festival features 10 key areas and operates 6 premier events that provide a unique Australian experience for the whole family."

For more information please visit www.musicdownunder.org