Mildura Country Music Festival

When Australian country music fans talk of the festival "biggies", a country city in Victoria now rates a mention alongside the Tamworth Festival and the Gympie Muster as one of the big three.

The major difference between the other two and the 22nd annual Mildura Country Music Festival that kicks off on September 26 is that Mildura is Australia's biggest showcase of Independent entertainers.

What that means in a nutshell is that you don't have the major, but the offset is that you get an unending cast of highly talented professional country music artists who aren't signed to major record label deals.

The Independent factor gives Mildura a very different complexion, and it's a successful formula that has worked admirably over the past twenty years. In 2008, more than 100 individual artists and groups will entertain over the 10-day period, and the roster comprises many award winners including Golden Guitar finalists and Star Maker winners. But then, when you consider that the Independent artists make up probably 95 percent of performers in the country music industry, and the calibre and achievements of the artists is well documented, it strikes home that there is a huge well of talent out there.

A large proportion of the artists performing at Mildura have highly successful recording and touring careers and big fan bases throughout Australia. With names like Lucky Starr, Craig Giles, Jeff Brown, Tracy Coster, Owen Blundell, Lee Forster, Glen Jones, Peter Pratt, Rodney Vincent, Tom Maxwell, Harmony James, Dean Perrett and Carter & Carter, you can gather a truckload of chart hits, popular albums, and recording and songwriting awards.

What Mildura has steadily developed is something that draws thousands of fans on an annual pilgrimage that would make many non-music lovers scratch their heads in bewilderment. Often driving thousands of kilometres, the fans converge on this beautiful town on the banks of the legendary Murray River for ten days of virtually non-stop country music, and the Mildura Festival has steadily built is own culture through the years. It's become the Mecca for the "empty-nesters" - the mature age couples whose kids have flown the coop, the ones who have the time to set out for two or three weeks holiday, and most importantly, those who have a deep love of the music. The wonderful part about Mildura in September is that not only is it country music heaven, it's also a great holiday destination.
The fans love the freedom of Mildura, and the value-added factor. For a start, virtually all the musical entertainment is free, (for the statistically inclined that's more than 800 hours worth), and the majority of the shows are multi-artist concerts. If you were paying, the value is certainly there, but in this free environment, everything's a bonus. The variety is amazing, with everything from high standard talent quests like the Victorian Champions of Champions, to crowd-winners like the Bush Balladeers.
The venues, 24 in all, spread from the City Mall providing all-day entertainment at central town venues in Mildura to outlying locations like Coomealla, Wentworth, Merbein, Red Cliffs, Irymple and Gol Gol.
The diamond in the crown for the past Twelve years has been the live concert and radio presentation of the Australian Independent Country Music Awards that recognise the achievements of the independent recording artists during the past year, and this year's entries are sure to again endorse the status of the event. Many previous finalist and winners like Kate Ballantyne, Vanya, Darren Coggan, Michael O'Rourke, Dianna Corcoran and Carter & Carter have gone on to snare finalist berths in the Golden Guitars, with some notable successes like 1999 Independent Award winner Brendon Walmsley now having won several Golden Guitars.
The culture of Mildura has built up on a real family factor, and that applies equally to the artists as well as the fans. There is a noticeable lack of urgency and panic during the festival, because if you miss a planned event on one day, you can usually catch up later in the week. The excitement factor is still there, but there's an element of control built in - and that's why the enjoyment factor is just as evident on day ten as the start. And the reason the artists enjoy it so much is that it's ten days of music, friendship and fun. Mildura is really a level playing field - no star billing, no support act tag, and certainly no room for egos.
The driving force behind the Mildura Festival is a small, overworked, and totally dedicated committee. For the fans it looks easy, but the organisation of an event the size and duration of Mildura encompasses a full 12 months of planning, and an awesome array of tasks from booking, accommodating and placing the 120 artists, arranging venue rosters, dealing with a multitude of local suppliers, traders, council and government departments, and tourism bodies.
Underpinning the festival are local radio stations HOT FM 106.7 which broadcasts 19 hours of country music daily as part of its normal music format, and Festival Radio 92.3 which reverts to a 24 hours per day country music format during the Mildura festival, focussing on the music of performers appearing at the festival.
So why do they (the organisers) drive themselves into the ground each year to make the Mildura Festival such a successful music and tourism event? Simple - they do it for the love of the music, they do it for the Independent Country Music artists, they do it for Mildura, and they do it for the fans. It's a terrific combination that has created one of Australia's most unique musical events.
The 22nd Mildura County Music Festival runs from Friday, September 26 to Sunday, October 5, 2008. Further information and programs can be obtained from 1800 039 043.-->-->