Kasey Chambers, Steve Earle Connect with Australia Americana Advisory Group

Australia’s undisputed queen of Americana, Kasey Chambers, ‘Spirit of Americana’ recipient Steve Earle and the Mastersons (Chris Masterson and Eleanor Whitmore) took time to meet with Americana Advisory Group members Brian Taranto and Jeremy Dylan at the Enmore Theatre in Sydney. The Australia Americana Advisory Group was formed earlier this month to create awareness of the genre in and foster two-way street opportunities for artists from Australia and North America. The group is comprised of Brian Taranto (Love Police), Marty Jones (Rhythm Magazine), Jeremy Dylan (Seven Shells Media), Dan Biddle (TCO Artists) and Dobe Newton (Bushwhackers, CMAA President). Nashville based Australian producer and AMA Board President Mark Moffatt will chair the group. “We are honoured for the support that Kasey and Steve have given our organisation over the years,” says Moffatt, “and thrilled they are willing to wave the flag of Americana on their current tour.” Since 2011, Australian participation at the Americana Music Associations annual Festival and Conference has steadily increased. Nationally funded programs, like Sounds Australia, have produced events at the annual Americanafst fete ranging from a kickoff ‘Aussies In The Round’ event at the Bluebird Café, annual Bar B Q and has paved the way for relationships, like the Nashville / Tamworth Sister City initiative. Americanafest 2014 will take place September 17-21 in Nashville, Tennessee. For more information visit americanamusic.org