-
- G’day All
Just a quick explanation for those wondering why I’ve been quiet
of late, well I literally had to go QUIET. I’ve been battling with
a voice problem, cause unknown, for some years now with it getting
steadily worse. I’d tried everything from specialists to
naturopaths to hypnotherapists .You name it, I tried it - all to
no avail.
It started as just something which made my vocal recovery a little
slow. Then actual singing became a labour. I was playing solo and
doing some pretty vocally demanding songs and just put it down to
fatigue. I changed mics thinking it was problems with my gear.
Then I started losing my range, particularly my “head” voice. I
lost it badly while doing the vocal for my first album, Beyond the
Paling Fence. We put that down to an allergy to the perfume of a
friend sitting in on the session.
From there it rapidly deteriorated .A three hour gig would take
two weeks to recover from. The songs I wrote for my album Come By
Chance were written to accommodate what voice I had left only to
find them a struggle too. Two 15 minute spots, two days in a row
at Mildura was enough to make the rest of the festival a
nightmare. Talking became difficult. A half hour conversation with
a friend could result in no voice for 4 days. I started having to
cancel gigs due to “laryngitis” or some other illness. Throughout
all this, I have been constantly seeing health professionals,
including Ear, Nose and Throat specialists. Some treatments
actually made me feel better in some way but nothing helped my
voice .I became a nervous wreck and was very depressed (quite
normal for people with this problem I’m told).
Well, by the end of this years Tamworth it all came to a screaming
(or whispering) halt. Lucky for me a dear friend of mine, who was
in Tamworth, gave me the name of someone in Melbourne who has
GIVEN ME MY LIFE BACK. It turns out I’ve got a vocal problem
called muscle tension dysphonia caused by reflux. Sounds yuk
doesn’t it. Well it is but it’s not reflux as most people know it.
Just a little acid getting into the larynx and playing havoc with
the vocal cords.
The great news is its treatable and the better news is that my
voice is coming back beautifully and I’m about raring to go! I’m
already doing things with my voice that I haven’t been able to do
for 3 or 4 years and with a bit of gigging the vocal stamina will
return too .WOO HOO!
So while I’m “rehabbing” please don’t forget me. I’m counting on
you all being there when I “come back”!
My first serious hit out will be at the Gympie Muster in August.
Can’t wait!
See ya there
Daz
P.s. Thank you Debbie Phyland and the Melbourne Voice Analysis
Centre for giving me my life back .
- I've just released a filmclip on Country
Music Channel on Austar/Foxtel. They are giving it
introductory airplay and if enough people request it goes onto a
higher rotation. So if you would please check out the email above
and follow the link listed that would be just fantastic. If I can
get it onto high rotation then hopefully the rest of Australia
will see it and vote for it. You don't need to have pay tv to
vote. Anyway I hope you can help me kick off and thanx whatever
you do.
Daz
By the way the song is called
- "DROWN IN BOURBON"- DARREN COLSTON
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- DARREN COLSTON BOUND
FOR AWARDS
Newcomer Darren Colston's self-penned single The Boundary
Rider has claimed a spot in the final five nominations in the
Heritage Song Of The Year at the upcoming CMAA Country Music
Awards of Australia.
It was the first single taken from his album Come By Chance, and
Darren is ecstatic about the announcement.
"I couldn't believe it when they told me, it's topped off a great
year. To be among the likes of John Williamson & Paul Kelly,
artists I look up to and respect - it's a dream come true," Darren
enthused.
And it is not just luck for this talented Murray River based
artist - he has been working hard for a few years now and reaping
the benefits, taking out the 2005 Golden Saddle Award. He has also
just received notification that he is a finalist in the New
Songwriter Award at the TSA Songwriters' Salute Awards Of
Australia.
2006 will continue to be a high for Darren with The Boundary Rider
securing two more finalist berths for Heritage & Male Vocalist Of
The Year in the ACMLA People's Choice Awards & the Tamworth
Independent Artists' Recognition Awards.
Another of his songs Moving The Mullock is also a Top 10 finalist
in the Victorian & National Country Music Awards to be announced
in Whittlesea early next year, for Bush Ballad Of The Year.
His new single & title track Come By Chance (NFS #101 track 2) has
garnered good radio support and is a great lead-up to the Tamworth
Country Music Festival in January for this consummate songwriter &
entertainer.
www.darrencolston.com
Come By Chance - distributed thru OneStop Entertainment
For more information or interviews:
Publicist - RUM Entertainment
ph/fax 02 4285 1461
(m) 0439 730 460
rumentertainment@bigpond.com
-
- ARTISTS HONOURED WITH
NOMINATION IN PEOPLES CHOICE AWARDS
New independent artists, as well as established performers
are in line for the 2006 ACMLA Peoples Choice Awards.
The 2005 CMAA Independent Entertainer Of The Year and the Best
Female Vocalist at this years Peoples Choice Awards, Felicity
Urquhart, has again been named a finalist in Best Female Artist.
With her new single The Flood charting, and her forthcoming album
My Life to be released in January at the Tamworth Country Music
Festival, 2006 is looking very bright.
Receiving a nomination in Best Bush Ballad is newcomer Darren
Colston with the song he wrote, The Boundary Rider, taken from his
album Come By Chance.
He is a finalist alongside Tracy Coster - nominated with her
single The Bushman’s Song written by Stan Coster. It’s featured on
her tribute album to her father, Coster Country, the Australian
Independent Country Music Awards Album Of The Year, released
through ACMEC Records.
In the Best Band/Group/Duo category, Sovereign, featuring Steve
Eales and brothers Andy & Steve Hartley, received a finalists
berth, making it two years running for the Victorian based band.
Their new single Wonnongatta Track has garnered great support from
radio.
Joining them are the fun-loving girls from SweeneyKilleen who just
love performing and feel privileged to have been acknowledged as
finalists. With their latest album Along For The Ride gaining new
audiences, this duo (Nikki Sweeney & Tracy-Lee Killeen) are
thrilled with the past few months, as they were also named 2005
Akubra Cedar Awards Best Duo Of The Year.
The ACMLA (Australian Country Music Listeners Ass) Peoples Choice
Awards will be announced Thursday January 26th, at the Tamworth
Country Music Festival.
For more information on the awards go to
www.acmla.com.au
www.felicityurquhart.com
www.thesovereignband.com.au
www.sweeneykilleen.com
www.tracycoster.com.au
www.darrencolston.com
For further details or interviews contact:
Ph/fax 02 4285 1461
(m) 0439 730 460
rumentertainment@bigpond.com
- COOPERS GOLDEN SADDLE AWARD WINNER
DARREN COLSTON, has taken out the 2005 Coopers Golden
Saddle Award, held in conjunction with one of Sydney's premier
festivals, the Galston Country Music Festival.
The Cooper's Golden Saddle award acknowledges & support the great
new Australian talent within the country music ranks.
Based on the Murray River at Tocumwal NSW, Darren absolutely
enthralled everyone with his original songs and great style,
proving to be a popular winner.
This is yet another highlight in Darren's already impressive
career. He is currently a finalist in three categories at the
upcoming Australian Independent Country Music Awards for Album Of
The Year 'COME BY CHANCE', Heritage Song Of The Year & Rising Male
Star with his current single 'THE BOUNDARY RIDER'.
As well as being named a finalist in the NSW Golden Medallion
Awards for Songwriter Of The Year.
www.darrencolston.com
COME BY CHANCE - distributed by OneStop Entertainment
For interviews or further details contact:
RUM Entertainment
ph/fax 02 4285 1461
(m) 0439 730 460
rumentertainment@bigpond.com
Darren Colston wins at
Galston
The winner of the Cooper's Golden Saddle Award for 2005 is
Darren Colston from Tocumwal NSW. Darren absolutely enthralled
everyone with his fantastic songs and great style and was a very
popular winner.
Darren was presented his award by
International Recording Star John Rowles who also performed as
well singing many of his well known hit songs. Later on John was
kept busy signing autographs and chatting to excited fans for the
rest of the afternoon.
The Grand Finalists this year were Darren Colston, Sally Anne
Whitten and Paul Costa. Each Grand Finalists gave a stunning
performance but Darren Colston was chosen the winner by our
Judges. He was presented with a cheque, various prize packages
thanks to our sponsors, certificate of excellence and a Cooper's
Golden Saddle Award.
He will also be invited back in 2006 as a very special guest for
the festival's ten year celebrations. Sally-Anne and Paul each
received a cheque, certificate of excellence a beautiful Golden
Saddle and our heartfelt congratulations on reaching the Grand
Finals this year.
The Galston Country Music Festival celebrated nine years this year
and the Cooper's Golden Saddle Award its eighth. The first year
was a simple local talent quest. The award has now grown on a
national scale and is listed as a premier event not to be missed.
The Cooper's Golden Saddle award acknowledges the great Australian
talent within our ranks and ads support.
The Rotary Club of Galston would like to thank Sponsors Cooper's
Brewery, The Independent Country Music Bulletin, Ramrod Recording
Studios, Captain Cook Cruises and Rum Entertainment for their
support as well as Judges Tony Brentnall (Cooper's Brewery),
Lester V Coombs (Captain Cook Cruises), Geoff Long (Galston Club)
Herm Kovac (Ramrod Recording Studios) and Shelley Juner from ACMEC
for their support of the Awards. A final thanks, to our very
special Guest Presenter, John Rowles.
The Galston Country Music Festival is an activity of the Rotary
Club of Galston and all Proceeds aid the Cancer Patients
Assistance Society of NSW and local Charities.
- Nominations for RUM Artists
RUM ENTERTAINMENT is proud to be associated
with the following FINALISTS in the
NINTH AUSTRALIAN INDEPENDENT COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS
to be announced 1st October 2005 at the Mildura Arts Centre,
Victoria
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
COSTER COUNTRY - Tracy Coster
COME BY CHANCE - Darren Colston
HERITAGE TRACK OF THE YEAR (traditional)
When we Boiled The Billy Leaves Twice - Tracy Coster (from
the album 'Coster Country')
The Boundary Rider - Darren Colston (NFS #96 from the album 'Come
By Chance')
RISING STAR MALE
The Boundary Rider - Darren Colston (NFS #96 from the album
'Come By Chance')
We're Gone - Royden Donohue (from the single 'We're Gone')
RISING STAR FEMALE
On The Mountain - Nicki Gillis (NFS #90 from the ep 'On The
Mountain')
Big Girl Now - Cat Southern (NFS #98 from the ep 'So Far')
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
House Of Mirrors - Paul Costa (NFS #95 from the album 'Walkin'
In These Shoes')
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Won't Those Memories Let Me Be - Tracy Coster (NFS #95 from
the album 'Coster Country')
With three nominations each, both Tracy Coster and Darren Colston
are excited about being named finalists and feel their music has
been recognised. Tracy was born into country music and is
well-known across the country, whereas Darren is developing artist
whose career is going from strength to strength .
The Rising Star artists are the new emerging artists, and Nicki
Gillis, Royden Donohue & Cat Southern are fine examples of the
talent that is being fostered within the ranks of country music.
In the company of three Golden Guitar Winners in the category of
Male Vocalist Of The Year Paul Costa is honoured to be named
alongside such artists, especially with the track being taken from
his debut album.
We wish them all the best for the awards.
Feel free to check out their websites for more details.
WWW.TRACYCOSTER.COM
WWW.DARRENCOLSTON.COM
WWW.NICKIGILLIS.COM.AU
WWW.CATSOUTHERN.COM
WWW.ROYDENDONOHUE.COM
WWW.PAULCOSTA.COM.AU
For further information on the awards check out
www.milduracountrymusic.com.au
For interviews or further information contact:
Rebecca Urquhart McCarthy
RUM Entertainment
ph/fax 02 4285 1461
(m) 0439 730 460
rumentertainment@bigpond.com
- DARREN COLSTON
RELEASES NEW SINGLE
Tocumwal based artist DARREN COLSTON has released his brand
new album COME BY CHANCE to great applause, with his first single
THE BOUNDARY RIDER riding into playlists across the country (NFS
#96 Track 9)
"Darren has impressed everyone who has heard him, both in his
confident performances and in his consummate individual flair for
creating memorable country songs." Deborah Minter CapNews
This 2005 Golden Saddle Awards Finalist and twice Starmaker
Grandfinalist (04/05) has released his second album COME BY CHANCE
produced by the talented Herm Kovac, as a follow-up from his debut
album BEYOND THE PALING FENCE (featuring the single TWO FARMS).
Herm Kovac approached Darren after his performance last year in
Starmaker - expressing an interest in producing Darren's new
album. "It was an honour to work with such a respected member of
the industry, and I learnt a lot throughout the whole recording
process", Darren revealed .
"Darren Colston has a refreshing clarity in his songwriting,
impressing all who hear him...The Boundary Rider is the first
single, a tragic but strangely inspiring ballad of the riders who
chose to live the freedom of solitude."Deborah Minter CapNews
Darren states "I hope that people will take a chance on The
Boundary Rider, as it's a favourite of mine and is about a man who
lived his life with no regrets".
THE BOUNDARY RIDER - an Aussie tale of the characters working in
the bush.
www.darrencolston.com
Brand new album COME BY CHANCE - Distributed by OneStop
Entertainment
For more information or interviews contact:
Publicity - RUM Entertainment
Rebecca Urquhart McCarthy
ph/fax 02 4285 1461
(m) 0439 730 460
rumentertainment@bigpond.com
- “…Darren Colston has a refreshing clarity in his
songwriting, impressing all who hear him” Deborah Minter, CapNews
The last few years have been fruitful for Tocumwal-based country
rock balladeer DARREN COLSTON, and 2005 is continuing in the same
way.
His songs are about the Australian way of life – easy to relate
to, as he resides on the Murray River – a heritage of its own.
In 2003 while recording his debut album Darren took his original
songs to the Gympie Muster where he was selected as a GRAND
FINALIST in the GYMPIE MUSTER TALENT SEARCH.
He then followed up with a win at Victoria’s MALE CHAMPION OF
CHAMPIONS.
October 2003 saw the release of Darren’s debut album BEYOND THE
PALING FENCE. It featured eight songs written by Darren with
standouts tracks such as “Two Farms”, “When A Baby Cries” and the
title track “Beyond The Paling Fence”. With some additional songs
paying homage to Australian songwriters, including a haunting
rendition of Peter Allen’s “Tenterfield Saddler”. It’s an acoustic
album featuring the brilliant sounds of Alan Bowles on harmonica –
when listening to the album you feel as though Darren is in the
room with you.
Darren is one of those rare talents who has the ability to sing
anything. He received much acclaim and industry attention due to
his performances as a TOYOTA STARMAKER GRANDFINALIST two years
running (2004/2005). He was able to showcase his wares to new
audiences who were impressed by his songwriting.
Darren’s thoughts on his Starmaker experience - “It was
sensational, a fantastic experience for me.”
A fine vocalist and exceptional performer, Darren is a genuine
entertainer of the highest calibre.
Having performed at prestigious festivals such as the Gympie
Muster, Tamworth CM Festival & the Mildura Country Music Festival,
he is an artist just waiting to be discovered.
2005 has seen Darren release his second album COME BY CHANCE. Many
hours have been put into this album – being named after one of
Banjo Paterson’s poems. It wasn’t until Darren was travelling
through to last year’s Gympie Muster he chanced upon the small
western town of Come By Chance on the road map.
“I didn’t realise it was an actual town. And then I saw it in one
of Banjo Paterson’s poems and used a few lines about it. I’m
really excited about the album – it’s come up great”
The new album has an array of great songs starting with the first
track “The Boundary Rider”, Darren seems to be able to tell
wonderful stories in his songs. Or you can be entertained with the
larrikin song “Drown In Bourbon” or the poignant “Moving The
Mullock”. His version of “Can’t Help Falling In Love With You” is
the perfect way to end the album.
Named 2005 GOLDEN SADDLE AWARDS FINALIST, to be announced in
September at the Galston Country Music Festival. A fine singer,
consummate entertainer and songwriter - Darren Colston is the
complete package.
www.toconthemurray.com.au/DarrenColston
For more information contact:
RUM Entertainment
Ph/fax 02 4285 1461
rumentertainment@bigpond.com
- COUNTRY MUSIC CAPITAL
NEWS – APRIL 2005
SOUND ADVICE
ALBUM REVIEWS
Deborah Minter
COME BY CHANCE
DARREN COLSTON
Independent
Twice Star Maker Grand Finalist DARREN COLSTON has a refreshing
clarity in his songwriting, impressing all who hear him. He has an
easy-listening quality to his vocals that is shown to its best in
his new HERM KOVAC produced album Come By Chance. With a raft of
top musicians, the production is quality. The Boundary Rider is
the first single, a tragic but strangely inspiring ballad of the
riders who chose to live the freedom of solitude. Riverbend Jack
is another colourfully told story. I Will Be Your Only is an
elegant love song with sensitive effortless backing that makes it
very memorable. In My Mind (I’m Free) is joyful and uplifting.
Drown In Bourbon is a lot of fun. A dedication to a special little
girl with a poignant version of the ELVIS classic I Just Can’t
Help Falling In Love With You completes the album. All in all, an
admirable album.
One Stop / Independent DC001CD
- Congratulations Darrin!! from Tamworth
Ragepage
- RUM ENTERTAINMENT
CONGRATULATES the following artists who have been named as
FINALISTS in the 2005 GOLDEN SADDLE AWARDS Ronni Rae Rivers,
Paul Coster, Carol Donovan, Royden Donohue and Darrin Colston
Awards to be announced September 9th 2005
- 2005 Starmaker
final again this year.
- and
I'm also releasing a new album
called "Come By Chance" just prior to the festival so exciting
times ahead.
-
- 2003 has been a fruitful year for Darren Colton,
who resides in the town of Tocumwal, on the Murray River. While
recording his debut album "Beyond the Paling Fence" Darren
took his original songs to the Gympie Muster where he was a
Grand Finalist in the talent search. He then followed up
with a win in Mildura and was then named Victoria's Male
Champion of Champions 2003 after performing three original song's
from his album . Darren was also a Starmaker Grand
Finalist at Tamworth Tamworth Country Music Festival 2004. A
fine vocalist and exceptional performer, Darren Colston is a
genuine entertainer of the highest calibre. Darren is one
f those rare talents who has the ability to sing anything. While
Country Music is his passion Darren also has a show called
"Taste of Downunder" which covers many musical styles.
Darren is available to play at any Country Music Club and
Festivals, Pubs, Restaurants, Corporate Functions and also anywhere
that may require a genuine entertainer. If you want an
audience that craves more, then Darren may just be who you
need. A fine singer, consummate Entertainer, add to this his
song writing and Darren Colston is the complete package.
- Darren's CD
Darren's first album, released in October
2003, is called "BEYOND THE PALING FENCE" features eight
original songs, all written by Darren himself, and five of them
covers in his show, "A Taste of Downunder".
All acoustic, apart from o songs, the album features some brilliant
harmonica playing by Alan Bowles, and is recorded in such a way
that it seems as though Darren is right there, in the room with
you. "Two Farms" is the first song off the album
chosen for radio release.
- Po Box 237 Tocumwal NSW 21714
Print out and have
the memories
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Tamworth
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