CMC Rocks – 2nd Announcement!

“SAVE A HORSE, RIDE A COWBOY!”

AMERICA’S BIG & RICH ROLL INTO TOWN FOR THE FESTIVAL

Just in time for Christmas, Rob Potts Entertainment Edge, Chugg Entertainment and Foxtel Networks are thrilled to announce the unleashing of those International larger-than-life, technicolor cowboys, BIG & RICH (USA), for their first-ever trip to Australia for CMC Rocks the Hunter 2013.

They will be joined by America’s hottest young country/pop duo, LOVE AND THEFT (USA), who are also making their first trip to Australia for the Festival.

Local stars, ADAM HARVEY, JASMINE RAE and BUDDY GOODE, will also  add more heat to the already stellar lineup for the three-day festival, held at the beautiful Hope Estate in the Hunter Valley (NSW), over the weekend of Fri 15-Sun 17 March, 2013.

With sales in excess of five million albums, six top 20 singles and a decade of mind-bending, roof-raising, live performances, BIG & RICH (USA) will head down under for the first time ever to perform exclusively at CMC Rocks the Hunter. The rowdy circus duo have stamped out a totally unique identity with hits such as “Save A Horse, Ride A Cowboy”, “Comin’ to Your City”, “Lost In This Moment” and their latest smash “That’s Why I Pray”, currently burning up the charts. Fans have been clamoring for them to play the festival for years and we’re pleased to deliver in 2013.

Two-time CMA nominated duo LOVE AND THEFT (USA) combine influences as eclectic as Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison and Maroon 5 to create a sound all their own. Comprised of singer-songwriters Stephen Barker Liles and Eric Gunderson (who have also written hits for other performers like Martina McBride), Love and Theft has taken the country world by storm since the release of their self-titled album, following the number one hit lead single “Angel Eyes”.

Eight-time Golden Guitar winner ADAM HARVEY is one of Australia’s biggest country stars. With his classic country baritone, sly sense of humor, Harvey has won legions of fans over a career that has seen him conquer not only music but TV as well, with a well-received turn on Channel Seven’s It Takes Two in 2008. With his reigning CMAA Album of the Year, Falling Into Place, Harvey is looking forward to returning to CMC Rocks in 2013.

CMC Oz Artist of the Year JASMINE RAE has had one of the fastest rising careers of any local artist in recent years. Her debut album Look It Up yielded three #1 singles and her 2nd album ‘Listen Here’ did the same, including a duet with US country star, Joe Nichols. A classically trained singer with a soulful, powerful, bluesy voice, the twice ARIA-nominated singer-songwriter is ready to blow away the crowds at the Hope Estate in March.

Current ARIA-winning icon, BUDDY GOODE, is quite simply a global country music comedy legend. The voice of multiple generations, and an inspiration to artists as different as Billy Ray Cyrus and Miley Cyrus, the former American television variety host has made his home in Oz for the past few years. He is renowned for his classic hits, including “Cougarville”, “Dickens Cider” and the touching “Unforgiving Wind”.

In addition to these newly announced artists are some rising stars from both Australia and New Zealand, including AARON JURY (NZ), PAUL GREENE, JACKIE BRISTOW (NZ), CHELSEA BASHAM, MARK WELLS, KAYLENS RAIN and current CMC New Oz Artist of the Year, PETER MCWHIRTER.

The lineup also features RASCAL FLATTS (USA), BILLY RAY CYRUS (USA), CHRIS YOUNG (USA), THE BAND PERRY (USA), ADAM BRAND, CORB LUND AND THE HURTIN’ ALBERTANS (CAN), DAVID LEE MURPHY (USA), DEAN BRODY (CAN), CATHERINE BRITT, AMBER LAWRENCE, MORGAN EVANS, THE LEGARDE TWINS, THE BLUEGRASS ALL-STARS, BOB CORBETT, DOUG BRUCE & THE TAILGATERS, CRAIG MORRISON, THE WOLFE BROTHERS and ALEYCE SIMMONDS.

Now in its sixth year, the CMC Rocks the Hunter festival has established itself as the biggest International Country & Roots Festival outside of North America. The festival draws fans from all states and territories in Australia and overseas. One of the premiere events on the Australian music calendar, it brings together the best international and local country and roots performers at Hope Estate in the beautiful Hunter Valley.

The main stage program on Friday 15 March will run from 2pm to 11pm. The festival will continue through Saturday and Sunday, when USA superstars, RASCAL FLATTS, will close the proceedings.

Once again, camping will be available on site at Hope Estate. The late-night Camper’s Bar will be back in action again on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, following the conclusion of the main stage program each night.