Inaugural Macksville Music Muster, March 28-31

In what is certain to become an annual fixture in the Australian country music landscape, the muster will take its place on the banks of the beautiful Nambucca River, at Macksville Showground.

Project leader and Macksville Rotary member Rod Edwards, said the festival was the brainchild of Macksville bred country music artist Vanessa Sanger.

“She has performed at many musters across the country and dreamed of performing at such an event in her hometown,” he said.

“Vanessa no longer lives in Macksville and approached us at the local Rotary club, (seeking those) who have experience in organising events, to help get it off the ground.”

Mr Edwards said he hoped visitors would have a great time enjoying the music and exploring the region.

“We hope visitors enjoy the friendship of other country music fans and, while they are here perhaps extend their stay, and enjoy everything our beautiful and relatively undiscovered district has to offer,” he said. 

“We hope our community also come along to enjoy the music, and show the visitors some wonderful country hospitality that will encourage their return.

“We are all really looking forward to the buzz and excitement the event will create.”

The entertainment will feature some outstanding award winning national country music artists including some who are from the local district.

Up-and-coming musician Kate Hindle is set to take to the stage at the inaugural event.

The West Australian talent will offer audiences some classics by Anne Murray, Patsy Cline and Johnny Cash. 

“My sound is country through and through,” Hindle said.

“I’ve been a country artist since I was eight years old. I’ve hopefully changed a little since then...perhaps in height. Otherwise my sound is me, it’s clear and it’s raw.”

Hindle began playing piano at the age of seven, before she started taking guitar lessons the following year. When she was 11, she started performing at gigs.

“Since then, my goal has always been music,” she said. 

“I now teach music full-time at my own music school and tour/gig on weekends.

“For me, music will always be who I am.” 

Hindle said she was inspired by any person who could put their heart and soul on the line for people to hear.

“I am truly inspired by Australian artists such an Lyn Bowtell, Beccy Cole, John Williamson, Travis Collins, Sara Storer and probably all of the Aussie artists,” she said.

Audiences will also be treated to some new tunes from singer/songwriter Matt Scullion.

The country/folk artist has teamed up with the likes of Lee Kernaghan and Travis Collins, to produce some of the music he will showcase at the inaugural event.

“People can expect a lively, original, acoustic set with a mix of new and old songs,” he said.

“I’m working on a new album at the moment – so I’m very much looking forward to previewing some of those tunes.”

Scullion grew up in a household where music played freely.  

“I sort of just fell into it,” he said. “Fortunately I started writing songs as soon as I could play a couple of chords – I’m not saying the songs were that good, but they definitely got the ball rolling.”

Scullion counts some of Australia’s greatest country music artists among his idols.

“[I’m inspired by] anyone with a fire in their voice and a good story to tell,” he said. 

“Artists like Paul Kelly, Slim Dusty, Jason Isbell, John Williamson and Chris Stapleton.”

As well as performing, Scullion is looking forward to meeting new people and catching up with old mates at the inaugural event.

“I love playing at music festivals period, and I’ve heard Macksville is a beautiful town,” he said. 

“It’s also a great time of the year and I’m looking forward to trying out my new swag.”

The Macksville Music Muster is about much more than bringing big acts to town though.

There will be ‘walk ups’ where aspiring country artists can perform to the crowd supported by the muster’s own backing band, there will be bush poets, a song writers workshop and performances by many well known local and interstate country music artists.

The line-up includes:

Attending the muster will not only ensure you loads of fun and amazing music, but you will also be supporting a great cause. 

Mr Edwards said proceeds from ticket sales, raffles and auctions will go to ValleyCAT, a Macksville Rotary Club project supported by Royal Far West, which identifies and treats children who enter school with untreated development problems, such as those requiring speech therapy.

“Royal Far West has found that one in five children starting school do so with at least one untreated development issue,” he said. 

“These kids are at risk of slipping through the cracks, leading to social isolation and behavioural problems.

“We hope the muster will go on to be successful and provide a sustainable funding base for ValleyCAT – country music for country kids!"

Royal Far West’s head of philanthropy and community partnerships Anna Bowden, said ValleyCAT was formed in the Nambucca Valley in response to the number of children experiencing difficulties.

“Concerned community members and groups decided to take action to tackle this problem and started to raise money to secure occupational therapy and speech therapy services for children,” she said. 

“Developmental vulnerabilities can set a child up to struggle with school work, make friends, attend in class amongst other things and are often a precursor to mental health, relationship and employment problems later in life.”

A range of camping options will be available, so visitors can enjoy as much of the muster as they like.

Attendees will be permitted to camp at the Macksville Showground in a mix of powered and unpowered sites.

The show association will provide a dining room serving home-style cooking for those who are looking for a prepared meal. There will also be other catering options and some market stalls.

Day visitors are welcome and special prices are available for Friday and Saturday night concerts.