Duelling guitars tune up for Norfolk Island Country Music Festival

Budding Johnny Cashes on both sides of the Tasman are getting ready to walk the line as Norfolk Island hosts its 15th annual Country Music Festival in May.

As part of the festival, Australian and New Zealand country music guys and gals compete for the coveted Trans-Tasman Entertainer of the Year Award.

The Norfolk Island Country Music Festival from May 25 to June 1 is a popular event for fans and performers alike as a showcase for country music in Australasia.

New Zealand trio The Darlings headlines the festival together with Australian country musicians Bill Chambers and The Flood for a week of toe tapping action.

Other New Zealanders performing include 2007 Trans-Tasman Entertainer of the Year Kylie Austin, banjo aficionado Jenny Blackadder and renowned fiddler Marion Burns who accompanies Australian soloist Steve Passfield.

Other guest stars include the dynamic Australian duo of Camille Te Na Hu and Stu French, and international circuit regular Charley Groth, a member of America’s National Traditional Country Music Association Hall of Fame.

Eight entrants compete for the Trans Tasman Entertainer of the Year Award where the winner receives the Norfolk Island Pine trophy and A$7,000 in cash prizes as well as A$5,000 recording time.

Festival-goers can spend their spare time kicking back and relaxing in the natural beauty of Norfolk Island or take advantage of the diverse tourist attractions and fine dining the Island’s excellent restaurants provide.

The Country Music Gold Pass is a great way for festival-goers to get right in amongst festival activities. The pass includes a ‘Meet the Stars’ mix and mingle evening, reserved seating for shows on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evening - including the Trans Tasman Entertainer of the Year Award - and an ‘up-country after dark’ pass.

The Norfolk Island Travel Centre has special packages to Norfolk Island with Air NZ ex Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch starting from NZ $1,839 for seven nights.

Packages included return airfares, all pre payable airline taxes (excluding NZ & Norfolk Island departure tax), 7 nights twin share. Contact Christan for more information on freephone 0800 0088 10 or christan@travelcentre.nf

About Norfolk Island: Discovered by Captain Cook in 1774, Norfolk Island was first settled as a British penal colony in 1788 through to 1856. On June 8, 1856, the island was re-inhabited by a community from Pitcairn Island, descendants of the Bounty mutineers and their Tahitian companions. Known today as Norfolk Islanders, they form a majority of the 1,800 resident population. Norfolk Island is renowned for its spectacular coastal scenery, colourful history, sporting and cultural activities, convict heritage and low tax shopping.

Air New Zealand flies to Norfolk Island on Sundays and Wednesdays.

For general information contact Norfolk Island Tourism. Phone 0800 359 4373, email info@norfolkisland.com.au or visit www.norfolkisland.nf.

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