CRAIG MORRISON

With only two months together as a band and this their first ever gig as a group, the boys were over the moon with their win.

The Sydney based outfit flew into Rockhampton two days prior to the competition, an event organised to showcase amateur and independent country music bands from around Australia.

With two heats of 25 minutes each on the Saturday, six bands narrowed down the field for judges and an eager audience at the Great Western Hotel on Stanley Street.

The other competitors were... The Aaron Daniels Band, a six piece band from Melbourne; The Bostocks, a family band of two brothers and two sisters; Faze 4, a mixture of family members and friends from the Sunshine Coast; Fused, a father, son and daughter group from South East Queensland; and Nebraska Red, the only entrant from Rockhampton, a five piece band of local country music enthusiasts.

"Our judges further narrowed the field down to three groups to progress into Sunday’s final heats," said organiser Phill Hearn, "time for the bands to really 'strut their stuff' and that they did!

"First band on stage in the finals was Craig Morrison – Little Cowboys. The energy of front man Craig was infectious, the audience danced clapped and cheered the band into a frenzy, with some of the antics taking Craig out and up on to the huge speaker stack, from there he belted out another of his original songs and displayed his prowess on guitar as well. All six of Craig’s songs were originals and these will be showcased on his new album due out in 2008.

"Next up, the talented family group The Bostocks, multi skilled musicians and singers alike, wowed the audience with their originals and cover versions of some well known songs, but what really enthralled the audience was their original instrumental track, Lock Stock And Two Smoking Bostocks! A battle between fiddle player, lead guitar, drums and bass, what an awesome performance!

Our third band to take the stage for the competition flew in from Melbourne on Friday, a six piece band of session musos, most of whom have performed at many festivals and events including Tamworth and the Gympie Muster, the Aaron Daniels Band. Aaron, originally from Texas in the USA, now resides in Australia and has a power vocal range compared by many (who attended this event) to Jimmy Barnes and Jon Bon Jovi!

"The judges job of deciding upon a winner was to take up to six minutes, deliberation, consultation and some animated debate followed and then finally an announcement was made."

Organisers are already planning for Australian Country Music Battle of the Bands 2008 in Rockhampton with nominations being called for as early as January. The event date itself may be held a little earlier in 2008, probably mid October.

Photo: Craig Morrison – Little Cowboys in full flight during the Battle.

Weblink – www.craigmorrison.com.au. - www.countrymusicbulletin.com.au

Long awaited DEBUT ALBUM HEAVEN KNOWS is
finally available now:
“CRAIG MORRISON knows a lot about
entertainment, having practically grown up on
stage alongside his Dad, veteran rocker LUCKY
STARR. After a stint in the rock/pop genre, Craig
redefined his musical direction and took aim at
the country scene. His band LITTLE COWBOYS
has already taken the industry by storm and his
debut CD Heaven Knows has been eagerly awaited.
Craig’s sound and sophisticated writing style
brings to mind BON JOVI and JOHN MELLENCAMP.
Opening track Ball And Chain is a hot driving track;
like the whole album it shows the multi-layered
instrumental talents not just ‘playing’ the music,
but ‘crafting’ each song with unique complexity.
Heaven Knows is a joyous cry of devotion. Whiskey
runs raw and passionate, clawing at your heart
with its desolation. Previously released single
Losin’ It is almost tame by comparison. Well sup-
ported by incredible musicians, Craig Morrison’s
music is a big, bold step.”
Deborah Minter - Capital News

- Capital News Country Music

CRAIG MORRISON Little Cowboys rightfully
describe themselves as a”kick-ass” combination if
this CD and the success they are having on
the festival circuit is anything to go by. The al-
bum opens with a big, loud and electrifying track
called ‘Ball & Chain’, which features some great
fiddle and guitar work and the excitement car-
ries right throught the album. There are changes
of pace and intensity on tracks like ‘Whiskey’ and
‘Lovin’Eyes,’ ‘MIA (Made in America)’ and big ballads
like ‘Losin’It’ and ‘Turnback’. Although many of the
tracks will warrant radio play I feel these songs can
be best appreciated as a whole body of work (so
buy the album). This gifted group consists of lead
guitarist, Terry Mandryk, Greg Peters on Bass,
Andrew Gatus on Drums, and Emma Barlow on
fiddle. Featuring on vocals is Craig Morrison who
has had years of experience starting as a child
when he was singing harmonies with his dad,
Lucky Starr.
Rosie Adsett - Country Update - Country Update