Graham Rodger - Biography

Graham Rodger - BIOGRAPHY

One of the proudest - and saddest - moments of Graham Rodger's life was listening to his song "You Can't Take Australia from Me" recited at Slim Dusty's funeral. But Slim - who recorded a number of Graham's songs - would have been just as proud of the way this new-generation Australian Songwriter/Performing Artist is carrying the long tradition of the Aussie country songs forward into a new era.

Over the past four years, Graham Rodger has established himself as one of the most respected and talented cutting edge Australian country music artist of the twenty-first century. He's released seven albums and is always in demand to cut another album from his keen fans. Graham has collected a swag of major awards as attested by his Resume. He's also been a Golden Guitar finalist six times making him in the Top Five Artists in his category. He is currently No 15 in the Top 30 European Charts and No 53 in the Top 200 World Charts.

In addition, he regularly tours Australia for the major Festivals - often taking his music to the outback in the tradition of the early Australian pioneering entertainers - and plays to packed houses wherever he goes.

Born and raised in the rural town of Gympie in south-east Queensland, Graham is fiercely passionate about his country and his music. His single "Woman on The Land", from the Album "Thunderbolt" reached the top 3 on the Country Music Charts. The song "The Battle of Long Tan" has been officially embraced by the Australian Vietnam Vets as their preferred song to honour their deeds.

Album No. 8 - WE'RE GONNA BE ALRIGHT (INTERNATIONAL HIT #1) released June 2009 Winner of 1 Award to date. At the time of release it had won The National Songwriter's Award 2009 for the song "The Almond Tree". This is an up-to-date Country music Album. It contains light country rock, gentle waltz to the traditional ballad genre. Graham gathered songs from top song writers, old poems and his own skilfully written songs to produced an album distinctly original and beautifully crafted. You will be entertained throughout this 13 track Album with the variety, musical arrangements and vocal qualities of Graham, which won him the People's Choice Award for Best Male Vocal 2009. This Album is set to win more Awards!

Album No. 7 - "The Fire Within Me".. released April 2008 has won 5 Awards. The Greatest honour Winner of The People's Choice for Best Album and Graham also won Best Male Vocal. Graham has won Songwriter Salute Award and the Australian Independent Heritage Track of the Year with the song A Saddle For a Throne off this new CD and Country Ballad of the Year "Give This Hug To Daddy". The first single off the album "Give This Hug To Daddy" become NO 1 airplay for radio stations. The Album with the calibre of the songs, music by Golden Guitar award winning instrumentalist Michael Fix and the wonderful resonance in Graham's voice, all combine to make this Album set to be a much loved Album in his collection.. You will love it!!!!!!!!!!

Album No. 6 - "Thunderbolt" released at Tamworth 2007 received a great reception from media and the public alike, Won 7 Awards. The song "Woman on the Land" became a Top Hit Song, won the National Contest of Australia 2007, Gold Medallion 2007 and the title song Thunderbolt won the Qld TSA Songwriter Award - Heritage Section. This Album is set to gain more recognition for Graham's talents. Winner of Heritage Track of the Year, Male Vocal of The Year, Finalist Golden Guitar Best Bush Ballad, Finalist Album of The Year.

Graham's fifth Album "Muster on The Great Divide" was released at Tamworth 2006. During 2007 it Won 6 Awards and reached the top 5 finals in two categories in the Golden Guitars, Tamworth. Preview reports gave it rave reviews. This Album has different music backing. Graham has included a song in tribute to our modern ANZACS with the Song "Battle of Long Tan"it is a very graphic account of this battle 42 years ago when our young men overcame such unbelievable odds to gain victory. The Song "Down At the Pub on a Friday Night" is a song that will rival "Have a Beer with Duncan", haven't meet anyone yet, who has heard it, who cannot relate to its sentiments, and "The Bushman" will bring tears to your eyes. Graham is proud to present this new Album for your enjoyment. He can't believe it but radio announcers have told him that this is the best to date. "The Battle of Long Tan" won The Queensland Golden Medallion and reach top 5 in the Golden Guitar Awards in Tamworth.

In January 2005 the album "This Old Guitar of Mine" was released at Tamworth 2005, Won 8 Awards. It received excellent reviews. Once again you will be transported to the theatre of your minds with these wonderful songs. He won four major awards, National and Salute Awards for "Missing in Action", Best Bush Ballad "Where The Cooper Flows" and People's Choice Award "Country Towns" from this Album in the Competitions at Tamworth 2006. Graham reached the final five in the Ballad section for a Golden Guitar with his song from this Album "Where The Cooper Flows". Won Northern Territory Best Bush Ballad with "Tonesie". This album is the highest award winning album to date. Winning three Tamworth Songwriters Awards in the one year has never been achieved before so Graham is part of history now.

May 2004 Graham released his third album "A Gypsy's Life" under the Austrak Music label, Won 3 Awards. This album has eclipsed the success of the first two albums and captures the wonderful writing and vocal qualities of Graham. The album contains the traditional ballad as well as comedy, love and human interest songs. It was a finalist in The Album of the Year 2005, "The Matilda Highway" won the TSA Songwriter's Salute Award 2005 and "Lets Keep Australia", Australia won the Tasmania & New Zealand Songwriting Contest 2005. The Matilda Highway came in third in this competition. Wow what a great success story.

The year 2002 saw the release of yet another album of self penned songs, "The Colours of Australia". This album capitalised on the success of the first, and set the wheels in motion for a number of finals nominations and major awards wins at the 2003 and 2004 Tamworth Country Music Festivals.

In July 1998, Graham released his first album, "Steering Wheel Drovers". The album contained all his own songs and achieved considerable success around the country. One of the tracks, "The Drysdale River", reached the top ten in the Australian Country Music Charts. From this album came a string of Award nominations, which set Graham firmly on a new path as a professional entertainer, appearing at major Country Music Festivals around Australia, including Tamworth, Bungendore, Emerald and Mildura.

2006 release of first DVD "True Blue Country" a 1 hour video of Graham performing 10 of his popular songs. The DVD has been professionally produced by a professional film-maker and footage has been collected from across Australia. Relax, sit back and enjoy this talented entertainer, Graham Rodger.

2007 release of the Second DVD by popular demand "The Matilda Highway" another 1 hour video of some of Graham's most popular songs, including award winning songs "The Matilda Highway" and "The Battle of Long Tan" which contains old Super8 footage from a soldier who fought in the battle.. A must!!

2009 release of the Third DVD due to unprecedented demand "BENEATH THE SOUTHERN CROSS".
One hour of beautiful scenery shot from helicopters, back of trucks, in shearing woolsheds, goat races, and around Australia.
You won't be disappointed with the variety and quality of songs and scenery.

SUMMARY OF GRAHAM RODGER'S AWARD WINS AND FINALS NOMINATIONS AS AT 01/2/09
2009
Winner People's Choice Award "Best Album" - "The Fire Within Me"
Winner People's Choice Award "Best Male Vocal"
Winner TSA Songwriter Salute Award Best Country Ballad 2009
Winner TSA Songwriter Salute Award Best Bush Ballad 2009
Winner TSA Award National Songwriting Award of Australia 2009
4 Finalists nominations People's Choice Awards 2009
1 Finalists nomination TIARA Awards 2009
4 Finalists nominations TSA Awards 2009
Finals nomination in The Golden Guitar Awards 2009 - Bush Ballad
2 Finalist nomination Stan Coster Memorial Bush Ballads Awards 2009

2008
Winner Heritage Song of The Year Australian Independent Country Music Awards 2008
Winner TSA Award National Songwriting Award of Australia 2008
Winner TSA Songwriter Salute Award Best Comedy/Novelty Song 2008
Winner TSA Songwriter Salute Award Best Country Ballad 2008
Winner TSA Songwriter Salute Award Best Country Song 2008
Winner Stan Coster Award Male Vocal of The Year 2008
Winner Golden Medallion "Songwriter of the Year" 2008
Winner Golden Medallion "Touring Artist of the Year" 2008
Finalist Heritage Song of The Year Australian Independent Country Music Awards 2008
Finalist GOLDEN GUITAR Tamworth Country Music Festival - 2008 Bush Ballad of the Year
2 Finalists nominations TIARA Awards 2008
Finalists nominations People Choice Award Bush Ballad Award 2008
5 Finalist nominations TSA Awards 2008
3 Finalists nominations Stan Coster Memorial Bush Ballads Awards 2008
Finalist nominations Gidgee Coals Awards Male Vocal 2008-11-06
3 Finalist nominations Gold Medallions Awards 2008

2007
Winner Heritage Song of The Year Australian Independent Country Music Awards 2007
Winner of the Bush Balladeer of the Year ACRA 2007
Winner of the TSA National Songwriting Contest of Australia 2007
Winner of the TSA Songwriters Salute Award Best Bush Ballad 2007
Winner of the TSA Songwriters Salute Award Best Country Ballad 2007
Winner SE Qld Songwriter of the Year Award 2007
Winner Qld Gold Medallion Award "Songwriter of the Year 2007"
Winner Qld Silver Medallion Award "Touring Artist of the Year 2007"
Winner Songwriter of The Year Stan Coster Memorial Bush Ballad Awards 2007
Three Finals nominations Qld Gold Medallion Awards 2007
Finals Nomination Australian Independent Country Music Awards 2007 - Heritage Section
Four Finals nominations SE Qld TSA Awards 2007
Two Finals Nominations GOLDEN GUITAR Tamworth Country Music Festival 2007
Two Finals Nominations Tamworth Independent Artists Recognitions Awards TIARA 2007
Six Finals Nominations Tamworth Songwriter Awards 2007
Five Finals Nominations People's Choice Awards 2007
Two Finals Nominations Australian Bush Ballad Awards Bungendore 2007 (includes album of the Year "Muster on the Great Divide")
2 Finalists Horsham Country Music Awards 2007
Finalist Gidgee Coals Awards 2007

2006
Winner People's Choice Award Best Bush Ballad 2006
Finalist Golden Guitar Awards for Bush Ballad 2006
2 Finals Nominations Northern Territory Country Music Awards 2006
Finalist Golden Saddles Award to be judged September 2006 (declined offer due to other commitments in Tasmania)
Two Finals Nominations "The Australian Bush Ballad Awards" 2006 (incl. Album of the Year
Two Finals Nominations Victorian Country music Awards 2006
Two Finals Nominations TIARA Awards 2006
Six Finals Nominations TSA Awards 2006

2005
Winner Tasmania & New Zealand Songwriting Contest 2005
Winner TSA Songwriter's Salute Award 2005
Finalist ACRA Awards 2005
Third Place Tasmania & New Zealand Songwriting Contest 2005
Three Nominations in the Finals in the Tasmania & New Zealand Country Music Awards 2005
Three Nominations in the Finals TSA Qld. Songwriter's June 2005
Three Finals nominations in "The People's Choice Awards" 2005
Two finals nominations T.I.A.R.A. Awards 2005
Two Finals nominations in "The Stan Coster Memorial Bushballad Awards" 2005, (incl Album of the Year "Gypsy's Life")
Semi-Finalist nomination TSA Awards 2005
Finalist TSA Awards Country Song of the Year 2005
Two finals nominations Northern Territory Country Music Awards 2005 (May 2005)

2004
Winner TIARA Award for "Bush Ballad of the Year" 2004
Winner TSA Award "The National Songwriting Contest of Australia" 2004
Third Place S.E. Queensland TSA Award 2004
Two finals nominations in the TIARA Awards 2004
Final in the "Independent Artist Recognition Awards" 2004
Final Tasmania & New Zealand Independent Artist Album Awards 2004
Finalist in the Australian Independent Country Music Awards 2004
Finals nominations "The TIARA Awards" 2004
Nominated for TSA "Songmaker Award" 2004

2003
Winner TIARA Award for "Bush Ballad of the Year" 2003
Winner TSA Award "The National Songwriting Contest of Australia" 2003
Second Place Award "Tasmania & New Zealand songwriting contest" 2003
Second Place TSA "Vicsong Competition" 2003.
Finals nomination in "The People's Choice Award" 2003
Finals nomination "Bush Ballad of the Year" SE Qld TSA Awards 2003
Finalist in "The Northern Territory Songwriting Competition" 2003
Finals nomination TSA "Songmaker Award" 2003
Finals nominations in the TSA Awards 2003
Finals nominations "The Bungendore Country Music Awards" 2003
Finals nominations "Tasmania and NZ Songwriting Contest" 2003

2002
Winner The People's Choice Award for the "Best Heritage Song" 2002
Winner "Australian Bush Ballad Writer of the Year" 2002
Finalist in the "Golden Guitar Award" 2002
Finals nominations "The TIARA Awards" 2002
Finals nominations "The Bungendore Country Music Awards" 2002
Finals nominations in the TSA Awards 2002
Finals nominations "Tasmania and NZ Songwriting Contest" 2002
Finals nomination "The Victorian TSA Songwriting Awards"

2001
Finals nominations "Tasmania and NZ Songwriting Contest" 2001

2000
Winner in the TSA Songwriter's Competition 2000
Finals nominations in the TSA Awards 2000

1999
Winner "Gordon Parsons Memorial Award for Bush Balladeer of the Year" 1999
Finals nominations in the TSA Awards '99
Finals nominations in the Bungendore Country Music Awards '99
Three Finals nominations, The Victorian Country Music Awards '99.

Born and raised in the rural town of Gympie in south-east Queensland. Graham is fiercely passionate about his country and his music. Graham is one of the highest award winning Country Music Writers. He began to write songs professionally in 1991. In 1992 he received a phone call from the late Slim Dusty. Slim asked permission to record a song that Graham had written, and the song "You Can't Take Australia From Me" was subsequently recorded and released on the album "Ringer From the Top End". Slim recorded a number of Graham's songs. Other country music recording artists who have chosen Graham's songs include Brian Letton, Glenn Jones, Dean Perrett, Tom Maxwell, Jeff Brown, Bob Easter, Melissa Bajric, Nathan Charlton, Brad Blanck and Dave McCallum.

A Summary of Graham's Award wins and Finals nominations as at 14/03/2007

Winner Songwriter of The Year Stan Coster Memorial Bush Ballad Awards
2007 Winner of The National Songwriting Contest of Australia
2007 Winner of The Songwriter's Salute Award Best Bush Ballad
2007 Winner of The Songwriter's Salute Award Best Country Ballad 2007
2 Finals nominations GOLDEN GUITAR Tamworth Country Music Festival 2007
2 Finals nominations Tamworth Independent Artists Recognitions Awards TIARA 2007
6 Finals nominations Tamworth Songwriter Awards 2007
5 finals nominations People's Choice Awards 2007
2 finals nominations Australian Bush Ballad Awards Bungendore 2007
Winner Qld Gold Medallion Award "Songwriter of the Year" 2006
Winner Qld Silver Medallion Award Bush Ballad of the Year 2006
Second Place Tasmania & New Zealand Songwriting Competition
Winner Bush Ballad of the Year Northern Territory Country Music Awards 2006
2 Finals nomination "Northern Territory Country Music Awards 2006"
5 Finals nominations Qld TSA Songwriter Awards 2006
3 Finals nominations in the Qld Gold Medallion Awards 2006
2 finals nominations Tasmania & New Zealand Songwriting Competitions

Finalist - Golden Saddle Award - to be judged September 2006
Winner - National Songwriting Contest of Australia - 2006
Winner - Songwriters Salute Award - Best Bush Ballad - 2006
Winner - Songwriters Salute Award - Best Country Ballad - 2006
Winner - People's Choice Award - Best Bush Ballad - 2006
Finalist - "Golden Guitar Award" for Bush Ballad - 2006
Two Finals Nominations "The Australian Bush Ballad Awards" - 2006
Two Finals Nominations Victorian Country Music Awards - 2006
Two Finals Nominations TIARA Awards - 2006
Six Finals Nominations TSA Awards - 2006

Finalist ACRA Awards - 2005
Winner Tasmanian & New Zealand Songwriting Contest - 2005
Winner TSA Songwriter's Salute Award - 2005
Third Place Tasmania & New Zealand Songwriting Contest - 2005
Three Nominations in the Finals in the Tasmania & New Zealand Country Music Awards - 2005
Three Nominations in the Finals TSA Qld Songwriter's - June 2005
Three Finals Nominations in "The People's Choice Award's" - 2005
Two Finals Nominations TIARA Awards - 2005
Two Finals nominations in "The Stan Coster Memorial Bushballad Awards - 2005 (incl Album of the Year "Gypsy's Life")
Semi-finalist Nomination TSA Awards - 2005
Finalist TSA Awards Country Song of the Year - 2005
Two Finals Nominations Northern Territory Country Music Awards - May 2005

Winner TIARA Award for "Bush Ballad of the Year" - 2004
Winner TSA Award "The National Songwriting Contest of Australia" - 2004
Third Place SE Qld TSA Awards - 2004
Two finals nominations in the TIARA Awards - 2004
Final in the "Independent Artist Recognition Awards" - 2004
Final in "Tasmania & New Zealand Independent Artist Album Awards" = 2004
Finals nominations "The TIARA Awards" - 2004
Nominated of TSA "Songwriter Award" - 2004

Winner TIARA Awards for "Bush Ballad of the Year" - 2003
Winner TSA Award "The National Songwriting Contest of Australia" - 2003
Second Place Award "Tasmania & New Zealand Songwriting Contest" - 2003
Second Place TSA "Vicsong Compitation" - 2003
Finals Nominations in "The Peoples Choice Award" - 2003
Finals Nomination "Bush Ballad of the Year" SE Qld TSA Awards - 2003
Finalist in "The Northern Territory Songwriting Competition" - 2003
Finals nomination TSA "Songwriter Award" - 2003
Finals nominations in the TSA Awards - 2003
Finals nominations "The Bungendore Country Music Awards" - 2003
Finals nominations "The Tasmania & NZ Songwriting Contest" - 2003

Winner "The People's Choice Award for the Best Heritage Song" - 2002
Winner "Australian Bush Ballad Writer of the Year" - 2002
Finalist in the "Golden Guitar Award" - 2002
Finals Nominations "The TAIRA Awards" - 2002
Finals nominations "The Bungendore Country Music Awards" - 2002
Finals nominations in the TSA Awards - 2002
Finals nominations "The Tasmania & NZ Songwriting Contest" - 2002
Finals nomination "The Victorian TSA Songwriting Awards" - 2002

Finals nominations "The Tasmania & NZ Songwriting Contest" - 2001

Winner in the TSA "Songwriter's Competition" 2000
Final nominations in the TSA Awards - 2000

Winner "Gordon Parsons Memorial Award for Bush Balladeer of the Year" - 1999
Finals nominations in the TSA Awards - 1999
Finals nominations "The Bungendore Country Music Awards" - 1999
Three finals nominations"The Victorian Country Music Awards" - 1999