Kiama’s inaugural country music festival could be the start of something big, according to the event’s organiser Lincoln Piper.

“I want to grow it to quite a big and significant country music festival. I think we’ve done pretty well for our first year,” says the Gerringong-based promoter and musician.

Melinda Schneider

“The artists have all been kind to me to help establish a new event. They are right behind it.

“I’m taking a significant risk myself to get it off the ground this year so I’m hoping it works really well. Response so far has been amazing.

“I think we are definitely onto something. There are a lot of country music fans on the South Coast, as well as a huge market in Sydney.”

The line-up of the three day KLC Country Gold Festival includes Golden Guitar Winners Melinda Schneider, Drew McAlister and Luke O’Shea (who are performing at a Camp Quality People’s Truck fundraiser on the Saturday night), as well as veteran entertainer Chad Morgan, Kiama’s own surfing cowboy Benn Gunn, Christie Lamb, The Jay Seeney Band, Emily Markham, Emma Jene and The Muirs.

Lincoln has applied for Destination NSW funding to expand the event to other venues in coming years. He’d like to add a country fair element to the Festival, and other activities like a B&S Ball.

In this first year, the shows will all be at Kiama Leagues Club. Apart from the fundraising event, all of the entertainment is free entry.

“The Club has been a big supporter, so hats off to them for seeing the vision and seed funding the event with a budget,” says Lincoln.

“In coming years they will always be the home of the big acts, as they are the biggest supporters of live music in the region.”

Details: 9-11 June, Kiama Leagues Club.
Program details and tickets for the Saturday available from the Club