The Cobby Riverland Music Festival
June 3rd -8th 2026
Walk Up Sessions From 3rd June 2026
Please Note Artists Are Subject To Change
Synergy
Formally Heartland
The band is going under a reformation so details to come
however rest assured it will still be the same powerhouse that is the center of our festival so stay tuned
Walk Right Back
John and Bill got together to create an Everly Brothers tribute, and adopted
the name “Walk Right Back” to recognise the music of the Everly Brothers, and
also to reflect their focus on “Great Music from the Past”.
The boys also pay tribute to the Bee Gees, and other great artists such as
Buddy Holly, The Mavericks and Alan Jackson.
Their focus is on harmony, and they include country music, Australian music
and music by their other favourite artists.
Justin Standley
Justin Standley, is a multi-award winning Australian country singer-songwriter and entertainer.
Justin shot to prominence after appearing as a finalist on the X Factor on a quest to find his missing children. The heart-wrenching reunion with his daughters made national headlines and he subsequently established himself as one of Australia’s most loved and successful independent country music artists.
Justin has released many songs to country radio, many of which have charted in the Top 10 of the Australian Country Tracks Top 40, often reaching number 1. He is the only artist to have ever equalled Slim Dusty’s record of having 3 songs in the top 5 at one time.
Justin Standley 2024
Recognised for his distinctive voice and impressive 4 octave vocal range, Justin’s friendly nature and talent for entertaining, song-writing, yodelling, story-telling, comedy, and Indigenous songs… continues to endear him to audiences around the world
Cash Backman
As a National recording artist and professional entertainer, Cash Backman was at the forefront of the Australian country music industry for over three decades.
In the mid-seventies, with the release of his Top 10 Hit, ‘My Girl Bill’, Cash became the first Australian country music artist to have a Hit song in the pop charts and as a result, became a much sought after club and concert performer, working with many international acts such as: Roy Orbison, Phyllis Diller, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, The Drifters, Dobie Gray, Marcia Hines, The Seekers, and many more.
Cash also appeared on many television variety and music shows, including: The Penthouse Club, The Mike Walsh Show, Countdown, Don Lane Show, Paul Hogan Show, Reg Lindsay's Country Homestead, ABC's Country Roads (which he compared as well), Lee Conway Show, The Bert Newton Show, Good Morning Australia, The Denise Drysdale Show, and was a regular on In Melbourne Today.
In between Cash’s touring dates, Country Music Festival shows and ongoing television appearances, Cash was also offered acting roles in several of Australia’s top Cop shows, namely; Division 4, Homocide, Matlock Police, and Cop Shop. He also appeared in The Flying Doctors and the Australian TV mini-series, Against The Wind.
Cash was also heavily involved in his songwriting and as well as recording his own material, many of his songs were covered by Artists from America, South Africa, the UK, and Australia.
In 1985, organisers of an annual American Festival known as 'Memphis In May' invited Cash to perform at several of their outdoor concerts. In three shows, Cash (and his band The Players), performed to over 150,000 Memphians; on all occasions receiving massive encores and recognised as the “most popular performer” in the Festival’s eight year history.
The early ‘90s saw Cash performing in Hong Kong for Austrade. This led to further visits with Cash working the lucrative American Club circuit for several years
Cash now resides on Queensland’s Gold Coast and still does floor-shows, along with appearing as a ‘Guest Artist’ at local and interstate Country Music Clubs and Festivals.
The Hirds
Neville – who has been playing guitar and singing for 50 years… and
Kathy – who learnt bass guitar 30 years ago, to join him… are
THE HIRD’S… a husband and wife duo.
We have been performing all over Vic, southern N.S.W. and in S.A. at various
festivals; country music clubs – as guest artists; charity fundraisers; nursing
homes; senior citizens concerts – as main & support acts; clubs; pubs and many
private parties/weddings/funerals etc. We base our style on a mixture of old
and modern country music.
Neville was a judge of various talent quests over a 15 year period, all throughout
country Vic. We have been involved in a few bands over the years…Murray River
Ramblers; Champagne Country; Country Plus; 4 H Country – but now travel as a
duo. We have done recordings of 3 x cassettes and 5 x CD’s.
The Hoffmans
Heather is a well-seasoned performer. She started to sing at 7 years of age at local talent quests, schools and clubs.
Heather won a scholarship to study classically at the Melba Conservatorium and finished with honors at AMEB levels.
Heather has worked in bands since the early 80’s but she is now very happy to sing with husband, David doing what they do best.
David has performed mainly as a backing band member since the tender age of 13. The best know “star” he has toured with was Normie Rowe where he toured for 2 years around Australia in the late 70’s at the young age of 17.
David has also played for many well-known acts at festivals and concerts such as Lee Conway, The Hawking Bros, and Frankie Davidson.
The Highlights in recent years has been The Homebush festival were we supported names like Adam Brand, Melinda Sneider,
Adam Harvey, Paul Costa and Sara Storer.
And at Lake Charlegrark with
Jayne Denham,Paul Costa,James Blundell,Amber Lawrence,Dave "Prousty" Proust and Graeme Hugo
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In 2014 They were inducted into South Australia Country Music Hands Of Fame
2016 Tour of Scotland & England
2017 Edinburgh Fringe Festival
2018 Edinburgh Fringe Festival & Paris Tour
2019 Edinburgh Fringe Festival & Ireland Tour
Joe Musico
Until my early 30s i was a farmer in Swan Hill share farming with my Mum & Dad.in the early 80s we decided to sell the farm & each go our separate ways.
So i decided i wanted to became a builder and started working with two local Builders in Swan Hill.in 1980 we moved to Warrnambool so i decided to do Night School and sit for exams to get a Builders Licence.
and i built Houses in Warrnambool for 30 years.So in my 60s the Building trade was starting to take a toll on my Body and had to look for something else to do but i didn't know anything other then building houses.
and i was looking to retire, so i got involved with our local Country Music Club had a few practises with a friend that's in to Music and he said Joe i think you are ready to do a Walk up. i was 60 when i did My first Walk up at The Warrnambool Country Music Club.In the last ten years we have travelled all around Australia doing music. private shows,and guest spots at varies clubs.we have been Coming to SA for the last Five or Six years.I love what i do and hope that i can do it for a while longer.
Viv & Chris Boys
Chris & Viv Boys started their careers in Viv's family's old time dance band & after many years branched out as a duo with piano, guitar & vocals. After a horrendous car smash in 1986 they stopped playing due to Chris's memory loss. 28 years later Viv encouraged Chris to enter a walk-up comp at Nanango Qld & the rest is history. The amount of friends, fans & followers attests to the demand for their style of music. They love to hook up the caravan & travel for months on end to entertain at music festivals, but Tassy is always home.
Robyn Norton
Robyn has had a guitar in her hand since the age of 12.
She has sung with various groups over the years, dabbled in solo work, singing at
weddings, funerals, local events and charity concerts etc, but it was only 10 years
ago that she did her first ‘walk up’ at the Lucindale Music Festival.
Since then, she has sung at many festivals and has supported such artists as Justin
Standley, Stephen R Cheney, Peter Coad and the Coad sisters to name a few.
Recently, Robyn has been entertaining at the various nursing homes in the area for
West Wimmera Health. She finds this particularly rewarding and looks forward to
spending time with the folks in these places.
Brendan Scott
Brendan Scott is an accomplished and experienced performer who has been part of the Australian entertainment industry ever since his stage debut at age 4. He has worked in all facets of the entertainment industry and continues to use his wealth of experience to entertain audiences in many parts of Australia.
In his performance, Brendan showcases his many talents. Not only does he sing many well-known songs, he also plays piano, guitar, saxophone, banjo, and violin. Add to this Brendan’s flair for audience interaction and participation as well as his ability to have people in stitches with his comedy, and you have a complete entertainment experience.
For over 20 years, Brendan was a fixture on Melbourne radio station 3AW as a contributor to the Overnight program hosted by Keith McGowan. Brendan could often be heard on this program singing some great old songs, as well as sharing much banter and laughs with Keith.
At many venues around Victoria, you will often find Brendan performing at MORNING MELODIES. These shows are a great way for people to get out, during daytime hours, to experience some great entertainment perhaps followed by a nice lunch.
Brendan can also be heard at many Sports and R.S.L clubs, singing and playing many great hits for those wanting to dance the night away.
Whether you or your organization requires a floor-show, music for dancing or just someone to play the piano in the background, BRENDAN SCOTT is your ideal entertainer.
Dave Prior
For the better part of 35 years my career was in commercial radio, as an
Announcer, program director and general manager of stations such as
8HA Alice Springs, 5CC Port Lincoln, 5MU Murray Bridge and 96.5 & 98FM in
Geraldton WA.
Then I had a midlife crisis, and realised because of the aforementioned career,
I could not afford a fast sports car, or even a slow one, or a slow woman, or a
slow yacht but, more importantly, I certainly didn’t want to spend any more
time working for other people.
Yes, I’d reached that age where it was time
to reinvent myself and make a comeback… which is quite
difficult when you haven’t really been anywhere.
So I picked up my old guitar and threw it in the back of my even older ute and
never looked back. Well, maybe once. I think it was a kangaroo.
A couple of highlights so far include doing the support act for Adam Harvey
on a number of occasions, doing a country music festival in France (yes,
France), working with other comedians in the club circuit and doing a few
tours with Cricket legend Doug Walters. We had a lot in common, and it wasn’t
cricket.
Christine Clifford
Christine Clifford is a seasoned and soulful force in Australian country music, with a career spanning decades and a catalogue that reflects both her storytelling heart and her broad musical influences. Launching her career in South Australia, Christine first made her mark in local talent quests, earning acclaim for her vocal strength and heartfelt delivery.
She has claimed multiple titles at the South Australian Country Music Awards, with wins in Female Vocal, Duet, and Gospel categories. From country music festivals to renowned venues like the Adelaide Town Hall and the Santos gas fields, Christine’s powerful performances have resonated with audiences far and wide. She has also shared the stage with some of the industry’s most respected artists, including Gina Jeffreys and Beccy Cole.
Graeme Hugo
Graeme began his COUNTRY MUSIC career back in Dec 19972 at the age of 18. During the following years he has toured not only with his band (which he headlined for 20 years) but Graeme toured throughout Australia several times with many high profile artists & remained an Independent Artist to this date
(50 years on.) Graeme has performed at many clubs around Australia and one highlight was to open a show at the Sydney Opera House which he did on
many occasions while on tour. Graeme has mentored many amateur artists and help them gain experience in the industry & one (Talia Whitman) won the
prestigious STARMAKER in Tamworth. Over the years he has helped raise money for the Isolated Children, SIDS, Kids with Cancer, Aged Care, Angel
Flight, variety of clubs as well as individual fund raising for people with personal illnesses within the local communities. Past & present he still continues to
raise money for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, local charities & local FM radio stations. He has been heavily involved in hosting & assisting in running
many Country Music Festivals in South Australia and still continues to give advice when requested. .
In 2022 Graeme began small tours again and December was the start of his 50 years celebration of commitment to the Country Music Industry. Graeme was offered a
contract in his early years but married & began a family at a very young age and decided to remain an Independent Artist where he felt he could be of more value as a mentor
& promoter which he has done to this day.
Graeme is one of Australia’s most popular, hard working and successful Independent Country Artists with a natural appeal and rapport with audiences of all ages. He truly is
a crowd pleaser. He is acclaimed a ‘SA’s Favourite Son’ by media and fans alike owing to his clear and distinct voice. Such voices are not common but one such voice
however does belong to Graeme Hugo which gained him both wide acclaim and industry recognition for his professionalism, enthusiasm, dedication, dynamic & unique
contribution to the Country Music Industry. Years of constant travelling 8 successful albums with number 9 in progress, endless awards & accolades have well and truly
earned Graeme a prominent place among the cream of Australian Country Music entertainers.
Sunnyvale is a farming district situated in the heart of the NYP and is also the home of an approx 120 year old church where Graeme & Lynne with help from friends and
family have begun another chapter in their County Music Book of Life. “Sunnyvale” as it is known is predominately aimed at groups of people being brought in by coach
arriving at around 10.30am where they are greeted with morning tea & a chance to browse at the memorabilia. Then into the church hall for an hour and half concert
performed by Graeme & friends before heading into the dining hall for a 2 course meal. After a chat & stroll around they then depart by coach for their next destination at
approx. 2pm.
For more info please feel free to call Graeme on 0427810175 or email: hugo.country@bigpond.com
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Some Of Graeme's Highlights
ï‚· 1992 released first album “Raggedy Ann”ï‚· 1993 Won the Tasmanian & New Zealand Songwriter Award (Ballad Section)ï‚· 1994 SAMI (Sth Australian Music Industry) Award finalist & release of second album “I’m Coming Through”.ï‚· 1994 Golden Guitar Nominee (in the Bush Ballad section) held in Tamworth NSWï‚· 1997 Release of third album “Like Father Like son”ï‚· 1997 Graeme received an Australia Day Award for services to the outback communities.ï‚· 1998 Received a Citizen of the Year Award for his years of voluntary services to the outback communitiesï‚· Dec 2001 till 2005 (at his & wife Lynne’s home on Lincoln Park Station) hosted & co-ordinated entertainment for the Spencer GulfCM Festival (2 each year) raising monies for the Royal Flying Doctor Service.ï‚· 2002 saw Graeme win the prestigious South Australia Council for Country Music “2002 Industry Award” in appreciation of hiscontinued effort toward the development of Country Music in SA.ï‚· June 2003 Graeme was inducted into the “Hands of Fame” in SAï‚· August 2004 Graeme won the “2004 Adelaide Country Music Industry Award”ï‚· Feb 2005 he received the Victorian Lake Charlegrark Country Music Marathon “Outstanding Contribution Award”ï‚· Jan 2005 to 2013 hosted a coach to the Tamworth Country Music Festival held in NSWï‚· 2008 to current, Graeme began running entertainment for groups at a venue set up & leases on the York Peninsular in Sth Aust.ï‚· 2009 won the “People’s Choice Award” – most popular SA Country Music Artist (voted by people in clubs of SA)ï‚· 2011 released his 4 th album “You Asked For It”ï‚· 2011 Golden Medallion finalist – Media awards – Male Vocal sectionï‚· 2012 to current day - SA celebrity host for Goseetouring – hosting national & international Country Music tripsï‚· 2013 Citizen of the Year award for his service to the outback communitiesï‚· 2013 Community Event of the Year award – his services as the music co-ordinator for the Cowell CM & Ute Musterï‚· 2013 Golden Medallion Award nominee – Male Vocal - held in Tamworth.ï‚· 2013 Winner of the highly sort after “Terry Smith Achiever Award” – 2013 Recording Artist of the Year (held in Qld)ï‚· 2014 Golden Medallion Award nominee – Male Vocal - held in Tamworth.ï‚· 2014 Community Event of the Year award – his services as the music co-ordinator for the Cowell CM & Ute Musterï‚· 2015 Winner of the KrossKut Industry Award for outstanding contribution to Country Musicï‚· 2017 Inducted into the highly honoured AUSTRALIAN COUNTRY MUSIC HANDS OF FAME (Tamworth, NSW) with a display of hispersonal memorabilia on display in the museum & his handprint placed in concrete at the ‘Tamworth Hands of Fame’ park.ï‚· 2019 – 2021 Due to COVID 19 restrictions entertained when possible.ï‚· 2023 Celebrating 50 years in the Country Music Industry.ï‚· ‘2023 Red Carpet Award’ nominee held in Europeï‚· ‘2023 Dusty Boots Award’ nominee held in Dubbo, NSWï‚· 2023 Entertained & hosted tours to Norfolk Island and Fijiï‚· 2023 Released album no 7 – ‘50 Years On The Road with Graeme Hugo’ Volume 1 & album no 8 is Volume 2ï‚· ‘2024 Dusty Boots Award’ nominee held in Dubbo, NSWï‚· 2024 International Judge for the ‘2024 Red Carpet Awards’ held in Europeï‚· ‘2024 Red Carpet Award’ nominee. Awards are held in Europeï‚· 2024 Entertained & hosted tours to Singapore & Norfolk Island
Anthony Stewart Sound
Anthony and his team have provided the best sound for the festival at the Cobdogla Club venue for the past 4 years ,he also did sound for the previous festival.
Anthony has many hats ,being on the road many months with Amber Joy Poulton, The Sherrahs and now with his wife Tracy in The Stewies.
We are very blessed to have the calibre of a sound engineer such as Anthony and his team at the festival as nothing seems to be an issue and will always find away around things and as many artist say "the Soundman either makes or break you" and we are always confident Anthony will make us sound fantastic