What Country Music Means To Groundwater CMF Artists: Part 1

According to one of the artists playing at Groundwater CMF 2024, country music is all about "love—finding it, losing it, celebrating it, and everyone can relate to that."

Christie Lamb

Groundwater Country Music Festival returns to the Gold Coast suburb of Broadbeach next month – Friday, 18 October to Sunday, 20 October – and to celebrate, acts appearing at this year’s event have shared what country music means to them in collaboration with Groundwater CMF and Countrytown.

The festival, which will soon welcome over 50 artists, including homegrown heroes Kasey Chambers, Shannon Noll and Adam Brand, as well as Canada’s Jess Moskaluke and Tim Hicks, is unlike any other event on the Australian music festival calendar, according to Brand.

The Australian country music star said, “There’s nothing like Groundwater! It’s something pretty unique to be blasting out country music in the middle of the holiday strip right on the beach... oh and did I mention it’s totally free?! Does it get any better?”

WIN a VIP Experience, Travel & Accommodation Package To Groundwater CMF 2024

Yep, the Groundwater Country Music Festival is held right next to a beach, bringing lively music and community to the Gold Coast.

Read on to find out what country music means to artists, including Josh Setterfield, Christie Lamb, Max Jackson, Matt Ward, and many more, ahead of this year’s Groundwater Country Music Festival.

And, don’t forget, this is only part one: there’s more to come.

What does country music mean to you?

Christie Lamb

Country Music feels like home to me. It's a safe space to put my feelings into a song and share my stories with friends at a show. I love how country music can connect everyone from all walks of life.

Josh Setterfield

The old saying “Three chords and the truth” is still relevant, even though nowadays there may be a couple extra chords thrown in there, haha.

Country is blended with a lot of genres lately, but no matter what genre it combines with and what experimental path it might take... It will always have that same heart.

Jayne Denham

I grew up on Country and Aussie Pub Rock music and was blessed to have a very happy childhood, so no matter what life throws at me, playing Country music always makes me happy.

Emily Grace Taylor

Listening to country music feels like coming home, and making it means getting to share my stories with an open heart in hopes others resonate with them and feel a little less alone.

Jim Lauderdale

Country music, to me, is a way to bring people together. When you hear sorrow and heartbreak expressed in a beautiful melody, you feel less alone. When you hear a Telecaster sliding through some rowdy rapid-fire solos, you feel energised and excited. It’s all about love – finding it, losing it, celebrating it, and everyone can relate to that.

Max Jackson

Country Music is one of the best parts of my life. As a fan, growing up and still today, [it’s] a constant source of inspiration and connection. As an artist, it is a way to express myself, share my story and connect with others who love it, too. Country music is and always will be the perfect genre for me—the storytelling and the community of fans and artists. It’s down to earth and just the best!

Matt Ward

For me, country music is the perfect vehicle for expressing matters of the heart, adventures on the road, and my love for the land.

Matt Scullion

Just about everything. It’s who I am; it’s what I identify with. It digs a little deeper and tells the real story.

Lisa De Angelis

I've dedicated my whole life to it, so I guess, for me, Country Music is a way of life. It's about human connection and getting all the best and worst feelings out to share with the folks around you - three chords, and the truth is right!

Brittany Elise

Country Music is just every part of who I am—the authentic, real stories to be told, the genuine people and dedicated fans, the country sounds I grew up listening to with a modern flavour.

Open Season Band

To us, country music is about embracing a shared experience with other fellow country fans. Whether we’re picking a song by the campfire or standing on stage at Groundwater, we all know we’re there for a good time, and everyone is family.

Will Day

Way of life.

Melanie Dyer

It means home, family, truth… it's in my bones.

GROUNDWATER COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL 2024

SECOND ARTIST ANNOUNCEMENT

Adam Brand
The Linda Ronstadt Show featuring Ella Hooper
Jess Moskaluke
Davidson Brothers
Melanie Dyer
Abbie Ferris
Route 33
Col Finley
Will Day
Open Season Band
Matt Ward
Brooke Schubert
Matt Scullion
Brittany Elise
Jimbo Stokes
Lewis McKee
Lisa De Angelis
Kora Naughton
Broadwaters