Chambers, Nicholson, Williamson lead Gympie Muster 2016 lineup

Australia’s largest charity festival will celebrate its 35^th anniversary in August with some of Australia’s biggest country music artists.

John Williamson, Beccy Cole, The McClymonts and now-divorced country music luminaries Kasey Chambers and Shane Nicholson are among 120 artists set to take over the Sunshine Coast’s Amamoor Creek State Forest from Thursday 25th – Sunday 28th August.

Q&A: GYMPIE MUSIC MUSTER’S PROGRAM DIRECTOR JEFF CHANDLER

Interestingly, Chambers’ post-breakup record Bittersweet was launched at the Gympie Muster in 2014. The album topped the ARIA chart that year.

This announced line up is:

* KASEY CHAMBERS * JOHN WILLIAMSON * BECCY COLE (Muster Ambassador) * THE McCLYMONTS (Sam McClymont currently hosting Farmer Wants a Wife and one of only 10 shows they’re performing this year) * SHANE NICHOLSON * ADAM HARVEY * O’SHEA * COREY HARRIS (USA authentic ‘Delta Blues’ artist who has performed with BB King and was featured in a TV documentary directed by Martin Scorsese) * BENNETT, BOWTELL & URQUHART * CHRISTIE LAMB * HARRY HOOKEY * THE PIGS (always a Muster favourite) * KAYLEE BELL * MARSHALL OKELL * FANNY LUMSDEN* FERAL SWING KATZ * GRIZZLEE TRAIN * DALE DUNCAN * CASS EAGER * BEN RANSOM * LLOYD SPIEGEL * HURRICANE FALL * 

The Gympie Muster has raised $15 million for Queensland charities to date. In the past it’s raised funds for farmers in regional areas via its Buy A Bale campaign, and for YoungCare, which helps young people with a disability. The Muster’s 2016 main charity group is now being finalised.

Gympie Muster’s program director Jeff Chandler, who previously managed Shane Nicholson, said in a statement: "The Muster has a long history of presenting some of the best music Australia has to offer and this tradition continues with the inclusion of some of the biggest names in country music today. Singer songwriters such as Kasey Chambers and John Williamson enjoy legendary status while husband and wife duo O’Shea have been making their mark in the USA for the past few years.

"We have the winner of the ARIA Country Album in Shane Nicolson, the Best New Talent 2016 Golden Guitar artist, Christie Lamb and the hugely popular Beccy Cole. The Muster is inviting everyone to help celebrate its 35th anniversary and with this taste of the line up, and a lot more to be announced, it’s sure to be a hell of a party!" 

This year’s festival will see a change to the Blues Tent, as emerging “alt country” shows take over the afternoons and then traditional blues shows are set to take over the evenings. 

Muster co-founder and legendary country musician Berard Webb of The Webb Brothers added: “Seeing the success of the Muster over the past 35 years has been wonderful, bringing thousands of people together to celebrate county music, and what makes our country great - and we look forward to the next 35." 

Festival tickets range from $80 - $350 per person which includes camping. A number of other packages are also available. Children under 13 free; and youth (under 18) tickets start at $10 - please note all minors must be accompanied by an adult

To book tickets visit www.muster.com.au or phone: 1300 GET TIX (1300 438 849).