Felicity Urquhart and Josh Cunningham Release Title Track From Duets Album “Birdsong”

Country is one of those genres that elicits pretty strong reactions in me. I either love it or hate it: there is no in between. That’s the reason I didn’t review Felicity Urquhart and Josh Cunningham’s collaborative album Birdsong last year. While there were songs I loved, there were plenty that also weren’t my cup of tea. It’s also why I’m excited that they’ve released the title track, one of my favourite cuts from this release. The song was inspired by an ancient Chinese proverb, “Always keep a green branch in your heart so a singing bird may come.”

“It’s easy to die inside and become unwilling to keep your branch outstretched,” Felicity added. “When you’ve suffered it can make you untrusting and protective.”

Speaking of his musical partner, Josh said “I was inspired by her resilience and openness in the wake of recent personal tragedy. When I encountered that proverb, I felt that she was its living embodiment. Not only was her branch green and outstretched – she was the singing bird too! I wrote the song by a river in the golden glow of a late summer evening with a chorus of cicadas swelling and pulsing in harmony.”

Felicity and Josh are bringing the music from Birdsong to the following cities in the coming months.

24 January 2024 – Capitol Theatre, Kamilaroi Country/Tamworth
22 March 2024 – St. Brigids Church Crossley, Gunditjmara Country/Warrnambool
23 March 2024 – Palais-Hepburn, Dja Dja Wurrung Country/Hepburn Springs
24 March 2024 – Watchem Church, Watchupga/Watchem
31 March – 1 April 2024 – National Folk Festival, Ngambri/Canberra

Image used with permission from Wildheart Publicity

Felicity Urquhart and Troy Cassar-Daley to Host Country Music Awards

Felicity Urquhart and Troy Cassar-Daley will share hosting duties at the 37th CMAA Country Music Awards.

Troy, a 14 times CMAA winner, said it was “a great honour” to host the show.

“I’m really looking forward to being on stage as a co-host with Felicity, especially as it’s an opportunity to say more than a few lines as I usually do as a presenter,” he said in a statement.

“Tamworth and I have a lot of history and I look forward to continuing to be a part of that history moving forward into 2009 at the 37th ‘Golden Guitar’ Awards.”

Felicity is similarly chuffed.

“It will be great to join Troy in hosting the 2009 CMAA Country Music Awards. The Awards represent the highest achievements in the Australian country music industry and to join my peers on our ‘night of nights’ is an honour.”

Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson, John Williamson, Adam Brand, The McClymonts, The Slim Dusty Family, Catherine Britt, and Melinda Schneider will all perform on the night. The 37th CMAA Country Music Awards will hit Tamworth Regional Entertainment and Convention Centre on January 24.

Image source: Adam.J.W.C. @ Wikimedia Commons