Country stars to shine at Julia Creek Dirt n Dust Festival

Iconic outback event, The Julia Creek Dirt n Dust Festival, will host two of Australia's hottest country music artists in 2012, it was announced today (Wednesday, December 7, 2011).

2011 Toyota Star Maker winner and Golden Guitar Nominee Luke Dickens and widely-praised country pop sensation and Golden Guitar winner Victoria Baillie will take the stage in a free concert on Friday, April 20 – the opening night of the three-day Festival.

Dirt n Dust organiser Margie Ryder said Dickens and Baillie were exciting additions to the already chock-full program.

"Every year, the Saturday night Dirt n Dust concert is a chance for Festival-goers to let their hair down, celebrate the winners of one of the world’s toughest triathlons – or perhaps their own winnings on the horses -- , and soak up the spirit of Queensland's outback," Mrs Ryder said.

"Luke Dickens and Victoria Baillie embody everything that Dirt n Dust is about -- passion, hard work and the guts to go out and achieve their goals.

"We are thrilled to have two of Australia's hottest country acts on board for Dirt n Dust, and expect they will help draw record crowds in 2012,”"said Mrs Ryder.

If praise from industry greats such as Lee Kernaghan and Troy Cassar-Daley is anything to go by, Golden Guitar winner Victoria Baillie will wow the Dirt n Dust crowd with her fresh take on country music.

"It's exciting to be involved in an event that does so much every year to promote the forgotten parts of Queensland," Baillie said

"The wonders of the country are right on people's doorsteps, but are often over shadowed by coastal and overseas holidays. The Dirt n Dust Festival does a great job at reconnecting people with the outback and one another and I’m thrilled that I’ll be able to contribute in April," said Baillie.

Touted 'Australia's best known shearer' and Australian Idol runner-up, Luke Dickens says the Dirt n Dust Festival is 'must' see event.

"I certainly encourage people who've never experienced outback hospitality to come along to Dirt n Dust and find out what they've been missing.

"I am where I am today because of a dare – sometimes a new experience can lead to unimaginable conquests," said Dickens.

In addition to the free concert, Julia Creek Dirt n Dust Festival offers three days of non-stop challenges and entertainment including the Cannington Dirt n Dust Triathlon and Junior Triathlon, the Clean It Dirt n Dust Bullride sanctioned by PBR, the BHP Artesian Express Horse Race, an exclusive Red Claw luncheon, the Australia’s Best Butt Competition, novelty events such as bog snorkeling and ongoing family entertainment.

The Julia Creek Dirt n Dust Festival will be held on April 20-22, 2012.

For more information, please visit www.dirtndust.com.

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