Australian Shorts

 Frontier Touring’s Michael Gudinski is one of the producers of a new tele-movie about the life of influential Australian music TV host, record producer and journalist Ian “Molly” Meldrum. 

Photo: AP Photo
File photo depicting Bob Dylan performing in Los Angeles.

It will be screened on free-to-air Seven Network, which pulled huge ratings this year with the two-part “INXS: Never Tear Us Apart” series.

Chugg Entertainment added to Bob Dylan’s 15-date theatre run, with an Aug. 27 stop at the 1,500-capacity Tivoli in Brisbane, in addition to his show two days before at the Brisbane Convention Centre.

Due to touring commitments in the U.S. on the back of her hit Hideaway, Ke$ha canceled a promo tour downunder that included a Sept. 2 show at Sydney’s . Future Music and Frontier Touring are bringing her back for a full tour to be announced.

Victoria’s New Year’s Eve festival Beyond The Valley hastily apologised for using the image of a First American in headdress in its promotional material. It explained, “We draw inspiration from a variety of mythological creatures and ancient cultures to help support the festival’s strong focus on freedom.”

This year’s Red Hot Summer Tour classic hits series boasts major names Hoodoo GurusJames ReyneDaryl Braithwaite and Boom Crash Opera. Other retro-acts The AngelsMondo RockIan Moss and Diesel make appearances at some shows. The tour does six dates Jan. 3 to March 14.

Former Modular booking agent Paul Stix launched a booking, touring and events agency UNDR ctrl, with 27 acts.

They include CanyonsVan SheBag Raiders, emerging act Albert Salt and teen producer Just A Gent.

Damian Cunningham joined the National Live Music Office as director of Audience and Sector Development. He will work with the Government, the music industry and hospitality sector to increase gig for musicians and help grow the venue-based live music industry.

Cunningham worked in bookings and logistic at major festivals Big Day Out, Splendour in the Grass and Peats Ridge and ran his own live music services company Elastic Entertainment.

The New South Wales government offered a A$10,000 ($9,324,000) reward for information on the murder of Crispin Dye, who was involved in ’s management for seven years in the 1980s.

On Dec. 22, 1993, the 41-year old was celebrating the release of his A Heart Like Mine album (as Cris Kemp) at clubs around Sydney. He was bashed and robbed by three teenagers. Various investigations and a coronial inquest in 1995 failed to identify the killers.