Fanny Lumsden will soon return to the Riverina. Photo: Supplied.
Country music star Fanny Lumsden has returned to her Riverina roots, releasing a new single filmed in Narrandera, where she will perform on Friday 10 March, ahead of a schedule which will include concerts in Yenda and Tallimba.
In April, the singer embarks on her country halls tour, a concept she launched when an unknown artist in 2012 with the aim of both bringing live music to small towns that usually don’t get any events, as well as raising funds for the local community.
“When we started, it was supposed to be a one-off to raise money for BlazeAid [which helps rural Australians impacted by natural disasters],” Ms Lumsden said. “We put on the three free shows and passed the hat around to raise money … since then we have played in over 200 country halls across the country.”
Her first country hall show was held in Tallimba – a small town near West Wyalong where she grew up. Since then, the concerts have evolved into events that are run to raise money for the venues themselves.
“I open applications on my website, we usually have 80 halls apply and we try and schedule them in … we try to make them affordable, they all usually sell out … money raised goes back into the hall to pay the insurance or get a new roof or whatever. These spaces are so amazing but often they sit there and don’t get used … we give people the full experience. We do the same show in Brewarrina that we would do in Sydney.”
Ms Lumsden said her first country halls tour helped launch her career, so she wanted to give others the chance to do the same.
“Growing up in Tallimba, I never had the chance to play on a stage, so I gave an opportunity for local acts to perform. It might change their career; it’s their chance to get up in a full production.”
Her latest single is called Millionaire, the video clip for which was filmed in Narrandera and uploaded on YouTube on Monday 6 March 2023.
“Like a lot of firsts, getting your first car is a season of freedom that you can never quite live again. Mine came in the form of a Daewoo Cielo, bought off the side of the road in Griffith, NSW at age 18. I have never really wanted fancy things and to me the ultimate day is heading to the river, music blaring in the car, with family and friends. I am aware it takes a certain level of luck and privilege to feel that way, and also that a million dollars is not even the median price for a modest house anymore … but it is the sentiment that counts. Give me a drive through the redgum forest and arvo at the river, lots of people, love and chaos around my kitchen table and I’m a millionaire.”
Ms Lumsden will perform at the Narrandera Exies on Friday 10 March, before embarking on her country halls tour to several smaller locations, including Yenda Memorial Hall on Friday 28 April and Tallimba Public Hall on Saturday 29 April. Tickets and a full list of venues are available on her website.
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