Groundwater Country Music Festival (CMF) will shine the spotlight on First Nations songwriting this October, with Country Calling, an intimate showcase of music, culture and storytelling featuring Nathan Lamont, Georgia Corowa and Joey Leigh Wagtail.
Presented by the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Music Office (NATSIMO) and inspired by the songwriter-round format made famous by Nashville’s Bluebird Café, each artist will perform their own songs and share the stories and experiences behind them.
Stories of culture, community, place and connection to Country will sit alongside the music, giving audiences a deeper insight into the creative process and experiences that have shaped each songwriter.
Experience Gold Coast Festival Director Mark Duckworth said Country Calling was an exciting addition to this year’s Groundwater CMF program, giving music lovers the chance to discover three talented First Nations artists in an intimate setting.
“Groundwater has always been about investing in new talent, giving artists opportunities to shine and showcasing the incredible breadth of Australian country music,” said Mark Duckworth. “Country Calling really brings that to life and gives these artists a platform to share not only their music, but the stories behind their songs, and audiences the chance to engage with them in a really special way.”
NATSIMO Program Manager Sue Ray said Country Calling demonstrates the role live music can play in creating opportunities for artists while building connections with audiences.
“NATSIMO is deeply proud to be delivering the Country Calling showcase, as it demonstrates the power of music to create opportunity, connection and lasting impact,” said Sue Ray. “For artists, it provides a pathway to new audiences, industry networks and professional growth.
For the community, it offers a unique opportunity to engage with authentic First Nations stories and experiences, helping to build a richer, more inclusive and vibrant Australian music landscape.”
The three artists taking part each bring their own musical backgrounds, stories and perspectives to the showcase.
Nathan Lamont, a proud Wiradjuri artist, has amassed more than three million streams since debuting in 2023. Lamont was named the 2025 CMAA Sister City Nashville Exchange recipient and is also a three-time Toyota Star Maker Grand Finalist.
Joining Lamont is Georgia Corowa, a Bundjalung, Innigai and South Sea Islander acoustic singer-songwriter. Corowa’s career has included national and international performances and collaborations, including touring with Xavier Rudd and performing alongside Emma Donovan.
Rounding out the Showcase is Joey Leigh Wagtail, a Dunghutti singer-songwriter whose music draws strongly from his life experiences and connection to culture. Music has been part of his life since childhood, with songwriting becoming an important form of expression throughout his career. He is currently working towards the release of his sophomore album, Austral Eden.
The showcase forms part of the 13th annual Groundwater Country Music Festival, returning to Broadbeach on the Gold Coast from Friday 16 – Sunday 18 October 2026. The festival promises three unforgettable days of live music, community and country culture, where boots meet the beach and country comes to the coast.
This year’s line-up is led by Kasey Chambers, alongside Kaylee Bell, The Wolfe Brothers, Beccy Cole, James Blundell, Kingswood, Lane Pittman, Henry Wagons, Andrew Swift, Hayley Jensen, Tyla Rodrigues, Ruth Moody, Austin Mackay, Jarrad Wrigley, Dear Tommie, Midnight Chicken and many more.
Groundwater CMF remains a community-focused festival that brings people together through a shared love of live music and unforgettable experiences. From bluegrass breakfasts and beachside line dancing to sunset sessions and after-dark celebrations, the festival continues to offer something for every kind of country music fan, drawing tens of thousands of visitors from across Australia and beyond each year.
Groundwater Country Music Festival is produced by Experience Gold Coast and supported by the Queensland Government, through Tourism and Events Queensland.
SEE COUNTRY CALLING AT GROUNDWATER COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL
Sunday 18 October 2026
11:45am–12:45pm
Broadbeach
