Where bluegrass, old time, country and folk music meet, you will find the music of Hunter & Suzy Owens. Their entirely original repertoire draws upon the traditions of American roots music to tell their stories.
Hunter originally comes from Charlottesville, Virginia, USA, but has resided in Sydney, Australia since 1981. Suzy is a Sydney girl from the beautiful beachside suburb of Coogee. They have been song-writing seriously for the past 15 years and have recorded three CDs, two studio and one live, though their most recent one, "Heartsongs" was recorded in a live studio setting.
Their songwriting took them to MerleFest 2015, where they participated as finalists in the prestigious Chris Austin Songwriting Competition. They were fortunate enough to win the country section of that contest with their song "It Would Be Easier".
Hunter originally comes from Charlottesville, Virginia, USA, but has resided in Sydney, Australia since 1981. Suzy is a Sydney girl from the beautiful beachside suburb of Coogee. They have been song-writing seriously for the past 15 years and have recorded three CDs, two studio and one live, though their most recent one, "Heartsongs" was recorded in a live studio setting.
Their songwriting took them to MerleFest 2015, where they participated as finalists in the prestigious Chris Austin Songwriting Competition. They were fortunate enough to win the country section of that contest with their song "It Would Be Easier".
"Together Again" Reunion Gig: 30th June 2018 at the Leichhardt Bowling Club
A one-off performance by our country band lineup, featuring the fabulous playing of Jake Lardot, Tomi Graso and Doug Bligh and our original songs. If you are already familiar with this band then you will know it is a gig not to be missed! Come for a listen or bring your dancing shoes!
Details are on the "Gigs" page!
From 'The Northern Daily Leader'
April 30, 2015 (Article by Anna Rose)
Anna's Country Music Notes: Aussies making scene in US
IT’S been a huge week overseas for Aussies, and for one couple who went halfway around the world, it was well worth the effort. Sydney-based singer-songwriters Hunter & Suzy Owens emerged from last weekend’s MerleFest 2015 as winners of the country component of the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest. Held on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, MerleFest was founded in 1988 in memory of the late Eddy Merle Watson, son of American music legend Doc Watson. It’s a celebration of “traditional-plus” music, a unique mix of music based on the traditional, roots-oriented sounds of the Appalachian region, including bluegrass and old-time music, and expanded to include Americana, country, blues, rock and many other styles.The festival hosts numerous artists, performing on 13 stages during the four-day event.
As finalists, Hunter and Suzy’s song was selected from entries received from around the globe and they were invited to perform live at the event.
Now in its 23rd year, the contest is an extraordinary opportunity for aspiring writers to have their original songs heard and judged by a panel of music industry professionals, under the direction of this year’s volunteer contest chairman, Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Jim Lauderdale.
When Hunter and Suzy took the Austin Stage in Alumni Hall at MerleFest on Friday, April 24, the judges were mightily impressed by what they heard, naming them winners in the country section of the competition for their song, "It Would Be Easier".
As part of their finalist package, Hunter and Suzy were accommodated for the three nights of MerleFest and participated in a songwriting workshop with Jim Lauderdale, Jesse Bellamy, Peter Rowan and Bruce Robison.
Also part of their prize was a one-song contract with renowned label, Pinecastle Records and $500 to record their winning song.
Pinecastle Records will manufacture a four-track compilation CD of the winning songs from each section of the contest and distribute it to radio stations across the United States and Canada. Hunter and Suzy also received $500 from MerleFest and a performance slot on the Cabin Stage on Friday night of the festival.