WAYNE HORSBURGH - Biography

Wayne Horsburgh

Since 1997 Wayne Horsburgh has been based in Branson, Missouri (the new home for Country music and live Entertainment in the U.S.A with 7 million visitors anually). In 1998, 1999, 2002 and 2003 Wayne represented Australia at the International World-Fest at Silver Dollar City, Branson, along with 500 other International entertainers.

Wayne also appeared at the 'Great American Music Festival' at Silver Dollar City, four years running (1998-2001) with the Horse Creek Band. During The Music/Craft Festival in September and October 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005, Wayne performed hundreds of shows, again backed by the Horse Creek Band. Wayne returned in April 2006 for the International World-Fest and was backed by a Czech Republic Orchestra! In 2007 Wayne represented Australia once again at the World-Fest, taking the audience on a tour of the islands.

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In 1991, Wayne represented Australia at the Nashville 'International Fan Fair', where he performed on the grandstand stage. Each year until 2003 he had his own booth at 'Fan Fair', signing autographs alongside many of the legends of American Country Music. Wayne has become well-known in Wisconsin, not only for Country Music, but also for his performances in the Polka music scene. Since 1999, Wayne has appeared at many County Fairs in Wisconsin, backed by The Music Connection polka band, and they also performed at the Hodag Country Festival in Rhinelander, Wisconsin, July 11th 2002. Appearing with Wayne that night, were Lorrie Morgan and Sammy Kershaw, while also appearing at the Festival over the weekend were Toby Keith, Neal McCoy, Alabama, The Wilkinsons, Leroy Van Dyke and many others. In 2007 Wayne performed at the 30th anniversary Hodag Festival, being his 9th appearance on this huge show. Wayne returns to Wisconsin each year in July for a variety of shows.

1999
- Wayne wins
Country Male Performer
at the A.C.E.(Australian Club
Entertainment) Awards,
sharing the title
with Troy Cassar-Daley.

In 2004, Wayne again won the A.C.E. Award in this category!

Born and raised in the Victorian countryside near Benalla, Wayne Horsburgh started singing at a young age,forming his own dance band at age 11 . One of his early musical influences was Slim Whitman, hence the love for yodelling - a crowd pleaser at his shows. Wayne's career has taken him all over the world, developing a huge fan following in Australia, New Zealand, Britain and the United States. His big break in the U.S. came when he was invited to perform at Wisconsin's Hodag Country Festival in 1989, sharing the stage with internationally renowned performers like Emmylou Harris, The Oak Ridge Boys, Freddy Fender and Ricky Van Shelton. The Festival attracts an estimated crowd of 40,000 people. Critics applauded him with "it would be a mild understatement to say that Wayne Horsburgh was the hit of the show... in fact he should have been arrested for the brazen way in which he stole the show". Recognising his talent and popularity, the organisers booked him back eight more times! Since then, he has also performed at many other County Fairs, Festivals and Theatres throughout the United States over many years.

Wayne's albums have been released on Rotation Records (Aust) Pty Ltd - a prolific association that has resulted in a total of 21 album releases, including a special new extended edition of 'I Still Call Australia Home'. The latest two releases are distributed on the Jasmine Records label. These are Songs of the Islands Volume One and Can You Hear Those Pioneers?. Other titles include A Salute To Slim Whitman, An Aussie Ozark Christmas with Wayne, Memories & Guitar Strings, Land of Enchantment, The Old Country Church and Favourites. He has won 5 Australian Entertainment 'MO' Awards and notched up 19 nominations, for excellence in live entertainment in the 'Best Male Country Performer' category. In 2004, Wayne was also nominated for the 'MO' Award in the prestigious 'Australian Showbusiness Ambassador Of The Year' category, alongside Barry Humphries (Dame Edna), Hugh Jackman, Kylie Minogue, James Morrison and Keith Urban.

A trailblazer for other Australian performers in international markets, Wayne Horsburgh will continue to perform and record his unique brand of musical style - establishing himself as 'the people's entertainer'.