New Tourism Australia campaign a major boost for Tasmanian singer’s career

$250M campaign launched in Shanghai, features Tasmanian singer-songwriter.

Tasmanian singer/songwriter, Dewayne Everettsmith, received a major boost to his career yesterday, when Tourism Australia launched the next phase of its “There’s nothing Like Australia” campaign in Shanghai.

The new $250M campaign is built around an advertisement which is to begin airing in the USA, UK, China and Australia in coming days and will be rolled out to a further eighteen countries over several months.

Everettsmith co-wrote and sings the ad’s soundtrack, “It’s Like Love”.

On being part of the campaign, Everettsmith said, “Naturally, I’m really excited, and proud, to be a part of this marketing campaign. The ads are beautiful, with very high-quality production, and to have co-written and be singing the soundtrack is awesome.”

“But what’s really special for me is the idea that here am I – a guy from just about the bottom of the planet, still to get my first album out – and my voice has gone out there, around the world, singing to people about my country. I like that!”

Despite his debut album being some months from hitting the shelves, Everettsmith has already achieved things many performers only dream about – , G’Day USA, played the Opera House, toured Europe, supported John Farnham and GeoffreyGurrumul Yunupingu and even performed a private show for Oprah Winfrey’s best friend, Gayle King.

Dewayne’s biography is attached.

For interviews with Dewayne or further media inquiries – Martine Delaney, 0417 530 621

Two versions of the Tourism Australia ad can be found on YouTube at

180 sec – http://youtu.be/3pOVfJwBd5s

90 sec – http://youtu.be/afQNJjuWxQs

All about Dewayne Everettsmith

“ … as a support act on this tour, a Tasmanian, Dewayne Everettsmith, a uniquely gifted singer with hints of the soul of Marvin Gaye and the sunny beauty of Johnny Nash. His short opening set, full of memorable songs and glorious harmonies, was spellbinding”.
Bruce Elder, Sydney Morning Herald, 31 August 2011

High praise, indeed, from Australia’s pre-eminent music critic. But, typical of the praise heaped on Dewayne around Australia during a recent national tour with Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu.

And audiences were even more enthusiastic when Dewayne repeated this support role for eight shows across Europe during October – with the promoter, Dramatico Entertainment’s managing director Andrew Bowles, saying, “We’ve never before had such an amazing audience response to a support act.”

You can’t buy his debut album, it won’t be completed until mid-2012. He’s not backed by a major label or pushed by a big-league promoter. And yet – on his stage presence, song writing and the beauty of his voice – he’s spoken of as a rising star, a future great, of the Australian music industry.

Even without the album, or serious industry support, Dewayne has been places and done things most Australian performers only dream of …
• Supported Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu nationally and in Europe;
• Performed a private show for Oprah Winfrey’s girlfriend, Gayle King, and Oprah’s famous “Road Trippers”;
• Starred in a Tourism Australia video, receiving over 560,000 hits on Youtube;
• Supported artists of the calibre of Archie Roach, John Farnham and Guy Sebastian;
• Wowed audiences in two shows with the prestigious Black Arm Band – including a duet with Paul Kelly during the Melbourne International Arts Festival;
• Performed in Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York as part of G’Day USA; and
• Been appointed national ambassador for the official Save the Tasmanian Devil Appeal.

Most recently, he’s been signed to be the voice of Tourism Australia’s international marketing campaign.

None of this is surprising, though. From his childhood appearances within his own Tasmanian Aboriginal community, through many festival stages around Australia and across the Pacific, his audition for Australian Idol, one thing has become very clear – Dewayne’s a very special performer.

One of those rare performers with a gift, a presence. Dewayne simply tells his story, sings to a crowded room, and most individuals listening feel he’s singing just for them. He can’t explain it and he’s not consciously trying to use it; it’s just there, it’s just him.

He’s an Aboriginal man, descended from both the Aboriginal community of Cape Barren Island and the Gunai/Kurnai people of Victoria, but his music can’t be neatly pigeonholed as Indigenous. It’s been influenced by his heritage, then shaped by his tough early years and his love of so many musical styles and great singers.

Never doubt it – Dewayne Everettsmith, a name and a voice you’ll be hearing much from for years to come.

Label – Skinnyfish Music – www.skinnyfishmusic.com.au