THE FRONTIER TOURING COMPANY
The Frontier Touring Company is one of the most respected, long standing, and proactive concert promoters in Australasia. Formed in 1979, Frontier has had a fundamental role in entertaining Australians and New Zealanders across three decades.
In the 2008 Pollstar End Of Year results Frontier continued it's reign as Australasia's #1 Concert Promoter, coming in the number 15 spot Internationally with its closest Australasian competitor coming in at 27.
Since forming, The Frontier Touring Company has toured some of the worlds most established and up and coming artists. Many of the most successful tours were the result of years of planning and the gradual (or sometimes meteoric) increase in venue size from tour to tour over the span of an artist's career.
1989 saw a major coup for The Frontier Touring Company with the Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr. and Liza Minnelli Ultimate Event shows in Sydney and Melbourne. The shows, which were overwhelmingly well received in Australia, sadly proved to be Sammy Davis Jr.'s last trip down under, with the performer passing away the following year.
The Frontier Touring Company continued to raise the bar on tours to Australasia presenting the biggest concerts in the history of Australian rock music with the Guns N' Roses tour at Eastern Creek, Sydney (71,000) and Calder Park, Melbourne (66,000) in 1993. These events have been hailed as the best run, organised and most trouble-free concerts ever. It was to be less than a year, however, before Frontier was to top this incredible success with Madonna's Girlie Show Tour - an event that saw the realisation of five years of planning. It was without doubt the biggest tour Australia had ever seen, with more than 500,000 people attending.
In 2001 and 2002 Australia caught Kylie "Fever" and it was literally impossible to move without hearing something relating to Kylie and her sell out concerts. The On A Night Like This tour in 2001 was a record breaking twenty show sell out success across Australia's arena venues. Without doubt the tour launched Kylie to super stardom levels in Australia. In 2002 Kylie returned with the limited date Fever tour of Sydney and Melbourne. All twelve available show dates immediately sold out.
In 2003 The Frontier Touring Company continued to predict trends ahead of the rest. When the name Norah Jones meant little to anyone, Frontier had her signed and committed to tour Australia. Eight Grammy Awards later, with sell out shows across Australia and the world, Norah Jones is now one of the most successful artists this decade, returning in 2005 for a major arena and winery tour.
In 2004 Frontier toured more than 35 individual concert tours. Continuing its tradition of working across a broad spectrum of styles, the company toured acts as diverse as Justin Timberlake, Franz Ferdinand, Elvis Costello, Dashboard Confessional, The Killers, PJ Harvey and Maroon 5. The overwhelming success story of the year was without doubt the Eagles Farewell I tour with 15 concerts selling out across Australia, verifying the bands legendary status yet again and securing them the record of Australia's highest grossing indoor tour to date.
2005 was another massive year for Frontier with Rod Stewart, Bryan Adams, Michael Franti, Xzibit, Diana Krall, Ben Lee, John Legend, Norah Jones, Green Day, Simple Plan, Velvet Revolver, The Dears, Death From Above 1979, Madeleine Peyroux, Dogs Die In Hot Cars, The Used, Foo Fighters, John Fogerty, Black Eyed Peas, and many, many more gracing our shores. 2005 also saw the sudden shock postponement of Kylie's 20 concert Australian Showgirl tour after she was diagnosed with cancer. Determined to complete the tour, Kylie announced rescheduled dates for her revamped Showgirl Homecoming Tour just 12 months after her diagnosis, much to the delight of the tens of thousands of fans who had held onto tickets.
2006 proved to be another huge year for Frontier as the company continued to grow and strengthen its position as Australia and New Zealand's leading concert promoter. James Blunt, Taking Back Sunday, David Gray, Split Enz, Dashboard Confessional, Arctic Monkeys, The Countdown Spectacular, Rockstar - Taste Of Chaos 06, The Strokes, and the Foo Fighters at Sydney Opera House were just a sample of the exciting and diverse talent that toured under the Frontier banner.
Billy Joel, Kylie, AFI, Rise Against, Modest Mouse, Tenacious D, Madeleine Peyroux, Lionel Richie, Tim Finn, The Killers, Crowded House, Arctic Monkeys, Christina Augilera, Kaiser Chiefs, Snow Patrol and many more headed to Australia in 2007, which Justin Timberlake's FutureSex/LoveShow tour had audiences and critics alike declaring it the tour of 2007.
2008 was a huge year for Frontier, with the company scoring the coveted #1 Australasian Promoter spot. With over 40 tours across the year Australian and New Zealand audiences were entertained by some of the world's most exciting artists, including PJ Harvey, Rod Stewart, The Police, Maroon 5, Foo Fighters, Simple Plan, Snow Patrol, Billy Joel, Crowded House, Sting & Edin Karamazov, Anti-Flag, MGMT and Kylie.
2009 promises to deliver another year of musical goodies, with Leonard Cohen, The Cardinals, Fall Out Boy, The Veronicas, Amanda Palmer & The Danger Ensemble, Kings Of Leon, Rise Against, Nine Inch Nails and The Killers all set to perform.
Headed by Michael Gudinski and part of the Mushroom Group of Companies, The Frontier Touring Company has developed into one of the most highly respected touring companies in the Southern Hemisphere and continues to produce some of the most memorable tours to ever visit "down under".
MICHAEL GUDINSKI
Chairman - Mushroom Group Of Companies
He's been called the rock guru, the music mogul, the mushroom man, and is widely recognised as one of the most important figures in the history of the Australian music industry. Irrefutably he is a man of many faces and his many business interests reflect the multiple facets of both his personality and his talents.
Born to Russian immigrants in 1952, the future success of Michael Gudinski could probably have been predicted back in 1959. At the ripe old age of seven years Michael showed his entrepreneurial side on Caulfield Cup day when he charged race goers for parking spaces in a vacant block next to his home. From there he never looked back, promoting gigs at Melbourne halls for alternative acts like Chain and The Aztecs and developing his first taste for what would be a life long love affair with the music industry.
In 1972 Michael and business partner Ray Evans staged, managed and booked all the entertainment at the legendary new Sunbury Festival. The pair also made quite a tidy profit off selling watermelons at the event. In the same year Michael simultaneously founded Mushroom Records - which was to eventually develop into the largest independent record label in Australian music - and Mushroom Music, which is today the principal independent publishing company in Australia.
At the same time, Michael developed his interest in the touring industry, promoting his first ever international tour John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers with partner Ray Evans to overwhelming success. With tickets priced at $2.50, $3.50 and $4.50 Michael admits to making more money out of one night's show than he had ever dreamed possible -and all at the age of 20.
Michael was also managing a number of up and coming bands at this time, including Chain and Skyhooks. Both bands were to produce number one hits, but it was Skyhooks which went on to cement the future success of Mushroom Records.
The ensuing years saw Michael ride the roller coaster that was the developing Australian music industry, winning in some areas, experiencing losses in others.
PREMIER/HARBOUR
Around the same time that The Frontier Touring Company was finding its feet, Michael and his partners started Premier Artists Talent (Melbourne) and the Harbour Agency (Sydney). These organisations developed into the largest booking agency in the country, with the cream of Australian live music represented.
ATM
Michael also foresaw that merchandising would be as much a part of entertainment and touring as the events themselves. In 1983 he started up Australian Tour Merchandising (ATM), which grew steadily over the years to become the premier live music merchandising company in the country. ATM now represents many of the major international merchandising companies as well as nurturing relationships with the smaller, independent artists, a philosophy close to Michael's heart.
TELEVISION & FILM
In the 70s Michael made his first foray into television production, producing the popular series Nightmoves.
1995 saw Michael and Martin Fabinyi launch Mushroom Pictures, which has subsequently released a number of films including Cut, Gettin' Square, Macbeth and Chopper. Chopper, co-produced by Michael, opened Australia-wide in August 2000, and became the highest-grossing R-rated film ever released in Australia, reaching the #1 box office position. In 2005, the critically acclaimed movie Wolf Creek rocketed to the #1 box office position in its first week of release in Australia.
In 2007 Mushroom Pictures in association with SBS Television debuted the Great Australian Album television series; the critically acclaimed series focused on classic Australian albums, with in-depth interviews with the artists.
VENUES
Another branch was added to the Mushroom tree in 1997 when Michael, in partnership with Philip Jacobsen and Frank Stivala, opened the doors of The Mercury Lounge in Melbourne with a memorable launch starring Grammy Award winner Sheryl Crow and a surprise appearance by Elton John. Since opening, artists of the calibre of B.B. King, Bob Dylan, Richie Sambora, Bush, Julian Lennon, Matchbox 20 and Kylie Minogue have performed at The Mercury Lounge. In 2006 the Mercury Lounge closed its doors, but a new and exciting Melbourne venue is waiting in the wings.
MUSHROOM RECORDS
In 1998 Michael sold Mushroom Records to Murdoch's News Limited Group while retaining the Mushroom Group name. 1993 had seen the Murdoch Group become a shareholder in Mushroom Records and the company continued to move from strength to strength. Considerable successes with Kylie in Australia and the UK had set up Mushroom Records as a notable force in the recording industry, and UK artist signings with Ash and Garbage (four Grammy nominations) and Peter Andre's #1 success with his Mysterious Girl single and the Natural album in the UK charts cemented the organisation's expansion into the UK. The eventual sale in 1998 coincided with the 25th Anniversary of Mushroom Records and over 75,000 people helped celebrate the occasion with a spectacular concert at the MCG in Melbourne, starring more than 60 artists and lasting nine hours.
MUSHROOM MUSIC
In 1999 Mushroom Music, the publishing arm of the Mushroom Group, celebrated its 25th Anniversary. It remains the largest independent publishing company in Australia and number one publisher of Australian music. The catalogue features some of Australia and the world's premiere artists including; Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jack Johnson, The White Stripes, The Vines, Nick Cave, Kylie Minogue, Tim Finn, Neil Finn and many more. Mushroom Music also continues to exclusively supply Australia's leading locally produced television shows including Home & Away.
In November 2005 Mushroom Music Publishing bought Festival Publishing from News Limited, strengthening its position as the largest Australasian independent music publisher. This purchase brings Powderfinger, George, Tim Rogers, Amiel, Gerling, Tex Perkins, producer Barry Palmer and the legendary Richard Clapton, amongst others into the fold.
Mushroom Publishing launched into New Zealand late 2005, creating the country's first locally based major publishing company.
ROUNDHOUSE
As a pro-active partner in Roundhouse Entertainment, this company has seen the development of the highly successful A Day On The Green concert series in Australia, which continues to increase in popularity with every year, presenting international acts such as Jackson Browne, Jewel, John Fogerty, Joe Cocker, Rod Stewart, Lionel Richie and Elvis Costello and top Australian artists such as Paul Kelly, Jimmy Barnes, Pete Murray and Missy Higgins. In 2008 A Day On The Green launched into the New Zealand market with successful shows by Joe Cocker in three winery regions, the final quarter of 2009 sees a big season of shows planned including John Mellencamp and Sheryl Crow.
MEDIA
In 2000, Michael bought into mcm Entertainment which is Australia's largest radio production and syndication company, providing feature radio programs such as Take 40 Australia, The Jonathon Coleman Experience, My Generation, The Hot Hits & Planet Rock to over 160 radio stations across the country. The company also leads online music entertainment with top rating sites take40.com, thehothits.com and planetrockevolution.com and maintains a unique event and television production division, creating content for multi media platforms, such a Vodafone Live At The Chapel. In 2005, Michael, along with Tony McGinn bought out Austereo's 50% share in mcm Entertainment giving them 100% control.
MUSHROOM GROUP PROMOTIONS
In 2007 Gudinski put a long term vision of his into action, creating a one stop shop for promotion and publicity for his recorded artists and his touring company. Mushroom Group Promotions was officially launched and activated in July 2007 and handles the publicity and promotions for The Frontier Touring Company, Liberation, Liberation Blue, Ivy League, Illusive, and Liberator.
RECORD LABELS: LIBERATION
In 2001, Michael launched his new record label, Liberation Music. Liberation allowed Michael to step back from the intensity of a large label like Mushroom Records and enabled him to focus his attentions on a new generation of music. Since its inception the label has signed both local and international acts, Jimmy Barnes, Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson, Kate Alexa, Marcia Hines, Liam Finn, Archie Roach, Howling Bells, TZU, Hot Lies, The Custom Kings, Mahalia Barnes amongst others as well as comedy artists - Lano & Woodley, Tripod & Matt Tilley. Mid 2005 saw Liberation Music celebrating its first #1 chart position with the legendary Jimmy Barnes' album, Double Happiness. 2008 saw the label's second #1 debut with Kasey Chambers and Shane Nicholson's album Rattlin' Bones rocket to the top of the charts.
RECORD LABELS: LIBERATION BLUE
The label is also responsible for the popular Liberation Blue Acoustic Series which has seen a huge array of Australia's finest re-record their popular hits in acoustic style. Artists such as Ross Wilson, The Choirboys, Dave Mason, Jon Stevens, The Baby Animals, Russell Morris, Glenn Shorrock, and The Motels have released albums via this series with The Church, Ian Moss, James Reyne and Mark Seymour recording and releasing second volumes.
RECORD LABELS: IVY LEAGUE
2006 saw an exciting joint venture between Ivy League and Liberation Records. Since partnering, the label has already released an ARIA award winning album for Josh Pyke, chart topping singles by Youth Group, while The Mess Hall were awarded the prestigious AMP Award in 2008. With a plethora of exciting signings and new releases scheduled for 2008 such as The Vines, Youth Group, The Mess Hall, 78 Saab and Sparkadia, things are just starting to heat up.
RECORD LABELS: ILLUSIVE SOUNDS
Formed in February 2003 by Matt Gudinski in partnership with his father, Michael, Illusive showcases hip-hop/urban/soul artists. Label signings include ARIA Top Ten Chart toppers Bliss N Eso, international superstar Xzibit and exciting new signings Lowrider, Paris Wells, X & Hell and Winnie Coopers.
RECORD LABELS: LIBERATOR
Liberator Music was formed in 2006. The partnership with industry stalwarts Nick Dunshea and Vince Donato has focussed on signing and developing new and established international artists and labels. Liberator represents Michael Franti & Spearhead, Krafty Kuts, Armand Van Helden, Reverend & The Makers, Simply Red, Enter Shikari, Paul Van Dyk plus the popular European indy PIAS label in Australia & New Zealand.
Liberator have licensed a number of prestigious music DVD titles for release including the critically acclaimed Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers Runnin Down A Dream and Zappa plays Zappa.
PERSONAL AWARDS
In the early 1990s Michael's years in the music industry was recognized by his induction into the ARIA Hall Of Fame with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
In 1998 Michael was awarded the prestigious Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Services to Australian Music at the APRA (The Australian Performing Rights Association) Awards. In 1999 the AMI (Australian Marketing Institute) awarded Michael The Sir Charles McGrath Australian Marketer of the Year Award the highest accolade for personal achievement an individual can receive from the AMI. And in 2003 at the International Live Music Conference in March, Michael received the ILMC Bottle Award, the equivalent to a lifetime achievement award.
In June 2006 Michael was awarded the Member of the Order of Australia medal (AM) for service to the entertainment industry through the promotion of Australian music recording artists, as an advocate for young people in the music industry, and to the community. In July 2006, he was listed in The Bulletin "100 Most Influential Australians" issue and was named the Ernst & Young Southern Region Entrepreneur Of The Year.
Michael continues to work with enormous enthusiasm across all facets of his companies, and is frequently seen trekking from pub gig to entertainment centre, in Australia and abroad, looking for the next big thing to promote - be it through management, his record labels, touring companies or publishing arm.
