Dolly Parton tour of Oz back on after tour bus debacle

Dolly Parton’s management were reportedly on the brink of calling off the country and western singer’s tour of Australia in November because the country’s transport regulations deemed her tour bus too big for roads in Oz.

The 65-year-old singer never goes anywhere without her tour bus, preferring to travel on her own customised bus as opposed to staying in 5 star hotels and flying to the venues where she’s performing.

However Dolly’s usual mode of tour transport came under serious threat when the Australian customs department found out about the size of the huge vehicles, and ruled they were too large for Australian roads and banned them from entering the country. But Dolly’s management team stood firm saying: no bus, no tour, which forced the officials to reconsider their decision.

After two months of wrangling, the transport minister in Australia, Anthony Albanese, stepped in to help smooth things over to allow Dolly Parton’s 46 foot bus entry into the country to allow the tour to go ahead. The politician said it was “common sense” to grant a temporary reprieve and allow the buses into Australia as Dolly Parton touring the country can only be good for the fans and the economy.

In an official statement from Dolly Parton’s people, the Jolene singer is said to be “very pleased” that the Australian leg of her Better Day World Tour can go ahead and has even promised a “huge cuddle” for minister Albanese who was instrumental in making it happen.

Elbow set for October Leeds Academy gig

untitledStaff at Leeds Academy will no doubt be expecting to welcome coach-loads of Elbow fans to the venue for the Mercury Prize winners later this month.

The group are due to perform for one night only on October 18th, fresh from winning the Mercury Prize 2008 for their latest album, The Seldom Seen Kid.

However, there is nothing seldom seen about this Mancunian quintet.

Elbow have also been nominated for no less than two accolades at this year’s Festival Awards, including Best Festival Rock Act and Anthem Of The Summer.

Fans need not rush to make their car hire bookings for the Leeds gig either, because there will be another opportunity to see the group perform in London‘s Wembley Arena on March 14th.

The band’s latest single, The Bones of You, was released at the start of the week and is available alongside a special live version from their Manchester Academy show if downloaded via iTunes.