Australian singer-songwriter Graeme Connors' first DVD release was recorded in front of a live audience at CQU's Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music in Mackay.

And Conservatorium staff member and cellist Ian Bofinger appears on several of the tracks.

Bofinger (pictured below) said the CQCM also helped with technical set-up for the recording event.

Graeme Connors, whose home town is Mackay, is an industry mentor for the Conservatorium.

The DVD entitled Up Close is available through the ABC Shop at abcshop.com.au .

A sample is available via http://shop.abc.net.au/multimediaitems/video/724948.asf .

The DVD is a project that Connors been wanting to pursue for some time, largely due to the demand from his fans for a more personal, acoustic concert.

"A lot of my fans prefer to hear and see my music in a more intimate mode, and this was an ideal way to give that to them. I'm not planning any solo or small-band tours in the near future, so I decided to create a virtual concert experience - one where everyone has a front-row seat, perfect acoustics and the chance to go back to their favourite song any time they like," Graeme said.

"I find it very exciting that the new technology available now makes it possible to deliver this kind of entertainment experience in people's own loungerooms." Up Close was launched at this year's Tamworth Country Music Festival.

One reason is that the DVD contains some rare gems from Graeme's extensive repertoire -songs he wouldn't normally perform live, like the exquisite "Fireflies", "Bailey", "I'm Gonna Talk You Off Your Feet Tonight" and one of his most powerful early songs, "Lost Cities of the Heart".

Up Close will also feature several of his biggest hits, however, including "Let the Canefields Burn" and "The Road Less Travelled".

In addition, Graeme's performed his own version of two songs cowritten with and originally recorded by other artists - "This Time", released this year by Beccy Cole, and "Stay Where You Are", recorded by Brendon Walmsley. His original version of "Sicilian Born" - recently released by Adam Brand, and a contender for the 2004 Golden Guitars - is also included.

And there's a brand new track, "Before I Went Crazy on You".

"I chose songs that I rarely perform live, and which would work well in this small, intimate setting. I'm thrilled with the result, because it captures an important part of who I am, and what my music is about," Graeme said.

"I've used two of the best musicians in Australia - Tim Wedde and James Gillard - and we also brought in a guest cellist on some tracks. It worked really well on these songs." The fans may not have seen or heard much from Graeme over 2003, but he's been very busy behind the scenes. Up Close is the first of two DVDs to be released in 2004. The second, Graeme Connors ... So Far and a Little Further, will present music and video clips from his career so far, as well as some rare footage from his early days as a performer.

That DVD will be released in May, together with Graeme's as yet untitled new album - which he says will be in stark contrast to the stripped-back acoustic feel of the Up Close DVD, with some of the best musicians around and sophisticated, multi-layered musical arrangements.

In between working on the DVD and album, and his songwriting, Graeme was asked to sing at long-time friend Slim Dusty's state funeral, and also found time to travel to Japan, where he performed before a 5000-strong crowd on the island of Kyushu.

For further information: www.universalonline.com.au www.graemeconnors.com