Taking Lasso Country Music Festival dreams far beyond

Multiple international artists headlining a homegrown festival that will tour the country to entertain thousands of fans! … That’s the dream of 19-year-old Loganholme musician and event manager Ashlyn Dinsdale, and she’s already on the way to making it happen.

Judging by her success managing the first ever Lasso Country Music Festival held last year at Eagleby, Ashlyn is fast becoming one to watch in terms of young success stories for the City of Logan.

Ashlyn, with her father Ken in their family business Goldspur Entertainment, debuted the festival last year to meet the growing popularity of modern country. It not only sold out, but was nominated for 2024 Q Music Festival of the Year.

The 2025 Lasso Festival promises to be even better. Set for 5 July at Distillery Road Market in Eagleby, the line-up has headline act The Wolfe Brothers, a successful country rock duo who’ve won 6 Golden Guitar awards.

There is also a host of exciting emerging artists on the bill to deliver a variety of styles of country for an expected 1,300-strong audience.

One of the locals up on the stage will be Ashlyn – herself a bassist and back-up singer. She also performed at last year’s festival with her sister Briana, who is a well-known name in the Aussie charts.

ABOVE: The Dinsdale family were applauded on stage at last year’s first Lasso Country Music Festival held at Distillery Road Market in Eagleby. 

The live scene appeal for Ashlyn covers both on and off stage, and she’s happy to balance both.

‘I love performing as much as I love organising events,’ Ashlyn says.

Still in her teens, Ashlyn already has a mature stance on the reality of the long haul to develop the festival into a shining star for the City of Logan and far beyond.

Intent on building her industry knowledge, she learnt much from a recent visit to Tamworth, Australia’s country music capital.

Ashlyn spent 3 weeks there in January, and attended the Country Music Association of Australia (CMAA) Senior Academy – with help from a grant from the Regional Arts Development Fund. This is a partnership between the Queensland Government and Logan City Council to support local arts and culture in regional Queensland.

In Tamworth, Ashlyn experienced mentoring by industry professionals to enhance her skills as a musician, a songwriter and businesswoman.

‘The CMAA Academy was incredible. I made so many connections and really immersed myself into the country music industry, and I learned so many things whilst in such a high energy environment,’ Ashlyn says.

‘What was so incredible was the amount of support we received from Australian artists for our very first festival. It really showed how much people believe in what we are building.’

Tapping into her own potential has emboldened Ashlyn to believe in overcoming any barriers towards her goals.

‘I’d love to scale the festival with international artists headlining, and possibly see it become a touring festival one day, but we’re in it for the long run and we want to do it right.’

There’s no doubt Ashlyn is a ‘country gal’ at heart, explaining the country music scene like only a real fan can.

‘It’s not just the old-style country music sounds so many people imagine when they hear that word ‘country’,’ she says.

‘There’s a newer sound with a younger audience – country is making a comeback. There’s alternative country, western country, country rock and a fresh wave of emerging artists we can showcase.

‘The fact that I can contribute to all this is really special.’

For festival information, go to lassocmf.com.au

PHOTO AT TOP: Loganholme teenager and event manager Ashlyn Dinsdale (right) is shining the spotlight on Logan for country music, both on and off the stage – pictured here performing with her sister Briana Dinsdale (left) at the 2024 Lasso Country Music Festival.