One of my favourite Easterfest stories is around two expat Aussie brothers, who wrote a bunch of killer songs, crafted a sound that can really only be described as epic, and found themselves at the very top of the Christian Music industry in the US. 

But when you look at the For King and Country story, the origins of it begin at Easterfest in 2009, when Joel and Luke Smallbone, originally billed as Austoville, and then Joel and Luke, play one of their first ever shows.

In this bonus bit we'll hear from Joel Smallbone about what that support from the Easterfest crew meant to him and his brother Luke.  

We'll also step back to 2013, with Liam Renton (former 96five breakfast and Australia's Hot 25 Countdown host) and interview with Joel that took place at the Momentum conference in the USA.

You can keep those nostalgic vibes going with our special Easterfest and AGMF playlist on Spotify. 

Don’t forget to leave us a review with your favourite memory of the Easterfest and AGMF days, and don’t be afraid to go hard with the five star ratings! Your ratings and reviews will help other people find the podcast. 

This podcast is brought to you from the studios of 96five.  It was written and presented by Justin Rouillon.  

You can find more podcasts like this by searching for 96five in your podcast app, by downloading the 96five app from your app store, or going to the 96five podcast page on our website. 

One of my favourite Easterfest stories is around two expat Aussie brothers, who wrote a bunch of killer songs, crafted a sound that can really only be described as epic, and found themselves at the very top of the Christian Music industry in the US.&nbsp;
But when you look at the For King and Country story, the origins of it begin at Easterfest in 2009, when Joel and Luke Smallbone, originally billed as Austoville, and then Joel and Luke, play one of their first ever shows.
In this bonus bit we'll hear from Joel Smallbone about what that support from the Easterfest crew meant to him and his brother Luke.&nbsp;&nbsp;
We'll also step back to 2013, with Liam Renton (former 96five breakfast and Australia's Hot 25 Countdown host) and interview with Joel that took place at the Momentum conference in the USA.
You can keep those nostalgic vibes going with our special <a href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1u9mLRcvHgNEXSMlGq4ZLv?si=ADeaZc5WR0aQ2XLtG-ngww">Easterfest and AGMF playlist on Spotify</a>.&nbsp;
Don&rsquo;t forget to leave us a review with your favourite memory of the Easterfest and AGMF days, and don&rsquo;t be afraid to go hard with the five star ratings! Your ratings and reviews will help other people find the podcast.&nbsp;
This podcast is brought to you from the studios of 96five.&nbsp; It was written and presented by Justin Rouillon.&nbsp;&nbsp;
You can find more podcasts like this by searching for 96five in your podcast app, by downloading the 96five app from your app store, or going to the <a href="https://96five.com/podcasts/">96five podcast page</a> on our website.&nbsp;

In the late 90's a group of Toowoomba business people, civic leaders and the city's church community come together with an audacious plan - stage a gospel music festival that will bring people into the city over the Easter weekend.

Despite humble beginnings, Easterfest (formerly the Australian Gospel Music Festival) grew to achieve major event status in Queensland, and became one of the largest ticketed drug and alcohol free events in the southern hemisphere.

But only a few years after their biggest event, Easterfest became yet another casualty of the music festival business.

It's been a decade since the final festival in 2015, and this podcast series will look back at how Easterfest grew to become a major player in Christian music internationally, and the events that led to the event coming to an end.

It's a celebration of almost two decades of music, community and a spirit of unity, with the story told by the organisers, volunteers and the musicians that graced the stages of Easterfest.

The Rise & Fall of Easterfest is written and hosted by Justin Rouillon and is a production of 96five Studios.

For more podcasts with purpose, search for 96five in your podcast app or go to www.96five.com/listen/podcasts/

In the late 90's a group of Toowoomba business people, civic leaders and the city's church community come together with an audacious plan - stage a gospel music festival that will bring people into the city over the Easter weekend.
Despite humble beginnings, Easterfest (formerly the Australian Gospel Music Festival) grew to achieve major event status in Queensland, and became one of the largest ticketed drug and alcohol free events in the southern hemisphere.
But only a few years after their biggest event, Easterfest became yet another casualty of the music festival business.
It's been a decade since the final festival in 2015, and this podcast series will look back at how Easterfest grew to become a major player in Christian music internationally, and the events that led to the event coming to an end.
It's a celebration of almost two decades of music, community and a spirit of unity, with the story told by the organisers, volunteers and the musicians that graced the stages of Easterfest.
The Rise &amp; Fall of Easterfest is written and hosted by Justin Rouillon and is a production of 96five Studios.
For more podcasts with purpose, search for 96five in your podcast app or go to <a href="https://www.96five.com/listen/podcasts/">www.96five.com/listen/podcasts/</a>

The Rise & Fall of Easterfest

In the late 90's a group of Toowoomba business people, civic leaders and the city's church community come together with an audacious plan - stage a gospel music festival that will bring people into the city over the Easter weekend.

Despite humble beginnings, Easterfest (formerly the Australian Gospel Music Festival) grew to achieve major event status in Queensland, and became one of the largest ticketed drug and alcohol free events in the southern hemisphere.

But only a few years after their biggest event, Easterfest became yet another casualty of the music festival business.

It's been a decade since the final festival in 2015, and this podcast series will look back at how Easterfest grew to become a major player in Christian music internationally, and the events that led to the event coming to an end.

It's a celebration of almost two decades of music, community and a spirit of unity, with the story told by the organisers, volunteers and the musicians that graced the stages of Easterfest.

The Rise & Fall of Easterfest is written and hosted by Justin Rouillon and is a production of Brisbane's Rise 96.5.

For more podcasts with purpose, search for Rise 96.5 in your podcast app or go to rise965.com/podcasts

In the late 90's a group of Toowoomba business people, civic leaders and the city's church community come together with an audacious plan - stage a gospel music festival that will bring people into the city over the Easter weekend.
Despite humble beginnings, Easterfest (formerly the Australian Gospel Music Festival) grew to achieve major event status in Queensland, and became one of the largest ticketed drug and alcohol free events in the southern hemisphere.
But only a few years after their biggest event, Easterfest became yet another casualty of the music festival business.
It's been a decade since the final festival in 2015, and this podcast series will look back at how Easterfest grew to become a major player in Christian music internationally, and the events that led to the event coming to an end.
It's a celebration of almost two decades of music, community and a spirit of unity, with the story told by the organisers, volunteers and the musicians that graced the stages of Easterfest.
The Rise &amp; Fall of Easterfest is written and hosted by Justin Rouillon and is a production of Brisbane's Rise 96.5.
For more podcasts with purpose, search for Rise 96.5 in your podcast app or go to <a href="https://rise965.com/podcasts/">rise965.com/podcasts</a>