Country Music Notes, Saturday, October 29, 2005
John Williamson, Colin Buchanan, Whiskey Train

WHEN Australia stands still on Tuesday for the running of the Melbourne Cup, John Williamson will no doubt be celebrating his 60th birthday in fine style. And if you tune in to ABC Television on Monday at 6.30pm, you might learn a thing or two about the Emu that you didn’t know before. The Country Music Association of Australia’s president is Peter Thompson’s special guest on Talking Heads and he doesn’t just talk. He sings a bit too, sharing snippets from some of his anthemic compositions. Willo talks candidly – the only way he knows – about life on the land, from his days in the Victorian Mallee region to the Croppa Creek farm he gave up for life on the road as a constantly travelling musician. He recalls that first time he heard Old Man Emu on Moree’s 2VM, with the radio propped up on a fence paling as Willo attended his chores with the pigs. Since that first smash hit, he’s written around 300 or so more songs, many of which have made it onto one of the 35 albums he’s released in as many years, and earning 20 coveted Golden Guitars in the process.

There’s no doubt that he’s true blue, from his love of the land to his love of the people and their stories, which have proven the inspiration for so many John Williamson songs. He discusses the things in life that mean much – his strong kinship with touring partner Warren H Williams, a descendant of Albert Namatjatjira and “keeper of the stones” – and how their friendship came about and developed. His latest album, Chandelier of Stars, arguably his best, comes with a heartfelt dedication to his “little girl from the dryland”, Mary Kay, the love of his life, who’s always been there for him and his two beautiful and talented daughters, Ami and Georgie. And from the opening strains of the title track, it’s evident where his heart is. Even the Australian bush and its chandelier of stars means nothing, if Mary Kay’s not a part of his existence. Take a trip with Willo to Queensland’s Springbrook, his rustic retreat which will always remain untouched – his own piece of paradise and personal escape hatch. He’s s undoubtedly one of our country’s greatest ambassadors and believes he’s succeeded as long as people keep telling him things like: “don’t go changing” and “thanks for making us proud to be Australian”. I wish my fellow Scorpion a very happy birthday on Tuesday and trust he backs a winner or two.

FANS of Colin Buchanan – or Bucko, as he’s known in some parts, take note. From November 11-13 in Tamworth there’s an exciting weekend for people from all walks of life focusing on faith and spiritual issues, called Real Hope. It begins with an education evening on the Friday at Tamworth Community Centre and swings into gear the next day with a full program of events at Tamworth Regional Entertainment Centre. At 1pm on Saturday Colin will prove that he truly is king of the kids, presenting a children’s concert with a Christian message. There’s a cost involved in attending the weekend function, and registration is essential (www.realhope.info), but the community event on Saturday night, where Colin also performs, is free of charge. Bucko has been a host of the Golden Guitar Awards, and the now defunct syndicated radio show, The Outback Club, a presenter on ABC’s Play School and an all round entertainer and recording artist for well over a decade. Who knows, folks? You might just come away with more than you bargained for.

THE Whiskey Train is pulling into Canowindra on New Year’s Eve and Travis Collins is in the driver’s seat. The 21-year-old, accompanied by his award-winning band, Whiskey Train, will hit the stage of Canowindra’s Royal Hotel for this one big night of the year – the last one, in fact. “The boys and I are all about having fun. If you can’t have that, what can you have?’” Travis said.
“I’m really looking forward to this night; I personally chose Canowindra because I love this part of the country. I think the people up here work hard and party harder, so I reckon we’ll see out the year 2005 in a big way.” The 2004 Star Maker winner has been steadily building on that success, touring as the opening act for stars Lee Kernaghan, Beccy Cole, Adam Brand and Melinda Schneider.

Since his Star Maker year Travis has released two top five singles, The Bridge That You Won’t Burn and Barbed Wire and Roses. Now we can all Start The Car and enjoy the journey with Travis’s first full album through ABC/Warner Music in record stores now. If you want to see in the new year with the rising star, best get on the blower to that pub in Canowindra or you could just miss the Whiskey Train.

SOME people never stay at home, do they? Take Rod Laing, for instance. You’d think he’d have enough on his mind with the grand re-opening of Wests’ Diggers. But last weekend he was gadding around the countryside in US country singer Gary Allan’s tour bus and being a real groupie. Boy, am I jealous.

Country Music Notes, Saturday, October 22, 2005
Photo comings

THOSE North Queenslanders certainly know how to have fun, which I found out this time last weekend when I was invited to judge the talent quest at the Walkamin Country Music Festival. Held in Mareeba, just short of an hour’s drive from Cairns, this was the 10th annual event and it was a beauty. I’ve said it on more than one occasion before, but talent seems to ooze out of every pore of some North Queenslanders. Just take Ingham singer and guitar slinger Anthony Taylor, who won that heat of the Telstra Road to Tamworth on the Sunday morning.

Anthony’s two songs thoroughly entertained the large crowd gathered there to cheer on their favourite acts. By Sunday, the majority of heats had been contested and the trophy table was weighed down with a seemingly endless supply of sparklers, destined for the mantlepiece of winners, young and not so young. One of the most pleasurable tasks I had all weekend was, with the assistance of Tamworth’s Greg Williams, to choose one young person as the Tamworth Camerata scholarship recipient. The Walkamin Country Music Club had purchased a scholarship to send one of their youngsters to Camerata 2006, and the young man chosen was a fitting candidate indeed.

Seventeen-year-old Kurt Chaplain just seemed to pop up all weekend, entering various categories, then backing a number of other contestants in the talent quest with his skilful guitar playing, and even on the main stage on the Saturday night, providing backing for Cairns cowgirl, Wendy Coppo. I don’t think we could have found a more worthy winner. The bubbly Wendy, accompanied by her hot band, warmed up the country crowd for the Sunny Cowgirls, who played a brilliant hour-long set tailor-made for the audience. They delivered songs made famous by John Williamson, Slim Dusty, Slim Newton, Geoff Mack and their own not too shabby originals, which are climbing the charts as we speak.

Then it was time for Adam Brand and his team of hot musos – Duncan Toombs, Simon Johnson, Mick Albeck and drummer Rudy Miranda – to set the Mareeba Rodeo Grounds on fire, which they most certainly did. Earlier that day, poor old Brandy was as crook as Rookwood, talking into the big white telephone, courtesy of some nasty tummy bug, and it was doubtful whether he’d be well enough to perform. After a couple of injections from a Cairns doctor, the nausea waves subsided and Brandy, the trouper that he is, was an absolute knockout. Nobody was any the wiser that he wasn’t a well boy, as he delivered a powerhouse set and had the dancefloor packed to capacity.

After seeing all that talent up north, I’m fairly certain that the future of Australian country music is in very good hands.
Thanks to Bob Neate, and Jody Bell and the wonderful army of volunteers who made us all so welcome during our stay in Mareeba. I even ran into a Tamworth bloke up there. The publican at the Graham Hotel in Mareeba is Gary Booby, who used to live here and still has family living in Tamworth. You just can’t get away from the place, can you? Lucky I didn’t play up or you would have all heard about it by now!

DON’T forget to make a date for next Saturday night at Tamworth Services Club. That diva of the string-plucking world, the one and only Pixie Jenkins, will return. As Pixie told us all last time he was here in July, he WAS the original queen of country music – until Jean Stafford came along. Don’t miss this highly entertaining show.

TAMWORTH’S own Felicity Urquhart will perform on Mornings With Kerri-Anne on Wednesday, October 26. Make sure you tune in to hear Felicity’s brand new single, The Flood, which is climbing the country charts all over Australia.

WITH the Waler Memorial about to be unveiled in this fair city, it’s quite appropriate that former rodeo rider turned country singer- songwriter Tom McIvor has chosen October 29 in Tamworth to launch his new album, The Sound of Horses. Of particular interest to fans of the courageous horse that carried many an Australian soldier into battle is a song called The Ballad of Bill the Bastard. As Tom explained to me, Bill the Bastard was a notoriously high-spirited Waler, who would buck every single time he was saddled to ride – which is where his name came from. “As World War I military history tells us, a conflict in the desert with the Turks went badly,” Tom said. “All that remained were five troopers and Bill. With the Turks closing in, their only escape was through this gallant horse. “With two troopers up behind the rider, and one standing in each stirrup, this grand Waler carried the five to safety at a labouring gallop through rough terrain for almost a mile. “This feat typifies the courage and stamina of those fine Australian horses and the men who rode them.”

Tom’s album is a tribute to each one of the almost one million Waler horses that left these shores with only one returning. His album launch will be at the Oasis Hotel, Armidale Rd, Tamworth from 2pm on Saturday, October 29. He will be joined on stage by local band, Makeshift, featuring Patti Morgan, Graham Doubleday and Mike Casey. Also fresh from his successful national tour, Golden Guitar finalist Peter Pratt will also be on hand for the launch and may be persuaded to sing a song or two.

Country Music Notes, Saturday, October 15, 2005
Lorraine Pfitzner, Country Music Channel, Peter Pratt, Star Maker Show

MY OLD mate and roving reporter Lorraine Pfitzner made the trek to the Mildura Country Music Festival this year, spending five days at the 10-day event. Lorraine said a lot of her time during the day was spent in the Langtree Mall, where Olive Bice hosted the continuous free entertainment. Just imagine row upon row of fold-up chairs full of people with “sun sensible hats” and you’ve got a small picture of what it’s like. The good thing about Mildura is that you get to see everyone on the bill, if you sit still long enough. Organiser John Arnold and his committee put together a roster which has each of the artists invited to the festival going from venue to venue, from Irymple to Merbein, to Wentworth, the picturesque spot where the Murray meets the Darling – just like in Tania’s song.

There’s quite a distance between some of the venues, which is why many people choose to stay put in the mall. Each night Lorraine attended shows in and around Mildura, catching up with friends from all over Australia, who also make the annual pilgrimage there. To cap off an enjoyable five-day stay at the festival, Lorraine attended the Independent Country Music Awards, where she and bush balladeer Glenn Jones had the pleasure of presenting James Blundell with the Heritage award on the night.

This was one of the trifecta of trophies James claimed, also adding the single and male vocalist awards to his portfolio. Royden Donohue and Shelley West took out the rising star male and female awards, and newcomer Stacey Morris claimed the female vocal crown. A very excited Tracy Coster took the podium to take home album of the year for Coster Country. Former truck driver Travis Sinclair was a happy man, taking home the award for independent artist of the year. Lorraine also learnt some news of the “hitching” kind, discovering that wedding bells will be ringing on October 22 for two Mildura award winners – Travis Sinclair and Royden Donohue. They’re both getting married – and luckily, not to each other. Lorraine also informs me that the pitter-patter of tiny feet will be heard next year in Laura Downing’s household, and also in the home of guitarist Alisha Smith and her bush ballad-singing partner, Keith Jamieson.

THE Country Music Channel (CMC) is giving viewers the chance attend the Country Music Awards in New York City, with airfares, spending money and accommodation in Manhattan included in the prize package. Keith Urban, Brad Paisley, Lee Ann Womack, Gretchen Wilson and Sugarland are just some of the nominees you could meet and greet if you win. Visit the website, www.countrymusicchannel.com.au for your chance to wind up in the Big Apple with all the big country stars. You’re asked a question along the lines of … which star would you like to take on a tour of New York city and where would you go? No prizes for guessing who I’d have as my Big Apple escort, folks. And the really tough thing is, because I’d be a stranger there, I’d have to place myself totally in Keith’s expert hands. It just doesn’t bear thinking of, does it!

SMOOTH-voiced balladeer Peter Pratt, who works on a farm at Illabo when he’s not performing on stages around the country, has a new website, www.peterpratt.com. Where I’m Longing To Go, a Golden Guitar-nominated song from Peter’s debut album, Ever True, has become his fourth consecutive Top 30 radio hit on the national country charts. He wrote the song about a place called Cathcart, near Bombala, NSW, a place obviously dear to the young man’s heart. Peter had a ball at the recent 19th annual Mildura Country Music Festival, where he shared the stage with the Costa Brothers, Rod Esam, Roland Storm, Adam Kilpatrick and the Jack Pledge Band.

On the final night of the 10-day festival, Peter was as pleased as punch to be invited to host his first ever show, Peter Pratt and Friends at Irymple. On Saturday, October 29, make a date to catch up with Peter when he plays at the Oasis Hotel in Tamworth, as an appetiser to his performances here during the 2006 Tamworth Country Music Festival.

IF YOU fancy a little country tonight, head on down the road to Quirindi RSL where you’ll find the Star Maker Show, featuring three fabulous representatives of that prestigious quest. 2005 Toyota Star Maker Samantha McClymont, 2004 Toyota Star Maker Travis Collins and CMAA Australian College of Country Music graduate Amber Lawrence, who impressed the Star Maker judges no end, will sing their own songs, plus lots of the hits by your favourite country stars. This fast-paced show should be a real crowd pleaser, so phone the club to secure your booking on 6746 1566. Their next shows in this part of the world are at Armidale Ex-Services Memorial Club on Thursday, October 20, Tenterfield Golf Club on Thursday, November 10 and Glen Innes and District Services Club on November 11.

Country Music Notes, Saturday, October 8, 2005
Andrew Clermont, Jeanette Wormald, Country Music Express, CMF,

IMAGINE being Andrew Clermont – and looking at the world from that elevation. Even more daunting is the prospect of waking up each morning wondering which particular country you’re in, as he travels widely and regularly, spending very little time in the village of Moonbi that he calls home. He doesn’t have to wake in fright though this week, as he’s home for a rare visit to catch up with friends and family – and to bring some wonderful music to the masses via his International Supper Club shows in Armidale and Tamworth. Last night Andrew and his very colourful friends from Totally Gourdgeous entertained one and all at the Cattleman’s Motor Inn in Armidale, and tonight it’s Tamworth’s turn to enjoy the sound of music at North Tamworth Bowling Club.

After bringing the audience a night of gourdgeous-sounding music, courtesy of all band members’ instruments being made from gourds (melons, if you like), Andrew and his Totally Gourdgeous partners in music will do one more gig at Port Macquarie and then head into Rod McCormack’s recording studio to put down a new album.These supper club events throughout the year are a great opportunity to see and hear Andrew and his musical mates without the huge crowds of the festival. Don’t sit at home and watch the box. Get out and enjoy some fabulous live music. It’s totally good for the soul. If you don’t you’ll just have to line up with all the masses from January 20-30 like everyone else!

SOUTH Australian singer-songwriter Jeanette Wormald has teamed with smooth-voiced balladeer Peter Pratt to record a love song.Titled Out Here, the song was recorded in a Melbourne studio earlier this week and is set for release early in the new year. Speaking of balladeers, it was great to see young Amos Morris passing through this neck of the woods this week.
Amos performed at the Oasis Hotel on Thursday night, on Howdy’s show, which went down extremely well with the country crowd. www.amosmorris.com

VICTORIAN train fan Arthur Smith is a very happy man, having just sold every seat on board the 2006 Country Music Express bound for the Tamworth Country Music Festival. Arthur said the attraction of star hosts Troy Cassar-Daley and Felicity Urquhart obviously did the trick with the train-loving public. Fliss and Troy will also be joined on the train from Melbourne to Tamworth by rising stars Ronni Rae Rivers and that South Australian Mallee girl, Jeanette Wormald.

The very entertaining Grant Luhrs, JR Williams, Ian Muir, June Harrison and John Mathewson, will help to ensure passengers aren’t short of distractions as they make their way towards Tamworth on the train. The sellout trip may also be due in some small way to the 150th anniversary of rail being celebrated throughout Australia this year, and dare I say it, the price of petrol! Needless to say, Arthur is smiling broadly as he answers his phone, 1300 780 660, taking advance bookings for the 2007 Country Music Express to Tamworth.

DUE to popular demand the Australian Country Music Foundation, located at 93 Brisbane St, Tamworth, has extended its opening hours. As of last Wednesday, the ACMF is now open from 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday, and 10am to 1pm on Saturday, and following the 2006 Festival, it may even open on Sundays too. ACMF board member Cliff Giles said as volunteers were on deck at the foundation from 9am to 5pm working furiously on the new Hall of Fame project, it made sense to open the doors. “We’d planned to do this after January, but due to the demand, particularly from numerous requests from the Visitor Information Centre, we brought it forward to the October long weekend,” Cliff said. Cliff’s wife Dee, who’s the secretary of the ACMF, said orders were now being taken for the commemorative Country Music Hall of Fame CD, featuring Reg Poole’s Australian Country Music Hall of Fame song and Smoky Dawson’s Working On A Five-Year Plan.

The CD is being sold as a fundraiser for the multi-million dollar project which was launched in July. They’re just $10 each, or if you’d it posted to you, that will be $12. Visit the website, www.countrymusichalloffame.com.au or phone the foundation on 6766 9696 to place your order.

Those concert-goers who love the traditional style of country music should take note that the Roll of Renown concert tickets go on sale November 1 from Tourism Tamworth. Tickets are just $26, so get in early for the best seats. The concert is on Saturday, January 21 at 2.30pm at Tamworth Town Hall.

CONGRATULATIONS to new parents Jim Guider and Karen Frost, on the safe arrival of their first child, Aaron James Eric Frost-Guider. Jim is the bloke who organises the Musicians Headquarters each January and works throughout the year with the Independent Country Music Bulletin, published in Tamworth.

YOU’VE probably all seen and heard Ted Tilbrook busking down Peel St throughout the year. He’s the one with the great guitar style and gorgeous voice. Ted and his old Hired Hands mate, Lawrie Minson, will perform at the Longyard Hotel tomorrow where they will aid the digestion of diners from around 12.30pm. Top idea. Head on out the road.

Country Music Notes, Saturday, October 1, 2005
Adam Harvey, Arthur Blanch

LAST Saturday night if you were anywhere other than Gunnedah Services and Bowling Club, you would have missed one of the best concerts around. That smooth-talking, easy listening, award-winning male vocalist Adam Harvey and his hot band – guitarist Rod Motbey, bass player Geoff (Simmo) Simpson, drummer Mitch Farmer and keyboardist Vaughan Jones put on a great show for the capacity crowd. The opening act of the night was Tamworth Camerata graduate Victoria Baillie, one of the delightful Baillie sisters, from Moe. Victoria, accompanied by Rod Motbey on acoustic guitar, prepared the audience for a super night of entertainment with her tuneful, half-hour set.

Then the man with one of the best voices in the business came on stage. Of course there were the trademark Harvey jokes, many of which were recycled from his years touring with Terry Gordon – I must tell him some new ones – but when it was time for the “serious” songs, there was no hint of humour. As always, Adam made himself available at the concert’s conclusion, to talk to his audience, who lined up to buy his CDs and t-shirts, and have autographs signed, and photos taken with him. For those who missed it, you really did miss a great night out. Enjoy these pics I took of these fair dinkum Harvey fans.

LIFE’S Been Good To Me, the latest album from multiple award-winning crooner, Arthur Blanch, is the perfect listening companion to Wollun One, the Blanch family biography released in January 2005. It came as a surprise to me that Arthur didn’t have a hand in writing any of the 10 originals, as he easily could have. To my mind, they were tailor made – to suit the man and his music. Full credit to producer Rod McCormack and his bass playing brother Jeff, for their role in recording this new disc at The Music Cellar. Rod is to be commended for his careful selection of musicians who created this full-bodied sound – with all the trimmings.
Maybe it’s jazz legend Bob Barnard’s trumpet or Paul Furniss’s clarinet, but that A-team of musicians Rod, Jeff, Michel Rose, Mick Albeck, Mitch Farmer and Bill Risby, have never sounded better.

The angelic vocal harmonies of Karen O’Shea (one-third of Golden Guitar-winning Bella), only enhance the overall quality of this fine piece of work. For A Song, the opening track, is the perfect introduction to the 12 cuts, and was written by someone who either knows Arthur exceptionally well, or who was an avid consumer of Wollun One, the life story of Arthur, wife Berice and daughter Jewel – and their musical journey. The prolific Harley Allen and Paul Overstreet are writers. Tamworth actor, musician and retired radio guru Bill Gleeson’s contribution of Wellingrove Girl, a Dixieland jazz swinger, proves just how closely related jazz is to the old style of country music enjoyed in days gone by – and revived by musicians of note in recent years.

The girl from Wellingrove, is Arthur’s bride of 50 years, Berice, whom he met over a slice of pineapple and a country song. If you want to know that story, you’ll have to read Wollun One. Bill’s fanciful little gem, delivered by Arthur, Bob and co, fits perfectly into this set of largely biographical offerings, such as Roots and Wings, With Every Breath and of course, the title track. One of the album’s big ballads, I’d Better Write It Down, is attracting radio attention right across Australia. It was written especially for Arthur by American songwriter Hank Cochran, the man responsible for the alltime classic, I Fall To Pieces and of course, the title track, Life’s Been Good To Me.

Any fan of good country music wouldn’t go too far wrong purchasing this disc, released on the fiercely independent Tamworth Music label. If you’re having trouble locating the disc, visit the new Arthur Blanch website, www.arthurblanch.com. IT’S a big, long weekend for Country Music Radio fans, with three nights of listening pleasure this weekend – Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Tonight tune in and you can hear the Telstra Country Wide Southern Stars 9th Independent Country Music Awards of Australia, broadcast live from Mildura. This two-hour broadcast features 17 live performances and eight award presentations and is seen by many as a great performance indicator of the Golden Guitars to follow in January. Many Mildura winners have rated highly among the ranks of GG finalists.