How lucky are we to have 93 events in just four days during winter? Any other town in Australia would kill for something like that.

A SPECIAL concert on Hats Off eve, Wednesday, July 3 is sure to get you in the mood for 

a great, extended weekend of 

country music.

It’s at Southside Uniting Church at 10am and the $10 admission price includes morning tea.

The Howie Brothers have included Tamworth on the agenda of their annual July tour for the past 15 years, only this time there’s a special bonus.

Twins John and Graeme Howie have invited the 2013 Roll of Renown inductee Wayne Horsburgh along to celebrate the release of a wonderful new double album they’ve made together, 40 Cowboy Songs.

Both the Howies and Wayne have a love for that old-style  “cowboy” music. Wayne made a promise to Buddy Williams when he toured with him in 1978 that he would keep those cowboy songs alive – and he most certainly has.

The Howies were inspired by Australia’s favourite singing cowboy, the late, great Smoky Dawson, and over the years made several recordings with him. 

On the disc you’ll find three Smoky Dawson-penned songs – I’m A Happy Go Lucky Cowhand, Ridin’ (With A Smile And A Song) and Will I Meet Old Faithful Up Yonder.  

Half of the tracks have Wayne taking the lead vocal, while the other half features the Howies’ dulcet tones up front.

I’ve been playing the album over and over again in my car and I just love it! It’s jam-packed with classic country songs you haven’t heard in years, but amazingly, still remember every word.

Tracks like Back In The Saddle Again, Don’t Fence Me In, Tumbling Tumbleweeds, Cool Water, Happy Trails To You, Riding To The Never Never, Red River Valley, There’s A Bridle Hanging On The Wall, When It’s Springtime In The Rockies, Ridin’ Down The Canyon and Tom Dooley are just a sample of what you’ll hear on this value-packed release.

Wayne hasn’t been able to keep up with the demand for the disc at his concerts, so they may have to haul a separate vehicle for all the stock they’ll need.

By the time they finish the tour that takes them from Narrandera to Rockhampton and back to Cowra (and all points in between), they’ll have completed a massive 37 concerts.

Tickets will be available at the door. But be early or you could miss out. And don’t forget to bring some extra dough for the CD. You won’t want to go home without it. 

THE DAG Sheep Station’s singer-songwriter retreat is shaping up well, with about 14 participants so far, according to John Krsulja.

It’s going so well, they’ve decided to “share the love” and open up the workshops to any artists and musicians in town for Hats Off.

On Friday, July 5 from 2pm to 3.30pm Allan Caswell will host a songwriting and artist development workshop – and if anyone knows his songs, it’s Cas.

On Saturday, from 9am until 10.30am Aly Cook will discuss social media music marketing and crowd- source funding.

From 3.30pm to 5.30pm on Saturday, Bill Chambers will share his expertise with a guitar/instrumental improvement session.

Aleyce Simmonds has a special guest to assist with her songwriting styles and collaboration workshop on Sunday from 9am until 10.30am – the one and only Lachlan Bryan 

(The Wildes). Bonus!

The final workshop is on Monday, July 8 from 9am til 10.30am, where Luke O’Shea will present songwriting, collaboration and stage 

presence.

Tickets for individual workshops are $75 each, or if you attend the workshop and then one of the songwriters in the round concerts, it’s just $100. 

That package should appeal as it takes in a workshop, a delicious Christmas in July lunch and a superb show. Bargain!

Phone John at The DAG on 

6769 3486 to reserve your spot.

And don’t forget those great songwriter in the round concerts are open the public. Check out the website www.thedag.com.au for a full 

program of events.

ONE event that was to be held during Hats Off was the CCMA Winter Junior Talent Quest, but president Steve Newton has advised that has now been 

cancelled.

Lack of entries was a contributing factor, he said, but anyone keen to get up on stage should consider the CCMA’s Search for a Singer, which will be held later this year.

The CCMA monthly jam and workshop that was to be held at the Family Hotel is now being held at the Oasis, in conjunction with Jodie Crosby and Samantha Bellamy’s show on Thursday, July 4.

The CCMA Hats Off to Tex Morton will go full steam ahead at South Tamworth Bowling Club on Saturday, July 6 from noon to 3.30pm.

Compere Jon Wolfe will tell the incredible story of how a boy from New Zealand, Robert Lane, became Tex Morton – the father of 

Australasian country music.

A team of excellent performers will sing some of the songs from Tex’s huge catalogue.

Artists include 2013 Toyota Star Maker Kaylee Bell, Wanita, The Crosby Sisters, Tracy Coster, Bruce McCumstie, Paul Bonner Jones, Sally-Anne Whitten, Kevin Harris and Ethan Crosby-Wolfe.

Then there’s always the element of surprise – you never know who might pop in and make an appearance. 

Like all the good things in life, admission is free. You can’t get much better value than that!

Visit www.hatsofftocountry.com for the full program. Or email me at annarose4@bigpond.com and I’ll flick you one.