ONE of the biggest and most successful free outdoor events of the festival was held on the Wednesday night in Bicentennial Park, with a distinctive Australian bush flavour.
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Back to the Bush returned for the second consecutive year after such a huge response to the event last January.
The brainchild of Peter Simpson and Dianne Lindsay, Back to the Bush featured an A-list band on stage – Rod Coe, Mike Kerin, Stuie French, Michel Rose, Doug Gallacher and Amos Morris – backing more than 30 bush balladeers.
My fabulous flashing friend, Robyn McIntosh, was on hand to capture all the best shots in the park that night. Enjoy Flash’s pics.
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TAMWORTH’S Lawrie and Shelley Minson had a fabulous time during and leading up to this year’s country music festival, with a number of gigs at Wests and Diggers in the countdown week.
During the festival proper, they did a few “drop-in” spots with bands such as Good Corn Liquor and also appeared on the Maton Guitar Showcase and the Hired Hands Reunion.
They will make an encore performance at the Kurri Kurri Nostalgia Festival in March, which they’re pretty pleased about.
The really big news to come out of the festival was the announcement of their inclusion on the bill for Cruisin’ Country 2017.
“We’re so excited to be chosen for Cruisin’ Country 2017,” Shelley said.
“It has a family theme, so it will be great to see all the country music artists bringing their family along for the trip.”
Shelley has just finished a new recording, Rockabilly Man, a song written with Australian rock icon Ross Wilson.
“It’s such an honour to have been able to write with someone of Ross’s ability and we’re fortunate to have been able to get together with him,” she said.
“This song just rocks from the first downbeat.”
In other great news from the 2016 festival, Lawrie received the Tex Morton Award from the Tamworth Songwriters Association for his promotion and encouragement of songwriting.
“We don’t do these things to win awards, but it was a lovely surprise and a great honour for me,” Lawrie said.
Loz and Shelley’s mix of rockabilly and honky tonk, with songs mainly from the ’50s and ’60s, is the kind of repertoire guaranteed to get you up dancing.
So, dust off your dancing shoes and join the husband-and-wife team, along with band members Darryl Keighley on bass and Ronny Rindo on drums, for their first new year gig tomorrow night at The Pub.
Showtime is 8pm. Why don’t you get along a little earlier and dine in the newly named Audrey’s Café, named in honour of the late Audrey Auld.
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IF YOU like to start your week off with a little country, this coming Monday night is one for your diary, with the monthly Country in the Village acoustic evening.
It starts at 6.30pm at the Lifestyle Village Hall in Warral Rd, and will feature the talents of guest artist Trevor Coombes.
Your genial host for the evening, Bruce O’Hara, will introduce Trevor and perhaps a few other local or visiting artists to sing or play a song or two.
Entry is by a donation of $5, which also includes tea or coffee and a light supper.
This monthly community event raises funds for the Australian Country Music Hall of Fame. If you need to know more, phone 0403 322 472.
