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Country Music News

By Rex Franklin

Hello all,

Back again for our latest news.

The big event for us, was the big concert in Te Awamutu, put on by Ray and Val Thurgood, especially for cancer victims.

We were special guest artists, along with REG MCTAGGART, from Southland, CARLEEN STILL from Whangarei, and ANITA SMITH from the Tauranga region.

Also featured, were HERBERT BURKIN from Hastings, JOHN McCONNELL from Hamilton, and LEE HONE from the Te Awamutu area, and a wonderful backing band.

We had rehearsed our songs well, and instead of driving up on the Saturday morning, we decided to travel on the Friday, just in case there was a hold-up, due to slips, etc. and we were very pleased we did make that decision, because even though we had much difficulty in getting warm in the motel in Otorohanga, because the proprietor had said to me on arrival "It's not cold", and our motel unit was wide open, it took us hours to warm it up, we did arrive in Te Awamutu early Saturday to a much warmer reception, but with a telephone call from a newspaper reporter, who spoke to Noelene, asking all sorts of questions about two really good friends of ours, and the short answer was that a very dear friend GRAEME FITZSIMONS had died on the road on his way to Auckland to join his wife Janice.

Come concert time, and we observed a two minutes silence prior to the commencement of the show.

The concert was, from then on, a show to remember, with a great venue, great sound, a great sound technician, a very competent backing band, those with CDs to sell, sold a good number, the audience was very appreciative, and we have been asked to return.

Reg put on a very professional show, as did Carleen, and Herbert Burkin went very well with a dose of comedy.

Lee Hone did very well, and got a good hand, having done just a few concerts, she would have been pretty happy.

We were very impressed with the talent, and the friendliness of Carleen Still, and her Husband Peter, who we hope to see and hear much more of in the future.

Another well-known identity to pass away recently, was ALVIN JONES, President of the Taranaki Country Music Club. He was also one of the nicest people you would ever meet.

The Taranaki Country Music Show from the Access Radio station, 104.4fm is going really well, proving very popular, and is streamed live on the internet every Tuesday at 10 am, and repeated the following Saturday at 1 pm

The site is http://www.accessradiotaranaki.com/listen.html

Not forgetting Phil Godfrey's very popular show on Big River fm in Dargaville, streaming live every Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm, and his Radio Rodeo is on every Sunday from 8 to 10 pm on http://bigriverfm.co.nz/listenlive.php

Wellington Access Radio have a first-class show every Monday night 9 to 11, you can listen on

http://player.wizz.co.nz/war/, Herbert Burkin over in Hastings, has a top show of good Country Music every Wednesday 8pm to around 10.30pm, and sometimes even on Monday mornings at 9.http://www.radiokidnappers.org.nz/ and there is Noel Parry's show in the deep South, every Wednesday 2.30 to 5.30, and Thursdays 9.30am to 12.30pm, and you can click on here to listen to Noel. http://www.ustream.tv/channel/radio-southland-live-stre.

There are others, who do a fantastic job, like Annette Mehrtens, on Plains fm each Thursday at 4pm, and Motueka's Fresh fm, tune-in, you'll hear some great Country Music. http://plainsfm.org.nz/programme/annettes-heart-country/

http://www.freshfm.net/.

As a closing note, you may not know that DUSTY SPITTLE has a new CD available, and Dusty and Faye can be contacted by phone in Cromwell. MAUREEN THOMPSON is not too far away from releasing her latest. She sent me the MP3 of one of the songs from the album, and it is a beauty. Can't wait to see the complete package, from one of our top female singers.

Until next time, keep smiling, and keep it Country.

Rex and Noelene.