Greetings to you all, I'm back
on the job after a longer than expected delay, and I hope the winter has not
been too harsh on you, if you are reading this in New Zealand.
Our Mount Egmont is gloriously coated in snow, and the nights -and days-
are really cold, but every so often, the sun shows itself, and gives us a
really pleasant day, as is happening today.
Since my last newsletter, we
have performed at Cliff and Cindy's Country Music function in Waverley, which
went very well, we welcomed back TREVOR DAY from Australia, probably his final
visit to these shores, (because of his age!) and he performed many of his own
songs, many of which have been recorded by several Australian singers over the
years, but it was suggested that many of the songs he chose, were better
suited for the outback pub.
I enjoyed them all, but I
noticed that not everyone was enjoying his wacky sense of humour. A
shame, as he must be one of the top Country song writers around, and more
importantly, he can do justice to the songs, which is a trait that
not all song-writers can do.
Other singers that day included
RON HAYWARD, MURRAY McPHERSON, CLIFF AND CINDY BURGESS, and LENNY AND JOCELYN
KILPATRICK.
We were guests at the Waitara
Hillbilly Club, which always has a generous crowd of supporters, and is a very
popular venue. Especially requested of my guitar instrumentals, was my
own " Riverbank Ramble".
The Stroke Club, and some rest
homes, and plenty of practice on the guitar, leading up to spending time in
Frank Douglas' recording studio out at Waitara, have taken up much of our time
in recent weeks, plus some enjoyable snooker games at the RSA, and Tai Chi for
Noelene.
I noticed that there have been
several Taranaki artists in Frank's studio, and have completed CDs over
the past few months, including CORAL ADLAM (2), TREVOR ALLEN, LEW JONES,
MURRAY McPHERSON, TERRY MORATTI, and HELEN AND IAN BRAITHWAITE. KEITH
AND DELIA CARTER spent much time there, which just may culminate in the
issuing of a CD. I wish all these artists well, with their
sales. I can't comment on them, because I have not heard any of their albums.
Noelene and I spent a most
enjoyable evening recently, at the ISLA GRANT SHOW, which visited New Plymouth
for the first time, and as always, we enjoyed Isla's singing, and that of her
husband Al, and like so many other people, we wished for many more songs from
Al.
As one has come to expect, the
backing band was superb, and it was nice to catch-up with promoter DENIS
BROWN.
ROGER TIBBS came to town, and
played at the New Plymouth Club, in a joint promotion with ANN PASCOE,
and that was another very good evening. Roger's yodelling, and singing, and
his unique guitar style, went down very well, and he was ably supported by
Ann. This evening marked the first stage appearance for quite some time,
of our champion steel guitarist JOE MARTIN, who has had a break in Australia
for several months. Welcome back Joe!
Writer CHRIS BOURKE has
been in contact again, and he will be doing a follow-up trip to our region, to
finalise details for his forthcoming book, which he informs will be titled
"Blue Smoke; the Lost World of NZ Popular Music, 1918-1964",
and it should be published in May next year. So that is really something
to look forward to, and it is hoped that a CD will accompany the book.
And yes, I am working
on a new CD, a final production, which will have some duets with Noelene, also
a trio, with a person dear to us, making her recording debut, some vocal solos
by myself, and several guitar instrumentals, of which I will be very proud to
present. I've completed the title track, and I'm rapt with it.
But the finished article is a few weeks off.
We continue to enjoy listening
to several radio programmes around the globe on the computer, including Town
and Country Radio, from Wellington, every Monday night at 9pm, on www.accessradio.org.nz Kidnappers
Radio from Hastings,on www.kidnappersradio.org.nz,
8pm Wednesdays, 7am to 9am on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and when time
permits, Annette's Heart of the Country every Thursday at 4pm, on www.plainsfm.org.nz and
Country Music with Joan, on www.yyyradio.westnet.com.au on
Fridays between 3pm and 4pm, Wednesdays between 5pm and 7pm NZ time.
It is with much sadness that I
mention the passing of two ladies of Country Music, JUDY McTAGGART, wife of
well-known singer Reg, and DOT GODFREY, who, with husband PHIL, conducted some
very popular Country Music gatherings in their Aranga Woolshed dos every New
Year. Phil is a very efficient and knowledgeable radio D.J. who has his
own radio show every Saturday in Dargaville. Our condolences to
both families.
Until next time, Keep it
Country, and keep smiling, it costs you nothing.
Rex Franklin.
Trevor Day
Ron
Hayward
Rex, Noelene, and Lorraine, in the
studio.
Lenny and Jocelyn Kilpatrick
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