Hello again from Taranaki, on a
beautifully fine spring day.
Sadly, we report the passing of
the following people, CATHY DOBSON, a very popular "sight-impaired"
lady, who played the keyboards, and regularly entertained at rest homes in the
region. She will be missed.
LEO RYAN, who enjoyed hunting, but
supported the efforts of his wife Val, who was into Country Music in a big
way, she is co-host of The Hillbilly Club at Waitara, and is doing a series of
interviews for the new Access radio station, talking to local Country Music
singers and players, and playing samples of their music.
Lastly, LEW SWAN, was in his 88th
year, and I remember him from the night of that talent quest in
Dannevirke in 1953, my first public appearance singing, and playing my guitar.
Well Lew was a fellow- competitor
that night, he was the vocalist for Tui and Horace Hartley. A few weeks after
the talent quest, Horace called on me, and asked me to join him and Tui, and
The Ruahine Ramblers were born.
Lew continued to sing on
occasions, but it was not really his forte, but he gave me, and Horace and Tui
his support in the following years.
Last month, Noelene and I paid a
visit to Rarotonga, to witness our younger son Lindsay's wedding to Jan, and
we so enjoyed the experience.
We endeavoured to catch-up with
well-known pianist GARTH YOUNG, but the nearest we got was a phone
conversation with his wife, who told me he was playing 5 nights per week, at
different hotels.
The arrival of CHRIS BOURKE's book
"BLUE SMOKE" was well-worth waiting for, and there is plenty to read
about well-known entertainers like TEX MORTON, THE TUMBLEWEEDS, LES AND JEAN
WILSON, REX AND NOELENE FRANKLIN, GARNER WAYNE, JACK RIGGIR, JOHNNY COOPER,
JACK CHRISTIE, JOHNNY HAMBLYN, and JOHNNY GRAINGER. Covering
the years 1918 to 1964, this is a book we will cherish for the rest of our
days.
I have not bought very many CDs of
late, but two I have invested in, are "Go where he leads you", by
KAREN HANSEN, certainly the best that Karen has produced to date, and
"Living in the West", by JOY SLOANE, again recorded at Manuka Sounds
studios, and any album put out by Joy, is a joy!! to listen to.
Until next time, take care, and
"Keep it Country".
