Who's Who ? Reg Poole Thats Who

Another honour has been bestowed upon the Gentle Giant of Australian Country Music, with the release of the 2008 inaugural edition of who's who in Victoria. Over 6000 names of prominent people in the state have had their story and accomplishments highlighted in this first up edition.

People from all walks of life are featured, politicians, sportsmen and women, professors show biz personalities etc, etc. Reg was heard to say that he was very grateful for his inclusion in the book and would like to

thank the people responsible for his nomination, and hoped that he could continue to carry on with the "work" that loves to do.

Many things are on the agenda of reg at the moment-------- he's busy putting down a new cd at Redbak Studios in Leeton NSW and has been gathering songs for the project over the last few months. Some of the songs chosen have been written by the likes of John Williamson, Keith Jamieson, Sharon Benjamin, Johnny Chester, Eric Watson, Mack Cormack and others ----------- there's even a couple of Reg's there too. Likely release date for the album is September.

In the meantime Reg is busy out on the road with Owen Blundell--------- this month sees them in NSW and Qld Wed 11 June at Red Cliffs Country Music Club in Qld , Thurs 12 in Bundaberg at Burnett Bowls Club Fri 13 at MaClagan Memorial Hall and on Sat and Sun 14 and 15 at Gympie at the Stampede. Then on the way home Reg calls in to Kross Kut Studios at Robina to record a song with Glenn Jones on his forthcoming cd. After a couple of days on the Gold Coast Reg and Owen head south and perform at Kyogle Bowls on Thurs 19, Wauchope Country Club on Fri 20, Hexham Bowls on Sat 21 and South Tamworth Bowling Club on Sun arvo 22nd.

July sees Reg and Owen in Tasmania for a fortnights tour (venues at a later date). Reg and Dot’s new grandson Ryder continues to grow and he made his stage debut in Geelong recently, happily sitting on Poppy's knee and then walking off to his own applause, and the crowds too of course

Reg would like to take this opportunity to thank all community radio presenters for their ongoing support and to all fans and friends for their un swerving loyalty by turning up to the "shows".

 International Interest in
Local Country Music Festival

Country Music Festival president Dave Reneke with secretary Joy Lewis holding some of the many CDs their star attraction, Louise Morrissey, has released over the years.

The inaugural Wauchope Country Music Festival, set down for 9-11 January next year, looks like being a truly international affair with one of Ireland’s top recording stars, Louise Morrissey, booked to perform. She’ll be headlining her one and only show here for the festival at the Wauchope RSL on Saturday night, January 10, and looking forward to meeting her many fans on the mid-north coast.

Louise has long been one of Ireland's best loved singers and entertainers. She has achieved great success in both Ireland and the UK, and has brought her easy style of country and folk to many other countries, including the USA, Canada, Europe and the Middle East. She has also toured the UK with Charlie Pride, Foster & Allen, and Dominic Kirwan.

An all round entertainer, Louise and her band visited the Lebanon in 1994, where they entertained the Irish UN Peacekeeping troops.

Festival president, David Reneke, said there has been a lot of  interest shown so far in the festival with enquiries coming from all over NSW, and quite a few from interstate. We’ve already selected most of the artists for the three days the festival will be running and along with some of Australia’s top name stars, they include quite a few local performers as well.

“I’m really proud of the committee we have,” David said. “We have talented people involved who are not only fully focussed on making this festival one of the best events of its type in the country, they’re also totally committed in promoting the Hastings to the many tourists looking at making Wauchope a stop-over on their way to the Tamworth Country Music Festival in the new year.” 

With the festival still in the planning stages, the committee are already looking further ahead. Successive years will see the incorporation of the ‘Timbertown Muster’ – a new concept in family entertainment showcasing Australian bush and country music at the Timbertown Theme Park, Wauchope. “We’ll cater for all facets of country music,” David said.

Wauchope CBD will be abuzz for the entire event with local and visiting performers in town each day adding to the overall ambience the festival will generate. The festival is expected to become a major event on the popular Australian country music calendar each year   

With the Wauchope Country Music Festival being a non-profit event, all monies generated will go straight back into the local community.

If you can help with donations, or you are a business interested in sponsoring a major event or artist, then the organisers would like to hear from you. Please phone Debbie Jones on 0411208867 or Joy Lewis on (02) 6585 1499 for more information.

Dave Reneke

Cessnock Festival Another Success

The second Cessnock City Country music Festival was heralded as a resounding success. With the addition of a Balladeers section this year, audiences exceeded last year’s figures.

The official opening, held in the Harold Sternbeck Lions park, was conducted by the Cessnock City’s mayor, Councillor John Clarence. The mayor then introduced Kirsty Lee Akers supported by Brad Bergen, followed by Greg Bain and Slim Newton.

Friday night saw multi-award winners; Carter & Carter perform along with guests Donna Boyd and the 2008 Golden Guitar new Talent reciprient Kirsty Lee Akers.

Saturday commenced with a good crowd to welcome Lisa White, Makaylie Foodey, Bob Pigott, Rob Wilson and Nicki Gillis with Amber Lawrence concluding the day’s line-up.

Popular solo performer, John Wilson kept patrons entertained till the Feral Swing Katz show. This was opened by the 2000 Toyota Starmaker winner, Grant Richardson and Tamara Stewart.

Sunday’s entertainment was divided between the main auditorium and the Bistro. The main room saw Alby & Melody Pool, Kellie Cain, Victoria McGee, Sharnee Fenwick, Ryan Sampson, Bruce McCumstie( compere) plus Felicity Urquhart.

In the bistro the Balladeers featured   Bob Easter, Melissa Bajric, Greg Bain, Rick Hopkins, Amos Morris and Laura Downing. They were backed by Charley Boyter, Ben Kelly and Tony Machlin. Borris Bajric supplied the sound for this room with Kevin Parsons compere.

Organiser spokesperson, Rhonda Astill said “In planing we expected an increase in figures; however they exceeded all expectations, with good crowds at the start of each day”. “The Balladeers room was full a half an

Donna Boyd
Merelyn & DavidCarter
Kirsty Lee Akers

Camille Miche lSteuie

Laura Downing

Rick Hopkins

hour before starting time, even though the headline act act- Laura Downing- wasn’t scheduled till later in the afternoon”.

“The response from patrons to the raffle, in aid of the Leukaemia Foundation was fantastic. Between both rooms they helped to raise over $800 towards this worthy cause” she said.

Rhonda added, “ I would like to thank all our sponsors and businesses that helped make this a huge success. Also thanks to Marlene Hartog and the East Cessnock bowling club staff, Bruce & Bev McCumstie, Kevin & Peggy Parsons, Mary & Owen Witt, and Greg Astill for their assistance in this huge weekend”.

The 2009 festival will run over the weekend of May 22, 23 and 24.

The Lindsay Waddington Show

Three Time Queensland Musician of the Year Lindsay Waddington is on the road with his jam packed country show. The show will feature the talented Multi-Instrumentalist Lindsay Waddington, Country all rounder Neil Buttsworth, The sweet sound of Melissa Bajric, and Bush Balladeers Ken ‘ Chainsaw’ Lindsay and Julie Perandes.

Tour dates on "Tours Page"
Reegan Waddington
Kross Kut Records

Aurthur George “Buddy” Bisby

Aurthur George “Buddy” Bisby was born on 22nd of May 1924 at Northampton WA, and was raised on a farm at a small place called east Yuna, some 100 km North East of Geraldton on the banks of the Greenough river.

He often talked of a popular picnic spot near their property called the Nundamarra pools where many a Sunday was spent with neighbours & friends.

Buddy ( as he was known) was one of 9 children to Ernie & Esther Bisby (Alf, Bill, Elsie, Bert, Thora, Arthur, Betty, Kevin & Pat) and he also had a step sister (Evelyn).

His father died when he was only seven, leaving his mother to raise 9 children by herself during the depression years. It was a hard life with some trying times but it was still a good family life.

Buddy and his brothers and sisters attended the East Yuna School travelling 6 miles each way by horse and sulky until it closed when he was only 13. That was the end of his schooling.

After leaving school, Buddy worked on neighbouring properties as did his older brothers and sisters. Eventually his mother moved into Mullewa with his younger siblings while he and his older brothers and sisters stayed and worked to look after themselves.

When Buddy was 16 he moved to Geraldton to take up a trade as an apprentice brick layer. Just before his 17th birthday with one of his mates, he enlisted in the army telling them he was turning 18.He was sent to Rottnest Island off the coast of WA and trained as a gunner in the heavy artillery section. He spent almost 3 years there before being sent to Greta army camp. He spent a number of months training with the AIF in preparation to be sent to New Guinea. It was during this time he met his future wife after an ANZAC service and then spent many a Friday night at dances in the church hall.

Before he completed his training for departure to New Guinea the war ended. Buddy was sent back to WA for discharge from the army and returned to Branxton to continue his now blossoming romance. Buddy boarded in Newcastle where he continued his brick laying apprenticeship.

Whilst waiting to re-commence his apprenticeship, he would spend time helping his wife’s father and brother in the family timber cutting business. On the 17th December 1949, Mavis & Arthur were married in the St John’s Anglican church and travelled to WA for their honeymoon.

On their return back home mum & dad ran a small business across from the then picture theatre. Mum ran the shop with help from her family, while dad worked at Airfield colliery North Rothbury.
After working at colliery each day he would work on building their home. Completing the garage first in which they lived until the house was finally completed. Mavis’s brothers would often help late into the evenings.

On picture show nights Mavis & Arthur opened the shop ready for intermission. Her brothers, who were often at the pictures, would leave just before intermission to help in the shop whilst it was busy.

In 1956 their son, Alwyn was born, much to their delight. the magic tricks dad would perform for me & my friends and at local community functions. Dad could turn his hand to many things and I remember him being involved in many projects for the church and other people. Dad could never say no.

Dad moved from airfield colliery to the RW Miller coal loader next the Hexham Bridge where he worked and travelled for a number of years.

Later Buddy started working for Standens engineering where he mainly did work on air-conditioning of earthmoving equipment. With this job he travelled to many mining areas around Australia.

Towards the end of his working career he and Mavis established their own air-conditioning business.
Sadly Mavis passed away in March 1987. This devastated Buddy. A loss he never really came to terms with or recovered from. He found comfort in his hobby of woodturning, such as a turned pen or wine goblets & his love of country music. When asked what he had been up to, the reply was singing C&W to the old people in the nursing homes, some of which were younger than him.

Buddy has done many things in his life to do with music-
He had built a guitar, made awards for the Tamworth country music festival, busked himself in Tamworth and in February 2007 an oral history recording was done of his life & times for the national library of Australia.

Slim Dusty & Buddy Williams were he’s favourite C&W artists; Something that Buddy treasured and still had kept to this day was a card that he & Mavis had received from Slim Dusty on their 25th wedding anniversary.

He loved to sing at home to keep himself occupied and the neighbours were often treated an impromptu concert and also spent many an enjoyable afternoon performing with a number of his country music friends.

Arthur George Bisby born 1924 died May 15, 2008. Thanks to his son, Alwyn for this information.

Kevin Parsons

Matt Scullion Interview

Q: Where were you born and where did you grow up?

A: Born in Sydney, grew up in Milton on the south coast of NSW

Q: Was there anyone in particular who played an influential part in shaping your career?

A: Apart from my mother, no one in particular, just playing with a lot of different musicians in a lot of bands and traveling lots.

Q: I know it’s not long since you started in the industry, how long is it since you first got started?

A: I’ve been singing and writing for about 15 years now- wow how time flys.

Q: What year did you do your first recording?

A: 1996 in Darwin I had a band called Tanami- we released an EP.

Q: What was it that made you decide to go into the recording industry?

A: The love of music and the hope to be able to make a living out of it some day.

Q: At this point in time I believe you just have your debut album, want tell me about it

A: It’s a 13 track album of all original songs I have either written or co-writen. It’s been in the pipeline for a lot of years and is aptly titled Put It Down To Experience and all of the songs are about me or someone I know. Some of the songs were written here in Australia while the others were written in the States.

Q: You’ve got some songs that are doing well for you

A: yeah especially Giddy Up which was my second single, it spent something like 4 ½ months in the top 30 on CMC.

Q: I liked listening to “Hard Earned Money” I assume there is a story behind that

A: I wrote that one with Lawrie Minson, it’s not about us we just thought we’d write a song for the guys, you always hear about the girl who finds her sugar daddy we just reversed the rolls and had a ball writing it.

Q: I liked the video clip, that touched my weird sense of humor

A: That was done with Glen Wilson who won a golden guitar for Felicity’s big black cloud film clip. It was shot in Tamworth where I used to live and all the people in it are my crazy friends.

Q: Your most memorable occasion?

A: I have many but probably my first time arriving in Nashville and knowing I was meant to be there and my first Golden Guitar nomination For Hard Earned Money- just being part of the awards night and walking the red carpet with my fiancée Nina.

Q: Your most embarrassing moment

A: I’ve had a few of those too but we’ll leave them alone.

Q: You were nominated for a Golden Guitar in January, want to elaborate on that

A: It’s my second nomination, It was for Giddy Up- video clip of the year produced by myself and Duncan Toombs.

Put It Down To Experience

01 Feels Like Sunday 02 Giddy Up 03 Simple Things 04 Barely Alive 05 Love Is Like A Chevy 06 Waycross 07 Hard Earned Money 08 Put It Down To Experience 09 Beautiful 10 Running Out Of Reasons 11 I Wanna Be 12 Luckiest Man Alive 13 First Thing On My Mind Video Clips Hard Earned Money Giddy Up

01 Feels Like Sunday- this was my 3rd single, it charted well on radio and the video clip also charted well on CMC.
12 Luckiest Man Alive- My latest single and the 4th off the album

Available from
Domenica LaMacchia
Destra Entertainment
+61 2 9433 4800
Domenica.lamacchia@destra.com

Hermann Lammers Meyer…
Country Deep In The Fatherland

Buddy Emmons Hermann Lammers Meyer and Pete Wade in Nashville

Rich and deep-voiced vocalist, Hermann Lammers Meyer from Germany recorded his CD ‘I’d Like To Live It Again’ (Desert DK200113) far from the Fatherland. It was in heartland of the USA. Indeed, he recorded his CD in quality style in Nashville with illustrious sessioners such as Buddy Emmons (steel), Pete Wade (guitar), Buddy Spicher (fiddle), Pig Robbins (piano), and others. He says that the Nashville sessioners paraded for him on that day were some of his childhood music heroes. They give the commendable album project a fantastic ‘heartland’ feel. If that were not enough, Herman secured some prized duets too with the likes of Norma Jean, Lois Johnson, David Frizzell, Michael Ballew and others. His balladeering songs are all in English (perfect English), are heart-orientated and tell stories.

Back home, he says that his German countrymen enjoy country music. He himself tours his Fatherland, the Baltics (Estonia and Latvia), the USA and the UK from time-to-time. In Texas with his band, he played honky-tonks, fairs and theatres with great relish and delight. He has recorded with Willie Nelson, Johnny Bush and others and has received various international awards. He is still based in Aschendorf, Germany.

Exciting Adventures

Hermann was born on 7th December 1952 in Aschendorf/Ems in Germany. It is located in the northwest, next to the Dutch border and the North Sea. His dear father was a English Channel ship-owner/operator, as Hermann recalls, ‘I spent my early childhood days and especially my school holidays on board the ship. Along with my family including my brother and sister, we had many exciting adventures.’

As a youngster, Hermann was introduced to American country music by a close relative. ‘Back then in the 1960s, my Uncle Rudolph started to play guitar. He loved to sing songs for me that he’d heard on records such as Jim Reeves’ ‘Adios Amigo’ and the Kingston Trio’s ‘Tom Dooley’. It was my first initiation into country music.’

Educationally, Hermann trained to follow his father’s trade and be ship broker which he did for a short while. However, as success with his playing, singing and recording came early in 1973 –a decision had to be made. His music was his ‘first love’ so that’s what he followed to the surprise of the dear folks around him at that time.

Asked what would be his signature song, he replies, ‘It’s a tune that I wrote years ago called ‘Moonshine Ladies’. It’s a kind of a novelty song that I do solo. With my band our signature song is an unusual version of Guy Clarke`s ‘Desperados Waiting For The Train’. Often we do a German version of that song and also ‘Redneck Mother’, Ray Wylie Hubbard’s super-song. These songs - added to my first self-written tunes - were the basis of my first two albums in 1975 and 1979. I chose country music because I got hooked on the sound of the pedal steel guitar of Jimmy Day and the voice of Jim Reeves!”

Hermann’s dream came true when -a few years later- the legendary Jimmy Day was his guest in Aschendorf while Jimmy was touring with Clay Blaker`s band under Hermann’s organisation. More and more, Hermann grew to love the stories and instrumentation in country music.

Happy And Healthy

He says that German people tended - in the past- to enjoy the more melodic sounds of true-blue country music although nowadays some enjoy the more beaty sounds of Shania Twain and the like. Clearly a traditionalist, Hermann is highly opinionated about the matter. ‘All that modern stuff -to me – ain’t got nothing to do with what I call country at all!’

With his wife Anke and his son Shane (who enters his teens in 2004) – the Meyer Family are still based in Aschendorf cause. A modern youngster, Shane likes modern pop as well as every now and then delving into his Dad’s country music. Clearly proud of his family, with a smile, Hermann jokes about the Family’s home base. ‘Back in 1979, I told my wife that I wanted to live in Texas or in Aschendorf, and no other place. By her choice - I still live in Aschendorf – and love it!’

Hermann defines a quality song as one that moves his heart and has a story to tell that can move others too. He looks for elegant simplicity in the story and in the chords of the melody. As examples, he sites evergreens such as ‘Green, Green Grass Of Home’, ‘Release Me’ and ‘Rose Garden’. With reference to his own compositions, he says, ‘My method is to find a good story first and then a hook-line, Sometimes ideas come fast and they tend to be mostly the good songs. For others, I really work hard to write something that makes sense.’

To Hermann, his success is in pleasing others. ‘I take pleasure from my concert gigs and from what my DJ friends worldwide say about my music. I’m very thankful for my musical career including its struggles as well as its joys. Remaining happy and healthy and keeping the family intact are high on my list of priorities!’

Paul Davis www.pauldavisauthor.com for Country Music Roundup, Great Britain thanks very much to Paul Davis

www.myspace.com/hlammersmeyer
NEW CD 1961- A Love Song - has various hit singles ...

listen to Hermann s radio shows on www.cmrnashville.net on Mondays and Tuesdays
his show on www.twangtownusa.com/real/hours/hour12.ram Streaming Now

Marty Stuart at Nashville International Airport

Country music icon Marty Stuart is not only a songwriter and musician; it turns out the Mississippi native is also an accomplished photographer. He got his first camera at age 13 while making his bluegrass debut as a rhythm guitarist in Lester Flatt's band. Beginning June 2nd, you can see 40 of Stuart's photographs in the Concourse C corridor at Nashville International Airport (BNA). The photographs tell the story of three major influences on Stuart's life: country music singers and songwriters, rockabilly music and performers, and the Lakota Tribe of North and South Dakota.
Marty Stuart: Performing Songwriter's 100 Most Influential Independent Artists
Marty Stuart honoured as one of Performing Songwriters 100 Most

Influential Independent Artists of the past 15 years! Performing Songwriter's 15th Anniversary Collectors' Edition has just been published with Marty's inclusion in the special feature "The Indie 100: Performing Songwriter's100 Most Influential Independent Artists of the Past 15 Years."

Nite*Sky Records
"Where the Stars Shine"
http://www.nitesky.us

Mark Lucas & the Dead Setters

Local roots/country exponents Mark Lucas & the Dead Setters continue their Friday night residency at the Petersham Bowling Club followed by a trip down Parramatta Road to the Lansdowne Hotel on Sunday evening June 15th…

One of Sydney’s oldest, Petersham Bowlo is now an award winning, community run, pokie free club and has become the perfect spot for a relaxing night out enjoying a bite to eat from the “Wok on the Green”, as well as movie nights, jazz bands, tai chi, pool and even bowls.

The Petersham Bowling Club is at 77 Brighton St. Petersham Tel: 9569 4639

Songsmith management
PO Box 53 Leichardt  NSW 2040 Australia
Tel: 612 9518 0392
Fax: 612 9569 9335
Mob: 0412 646 288
www.songsmith.com.au
www.marklucas.com.au
www.myspace.com/marklucasandthedeadsetters

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