Prelude
January 2006
Showcase Successful
A large crowd of country Second - Len O’Connor - The &Highway 32, Sandra
music supporters turned up Country Local Humphries, Brendan Beleski,
to watch a great show at the Third - Brian Howell - Silver Samantha McClymont, Peter
2005 SA Showcase at the Tears Coad & Coad Sisters and the
Norwood Concert Hall on Modern Bush Balladeer of Australia in
November 19th. The show First - John O’Dea - Choices 2006.
featured Trev Warner and Second - Robbie Dalzell -
Brendan Beleski. They were Sitting In The Car For further information ring
Wally Sparrow, John O’Dea and supported by Waren Milera, Third - Robbie Dalzell - Two the Port Lincoln Information
SACCM Chairman Peter Lewis MP Junior Country Crossover Timing Blues Centre on 1300 788 378, the
Group, John O’Dea, Tiffney Racing Club on 08 8682 3851
Check out our website Stroh, Emily Reed, Jessie Che’ On a sad note Robbie Dalzell-
o r c h e c k o u t :
www.saccm.com and the Showcase Band. succumbed to mesothelioma
www.wcmf.com.au
several weeks before the
The show was compered by awards were announced.
Noel Kneebone with able Lake Charlegrark
assistance from our new in- Festival
dustry trainee Kristal Collins.
Musical Director was An- Plans are well under way for
thony Stewart. the running of the annual Lake
Charlegrark Country Music
The SACCM Industry Award was Marathon on 18th and 19th
awarded to Peter Miller. Pe- February 2006.
ter is a professional musician
who has devoted a lot of his Artists appearing this year
life to helping young artists include Beccy Cole, Ronnie
develop their careers. He is a ray Rivers, Peter Horan,
musician, producer and Shane Teinaki, Laura Down-
teacher. ing, Wild Card, Graeme
Warren Milera in action Hugo, Wally Sparrow and
Peter Miller was on the steer- Front page photos by Ian Fisk Gavin Chandler.
Jessie Che’, winner of the Rocky Page ing committee that developed
Memorial Scholarship to attend the the SA Council for Country Charlegrark Festival has be-
Music and he served on the New Festival
2006 CMAA college of Country Music come a very popular venue
Board for many years. Peter Planned for Port and raises money for the
was also musical director at Lincoln Edenhope Hospital and
Inside this issue: Showcase for many years and Woman’s and Children’s in
managed the famous Moomba The Port Lincoln Racing Club
are going to stage a new festi- Melbourne. To get there go
trips. to Bordertown, Francis, then
Story behind The Song 2 val at their premises on the
11th and 12th March 2006. turn right and follow your
Jessie Che’ was awarded the
The festival will be called the nose. For camping informa-
Rocky Page Memorial Scholar-
Beccy Cole going to 2 Eyre Toyota Western Coun- tion ring Roy and Betty Pret-
ship to attend the 2006
Kuwait & Iraq try Music Festival. Free camp- love on 03 53866281 - for
CMAA College of Country
ing facilities will be provided other information ring An-
JCC Column 2 Music in Tamworth. Jessie has
with toilets but no showers. drew Pretlove on 03 5386
a Diploma in Music and works
6209 or 0429 866 228.
around Adelaide with her
JCC Column 3 own band. They have a star studded
guest list for their first festi- Gumtree Music
The APRA Country Songwriting val including Melinda Schnei-
Record Reviews 3 Awards were announced on der, Felicity Urquhart, Luke If you are having trouble find-
the night. The winners were O’Shea, Ronnie Rae Rivers, ing an album look up
Hugo’s Last Stand 4 announced as follows: Royden Donohue, Daniel www.gumtreemusic.com.au
Thompson, Jim hermal and or ring Melanie on 07 3264
Traditional band, Travis Collins, Craig 1298. Don’t mention Wally!
Pictures from 4 First - John O’Dea -Old Rusty Giles, Graeme Hugo & Iron-
Lincoln Park Ute bark Band, Chrissie Murphy
PAGE 2 P RELU DE J ANU ARY 2 006
Story Behind The Song Vocalist of the Year” and “Single of the
Year” which are awarded in January 2006.
According to Eddie Rabbitt, his 1980 hit Beccy’s role as 2005 Ambassador for the
song, “Drivin’ My Life Away” was not an Telstra Road to Tamworth national talent
easy song to write. quest was a great honour and she will
perform at the Grand Final in Tamworth
The song was written for the 1980 on January 24th, 2006. Her last appearance
“Roadie” movie. The movie was a flop but in Australia this year will be at the nation-
the soundtrack album was a winner. ally televised Carols in the Domain con-
cert on December 17th.
The writers-Eddie Rabbitt, Even Stevens,
and David Malloy - were told to write a “I’ll miss not being at home with my son this
“driving kind of song” -not particularly a Christmas, he will be well looked after, but at
truck driving or a car driving song-but a the same time I am looking forward to what I
simple song about driving! am sure will be one of the most satisfying
BECCY COLE things I will have done” Cole said.
Rabbitt commented, “Writing a song about
driving without mentioning either a bus-a To tour Kuwait and Iraq over the
car-or a truck - is not very easy! We the Christmas and New Year Period En-
three of us hold up in our office on 16th tertaining the Troops.
Avenue in Nashville for about three days
and finally wrote the song.” One of Australia’s leading female enter-
tainers, BECCY COLE, will be perform-
The resulting “Drivin’ My Life Away” ing in Kuwait and Iraq over the Christmas
turned out so well---the recording was and New Year period and she is thrilled
include in the “Roadie” movie and the to join an Australian entertainment contin-
“Horizon” album. gent comprising of Angry Anderson,
Hayley Jensen (Australian Idol finalist)
“Drivin’ My Life Away” entered the coun- Bessie Bardot, Geoff Barker, comedian
try music charts June 21st, 1980 and be- Lehmo and Patricia Thompson (Little Pat-
came Eddie Rabbitt’s 7th number one re- tie) as part of a morale-boosting “Tour de
cord. It was on the charts for 15 weeks Force”.
and was his 17th charted song.
“Angry asked me if I would be interested and
The Elektra Records single also scored a the next thing I knew, I was at rehearsals”
# 5 on the pop music charts. Cole said. “How could I say no to an experi-
ence such as this…entertaining the deployed
service personnel”
The “Tour de Force” will include a Christ-
mas Eve concert for the Australian Al If you haven’t yet checked it out, the Jun-
Muthanna Task Group at Camp Smitty in ior Country Crossover has a newly re-
Southern Iraq. A video compile will be vamped web page that is waiting to be hit.
distributed to Australian TV media on
Christmas day. Apart from the Australian
troops based in the Middle East; they will (CAUTION: Do not physically hit your
also be performing for the coalition computer monitor, it may cause serious
troops. The enthusiasm and performances damage)
of the Australian entertainers and the op- The web page includes up-to-date informa-
Country Music Radio portunity to mingle with the deployed tion on what the Junior Country Cross-
force members between shows, have been over is up to, reports on previous events,
If you enjoy good country music and all a major factor in maintaining the morale of a ‘Hints and Tips’ section and some great
the latest country music news then tune men and women who are far from home photos of our JCC’ers in action! Check it
into: and who accept considerable hardship and out at www.saccm.com/jcc
danger in the service to our nation.
Radio Adelaide 101.5 FM
These Australian performers are donating
Showcasing Young Talent
Country Brekky with Wally & Ben Sparrow their time and talent free of charge - a long Ten-year-old singing sensation Nathaniel
Saturday 6.00 am to 9.00 am established tradition that pre dates the O’Brien has had a year I am sure he will
Vietnam War – and they will be supported remember all throughout his singing ca-
Country Café with Sarah Tomlinson by the Royal Australian Navy Band.
Sunday 6.00 am to 8.00 am reer. December 2004 Nathaniel O’Brien
This tops off a remarkable year. Her latest burst into the Country Music scene with
Bluegrass Unlimited with Bill Lawson album “Feel This Free” has been incredibly his first appearance at Junior Country
Sunday 11.00 am to 12 mid day successful; she has toured the whole of Crossover. Since that time he has wowed
Australia, both metro and regional and audiences at Country Music Festivals such
Listen on line: www.radio.adelaide.edu.au as Barmera, Port Augusta, and Port Pirie,
topped it off by winning the coveted
CMAA Entertainer of the Year award. earning a place in the 2005 SA Champion
Listen to Wally & Ben’s special Xmas
Beccy has just been announced as a finalist of Champions where he won the Len
show on Saturday 24th December
for 2 CMAA Golden Guitars for “Female Wakefield Memorial Trophy.
J ANU AR Y 200 6 P RE LU DE PAGE 3
Nathaniel is now learning the guitar and
getting lots of practice in compering, hold-
ing his very own Karaoke Competition to
raise funds to attend Tamworth for the
first time. This has been well supported by
local businesses and public, creating a lot
of interest throughout his district. Entrants
came from Adelaide, Eudunda, Clare,
Crystal Brook, Saddleworth, Hallett and
Burra; the final junior and senior winners For more information on Profes-
receiving a great recording package from sional Members of the SA Council for
Sound Choice & Access Studio. Country Music, visit www.saccm.com
In December 2005, Nathaniel had the
crowd captivated with his exceptional
vocal ability, receiving a huge ovation at
the Annual Clare ’Carol’s by Candlelight’.
The concert raised funds for the Pitjantjat- Take The Pain Away
jara Lands to establish farming projects Sandra Humphries
towards self-sufficiency. “A breathtaking Independent
performance by Nathaniel O'Brien needs I feel very proud when I hear a recording
to be showcased more often…” - The as good as this produced by a South Aus-
Northern Argus tralian. I have known Sandra for many
Keep your eye out for Nathaniel. He is bound years now and have watched her career Horizons & Heartlands
to go a very long way! develop and blossom. She has a very spe- Jeanette Wormald
cial talent when it comes to the interpreta- DVD - Lindene Music
tion of a good country song. Her last al-
bum, ‘Every Road’, was in my mind excel- Jeanette Wormald is another South Austra-
lent and the fact that it won a TIARA lian who is beating hard at the door of star-
Award for Female Vocalist Of The Year in dom. She is a young lady who has always
2004 indicated that a lot of other people breathed life into her own ideas, concepts
enjoyed it to. Sandra was also awarded the and music. Jeanette has a great love for the
Independent Artist/Album Of The Year at Mallee and has always been able to describe
the 2003 Tasmanian and New Zealand it in word and song better than any who
Independent Awards. have gone before her.
In 2005 Sandra took home her second The Horizons and Heartlands project came
TIARA Award for Vocal Collaboration, about when she decided to support her live
awarded to a song she sang with her pro- shows with backdrop photos of the country
ducer Bill Chambers called, ‘Love In The she was singing about. She took off up the
Side’, which was written by fellow crow east coast with her songs and photos and
eater Allan Webster. the concept was so well accepted she de-
cided to produce it as a DVD. Her new
In October Sandra Humphries returned to producer Michael Christian (Fisk & Chris-
Sydney to record her latest album with Bill tian) came on board and produced the
Chambers as producer. The end result was product for her.
‘Take The Pain Away’.
Nathaniel is a Professional Member of the SA When I first watched this DVD I was mes-
Council for Country Music. This is a truly beautiful country album with merized. The photo show is really spec-
For more information on Professional every song a winner. I guess when you tacular and so well presented. Jeanette’s
Members of the SA Council for Country combine Sandra’s wonderful voice and crystal clear voice fills out the effect as she
Music, visit www.saccm.com song interpretation with the talents of tells her wonderful stories of the people
musicians such as Chris Haigh, Stuie and life styles that make up the Mallee.
French, Mick Albeck, Michel Rose and Bill
Chambers the end result has to be up Jeanette has never followed the traditional
there with the best. Another South Aus- road in country music opting instead to
tralian, Beccy Willis, appeared on the al- explore her own inner feelings and talent
bum singing harmonies. both as a writer and singer. We often la-
beled her as a folk singer (we did the same
The choice of songs was first class and with John Williamson), however her recent
every one of them highlights Sandra’s great single ‘If This Isn’t Country’ ran up the
talent, some of the best musicians in the country charts and dispelled this myth. Me
country and some really haunting harmo- thinks we have overlooked one of our
nies. Just watch this young lady bolt ahead great talents who is about to become a
once the rest of the industry hears this national figure. To obtain a copy of this
album. Check it out and purchase from her DVD contact Jeanette at PO Box 691, Lox-
page on www.sandra.com.au ton SA 5333 or go to her web site on
Australian Business Insurance www.jeanettewormald.com
Advisers (ABIA) Pty Ltd Wally Sparrow
Wally Sparrow
PAGE 4 P RE LU DE J ANU ARY 20 06
Prelude is published monthly
by the
South Australian
Council for Country Music Inc.
PO Box 843
Noarlunga Centre SA 5168
Secretary/Membership
Tammy Lee Latham
Phone: 0410 323 811
Editor Wally Sparrow
0419 591 894
The views expressed in this newsletter are not Hugo’s Last Stand
necessarily those of the editor or the SACCM
Committee and no responsibility will be taken for
the same. December saw the last of the famous Spencer Australian made - SA Junior Champion of Cham-
Gulf Country Music Festivals at Lincoln Park pions. Tiffney Stroh checking out the Blue Dog
south of Port Augusta. This event had become clothing display
the largest of its type in SA. The Army has
indicated that it was going to resume Lincoln
Diary Dates Park station to expand their current landhold-
Tamworth - Jan 20th - 29th ing.
Mount Gambier - Feb 11th -12th Hosts Lynne and Graeme Hugo will be relo-
Lake Charlegrark - Feb 18th - 19th cating to Whyalla in February to manage a
Port Lincoln - March 11th - 12th retirement home. The whole weekend was
Murraylands March 24th - 26th very emotional and we are sure the Royal
Flying Doctor Service were sad to see this
Kingfield Home Loans great fundraising event close down.
1st Floor, Safeguard House, 285
Anzac Highway Plympton Artists who gave their time this year included
Greg Champion, Grant Luhrs, Tracy Coster, Singer songwriter John O’Dea swapping stories
Email: fil.g@bigpond.com
Paul Costa, Wild Card, Penny Bourke, Sandra with Tracy Coster and Lake Charlegrark Festival
Humphries, Tiffney Stroh, Laura Downing, principal Paddy Pretlove
Graeme Hugo, Jeff Gibson, Chrissie Murphy
and Highway 32, Granite Peak and Crosswind.
Unfortunately Adam Harvey couldn’t make it
as he was home eating ice cream and jelly
after having his tonsils removed.
Congratulation are due to all who helped
organize and run this superb event.
Vale Robbie Dalzell
Robbie Dalzell (pronounced DL) was
a highly awarded South Australian
songwriter and performer. He and
his wife Rita spent many hours work- Heading home for the last time from Hugo’s
ing on the club scene and entertaining Place
in hospitals and retirement homes. Grant Luhrs, Penny Bourke, Graeme Hugo
and Greg Champion backstage
Robbie won several awards in this
years APRA Country Song of the
Year Awards. Unfortunately Robbie
succumbed to mesothelioma just The SA Council for Country
before the awards night. Robbie was
a great supporter of SACCM and will Music is supported by the
be sadly missed by all. Rest in peace
Government of South Australia
old friend.