April/May 2019

Hi Folks

Our first gig in April was at the RSA. Another great night of dancing. It is always a pleasure to entertain here as we get such great support from the patrons. It looks as though we will be back at the RSA on the 5th  of July. So catch you all there.

The following Sunday saw us catching up with the guys from The Mountain Mist band for a practice before the Bay of Islands festival. It usually pays to have at least one.

Saturday the 13th April we were part of the Fall into Fall weekend at the Kamo club. Our spot was Saturday avo 1 – 3:30. Not a large audience but very appreciative and happy to sit and listen to the afternoon show. On Friday night we went along to support my cousin Craig Robertson and his band 43 Holes. Another awesome night of country and rock’n’roll tunes to get everyone on the dance floor. Saturday night was the turn of evergreen entertainer Shane and his band Shazam to get the crowd going. I hear it was a fantastic night. Overall an awesome weekend for everyone that attended the shows.

On the 27th April we were part of the Ruatangata Hall Variety Concert Fundraiser. We were joined by some very talented locals to raise funds for the up keep of the community hall. The artists were piped into the hall at the beginning of the show by bagpipe player Hugh Montgomery. An awesome way to start the evening. Other artists included vocalist Amanda Raynor accompanied on guitar by her husband Paul Van Den Berg performing a couple of The Steeldrivers songs one being a great rendition of “If it Hadn’t Been For Love”. We were then entertained by two wonderful instrumentalists Graeme Phyn on keyboards and Wallace Johnson on Saxophone playing a variety of well known tunes. Joe Pita a very talented man fairly new to the district then treated the audience to some of his original songs and awesome guitar playing. A good number of locals turned out to support the evening. A big thank you to Pam and Peter Morgan and the committee for helping to organize this event. Hopefully more talented locals will start practicing hard for the next fundraiser.

And so into May and the internationally renowned “ Bay of Islands Country Rock Festival” 2019. What a great milestone for Shirley May and her team, 30 years, of providing outstanding country music to New Zealand fans. The photo shows Shirley presenting me with a “Certificate of Recognition” for performing in the 1st and 30th festivals and a few in between. Only two others share this achievement, Dallas Grant and Tony Harrison. I am sure that both Dallas and Tony feel the same way I do which is; It has been a pleasure Shirley. The photo also shows one of the great country albums from the ‘70s which I sometimes mention at our gigs “20 Town and Country Greats Vol 1”. A classic. Thanks for the copy Shirley.

We had three gigs over the weekend. The first being at the Copthorne in Waitangi. This is a great venue and it was awesome to be back performing with Richard, Tiny and Ian as The Mountain Mist Band. Then it was off to Russell and the Duke Tavern where were able to catch up with Joni Harms and her daughter, Olivia, all the way from the US of A. We first met Joni a couple of years ago when she travelled over for the Marton Country Music Festival. It was so nice to see her again and get a photo together with herself and Olivia. We also caught up with the very talented Carylann Martin. Carylann has agreed to play piano accordion on an original song I am recording with Mike McCarthy at Manuka Studios in Orewa so I am really looking forward to that. We managed to grab some dinner at the Russell RSA and listen to a great band from the mainland “The Northern Outpost” multi-talented musicians for sure.

Sunday we were at the Paihia Sports Bar for our final show. A great audience turned out to support us which was magnificent. Thanks to James on sound great job. We also managed to touch base with our Aussie friend, Callum Gleeson, an awesome singer who we will be seeing in Barham NSW in July. There were so many friends we were unable to catch up with but we hope you all had a fantastic time at the 30th anniversary festival.

That is all we have booked until Friday the 28th June when we will be appearing at the Henderson RSA. Look forward to seeing all our Auckland fans at this one it’s going to be a great night.

As most of you will be aware Annette is currently in the USA on the Kevin Greaves Tour with our good friend Elva Morgan. By the photos and videos being posted on Facebook they are having an awesome time. I’m sure we wish we could all be there with them. Lucky buggers. Follow the tour with Annette on Facebook. She is doing a great job of keeping us up to date on their travels.

One last thing to mention. Congratulations to all the contestants at the Norfolk Island Country Music Festival. Well done Jaydin Shingleton 2019 Winner Trans-Tasman EOY Award and Best Original Song. Runner – up Cherie Sinclair and Tegan Reid Most Promising Artist. We hope everyone involved in the festival had a fantastic time on this beautiful South Pacific Island.

So, take care and remember to keep it country and to all our Aussie fans and friends we will see you all in Barham in July. Can’t wait.

Best wishes

Annette and Kim