Hi Folks
Welcome to 2016. We have had an awesome start to the new year. We kicked it off on the 9th of January with a special birthday celebration for our friend Val Flexman organised by her husband Stuart at their bach at Ohawini Bay at Oakura. We had an awesome evening with their family and friends celebrating with Val and Stuart. Thank you both for your wonderful hospitality. We had a great evening.

On Sunday the 10th we had our first afternoon show with our good friend Alan Webster at the Whangarei RSA. Thank you to everyone that turned out so early in the year to enjoy an afternoon of country music. Thanks also to everyone that helped us out on the day and to the Whangarei RSA for looking after us all with food and refreshments. Alan is a fantastic Australian entertainer that everyone appreciated very much. We had also arranged for Alan to join us at the Kamo Club on the Wednesday evening for a special dance Section show and one of the biggest turn outs for a Wednesday evening they have ever had. I don’t think anyone was disappointed with either show especially with a special performance by Alan and Maureen’s granddaughter Melody, who is an outstanding young performer, at both the RSA and Kamo Club. Well done Melody. We look forward to working with Alan again sometime in the future. It was also nice to catch up with Alan’s wife, Maureen, again and to also meet his son and daughter-in-law. Hope you all had a great time seeing the sights of Whangarei and Northland.

The following Friday we had to head down to Marton for the three day country music festival run by Ann and Len George and their team of helpers. Once again it was one of their most successful festivals to date with over four hundred mobile homes arriving for the weekend. Friday night and Saturday nights shows were a huge success. Performing on Friday night were Lynn Putt, Carylann Martin, Kem Wairau, The Australian country gentleman Alan Webster and NZ country music icons Brendan Dugan and Dennis Marsh ably supported by the band Pheonix. Saturday night saw Annette and I sharing the stage with Reg McTaggart, Roberta Campbell, Keith Herbert, Peter Jackson ( fresh from filming another blockbuster) no not that one, Joy Adams, Craig Adams, Kylie Austin, Mae Valley ( Hannah and Abie ) newly signed with Sony ( congratulations ladies) and the headliner, all the way from Australia, the amazingly talented Justin Standley. Again supported by the fabulous band , Shotgun, lead as always by Derek Evans who sadly has called it a day as part of the backing band for the festival. Thank you Derek and lynn for your support for so many years. No doubt we will catch with you both somewhere in the country music arena.

Wow, what a great weekend had by all the artists and audience. Scorching weather, lots of watermelons and ice cream sold and bottles and bottles of water consumed by at least 3000 people during the 3 days. It was great to catch up with so many familiar faces again and wonderful to see Ken and Elaine Foster travel all the way down from my home town Dargaville. Also a nice touch by Ann to remember all those that could not be with us this year. Thank you Ann and Len (and the Team ) for another amazing weekend. We look forward in anticipation to next year.
By the time you all see this it will be February and we will most likely be in Barham NSW where we are looking forward to a great week of country music and dancing and catching up with all our Aussie friends. Until next time take care and keep it country.

Best wishes
Annette and Kim

Hi Folks

Before we venture into November / December news we must mention the Ruatangata hall fundraiser on October 31st. There was a good turnout of locals who enjoyed a very successful show put on by local talent. The acts included a dance performance by Grace, a saxophone solo by Matt, piano playing and sing along by Tim Hempleman, a solo performance by Monica Nance with musical interludes by Annette and myself. It was a great evening with everyone getting into the spirit and supporting the raffles which raised a good amount of money for the hall account.

The next day, November 1st, we were guest artists at the Northern Wairoa Country Music Club. This was also a great afternoon and we would like to thank Margaret, Ken, the band and committee for asking us to perform. The Northern Wairoa club was the first club that I was a member of and I can remember winning the “Most Improved Vocalist” trophy in 1976, which I still have. It was great to see a variety of artists performing and we look forward to returning in the future.

On the 14th of November we were back in Balclutha for our 2nd visit. We had a great night and it was awesome to catch up with so many people that are supporting our music in the South Island. Thanks to Ngarita, Kevin, James and all their helpers also South Otago Town and Country Club, the Balclutha Country Music Club and Graeme at Radio Dunedin for all your support as well. Your southern hospitality was fantastic and we look forward to a future visit.

We would also like to congratulate our very good friends, Queenie Ututoanga and Len Field, on their wedding on the 28th November. Sorry we could not celebrate with you but we wish you both all the very best for your future together and look forward to catching up with you both sometime soon.

Sadly, also in November we lost our dear friend and Aussie mum Barb Goldsmith. We will never forget her and feel blessed to have had Barb in our lives.

As we head into the festive season it is with reflection on the year that has been and anticipation on the year ahead of us. We were once again at the Kamo Club Dance Section’s Xmas breakup. We always enjoy performing for these guys and this year was no exception. Quite a group of them will be joining us on Norfolk Is next year and we are definitely looking forward to that. Don’t forget we will be back at the Kamo Club on Wednesday the 13th of January with special guest Allan Webster direct from Australia via Aranga from 7:30pm till 10pm. This will be a great night.

Last Friday, 11th December, we finished our final gig for the year at the Whangarei RSA. There was a great turnout and everyone had a fantastic night and were still dancing the night away at the end of the night. Thank you to everyone that supported us on the night and to everyone that has supported us during the year. We really do appreciate it. Don’t forget also that we will be at the RSA on Sunday the 10th January to do a concert with Allan Webster from 1:00pm – 4pm. Don’t miss these two great shows.

That’s about it for the 2015 folks. Please take care of yourselves over the Christmas break and we look forward to seeing you all in the New Year.

Take care and keep it country

Best wishes

Annette and Kim

Hi Folks

Thank you to everyone that supported our Dargavllle concert on the 12th of September. It was a big day with a good sized audience turning out to enjoy an afternoon with ourselves and The Mountain Mist Band. Thanks to Dennis and Mort for providing the sound  and to everyone that helped set up and pack down the hall for us. Your help was very much appreciated. Greta to see familiar faces enjoying the music. We will be back in Dargaville on Sunday the 1st of November as guest artists for the Northern Wairoa Country Music Club. So come along and join us we are looking forward to a great afternoon.

October was a busy month for us. We were at the Kamo Club on the 3rd of October for a Saturday night gig. We have quite a few members from the dance section joining us on our Norfolk Island Tour in 2016 and we know they like to enjoy themselves. We have a great week organized for everyone and have nearly reached our target for numbers so if you would like to join us as well please contact us asap. We would hate you to miss out on an awesome week of fun and country music. We will be back at the Kamo Club in early December for the Dance Section Xmas break up.

On the 10th we entertained at the Dargaville Lions 50th birthday celebrations held at the Lighthouse restaurant at the Dargaville Museum. It was almost like a reunion as well with past members attending from out of town. Awards were presented with two for fifty years of service, one including 100% meeting attendance during those fifty years. Thank you to the Lions Club for asking us to perform. We had an awesome night.

The following Wednesday we were at the Whangarei RSA celebrating the Women’s Sections 70th birthday. Another awesome afternoon of speeches, presentations, fun and music. Congratulations to both the Lions Club and the Women’s section for their achievements. We will be back at the RSA on Friday the 11th of December. Wow, is the end of the year that close.

Before then we are looking forward to our second visit to Balclutha on the 14th of November. We had a great time in March this year at the Town and Country Club in Balclutha and look forward to catching up with Ngarita, Kevin and crew.

We have a short break over Christmas but then look out for us in the New Year as we will be doing two shows with our good friend Allan Webster from Australia. The first will be at Whangarei RSA on Sunday 10th January from 1pm – 4pm and the second on Wednesday 13th January for the Kamo Club dance Section 7:30pm – 10pm. From there we all head south to the Marton Country Music Festival. So check out our show page on our web site to see if we will be at a venue near you.

Until then take care and keep it country.

Best wishes

Annette and Kim

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If you would like to contact us further please email music@annetteandkim.co.nz

Hi Folks

We hope everyone is making it through the cold winter months as best as they can. It has been colder than usual here in the winterless north but nothing compared to what our friends in the deep south have been experiencing. We are thinking of you and hope you are all keeping safe and warm. Summer is not far away.

On the 4th of July we were back at the Kamo Club to entertain. We always enjoy this venue and everyone has a great time. We are looking forward to a number of the members joining us next year on Norfolk Island. That’s if the bloody Aussie haven’t taken it over by then. We also had a very good turnout for our gig at the Whangarei RSA on the 31st. It was awesome to see some of our Norfolk Island tour group from this year supporting us and enjoying the atmosphere.

During June we have been organising our Dargaville Concert which will be held on Saturday the 12th of September from 1:30pm – 4pm in the Town Hall, Hokianga Rd. It has been a couple of years since we performed in Dargaville with “ The Mountain Mist Band” and we are really looking forward to being back. Tickets are available from Foster’s Home Decorating, Victoria St, Dargaville. The cost is $20-00 Adults 15years and under free. We would like to thank Ken and his team for their support and if you are in the shop take a look at some of the great stuff they have for sale.

We have also been confirmed to perform at the Barham Stampede again in February 2016 and also Toulybuc in March 2016. We are looking forward to being back in Barham and catching up with all our friends and to appearing for the first time in Toolybuc.

Our Exclusive and Personalised 2016 Norfolk Island Country Music Tour package is out now and we are taking bookings. This will be another fantastic week on a beautiful pacific island, so don’t miss out, contact us or download the package from our web page. As mentioned this is a tour with a difference so come and join us for a week of music, magic and mayhem. We would love to see you there.

That’s about all for now. Take care and remember to keep it real country.

Best wishes

Annette and Kim