Hi Folks
We had four great gigs during February and March. On the 24th of February we were in Kawakawa for the Variety Charity Concert to raise funds for the Kawakawa Vintage Railway. Shirley May had once again organised a great lineup of artists to entertain a small but appreciative audience. These included BOI College Kapa Haka group with a rousing performance to kick things off, the multi talented Diane Brown, Roger McLean family string trio, vocalist Daniel Morrison, Jack and the Boys playing country rock and Jack Tane another well known entertainer around Whangarei and Northland. The show was held together once again by MC John Carter. A great day had by all for a very worthy cause. We wish Frank and his team the very best. They are doing a great job of keeping the history of Vintage Rail alive.
On the 6th of March we were at the Kamo club entertaining the Dance Section on their 19th birthday celebrations. Wow where did those years go. So next year will be the big “Two O”. Hope we get an invite to that one. Always great to play for these guys and watch some awesome dancing.
On Sunday 10th March we did something a little different and joined some of the Northland country music clubs for a day at the Towai Tavern. A selection of players and singers rolled up to enjoy the day and to be part of a fantastic day of country music. A big thank you to Dennis Pabirowski for supplying and operating the sound system for the day. A great day with great friends and great food supplied by Towai Tavern management and staff. This may become an annual event.
Finally in March we headed off to Thames to be a part of the 5th Thames Country Music Festival organised by my cousin Craig Robertson. We were appearing on the Saturday night Showcase but the festival kicked off on the Friday night with a welcome show and then the Friday night Showcase. Craig had a fantastic lineup of artists for the weekend and it was so nice to catch up with so many friends we had not seen for quite sometime. Great to see the Kamo contingent down to support the weekend as well. An awesome lineup of bands had been arranged for the weekend these included Craig and
43 Holes, Hired Gunz and Koltrain. Koltrain were our backing band for Saturday night and did an awesome job as did all the bands during the festival. It was such a pleasure to meet up again with the Te Paa boys Arbie, Richard and Chad and Robbie Katipa jnr amazing musicians and so talented. Festival goers were not disappointed. Some of the fantastic acts on display were; country legends Dennis Marsh and Brendan Dugan, NZCMA patron Dennis August, Coopers Run, Kylie Austin, Carleen Still, Grant Reha Timoti, Joy Adams, Te Whanau, Derek and Lynn Evans, Spellbound, Nelton and Faye, Debz Standen, Bruce Greaves, Peter Frew and of course the man himself Craig Robertson. Also a big thank you to Ted Viscovich and Peter Still on sound and Rolleston Motel for the accommodation. Very much appreciated.
And that was about it for February and March everyone. Hope to catch up with you all sometime somewhere along the road. To all those in the Auckland area we will be at the Henderson RSA on the 28th of June 7pm till 11pm. Before that we will be at the 30th Bay of Islands Country Rock Festival on Saturday and Sunday the 11th and 12th May with “The Mountain Mist Band”. Really looking forward to performing with Richard, Ian and Tiny again.
Until then remember to take care and to keep it country.
Best wishes
Annette and Kim