Hi Folks
May has come and gone and here we are half way through the year. We began May with a gig at the Dargaville RSA and the Westies that would be joining us on Norfolk Island. The Following weekend we were joined by The Mountain Mist Band at the 25th annual Bay of Islands Country Rock Festival. Both Annette and I remember the first years of the festival and being a part of them. Thank you, Shirley, for all your hard work over the last 25 years and to all the volunteers that have assisted you in making this a world renowned country music festival. Thank you also from Annette and myself for the certificates of appreciation for our support of the festival during the last 25 years. It has been our pleasure to be associated with this very prestigious festival, and fun too. It was a great weekend with fine weather and awesome music. Thank you to everyone that supported us and especially the amazing audience at the Paihia Pacific for the standing ovation. We were literally blown away. We could not have done it without the support of our fantastic band. Thank you Richard, Ian, Tiny and Andrew for backing us your continued support is very much appreciated. We look forward to working with The Mountain Mist Band and to seeing you all at our Kamo Club concert on the 13th of July.
Norfolk Island Festival 2014
Annette and Kim Norfolk Island NZ Showcase
On the 18th of May we flew to Norfolk Island for the 21st annual Norfolk Island Country Music Festival with a group of 47 country music fans. NICMA were also celebrating the 20th Trans-Tasman Entertainer of the Year Award. The weather for the week was the best that I can remember with the group enjoying swimming, snorkelling, fishing, golf and horse riding just to name a few of the activities available on the Island. We started the week with a welcome dinner at the Leagues Club where everyone got to meet one another. We had a few repeat offenders on board that knew the ropes and everyone got into the swing of things singing along to great music performed by local identity Lully.
Monday morning we were all up early for the half day tour. We changed it up a bit this year and did a couple of extra things on the morning tour one being an island style morning tea in the gardens of an historic island home. Annette and I entertained with a few gospel songs at Saint Barnabas Chapel. This was a very enjoyable and informative tour. Monday evening was the New Zealand Showcase which Annette was a part of. Everyone enjoyed an excellent concert from the kiwi performers.
The whole week was full of exciting activities and country music. The mini golf was a hoot and with 47 people all playing at once it was certainly challenging to organize but everyone got into the spirit of it all and just went for it. Check out the photos on our photo page.
The RSL lunch time gig was very successful and next year Terrance, the RSL manager, has invited us to do a dinner show as well which we are looking forward to. The Fish Fry was very entertaining, well I thought so, and we are both looking forward to performing “Ridin’ High” acoustically again sometime soon. Annette and I can totally recommend the Culla & Co Horse and Carriage Tour. This is an awesome Cyldesdale horse ride out to Steeles Point to enjoy the cliff top views,a cuppa and a chat with Culla himself, a local identity, who started Culla & Co in 1986.
On Friday night we joined those from the group that chose to do the Night as a Convict Dinner. We were in the company of Private Lessons, Private Parts and the Commandant aka Brant McRichie, Hayden Evans and Phillip McCrae ( Lully) respectively. Once again check out the photos on our photo page. This was a great night.
Before we knew it the week was over and at the Traditional Dinner on Saturday night we all sang a few songs together, awarded the prizes for the road sign competition and presented Des and Sharon with the signed cowboy hat.
We hope everyone got home safe and happy. We certainly look forward to having you all back in 2015 should you wish to join our tour. Registration of Interest forms will be available shortly and we get those to you one way or another. No sooner does one tour end and we are organizing the next one. Annette and I had a brilliant time with you all and hope to catch up somewhere very soon.
Until then take care and keep it country.
Best Wishes
Annette and Kim
P.S. Don’t forget our concert on Sunday 13th July 3pm-6pm at the Kamo Club with The Mountain Mist Band. We are looking forward to seeing you there.
