Hi folks
Wow. The year has just flown by once again. Here we are again getting ready to finish 2018 and looking forward to all that is in store in 2019. We would like to thank everyone that has sent their kind wishes to Annette while she has been unable to sing. It is most appreciated. Since my return from Australia in early August we have slowly been getting back to performing as a duo. This has included a fundraiser for the Whangarei Special Olympics held at the Kamo Club and a guest artist spot at the Northern Wairoa Country Music Club’s fundraising concert for the Northland Rescue Helicopter held at the Dargaville Club. Both events have raised well over $1000 each.
There was a great turn out for both of these shows with the crowd at each one enjoying the afternoon and really getting into the spirit of the day. Alex Dickson getting a great round of applause for his rendition of “The Gambler” from the audience at the Special Olympics show and also receiving a “near life size” Elvis poster from his good friend Bill Pomare. I would like to mention at this stage how sad we all were to farewell Bill and Fay Pomare who left Whangarei in early November to join their family on the Gold Coast. We will really miss these guys at our gigs. Thank you so much for your support over the years.
The Dargaville show was ably M.C.ed by Leeanne Dunn, who travelled up from Matamata, with singers from the club adding to the entertainment backed by Bruce Stenhouse and his band, Jim Wallace Snr (a very popular performer), Peter, Jack and Kerry with Ken working the sound. The crowd really getting in to the medley which we now regularly perform at shows.
On the 23rd of November we did our first evening gig together for quite a few months with a performance at the Whangarei RSA. Once again the crowd was awesome and it was great to see so many familiar faces either happy to sit and listen or out on the dance floor. The following Tuesday we were entertaining for the residents of the Kamo Retirement Village. This was another enjoyable afternoon with everyone singing along to all the old familiar songs.Tuesday evening we were booked to entertain for members of the Whangarei Friendship Club, formerly known as Probus, at their end of year dinner held at the Kamo Club. We would like to thank Gloria and Lyn respectively for inviting us to perform at these two events.
Heading into January we are very excited to have our good friend Allan Webster here in Whangarei performing at the Kamo Club on Wednesday the 9thand at the RSA on Friday the 11th. Allan and his wife Maureen have been wonderful to us when we visit Aussie. Taking care of us and our Aussie dad Dale whenever we are travelling through.Allan is a seasoned singer/songwriter beginning his career in the music industry back in the sixties as a teenager forming a Rock ‘n’ Roll band with his brother and a couple of mates. They performed alongside the likes of the Beatles and Gerry and the Pacemakers at the Cavern Club. Allan will have his grand daughter, Melody, with him to perform as well. Melody is a very talented singer and has an amazing voice. Don’t miss these shows. There will be dance music so bring your dancing shoes.
On Wednesday the 5th December we performed our final gig for the year at the Kamo Club Dance Sections Christmas break up. What a great night this was with a good sized crowd enjoying the evening’s music. It was so nice to see everyone out on the dance floor enjoying themselves. Some had even donned a little Christmas bling to celebrate the occasion. You may see a few photos doing the rounds on Facebook. Thank you to Denise and John and the Kamo Club for inviting us to perform. We look forward to being at the club in 2019. And a little shout out to our family members who had ventured out to support us. It was so nice to see you all there.
On the 18th 19th and 20th January we will be at the Marton Country Music Festival. John has a great line up of country artists performing with Headliners, Noel Flynn from Ireland, and our very own fiddle player extraordinaire Marion Burns. It looks as though camping spots are filling fast with no powered sites left at the venue.
Sunday 24th February we will be in Kawakawa for the Railway concert and on March 23rd and 24th we will be joining my cousin Craig Robertson for the 5th Thames Country Music Festival. Craig is getting together a fantastic weekend of country music. So we look forward to catching up with you all at one of these events.
Finally we would like to thank everyone for your support in 2018. We wish you all a Very Merry Christmas and a safe and happy and country music filled New Year.
Take care and remember to keep it country.
Best wishes
Annette and Kim
