country music nz

After some extremely cold, and wet weather around the country, I am very hopeful of a big improvement in the very near future.

In spite of the weather, we have done a little travel in the past few weeks, to Nelson, where the high was 5 degrees, when I arrived, but redeemed itself when I flew out, but it was nice to catch-up with several country music people, and family, and then it was off to Hawkes Bay, and the Wairarapa, and return home in driving rain, but it continues to amaze us, the speed that a big majority of people drive at, and it matters not what the weather is doing.

Noelene and I have been busy recording our final album. Yes, it is 53 years since our first recording was released, so we think we have done pretty well.

When we recorded "Silver Bell" in 2005, we figured that would be our last one, but I was talked into recording a guitar instrumental album, by a well-known media man, (and he did not have to talk too hard!!) which evolved into half instrumental/half vocal, and "LOOSE TALK" is about to be set loose onto the country music scene. We again, are most fortunate to have the expert steel guitar work of JOE MARTIN, and excellent bass work of MARK CORBETT, to supplement my guitar, and I don't believe either man has played better, on a recording.

I managed to talk Noelene into joining me on some duets, and we are really pleased to have our daughter, Lorraine, join us in a trio, for one song. and I've done several vocal solos, so it is a pretty balanced album, which introduces a few songs that are little known, or not known at all, combined with several standards.

Jim Sutton, of Newstalk ZB, is being kind enough to play some tracks, and have a chat, on Saturday night's Nostalgia Show, on the 17th of October, after 9pm, and there will be a CD Launch at The Hill Billy Club, on the evening of the 26th of October, in St John's Hall, Domett Street, Waitara, from 7.30, and anyone close enough to attend, will be made most welcome.

There is every possibility that we will be making an appearance at a New Year festival in the far North, and I will be helping with some judging at an awards weekend in Blenheim, later in January, but more about any other bookings, at a later date.