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See below for recent event updates:
Click here for Calgary Stampede and Canada trip - July 2008 |
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MARTON FESTIVAL – JANUARY 15, 16 & 17 2010 With the weather being so changeable this summer and a very dodgy forecast for the weekend, everyone involved had really crossed their fingers and toes hoping things would be ok weatherwise. Marton is now an established annual event on the NZ country music calendar but the venue – Wilson Park is vulnerable to wet weather. As it turned out there was a little rain here and there but not enough to have an adverse effect. Again there was great support from the Motor Caravan Association people who turned up in great numbers determined to have a great weekend – as usual. The Napier band ‘Shotgun’ once again backed the main show on Saturday night where the main guest artist this year was Hermann Lammers Meyer from Germany. A thoroughly likeable guy who spends most of his time alternating between Germany and Nashville. With his easy listening style and personality he quickly earned the nickname ‘Herman the German’ around the other entertainers. The main show featured some different faces this year – namely Bruce Greaves, Karen Davy from Auckland and Joy Adams from Hamilton, Dusty Spittle from Otago, Rewa McGregor from Wellington and Terry Moratti from New Plymouth who brought their respective talents for everyone to hear. Other artists returning from last year included Alan Webster (Australia), Ann Pascoe and Oldogs, Trevor V Stevens, Kylie Austin, Sean Pawson and myself.
A bunch of us were housed this year at the Club Hotel in Marton and as sometimes happens a get together and jam session rolled into the small hours here after the show on Saturday night in the upstairs day – room. An ‘anything goes’ jam was kicked off by Bruce Greaves, quickly joined by Alan Webster, Karen Davy, myself and Hermann – Lots of fun was had by all. Sunday morning saw a sprinkling of Gospel music from the walk–up club singers and a final performance from the main entertainers who stayed over. And so another Marton Festival came to a close. Congratulations once again to Anne George and the team for producing another top weekend and on a personal note – sincere thanks to those who purchased CD’s and our new T Shirts. It was fantastic to see a whole lot of people wearing Roger Tibbs T Shirts around the venue. |
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ART DECO CONCERT NAPIER - 20 FEBRUARY 2010 We were looking forward to this one after the cracking show we had last year and once again a capacity crowd turned out. In fact it was a sold out show and as many people again were turned away at the door. Ian Thomsens all acoustic band ( Ian Turbitt, Trish Salonius, and Marti Forrer) backed up once again this time with the addition of local identity Scotty Smith on mandolin. Sometimes it is a good thing to get away from the standard band composition and for this event the all acoustic format – Guitar, mandolin, fiddle, mouth harp and upright bass - without drums, works very well. The night was started by a couple of numbers from the band and they were followed by local artists – Brian Fairgreaves, Gloria Cameron, Ken Taylor (who also appeared last year), Yvonne Te Huia, and Adrienne Fletcher. A special thanks to Coral Atkins for putting on a great show once again. This is a very special weekend in Hawkes Bay celebrating Napiers Art Deco Heritage and it was wonderful to see the girls turn out in twenties regalia and the boys in corresponding outfits. A very good night and we were booked on the spot for the same show next year. Great to see our country music going down so well – long may it continue. |
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HOKONUI FESTIVAL GORE - 21 MARCH 2010 The Festival is now held in the Gore Town and Country Club venue as a result of the working committee coming to terms with the fact that the idyllic outside venue of Dolamore Park is just too subject to changeable weather conditions. I can vividly recall one year when I half froze to death waiting for my turn on stage – mind you, it is a bit closer to the Antarctic down there and those Southerners reckon they are tougher than the rest of us!! Joy Adams was also appearing there and it was excellent to catch up and work with her once again. Her songs of comedy and nostalgia are always a favourite with the crowd. We performed three sets each through Sunday. This is a great format for there is ample opportunity to present a wide variety of material and perhaps one or two that you might not normally do. Sometimes I really enjoy straying from my traditional country roots, so it was satisfying to slip in the rollicking Irish ‘Whiskey in the jar’ and include the odd dramatic number like Roy Orbisons’ ‘Communication Breakdown’. Necessarily I always have to include a few yodelling songs. These are part of what I do and I would probably end up ‘hung from the rafters’ should I ever leave them out. Peter Cairns’ very capable group ‘The Southeners’ backed up all day and made us and the local club singers sound as good as we all could. On sound was local identity Jeff Rae – very good to catch up and share a yarn or two with him also. An excellent weekend, very well run and organised by Colin and his hard working committee. A big thanks to them for looking after Joy and I with things like CD sales and meals etc – and the courtesy car, I was tempted to drive it home!! By the way we have T Shirts available now and it was wonderful to see people wearing ‘Roger Tibbs’ around all day – check the website. Thanks also to my dear friend Dorrie Milne for once again putting up with me. Beaut people – beaut weather – beaut weekend!!!! |
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