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The backing band Ridgie Didge began the show with the walk-on to introduce each member of the combo. John Fitz started the beat picked up by George Siedlecki on bass guitar and embellished by Peter Elliot on rhythm. Nick O’Neill added to the sound with his brand new pedal steel guitar before Brian Ridge, the leader of the band, took over on his keyboard. To complete the mix Al Ford came in with his lead guitar to provide a professional basis for the artists’ performances. As part of the developing tradition of show opener, MC Geoff Williams joined in with co-compere Deb Kennedy-Holmes, for the Belrose Country Music Song.

The band continued with a terrific instrumental with Nick leading in “San Antonio Rose”. George had the crowd up and dancing or singing along with his rendition of “Knock On Your Door” and “Beautiful Sunday”. Pete did his Hank Williams impression with “I can’t Help it if I’m Still in Love With You”, before Al finished a great opening set with “The Streets of Bakersfield” and “Hey Porter”.

Fresh from her European tour, Rosalie returned with a very popular set of dances and everyone joined in. The afternoon held a great mix of new dances and some golden oldies – there was something for everyone and once again all of the dancers had a wonderful day – not forgetting the non dancing audience who constantly comment on how good it is to watch all of our lovely linedancers in action. Welcome back Rosalie!

The first visiting artist for the day was the vibrant Star Maker grand finalist, Craig Morrison with his bassist Greg Peters. Craig instantly won the audience with his variety of songs including “Heartbreak Hotel”, “Driving My Life Away”, “Honky Tonk Woman”, “The Gambler” and “I Like It I Love It”. With roars for more Craig had everyone with him with smiles on their faces for “Shaddup-a-your Face”. It was a huge surprise to have George Sich join Craig and a highlight for the day was George singing his big hit of the moment “Spinning and Swirling” was beautifully performed by George and the boys and was greatly appreciated by everyone in the crowd. It should really do well for him. Thanks Craig, Greg and George for a memorable moment!

Next up were two “Local Lads” in The Wayland Smith Duo, resplendent in their matching Beaches Country shirts, and some easy listening hits. Monte Wayland on bass guitar and Dave Smith on guitar provided us with a wide variety of songs in their laid back style. We heard “Ghost Riders”, “Folsom”, “Tequila Sunrise”, “Home Among the Gum Trees”, “Wonderful World”. “Ferry Cross the Mersey”, “Act Naturally”, “Country Road”, “Lying Eyes” and “Diamantina Drove”.

Thanks fellows – cool effort!

How privileged we are at Belrose (I think that has been said before) to have so many wonderful performers keen to perform on the Bowlo stage. Our second Starmaker finalist for the day, Fiona Fields, thrilled the crowd with her sparkly, smile, beautiful voice and innovative songs. Accompanied by Shawn Harking on guitar and Ridgie Didge, Fiona had the crowd with her from the start with her original compositions “Crack of Noon”, “Itty Bitta”. “Little Sister” and “I’m a Fan” as well as her very appealing presentation of “Everybody Somebody’s Fool” and “Could I Have this Dance”. To complete the set Fiona sang her top two singles “Dancing Sitting Down” and “Dirt”. The linedancers especially enjoyed Fiona’s music and we look forward to her next visit.

From one of country music’s up-and-comers to one of it’s highly respected veterans, our show moved to the wonderful Beverley McShanag who, supported by Ridgie Didge and Geoff’s vocal backing, gave us the benefit of her fabulous experience and songs from the Golden Years of Australian Country, mixed with some of the modern era. Above all was Beverley’s yodelling which certainly added greatly to the special Belrose performance. Bev’s song list included “Taught Me to Yodel”, “All I Have to Offer You is Me”. “Swinging Doors”, “Jack to a King”, “Song of Queensland”. “You’re My Best Friend”, “Lights on the Hill”, “Freight Train”, “Blueberry Hill” and “Singing the Blues”. What a performer! Thanks Bev.

The show concluded as Geoff led the entire cast in the Belrose Finale with Bob Gray’s solo at the sound desk a highlight, along with Nick O’Neill’s beautiful sounding new Pedal Steel. Thanks to all who took part in yet another fabulous Belrose show.

Many thanks again to all who helped make it another beaut day.
Thanks to all concerned – what fun it was!! Thanks heaps!!!

COMING UP IN FUTURE SHOWS

(SUBJECT TO CHANGE – CHECK THE WEBSITE)

AUGUST 29th, 2010

GARY BROWN
GEORGIA WHITE
DES MORGAN
MARY & CAROL

SEPTEMBER 26TH

KEL-ANNE BRANDT
MACARTHUR COUNTRY MUSIC CLUB

THE SIDE SHOW

Congratulations to Marion for winning our raffle of a digital radio. Marion is a regular dancer at Belrose and always makes a special effort, so it is well deserved. Thanks to Beverley McShanag for drawing the raffle. Beverley had made this trip from Darwin to perform at BCMC and thanks to Shirley and John Turner for looking after their long-time friend Beverley while she has been staying in Sydney. The Turners really love their country music and are real fans of others like Olive Byce, Alan Hawking, Ron Ellis and June Holms. Beverley is also a friend of Irene Morison who was present to see her perform at this show. Irene is the mother of Barbara Morison, who has been on radio 2SERFM for 30 years and, who also came to see Bev. Barbara who has always been a big support of BCMC, is worried that her pet blue heeler is becoming famous as all the stars she interviews know him. Of course Diesel was at this show (outside) too. You never know who’ll be there in the audience do you?

Not only were Ross and Rosalie in her immaculate tan ensemble welcome back to the dance floor but Dan Turner was also there after a beautiful trip away. Danny was so impressive in his red and black outfit that he won the heart of the beautiful Fiona Fields, who sang about her partner Shawn in her song “Dancing Sitting Down”, because this could never apply to our “Twinkletoes” Danny, one of the best linedancers around.

It was birthday week for Margaret Brown and Neville Hunt. Many happy returns to these regular members who hardly ever miss a show.

George Sich who sang with Craig Morrison, is a chicken farmer from Western Sydney. George can be heard doing the promos on Grant Goldman’s breakfast show on 2SM radio. He also teaches guitar and has some of the singers from out Macarthur way as his students. No wonder they are so good! He had to leave early as he was expecting a delivery of chicken, which always comes first………or is it the eggs?? Craig also had to leave as his young son was not well and kept Dad up all night, We hope he is better now Craig and thanks for a top show.

It was good to hear that Craig and his Dad (Lucky Starr) are putting together a show for the clubs. Keep your eyes open for this as it should be great.

Amanda O’Bryan and hubby Roger Corbett were scheduled to appear on this show but were saddened by the passing of Roger’s father during the week and went to Queensland to be with the family before the funeral. Our sympathies are extended to them from BCMC.

The Wayland Smith Duo have been on the waiting list for some time and almost had to miss out when a spot became available, because Monte Wayland was recovering from a recent motorcycle accident. He did so well at this show that you would never know. Good on you!

Fiona Fields is a teacher from Penrith and she was also happy to step in for Amanda. Fiona enjoyed her time at Belrose and would like to return ASAP. YEAH!!

Geoff Williams has an act that goes down well with audiences all over the place. Recently he has had gigs at Beecroft, Northbridge, Gladesville and Pennant Hills Bowling Clubs with a big one at Oak Hill next month when he does songs off his albums and some popular classics, so he’s not just a pretty face!

Max Upton enjoys his country music, but always wants to know “When is the banjo player on? Well we hope he is happy with the bluegrass set at next show and our Christmas Party show has the Sydney Banjo Band on it. That’s November 28^th Max, so mark it in your diary.

Don’t Forget

· Sign in at the front desk if you are not members of Belrose Bowling Club.

· Pay for membership at the bar and apply to join BCMC

· Please consider others and the performers by limiting discussions during acts, thank you.

· Please donate a gold coin in the tin for cancer research when picking up a copy of this newsletter. Thanks

Check out each show in the following:

Ø The notice board at the Bowling Club

Ø The diary in the Manly Daily

Ø Various radio programs including:-

Radio Northern Beaches 88.7 FM and 90.3 FM

Barry Williams – Saturday 11.00am and Wednesday 2.00pm

Geoff Williams – Saturday, High Noon

Des Simmonds – Sunday 1.00pm

Deb Kennedy-Holmes – Saturday 1.00pm

2SER 107.3 FM

Barbara Morrison – Saturday 5.00am - 8.00am Entertainment Guide

Today’s Country 94.1 FM

Gig Guide with Kaza – Monday & Wednesday 9.00am – 11.00am

Saturday Night Country ABC 702 AM

Felicity Urquhart – Saturday 10.00pm – 2.00am

Ø Other community radio stations including 2RRR, WOW FM, 2KA Cool Country 1476AM.

Ø Our website www.belrosecountrymusicclub.org.au

Ø The Rockitt Magazine www.therockittmagazine.com.au

The aim of Belrose Country Music Club is simply “to enjoy country music and foster talent”.

All artists on each show are pre-booked and are usually arranged well ahead. Each program is arranged by Geoff Williams and performers are invited to contact him on (02) 9979 7131 to arrange for an audition and/or booking.

We are proud to say that many country artists have gone on to bigger things and others have appreciated the opportunity to present their talents to an appreciative audience. Many do well with their product sales. Video recordings of each show are available for purchase.

If you enjoy our shows, please keep coming, bring others with you, and tell your friends. It is very important for us to have good audiences – it makes the Bowling Club happy and gives the performers the support they need. A very special thank you to those who never miss (or hardly ever) – we love you!

There were several enquiries for membership of our club. It’s very easy really: 1. just join Belrose Bowling Club ($10 social member); 2.see BCMC secretary for a name badge. Both BBC and BCMC need you!

We aThe Bowling Club is always happy to see good crowds at our shows which they generously support with the venue, equipment, vouchers for the artists and a close link with our committee. The BCMC is a sub-club of the Bowling Club and a prerequisite of BCMC membership is membership of the Bowlo – so join up folks! They need you, and we need them!

BCMC receives brochures, news and details of other country music clubs, like Bathurst, Central and South Coast, Macarthur – it’s good to see how they operate. Both the Parkes and Canberra CM Associations are conducting big festivals in October. For details and information, talk to Geoff.

To be a proud member of our Belrose Country Music Club, all you have to do is join the Bowling Club who still support BCMC in many greatly-appreciated ways, then if you want a name badge, see our secretary Barbara Dunstan. Barbara prints this newsletter which is available at each show for a gold coin donation to cancer research. Thank you for your support.

If you know any prospective performers, please refer them to Geoff Williams who arranges the concert each month. There are some vacancies later in the year.

We also appreciate any comments you might have, or ideas to enhance and improve the shows or keep up audience numbers. You can hear our concerts promoted on the following radio stations:

Jenni Vee on 2RRR (Ryde)
Barbara Morrison 2SERFM (Sat 5-8am)
Today’s Country 94.1FM
Saturday Night Country ABC (10pm-2am Saturdays)
Radio Northern Beaches (see story above)

The concerts are also in the Diary of the Manly Daily and sometimes an article as well. Plus, the details are always posted on the noticeboard of the Bowling Club.

HELP PLEASE. Before each show can go ahead, the auditorium, stage and P.A. system have to be set up. If you are able to help with this, it would be greatly appreciated and shouldn’t take a few volunteers very much time. Please let Geoff or John Clement know if you can help. Thanks members.

SSSSHHHH. It’s great to have such a happy atmosphere at our shows, but sometimes people like to sit and just listen to the music. Loud talking is a worry and if you really need to have a conversation, please consider others and move outside or somewhere that doesn’t stop others from enjoying the show. It’s discourteous to the performers who all do their best without any payment. Many thanks.

If you need to check out when our shows are on, here’s a list for you to look for. The programme is on our website at belrosecountrymusicclub.org.au, and is also on the noticeboard at the Bowling Club. Various media outlets also give us good coverage. These include:

Radio Northern Beaches 88.7 and 90.3FM (11am Saturdays with Geoff Williams and 4pm Sunday with Des Simmonds)
2SER 107.3FM (Barbara Morrison Saturdays 7am)
ABC Saturday Night Radio with John Nutting 10pm to 1am
Manly Daily – in The Diary the Saturday before each concert
Ring the Bowlo or one of our committee.

It’s always the LAST Sunday of the month from 2pm to 6pm.

Gentle reminders (once again):

* Thanks for thinking of others in the audience who want to listen to the performers. If you need to talk, please keep it low or move to somewhere that won’t spoil the enjoyment of others.

* The club’s policy is not to reserve tables in advance. If you get there early, please leave a bag or jacket on your table, not just a coaster with ‘reserved’ scribbled on it, if you go to the restaurant or pokies, etc until the show starts.

* Please sign in at the door if you are not a member and members should ensure that all your guests do so too. Membership application forms are always available at the front desk, so if you come regularly, join up – it’s only $5.50.

* For the sake of all concerned, it is important that we keep up the good crowds. If you can bring others to enjoy the afternoon, everyone stands to gain.

HOW IS THE RAFFLE MONEY USED?

Good question, and we have a good answer: Sponsorship of artists.

The Belrose Country Music Club aims to foster talent as well as enjoy country music and helping artists attend music festivals and travel to perform is one way to promote their performance expertise.

Two applications for sponsorship were received by the committee in August and September: Dean Johnston asked if BCMC could help with some expenses for his tour of Western Australia next February and Geoff Williams sought part-sponsorship of his trip to compete in the Parkes Music Festival. Each of these artists has been awarded the sum of $300.00.

In the past the BCMC has provided similar amounts to John Loveridge (twice) to offset some costs of his participation in country music festivals and to Danielle Blakey for her tour to Europe with the Australian jazz band. We agonized over this one because it wasn’t strictly country, but we felt her talent was so great that any help we could give would be to the advantage of her overall career, country music included.

So, if you’re a member of the Belrose CMC and have sung, played or danced at our concerts, you may qualify for some of our funds to further your career. You need to address your application to The Secretary, BCMC, c/- Belrose Bowling Club. Please include your itinerary, estimated costs, then throw yourself on our mercy!

The Bowling Club are very generous in allowing the BCMC to photocopy this newsletter on their equipment. However, it was originally stipulated that a donation of a gold coin be given for the newsletter, with the proceeds going to cancer research. We used to raise quite a few dollars in this way but newer audience members may not realize that this is the case and not many coins are being donated now.

It’s an honour system, so no-one will know if you do or not, but you’ll feel so much better if you do….

That’s All Folks - - - See Y'all Next Month !

To become a member of BCMC, you just need to join the Bowling Club, then register with Barbara as a member of our country music club. There are name badges available at a small cost – most members have one but they are optional. It is essential that you have membership ID with you at our concerts or sign in at the foyer desk. The club is always under close scrutiny and penalties are severe. Thanks all!

See You All Again Next Month !!