MY FESTIVAL

The Tamworth Carlton Country Music Festival - is it a working venture for we musicians and media, or a gigantic holiday camp? Either way you look at it, you'd have to say it's a hoot! A chance to see friends and colleagues from all corners of Australia, and even overseas, that we sometimes don't get to see for the rest of the year.

Last year I overdid it, so this time I took a few well-chosen gigs which left me plenty of free time. Free, as in unplanned, because once you actually get to Tamworth, your schedule tends to expand to fill every available waking moment, and some not so awake ones as well! I had three main tasks this year. First was to play a few shows with Keith Glass. We laid down some solid electric honky-tonk at the Southgate Inn, and then eased back a bit at The Pub for Keith's acoustic showcase of Victorian songwriters. That line-up included Brent Parlane and Frank Jones, plus a surprise visit from Wayne Law. Keith also played the Tomkins Guitar Showcase, and I stayed onstage to pick with a bunch of different artists who enjoy playing the fabulous Australian guitars, custom-made by ace Country bassman Allan Tomkins. My highlight of that afternoon would have to be trading solos with Beccy Cole who stole the show with her wicked sense of humour and a little help from her mum, Carole Sturtzel.

Keith Glass and I also entered the Hohner Harmonica Championships at Wests Leagues. The lure of playing two songs with The Amazing Rhythm as your backing band proved too strong for us, even though we were up against guys who could blow a Bach etude on their mouth harp! It was worth it. A great thrill to sing and play some country blues with the legendary Aces backbeat behind us. We were the last two contestants on the card, and judges Lawrie Minson and Ross Wilson spotted our ploy, and wisely discounted us in the scoring for having too much fun! True!

During the afternoon I put on my second hat, that of a Media chappie. In the Blazes auditorium I took some snaps of another U.S. visitor, Gary Allan who had just acquired a Tomkins guitar to take home. It sounded great, but I don't think that's why all the girls were screaming and swooning. Incidentally, my photo album is available for everyone to see at my Web site (www.shownet.com.au), and thanks must go to David at Colour-Fix Television and Video Service in West Tamworth who repaired my digital camera in a flash (pun intended)! Later on, in the same room, I caught a great performance by Australian stars, Fisk and Cristian. I was once in Donna Fisk's band, and seeing her current success with Michael is a buzz.

My third task in Tamworth was to promote my Web Design business, ShowNet. I was exhibiting at the Tamworth Festival Musicians' Headquarters. The brainchild of locals, Cliff and Dee Giles and Jim Guider, the Muso's HQ provides a great air-conditioned haven for overworked pickers, along with educational seminars and industry displays. It was also pleasing to see the CMAA's push onto the Internet with the 'Australian Country On-line Star Chat' in conjunction with Telstra and Toyota, and the Web-cast of the Awards night with John Nutting via the ABC Web site.

There were too many highlights to mention, but I must include the laughs at Greg Champion's Pool Party album launch, and watching my mate Michael Vidale sing with The Swing Katz at The Pub. Everyone agreed it was the best Festival to date. Bring on 2001.

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