Crossley Craic

Photo published in the Warrnambool Standard 6th Dec. 2019 - Back L to R Keith Prest, Michael Schack, Peter Arnold, Geoff Kilminster, Front L to R Jon Clegg, Lynne Moloney

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St Pat's Day 2022 @ Mickey Bourke's

Brett Holbrook, Michael Schack, Keith Prest and Jon Clegg at the Koroit Bakehouse for the ABC radio broadcast on the morning of the Koroit Irish Festival 28 April 2023

Publicity Shot March 2023 - Jamie Lowe, Michael Schack, Brett Holbrook, Jon Clegg, Keith Prest

Warrnambool duo Mike and Sam have penned the city's first musical anthem

Warrnambool Standard 7th Dec. 2019

Michael Ferguson and Sam Grayson have penned 'We're Here To Party'. 

Warrnambool export Didirri vying for world stage as one of 10 Eurovision contestants

Warrnambool standard 6th Dec, 2019

Singer-songwriter Didirri Peters is making a bid for the Eurovision stage.

The Warrnambool music export has penned an original song and is one of a handful of renowned musicians who will compete at the Eurovision - Australia Decides competition in February where the audience votes to decide who will head to the world song contest in May.


Despite the glitz Eurovision has become known for, Didirri is planning to stay true to himself and his music.

"I'm going to be myself, just with a piano," he said.

"I finished the song and it sat really naturally; I'd put all the flowers in place and was like 'don't touch it, it's done'.

"I'd love to lead people into a quiet place and make someone go 'it doesn't matter what's going on out there right now, we're going to be here for three minutes'.

"I'd be honoured to be that person for someone else."


Didirri said he hopes to create "an intimate moment" for Eurovision.

"It's inspired by missing my first Christmas," he said.

"It's a song about opening up.

"Yet to be released, it's one of the closest songs to my heart."

Announced in the third round of musicians through to Eurovision - Australia Decides alongside Montaigne, Didirri joins Vanessa Amorosi, Casey Donovan, Mitch Tambo, iOTA and four more artists yet to be revealed.

Eurovision will be a first for Didirri having not been a part of the millions who tune into the annual competition, but he hopes to bring something new to the international stage and keep chasing his music dream.

"I have always been interested in writers and although the world of Eurovision is new to me, from the outside it seems to respect a well written song above all else," he said.

"People seem to be free to express their art in whatever way they want.

"I'm a fan of ABBA, they wrote unfiltered, iconic anthems. My sister and I used to sing their stuff together in the bathroom - who knows how they have influenced me, I'm quite a mix bag of ideas.

"I used to sit in front of piano when I was about 10 and I used to picture the audience inside the piano and I would get these little heart flutters.

"I think a lot of people's dreams change but mine's been the same the whole time."

Singer-songwriter Archie Roach launches memoir in Crossley Nov. 23 2019

Published Warrnambool Standard 25th Nov. 2019

Archie Roach and Shane Howard at the Crossley Hall

A PIN drop could be heard in the Crossley Hall as Killarney's Archie Roach recounted details of his past to a crowd packed with his family, friends and home community. The singer-songwriter launched his memoir Tell Me Why and accompanying album on Saturday in conversation with long-time friend Shane Howard, and the duo performed three songs to a 250-strong crowd. Roach spent part of his childhood growing up at the Framlingham Aboriginal Mission, before he was forcibly removed from his family at two years of age. Howard asked Roach about key moments in the book, including Roach's homelessness, alcoholism, musical beginnings and serendipitous reconnections with family. Roach at times made the audience laugh as he described naive moments stumbling upon his heritage, and at other times he wiped away tears while he recounted a letter he received naming his immediate family members as a 14-year-old schoolboy in Lilydale. He said afterwards that he told his story to show that "hard times and obstacles" could be overcome and to show future generations "what life was like". "It was a bit more emotional today because of it being here, not far from Framlingham, the old mission where mum was born and where I was taken from," Roach said. Roach said it was "special" to launch the book alongside Howard, who he believed he would have met earlier had he grown up in the south-west. "If the circumstances may have been different we may have grown up together. His old dad knew my farther, and Shane's father spoke fondly of my father," Roach said. He told the audience that his song Place of Fire referred to possible evidence at Warrnambool's Moyjil, near the Hopkins River, suggesting Aboriginal settlement went back 100,000 thousand years. "We are all really Aboriginal people, we are all decendents from the original inhabitants of this earth," he said. Howard said Archie's story recounted a chapter of south-west history and had echoes of spirituality. "At a local level it's an important story because it reminds us of a very sad and sobering aspect of our history," he said. "What's extraordinary is that Archie rises above all that hardship and sorrow and is unbelievably forgiving and believes inevitably in the power of love. It's very redemptive."

Warrnambool's Dale Cleves Music stage gives musicians a space to play

Warrnambool Standard 1st Nov 2019

Ron Philp knows how important it is to nurture budding musicians. He sees it everyday in his Dale Cleves Music store and in students coming in for their lessons. "It's very important to get experience as a young musician," he said. "What I've found, is when people practice at home, they're perfectly fine. But when they step on stage, it's a completely different story. "The opportunity to get on a stage like this is another way of progressing." A permanent fixture at the rear of his store is a stage. Fitted out with instruments, lights, sound equipment, microphones and up to 50 seats, the space is waiting for musicians of all genres to jump up and get a feel for performing. "We found at a few of our teachers' concerts, at first some people would have tears and feel like they didn't want to go through with their pieces," Mr Philp said. "But once they jumped up and played, they started wanting more. "The first time is always daunting and intimidating, but once you practice, performing becomes a pleasure. "If I can use this space to create something to give someone that first opportunity - wow!"

MUSIC TIME: Dale Cleves store manager Ron Philp and Warrnambool's Darren Ely contributed to the idea of having a stage at the back of the store. Picture: Mark Witte



For 15 months the stage has welcomed bands to give insightful and educational performances to music students and schools. It has also been a place where people have come to try out their new pieces, practice and find their place of comfort under the bright lights. Warrnambool musician and teacher Darren Ely is delighted to use the stage and encourages his students to do the same at an opportunity. "Something like this never existed when I was getting going," he said. "This allows local musicians, bands and solo artists a small place to play. "It's a controlled environment, all-ages friendly and we can change the space to suit our needs." The stage has also allowed customers to try out instruments before purchasing and get a proper indication of the sound. Mr Philp hopes more people will come along to test their skills on the stage and he also welcomes those wanting to learn about lights and sound mastering. "This stage can be the first stepping stone for people to get to the stages they want to perform at around town," he said. "Musicians can just play for themselves, their friends and family. "It's a place for young musicians to have a chance." Dale Cleves Music is located at 238 Timor Street, Warrnambool. To use the stage, simply ask in store.

Warrnambool Primary School graced by Anita Hoekstra's music program

Published in the Warrnambool Standard 26th Oct. 2019

Anita Hoekstra could never have imagined her idea for a music concert per term would transform students and the curriculum at Warrnambool Primary School. Nine years and 36 concerts later, Mrs Hoekstra's Musica Prima held its last concert on Thursday at the school. "There weren't many music teachers at the school nine years ago," she said. "I did a survey asking students if they had music in their households, if they'd heard of instruments like the French Horn or if they'd played a piano and the response was really poor. "I brought this to the attention of the board and I asked if we could have a concert a term to bring more music into the school and they said yes." Mrs Hoekstra, an accomplished pianist and teacher in her own right, gathered her musical contacts to organise the free concerts to bring a range of genres and instruments into the Jamieson Street primary school. The Tin Shed singers performed for Warrnambool Primary School at Anita Hokestra's final Musica Prima.  "I'm really passionate about passing on music," she said. "I've had music all my life, my mother was an opera singer and my father was an organist and I started playing young. "If we don't have children playing music, there will be no one to fill the shoes of our orchestras." The program grew and was allocated funding from local trusts, allowing students to hire and take violin lessons for free for a year on top of the growing list of instrumental music programs at the school. "We now have lots of instruments here and all sorts of choirs, duos and bands," Mrs Hoekstra said. "A little girl came up to me and said she wanted to start a choir. She went and got three of her friends and the four of them sang to me. "A child once left a concert and said to his teacher 'now there's music in my heart'. "I've always wanted Musica Prima to bring a smile to the children and for them to learn, love and appreciate music." Musica Prima saw everything from jazz, classical, vocals, folk, Irish, blue grass and solo performers grace the Warrnambool Primary School stage. "A big thank you must go to all the performers who donated their time and energy to show the children that music is fun," she said. "Performers have closed their offices, surgeries and law firms to come and perform for the school. "They've come from Hamilton and Colac and all of them do it because they feel they same as I - it's important for children to be introduced to music." A child once left a concert and said to his teacher 'now there's music in my heart'. Musica Prima is embedded within Warrnambool primary and has helped establish a strong music program at the school. Mrs Hoekstra will remain as a piano teacher at the school and now hopes to take the program to other schools in need of music. Warrnambool Primary School principal Peter Auchettl believes Mrs Hoekstra has been instrumental in bringing music to students' lives. "The work Anita has done has given children the opportunity to access music and has broadened our programs across the whole school," he said. "Her gentle nature with the students has meant they've come to love music. "Now children can learn saxophone, violin, keyboards, guitar, drums and vocals and that's something we wouldn't have had five years ago."

Keeze -- Warrnambool band

Keeze - around 1980. Larry Lawson, Peter Wong, Barry Galbraith, Neil Anderson, Rob Granter and ??

Country Music Club -- Warrnambool

Michael Schack, Arty Hoey, Vanessa Waara, Joe Musico, Rob Grey (Rob Lehmann obscured) Country Music Club event @ Warrnambool Bowls Club 20th Oct. 2019

20 Mar 2022

 

Photo from January 2024

Photo of the house band with guest artists "The Shelly Jones Band" 18 Feb 2024

                                        16 June 2024 Billy Symons on piano, guest artist Gavin Chatelier

16 June 2024

16 June 2024

16 June 2024

16 June 2024 Michael Schack with Gavin Chatelier

 

Those Mountains - Michael Schack

Those Mountains - Michael Schack - Soundcloud

You Tube

Nightowls

The Night Owls Cheryl Philp, Randall Cooper, Warren Barnes, John Henderson and Eric Read (front).

The Night Owls John Henderson, Cheryl Philp, Eric Read, Mark Henderson (drums).

Grace Moloney

https://www.standard.net.au/story/6369324/new-gig-for-local-musician/?cs=72

Lineup for the 2019 Hank Williams Birthday Tribute - 19th Sept. 2019 - City Memorial Bowls Club

Time             Act              Stage number

7.15 - 7.25 -- Wank Hilliams 1 (California Zephyr, I'll never get out of this world alive)

7.27 - 7.37 -- Garry McColl  1 - ("I can't help it if I'm Still in love with you", "Your cheatin heart", “Cool Water”)

7.39 - 7.49 -- Tracey Jenkinson 2 (Cold cold heart, Fire in hull, I'll be ok)

7.51 - 8.01-- Russ Goodear 1 (Why don't you love, New Train, That Moon song)

8.03 - 8.13 -- Trevor Keilar 2 (The night Hank Williams came to town)

8.15 - 8.25 – Lee Morgan 1 

8.27 - 8.37 —Brendan Mitchell band - 2 ("Howlin at the moon", "Hey Good Lookin", “I won’t be home no more”)

8.39 - 8.49 -- Streamline -1 (Kawliga, Wearin’ out my walkin’ shoes, She ain’t goin nowhere)

 8.51 -- 9.01 -- The Hack and the Thoroughbreds 2 - (Crazy Heart   -- Can't get you off my mind --Honky Tonk Blues  -- Honking out some Hank)

 9.03 -9.13-- Rodger Delfos 1 (My Bucket's got a hole in it, Lost Highway)

 9.15 - 9.25-- Texas Tom 2 (Ramblin Man, Fool About You, Lost Highway/Mind Your Own Business)

 9.27 - 9.37 -- Eddy Boyle and the Silver Spurs 1

 9.39 - 9.49 -- Louie and the Melways 2 - (Ode to Billy Joe, Lovesick Blues, The Night they drove Old Dixie Down )

9.51 - 10.01 -- Peter Struth 1 (My bucket's got a hole in it)

10.03 -- 10.13 – Trevor and Mel  (20 years, Cold Cold Heart, I saw the Light) -2

10.15 -- 10.25-- Loose Cannons 1 (Take these chains from my heart, Move it on over, I'm so lonesome I could cry, Long gone daddy)

10.27 -10.37  -- Bidge Boyd 1 (I saw the light, Setting the woods on fire, Half as much)

10.39-11.00 pm   -- All Star Band 1

Boyd, Ian "Bidge"

 Ian "Bidge" Boyd is a South West entertainer who has travelled the breadth of the country thrilling audiences with his own brand of country. His authenticity is enhanced by being one of a select band of locals who have visited the Hank Williams' Museum in Montgomery Alabama. This year he has enlisted "Loose Cannons" as his backing band - a union that will only add to the occasion. Check him out on youtube

Songs: I saw the light, Setting the woods on fire, Half as much

Boyle, Eddy and the Silver Spurs

Eddy Boyle, Western Victoria's premier harmonica player and Hank Williams aficionado, brings his band of talented musicians to the 2019 event. Eddy first performed at a 3WAY Hank night at the tender age of 16 and has only grown in stature since then. Recent performances have included guest spots with Joe Camilleri and the Black Sorrows and Bill Chambers. See him on youtube.

Delfos, Rodger

Melbourne based Rodger  boasts a musical legacy over five decades and currently heads up two projects - "The Beatriders" and "The Shed". His past includes membership of various bands including "One Armed Bandit", "The Dead Livers", "Broken Spoke" and "The Vic State Opry". Festival credits include Tamworth, Port Fairy and the Pub with no beer festival in Taylors Arm NSW. Always accompanied by accomplished musicians, we can expect exciting things. Check him out on youtube

Songs: My Bucket's got a hole in it, Lost Highway

Goodear, Russ

Russ has long been a supporter of 3WAY's Hank night, either as a member of Louie and the Rustlers, The Bucks or some other configuration. This year may be a solo performance, but no doubt we can look forward to his take on some Hank classic.

Grigg, Danny (pictured centre)

A local guitar hero who appeared at the first Hank night 20 years ago alongside his father Tommy. He also appeared multiple times at further events at the Royal Hotel etc. and we look forward to his return.

Hack and Thoroughbreds

This Combo has been entertaining audiences at the annual Hank nights for a decade. The brainchild of Ray Smith and Joe Musico, this act often brings obscure Hank Williams' songs to the forefront in an innovative way. This year promises more of the same.

Songs: Crazy Heart , Can't get you off my mind, Honky Tonk Blues, Honking out some Hank

Jenkinson, Tracey

Tracey Jenkinson is a singer songwriter from Glenthompson in Western Victoria. She debuted at the 2018 Hank night, where she showcased "I'm so lonesome I could cry".  She primarily concentrates on original songs -  check her out here on youtube.

Songs: Cold cold heart, Fire in hull . I'll be ok

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Keilar, Trevor 

For more than a decade Trevor Keilar has proved to be one of the most popular and enduring country music acts in South West Victoria and beyond, producing multiple CDs in that time. He has consistently supported 3WAY-FM and is renowned for his Johnny Cash tributes. His rendition of the song "The night Hank Williams came to town" (an evocative description of a small town Hank Williams performance in 1951, written in 1987 by Bobby Braddock and Charlie Williams, and memorably recorded by Johnny Cash) is a crowd pleaser.

Check him out on youtube

Loose Cannons

Popular Warrnambool cover band spearheaded by the illustrious Prof Walters and ably supported by pre-eminent guitarist Johnny Maroniti, together with Chris Shanley and Graeme Saunders. Both Prof and Johnny performed in a re-united Granny's Grave at the first 3WAY Hank birthday night in September 1999 and haven't aged in 20 years. 

Songs: Take these chains from my heart, Move it on over, I'm so lonsesome I could cry, Long gone daddy

Louie and the Melways

promise to give us another great rendition of "Lovesick Blues". Louise Clancey has fronted several band configurations in the last 18 years and performed at the Tamworth Country Music Festival and the Port Fairy Folk Festival. In 2004 she was a nominee in the "Best Female Country artist" category of the Victorian Country Music Awards  presented at the Whittlesea Country Music Festival.

Songs: Lovesick blues, The night they drove old Dixie down

McColl, Garry & the GT Band

Garry McColl and the GT band have been entertaining audiences at Rafferty's Tavern and the Warrnambool Bowls Club for a couple of years and promise the same at the Hank night. Garry specialises in Elvis songs but does a fine Hank as well.

Songs: Your Cheatin' Heart, I can't help it if I'm still in love with you, Cool water

Mitchell, Brendan

Pedal steel player Brendan Mitchell has an impressive pedigree including the Dead Livers, the AP Johnson Band and the stage show "The best little whorehouse in Texas".

Morgan, Lee

Lee is an acclaimed guitarist, singer and songwriter who displays excellence each time he plays (either as a soloist or band member).

Streamline

A South West band which has consistently provided entertaining sets at the annual Hank Williams tribute nights. Lead guitarist Arty Hoey co-ordinates a monthly country music club backing band and Streamline is regularly in demand from Port Fairy to Mount Gambier.

Songs: Kawliga

Struth, Peter

Peter "Billy" Struth, presenter of 3WAY's Party on the Patio, is to revive his rendition of "my bucket's got a whole in it" after an 18 year hiatus

Song: My bucket's got a hole in it

Texas Tom

Texas Tom (Burgess) has been traversing the trail from Melbourne to Warrnambool for many years now to entertain us on these nights. A multi-instrumentalist and one time front man for Melbourne band "The Waylon Joes", Tom is also an expert Texas two-stepper. He regularly wows crowds at the wind down session of the Yackandandah folk festival. Check him out on youtube.

Songs: Ramblin Man, Fool About You, Lost Highway/Mind Your Own Business

Trevor and Mel are 2/5's of "Lost in Suburbia". Whilst the full band is not available this year, this twosome promises carefully crafted Americana in the true Hank Williams tradition. Trevor has performed one way or another at nearly all the Hank nights in the last 20 years, and the duo has impressed audiences in the last couple of years. Check out Lost in Suburbia on youtube

All abilities choir

The spirit of the Rolling Stones is coming to Port Fairy's Reardon Theatre

Warrnambool Standard August 9th 2019

Tumbling Dice l-r Richard Crawley, Phil Jones, James Dyson, Raff Marino, Tim Conlan, and Mark Walravens. Joining the band will be Brad Harrison on sax.
Richard Crawley, lead singer of south-west band Tumbling Dice, says the event will not be a tribute show but a celebration of "amazing music". "We do not dress up like the Stones and prance around like some tribute bands, we are not interested in that," he said. "(For us) it is about the amazing music the band made particularly between 1968 and 1972." Songs included from the era include classic titles such as Brown Sugar, Honky Tonk Woman and Jumping Jack Flash."The bulk of the material will come from there but we will include others such as Satisfaction," Crawley said. Tumbling Dice will perform a 90-minute set, with support from Port Fairy artist Stone La Femme (Carly Clifford). "Stone is doing a 45-minute set, all Rolling Stones songs solo playing electric guitar," Crawley said.
"She has a really strong voice, you should hear her version of You Can't Always Get What You Want." Crawley said the two acts would put on a show with great continuity. "Our set lists do not overlap," he said. "(The show) will really do justice to the music. "We have got a big area so we can have proper staging, a really good space for dancing and a great light show which will add to everything. "We have got it set up to be really good."It will be a bloody great party." Doors open at 7.30pm on Saturday, August 10 2019, with music from 8.30-11pm. Tickets are available from this link, Dale Cleaves Music in Warrnambool, or at the door.

Gigs Warrnambool August 10-11th 2019

Saturday August 10th 2019 Live music: Robyn Gleeson and Leon Rowbottom are returning to play at the Commercial Hotel Koroit from 8pm; local musician John Brereton performs at the Cally Hotel in Warrnambool from 9pm.

Tribute show: Tumbling Dice and Stone La Femme will perform the hits of the Rolling Stones at the Reardon Theatre in Port Fairy, doors open at 7.30pm.

Sunday August 11th 2019 - Live Music: Geoff Achison & The Booldiggers rock Hotel Warrnambool from 3pm; Trevor & Mel play at the Cally Hotel, Warrnambool, from 4pm-7pm; Bluegrass Jam @ Vic Port Fairy 2-4 pm

Thursday August 15th 2019 - Live music: John Hudson Guest Session at Hotel Warrnambool, from 8pm

Port Fairy Folk Festival breaks with tradition - 2 day tickets for the first time @ 2020 festival

AUGUST 10th Warrnambool Standard 10th August 2019


TRADITION has been broken at the Port Fairy Folk Festival with two-day tickets to be offered for the first time. In past years, including 2019, it has only been possible to purchase four-day tickets, with the festival running from the Friday to Monday. Port Fairy Folk Festival ticketing manager Shane Lenehan said the half-festival pass would be available for Friday/Saturday or Sunday/Monday.
He said the half-festival tickets would suit those unable to make the whole four days. "The Port Fairy Folk Festival Committee are absolutely thrilled to be announcing a change in available ticket type for the first time in over 40 years of this magnificent event," Mr Lenehan said. "We have listened to the feedback from our guests and our local supporters and are really happy to now offer a half-festival pass. "We have no doubt these half-festival passes will be snapped up very quickly. We also encourage those who can commit to the full weekend to secure their passes early too." He said he had considered the introduction of half-festival passes over the five years he had been ticketing manager. "One of the main reasons we haven't been able to do it before is that we are limited by how many people we can have in the venue," he said. "We had an issue with overcrowding when we had big name acts on. So we are now trying to get every artist to play a minimum of two shows and it certainly helps with the overcrowding issue. We've decided that we don't want to sell any m ore tickets. We have made some changes and decided bigger is not better for the Folkie. "We will stick to our strengths with plenty of stages and acts but with a more intimate feel. Also with natural progression in sales we have a few hundred less adult tickets that we sold last year. The reality is like every festival there is a lot more competition and we have to provide what is special to us. Last year there was a great feel within the festival." He said previously the festival could have 11,500 adult tickets and then a few more thousand people in the festival grounds with child and youth tickets, stallholders, volunteers, committee and performers. "The numbers got tot he point where it was too many," he said. "It's more comfortable with a few less. We don't want to do just day tickets." He said the half-festival tickets would appeal to south-west residents who may have work or sporting commitments and could only make the Folkie on certain days. "Melbourne people will still get the full festival pass," he said. He said there would be limited half-festival passes, with less than 1000 on sale. "They will be cheaper than a full-weekend pass," he said. "They are really well priced and good value for money." The 2020 festival will be held on the weekend March 6-9. Tickets go on sale on September 2.The first artist announcement for the 2020 festival will take place on August 26.

Buddha in a Chocolate Box

Buddha in a Chocolate Box was the name of a band from Hamilton formed in 2005. Members met through school. The name from the 1974 Cat Stevens album Buddha AND the Chocolate Box. In 2015 frontman Adrian Calvano told Forte magazine about the artist’s influence: “I grew up listening to Cat Stevens – my mum used to play it all the time. What I love about him is the fact that he’s not pigeon-holed. He’s not folk, he’s not rock, he’s not pop – and that’s how I base my writing. I want to make music about whatever I’m feeling at the moment, and I think Cat was a bit the same.” Starting out threw up a few challenges – chiefly being people seemed largely uninterested in giving a band from Hamilton a shot. They established a large following in Port Fairy and Warrnambool and expanded nationwide The band released their appropriately titled debut, The Keep on Keepin’ On EP, in 2010. In 2015 they changed their name to "The Settlement"

Gary Price, Pete Bird, Nucky Stewart - 1990

Thank God for rock 'n' roll -- Wild Roomers

Music Homestead Concert May 2019

 

Published in theTerang Express

Fifteen minutes of fame Crossley