Heather Scanlon
The framed autographed photos of stars that line the kitchen of Heather Scanlon's Mortlake home give a glimpse into one facet of her musical career. The old pair of boots once owned by Reg Lindsay that sit inside her front door are another insight into her life. But it's the series of scrapbooks containing newspaper clippings, contracts, record covers and publicity photos that reveal most about Heather's musical career.
Whether known as Heather Turner, Danita Dey or Heather Scanlon, music has always been part of her life. Now living at Mortlake under her married name Heather Scanlon, her career has jumped from local gigs with the Western Ramblers from the late I960s through national tours and television appearances with Reg Lindsay and recording in the international home of country music, Nashville.
Heather's story came to light after a series of articles in The Standard about the former Tower Hill Records label that operated for about five years from the late I960s. Her band, the Western Ramblers, was the first to record on the label run by Lindsay Moorhouse. "We were the first, and I'd say the most successful, on the label," Heather said. "Lindsay had a little studio in his house in Warrnambool and we did it all live there. I don't remember a whole lot more about it. It was a very small set-up - that's why we were amazed at the great sound he got out of it."
The Ramblers recorded two EPs and a I3-track LP, with the country songs written by Heather's father Will and band member Ray Batten, who also served as lead and Hawaiian steel guitarist. Hilton Boyle (guitar) and Vern Brown (drums) joined Heather on bass in the popular band. "I was pretty rare as a female bass player in those days," Heather recalled. One of the songs Tower Hill So Beautiful may have been the first to pay musical tribute to the local park.
The album received airplay on country stations throughout the state and even at Tamworth and helped lead the Western Ramblers on an extensive touring schedule. "I've still got the tapes of interviews we did on radio," Heather added. "I remember going down to the Cooriemungle prison farm. I've still got the slippers one of the prisoners made for me. We really enjoyed that. The prisoners were only there for minor matters. I remember they did their own cooking and the food was great." Heather also remembers her first solo gig. "It was for the hospital appeal and I was this nervous little thing. I was there till II o'clock that night. People were ringing up saying they'd donate $5 if that little girl would sing another song."
The Western Ramblers were recruited for appearances on Reg Lindsay's Country Hour and later Country Homestead out of Brisbane. Heather also secured a solo spot on the show which led to a long-running association with the popular country music icon. "We went everywhere. It was a great time." During the I970s Heather decided to change her stage name. "Reg's wife was Heather and so I decided to become Danita Dey." The name Danita came from Buddy Williams' daughter who was killed in a vehicle accident and Dey from actress Susan Dey. Her musical outlook expanded with her new moniker. "I started doing more 50s and 60s rock'n'roll when I became Danita."
Then based in Sydney, her outlook also expanded to the US. "I went over with Reg and I liked it so much I kept going back. We did live shows, TV and some recording in L.A and Nashville. " One song, Warm Sheets was ranked number one in public response on a Los Angeles country radio station, beating a tune by TV actor Dennis Weaver. That song also earned Heather/Danita a nomination as best female vocalist at Australia's country music awards at Tamworth.
She also branched out into interviewing American music and television stars for radio in Sydney. Hank Williams Jr, Elvis Presley's guitarist James Burton, Dirty Dozen star Clint Walker, Lyle Lovett ("a real gentleman"), Jim Reeves' widow Mary and Brenda Lee were among her subjects, all of whom provided signed photographs as mementoes. "That was really a highlight, meeting and interviewing those great people. "I think my best years were working with Reg Lindsay, Buddy Williams and Frank lfield." Heather/Danita became a regular on the clubs circuit throughout Australia in the I970s-90s but stepped back from her musical career in I998. "I seem to have lost a bit of motivation," she admitted.
Heather said she narrowly missed out on a recording contract with RCA Records. "I was playing at Tamworth and executives from RCA came out to watch. They were going to pick out songs for me to record and put me on RCA but they cut down on staff and the ones supporting me were among those to lose their jobs." That was one regret - but it paled beside the biggest regret of her career. "I was in Nashville when my dad passed away. I didn't even know he was sick."
About six months ago Heather returned to live at Mortlake, after three decades in Sydney. "I went to school here and played a lot around here. It's not a bad place to retire. "I regret that it all went so fast. It was a wonderful life but it all seemed to go so fast. I did a lot of things wrong - I never had anyone to advise me but I loved it and I don't have too many regrets."
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Careers pass, but music and memories live on -- By JARED LYNCH
Warrnambool Standard January 15th, 2009 - ©Copyright Warrnambool Standard 2009.
A SOUTH-WEST retiree is returning to work to pay tribute to a friend. Heather Scanlon - perhaps better known to country music fans as Donita Dey - will perform at a tribute concert in March to honour Australian country music great Reg Lindsay. Lindsay died this year and the Mortlake resident is determined that his memory isn't forgotten. She will join a small group of artists for the concert, which will feature Phil Emmanuel. "When Reg's wife Roslyn rang me up and asked me to perform I was only too happy to," Scanlon said. "I'd love to do anything for Reg because he was such a lovely guy and being involved in this concert makes me feel really proud." Scanlon retired from her musical career 10 years ago after three decades touring Australia, America and the United Kingdom. She confessed to being "a bit rusty" on the guitar and bass. "I don't play that much these days but the concert is not until March so I have plenty of time to practice." Scanlon appeared on Lindsay's television shows the Country Hour and Country Homestead. It was there she met the Phil Emmanuel and his brother Tommy. "The Emmanuel brothers were really great guys and both as brilliant as each other. Back then Phil was on guitar and Tommy was on the drums." The tribute concert will be held during the Reg Lindsay Rodeo in Cessnock near Newcastle on March 14. "It's going to be easygoing. I'm really looking forward to it," Scanlon said. "I'll play two of his songs, including his hit Armstrong. "Reg was an unbelievable artist, he wasn't old hat. His music was ahead of its time and I suppose that's why he was so popular."
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