Country concert kick off

by Rebecca Trott Warrnambool Standard 22 Jan. 2000 - ©Copyright Warrnambool Standard  2000 All rights reserved

Country music fans are in for a dose of some boot-scooting, leg-slapping and good old country fun following the creation of a regular country music concert in Warrnambool. Soon to join the ranks of other towns who set aside one day a month for a country music celebration. Warrnambool will hold its first concert on Jan. 30, thanks to the dedication of country music fan and radio announcer Ken Smith. Mr. Smith, who hosts his own country music program on 3WAY-FM, said he decided to set aside one day a month to hold the country music concert because of the continuous pressure from listeners. "It would be nothing for me to get between 80 to 100 calls during my show and people wanting to know when this  will be starting up - it's just unreal" he said. Mr. Smith, a keen country musician himself, said the day will feature music  from both local and outside artists. The January 30 show will feature acts such as The Durdins, Jack Foran, John Anscombe, Tommy Grigg, Simon Edge and Portland's Angelique Pudlat. The concerts will not be just about performance and entertainment - proceeds from shows will be passed on to cancer and muscular dystrophy charities. He hoped that the first concert would be a success and added that the support for the event had grown over the first few weeks. "I first thought that getting 50 people to the first concert would make me happy, but I think it's grown now and we'll probably get 200", he said. It will be held at Rowley's Highview Horse Complex, which Mr. Smith said [is] perfect for entertaining families and country music fans.