Southwest Biz magazine article on 3WAY

 Published in SouthWest biZ magazine Vol. 29 Autumn 2014

Southwest biz magazine article on Russ Goodear

 Published in SouthWest biz magazine Vol. 29 Autumn 2014

Dennis O'Keeffe dies March 2014

Dennis O’Keeffe leaves rich musical legacy
By PETER COLLINS - As published in Warrnambool Standard March 11 2014

DENNIS O’Keeffe’s status as one of Australia’s most respected music researchers, singers and writers was acknowledged when Port Fairy Folk Festival crowds stood to sing Waltzing Matilda when told of his death on Sunday.
The 57-year-old Warrnambool resident lost a battle with cancer and died in St John of God Hospital surrounded by his wife Anne and sons Joel and Ryan, who have also carved a career in music with their successful rock band Airbourne.
Mr O’Keeffe had conducted extensive research into the origins of the iconic Waltzing Matilda and performed it for years at the Warrnambool May Racing Carnival where the tune was first heard in 1894 by Christina Macpherson, who later passed it on to poet Banjo Paterson, who wrote the lyrics.
In 2012 Mr O’Keeffe launched his book about “the secret story of Australia’s favourite song”. His research was regarded as ground breaking in delving into the real history behind what is often regarded as Australia’s unofficial national anthem. It was later incorporated into a musical, The Man They Call The Banjo, by Mr O’Keeffe’s brother-in-law Felix Meagher and filmed by the ABC during a performance at Camperdown last year. “He’s been singing and writing songs for most of his life,” Mr Meagher told The Standard yesterday.
“For years he was a songwriting tutor at the Lake School of Celtic Music in Koroit and was  highly regarded.

“The bond between him and his students will live on.

“He also ran the Australian music section at the national folk festival in Canberra and we’ll have music sessions in his honour at the Lake School.

“Dennis was loved by many people.”

Mr O’Keeffe was raised in the Killarney district in a large family that traced its history in the area back to the 1850s.

Mr O’Keeffe graduated from Monash University in 1999 with a graduate diploma of arts in Australian folklife studies, but gained most of his experience in writing and performing at least 40 songs based on Aussie stories.

Mary of the Cross (honouring the life of  former nun, now Catholic saint, Mary MacKillop) and Billy McLean (about a union shearer shot during the 1894 strike) are some of his pieces.

His performances included a 12-month stint with son Joel as Father and Son after Mr O’Keeffe underwent major surgery for a benign brain tumour. “He was so proud of his son’s achievements with Airbourne,” Mr Meagher said.

“Dennis supported them and loved them.”

He also ran an optometry sales business in Warrnambool, which he expanded into several branches across regional Victoria before selling them.

Ripple Effect program run by Glenelg Shire Council

Aspiring musos at Heywood Warrnambool Standard 27th March 2014
SIXTEEN young Portland musicians will make their debut at a Youth Week event next Thursday in Heywood. Over the past few weeks the musos have been jamming a range of covers at the Portland Arts
Centre in preparation for the April 3 gig at the Heywood Community Hall, where they will perform alongside
a similar group from Hamilton and other young south-west musicians. The young singers and instrumentalists
have been taking part in the Ripple Effect program run by Glenelg Shire Council. The gig at Heywood Community Hall runs from 5.30 pm

Russ Goodear

Goodear gets industry gig Warrnambool Standard 27th March 2014
WARRNAMBOOL musician and community leader Russ Goodear has been invited to join the Victorian Music Council. The group of about 70 industry figures serves as an advisory panel to Music Victoria, which lobbies the government on behalf of the interests of the music industry. Goodear joins the likes of managers, promoters, label employees, radio representatives and venue owners, as well as musicians such as  Dan Sultan and David Bridie. Goodear, who performs with The Rusty Bucks, said he was delighted by the invitation and would use the role to address the interests and needs of regional Victoria’s music industry.

Koroit Irish Festival

Quizzical start to Koroit Irish festival - Warrnambool Standard March 31, 2014

Well-known south-west residents will test their Emerald Isle knowledge as part of an initiative for next month’s Koroit Irish Festival. Singers, business identities and even the Premier will participate in the panel-style quiz which will act as the festival’s curtain-raiser. Festival committee member Leon Carey said school teacher and performer Frith Knappett would host the event. Joining Premier Denis Napthine in the panel show will be Celtic singer Imogen Brough, South West Community Foundation board member Bernadette Northeast, The Standard’s editor-in-chief Steve Kelly, dairy industry figure Phil Keegan and festival performer Maria Forde.  The Great Irish Australian Quiz Show will be held at the Koroit Theatre on April 25. Tickets are $20 and includes festival entry.

Lee Morgan performing on the Civic Green in Warrnambool

Lee Morgan performing on the Civic Green in Warrnambool for National Close the Gap Day (an annual event held to raise awareness of the Indigenous health crisis) - 20th March 2014 

Eel festival 2014, Tom Richardson, Gig guide

As published in Warrnambool Standard 20th March 2014

Eel festival to kick off

Tom Richardson, Shane Howard and Carus Thompson are just a few of the names that will be playing the Lake Bolac Eel Festival this weekend. The annual festival has again attracted a strong line-up of performers for Saturday’s 10th annual event. Gunditjmara man Brett Clarke who is no stranger to the festival, having played many times before, will open the music program from 1.30pm. Also on the line-up is  Warumpi Band guitarist Sammy Butcher who is travelling from Alice Springs to join local song man Neil Murray. Local children’s entertainers The Mik Macs will also perform . The stylishly accomplished multi-instrumentalist David Hyams is ringing the duo version of his Miles 2 Go band to Lake Bolac for the fi rst time. An experienced Celtic and blues-inspired act, Miles 2 Go have performed all over Australia. Darwin singer/songwriter Leah Flanagan will perform at both the festival and at the Lake Bolac Hotel on Friday night. Flanagan is a member of the highly regarded Black Armband, and is on tour to launch her new single. Richardson, Howard and Thompson are festival favourites and will perform across the day, while Thompson will close the program. Tickets are available at             

www.trybooking.com/75040 or at the gate on Saturday.

For more information go to www.eelfestival.org.au

Richardson back in town to promote new live album

FRESH from flying the local fl ag at the Port Fairy Folk Festival, singer-songwriter Tom Richardson will hold an all-ages, all-access gig in Warrnambool on Sunday to launch his live album and DVD. After spending much of the last six months playing in North America and Europe, Richardson returned home at the start of 2014 to release the concert film and accompanying record, which was filmed at Brauer College’s Anderson Theatre in Warrnambool. Since then, he’s been travelling the country playing launch gigs on a massive tour that has taken up the last couple of months. Finally Richardson returns to his hometown for the gig at Mozart Hall in Warrnambool from 3pm on Sunday. He’ll be joined by Echuca singer-songwriter Benny Walker and local up-and-comer Brad Whitehead. “It’ll be the last show of this leg of the launch tour, then it’ll be nice to be home for a little bit,” Richardson said. He’s also on the bill for Saturday’s Lake Bolac Eel Festival .

GIG GUIDE

THURSDAY 20TH MARCH 2014

Pete Janes: The Loft,Warrnambool

FRIDAY

Bec & The Big River Trio: Kirkstall Hotel

Christo Rook: The Stump, Port Fairy

Kaboodle: Whalers Hotel, Warrnambool

Saint Jude, Greenthief, King  Evil: The Loft

Loose Cannons: Victoria Hotel, Warrnambool

SATURDAY

Louie Clancey Band: The Stump

Lake Bolac Eel Festival (all day): Lake Bolac

Michelle’s Velocity: Whaler s Hotel

Magic Bones, King Evil,Lemonbait: The Loft

Loose Cannons: Victoria Hotel,Warrnambool

SUNDAY

Tom Richardson, Benny Walker,

Bradley Whitehead (arvo):Mozart Hall, Warrnambool

Rusty Bucks (arvo): The Stump

Big Love (arvo): Victoria Hotel, Warrnambool

Lynne Moloney & The Teachers’ Pets - Hotel Warrnambool

TUESDAY

The Doctor: Cally Hotel, Warrnambool

3WAY FM live broadcast day 16th March 2014

3WAY Live broadcast, 15 minutes of fame

Published in the Warrnambool Standard 13th March 2014

Nine bands turn up volume for 3WAY FM live-to-air broadcast

Warrnambool's community radio station 3WAY FM will showcase itself and local bands with an open day and live-to-air broadcast on Sunday.Nine acts will perform in the Club Crew room, With the public invited to pop in to the Hyland Street station to watch, or tune in on 103.7 FM. Long-time presenter Garry Dalton said the station had worked hard to reach the point where it  could broadcast live concerts. He said Naringal producer and drummer Brenton Smith was instrumental in setting up the system. “We had some fund-raisers over  the last couple of years and with some of the money we’ve raised we’ve bought this equipment,” Dalton said. “Brenton Smith organised all of that — he’s the brains behind it.” To test out the new gear, nine bands will perform from 10am, with the line-up featuring Red & White & Swanny, Ashar & Scotty Thwaites, Trevor & Boyd, Kayla Dwyer, Eddy & The Exciters, Bec & The Big River Trio, Lost In Suburbia, Blackwood Jack, and Tank Dilemma. The performances will take over from the day’s usual programming. Dalton said there would also be a sausage sizzle and a membership sign-up. “We’d like the public to come out and check out the studios,” he said. “We’re hoping if it works we might have another one later in the year

15 minutes to impress
OPEN mic event 15 Minutes  of Fame returns to Crossley  tomorrow night. From 7.30pm. St Brigid’s Hall will host some established and not-so-established musicians, all the while showcasing local artists and
raising money for the upkeep of the hall. Some well known names have joined the bill this week, with Kayla Dwyer, Rock ‘N’ Roll Sandwich and three fifths of south-west Celt-pop group Aniar. Also on the bill is
singer-songwriter Don Cowling, soloist Des Bunyon, blues singer Jess Griffey, and young vocalist Ailiche Goddard-Clegg. 15 Minutes Of Fame is a family event, with food available and BYO drinks.

Gig guide
Thursday
Tankard, Kilminster, Halliwell, Hocking: Hotel Warrnambool
Mitch Crute: Seanchai, Warrnambool

Friday
The Australian Bee Gees Show: Lighthouse Theatre, Warrnambool
15 Minutes Of Fame: St Brigid’s Hall, Crossley
Mitch Crute: Seanchai
Bo Jenkins: Victoria Hotel, Warrnambool
Shahnie: Last Coach, Warrnambool
Tank & Brenton: The Stump, Port Fairy
Jason Bull: Whalers Hotel, Warrnambool
Wild Roomers: Kirkstall Hotel
Daniel Champagne: The Loft, Warrnambool

SATURDAY
Terang Country Music Festival (all day): Terang racecourse Reece Mastin: Lighthouse Theatre
Traditional Irish music (arvo): Seanchai
Bo Jenkins: Victoria Hotel, Warrnambool
Trevor & Boyd: Whalers Hotel
Wild Roomers: Mickey Bourke’s Koroit Hotel
Live music: The Stump, Port Fairy
Jacob Gellert & Friends, Indigo Children, Cherrywood, The Pretty Littles: The Loft
Sami Cooke - Star of the West Port Fairy

SUNDAY
Louie Clancey Band: Seanchai (5 to 8)
Luke Annett (arvo): Last Coach
Bo Jenkins (arvo): Victoria Hotel, Warrnambool
Lex’s Shed (arvo): Commercia lH otel, Koroit
The Chosen Few (arvo): Hotel Warrnambool
Tom & Patsy (arvo): City Memorial Bowls Club,Warrnambool

MONDAY
Mick Ferguson (arvo), The Alfa Tides (evening): Seanchai
Shane Howard (arvo), Tommy Carty & friends (evening): Macarthur Pub
Acoustic Al (arvo), Irish Al (evening): Victoria Hotel, Warrnambool
Rusty Bucks (noon): Mickey Bourke’s Koroit Hotel Rusty Bucks (evening): Mt Noorat Hotel

TUESDAY
The Doctor: Cally Hotel,

3WAY Live and Local

SOUTH-WEST community radio station 3WAY FM (103.7 FM) will throw open its door and ditch the regular programming for a huge open day on March 16. The broadcaster recently acquired the technology that will enable it to broadcast live bands direct from the “Club Crew” room at its Hyland Street HQ. From 10am, Red White & Swanny, Ashar & Scotty Thwaites, Trevor & Boyd, Kayla Dwyer, Eddy & The Exciters, Bec & The Big River Trio, Lost In Suburbia, Blackwood Jack and Tom Richardson will take over the airwaves. The station will also be open so people can see the bands, have a look behind the scenes of the community station and sign up for a membership.

News item courtesy Warrnambool Standard 28th Feb. 2014

Warrnambool Standard Offbeat for Jan 23rd

Read the Standard on Thurs. Jan 23rd for news on the Wunta Fiesta, Blackwood Jack and Ginjan.