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Posted by Ann Pascoe Link: Ann Pascoe
on January 30, 2009, 7:57 pm
195.93.21.42
ANN PASCOE NEWSLETTER
January-February 2009
Editor: Bob Dyer (Napier) bdyer@clear.net.nz
Greetings to you all, another year started and we would like to wish you all the very best for 2009. I hope you had a great time over the Festive Season with your families and that you enjoyed the holiday break, whatever you were doing and wherever you spent it.
Ann had a rest from a busy schedule over the break and spent quality time with her family, as did I. It was not long before she was back into the 'Swing of things'.
Being on the committee of the Merrilands Country Music Club in New Plymouth, Ann's contact with artists throughout New Zealand and the world stands the Club in good stead for acquiring some top acts and well known artists.
Most recent guest artists have been Annette and Kim from Auckland and close to Christmas, the club was fortunate to have two couples from the USA. 'Call Of The West', (Jeannie and Jerome) and Tex and Mary Schutz. They are a very talented group who travel far and wide and who also run Festivals in the States. It's great to bring quality country music acts to the locals.
I was fortunate enough to find the Americans a gig over here in Napier. What a great show they put on. Every one of them is an absolute pleasure to meet and they're great musicians and singers. Once again it was disappointing to see that Country Music fans were not obviously in attendance. They missed a good night's entertainment, for free as well.
On the 15th of January, Denise and I headed for New Plymouth to have a look at the Festival Of Lights and catch up with Ann and Ross. Ann and her band OLDOGS were performing there at the beautiful Pukekura Park which we hadn't seen before and were happy to explore and see the pretty lighting glad we arrived the night before.
The show was held on the Hatchery Lawn. It was a beautiful afternoon and evening, and very soon after our arrival a big crowd began to gather and what a good evening's entertainment followed.
People not necessarily there for the entertainment, but to walk around the park are often attracted to the music, as they stay for a while, and then move on.
The show opened with what is now the group's trademark song “We're Old Dogs”, then followed with Ann singing her own and cover songs to an appreciative audience with OLDOGS Mark Corbett, (bass) Noddy Curd, (drums) Kevin Joyce (lead guitar) and Charlie Winter on keyboard. OLDOGS backed the visiting artists as well.
Invited artists were: Terry Morratti from New Plymouth, Sean Pawson from Fielding, Gail Russell and Peato from Wellington. Gail sang one of her own compositions, a wedding song and was accompanied in a very nice touch by her young granddaughter on stage doing her version of the hula.
The artists took turns at performing sets of their songs during the night, which kept the show varied and interesting.
Ann was her usual professional self enhanced by the standards she sets herself whenever she performs. The OLDOGS band puts on a good performance being entertainers in their own right, and performing songs during the show.
What was pleasantly surprising was the amount of young people who wandered down and stayed till the end of the show. Some in their early teens. So hopefully, with good artists and bands, Country Music will at last catch on a bit more with the younger set.
From New Plymouth we headed to Marton. The Marton Country Music Festival was a bigger affair than last year with a lot more camper-vans and people attending. This festival has really grown since the first and I'm sure it will continue to attract many artists from both here in New Zealand and overseas.
Ann was included in the Saturday afternoon and night concert. Her rendition of “You Were Only Fooling” came across beautifully on the fine Friday night air. We were able to meet up with all the artists from the night before at the Park, OLDOGS being the 'resident' band on stage for Saturday afternoon.
Coming up for Ann is the Hamilton Garden Festival on the 1st of March where she accompanies Dennis Marsh for a show in the Perfume Gardens. Ann and Dennis were the first two Country Music artists to ever be invited to the Hamilton Gardens. And don't forget Dennis will be at the Festival of the Lights in New Plymouth on Waitangi Day - 6th February, 7.30pm.
Applications are in for the 20th Bay of Islands Country Music Festival for Ann and OLDOGS. This is the 'In' Festival and to be included is a real buzz for artists from all parts of the country and overseas. STOP PRESS! Ann Pascoe & OLDOGS have been accepted to perform at Paihia May 8/9/10.
May is going to be very busy, with a few miles being covered as Ann has also been invited to Wellington to do a couple of shows, thanks to the generosity of Gail Russell. Dennis Morgan from Australia will be working with Ann and Gail in Wellington.
Invites to appear at Rest Homes and service clubs keep coming and Ann is a very popular entertainer with return invites rolling in. Which is really great, because Santa bought her a new, more portable sound system to take round with her.
Ann says thank you to the support NZ country music Djs give her. The overseas radio play-lists keep coming in featuring Ann's music in country music shows, from all over the world and interest from America.
Example:
Sent: Sunday, January 25, 2009 5:07 PM
Howdy Ann,
Yes, the album you mentioned is the only album i have of yours. If you'd like to send me more, I'd be more than happy to program them into the play-list for my shows. I like your sound Ann....
Hey you might want to think about attending the "Independent Country Stampede," happening in June on the 12th and 13th. Time slots for bands are limited and if you don't have a band and want one to back you, then there will be a fee. Other than that there will be vendors, food, music and industry people here to listen to the artist that will be in from around the nation. We even have DJ's coming from Europe to hear the artist that they play on their radio stations. Think about it and if you have anymore questions, just email me again. Take care Ann.
Lou
Lou Nelson Promotions
Texas Drover Records
WICR-Texas Country Show
707 S. Sledge St., Kyle, Tx 78640
And Ann says, “It's always a buzz to see the “I'm Doing Fine” album featured in the Double Day Music Direct mail order catalogue, and to see my other albums on sale around NZ in music stores.” Her distributors are Rajon and Jayrem Records.
Ann's website continues to receive heaps of 'hits' with the numbers growing daily. It takes a lot of her time keeping the website (and sites for others) updated with all the available news and coming events around the country. Go to www.annpascoe.com ; www.nzcountryscene.notlong.com ; www.dennismarsh.com
Still the albums arrive from NZ and overseas artists to be considered for airplay on the six TLC Radio stations, another time consuming job for her that she seems to thrive on and her editing ability is to be applauded with the calibre of good music that the stations receive from her hard work. Thank you Ann, we are so lucky to have you doing that for us (along with the other band of workers behind the TLC Radio stations.)
With her involvement with TLC Radio, which introduced her to Hillcrest, in Canada, a few other NZ artists have been selected to release on this quality multi artist disc, due to Ann's recommendations. Trevor V. Stevens, Sheryl Higgs, Annette and Kim, and recently fiddler Marian Burns. “It's making me feel quite left out,” says Ann, “I will have to get my music back on Hillcrest again!”
Well I guess that's about it from me so, take care, enjoy your Country Music, be you playing or listening to it. KEEP CM ALIVE!!
Cheers
Bob. bdyer@clear.net.nz
Remember if you'd like to engage Ann for her musical entertainment, contact her at annpascoe@orcon.net.nz and make a date!
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