By Christine Cox

Parkes and District Country Music Association

Our featured artist for Sunday, October 20 commencing at 1pm will be one of our own Life Members and popular entertainer Garry Hemming.

Garry lives in Forbes and is well known throughout the region and further afield for his support of country music.

A crowd favourite he will have you tapping and singing along with him as well as get those who enjoy dancing up on the floor.

Looking forward to a great afternoon.

Our August Muster was another really enjoyable afternoon with Alan Ford as featured artist.

Alan certainly brought his own unique style to his performance and was supported by walkups Garry Hemming, Craig Manderson, Bruce Toole, Stephen R. Cheney, Lindy Charlton, Bev Good, Sue Gillet and visitor Rodney Springer travelling with his wife Allison from Relbia, Tasmania.

Many thanks to Kaitlyn Strudwick who joined our band to play bass.

What a pleasant surprise to have someone with her expertise join our team.

Hopefully our regular bass player Pam Byrne is on the mend and Kaitlyn (if she enjoyed the experience) and Pam will be able to share this duty.

Over the last couple of months Craig Manderson from Dubbo has doubled up and been stepping into this spot so we are very grateful to them all.

Also thanks go to our own John D. who stepped into the position of sound person when Joy Rice from Cowra who usually handles the sound desk was also out of action.

Vicki Walsh from Young was the featured artist for the September Muster.

Vicki has always been a great ambassador for Country Music.

She has competed in many talent quests statewide and indeed here in Parkes over the years taking out many of the trophies on offer.

She will be remembered for her assistance at many of our fund-raising concerts, talent quests, feature spots and festivals and it was so wonderful to have her back in Parkes again for our Muster.

A singer/songwriter Vicki reminded us of her talent in songwriting when she performed her song “Those Old Elvis Blues” which she first performed here on October 13, 1999.

Another song she performed in her feature spot was one she had written as a tribute to the legendary Aunty Joyce Fletcher, “I’ll bet you in my heart I love you”.

Not very often you here someone yodelling these days.

The audience certainly enjoyed Vicki’s performance.

Supporting Vicki as walk-ups were Craig Manderson, Garry Hemming, Bill Little, Stephen R Cheney, Keith Noakes, Bill Dixon, Sue Gillett, Gary Hollier, and Freda Harvey.

Stephen, Craig, Kaitlyn and Keith Noakes (with his mouth organ) looked after band duties and Joy was back on deck to look after sound.

In the finale Vicki joined Garry for their rendition of an oldie “Little Arrows”.

After this weeks Muster on Sunday there will only be two more Musters before Christmas so make sure you pick up your Newsletter at the muster and keep up to date with what’s happening in our club, and remember to keep Sunday, November 17 and Sunday, December 15 (our Christmas Charity Muster) free.

Looking forward to catching up with everyone on Sunday. Walk-ups welcome.