Page 106 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Observer Showbiz
www.MelbourneObserver.com.au
Radio Confidential News from stations from around Victoria
FAREWELL TO DIXY AFTER 51 YEARS
Country Crossroads
COUNTRY RADIO MAN PAUL DIX DIES
info@country crossroads.com.au Big Breakfast Show. Southern FM 88.3. Tues. 6am-9am.
Funeral service today ■ The funeral service for the late Paul Dix will be held on Wednesday at St Michael's Catholic Church, Deniliquin, at 1pm, and afterwards at the RSL. Wife Margaret said: “Our family has been overwhelmed with kindness at Paul's passing - it is strange that to all of us he was husband and a much loved ‘father bear’ to our children. He will be so missed by us all.”
Rob Foenander
New CD for Gary ■ Melbourne’s ‘Man In The Hat’ and country music pioneer Gary Ellis has released his new album Love And Happiness. It's typical Gazza and he interprets some great country songs in an inevitable style that is all of his own. Gary’s distinguished career has included regular spots on Dick Cranbournes Hill Billy Show, 3AK’s Saturday Morning Country Music Show with Lou Carr, and Time For Country on HSV-7. plus a host of other high profile gigs around the country. More information: 9705 7555
Deadly win for Troy ■ Country music's Troy Cassar Daley took home the Male Artist of the Year honours at the recent Deadly Awards held in Sydney. The Deadlys honour the best in indigenous music, sport, entertainment and community from the past year. Other winners included Jessica Mauboy and Archie Roach.
‘Ring of Fire’ in Victoria ■ The Johnny Cash Ring Of Fire concert comes to Victoria, celAussie music legend Glenn Shorrock will be the special guest at the 2014 Whittlesea music festival on Sat Feb 8 Australia's own ‘Man In Black’, Daniel Thompson, returns with an award-winning ensemble featuring Golden Guitar Winner and Australian Guitar Legend, Stuie French. Performance dates : ■ Fri. Nov. 1: Frankston Arts Centre, ■ Sat. Nov 2: West Gippsland Arts Centre, Warragul. ■ Fri. Nov. 8: The Capital Theatre, Bendigo, ■ Sat Nov 9: The Palms At Crown, Melbourne, More info www.cashlive.com.au
Glenn headlines Whittlesea ■ Aussie music legend Glenn Shorrock will be the special guest at the 2014 Whittlesea Music Festival on Sat., Feb. 8. The twilight concert will also include country music well knowns Jetty Road, Greg Champion and Christie Lamb.
r Observbei z Show
Wednesday, September 25 ■ British comic actor Ronnie Barker was born in 1929. He died aged 76 in 2005. US newswoman Barbara Walters is 84. American actor Michael Douglas is 69. English actress Felicity Kendall is 67. Australian actor Colin Friels was born in 1952 (61).
● Paul Dix ■ Radio Confidential is sad to report on the passing of Paul Dix of 2QN Deniliquin and 3NE Wangaratta. Paul conducted the breakfast session on 2QN for the past 51½ years. This made him the longest-serving host of any Australian radio show. Paul Dix also conducted the afternoon shift on sister station 3NE Frank Davidson, General Manager of 2QN, said: "To say Dixy will be missed is an understatement as he was and always be an integral part of our team. “Paul’s many friends and listeners in our coverage area will miss waking up with Dixy each morning and at this sad time our thoughts and condolences are with his wife Margaret and the family."
MMM outs Mix poster ■ Triple M has won the rights for a prominent poster site on Punt Rd, Richmond, to promote its Hot Breakfast program starring Eddie McGuire and Mick Molloy. The site near the busy Albert St corner was previously decorated with a prominent advertisement for the Mix 101.1 FM breakfast pair Chrissie Swan and Jane Hall, who have recently suffered some ratings losses.
Radiothon in November ● Paul Dix photographed in the 2QN studios
LATEST RATINGS
■ Melbourne radio station 3AW (13.5 per cent) regained first spot from 774 ABC (12.2 per cent) in the ratings figures released yesterday (Tues.). Other stations to follow, measured 5.30am-12 Midnight Monday-Sunday, were: Fox, 8.2. Gold, 8.2. Nova, 7.7. MMM, 7.3. Mix, 6.2. JJJ, 5.6. Smooth, 5.6. SEN, 4.6. Magic, 4.6. ABC FM, 2.4. Radio National, 2.1. The breakfast radio war stayed steady. 3AW’s Ross Stevenson and John Burns attracted a 19.5 per cent share, compared to 774 ABC (Red Symons) with 14.8 per cent. Jon Faine (774 ABC) tallied 14.2 per cent to again topple Neil Mitchell (3AW) who attained a 13.7 per cent share, losing 0.5 per cent from the previous share. Mitchell has now lost or drawn three surveys for the year. He is due back on air today after taking seven broadcasts off on Spring leave. Gold 104.3 FM took the early afternoon honours (11.5), wlell ahead of: 3AW, 9.9. 774 ANC, 8.8. Fox, 9.3. MMM, 8.7. Mix, 7.8. Nova, 7.3. JJJ, 6.7. Smooth, 6.2. SEN, 4.9. Magic, 4.6. Newsradio, 1.7. ABC FM, 1.7.Radio National, 1.5. 774 ABC’s Raf Epstein (11.5) defeated 3AW’s Tom Elliott (11.l2), followed by Fox (10.2). 3AW won the 7pm-Midnight slot with Sports Today and Nightline with a slight increase to 13.0 per cent, ahead of Lindy Burns (774) with 12.8 per cent.
■ Heidelberg-based 96.5 Inner FM is planning to hold its first fund-raising ‘radiothon’ in five years, from November 18-24. Observer columnist Kevin Trask, along with fellow presenters John Gillespie and David Miller have agreed to undertake the planning and coordination of the event
● 96.5 Inner FM’s John Gillespie pictured with wife Joan who passed away in June last year
New service at Wallan
■ OKR-FM has this month started trials of its new service at Wallan on 97.1 FM. The station broadcasts from Kilmore on 98.3. Melbourne
Observer
On This Day Thursday, September 26
Friday, September 27
Saturday, September 28
Sunday, September 29
Monday, September 30
Tuesday, October 1
■ US country singer Marty Robbins was born in 1925. He died aged 57 in 1982. Cricketer Ian Chappell is 70. English singer Bryan Ferry is 68. Australian runner Steve Moneghetti is 51. Born in Ballarat. Aussie actor Brett Climo is 49.
■ Happy 61st birthday Greg Long. We hope you get a load of presents. Meat Loaf (Marvin Lee Aday) is 65. He won’t be singing at this year’s Grand Final. Politician Graham Richardson is 64. US singer Shaun Cassidy is 54. Canadian singer Avril Lavigne is 28.
■ TV host Ed Sullivan was born in New York in 1902. He died aged 72 in 1974. Actor Peter Finch was born as William Mitchell in London in 1916. He died aged 60 in 1977. Singer Helen Shapiro is 67. Actress Gwyneth Paltrow is 41. She was born in Los Angeles.
■ American rock n roll singer Jerry Lee Lewis is 78. US TV presenter Bryant Gumbel is 65. New Zealand singer Jenny Morris is 57. Actress Danielle Spencer is 43. Footballer Darrell Baldock was born in 1938. ‘The Doc’ died aged 72 in 2011.
■ US tele-evangelist Robert Schuller is 87. Actress Deborah Kerr was born in Scotland in 1921. She died aged 86 in 2007. Barrister Geoffrey Robinson is 67. US actress Fran Drescher is 56. TV news presenter Stan Grant was born in 1963 (50).
■ Actor Walter Matthau (Matsschanskayasky) was born in New York in 1920. He died aged 79 in 2000. American actor Tom Bosley was born in 1927. He died aged 83 in 2010. Irish actor Richard Harris was born in Ireland in 1933. He died aged 68 in 2003.
Thanks to GREG NEWMAN of Jocks Journal for assistance with birthday and anniversary dates. Jocks Journal is Australia’s longest running radio industry publication. Find out more at www.jocksjournal.com