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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 21, 2012 - Page 51
Observer Showbiz
News from stations from around Victoria
RADIO SURVIVORS MEET
Country Crossroads info@country crossroads.com.au ● Big Breakfast Show. Southern FM 88.3. Tues. 6am-9am. ● Country Crossroads. Casey Radio 97.7. Wed. 10pm-12 Midnight
Radio Confidential
Rob Foenander
DAVIDSON BROS. NOMINATED
■ Victorian bluegrass brothers Lachlan and Hamish Davidson have scored a Golden Guitar nomination for their instrumental track Transpacific. Whilst the boys are previous winners, they are up against stiff competition with guitar maestro Tommy Emmanuel also one of the nominees in the same category of ‘instrumental of the year’. The Golden Guitars will be announced as part of the 2013 Tamworth Country Music Festival on Australia Day, January 26.
NEW RELEASE FOR BEN
■ Sydney artist Ben Ransom is set for a new release in January, no doubt during the Tamworth Festival. Slow Burn is the title of the debut album from the father of two children and who is also a qualified anaesthetic nurse. Ben is a 2012 Toyota Starmaker finalist and graduate of the CMAAAcademy of Country Music.
ABC SIGNS JAYNE
■ ABC Music has announced the signing of Australian country music singer-songwriter Jayne Denham. Jayne is fast becoming one of Australia's most admired country music performers with impressive and “relentlessly energetic” live shows that have seen her earn performance opportunities at all major Australian country music festivals. “She's unashamedly country and a champion of regional and rural life and values,” an ABC spokesman said.
JASMINE FOR CHRISTMAS
■ Another artist getting in for the Christmas market is singer songwriter Jasmine Rae. The release is through ABC /Universal Music Australia and is produced by Michael Carpenter. Santa's Little Helper sees Jasmine deliver Christmas tracks with a country/blues flavour and a touch of ‘big band’. - Rob Foenander ■ Producers of More Sex Please, We’re Seniors are offering $55 tickets through a ‘Laugh Pack’ for the Comedy Theatre show.
■ Melbourne radio veterans gathered at the weekend for their twice-yearly Survivors luncheon. Convened by Bruce McKay, and chaired by recording industry icon Ron Tudor, now 88, the event was held at the Rising Sun Hotel, South Melbourne. Mal Walden, whose early media career included newsreading duties at 3DB, gave a frank account of the dramas in the Channel 10 newsroom. He was thanked by former ATV newsreader, Keith Livingston. Some of his former 3DB colleagues present included Denis Scanlan and Ian Nicholls, now at Geelong Pulse 94.7. Another of the Geelong contingent, Paul Jennings, added some fun to the proceedings with impersonations of politicians John Howard and Tony Abbott. 3DB alumni Dan Webb and Don Kinsey were unable to attend Saturday’s proceedings. Former 3AW and ABC presenter Ralphe Rickman made his way from the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, for the luncheon. His mate, Ray Lawrence, could not attend because of broadcasting commitments at Radio Eastern 98.1. Tributes to the late Binny Lum were offered by Peter Philp and Kevin Dagg. Philip Brady and others remembered Max Stuart. A special function had been held at Balwyn this month to honour Max Stuart. Arrangements for that function were assisted by Ted Ryan, who could not attend the Survivors function due to work commitments at Sandown. Special Survivors guests included Gary Newton, introduced by Pete Smith; Ken Francis, invited by Philip Brady; and Clarke Hansen, sponsored by Brian Smith. Dean Reynolds brought news about the failing health
TWICE-YEARLY GATHERING FOR INDUSTRY MATES of Australian radio programmer Rhett Walker, now hospitalised at Castlemaine. Walker was instrumental in the ‘Where No Wrinklys Fly’ campaign at 3AK. He later became a lecturer at La Trobe University, Bendigo. Members also heard about the recovery of the recording industry’s Nevill Sherburn, who underwent quadruple bypass surgery after a heart attack in Queensland. Former Melbourne radio newsman Alex Shabs had passed away this month, the meeting was informed. Magic 1278 presenter Peter Van was in attendance, despite having a serious shoulder injury after a fall. His Fairfax Media colleague, newsman Denis O’Kane, spoke of the change of technology in gathering radio news. Their former overnight workmate, Keith McGowan, was unable to attend the meeting, as he was attending former 3AK-3UZ music man Henry Gay’s 80th birthday at Hervey Bay, Queensland. The Gay celebrations, which included a surprise party on Saturday night, were also attended by Jim Murphy. Others in attendance included Peter Allen, Bill Armstrong, Chris Bahen, Tony Charlton, Johnny Chester, Gary Day, Roy Hampson, Bob Horsfall, Hugh Hill, Paul Konik, Ash Long, Mike Menner, Paul Nicholson, Bill Passick, Garry Stewart, Bob Taylor, John Vertigan and John Worthy. The group has a photo history project underway, under the leadership of Pete Smith and Bruce McKay. A collection of photographs of each member, early in their careers, is underway. Contributions may be e-mailed to: nbmckay@bigpond.com
● John Worthy with Ian Nicholls
● Brian Smith with Clarke Hansen
● Kevin Trask with Paul Jennings
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