Wednesday, June 14, 2017
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Cobden music hub
Music fans Karen Wehle, left, and Mandy Beams at the bar of the pub with no beer.
by Brendon McMahon
E
fforts are in train to start up a modern country music club in the former Cobden Hotel. It is the idea of country music fan Karen Wehle (nee Hales), who recently returned to Greymouth to live after 40 years away. Ms Wehle came home five weeks ago to manage the motels next to the old hotel, on behalf of her brother Ray. She has since been busy sprucing up the place while “pulling up” the motel side of the business and working to revive the closed pub. Ms Wehle spent years away living in New
PICTURE: Brendon McMahon
Plymouth and before that Christchurch and at both places enjoyed country music clubs. For many years she was a competent vocalist singing with some of the big names in New Zealand country music before vocal chord issues ended that. However, her love of music in all forms endures and her return to Greymouth has highlighted the absence of a suitable venue for music fans including those of country, crossover, alt-country and even easy listening. Ms Wehle said the idea for the venue was simple: a regular stage where instrumentalists and vocalists could ‘jam’ and people who love to listen could come along. “It doesn’t have to be country music. I’d like
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it to be crossover country music ... something where people could go once a fortnight and enjoy themselves. It’s a good way to make friendships and meet other people.” The sunny bar of the ‘pub with no beer’ was the perfect venue, and it cost nothing to provide, Ms Wehle said. “We’ve not got plans to turn into record makers. We just want something to do on the odd occasion. We thought this is quite a good place for it ... “At the Cobden Hotel we’ve got a beautiful bar and a good venue — no drinks, of course.” Ms Wehle has already linked up with a couple of local people with an interest, including Heath Tuari, who regularly busks
outside Greymouth Countdown. Musicians and others interested are invited to an inaugural meeting at the Cobden Hotel on Wednesday, June 28 at 7.30pm to gauge interest. Ms Wehle said Westport has had a strong country music club for many years and with an existing country music club down the road in Hokitika there could be scope for shared jam and performance sessions in the future. Meanwhile, she said the former hotel bar was available for private functions and was a great venue for the likes of family birthday parties. “If anyone needs a venue, they can come and see us.”
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