This years’ 2PK Country Music Festival celebrates 47 years of country music in Parkes on the October Long Weekend and 12 months of organisation by a small and dedicated committee of the Parkes & District Country Music Association.
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The Festival Committee has strived hard and long to compile a programme of events that is in keeping with the long held traditions of this Festival.
The Awards Talent Quest trophies have been polished, the prizemoney counted and packaged and an entertaining field is set to face the Judges in the Champion Post Australian Country Talent Seekers Quest, all suggesting an interesting two days of competition of the best of amateur performers.
Guest artists booked are sure to whet the appetite of any discerning country music devotee and a fine backing band has been engaged.
The wonderful facilities of the Services Club will see the Starlight Lounge, function rooms and lounge all in operation for various events during the course of the festival.
The CMA encourages the local community to attend functions and businesses to get right behind this long time Parkes event to ensure its’ future.
A number of the festival functions are at no cost to patrons but tickets for all other events can be purchased at the respective event entry doors.
Admission prices have been kept to a minimum and there are discounted weekend and family passes available to purchase.
The Wayne Ryder Band
Returning to the festival again this year will be the Wayne Ryder Band.
They had their first taste at backing all performers and doing feature brackets at the 2013 festival.
Wayne Ryder is the complete artist, a multi instrumentalist who has many big gigs under his belt and boasts one of the best country rock bands that tour the east coast of Australia.
A well respected song writer with a huge country influence places Wayne right at the top his game.
The band will consist of Wayne (lead guitar, vocals, acoustic guitar and electric banjo), Grant Noakes (lead guitar and vocals), Greg Mitchell (bass guitar and vocals) and Kevin Mather (drums and vocals).
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Melissa Bajric
At just 16 years of age Melissa was signed to record on the Drover Music label.
That same year she stepped into the studio to work on her first album with renowned producer Lindsay Butler.
This debut album in 2001 yielded a variety of Best New Talent awards.
In 2003 a second album was released with co-label artists Bob Easter and Graham Rodger and in 2006 she released yet another album.
Released in early 2014 her current album, Diamonds and Wine was produced by her musical director, Lindsay Waddington, who will accompany her to the Parkes Festival.
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Justin Standley
In 2012, X-Factor finalist Justin Standley sang to millions of Australians but went onto the show, not to compete, but to send a heartfelt plea to his children with whom he’d lost contact and had spent the best part of 12 years trying to find – an amazing series of events then unfolded for Justin who made the live finals of X Factor, going on to reconnect with his children.
He too, recorded with award winning producer Lindsay Butler (OAM) and then toured nationally and walked the red carpet at the Golden Guitars.
A former contestant and winner here at the Parkes Festival, 2014 patrons are sure to be amazed by his unique talents throughout his festival appearances Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings and during the Gospel Service on Sunday.
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Leather & Lace
Leather & Lace are an experienced and entertaining duo hailing from the Riverina town of Ardlethan.
Neil Corey and Narelle Miel have a long resume’ of perfoming and teaching singing and music.
They will appear on the Friday evening concert and during the Gospel Service on Sunday where a real treat awaits audiences on these occasions.
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Country Keys & Strings
Jan and Steve Hurst comprise the second duo to perform at the festival.
Country Keys & Strings are very well known on the club circuit with their music having a great appeal to the dancers.
They will appear on the Friday evening Concert and will also entertain in the downstairs lounge on Saturday afternoon.
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Steve Kelleher
Steve is an Elvis performer that moved to Parkes with his family from Brisbane and now are well and truly settled in.
He travels extensively performing
Elvis, Rock n’ Roll and Country Music. Steve is a member of the local country music association and received a great reception when he gave an impromptu performance at last years’ Parkes Festival - an act certainly worth a look at, this year!
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Charmaine Pout
Charmaine is so very well known throughout country music and is a leading female bush balladeer with a number of albums to her credit.
She tours on many occasions to perform at festivals and often is a compere and “sound operator” at various events.
A well loved performer who will feature on the Thursday night Social Muster and the Friday morning Walk-up Talent Quest in Cooke Park.
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Garry Hemming
Another of the well known and respected country entertainers of this area Garry has thrown his support behind the festival and will be seen as a compere at evening functions, will conduct a Footpath Concert in Clarinda Street on Saturday morning and then entertain in the lounge area of the Services Club on Saturday afternoon.
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Jim Williams
A very talented singer songwriter Jim won the Australian Country Talent Seekers Quest in 2013 as well as featuring in the songwriting sections and winning a Songwriting Society Award for performance excellence.
As the current ACTS Winner he will perform both on Friday and Saturday evenings as part of his prize from 2013.
“The First Shot of the Festival” – Street Concert
The Festival will open a street concert tomorrow afternoon, commencing 2pm and running through to 4.30pm.
Performers will be selected artists, all members and representing the Parkes & District Country Music Association.
The concert will take place on the vacant block between the Veterinary Clinic and the old Bank building.
Bring a comfy chair to sit back and have a listen amongst the businesses and shoppers in the top block of Clarinda Street
Thursday Night Family Muster and Social
This is a great night of family entertainment with walk-up artists invited to perform and a feature by local country artist Charmaine Pout.
All the activities of a regular Parkes monthly muster are involved where locals and visitors alike are invited to perform or dance to the music of the night and generally get together for the first day of the festival before all the serious competitions and concerts.
A Big Friday of Festival activities sees four different events
Poets Corner
The corner of Alexander’s Café in Clarinda Street is the venue for all budding poets to come along and recite their works or perhaps the material of other poets.
This gathering gets underway at 8.30am with a welcome extended to all to come and join in as a participating performer or just a listener.
Breakfast is available to purchase from the cafe.
Cooke Park Concert and Walk-up Talent Quest
In the picturesque surrounds of Cooke Park activities will commence at 10.30am Friday with a Walk-up Talent Quest offering prizemoney and trophies in sections for both seniors and juniors (just turn up and put your name down to compete - a great opportunity for local talent).
There will also be non competitive walk-ups, invited performers and a feature by Charmaine Pout.
Bring along your comfy folding chair for some entertainment in the Park.
Should the weather be too inclement to hold the function outdoors, all activities will continue in the Function Rooms of the Services Club.
Busking Competition
As with every other festival, busking is welcome right through all days of the Parkes festival.
On Friday afternoon, commencing 2.30pm, judges will be in Clarinda Street perusing street performers for the busking competition.
Ray White Real Estate and Radio Station 2PK have provided sponsorship for this event for both country and non-country performers.
Prizemoney, trophy and a spot on the Friday Night Concert goes to the winner with a runner-up cash and trophy award and a special cash prize for the ‘Best Non Country Busker”!
Anyone is welcome to enter but to get into the busking just ring the Parkes CMA Secretary on 6862 1471 or 0427 016 886 or President on 6862 4128 for details.
Friday Evenings Festival Country Concert
7.30pm Friday evening the Festival Country Concert features a great line-up of entertainment when all the feature artists and musicians perform in the Starlight Lounge of the Services Club.
The Wayne Ryder Band will lead off proceedings and the winner of the Busking Competition from the afternoon will have their moment of glory on the stage for a presentation and a song.
Country Keys & Strings, so well known on the club dance circuit will then perform before the 2013 ACTS winner and local singer/songwriter Jim Williams, is next to entertain. Melissa Bajric, a leading female artist coming from Queensland and from the Drover Entertainment Music Group is next on stage and then X Factor Finalist Justin Standley completes the first stanza of the concert.
After the break local entertainer Steve Kelleher will perform a set, as will the very entertaining duo, Leather & Lace and then Justin and Melissa will again return to the stage to once again perform.
A great night of entertainment not to be missed.
Saturday Central West CM Awards Talent Quest
The Starlight Lounge is the venue for the Music Awards Talent Quest which commences on Saturday morning at 9am, running through to the afternoon and then re-commencing on Sunday morning and going on to its’ conclusion.
Sixteen different sections will be judged ranging from the tiny sub-juniors, 11 years and under, through junior sections of 12 to 17 years, seniors and a veteran section in categories of Vocal, Gospel, Duo or Group, Australian, Country Rock, Instrumental, Bush Poetry and Songwriting.
Saturday Morning Footpath Concert
Adjacent to Alexander’s Café in Clarinda Street and getting underway at 10am, a Footpath Concert will be hosted by local district entertainer Garry Hemming and friends.
Walk-up performers are welcome.
Entertainment in the Club Lounge
Garry Hemming takes his talent into the downstairs lounge of the Services Club for an afternoon of his “Kinda Country”. 2.30pm is the start time for an enjoyable time in the lounge of the club.
The entertainment doesn’t stop in the afternoon, for at around 7pm, the wonderful duo, Country Keys and Strings take their turn to entertain in the club lounge area.
Come along and enjoy the popular sounds of Jan and Steve.
Australian Country Talent Seekers Quest Saturday night
On Saturday evening in the Starlight Lounge the Champion Post Australian Country Talent Seekers Quest takes place, commencing 7pm.
A very interesting night where finalists in this quest face the judges to decide the placegetters.
Beside the quest finalists the entertainment will feature guest artists Justin Standley and Melissa Bajric as well as Jim Williams who won this prestigious quest last year.
The Wayne Ryder Band will appear as backing for the finalists as well as featuring through the night.
Festival Sunday
Talent Quest, Gospel Service and Awards Night
9am on Sunday morning sees the Awards Talent Quest continue in the Starlight Lounge and go on through the day to it’s conclusion in the afternoon.
The Sunday Morning Gospel Service
This service is conducted by the Anglican clergy and takes place in the Services Club Function Rooms adjacent the Starlight Lounge commencing at 11.00am. Justin Standley and the duo Leather & Lace
(Neil Corey and Narelle Miel) will perform music through the service and the quality of their presentations will make for a wonderful gospel experience for all to enjoy.
Gala Presentation of Awards and Winners Concert
The Presentation of Awards and Winners Concert will take place on Sunday evening commencing 7pm.
This evening is the culmination of two days of competition where all placegetters and award winners are presented with their prizes before a concert of winners is held.
The Wayne Ryder Band will again feature and back all performers which will include Steve Kelleher, Justin Standley and the newly crowned 2014 Australian Country Talent Seekers Quest winner.
Last Roundup Sausage Sizzle Breakfast
Monday morning 9am will see the final event of the festival with the Last Roundup and Breakfast.
This event is a “wind down” after the pressures of the busy events during the festival and is greatly appreciated by officials, competitors and followers alike.
A sausage sizzle breakfast ($3 pp) will no doubt be enjoyed by all as farewells are bid to all that took part in this festival.
