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This Saturday (January 4) will see the staging of a walk-up music function at the Parkes Showground to welcome to Parkes early bird fans for the Elvis Festival.
It will also be an extra night out for local country music followers.
Parkes Country Music Association (CMA) will conduct this event as an “open mic” evening for anyone, of any musical style, to come along and join in.
It is proposed it will be an informal and friendly few hours of light hearted entertainment for those camped at the showground, together with local folk who would like to venture to the venue.
To be conducted in the undercover betting ring area of the showground commencing at around 7pm, there will be a gold coin donation admission to the area.
Cold drinks and sausage sandwiches will be available to purchase.
Most important is that people bring along their own comfortable folding chair.
This function is seen as a lead-up to other entertainment likely to take place at the showground prior to and during the festival.
A full PA system will be available with backing musicians to assist participants as well as facilities to use backing CDs, computers, etc, so come along and “have a go”.
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Saturday (December 21) saw a very well attended Christmas Charity Country Music Muster.
Some $500 was raised through the proceeds of the door, which will go to Careflight.
The near capacity crowd was entertained by 21 walk-up performers and guest artist Steve Kelleher.
Santa clause was a popular visitor on the night providing his usual gifts for the kiddies in attendance, a photo opportunity and his cheerful greeting before leaving to prepare for his important duties on Christmas Eve.
Eight lucky CM members were recipients of the members multi-draw taking home festive cakes, gift bags and through the generosity of the Services Club, some Christmas hams.
Many others enjoyed the spoils of lucky door prizes, spot dance prizes and the various raffles of the night.
At the Christmas Muster, and for the first time, a number of Club Awards were presented to five hard working volunteers.
All, in their different ways, have given long service and dedication to the local country music organisation.
Les Gorton was recognised for his dedicated role of former years;
Brian Broadbere for his current work as a general hand;
Joy Rice for her role as sound operator; and
John Rice and Pam Byrne as backing musicians.
All have worked over many years and have been great ambassadors for country music and Parkes CMA in particular.
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Country followers welcomed in the New Year with a Pure Country social night at Eugowra.
They are now looking forward to the first Forbes CMC afternoon on January 12 before the first regular monthly Parkes Walk-up Muster on January 19.
The Tamworth Festival will then kick off and the big Bungendore “all Aussie” Muster is at the end of January and first weekend of February.