Latest from RACHEL
Hello
everyone,
Just a quick note to say thanks to all my
fans and friends for your support during my
Star Quest year. Thanks go to the ABBA for
doing such a great job and really advancing
my career by getting me out there to all of
the festivals over 2008. It was a great year
and congratulations to all the finalists
this year. What a great lot of Bush
Balladeers, good luck with your future
plans. Congratulations Sharon, I am thrilled
for you and I know you will enjoy the next
twelve months as much as I did.
Unfortunately I am still struggling with my
back injury and was unable to continue our
trip from Tamworth to Bungendore. But many
thanks to Jammo for accepting my award for
New Talent, and many thanks to Maureen and
her fabulous committee, my apologies for not
being there in person. I am thrilled to bits
to receive this award and it will take pride
of place in my cabinet. Thanks to Charley
and Sandy Boyter who are looking after the
award for me at present.
I have put the new album with Stuie French
on hold at present while I work on getting
back to being 100 percent with my chronic
pain, But as soon as I'm able I'll have that
started and hope to get it out this year.
Thanks to everyone for their understanding
with this matter and I apologise also to
Graham Butterworth for being unable to
perform at his ABBA show. We really needed
to leave Tamworth and have a little holiday
with the family so I could get some rest in,
after such a fun but hectic year, we had a
great time slowly heading back to Rosewood.
Thanks to everyone at Tamworth this year who
helped me in varied ways to get through the
week, I appreciate you all, I won't mention
individuals as I will be sure to forget
someone, but you know who you all are and
how much I appreciate you. Tamworth was
great fun, and a highlight was Jammo and
Alisha's daughter Caitlyn Jane singing with
Jackson, (look out next year I reckon Kyan
will be in on it too,) The kids did an
awesome version of Twinkle Twinkle. I'd also
like to thank Tom and Lyn Maxwell for making
me a part of their show in Tamworth, I had
an absolute ball. To Barry K and Lyn
Chandler thank you also for letting me be
involved in your show I think both shows
were just great.
Lastly, I'd like to remember some people who
passed away recently, my number one fan,
Colin E Webster passed away from a massive
stroke and I will miss him dearly and I pray
his family will recover from this tragic
loss at some point in time. Colin was a
great supporter of my music and I will miss
his friendly face in the crowd when I
perform.
Another sad loss was Chilla Seeney, I wrote
a song for Chilla on my first album, and I
met him and his wife Jan and was so thrilled
to meet them, I was very honoured that the
family chose to play my song, "Chilla Seeney"
at the funeral. Chilla passed away on
Christmas Day, at the age of 80.
Hope to see you all soon, as I say I'll be
cutting back a little but will still be
performing at Primrose Sands in Tassie on
the 20th of February, The Katherine Muster
in May and also the Bundy Aussie Muster in
May, The Nanango Festival, and the Charity
show at the Empire Theatre, I also have
guest spots at a the Coal City and West
Moreton Country Music Clubs.
So Thanks again for your support and
friendship and I wish you all a great 2009.
Rach x
NOVEMBER 2008 NEWSLETTER
Hi to everyone, hope you’re all
well. Firstly thanks to the ABBA for their
continuing support and for getting me to and
from these festivals, the opportunities
they’ve provided this year have been great
and I really do appreciate everything.
Things have been pretty hectic here lately
that’s for sure. Unfortunately, due to my
two ruptured discs I was unable to attend
the Gympie Muster which was so
disappointing, but I am learning to manage
my back condition now and carry on with
things. It’s just a matter of knowing what
you can and can’t do and managing the pain
to get through each day one day at a time.
I’d love to wake up one morning and have the
pain gone and stop taking the painkillers
but I think it’s going to take some time yet
before the pain decreases, but we will get
through this.
<< Jackson by the lake
The boys are sure growing up fast and it’s
been a struggle, having Dave home for 8
weeks was just terrific but he has now had
to return to work full time, although he is
coming home a little earlier now because by
the afternoon I am just in too much pain to
carry on. Jackson is 2 and a half now and Mr
Kyan is already 16 months, they’ve been
really good, Jackson is very helpful and
kind to his younger brother and we get
through the days as best we can. Since my
back injury life has definitely gotten
harder and I wish to thank the boys God mum,
Debbie Turner for helping out whenever she
has a day off work. I couldn’t do it without
her, and the people at Dave’s work “John
Holland SMP” need to be thanked for letting
him take 2 months  off
to care from me and the boys. I’d also like
to thank Jim and Bonnie, big supporters of
Bush Ballads and country music as they have
been great spending time here to help out
when they can with me and the boys, you
really did a top job helping me to get
through the worst of it all, so thanks
>> Jay Messenger & Rachel Richards
I flew down to Sydney in September for the
Galston Country Music Festival and I had a
terrific time. My good mate Jay Messenger
came down with Dave and I, and Jay’s
parents, Harry and Maree and his sister Koby
were here to take care of our little boys.
It was Jay’s first flight and I reckon he
did an awesome job. Well done Jay! He played
great on the stage with me, we were on early
in the morning and unfortunately the rain
that day had kept the crowd away, although
it did build up as the day went on. The
Rotary Club run such a great show there and
should be commended. We were picked up by
Keith Hollingsworth and he was so lovely to
us, he took Jay, Dave and I to our
accommodation and it was really lovely, it
was a very flash cabin indeed, and I even
had time to have a nice relaxing spa before
we headed out to the Golden Saddle Awards
that night. The awards were great and it was
Drew McAlister who took out the Golden
Saddle. I met some lovely people and caught
up with some old friends as well. Another
thrill was that they had made coffee mugs
and t-shirts with our photos on them and a
special mug was set aside for the artists
with out names printed on them, I reckon my
cuppa tastes much better out of my new mug.
The next morning Keith picked us up again
and we headed out to the Festival, I really
enjoyed my set and we sat back and watched
the rest of the festival, which included,
The Galston All Star Band, with Pat Drummond
who is just very talented, There were lots
of good acts there so it was a fun day. We
flew out that evening and were back in
Brisbane Sunday night, much to Jay’s delight
to get off the plane I’m sure. I’d like to
take this opportunity to thank Jay for
coming along and giving me some support.
Whilst we were at home back in Rosewood, we
had another gathering with many Bush
Balladeers and we had Jammo and Alisha here
which really topped things off, The local
residents turned up and did some fantastic
entertaining, Des and Gloria Samuels were  terrific
and I must say the Bush Ballads are alive
and well here in Rosewood, with some very
talented people indeed. Thanks to you all
for coming to our little get together. We
also had a lovely surprise when Charley
and Sandy Boyter spent the night here with
us after Nanango, it was such a real pleasure
they’ve been great calling up to check
on my progress and remind me of the people
out there who really care for me, chronic
pain can really play with your mind and
I’ve certainly had my down days. >>
Rachel and Frank Ifield
We were pretty quiet for a while after Galston
which was good as I needed the rest. I really
didn’t want to miss Mildura and I
had rang Peter Coad to let him know when
I hurt my back that I just couldn’t
go, but I have to thank Pete for advising
me to just wait and see and that’s
exactly what we did. It was a big effort
to do that trip but I am so glad that I
did it. Dave had the tough part of the trip,
he drove the 17 hour drive from Brissie
to Mildura with Jackson and Kyan in the
back and of course due to my ruptured discs
I flew there and back. I have to give him
credit for such a wonderful job, even throughout
the festival he was a great daddy and he
took care of the boys while I went out to
do my shows. Another great thing about the
trip was my dad came up from Mount Gambier
and got to spend a week with his only grandchildren,
which was just fantastic and as a bonus,
Dad was then there to drive me to the shows
of a night time while Dave stayed at the
cabin with the boys.
I
really need to take this opportunity to
thanks Clinton and Gaye of the Buronga Riverside
Caravan Park. I have never stayed in a more
tidy park and we were treated so well by
our hosts. We had a lovely little cabin
and were right next door to Elinore and
Jeff Carless. It was great to have them
as neighbours and they also introduced us
to their friends Faye and Jim who are long
term residents of the park. Faye was helpful
too as she came along with Jim and took
care of the cd sales for me at the Coomealla
Club.
Elinore
and Jeff were always there to lend a hand
and on a few occasions when we had to go
out of a night time, they’d keep an
eye on the sleeping boys for us. Also every
morning I would hobble over to their cabin
for a cuppa and a heat pack, as I didn’t
want to make too much noise and wake everyone
in our cabin at 6am. It was so nice as I
really needed some TLC and I sure got that
from these guys. The pain in the mornings
is so bad you just want to scream so
I am very grateful for their care, love
and cuddles. Thanks so much for being there
for me.
<<<
Performing in the Mildura Mall
We
did get through Mildura and although it
was on a lot of pain medication I still
managed to get myself to the shows and make
the most of the opportunity to be a part
of such a great festival. I think Mildura
is fantastic, both John Arnold and his off-sider
Toni should be congratulated and the same
goes to everyone involved in making that
festival the great success it really is.
A real highlight for myself and my family
was the Civic Reception at the Mildura Homestad,
what a lovely building this is, with such
great character. We had such a delicious
lunch and as an added treat, Camille and
Stuie French were there with their two gorgeous
little boys to serenade us with a beautiful
song.
The
shows were fantastic, and recently I had
the pleasure of meeting Tony Jewell, he
is a song writer I have often admired and
to get a phone call from him after he had
caught up with Charley Boyter was so lovely.
Tony sent me some of his songs and I have
chosen a beautiful heartfelt song called
“Rose Beside The Highway” for
my next album. Tony wrote this one after
attending one of the worst car fatalities
he had been to as a Policeman on the Newell
Highway for 25 years. I got to meet Tony
at Mildura and it was a real honour, we
enjoy our phone chats together and I know
you will love this song as much as I do
when it comes out on my n ew
album. I cried every time I played it when
I first got hold of it. It’s a very
special piece for sure.
I caught up with many friends from my old
hometown of Mount Gambier which was really
great because many of them hadn’t
seen me sing for probably ten years. What
a thrill to meet people who still remembered
me all those years ago and still had my
little “demo” cd I’d made
myself years ago. It was great to show them
I had come a long way since then and such
a buzz for me.
>>
Rachel Richards, Ronnie Rae Rivers, and
Barbara Morrison
Another
real exciting opportunity was being asked
to judge the talent quest, I judged the
Under 16 year olds in Country Rock and Australian
Country and I had such a terrific time,
I loved listening to the up and coming performers
and commenting on how great they were. I
got told that my comments were excellent,
which made me very proud, you have to scribble
very fast to get it all down before the
next contestant comes on stage. I was so
excited to be asked and I went out and bought
a little stamp with Well Done stamped on
it to add a little personal touch to my
judging sheets. The irony of judging though
was that my very first talent quest was
10 years ago to this year and it was the
Mildura Talent Quest, I was a little green
10 years ago and I was beaming with confidence
as I walked out on stage to sing my own
composition. The only trouble was that I
had borrowed a guitar from a friend as my
little “cheapie” guitar was
not equipped with jacks to plug it in. I
was so green that I didn’t realize
you had to tune the guitar and after 3 days
in a hot caravan my guitar was very much
out of tune….A lovely young girl named
Megan Laurie, who was playing in the backing
band had a quiet word with me and explained
that they had to turn me down because I
had to tune the guitar.  She
was so sweet and kind and I never forgot
Megan for that. I had the thrill of meeting
her 10 years later at the same talent quest
and as part of the judging panel. She is
still the same delightful kindhearted girl
I remember. I really felt “gosh Rach….you’ve
really come along way with practicing and
persistence, there I was as an artist and
a judge 10 years later.
<<
Peter Denahy and Rachel Richards
I
loved performing down the mall and every
other venue too, I had to do a show with
Peter Pratt at the Gateway Tavern and I
must admit I was so very nervous as I admire
him a lot, well Peter had to be somewhere
else and I was asked to go in and kick off
the show, I was still not so confident playing
the guitar on my own but have since become
more confident after Mildura’s many
solo performances. I walked into the Tavern
and most of the crowd were asking where’s
Peter Pratt? As they had come to see him,
and I was so nervous they wouldn’t
enjoy my hour of the show. But….I
spotted my old friend from Mount Gambier
John “Hillbilly” Bones and his
lovely lady Dee, Bonesy and I used to Jam
with our old mate Doc Holiday back home
for years and I had missed our jam sessions
dearly. I asked Bonsey to grab his bones
and his harmonica’s and come play
with me for morale support. Well he agreed
and it was just like old times and we had
such a ball on the stage. Of course little
Jackson climbed up on the stage and asked
if he could sing, and I said of course mate.
Well up he got on the stool and gave us
his best rendition of Twinkle Twinkle Little
Star and the ABC. He was so proud of himself
and I nearly had a tear in my eye also,
he was great and stole the show. The feedback
Dave got was all so great and the show was
enjoyed by everyone who was there, it was
such a relaxed, casual show full of fun,
jokes and laughter.
 The
scariest one for me was at the Coomealla
Club, upstairs in the auditorium, I was
there to do two spots of a half hour before
the Gun Barrel Highwaymen came on stage
to do their show. I was so nervous headlining
this much admired and talented trio. But
I did it and yet again I gained the confidence
I needed to play the guitar solo. It’s
hard to get up there with a packed house
and no band on stage. But I did it and I’m
so proud of myself.
<<
Radio interview
It
was an honour for me to perform with such
great artists all festival and I was so
thrilled to meet Slim Newton and his lovely
wife Mary. There I was with my dad and I
said “dad, remember when you used
to play The Redback on The Toilet Seat for
me when I was a little girl?” I told
him Slim was the man who wrote and sang
that song, and I reckon Dad was pretty impressed
with that too. Slim and Mary were so great
and Slim told me to never change, and Slim….I
never will, can’t teach this dog any
new tricks hehe. I got to perform with Anita
Ree.Good luck with your new album mate.I
loved the songs you played from it they’re
terrific, Julie Perandes (finally we get
to catch up Jules even though we live in
the same city we never find the time), Greg
Bain, (you’re new album is great mate),
I absolutely loved John O’Dea his
songwriting and his personality and vocals
are just brilliant what a lovely opportunity
to meet him and his lovely wife and mum
hope to see you again soon John. I perfomed
with Matt Manning, Owen Blundell, and I
finally got to meet Glenn Jones, what a
special bloke he is and I think both him
Gail are great people and I was honoured
to be on stage with such a legend, I think
Glenn is just terrific and I could listen
to him all day long. Gail really looked
after us and made sure we all had roast
dinner organized at the club the night I
was performing there, this was such a great
help as you can imagine the line up for
dinner at the clubs. Thanks Gail. I also
enjoyed performing with Chooka Williams
and I remembered that 10 years ago when
I was there (with L Plates on my guitar)
that he gave me a chance to play at one
of the caravan parks which was so nice of
him. I also liked Neil McArthur what a top
bloke and great performer. I really got
the opportunity to work with the best balladeers
and I loved every minute of it.
We
met up again with Jeanette and Jeff who
we met in Bungendore last year, they babysat
the boys for us so we could have a night
out. They came up and asked if we’d
like to do the same, I thank them very much
for allowing Dave and I to go out for a
nice if not all too quick dinner. We also
caught up with Adrian and Rosemary who have
been so great in supporting independent
artists down their way in the Barossa Valley,
they’ve been so good to me in promoting
my music, and they are the loveliest people
you could happen to come across. They were
at most of the shows I was at and always
there to lend some support and encouragement,
as always thank you for everything you do.
We met up with Bob and Edris again which
was lovely, as I first met them at Barham
this year. Warren Mahoney was there to perform
too and it was great to catch up and hear
him sing for the first time, you were great
mate. I caught up with so many people it’s
hard to mention you all but it was also
nice to see Graham and Kaye Butterworth
and their friends Keith and his lovely wife,
who we met at Tamworth this year. All the
Warrnambool crew were there which was great
too, it was nice to see Ron Morgan again
too supporting the balladeers.
I finally met up with Lorraine down the
Mall and it was nice to sit and have a quick
chat with her I’m so glad we got to
catch up it’s so hard when you’re
on the go all the time. I was so thrilled
to see Slim and Gwen Connors again as I
met Slim many years ago when I was first
starting out and I admire them both very
much. It was nice to run into Merv and Chris
Webster too and I am looking forward to
hearing some of the songs he mentioned he’s
written lately.
I
had the chance to do some radio interviews,
one was at midnight! Which was great but
gosh was I tired….I had the pleasure
of being interviewed by Jeff Dunn who I
admire very much, and thanks for his on
going support. I also did an early morning
interview with Rod Thomas and Bill Bearins
from “Good Morning Country”
I finally got to put a face to the name
with Rod but of course had met Billy in
Tamworth. Thanks for all your support with
my music I appreciate it very much you’re
top blokes. I also finally got to put a
face to the name Max Thorburn, it was a
thrill to be interviewed by such a great
guy, and such a legend he is too. It was
really cool to be told that my single “Beautiful
Dreams” has been on the top 100 down
there and is currently at number 61.
I
think Mildura was such an awesome experience
and one I won’t forget, the people
and the venues and such a supportive bunch
of music lovers made it all so memorable
and I’d like to take this opportunity
to thank each and every one of you who bought
my album, it means a lot to me. Thanks also
go to Marree, Harry and Jay Messenger, who
kept the homefires burning here whilst we
were away, letting the chooks in and out
and collecting the eggs and the mail, and
feeding my pussy cats, unfortunately I came
home to find my oldest pussy cat, Gus, had
gone missing, he was 13 though and I’d
like to say Rest In Peace ‘ol ginger
car I’m missing you terribly.
I’d
love to be invited back again, so fingers
crossed that we’ll catch up with you
all again next year. Thanks Elinore and
Jeff for taking me to the airport it was
lovely of you to help out and I appreciate
you taking back my guitar and cd’s
etc.
Next
on the agenda will be a show at Postman’s
Ridge with the Six Mile Country Music Campout,
this should be a great fundraiser, after
that I have a show at Springwood with Jammo
and Alisha and Sharon Smith, and then the
Gidgee Coal Bush Ballad Awards are on, I’m
over the moon to be nominated and wish all
the other nominees good luck on the day.
We’ll be camping there and it should
be a top weekend, I was nominated in the
Album of The Year section and also the New
Talent section with my song The Last Horse
Standing, I’m really thrilled to be
in the Female Vocal with my song Weeping
Willows, I’d like to say Weeping Willows
was recorded By Terry and Jenny on their
new album and I am very impressed with their
whole cd especially my song, it’s
a great honour to be included on your album
and thank you.
That’s
about it for the year so some rest time
will be needed before heading to college
on January the 2nd. I am really hoping that
my back has done a lot more healing before
Tamworth, as I want to be fit and ready
for college. Dave’s mum and dad will
be coming up to our house to stay with Dave,
Jackson and Kyan so I must thank them for
that too. I’d also like to thank Jammo
for his on going support and for organizing
a trip to Tassie for me in February, for
the Primrose festival, I’ve never
been to Tassie so I’m really excited,
it’s on my birthday, 21st February,
so I can’t wait. I had the pleasure
of meeting Brian and Pam Lewis and Brian
has been so supportive of all of us independent
artists and they’ll be kindly looking
after me while I’m there, I’ve
heard their hospitality is just so good
and I boldly asked Pam for a chocolate cake
with whipped cream for my birthday, (well
you guys know I’m not backward in
coming forward….) Pam said she’s
love to do that and I can’t wait to
spend more time with them they are special
people.
Well
that’s about it for now, eveything’s
going really well and I’m ready to
go with all the songs for my new album,
Dave and I did another co-write the other
night on a track called “Two Little
Stars”, about our boys and their love
of Australian Country Music and it’s
people. I really hope you all love the new
songs I’ve written for the next one
and I can’t wait to bring them all
to you real soon.
So
for now, take care and thanks everyone for
all your well wishes and support especially
the lovely phone call from Pat Pincott a
few months back and Dulcie from Barham.
Love to you all,
Rachel
and Boys. xx
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