Greg Williams
Tamworth Rage Page |
Hundreds of Tamworth Country Music Festival fans must have the first Sunday at THE PUB permanently marked in their calendars as a MUST, as once again The Pubs wonderful entertainment room was full at 10am, and over-flowing into the beautiful courtyard, and the show wasn’t scheduled to start till noon! “Young Country Stars” is the name of this concert and it’s popular because it’s GOOD!! The pre-concert atmosphere was electric as the enthusiastic fans waited to be entertained by the 10 extremely talented young performers, who were supported by about 10 more backing players/singers. This was the third consecutive January presentation of Young Country Stars, and it was also an important part of 2001 June HATS OFF Festival as well. Josh Canning, a promising singer/guitarist from Newcastle started the show in fine style, showing why he was a much sought act all over Tamworth during the 2002 festival.
He was followed by Ryan Sampson, a successful Queensland Junior Talent Quest winner from Toowoomba, who impressed the huge crowd with his mature voice, for one so young.
Aleyce Simmonds – A Tamworth Singer, was next and wowed the big audience.She was a big Award-Winner at Kmart Jazzer Smith Junior Talent Quest 2002, and won CCMAs Junior section, also Duo (with Ben Hazell) and Overall (including Seniors) Championship for 2002. Aleyce appeared with the CCMA monthly Workshop performers in Tamworths Festival Opening concert 2001The next performer Ben Hazell from Tamworth, was also a Kmart & CCMA 2002 winner and place-getter, and 2000 Olympic Choir member, and he entertained to enthusiastic response. Ben also appeared with the CCMA monthly Workshop performers in Tamworths Festival Opening concert 2001
Camerata (Junior Country Music School) scholarship Winner Penelope Sommerville, from Victoria, then played her Fiddle and sang her way into many hearts. Penelope also played Fiddle for many of her fellow Young Country Stars and also for some performers in the next show - Winners & Grinners .
Following a short interval, The Sommers Family Bluegrass Band, a wonderful five-piece Tasmanian family Bluegrass band, wowed everyone with their unique family sound. They now live in Dorrigo, NSW.
Michael Muchow - Queensland Multi-Award Winning Singer/Guitarist, and Victoria’s Champion of Champions 2001 was next, and certainly showed the audience he can play that guitar, and sing too. Michael won the Wests Aristocrat Junior Talent Quest 2002 while in Tamworth. Michael played guitar for several other Young Country Stars and also for some performers in the next show - Winners & Grinners.Amber Williams – another Camerata (Junior Country Music School) scholarship winner, from Brisbane, sang and yodelled wonderfully well. Amber is from Brisbane.
Young Country Stars first overseas act, Cameron Clayton, from New Zealand showed all that he is a very talented singer and entertainer. He’s won so many NZ awards, and is now starting to make a mark in Australia on his first visit to Tamworth.To finish the show, who better to do it than Charlene Bailey -Tamworths Multi-Award Winner, Victoria’s Junior Champion of Champions 2000, and an invited participant in Fanfest both in 2001 and 2002, and appeared with the CCMA monthly Workshop performers in Tamworths Festival Opening concert 2001 Charlene was joined onstage by her sister Crystal singing harmonies and playing Mandolin, and brother Kurt drumming for 3 songs..
The Organiser/Compere – Greg Williams introduced each performer in a professional manner, giving some background detail on each, to prepare the audience for great entertainment. Greg spent several months prior to this show handpicking songs, and assisting each artist to hone their skills in chord chart making etc.Every Young Country Star performed well, and all displayed wonderful co-operative spirit during the concert, and are a credit to Country Music. This show keeps getting better and better each year. This was an impressive concert, and a future event not to be missed. Greg Williams Presents:- “Young Country Stars” at The Pub – First Sunday of Tamworth Country Music Festival. www.tamworthragepage.com
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"Live"!
Greg Williams works the club
circuit mainly throughout
New South Wales all year, and is a crowd-pleaser
wherever he appears. Festivals and special events
organisers Australia-wide are aware of his versatility
& popularity. Also, over a period of 3 years in the mid 90's,
Greg wowed audiences, performing on several P&O Pacific Cruises.
Tamworth
January every year is always jam-packed at the Tamworth
Country Music Festival - including duo and band work at the Good
Companions Hotel (6th year 2000) & RSL, arranging all entertainment for
Kmart Plaza and performing several spots, hosting KMart "Jazzer
Smith" Memorial Talent Quest since 1995.
Greg also played drums for various concerts including the ACMF Silver Jubilee Roll of Renown Concert 2000, Kedron Taylors' Shed parties 99 & 20000 Bill Chambers Hank Williams Tribute Show & Slim Newtons concert, and attends the TSA, TIARA and CMAA Awards nights, whenever possible.
Since 1997 when the popular Tamworth Country Theatre Concerts started, Greg has appeared 3 times in his own right, and on one occasion each, singing duets with Christina George, and The Crosby Sisters on their hit songs, and sang harmonies with Darcy Le Year.
Touring (& recording)
Early in 1998 Greg performed for the third time in 5 years at Lake
Charlegrark CM Festival, Victoria,
then to Tasmania for pub & club gigs, and his first appearance at the Launceston CM Festival. This was the third tour to Tassie in 12 months for Greg, and in 2000 he completed his 7th Tassie tour.
In addition to good Tasmanian radio airplay, WIN TV, Hobart for the second
time, televised Australia- wide an interview and a performance of one of Gregs'
songs "Keep the Dream Alive",
the second single from his great Album- " Its
About Time", currently in its second pressing.
This TV appearance and Gregs "live" performing generate audience
interest, and album sales.
Greg recorded again at Lindsay Butler Studio in 1998, his single "Red Hot Momma", a multi-award winning Greg Williams original, released on the inaugural Tamworth Songwriter Association Compilation Promotional CD, one of 12 original tracks, selected from a strong Australia-wide field of 360 songs. Its gained great radio airplay all over Australia. The selection of this song won Greg free recording and an honoured place on this historic CD.
As often as possible, Greg travels north in winter from his Tamworth base to
revisit Queensland, at his old stamping ground of Townsville NQ
for several gigs in and around his former home. Enroute in both directions, he
performs at some South Queensland clubs in Brisbane.
Greg Williams gig-book is always full, as he is full-time professional
entertainer.
"Session Singer"
As well as "Live" performing and his own recordings, Greg is also kept busy at Lindsay Butler Studios & other Tamworth recording studios singing harmonies on numerous other artists albums during the year. Greg's LBS connection started in 1993, and is gaining continuous momentum.
The Future
Even though Greg loves travelling his music all over, he is also now focusing closer to home (Tamworth) for the future, and this is evidenced by his recent success in bringing coachloads of Country Music fans to Tamworth with Tamworth Country Music Experience Tours, and great concerts in various venues in the Tamworth district, including the acoustic Channel 10 Theatrette at the ACMF Hall of Fame in Brisbane St.
Country Music Industry
From his strong association with the local Tamworth Country Music industry group Capital Country Music Association (CCMA), Greg has helped develop a new initiative - monthly Performers Workshops for up-coming performers. He is also instrumental in organising and staging a new monthly event in Tamworth's entertainment calendar - namely the Pub Jam. Presently its held on the third Sunday each month at THE PUB, Tamworths premier Country hotel venue. Hosts Joan & Bevan Douglas have shown wonderful support for this venture, which is centred on a strong band line-up (Kedron Taylor - multiple Golden Guitar nominee, Mark Molynoux - multi instrumentalist, Steve Paton - Bass, Greg Williams - Drums/Compere, and Dally Croft & Mick Wilson both being featured at various times.) This band backs all comers wonderfully well, and as the Capital Country Music Association use this event as their regular monthly performance opportunity, lots of younger performers get a chance to try out their skills. A wide range of ages and musical styles is presented over the 5 till 8pm time slot.
Following the 1999 Junior Winter Talent Quest it was decided to offer our
member performers, and others who were interested, a chance to attend Performers
Workshops run by the CCMA.
CCMA
Along with other Tutors - Peter Izod, the late Geoff Brown (passed away August 2000) & Jenny Dobson -Greg was asked to provide the knowledge required to assist participants to improve many and varied aspects of their performing and related abilities. The first workshop was held in early August, 1999 at the Tamworth RSL Club (CCMA Sponsor) and attended by more than a dozen interested performers and players, mainly young people. There is no restriction of age, young or not so young. The tutors are very adaptable when it comes to focussing on participants learning requirements, and after only just a few workshops, there are plenty of avenues to pursue, and nothing is left unconsidered. The subjects addressed are many and varied.
CCMA ran successive 1999 Workshops at the RSL in September,
October & November, culminating in a fabulous Christmas Breakup Showcase at
The Pub, Tamworth on a late November Sunday evening. It was a beauty! After the
Christmas break, and time out for Tamworth's Country Music Festival and
aftermath, the first 2000 Workshop was held at The Pub in March, and is held
every month on each third Sunday. Joan and Bevan Douglas at The Pub have been
wonderfully supportive to CCMA in making the new acoustically designed room
available for workshops, and Pub Jam/Showcases. At the Sunday Jams Joan also
"picks up the tab" for the backing band and soundman, and provides the
sound system. Not a bad commitment to Country Music, eh?!!
ACMF
Another wonderful result has been the developing association with the Australian Country Music Foundation (ACMF) in inviting Workshop performers, and other CCMA members to perform at Tamworths Hall of Fame at the monthly Birthday Bash, in the Channel 10 Theatrette, a great acoustic room. Here they perform Australian Country Music, in an historic environment, and altogether its a wonderful fulfilling experience for them, and the audience. There is always the opportunity to view the Legends Exhibition in the Hall of Fame. In fact the May Workshop was held there on Monday, May 8 at 6pm, comprising a guided tour of the Legends Exhibition, followed by an informative talk on Australian Country Music history by President of ACMF Kedron Taylor (a wonderful performer himself). After this, all Workshop performers were given the opportunity to sing in the wonderful acoustic room - Channel 10 Theatrette. This was a great experience for all. There are lots of special activities arranged for the future Workshops, so keep yourself posted.
CCMA is establishing an ongoing performance routine for our Workshop participants, via the monthly Pub Jam/Showcases and ACMF Hall of Fame Birthday bashes. To achieve this aim, we do need the support of all members, friends & neighbours etc. Show up at these venues to cheer on our people young and old, so these venues are encouraged to keep them open to us. Its not enough to just give our participants instruction, they need public exposure to really bring them on. I'm sure you'll enjoy yourself in the process, as well!
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Don’t
you just love a SUCCESS story!
A band of four talented
musicians from Tamworth (and Brisbane) travelled for the first time to the mighty
MILDURA
COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL 2000, and made a big impression on everyone they
encountered.
All
players are highly experienced , and have a wonderfully supportive and
co-operative attitude to their job.
I’m talking about the GREG WILLIAMS BAND!.
* The Mildura 2000 lineup consisted of :-
Greg
Williams on
Drums, Vocals (and band leader) - from Tamworth
Mark
Moulynox on
Pedal Steel, Dobro and Banjo - from
Tamworth
Dally
Croft on
Lead Guitar - from
Tamworth
Dash
McIvor on
Bass - from
Brisbane
Mildura Country Music Festival President John Arnold had the experience and foresight to hire Greg Williams Band after seeing and hearing them in Tamworth, performing backing duties at the Capital Country Music Associations Junior Winter Talent Quest.
Although the Tamworth line-up was slightly different in personnel, John Arnold showed confidence in Greg’s ability to muster an equally impressive band for Mildura. That’s one of the strengths of this band, it’s ability to change individual members and still maintain its very high standard, and they sound very Country!
In
a lightning five days the band performed at 12 different events, backing and/or
appearing with a huge array of singers.
These performers ranged
in age and experience from juniors in talent quests to seasoned veterans of the
stage.
Just
some of these were Craig Giles, Peter Horan, Paul McCloud, Tracy Coster, Reg
Poole, Mark Tempany, Brent Parlane, Olive Bice, Gail Smith, Brett Goodwin, Kelly
Tassone, Joy Adams, Kylie Sackley, Stephen R Cheney, Owen Blundell, Alison Hams,
Ian B McLeod, Stephanie Burke, Jay J Shannon, Anthony Taylor, Brendan Morolla,
Peta-Cherae Kleehammer, Catherine Britt, Anthony John, Megan Laurie, Yolande
Gibson, Terry Gordon, Laurie & Sharon Gleeson, Corinna Cordwell, Ian Muir,
Colleen Honeyman, Tracy Faith, Tori Vines etc. etc.!
Interspersed throughout these band backing duties, Greg Williams performed “out front” of the band (and from the drumkit) in his solo singer role, to excellent audience reaction, and wonderful record sales resulted from this. The ability to use the versatility of the line-up makes the Greg Williams Band such good value.
As
well as performing and backing (with no rehearsal) at venues such as the
Mildura City Heart Mall, Cross Roads Plaza, Henderson Park and The Edge Hotel,
MILDURA COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL organisers John Arnold and Max Thorburn employed
Greg’s band to provide backing at several high profile Talent Quest events.
These were:-
*
two Starmaker 2001 Victorian qualifying heats –
(the Festival Eve Event at the Coomealla Club and
later at Mildura Arts Centre)
*
Starmaker 2001 Victorian qualifying Final at Mildura Arts Centre
*
Mildura Country Music Ninth “Top of the State” Talent Quest Grand Final
at Mildura Arts Centre
* Victorian Champion of Champions Grand Final at Mildura Arts Centre
The
big winners the Greg Williams Band backed in the Quests were:-
Victorian
Starmaker 2001 qualifier – Megan Laurie (from a strong field of 8 contestants from all
over Australia)
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Other
notable performer/winners Joelene Mandrakas (Brisbane), Jake Nickolai (Port
Augusta) & Andrew Sellars (Adelaide).
All in all, there
was a really high standard displayed by all contestants, and made for an
entertaining and exciting experience for all.
You
can bet on that! With more than 20 venues at the annual 10 day Mildura Country
Music Festival still to explore, Greg Williams
Band is keen to return, and
eventually to perform in every one of them.
On the third Sunday of every month at
5pm.
Greg
Williams at
Phone/Fax -02 6766 2616 / Mobile
0408 255 908
/ Main email - mailto:gregrwilliams@bigpond.com
*P
O Box 1681
Tamworth NSW 2340
Website Home Page:-www.gregrwilliams.com
Tamworth Rage Page |
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www.tamworthragepage.com |
Tamworth Rage Page |
Hats Off 2001”
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from Tamworth Rage Page August 2001 |
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www.tamworthragepage.com |
To contact Greg Williams:-
Main email:- mailto:gregrwilliams@bigpond.com Hotmail: mailto:gregwilliams1@hotmail.com
Or - Phone/Fax +61 (02) 6766 2616
Mobile +61 0408 255 908
Or - P O Box 1681, Tamworth NSW 2340
Index
History | Session Singer |
Biography | Midi Music Files |
Young Country Stars | K-Mart Talent Quest |
Winners & Grinners | Tamworth Country Theatre |
Tamworth Camerata | Tamworth Tours |
Aleyce Simmonds | Song Writing |
Birthday Bash | Photo Album |
Pub Jam | Workshops |
First Album | Second Album |
LINKS | |
My
MP3.com.au site
"SEARCH" for Greg Williams at top of page. |
Greg's
Gig Guide
*CHECK TAMWORTH FESTIVAL DETAILS! |
* point of interest *
PICTURE IN GLEN INNES NEWSPAPER 1993 -
Greg with Guitarist Mark Lawson & Bassist Steve Paton at "home" in Glen Innes, where they all lived for 3 months in 1993 Winter! These three formed the short-lived trio line-up "Greg Williams Band", just before Greg joined Peter Johnson in Tamworth to form "City Slickers" Duo in 1994.