My latest CD entitled ‘Songs of Praise’ is proving to be very popular here in Australia and people are enjoying the selection of old hymns and gospel songs. The fact that it was recorded in the Ozark Mountains in Missouri is of great interest to the people and the lovely sounds of the mandolins, fiddles and acoustic instruments has been well received.
At the end of January I performed at Tamworth, NSW, which is Australia’s Country Music Capital (like Nashville is in the USA). I did three major shows in the Tamworth Town Hall along with many other Aussie performers. That makes it 32 times I have done the Festival since first appearing there in 1978 when I won the Talent Quest in the Town Hall.
The Tamworth Country Music Festival attracts around 40,000 visitors each January and is the largest Festival of it’s kind in Australia.
Something I am looking forward to is a Country Music Cruise to New Zealand, departing Sydney on February 18th on the Luxury Cruise Ship, the ‘Sun Princess’ for 14 days. The Cruise has been ‘sold out’ for many weeks, with so many people on the waiting list. I will be joined by fellow entertainers, Adam Harvey, Laura Downing and the Howie Bros. Band, with some NZ guests entertaining us at certain New Zealand ports of call.
In March 2010 I fly back to New Zealand again for the Opotiki Charity Concert weekend which helps raise funds each year for the Volunteer Coast Guard and the Ambulance services for the Opotiki area on the top of the North Island.
My USA Fan Club is still being looked after by Jane Beste from Wausau, Wisconsin. I have been performing in Wisconsin for the past 20 years, and the majority of USA Fan Club members are from that state. It was sad to say farewell last year, but there are many great memories for me as some of the biggest highlights of my music career have been in Wisconsin. It will seem strange not be at Silver Dollar City this coming USA summer, but it certainly has been a pleasure to have entertained there for so many festivals since 1995.
I will miss Branson and the Ozark Mountain area, but I have wonderful memories and friends that I will cherish for the rest of my life.
Thank you America for 25 wonderful years. Josh Heston will continue to be my webmaster for this USA website, so you will always be kept up-to-date with my travels and shows.
Regards,
Wayne
February 11th, 2010
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