Seafest 07 Media Releases
01 August 2007 - Country songbird flies home for Seafest
Award-winning country singer and song-writer, Kimberley Bowden’s first performance at a country music festival did not exactly endear her to the judges.
“I was disqualified,” she confides cheerfully.
The Tully-born performer had made the fatal mistake of singing, Unchained Melody, which the judges at the Mossman Country Music Festival dismissed as not a country song.
Some singers would have slunk or stormed from the stage in tears, but Kimberley, then aged nine, was not perturbed. “I was just happy to get up and sing a song with a band,” she said simply.
She was more disconcerted eight years later, when she won the Gold Queensland Country Music Award at the 2005 Charters Towers Country Music Festival.
“I’d gone to Charters Towers regularly and won the juniors section a couple of years back, but I’d never made it through to the finals as a senior,” she said.
“I was really not expecting to do anything and I remember Dad and I were debating what song to do out the back. It was a really last-minute thing, the song that I sang – Cowboy’s Sweetheart.
“I was holding a bottle and a friend of mine standing beside me actually caught it when they announced my name, because I was so stunned that I dropped it,” she said
As soon as Kimberley received the trophy, she broke it. “I don’t know how. It just snapped. It was right after I’d won and I had to get photos taken with it, so I held it together. I think I was just a bit excited,” she added.
Kimberley was only 17 when she received this highly-prized country accolade – but then she had started singing “pretty much as soon as I started talking”.
“I used to sing for family occasions and I would sing all the time at home. I would never shut up,” she said. “Music was always in our family. We have family concerts at Christmas and everyone sings.”
Kimberley reckons she inherited her vocal gifts from her Italian maternal grandfather – “he’s got a very big soprano voice” – and her ear for music from her Anglo-Irish father’s side of the family – “my Dad’s mum played the keys in a band years ago”.
Her parents, Geoff and Mary, were happy to allow her to explore her musical talents. Kimberley is appreciative of the time and effort they expended ferrying her to and from music festivals. She also values the fact that “they never put any pressure on me about winning. It was always considered a bonus. They just wanted me to try my best.”
She was equally lucky with her friends – admitting that “at school was the main time when I was really worried about what people thought”.
“I was lucky enough to have really supportive friends who kind of just embraced what I did. They mightn’t have liked country music, but they still liked what I did and still respected me for doing it,” she said.
At 15, “when they start giving you lectures about different careers, but of course, no one gives a musician’s career lecture”, Kimberley began to realise that for her, there “ was never really an option to do anything else”.
“It’s something that’s quite addictive, in a way – the adrenalin rush of getting on stage and singing your songs and having people appreciate what you do,” she observed.
In February this year, Kimberley, now aged 19, moved to Brisbane, where she is currently following the time-honoured tradition for young musicians newly arrived in the metropolis – find a casual day job to make ends meet (in this case, as a fashion sales assistant), write songs in your spare time and start paving the way for your introduction to the big city music scene.
Kimberley keeps busy, but she misses her family, her friends and her home town. “I’m a country girl at heart,” she said. “I don’t think I would have ventured all the way to Brisbane, if it wasn’t for music.”
Last weekend, she relished the opportunity to perform at the local Leagues club in Tully – her first trip home since February.
“I had so much fun,” she said. “A lot of friends showed up, as well as other people who usually come to my gigs. Mum and dad were there, as usual, supporting me.”
Kimberley is hoping for a similar warm welcome when she returns this weekend to perform at Cardwell’s Seafest, a three-day festival packed with activities and displays that showcase both the natural bounty and creative talents which thrive in this region – including the musical talents.
Kimberley will take centre stage on Saturday night and appear again the following morning with local country band, Double Dice. The festival will also feature performances by Deluge, Green Zone, Adahmo, Zuri, and Section 19.
Apart from sampling the musical entertainment, Seafest visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy seafood, wine and cheese tasting, fashion parades and movies by moonlight, along with children’s amusement rides, fireworks and a kaleidoscope of variety stalls. For more information visit www.gspeak.com.au/cardwell/seafest/
Seafest 2007 is benefiting from a $16,900 investment under the Queensland Events Regional Development Program (QERDP), a State Government initiative designed to take unique and creative regional events to their full potential.
Since the program began in 2001, more than $8.9 million has been invested in over 420 regional events.
Jude Ridinsky Marketing Coordinator 4068 5711/0414 497 349
23 July 2007 - Music veteran adopts low-key life at Mission Beach
When Mission Beach musician, Dennis Garcia, was three, his Dad gave him a miniature piano accordion – an unlikely and somewhat uncool springboard for a career that would see him performing onstage with David Bowie, 30 years later.
In his teens, Dennis abandoned the piano accordion for a far more sophisticated instrument – the Hammond organ. He took music lessons in Newcastle, where the Garcias settled after a seven-year sojourn in Innisfail.
In 1960, the 15-year-old packed his organ and left home, heading for the bright lights of an emerging tourist and entertainment hub called Surfers Paradise, where he joined a band called Julian Jones and the New Breed.
As luck would have it, the band’s manager, Ivan Damon, also managed Normie Rowe and the Playboys. When Rowe, a national teen idol, was conscripted and packed off to fight in the Vietnam War, his manager turned to Julian Jones and the New Breed.
“He took us to Melbourne in 1965 and began grooming us to become the new Normie Rowe and the Playboys,” recalled Dennis, who left the New Breed a year later, when he was “poached” by a wild rhythm and blues band called Running, Jumping, Standing Still.
The band, featuring drummer-singer, Andy James, pioneered the practice of smashing guitars onstage. The damage bill for sound equipment climbed to 2000 pounds within three months.
However, the feisty group folded after Andy James suffered a throat haemorrhage during a performance at the famous Melbourne venue, Thumpin’ Tum, in late 1966.
“He sprayed us with blood,” recalled Dennis. “The audience thought it was cool – part of the act.”
(Andy James reverted to his original surname, Anderson, and became an actor. He went on to star in the hit TV series, The Sullivans.)
In 1967, Dennis was invited to join The Mixtures, which scored a number one hit with In the Summertime in 1970 and topped the charts in both Australia and Britain with The Pushbike Song, in 1971.
Dennis left The Mixtures soon after, when he married and decided to settle down and devote himself to session work. He employing his keyboard skills in the recording studio for a succession of iconic Australian groups during the seventies, including The Seekers, The Little River Band and Master’s Apprentices.
After his marriage ended in 1972, he went overseas and toured the “psychedelic” art venues of Amsterdam and Belgium with a band called Urantia. He returned to Australia in 1976 with an instrument which soon became synonymous with 70s music – the keyboard synthesizer.
His prowess with this new instrument led to an invitation to join part of the Australian leg of David Bowie’s 1978 world tour, after the superstar’s British keyboard player fell ill.
“It was incredible, as you can imagine. I was given my own limousine,” Dennis marvelled.
He found himself playing with “three guys from Stevie Wonder’s band” and “a guy who played for Frank Zappa”, as well as the violin player from Hawkwind.
Bowie himself was gracious. “He was a gentleman,” Dennis said. “He gave me a lot of good raps in the Australian press.”
Dennis was subsequently recruited to tour Australia with Grace Jones in 1981 and Max Merritt, the following year.
When not on the road, the keyboard player was open to exploring new ways to perform and new avenues for his music. In 1976, he received an Arts Council grant to experiment with the use of biofeedback in keyboard playing.
“Basically, it means you think the music, instead of playing it with your hands,” Dennis attempted to explain. “Electrodes are attached to your head, then hooked up to the keyboard via a computer and a synthesizer.
“The electrical signals from the brain are transmitted to the keyboard to play the musical notes you are thinking.”
The project won the support of IBM and Dennis recorded an entire album using the biofeedback method. However, biofeedback musical performances did not take off. “It was a bit too weird for audiences – watching a guy playing with electrodes sticking out of his head,” Dennis admitted.
In 1982, he supplied the music to accompany one of the first major laser light shows in Australia, staged at the Royal Easter Show in Sydney. His music was relayed live over radio station Triple J. In 1988, he embarked upon an 18-month stint as a musical ringmaster for Ashtons Circus.
In the mid-nineties, he began playing electronic drums for Australian jazz singer, Sharny Russell. A tour of Far North Queensland reignited his love of the area, and he settled at Mission Beach four years ago.
Now aged 62, Dennis classifies himself as semi-retired and refers to music as “a hobby”, which is interesting, considering he has just recorded two new albums and recently teamed up with Brendan Laman, a guitarist from Kennedy, to form a blues, rock and funk band called Section 19.
“I liked Brendan’s style,” he said simply.
Section 19 will be performing at 6.30 pm on 4 August during the three-day Seafest (3-5 August) in Cardwell.
Brendan is also coordinating the main stage entertainment for Seafest and he is enthusiastic about the regional talent line-up he has assembled for this year’s event.
“It is amazing how much musical talent is being generated in Far North Queensland,” he said.
The Saturday music program for Seafest will feature Tully band, Deluge, Mission Beach band, Green Zone and singer/guitarist, Adahmo, as well as El Arish band, Zuri, and Section 19.
Country singer and song writer, Kimberley Bowden, “a Tully girl now based in Brisbane”, will take centre stage on Saturday night. Kimberley, a grand champion of the Charters Towers Country Music Festival, will also appear on Sunday morning, along with Ingham/Innisfail country band, Double Dice.
Brendan is looking forward to performing at Seafest with Dennis Garcia.
“As a young guitar player in the seventies, I listened to a lot of jazz, fusion and blues and got to meet a lot of the composers,” he said.
“This fostered a love of improvisational style playing which culminated in me joining a band called Steam Radio. In those days, you could stretch out a piece to 15 or 20 minutes, swapping solos. Audiences loved it.
“Meeting Dennis has reopened those doors and being able to expand on a groove in any given song – if it's really cooking – is a huge buzz. You can't buy that sort of experience,” he said.
Seafest 2007 is benefiting from a $16,900 investment under the Queensland Events Regional Development Program (QERDP), a State Government initiative designed to take unique and creative regional events to their full potential.
Since the program began in 2001, more than $8.9 million has been invested in over 420 regional events.
For further information about the entertainment at Seafest 2007 phone 4066 0298 (a/h).
16 July 2007 - Facing the music
More than 90 guests faced the music – in a kaleidoscope of glittering masks – at the Seafest Masquerade Ball last Saturday night.
Tully band, Deluge, kept the ball guests tapping their toes or out on the dance floor at the Cardwell Community Hall.
“They were brilliant,” said Seafest 2007 coordinator, Lauran Baillie. “They couldn’t do the Time Warp, but they played just about everything else from the nineteen sixties through to the present.”
Every guest, from pre-schoolers through to septuagenarians, sported a mask – many of them handmade. (Last-minute masks were available at the door for the few who dared to arrive with naked faces.)
Glitter, feathers and sequins were applied in generous quantities to produce a stunning array of masks worthy of the most decadent Venetian intrigue – or a lavish Las Vegas floor show.
Cardwell Mayor, Joe Galleano, and his wife, Pam, were inspired by native fauna. The mayor’s mask paid tribute to the cassowary, while his wife flaunted the vibrant hues of a Ulysses butterfly.
Cardwell Shire Councillor, Rod Bradley, took out the prize for the best male mask, with a creation resembling a silver-faced bird. “It was grotesque, but interesting,” observed Lauran. “Only a brave man would wear that mask.”
Cardwell locals, Pamela Nixon and Leann Downey, shared the prize for best female mask. Pamela relied on sleek silver fabric and feathers, while Leann’s concoction featured ripples of green and purple sequins.
Seven-year-old Emily Knight, from Cardwell, raced home with the prize for best girl’s mask. “She made her own horse mask from papier mache. It was a beauty,” said Lauran.
Jonrah Child, his cherubic face framed in green feathers, resembled an illustration from May Gibbs’ Snugglepot and Cuddlepie. The four-year-old from Cardwell received the prize for best boy’s mask.
Jan Ferguson and Ros Oellermann provided a range of toothsome dishes for famished guests, while members of the Cardwell Outrigging team sailed around the room as waitresses for the night.
“It was a wonderful night for the whole family – and a great omen for the success of Seafest next month (3-5 August),” said Lauren.
The ball and other Seafest 2007 activities are benefiting from a $16,900 investment under the Queensland Events Regional Development Program (QERDP), a State Government initiative designed to take unique and creative regional events to their full potential.
Since the program began in 2001, more than $8.9 million has been invested in over 420 regional events.
16 July 2007 - Star of the Sea shines
The Seafest Masquerade Ball provided 2006 Star of the Sea pageant winner, Ainsley Rose Nixon, with one of her last opportunities to shine in the role – and she enjoyed every minute of it.
In less than three weeks time, 14-year-old Ainsley will hand over the title and her official duties as a youthful ambassador for Cardwell to a new Star of the Sea at Seafest 2007.
But last Saturday night, the softly-spoken Year Nine student from Tully State High School savoured every “Cinderella moment” of her evening at the ball, which she declared to be the highlight of her reign.
“It was lots of fun,” Ainsley said.
Dressed in classic black and sporting a purple mask, which she lavishly decorated herself with sequins, feathers and glitter, Ainsley enjoyed the colourful event, as well as the opportunity to meet some of this year’s Star of the Sea entrants.
She is keen to promote the pageant – and a year in the role has given her greater confidence to do so.
“Representing Cardwell as the Star of the Sea has helped me to develop more confidence when I am talking to other people,” she said.
The pageant is open to young people aged 13 to 18. Entry forms can be obtained by contacting Pamela Nixon on 4066 8553 or email pni39721@bigpond.net.au Entries close on Monday 23 July.
The winner of 2007 pageant will be announced during Seafest on Saturday, 4 August. The three-day festival begins in Cardwell on 3 August.
Seafest 2007 activities are benefiting from a $16,900 investment under the Queensland Events Regional Development Program (QERDP), a State Government initiative designed to take unique and creative regional events to their full potential.
Since the program began in 2001, more than $8.9 million has been invested in over 420 regional events.
16 July 2007 - Facing the music
More than 90 guests faced the music – in a kaleidoscope of glittering masks – at the Seafest Masquerade Ball last Saturday night.
Tully band, Deluge, kept the ball guests tapping their toes or out on the dance floor at the Cardwell Community Hall.
“They were brilliant,” said Seafest 2007 coordinator, Lauran Baillie. “They couldn’t do the Time Warp, but they played just about everything else from the nineteen sixties through to the present.”
Every guest, from pre-schoolers through to septuagenarians, sported a mask – many of them handmade. (Last-minute masks were available at the door for the few who dared to arrive with naked faces.)
Glitter, feathers and sequins were applied in generous quantities to produce a stunning array of masks worthy of the most decadent Venetian intrigue – or a lavish Las Vegas floor show.
Cardwell Mayor, Joe Galleano, and his wife, Pam, were inspired by native fauna. The mayor’s mask paid tribute to the cassowary, while his wife flaunted the vibrant hues of a Ulysses butterfly.
Cardwell Shire Councillor, Rod Bradley, took out the prize for the best male mask, with a creation resembling a silver-faced bird. “It was grotesque, but interesting,” observed Lauran. “Only a brave man would wear that mask.”
Cardwell locals, Pamela Nixon and Leann Downey, shared the prize for best female mask. Pamela relied on sleek silver fabric and feathers, while Leann’s concoction featured ripples of green and purple sequins.
Seven-year-old Emily Knight, from Cardwell, raced home with the prize for best girl’s mask. “She made her own horse mask from papier mache. It was a beauty,” said Lauran.
Jonrah Child, his cherubic face framed in green feathers, resembled an illustration from May Gibbs’ Snugglepot and Cuddlepie. The four-year-old from Cardwell received the prize for best boy’s mask.
Jan Ferguson and Ros Oellermann provided a range of toothsome dishes for famished guests, while members of the Cardwell Outrigging team sailed around the room as waitresses for the night.
“It was a wonderful night for the whole family – and a great omen for the success of Seafest next month (3-5 August),” said Lauren.
The ball and other Seafest 2007 activities are benefiting from a $16,900 investment under the Queensland Events Regional Development Program (QERDP), a State Government initiative designed to take unique and creative regional events to their full potential.
Since the program began in 2001, more than $8.9 million has been invested in over 420 regional events.
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