March 2010. Newsletter 34. Hi there everyone, hope you are all OK, & had a great Christmas & New Year. I certainly did! Christmas up at Tweed Coast with all my family, the first time for ages we actually all got together at one time. It was just so good, the beach, out for dinner, & the kids climbed Mt Warning, something I did myself when I was 25! Back in Bathurst, I celebrated New Years Eve at the RSL, didn’t have to play! It was a great night, danced till dawn, took a few days to recover!!
The good news is that I’m a Grandpa again for number 2. All this time we thought it was going to be baby Jack, & ended up being a sister for Charlee, Matilda Rose! Everyone’s well & very happy. The bad news is that my Mum’s not too flash health wise, so most of my attention has been for her lately. She has always been a great inspiration to me & my music since I was very young, & still has lots of positive ideas. She turned 88 on Boxing Day; we had a nice lunch at the Uki Pub, then coffee & cake at the Mt Warning National Park Rainforest Café, so relaxing & peaceful.
These days I enjoy being home through February/March, (with the air conditioner on), for a bit of a break, but that didn’t quite happen! Played quite a few Sunday afternoons at the Bathurst RSL, also 7 Charity shows around town. I’m actually writing to you from the Coffee Shop at the Bathurst Tourist Centre, must be the great coffee that gets me writing! I’m also organizing the performances for the year ahead, not too many, & not too far!!
I need this year to un-clutter my thoughts & life. 2009 was very “full on” playing & travelling, so hopefully I can get some more music ready for the big 2011. MAYBE.! I still get stacks of letters & your requests to try, also towns you’d like me to go to. In this Newsletter, I’ve tried to include the performances right up to the 2011 Tamworth Festival, & please note the new Venue for my Concerts there next year! (Exactly opposite the Big Guitar, so very easy to find)
In May I’m “ducking down” to Victoria to do 7 Concerts that I’ve been trying to fit in, they are mostly Charity Do’s, so I hope you can come along. Then of course there’s the Barham Country Music Stampede in August, always a great Festival, plus my popular Sunday afternoons at the Bathurst RSL to slot in as well.
After a 3 year break, it’s also very exciting to be back at the Mildura Festival this year, “and” 2011 for the 25th Anniversary. Following on after Mildura, in October, I’ll be at the Bedgerebong Country Music Camp out, (near Forbes), & then the Rosewood Country Roundup, (near Tumbarumba).
Heading off to “Hartwood” soon, so I’m busy getting ready for that one. Hele & Paul McCloud are well, & still alive, contrary to many reports! They are just not travelling to perform so much these days, “Been there! done that!” for years !! They are supposed to be retired & just concentrating on the farm & Hartwood Festival at this time. I’ve been talking to Paul; he will be singing lots of your favourites, & updating you with what’s happening at Hartwood & in their life at the moment.
Well I just can’t believe how time gets away these days! & its not just because we are getting older, my kids say the same thing! We are all just so busy.
Anyway, as always, there’s all the “thankyou’s & appreciations” for coming to my shows, your friendship, the many letters, cards & suggestions from you all. I’ve got stacks of them!! Also the helpers I have in every town with the concerts, & all the Radio & Media people who support my music. Take care, & hope to see you all soon.
Cheers, Peter |
