Keeping the country dream alive
FESTIVAL THIS WEEKEND...
LOCAL muso Mal Norton is keeping his father’s dream of putting Dubbo on the map for its country music scene by organising the second Dubbo Country Music Spectacular on the June long weekend.
Over three nights and all day Sunday, June 8 to 10, all styles of country music will be performed by local and visiting artists.
Performers include Lance Birrell, Floreena Forbes, Lorena Quinliven and Kirsten Minnick.
The Saturday show will also include the Dubbo Awards for Services to Country Music presentation.
“I have three judges who don’t know each other, and they’re located in Perth, Brisbane and Sydney, who independently select the winners on their merits,” Mr Norton told Dubbo Photo News.
“The awards aren’t driven by record sales or popularity, in fact some of the names on the list are virtual unknowns, but they have all worked tirelessly for the advancement of country music.
“So the awards are not necessarily for who you are, but what you have done for country music,” Mr Norton said.
Fourteen awards will be given, including the Mal Norton Entertainment Services ‘Keeping the Dream Alive’ award, several lifetime achievement awards and a number of memorial awards.
The 35 nominees include Melinda Schneider, Bobby Silk, Texas Rose, The Crosby Sisters and John Slaven.
Musicians will be on stage from 6pm ‘til late on Friday and Saturday nights, June 8 and 9; and from 11am ‘til 8pm Sunday, June 10.