CountryMusicWorld turns the tables on me
Monday, October 17, 2016
It’s not usually me who is being asked the questions in an interview, but Mick Lockhart and Jay Peters have broken with tradition at their CMW HQ at Bushland Beach, near Townsville.
The two likeable North Queenslanders have been hosting the YouTube channel, Country Music World, since August and in that time have interviewed scores of independent and signed artists.
My interview was to be the first in a series of Industry Insider chats with journalists, promoters, and those who tend to work behind the scenes in the country music industry, rather than out in the spotlight. Feeling rather like a crash test dummy, I arrived at the studio, which very conveniently happened to be about three minutes’ drive from where I was staying at Bushland Beach with my cousins.
As Mick and Jay were holed up in the studio out back, I passed the time chatting with Mick’s in-laws, who were preparing to leave after a short visit.
Introductions made …
They emerged from the studio, with Mick having a smoke break, and me being introduced to Jay for the first time.
I hadn’t met him, but I’d been judging his wife, the lovely Peta-Cherae (was Kleehammer, now Peters) for years in talent quests, in particular the Aristocrat Country Entertainer of the Year at Wests in Tamworth. Peta-Cherae and Jay can often be found playing in a duo locally and further afield.
Mick and I aren’t sure how far we go back, but it’s probably about 20 years or so – not yesterday. He and Jay are doing a top job with this channel, seemingly giving everyone a go and having a heap of fun along the way. Go, you good things!
Lights, camera, action …
Inside the state-of-the-art recording studio we quickly got down to business, deciding not to go with a set of questions, but to take it as it came.
The seating order was arranged, camera lined up and action!
You can view the clip here
But wait, there’s more …
After leaving Townsville the following day, I arrived in Ayr, back at my friend Ron Odgers’ place, where I’d spent a bit of time on the way up to Cooktown.
Then on Wednesday, October 19, Carolyn Millet, a journalist with The Northern Daily Leader, rang and interviewed me for an article she was putting together on the last hurrah at 92 Brisbane St, Tamworth, the former premises of The Leader, ahead of their move to new digs around the corner in Bourke St.
She wrote a front-page article about the move – and another speaking to former employees about their time at the paper. You can view both articles here
If walls could talk – The NDL moves out of Brisbane St to new home
Head-to-toe makeover for historic NDL building