LOVERS of country music will be spoiled tomorrow night at the Ex Service’s Club for the Cootamundra Can Assist Night of Stars.
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Billed a country music spectacular, the night will see 10 living legends of the scene play a wide variety of covers and originals to suit anyone’s tastes.
The night has primarily been organised by Norm and Joan McVicar, who have dedicated much of their time to giving back to Can Assist after Norm received life-saving assistance not once but twice.
An avid country music fan, Norm made a lot of friends in the business over the 30-odd years he lived in Stockinbingal and is excited to offer this night to his fellow music lovers.
“All my friends have come together now so we can say thank you to Can Assist, and thank you to the people of Cootamundra,” Norm said.
“We’ve lost many friends to cancer so all of us want to do what we can.”
One of the acts performing on the night are Norm’s friends Kath and Mike McCall.
Mike grew up in Liverpool, England, but has been well and truly adopted by the Australian country music scene.
A performer of a diverse mix of musical tastes, Mike has been instrumental in running the Wagga Jazz and Blues Festival for the last 22 years.
With his band Blueridge he was also one of the first acts on the bill for the inaugural Illabo Country Music Stampede back in 1988.
Mike and Kath’s reasons for coming to Cootamundra extend beyond just a love for performing music however, as the fundraiser holds special significance for them.
“My wife survived two bouts of cancer herself,” Mike revealed.
“Now we do whatever we can to support any cancer association, we’re happy to do anything for free for the right cause.”
Mike and Kath perform a few originals but most of their set on Saturday will be covers, with Kath taking to the microphone in the style of some of their favourite performers, including Emmylou Harris and Lacy J Dalton.
Mike is also looking forward to playing alongside some performers he considers at the top of their game.
“Kenny Kitching is one of the best Dobro and pedal steel players in the country,” Mike said.
He and Kath are hoping to get on the stage alongside Emma Hannah and Kenny later in the evening, and Mike is excited overall by the quality of the musicians coming.
“All the performers are well known players in the scene, they have a good all-round style so there will be something for everyone,” he said.
“We like to mix with the punters too so it’s going to be a nice atmosphere.”
Another big name on the bill is prolific songwriter Ernie Constance, who appears in the Australian Country Music Hall of Fame.
Among Ernie’s songwriting credits include Slim Dusty’s hits Banjo’s Man and Things I See Around Me.
There are still tickets available for $15 from Totally Gifted & Lollies on Parker St, and will be available at the door on the night.
Doors open at 6pm for a 7pm start- for more information call Norm McVicar on 6942 1892.