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2006 |
NAROOMA BLUES FESTIVAL |
2006 |
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Telstra Great Southern Blues & Rockabilly Festival |
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SMALL TOWN POLITICS SET TO BOOT NAROOMA OFF THE WORLD BLUES MAP
Narooma – celebrating its 11th Year hosting the Telstra Great Southern Blues & Rockabilly Festival – is a Southern NSW coastal township nestled beside the pristine waters of Wagonga Inlet and surrounded by majestic National Parks. Narooma is located about 5 hours drive time south of Sydney, 8 hours north of Melbourne and 3 hours east of Canberra.
After decades of relative obscurity this layback summer holiday destination is now world famous thanks to the Blues & Rockabilly Festival that has come to the town's Smyth Oval every Labour Day Long Weekend in October for the past 11 years.
The Annual Telstra Great Southern Blues & Rockabilly Festival may well be the Friendly Festival – however, Narooma may no longer be the Friendly Town!
Rumour has it that antagonistic locals no longer want the Family Friendly Festival in their backyard and are set to run the 11-year old showcase event out of town and, in so doing, Narooma off the world blues map. Hard to imagine this mind-set would be emanating from surrounding businesses, or those they employ, being beneficiaries (directly or indirectly) of the influx of several thousand visitors over the Labour Day weekend.
The politics of envy is alive and well. Either that, or third tier (and third rate) local politicians are bowing to the minority, again. Well, may be not! ... but this is how the punters see it. If festival punters needed any reassurance to counter the rampant rumour of the festival's looming final curtain and closure – and Neill Mumme's alleged "I've had enough ... that's it ... no more!" comment – it came not a minute too soon at the close of proceedings on Sunday night, 01 October 2006.
Mumme is to be congratulated for his clear commitment to continuing the event, albeit, with overtones of a possible relocation to a more conducive venue and a friendlier township in his closing speech. Who can blame him for wanting a location venue that would welcome the commercial and employment opportunities that flow in the wake of a hugely successful and extremely well-run business event .... not to mention an appreciation of the considerable publicity and good-will benefits that attach to those associated with this high profile festival.
Few plant shade trees under which they may never sit. Neil Mumme is one of them. Tens of thousands of blues fans, and hundreds of blues artists, silently testify to that fact as they 'sit under his shade trees'. All of them beneficiaries of his unyielding determination to make the festival a successful commercial venture as well as a successful musical adventure.
If Neil makes a bundle, begrudge him not – because, "poor people can't help poor people". And, if the festival is to continue to deliver the same high standards in presentation and punter enjoyment - which he has, hitherto, succeeded in doing – then, from our standpoint at least, we hope he makes a motza!
To all the detractors of the festival, opponents of its CEO, and sundry other complainants .... one simple message - Shove It!
The Beat Will Live On ... wherever Neil Mumme decides to pitch his tents! ■
– VJ King Sr
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Arrival Friday, 29 September 2006 |
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Friday Night Festival Opening Act - Pete Cornelius & The DeVilles - Peter Phelps Stage |
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Pete Cornelius invites VJ King Jr centre stage to close out the Opening Night set |
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| Thanks Pete - it was great to jam with you again - it's been four years! | ||||
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above photos courtesy of Rod Niemeier |
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FLASHBACK |
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Narooma 2002 Pete Cornelius and the DeVilles Pete Cornelius (lead) | Bruce Cornelius (drums - hidden from view) | VJ King Jr | Phil Wilson (bass) |
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| Friday 29 September 2006 | ||||
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Friday Night 10.15pm Closing Act - Wolf Mail - Albert King Stage |
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| Rudy Miranda (drums) | ||||
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Narooma 2006 International Headline artist - Wolf Mail Observing and helping out the artist backstage is all part of an important learning curve - Thanks, Wolf! |
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| Saturday 30 September 2006 | ||||
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Saturday Afternoon - Ross Ward - Mojo & Jellyroll Stage |
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Ross Ward invites VJ King Jr to jam at the 4.00pm set |
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Narooma 2006 Australian Headline Artist - Ross Ward VJ King Jr joins Ross Ward in a crowd pleasing acoustic set - Thanks for the invite, Ross! |
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more pics courtesy of Mick Hines Photography |
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