The Cobby Riverland Music Festival
June 5th -10th 2024
Robyn Norton
Robyn comes from Bordertown SA. She grew up just across the border in Serviceton Vic and has been singing and playing guitar since she was 12. During school, she was in a ‘Girl Group’ called Exodus which comprised of 8 school mates who sang 3 part harmonies. After leaving school, Robyn continued to sing on her own singing at weddings, family gatherings and local charities etc. Robyn also played piano for her local church for 20 years. In 2004, Robyn joined a folk group called Shamrock playing guitar, bass, banjoele, accordion and vocals, singing at folk festivals and local events. In 2016, Robyn decided to return to her first love – country music and has recorded 3 albums. She has sung at quite a few festivals and has been privileged to support Justin Standley, Stephen Cheney, Peter Coad, The Coad Sisters and Runaway Dixie in concert.
Ray Murtagh
Cheryl Lethlean
Ray started his musical career as a teenager back in lreland.
Starting a band with friends they spent some time doing support for the Showbands back then.
wanting some adventure Ray immigrated to Australia in late 1969. Music was then put on hold when he was working out on the cattle stations in the N.T. He would play the guitar for his fellow workers. This also gave him
lnspiration for some of his songs.
Ray moved back to Alice Springs and formed a band with Dave Stagg . They played at most of the bush race meetings
and almost every Pub in town.
ln the early nineties Ray and Shauna Hartig won the Duet at port pirie Country Music Festival beating some of Australia's
top artists of todaY.
Next win was Gospel section at Broken Hill with Jodie Newcastle. Ray won the Male Vocalist and duet with Dave Stagg at the Hermannsburg country festival'
ln 1998 Ray won a song writing contest at Tamworth with his song ( Back into the mulsa) and later that year was a guest at Tamworth on parade at the Sydney Opera House' Then in 1999 was also a guest at the Tamworth town hall
during the country Music festival.
ln 2oL7 Ray won the seniors got talent in Alice springs and in 2018 was a guest at the Auriel Andrew tribute concert.
For the last few years Ray has performed at Quorn Port Augusta and Barmera Music Festivals. He also sang at Bendigo St Arnaud and Maryborough country music clubs
Like many people, I first began singing at Sunday school, & school concerts.
As a teenager, I sometimes sang with my brother, who had a band called the “Castlemen”, which performed at many social functions & dances around Central Victoria.
I married Richard, & became fully involved with family commitments, until our two girls had finished their schooling. We then began to get around more, & became interested in the country music scene, & after a couple of trips to Tamworth festival, the bug bit.
I bought my first guitar in 1990, hoping I’d be able to teach myself how to play. It was a long & slow process, but I soon began writing songs, & then became involved with country music clubs, gaining confidence to perform in public.
Many friends inspired, assisted, & encouraged me, particularly Olive Bice, Anne Conway, & Steve Virtue.
My first cassette, "Destiny", was recorded at "Birubi" studio, Tongala, in December 1994, & was very well received.
I have sung at many major festivals, including Tamworth, Mildura, Kyneton, Colac, Hopetoun, & the Riverland. In South Australia.
Over the last couple of years, I have also been part of the Flinder’s Ranges Festival in South Australia
I have been quite involved with ABBA (Australian Bush Balladeer’s Association) & have hosted Member’s showcases at the “Balladeer’s Homestead” in Tamworth, during the Tamworth festival
Several of my original songs have been nominated for awards, & become finalists in major competitions
Desree Illona Crawford, Dinah Rae, Graham Butterworth, & Glenice Hollis have all recorded my material.
Graham Butterworth
Graham was born at Castlemaine (Vic) in 1936 and is known as GB to friends and family. He’s been singing country & popular music since the age of seven and was first influenced by the likes of Tex Morton, Smoky Dawson, Buddy Williams, Harry Torani, Gene Autry and Wilf Carter.
He bought his first guitar in 1955, from a mate who taught him the basics of playing, then formed a local group known as “The Castlemen”, performing at venues around North-Central Victoria until 1965, when he joined the Army and because of duties, had to leave the band.
He continued singing during his years of service, then returned to civvy life in 1973, with a Company in Sydney, but maintained his part-time interest.
A transfer to Darwin in 1974, introduced him to Cyclones (Tracy) and the rebuilding of his Company’s operations. He served for years as a Corrections Officer in Darwin, joined the Darwin Country Music Assn and has remained involved in the country music scene since that time.
Graham & Kay moved to Rochester in 2002 and joined CM Clubs at Echuca, Kyabram and Bendigo - regularly performing at Clubs, charity events and Nursing Homes. He served as Secretary of the Tamworth Songwriters Association (Vic Branch) and is a Member of the Australian Bush Balladeers Association. He continued to perform at “walk-up” venues in Mildura, Barmera, Nanango and Tamworth Festivals each year until June 2016, when for family reasons, he and Kay moved back to Darwin. They still travel down to SA each year for Festivals at Port Augusta and Barmera.
Cherie Newcombe
I like all types of country music,even country rock,my favourite artist are Patsy Cline one of the great female singers,Isla Grant,The magic voice of John Denver and Dolly Parton.I have been Guest Artist at Geelong(Cats country)Warrnambool Country music club,Ken Smith Country music,Bellarine showcase,C.M.A.V(Ballarat)Special show on Australia Day at the Ballarat club with Andy Dee,Garry Hunt.Colac Country Music Festival,Meridith Country Music Festival.Also i have performed at Quorn Country Music Muster,Murray Town,Flinders Rangers Country Music Muster(Port Augusta)and at Barmera Country Music Festival where they have a show called "Girls Day Out"Two of my biggest highlights was being support artist for Carter and Carter in Colac,and being asked to do a Tribute to Patsy Cline in Barmera 2019,2021.
The Little Blue Bees
Rod and Judith Dawson are “the little blue bees” a duo presenting a mix of both original and eclectic covers. Influenced by artists as broadly diverse as Linda Ronstadt, Carol King, Dolly Parton, the Beatles, Dylan, Leonard Cohen, and the Waifs, their songs are lyrically based, sometimes showing
a touch of the unexpected. Having lived in various places around the state, Judith and Rod returned to the Mid North 20 years ago to settle in the tiny town of Yacka. Getting back to their country roots, they continue to find this peaceful lifestyle a source of inspiration for their song writing.
Judith is the winner of the South Australian Country Music Association’s Songwriter Award 2019, the prestigious Frank Harding award for musical excellence, and has also twice been selected as a finalist in the Judith Crossley song writing award. As an accomplished poet, Judith’s achievement has been recognised as winner of the CJ Dennis award for poetry.
Rod brings 40 years of musical experience in various bands to the table, playing bass, guitar, drums and more recently adding his vocal and song-writing skills to the mix as he expresses his amusingly poignant, sometimes deeply perceptive view of the world. Judith adds flexible vocals and further instrumental depth as together they create deeply touching moments woven with pure musical flavours.
With a strong sympathy for country and folky ballads the Little Blue Bees bring their stories and music together taking you on journeys through the darkness, light, sunshine and the storms of life.
A tasting plate of their original songs is currently available on their album release “Elixa” in whichJudith and Rod look forward to spending some time with you sharing some of these special musical moments.
Company
Of
Two
Both Jan Murphy and Graham Cross have had many years of enjoying their music and success in the country music industry in their own right, playing in various bands and at festivals.
Graham was determined to play lead guitar from the outset of learning and formed a band with mates as a 20 year old called Customline which was a gutsy country rock band and was well rehearsed and had some success with pub gigs around Adelaide. It was soon after that Graham teamed up with then brother in law, Dwayne Elix in Honkey Stomp, which was a hot bluegrass band and was support act for both Billy Joe Shaver and Steve Young from the USA. When Dwyane headed for Sydney Graham rekindled with good mates and formed Southern Reign, with more pub gigs and a support band at the Port Pirie festival as a backing band for various artists and also backing band for contest winners on the Sunday. It was not long and Graham was asked and joined with Wayne Roberts in Compact Country and continued with Wayne until his passing. This was where Graham met Jan, and was invited to play in Winchester with Jay J, where he and Jan found their voices blended nicely, they had a great jam session, where they explored each other’s styles and influences, and COMPANY OF TWO was born. They entered the Port Pirie talent competition in the band/duo section and won an award.
Jan Murphy has been playing guitar for over 40yrs in various bands.Places such as Tamworth Riverland,Lameroo Port Pirie and many other festivals having won many awards over those year’s Influences consist of Patsy Cline Isla Grant, Emmy Lou Harris just to name a few.
Played acoustic and and bass for the last 30yrs and also was part of The Rustlers in the beginning playing bass guitar.Other bands such as EDJ on In,Country Harmony The Three Decades and many more.
Formed COMPANY OF TWO with Graham 9yrs ago and the rest is history.
Cross Town
Connection
Cross Town Connection is a four piece band consisting of;
Grahm Cross on lead guitar, mandolin and vocals
Jan Murphy on 12 string guitar, bass and vocals
Mick Mcallef on guitar banjo and vocals
Ken McIntyre on drums
Together they play a variety of music including Country, country rock, blues,bluegrass along with 60's and 70's.
They have played at venues in Adelaide, Barmera and many other venues in South Australia.
Chooka Williams
In 2010 Chooka was inducted into the SA Country Music Hall of Fame at Barmera. see photo here
Chooka has a natural vibrato quality voice of strong country and has become very in demand around the Adelaide Country Music Circuit and beyond. A regular at the ‘Alcheringa Shindig’, Mildura & Barmera Country Music Festivals, Chooka has become a regular face. His willingness to always lend at hand at fundraisers right across the State has seen him become a favourite and respected performer not only with audiences but also with his many associates in the Country Music Arena.
Born in Ouyen on 10th August 1946, the 4th of five children in a musical family (his mother played piano), young Brian started to learn guitar, voice and presentation at any early age with Mary Cummins (song writer and singer and established country performer)
His first performance in 1964 was for the Ouyen District Hospital Fund Raising Concert, playing rhythm guitar and was lead singer with Owltones. During the 70's and 80's he continued with "Martin, Barton & Fargo" band from the 80's.
His list of CDs range from his first – ‘Sunset Country’, recorded with Star Productions in 1997. The followed in 1999, - ‘Mallee Country’. ‘Still Steady’ his current CD is full of true country, which has been receiving very good airplay.
Chooka has many credits to his name over his career including participating in the Olympic Torch song contest with local children (who wrote the lyrics) and Chooka co-wrote the music of the winning song and performed with the children in Mildura while the cauldron was lit.