2010 Port Douglas Carnivale: Douglas Rock N Blues Bonanza

Details:

Radio Port Douglas, Events NQ and Carnivale proudly presents the Douglas Rock N Blues Bonanza.

The Tropical North’s favourite blues musicians will take the stage during the inaugural Carnivale Rock ‘n’ Blues Bonanza on Sunday 23rd May at Rex Smeal Park, with organisers confirming Johno’s Blues Band (entire line up) Jesse Deane-Freeman, plus The Flying Libido Brothers (formerly Black Label) and Australia’s foremost festival duo Wizard & Oz (Andrew Farrell & David McMillan) will all appear.

The event will be presented by the Port Douglas Chamber of Commerce, Radio Port Douglas and Events NQ, and promises to be a ‘sweet afternoon session of crackin’ music and community cohesion’. Radio Port Douglas’ Michael Gabour, no stranger to producing music concerts after owning the Court House Hotel for many a year, said he agreed to organise the big gig ‘for the music’.

“One of my favourite things about my years at the Courty – apart from the colourful clientele – was the live music we used to present,” said Michael Gabour. “When Carnivale organiser Ken Dobbs called and asked me to produce a concert for this year’s program, I initially declined because my favourite music acts had either disappeared or relocated. On second thought, I said give me 72 hours while I try to get some friends back together!”

Once he put the word out, the answers came back quickly. “Jason from the Court House Hotel agreed to sponsor the first act Wizard & Oz who were regulars at the Court House during my day. It only took Rick Montgomery 48 hours to get the Johno’s Blues Band back together for the second slot. Jesse Deane-Freeman has agreed to come up from Adelaide and reunite with the Rhythm Aces. And it turned out Black Label hadn’t disappeared; they had just morphed into the Flying Libido Brothers. Paul is still on guitar and vocals and Burkie on bass. We are going to re-create some of the magic. And new arrivals to the Tropical North’s music scene who missed it the first time around will have a chance to taste a bit of ‘Vintage Port’” said Michael Gabour.

In a move that will keep the price the public pay for the concert fixed at $10 per head, the concert’s promoters have organised with Events NQ, the producers of the night before’s Food, Wine & A Taste of Port, to use the same staging, lighting and sound as the evening before. “This represents a considerable saving and we couldn’t have planned this event without it because it means we can pay the bands, keep the gate price reasonable, and put on a great concert,” said Michael Gabour.

The Carnivale Rock ‘N’ Blues Bonanza salutes these pioneers and legends of the Australian music scene, and is proud to present this united musical showcase event for Port Douglas Carnivale 2010:

JOHNO’S BLUES BAND

The legendary local line up comprises Johno on vocals and savante guitar, on drums Danny Solo, bass Bruce McKenzie, and second guitar Ric Montgomery, well supported by roadies Kid Ryo and the Reverend Benson. This is the line up that actually made up Johno’s Blues Band for the last 5 years at Johno’s Blues Bar, before the infamous police purge.

FLYING LIBIDO BROTHERS

A mainstay on the Cairns live rock scene for more than a decade, their blend of original, driving rock and classic covers propelled them into the national finals of the Global Battle of the Bands last year. With Mark Burke returning on bass guitar , the Flying Libidos are back to their electrifying best. Mark, together with guitarist Paul Stevens, played together in Cairns’ favourite, Black Label, some years ago. Now with FNQ’s best drummer, Lofty, they will dazzle and inspire with a repertoire ranging from Stevie Ray Vaughn right up to Kings of Leon, as well as originals.

WIZARD & OZ

Andrew Farrell & David McMillan are the Wizard & Oz. Andrew started piano at the age of eight and studied classical music for many years. Since then he has played just about every style of music that he took a liking to. David started playing guitar when he was four and hasn’t looked back. They met on the Mornington Peninsula in 1986 and have been playing together ever since.

Their playlist is enormous including covers and original songs in popular rock, jazz, R&B, blues, boogie and classical music styles. Wizard & Oz are much in demand at music festivals.

JESSE DEANE-FREEMAN

Jesse Deane-Freeman began playing piano at age eight and began playing professionally in 1995. “Jesse Deane-Freeman And The Rhythm Aces” had a long running residency at Johno’s Blues Bar in Cairns where they supported Johnnie Johnson, Little Charlie and the Nightcats, Magic Slim and the Teardrops, Teddy Morgan and Russell Morris among many.

Sadly Jesse Deane Freeman has been forced to cancel his appearance at the Douglas Rock N Blues Bonanza. Happily, the most awesome BEX MARSHALL will be joining us instead!

BEX MARSHALL: http://carnivale.com.au/general/2010/05/10/rock-n-blues-blasts-to-bex-marshall/

When:

Sunday 23rd May 2010. Gates open 1pm – Show starts 2 pm – Gig Closes 6.30 pm

Where:

Rex Smeal Park, Port Douglas (same location as Food, Wine and a Taste of Port)

Tickets:

Tickets $10 kids under 12 free.

Securely buy and print
your tickets for
the Douglas Rock N Blues Bonanza
HERE

Also available at the gate.

Contact:

Michael Gabour / Kim Hurley, Radio Port Douglas. 07 4099 4083

This entry was posted on Wednesday, April 7th, 2010 at 1:52 am and is filed under Events 2010 and tagged with Concert in the park, Dance, Douglas Rock N Blues Bonanza, Events NQ, live music, Music, Radio Port Douglas. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.