Issue 19 - Sept 2011

In this Issue:

Mick Lindsay lures Nashville rocker to Winton
Save 15% on entry to Winton attractions
Your chance to buy an authentic Aussie bush scene
Voice of the Outback ready to talk

Mick Lindsay lures Nashville rocker to Winton

A chance meeting in a Nashville restaurant has led to an Australian debut for American musician, Jeremiah (Jer) Gregg.

In an earlier edition of Cooee-Enews we introduced Aussie musician, Mick Lindsay, who will be performing at the festival's Outback Friday Fever concert. We interviewed Mick just before he left for Nashville to finish his first album.

While eating at a Nashville restaurant one night, Mick met Jer. Jer was working at the restaurant and then sat down and began playing harmonica for the diners. Afterwards, Mick and Jer got talking, and so began a firm friendship. Now it's Mick's turn to show Jer around, and Jer's first stop is the Outback Festival!

He might call Nashville home, but no one would walk away from watching Jer play and think they'd been to a country show. Jer's love of rock, soul, folk and blues is the platform for his New Americana singer/songwriter sound.

Jer plays from the heart of his Midwest roots, delivering a vibe heavily influenced by singer/songwriters such as Bruce Springsteen and Tom Petty. He also takes his cues from his home state of Indiana, where John Mellencamp is legend. Add in the drive of Led Zeppelin, AC/DC and the Black Crowes, and you've got a guy who knows how to make good writing hit hard.'

He's no stranger to rock culture and has played in historic venues like the Vogue Theatre in Indianapolis, the Exit/in and the Rutledge in Nashville and King William IV in London. He will add the legendary Troubadour in London to his list on his upcoming UK tour.  Currently working a new project expected to be released later this year, Jer Gregg released his first self-titled EP in January of 2010. For a taste of Jer's style, see the YouTube clip below. (Click the image to watch the clip).

From the first chord to the final "goodnight", Jer Gregg gives everything he's got when it's time to play. Don't miss your chance to see this fantastic Nashville rocker light up the Australian outback!

Save 15% on entry to Winton attractions

Congratulations to Toni Healy of Brisbane and Maree Clarke of Cairns â both have won a Winton Attractions Pass by booking at the Outback Festival's Tent City before August 17 2011. If you're keen to see the best of what Winton has to offer while at the Outback Festival, the Winton Attractions Pass is a must. The pass offers a 15% discount off Winton's major attractions.

There are two types of pass - Silver and Gold. The Silver Pass grants the ticket holder entry into the Waltzing Matilda Centre, Corfield and Fitzmaurice Building and the Royal Open Air Theatre Museum and Opal Walk.

The Gold Pass grants the holder entry to all the Silver Pass attractions as well as attending tours at the Dinosaur Stampede National Monument and the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Fossil Preparation Facility.

Dig those dinosaurs!

Winton is the place to be if you love dinosaurs! Located at Lark Quarry Conservation Park in Central Queensland, the Dinosaur Stampede National Monument features unique evidence of a dinosaur stampede with almost 4,000 dinosaur footprints clearly visible in an area of 210 square metres.

Visitors to the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Fossil Preparation Facility have the chance to work with real dinosaurs in the biggest fossil preparation laboratory in the Southern Hemisphere.

History enshrined in old general store

The Corfield and Fitzmaurice Building, once Winton's general store, is the oldest business in Winton. Its own history has been set out in a graphic panelled display. The building also houses Combo Crafts, which sells a range of pottery, jewellery and craft.

Also in the building is one of Australia's most comprehensive displays of Australian dinosaur fossils. The Australian Age of Dinosaurs shows the results of the fossil fever that has gripped Winton since the first bones of 'Elliot' were found on a Winton property. 'Elliot' was a Sauropod and is the largest dinosaur yet found in Australia - believed to be nearly 22 metres long. Complimenting the dinosaur displays is an exhibition of local opals with mining and gemstone information.

Once a jolly swagmanâ¦

The Waltzing Matilda Centre, in the heart of Winton, is the world's only tourism attraction dedicated to a song. With 'homestead' buildings nestled around a peaceful billabong, the centre pays tribute to the life of the swaggie, and the true spirit of the Australian character. The centre features an exciting exhibition gallery packed with interactive and static displays exploring the characters behind AB Paterson's famous song, Waltzing Matilda.

At the movies â Winton-style

The Royal Open Air Theatre is one of the few remaining open air picture theatres in Australia still in operation. Originally established in 1918, the historic Royal Theatre offers a rare opportunity to enjoy the movies the old-fashioned way - laid back in canvas seats under the stars. The Open Air Theatre is now also home to the World's Largest Deck Chair.

Drop in during the day to wander through the Museum (via Wookatook Gift and Gem and the Opal Walk), or come on a Nostalgia Night, held every Wednesday from April through September.

Your chance to buy an authentic Aussie bush scene

The Outback Festival is the place to be if you're in the market for a piece of real Aussie art. A popular feature of the festival is the Dunny Door Auction, to be held at the Quilton Australian Dunny Derby on Friday 23 September. Well known Australian artist, Peter J Hill, is painting a dunny door for the auction, a contribution he has been making to the Outback Festival for almost 20 years. Known around Australia and internationally for his wonderful depictions of outback life, Peter's dunny door painting for the festival auction is sure to become a treasured artwork for the lucky winner. Peter's love affair with the bush began as a child and young adult growing up in Scone, Broken Hill and Tibooburra. Each year Peter presents an art exhibition at the Outback Festival. His exhibition opens at Elderslie Street on Tuesday 20 September and runs throughout the festival. (Keep an eye out for the old swaggie, Bert, just outside Peter's exhibition). To see more of Peter's art, visit www.pjart.com.au

Voice of the Outback ready to talk

He's interviewed the likes of John Travolta, Slim Dusty, Rolf Harris and R.M. Williams, and now it's time to give our truckies a chance to tell their stories. Neale Stuart, also known as the "voice of the outback", will be compering the Truckies Reunion at the Outback Festival, and running the reunion auctions.

There is no mistaking Neale's resonant voice, and for many festival regulars, it's a familiar voice, with Neale attending previous Outback Festivals and Truckie Reunions.

For the past 16 years, Toowoomba-based Neale has reported on rural events and what's making news for the rural sector. He enjoys the bush and the wonderful people that he terms the backbone of Queensland, "The Bushies".

Neale covers up to 28 events each year, meeting national and international celebrities. Festival goers can expect to hear all about the 2011 "Ekka", along with the Gold Coast and Canungra Shows.