The Osman is back. This week he’s chatting about Mi-Sex, John Swan, Dorothy Watson, Casey Barnes and more….
Being involved in this industry, one gets to meet and be-friend many musos, local, national and international. One band of fantastic individuals were at Belmont 16’s on Saturday Night just gone. I am speaking of Mi-Sex (of course The Angels were there as well). Each member of Mi-Sex is a fantastic individual, with a warm heart and positive energy flowing from them. Thank you to the “boys” from Mi-Sex for your friendship and support and for always providing a magnificent show. Mi-Sex will be back in the area for a special Christmas Show at Lizotte’s on the 22nd December. I recommend that you book early to avoid disappointment.
Another muso that has become a good friend is John Swan (Swanee). John is one of those guys that freely admits that he may not have been perfect back in the day. However, John currently devotes a lot of his time to the homeless and needy in his current State, South Australia. John will be moving to NSW in the near future so we will see more of Swanee in our area.
I send my condolences and offer my deepest sympathy to John and the Swan/Barnes clan at this time as they have lost their dear mum, Dorothy Watson, late of Wangi Wangi following a battle with that terrible disease that takes so many that we love. John, Jimmy, Alan, Linda and other members of the family will lay their mum to rest on Thursday at a private ceremony in the Southern Highland area of NSW, at a place that Dorothy chose herself. R.I.P. Dorothy Watson.
This week’s program, Ossie And Friends (Lake Macquarie FM 97.3 Wednesday 6pm till 9pm) is proudly sponsored by VIBES Australia which is held at The Coast Hotel at Budgewoi each Thursday Night. We will kick off the program tonight with a chat on the phone with Country Music artist, Casey Barnes. Casey’s music has made an impact around the world, having had hits in Europe, written and recorded in music in the United States and played alongside many international stars including Mariah Carey, Lady Antebellum and Bryan Adams.
Casey started his singing career in his home state of Tasmania before relocating to the Gold Coast in Queensland, which he now calls home.
Casey has worked closely with another Aussie, Rick Price, writing and recording in Nashville, producing the album “Jet Trails” in 2012 and the EP “Flesh & Bone” in 2014.
2016 has seen Casey sign with outstanding independent record label, Social Family Records, to release his next album, “Live As One” which is due out at the end of August. This album is laced with fan-favourites plus some new and exciting songs, including Casey’s last single, The One You Love and his latest single released on August 1, Live As One. Tonight we will chat with Casey and play a couple of his tracks, including the new release.
Guests in the studio tonight will be young Central Coast Band, Kickstarters, followed by Newcastle Blues/Rock band, Three Of A Kind.
Kickstarters is a rock/alternative band bringing together the talents of Damon Moss (Bass), Mitchi Renegen (Guitar/Vocals/Harmonica, Sam Shergold (Drums/Percussion) and Kwisatz (Guitar/Vocals/Percussion). The guys come from the Central Coast, Sydney and Newcastle and are happy to play Australia-Wide. They offer a wide variety of covers mixed with originals and can provide solo. Duo, trio or full band, giving you the sounds of music from The Rolling Stones, Perl Jam, U2, Creedence Clearwater Revival, to Coldplay, Hunters & Collectors, INXS to Johnny Cash. They appear to follow the motto, “weddings, parties, anything” and they deliver. We will have an extended visit from these guys tonight as they will show their diversity throwing in some solo work from Kwisatz as well. You can find out more by visiting their Facebook Page, @kickstartersau. Their visit is brought to you by Cardiff Golf Driving Range.
Music Solutions Warners Bay proudly support our next guests in the studio, Newcastle Blues/Rock Band, Three Of A Kind. Jez Ashman (Guitar/Vocals), Davo (Chris Davidson) on drums and Jono Burgess (Bass) will be joined in the studio by outstanding harmonica player, Brad Hodgson, making it really Four Of A Kind!!!.
Three Of A Kind are normally a 3 piece blues/rock band in the spirit of classic blues bands like Cream and artists like Hendrix, Pat Travel and Gary Moore. Jez Ashman on guitar and vocals is something special with his heart and soul all blues. A recent visit to the studio by Jez and Brad on harmonica was really quite amazing, considering they used only an acoustic guitar and harmonica, so this visit we are expecting huge things. No pressure boys!
On another note, I would like to let Bands know that there is an upcoming Battle Of The Bands at The Coast Hotel at Budgewoi. The “Battle” will run on Friday Nights, commencing August 26, with the Grand Final on Friday September 23. There is over $5,000 worth of cash and prizes to be won, with some fun giveaways on the nights. Check out more on the VIBES Australia Facebook Page @vibesaustralia and to register your band, email vibesaustralia@gmail.com
With Aussie Ossie Radio, we have regular weekly programs, including Locals Only on a Monday Night which presents 3 hours of music from bands and artists from the Central Coast/Lake Macquarie/Newcastle areas. Locals’ music is also played throughout the week in various playlists on the station. Some other programs are Pedal To The Metal (Metal Show) 10pm on Thursdays, This Is Australia (60s, 70s, 80’s) 11am on Saturdays, High Noon Country on Sundays at 12noon and Blues and Roots on Sunday Night from 8.30pm
Musos are most welcome to send their music in to have it played on Aussie Ossie Radio and if you are local and would like to come to the Lake Macquarie FM 97.3 studios on a Wednesday Night to be part of that program, simply make contact via the Facebook Pages and we can book you in, We are currently booked out until late August, so get in as soon as possible to secure your spot.
For the punter out there, if you are looking for a gig to see this weekend, of course check out the Gig Guide on Newcastle Live. A few bands or artists I can recommend for this week:
VIBES at The Coast Hotel Budgewoi Thursday Night 6.30pm, 3 bands, FREE and patrons can go into the draw to win an Ibanez RX22 Guitar.
In my year working with Youth, I worked with some cool kids. One of those did some work on a song with JOSH PYKE ABOUT Foster Care. That introduced me to the talent of JOSH PYKE. For your experience of this talent, head to Lizotte’s this Thursday Night.
Fantastic Newcastle Band JACKSON, have a new single out, It’s Over Now. Get hold of it, it is pretty cool. They also do a very special cover of Max Merritt’s Slippin’ Away. JACKSON will be supporting the ULTIMATE 60’S ROCK SHOW at Wyong leagues Club this Saturday Night, well worth a look.
EYE ON YOU bringing it back to The Long Jetty Hotel on Friday Night from 7.30pm
PETER GARRETT and THE ALTER EGOS at Belmont 16s Friday Night
TRATAKA will blow you away with some solid rock at The Beach Hotel at Merewether on Saturday Night from 8.30pm
If you love your 80s, get along to The Catho Pub on Sunday, ACCESS ALL 80S is something special, wear your 80’s gear..if it still fits.
Check the Newcastle Live Gig Guide and get out and see some live music over the weekend.
Come on over and say Hi on Facebook, @ossieandfriends. Until next week, cheers, Ossie
ABOUT THE OSMAN
I have been involved with Community Radio for over 20 years and the same with my Youth Work. I currently present a weekly program, Ossie And Friends on Community Radio Station, Lake Macquarie FM 97.3, Wednesdays from 6pm. Another of my projects is my internet radio station, Aussie Ossie Radio. On that station, I play Aussie Music 24/7. Both have Facebook Pages, @ossieandfriends and @aussieossieradio.
