23 September 2005

Award winning photographer and author John Elliott is currently working on a book about Country Music in Australia and he hopes that it will be published in time for the 2006 Tamworth Festival.

John was responsible for the latest and possibly the best life story of Slim Dusty plus his exhibition of photographs of Australian icons is currently on display at the National Gallery.

He is also working on the autobiography of Lee Kernaghan but that as been put back burner until his new project is completed. Toowoomba based John is also Australia’s number one country music photographer with his pictures and portraits appearing on more album covers than anyone else.

John Elliott recently contacted me with a number of questions asking for my thoughts on a variety of subjects for his book.

One of those questions was, Why is country music so popular in South East Queensland ?

This is really a catch 22 question, like what came first the chicken or the egg. Currently in our region we have a host of popular and well run country music associations who give help and encouragement to emerging artists, but how did it all start?

I certainly don’t have the answer to that but I do know that it is now and ongoing thing like an endless conveyer belt which continues to churn out an endless stream of great performers. Examples include Brendon Walmsley, Gina Jefferies, Lyn Bowtell, Jeff Brown and a whole lot more.

South East Queensland is also unique because the have a vibrant well run country music talent quest festival circuit which provides a learning curve for any one keen to make it in what is a tough industry.

We also have the largest number of radio stations which play country music as their main genre.

This brings us back to the question , How did it all start?

One theory (mine) is that the good lord when he created Australia decided to put all humans interested in country music and our heritage in one place so that he could keep and eye on them and help them establish what is now a million dollar business.

That’s my theory and I’m Sticking to it. What do you think?