Greg Johnson: Small Towns And Ball Gowns Tour 2011

News release:
Tuesday 10 May, 2011

MY NEW FAVOURITE IN ASSOCIATION WITH JOHNSON MUSIC AMERICA AND BANDBUTLER.COM PRESENT:

Greg Johnson: Small Towns And Ball Gowns Tour 2011

Local Artist Supports Named

Following on from award winning Greg Johnson’s Small Towns & Ball Gowns Tour announcement and local artist support competition five weeks ago, the wait is over and the local support artists for all nine shows have been confirmed.

With 124 entrants across the nine regions, many of a very high standard, Johnson was more than impressed with the untapped talent from around the country. Not surprising, Wellington had the most entries with 27 in total followed by Matakana with 18, Pukekohe with 17, Queenstown with 15, Nelson & Tauranga with 14, Riverton with 7 and Whangarei & Havelock North with 6.

Says Greg, “I was blown away by the sheer number of talented artists working away in small town New Zealand. The choices were really difficult but I tried to fit acts that I knew could cope in front of a large and possibly noisy audience, a tough gig for anyone. It'll be fun seeing the acts putting up live!”
Musicians in each of the nine regions were invited to submit a track via Johnson’s website with entries closing at the end of April; the winning entry given an opening support slot at the show, the opportunity to sell merchandise, show tickets and a performance fee.

The local artist supports are confirmed as Whangarei – Andy Richards, Pukekohe – Tim Walker, Nelson – Weave, Riverton – Emma Rankin, Queenstown – Mel Parsons, Matakana – Charlotte Silverstone, Tauranga – Chellya, Havelock North – Siamese Charades & Wellington – Phoebe Hurst.

Greg Johnson is a perennial among New Zealand recording artists and songwriters. Since his first breakthrough single Isabelle hit the charts and hearts of kiwis in the early 90’s he has produced nine studio albums, building a strong and loyal fan-base. His live shows are legendary for their musicianship, intimacy and humour and his biggest tunes include Don’t Wait Another Day, Liberty, Isabelle, Save Yourself, Now The Sun Is Out and Looking Out On Monday. Greg is a past winner of the coveted APRA Silver Scroll (and 5 time finalist) as well as Tui winner for Best Compilation and Male Vocalist.

Tour dates in full are:

Date Venue Town

Thursday May 26 Salut Whangarei
Saturday May 28 Harrington Hall Theatre - SOLD OUT Pukekohe
Thursday June 2 Nelson School of Music Nelson
Friday June 3 Riverton Arts Centre Riverton
Saturday June 4 Prime Waterfront Restaurant & Bar Queenstown
Sunday June 5 Ascension Wine Estate Matakana
Friday June 10 Mills Reef Winery Tauranga
Saturday June 11 Black Barn Vineyards, Underground Cellar Havelock North
Sunday June 12 Downstage Wellington

All tickets are general admission and tickets are available for all shows with the exception of Pukekohe – sold out. Ticketing details vary by venue and all information including the local artist support initiative is available from Greg’s website www.gregjohnsonmusic.com.

The tour is being supported by Air New Zealand’s grabaseat and as he travels, Greg will be making surprise appearances at airports across the country where he and his band will perform short acoustic sets to departing passengers. Greg is also appearing at the Bluff Oyster Festival on 21 May and will accompany fellow passengers as they fly directly from to Auckland to Invercargill on a very special Air New Zealand charter flight.

ENDS


For more info, interview requests or access to images contact:
Jane Torrance, + 64 9 357 6688, + 64 21 393 157, jane@jtlpr.co.nz

Local Support Artist Bios

Whangarei – Andy Richards: At the age of 27, Andy Richards has been gigging and writing his own tunes for the best part of 10 years with his debut EP (The Music), due for release this year.

His catchy, intricate songs are set to become the essential sizzling soundtracks for an all year long summer. From grandkids to grandparents and everyone in between, these sounds are there to simply be enjoyed by everyone.

Richards lived in Whangarei for two years and has just recently relocated to Warkworth.

Pukekohe – Tim Walker: Quietly making his presence felt in the New Zealand music scene is 22 year old singer/song writer Timothy Walker currently living in Bombay, Auckland.

Tim draws inspiration from an eclectic group of artists, amongst his favourites being critically acclaimed songwriters Glen Hansard and Damien Rice. His music is melodic and meaningful and his lyrics tell a story. They draw you in, wrapped in a beautiful melody and leave you wanting more.
While his sporting ability took centre stage early on in Tim's life, he always quietly worked his other passion -- music, in the background. It wasn't until a knee injury that ended his promising rugby career, allowed him to focus solely on his music.

Showing a natural flair for song writing from an early age, and having been given an opportunity to meet other musicians from all over the world whilst working as a TV presenter and Producer for Juice TV, he was inspired to take his passion and talent further.

With an amazing collection of songs that are sure to appeal to a wide audience, Tim is ready to begin the next exciting chapter in his life by launching his music career and releasing his debut album.

Nelson – Weave: Nelson-based group Weave is an acoustic trio performing original contemporary folk; music with catchy rhythms, compelling harmonies and intelligent lyrics. Weave formed in early 2011 and had its debut gig at the Nelson Festival of Opportunities in March.

The group consists of sisters June Fallen (Vocals) and Santosha Phillips (Vocals and percussion), and songwriter Leo Barrer (Vocals and guitar). Leo has performed in and around the area since the 2000-1 Gathering, and has had songs included in both the Visions and Fresh Frequencies compilations. He also performs as a part of the Silverwood duo.

Riverton - Emma Rankin: Emma Rankin is a 20 year old singer-songwriter from Central Otago.
She started writing songs when she was 14 years old and in her 7th form year at Cromwell College she was placed 2nd in the Wanaka Smoke free Rockquest as well as being awarded best woman muso. In the same year she was a recipient of the Otago Daily Times Class Act Award for Excellence, which was presented by Helen Clark.
In 2010 Emma's song - Time - was placed in the Top 14 at the Mataura Licensing Trust song-writing competition.
Emma has preformed not only in NZ but also in the U.S.A while on a school exchange in 2007 playing at festivals and bars.
Emma writes her songs based on personal experience from things that happen to her or around her. She is currently in her 3rd and final year of an Audio Production Degree at S.I.T.
Queenstown - Mel Parsons: Following the success of her debut record ‘Over My Shoulder’, Tui-award finalist Mel Parsons is on the cusp of the release of her brand new album, followed by a series of tours and tales around the country in 2011.

One of NZ’s rising songwriting stars, Mel Parsons is in her element on stage, and presents an intimate show drawing in her audiences and keeping them all night.

With a voice that “could work any night in Nashville, yet somehow sounds intrinsically New Zealand” (Black Magazine) Parsons draws on the folk tradition of telling stories, and blends it with pop hooks and a unique sensibility to melody and harmony.

Parsons has supported and played alongside some of NZ’s best including Don McGlashan, The Warratahs, Anna Coddington, Greg Johnson, along with a nationwide tour in 2010 with Anika Moa.

Her debut album was a finalist in the NZ Music Awards for Folk Album of the Year in 2009, and she has toured NZ numerous times both as a solo artist and with her backing band “The Rhythm Kings”.

Matakana - Charlotte Silverstone: Over the last decade, local singer songwriter Charlotte Silverstone has been actively involved in performance music. Her performances and compositions have seen her being recognised as one of NZ’s emerging talents.

Charlotte is a prolific songwriter and shares these abilities as both a performer and teacher. Amongst her achievements, her song “Stickman” was selected for the 2008 PlayItStrange CD, which led to professional studio time and live performances including at the Auckland Town Hall.

Charlotte left Kaipara College at the end of 2008. In that year she won the college’s Faculty of Arts Award, Solo Performance Trophy and the Senior Musician Award.
Her abilities have also been recognised by the Faculty of Performing and Screen Arts, Unitec – Auckland where she entered and completed her Diploma in Contemporary Music on an academic scholarship.

Also in 2008 Charlotte was a finalist in ‘Rodney Live’. This was repeated again in the 2010 ‘Rodney Live’.

As a songwriter Charlotte presents stories within her songs. Her variety of content ranges from human issues to the inanimate. She takes influences from many genres, ranging from Acoustic-Pop to Heavy Rock.

For the past two years Charlotte has been co-writing and performing with Garin Keane. Garin is a talented multi-instrumentalist and this allows for colour and layers in their music.

Tauranga – Chellya: 19 year old Chellya (real name Rochelle Butters) is a singer / songwriter from Hamilton.

The ninth child out of thirteen, she comes from a musical family. She wrote her first song at the age of three and performed her first solo at the age of four. As she got older she went on performing arts tours, teaching herself the guitar and developing her sound throughout high school.

Chellya is currently working at Hamilton Girls High as an assistant administrator, supervisor and music mentor whilst focusing on her music career.

Chellya is also a Youth Advocate for the Waipareira Trust, helping others to achieve their ultimate potential.

Havelock North - Siamese Charades: Siamese Charades is an acoustic duo made up of Daniel Scannell and Jonny Avery from the Hawkes Bay. Their influences include Jeff Buckley, Simon and Garfunkel and James Taylor that has lead to a laid back acoustic style.

The two met while attending Lindisfarne College as half of the rock band that took out the regional Rockquest competition in 2008, making it into the top 20 secondary school bands in the country.

Currently in their third year at the New Zealand School of Music in Wellington, Dan and Jonny can be found performing at local cocktail bars and restaurants.

Wellington – Phoebe Hurst: 21 year old Phoebe Hurst has lived in Wellington for the past two years.

In her third and final year studying performing arts (and majoring in acting) at Toi Whakaari (NZ Drama School), Phoebe performs acoustically with her beloved ukulele.

In 2005 she won the female musicianship award at the Smoke Free Rockquest and in 2006 she won best vocalist at Kaiapoi High School (Christchurch).

Her passions are music and drama and she draws inspirations for her music from personal experiences, from the humourous, to unrequited love.

ends

© Scoop Media