My Musical Journey.

My Musical Journey :  I suppose it all began when I was about four years old. My mother told me that I used to sit beside her and sing perfect harmonies while she played piano and sang the tunes of the day. At 13 I was getting the bug listening to the likes of Elvis, Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry and all these great beats, I joined the school orchestra learning violin and after only six weeks came third in an inter schools eisteddfod playing “The March from Skipio” by Handel. My violin lessons ended when my teacher found out that I had retuned it and was playing it like a guitar. And that is how it all started. Our family was extremely poor and it wasn’t until my eldest brother, Paddy bought a 2 pound 10 shilling guitar out of a catalogue, which he could neither tune or play. I began practicing from the time I awoke and until I fell asleep. Many times I have seen documentaries where guitarists like Clapton Beck and many more went through the same experience, playing their guitars at every available opportunity, until their fingers bled. I soon had learnt many of the current pop songs and at the ripe old age of fifteen, despite winning an arts scholarship, I chose to start work as a boy labourer in the electrical dept of Cammell Laird shipbuilding. With my first 42 hour weeks wages of 27shillings and sixpence, and after paying board of 14 shillings, I put down a deposit and bought a very cheap electric guitar and amplifier, which never left my side. I started my first band, “The Young Ones”, playing at small clubs, pubs and the odd wedding, I progressed fairly quickly, and although the youngest in the group, I outgrew them so to speak. I moved between a few bands until I was about 16 and a half when I started a group called “The Executioners”. This was 1962 and the “Mersey Sound” as it was known, had arrived and I was part of it. We played at all the clubs, as did all the other 300 bands, in a space of about 7 square miles, Clubs like The Cavern, Iron Door used to have a lunch time session and a night time session, with each band getting a 20 minute spot, which taught you how to set up and get off very quickly. I remember one occasion where we were booked to be on first but when we arrived “The Searchers” were setting up. Their first hit, “Sweets For My Sweet”, was in the top twenty, which constituted over one million sales. Anyway we explained that we were on first, to which they replied “!!!!!!!” . They needed to be on first as they had other gigs to do that night. Bob Whooler, who was the manager of the cavern told them where to go in no uncertain manner. Being on the same shows as some really top bands was a great experience, and a real buzz, and although I was never on with the “Beatles’, I had met them about three times. I found John to be quite arrogant, but Pete Best and George Harrison were great. Bands were being signed up left right and centre with many falling for the trap. We had a chance but never acted on it, mainly because we could see what was happening around us. We had a three gig contract to support “Gerry and The Pacemakers” at The Top Rank Ballroom, in Birkenhead. At that time they had three hits in the top 40, but were still under contract to perform for 12 pound and we were getting 5 pound between us. By the time I was nearly 18 and my playing technique had improved, and I was starting to write my own material. It was around this time that my stepfather and mother decided for us to move to Australia. Being one of nine children, and under 18, I had no choice but to leave England and relocate to Australia. Leaving Southampton 11th December 1963, and arriving in Adelaide 9th January1964, amidst 115 degrees Fahrenheit was a great culture shock indeed. The following day we drove up to Whyalla in two FC Holden’s to be greeted by even hotter temperatures of 117 degrees! I hated the move, but continued my electrical apprenticeship with BHP. After about 4 weeks I had met a few poms my age and heard there was a band looking for a lead guitarist. I went for a jam and walked out being the lead guitarist and vocalist and the leader of the band. The band consisted of an Australian on drums, Jeff Fenwick, (later replaced by my brother Ken), Harry Neill, a rhythm guitarist from Ireland, and Reg Burchill, a bass guitarist from Bristol, (England) and myself as lead guitarist and vocalist, from Liverpool, (England) We called the band “The Roadrunners”. At that time the music being played on air, and by other bands was Shadows, Ventures, and lots of surfy music. We, of course, were doing all rock and roll with a lot of “Mersey sound”. Not long after that “The Beatles” music hit the continent and a tour was planned excluding Adelaide. We had a fan club going and we used to run our own dances, travelling all around Eire Peninsula. In 1965 we won the Battle of the Bands in Adelaide, and we were on the opening of Channel Ten. Then in March of 1965 I got married and in April the band decided we should have a crack at the National Title, Battle of the Bands. I packed up my tools without telling BHP and left my apprenticeship and went onto Sydney to make “the big time”. We found the same scenario was happening with agents as I had experienced in Merseyside, just a different place, and 18 months further down the track. We returned to Whyalla. Fortunately, after going to a tribunal, BHP took me back to complete my apprenticeship. The band stayed together for about four years, when I started playing light jazz. I was invited to join a band called “The Dukes” comprising my brother, Ken on drums, Harry Neil, an Irishman, on rhythm guitar, John Caldwell, a Scottsman, on bass, and Brian Woodfield on saxophone. It was a top band and we had the privilege of playing at the top venues and backing all the interstate and overseas artists such as, Freddy and the Dreamers Andy Stewart, Frankie Howard, Alf Garnett, John Farnham, Marcia Hines, Bev Harrell, Anatol lowis, The Scott Brothers and many more, Over the years in Whyalla I had a many opportunities to take my music further, which I declined because of my family, which I have never regretted, but thanks to Maureen, who kept the scrap book, I have some great memories to look back on. Many other bands followed until moving to Millicent, 11th November 1977. Not long after moving to Millicent I meet Henk Groote, Steve Bowering and John Kemp. We formed a band but their tastes in music differed from mine, and although we had great fun, I felt the need to pursue other avenues of music, which led me to playing in a very good cabaret band, “Crowded Out” which went onto become “The Arrangement”. The band consisted of Gary Telford, on bass guitar, Ashley Bryden, on rhythm, and Vinnie Jones on drums. It was Gary Telford who talked me into starting a country band and going to Barmera to enter in the band competition, which we won, with a band named, “Midnight Blue”. I also entered the male vocal competition, which I failed miserably as I couldn’t remember the name of the song.! The following year I entered the Mt Gambier festival, winning the male vocal. It was all just a bit of fun really and I was unaware that by winning I was initialled to enter the Champion of Champions in Adelaide. So in June 1999 I won the South Australian Champion Of Champions. Part of the prize was 32 hours of recording time. My song, “Joker’s Wild” had won the songwriting competition at Barmera, so of course was my first choice to record, along with two other originals. The title of my first album was of course, also named, “Joker’s Wild”. My second album, “Guitar Man” also features songs I have written, “The Locket”, “Mean Streak”, “Take Our Passion Higher”, and “Grandpa’s Words”, which was co-written with Gary Telford It went on to win South Australian APRA song of the year, and came second nationally in the ASA awards in Sydney. It is a result of my recognition for vocals and songwriting, and Maureen’s organisational skills, that I has led me to performing in New Zealand as well as Tasmania, Victoria, New South Wales, and South Australia. It was in NZ that I was approached to accept an Induction into Iowa’s Country Music Hall of Fame, which I regard as a great honour and hopefully it will become a reality this year, 2010. My third album, “Part Time Dreamer” was released in March 2009, and has been given air-play through several stations and I have received good feedback, which is very important to me, to have listeners say they enjoyed listening to my music. Out of all my years of performing there have been many highs, and a few lows, but thank God, more highs than lows! But out of it all I have found the greatest joy to be the friendships I have made, and I must add that the highlights of my career are witnessing younger artists having a go and to see them develop into the future artists, whatever genre of music they decide to follow. And if I have had a tiny part in their “musical journey” I’d be a proud man. win South Australian APRA song of the year, and came second nationally in the ASA awards in Sydney. It is a result of my recognition for vocals and songwriting, and Maureen’s organisational skills, that I has led me to performing in New Zealand as well as Tasmania, Victoria, New South Wales, and South Australia. It was in NZ that I was approached to accept an Induction into Iowa’s Country Music Hall of Fame, which I regard as a great honour and hopefully it will become a reality this year, 2010. My third album, “Part Time Dreamer” was released in March 2009, and has been given air-play through several stations and I have received good feedback, which is very important to me, to have listeners say they enjoyed listening to my music. Out of all my years of performing there have been many highs, and a few lows, but thank God, more highs than lows! But out of it all I have found the greatest joy to be the friendships I have made, and I must add that the highlights of my career are witnessing younger artists having a go and to see them develop into the future artists, whatever genre of music they decide to follow. And if I have had a tiny part in their “musical journey” I’d be a proud man. Where to from here, I would like to keep playing and singing as long as I can, and as long as people enjoy listening, as much as I enjoy doing it.   Not many people can say that they get paid to make people happy, and seeing dancers on the floor when I am performing is a real buzz for me.  I don’t think in all the years that I have been playing guitar and singing have I felt like I didn’t want to be doing it..   I have a great life…..

Allan Webster- Contemporary Country Music Artist

Biography.

Allan Webster was born in Wallasey, England, and  began his musical education on violin and  graduated to guitar, playing in his first band at the age of 14. He played the music of the era with a typical Mersey sound, playing at the same venues, namely the Cavern, in Liverpool, as the Beatles, Gerry and the Pacemakers, and the Searchers. Allan emigrated to Australia in 1964, with his parents and 9 siblings.

Soon after his arrival he was once again playing in a band, named the “Road Runners”, which were highly influenced by the Mersey Sound also. They were a successful group for many years, eventually breaking away to form other bands, with usually two of the same members being in the band.

Allan has played in many bands over the years, but the last few years have been dedicated to Country Music. Rather a strange beginning for a country music artist. After forming a country band in Mt Gambier with the sole purpose of entering the band section at the Riverland Country Music Festival in Barmera, which they won, Allan was encouraged to enter the Male Vocal section at Mt. Gambier Festival. Taking out first place at this quest entitled him to enter the S.A Champion of Champions held in Adelaide in July 1999, resulting in him winning this title. This saw the beginning of his country music career with performances at the Queensland Champion of Champions in Brisbane. Other performances over the years include S.A Showcase Adelaide and Tamworth.  Swapping the old “Mersey Sound” for a country twang has been a wise career move for Allan as in recent years he has become a successful solo artist, providing him with the opportunity to travel both interstate and overseas. Allan  performs at Festivals in South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania, (were he tours extensively for 5/6 weeks twice yearly), and New Zealand

After performing at the Bay of Islands Country Rock Festival in New Zealand in 2005, he was invited back as the only Australian artist to perform at the Marton Festival in January 2006.  This in turn led to being invited to the New Plymouth Festival of Lights, and Marton Festival again in 2007 & 2008.  While in New Zealand Allan performed at the Hawrea, Taranaki and Merrylands and Pirongia Country Music Clubs, The Hall of Fame in Manaia, Ngaruawahia Bowls club and the Te Awamutu RSA.  A report in the Australasian Country Music News praised Allan for his performance at the Festival of Lights at New Plymouth where he took to the stage for 90 minutes.

“He rocked through his songs, including “The Joker’s Wild” – the self penned song from his first album, with energy and enthusiasm. He also did justice to quieter songs, including one of his own sentimental compositions, “The Locket”, from his “Guitar Man” album.  The audience was impressed with this Mersey – born “Aussie”.  Allan has a dynamic stage presence and is able to keep his audiences attention.”

After his tour of New Zealand in January 2008, and his performances at the Marton Festival, Allan was nominated by Mr Bob Everhart, President of the National Traditional Country Music Association, to be inducted into “America’s Old Time Country Music Hall of Fame” at Iowa, at the 33rd Annual National Old -Time Country and Bluegrass festival from 25th – 31st  August 2008.

Mr Everhart said, “Allan attained a high status as a performer of classic country and bluegrass music and was more than impressed with his deliverance of Hank Williams songs”

Although Allan was unable to attend both the 2008 & 2009 ceremony , he felt honoured to be nominated and  will  be making every effort to attend next years festival to receive his induction.

Career Highlights.

• 1965 – “Road Runners came fourth in the National Battle of Bands Competition in Sydney
• 1998 – formed country band “Midnight Blue”, which won the band section in the Riverland Country Music Festival
• 1999  – won  the Male Vocal section in the Mount Gambier Festival
• 1999 – won the S.A Champion  of Champions title held in Adelaide.
• 2001 – won the Riverland country music festival songwriting award for “Joker’s Wild”
• 2003 – “Grandpa’s Words”, (co-written with former local, Gary Telford and recorded on Guitar Man album) was placed 2nd in the Australian Songwriter’s Associations 24th National Awards.
• “Grandpa’s Words” also winner of the S.A APRA song of the year, Traditional Section
• 2003 – “Love On The Side”, written by Allan and recorded by Sandra Humphries on her “Every Road” album ranked 2nd out of 119 entries in the Tasmanian and New Zealand TSA songwriting awards.
• 2004 – Co-ordinated the support artists to Troy Cassar-Daley at the Beachport Festival by the Sea.
• 2005 – “Love On The Side” performed by Sandra Humphries and Bill Chambers won the TIARA award for vocal collaboration at the Tamworth Country Music Festival, NSW
• 2007 – Mayoral Gala Performance.  Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre, Mount Gambier
• 2008 – Nominated for induction into America’s Old Time Music Hall of Fame, to be held in Iowa at the 33rd Annual National Old-time Country & Bluegrass festival August 25th – 31st August 2008.
• 2009 – Launch of new album, “Part Time Dreamer”

Over the years Allan has worked along side many artists, including,The Searchers, Gerry and The Pacemakers The Merseybeats and The Big Three, Freddy and The Dreamers.When overseas and interstate artists such as Lee Conway, John Farnham, Marcia Hines, Scott Brothers, Ray Brown and the Whispers, Denise Drysdale Ernie Sigley, Anatol Lowas, Franky Howard, performed in Whyalla in the 70’s, Allan with a band “The Dukes” comprising of John Caldwell, Harry Neil and Ken Webster and Brian Woodfield provided the backing. In recent years he has supported The Dead Ringer Band, Billy Bridge, Troy Cassar-Daley, Sandra Humphries, and James Ray,  Dennis Morgan, Ann Pasco  (New Zealand)

As past President and  committee member, Allan is always willing to devote time to the younger artists in their preparations for Talent Quests or club day performances.

Allan is a versatile  and professional performer with a wealth of experience. He has a  dynamic stage presence and is able to keep his audiences attention. Allan is available for Country Music Festivals and Events.