Bob Howe – 2012 News Archive
10 Dec 2012:
On the occasion of GEOFF MACK’s 90th Birthday Party… …and 39 years to the day from when Geoff and Bob first met. “Happy Birthday to my first showbiz friend! A true inspiration.” From Bob’s Musical Memoirs, The Early Seventies: About this time, Christmas of 1973, the organiser of The Cellar sent a few of us folkies to sing a night as an audition at the Palace Theatre Bar, one of several bars that had opened in the city arcade that the Hilton Hotel owned and above which, they were building the first Sydney Hilton. Realising the ‘happy hour’ patrons wouldn’t want earnest folk anthems with their gin and tonic, I reverted to my band repertoire and threw in a few happy pop songs. It did the trick and much to the organiser’s surprise, the hotel management picked me to do a run of eleven nights leading up to Christmas. I wasn’t going to let my age get in the way of this as well, so with a slip of the pen, I was in! I have to say that the audience wasn’t really that interested in the music as they were the festive spirit, but I did notice one recurring face taking note. On a break I wandered downstairs to the Marble Bar and realised that face belonged to their singer who was doing a similar job to me. Faced with the same lack of audience adulation, he had been wandering in his breaks and eventually we would meet and chat. He turned out to be a lovely chap named Geoff ‘Tangletongue’ Mack and I would learn that he had written the song ‘I’ve Been Everywhere’ which was a smash hit for Lucky Starr and had been a U.S. hit for Hank Snow. Years later, after countless cover versions, it was also one of the last songs recorded by Johnny Cash.
Postcards from around the World…
 A lively instrumental featuring electric guitar, tin whistle and mandolin, inspired by the Irish and Scottish influence on Australian music and culture. |
Latest Single: CELTIC BUSHMAN Available from: cdbaby – USD$0.99 |
The September 2012 issue of Country Music CAPITAL NEWS magazine is out now, featuring a wonderful article by SUSAN JARVIS. Click on the image to view the full article…
“…Over the years, he’s performed extensively in both the United States and England. But that’s nothing compared with his recent travels. These days, Bob’s frequently found aboard a luxury ocean liner in some far-flung corner of the world, entertaining the passengers with a combination of his impressive musical talents and his engaging persona. …Colour My World is an eclectic mix of the kinds of music Bob loves, from the psychedelic title track, originally made famous by PETULA CLARK to Bob’s bluegrass take on his favourite Western TV themes and his gorgeous version of the Irish classic Purple Heather.”
– Susan Jarvis, Country Music Capital News Sept. 2012
10 Sept 2012:
At ‘The Entertainers’ charity luncheon, FRANK IFIELD (pictured centre) was this month’s guest speaker.
This year Frank is celebrating 50 years since his recording of ‘I Remember You’ became a worldwide #1 pop hit!
Bob and Frank first met 30 years ago this year, marking the beginning of a long musical association and friendship.
Here they are pictured with Ken Davis (left), one of the world’s most successful composers of instrumental ambient relaxation and environmental music.
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Single tracks, now available as MP3s:
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THE BLUEBELL POLKA Available from: cdbaby – USD$0.99, iTunes- AUD$1.69, Amazon USA – USD$0.99, Amazon UK – £0.89 |
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I LISTEN TO MY HEART Available from: cdbaby – USD$0.99, iTunes – AUD$1.69, Amazon USA – USD$0.99, Amazon UK – £0.89 |
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LAST COWBOY WALTZ Available from: cdbaby – USD$0.99, iTunes – AUD$1.69, Amazon USA – USD$0.99, Amazon UK – £0.89  |
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5 August 2012: In Wollongong, celebrating the 80th birthday of a dear friend and oustanding steel guitarist, KENNY KITCHING… 
Camille Te Nahu & Stuie French (with Manaia), Kenny Kitching, Emma Hannah, George Boyer, George Payne, Frank Ifield, Bob Howe, Peter Schulz
ABC Music has bought together some the most popular and loved American folk songs that children will not only recognise, but will love to sing along to. Big Rock Candy Mountain features the extraordinary vocal talents of Catherine Britt and Jay Laga’aia. Released July 2012. Produced by John Kane and Mark Walmsley with Ian Simpson (banjo and guitar), Bob Howe (harmonica), Mick Albeck (fiddle) and Michel Rose (steel guitar).
Johnnie Wright, Bob Howe and Kitty Wells in Australia, 1998
15 July 2012:
Sunday Showtime double bill at Smithfield RSL with the wonderfully talented ALISA GRAY !
June 2012: During the last nine months, Bob has performed on 15 cruises and travelled to the
USA, Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, Fiji, Tahiti, Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Malaysia, India and more!
Photo by fellow entertainer and Merlin Award winning juggler, Niels Duinker.
The day after the June CANTERBURY COUNTRY concert. Taking a break from recording at Kenilworth Sudios, Bondi Beach.
DONNA FISK, BOB HOWE, GENE BRADLEY FISK
‘MO’ Nominations: Bob is honoured to be have been a finalist in the new Best Versatile/Variety Act category of the 36th Australian Entertainment MO’ Awards !!
The Award winners were announced on Tuesday 29th May 2012 at the Bankstown Sports Club.
Bob is also a member of THE TROJANS who were nominated in the ACCOMPANYING BAND category.
2 April 2012: Variety Show night onboard the ms Rotterdam with electric violinist Suzie G, musical comedian Dick Hardwick, and electric guitarist Bob Howe.
(photos by Robert McHatton)…
Happy Australia Day!
16 January 2012– Good news just in:
BOB HOWE & HILLBILLY HEAVEN are nominated for the third time in the COUNTRY GROUP/BAND category of the AUSTRALIAN CLUB ENTERTAINMENT (A.C.E.) AWARDS, alongside Buckshot, Feral Swing Katz, The Wolverines, Sunny Cowgirls and (the eventual winners)The McClymonts. Congratulations to all fellow Country category nominees including NICKI GILLIS and WAYNE HORSBURGH. The 14th Annual ACE Awards were held on Wednesday 21st March 2012, at ‘The Juniors’ in Kingsford.
Busking in Bali…jammin’ with a local at Tenganan Village.
“As I set sail from Darwin, headed for Singapore via Indonesia, I wish you and all your families a very safe and Happy New Year! Best wishes, Bob.”
Jan 2012: Out now…a new CD from BRYEN WILLEMS. Bob plays acoustic guitar and harmonica on the album. “Whoever said country isn’t country anymore forgot to tell Bryen Willems – he’s still proudly sticking to old school rules… The playing on the album is sensational, which is of little surprise considering the calibre of the personnel – Allan Tomkins, Tomi Graso and Bob Howe to name a few of the musicians… This is definitely a must have album for those who like their country music the way it used to be.” – Matt Lawrence, Oz Country Chronicles “Willems, who has become a permanent fixture of the Australian country underground since relocating here from Louisiana has produced another cracking record with ‘No Band Here Till Friday’…and the instrumental performances are consistently world class…there are very few people making country music this good in this country” – Martin Jones, Rhythms – Australia’s Roots Music Monthly