Otorohanga, New Zealand....."It was a remarkable experience to see and hear the man who made "White Rabbit" such a tremendous hit around the world in the 60's, a man who has not been in the lime-light for nearly twenty years, a man whose ability to perform on the guitar surpasses even Merle Travis, Chet Atkins, and Les Paul. A man whose own modesty prevents him from pursing fame." This was only one of the many positive comments made at the door by extremely well satisfied music lovers, when leaving the concert of Peter Posa in Otorohanga, on a pleasant Sunday afternoon, January 6.Peter Posa has been in show business for longer than he cares to remember, and he has risen to the very heights of fame that only a few guitarists ever realize. He started playing the instrument when he was five years old, stayed with it through his teens and early twenties, and under the influence of the very instrumentalists he eventually surpassed, became a genius in this field of electric guitar playing.
Bob Everhart, President of the USA National Traditional Country Music Assn., was the MC of the show. "Genius is sometimes hard to deal with. When you are a perfectionist, nothing sits right if even the smallest something seems out of kilter. That's the way it is with Peter Posa, and possibly why he has removed himself from the limelight of public performances. However, as the President of the National Traditional Country Music Association, from the USA, I was in Otorohanga to present Mr. Posa with not only an induction plaque into America's Old Time Country Music Hall of Fame, but to also present him with the 2007 Rural Roots Music Commission's "Musician of the Year" award for his latest CD entitled "My Pick." How Mr. Posa came to the attention of the RRMC is also pretty amazing. His work in the past has always been on electrified guitars with lots of electronic effects. His latest CD is a strictly acoustic guitar presentation, and more noteworthy, it is country music, to the bone. His 'country' intrepretations of some incredibly good country songs is absolutely astonishing. When my wife Sheila and I first proposed this awards ceremony over a year ago, we were not sure if Mr. Posa would even show up for the honors. He not only showed up, he entertained the large audience (well over 225 stuffed into the music hall), and then asked my wife and I to join him in singing some old-time country songs with him. It was a thrilling experience to be able to do this, and absolutely spell binding to the audience."
According to Peter Posa, "It was a real pleasure to not only be honored by these folks from America, but Bob Everhart who made the presentation, made the audience honorary members in their Association so they could legally induct me into the Hall of Fame, which is done by the memberships standing ovation of appreciation. This huge audience did this for me, it was an incredibly moving experience. Everhart saw the tears in my eyes."
The makings of another similar concert is in the works, according to Anne George, Director of the Marton Country Music Festival in Marton, (January 18-19-20), "Peter Posa told me to never count him out on anything. We have our fingers crossed that he will be at the Marton Festival, and hopefully join Bob & Sheila Everhart who are already booked on this event. It lasts 3 days, RV and Camper-Vans are welcome with lots of room."
Kicking off the Otorohanga concert was the West Family Band, a local group of youngsters (the youngest eight years old) who sing and play traditional country and gospel music. Ginny Peters, perhaps New Zealand's most popular and most highly recognized country song writer was also scheduled, performing some of her own self-penned signature songs. Mr. Posa could not hold himself back from joining in, and the 'concert' turned into an incredibly laid back performance that could have been likened to performing on Mr. Posa's back porch. "It was one of the highlights of my musical career to be able to sing my songs, and then have Peter Posa join in, simply because he wanted to. What a thrill!" Ms. Peters commented. Ms. Peters was also one of the producers of the event who stayed the course over the past year anticipating a no-show by Mr. Posa. The end result was a concert not likely to be reproduced for many years hence. Her own performance of some of her signature songs was a stella presentation of what creative songwriting is about these days.
Backing Mr. Posa on rhythm guitar was Gerry Merito, a long time friend and fellow musican of Posa's. Merito is well known for being a member of the Howard Morrison Quartet. He played lightening sharp rhythm guitar behind Posa's slow and haunting melodies, right through to such up tempo country hits as "Dueling Banjos."
Bob Everhart commented, "I've been playing and singing country music for 50 years now, and I don't believe I've ever had the distinct pleasure of having someone add such delightful leads to my old-time country songs. I've had the pleasure of working with Merle Travis, and Mr. Posa is in that category of extraordinary talent. What a treat it was for my wife Sheila (who plays string bass) and I. We'd also like to thank Nancy Clifton (the spear-head behind the Otorohanga County Fair for all her hard work in making all this possible."
Press release submitted by: Bob Everhart, President of the National Traditional Country Music Assn. bobeverhart@yahoo.com - http://www.oldtimemusic.bigstep.com/
Don't forget our big 33rd annual Old-Time Music Festival moving to the Plymouth County Fairgrounds in LeMars, Iowa, August 25-31, 2008. Over 600 performers on eight "sound" stages, including celebrities. AND, our brand new festival October 5-6-7, 2007 at the Christensen Field House in Fremont, Nebraska.
Visit our website: http://www.oldtimemusic.bigstep.com/
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