Balclutha, New Zealand....."We've had a simply wonderful time performing old time traditional country and bluegrass music in New Zealand," says Sheila Everhart, the upright double bass player from Anita, Iowa. "We really never expected to be very busy while we were here, we're actually on vacation, but our trip to the South Island, has not only provided us with a ton of gigs, we are actually making money. We just finished a country music show in Balclutha, far south in the South Island, and though we didn't get paid very much, we sold a ton of CD's, which is very helpful to us."
The Everharts have been on tour since January 6th, when they did a concert with the world famous New Zealand guitarist, Peter Posa. "We're hoping to do one more show with Mr. Posa when we get back to the North Island," said Sheila, "we just never expected to be able to perform with him in the first place, so this is an incredible and exciting adventure for us. Peter had a huge hit with "White Rabbit" but he doesn't seem to care to play that hit anymore, he'd rather play the "Wabash Cannonball." We are so looking forward to seeing him again in middle-March."
After a small performance in Balclutha, the Everharts were astonished at their next two shows. "We did a Leap Year Show in Dunedin with the Partridge Family who were at our festival in Missouri Valley, Iowa, last year (dates are Aug 25-31, 2008, in LeMars, Iowa), and it just blew us away that the club was completely sold out." Bob Everhart adds to Sheilas obeservations. "It is not only fun to play to a large crowd, but it makes for an incredible evening of entertainment. The next night we were in Waimate, not far up the road, and there we were in the huge RegentTtheater that seats right at 1,000, and the place was nearly full. They cancelled the regular showing of a film "Last of the Spartans" to put our hillbilly show on the stage. It was actually a fund raiser for two musuems in Waimate, and the mayor showed up to not only show his support, but also to announce the city would be providing some funding for the museums. Sure wish that was the case in Anita, Iowa, where our Pioneer Music Museum will have it's first fund-raiser during SpringFest, April 18-19-20. It too, raises money for the museum and the Hall of Fame located there."
"We met several young artists that we have invited to our festival in LeMars this year, simply because they are such good traditional country music artists," said Sheila. We have also invited quite a large number of talent buyers looking for artists for the upcoming 'summer season' which begins in December."
With a few days off before their big send-off at Christchurch, the Everharts stopped to see a statue of Pharlap, a famous race horse that was born on a paddock near Fairlie, New Zealand. "I read about Pharlap when I was around six years old," said Sheila, "and his story was incredible. I was really glad to be able to walk where he once ran as a foal."
Tonight the Everharts are staying in Rakaia, not to play, but to play around. Both Bob and Bobbie Lhea (their 11-year old daughter) are avid fisherman, and they hope to snag a nice big salmon in the local river. It's known as New Zealands 'best' salmon river, so their hopes are high. Their going-away concert is March 9 on the Heart Of Country Farewell Show in Kaiapoi at 2pm, just outside Christchurch. From there they cross the Cook Channel back to the North Island and hopefully another concert with Peter Posa, one of their favorite guitar pickers of all time.
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
Jerry Mac & Friends Top 40 Chart
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