|
|
Yes it's winter yet again! Seems like the older you get the quicker it all goes around and comes back! Not just winter, but we're halfway back to Christmas again and then another New Year's Eve and then.... around we go again! On a more serious note, the music industry hasn't got any better over the last few months, in fact many would say there are even less venues now. It is a shame on several accounts. Firstly the performers are now limited to where they can perform and secondly the audiences have less opportunity to see the stars they love to see and hear. Whilst some are beating their heads up against the wall or kicking in doors, it is really just a matter of evolution and changes that over the years must alter due to outside forces such as technology and immigration. Immigration you say, how? Well for a start, take the traditional areas of Western Sydney where one could always be guaranteed of big audiences. Many of these areas now have more non English immigrants living there who have no interest in our traditional popular music or local venues. On the other hand, promote a show of their cultural music and they will pack the venue. Now there's nothing wrong with that, except these areas can't be taken for granted as being ones where a good crowd is guaranteed. Venues know this, so they cut back on show dates. Then there is the technology factor! How many people are now sitting at home in front of a huge TV screen with the latest DVD's or watching one of 500 cable TV channels? Thousands of them are, which means they are not on the prowl having fun in local venues. The final pin in the balloon is the 'age' factor. Part 'a' of this is that audiences who packed out every club and pub in town a few years ago, have gotten older and are maybe tired of going out to see stars they have seen a million times before. Maybe they just can't be bothered to go out, or maybe they are jaded with the types of shows their local venues kept presenting. Remember too, that show, drink and food prices just keep on going up. Part 'b' of the age factor is that most of the under 45's are not interested in what their parents or older siblings do for fun. The older of them spend more time at restaurants, coffee shops or private parties, whilst the younger twenty something's are dancing away the nights to thumping electro dance or hip hop. So there we are! No big deal to work out, just sad for those who experienced the beginning of the 'live music' pop culture, to see it slowly fade into the sunset. I myself recall in 1957 hearing a few old vaudeville acts talk about how their era was passing away at the time due to the oncoming likes of Johnnie Ray, Elvis and Rock'n'Roll. Didn't quite get it then as I was one of those high on the incoming wave. But now as the tide ebbs, one can truly understand what they were going through. Still, I am I guess one of the lucky ones as I still tour all over the place in all types of venues to all types of folks whilst still writing and recording. Because of that, some are saying I am the last man standing of my era. Maybe this is because I am the only one who still carries their own band, however many of my peers are still out there doing what they love to do, to audiences who can't get enough of them. Names from the Golden age of pop music such as Lucky Starr, Alan Dale, Warren Williams, Brian Davies, Roland Storm, Johnny Devlin, Jay Justin, Little Pattie, Judy Stone and many others are still singing their hits in the few venues we have left. My two cents worth that's all - Lonnie |
Once again we welcome our new recipients to this mail list and remind you
that if you know anyone who may also like to receive this information,
please let us know at newsletter@lonnielee.com
What's happening ahead..
The these 3 shows are distinctly different from each other in image and song and offer venues and fans to see yet more sides to Lonnie. In the regular, 'Best of Lonnie Lee Show' he sings all his past and current hits, in the swinging big band show, 'Lonnie Lee's CRY! Show' he features the great 50's hits of Johnnie Ray and in Rockabilly Frenzy he presents songs from the early rockabilly Elvis, Gene Vincent, Jerry Lee,Johnny Cash and others.
You can visit the web sit an time to see the tour guide, but at this time here are some of the shows ahead... Upcoming Events2010 Best of Lonnie Lee Shows Aug 2-15 MIddle East Tour Aug 21 Sat Parkes RocknRoll Reunion 2pm Tasmania North Tour Sept 8 Wed Lonnie's Birthday Bash 8pm Notes Newtown Oct 8 Fri Club Mulwala 8pm (Yarrawonga Vic) Nov 2 Tues Melb Cup Show TBA Contact us at Starlite Records or the clubs for more information. Middle East TourLonnie and The Leemen have been honoured by being the first Australian Rock'n'Roll show to tour the Middle East. The show will be presented in theatres and major international hotels showrooms. You can follow Lonnie here...
Media Contact: |
In this issue
Back to the beginning..!!For the last 50 years he would never have thought it would happen but sure enough it has!! What has? Crazy as it sounds, Laurie Rix who in 1959 became Lonnie Lee, has gone full circle! Why? In his regular shows over the last few years, he has featured a segment where he sings a little of some great Rockabilly hits of the 50's. Hits one hardly ever hears anymore and because the audience reaction has been so spectacular, he decided to pick out a few of these songs and do a complete show with them. Because these are foot tapping songs, the new show would have to allow dancing, so the back to basics show has been called 'Rockabilly Frenzy'. Not only has the music gone back, but the whole night itself will be taking everyone back to what the 'local' was like many years ago. Loads of audience participation, prizes, contests and an attitude which has become lost in the presentation of shows. Now seeing he was going back to his career beginnings when he sang all these these songs before he was known as 'Lonnie Lee', he decided to go all the way back and and call himslef and the band, ' Laurie Rix and his SideKix'. Cute eh?? Tasmania and VictoriaLooking at the Gig Guide, one can see Lonnie and The Leemen will be in Melbourne and Tasmania in September and October. We get many emails and calls about when he will be in other states so this will comes a s'good news' in thoise areas. Later in the year we expect another Perth visit and possibly a Queensland tour. Due to the lack of venues now available in and around Coolangatta, not only were we unable to do Wintersun this year, it seesm it will be last year it will be presented there. 2011 will see it in Port Macquarie and we are told the whole town is bnehind it and ready to rock! The Mildura Wintersun in August is on again this year and should be even better than last year when we were ther. Pass it onIf you know someone who you think would like to receive this newsletter, then it is very easy to forward it on to up to 5 addresses at once. Just see how to forward using your Email program. See much more on the web site.. at http://www.lonnielee.com Popular MerchandiseLonnie's books, Six O'Clock Rock - The Facts and Johnny O'Keefe - The Facts are very popular and take the reader back to the excitement when Rock'n'Roll first started in Australia.
Latest CDs DVD's[ST823] Light of Love - Doo Wop style ballads written by Lonnie.
The original Hits[ST815] The Definitive Original Collection 1959-1964 The Leedon Years Vol 1 Check out the online Starlite Shop here
|
The Web Sites If you want to hear samples of his songs of yesterday and today, see some video, read lots of stories and find out more of what's happening in the life and career of Lonnie, check into this website. www.lonnielee.com |
©2010 Starlite International Pty Ltd, PO Box 3374 Liverpool NSW 2170 Australia You can unsubscribe
from this newsletter here. unsubscribe@lonnielee.com
Be sure to mention the same email address that this was sent to.. |