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- JohnO captures a
sunset in song
Something unique and beautiful happens
every afternoon at the Prairie Hotel at Parachilna in South
Australia.
Each day it’s
different, but nonetheless spectacular. It’s a Parachilna
sunset.
Orroroo-based singer-songwriter
John O’Dea has put into words and music the beauty of this
natural phenomenon that is placing Parachilna on the world map
as one of Australia’s most sought-after tourist destinations.
- There are other qualities that draw
JohnO to the Prairie, apart from the natural attractions. High
up on the list would have to be the distinctive Fargher lager,
brewed in the Barossa Valley specifically for Prairie Hotel
publicans Jane and Ross Fargher. He’s unselfishly sampled this
brew, all in the name of research, of course, just so he could
do justice to the song.
Mind you, listening to the track, you could at times feel you
need a translator, when you strike code words like FMG – which
of course means Feral Mixed Grill. This is served by the feral
chef and is a Prairie speciality, composed of kangaroo, emu,
goat, or camel.
- The coal train indicated in the song
is roughly 3km long and goes through Parachilna twice a day.
When it approaches, the barman yells out: “train on” and the bar
basically empties as patrons head across the line for a look.
- At any given night at the Prairie
Hotel, you could be talking to someone of any nationality as
it’s an increasingly popular spot with backpackers and tourists
from all over the globe. They’ve heard about the sunsets too.
Make sure you tune in to your favourite radio station and listen
out for the new single from John O’Dea’s Old Rusty Ute album –
Parachilna Sunset. Chances are, you’ll be consulting your atlas
and working out the best possible route to Parachilna by the
time the song’s over.
And if you’re heading to the mighty Mildura Country Music
Festival, watch out for John O’Dea. He’s been invited to Mildura
for the very first time this year and can’t wait to perform for
the appreciative audiences he’s heard so much about.
- If you’d like to have a chat to JohnO
about his new song, give him a call on 0429 184 159. For all
other inquiries regarding bookings or availability, phone John’s
manager, Pauline Renner, on 0404 006 338.
In the meantime, visit JohnO’s website,
www.johnodea.com.au to catch up on all his
latest adventures and see just what he’s been up to along the
road of song..
Release created 6.9.07 in Tamworth by Anna Rose
Media Solutions for and on behalf of John O’Dea
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-
- The boys have been on the road
together doing a number of gigs across the country, including a
recent trip to do a show at the Noble Park RSL with stops along
the way at Border Town and Millicent.
There’s a mixture of Australiana, tradition country, popular
songs and comedy in each of their shows.
John said “I make them cry and Dave makes them laugh”!
Dave said, “It’s an interesting road trip, with John in the
passenger seat balling his eyes out and me in the driver’s seat
laughing my head off”!
Along the way, the boys stopped at Colac and caught up with
Kevin ‘Bloody’ Wilson who was playing to a packed house at the
RSL club. Kev and his crew reciprocated by turning up to the
Noble Park RSL club to see their show. Kev said it was a
fantastic show, but not near enough #@#$*& swearing.
Most recently, it was a full house in Orroroo, John’s home town,
and then on to Parachilna and the famous Prairie Hotel. A great
gathering of station people turned up for the show and a BIG
night was had by all. The last wandering off at about 5am.
- Johno’s Old Rusty Ute
hits top gear
- Photo: Courtesy Tim Froling
- South Australian singer-songwriter
John O’Dea can’t stop smiling. His new single, Old Rusty Ute, the
title track of his second album, has this week become his first
Top 10 hit.
The mild-mannered bloke from Orroroo, in the upper north of South
Australia, only ventured into the studio a few short years ago to
put down his first album, If Stones Could Talk. He’d been
performing in and fronting bands for something like 30 years prior
to that – but hey – you can’t rush these things.
Two years later he recorded his second album, Old Rusty Ute, and
the title track earned Johno the prestigious Frank Harding Award
for Excellence at the South Australian Country Music Festival in
Barmera. Now it appears that Old Rusty Ute has done the trick
again for Johno. His first ever single to chart – and it’s heading
right for the top!
“I am so thrilled with the response and the interest shown by
radio and other media outlets all over the country,” Johno said.
“I’ve done heaps of interviews with DJs from Tassie to Darwin and
all points in between – and it’s great to know people are enjoying
the album I had so much pleasure putting together with some
wonderful people.”
Johno is currently planning a video clip for the next single to
come from Old Rusty Ute – Parachilna Sunset. That song is played
every afternoon (at sunset, of course), in the bar of the Prairie
Hotel at Parachilna. Johno reckons it’s a top spot for a beer –
and it’s owned and operated by Jane and Ross Fargher.
After returning home from the Tamworth Country Music Festival in
January, Johno was shot by a film crew from TV3 in Ireland,
performing that song at Parachilna. It was screened nationally
throughout the Emerald Isle on the popular morning TV show, which
resulted in his music being heard even further than he could ever
imagine.
If you would like to interview Johno, please call 0429 184 159, or
visit his website,
www.johnodea.com.au
for more information.
- Dave Prior and Dave O'Dea
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- News from the Old Rusty Ute – February/March/April 2007
John O’Dea climbed out of his Old Rusty Ute after the long trip
home from the Tamworth Country Music Festival and ended up in
every loungeroom in Ireland. On one of his frequent visits to
Parachilna, the picturesque setting for one of John’s self-penned
songs from his second album, Old Rusty Ute, he ran into a film
crew from TV3 Ireland, who were shooting outback Australia for
Ireland AM – one of that country’s most watched breakfast
programs. Johno was filmed singing Parachilna Sunset in the front
bar of the Prairie Hotel, the pub he sings about on the album. It
had been quite a ride home from Tamworth, too, where he had
performed at several gigs, including the South of the Border show,
with fellow South Australian artists Dave Prior, Jeanette Wormald
and the Huckleberry Swedes at The Family Hotel. He was also
invited to perform on the prestigious de Gruchy Showcase at The
Pub, to a capacity audience on Australia Day. “Tamworth was such a
blast,” John said. “I managed to share my songs and stories with
more people than I could ever have imagined, and now it’s going as
far as Ireland. I couldn’t be happier.” Johno is now looking
forward to receiving hits on his website from newfound friends in
the Emerald Isle, where he hopes his music may become better known
as a result of the TV exposure. Other big things in the pipeline
for the unassuming South Australian singer-songwriter is the
chance to sing a few songs before a huge audience at the Clipsal
500 in Adelaide – one of Australian motor racing’s premier events,
on March 3. Later this month he’s returning to Parachilna to
perform for a contingent of tourists from Engand, wanting an
insight into the Australian way of life. The big fella from
Orroroo has scored a spot at the Mt Remarkable Ute Muster, at
Melrose on April 21, in the fine company of Steve Forde and the
Flange, The McClymonts, Tania Kernaghan and Lee Kernaghan as part
of Lee's Outback to the Beaches tour. “Mt Remarkable is one of the
most beautiful natural settings in our country, so this will be a
pretty special night,” John said. In between these shows, Johno
likes to keep busy teaching guitar, vocals and mentoring more than
50 children in schools and in private tuition in the Flinders
Ranges. His latest single, the title track from album #2, Old
Rusty Ute, has just been released to radio.
Pictures above show Johno performing on the de Gruchy Showcase,
and festivalising with fellow South Aussie, Dave Prior, at Stuie
French’s VB Pickers’ Night at The Pub.
If you’d like to interview John O’Dea, or book him for a show,
phone 0429 184 159, or email: studio@johnodea.com.au
www.johnodea.com.au
Release created 28-2-07 for and on behalf of John O’Dea, by
Anna Rose, Tamworth
Kind regards
Anna Rose
Tamworth NSW – the Country Music Capital
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