THERE IS great news for country music lovers with the Whitsundays being included on the busy touring schedule of the Butler Showband.
The Butler Showband features the legendary master of country guitar, Lindsay Butler OAM, and Queensland’s own, well known country singer/songwriter, local born Shaza Leigh.
They are ably supported by bush balladeer Ashley Cook and musician Penny Gilchrist.
Their show is a rare treat with the multi award-winning country music artists coming on a rare trip north from their Tamworth base to take their National Touring Road Show to country towns and regional cities.
The Whitsundays show is a special one to welcome Shaza Leigh home.
Locals had the pleasure of watching a young Sharon Waddington pursue her love of country music with a passion, while she was growing up in the region.
She honed her vocal and guitar skills with the support and teaching of some fine local musicians before spreading her wings as Shaza Leigh, first travelling with the Brian Young Show, and then forming an iconic country music partnership with husband Lindsay Butler.
From her debut album, in 1990, she has recorded 15 career albums and three DVDs and won countless awards.
Shaza is a proud Queenslander with a home base in the Whitsundays and some of her recent songs show her love for her home.
Lindsay Butler is an inspiring country guitarist who has featured on thousands of recordings, as well as over 30 of his own career albums.
Among his numerous country awards are multiple Golden Guitars in a career that saw him honing his skills touring with Slim Dusty for 17 years, earlier in his career.
His Order of Australia Medal for services to Australian Country Music is richly deserved and his visit to the Whitsunday will be enjoyed by many long-term fans.
Ashley Cook brings another interesting style to the Butler Road Show. He is recognised Australia-wide as a bush balladeer, who continues the Australian Bush Ballad tradition, having won numerous national bush ballad awards.
His recordings in this tradition keep the music of the pioneers of bush music alive.
Penny Gilchrist is an accomplished country musician, with piano and strings being her forte. Her instrumental albums have earned her many awards and she is a highly sought-after session musician.
Lindsay Butler and Shaza Leigh are two superb musicians who have been touring their show band for almost 30 years and their latest show, as a four-piece with Cook and Gilchrist, promises to be a great one for all music lovers.
Call Pam Pole on 0448 870 482 for more information about venue and date.
