A message from the Mayor: Amazing Music Muster

Published on 13 March 2023

The Macleay Music Muster was held at the Kempsey Showground on the 4 March. Three and half thousand people turned up to be ‘wowed”!

They enjoyed world-class entertainment by five renowned Australian County Music stars.

The evening show began with a warm welcome to country to all from Uncle Bob Smith.

Amos Morris was first on the stage. He is a local Dunghutti guitarist and singer who has already gained two Golden Guitar awards.

Charlie Fittler and Loren Ryan (two young talented music stars with fine County Music entertainment futures) took to the stage in turn to showcase their music.  The crowd were enthralled.

The main draw cards, Beccy Cole and Adam Harvey then performed individually and together. They both had the whole crowd literally jumping with enjoyment. There was even a spontaneous ‘mosh pit’ of young people in front of the stage adding to the atmosphere and engagement of the performers and crowd.

One of many highlights for me was the Beccy Cole and Adam Harvey duet of “Goin to Kempsey”.  It was a very funny reworking of the lyrics of the Johnny Cash and June Carter classic “Goin’ to Jackson”.

To round out the night’s entertainment the whole crowd rose to sing and dance along with the stars’ rendition of “Islands in the stream”.  This was the Bee Gees song made famous by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton.

This was a fantastic community event with so many of our Shire coming together to be entertained.  I noticed groups of friends and family together enjoying the event and the on-site food. A big taste hit seemed to be the spiral fried potato on a stick, as well as the ice creams!

Funding for this free event came through a Reconnecting Regional NSW Community Events Grant. Many people came to me with their positive views about the night and asked if this could be an annual event. I have asked for Council to look at the financial situation for this to occur in 2024.

Thanks especially to Council staff who went the extra distance to enable the success of this Music Muster. Ali Briggs from Council’s Economic Development and Tourism team is commended for her leadership.

Thank you,

Mayor Leo Hauville.