Canty country veteran releases new album

Press, 30 December 1988, Page 22

Canty country veteran releases new album

John Hore Grenell, the country and western singer, is literally back from the wilderness of Whitecliffs, Mid-Canter-bury, with a new album, “Silver,” on Ode. The Central Otago-born country singer was a prolific recording artist, releasing 17 albums between 1963 and 1974. Grenell was formerly known just as John Hore, but changed his surname from Hore, his stepfather’s name, back to Grenell, his family name, five years ago. Although quiet on the recording scene, Grenell and his wife Deirdre have been active in the last few years promoting the Whitecliffs music festival, this year running from February 17 to February 19.

The country artist.

whose appeal has taken him to England, Canada, and the United States, including the Grand Ole Opry, in Nashville, played at the New Zealand pavilion at Expo ’BB in Brisbane. “Silver” is not your typical C. and W. album either. It contains some thoughtful songs about the rural scene arid the world. * * ♦ A bit of back-patting went on after the release of the New Zealand Music Promotions Committee results of an October survey about New Zealand

Noteworthy Nevin Topp

i music content on radio , stations. The Radio New Zealand j results showed that local I music content on its stations varied from 9 per cent to 26 per cent, with an average of 16.39 per r cent. Private radio rei ported a Kiwi content bej tween 4.9 per cent and » 13.7 per cent, for an average 10.1 per cent. Student radio stations > did not figure in the sur- ; vey. The other issue is not : that New Zealand’s main- > stream stations have managed to reach an average 1 of more than 10 per cent.

but what kind of the Kiwi music is played. * * * The Naked Room, of Christchurch, have taken up the challenge of obtaining a Just Juice recording grant. Patrick Simmonds, a guitarist, has been seeking advice from the Christchurch Music Lobby on the best means of obtaining the grant. The band are also active on the live front. They will play with Mea Culpa tomorrow evening at The Subway, New Zealander tavern. Besides Simmonds, the other members of the band are Greg Bainbridge (drums), who is also with The Builders, Susannah Jackson (guitar), Rachael Grant (flute), and Duncan (bass). Simmonds also plays in an Irish band, Murphy’s Law.