COUNTRY IN THE PARK 08

THIS is the South East’s biggest FREE country music event and is still called Harlow CMF by most fans because it takes place inthe Harlow Town Park and is put on by Great Parndon Community Centre in conjunction with Harlow Country Music Centre and the whole event is organised and compered by Dave Ingold.

This year’s took place on Sunday, August 11th, between 11.30 am and 7 pm. The weather leading up to event had been terrible with rain virtually all day every day but this festival managed to find a few hours when “Noah wasn’t building an Ark”. It wasn’t hot and sunny but the sun did come out at times and generally speaking the rain held off apart from a few drops—which is just as well because this is an open air event entirely.

They got a good crowd with most people bringing a picnic, although there was a bar and food stalls on site. To the right of the stage there was a roped off area where the line dancers could strut their stuff and the day opened with the Join The Line Disco playing some good, mainly modern, country songs—they also played during changeovers.

Nashville Sounds (above) opened the live proceedings and I think they’re one of the best country music bands around in Britain at this time. I will admit that I am anti main stage acts using backing tracks so what I like about this outfit is that they are five-piece with a live drummer. Four of the five take lead vocals and in Ray Kedge they have one of the best steelies in Britain with loads of experience—and it shows. Another strength is their programme is so varied going back to old Hank Williams songs but also playing some of today’s latest hits—so they appeal to listeners plus, social, western and line dancers alike. A great start.

Next it was time for compere Dave to introduce to more Daves in the form of American Spirit. They are a smart looking duo who both play guitars and use backing tracks and have basically a modern country sound that I think is probably more aimed at the line dancers. They have a nice stage presence.

It was then the turn of another five-piece band and John McCane And The Last Of The Breed are very popular all over Britain. Being Irish lead singer and bass player John knows how to wow and audience but I did not think their show was country enough for a specialist country music event—quite a lot of rock, obviously some Irish and even some country classics like “Folsom Prison Blues” rocked up. But the crowd liked ‘em and I suppose that’s what matters.

Unfortunately I was gigging that night so had to leave and I missed Steve Cherelle, Steve Scott’s Changes and another five-piece band—Gary Perkins & The Breeze. In the past, of course, I have seen them all because the are now all stalwarts of the Brit country music scene.

Obviously the day was a success and how many times can you see three five-piece British country bands in one day at festivals—let alone not having to pay for it? Long may Harlow have Country In The Park..

By MICK GREEN