Let us introduce our Committee
Cathy Hogan -President / Public Officer and Entertainment Booking Agent for CCCMA
Cathy was first introduced to the CCCMA by founding members the McKenzie family in 1980. Cathy and her 6 children helped clear the grounds at Warnervale which was known as Warnervale Country Music Park which ran 3 festivals each year and featured all the top name country music performers around Australia and guests from USA. Cathy is a CCCMA life member and continues to promote country music.
Shirley Watson- Vice President
Shirley first joined the as CCCMA as member in 2019 and has been a big asset for CCCMA. You can find Shirley working in any area that is required. Shirl did a great job of running the kitchen whilst we were holding our workshop at Hamlyn Terrace. Shirley is now our sound engineer, running the sound system at all our shows at Halekulani Bowling Club.
Lynette Nicholson -Treasurer
Lyn is a real country girl coming off the land. Lyn has loved country music all her life and has attended many Tamworth Festivals and has travelled to other countries just for country music. Lyn is a real asset to CCCMA organising our raffles, which is greatly appreciated as this is our main income.
Ian Kerr– Publicity Officer-compere & Booking agent
Ian grew up on country music, a tragic ever since. Ian is a publicist for some talented local country artists and has worked on radio for many years. Ian joined CCCMA in 2014 and has worked tirelessly ever since promoting the CCCMA and all junior and senior talent.
Ross McGregor- Secretary
Ross is an independent artist with many awards in country music. Ross has been a member of CCCMA since the 80s and made his first appearance on the 1989 Warnervale Father’s Day Concert.
Jennifer Knight- Committee– Musical co-ordinator
Jennifer started her professional music journey early at age 7 in the Sydney Girls choir.
In her late teens she was the lead vocalist in several bands and also a solo & duo artist at Sheridan & Regent hotels in Sydney. She has played under many professional names currently as JK.
She has performed in many genres of music, also sound engineering and toured with large name bands around the country and overseas and in the corporate world. She loves people and sharing knowledge.
Gary Knight- Committee
I have no musical background other than being a lover of music. My background is in Business and Customer Service. Of course I have learned a lot about music from Jen.
Harry Packham- Committee
This is Harry’s sixth year on the CCCMA committee. He didn’t think he would find such a helpful group of country music lovers. Harry says “if you are looking to learn the guitar, sing or want to dust off the instrument you used to play, just come along to the CCCMA workshops and when you are ready, perform at the CCCMA roundup at the Hali. After 40 years of wanting to play the harmonica, Harry now can thank the support and encouragement of the CCCMA members.
Valued Assistants
Brian Hewitt- CCCMA Stage Manager
Brian has been a great supporter for CCCMA for some years now and keeps the club running smoothly on all our shows as Stage Manager as well as many other important jobs required on the days
Ty Starr – Web Development
New to the CCCMA in 2021 but a long time Country Music fan and musician for over 40 years. Ty has organised this great web site for CCCMA.
Kickin Country Band
DARRYL BARNETT- LEAD VOCALIST/ RYTHM, HARMONIES
Growing up on a dairy farm in the Dooralong valley, I learnt piano as a teenager and was given my first guitar in the mid sixties in the Dylan/ Beatles era.After graduating as a secondary school teacher in 1968, I joined my first band in 1969 – DISTORTION – and played in the Denman / Muswellbrook/Merriwa area.I transferred to Bourke in 1970, and joined a covers band – SMALL VILLAGE- playing balls, dances and weddings. (even played Lightning Ridge) I was transferred to Sydney in the mid- seventies, and rejoined with my Bourke mates to form -POT LIQUOR- playing parties, weddings and regularly at Wyong Leagues Club.
During the 80’s and 90’s career and family dominated my life and my interest in country music grew, but it wasn’t until 2012/13, when on a volunteer teaching assignment near Katherine, in the Northern Territory, that my real love of country music was rekindled.
Around 2016, I joined the Central Coast Country Music Association (CCCMA), then based at the Toukley Golf Club. I joined a spin off band from the club – ROADHOUSE- and played functions and clubs in 2016/17. Won a MO award in 2016 for “country band of the year”
With itchy feet to play more country music, I rejoined the CCCMA around 2022 and joined the club band – KICKIN COUNTRY. During 2023/24 we played at the Halekulani Bowling Club presenting the Roundup and Showcase monthly. I enjoy playing country rock and music from Australian artists as well as George Strait, Vince Gill, Alan Jackson etc.
DAVE CRAWFORD- LEAD GUITARIST, VOCALS, HARMONIES
Dave Started in pubs around Sydney when I was 18 Moved to the coast and played Oceon Beach pub 4years when pubs used to close 10pm. Played cabaret for many artists for 36 years at Everglades Country club with the Goodolddaze Band. Worked with Lucky Star 15years and have been playing with Be Bop A Lula from around 2010 . Also worked with my son Trent Crawford doing duo and trio work
FRANK HOLDFORTH- BASS
Frank Holdforth began his career playing Guitar and Banjo in the Interval band at a local Jazz Club in Oxford England and as Guitarist for a dance band playing for weekend dances in the local villages of Oxford.
Returning to Australia in the late 1960s, Frank joined an Italian band. Sal Sparta, the bandleader encouraged Frank to play the Electric Bass as well as Guitar. Soon after leaving Sal’s band, Frank played in the show ‘What A Thing To Say’ starring Ron Frazer which led to more work touring with ex pat Dianna Trask. In 1975 Frank joined the ‘Mo’ Award winning band The Federation Orchestra as Bass player and arranger where he stayed for eight years playing for many local and overseas artists including Bobby Rydell, Lana Cantrell and many local artists.
An interest in Arranging and Orchestration led Frank to the Sydney Conservatorium of Music where he graduated with a Diploma in Jazz Studies. Australian Piano great Ray Aldridge, then conductor of TCN 9 Midday Sow Band, invited Frank to be one of the arrangers for the show, this led to more writing assignments for The Mike Walsh Show and David Atkins stage production ‘Dancing Man’. After a short stint in the theatre ‘The Tales of Nicholas Nickleby’ at the Theatre Royal and The Rise and Fall of The City of Mahogany at the Sydney Opera House, both of these shows on Guitar, Frank joined The Arthur Greenslade Orchestra where he stayed until Arthur’s untimely passing.
Playing for Arthur was a great experience, and we became best friends. For those that don’t know, Arthur was Musical Director for Matt Munroe, Englebert Humperdinck and 10 years with Shirley Bassey before coming here to retire. I miss him terribly, we had so many wonderful Conversations and playing experiences God Bless you Arthur. Rest in peace.
Frankʼs teaching credits include Barker College, Sceggs Redlands, Stʼ. Pius X College and St. Lukeʼs Grammar School in Dee Why. Frank also conducted and wrote music for Guitar Ensembles at each of these schools. Many of his arrangements are published by Thorp Music and sold into schools and at retail outlets. Frank resides on The Central Coast and divides his time between writing music, playing and teaching..
Frank has played for many local and International artists and toured with Kamahl, The Four Kinsmen, Reg Lindsay, Lee Briton, the Singing Kettles, Cowboy Bob Purtell and for two years exclusively with Country rock band The Wolverines playing the major festivals, Tamworth, The Gympie Muster, Emerald, Kyneton etc.
More recently Frank enjoyed several years playing on Captain Cook Cruises flagship the Sydney 2000 and other smaller boats in the fleet. Currently Frank is retired but does play twice a month in the ‘Kicking Country Band’ alongside his mate drummer Dave Rowe, helping to put some drive in your country!!! ………………………………………………………………
DAVE ROWE- DRUMS VOCALS
Rowey I am self-taught. I learnt trumpet and trombone listening to Louis Armstrong and Dizzy Gillespie; then played trumpet in bands. Later, I discovered a love of drumming. I gained valuable experience working in the sound department of the original Jesus Christ Superstar, Sydney (watching Greg Henson the fabulous drummer in the house band), which led to me playing drums behind Jon English at shopping centres around Sydney.
My Dad got sick so I moved back to the bush.
While living in the country I formed a great 3 piece band called Rockmelon and won The Hoadley’s Battle of the Sounds twice and we did that many B and S (Bachelors and Spinsters) balls we lost count.
I spent a few years in Melbourne as a drummer touring everywhere with Jim Keays Band, then in other bands including Fast Buck, Billy White Disco Fantasy Show Band 10 gigs a week!! and then, in Sydney, The Elements and The Chris Turner Band, to name a few. More recent bands include Tezza and the Twistops, Dance Station, Rebel Rousers, The Summerland Kings, and The Rewbies on the Central Coast. I worked with Jackie Dee Band at Sydney Royal Easter Show and for the past few years gigged and recorded with Marty Fabok’s ska band The OzSkas. I have toured every state in Australia, also NZ. I’ve spent many hours in recording studios, playing on numerous recordings and jingles, which I think has helped a lot with my playing, as I learnt early on, to listen. I am proud to be sponsored by Mapex Drums.! After a serious chainsaw accident in 2014 (and told I wouldn’t be able to play again!), I have since played with Mama Janes Blues Band, The Citations, and again with The Rewbies and The OzSkas. I am currently working with Tequila Mockingbird (Sydney), The Blues Wranglers, The Ross McGregor Band and the fabulous Kickin’ Country Band.
RICK FERRET- MULTI INSTRIMENTS INCLUDING PEDAL STEEL- VOCALS, HARMONIES
Rick was born and raised in Wauchope on the Mid North Coast of NSW in a predominantly rural setting with saw milling and farming being the major industries of employment. These contexts provided Rick with many opportunities to be involved in country and folk music, and he purchased his first guitar aged 14 and has been involved in music ever since. While music has always been central, he has also had a varied career also as a nurse, chaplain, University educator and has a PhD in Sociology. Rick is a singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist including the pedal steel guitar, dobro, fiddle, mandolin, ukulele, guitar, bass, and saxophone and he also sings in a male quartet. He has recorded 7 cds (3 in Nashville, TN) with the latest “Stand Tall” his first original album. He continues to provide solo concerts, instrumental and vocal backing for many individuals and bands in Australia and overseas and recently toured with Australian greats Lindsay Butler and Graham Rodger around Australia.