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13 Mar 03 - 12:05 AM (#908788) Subject: Obit: Mike Hayes - Oz From: rich-joy Did I miss this thread already, or what?? The passing of MIKE HAYES in Kempsey, NSW, is noted in the latest edition of "Trad & Now". Mike is well known to Oz radio listeners from his "Prickle Farmer" series, the humourous tales of the trials of self-sufficiency farming. He was also a pioneer in Australian Bluegrass in the 60's, along with brother Peter as The Hayes Brothers, The Bluegrass Ramblers, and more recently, Bubbly Mary. Stewie (or anyone else) : are you out there to enlarge upon Mike's legacy?? Cheers! R-J |
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13 Mar 03 - 01:54 AM (#908819) Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Hayes - Oz From: Stewie R-J The acoustic music scene in Oz has lost a fine performer and good man. I hardly knew Mike during the time he spent in Darwin all those years ago, but I was present when your better half, who shall remain nameless, gave him the old shepherd's crook off the gun turret stage because he had the temerity to sing 'Kisses Sweeter Than Wine' which the nameless one regarded as a load of old cobblers that had zilch to do with folk music. I was pleased that they later agreed to disagree and became friends. Back in those days (60s and 70s), I was collecting bluegrass, mostly American but also a smattering of fledgling Oz and NZ groups, and Mike was among the pioneers of the genre in Oz - not that he ever restricted himself to any narrow boundaries. I still have an old LP of Copper Kettle that features Mike's lovely 'Brindabella Morning'. Mike was one of those who constantly confronted hide-bound traditional folkies with the reality that country music was not all Queensland opera or Nashville schlock. I caught a set of his Bubbly Mary at Woodford festival a couple of years ago, having not seen him for decades, and he was still crusading for country music recognition and, judging by the warm appreciation of the audience, to good effect. In my opinion that is an important part of his legacy. He was a marvellous entertainer and story teller. His 'Prickle Farmer' series was superb, and will stand. To pinch a line from a beaut country song that I heard him perform on 'Australian Story' on TV all too recently, I hope he flies 'like eagles up among the stars'. --Stewie. |
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07 Sep 13 - 08:37 PM (#3556994) Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Hayes - Oz From: GUEST,Chris Laurie Mikes loving partner Hi, Mikes been gone now for over 10 years, I miss him so much, it still hurts, he was bigger than life but he was my whole life. When I feel a bit lost I Google him, seems crazy but sometimes there's a bit I haven't seen. I have a song that I would love to get recorded, that would be my final kiss goodbye I think, sorry to use your site for my soppy purposes but that feels better. THE WARRIOR QUEEN |