Do you remember the golden voices of Barbara Ray, Clive Bruce, Caroline du Preez and Billy Forest? Come and enjoy the legends once again with a Country Music Festival at The Doors from 11:00 till late this Saturday, 30 July. Only 10 km outside Parys on the Fochville road (R500), you will find The Doors’ popular restaurant and bar, where you can enjoy not only the best of Country but browse through market stalls and a motorcycle exhibition. Bring the kids to enjoy the playground, indulge in the best hamburgers, boerie rolls and light meals, or relax at the beer tent.
The Legends performing
Barbara Ray
Barabara Ray is and will always be considered the queen of Country music in South Africa with hits like I don’t wanna play house, Who’s gonna tie my shoes, Divorce, Down the Mississippi and many more. She appeared in many top radio and TV programmes and earned over 22 Gold Records in her career. She has also earned several awards for her contribution to music, including the Huisgenoot Skouspel Award in 2009.
Through the years, Barbara has recorded with Bobby Angel and Lance James.
Caroline du Preez
South African artist Caroline du Preez started entering talent competitions from a very young age (most of which she won), but it was the Plascon Talent Show, which she entered at 11, that started her career.
She recorded her first Afrikaans album, Hier in Natal, at 14. Several 7” singles followed, including With a little love and understanding and Net soos ek die telefoon neersit (with Gert van Tonder, formerly of Groep Twee). She then went off to sing in South America. On her return to SA, she was awarded the Springbok (mini-Sari) Award as South Africa’s Most Promising Female Vocalist.
In 2004, she was awarded best SA Country singer and performer by the SA Country Hall of Fame, and in 2005 she received the Melody Award for “Legend Status, Lifetime Contribution to SA Country Music”.
Billy Forest
Billy turned 78 in June and he’s still going strong, averaging about 50 shows per year. He first recorded back in 1960, as lead singer for The Giants and their album, Meet the Giants.
When the group disbanded, Billy moved on to a solo career and in 1962 recorded his album, Come back to me, my love. After a few near-hits, like 500 miles away from home, he struck Gold in December 1964, with a telephone song, Hello operator.
He was awarded a “Gold” record and a Sari award in 1965, for “Top Male Vocalist – Country and Western”. To celebrate, Billy released the album Seven letters, which also became a sizeable hit. A music career of several hits and highlights followed over many years with among others the monster hit, Cry to me with The Staccatos and a 200,000 seller, Zanzibar with Wanda Arletti,
In 1994, Billy had his biggest hit as a solo artist when assisted by the Aero chocolate TV advert, he sold over 100,000 copies of the song Tiny bubbles. Billy received an unexpected boost to his endless singing career when, in 2005, Steve Hofmeyr invited him and some of his fellow “Country legends” to join him in the “Toeka” series.
Clive Bruce
Clive Bruce started his solo career in the late sixties, releasing his first record in 1969. His recording of Sally Sunshine was an instant hit on Springbok Radio.
Over decades he has been a well-known face at music concerts, as a TV presenter, and the voice of Wielie Walie’s character Sarel Seemonster.
In 1979, he recorded in Afrikaans for the first time, and in 1983 he was nominated for Best Singer of the Year and Best Country and Western Singer of the year. In 1996, his album, One last kiss, got golden status – one of many hits he is known for.
