WHAT ARE THE CRITICS SAYING ABOUT JOHN HARLEY WESTON?
Page includes a list of radio stations playing JHW, press articles, TV interviews, quotes from big names in music, competition wins & endorsements
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PAUL PITICCO (manager of one of Australia's biggest bands Powderfinger, Bernard Fanning and the Grates) says 'Congrats mate. DIY has worked great for you .....you should write a "how to" book. It has been great to watch it grow. Here's to your continued success'.
MARK HOLDEN - (Australian Idol judge, music producer and songwriter)
Hi John.....really good site you have for listening - excellent material - good onya...'
KHALIQ GLOVER (Los Angeles based Grammy award winning recording/mixing engineer for Prince, Justin Timberlake, Herbie Hancock, John Mayer, Christina Aguilera, Stevie Wonder, Santana, Sting, Marcus Miller) says 'Wow, you sound great. Great songs and craftmanship and your singing is spot on..'
TONY BEARD (drummer/guitarist with Peter Frampton, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Bee Gees, Daryl Hall, Dave Stewart, Jeff Beck, Wyclef Jean, Madonna, Paul McCartney). He says the first single 'Whatever Makes You Happy' is a hit and a great metaphor'.
JOHN 'SWANEE' SWAN (Iconic Australian rock singer - Swanee co-wrote one of the songs on John Harley Weston's new album). He says, 'The album sounds great John. I loved being allowed into your life as an artist and a friend. You can hold your head up very high my friend, your a class act.'
COLIN BUDDS (Australian Film/TV Director) says 'the song 'Righteous son' makes you really take notice.....this new album sounds like it's going to be the more essential John Harley Weston'. (Righteous Son is about the Australian Van Nguyen who was hanged in Singapore for carrying drugs).
The above quotes/testimonials have all been authorised.
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MAJOR ENDORSEMENTS
John Harley Weston is endorsed by Takamine guitars and D'Addario guitar strings and Neumann Microphones
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CHANNEL 7 TELEVISION COVERAGE - 2008 BEIJING OLYMPICS
Channel 7 Television Network have chosen two of John Harley Weston’s songs (‘Believe In Yourself’ and ‘Waltzing Matilda’) to add to their 2008 Beijing Olympics playlist. Statistics say that 5 million Australians will be watching the official broadcast on Channel 7. The games will also stream online at Yahoo7 and on mobile phones via Telstra BigPond. Both songs are on John’s new album ‘Welcome Back To Reality’.
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NOMINATED FOR GOLD COAST HONOURS AWARD 2008
John Harley Weston was nominated for a Gold Coast Honours Award 2008 by readers of the Gold Coast Bulletin newspaper. (There are half a million people on the Gold Coast of Australia). The awards, now in their 6th year, recognise those who inspire the community with creative spirit, courage, sense of community and passion in their chosen field. John says, ‘I’m humbled to be nominated for a Gold Coast Honours Award. It’s great to be able to spread the word to other musicians that hard work along with support for organisations like Cancer Council Queensland or Amnesty International can physically help people and inspire others to do more and be better. Realists just live in the world but idealists create the better parts of the world we live in’. More here.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WINNING THE PRESTIGIOUS AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL SONGWRITING CONTEST 2005 (ROCK CATEGORY)
'Last Days Of Summer', the first track on
John's first independent album 'Hope Harbour' (2004), won the Australian
National Songwriting Contest 2005 - Rock category. This is a very prestigious national competition
run by the Australian Songwriters Association. John received
the award in Sydney performing at the Gala Awards night in front
of the movers and shakers of Australian Music Industry. Click here to see it on Australian Songwriting Association website.
in 2007 - 14 entries (9 songs in 6 categories) just went through to the 2nd round of judging at the 2007 Australian National Songwriting Contest.
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TOP 20 AT NOTORIOUSLY DIFFICULT UNISONG INTERNATIONL SONGWRITING CONTEST 2005/6
Top 20 at the 10th annual Unisong World Songwriting Contest 2005/6 with 'Last Days Of Summer'. This is the competition that gave birth to songwriters Burt Bacharach, Jimmy Buffet, Stewart Copeland, Mick Fleetwood, Indigo Girls, Glady's Knight, Peter Frampton, Lisa Loeb, Bonnie Raitt, Don Was and well, I'm sure you get the picture. See it here on Unisong's website.
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BILLBOARD WORLD SONGWRITING CONTEST ACCOLADES
14th annual Billboard World Songwriting Contest 2006/7 - Highest Level Honourable Mention 'Believe In Yourself'. Honourable Mention 'Let Your Life Begin' (Both songs feature on John's album 'Welcome Back To Reality' 2008).
13th annual Billboard World Songwriting Contest 2005 - Highest Level Honourable Menton for 'Last Days Of Summer' and an Honourable Mention for 'Brothers and Sisters'. (Both songs featured on John's album 'Hope Harbour' 2004).
14th Annual Billboard World Songwriting Contest 2006/7 - another Honourable Mention for a song John co-wrote with old U.K. band mate BJ cunningham from the Scottish band 'Frontier'. 'Be Careful What You Wish For' was released as a single after fans demanded a new Frontier song. See http://www.myspace.com/thebandfrontier
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VOTED ONE OF THE TOP 5 BEST SINGERS IN THE INDEPENDENT MUSIC WORLD
John Harley Weston has been voted one of the top 5 best vocalists in the independent music world by Dale Kawashima a heavy-weight U.S. Music Publisher Kawashima as a music publisher has supervised and represented many of the world's top catalogs, including the songs of the Beatles, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Prince, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Holland-Dozier-Holland, Little Richard, Burt Bacharach & Carole Bayer Sager, and Billy Steinberg & Tom Kelly. He has worked as an executive at Sony/ATV Music Publishing, Irving Azoff's Giant Records, Mercury Records, and Jobete Music (the publishing division of Motown Records). See it on singeruniverse website by clicking here and scrolling down to JohnHarley Weston song Last Days Of Summer.
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RADIO STATION (PLAYLIST ROTATION) TO DATE FOR SONGS ON NEW ALBUM 'WELCOME BACK TO REALITY' (2008)
Following radio stations have already playlisted songs. Fans can contact them to make additional play requests by clicking on links and emailing to ask for 'Whatever Makes You Happy' or 'Waltzing Matilda' or anything on John Harley Weston's album 'Welcome Back To Reality';
OVERSEAS RADIO SO FAR:
BBC Radio Scotland (presenter Iain Anderson) http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0074hkv or listen live to Waltzing Matilda on BBC here
More BBC Scotland airplay in November 2008. Listen live to 'Whatever Makes You Happy' on BBC's St Andrews Day Show here
Indie104 iRadio L.A. (The huge Los Angeles, USA based ‘Internet Radio Station of The Year’ at http://www.iradiola.com
Underworld Mix Radio (Fort Wayne Indiana, USA - with over 100,000 listeners in 20 countries at http://www.underworldmixradio.com
Phibble Radio (Idaho Falls, USA - John is being played on ‘Kitana’s The Music Mansion’ at http://www.musicmansion.phibble.com
Radio Crystal Blue New York USA http://radiocrystalblue.com
FM Eben-Ezer, Buenos Aires, Argentina http://www.radioebenezer.org
Radio Ijsselmond, Netherlands (presenter Berrie Koetsier – show ‘Songriver’) at http://www.omroepijsselmond.nl
Dragonland Radio, Berlin, Germany (presenter Markus Schultz & Eugen Schomer?) http://www.Dragonland-Radio.de
RadioFly1 (USA) on Live365.com 3 million visitors/month. ('Whatever Makes You Happy' & 'Beautiful Day In The City)' http://www.radiofly1.com
Rootstime Belgium Roots Radio http://www.rootstime.be
AUSTRALIAN RADIO SO FAR:
ABC612 Brisbane (presenter Warren Boland). Tune in here http://www.abc.net.au/brisbane/default.htm or listen to interview here
Radio 2RDJ 88.1FM - the voice of Sydey's inner west (presenter Barry Mac) NSW http://www.radio2rdj.com or listen to live interview here
Opal FM Lightning Ridge Community Station, NSW http://www.opalfm.com
Highland FM, Bowral, NSW http://www.highlandfm.org.au
2GLF, Liverpool, NSW http://www.893fm.com.au
Radio 97.9 Valley FM 2LVR Forbes, NSW (presenter Charmaine Pout) http://www.valleyfm.org.au
3RRR 102.7FM, Brunswick, East Melbourne, Victoria (playing 'Righteous Son' and others) http://www.rrr.org.au
3NRG, Sunbury, nr Melbourne, Victoria http://www.3nrg.org.au
3MBR Murrayville, Vic (+61 (0)3 5095 2045)
WYN FM, Deer Park, Melbourne, Victoria – Ollie’s Country (+61 (0)3 9361 2827)
96.5 Inner FM, Heidelberg, Melbourne, Vic http://www.innerfm.org.au
3RPP Radio Port Philip Bay, Victoria http://www.3rpp.asn.au
3BBR West Gipsland Radio, Victoria http://www.3bbrfm.org.au
Beau FM Radio, Beaudesert, Queensland (presenter John Robinson) http://www.beaufm.org.au
Radio 97.1 Sweet Fm, Ayr, Queensland (+61 (0)7 4782-8394)
Radio Hope Island 94.1 Queensland http://www.941fm.com.au (this station are playing song 'Wouldn't Miss A Day')
Easy FM, Port Broughton, South Australia http://www.easyfm.com.au
1089 Collie, Western Australia
2MIA 95.1FM Griffith, New South Wales http://www.2mia.dragnet.com.au (Terry Verney playing 'Waltzing Matilda')
CAAMA Radio, Alice Springs (Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association) http://caama.com.au (Gerry is playing 'Waltzing Matilda')
Highlands FM 100.7 Woodend, Victoria http://www.highlandsfm.org.au (Tony Bates is playing 'Waltzing Matilda')
Sweet FM, Burdekin, North Queensland http://www.sweetfm.com.au (Merle Scott playing lots of tracks off the album incl 'Waltzing Matilda')
Star FM, St Helens, Tasmania http://www.starfm.org.au (Laura Huish has playlisted John's album incl 'Waltzing Matilda')
Stereo974, Sunshine, Melbourne, Victoria http://www.stereo974.com (Bob Taylor has playlisted 'Waltzing Matilda')
We're waiting to hear from these stations here.. Please contact them to request they play John Harley Weston
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RADIO STATION AIRPLAY FOR SONGS ON 'HOPE HARBOUR ALBUM (2004).
In addition to many of the above stations we also received playlist rotation on:
Radio Vega at http://www.vega915.com.au (song title Last Days Of Summer)
Aussie Independent Radio Charts http://www.isonliveradio.com (see feature article below - #1 for 6 months)
Indie104 iRadio L.A. http://www.iradiola.com (Beautiful Day In The City)
Nashville's http://www.moozikooradio.com (Beautiful Day In The City, Last Days Of Summer & Brothers and Sisters)
Tampa Bay Indies USA http://www.bspass.com (Last Days of Summer and Brothers and Sisters)
USA's Radio Fly1 http://www.radiofly1.com (Beautiful Day In The City)
Dr Lou's Radio Show Philadelphia USAhttp://www.drloumusic.com (Beautiful day, Brothers and Sisters and Last days Of Summer)
Radio Crystal Blue New York USA http://radiocrystalblue.com (Beautiful Day, Last days Of Summer)
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6 MONTHS AT #1 ON THE AUSTRALIAN INDIE RADIO CHARTS IN 2007
'Brothers and Sisters' off album 'Hope Harbour' (2004) held the #1 spot in the ILR Australian Indie Radio Charts for an entire 6 months in 2007. That's huge! Isonliveradio syndicates radio shows to over 200 radio stations worldwide and because of this we're getting heard around the world.
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PRESS ARTICLES
Features and reviews have appeared in Rolling Stone owned Australian Guitar Magazine, Rave Magazine, Tsunami Magazine, Gold Coast Bulletin, Australian Sunday Mail, Australian Courier Mail, at www.themusic.com by major Australian music journalist Christie Eleizer ,Gold Coast Life magazine, Queensland Homes magazine, Tamborine Times, Albert and Logan News, APRA website, Beaudesertshire News, Scottish Evening Times, Glasgow Daily Record, Glasgow Herald, Kilmarnock Standard, Rootstime Belgium and more. Scroll down to see articles and quotes.
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PRESS ARTICLES (about 'Welcome Back To Reality' album - released 31st May 2008)
Gold Coast Bulletin 5th May 2008 (new album release) PDF click here
Gold Coast Bulletin 20th May 2008 (master CD lost in post) PDF click here
Gold Coast Bulletin 31st May 2008 (10 questions) PDF click here
APRAP 'What's Happening' (Australiasian Performing Rights Association Quarterly Magazine) July 2008 - PDF click here
Phibble.com radio presenter Kitana Mahoney - John Harley Weston album review - PDF click here
Rootstime Belgium - for PDF in English click here or Dutch click here or to view article online in Dutch click here
Kilmanock Standard May 2008 (nerw album release) PDF click here
Albert & Logan News and Logan Image - June 2008 - link coming soon
Queensland Homes Magazine (album review) September Spring 2008 - view article online here or PDF click here
Tweed News & Gold Coast Mail end July 2008 (Songs on the Olympic playlist) PDF link coming soon
Gold Coast Bulletin 1st August 2008 (Songs on Channel 7 Television Beijing Olympics playlist). View article online here or view PDF here
Gold Coast Bulletin 11th August 2008 (More about songs on Channel 7 Television Olympics playlist plus sign with Blue Pie Records - PDF click here
Christie Eliezer at www.themusic.com.au (respected writer for Billboard Australasia) 'Weston Loses Mail' (1 April 2008) See article below
Christie Eliezer www.themusic.com.au 'Weston Feels a Neumann' Endorsement Neumann Microphones (30 Jan 2008) See article below
Christie Eliezer www.themusic.com.au 'Weston eyes film TV deals' (5th Aug 2008) Blue Pie Records, Channel 7, European interest. Article below
Scottish Daily Express newspaper (21 Aug 2008) About Waltzing Matilda - this article shows how a story can be bent in to any shape. PDF click here
QUICK REVIEW QUOTES ('Welcome Back To Reality' released June 2008)
'....Strong voice and instrumentally of high standard (again memories of Mellencamp) the accordion played superbly! That talent is present in the performance of the Australian classic ‘Waltzing Matilda’. With so many versions of that song Weston’s intimate translation has to be added to the gallery of the greatest'. (Freddy Celis 'Rootstime' Belgium July 2008)
'You could call John Harley Weston the latest Gold Coast Olympian....two of Weston's songs will be used by Channel 7 (television) during it's coverage of the (2008 Beijing olympic) Games'. (Steve Spinks, Gold Coast Bulletin, Australia, August 2008)
'....Remarkable is the emotionally loaded acoustic track ‘Righteous Son’ a reference to Van Nguyen a young Australian convicted and executed for drug smuggling....the beautiful sounds would also turn Bruce Springsteen green of envy'. (Freddy Celis 'Rootstime' Belgium July 2008)
'...John Harley Weston travels across many genres with passion and conviction in every word written and performed....he is a true story teller of the millenium. (Kitana Mahoney of Kitana's Music Mansion radio show at www.phibble.com USA - May 2008)
'...John writing is reminiscent of the message songs of Ben Harper and Bernard Fanning. From the cajun-flavoured first single ‘Whatever Makes You Happy’ to the Sheryl Crowesque ‘Believe In Yourself’ on to the epic self-discovery title track'. (Ian Russell, Kilmarnock Standard, May 2008).
'...The title track 'Welcome Back To Reality is a cleverly constructed Beatlesque meets Billy Joel offering, snuggled in warm backing vocals and harmonies that has you reaching for the repeat button.(Kitana Mahoney of Kitana's Music Mansion radio show www.phibble.com USA - May 2008)
A fabulous patriotic addition to this album is the unoffical Australian anthem 'Waltzing Matilda' that I believe should replace all other renditions across the globe!' (Kitana Mahoney of Kitana's Music Mansion radio show at www.phibble.com in the USA - May 2008)
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PRESS ARTICLES (about 'Hope Harbour' album 2004)
Rolling Stone owned Australian Guitar Magazine - feature article (Nov 2005) PDF click here
Receiving the keys to Gold Coast City from Mayor Ron Clarke (2005/6) PDF click here (see centre of page)
Gold Coast Bulletin - feature article (Feb 2006) PDF click here
Christie Eliezer www.themusic.com.au 'Weston's Swann Song' (about working with Aussie legend John 'Swanee' Swan) May 2005 - see article below
Rave Magazine Brisbane - review - see below
Tsunami Magazine - review - see below
Queensland Homes Magazine - review - see below
QUICK REVIEW QUOTES ('Hope Harbour' album 2004)
'...well crafted rock songs with strong soulful vocals....bluesy rhythms....and a voice that strongly recalls Paul Rodgers on Free's All Right Now'. (Rave Magazine, Brisbane, Australia)
'an economical album for the masses.....late afternoon urban blues......socially aware vocal narrative.....' (Tsunami Magazine, Sunshine Coast, Australia)
‘….an album of diverse rock songs with bluesy overtones’ Robert Santos, Rolling Stone owned Australian Guitar Magazine. (Nov 2005) See PDF above.
'superb songwriting skills....mixing rock and pop and adding a pinch of country and blues his sound is original.....music is his life......John Harley Weston could quite easily have come from a mould of Van Morrison'. (Gold Coast Music Industry Association live acoustic review)
‘….Glasgow-born, Gold Coast Australia based seasoned songwriter and musician….a collection of well-crafted songs with elements of rock, pop, country and blues. Support a rising talent….’ (Queensland Homes Magazine (Summer 2004/5)
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CHRISTIE ELEIZER (one of the main voices in Australian Music journalism and bureau chief of Billboard Australasia) reports breaking news at www.themusic.com.au
By Christie Eliezer 5th August 2008 'WESTON EYES FILM,TV DEALS'
Queensland singer songwriter john harley weston has signed with Sydney-based digital distributor Blue Pie who place indie music in TV and films. Weston’s had a taste of this already. Two of his songs “Believe In Yourself” and “Waltzing Matilda” from his new “Welcome Back To Reality” are being used on Channel 7’s coverage of the Olympics — and Weston is slavering at the news that 5 million Australians are expected to watch the opening ceremonies. Weston’s music is getting airplay in Scotland and the Netherlands, he has 14 entries (9 songs in 6 categories) in the 2nd round of judging at the 2007 Australian National Songwriting Contest, and he’s talking to a European distributor about releasing his album and touring him. To see article 'Weston eyes film, tv deals' online click here and scroll to bottom.
By Christie Eliezer 1st April 2008 'WESTON LOSES MAIL':
'Qld singer songwriter john harley weston had the fright of his life when Australia Post lost the master disc to his new album “Welcome Back To Reality”. The disc, two years in the making, was sent Registered Post at the beginning of March to Sony (Sydney) for CD duplication along with the final artwork and all the necessary legal documents. Oz Post sent him around its labyrinth of ’we don’t know’ staff for a week. First good news, Sony had done the final master CD, so it could prepare another disc. Second good news, Oz Post recovered the first pack. The album is launched on Sat May 31 at Cancer Council Queensland's 'Relay For Life' fundraising benefit event at the Gold Coast Arts Centre lake area, Bundall, Gold Coast to an expected 2,000 people. Weston is playing for free and donating 20% of CD sales on the day to the charity'. To see article 'Weston Loses Mail' online click here and scroll to middle.
By Christie Eliezer 30 JAN 2007 'WESTON FEELS A NEUMANN':
'Queensland singer songwriter John Harley Weston has scored an endorsement deal with German based Neumann Microphones. It comes just as he begins recording his April-due second album'. To see article 'Weston Feels A Neumann' online click here and scroll to bottom.
By Christie Eliezer 27th May 2005 'WESTON'S SWANN SONG':
'Tamborine Mountain based singer/songwriter John Harley Weston was celebrating his song Last Days Of Summer scoring in the rock, metal and indie category of the Australian National Songwriting Contest, when a neighbour dropped by to say they'd just sold their house. The new buyer was blues-rock singer John Swan. Two days later he was doing a gig at the Marina Shopping Village Hope Island Food and Wine Festival and singing 'If I Were A Carpenter when a bloke came through the crowd and handed him a mobile phone. It was Swanee on the other end full of praise. Swan of course had a hit twenty years ago with that song. They palled up and discovered they were born in a similar part of Glasgow. Swan will soon be heard on his brother Jim Barnes' Duets album'.
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CHANNEL 7 TELEVISION COVERAGE - 2008 BEIJING OLYMPICS
Channel 7 Television Network have chosen two of John Harley Weston’s songs (‘Believe In Yourself’ and ‘Waltzing Matilda’) on their 2008 Beijing Olympics playlist. Statistics say that 5 million Australians will be watching the official broadcast on Channel 7. The games will also stream online at Yahoo7 and on mobile phones via Telstra BigPond. Both songs are on John’s new album ‘Welcome Back To Reality'.
CHANNEL 9 TELEVISION INTERVIEW (2005)
John interviewed at home on Tamborine Mountain after winning the Australian National Songwriting Contest 2005 (rock category). Includes impromptu jam session with legendary rock singer John 'Swanee' Swan and acclaimed Canadian slide guitarist Kirk Lorange. To view video on John's myspace site click here then choose video.
CHANNEL 9 TELEVISION INTERVIEW (1999)
John appeared on CH9 Extra after writing 'Road To Victory' For the Brisbane Lions AFL team (Aussie Rules). Single was released by Festival Records.
CHANNEL 7 SPORTSCENE (1999)
John appeared live at CH7 studio in Brisbane and performed his song for Brisbane Lions AFL team 'Road To Victory'. This performance was edited along with football highlights to be shown again as a video by Channel 7 during football highlights and also shown on the big screen at The Brisbane Lions football ground 'The Gabba' several times.
CHANNEL 10 (2000)
Have also aired song John wrote for Brisbane Lions Aussie Rules Football team 'Road To Victory' during football score round ups.
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Scroll up for press/radio/testimonials/competition wins
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GIGS (LIVE PERFORMANCES)
John Harley Weston has had tour support experience in major U.K. stadiums including Wembley Arena and the UK university circuit. (Supporting bands Wet Wet Wet and Gun). He has also supported Duran Duran, John ‘Swanee’ Swan, Lighthouse Family, Indigo Girls etc. He has performed for Australia's Queensland Premier, Gold Coast Mayor, Beaudesert Shire Mayor, Brisbane Lions AFL team, appeared live on Channel 7 Television (Sportscene) and had interviews aired on Channel 9 Television (Extra). He has also performed many local shows including Rics Bar Brisbane, Palazzo Versace, Brunelli's on Tamborine Mountain and has a regular monthly gig at CB Richard Ellis property Marina Shopping Centre on Hope Island, Gold Coast. If you are festival or agent interested in booking John Harley Weston or require a suitable support act (acoustic guitar based rock/folk/singer-songwriter) we'd love to hear from you. Email us here. For complete list of upcoming gigs and past performances click here.
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PRIOR TO MOVING TO AUSTRALIA IN 1997
From 1989-1993 John Harley Weston had regular press, radio and some tv appearances in the UK as lead singer and co-writer with Scottish Group Frontier signed to Phonogram/Polydor/Mercury Records. (During this period John used his real name John Higgins). http://www.myspace.com/thebandfrontier
1993 - 1997 John was managed by Elliot Davis (Wet Wet Wet Manager). John performed around Glasgow, Scotland and did many press interviews.
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