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2004 NEWS

Listen out for 'Last Days Of Summer' being played on radio stations around the country. the song appears on the compilation album 'Our Backyard' - more details see November news below.

NOVEMBER 2004 NEWS

Just confirmed - Sat 26th February at Beaudesert Community Sports Club. Album Launch - charity event for release of compilation album 'Our Backyard' in conjuction with Beau FM radio station and AMRAP. The album features one of JHW's songs 'Last Days Of Summer' which also appears on John's album Hope Harbour. The other tracks feature several Beaudesertshire acts. The compilation album is being distributed to over 340 radio stations nationwide at the end of 2004 as a palatable appetiser promoting Beaudesertshire musicians.

OCTOBER 2004 NEWS

The album is now being stocked in ABC shops on the Gold Coast (Pacific Fair) and Brisbane (Myer Centre, Queen St Mall). This means no matter where you are in Australia you can order direct from your local ABC shop. From mid October 2004 the album will also be available to purchase from the ABC shop online http://shop.abc.net.au/

Thanks to everyone who has been calling their local radio station(s) requesting them to play a song from the album on air. Your phonecalls are making a difference. From a marketing point of view it takes a bit longer than resorting to streaking at the cricket but it does work eventually and I thank you for your support - I'll save the streaking for the second album. When you've had a hard day at work and want to vent a little why not release that frustration by calling your local station again and again to say, ' get this album Hope Harbour by John Harley Weston on your playlist'. (seriously folks - thanks). Click here for radio station telephone numbers.

Due to public demand the ABC radio session JHW recorded back in May 'The Set' was again aired on Sat 21/8 in the afternoon. If you're feeling all fuzzy inside call Coast FM to request a song from the album.....why not call all the radio stations. Your calls will help get this album on radio station's regular playlist.

More great news - one of the songs off the album will be on a compilation CD being distributed to over 340 community radio stations Australia wide at the end of this year - the compilation is being produced by Beau FM (Beaudesert Community Radio) in conjunction with AMRAP (Aust Music Radio Airplay Project) and CBF (Community Broadcasting Foundation).

PREVIOUS NEWS....................................

COMPETITION RESULTS - DRAWN 31/5/04 - Five lucky winners each received a free signed copy of the superb new album 'Hope Harbour' - they simpy signed in to the mailing list and won. (Winners are - Susan Walsh, Jane Willis, Harry Bolman, Robert Youseff & Libby Underwood).

The live ABC Coast FM (91.7 Gold Coast) acoustic session on Fri 28th May was awesome. Apparently there were incredibly high numbers of callers to the station after the session. Thanks very much for your support. By calling the station you will have really helped to create interest in my album and this is the only sure way an independent artist has a shot at getting on a radio station's playlist, selling some albums and gaining real momentum. Without fans spreading the word songwriters would remain very anonymous.

The Australian - definitely doing a story/piece
Billboard – definitely doing something
Time Off - doing review soon
GC Sun - should be in the next issue
Scene - doing review soon
Lots more......

RADIO UPDATE:

ABC Coast FM - acoustic performance/interview 'The Set' Fri 28/5 at 2:30pm. Also aired again in August 2004.

ABC 612 - acoustic/interview – to be scheduled soon

Costa Zouliou (Triple J) thought album was great - personally forwarded CD to Bill Riner and Warren Boland at 612 hence ABC612 session.

Mary Lou Thorpe (ABC Coast FM M.D.) thought album was great - fwd to GC branch hence acoustic set at Coast FM

Sea Fm - still chasing

MMM – dealing with it now

Oztrax (ABC online initiative) - got album - waiting in line

B105 – Music Director loved it (raved about it). He said ‘I think your album‘s excellent, it's rootsy and bluesy, it's pop and it's rock AND you've got a great soulful voice. But……it's not quite Kylie enough for B105's format. I know it's not heavy music but I think you can cross over to Triple J and try all the ABC regional stations too. When there's more of a buzz about you we'll be forced to play you.'

EH? WHAT? So let me get this right. I'm very slightly left of centre but just right of left. So I guess that means I'm either left out, right out or left right out. Come on - is there anybody in radio willing to help create some buzz for me? Come on – take a leap of faith. Be the one who breaks this artist not the one who follows after the fact. Stick me on your playlist now – you wont be disappointed. I'll give you back stage passes when I'm playing the Opera House……

Don't miss the boat - it's leaving soon. Get YOUR album now before your friends start saying 'have you heard of this guy John Harley Weston?' You can say convincingly 'oh yeah, I heard of him months ago - I've got his new album.'

The album launch went off spectacularly at The Robin Hood, Sanctuary Cove on Wed 21st April. A one hour all originals acoustic show was passionate and musically thirst quenching. The show also featured Gold Coast guitarist Pete Devine - a talented musician in his own right. The two muscians fed off each others hunger to be better than the rest, a well rehearsed yet edgy performance. Not the run of the mill. We're talking exciting new music here that is accessible to everyone.

The buzz around Sanctuary Cove that night was felt around the entire island - photographers, journalists and agents took up John's invitation to come along and sample some world class songs. Stories have appeared in The Gold Coast Bulletin, The Sunday Mail and will appear soon in Life Magazine, Tamborine Times, The GC Sun, Tweed Times and Daily News, The Gold Coast Music Ind Assoc newsletter...........there will be others. John is also talking to ABC Coast FM, B105, Hot Tomato, Sea FM, Triple J, 612..........the list is endless....keep your ears open.

'Hope Harbour' features 13 well-crafted tracks professionally produced by Sandy Jones (Wet Wet Wet's engineer) and JHW. The songs are in a pop/rock genre but JHW is much more than a straight ahead rock singer - this man has soul. With elements of rock, pop, blues, soul and even country in his writing style and excellent vocal delivery John Harley Weston manages to blend many influences together and the outcome is marvelous. Think of the real pros like Springsteen, Mellencamp, Paul Kelly, David Gray, Paul Weller, Lyle Lovett..........John Harley Weston is another name to add to that list. You can just tell there's a lot more to come too...............

John is currently talking to several agents about tour supports to suitable touring acts. So look out you could see him soon on a big stage near you. If you are an interested agent please contact John.

The reason for not releasing the album earlier this year is due to film soundtrack work that John had been waiting to finalise. On Christmas Eve 2003 one of JHW's songs was confirmed for use in the $25m U.S./Australian production of Salem's Lot shot in Melbourne. A Big budget Mini Series starring Rob Lowe, Donald Sutherland, Rutger Hauer and Rebecca Gibney it was one of the biggest film productions shot in Oz in 2003 and a real scoop.

‘JHW says ‘I wanted to wait until the paperwork was finalised so I could tie the soundtrack thing with my album release – with a song in a movie starring well known actors I would probably get better media coverage for my album release'. After 3 months of waiting to finalise the contract John found out that during post production (editing) the network (Turner Network Television) had to cut 8 minutes due to time restrictions and unfortunately the song didn't make it on to the final cut. No fault of the song I might add (called ‘I Just Want To Be Loved By You' – a song about family communication and trying to come to terms with married life and parenthood).

The cutting room floor is a renowned battlefield knee deep in actors and musicians blood, sweat and tears – it's a daily occurrence to lose out at the finishing post but JHW took it on the chin especially since the cut was made for visual reasons. On the positive side, as they say, ‘where there's smoke there's fire'. John's work is now listed with all Film Music Supervisors and many film producers in Australia and overseas. There are several film projects in the pipeline and John also looks set to be involved in the soundtrack for a forthcoming UK sitcom.

JHW has also entered some songs in the International Songwriting Competition, The USA Songwriting Comp, Australian Songwriters National Songwriting Comp and has applied to perform at several music festivals in 2004 including Fretfest (October - Brisbane) and Rapid Festival (June - Brisbane)......stay tuned.

On Sat 6th March 2004 JHW and Pete Devine did a rip roaring acoustic set of originals at The Music Cafe. The regular professionally run community event featuring 6 Gold Coast acts each night is held at the Tallebudgera Valley Community Hall, Tallebudgera. Each act performs for around 20-30 minutes. After JHW's performance the event organiser extended an open invitation to come and play at The Music Cafe anytime.

The show included Alice Kelly (with her duo Token Soul). Shhh - here's a scoop - the surname should sound familiar - Alice is the niece of musical genius Paul Kelly and the sister of rising musical genius Dan Kelly. JHW has been given an open invitation to return to the Music Cafe so expect regular appearances....love that open space out there in the Tallebudgera Valley.

Tallebudgera Valley Community Centre (The Music Cafe venue) has become the focus of much of the best happening music on the Gold Coast with a number of Ken Jacob events & others going off there. It's a large venue, dance-floor area, tables, high-set & very large stage, surrounded by open space outside and ample car-parking. See you there. Catering by 'Food of Love'. $7 admission - what a bargain for so many acts and a great night out.

For info about the Music Cafe contact Phil Ruston 5527 3504/ 0404 604490 or email phil@ion.com.au to get on his Music Cafe mailing list.

Early 2004 JHW found out that he has made the shortlist of the APRA Professional Development Awards. (Prestigious music industry songwriter awards aimed at assisting Australian based songwriters financially to help them develop and exploit their talent at home and abroad). In March 2004 the winners were announced. Although JHW was not one of the chosen finalists (only 6 in the country) just making the shortlist is an achievement in itself. You've got to be in it to win it as they say. There's always next year...