Cowboys In Cybersp@ce - March 1999

"Chat Me Up"

The noise of the busy Chatswood traffic was five levels below the soundproofed Sydney office of AOL. Pam Tillis looked even more petite than usual, relaxing in the oversized armchair (picture left, courtesy of AOL). Shanley Del was on the speaker phone, calling from Bega. Soon, these ladies would be fielding questions from around the world via the Internet. It was the 14th January 1999, and the "AOL Live" chat line was open for one hour. As Pam and Shanley walked on to the "virtual stage", an average of 100 people at any one moment were vying for their attention. Three computer terminals, manned by AOL producers, glowed in anticipation. One operator relayed the incoming questions, a second typed in the replies, while a third monitored the view of the proceedings as seen by the outside world. Pam answered questions that ranged from the predictable "what is your impression of Australia?" to the more meaningful, "what is your favourite charity". Her answer was, "I am involved with a couple of different things. My Christmas tour was involved with 'Feed the Children' which is an international organisation, I have also been supportive of the 'Second Harvest Food Bank '." She also spoke of visiting Tamworth (pre-Festival) and lecturing for the CMAA at The Australian College of Country Music. She described her father Mel's theatre in Branson, and revealed what she was going through in her personal life during the recording of the "Every Time" album. In Pam's recent CMT video special she remarked on the power of the video clip to reach a mass audience. In a similar vein she told the Internet audience, "I have a love-hate relationship with the road. If I could get the audience into my living room (like we are doing now) I would probably stay home."

Being away on tour, Shanley Del must have found the experience rather odd, hearing the disembodied voices on the phone, relaying questions arriving from home and abroad. She was no less animated though, and described her (then) forthcoming shows with Pam as "female onslaught - total girl power!" Shanley also answered questions about her plans for 1999, the state of play for "Saunders, Kane and Del", and her greatest inspiration (her son, Max). On winning the ARIA award Shanley "wished I had remembered to thank my manager Louise Blundell and I will never forgive myself for that. (Luckily she has)." Shanley also spoke of the Hope Project for breast cancer awareness , singing at the Grand Ole Opry, family life and more.

If you are an AOL member, you can view the complete transcript of the on-line chat with photos, by typing the keywords MUSIC and following the RELIVE AOL LIVE link.

Cleopatra: Queen of Denial (live in Tamworth!)
(photo by cyberBob)

And now for a round-up of new and updated sites:-

• Perhaps you saw Brent Parlane at the festival this year. Brent is now on-line, and you can check out his Web-site. Find out more about what he's been doing of late, and where to see him next.

• The Tomkins Guitar Showcase in Tamworth attracted a huge crowd again this year. Their Web site has been updated with more pictures from this and last years' celebrity packed shows. Speaking of Tomkins Guitars, you can bet Dale Watson was picking on his Tomkins electric when he entertained at the reception celebration for the wedding of BR5-49 Bass player, Jay McDowell, and Wendy Williams in Nashville on Saturday, January 16.

• For 20 years, professional photographer June Underwood has been pointing her lens at the Tamworth Festival. Her photos are for sale, and the 1999 shots can be previewed at her site.

• Keith Glass was everywhere during the Tamworth festival, launching his new album "Southerly Buster". The 2-CD set features 12 new songs, plus 21 tracks from his classic recordings for the Virgin label. Check out the additions to his Web pages and hear a sample the title track in Real Audio.

• Also in Tamworth this year, a new joint initiative from Mulga Music and Oz Exhibitions. The Musicians' Headquarters provided a great spot in the centre of town for musos to relax out of the sun. They also staged industry seminars, including a very popular session run by MEAA (Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance) on how performers can learn to protect their rights. Yours truly, cyberBob, was also on hand to dish out Internet advice.

• Pat Drummond, last seen at the Bushwackers' Longyard wind-up concert performing a blazing version of "When Britannia Ruled The Waves", maintains one of the most interesting Web-sites to be found anywhere. Don't miss Pat's Soap Box, the Local Rag Editorial pages, and join in on the thought-provoking discussions.

• Richard Porteous was to be seen at every gig in the Festival Programme. Surf on over to the Radio National Country Club page and check out the playlists, and you'll never again have to wonder what that song was that Richard played on his radio show!

• Reba wasn't in Tamworth, but E-mailed to say she has completed her first ever tour of Europe. She was amazed and surprised at the fantastic reaction to her songs in concert. Of the European fans, she said, "they are very hungry for country music and get information on artists through the Internet and any other means possible".

• Next month we look at the long awaited new Web sites of Lee Kernaghan, Tania Kernaghan, and the irrepressible Colin Buchanan.

Don't forget to listen out for Cowboys in Cybersp@ce each month on the radio waves with Belinda Miller of Murri Country , 4AAA –FM (98.9 in Brisbane).
If you want to share the location of an interesting site you’ve seen or request a topic for discussion in future columns, why not E-mail me. Until next month, happy surfing.

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