KUCHING: Event organiser Planet Conventions and Events (PLACE) is looking for Country Music fans or individuals to volunteer at the Miri Country Music Fest next year.
PLACE would need at least 45 volunteers to help in gate control, ticket counter, merchandise stall, secretariat, media centre and to look after each band and stage area.
Except for those assigned to look after the bands who have to be on duty from Feb 25, the other volunteers are required for one day only on Feb 27, 2016.
Anyone keen to volunteer at the festival are to contact Fifi Lea at fifi@placeborneo.com <mailto:fifi@placeborneo.com> soonest.
Next year will see seven bands perform at the annual festival and these bands are of a good mix of country music performers so Country Music fans will be in for a good outing.
To be staged at Parkcity Everly Hotel Miri in Miri City on Feb 27 next year, the festival will feature Miri’s very own Mountain Wind Band, Tantowi Yahya from Indonesia, Ruby Boots (Australia), Leonard and the Country Riders (Singapore), 2Country4Nashvill (USA), Jonathan Tse (Kota Kinabalu) and Os Pombos (Kuala Lumpur).
Os Pombos, making a second appearance on popular request, is expected to get the crowd dancing away to their upbeat tunes and vocal harmony. After being in the business for more than two decades and with an album to their credit, Os Pombos are considered the father of Country Music in Malaysia.
Another act to look out for at next year’s festival is another big name in Country Music in the region — Tantowi Yahya.
Tantowi is not only popular in Indonesia but well known among Country Music followers in Malaysia and neighbouring countries.
Tantowi, a singer, television host, entrepreneur and politician, has released a Country Music album.
Ruby Boots is expected to give the crowd a taste of Australian Country Music with their sparky truth-soaked music and songs.
Led by singer and songwriter Bex Chilcott, Ruby Boots music is heartwarming and full of charm. Leonard and the Country Riders will ride in from Singapore with traditional Country and Western swing as well as classic tunes.
The band members pride themselves in their ability to ‘bring back to life’ the sound and feel of real old Country Music.
2Country4Nashvill is a husband-and-wife band that performs traditional Country tunes.
Spotting a pompadour hairstyle, Jo-el Ulmer and wife LeAnne’s love and passion for Country Music is very much evident in their performances.
In fact that was how the duo got the band’s name. They were auditioning for a music competition when told that their music sounded too Country.
Kota Kinabalu-based Jonathan Tse is a singer, songwriter and music producer. His songs are inspired by faith, love and hope and his energetic performance is contagious in getting the audience to sway to his beat.
Nearer home, the boys of Mountain Wind are no strangers to the local music scene. They had promised to do their best, especially for local fans.
Tickets to the festival are priced at RM80 per adult and RM40 per child (three to 12 years old). Both adult and child tickets come with a drink each.
Tickets are available online at www.miricountrymusic.com and in Kuching, Miri and Kota Kinabalu. In Kuching, the tickets are available at Planet Conventions and Events office (082-250400) while in Miri at Parkcity Everly Hotel Miri (085-440288) and Planet Borneo Travel and Tour Services (085-414300). In Kota Kinabalu, tickets are available from Asif Pishori (014-6922757).
The one-day event will showcase music workshops, line dance session, bazaar and music concert.
The day’s programme will begin from 2pm with the opening of the bazaar followed by music workshops.
The line dance session will be held from 4pm while the concert starts from 5.30pm.
Line dance enthusiasts are expected to get together to share and exchange dance technique and steps at the line dance sessions.
Introduced in 2013, Miri Country Music Fest is said to be the only Country Music festival in the region. The festival is endorsed by Miri City Council and supported by Parkcity Everly Hotel Miri.
For details on the event, logon www.miricountrymusic.com or follow ‘Miri Country Music Fest’ on Facebook for regular updates.
Source: http://miri.my/2015/11/06/volunteers-sought-for-miri-country-music-fest-next-year/