Revered Australian country music photographer, writer, and documentary maker John Elliott will set the art scene for the Mudgeeraba Music Muster, bringing his photographic exhibition to the Gold Coast City hinterland town from 14-20 October as part of the inaugural country music celebration.
Powered by V8 Supercars, Mr Elliott’s Cowboys and Country Legends exhibition will be on display in Swan Lane, Mudgeeraba, and will be open to the public between 12pm and 6pm daily from Monday 14 to Sunday 20 October.
The portrait exhibition features legendary Australian country musicians including Slim Dusty, Tommy Emmanuel and Smoky Dawson, all personally photographed by Mr Elliott. He will also be taking free school photography workshops on Tuesday 15th, Wednesday 16th, and Thursday 17th from 10am – 11.30am at local schools, and will be attending the Cowboys and Country Legends exhibition himself on the final weekend.
Spanning three decades, Mr Elliott’s impressive career has focused on capturing the Australian country music scene across several genres in print, radio and photography, receiving numerous accolades both nationally and internationally.
He has authored two definitive books on Australian country music: ‘On The Road With Slim’ and ‘Where Country Is’ – a pictorial history of the past 25 years of Australian Country Music, and was founding editor of Australian Country Music Magazine.
Having grown up in country Queensland, Mr Elliott says he is thrilled to be invited to the inaugural Mudgeeraba Muster to add his talents to what is shaping up to be a hallmark event for the region.
“I grew up in Blackall in western Queensland and have been visiting the Gold Coast for many years,” said Mr Elliott. “I love Mudgeeraba because it still has that friendly small town feel about it but is only minutes from the bustling Gold Coast.
“I’m looking forward to being involved, and seeing some fantastic country music acts perform. Chad Morgan is a real legend and the only country music pioneer from the early 1950s who is still working; and Tania Kernaghan – another Australian country music pioneer in her own way, coming from country music royalty, and a Gold Coast local to boot – she is a great performer.”
An initiative of the Mudgeeraba Chamber of Commerce and City of Gold Coast Division 9 Councillor, Glenn Tozer, the Mudgeeraba Music Muster will be a celebration of ‘all things country’, featuring a star-studded line-up of some of Australia’s finest country music bands and artists, as well as young and emerging talent.
John Elliott’s Cowboys and Country Legends Exhibition will run from 14 to 20 October with other Muster events kicking off from the 17th.
A free outdoor concert, sponsored by Robina Group will be held in Mudgeeraba’s main street Swan Lane on Sunday 20th, featuring a full day’s program of music, roving buskers and entertainers, and fun for all the family from 11am to 4pm. Two outdoor stages will be erected – the Main Stage and the Village Stage – and Swan Lane will be closed to traffic for the massive street party.
Mudgeeraba Chamber of Commerce President, John Forrester, says the brand new event will showcase the local area, hinterland environment and businesses.
“The Muster will give people from other parts of the Gold Coast, as well as tourists, the opportunity to step away from the beaches and experience the relaxed and friendly country atmosphere and charm that is ‘uniquely’ Mudgeeraba,” he said.
