This year we celebrated Country Music from USA, Australia, Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia in our 3rd Fest. What a great success! It was such an overwhelming success that the dates for Miri Country Music Fest 2017 have been announced. It will be over two days, 25th and 26th February.
This year’s Fest was held on 29th February in the Parkcity Everly Hotel, Miri. This hotel has a large pavilion which is perfect for events like this and is also used for wedding dinners and other such events.
The Country Music Fest’s performers started arriving a few days earlier and two nights before there was a big get-together of the many who were involved, in a popular meeting place, Ming Café. The place was full of happy people eating, drinking and enjoying the live music from some of the performers.
On the night before there was a cocktail reception held in the Ruai Lounge of the hotel. The performers were all there and once again there was a great live pre show for us all to enjoy.
The actual day started with Vocal harmony workshop by OS Pombos from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Real Country Hour by 2Country4Nashville, USA (this would be played on a radio show in USA). Line Dancing at the Pavilion. At 5.30 the Concert started. We arrived at sunset and were just in time to see another magnificent sunset from the grassy area outside in the grounds of the hotel, which are set by the sea. There was a Bucking Bronco, Bouncy Castle, various stalls selling food, drinks and souvenirs, stalls selling promotional items for the performers and giant Cut Outs of the performers for a great photo opportunity! Giant screens were set up for those who wished to sit outside and enjoy the lovely breeze and happily it did not rain.
The atmosphere was great. There were people everywhere dressed in Country style and inside the Pavilion the music started with the line-up:-
The Mountain Wind Band from Sarawak, Malaysia
Jonathan Tse from Koto Kinabalu, Malaysia
Leonard And The Country Riders from Singapore
Mel & Joe of Singapore
Ruby Boots from Australia
Tantowi Yahya from Indonesia
2Country4Nashville from USA
OS Pombos from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Also, Rani Tofani, Asif Pishori and Mel Ferdinands.
This fabulous line-up and the whole event was headed by Gracie V. Geikie. Gracie and her Miri Country Music Fest Team did an excellent job of making the Fest a resounding success. Everyone had a great time and there was a lot of dancing and singing from the happy audience. Many had travelled from a long distance to be there.
We are really looking forward to the next Country Music Fest set right here in Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia. If you love Country Music, it is not to be missed!
Photos by Lesley Tan and Miri Country Music Fest.
