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Special Fig Night - 11 November 2011

"You've Got a Friend" benefit concert for John McConnell organised by Kevin Bennett of The Flood. $25 tickets (includes booking fee). See Bookings.

John Mc Connell has worked in the music industry all his life; mostly known as a brilliant sound engineer (though he also has a wonderful voice). John's recent poor health and resulting inability to work has left him in financial difficulty. Tony Thexton initiated this event and contacted Kevin Bennett, an old time mate of John's. Kevin responded by galvanising friends and support from the music industry - to do what they do best: play music to help raise much needed funds for John. The Manly Fig is pleased to support this wonderful initiative and encourages the Fig community to get behind it. ALL money from the door and raffles will go to John.
RAFFLES: Jim Pike has donated a drum skin signed by Bob Dylan and the members of The Band (with authentication letter). Music industry companies and artists who would have loved to play but had other commitments, have donated merchandise such as CD/DVD packages and a Fender Ukulele. Jeff Mallia is donating a $500 voucher for guitar work.This all goes in a raffle to help the fund raising effort. A special thanks to those who are giving - and letting John know: "You've Got a Friend". John himself will perform for the first time in many years, health permitting. Here is the poster - to email or print - please spread the word.

Can't come? To Contribute:
Financial contributions can be made on the night or by online transfer into: Account: 634-634 100003165 Manly Uniting Church with reference "JMC" if anonymous, or, if you want your name disclosed to John please put the reference "JMC" followed by your name.

Kevin Bennett AND The Flood	Kevin Bennett is a singer / songwriter with reknowned Sydney roots band The Flood; CMAA Gold Guitar winner; and Aria Nominee for 2006. He writes relevant, contemporary Australian music containing elements of Blues, Rock and Country. 2011 Aria Nominee with Casey Chambers for Vocal Collaboration. At the Fig, The Flood will feature Mark Punch on guitar, Mark Collins on banjo, Glen Hannah, Wayne "The Killer" Kellett (bass), and cream drummer Hamish Stuart. www.theflood.com.au/bio.htm
Felicity Urquhart	Felicity Urquhart grew up in ‘Australia’s Country Music Capital’ Tamworth and in 2011 became the host of ABC's Saturday Night Country. 2010 Female Artist of the Year (CMAA Country Music Awards of Australia), 2009 ARIA (Australian Recording Industry Association) Awards Nominee, two Golden Guitars and three MO Awards. She is one of the country’s finest vocalists and songwriters. Felicity has supported John Mellencamp, Sheryl Crow, Willie Nelson and the late Waylon Jennings, and recently toured with Kenny Rogers. She has been busy songwriting with the some of Australia’s leading writers over the past year, including James Blundell, James Reyne, Ross Wilson and Nick Barker. felicity.mushroommusic.com.au
Stuie and Camille	Stuie French and Camille Te Nahu are popular figures on the local country music scene. Camille says that they've performed and recorded for just about everybody so they thought it about time to do their own thing. Stuie and Camille have been playing together for about 3 years and the "Maori Woman" album marks their debut release, a mixture of covers and originals. Camille called on her New Zealand origins when writing Maori Woman, her original contribution to the album which she co-wrote with Kevin Bennett. www.camilleandstuie.com
Karl Broadie and Michael Roberts	Over the past eight years Karl has been one of Australia’s most original and expressive songwriters. His delicately crafted songs about small moments and universal emotions can be found on his own albums and many other artists' . His previous albums, Nowhere Now Here, Black Crow Callin’, One Million Emeralds and Branches have built him a reputation as a perceptive and talented singer/songwriter. Karl has performed at festivals as varied as Port Fairy, Queenscliff, Apollo Bay, Blue Mountains and the Edinburgh and Tartan Heart Festivals in Scotland (Karl’s Homeland), The Gympie Muster and The Tamworth Country Music Festival. Folk/adult contemporary. www.reverbnation.com/karlbroadie
Pat O'Donnell	Pat ODonnell: Pat is one of the infamous O'Donnell Brothers see www.facebook.com/Bestofbrothersshow Tony Thexton: Played ‘harp’ for bluesman Simon Turnbull and hoever else at the Troubadour in 1966. Tony haunted Whisky a Go Go , Chequers, etc blowing with everyone from Doug Williams to Kevin Borich and the late Jackie Orzacsky. He played London’sTroubadour and Bungie’s; played Dobro for Spider John Koerner, & once found himself on stage with Isaac Hayes’ tour band! Sideman for Al Head, Terry Darmody and others; plays 6 and 12 string, lapslide and bottleneck resonator, uke, mandola, mandolin, banjo, banjelele, mouthbow, dulcimer, flute and of course, harmonica.	Tony Thexton
Jim Pike & the Icebreakers	Jim Pike was one of the stalwarts of the Sydney acoustic scene during the 1970s and now, after many dishonest years in the wilderness of the recording industry, radio, tv and voice overs, he has returned to song writing and performing. If you lke lyrics that make you think, and hooks and harmonies that hang around you, you'll get it all when Jim and The Icebreakers perform songs from their upcoming album. Jim is our also our MC for the night.	Dave Hannagan Dave Hannagan hails from the original Country Radio band (1970s) with Walsh, Anderson and Agostino. At first an acoustic folk act, during 1970-71 the group's musical style evolved into electric country-rock, the style gaining great popularity with albums like The Band's Music From Big Pink, Dylan's Nashville Skyline and The Byrds' Sweethart Of The Rodeo.
Zoe Elliot with Lincoln Smith	"You are incredible, it made me cry. .. I was gripped, the lyrics are beautiful,.. so inspiring. You have the voice of an angel..." Rebecca Gibney Oct, 2009. Her fresh, charismatic and emotional performances have already built her a loyal following. She opened for Dragon, has performed at large Warringah and Manly council events like the Food and Wine Festivals, Australia Day, News Year Eve, and the Manly Jazz Festival. Zoe won the 2010 Australian Songerwriters Conference Competition and the 2GO Acoustic Awards. Her album, "Precipitate" has been well received.www.ZoeElliot.com
Chris E Thomas	I am a NSW Sth Coast based singer/writer. 26 years Yes, I started very young. Have toured and/or recorded with many Australian/OS Acts. Aussies you may know - Billy Thorpe, Brian Cadd, Vanessa Amorossi, Tina Arena, Wendy Matthews, James Blundell, Bachelor Girl and Adam Brand to name a few . www.chrisethomas.com
Shane Flew	For 30 years Shane Flew has worked with most major names in Australian music, playing drums or percussion and singing, covering almost all genres and appearing in the country’s smallest pubs to the largest stadiums. In the recording studio, Shane has played and sung on over 40 albums and performed his way through innumerable jingles and soundtracks. All this time he has been an aspiring songwriter, having had some of his tunes recorded by other artists. After many years of touring Shane has now developed a solo career writing, singing & playing his own material. www.shaneflew.com

A number of generous people have told us that they can't attend but would love to contribute. For them, and anyoine is a similar mind-set we

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