Cross Country Magazine
"Cross Country is a monthly magazine which brings you a wealth of information about British Country Music, Country Clubs, including events, Gig Guides and much much more............"
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BCMHOF & Awards Ceremony. . .
We are proud to announce the following results.
2008 inductees. . .
The 2008 inductees who have been recognised for contributing to the furtherance of British Country music are:
Raymond Froggatt ~ Gerry Ford ~ John C King ~ Kelvin Henderson
Wally Whyton ~ Miki & Griff
AWARDS . . .
We are pleased to announce the winners of Awards for 2008 who were:
Best Male: Gary Perkins
Best Female: Donna Wylde
Best Group: Little Rock
Best Duo: MT Allan
Entertainer of the Year: Tim McKay
People's Choice Award: Alan Cameron
Best Song: John McCane with I Don't Have Far To Fall
Best Original Song: The Diablos with Whiskey, Women & Wine
Best Album: Brian Hughes with Back To Where I¹m Going
Hotdisc Horizon Award: Ned Kelly (aka Grahme Lister)
With more than 10,000 votes cast, the results were an accurate reflection of what the British Country fans thought.
The organisers would like to thank all those who voted and all those who participated in making the show, the success it was. The cheers when the Award recipients were announced proved the correct choices had been made .
We would like to thank those artists who attended whether they were appearing, or who just came along.
Visit the BCMHOF website which will keep you up to date with all that's happening
October Cross Country
Featuing 2008 BCMHOF Inductee - John C King
John C King has been hailed as a British Country music legend by his peers and held with high respect on the Country music scene. He is best known for his deep, powerful voice which he uses to great effect whether it is for ballads, train songs or much more. John is a more traditional Country music artist but by no means laid back, which is often stereotyped in this genre.
John was an active lad who loved sports, especially gymnastics and swimming.
At one point it wasn¹t certain if he would become a singer or a sailor in the Royal Navy.
He has always loved his music, in fact his first paid gig was at the tender age of 12 when the act at his local village hall didn¹t turn up. Someone called around to his house and asked if he could help. He was happy to save the day and was hooked from that moment. From then on he was singing a mixture of Country music, skiffle and rock 'n¹ roll.
At 16 years of age with his mature voice, he started his showband career, working full time in different bands. John had a tenor sax player called Van Morrison before Van left to find his fame in London. John often fronted these showbands as the main singer but also has done stints playing the trombone, piano and drums but he always ended back at the front belting out the latest hits as required in the showband days.
Over the years John played in many bands but then came the responsibility of marriage and children. He realised that being a solo performer was financially more stable for supporting his family whilst still enjoying his passion for music. For a long time he was a very successful solo act in the late 70s and early 80s.
John moved his family to Scotland and lived there for over 12 years. Then came the John C King Family Band who were possibly one of the most popular bands on the circuit through the 80s and mid 90s with a following any band or artist would be proud of. The band consisted of John Jr on bass, Angie, his daughter on vocals and guitar, his son Billy on drums and vocals with John as the main guitarist and band leader. John was the one who taught his children how to play their respective instruments and showed them the trade on how to act and perform to the standards of a true professional.
Eight years after moving to Norfolk the band finally came to an end and everyone moved on. Billy Bubba became a solo act and John got a normal job enjoying life off the road and Angie has now started her own solo career.
As we know, John is now a solo artist once again with his guitar, drum machine and a big rich Country music voice which is guaranteed to please the dancer and listener alike with his unique mix and brand of pure Country music.
John is a quiet man on stage. His view is: I¹m not a comedian nor story teller, I¹m a singer so I will speak when I¹m off stage¹. He loves his music and to talk about his favourite songs from such artists as Lonnie Donegan, Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly and Fats Domino. His favourite Country singers are Merle Haggard, Boxcar Willie, Buck Owens, Conway Twitty and Waylon Jennings. He also likes some of the more modern Country artists that you might not have expected, Little Texas, Josh Turner, Garth Brooks and Keith Urban are just some of them.
There is only one thing that can equal John¹s passion for his music and that is his passion for his motorbike, the faster the better. When he isn¹t singing, he is on his bike, you won¹t see him, just a blue yellow blur passing by!
John C King is a 'silver disc selling' British legend, a phenomenal entertainer who is proud to be flying the flag as an ambassador of traditional British Country music.
He would like to thank everyone who has ever helped and supported him.
To contact John, telephone 01362 821126 or mobile 07836 385136.
Cross Country Magazine:
The editor's comments with Jim Duncan.
Hotdisc Charts, Letters, News from the British Country scene, Cameron¹s Corner - Proud to be British!
Club and festival reports from all over the UK plus a 36 page Gig Guide not forgetting the Album reviews and advertisements for every conceivable event and theatre shows.