Extra special guest for this month’s country music event

The South East Country Music Association has a special guest appearing at their November event with the much-loved Shirl Brown headlining the afternoon.

Hosted at the Mount Gambier RSL Bowls Club on November 6, from 1-5pm, tickets are $12 for non-members and $10 for members and available at the door, with afternoon tea available and full bar service.

Shirl Brown is the daughter of country music legend Athol McCoy. She was born with music running through her veins with both parents and families all being musical. They all played by ear with Shirl being no exception so life has always been one great jam session. Shirl’s grandmother taught her a few ditties on the piano when she was four and by the time she was eight her musical career began, playing in her family’s old time dance band.

Patsy Cline and Jim Reeves have had a big impact on Shirl’s singing style as she loved their smooth easy listening voices and beautiful meaningful lyrics. Shirl has progressed over the years from piano to keyboard with a big band sound, but she still sings the oldies but goodies as well as songs from the 60s, and some of today’s modern country.

In 1992, Shirl’s husband, Geoff, converted a bus into a motorhome and they hit the road to promote her first album, Life is Preciou”. She hasn’t looked back since, adding five more albums to the collection, while taking music around Australia and doing what she does best.

Tragedy struck Shirl in 2003 on her return to Mount Gambier following her Queensland tour, when she was struck down with a rare disease called Guillian Barre Syndrome, which paralysed her from head to toe in just three days. It’s been a hard road back with Shirl fighting unbearable pain. Her strong will and determination, and the love and support of family, friends and fellow musicians have helped Shirl to recover sufficiently enough to undertake further tours. Shirl says she believes she has been blessed with her music and all the amazing people she has met because of it, and believes that God spared her for a reason, and that is to spread a little happiness each day.