Here Comes Summer!

Merry Christmas - thank you for your presence!

Our second year together is drawing to a close and we want to say a big Thank you/Love ya! to all our wonderful partners, friends and supporters who've made the journey thus far so enjoyable and rewarding.

We've had ups - like being judged Variety Artists Club Group of the Year - and a couple of downs, notably Pete Wallace's major surgery (from which, we're thrilled to report, he is recovering steadily and positively).

As we get ready to 'Rock the Clock' into the dawning of a bright New Year - at Silverdale RSA on Dec. 31 - we'd like to wish you a Joyous and Joyful Christmas/New Year's Eve with goodwill and goodies, family and friends, and plenty of good music.

Have a safe, happy Summer Holiday in this Wonderful Land. We look forward to enjoying your company again in 2015. Cheers!

"Midnight" Flyer

Variety Artists Club NZ "Group of the Year"

L-R: Shane, Graham, Alistair, John, Garry, Peter, Gerard

Well, that was a pleasant surprise. At last night's glittering VAC Benny Awards Red Carpet Event, The Shadz picked up the 2014 Group of the Year Award, sponsored by the producers/hosts of Face TV's The Beat Goes On and Rocking the Planet.

Our statuette and scrolls were presented by Gerard Smith and our "partner-in-crime" Shane Hales who, technically, should have been on the receiving end, too, such has been his key frontman role in the exposure and steady gig work that Shane & The Shadz have been enjoying since the end of Summer 2013.

Congratulations to Tina Cross on her fully deserved Benny Award, and to all the other worthy award winners, nominees and honorees. It's a privilege and honour to be a "twinkle" in such a galaxy of quality Kiwi entertainers. [Video credit: Steve Hilliar via YouTube.com]

Shadz on show!

We've been given the honour of kicking-off the opening show and supporting the first wave of guest stars for tomorrow night's sold-out Variety Artists Club 'Benny Awards' Red Carpet Event - and nominated for an award, to boot! All the best to fellow "Group of the Year" nominees, Prima Swing Riot and Howie Morrison Trio, and all those in other categories. And, welcome aboard John Morton (standby lead guitarist}, whose Shads-skills (and Fiesta Red Fender Strat) will expand the band to a 5-piece for this event.

 

Busy - and "idol" - weekend ahead (Friday, Saturday, Sunday)

We're looking forward to being joined at New Lynn RSA on Friday night by special guest artist, Josephine Pirihi, recently crowned "West RSAs Idol"...

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Pop(up) Star!

VAC Scene-ation (from a fun night at 'The Chev')

Another dose of the 'VAC Scene'

Expect another heapin' helping of everyone's Cliff Richard & The Shadows favourites on Mon. 4 August when Shane & The Shadz take the stage at the Point Chevalier RSA - plus a bonus.

We're back at the 'Chev' for the Variety Artists Club (VAC) monthly 'Meet'n'Greet' cavalcade of entertainers.

And, a couple of the Boyz in the Band have been persuaded to do some vocalising. Hope you'll join us!

 

Second "rock" on the 'Planet'

''By popular request", we recently found ourselves making a return appearance on Rockin' the Planet with Shane (Face TV/Sky 83 Thursday nights at 8.30pm) and sharing the show with yet another gorgeous, talented Kiwi songbird - the internationally accomplished Annie Crummer.
 

Tasty 'Tango' TV teaser

'Shane & Shadz Surfari' rolls on - Mangawhai Tavern

Tux return - back to Silverdale RSA

Back on the 'Planet' and helping Kidney Kids

Wood'n'hearts

Tom-tom Betti & The Heartstarters?

Happy Birthday, Shane!

Rockin' in the isle!

Waiheke Island recalls NZ's favourite '60s TV pop show with a lineup of legends.

The gig of all Mothers!

Fantastic, packed, rockin' Mothers' Day gig at The Boat House, Riverhead Tavern, Auckland on Sunday, May 11, 2014. Shane, Peter Wallace, Graham Gibson with excellent support from last-minute ring-ins Mark (bass) and Richard (drums), Looking forward to returning to this classy, picturesque venue in the near future!

  

"Rockin' the Planet"

Episode 1 of the new TV music magazine show fronted by Shane Hales - featuring The Shadz + Shane; and Karen Davy and Ken Strong of "Dreams - the Fleetwood Mac Experience" (incl. Shadz bass guitarist Alistair Taylor and drummer Garry Betti..

Won't you let us take you on a Sea Cruise?

Shane-Shadz 'Surfin' Safari' rocks'n'rolls on...

This Sat. 'Hitz at the Citz' - Tauranga

"Rockin' the Planet!"

The Shadz helped Shane get his upcoming music TV show ready to roll with a 60-minute set at the Auckland Commerce Club on Friday 21 March.

Also on the bill for the first show in the series were Karen Davy and Ken Strong fronting "Dreams - the Fleetwood Mac Experience" with our own Alistair Taylor and Garry Betti on bass and drums.

Here are a couple of pics from the event...

Shane/Shadz show shoot

The Shadz will be helping Shane get his new TV music show rollin', this Friday night.

Also featuring - in front of an invited live audience - our good buddy Karen Davy fronting "Dreams - the Fleetwood Mac Experience", complete with costumes, set, lighting effects and a brilliant tribute band led by guitar man Ken Strong. 

Edited excerpts from these two 1-hour live performances will appear in the first programme of the series. For anyone who'd like to join the audience (dancing encouraged), here's how to get there... 

 

Back in the Bay!

Good day, Ruby Sunday!

Congratulations to The Shadz founder/leader/drummer Garry Betti and wonderful partner/soulmate Laurelle on your 40th (Ruby) Wedding Anniversary.

 

Everyone enjoyed being part of your celebration at yesterday's sun-blessed party and star-studded jam session.

 

Here's to many more happy anniversaries!

"Let me tell you, baby, it's called Rock'n'Bowl!"

SSShhh...

"The Lion" sleeps tonight, but come next Saturday...

 

"Sha-BOOM!"

Doin' the 'Hoki-Koki' (this's what it's all about)

Another weekend, another road trip - looking forward to spending a couple of days beside beautiful, friendly Hokianga Harbour. Think it's safe to say that we won't be putting our "left and right arms and legs in" sports coats and black trou on this occasion.
 

  

More gigs of memories

With two highly enjoyable and successful 2014 events - Matakohe Music & Arts Festival and Whangamata Club - already behind us, Shane & The Shadz sure are starting the year with a 'SH'BANG!' Here's the currently confirmed upcoming gig list, as at Jan. 14:

Sat. Jan. 25:        Private function (outa town)

Sat. Feb. 8:         'Soundgarden', Kohukohu, Hokianga Harbour

Sat. Feb. 15:       'The Lion Rocks', Piha Bowling Club, Piha Beach

Sat. Feb. 22:        Matakana Hall, Matakana

Sun. Feb. 23:       'WoofStock' SPCA Musos' Bash, Silverdale RSA

Sun. March 2:       Orewa (tba)  2.00 - 2:30 pm

Sat. April 12:         Entertainers Club show, Citz Club, Tauranga

Over the hill...

Bye-Bye, Phil...

R.I.P. Phil Everly (1939-2014)

On Friday, January 3, 2014, another tall tree toppled in the steadily thinning forest of true rock'n'pop trailblazers with the death of the younger of the legendary Everly Brothers. Phil was just a couple of weeks short of his 75th birthday.

Like The Shadows, The Beatles. The Hollies, Simon & Garfunkel, NZ's own Bill & Boyd and many more artists and groups, we members of The Shadz were strongly influenced, and instructed, by the songs, the harmonies and the guitar stylings of Phil and Don Everly. Our current repertoire features several of their greatest hits, hopefully rendered with the respect and integrity that they so richly deserve.

Already, you can find hundreds of tributes, biographies, retrospectives, YouTubes, you-name-it, on the Web. So, we'd just like to say: "Thanks for the music and the memories, Phil Everly. Rest in peace."

In 1972, Albert Hammond recorded, as an album track, a powerful, heartfelt ballad that he had co-composed with Mike Hazlewood. The following year, 1973, Phil Everly was the first artist to cover that song and release it as a single. Then, in 1974, his version inspired the cover by The Hollies, which would go on to become a major and enduring hit. Here, with arrangement by Warren Zevon and production by twangy guitar hero Duane Eddy, is Phil's sensitive rendition of "The Air That I Breathe"...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_QB9iAzvsY   

Spotlight on The Shadz...

  Play 'Apache Match'. Pick your moment to start the music below, and see
how closely you can line up the music beat with the spotlight sequence.

(Or, click on the pic above to go to Shadz member bios.)

  

Hoppin' to the beach!

 

No sooner do we get home from the Matakohe Music & Arts Festival (Sun, 5 Jan.) than we're back on the road again - this time, south-east and over the Coromandel Range to surfside Whangamata, home of the legendary annual "Beach Hop" events.

We're really looking forward to this gig because the town should be still packed with summer holidaymakers and the Whangamata Club is also home to one of NZ's most active and enthusiastic rock'n'roll dance clubs, the Coastal Rockers.

The New Year begins here...

Matakohe 2013: Tom Sharplin backed by Shadz members plus Karen Davy (vocals), Ray Eade (bass), Peter Wood (piano), Keri Betti (harp)

How to get there: After Kaiwaka, heading north on SH1, turn left before Brynderwyn Hill onto SH12 to Dargaville. Proceed through Maungatoroto and Paparoa Village. After crossing two single-lane bridges, watch for Matakohe Kauri Museum sign. At entrance to Matakohe East Rd, turn hard left into Barlow Lane. [Click maps to enlarge]

 

Westward Ho-Ho-Ho!

And, that's it for the year. Shane & The Shadz rounded out 2013 with a "Christmas Party" gig at New Lynn RSA, in West Auckland, last Saturday night. Great turnout at an excellent venue.

Time now to change some strings, slip into some shorts, eat, drink and be Merry with family and friends, see in the New Year and get relaxed and ready to hit the road north for our first 2014 outing - a return to the Matakohe Music & Arts Festival - on Sunday, 5 Jan.
 
The Shadz (Garry, Peter, Alistair & Graham) and Shane wish you a very Merry Christmas, a pleasant break and a Happy New Year!