September 16th 2004   Rusty Douch

Making a welcome return to our club tonight, Rusty, a resident of New Milton, Hampshire, has been associated with Country Music for more than 40 years. His career started with sixties pop music, although, he admits, he always managed to throw in a Country song wherever he performed.

During the seventies his love of country music steered him to the group,' The Wild Bunch' as lead vocal and guitarist. During this spell he toured worldwide and supported various American Artistes touring the United Kingdom .

For the last fifteen years he has been solo following excusions with bands 'Three Wheel' and 'The Little Buddies'. He is also heavily involved in organising Country Music Festivals and comparing shows. As you would expect from such an experienced artiste, his preferences lie with the older singer / songwriters.

So it was no surprise when he started his first set with Merle Haggard's 'Lets Chase Each Other Round The Room Tonight', followed by Buck Owens' 'Love's Gonna Live Here' this set the pattern for the evening as loads of pure Country songs were delivered./ 'Swingin' Doors,' 'Good Hearted Woman' 'Move it on Over / ' T for Texas'  ' Rocky Top' 'I Love You Because'  'Jambalaya' 'Tennessee Waltz' etc etc.

Other songs not heard often at our club included ' It's a Heartache' a hit for both Bonnie Tyler and Dave and Sugar, 'Amazing Love', a number one for Charley Pride, 'Choices' a recent song from highly rated Billy Yates, 'The Farmer's Daughter' from Merle Haggard, 'When I Dream' a hit for Crystal Gayle and Paul Anka's ' It Doesn't Matter Anymore,' a pop hit for Buddy Holly and a Country chart hit for R.C. Bannon.

Dancer's too were catered for and particularly enjoyed ' Okie From Muskogee'  'Waltz Across Texas', ' Eighteen Yellow Roses' and 'The Breeze'.

Rusty, smartly attired, gave us 49 songs in all, with effortless ease and jovial manner and provided a great evening 's entertainment.

Cyril Insley Top