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Hello from David Croser, ('The Cocky from Koolywurtie').

There hasn't been a lot of time spent entertaining since my last update, but I have been able to record a couple of my songs, which have ended up on a DVD slideshow of my hometown, Minlaton, (produced by Alan Carson). The first song, titled 'Minlaton, you are my Pride and Joy', was written in 1983. The second song, 'Harry Butler is our Hero', was written last August, (just in time for the 90th Anniversary celebrations of Captain Harry Butler's historic first Air Mail flight over water in the Southern Hemisphere, on August 6th, 1919). The DVD features some photographs of Harry and his exploits, and the song fits in well with them.
I recorded these songs in the home studio of Rodney Noll, who lives on a small property on the River Murray, near Blanchetown, SA. Rodney is also an accomplished singer/songwriter, and has recorded a number of CDs over the last few years, and most tracks featured are his originals.

Pic: L-R: Featured in the photo from left to right are Phill Dunning, Laurel Croser, Rodney Noll, Peter Cook

David Pearce, David Croser and Helen Croser.
I took part in a fundraiser concert in the Berri Club, SA, on June 2nd, in aid of the 'RFDS', and organized by David Williams, and the next outing for me was another 'RFDS' fundraiser, in the form of the second 'Minlaton Music Muster'. This event, (organized by Helen and myself), was held on Sunday, July 25th, in the Minlaton Golf Club, and this time we almost filled the place, when about 110 people enjoyed a variety of Country Music and Bush Ballads, performed by South Australian artists. Those appearing with me, were Rodney Noll, David Pearce, Phill Dunning, Peter Cook, Laurel Croser, with Helen reading some of her poems between each artist.
Helen had been busy leading up to the Muster, when she produced a booklet of 13 of her 'Poems from the Heart'. These were first released for sale on the day, selling for $8-00. I also sold CDs of my song 'Harry Butler is our Hero', for $5-00, (with $2-00 of this going to a fund, to raise funds for a proposed bronze statue of Captain Harry Butler that will be erected in Minlaton).
This year, we were pleased to have a profit of almost $1700-00, which was passed onto the 'Royal Flying Doctor Service', (so it appears there is plenty of interest in further 'Minlaton Music Musters').
With the Muster behind us, we are starting to look forward to taking part in the 'Music Tour of America's Deep South', with Craig Giles, from September 21st, and also a three day tour of Jamaica, with John Howie, and we should be home in mid October, with a few lasting memories.
Until I update you again, please stay safe and healthy, and keep the Bush Ballads coming.
Yours sincerely,
David Croser.


Email David Croser

Harry Butler is our Hero.

Captain Harry Butler is a hero in our town,
A Koolywurtie farmer whose brave deeds brought him renown,
Flying was his passion, in the days when ‘planes were new,
He soon learnt to fly them, and showed folks what he could do.

He’d barrel roll and loop the loop, and climb into the clouds,
Then he would come diving down, to thrill the gathered crowds.
The people watching wondered, how a man could do these things,
But Harry wasn’t phased at all, ‘cos Harry, he had wings.

He was born in Yorketown hospital, in 1889,
Christened Henry John, but to him Harry sounded fine,
Attended Koolywurtie school, and learnt to read and write,
These skills and some others helped him in his quest for flight.

Chorus
Now Harry’s still a hero here in Minlaton today,
You won’t hear a bad word about him, and I pray
Things will stay like this and his good name will carry on,
Yes, Harry’s still a hero, in his hometown, Minlaton.

At the age of twenty-seven, he sailed off to England’s shore,
And once there enlisted in the ‘Royal Flying Corps.’
At first they kept him on the ground, to Harry’s great dismay
Finally he got his chance, and put on a grand display.

Next thing he was flying over France and off to war,
Things he did in battle soon earned other pilot’s awe,
He won two ‘Air Force Crosses’ for his exploits in the air,
Young Harry took it in his stride, and didn’t seem to care.

Then Harry started teaching young trainees how to fly,
He taught them all the skills they’d need, while they were on high.
Two thousand, seven hundred, he instructed in this way,
I guess some of his tactics are still being taught today.

Chorus
Now Harry’s still a hero here in Minlaton today,
You won’t hear a bad word about him, and I pray
Things will stay like this and his good name will carry on,
Yes, Harry’s still a hero, in his hometown, Minlaton.

Now when the war was won, and Harry sailed back home
He brought back to Australia, two airplanes of his own.
One, a ‘Bristol’ monoplane, all painted up in red,
Plus an ‘Avro’ bi-plane, and both sure could turn a head.

It was on the 6th of August, in nineteen nineteen,
When Harry and his ‘Red Devil’, they burst upon the scene.
The first to carry airmail, over water in this land,
Six thousand people witnessed, this great event first hand.

But disaster struck our Harry, when in nineteen twenty two,
He crashed his ‘Avro’ bi-plane, just south of town, it’s true.
Although he survived the crash, his last 18 months were poor,
‘Till an abscess on his brain took him, aged only thirty four.

Chorus
Now Harry’s still a hero here in Minlaton today,
You won’t hear a bad word about him, and I pray
Things will stay like this and his good name will carry on,
Yes, Harry’s still a hero, in his hometown, Minlaton.
Yes, Harry’s still a hero, in my hometown, Minlaton.

© David Croser 2009
E-mail: David Croser

BIO
David Croser - “The Cocky from Koolywurtie”
 
David Croser is a farmer/singer/songwriter, living on a small farm out of Minlaton, in the district of Koolywurtie, on Yorke Peninsula S.A. The farm produces barley and beef cattle.

He has been involved with music since the early 60’s. He was a rhythm guitarist and vocalist with local band the “New Minlatones”, and “Gum Flat Revival” between 1970 and 1987, winning several Country Music awards at Portland (Vic) and in the Riverland and Port Pirie (S.A.). His song “Fuelled up and Rolling” was used as the title tune for a cassette produced by the band.

David has recorded two 14 track CDs (in 2003 and 2005) titled “Proud to be a Farmer” and “Man on the Land” and has co-written one song with his wife, Helen. David has plans to record a third CD during 2007.

He has entered and won awards at country music talent quests as a solo artist and songwriter since 1997 at Mt. Gambier, Port Pirie and Port Augusta.
David was placed 3rd in the 2000 APRA S.A.Country Music Song-writing Awards run by the South Australian Council for Country Music.

He was a finalist in the Male Vocal section of the South Australian Champion of Champions in 2000 and a Grand Finalist in the Bush Balladeer’s Star Quest in Tamworth in 2002. In 2004, he was a finalist in the New Talent section of the Stan Coster Memorial Australian Bush Ballad Awards at the Bungendore Country Muster.

In 2006, David was a finalist in the “Australia” section of the Australian Songwriters Association song-writing contest with his song, “Rivers of Australia”. This song features on his “Man on the Land” CD.

Product

NEW CD !!!
The Cocky from Koolywurtie

Track listing:

01. The Cockie From Koolywurtie. 02. If I Had Wings. 03. Carve Your name In My Saddle. 04. The Old Draught Horse. 05. People, Times and Places. 06. It's Over and Done. 07. Saddle Boy. 08. Where her Spirit's Free. 09. A Special place In Heaven. 10. One last Look. 11. A Kangaroo's point Of View. 12. Banjo and Henry. 13. Old Gilbert. 14. Save The Bush Ballad.

The CD retails at $25 plus $2 postage and handling.

>>The C.D is also available through 'Mulga Music Promotions', in Tamworth.
Their e-mail address is mulga@tpg.com.au, and their web site is www.mulgamusic.com.au, or you can obtain C.D's by writing to them at P.O. Box 664 Tamworth. N.S.W. 2340.
If you are travelling through Tamworth they are also available from the Australian Country Music Foundation, 93 Brisbane Street, Tamworth.

"MAN ON THE LAND"
AVAILABLE NOW!

» CREDIT CARD?
>>If you wish to purchase this album with credit card please go to the Brisbane Country Music Store - direct to "Man On The Land"
COUNTRY MUSIC STORE LINK  --- HERE SOON!!!!!

>>The C.D is also available through 'Mulga Music Promotions', in Tamworth.
Their e-mail address is mulga@tpg.com.au, and their web site is www.mulgamusic.com.au, or you can obtain C.D's by writing to them at P.O. Box 664 Tamworth. N.S.W. 2340.
If you are travelling through Tamworth they are also available from the Australian Country Music Foundation, 93 Brisbane Street, Tamworth.

Debut album
"PROUD TO BE A FARMER"
Featuring 14 tracks, Including 7 originals
$20 plus $2 postage and handling.
» CREDIT CARD?
>>If you wish to purchase this album with credit card please go to the Brisbane Country Music Store
- direct to "Proud To Be a Farmer"
COUNTRY MUSIC STORE LINK

>>The C.D is also available through 'Mulga Music Promotions', in Tamworth.
Their e-mail address is mulga@tpg.com.au, and their web site is www.mulgamusic.com.au, or you can obtain C.D's by writing to them at P.O. Box 664 Tamworth. N.S.W. 2340.
If you are travelling through Tamworth they are also available from the Australian Country Music Foundation, 93 Brisbane Street, Tamworth.

>>TOUR DATES