Wayne Horsburgh
Wayne Horsburgh is an Australian country music entertainer. He was born 11 June 1955, in Benalla, Victoria. He currently lives near Sydney, Australia, and Branson, Missouri, United States.
Horsburgh's career began at the age of 11 when he formed his own dance band in rural Victoria[1]. In 1978, he was asked by Buddy Williams (Australia's pioneer of country music)[2] to tour Australia. By 1979, Horsburgh had moved to Sydney to pursue his musical career[8].
Horsburgh is noted by fans and critics alike for his smooth voice, excellent falsetto notes, impressive vocal range, yodelling abilities, and his willingness to popularize and maintain a broad range of traditional country music art forms.[3][4]
His influences include Slim Whitman, Frank Ifield, Jim Reeves and Marty Robbins.[4][5]
Setting his sights even higher, Horsburgh performed for a season in the United Kingdom in 1982 and investigated the US music and entertainment scene in 1984.[5]
In 1989, Horsburgh was introduced to United States’ country music audiences when he performed at the Hodag Festival in Rhinelander, Wisconsin[6]. A groundswell of audience appreciation and the establishment of a US-based fan club were among the reasons Horsburgh based himself in Nashville by the mid-'90s for each American summer season[7].
The year 1997 saw yet another move for Horsburgh - this time a relocation to the live entertainment capital of the USA: Branson, Missouri[8]. In addition to a full tour schedule - predominately in the Midwest[1]- Horsburgh has represented his home nation at the international music and cultural festival - Silver Dollar City's WorldFest - each spring since 1998.[9]
He continues to entertain on the Australian club circuit during the summer months of the southern hemisphere.[8]
References
- 1. Clement, Alan. (January 2007), Tamworth Times 30, Capital News, Tamworth, Australia: Barry Harley
- 2. Williams, Karen. "A Tribute to Buddy Williams". Retrieved 2007-07-07.
- 3. Author unlisted (April 2001), The 2001 Frank Ifield Awards, Tamworth, Australia: Barry Harley
- 4. Adsett, Ron. (March 2002), Land of Enchantment, Capital News, Tamworth, Australia: Barry Harley
- 5. Wilson, Hugh T. (February 2003), Latest Review, Country Music People, London, UK: unknown
- 6. Hodag Country Festival. "History of Past Performers". Archived from the original on 4 July 2007. Retrieved 2007-07-07.
- 7. Nutting, John. "Wayne Horsburgh in Nashville". Retrieved 2007-07-07.
- 8. James, Lynne. "Wayne Horsburgh". Retrieved 2007-07-07.
- 9. Leland, Crystal (1997), The Story of Silver Dollar City, Springfield, Missouri: A Lens & Pen Production