Steve Grace ~ Graced US with his presence!
Hey there! Kapunda was in the GROOVE this past Friday night.
If you missed it...you missed a sweet evening, a great voice from an outstanding, fine human being - Steve Grace, country singer and songwriter. His material is rich and his writing touches the heart. Steve's songs can make you actually feel what this mighty land is about. Steve has a voice that is smooth as honey and I can easily see why Nashville likes him so much. There were quite a few moments when I closed my eyes and could hear a bit of Willie Nelson. So, I went to church last Friday night and entered a bit of heaven. Yippee!
A big THANK YOU to Kapunda Uniting Church, specifically Allan - for going to great lengths to pursue and persuade Steve to travel to this small, country space in South Australia. Kapunda was a lucky town to have him and heaps of people appeared for the concert, tapping their toes, clapping their hands, nodding their heads, and singing Steve's songs. JOY. LOTS OF JOY.
I've heard Steve's fine voice before, but...I have to admit I was a bit shocked that he was going to be performing in this quaint, country town. But, that is what Steve does. He goes to THE smallest, most remote country places all over this great country and spreads the gospel. Steve and his wife, Kerrie, do a lot of work in the Aboriginal communities and there is NO place in Australia too remote for him. HE is a STAR not only for his gorgeous voice and his talent for writing magic words, but...for his genuine love of mankind; not bad looking either with a shy, yet generous smile. He is a charmer. Yep. Rightio. Charms a crowd in less than a minute...
So, a fb mate posted that Steve was going to be in Kapunda and I thought Tinto and I would join in on the fun...but, then...it was 45 minutes before the gig was starting and Tinto and I were covered in grime, dirt, sand, paint - you name it. I hopped in the shower - did the best I could possibly do to look like I was NOT doing any renovating and then, Tinto announced he didn't want to stop working. Ha! Okay...well, I went anyway. Only a couple of other times I've been to a church and it was outside of Kapunda, so it was a strange feeling to me. It was already dark outside, couldn't really see a thing, and recognized no one. But, church people - many are fine people and they began approaching me and introducing themselves - one by one. I wanted a drink. I wanted an alcoholic bevvy. But, I was in a church hall and the good people had prepared enormous amounts of various savoury and sweet treats and there was a massive sausage sizzle going on right around the corner of the church. In the beginning, early on, there was way more food than people and guests were looking a bit awkward. I ran straight towards the gigantic hot water urn and poured copious amounts of dark, grainy, instant coffee into my tiny, Styrofoam cup. Perhaps I did this about 5 times on the evening and I could not stop. Didn't want food, but, couldn't stop drinking coffee. Finally, chose to sit down. The chairs were lined up side by side against the church reception walls. When I sat it reminded me of old school dances when the girls were on one side and the guys on the other and you never knew how long it would take for the first person to cross the room to ask for a dancing partner. I didn't have to worry about a thing, a nice bloke grabbed a piece of chocolate cake and some biscuits and sat right down next to me. Steve had already introduced himself to me (Wow! ~ how nice was that!) So, as I sat I gladly watched Steve work the room. My new chair partner wanted a big chat. I don't think he had chatted much to anyone that day...or that week...or the past month for that matter; he got a lot out in one sitting, but it was fun. His eyes were sparkling and his smile was sweet. He needed to chat. There are some days when I really do prefer listening rather than getting 20,000 words out. Since I was going to attend a concert I already had my 'listening' ears on and was ready to receive the good word - in song or otherwise. I allowed my new chair partner to chat away and that he did. Mr. Have a Chat purchased one of Steve's cd's and told me which one I should buy. I scampered off and Kerrie, Steve's wife, was in charge of selling the t-shirts and cd's. When I told her which cd I wanted she asked, 'Oh, My, where are you from?' I get that a lot. When I replied, 'Memphis, Tennessee, Kerrie said, 'We're in Nashville all the time!' Well, I made a brand new mate just because of my Southern drawl. Yay!
So...everyone eats, and eats, and eats...but, there was still a mountain of food remaining. I watched and chatted with 2 other new, lovely friends I met sitting on the other side of me. We decided it was time to go into the actual church to wait for the concert. WOW~! I entered the church and people were already flowing over in the pews and the front of the church was set up perfectly for a proper concert. So impressive. Now, I couldn't wait. I wanted to hear music. I wanted my body to be filled from head to toe with song. I got it. Steve's voice poured over us and it was the most welcoming sound of the day.
On top of that I asked a lovely mother and daughter if I could sit with them in their pew and they said 'Certainly' and told me that they were waiting on someone to join them. Low and behold the someone joining them was/is a wonderful woman whom I adore and had not seen since our return to Kapunda. The entire evening was unfolding magically.
Thanks, Allan of Uniting Church. Thanks, Steve Grace for the sweetest Friday evening I could have ever imagined.
Wandered off today back to El Estanco with a dear mate and stuck out heads into Delluva Wines again. GO GREENOCK, South Australia - doing a super job!
Regarding Steve Grace - buy his cd - EVERYTOWN - Songs: Big Dreams, As Far As It Goes, Everytown, Long Road to Glory, Song for America, Tomorrow Tonight, Crazy Road of Life, Faith, Hope & Love, With you (Song for Kerrie), Marry Me Again, Prodigal Son, Blue Jeans, Out On That Highway. Steve has sung Slim Dusty's songs and vice-versa. GOLD.
Signing off ~ Blanco, with an intense, incredible love of music, roaming, AND renovating.
Local art for sale - wines and food sourced from Greenock and the surrounding area...
HELLO DELLUVA WINES ~ Main Street Greenock, South Australia...
PS: Please excuse typos.
If you missed it...you missed a sweet evening, a great voice from an outstanding, fine human being - Steve Grace, country singer and songwriter. His material is rich and his writing touches the heart. Steve's songs can make you actually feel what this mighty land is about. Steve has a voice that is smooth as honey and I can easily see why Nashville likes him so much. There were quite a few moments when I closed my eyes and could hear a bit of Willie Nelson. So, I went to church last Friday night and entered a bit of heaven. Yippee!
A big THANK YOU to Kapunda Uniting Church, specifically Allan - for going to great lengths to pursue and persuade Steve to travel to this small, country space in South Australia. Kapunda was a lucky town to have him and heaps of people appeared for the concert, tapping their toes, clapping their hands, nodding their heads, and singing Steve's songs. JOY. LOTS OF JOY.
I've heard Steve's fine voice before, but...I have to admit I was a bit shocked that he was going to be performing in this quaint, country town. But, that is what Steve does. He goes to THE smallest, most remote country places all over this great country and spreads the gospel. Steve and his wife, Kerrie, do a lot of work in the Aboriginal communities and there is NO place in Australia too remote for him. HE is a STAR not only for his gorgeous voice and his talent for writing magic words, but...for his genuine love of mankind; not bad looking either with a shy, yet generous smile. He is a charmer. Yep. Rightio. Charms a crowd in less than a minute...
So, a fb mate posted that Steve was going to be in Kapunda and I thought Tinto and I would join in on the fun...but, then...it was 45 minutes before the gig was starting and Tinto and I were covered in grime, dirt, sand, paint - you name it. I hopped in the shower - did the best I could possibly do to look like I was NOT doing any renovating and then, Tinto announced he didn't want to stop working. Ha! Okay...well, I went anyway. Only a couple of other times I've been to a church and it was outside of Kapunda, so it was a strange feeling to me. It was already dark outside, couldn't really see a thing, and recognized no one. But, church people - many are fine people and they began approaching me and introducing themselves - one by one. I wanted a drink. I wanted an alcoholic bevvy. But, I was in a church hall and the good people had prepared enormous amounts of various savoury and sweet treats and there was a massive sausage sizzle going on right around the corner of the church. In the beginning, early on, there was way more food than people and guests were looking a bit awkward. I ran straight towards the gigantic hot water urn and poured copious amounts of dark, grainy, instant coffee into my tiny, Styrofoam cup. Perhaps I did this about 5 times on the evening and I could not stop. Didn't want food, but, couldn't stop drinking coffee. Finally, chose to sit down. The chairs were lined up side by side against the church reception walls. When I sat it reminded me of old school dances when the girls were on one side and the guys on the other and you never knew how long it would take for the first person to cross the room to ask for a dancing partner. I didn't have to worry about a thing, a nice bloke grabbed a piece of chocolate cake and some biscuits and sat right down next to me. Steve had already introduced himself to me (Wow! ~ how nice was that!) So, as I sat I gladly watched Steve work the room. My new chair partner wanted a big chat. I don't think he had chatted much to anyone that day...or that week...or the past month for that matter; he got a lot out in one sitting, but it was fun. His eyes were sparkling and his smile was sweet. He needed to chat. There are some days when I really do prefer listening rather than getting 20,000 words out. Since I was going to attend a concert I already had my 'listening' ears on and was ready to receive the good word - in song or otherwise. I allowed my new chair partner to chat away and that he did. Mr. Have a Chat purchased one of Steve's cd's and told me which one I should buy. I scampered off and Kerrie, Steve's wife, was in charge of selling the t-shirts and cd's. When I told her which cd I wanted she asked, 'Oh, My, where are you from?' I get that a lot. When I replied, 'Memphis, Tennessee, Kerrie said, 'We're in Nashville all the time!' Well, I made a brand new mate just because of my Southern drawl. Yay!
So...everyone eats, and eats, and eats...but, there was still a mountain of food remaining. I watched and chatted with 2 other new, lovely friends I met sitting on the other side of me. We decided it was time to go into the actual church to wait for the concert. WOW~! I entered the church and people were already flowing over in the pews and the front of the church was set up perfectly for a proper concert. So impressive. Now, I couldn't wait. I wanted to hear music. I wanted my body to be filled from head to toe with song. I got it. Steve's voice poured over us and it was the most welcoming sound of the day.
On top of that I asked a lovely mother and daughter if I could sit with them in their pew and they said 'Certainly' and told me that they were waiting on someone to join them. Low and behold the someone joining them was/is a wonderful woman whom I adore and had not seen since our return to Kapunda. The entire evening was unfolding magically.
Thanks, Allan of Uniting Church. Thanks, Steve Grace for the sweetest Friday evening I could have ever imagined.
Wandered off today back to El Estanco with a dear mate and stuck out heads into Delluva Wines again. GO GREENOCK, South Australia - doing a super job!
Regarding Steve Grace - buy his cd - EVERYTOWN - Songs: Big Dreams, As Far As It Goes, Everytown, Long Road to Glory, Song for America, Tomorrow Tonight, Crazy Road of Life, Faith, Hope & Love, With you (Song for Kerrie), Marry Me Again, Prodigal Son, Blue Jeans, Out On That Highway. Steve has sung Slim Dusty's songs and vice-versa. GOLD.
Signing off ~ Blanco, with an intense, incredible love of music, roaming, AND renovating.
There's THE MAN ~ Steve Grace in his lovely hat!
Guests arriving slowly, but surely...then, I discover
everyone is already IN THE CHURCH waiting for concert!
READY. WAITING.
Stunning photos running in the background;
absolutely drew everyone into his songs.
WHAT A SURPRISING NIGHT!
Thanks, Suzi, for letting me know.
I am not certain how Steve was able to make us feel
the pain that drought has brought to this grand land, but
he did it...through his music.
Julian, FINE HOST @ El Estanco...
going into his stash making me
a special bevvy ~ A Columbian martini!
Ha! Yummy - only 1, please.
Pics from the party room at El Estanco -
did not see this space the first time we went.
Nice space for any gathering!
BLOODY AMAZING. I want one; I shall have one.
Tinto said, 'Yes, dear, no worries.' I wish we had thought of this
FIRST ~ barbed wire light fixture/3 of them made by
a local Greenock man. Gheeeez. SO. COOL.
Everything about El Estanco is CHARMING ~ from
perfect host to food to atmosphere.
Baby cacti everywhere in old olive tins~!
Saying 'Good-Bye' to El Estanco -
Beautiful Brunch. Gracias.
Attractive winery & gathering spot.
Delluva Wines was about to close...
Can you see above? Half wine barrels for tables.
Charming!
Local winery supporting local artists, too.
Win - Win!
Ta! Cheers!
Visit South Australia
You won't be disappointed.
Rich, rolling valleys - the finest of wines
and some of the BEST people on the planet.
Come On Over.
PS: Please excuse typos.
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