THANKS TO TV SHOW CREATOR PETER HOSKING
AND LAITH GRAHAM
Nu Country TV, filmed and edited by Laith Graham, has been a popular icon on free community TV for 20 years.
Our loyal and creative editor-camera operator and co-producer Laith took over the production reins of Nu Country TV for 32 of our 51 series and more than 600 episodes that ensured our survival.
The dynamic proud father of two young sons also hosted the show during our 2020-2021 pandemic. Laith took a short break from filming and editing in November, 2017, after suffering a serious hip injury in his professional career.
But the dynamic proud father boomeranged for our autumn, winter and spring series.
Laith took the reins from teenage editor Blaize Warden for Series #19 and #20 and secondary teacher Ashley Hall who edited the previous three series after a long stint by fellow teacher Peter Staubli.
Singing actor Peter Hosking created Nu Country TV in 2002 after working as a DJ-voiceover maestro on our station.
Hosking launched, edited and produced the earlier series that were born from the ashes of Nu Country FM .
That was during our seven-year era at Beer Can Hill, Northcote, until fire destroyed the studio on June 26, 2000.
Thanks to Bayside Bob Crain - musician, landlord and breakfast DJ - we were resurrected in Harley House at the Paris , Texas end of Collins St in the CBD in 2001.
The aspirant radio station began at Bundoora in 1994 with the late former Preston mayor Bill Corrie as embryonic president.
THE FUTURE – WHY WE NEED YOU ON OUR JOURNEY
The Federal Government belatedly granted the free TV spectrum extension after intervention by former independent Senator Nick Xenophon and massive media and community backlash about planned closure to community TV.
Channel 31/44 General Manager Matthew Field delivered resurrection news.
“The reality is that the spectrum we currently occupy is valuable and there is no doubt that in the future demand for spectrum will be driven by the data and digital economy,” Field revealed.
“But we have not been able to establish why there is such a rushed determination to kick us off air in the absence of any planned alternative use of our spectrum before 2019. In the context of the explosion of shopping and racing channels on free-to-air TV and concerns around the lack of diverse Australian voices in mainstream media, it is particularly puzzling that Community TV should be so readily kicked off free-to-air.”
Nu Country TV is broadcast live and repeated online on the Channel 31/44 web page.
We value your loyalty and support dating back to our Nu Country FM radio debut in 1994 and appreciate your input on our future.
Nu Country TV is a feature of C 31 streaming on Digital 44.
PETER HOSKING LEGACY
Peter Hosking recruited fellow Nu Country FM DJS as hosts, filmed concerts and produced-edited the first four series.
Peter, now living in exile in Prague , handed reins to Sofie Blichfeldt for Series #5 and Kerry Richardson who edited Series #6, #7 and #8.
Richardson filmed concerts while Kris Walker edited Series #9.
Kris's successor Sean Tierney took over filming and editing of Series #10 and filmed Nu Country concerts including an international showcase by late Nashville singing satirist Kacey Jones and Oklahoma country star Becky Hobbs.
The famed show at the Noise Bar in Brunswick on February 1, 2008, was a nominee in the Antennas - the national community TV awards.
Kerry Richardson returned to editing Series #11 and #12 of Nu Country before Peter Staubli edited Series #13, #14 and #15.
MEMBERS AND SPONSORS THANKS
We thank all members, renewing members, sponsors, record companies, tour promoters, festival organisers, bands and artists for their support.
They include former Federal ALP member and veteran counter culture journalist Pete Steedman, Dead Livers drummer and magistrate Richard O'Keefe and family including Kew footballer son Johnny O'Keefe, the Bellarine peninsula Aqualina family and Kirby family in Deer Park .
We also thank Colin McGary and his family at Blackburn and East Box Hill Cricket Club for their loyalty and handsome donations.
Nu Country TV is indebted to promoters Michael Chugg and Rob Potts Entertainment Edge for their generous sponsorship of Zac Brown Band, Jason Aldean and Florida Georgia Line tours in 2016.
They also sponsored Nu Country with tours by The Mavericks , Big & Rich , Texan Eli Young band, Blackjack Billy , Chris Young, Gary Allan, Toby Keith, Kellie Pickler, Gretchen Wilson, Georgian star Alan Jackson, Sara Evans, Tim McGraw and singing spouse Faith Hill, Dierks Bentley and Lee Kernaghan.
Former Goanna manager Ian Lovell also organised sponsorship for the Mary Chapin Carpenter and Tift Merritt tours.
We received no government or Arts funding and were reliant on sponsorship and loyalty of members - some have been with Nu Country since our radio birth in 1994.
We broadcast as part of Yarra Access television group.
WHY WE'RE INDEBTED TO WEB MISTRESS
ANNE SYDENHAM
Web mistress Anne Sydenham has recruited sponsors for the web page, our gig guide, concert section and Diary.
Anne wins wide praise for her web page, now celebrating its 18 anniversary under her tutelage, with hits from all over the world. She designed the page and updates it with TV show previews, feature stories and her concert reviews and photographs.
Nu Country TV relies on loyal members and sponsors to survive and keep the dingoes from the door.
THANKS TO MID-PACIFIC BOB OLSON –
TV SHOW HOST AND TREASURER
We're also indebted to our long time treasurer Mid Pacific Bob Olson who also entertained us as TV show host and chef with his unique recipes from his Beer Can Hill delta kitchen.
We also thank our former gig guide collator Annie Christophers - a loyal and conscientious volunteer committee member on Nu Country since its radio era at Beer Can Hill in Northcote.
Annie followed her stint at Northcote to our studios at the Paris , Texas , end of Collins St in 2001 by collating our web page gig guide and helping organise and staff showcase concerts and benefits for the radio station and TV show.
Thanks also to Secretary Denise Kuhl and former membership officer Peter O'Keefe who handed the reins to Wayne Goldsmith.
Please feel free to contribute to our Facebook page and alert fellow country fans through other Facebook pages.
We also thank other loyal professionals - Vice President Rod Browne and fellow committee member Barry Hyde.
CLICK HERE for our membership page for your valuable CD rewards for becoming a member or renewing your membership. |
