Ann Pascoe
Ann Pascoe
Huntington, WV
Country / Rockabilly / Alt.Country
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About
Some have described Ann Pascoe as the one of the best country singers currently within the New Zealand shores. She is certainly an authentic country girl who was born on a back country sheep farm, milked cows after her marriage, and raised five children.
It was only in the last few years after listening to lyrics of Merle Haggard, the Statler Brothers, and Hoyt Axton, and always having been a writer; and also a poet (of simple verse) that it seemed a natural progression to write country song lyrics.
“I started writing songs and wanted someone to sing them, but nobody seemed keen. I thought I should do them myself,” she says. She took singing lessons and learned the basics of singing, then stylised to country music.
Her first public singing was in September 2001, singing with a live band at a country music club and Pascoe hasn't looked back.
She is passionate about the musical genre and is mystified by the lack of interest and support of country music by mainsteam radio stations and also the general public in New Zealand. While stating the “hay bale” images that are conjured up when country music is mentioned does it a disservice, Pascoe thinks it is time to look beyond that and really listen to the music.
“I would be happy to listen to 20 minutes of rap music, if only the radio stations would play a share of country,” she says.
And, one suspects, Pascoe isn't joking.
“Country music (in New Zealand, anyway) has a stigma and the mainstream won't touch it - but it's huge. Why isn't it on mainstream radio? I do think it needs an upgrade as far as image is concerned, but I think it should be treated with respect. Mind you, country music is used to taking the mickey, which is a shame. Maybe the wheel will turn.”
The ability of country music to slow down and tell a story is what appeals to the musician. There are many different types of country music, including the popular country rock/pop which has pushed the genre in front of the public thanks to artists like Shania Twain.
Pascoe is unsure of Twain's claim to country, but admits country rock is great music and has moved with the times. If only the general public would move with the times too, and give country music more credit.
Pascoe is exposed to a huge range of country music through her work with The Little Country Radio station (107.7fm) (NZ Country Music Network Ltd.) The station - one of six dotted around NZ - is based in Stratford, its transmitter installed atop the Taranaki Backpackers Lodge and it plays country music 24 hours a day from Kiwi through to American artists. At least six to eight CDs appear in her mailbox each week from independent artists wanting airplay: “I hear some really good music.”
Since her debut she has produced three albums of which her latest creation "On the Menu" in 2005 has been receiving excellent feed back, the title track (her own composition) going to #5 on the European Country Music Assn. (EMCA) Top 100 and staying on the charts for weeks.
Currently her name as an independent artist figures on the world wide country music radio playlists, and charts compiled from this have often seen her up in the Top Five on the ECMA charts Top 100 and she gives full credit to Canada's Hillcrest multi-artist releases introducing her to the wide world of country music radio stations. And also Amercian songwriter Roy G. Ownbey who gave her his songs to sing.
Sadly these charts are only compiled from world wide radio playlists, and not from sales. But it's all Indies artists have to gauge their popularity. “I'm more famous 'out there' than in New Zealand,” Pascoe says.
Over the years she has supported both American and NZ touring artists, including Terry Smith, Charley Groth, NZ's Dennis Marsh, Roger Tibbs, Joy Adams and Dennis August and featured in festivals with her own band OLDOGS, and other shows around New Zealand.
Reviewers have said listeners who like Patsy Cline will like Ann Pascoe's music and describe it as having solid traditional country sounding vocals, with excellent Nashville music behind her.
Her new 18 track album "I'm Doing Fine!" is due for release later this year. With original songs, some cover songs, and two duos with Dennis Marsh, it has Pascoe hoping this will be her best album so far!
November 2006
Ann Pascoe
Misty Morning Memories
© 2004 Roy G. Ownbey Trimie Too Music
Misty Morning Memories
© 2004 Roy G. Ownbey Trimie Too Music
cdbaby.com
Order I'm Doing Fine at your local music store by asking for Catalogue Number RRCD020 via SonyBMG
Including duos with Dennis Marsh
Order I'm Doing Fine at your local music store by asking for Catalogue Number RRCD020 via SonyBMG
Including duos with Dennis Marsh
'The First Hello'
Some copies still available
Ann Pascoe Bookings / Info
email Ann: annpascoe@clear.net.nz
For the best Nashville backing music, contact Jackie Cook
Song Cellar Productions www.songcellar.com
Tune in to Jim Sutton's Nationwide Showcase
on the air every Saturday night from 8pm to 9pm in
association with Manuka Sounds on NewstalkZB.
Saturday 17th February featured Ann Pascoe with her new album "I'm Doing Fine" talking to Jim Sutton. Listen Here
Ann_Pascoe_on_NewsTalkZB.mp3
My thanks to Ross Allen at Hillcrest
for his friendship and faith in me, and for introducing me
to Roy G. Ownbey and his songs.
Two generous people.
