The aim of the Hillbilly Hoot has been to reintroduce to a community, the idea of music being a shared focus, one which all can join, at whatever the talent levels, rather than just the province of just those with the talent to join the commercial music world.
The Hillbilly Hoot broadcasts live to air from the front veranda of Adelaide’s Community Radio Station 3D, located at 48 Nelson Street, Stepney. For eight years, each Monday night between the hours of 8.00 - 9.00pm, a rowdy bunch of up to 25 "Hooters" perform to the radio audience and a live audience who gather on the footpath
The Hillbilly Hoot is something like the Grand Ole Oprey in Tennessee - A fluid cast of musicians, who love acoustic music and western whimsy; they turn up to perform all genres of music, but mostly country (and yes, western). Lovers of country music (a definition so broad that it includes a few things that are not country at all) are welcome to bring an instrument and join in.
Nobody knows who will turn up on any given week.. Regulars include Hank the Singing Besser Brick blues specialist; Dingo Reinhart; Baker Boy with his sardonic Australian humour; Fella’s soft spot is for old jazz classics; Stretch likes Elvis. Ms Ali Oakley and Spurs, The Loneliest Man On The Planet, are the Outstanding Chest Organs. Specialist singers include the mighty Mississipi; the debonair Johnny Bone; testosterone-charged Commie Trash; the cool, classy Texettes; the Patsy Cline Declines and the sex-symbolising girlie group The Hillaries; Swirling around could be such figures as banjo maestro Surely Bassey, Piccolo Pete on sax and (surprise) piccolo, Fearless the fiddler and harmonica virtuoso Dixie and that’s just for starters.
"Hooters" are people from all walks of life who have varying musical interests and levels of experience, catering for a variety genres of music e.g. jazz, blues, country, folk, gospel, blue grass and rock ‘n roll. They are volunteers who provide free soup and firewood to create an atmosphere that welcomes all community members, and normally after the show the performers and audience mingle to participate in a community sing-a-long, which provides an opportunity to meet and socialise around a common interest (music). There is no “admission” charge; there is an open invitation to musicians and other community members and all are welcome to come along and participate.
The Hillbilly Hoot cabaret “Cowgirl Lounge” has been held annually at the Governor Hindmarsh Hotel. The inaugural “Hillbilly Hoot Allstars Cabaret” performance at the Weimar Room, was a sell out at Adelaide Fringe 2004. A locally made documentary “Damn Right I’m a Cowboy” that showcases the development of the Hillbilly Hoot, premiered at the Adelaide Film Festival February 2003 and was screened nationally on ABC television on October 20th 2004 and again in 2005. The have been regulars at the Semaphore Music Festival check that site gallery for some pictures.
The Hillbilly Hoot loves taking it’s music out into local, regional and rural communities. The Hoot welcomes participation by local artists, be they poets, story tellers, a capella or groups of singers. The Hooters are willing to provide instrumental and vocal support to local artists if needed.
The appear every Monday evening Hillbilly Hoot Ali & the Hoot Live from the stables at Threedradio 8pm to 9pm broadcast live. (see here for some photos taken there on Dec 22, 2008)
Opening of Hoot on Dec 22, 2008 other pictures here.
Taken Sept 29 2006 at the Semaphore Music Festival in the Palais Deck by I Fisk