Carole Sturtzel has for many years been called the ‘Queen of Country Music’ in SA. When you look at her career highlights and achievements it fast becomes obvious that the title is well deserved and in fact she was officially crowned at Barmera in 1994.
Carole started her career in 1961, when only the best survived, and fourty years later she can still bring a house down. The Carole Sturtzel story started in 1961 when she joined a band called ‘Tremors’ and began working around Adelaide. She had studied calisthenics, piano and drama so she was no stranger to the stage.
Her father, Max was an accomplished tap dancer and an excellent crooner so she also had genetic support.
In 1962 she met and sang with the ‘Penny Rockets’ and this led to her joining ‘Woodies Teen Time’ on NWS 9. This show was the start on a long and distinguished career on TV which included regular appearances on Country and Western Hour, Adelaide Tonight, Bandstand, Seventeeners, Stairways, Childrens Show, Action with Bob Francis, Barry Ion Show, Country Style and many others.
Carole still plays from time to time with her band "Wild Oats".
Carole has been inducted into the Avenue of Honour at Barmera (1991)and the Hands of Fame Park in Tamworth (2000) with her daughter Beccy Cole.
Carole and Beccy work together whenever possible and have had a nomination in Tamworth for their colaboration ‘Mother Knows Best.’
Music Minder website also has a profile on Carole - plus many other artists.
Carole at SACCM Showcase 2004
Carole with "Not the Andrews Sisters" at Showcase 2004
Picture supplied by Carole for her SCMC
appearance Sept 07
Beccy Cole and Carole at Southern CM Club Sept 07
The line-up has varied over the years put Carole and Ian Scott never budge. They are there for the duration they say. Carole’s success has been well covered in various publications but Ian Scott’s story is just as impressive. Scotty, as he is affectionately known, has worked with the best, touring around the country with many of the top artists in the sixties and seventies, including the talented and humorous Scott Brothers of television fame. Ian joined Carole and Wild Oats in the eighties and their successful union began. Scotty also works solo as a singer/guitarist with full production backing all created by himself. This he does in between working with Carole. They are selective these days and you don’t see them as frequently as in the past, leaving Carole and Scotty to pursue the other musical interests in their lives.
Dave Brogden has been their main drummer for a good 10 years and is sought after by others bands (appearing regularly with, big Jim Hermel) and it’s no wonder with his incredible style. Wayne Cheary on bass is new boy on the block, coming from 'Billy Tea' and other country, bush and rock bands and brings a new sound to Wild Oats (bass player Billy Pfeiffer retired from the band a couple of years ago).
(more details in the Adelaide Country Music Club Country Call newsletter VOL 19.4)
Scotty, Dave, Carole and Wayne at the ACMC Aug 2008