Dianna Watson (Kiwi Kate as she's known) is a most popular DJ from Woodville, NewZealand and a great supporter of Indie Artists locally and abroad! A wonderful singer/songwriter herself and without doubt one of the best yodellers in all of the land!
Her popular song "The Good Twizel Outhouse" which has received many airplays Internationally was a joint effort between herself and the duo from Canada "Simply Two".
Bill Bodell of Arrow Music (NZ) produced the original two tracks, (Kiwi Kate/vocals/guitar) and thus ending in the hands of "Simply Two" in Canada. The one & only "Curly Tom" Cunningham (production manager/sideman) puts the final embellishment and cadence to this amazing "CanaZealand Music Country" work!!
Bill Bodell, fondly known as "THE SAX MAN" learnt harmonica from his dad as a young boy. At the tender age of 12, Bill learnt piano then progressed at the age of 15 yrs onto saxophone. He purchased his first saxophone at 17yrs, joining up with "TheComanders" band, a 16 piece big band playing 5th sax or 3rd alto.
For the next 20 or so years Bill formed several bands ending up with "THE CITY SWINGERS". A top 5 bit show band.
From the early 50's to the late 60's Bill and his band performed all over New Zealand.
During a popular gig in Palmerston North N.Z. , Mr. Acker Bilk (touring N.Z.) was performing at the opera house at Palmerston North. When he had finished his large concert, he walked to the venue where Bill and the boys were playing. Acker walked in, hopped up on stage, wiped the mouthpiece of Bill's clarinet and played with Bill and the boys until closing at a round 1am.
From the 70's to 80's, Bill joined another band "TREK" performing again at many venues up and down New Zealand.
Bill recorded his first album "California Blue" 1997, upon returning from Australia, where he was the principle Tudor for woodwind, Brass and harmonica, at the Joondalup City School of Music.
Bill now operates his own small recording studio at Foxton Beach, where he produces albums for mainly country artists plus his own albums "SAX ON THE BEACH' and his brand new radio demo "SAX GONE COUNTRY.
Bill is also an on air announcer at Radio Foxton catering for mainly indi artists with his popular show "Afternoon Country Concert"
New Zealand DJ
Singer/songwriter
Indie Artist Supporter
Over the years, I've performed at many country music venues, festivals, private functions etc... Currently, I've slowed down a bit to smell the roses and to concentrate more on writing and recording my own material. My radio work keeps me so darn busy at present. I still go out performing and absolutely enjoy the experience working with new muso's and other entertainers. My husband and I (Doug) have our own band "Snowline Country". We have been a working band for many years. We have collectively drummed up many miles around New Zealand performing at many venues, plus private functions. The late nights or early mornings (beating my ole rooster to his first early morning crow, most times) have taken a great toll, like so many other busy working bands. The winter is so darn hard !! The thrill of performing live to a full on energetic audience is something I just lap up like a sponge. Watching folk dancing and really enjoying themselves at many dance venues, would be my favourite gigs.
Concert work is also extremely rewarding, to be able to share my own hand written songs to an appreciative audience is just awesome !!! My most special time among so many, would be darn well yodeling at a rock concert would you believe. WOW !!! We were the only country band in New Zealand to attend perform our own material for 3 years in a row !! My other special moment was winning the over all at the Capi Mana N.Z. country music awards at Wellington, plus the Upper Hutt N.Z. Country music awards.
Also so special is winning the biggest section at The Rockhampton Country music festival Australia in 1988. I had won the gospel section, came 3rd in the yodelling, then to cap it off, I asked my now hubby Doug, at the nights grand final on stage...... if he would marry me !!! Poor Doug nearly died of a heart attack !! Oh.. one very special moment a few months ago, was the wonderful response from Gary Bradshaw of Western Heart Promotions, regarding my new cd "Origins". Because of his kind generosity he included my song "That Dusty Old Guitar" onto his WHP comps disc, which allowed many world wide DJ's to air it on their shows along with many Kiwi DJ's which have also have given me terrific airplay of my album.
Country blues, Folk, Bluegrass, Celtic, and main stream country are my main influences. I learnt guitar as a youngster and later in my teen years joined a local folk club. There I learnt amazing guitar technique and styles.. this has carried over up to present day. I also dabble a little on banjo and mandolin. Not that good at it though. But guitar is my main instrument. Vocally, many strong women of country, have helped developed my vocal style ( my hubby's favourite saying is 6 deaf sheep dogs) here.
I adore the Carter family, especially the girls with their unique harmonies. Emmy Lou Harris, Dolly Parton, Loretta Lyn,Reba Macintyre... would be among the many favourite female country artists I adore. On the male side, well....... George Jones, Merle, Willie, Bill Anderson, Bill Munro, Ricky Scaggs, Randy Travis, Slim Dusty... oh there's so many !! My own husband Doug Watson has been one of my biggest musical influence's, as he's such a brilliant singer/song writer himself.
Besides singing and picking guitar, I breed and milk my small herd of dairy goats.
I'm also an on air announcer here in Woodville where I live.
I'd just like to mention that if you are an indi country music artist, please feel free to contact me, or Bill Bodell THE SAX MAN,as we're always looking for new artists to air on our respective shows. I host two shows per week... "Hot off The Press" and "Kate'sCeltic/Country & Folk Corner".
All our playlists are posted only on Tom Cunningham's T.K.O. Australian & New Zealand DJ's Only Playlist Board,
Lonnie Ratliff's The Nashville Playlist & Message Board, and Joe Vincent's JRRI Irish Playlist Board.
