Black Hats country music helps MS

A GOOD old-fashioned country music spectacular is being held this Sunday.

Organised by Gympie country music band The Black Hats, the event will raise money for MS and feature about 14 local bands.

One of the band’s four guitarists, Alan Davidson, said The Black Hats could not afford to go to a recent ball held to raise money for disease, so they decided to hold the shindig instead.

But you won’t hear any modern country music at the concert. Bands that have been invited will pay tribute to the old greats.

The Black Hats play old-style country - think Slim Dusty, Johnny Cash and Charley Pride.

“Its stuff you don’t hear these days,” Alan said.

He said the Slim Dusty-type stuff was dying and his band was trying to keep it alive.

The Black Hats comprises Claude McLachlan, Lesley Thomson, Gary Albrecht, Alan Davidson and Roy Vollmerhausen.

With Claude, Alan has racked up a few years experience playing country music and won a swag of awards.

They travel around Queensland playing various shows.

“All of us just love old-style country music,” Alan said.

Everyone in the band sings and plays guitar except for Roy, who is on drums.

Alan said there was a big following for the old-style country. “We consider ourselves pretty good,” he said.

What they love the most about the style is the lyrics.

“It always has a story about broken love or a dying horse or dog, and you can actually understand the words.”

Alan invited all country music fans to the event. “It’s for a good cause.”

See The Black Hats at the Country Music Spectacular on Sunday at the Wesley Hall on Barter St from 1pm to 5pm. All funds raised go to MS.