Music Samples

Hunter

Hoedown

Black Opal Hotel

0249901070

Country Music Friday 9pm to 1am

Country Music Saturday 9pm to 1am

Country Music Sunday 4pm to 8pm

Mick and Denise Howlett are very happy with the way

the Hunter Hoedown is going and Ragepage would like to thank them for

supporting country music

Wayne Law and Mick Howlett

The Country Music industry has been “Alive & Kicking” in the Hunter Valley as long as the Coal Mining industry & will always be a strong factor in the heritage of this area. But despite the music’s important role on the residential culture, it is an industry that has not received a lot of support from the region’s many venues; usually due to the owners’ own musical tastes.

However, recently deciding to become one of the only “Strictly Country Music” venues in the Hunter Valley/Central Coast Region, publicans Mick & Denise of The Black Opal Hotel in Cessnock are putting their money where their hearts are. Both Mick & Denise were raised on & have always been avid supporters of Country Music; & after many attempts in providing suitable entertainment for the local patrons, they recently asked around & found with great delight, that like themselves, their patrons’ real musical appreciations were in the Country Music of both today & yesterday.

With their Friday night’s Country entertainment already proving popular, not only with their local patrons but also many Country Music fans from throughout the Hunter; February 10^th will see the launch of their new Sunday Afternoon Entertainment, “The Hunter Hoedown”.

Starting on the 10^th, the free & children-friendly show will be held every Sunday afternoon from 4pm to 8pm in the Hotel’s Beer Garden. Designed to become the “brother” to the already popular weekly Wednesday night Country Music show “The Horseshoe Bend Roundup” (held at Maitland Ex-Services Club), it will be run by popular local Country Music promoter Keri Hennessy & will feature a TOP quality backing band consisting of some of Australia’s finest Country Musicians along with many special guest artist appearances from popular local & touring well known Country Artists. Featuring on the 10^th will be popular local band Rybuck with special guest artist Rob Wilson, along with many other well-known artists.

Each week you’ll not only get to enjoy the great Country Music but you’ll also get to be in the running for meat trays, party packs free dinners, drinks & various other items c/o the raffles, lucky seat draw & other interactive activities, while the children will be entertained with games & pony rides. All this combined with the relaxed, friendly & down to earth nature of the artists will result in a great atmosphere & a very enjoyable Sunday afternoon for all members of the family. There will also be great Value Meals available from the Hotel’s bistro throughout the afternoon.

Mick & Denise hope that this will only be the start of a country music explosion & that the Black Opal will continue becoming THE Hunter Valley Country Music venue for both artists & fans alike. They would like to encourage locals to maybe disregard their inbuilt image of country music and come along and enjoy some friendly hospitality and a talent packed afternoon of great music & fun. So if you think Sunday arvos are a non-event, come along for a look, you may be pleasantly surprised!