COUNTRY music singer Clive Bruce says it’s his love of entertaining people that has kept him going for more than 40 years.
Bruce performs in East London later this month alongside Afrikaans singer Manie Jackson – who has also made a name for himself in the music trade – at the Boeretroos Theatre.
Bruce said he had started out as a general musician, and it wasn’t until Send Me No Roses that he started to record country music.
“I was a studio singer, backing singer, doing harmonies and playing for different musicians.
“When I made that song it topped all the charts in the country and people started booking me as a country singer,” he said.
He said he’d always liked country music but was more interested in pop music. “I grew up listening to people like Frank Sinatra but it wasn’t until I heard the Beatles that I thought I could do something serious about my music,” he said.
He learnt from older musicians at the time and also listened to popular records.
“The music industry wasn’t so much about the money then.
“It wasn’t financially attractive to become a musician. Compared to today’s artists, we were not making money,” he said.
Instead, he pursued a career in music for the love of it.
“I do shows because I want to enjoy the other third of my life doing what I love,” he said.
His hits include One Last Kiss, Family Bible, Red River Rosie, Seven Spanish Angels, Sewe Dae Sonneskyn, Wil Jy Weer Dans, Die Soentjie Song and Ons Eerste Wals.
He said the music industry in the 1970s was vibrant and without the “computer music” of today.
Having performed at hundreds of venues around the country, Bruce said his love for entertaining people had kept him travelling for more than 40 years. “I like making people happy and I enjoy music,” he said, adding that he had no plans to retire any time soon.
“I know retirement will come but I am enjoying this, and I am planning my next tour,” he said.
His latest albums, Sweet Fever and Net Vir Jou, were released last year. He said people attending the May 23 East London performance will be treated to a variety of songs, both from earlier eras and from his latest albums. Tickets cost R120 and R100 for pensioners. For bookings, contact 072-225-7120. —poliswap@dispatch.co.za
A treat for all country music fans
Bruce performs in East London later this month alongside Afrikaans singer Manie Jackson – who has also made a name for himself in the music trade – at the Boeretroos Theatre.
Bruce said he had started out as a general musician, and it wasn’t until Send Me No Roses that he started to record country music.
“I was a studio singer, backing singer, doing harmonies and playing for different musicians.
“When I made that song it topped all the charts in the country and people started booking me as a country singer,” he said.
He said he’d always liked country music but was more interested in pop music. “I grew up listening to people like Frank Sinatra but it wasn’t until I heard the Beatles that I thought I could do something serious about my music,” he said.
He learnt from older musicians at the time and also listened to popular records.
“The music industry wasn’t so much about the money then.
“It wasn’t financially attractive to become a musician. Compared to today’s artists, we were not making money,” he said.
Instead, he pursued a career in music for the love of it.
“I do shows because I want to enjoy the other third of my life doing what I love,” he said.
His hits include One Last Kiss, Family Bible, Red River Rosie, Seven Spanish Angels, Sewe Dae Sonneskyn, Wil Jy Weer Dans, Die Soentjie Song and Ons Eerste Wals.
He said the music industry in the 1970s was vibrant and without the “computer music” of today.
Having performed at hundreds of venues around the country, Bruce said his love for entertaining people had kept him travelling for more than 40 years. “I like making people happy and I enjoy music,” he said, adding that he had no plans to retire any time soon.
“I know retirement will come but I am enjoying this, and I am planning my next tour,” he said.
His latest albums, Sweet Fever and Net Vir Jou, were released last year. He said people attending the May 23 East London performance will be treated to a variety of songs, both from earlier eras and from his latest albums. Tickets cost R120 and R100 for pensioners. For bookings, contact 072-225-7120. —poliswap@dispatch.co.za
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