"Coster The Man", a musical tribute to Stan Coster OAM (1930-1997) will be held at the Maclagan Hall on Sunday 26 April.

All proceeds will go to the Maclagan Hall Restoration Fund.

Stan Coster, Legendary Australian Bushman, Song Writer, Bush Poet and recipient of multiple Gold Guitars, lived the life he wrote and sang about, travelling the Outback working at a myriad of occupations. He wrote in excess of 160 Bush Ballads, 70 of which were recorded by Slim Dusty, including such classics as “By A Fire Of Gidgee Coals” and “Three Rivers Hotel”. These and many others will be performed by John Colville and Primrose Henderson in this entertaining and informative life story of Stan Coster.

Toowoomba residents John and Primrose are two Scottish born professional entertainers who are extremely versatile performers and play a wide variety of music. However, for a couple of Scots they have developed a passionate interest in Australian Bush Ballads. John is a leading exponent of the button accordion and is no slouch either on piano and guitar. He has played with countless Australian bands including the legendary Bullamakanka. Primrose is a talented classical pianist and highly regarded flute player who sings beautifully while she strums her ukulele. They combine their diverse talents to create unique and innovative musical arrangements of Stan Coster songs.

Also appearing on the program will be Gordon Larkin, Mark Schuster and Jack Carlos.

Gordon Larkin who was raised outside Kempsey in the Macleay Valley of NSW, in the area now known as The Cradle of Country Music, won a Talent Quest on 'Slim Dusty's Touring Show' in 1954. Since then Gordon has won many awards including 'Queensland Champion of Champions' Yodeler in 1990 and has toured and performed with countless artists including Chad Morgan, Buddy Williams, Gordon Parsons and Shorty Ranger.

Mark Schuster is an old-time button accordionist and long time resident of Toowoomba. Since 1982 he has travelled the forgotten roads of the Darling Downs and the Lockyer Valley collecting and performing the traditional tunes and songs of the once huge German farming community. His quest for these gems has been obsessive - but now the results of his labour, hundreds of hours of recorded music and interviews, reside in the Oral History Section of the National Library of Australia in Canberra.

Jack Carlos, a 21 year old guitarist/vocalist who was born and bred in Toowoomba, loves playing to an audience and keeping the older style music alive. He has competed in various competitions throughout Southeast Queensland and recently won the Gospel Award at the Garden City Country Music Festival. Jack will be performing a selection of Country, Modern and 50's Classics at Maclagan.

Admission to the concert which runs from Noon to 4pm is $10 including afternoon tea.
Phone (07) 4638 2545 for further information.