Rewarded for dedication to music
COUNTRY music stalwarts Jim and Carolyn Pierce will next month be honoured for their dedication to the boot scootin' industry.
The duo will travel to Redcliffe Showgrounds on May 20 to receive the prestigious Palms of Honour award.
The local husband and wife team have been organising the annual Ultra Golden Country Music Festival in Warwick since its inception in 2002.
The event was the brainchild of late artist Divinia Howearth and Mr and Mrs Pierce helped bring the idea to life.
The three-day event allows country artists over the age of 50 to take the stage and compete against other artists of a similar age.
Mr Pierce said while he was ecstatic to have been chosen to receive the award, it wasn't why he does what he does.
"Well I am just honoured and humbled to think that contributing to something I love has earned me recognition - I certainly wasn't looking for it," he said.
"I love doing it because you get to see the joy and happiness in these people when they win a trophy.
"I have even seen people cry after winning and some of them go on to get work because somebody has seen that they won."
The couple became involved in the country music scene in 1988 after moving to the area and joining the Travelling Country Music Club, of which Mr Pierce would serve 10 years as club president.
The Pierces said strong community support and loyal and generous local sponsors helped ensure the festival was thriving.
"It's not fading away. A lot of other festivals unfortunately are fading away because they're not getting enough members," Mrs Pierce said.
After singing for most of her life, Mrs Pierce decided to change it up a bit in 1995 by buying a bass guitar and now performs as part of a band.
