GRAND JUNCTION

Grand Junction formed in 1973 with founding members Dave Tyne on bass guitar and vocals, Mike Tyne on pedal steel guitar, Lance Clarke on lead guitar and vocals, and Duncan Watt on drums. The band released its first single, ''Walking All Over Georgia'', on the ATA label in 1974. In 1975, Mike Tyne left to tour with Slim Dusty’s Travelling Country Band and was replaced by Colin McIntosh on steel guitar, while Peter Brown took over lead guitar duties. Further changes followed in 1976 when Alan Trudinger, also known as Alan Stewart, joined on keyboards and vocals, and John Fraser replaced Keith Longman on drums. In 1978, Peter Johnson replaced Peter Brown on lead guitar and vocals.

A major breakthrough came in 1979 when Grand Junction entered the inaugural Starmaker Quest in Tamworth and won the competition from more than 600 entrants from across Australia. The following year brought the band further national exposure. In 1980, Grand Junction toured Australia with Charley Pride and later supported American country music legend Johnny Cash. Their single ''Married Women'' also crossed over to the national pop charts. Doug Rowe, formerly of Flying Circus, joined Grand Junction in 1981. That year the band released its self-titled album on RCA. The recording line-up featured Dave Tyne on bass and fiddle, Alan Stewart on keyboards, Lance Clarke on pedal steel, banjo, fiddle and guitar as well as vocals, Doug Rowe on guitar and vocals, and John Fraser on drums and harmonica.

In 1982, Grand Junction won the Gold Guitar for Best New Talent at the Tamworth Country Music Awards. During the year, the band also toured with several prominent international artists, including Roger Miller, Leon Russell and The Amazing Rhythm Aces. John Fraser later left the group to get married and was replaced on drums by John McKernie, formerly of Saloon. The relentless touring schedule eventually took its toll. In 1983, Lance Clarke and Doug Rowe left the band and were replaced by the late Ian Young on lead guitar and champion banjo player Jenny Shimmin. At the end of the year, John McKernie departed to spend more time with his family, with the late Jimmy Hill taking over on drums.

Grand Junction released its second album, 'Most Wanted', on the J&B label in 1984. Later that year, Dave Tyne left the band to return to the screen-printing trade and eventually moved his family back to his hometown of Kempsey, NSW. Mac Clark, formerly of the Reg Lindsay Band, took his place on bass and vocals. In 1985, Grand Junction received one of its highest honours when it won the MO Award for Australia’s Best Country Group.

Throughout its career, Grand Junction appeared on a number of Australian television programmes, including The Don Lane Show, Conway Country, Sounds Unlimited, Simon Townsend’s Wonder World and The Mike Walsh Show. After more than a decade of recording, touring and performing, Grand Junction disbanded in 1986. Several members of the Grand Junction story have since died: Doug Rowe in 2015, Alan Trudinger, also known as Alan Stewart, in 2016, and Lance Clarke in 2021.

Members

Dave Tyne (bass vocals), Mike Tyne (pedal steel guitar), Lance Clarke (banjo, pedal steel, fiddle, guitar vocals),Duncan Watt (drums), Colin McIntosh (steel guitar), Peter Brown (vocals, guitar), Alan Trudinger [AKA Alan Stewart] (keyboards), John Fraser (drums, harmonica), Keith Longman (drums), Peter Johnson (vocals, guitar), Doug Rowe (vocals, guitar),John McKernie (drums), Ian Young (guitar), Jenny Shimmin (banjo), Jimmy Hill (drums), Mac Clarke (bass)

SINGLES
''Walk All Over Georgia / Devil Whiskey'' 1974 ATA
''Married Women (#63) / Three Plaster Ducks'' 1980 RCA
''Riding The Wind / Jesus Loves Cowboys Too'' 1980
''A Little Bit Crazy / Same Old Situation'' 1981 RCA
''Flemington Dream / Flemington Fantasia (Instrumental) [with Vaughn Hillier]'' 1981 Epic 

ALBUMS
'Grand Junction' 1982 RCA
'Most Wanted' 1984 J & B Records 

References

http://www.countrymusichalloffame.com.au/Hands/Grand_Junction.htm

http://top100singles.blogspot.com.au/