GRAND JUNCTION

Grand Junction first 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 their first single on the ATA label in 1974 called ''Walking All Over Georgia''. In 1975 Mike Tyne left the group to tour with Slim Dusty's Travelling Country Band, and was replaced by Colin McIntosh on steel guitar, with Peter Brown taking over lead guitar duties. 1976 Alan Trudinger [aka Alan Stewart] joined the band on keyboards and vocals with John Fraser replacing Keith Longman on drums. In 1978 Peter Johnson replaced Peter Brown on vocals and lead guitar. In 1979 Grand Junction entered the very first Starmaker Quest held in Tamworth and won from over 600 entrants Australia wide.

In 1980 the band toured Australia with Charley Pride and later that year supported US country music legend, the late Johnny Cash. Their single "Married Women" broke through onto the national pop charts. Doug Rowe (ex-Flying Circus) joined the band in 1981 and they released their self-titled album on the RCA label. The lineup for this album was Dave Tyne (bass/fiddle), Alan Stewart (keyboards), Lance Clarke (pedal steel/banjo/fiddle,/guitar and vocals), Doug Rowe (vocals/guitar) and John Fraser (drums/harmonica).

In 1982 Grand Junction won the Gold Guitar at the Tamworth Country Music awards for Best New Talent. Later in year they toured with such notable overseas artists as Roger Miller, rock legend Leon Russell and US country music stars The Amazing Rhythm Aces. Later that year, drummer John Fraser left to get married and was replaced by John McKernie (ex-Saloon).

Grand Junction toured non-stop and later that year (1983), Lance and Doug left due to the relentless time spent on the road. The late Ian Young (lead guitar) & champion banjo player Jenny Shimmin took their place. At the end of that year, McKernie left band to spend more time with family and was  replaced by the late Jimmy Hill as drummer for the band. Grand Junction released their 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, eventually moving his family back to his hometown Kempsey N.S.W. He organised Mac Clark (ex- Reg Lindsay Band). to take his place on bass and vocals. In 1985 the band won the coveted "MO" awards for Australia's Best Country Group. Throughout their time together, the band appeared on TV shows including the Don Lane Show, Conway Country, Sounds Unlimited, Simon Townsend’s Wonder World and The Mike Walsh Show. They disbanded in 1986. Doug Rowe died in 2015. Alan Trudinger [aka Alan Stewart] died in 2016. Lance Clarke died 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

Married Women

7 APR '80

#63

References

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

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