ARTHUR BLANCH

Born in 1929, Blanch grew up on the family sheep farm and, encouraged by his parents who both played instruments, he learned to play guitar and sing as a child. In the early 50s, he began entering talent contests and his successes soon led to him recording some singles for the Rodeo label. In 1954, he married singer Berice Collins, after which he toured, sometimes working solo and sometimes with his wife. In 1958, their daughter, Jewel Evelyn, was born. In 1961, they worked as a duo for ABC-TV in Brisbane and recorded for EMI Records. They recorded their first album, in Melbourne, for W&G in 1963, billing themselves as the Blanch Family. In 1964, they toured in America but failed to establish themselves and returned to Australia.

They played the Sydney club circuit and appeared on major television shows from 1965-68, during which time a second album was recorded. In 1968, they returned to America, where they worked for the next 10 years as the Blanches. Jewel was signed to RCA Records and as a child actress, she began to appear on television and in films. In 1978, she gained Billboard chart success with ''So Good''. Not to be outdone, her father charted ''The Little Man’s Got The Biggest Smile In Town'', recorded on Mike Curb’s MC label. They each achieved another hit in 1979, Arthur charted ''Maybe I’ll Cry Over You'' and Jewel ''Can I See You Tonight''. Berice, using the name Ida Collins, turned to management.

In 1980, the Blanch Family, somewhat homesick, returned to Brisbane and relaunched their Australian careers. Arthur and Jewel wrote a television special, The Lady And The Cowboy, which featured several noted Australian acts including Smoky Dawson. In 1982, they won a Gold Guitar for the Duet Album Of The Year and the following year Arthur gained the Album Of The Year award. In 1980, Jewel returned to Nashville, where she married Australian Barry Coburn and together, they went into the management of country artists. In the late 80s, Arthur and Berice also relocated to Nashville. In 2001, Blanch received the honour of being elected to the Country Music Roll Of Renown in Australia.

SINGLES

''Somebody Else Is Taking My Place / The Strange Little Girl'' 1962 Columbia
''Our Best Man / If I Had Television On My Telephone'' 1962 Columbia

''China Doll / Keep It A Secret'' 1962 Columbia

''Turn Back The Hands Of Time / How She Could Yodel'' 1963 W&G

''The Same Old Fool / If I Had You On A Desert Island'' 1963 W&G

''Real Cowboy (You Say You're) / I'm A Happy Go Lucky Cowhand'' 1981 Aussi-Tal
''You Bring The Best Out In Me'' 1982 CBS
''Too Late For Regrets / Dreams Of A Country Kid'' 1982 CBS
''I've Come A Long Way / You're Playing Hard To Forget'' / I Should Have Called'' 1983 Reflection
''Rose Colored Glasses / Music Man'' 1983 CBS
''Woman Ahead Of Her Time / A Good Woman's Love'' 1985 EMI
''Best Performance Of The Year / There's So Much That I Forgot'' 1990 Enrec

EPs

'Country Round-Up' 1959 Festival

ALBUMS

'Too Late For Regrets' 1982 CBS
'What Do Lonely People Do' 1983 EMI
'Long Way Home' 1986 Sundown
'You Don't Know Me' 1992 Enrec
'Love Walked In' 1994 BNJ
'Homecoming' 1996 Music City'Songs Of Praise and Inspiration' 1998 Tamworth Music
'Gems & A Few Jewels Volume 3' 2003 Tamworth Music
'Life's Been Good To Me' 2005 Tamworth Music
'What Really Matters' 2009 Tamworth Music
'How Can I Thank You' 2010 Tamworth Music
'Whatever Floats Your Boat' 2014 Tamworth Music
'Songs Of Love' 2016 Tamworth Music

References

http://www.allmusic.com/artist/arthur-blanch-mn0000976973