Country singer Ian Betteridge was born in Crows Nest NSW in 1943. In the late 60s he started singing in church, coffee shops and various charity concerts on the Woy Woy peninsula. In 1973 he won four sections of the CCMA Talent Quest in Tamworth, then signed a three-year recording contract with CM Records in Dubbo. In the same year he formed the Ramblin’ Country Band. They performed for seven years every Sunday from 1983-1990 at the Central Coast Leagues Club, Gosford. They released a couple of singles and an album.
In 1975 Ian won a National Search for a Songwriter Contest, the prize being a trip to Nashville, USA sponsored by TV Week, 2KY, RCA Records, Associated Music and PanAm. He wrote the ''Wedding Song'' which has been recorded in several countries and has been twice to the top of the Hit Parade in Ireland, and featured in the movie Blown Away staring Tommy-Lee Jones and Jeff Bridges. In 1981 and 1984 he won two New Zealand Gold Guitar Songwriting Awards in Gore. He was elected Central Coast Ambassador and represented the Coast on a promotional tour of New Zealand.
During the 1990s Ian toured Australia with Tamworth On Parade, visiting every state over an 11 week period, made several TV appearances and host of Its Country Today Live Tamworth. Inducted into the Country Music Hands of Fame and received The Sydney Opera House Country Music Award. He spent 10 weeks in Europe which included a three week tour of Ireland and Scotland plus appearances in Belgium, Holland and the MS Triton in the Greek Islands. Ian visited the USA for nine weeks singing in concerts and festivals in Denver (Colorado), Meridian (Mississippi), Branson (Missouri) and Nashville (Tennessee). And in 1998 he returned to Europe for five weeks and was special guest artist at the Garden City Country Music Festival in Christchurch (N.Z.)
Ian has performed at festivals in Tamworth, Wandong, West Wyalong, Lismore, Tummburrumba, Port Pierie, Lockhart, Yarramalong, Warnervale, The Entrance, Boyup Brook, Gore (N. Z.), Nelson (N.Z.), Tauranga (N.Z.), Christchurch (N.Z.), Mildura, Campbelltown (Tas), Charters Towers, Mt Isa and the Sydney Opera House. Performed on the cruiseliner S. S. Fairstar. For 10 years he coordinated and compered Telstra Country Connections Concerts in Peel Street during the Tamworth Country Music Festival plus he hosted the weekly country music program Heroes and Friends on 2CCC-FM. Ian Betteridge has released eight albums and many singles over the journey.
''It's Funny How Money'' / Don't Let It Happen (To Gosford) [with Lynette McKenzie] 1973 CM
''Northbound Train / Itchy Feet'' 1974 CM
''Don't Give Up On Me / Break My Mind'' 1974 CM
''Don't Send It To Your DJ / You Wonder What Your Doing Here Tonight'' 1976 CM
''I May Never Love Again / Buddy I Lied'' [with The Rambling Country Band] 1976 CM
''I'm Gonna Love You Too!'' / Robin'' 1979 XTO?
''Wildwood Weed / Tamworth, Country Music City'' 1980 CM
''Silver Bells - There's No Place Like Home / The Wondong Song'' [with The Rambling Country Band] 1980 CM
''Plastic Girl / God's Colouring Book'' [with The Rambling Country Band] 1981 Bunyip
''You're Gonna Ruin My Bad Reputation / Hope You're Feelin' Me''
'Ian And Lynette' [with Lynette McKenzie] 1973 CM
ALBUMS
'Ian Betteridge And The Ramblin' Country Band' 1975 CM
'I'm Just A Farmer' 1975 CM
'I'm Just Me' 1983 EMI Custom Records
'Lone Star'
'Country Is...'
'Heroes & Friends'
'The Writing Side Of Me'
'My Way' 2000
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