The Webb Brothers  

Biography

Fabian	Marius	Berard

49 YEARS OF MUSIC

The Webb Brothers, Fabian, Marius and Berard, three genuine brothers, who come from Gympie, Queensland, where they have lived all their lives on their "Thornside" properties, are indeed a unique trio. Not only are they well known for their excellent cattle production, but they are equally talented in writing and performing Australian country music, which has been part of their lives for a collective 132 years!

The groups foundations date back to Fabian's guitar lessons from a private tutor, during his boarding school years. Fabian then taught Marius. Whilst also attending school, Berard took piano and violin lessons, but today plays guitar, mandolin and harmonica. Whilst Berard's writing skills have seen him pen the majority of the trio's original works, both Fabian and Marius are also accomplished songwriters.

The Webb Brothers group formed about 1953, mostly for their own enjoyment. The following year they auditioned for the Australian Amateur Hour, and were successful in winning their heat. This led them to the recording field.

RECORD SIGNINGS

Travelling to Sydney for the first time, they recorded "The Call of the Bellbird" and "Just Sing Sing Sing" - two of their own compositions. These two numbers were backed by "The Little Green Valley" and "Crooning Batchelor" and released on the Rodeo Label. These records proved very popular, particularly "The Call of the Bellbird" which is still selling today! More records followed for Columbia, W&G, ATA Festival and RCA. On all their records, the Webb's have recorded a mixture of popular songs including some of their own such as "The Jockeys are Striking", "The Purple Petrol Eater", "Here on this Mountain", "If Only", "Sally Anne" and "Who Put The Roo In the Stew", to name a few.

All of the records by the Webb Brothers encompassing 8 albums, 3 singles and 2 EP's (with the exception of "The Silver Jubilee Album"-1982, were recorded "under contract."

"A BIG COUNTRY" & NEW ZEALAND

Apart from recording, the Webb Brothers have made a number of television appearances, their most successful being a feature on the ABC's "A Big Country". Filmed on the Webb's family property, this documentary showed the lives, work and musical careers of the three brothers. This programme was broadcast throughout Australia as well as New Zealand and England. Due to the programme's enormous popularity, the Southland Country Music Association of New Zealand then invited the brothers to tour New Zealand, and in 1974, the brothers toured the South Island, playing to packed houses wherever they went. It was during this tour that the very successful "Live in New Zealand Album," was recorded in Christchurch. Following on from this success, the trio was asked again to perform a second tour in 1976 - which also proved a great success.

GOLDEN GUITAR AWARD

One of the highlights of the Webb Brothers' musical career was the winning of their first Gold Guitar Award, for the "Best Australasian Country Music Group" of 1976 at Tamworth, with "The Palmer River Song". In 1978, the group was further honoured by their induction into the "Hands of Fame" at Tamworth during that year's Australasian Country Music Awards.

Towards the end of 1979, The Webb Brothers took a recess, in order to concentrate further on their cattle property commitments. During that period they did however, "keep their hand in" writing songs and practicing their music.

1981 saw the group return to the stage, greeted with an immediate demand for their musical performances.

TOP SELLING RECORD

In September of 1981, the news of the day was the "Kangaroo meat scandal" and it is somewhat fitting that Marius penned the lyrics that we all came to know... "The Colonel put the lickin' in the chicken, but who put the Roo in the stew?" Recorded in Brisbane's Sunshine Studio, the song was released with RCA Sydney. Due to it's topical nature, everything about the song was done quickly to coincide with the beef scandal. It was written, recorded and released as a single within ten days - claimed by RCA to be the fastest released and fastest selling record they had ever handled in Australia. Not surprisingly, this single earned the Webb Brothers their second golden guitar for Australasia's Top Selling Record at the 1982 Tamworth Country Music Awards.

FOUNDERS OF "THE COUNTRY MUSIC MUSTER"

1982 was a special year for the Webb Brothers - being the year in which they celebrated 100 years since their grandfather selected the family property "Thornside". September 1982 also marked 25 years as Country Music recording artists. When deciding to open their gates with a special celebration to mark these dual landmarks, no-one could have possibly predicted what would have grown into the largest outdoor music festival in Australia.

On September 24, 25, and 26 1982, the Webb Brothers invited the public to join with them on their "Thornside" property for the "Webb Brothers Country Music Muster". Some 6,000 people helped the brothers and their families celebrate both a silver jubilee and centenary occasion in style. ABC's "A Big Country" was on hand to film this historic event (the first time "Big Country" had filmed two features on the same subject matter). The Webb Brothers used this occasion to launch their newest record - " Silver Jubilee Album," featuring the smash hit - "Who Put The Roo In Stew".

NATIONAL COUNTRY MUSIC MUSTER

Such was the success of the Muster that the Webb Brothers and the co-ordinating body - Gympie Apex Club, sought to establish this music festival as an annual event.

The second "Muster" in 1983 saw an estimated 10,000 fans flock to "Thornside". In 1984, the third "Muster" attracted over 20,000 people, with more than AUS$50,000 raised for various charities. The Country Music Muster was well established.

Due to the growing enormity of the event, in 1985, the Muster was relocated to a larger site just south west of Gympie, and today, some 20 years after the original event at "Thornside", the now "National Country Music Muster" attracts in excess of 60,000 visitors. Last year's muster raised over AUS$250,000 and is now the largest outdoor music event in Australia, featuring in excess of 100 onstage performers throughout the event.

Clearly, the Webb Brothers introduction of their Country Music Muster has made a remarkable contribution to charity and the promotion of Country Music throughout Australia.

2001 RELEASE

During the latter part of 2000, the Brothers decided and with the help of Warren Barnett from Festival-Mushroom Records, to scour the archives and re-issue some of their old analogue tapes and improve them to crystal clear digital recordings. The result was the release of a CD titled "The Best of the Webb Brothers" and released and launched in January 2001 at Tamworth Australasian Country Music Awards Celebrations.

© The Webb Brothers.