* JADE’S BIOGRAPHY
&
* PERSONAL FAVORITES
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BIOGRAPHY
JADE HURLEY O.A.M. is the undisputed “KING” of COUNTRY and ROCK ‘N’ ROLL music in Australasia.
It was the legendary Johnny Cash who stated quite openly that Jade was the best act he had ever worked with and was quoted in the Irish Press as saying … “If I wasn’t who I am, I would find it very hard to follow him on any stage anywhere in the world … he’s one hell of a showman and entertainer this Aussie … and he can sure play that damn piano”.
EVERY album this unique “piano pumping/country rocker” has recorded has achieved GOLD, PLATINUM, or DOUBLE PLATINUM status. Likewise his two great VIDEO’S have also received “GOLD” and “PLATINUM” awards … and his AUTOBIOGRAPHY (JADE – THE JADE HURLEY STORY) sold over 32,000 copies.
In his show, there is something for everyone … no matter what age as this “country-rock and show-biz experience” includes classics like “ROCKIN’ ALL OVER THE WORLD” and “OLD TIME ROCK & ROLL” … Johnny Preston’s “RUNNING BEAR” … Buddy Holly’s “OH BOY” and “PEGGY SUE” … Little Richard’s “LUCILLE” … Jerry Lee Lewis’s “GREAT BALL OF FIRE” … Del Shannon’s “RUNNAWAY” … Chuck Berry’s “SWEET LITTLE SIXTEEN” … and the Eddie Hodges novelty hit “I’M GONNA KNOCK ON YOUR DOOR” among dozens of others.
In between, he slows the show down with Roy Orbison’s “CRYING” and “LEAH”, Jim Reeves number 1 “HE’LL HAVE TO GO”… his own number 1 hit “DOWN IN THE RIVERINA” … and latest show stopper and song off his latest CD “YOU RAISE ME UP”.
As well as being a headline act in his own right, Jade Hurley has toured with some of the all time greats including America’s JOHNNY and JUNE CARTER CASH, JOHNNY RAY, WOODY HERMAN and DON WILLIAMS, as well as the late JOHNNY O’KEEFE throughout Ireland, America, New Zealand and Australia.
In America Jade was billed as a cross between Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard, and Liberace. Jerry Lee, because of his energetic piano antics like jumping all over his piano and kicking the keys with his feet (like Jerry Lee used to do but this Aussie rocker still does) … Little Richard because just like Richard, Jade Hurley always makes a great and controversial headline … and Liberace, because of his flamboyant and glittery sequin stage outfits combined with $250,000 worth of diamond, sapphire, and ruby jewellery … and the energy with every show many critics describe as “breathtaking” and wonder how he does it performing so many shows.
One respected American journalist wrote … QUOTE “Every time you see this Aussie Jade Hurley rocking away and jumping all over his piano, you get the same high class performance … I just don’t know how he does it or where he gets the energy from” … end quote.
It has long been acknowledged by many that this “Aussie King of Country Rock” is the “ULTIMATE SHOWMAN”, and it has also been stated by some of the greatest critics in the world of show biz that JADE HURLEY is quote … “The hardest act for anyone to follow on stage”.
He was awarded the HIGHLY prestigious ORDER OF AUSTRALIA MEDAL (OAM) for his contribution and hard work within the entertainment industry encouraging and nurturing young talent, and for his tireless performances and appearances over many years in aid of charitable organisations including The Arthritis Foundation … The National Heart Foundation of Australia … Camp Quality (kids with cancer) … The Australian Cancer Foundation for Medical Research … and numerous others.
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JADE’S 2023 CHRISTMAS NEWSLETTER
Hi Folks
Since celebrating my 80th birthday in June which was a real highlight for me
as I performed a show at the beautiful theatre at Batemans Bay and
immediately after the show when I was taking my bows, two of my mates
and band members for many years, guitarist Brian Gillett and drummer Rex
Forbes appeared on stage from the stage curtains with a beautiful sponge
cake. They walked over to me and the first thing I noticed was almost half
of it was MISSING! They, along with their wives Donna and Lorraine
travelled down from Sydney, hid themselves in the audience for the show,
then made the appearance with the cake on stage. I was so surprised to see
them, then I looked at the cake and it was HALF EATEN. When I pointed this
out to them, Brian who was the eternal practical joker, explained that they
went to COLES, bought the cake, then went to a coffee lounge before the
show. They were sitting in the cafe drinking the coffee when Brian felt
HUNGRY … so they all hoed into the CAKE. BUGGER! It was so very, very
funny. And the management of the theatre presented me with ANOTHER
CAKE with candles … it was so WONDERFUL! Other friends who help with
the show Joan and Phillip Stamper came up for the show from Melbourne
as a surprise as well. It was lovely. After the show, my friends all said that
they were driving home and I had nothing to suggest that that is what they
were all doing … however, that night, Christine had booked a local
restaurant and when we arrived and walked in, much to my surprise, there
they all were again … I was just blown away. We had so much fun that night
… so many laughs … little did I realise, but that would be the last get
together with Brian as he had been fighting cancer … and a couple of weeks
ago, he died……I will miss him so much more, because for the last two
years since he was diagnosed, we talked EVERY DAY on the phone about
absolutely everything. I am missing these phone conversations so much
since his passing … R.I.P my lovely mate.
We have done so many “GOOD OLD DAYS OF ROCK AND ROLL” shows now
and it is such a pleasure to be able to share the stage with Little Pattie,
Dinah Lee, Lucky Starr and Digger Revell. They are all so professional and
the show receives fabulous raves everywhere we perform … and in 2024,
we will be coming to a theatre near you hopefully…… as there are many-
many shows already confirmed right through out 2024. On the 11th
December I had my left shoulder Rotator Cuff operated on after enduring
discomfort for the last 25 years. My shoulder was unsuccessfully operated
on after I injured a fall into a hole on the stage of a club. As my career has
been so on-going with tour after tour for the past 25 odd years, I have
simply put up with the discomfort however, I was washing the motorhome
a while back and tore it AGAIN. I then knew I HAD to bight the bullet and
have the operation done again. Here’s hoping it works this time. In the
meantime, the surgeon doesn’t want me playing the piano for three
months. Added to this and the fact that Royce, who prepares the
newsletters, birthday and Christmas cards and anniversary certificates, is
not well himself, and it takes such a lot of time, preparation and running
around to printers etc. to prepare every newsletter, birthday and Christmas
cards as well as the anniversary certificates. Sadly, we have had to make
the decision to bring an end to the Friendship Club. It has been such a
difficult decision to make, but unfortunately, it had to be made. I do hope
everyone understands and to every person who has been a member of the
Friendship Club … I feel so humbled……
I owe such a great debt to my mate Royce, for all the support and
friendship he has given me over so many years! Thank You Royce for
everything you have done for me … it is really appreciated so much more
than you realise!
I am nursing my arm in a sling for six weeks and being so restricted with
what I can do, this Christmas will be a difficult one for me … but I do hope
that you and yours have a Very Merry Christmas and I pray that 2024 is a
Healthy, Safe and Happy Year for all of us.
Take Care, Love always.
Your Friend … Jade XO
FRIENDSHIP CLUB NEWS NOVEMBER 2023
Hi to all Friendship Club Members:
Well Christmas comes around again and as another year comes to an end and I’m glad
it has come to an end, with 7 trips and stays in hospital this year I’m over it. I hope that
all Friendship Club Members and their families had a healthy and happy 2024 and I’m
just hoping that don’t end up in hospital again to soon, but I know I will at some time.
It is with sad news that after 20 years of me doing the newsletter for Jade, that Jade and
I have both decided to make this the last Jahe Hurley Friendship Club Newsletter.
I will continue next year to send you all your Birthday Card for 2024 and that will be it.
I have enjoyed my 20 years of putting out the Newsletter and Birthday Cards, although
sometimes it has been trying to get Jade to write his newsletter.
I do wish you all and I hope that you, your families, and friends have a Very Merry
Christmas and Happy, Safe and Healthy New Year for 2024 and many years to come.
Well for the last time this is goodbye for me.
ROYCE
Merry Christmas
And a
Happy New Year
To All
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Jade’s “FAVOURITES”
* FAVOURITE MOVIE STAR
Clint Eastwood perhaps the full package (Actor, Movie Producer, Movie Director, Musician)
Australia’s RUSSELL CROWE
* FAVOURITE TV PROGRAMS
I enjoy current affairs/news based programs
* FAVOURITE AUSSIE TV PERSONALITY
VERY EASY … BERT NEWTON and MIKE WALSH
* FAVOURITE RADIO STATIONS
Talk-back radio stations
Community radio stations
*FAVOURITE RADIO PERSONALITY
Most talk back personalities …too many to choose from
* FAVOURITE MALE SINGER
Perhaps The GREATEST Aussie singer of ALL TIME – John Farnham
My dear friend … the late Johnny Cash
The “singers” singer … George Jones
Vince Gill
Ray Charles
* FAVOURITE FEMALE SINGER
My dear friend … the late Tammy Wynette
Celine Dion
* FAVOURITE ALL-TIME ENTERTAINER
My dear friend … and the greatest Showman/Entertainer of all time … the late LIBERACE
My great mate, friend and one time Manager … Australia’s King of Rock ‘n’ Roll (FOREVER) … the late Johnny O’Keefe.
John Farnham – just like Johnny O’Keefe, he simply OWNS every stage he performs on
Elvis Presley
“THE KILLER” … Jerry Lee Lewis … a FABULOUS PIANO PLAYER
* FAVOURITE FOOD
Thai and chinese (almost anything asian)
A great baked leg of lamb with baked vegies
Pea and ham soup
Lamb shanks
A good steak
*FAVOURITE DRINKS
Chocolate thick shake (1 every 10 years now)
Galway Pipe port
Green ginger wine and brandy (Jade’s Elixer)
* FAVOURITE COLOUR
Green (of course)
* FAVOURITE RELAXATION
Recording in my own studio
* HOBBIES
Computers and recording
* FAVOURITE SPORT
I like all sports
*FAVOURITE SPORTSPERSONS
Dawn Fraser
Betty Cuthbert
Aussie “Tour De France” superstar … Cadel Evans
* FAVOURITE FOOTY TEAMS
Essendon BOMBERS
St George DRAGONS
Brisbane BRONCOS
* MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENTS
Splitting my pants on stage at Revesby Workers Club
Falling TWO STORIES off the Roof of my home at my farm (and BREAKING MY WRIST) trying to retrieve Twinkie (my Budgie)
Almost swallowing an EXTREMELY LARGE cockroach that crawled into my drink during a show at Lismore RSL Club … (IT’S IN THE BOOK)
*MOST REWARDING ACHIEVEMENT
Being “discovered” by Australia’s King of Rock ‘n’ Roll … the late Johnny O’Keefe
Being presented with my first GOLD and PLATINUM RECORD by MIKE WALSH
Being awarded the “ORDER OF AUSTRALIA MEDAL” (OAM)
* LIKES
Performing
Good Loyal friends
Recording
Travelling overseas
Every member of my Friendship Club
* DISLIKES
Graffiti … and the bloody imbeciles who do it
Lying, deceitful and “tricky” politicians.
People who don’t return phone calls
Cigarettes
Drugs … anyone caught dealing … put them in JAIL … FOR LIFE … drugs are KILLING OUR BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY
Violence in society
Egomaniacs
Car Hoons
* AMBITION
To stay healthy
To keep entertaining as long as I can
To get to France for the “TOUR DE FRANCE” bike race .. to cheer on the Aussies
To up-date my autobiography (when I can get the time)
Jade Hurley OAM Is Indeed
“AUSTRALIA’S KING OF COUNTRY ROCK”