Once upon a time I was manager of a record company – Mushroom NZ. I had completed ten years as a performing bass player and now it was time for something else. The record industry was in a flourishing state. It made sense to dive in there.
I signed a group called DD Dmash. Dave’s Dobbyn’s quartet who took their tight, rocky songs to #1 in the NZ Top 40 album chart. We were off! Then one day the phone rang.
‘Chunn?’
‘Yes, Jim.’ I recognized the voice. Jim Wilson - a promoter in CHCH. We had a short conversation which I’ve never forgotten.
‘Chunny. You need to come to Chch to see this band. The lead singer’s surname is Luck. That’s all you need to know!’
‘Sure, Jim’. And in about 3 or 4 weeks there I was on a Saturday night watching Mr Luck and his band playing to a full house at the Hillsborough Tavern in Chch. And what did I think?
Dance Exponents, a young band numbering five encapsulated the total enthusiasm and projection that make rock and roll gigs the total experience. All the factors were in place. Shall I list them?
The next day I signed them to Mushroom Records and my relationship with Jordan Luck was solidified. And it is still that way.
Jordan Luck has gone on through time and tide and forged a songwriting reputation that is a magical list of unforgettable songs. Hence, when Play It Strange got rolling he was hugely supportive and when the David Richwhite Lyric Award was introduced, I asked Jordan to be the judge. He jumped at it. He was deeply focused and insightful. And from there he stepped in to stand beside me when we both judged the Lion Foundation Songwriting Competition.
And here in 2024 are now four songwriting competitions and in the process of introducing guest judges, it made sense to ask Jordan to be the guest judge of our Peace Song Competition. This year, 2024, Jordan and I will listen to… well, how many songs? Many!!
Jordan Luck was the first NZer to be presented with the NZ Music Hall of Fame. And ….. he is judging the Peace Song Competition with me and we are certain that songs of this competition will prove to be as evocative as many of our past Peace Song finalists.
Jordan – Play It Strange welcomes you to our ‘listening world’. You are a champion.