It’s a song written by two people forty years apart and half a world away from each other.
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The murder ballad Golden Memories by local ensemble Bone Halo has been a long time in the making, but is finally being released to the public.
In 1978 Elands-based barrister Phil Sharrock saw an episode of a US-made horror series made in 1972. A short piece of background music had him intrigued and he formed a memory of it that never let go.
Some thirty years later, as the internet increased access to information, Phil began to make inquiry regarding the music, and in 2011 obtained a copy of the episode from Silith, California.
He expanded the music, adding a verse and bridge, went looking for the rights holder, and began recording it. In March 2015 he located the original writer in Los Angeles, one Ian Jack, who approved the release of the expanded song after hearing the rhythm track and guide vocal.
The single was recorded at Wingham's Valhalla Studios by retired police sergeant Graham Bird. The recording process took two years, due to scheduling difficulties and various health problems, and because, Phil says, it was important not to cut any corners.
The artists on the recording all live in Elands, with the exception of drummer David Cowley. His father, Rob Cowley, plays cello, Angelika Booth of Dirt Road Cowgirls fame plays bass, and the chef at Bent on Food in Wingham, Peter Mulaney, plays pedal steel. Phil Sharrock plays acoustic and slide guitar, and sings the vocal lead.
Local school assistant Telli Bertels worked with volunteer members of Wingham's Windsong choir to chart and supervise the backing vocals.
The single Golden Memories by Bone Halo has been approved for world wide publishing, and its radio debut will be on 2BOB Radio on Sunday, February 26 at approximately 6pm.
The 2BOB broadcast will be piped to the attendant throng celebrating the release at the Wingham Bowling Club.
Golden Memories will be available on all of the usual downloading sites such as iTunes and Spotify from that date.
Renowned Sydney filmmaker Melissa Anastassi has taken the brief to shoot a video after hearing the song.
