* 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 “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”