Sissy McGurk (right) with from left Margie Boezak, Jeanetta Dondas, Paulina Andries, Susan Ajump andPetronella
Dyssel. Photo supplied
SISSY MCGURK, Oudtshoorn’s well-known vocalist, took part in a concert with five of the town’s “vocalists of mature years”, Jeanetta Dondas, Susan Ajump, Margie Boezak, Petronella Dyssel and Pauline Andries at a packed Coronation Memorial Home in Bridgton on Sunday evening.
The event launched a double CD with Sissy and her Golden Oldies friends, recorded and produced in Oudtshoorn by Sissy’s husband, Dr Barry McGurk.
Barry explained: “About a year ago I had the idea of asking some of Sissy’s ‘aunties’ if they would like to record duets with Sissy of their favourite Gospel songs, as well as some of their favourite golden oldies – mainly popular love songs from years gone by – on their own.
“I thought it would a lovely experience for them and something that hadn’t been done before.
“The result is a unique double CD named Duets for Gospel Lovers and Golden Oldies sing Golden Oldies.”
The combined age of the vocalists is 357 years with the eldest being 87.
“All of them had been singing all their lives, not as lead singers like Sissy, but as members of large choirs or small family groups in supporting roles,” Barry added. “They would be the first to say that with advancing years they no longer have great voices but they still sing nicely, in tune, if getting a little breathless at times.”
One of the “Golden Oldies”, Petronella Dyssel, summed up their feelings saying: “We were all very nervous about recording and singing live out front, but really thrilled to be doing something different late in life.
“I even heard myself singing on Eden FM which was such a proud, magic moment, for me!”
Margie Boezak, the eldest of the group, added: “I never thought I would do anything like this. I cried when I heard myself on the CD. It just shows you that you are never too old to try something new.”
The free event was attended by an invited audience of their friends, relatives, civic officials and the media. The master of ceremonies for the evening was Eden FM’s Morne Pietersen.
• The double CD is on sale for R100 in town at H&R Stationers in Church Street or from any of the performers or the McGurk’s at 076 501 8685.
All profits from the CD sales goes to the five Golden Oldies.