Born in Lockhart, Mr Fischer’s love of trains began as a small boy and developed into a lifelong passion. Throughout his decorated career, Mr Fischer has remained connected to the rail industry, holding many related positions and acting as Patron for a number of not-for-profit rail organisations.

In his role as Patron, Mr Fischer will officially open the Festival at the Grand Opening event on Friday 2 March, participate in the festivities over the weekend and provide advice and recommendations on the Festival into the future. 

It is a privilege to step up for this good cause, and the Festival in Junee is building nicely due to all that is on show and available to ride,” Mr Fischer said.

The Festival is just ahead of the 50th Anniversary running of a special version of the Southern Aurora through Junee Junction, again affirming the key historic role of Junee. I encourage people to book early for the key events and look forward to seeing everyone during the Festival, he said.

"Mr.Percival is a unique act. The things he does by himself on record as well as live describes him as a walking, talking musical instrument and a one-man band, in one sense of the word. It’s him up on stage with a microphone or three and looping pedals. He records and layers his voice – whether through beat-boxing, harmonising or simulating trumpets and cellos – over itself to create multitracks. He does it all live on stage.

Mr Percival is a “great singer who has come up with a completely new way of presenting his songs and his spirit to the world” Jimmy Barnes

www.mrpercival.com.au

Playing at the Wind in the Roundhouse Concert on Saturday 3 March from 8.00pm - 10.00pm, Geoff Bull and his seven piece New Orleans Jazz Band ensemble will have your toes tapping in this most unique concert setting.

From the Australian Jazz Agency website:

Arguably the best New Orleans Style Jazz trumpeter produced in Australia Geoff Bull has sought and received his recognition on the world stage. A descendant of Norwegian genius, violinist Ole Bull who toured the world in the mid 19th century and played with Liszt & Greig, Geoff brings some of that genius to the trumpet.

Geoff has spent a great part of every year touring the world spending increasingly longer periods in his beloved New Orleans. Now adopted by the old hands, Geoff has received the singular honour of being the only Australian musician to have appeared professionally at Preservation Hall, which now occurs regularly on his visits. Apart from the USA, on his annual tours overseas, he has played in Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Sweden, Belgium, Holland, Denmark, Norway, Germany, Japan, New Zealand and England.

Athenium Theatre on Saturday 3 March from 2:00pm ~ $5 entry.

For 60 years, the Riverina has boasted a professional Military Band which is the envy of many other communities. The Australian Army Band Kapooka's main purpose is to support March Out parades at the Army Recruit Training Centre but they also perform widely within the community, both locally and internationally.

The Band currently consists of 26 full-time musicians and is led by Music Director, Major Peter Thomas. The music chosen for the Rhythm and Rail Festival will be mostly jazz oriented but no Military Band concert would be complete without a few marches and selections from Broadway. The program is designed to get your feet tapping and will appeal to the young, and the young at heart.

The toe tapping traditional Jazz group Second Time Around formed three years ago and, is made up of five members including;

John Roche of Dalmeny (drummer)

Robin MacPherson of Kianga (guitarist)

Keith Joliffe of Tuross Heads (bass guitar)

Bev Long of Tilba (banjo) and,

Fred Commins of Narooma (reeds and vocals)

While Fred now lives in Narooma, he spent thirty odd years as a member of the Junee Junction Jazz Band. Relive memmories of the earlier Junee jazz days and kick-up your heels to the sounds of Second Time Around in Memorial Park on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 March from 11.30am - 2.00pm.

Silver Fox is a four piece singing group.

The quartet formed 10 years ago and is made up of Barrie Burns, David Auld, Michael Collett and Mal Castledine, who are all over the age of 70. “Silver Fox is a group who is made up of four old blokes who just enjoy singing,’’ Mr Castledine said.

“Between us we are 295 years old.”

They sing a variation of harmony and a cappella style of music such as show tunes, Christmas carols and a variation of songs from popular artists or bands like The Beatles.

The Limping Poet - Neil Smith

Although health and building occupies the daylight hours, Neil spends more and more time entertaining at night. His passion is poetry, particularly humorous bush verse. In fact, Neil's aim is to hook up the caravan and head off around Australia with his wife, entertaining on the track. He says "What a great way to see Australia and meet people. You can't beat doing a few poems as a way to meet people. With a bit of luck, they might also buy a CD or two."

Neil refers to himself as The Limping Poet because he has a disability. He reckons it's an easy way for people to remember him. He says "I'm hopeless at remembering names and I reckon I'm not the only one. But if I said to you, "That poet with the big shoe." or "That bloke with the limp, ...you'd know who I was talking about straight away!"

Experience the Limping Poet at the Sunday Farmers Market, on board some of the train shuttles and throughout the day on Saturday at Railway Square. .