12:00p.m. 21st August 2007

Jon Cleary and the Absolute Monster Gentlemen from New Orleans are the latest big names in a long-and-ever-growing list of music industry notables booked to perform at the Caloundra Music Festival, October 19-21.

Internationally acclaimed Jon Cleary and the Absolute Monster Gentlemen, all the way from New Orleans, are the latest big names in a long-and-ever-growing list of music industry notables booked to perform at the Caloundra Music Festival, October 19-21.

Rolling Stone magazine (April 2004) described Cleary’s full combo R&B “as broad, deep and rolling as the Mississippi river, the combined swinging product of local keyboard tradition, Cleary’s vocal-songwriting flair for moody Seventies soul and the spunky-Meters roll of his Gentlemen."

Festival Director Richie Eyles said that Jon Cleary is an ‘awesome talent’ and an ‘absolute monster’.

“John Cleary is hailed as one of the very best in his field. He is an inspiration to musicians all around the world,” Mr Eyles said.

“He is the musician’s musician. I expect we will be seeing Cleary attract musos from all over Australia to see him go off on stage at the Caloundra Music Festival.”

Cleary and his Monsters will join leading Australian performers, Jimmy Barnes, Darryl Braithwaite, Richard Clapton, De Jah Groove, Kaya and Juzzie Smith at the Kings Beach Amphitheatre.

To get up close and personal with Jon Cleary and other performers at the Caloundra Music Festival, a limited number of VIP passes are available.

“If you want to make the absolute most of your festival experience, become a Festival VIP,” Mr Eyles said.

“Festival VIPs will enjoy their own bar and toilet facilities, on-site parking, a roof over their head in Kings Beach Park in the VIP marquee, and a chance to mingle with their favourite artists!”

VIP tickets are limited and are restricted to persons aged 18 years and over.

Early bird VIP tickets for entry throughout the Festival weekend Friday to Sunday are on sale now until 14 September or until sold out.

Tickets can be booked online at etixdirect.com.au, by telephone 5491 4240 or in person at The Event Centre, 20 Minchinton Street Caloundra.