NEW RELEASE:
Proud to be an Anzac
(The Ballad of Billy Torrance)
Lyrics: Jacinta Read.
Vocals: Eric Read.
Production: Leo Dalton
A tribute to Private William Torrance (17/201 Otago Regiment, NZEF) who served in Egypt 1915-16 and on the Western Front 1916-17, at times serving alongside his brother John Westland Torrance.
Written and recorded on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia, and at Leo Dalton's Ol' Pickin Parlour Recording Studio at Upwey, Victoria, Australia, while we were all in home isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic in March and April, 2020.
We made the most of our time, technology, our creativity and a will to eternally remember Eric Read's lost great uncle Private William "Billy" Torrance.
Tragically, scarred by war physically and mentally, Private William Torrance took his own life his hometown Cromwell on New Zealand's South Island not long after returning home from war in January 1920, 100 years ago. Private William "Billy Torrance was 29 years old.
Lest We Forget.
Winner - Tamworth Songwriters' Association 2020 Comedy Novelty Song of the Year
Announced winner of the Tamworth Songwriters' Association Geoff Mack Commemorative Award 2020 for Comedy Novelty Song of the Year with Wouldn't Be Dead for Quids, from The Original Eric Read album.
Plus semi finalist in Country Blues category with Cliches and Comedy Novelty category with It's a Dirty Job.
Eric Read is a long-time all rounder - drummer, singer, guitar and bass player, storyteller and comic who just loves entertaining and making people laugh.
From their home on the beautiful Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia, ventriloquist/musician Eric and his wife Jacinta operate their growing entertainment business Read Entertainment.
Eric Read’s Variety Shows feature Eric on guitar and vocals, with his own self-recorded backing tracks, playing a vast repertoire of music including classics from the 50s right through the decades, a bit of traditional and modern country, trop rock, comedy and Aussie classics.
Eric enjoys performing the classic favourites to suit his unique style, with a little humour and good old fashioned one-liners thrown in too. In addition, Eric is a ventriloquist with a regular larrikin sidekick called Sparky, along with other characters and a human ventriloquist mask which is an hilarious addition to the show.
Eric’s shows are well embraced at clubs, cafes, retirement communities, private events, aged care, markets and family venues. He is a versatile entertainer who loves communicating with his audiences.
Our shows feature ever changing content and variety to ensure fresh appeal.
Eric is about to release his second CD featuring many original comedy and life ballads.
Winner - Tamworth Songwriters' Association 2020 Comedy Novelty Song of the Year
Wouldn't Be Dead for Quids,
From The Original Eric Read album
Plus semi finalist in Country Blues category with Cliches and Comedy Novelty category with It's a Dirty Job.
Aussie shows with Ecka & Ocker
G'day, g'day! We have a beaut time taking our Aussie theme shows on the road in January! All Aussie music, including colonial favourites and up to more contemporary hits, little "Ocker" Sparky gives a lesson on rhyming slang!
Fun-filled Morning Melodies shows -
booking now for 2020 and 2021
Singalong to classic favourites in Eric's fun-filled shows which also include ventriloquism. Inquire now about Eric Read's themed shows which change each month.
Eric Read's Feelgood classics
Eric Read's feelgood music, a diverse range of classics, from the 60s, 70s to more contemporary trop rock, plus a little bit of country.
We have it sorted!
Read Entertainment offers music and ventriloquism for all audiences. Whether it be music only or a combination of music and ventriloquism, we have shows which are suitable for all audiences - clubs, cafes, private functions, retirement communities and aged care providers. Read Entertainment has a growing aged care and retirement community clientele in South East Queensland, from the Gold Coast to Bundaberg! We provide insurance and police check documents, along with Blue Cards. We provide our own equipment with all electrical tagged and tested.
Gig guide
Where you can see us
New Year's Eve, December 31, 2020
Private function
Eric Read's feelgood music, comedy and ventriloquism!
Blue Fin Fishing Club Morning Show, Inala
Monday, March 9, 2020, 10.30am - 12noon
A fabulous fun morning with the music you know well, ventriloquism and a guaranteed laugh!
Australia Day @ Chill Cafe 89, Golden Beach, Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Sunday, January 26, 2020, from 4pm
All Aussie songs, all Aussie fun at beautiful Chill Cafe 89!
Ecka & Ocker's Australiana Show - The Waves Club Bundaberg
Wednesday, January 22, 2020
Australia Day variety show with Eric Read and friends!
The Waves Sports Club
1 Miller Street, Norville,
Bundaberg, Queensland
Twin Towns Club Banora
Sunday, December 8, 2019, 11am
Eric Read Variety Show - music, fun, ventriloquism!
Twin Towns Club Banora,
Leisure Drive, Banora Point. New South Wales
City Golf Club, Toowoomba
Thursday, October 31, 2019, 10am-11.30am
Eric Read Variety Show - music, fun, ventriloquism!
City Golf Club, Toowoomba
254 South Street,
South Toowoomba, Queensland
Morning Show @ The Waves Club, Bundaberg
Wednesday, October 9, 2019, 9.30am - 12noon
Eric Read Variety Show - music, fun, ventriloquism!
The Waves Sports Club
1 Miller Street, Norville,
Bundaberg, Queensland
Wild for Wednesdays, Kedron-Wavell Services Club
Wednesday, October 2, 2019, 1pm - 1.40pm
Eric Read brings introduces his fun style of entertainment with you know, ventriloquism and one-liners!
Kedron-Wavell Services Club, 21 Kittyhawk Drive, Chermside, Brisbane.
The Original Eric Read - CD launch
Sunday, September 1, 2019, 2pm - 4pm.
Help us celebrate the launch of Eric's new CD - The Original Eric Read, featuring nine original songs and five covers.
Chill Cafe 89,
The Esplanade, Golden Beach, QLD
Bookings essential.
Sawtell RSL Club
Sunday, August 18, 2019, 4.30pm- 6.30pm
Eric Read's variety show - a fun time with the music you know, ventriloquism and one-liners!
Sawtell RSL Club, 38-40 First Avenue, Sawtell, New South Wales.
Chill Cafe 89, Golden Beach
Saturday, August 24, 2019, 4pm
Chill out at Chill Cafe 89 with fun and feelgood music by Eric Read. Savour the glorious seaside setting of Golden Beach.
Chill Cafe 89, The Esplanade,
Golden Beach, Queensland.
Get in Touch
Ph: +61 418 529 529
About Us
Read Entertainment is a venture created by Eric and Jacinta Read. Eric Read is an experienced entertainer who brings some good time music and humour to any occasion. Eric has been entertaining since the 1960s in dance and cabaret bands, as well as recording radio and TV jingles. More recently his act has turned solo with acoustic guitar and/or backing tracks with electric guitar. Ventriloquism has long been a passion, only brought to fruition in recent years, where this entertaining art can be incorporated into Eric's shows. Eric and Jacinta have connected with the world ventriloquism community in the USA to broaden their knowledge of this art. With a background in writing and publishing, Jacinta provides the marketing back-up, administrative and on-road support to get this show on the road!
