The Band

The Countdowns are somewhat of an Australian phenomenon. To their credit, they have played alongside Australian epic performers such as the great Johnny O’Keefe, John Farnham, Billy Thorpe, The Delltones, the Bee Gees and the Easybeats to name a few. They have also performed with other national stars including Little Pattie, Lonnie Lee, Tony Worsley, Ronnie Burns, Bobby and Laurie, and Gina Jeffreys.

Many bachelors and spinsters have danced the night away bopping to the beat of The Countdowns, whose musical repertoire ranges from the 50s through to the present day. Band members often hear from younger fans of how their own parents first met at one of the The Countdowns’ gigs.

They have also played Coolangatta's popular 'Wintersun Festival' a number of times in recent years and over the last 40 years they’ve rock n’ rolled their way through country towns like Roma, Goondiwindi, Nindigully, Quilpie and Charleville as well as concerts at Brisbane’s Festival Hall and other corporate gigs at the Brisbane Convention Centre and Sheraton and Hilton Hotels. Regular hotel and club work on the Darling Downs and South East Queensland is a big part of their performing life.

One of the group’s major successes was being named regional winner of the Hoadley’s Battle of the Sounds in 1969. At the time, it wasn’t unusual for the band to be performing up to seven nights a week at venues throughout Queensland. One of the those venues was the now defunct popular Broadbeach International Celebrity Room located on Queensland’s Gold Coast. About 40 bands Australia-wide turned up to audition for the prestigious venue, but The Countdowns came up trumps.

The triumphant career path of the band has continued today, with The Countdowns holding down a hectic schedule which includes concerts, 50s and 60s nights, end of year high school formals and numerous other functions.

But after all this time, their love of music and performing is as strong as ever. So is their popularity and the support they receive from fans.

To book The Countdowns check their dates and contact the band.

  Band Members

	Bevan Betros, drummer and vocalist with The Countdowns, started playing in bands in 1967, playing all styles of music. He joined The Countdowns in 1981, adding another dimension to the powerful harmonies and diversity of the band's repertoire. Bevan taught drums to many students during the 1970s, many of whom have gone onto highly successful music careers. He has played with support acts for John Farnham, Billy Thorpe, and The Delltones, to name a few, and backed many artists including Little Pattie, Lisa Edwards, Gina Jefferies and Tony Worsley. Bevan has also played percussion in amateur stage performances such as The Boyfriend, The Mikado and Godspell.
	Denis Hutchinson, singer, saxophonist and keyboard player started his musical career in the ‘60s with Brisbane rock group Tommy Dee and the Ramblers and was a regular on Channel 9s Hi Fi Club. He moved to Toowoomba a couple of years later and joined top Darling Downs group The Beaumen until forming The Countdowns with co-founder Owen Ray. International and national acts he has played with include the Bee Gees, Col Joye, Johnny O’Keefe, The Platters and John Farnham. Denis enjoys playing not only classic rock but also contemporary popular music. He is also a classic car enthusiast and currently owns the 1961 XK Falcon Sedan (pictured here) and a 1967 XT Fairmont wagon.
	Richard Whatson began playing the bass guitar and singing at an early age. He was a member of well-known New Zealand pop groups in the 60s, 70s including The Chapta’ which produced 2 albums and 3 hit singles. He has supported numerous international artists like the Beach Boys, The Animals, The Hollies, Dinah Lee and Ricky May to name a few. Richard ventured to Australia in 1977 and became a sought-after session singer and member of a session band which included Wendy Stapleton and Linda George and sang in various bands and gigs right up the east coast of Australia. Richard joined the Countdowns in 1993 and continues to enjoy his music and singing with the band to this day.
	Owen Ray, singer and guitarist, formed the core group that became The Countdowns in 1965. Owen loves playing and performing classic rock, modern country and classic modern hits. He still does solo gigs and enjoys entertaining people. He collects vintage guitars and musical instruments and is the owner of International Music, one of Australia's largest retail musical instrument stores located in Toowoomba Queensland.

Testimonials

A trip down memory lane — that's what took Robyn and myself back to the last Countdowns' reunion (in 1996). We had a great night and it was great to see faces from the past amongst the huge crowd, some of whom had travelled far. We loved the jiving competition. Support artists and prizes were great also and the Countdowns....what can I say about a band still as popular after spanning over three decades. We are really looking foward to the next reunion.

Trevor Nahrung
CEO, Roberts Men's Wear
Toowoomba

Being an avid fan of the fabulous Countdowns for over 30 years I went along to their 1996 anniversary concert with high expectations for a great night of good old fashioned rock n roll. Believe me, I was not disappointed!! These guys are true rock n roll legends. Their renditions of songs by the Eagles, Billy Joel, Elton John and Roy Orbison, just to name a few, left me with no doubt in my mind that Toowoomba's premier rock n roll band, The Countdowns, are indeed a world class act.

Bob Tait
Former Senior Development Officer
Foundation Office
University of Southern Queensland