IT IS hard to imagine a trip to Twin Towns without seeing the multi-award winning Frogs On Toast.
The band has played there so often over the past 15 years that they are pretty much locals but after 15 years and four MO Awards – the group is calling it a day.
For creator Trish Allen and manager Jeff Vandenberg it is a chance to move on to their next challenge – one that has been years in the making. The pair have got themselves a converted Coaster bus and are off to see Australia and revive their much neglected duo along the way.
We always wanted to go around Oz but hadn’t set a date untill in October last year my mum had a fall and had to go into a nursing home, at the same time my 55-year-old sister-in-law lost her 12-month battle with cancer and that’s when we set a date,” Jeff said.
“It’s been in the planning stage for a number of years.
“But we are finally starting on 5 August and going north to Gladstone to see our grandchildren, then following the weather pattern. We will still be performing with our duo.”
But before they head off into the sunset the dynamic duo will play Twin Towns one last time.
They are no strangers to the club which Jeff said was almost a home away from home the Frogs had played there so many times.
“My educated guess is that we’ve played about 800 gigs at Twin Towns alone, hence the huge fanbase,” he said.
“We’ve made so many good friends on our Froggy journey,” Trish said.
“And had so many experiences, mostly good happily, and I know we’re going to miss it terribly but we feel the time is right for us to start the next journey in our lives.”
Frogs On Toast will appear for the very last time at Twin Towns Ex-Services Club in Breezes from Thursday 16 May.
“Twin Towns has been, by far, the most supportive of all the Clubs in which Frogs have appeared,” Jeff said.
“For 14 years they have booked the show for two weeks at a time, three or four times a year.
“We want to give a big thankyou,” said Trish “to the entertainment managers of Twin Towns who have continued to support the Frogs through some turbulent times when members of the Frog team have moved on.
Without their support, it would have been very difficult to retain the spirit of Frogs since major changes in such a small cast can make it hard to preserve the standard which fans expect. We’ll miss the club and their members enormously.”
The regularity of the Frogs’ visits to Twin Towns has played a major part in their recognition in all states throughout Australia and also overseas in places like Holland, Canada, America and New Zealand thanks to the popularity of Twin Towns as an entertainment venue.
“One couple in Canada booked their holidays to coincide with Frogs appearances at the club each year for about five or six years.”
Frogs wish to send a very special thankyou to all those die-hard fans who, through rain, shine and often the tyranny of distance, have turned up time and time again to see them.
“We love you all,” said Trish “and will never forget the many good times we have had with all of you. You will forever have a special place in our hearts. Au Revoir.”
Who: Frogs On Toast
Where: Twin Towns
When: Wednesday, 15 May in the showroom at 10am and at different locations around the club until Sunday, 19 May.
Interested?: Tickets for their special tribute show on Wednesday, 15 May available from the club or just drop in for their regular show.
