The Granite Belt region lost one of its finest musicians with the passing of folk musician and accordion player, Sharon Doro, on October 21. SHARON DORO 1950-2014
The Granite Belt region lost one of its finest musicians with the passing of folk musician and accordion player, Sharon Doro, on October 21.
Sharon, from Dalveen, south-east Queensland, was born on August 17th, 1950. An active performer in the Queensland folk scene from her youth, Sharon was widely regarded as an exceptional accordion and melodeon player.
Portrait , her first album, which included both accordion tunes and songs, was recorded at Restless Music, Stanthorpe, and released in 1992. It was reissued by Restless Music on CD earlier this year, and, along with a second album, Farabella , comprising accordion tunes Sharon had collected over the years, was lodged with the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia and the State Library of Queensland. 
In 1994, Sharon recorded some tracks for David Mulhallen's ABC folk programme, Songs and Stories of Australia .
As a session musician, Sharon featured on several albums by Stanthorpe-based folksingers, Penny Davies & Roger Ilott, as well as playing on albums by Bill Scott, Mark Davidson, and Julie McGonigal. She also contributed to the 1997 double CD release, Stories from Quart Pot Creek – A Memory Quilt of Stanthorpe 1872-1997 .
Roger Ilott, producer of Sharon's two albums, noted, “Sharon had an extraordinary touch on the accordion and melodeon. She not only excelled at playing traditional tunes, she had the sensitivity required to be a skilful recording session musician.”
Between 1988 and 1990, Sharon performed in the Stanthorpe Folk and Stanthorpe Little Theatre production of Song of the Quart Pot . This musical history of Stanthorpe ran for three seasons, and was a highlight of the 1990 National Folk Festival in Maleny. Sharon was a featured artist at the inaugural 1990 Cabarlah Folk Festival, the 1994 National Folk Festival in Canberra, and was also a member of the Border Bush Band.
“Sharon was an instinctive player, always alert for the flow of a song or tune,” said Penny Davies. “She had a fine ear and a grand cackle. She was always full of music and fun. We'll miss her as a musician and as a friend.”
For nearly two decades, Sharon battled the autoimmune disease, Lupus, and for the last few months was a resident at Carramar, Stanthorpe.
She is survived by her son Nathan, and his family (Anita Owens and their children, Hayleigh, Jade and Sasha), her daughter Justine and her family (Clem Fung and their children, Aimee, Joel and Samuel), and Sharon's many friends.
PINE TREE BARN DANCE - from Sharon's 1992 album PORTRAIT
We will be putting up more of Sharon's recordings over the next few weeks. Click on the link above for Pine Tree Barn Dance - a traditional tune featuring Sharon playing with the late Lionel O'Keefe.