JUST what does "the nips are getting bigger" mean?

Sitting next to the guitarist for Russell Morris at the weekend, he was deep in debate with a Stanthorpe Rocks concert-goer over just what this line in the famous Mental as Anything song really meant.

As a kid, when my parents would play this song, I assumed it was something to do with fishing because my Dad would sing a few bars whenever he got close to a mudcrab's nipper.

But no, as most of you are probably aware, it's to do with nips of scotch. How was a seven-year-old meant to know that?

Camping with the family is where my love of music began, and the reason I love some of the daggy 80s bands at my age.

Any song by Rod Stewart, Daryl Braithwaite, Bryan Adams, John Mellencamp and more immediately takes me back to my childhood, where Mum and Dad would have the CD player cranking while we camped.

Hell, I even got my name after a daggy Sherbert song Mum loved - what hope did I have?

Anyway, my love of 80s music was entertained by the amazing Stanthorpe Rocks concert at Ballandean Estate winery at the weekend.

While I didn't know a couple of the artists and many of the songs, Daryl Braithwaite was enough to quench my sentimentality for now.

It was kind of cool to look out into the crowd, with ages ranging from seven to 70 kicking back and singing along to old favourites.

The organisers deserve a big pat on the back, but I can't help wonder why something like that hasn't been introduced in the Rose City.

We have countless spaces with plenty of potential to house a successful concert like Stanthorpe Rocks.

Australiana Park has already been suggested by a local real estate agent (see story on the opposite page) but Leslie Park, Queens Park and Morgan Park are all other great contenders.

Even smaller villages around the Southern Downs could play host to an entertainment function such as Allora, Yangan or even Emu Vale or Tannymorel.

The options are endless really, if it just had a bit of backing by local businesses and someone to throw in their organisation skills and ability to sign up the big stars.

Warwick used to play host to the big names all the time - I'm pretty sure Johnny Cash even performed here back in the day.

So what's stopping us attracting the big names now?