CD Launch!

Well the day has finally come! This Saturday, at the St Kilda Bowls Club, we will be officially launching my debut album 'Just like that!'

The gig is a Press-Tone Music 'Big D Jamboree', and features 3 rockin acts. Kieron McDonald (Flatfoot Shakers) in his first gig since moving back from living in Germany, Hanks Jalopy Demons, who are very much back on the scene, in a very big way after a few years off, as well as myself. DJ Dingo will be spinnin the tunes in the breaks, with  some strollers for the girls!
We are very lucky to have great muso's backing us on the night, with Dave Cantrell on Lead guitar, Snappy Vex on double bass, Ray Tully will be backing me on drums, and Pixi will be backing Kieron and Hank on the drums in their set.
3 rockin acts, and a loaded DJ (in more ways than one hey Dingo?!) for only $15 a head, what a bargain!Speakin of bargains, my CD's will be on sale for the night at only $20! You'll also be able to by CDs from Hank, and Kieron on the night, so why not load up for Christmas?
So come on down, and enjoy a great night of  "Home grown Rockabilly, with a healthy dose of Country"
You'll be glad you did!

Swing into Spring & River rythms wrap up

Howdy folks!

Wow! life has been so busy lately the I've fallen behind keepin the ole blog updated! And right now I'm meant to be preparing for a very big gig this weekend, so this will be brief!

Friday October 7th I caught a flight up to Sydney to perform at the Swing into Spring Festival, held at the newly restored Belmain Hall Ball room on the Saturday night,.

This gig was so much fun! I was a guest performer that night, and got up with Miss Pia Anderson and the Black and White Big Band, and sung Johnny & June Carter Cash's hit, Jackson. It was quite a new experience singing that song with a big band, and they gave it an entirely different, much bigger, feel! It went down a treat.



With Pia Anderson



Then Pia left the stage and I performed the Drifters tune, made famous by Dion and the Belmonts 'Ruby Baby'. I had been practicing the song in the key Dion sings it (E), but the band normally perform it in the key the Drifters perform it (G), which made it much too high for me! Luckily we discovered this problem earlier in the day, and the Band leader found charts that would meet me half way, in (F). Although it was higher than I'd been used to, it was still in my vocal range, and it actually gave the song allot of punch being sung in that key. It was great fun playing with the big band, and I look forward to further shows with those guys. The other highlight was catching up with my Sydney friends I don't see very often, and meeting other great Sydney folk



Chatting with Robyn Hayes




with Marc Rondeau , and Luke Beynon




With Georgio Rimi




with Geeves O'Shea



With Sue Cadzow

It was a great night, and I hope to be a part of the Swing into Spring Festival again another time. Sunday it was onto play with the  Pat Capocci Combo at the River Rhythms gig at Sydney's Olympic park

We had an under cover stage set up on the banks of the Parramatta river to perform on, and although the weather looked quite threatening, and was getting a bit windy, we had a small, but enthusiastic crowed cheering us on! Pat, Damo, and Goat did a brilliant job backing me, and we did a mix of my original songs, and some covers. Pat also performed a few of his own tunes on the day, and Pia Anderson got up and did some tunes with us too, including a more traditional version of Jackson with me.

After the gig, Pia took me out to see Sydneys sights, as I've never been to Sydney before. We had dinner on a pub rooftop, looking over the harbour, and the Opera house, and later went for a walk on the fore shore

So my trip to Sydney was a blast! I'd like to thank Pia Anderson, her son Bayley and her partner Angus for having me, and looking after me so well over the weekend. Also to Pat and the boys for the great gig Sunday, and to the Black and White Big Band for backing me up Saturday night

And ofcorse to Qantas, for arranging that my flights were 2 of the only flights not affected by industrial action on the weekend! ;)

Camperdown Cruise 2011

Howdy Folks!
Well, I cant believe 12 months has passed since the last Camperdown Cruise, and cruise 2011 is almost upon us!

 

 

Last year was sooo much fun! I went along in the 50 Buick with my mate Trav Owen, and both of us thouroghly enjoyed soking in the atmosphere, with the beautiful tree lined main street of Camperdown, aptly named 'Manifold Street', totally chockers with cool cars, pretty girls, and great rockabilly!
This year promises to be at least double in size, with organiser (and my good mate) Arthur Mats confirming people and cars, will be coming from all states of Australia, and even New Zealand!

 I'll be performing Saturday lunch time at Maddens Commercial Hotel, backed by the boys from Hank's Jalopy Demons

And then again with the boys Saturday night at the big rockabilly night in the historic Theatre Royal

Sunday night, Pat Capocci is hosting a jam night, and I'll no doubt get up and help out where I can!

If last year is anything to go by, Sunday should prove to be massive, with the entire centre of town taken over. The layout of the centre of Camperdown is perfect for an event like this, as there are 2 duel carriageway roads in Manifold st, separated by a massively wide medium strip, and clock tower in the centre. The medium strip is taken over by great stalls, and there is a stage set up at the clock tower for the bands. And traffic can keep flowing through town, as one road is left open, with the other set aside for displaying the cool rides.

Accomodation is probably all booked out by now, but if you fancy a day trip, either Saturday, or Sunday would be a great day to come and look around.

 And if you stick around to see me playing at either of my gigs, make sure you stop by and say G'day!