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!

Swing into Spring!

Howdy folks!
My next two performances in my diary are gonna see me fly up to ole Sydney town, and they are sure to be a hoot!
October 8th I'm making a guest appearance with Miss Pia Anderson, and the 'Hollywood Honeys' at the Swing into spring festival, held at the Balmain Town Hall ,366 Darling St Balmain, Sydney.

I'll be backed by the 'Black and white big band', and will enjoy the fabulous 3 part harmonies of the 'Hollywood Honeys' singing along. Here's a  link
Then on the Sunday the 9th, I'll be performin a 3 setter with the fabulous Pat Capocci combo at theRiver Rhythms gig, at Sydney's Olympic Park. This gig will be my first official gig in Sydney, and I am so very excited about the whole weekend!
I'd like to thank Miss Pia Anderson from Vintage All sorts for organising these gigs, and Mr Pat Capocci and his Combo for backing me on the Sunday gig.
Hope I'll see all my Sydney friends there!
So long!

Greazefest 2011 Rocked!

Howdy folks! Well Greazefest 2011 is now, sadly, a thing of history. And I can safely say, it was even more fun than I had hoped it would be! It was always going to be a great time, with 2 nights jam packed with hot rockin acts and 1 full day of cars, stalls, and more bands.

After re booking flights with Virgin, and calling my flights with Tiger a dead loss, I flew into Brissy and was picked up and taken back to my great friends, Brenton, Katrina and Prudence Hill's house. These guys looked after me the whole weekend, and treated me like a king!. Friday Brenton, and I spent the day workin on his 1950 Pontiac, and 1956 Cadillac. Changin the oil, cleanin the plugs, and polishing the chrome and paint, getting them ready for the big show on Sunday

Scotty polishing the chrome on the 50 Poncho

Once we were done, we dolled ourselves up, and drove the 45 mins down to Rocklea Showgrounds for the first night at Greazer with 4 great acts. 

Miss Teresa and her Rhythmaires,

The Starliners

 the head line act from the USA Jason Lee Wilson

and the night was brought to an end by the Blazin Entrails

It was a great start to the weekend and left us all wanting more!

Saturday Brenton and I again spent the day finishing small jobs the Poncho needed done, before she had her maiden voyage to the Rocklea Showgrounds the next day. After a very late lunch, (Brenton and I forgot to eat, as we were so consumed by the cars!) we packed up, and headed into town early, so I could catch up with Pat Capocci, and his boys for a run through in his motel room, before we went on that night.

After the run through, we got ready and headed to the gig

West Texas Crude kicked the night off with a rockin Set, and really set the tone for the night!

Then it was my turn, the moment of truth! Although I've only played with Pat and his boys a couple of times before, I know how talented they are, and after the quick practice only an hour or so before hand, I knew it would be sweet, and sweet it was! I sang 11 of my own tunes off my CD to fill in the 45min set, and Pat and the boys rocked it! The huge crowed, pumped after West Texas Crude, really got into my stuff, even though most of them would never have heard it before! The dance floor was packed, the crowed went off, and after the set, I sold around 30 CDs! I can honestly say, that was one of the best gigs I've had to date!



Enjoyin myself with young Damo on Bass



Ahhh rock it!!



Singin C'mon and fight me! with Pat, Damo, and Goat

Relaxing after my set with Pat, Rusty, Jon, and Dan

After my set, was fellow Victorian, and the guru who recorded my CD, Paulie Bignell

Then to take the night home, was the headline act, from the USA,  Mr James Intveld

 

What a great night! one I wont soon forget! Another thing I was able to do was meet up with people who are freinds on Facebook, who I had never actually met!

Sunday we were up early, cleaned the whitewalls on the 2 cars, then headed into the Show grounds for the Sunday show. The old Poncho had a little trouble with a dodgy carby, but went very well on her first trip on Aussie roads!, and she looked mighty fine once we put her on display!

Katrina wasn't to be out done, here's her, Prudence, and the 56 Caddy

I caught up with lots of friends on the Sunday, but didn't have my camera with me, here's a shot of Pia Anderson and I taken on her phone. We are currently working on a duet together

Some of the bands I caught Sunday were Paulie and his Crazy Rhythm Boys

The Pat Capocci Combo

Dan and the Dualtones

Pia Anderson

And Rusty Pinto

After Rusty's set, we Jumped in the Poncho and hit the road back to Brenton and Katrians house, and then onto the airport to catch my flight.

And so ended Greazefest 2011

I'd like to thank Brenton and Katrina for their wonderful hospitality over the weekend, Pat Capocci and the boys for backing me on the Saturday night, and Lori Lee Cash for putting an amazing show on, and letting me be a part of it!

With the brain child of Greazefest, the wonderful Lori Lee Cash

I also want to thank those who's photos Ive used in this post, Including Brooke Orchard Photography, and Pix by Pete.

Only 358 days till Greazefest 2012, bring it on!

Press-tone Rockabilly Volume 4

Howdy Folks! I'd like to bring your attention to a new release, by 2 friends of mine, Pat Capocci and Rusty Pinto. When it comes to Aussie Rockabilly, these are 2 of the coolest, talented guys who are currently on the scene. Pat is a gifted young singer/songwriter who hails from Newcastle, but now spends allot of his time in Sydney. I first met Pat about 6 years ago at the Wintersun festival, and was amazed at his skill on the guitar. And his writing style has very much (for a fellow song writer) to be very envious of. From ball tearin' rockers to sweet melodic tunes, Pat's got a handle on it. I've shared the stage with Pat a couple of times over the years, and he and his band will be backing me once again at this years Greazfest.

I first saw Rusty Pinto playing at Wintersun about 5 years with his then group, 'The Drag Strip Trio' and I was absolutely blown away! This young cat has the voice of a young Elvis (again, I'm very envious!), and when playing live, he can really cut loose! I remember him ending up on the floor of the stage at that Wintersun gig, still playing his guitar, whipping the crowed into a frenzy!
Rusty hails from Perth, and has a regular gig at a venue there called the Mustang Bar. Rusty and Pat have just returned from a tour together throughout Europe, and from all accounts, they were a hit!

This CD, Press-tone Rockabilly Volume 4,  is a fantastic album bringing 2 of our best Rockabilly acts together, and it  features 7 self penned tunes from each of the guys. And if you you're paying attention, you'll even hear yours truly doing a backing vocal for Pat on track 7, Uppercut!
This album is yet another fine release by Dingo @ Press-Tone Music, and was recorded by the same talent man who recorded my CD, Mr Paulie Bignell @ Hailstone Studios in Melbourne.
Be sure to grab yourself a copy of this CD, available, like mine, though Dingo Records, contact Dingo @ dingo71@hotmail.com Or by contacting the guys on their websites, here's the links Pat Capocci andRusty Pinto. Be sure to catch both these guys performin at this years greazfest, I know you're gonna be glad you did!
Take care
Scotty

Success at Wintersun, Port Macquarie

Howdy Folks!

Well another Wintersun has passed, and although in a new town, and although the weather went ferral on the weekend, a great time was still had by all, not the least me! I had 3 gig pencilled in. The Wednesday night, i performed along with the Rattle Snakes, the Xray cats, and the fabulous John Lewis, from the UK. It was a brilliant night, and a real pleasure to get to know John Lewis, who has been a favourite of mine for many years, here's a photo of him, some lovely girlfriends of ours, and myself, taken on the Saturday night, when I wasnt performing

And here's one of Miss Chrissy Keepence, Tara-Lee Bush, and Myself at my Wednesday night gig. The benefits of being a performer! ;)

And one of Miss Candice Deville and I at the Wednesday night gig



Each night after the gigs, Candice Deville and Harry Deluxe from WA hosted a  jam night in the local pub for Muso's and their special guests, from 1am till 2. These nights were SOOO much fun, as all types of muso's showed up. The next photo is of Myself and some guys from a great WA Swing band called 'The Darling Buds of May' having a jam, and doin a 'Rag Time' version of 'Blue moon of Kentucky'. It was such a fun experience, and sounded VERY cool!

On the Friday night gig, I performed along side Tommy and the lucky strikes (Melb) and Harry Deluxe (WA), and we had a ripper night! Once again I was lucky enough to be backed by the brilliant Straight 8s from Melbourne for my gigs, and we really nailed the Friday night gig. Here are some photos from the night.

On stage with the Straight 8s

My guitar's pick up died, and I had to fit my spare to the sound hole

Rockin' it with Dave 'the kid' Cantrell

Using Victor Oneal's guitar, after i snapped a string, again!

This turned out to be my last gig, as the Saturday in the street gig was washed out, as was the vintage fashion show I was meant to host.

All in all  a great time was had by all, and I'm looking forward to the next Wintersun in Coffs Harbour!

Take care

Scotty