SWANEE

Vale Ian Miller - May 2009

The music industry was saddened to hear of the death of Ian Miller last Thursday 14 May 2009

Ian Miller was a seasoned performer, producer, music publisher and educator. He has played guitar for 40 years and has taught it for 30 years. Ian's books have been published in Australia, NZ and the USA through Warner Chappell Music.

Ian's extensive label experience includes : Artist & Repertoire Manager with EMI Records, as a published writer through Warner-Chappell Music, independent Producer with SONY, Albert Productions WEA, EMI and Giant Records and was Australian Record Producer of the Year 1974. Ian has produced recordings for artists such as : John Paul Young, Stevie Wright, The Moir Sisters, Lobby Loyde & The Coloured Balls and Jim Keays.

As a guitarist, Ian has played with some of the World's great Guitarists:- Joe Walsh (The Eagles), Frank Gambale (Chick Corea), Skunk Baxter (Steely Dan, The Doobie Brothers), Randy Jackson (Madonna, Bruce Springstein, Aretha Franklin), Verdine White (Earth, Wind and Fire)

In his native Australia with singer Stevie Wright of The Easybeats; he was a member of John Paul Young's Allstar Band who toured the Globe. As a Solo acoustic Blues / Pop Artist, he has played Australia's famous "East Coast Blues and Roots" (The Byron Bay Blues Festival), The Gaelic Club, The Basement, The Sydney Opera House and supported Guitar Legend Alan Holdsworth at Sydney's Bridge Hotel, Fleetwood Mac (with the John Paul Young Band), The Electric Light Orchestra, John Mayall (with Langford Lever) and Midnight Oil.

You have heard him on some all - time favourite recordings of Stevie Wright, Harry Vanda and George Young (Flash and The Pan), Alan Lancaster (Status Quo), JPY. He has recorded two Albums of tunes for the pleasure of your head, hearts and feet

• "Ian Miller" (2005) An Album of Acoustic guitar, Dobro and Harp (with Orchestra) Instrumentals. Available at CD Baby
• "It's A Beautiful Day To Fly" : Original and "Old" songs Vocal, Guitar, Mandolin, Dobro and Band.

You can read more about Ian at The Miller's Tale

Sydney's Drum Media said of him "You have to cross a lot of rivers to get to where this man and his playing are"

A Wonderfully Talented Guitarist. I loved and admired this man. He showed me a way to live my life, with integrity and joy He was there for me 24/7 day or night.

God bless you Ian, I will miss not having your guidance.

Your friend always,
John

Music Matters

I am now an Ambassador for the Music Matters Program at the Royal Adelaide Hospital.

Swanee wants music instruments for Adelaide Hospital. As ambassador for the Royal Adelaide Hospital's "music matters" program, singer John "Swanee" Swan is getting his musician mates to go into play for kids and adults with head injuries and burns. But he figures the program will be more effective if the patients learn to play music themselves. He is therefore asking instruments manufacturers, stores and musicians to donate music gear. "We're starting out with nothing," Swan says

Please Email me, if you can contribute in any way.

Music Matters Program

Music Matters at Royal Adelaide Hospital is a public health initiative that brings music performance and interactive sessions to public and ward areas on 3 sites of Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH). It introduces different kinds of music to people who may not otherwise have heard them, provides patients, who are a marginalised group, with access to music and introduces musicians, members of the community, to the hospital setting.

The vision is "to enhance the hospital experience through the creative arts". Activities for Music Matters Royal Adelaide Hospital began in December 2002 with "The 12 Days of Christmas" and music each day leading to Christmas Day. Currently, the main activity focuses on monthly visits by small groups of musicians from the ASO to ward areas and visits by other musicians to all hospital sites.

These include the SA Police Band, Choirs, Singers, Pianists and Accapella groups. We are looking at spreading this to other hospitals in Adelaide. I know the Lyell McKewan Hospital has come on board so its all go. I will be there Monday the 16th of March to meet with staff and press.

We are working on some projects with Support Act Victoria that I will be telling you about shortly. That's all for now I am off to a Support Act meeting.

Bye for now, Peace & Love

Things are looking good for the future. I'm back recording and starting to do lots of corporate work. I have been flat out doing benefits for the bush fire victims here in Melbourne, it's such a tragedy so everyone does what they can. Speaking of which there is a large benefit planned for 05 April, more on that as details come to hand.

Upcoming Live shows:-

• Fri 20 March - Mayfield Ex-Services Club, Mayfield NSW with the Radiators
• Sat 21 March - Coast Hotel, Budgewoi, NSW special guest Alan Barnes
• Sun 22 March - Beaches Hotel, Thirroul NSW, special guest Alan Barnes
• Sun 05 April - Bendigo Bushfire Benefit,Bendigo VIC details and line-up to be advised
• Sat 18 April - The Cube, Campbelltown NSW 4 x 80's bands - Swanee, Gangajang, Matt Finish, The Radiators

The Legends of Rock music festival is a fun loving music event catering for all ages. The festival is a one day event and will be held at the following locations.

FEATURED ARTISTS

• Party Boys
• Randall Waller
• Paul Christie
• Ceremony
• Dave Tice
• John Swan
• Mark Evans
• Buzz Bidstrup (Angels)
• Gangajang
• Phil Emmanuel
• Stevie Wright
• Angry Anderson
• Kevin Borich
• Ian Moss

Saturday 31st January 2009
Red Devils Park
Bangalow Road
Byron Bay NSW

Kids under 12 Free - MUST HAVE ID
Byron Bay Legends of Rock Festival
Ticketing Info
Byron Bay Tickets

Saturday 14th February 2009
The Belvior Amphitheatre
Belvoir Amphitheatre
1155 Great Northern Highway
Upper Swan, W.A.

The Adelaide Guitar Festival was superb I met many new friends and was blown off the map by the individual skills of these guys. I ’m finding it hard to put into words how much I was gob smacked by the efforts of all.

Then the MC/Host, the remarkable knowledge and humour of my dear friend Glenn A Baker he’s forgotten more then the best ever knew. Funny man too (many a laugh had at all our passed stories) but none for publication. Let’s just say I loved every minute of the event. The staff was wonderful and it was organised superbly. If I left anyone out, and I’m sure I did forgive me. All who participated gave 100% both on and off the field.

Unfortunately On the Friday my friend and co founder of Cold Chisel passed away of liver failure .He was a terrific guy and a good friend (my condolences to Steff and the family).

The following Wednesday we all returned to Adelaide to attend his funeral. All of Chisel and many of Adelaide's finest friends and muso's were there to see him off. Mossy sang "The Party’s Over" it was just beautiful thank you Ian. Life is short don’t put anything off, love with all your heart and give with all your soul. We are not here for long so let’s enjoy it and try to leave the place fit for the children of the future.

I got to climb up the Bell Tower for a photo shoot at the big cathedral at North Adelaide.

The Dean of the church came up with us it was truly a wonderful experience. Mark Evans my mate and bass player from AC/DC was with me and the Dean (who was just the coolest guy). His first question was “Are you a Strat or Gibson Man”? He asked me to sing inside the church which I did and performed “Amazing Grace” for him it sounded so cool in there.

THANK YOU ADELAIDE WE SALUTE YOU!

I’ll be back in Adelaide again soon as I’m going to be the Ambassador for The Royal Adelaide Hospitals Music Program. We will take music into and for the patients as a recovery thing hopefully as well as many if not all the bigger acts who go to Adelaide will be guest appearances. Thank you Amanda, you are wonderful together and with the help of all at the hospital we can make this work.

Ray Arnold, my old manager and friend died a few days ago. Ray used to manage Blackfeather and Feather. He always had time for others, and most of the older rock n roll survivors would have been touched by the generosity of this unique individual with a gentle nature.

He was one of the original roadies who lent their hand to management.

Ray helped many people in the industry and these are just some of the small things I can recollect about Ray and how he helped me....

"Ray brought me up from Adelaide to audition for Feather. I was doing gigs three nights after arriving in Sydney. I think it was the Robin Trower Tour, Jim sang with us, great show! I probably would still be drumming if not for Ray.

I can recall, living in his house for two years with Stewart Fraser (Noiseworks ) then Jim and I had a flat next door for approximately a year.

Ray was good friends with all the chaps "AC/DC", "Cold Chisel", "Billy Thorpe", "Marc Hunter" and the boys from "Dragon".

We used to do lots of gigs with Dragon when Ray managed us and my first single "Girl Trouble" with Feather was with Ray.

He worked as a driver for Jimmy Barnes for many years and was a great friend that will be sorely missed.

Details of Ray's Memorial Service can be found at this link Ray Arnold Memorial Service

"Rest in peace big man"

See world-class lines up of rock, roots and classical guitar acts at the massive 2008 Adelaide International Guitar Festival.

Famous names will headline a multitude of genre-specific concerts to appeal tomusic lovers of all ages and tastes. Artists include Xavier Rudd,Romeros Guitar Quartet, Backsliders, Grinspoon, Troy Cassar-Daley and much more.

It all kicks off on Saturday 29 November, with a free concert in Elder Park. Anyone with a guitar is invited to come along and be part of the attempt to secure the Guinness World Records Biggest Guitar Band record for Adelaide, to the tune of AC/DC's seminal hit It's A Long Way To The Top. Start honing your strumming skills and get ready to jam at 6pm with The Party Boys, featuring lead singer Swanee and 2008 Australia's Got Talent winner Smokin' Joe Robinson who will lead the crowd.

Following the record attempt, South Australian bands GT Stringer and The Shiny Brights will entertain the masses. At 8pm in the Festival Theatre, classical music lovers will betreated to a magnificent baroque programme featuring maestros Slava& Leonard Grigoryan with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra. Works byVivaldi, Handel, Weiss and Fasch will be featured.

On Sunday 30 November Xavier Rudd will headline a world-class line-up of Roots performers from 7.30pm in Elder Park. Mia Dyson, Ash Grunwald,Rob Sawyer and The Mason Rack Band feature. Xavier will be completing his national tour at the festival.

Two talented award winning songwriters and accomplished guitarists, Lior and Jesse Harris,perform some of their favourite compositions and songs on Tuesday 2December in the Festival Theatre, with Jesse joined by a percussionist and Lior accompanied by a luscious string quartet.

Get ad ose of the Blues on Wednesday 3 December in the Festival Theatre withthree of the best - Backsliders, featuring Rob Hirst from Midnight Oil, a return performance by Australia's premier Blues-woman Fiona Boyes andThe Derek Trucks Band, headlined by the guitarist the world is talkingabout, Derek Trucks. Derek toured Australia in early 2007 with EricClapton's band as his preferred lead player. Eric himself says,'Derek's playing is stunning, unlike anything I'd ever heard before 'with the Wall Street Journal adding, '(Trucks) is the most awe-inspiring electric slide guitar player performing today'. The Derek Trucks Band performance at the festival will be an Australianexclusive.

On Thursday 4 December at 7.30pm, the Festival Theatre plays host to the 'Royal Family of the Guitar' thelegendary Romeros Guitar Quartet. According to The New York Times stated 'Collectively, The Romeros are the only classical guitar quartet of real stature in the world today; in fact, they virtually invented the format'. With over 40 years as a family quartet, The Romeros is a concert not to be missed.

Elder Park plays host to the Rock concert on Friday 5 December from 7.30pm. Adrian Belew (USA), David Bowie's guitarist of choice, headlines a stellar line-up of Australia's leading guitar-driven rock acts. Fans get ready to rock out to the awesome sounds of Grinspoon, SHIHAD and Magic Dirt. Adrian is acurrent member of seminal act King Crimson, alongside Robert Fripp, andhas worked with a list of legends from the music business including Frank Zappa, David Bowie, Talking Heads, Paul Simon, Laurie Andersonand most recently, Nine Inch Nails.

Hang on to your hats Country music fans: Saturday 6 December sees five of Australia'sleading contemporary artists take to the stage in Elder Park. Join Troy Cassar-Daley, Peter Denahy, Sara Storer, Bill Chambers and TravisSinclair for a night of country rock and bush ballads, suitable for all the family to enjoy.

Also on Saturday 6 December at 4pm,the Festival Theatre hosts a unique Bass concert featuring Steve Hunter, Al Slavik and Guy Pratt (UK) - possibly the most 'in-demand'bass player in the world. Guy's career includes stints with one of the most famous acts in music history - Pink Floyd - as well as recording with Madonna, Bryan Ferry, Robert Palmer and Michael Jackson. Guy spent some of his formative years in Australia as bass player with Icehouse and supported David Bowie on their legendary 1983 world tour. He has also worked on recordings with Tom Jones, Iggy Pop, The Pretenders,Sophie Ellis Bextor, Echo & The Bunnymen, Gary Moore & Elton John.

The festival finale on Sunday 7 December in Elder Park is a tribute to a much-loved music icon. This year we honour thec areer of Australia's own AC/DC with a night of high voltage rock 'n' roll. It is the first time a concert of this nature has beenstaged in Adelaide and brings together a long list of household names who will showcase their versions of their favourite AC/DC tracks.

Original members Mark Evans (bass) and Dave Evans (vocals) are also joining the line-up. The Hoodoo Gurus head the list and take to the stage along side Angry Anderson, The Party Boys (including Kevin Borich,Swanee, Paul Christie, Rob Riley, Buzz Bidstrup, Vince Lovegrove and others), Jimmy Little, Stevie Wright (The Easybeats), SHIHAD, Adrian Belew, Adalita Srsen (Magic Dirt), Slava & Leonard Grigoryan, Troy Cassar-Daley & Sara Storer (as a duo), Backsliders and many, many more.

The ever popular Jim Beam Wah-Bar is back for late night entertainment during the festival. The Derek Trucks Band and Guy Pratt will perform their own shows as part of this series. On Tuesday 2 December, Rolling Stone Magazine will play host to a showcase of Australia's best new players from around Australia, so come along & support them before they become famous!

Travelling Light the series of more intimate performances popular with audiences in 2007, returns from Wednesday 3 December to Sunday 7 December in the Space Theatre. Featuring recitals from Slava Grigoryan & Al Slavik (guitar & chapman stick), Jean-Félix Lalanne (solo), Wulfin Lieske, Rebecca Harris and William Barton (guitar, cello & didgeridoo), TheJoseph Tawadros Trio and finally, guitar duo Lee Song-Ou and Oliver Fartach-Naini.

There is a full program of workshops,artist talks and panel discussions which are all free admission. Tony Lewis, one of Australia's best arts photographers will display anexhibition of photos taken at the 2007 Adelaide International Guitar Festival. Gibson Guitar, makers of some of the world's finest guitars, will mount an exhibition of rare and interesting guitar models.

I have been involved in an album for the Cancer Council. I emailed the guys and a few of the ladies I have been blessed to work with over the years and told then what it is all about. No one has said NO, or speak to my manager. It's been the way it was, yeah sure what do you need, how can we help?

Thank you to all my pals who contributed to this project. Billy Thorpe and Chuggy have been doing this shit for years. Look out I'm coming your way next.

Me I need nothing, I don't already have. As my dad used to say "bad things only happen when good men do nothing".

My aim is to try and make the younger generation realise they are in a 'good' industry. I am giving vocal tuition and lectures on a weekly basis at the JMC Music Academy – poor kids . I really enjoy it though, passing on some knowledge to the up and coming talent. I believe the future looks really bright.

If the standard of talent that is around at the moment is allowed to gig and write what they like, I think the Record Companies have too much say in what the new artists put out. AC/DC new budged from being AC/DC, they stuck to their guns. Now after all these years their new album "Black Ice" will probably be their biggest seller. But it's not sales that are important, they just want a kick ass album they can play live and tour. Having said that, I have had hits with other people's songs and it hasn't done me any harm.

I am also heavily involved with the Support Act Limited Victorian Branch. Support Act Limited (SAL) was formed as a registered charity in 1997 by a group of concerned music industry veterans who could see that there was a definite need for an organisation to assist members of the industry who were in need or suffering hardship. As the baby boomer population grows older, so do our heroes and their contemporaries and many of them were doing it extremely hard.

So, SAL was born. Visit the Support Act Limited Website It comprises 12 members, four of these positions are available to representatives from the music industry peak bodies AMCOS, APRA, ARIA and PPCA and these are permanent positions.

Everyone involved with SAL offer their services on a voluntary basis with the exception of SAL's hard-working National Co-coordinator, Lindy Morrison, who is a fully qualified welfare worker and is employed on a part-time basis.

A group of talented and driven men and women, who want to make a change in how our industry treats it's own. Some are not doing so well. I think we are the ONLY country in the world that doesn't have a net in place for those that fall through the cracks.

Having once been one of those unfortunates, I have experienced this first hand. It sucks having no where to go and no one to turn to. There used to be hospitals and rehabilitation facilities, now it's give them some medication and trust them to take it, (not all at once mind you) then put them back on the streets.

These are now a large percentage of our homeless, not derelict, just lost people with nowhere to go.

Our aim is to open a Rehab facility, a real rehab facility, not a fat farm. I am working on that with various people. George Thompson from the Recovery Foundation and I, are meeting with the Bendigo Bank this week for discussions. We have a board of people who have been through similar shit to myself and not just having beaten our addictions but actually started gaining success "without drugs and alcohol".

I guess Clapton is doing it with Cross Roads. They have places in the United Kingdom where you can get help, especially if you are in our industry. It's rampant and I guess glorified until it becomes OH MY GOD I can't perform without this shit or something in our systems. They are heavily reliant on substance and alcohol to enable them to perform.

I am also working on a TV Show that is being piloted for "Rock Stars of the Future". Like the school this no bullshit format where work gets results. I will keep you informed on the projects as they progress and come to fruition.

I am doing a lot of live work at present. See the tour dates for latest updates. Playing songs I love from the old days like Buddy Guy to name just one. I incorporate a mixture of genres into my shows rock, soul, and blues and of course I do tracks from my latest Liberation album "Have A Little Faith".

I have a band in Melbourne of guys I love to play with. Melbourne has a healthy scene, it always has. I get out and sing with a variety of people, some well known others not so well known. We are trying to get the music scene back to the way it was before. Where we look after our own and not lose sight of the fact that we are musicians, not businessmen or stars.

Having always been a bit of a gypsy, I love the idea of not really knowing 'what's next'? Or if I can make the rent, afford a house etc. Speaking of which, I am in the process of building a new house in the Mt Macedon region of Victoria. That's what being a muso is to me – houses; cars doesn't really mean much until I can't afford either one.

It's a very exciting time for the Foundation of Recovery in the music industry. I am determined to try and make a difference. It was not that long ago I was so far down I couldn't tell you which way was up. I got through it and now I am leading by example it's a strange world isn't it?

Anyway that's enough clap trap for now. Take Good Care

Peace

John

The Victorian Debonairs
(The Entertainment Industry Lunch Bunch)

Formed nearly three years ago and named after that famous old vaudeville joke, the lunch club was designed simply to facilitate the getting together of music industry people who kept saying "we must have lunch sometime" but never seemed to get around to it! From an original group of 12, the club has grown to around 150 members and the concept is so successful that several members who have since moved to Sydney have started a Debonairs lunch club in Sydney.

The pre-ARIA Hall of Fame Awards Lunch was held on Tuesday 1st July 2008, at FOG, 142 Greville Street, Prahran, Victoria. It was a huge success with a massive turn out. Many friends and guests from Melbourne & interstate all there to celebrate Max's return to Australia and his induction into the Aria Hall of Fame.

Max took time out from the Aria Hall of Fame rehearsals to come to lunch and thank all the Debonairs for their generosity in performing at the 'Concert for Max' last October and to present them with a copy of the new triple DVD set of the concert.

Concert for Max DVD

Featuring 25 Australian recording artists, over 50 musicians, more than 70 crew, and over 3 hours of live concert footage!

Tracklisting:
Act One
Slippin' Away (Overture)
I'll Be Gone - Spectrum
Gonna See My Baby Tonight - Kevin Borich
Don't You Know Yockomo - Dinah Lee
Reet Petite - Dinah Lee
Try A Little Tenderness - Wendy Stapleton & John Swan 'Swanee'
Hey Western Union Man - Paul Norton, Brian Mannix & John Swan 'Swanee'
Dear Prudence - Doug Parkinson
I'll Be Around - Doug Parkinson
Poor Boy - Normie Rowe
With A Little Help From My Friends - Normie Rowe with Marcie & The Cookies
Shakin' All Over - Normie Rowe with Marcie & The Cookies
The World Is Really Screwed Up - George Smilovici
Mr Bassman - The Delltones
Hangin' Five - The Delltones

Act Two
Going Home: Theme of the Local Hero - Michael Christian & Wilbur Wilde
Hush - Russell Morris
The Real Thing - Russell Morris
Reckless - James Reyne
Downhearted - James Reyne
Howzat - Daryl Braithwaite
Horses - Daryl Braithwaite
Piece Of My Heart - Vanessa Amorosi
The World is Dumbing Down - George Smilovici
Shape I'm In - Joe Camilleri & The Black Sorrows
Soul Man - Joe Camilleri & The Black Sorrows
Do Your Thing - Joe Camilleri & The Black Sorrows

Act Three
Slippin' Away - Peter Cupples
Turn The Page - Jon English
Tempted - Jon English
Up There Cazaly - Mike Brady
Come Back Again - Ross Wilson
Cool World - Ross Wilson
Touch Of Paradise - Ross Wilson & Renee Geyer
Fannie Mae - Ross Wilson & Renee Geyer
I Hate The Music - John Paul Young
Yesterday's Hero - John Paul Young
Long Way To The Top (If You Wanna Rock 'N' Roll) - John Swan 'Swanee', Vanessa Amorosi and the Cast of Concert for Max (Finale)

Recently I performed as part of a show at The Vanguard, Newtown on 24 April 2008 called 'Let There Be Rock' which was a tribute to Bon Scott. Performing with:- John Cass, Simon Meli, Max Schmidt, Richard Madden, Paul Attard, Chris Martin, and Cameron Dunn. Richard Madden videoed the event and if you'd like to see me performing 'Long Way To The Top' you will find it on my myspace profile.

On the 7th May I was in Sydney for the launch of Jimmy's book which was held at the Zeta Bar at the Sydney Hilton. Mickey a friend of Jim's had videoed the songs peformed and the duet of Jim & I singing 'I Can't Tell You Why' from Jim's 'Out In The Blue' Album.

At the end of May I did a couple more shows in NSW, those being at Lizottes Kincumber which sold out and another show the next night on the NSW South Coast at Towradgi Beach Hotel.

Sun 15 June 2008 I took part in the Norm Sweeney Benefit Concert - 'One For The Road'. Norm a roadie for Max Merritt and the Meteors in the 60s, then with Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs has recently had to give up touring after being diagnosed with cancer. He is a long time personal friend of mine. The Benefit Concert held at the Bridge Hotel Rozelle was to help Norm and his family with ongoing medical bills.

Those who performed on the night were: - John Swan + Swanee, Dinah Lee, Richard Clapton, Jim Keays, Doug Parkinson Marcia Hines, Phil Manning, Brian Cadd, John Paul Young & The Allstar Band, Danny Marx Young (son of JPY) fronting the Sunbury Aztecs and JPY with the Sunbury Aztecs for the finale. MC's for the event were Donnie Sutherland & Glen A Baker with an auction held by Michael Chugg.

For those in SYDNEY/WOLLONGONG this coming week there are a couple of treats in store for you. Sunday 29th June 2008 at The Intersection Tavern Ramsgate playing live and free are the 'Legends' a concept put together by my brother Alan Barnes and features the following artists who are going to rock the joint for you. Those being: Alan Barnes, John Swan, Mark Gable & Dave Gleeson. The Show starts at 3.00pm and there is no excuse not to be there, it's a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon and IT'S FREE!!!!!.

As an additional treat the 'Legends Live' will also be at Shellharbour Workers Club on Wed 02 July 2008 from 6.00 - 8.00pm. The line up for this event features:- Alan Barnes, John Swan, Mark Gable, Jenny Morris + Leo Sayer. So hopefully you can get along to one or both of those shows.

Lastly, I am performing on Sydney Harbour on Sat 09 August 2008 as part of Donnie Sutherland's Superstars of Sounds. A cruise aboard the MV 'Bella Vista' that departs Sky City Casino Wharf (Sydney) at 7.00pm and crusing around Sydney habour for 4 hours with 2 hours of non stop entertainment. The entertainment for the evening will be - Donnie Sutherland as MC, John Swan + Band, Louise Anton, Marty Rhone, Ray Burgess & The Brewster Brothers.