Archived News 2007


OCTOBER, 2007

I'm appearing at the Birregurra Festival on the weekend of 12 - 14 October. Click on the link above for full details relating to this festival, there are plenty of activities, street performers, musicians something for everyone to cater for all the family.


I am also doing some dates with Daryl Cotton and Russell Morris as Jim Keays is very sick. You can read about Jim's illness on the news page of the Jim Keays Website. I love Jim, he is one of my oldest and dearest friends. I used to play drums in his band many moons ago.I will be doing my stuff but it will be an honor to work with these guys, apart from the fact I love these guys. They really are Australian Icons. Look out!!! We are coming your way, it's no good hiding come out and be entertained. This really is a fun show!! Otherwise I wouldn't do it.

JULY, 2007

Well as you may know I have moved to Melbourne, fantastic town I lived here when I was 14. I ran away from home, from Adelaide and come to Melbourne to discover what music was about. Funny thing is I'm back doing the same thing in the same place, loving every minute of the challenge.

I've moved down here from Mt Tamborine Queensland, to work more and get amongst the general rock venues around our fair country but first I have to attack Melbourne. I'm doing bits and pieces at the moment. I have a residency at the Monash Hotel in Clayton. The room hasn't had any bands since April. So we start at the bottom again and work our way back up that long road.

It seems like I've been here before. Building up rooms, with lots of hard work and consistent good level of shows (does this sound like every band ever formed who was worth their salt).

CD Cover Have A Little Faith

I have a new album "A Little Faith" sounds great too! Unfortunately I am having a bit of trouble getting air play are you SURPRISED! I'm not 20 and I can't do a new talent show. It seems there is a real quandary in our country at the moment. The really good TV shows I'd like to do such as Rove, The Footy Show, and Good Morning Australia only have the current successful or overseas artists appear which I totally understand. My album is good and it looks like no one will get to know it's "out there"? It used to be that if it was good, it got exposure. Molly Meldrum would let them know, or the Record Company would get you promotion on whatever was going, not now it seems.

That's where Hey Hey It's Saturday and other TV shows came to the fight for the Australian Music Industry. Hey I love Rove but you know what I mean. We now go back to where I was 40 years ago, trying to build my act through the power of the punters (fans) who are after all the most IMPORTANT one in this whole thing.

I remember doing gigs in Melbourne "every" night. Driving from Sydney after Sunday's last gig closed, or we got thrown out more to the point. We may do three Friday and four Saturday gigs like Mathew Flinders, London Tavern, Bombay Rock and Bananas at some ungodly hour.

Having said that Bananas was full of all the industry people, as was the Manzil Room in Sydney, who were winding down (or up) after their own hard night's work. Where did all that go?

I know the kids love clubs, but not all kids go to clubs. Are we negating a demographic that doesn't want to go to clubs? Where do young bands learn their trade and make mistakes? Are we really in a disposable society that just writes off bands when their last single if they get one flops?

I'm so passionate about Aussie music. We have and always had a fairly unique style of rocking or our own type of country.Bad enough we follow George Bush into war without having to listen to their culture -(rap) that's not the way I see Australian kids being brought up. We have a civilised society to a certain extent, we don't have mass Ghetto's and gun slinging hoods roaming the streets or do we?

I mean the "Dingo's" they were our "The Band" We used to set trends. When bands came here they had to be of high quality or they got a hard time from Aussie audiences. I have diverted into a political rave I know. Guess I'm just pissed off there are no real openings, and not just for myself. Any job you held for 40 years, usually your sought for your experience, we seem to be looked at as a rehash or they are too old to rock F..K someone tell that to Angus and Malcolm of ACDC. I remember them saying you have to chase your dreams, if you want it fight for it!

Well I'm more than willing to fight. Trouble is we have to have promoters willing to put the fight on. Oh I suppose we can watch the fights from the rest of the world and our young ones can dream on, while the old never say die ones keep getting up.

I'm sorry if I offend anyone. I love playing music. I will keep making good music (records) only joking CD's and I'll be at your local pub when you feel the urge to shake your ass or just left off some steam. If you are in Melbourne come and see us at the Monash Hotel in Clayton, we are doing a Friday residency there for a while.

Or go see "Airbourne" bands young, and old, are serving you, what they believe is good Australian music, long live Aussie Music!

MAY, 2007

UPDATE ON JIMMY

I'm sorry to have to tell you guys that Jimmy will be off the road for a while. He is not well and only total rest will be of any use to him. If you know my brother You will know how this affects him. He, like I, live for music and our family. I know you all will wish him well and a speedy recovery. I have had so many emails and hits on my myspace profile and my web site from you all and just wanted you to know Jimmy gets your messges, I update him daily.

I don't think he understands the love and respect we all have for him. People throw the term legend and hero around, sometimes lightly, other times they understand the journey a select few get to travel on. Many don't make it. Some don't live to tell about it. Others fall off there perch way too early. Just as they really learn what's important in life they leave us wondering what they would have been capable of. The list is too long to go into.

But lets take Billy Thorpe as an example.....He was so happy and loved his trips abroad. They broadened an already vast knowledge of styles and influences. I heard recently how he loved the Zanziba thing...My heart is heavy knowing we will never really get to see what he had in mind. Of course we have his new album and the last thing he did released through my own record company, Liberation..I ponder what he had in mind for the future. I know it would have been great. He like Jimmy had a work ethic that goes way past a job.

A DAY FOR NEWCASTLE - CHARITY CONCERT 02 JUNE, 2007

Tour Poster for A Day For Newcastle June 2007

For those who don't know the show in Newcastle will go ahead. I spoke to the promoters and they have a commitment to you guys and the charity in Newcastle who will also benefit from this great day. As we speak the promoters are looking for someone to replace Jim for the Headliner's spot. I honestly hope you get behind them as they continue with this mammoth task. Diesel and I, along with the other bands will kick ass. It will be a great day out! Come along and show that you care and support a good cause and hot music.

HAVE A LITTLE FAITH

My new album "Have A Little Faith" is out so grab a copy via my online store or contact me via my Myspace profile and I'll send you out a signed one. I will also have new t shirts next week let me know your size etc and I will get them to you personally.

Just a bit of information about the players on the album. Drawn from Nashville's incredibly diverse community which along with Bluegrass & Country masters ( to the surprise of many ) includes many legendary rock & R & B journeymen.

"This project came about after I called Don Walker to get John's number. As I had him in mind to sing on a blues project of my own. I called John and he mentioned in passing that Liberation wanted him to do a "Blue Series" acoustic record, encompassing his past hits and some new material. We began to put a few tracks together via the internet and as things progressed it became apparent it was going to be much more than an acoustic record, though still a mix of his old & new stuff. Alot of veteran " southern cats" in town wanted to know who this amazing singer was. So I just kept going at it, building tracks to where I felt they needed to be to support John's voice, and here we are." - Mark Moffatt Nashville Tennesse 2006 Producer of "Have A Little Faith and longtime friend.


Produced, Engineered & Mixed by Mark Moffatt. Mark also played bottle neck and most other guitars on the album. It was recorded at Big Dog , Sound Shop and 16th Ave Sound, Nashville,Tennessee. Mastered by Leon Zervos at Sterling Sound N.Y.

I hope you like this album. It's always hard to get an album up and running. I think its the best I have ever done. You be the judge and give me your feedback.

Virginia and I are now well and truly settled in our new home. I love Melbourne it's great :)

APRIL, 2007

It's been a while since my last update. I've had my hands full with selling my house on beautiful Mt Tamborine, My father being sick, and moving to Melbourne.

I got here last week, and unfortunately dad passed away the day I got here. I was on my way to the hospital full of anxiety and really scared. As I was going over the Westgate Bridge I felt it all dissipate. I had this weird feeling of calm come over me (he was gone)! God bless him I miss him terribly. But I am so glad he was my dad my mentor, my friend, and my hero.

On a brighter note I have been working already.Putting together a new band in Melbourne. I found some superb players ...Steve Romic on Dobro and Guitar. Ronnie Peers (who I played with when I was a kid) A Great blues guitar player, back then even Better now. We start rehearsals tomorrow.

My new album will be released on 14 April 2007 It's been such a long time I forgot all the feelings and nerves that come from having new product. Its very exciting. If you wish to pre order, go to the Liberation Music Online store, or you can get it now at JB HiFi Online - Go On!!

I will be touring with the new band and possibly some other acts who have just been released through the wonderful Liberation Record company (getting behind Australian product) I love it.

I'll keep this short as there is lots to do and talking is easy but playing for you guys is what I love best.

Go get the album "Have A Little Faith" and I'll see you at a local gig soon. We want to tour everywhere like in the old days.We used to go to every town, every radio station. I believe that's the way to get product to people and it makes me happiest!

I'd like to dedicate this album to my father Jim.He's been to more rock and roll gigs than most bands have these days. He supported Jimmy and I to the max!! Sadly missed but always in our hearts



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