News - June
There is a new page just under the home page called "On My Soapbox". In that section I spout out my personal opinions about life, the universe and prison-made guitars. Watch out who knows who or what I'll target next! Whilst my YouTube channel refers a lot to other YouTube videos I like, you can't treat videos hosted by other sites quite the same way. This month, some Vimeo videos have been added to 'Other Artists III' showing a couple of jam sessions on Bill Monroe's porch. There is real class in these videos, with excellent musical skills to the fore. Thanks go to Dianne in Canberra who pointed these out to me.
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Around the traps
14th Peninsula Songwriters Contest
A great night with songwriters putting their wares for critical review in Frankston, in Melbourne's Mornington Peninsula. Lots of high quality originals enjoyed by all. It was also great to see Judy Small, one of the judges, play some music this evening. Judy has been a prominent folk musician in Australia for many years and has Melbourne as her home base. She had intended to take a break from singing for the 2012 year, but made a rare exception on this occasion. Bill Dettmer, the second judge also played a few numbers including 'Too Much Girl for Me'. Mick Kearon deservedly took 1st place with his song titled 'Men of Steel'. Eric van Cuylenburg took 2nd place and 3rd place went to Phil Young. My entry - 'Leaves Turn From Green', went alright apart from hardly having a voice due to illness. The timing of this was just perfect - song contest on, lose one's voice the week before! Nevermind, it was still a good night and all the new songs were really worth listening to. Congratulations to Mick, Eric and Phil!
Burrinja Open Mic Night
The Burrinja Cultural Centre in Upwey is a great supporter and resource for the arts, and a powerful magnet for musicians and community-minded individuals. Burrinja Cafe, the place for good meals and drinks at the centre, hosts a variety of groups, including some I'm already familiar with. One I hadn't attended until this month, is the Burrinja Open Mic Night run by Brian Kampf. As promised by Brian, I did enjoy my evening there, and as a bonus caught up with a few people I hadn't seen in a while. It seems to be a popular haunt for the local musos, many of who I already know including Jess, Belinda, Hanne, Ken, Stax and Rudy. Thanks go to Stax who part way through my set, found the right key harp and joined in for an unrehearsed performance of 'Knockin' on Heaven's Door'. Part way through the night I must report, the organiser and host Brian, became seriously ill and needed the assistance of some paramedics. I sincerely hope he recovers soon because he does a great job.
Lantern Festival in Belgrave
Belgrave came alive on the weekend of the winter solstice with lots of music and lanterns of course. Afterwards joined in a jam in The Tin Shed. It turns out Mission Impossible (the project not the film) use this building as community resource. It was a fun night.
Burrinja Open Mic Night
The Burrinja Cultural Centre in Upwey is a great supporter and resource for the arts, and a powerful magnet for musicians and community-minded individuals. Burrinja Cafe, the place for good meals and drinks at the centre, hosts a variety of groups, including some I'm already familiar with. One I hadn't attended until this month, is the Burrinja Open Mic Night run by Brian Kampf. As promised by Brian, I did enjoy my evening there, and as a bonus caught up with a few people I hadn't seen in a while. It seems to be a popular haunt for the local musos, many of who I already know including Jess, Belinda, Hanne, Ken, Stax and Rudy. Thanks go to Stax who part way through my set, found the right key harp and joined in for an unrehearsed performance of 'Knockin' on Heaven's Door'. Part way through the night I must report, the organiser and host Brian, became seriously ill and needed the assistance of some paramedics. I sincerely hope he recovers soon because he does a great job.
Lantern Festival in Belgrave
Belgrave came alive on the weekend of the winter solstice with lots of music and lanterns of course. Afterwards joined in a jam in The Tin Shed. It turns out Mission Impossible (the project not the film) use this building as community resource. It was a fun night.
CD Releases
Tim Hannan has finished his CD and as part of his band, we gave listeners a taste of the songs at Berwick. The main acts were Nia Robertson (with Bill) and Susan Lily. Susan was full of humour in her banter and I think I got to know her grandmother a little, just from her stories.
Nia is a very talented songwriter and I really enjoyed her originals. Her cover of The Waif song - 'Bridal Train' was excellent and if you get the chance to request this from her - do it! A very full and enjoyable night. For Tim, there will be another launch, this time dedicated more fully to Tim's music on the 28th of July in Beaconsfield.
Vanessa Craven released her debut CD 'Filtered Light' at Wesley Anne, Northcote. Vanessa is very active in local live music and runs regular concerts in Daylesford. For more details about what's happening in Daylesford, click on the flyer.
Nia is a very talented songwriter and I really enjoyed her originals. Her cover of The Waif song - 'Bridal Train' was excellent and if you get the chance to request this from her - do it! A very full and enjoyable night. For Tim, there will be another launch, this time dedicated more fully to Tim's music on the 28th of July in Beaconsfield.
Vanessa Craven released her debut CD 'Filtered Light' at Wesley Anne, Northcote. Vanessa is very active in local live music and runs regular concerts in Daylesford. For more details about what's happening in Daylesford, click on the flyer.
