Cruisin' into silly season

If you're working or living in the Newcastle city and surrounds I've got a great idea for a November Hump Day .... Wednesday 18th Nov ....from 6-9 ...I'm doing a cruisy duo with the oh-so-fabulous Master guitarist Steve Cowley. 
What a great way to wind down after a mid-week working day, chill out with a couple of drinks, enjoy some delicious food, and kick back to some fabulous music...someone else does the dishes and you can groove home for an early night of peaceful slumber.

We're doing an evening of "through the cracks" - some songs that I DIDN'T get to play this year [oh, well ok ...and a couple of favourites that I didn't get to play enough!]  Some rare pieces, and plenty of Originals [cos I've been so busy playing covers this year that I haven't played my own music since - FOREVER!] ... and some delicious instrumentals from Steve - cos he doesn't get to play his favourite pieces much either!

So, if you've been to any of my shows at The Dungeon this year, you're likely to have seen/heard Steve playing and undoubtedly have been blown away by one of Newcastle's best kept secrets.   shhhhhh ...if the rest of the country finds out I may never get to play with him again!  I don't often get the chance to duo with Steve so this is a rare treat - you AND I - are going to enjoy.

We're playing at the new FogHorn Brewhouse at 218 King Street Newcastle ....there's no cover charge, the beer I'm told is amazing and so much variety, the food is getting the thumbs-up all 'round ... and you KNOW the music is going to be just up your street!  Again, its Wednesday 18th November at 6pm
Join us, why don't you?  No reason to say no. 

Roundup Time

Well, this month sees the end of my Theme shows for the year ...and wow, what a year it's been!  I begin production for my new Theatre work at the beginning of November and that's going to be an intense focus until the show opens in March.  {you can get a sneak preview here: Shhhhhh!}

with Steve Cowley and Dave Pudney at The Dungeon

There have been more highs and very few lows during 2015.  It's been such a joy working with the amazing musicians that have joined me onstage this year.  And haven't we tripped down some lanes remembering some great music!
If you missed some of the shows, you might get a chance to see a couple of them next year thanks to one or two great supportive venues.  Speaking of which, I'm truly appreciative of those venues who support quality live music AND look after their musicians too as increasingly, venues are getting greedier at the expense of their entertainers.

And one of the fascinating things that have raised my curiosity this year is watching people at a live gig peruse the CD's and replace them.  I watch them reading the jacket - looking for a familiar track perhaps?  Something that they know.  Indie songwriters rarely record covers of other songs - what's the point?  There's a full article about this on my website ...if you'd like to read more click on the link here: Try the Jacket for Size
So if you've been part of the audience this year .....THANK YOU for coming along to support independent local music and I look forward to sharing some new musical journeys and experiences in the next year.

Living Legends

Following the success of the *Patsy Cline  *Andrews Sisters *Diva Fever shows, here is the next theme show coming up in October - at the Dungeon plus a season at The Buttai Barn.   I'm thoroughly enjoying re-acquainting myself with these amazing women and their songs from the 70's.

These were the women who created the soundtrack to our live/s ....who created the anthems that we're still singing today, 40years later.  Women like the indomitable Carole King and Joni Mitchell and Carly Simon .... and anthems like I am Woman and You've Got a Friend and Both Sides Now

The songs are historic ....the stories are fascinating...... and the women?  Well, they're still touring, performing and rocking our world!

Sunday 11th Oct 2.30pm 

Tickets for the Dungeon show are available online
now at
Living Legends

Oct 19,21,22 11am
Bookings for the Buttai Barn shows can be made by phoning 4930 3153
morning tea/lunch/show packages are just $41pp

Women All-Stars

March and April it seems, have shaped up as 

a Tribute to the girls!  

We'll be celebrating the life and the music of the wonderful Patsy Cline when CRAZY returns for it's 4th season.   Patsy died young - just aged 30 - but the legacy she left behind is quite extraordinary.  Audiences that have already seen the show last year have given it a huge [double] thumbs up!  That's happening on 23+25 March at The Buttai Barn 11am ... 
Tix $41 include morning tea and lunch.  BOOKINGS:  4930 3153
... AND 19th April at the Blackbird Artisan Bakery, East Maitland 6pm ...
Tix $50  including gourmet supper. - prepaid tickets just $40.  BOOKINGS: Carolyn on 0408 305 445

Then in April and May we'll be paying tribute to the fabulous female hitmakers of the 1950s with the 50s Diva Fever  show.  You'll hear stories - and a bit of goss' - and songs that made the top of the charts during a decade when male singers/bands were "flavour of the decade".  These women had to be outstanding to top the blokes ....they were and they DID!   Some of the women we'll be celebrating are:  Peggy Lee, Julie London, Doris Day, Connie Francis, Eartha Kitt, Nina Simone, Judy Garland, Jo Stafford .....and more!  You'll hear songs like Fever, Secret Love, Cry Me a River, Lipstick on your Collar ...and many more.
26th April at The Dungeon, Adamstown ....Tix $25 at the door or $20 online here: www.ticketebo.com.au/50sdiva
11, 12, 13 May at The Buttai Barn 11am ... 
Tix $41 include morning tea and lunch.  BOOKINGS:  4930 3153

Plans are also in the pipeline for a couple of great shows during the cooler months including the ever popular SOUP! concert - mark August 1st in your diary NOW.