Only Blues News – by John Ward
Australian Guitar 22 April 2009 to 20 June 2009

There’s some awesome talent playing at Greenfest in the Brisbane Botanic Gardens June 5 to 7. Acts include The Mason Rack Band, Kevin Borich, Jeff Lang, Ash Grunwald, Mark Easton and many more. Check it out at www.greenfest.com.au.

Greenfest artist Mark Easton also has a stunning new CD out called ‘Money Is The Root Of All Evil’, do yourself a favour and give it a listen.

The band ‘Chase The Sun’ are touring on the back of a new single release from the 8th of April. The band have one killer guitarist in Jan Rynsaardt, you really need to see & hear Jan live! For more info go to www.chasethesunband.com.

If you want to hear some seriously good old style blues you need to check out The Blues Preachers. Brother John Morris is one of only a handful of blues guitarists in Australia who specializes in playing the old school style of pre war fingerstyle guitar. Check out his website for loads of guitar info www.acousticfingerpicking.com. The guys have a fantastic new CD out called ‘Dry Long So’ and it is well worth a good listen. You can find all info inc their gig guide at www.bluespreachers.com.

Melbourne’s roots/blues band ‘Downhills Home’ release their new album, The Wolves in the Woods on April 1. The album features special guest vocalists Laura Jean and Mia Dyson. The band will be touring nationally from April 3 – check local gig guides or www.downhillshome.com.

UK based Geelong artist Derrin Nauendorf has recently signed to German blues rock label Ruf Records. His new release ‘Skin Of The Earth’ is out now. For all the info on Derrin go to www.derrin.info.

The eagerly awaited new album from Joe Bonamassa, ‘The Ballad Of John Henry’ is out now and available in Australia & a must have for all blues rock fans.

We will again check out some blues radio from around Australia. If you live in the Sunshine Coast area of Qld, 101.3 Noosa has some great shows. You can catch Gerry Blain playing a great selection of new & old blues every Wednesday from 8pm to 10pm. On Mondays from noon till 2pm you can listen to Blue Monday with Al Hensley. Then on Monday night you can catch Paint It Blue with Graeme Lenton or Rob Baillie from 8pm to 10pm. And for some News, Blues & Views tune into Jumpin’ Jack Flash alternate Sundays 11am to 1pm.

If you live in the Mildura area you can tune into Tecka’s Tracks on HOT FM 106.7 every Tuesday night from 10pm till 1:00am. It is also live on the net at www.hotfm.org.au. Tecka just loves his rock & blues, so you will hear a great mix. You can also check out Tecka on the net at www.geocities.com/terryiredale/

A few issues ago we talked about blues associations and highlighted the Perth Blues Club. This month we are featuring the Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society. They are another dedicated group of people working hard to help keep live blues alive. Melbourne has always been a hotbed of talent, and the city has a wealth of music venues. The MBAS have lots of info on their site about gigs & venues, go to www.mbas.org.au If you have some blues news you want to share please let me know. Email onlybluesnews@aol.com