One of the best debut albums I have heard in a long time and, in my opinion, one of the finest releases of 2014, is singer/songwriter Ray Sorenson’s first album, ‘Silent Writer’. The album is a collection of original material written over a period of about forty years. However, it was not until recently that Ray felt that the time …

It was 1971 and Irene Thornton was a young woman with her whole life ahead of her and trying to adjust to life in Adelaide again after a year overseas. Ronald Belford ‘Bon’ Scott was singing in a band called Fraternity and completely unaware of the fame that lay in store for him.  Fate brought the pair together and eventually …

“The word’s out that it’s fantastic,” Bob “Bongo” Starkie excitedly announced about his Skyhooks show, in a recent phone interview. He is still enjoying performing the music of the band that brought him fame and fortune and has announced a string of dates in January and February for NSW and Victoria where he and his band will play some classic …

With a baby due around Christmas, Kristy Cox will be heading to Tamworth with a four week old baby in her arms, hoping to win at least one Golden Guitar Award. Kristy has been nominated in three categories; Female Artist of the Year, Bluegrass Recording of the year for ‘One Heartbreak Away’ and  Alternate Country Album of the Year. Kristy said …

At the end of my chat with Jess Holland, I felt energized and proud to be Australian. Her enthusiasm and Aussie Pride was contagious. I was first scheduled to chat with Jess in October but unfortunately she had to cancel the interview and Southern Tour due to a bout of laryngitis. “It was absolutely devastating,” she told me.  “I had …

To be honest, I don’t really like using the word ‘icon’ when describing someone. I think the term is way overused but then, when it comes to Russell Morris… well, it fits. Indeed, he is a true icon of Australian rock, and one of this country’s most enduring and gifted singer/songwriters. From the psychedelic pop of his first major hit single, ‘The Real Thing’(written by Johnny Young and …

  South Australian Country singer, Travis List, is looking forward to returning to Tamworth in January 2015 for his twenty sixth festival. “I’ve got heaps and heaps going on at the Tamworth Festival; about fifteen things so far. I’m going to be really busy.” Travis moved to Nashville in 2008 to concentrate on song writing. “It’s different. Nashville is kind …

Back in the 80s, he was big star, a heart throb who made the young girls swoon with his handsome looks, distinctive voice and signature dance moves. Almost 30 years later, it appears not much has changed.  As Rick Astley, looking sharp in a tailored suit, walked onto the stage at the packed Revesby Worker’s Club, excited fans rushed to …

  The Wonderland Spiegeltent is located at Harbour Town Docklands, Melbourne, with a range of shows and activities including Santa’s Spectacular Circus from 15th of November to 24th of December and The Absolutely 80’s show featuring Scott Carne (Kids in the Kitchen), Brian Mannix (Uncanny X Men) and Dale Ryder (Boom Crash Opera) this Friday November 14th at 8.30pm. I recently spoke to Scott …

Singer Jon Stevens has just returned from a couple of months of very successful touring overseas, supporting such iconic bands as Bad Company, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Def Leppard and KISS, with his band The Dead Daisies.  “We were away for two months touring over in America with a big rock show,” he tells me. “So it’s nice to be home and doing my …