BLUES ILLUSTRATED By Greg Fisher
HAT FITZ & CARA ROBINSON This year alone Hat Fitz & Cara Robinson (pictured) have not only represented Queensland in Memphis USA at the International Blues Challenge but they’ve also just returned from a hugely successful three month tour of Canada, Europe and the UK. Hat Fitz is a veteran wild man of the blues scene in Australia. He has a record 18 straight appearances at Byron’s East Coast Blues and Roots Festival, a record that is not likely to ever be broken, and one which bears testimony to his amazing live performances and popularity with festivalgoers. Cara draws on her soul background and although blessed with a sensational voice she was not content to be labelled as just a singer she has taken to drumming duties as well as washboards, flute and tin whistle. Locally they have amazed audiences at the recent Mordialloc Food and Wine festival and the Blues at the Briars festival. You can checkout one of their recent performances at the 2015 Blues at the Briars festival using this QR code.
YOUNG BLUES GUITARIST AWARD The Lazenby Young Blues Guitarist Award is an initiative of Bendigo Blues & Roots Music Festival and commenced with the inaugural award in 2014. Phil Lazenby was one of Bendigo’s most loved and respected music x arts x events x entertainment
community figures. He was an accomplished musician and had a gift in his ability to grow and inspire local musicians. Lazenby passed away in 2013 and the Bendigo Blues & Roots Music Festival now honour his memory with this Award. The aim of the Award is to encourage young artists. The prize for the 2015 Young Blues Guitarist is a 2010 Fender American Standard Telecaster and case previously owned by the late Phil Lazenby. Applicants must be aged 20 years or under on 7 November this year. To enter visit QR code link. The final will be held on Saturday 7 November.
BLUES FOR LOST SOULS Blues for Lost Souls is a Blues music event held annually to raise both awareness and monies for the homeless and less fortunate. Last year over $19,000 was raised. This year the event will present 10 class acts, silent auctions, raffles and more. Donations of warm clothing such as beanies, scarves and gloves are appreciated and this year donations of ring pull lid tinned foods are especially sought. Don’t miss this wonderful event to help the homeless on Saturday 8 August at the Williamstown RSL. Call 9397 7642, doors open at 2pm with bands playing from 3-11pm.
WINTER BLUES SHOWCASE
A SAFARI HEADING TO MOAMA
The second of the Mornington Peninsula Blues Sessions WINTER SHOWCASE is set to return to the Peninsula Community theatre on Saturday 11 July and will feature four of Australia’s finest Blues musicians, Jimi Hocking, Ian Collard, Alison Penny and Shannon Bourne. Each of the artists will play both acoustically and in an electric configuration and the night closes out with an all in jam. The audience number is capped for the comfort of patrons, so don’t delay in securing your tickets. More details of the event are available at morningtonpeninsulabluessessions.com
Our Peninsula Blues and Soul outfit Safari Motel will be playing at the ECHUCA-MOAMA Winter Blues Festival this year 24, 25 & 26 July 2015. This festival boasts a huge line up of national talent – 36 acts, 145 performances across 29 stages over three days. Book your accommodation early and see winterblues.com.au for more details.
Lachy Doley Group (Album - Conviction)
CATCH A SOUTHBOUND TRAM
Blue Eyes Cry (Album - Pull Me In).
After meeting at a MBAS Blues Workshop in 2014 a new 5 piece Blues band is born, Southbound Tram. The Southbound Tram team consists of Ros Pach on vocals, Bob Agnew on guitar and vocals, Matt Ormsby on guitar, Sam Tilders on bass and Scott Kelty on drums and vocals. Whilst still relatively new on the gig scene their set list include versions of tunes made famous by Koko Taylor, Clapton, The Black Keys, Howling Wolf, The Rolling Stones and Amy Winehouse with some bluesy originals also in the mix. Southband Tram are about having fun, making good music, a bit of blues and a bit of soul Please check them out here.
Fiona Boyes (Album - Box & Dice)
Bluescorp (Album - It is what it is)
Lazy Eye (Album - Single Malt Blues)
NATIONAL BLUES & ROOTS AIRPLAY CHART This month’s top 5 on the National Blues & Roots Airplay chart are:
PENINSULA BLUES CLUB The Peninsula Blues Club presents live music on the second Sunday of each month at the Frankston Bowling Club, 64 Yuillie Steet (Cnr Yuille & William St) Frankston South. Sunday 12 July will feature the return of Chris Wilson as the feature artist. Doors open at 6pm. Greg writes monthly for MINT Magazine and if you know of something happening in the Blues world drop him a line at: bluesillustrated@gmail.com or at facebook. com/GregFisherBluesIllustrated
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