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I’ve loved Kangaroo Valley all my adult life.. a long time now.. and it’s been an ambition to play at its folk festival. Finally got around to applying and I’m in. It’s the 18th this year, and chock-full of incredible artists, workshops, dancing, poetry, kids’ shows, crafts, roving performers, fabulous food and fun activities for all ages – great to be one of them. With a couple of concerts and a workshop focusing on marketing a folk music act, rather than playing in one – be interesting!

Before we release the album, Burden of Hope, we put out the first single, A Little Grace. It’s a real ‘when life gives you lemons, make lemonade’ story about a strong woman who had the guts to make something great from some doubtful ingredients. It was picked up by ABC Country – Grass Roots and is playing multiple times during this week.

Big day. Almost a year on from the shooting of the Berrima Sessions, which created the two live tracks on the album, Same Science and Coat of Many Colours, the actual physical product arrived. Love’em.

Ben is a brilliant guitarist, great engineer, vocalist and all round terrific person. Here we are in his studio doing BVs for various songs, before heading out to watch Brendan Gallagher’s show at the Petersham Bowlo.. nice day!

This is Brendan Gallagher, George Washingmachine and me after a recording session at Declan Kelly’s little studio in Surry Hills. George played some extraordinary lines on Brindabella Blue, Burden of Hope and Waiting on the Weather, adding humour, pathos, savagery and great beauty to the tracks.

The making of the new album, Burden of Hope, was an exercise in inspriation, expertise, economy, generosity and love. Brendan Gallagher with his producer’s and engineer’s hats on and playing multiple instruments led the way with his legendary skills in all departments. We were joined by wonderful friends and terrific musicians as we slowly compiled what we needed for the album. This is the ‘choir’ at work on BVs for Burden of Hope and Emigré.. Winsome Hall, Dallas da Brabander, PC, Jo Caseley, Chris Downie and Tina Watson.

This is now my third foray into the USA in about six months via the generosity of the American folk organisation, Hudson Harding Music. Erik Balkey and Bill Coyle are artist’s representatives for CD distribution and promotion to folk radio across the States. The first connection was through my song Waited Too Long.. then a collaborative album with my old friend Noel Paul Stookey of Peter, Paul & Mary fame – three songs each from him, me, John Stuart and Kevin Roth. This time they have put two new songs into circulation.. Same Science and Coat of Many Colours. Fingers crossed Tronald Dump gets to hear them! You can watch video of all three songs HERE.

BIG NEWS: My big Christmas present was a visit from our old friend and music legend Brendan Gallagher to embed himself in the house for three days while we laid nine bed tracks for my next album, the fifth and first in 26 years. We fought of corellas, dogs, trucks, children and the coffee machine to set the foundations for a release in April all being well. Watch this space

Never been to Humph Hall before this event.. the night after the Leonard Cohen event in Canberra. Arrived to find an old Uniting Church that had been converted into a rehearsal/concert space and a private home.. just terrific. Went on to do a good long show with a wonderful audience which included the hosts, Wayne and Gial and a group of members of ‘Loosely Woven’, an a cappella choir based at the Hall. This is Wayne, Gial and me after the event.. I’m the boring one in the middle.

An interesting connection has been made with Hudson Harding Music, Erik Balkey and Bill Coyle. Together they are artist’s representatives for CD distribution and promotion to folk radio across the USA. We connected through our mutual friend Noel Paul Stookey (Paul of Peter, Paul & Mary) as Noel and I were discussing releasing a CD with tunes from him, me and a couple of other artists who had recorded with Noel in his Hen House Studios in Blue Hill Maine back in the 70s and 80s. Erik loved my song Waited Too Long and asked if it could be on their next compilation CD to distribute across the States. Obviously I said yes!

I was so pleased to be part of the Irish & Celtic in September. Aside from having 4 shows in three days I also designed the brand and program for the festival, so I was in it up to my eyeballs. Such a pleasure to be sharing great music in such a beautiful part of the state!

So.. that long post about the 4th of August has happened.. 40 people, 5 cameras, 12 mics, two cinematographers, 2 guest instrumentalists and a lot of food and wine and we did it. Videos are up on the site now so go take a look in the MUSIC Tab.

Yep.. same guy.. same 12 string.. different haircut! It’s been many a year since I performed up in Newcastle.. half a century I reckon, but that’s where this pic was shot. I was born in the Hunter and have always felt a connection to the place so great to firm it all up with a show at the Newcastle & Hunter Valley Folk Club – June 1st at 6.30. I’m bringing lots of new music.. plenty of laughs and things to think about. I’m sharing the night with The Bicycle Busker aka Matthew Clarke.. (half of Two Voices in the Crowd). He’ll be leaving his bike at the door and bringing a wealth of original and borrowed music.

Three generations of Campbells are heading for the Gasoline Pony on June 22 at 7pm. With deep musical roots in the socially conscious 60s and 70s, Peter C brings his infectious indie folk together with Bow C’s metal inclinations and Jude C’s hip hop chops for a one-off event that’s going to leave us all wondering what just happened. P, B & J will be joined by Brian Rapsey on harmonica and Ben Nightingale on guitar – they’ll be the ones with hair. This is going to be a night you shouldn’t miss! Bookings here.. https://www.facebook.com/events/822847345361509