NEWS ARCHIVE
KIWIGRASS
We have recently returned from the NZ bluegrass festival, Kiwigrass, where we had a great time - lovely location on lake (we went swimming) and perfect weather for the entire festival. We had not been to NZ for quite a few years, so it was great springing a few surprises on a new, unsuspecting audience.
SEPTEMBER TOURING
We all had a great time touring in September - South Australia (great festival at Wirrina), Canberra, Sydney (sold-out show at Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Folk Club) and the Gold Coast Folk Festival (marvellous). Got a broken side window on the way, but we found we were pretty good at making a plywood and gaffa tape window to keep us rolling.
WHAT'S ON IN OCTOBER
We're playing at the Australian Cider Festival at Village Melbourne on Saturday 11 October from 2pm-5pm.
We're playing at the Foggy Mountain Bluegrass Festival at Kinglake on Saturday 18 October at 5pm and 10.30pm.
We're playing at the Burrinja Arts Cafe on Sunday 19 October from 11am to 2pm.
OFF FOR A BIT OF TRAVELLING
We're looking forward to a bit of travelling in September. We start in South Australia at the South Coast Folk Club on Thursday the 5th, then at the Wirrina Bluegrass Festival (5th - 7th) ...then back to Melbourne. Then on Wednesday 17th we are in Canberra (at The Front), on Friday 19th in Sydney (Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai Folk Club) then at the Gold Coast Folk Festival for the weekend of 20-21 September. Hope we see lots of new and old friends on the way!
WHAT NEXT?
On Tuesday 24 June 2014 (Bruce's birthday) we're playing at the Burrinja Arts Cafe - we'll be doing the whole evening, and getting to play some of the great numbers that haven't been on some of our recent set lists. Plus, there's no cover charge. Come along for a fun night - book a table and have one of the cafe's great meals.
BLUEGRASS AT CRANBOURNE
Recently we had the pleasure of helping launch the Bluegrass Bonanza event at Cranbourne, along with Hardrive. A good, friendly audience showed up, and I think between us and Hardrive we managed to show two extreme ends of the bluegrass genre...
BURRINJA SUNDAYS
We played our first Sunday afternoon at the Burrinja Arts Cafe last weekend - went very well. The next Sunday (23 March) will feature the Hillwilliams...with some familiar faces from Coolgrass as well.
GOLD COAST ACOUSTIC FESTIVAL
We look forward to linking up again with our Queensland friends for the Gold Coast Acoustic Music Festival in September this year.
OFF TO FAIRBRIDGE WA
We're delighted to be heading off to the Fairbridge Folk Festival, south of Perth, in late April. We were last there a few years ago, and loved it!
PENINSULAR FOLK CLUB
This Sunday 1 September, the first day of spring, we will be springing into action in Frankston.
REDLANDS AND BEECHWORTH
Had fun at both these festivals over the last few weeks - Redlands laid on perfect weather too! Thanks to all the organisers, pickers and listeners.
WHAT NEXT?
It's a quiet period right now, but we're looking forward to heading up to the Redlands Bluegrass Festival and the Kelly Pick at Beechworth - both in August. We'll see if we can come up with some new surprises by then.
AWARD WINNING?
Just as we were about to start our last set at last year's Mt Beauty Music Festival we were awarded a certificate for being the 'most popular act' at the previous year's festival. What a thrill...now we can saw we're an award winning band and mean it. (By the way, Mt Beauty's festival both years was a real buzz - we had a great time.)
THE CRUISING LIFE!
Our brief encounter with the world of cruising was amazing: the Voyager of the Seas is like a huge floating palace/club/restaurant/hotel/retirement village. We had a great time (and didn't get seasick) and made many new friends. The views of Milford Sound were particularly spectacular. All-in-all, a strange but very enjoyable few days.
OFF WE GO!
We're heading off on the Bluegrass Cruise. The weather looks good. The boat sounds fantastic. The company (musical and otherwise) should be wonderful. We get back in early March, having hopefully seen some of the most amazing parts of NZ from the water, and undoubtedly we'll have a great time .
THE GREAT ALPINE PICK
The 2014 Great Alpine Pick will be the first weekend in May - look forward to some more beautiful Harrietville autumn weather, and picking, and friends, and food.
LATEST HAPPENINGS
It was fun to be back at the Entertainers Club on Monday 3 December, then finish off the year at the Mountain Pickers' Association the next night. It was also a good chance to try some of our newer material, which had so far only been heard at November's Harrietville festival. (Angus's re-furbished double bass is behaving very well too.)
MOUNT BEAUTY FESTIVAL 2013
We won a lot of friends at the 2012 Mt Beauty Festival, so they've asked us back in 2013. We're really looking forward to it. It's a charming place and a nice, small, friendly festival. The 2013 dates are 19-21 April.
OUR CD LAUNCH CONCERT
Look forward to seeing lots of people at Burrinja Arts Cafe on Tuesday evening 4 September for our concert and launch of the new CD. To book a table: 9754 5707.
CHRIS DUFFY TRIBUTE CONCERT
This tribute gig/CD launch features some of Australia’s great bluegrass musicians and bands including Donal Baylor, John Kane, Paul Wookey, Ziggy Treddinick - all of whom have played with Chris at one time or another. Coolgrass will be there too. It promises to be a great bluegrass afternoon on Sunday 23 September at 3pm. Book via the Caravan Club, Oakleigh: http://www.caravanmusic.com.au
CRUISE
There will be a Bluegrass Music Cruise round New Zealand and southern Australia in late February-early March 2013. Coolgrass is part of it, along with about a dozen other great bands and solo performers. To book or enquire, http://www.travelrite.com.au/bluegrass_cruise.shtml. We're looking forward to it, and hope to see lots of our friends on board.
REDLANDS BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL
A wonderful (if somewhat soggy) time was had by all. Thanks to Don Gula for standing in for Angus - well done! Great getting to know the Hamilton County Bluegrass Band a bit better, and Mustered Courage too - and of course, catching up and playing with many old friends. Thanks to Fred, Sue, Neil, Cilla, Patrick and many more. Hope to see everyone again in August 2013!
TASMANIA
We're organising a short tour of Tasmania after the Bluegrass Cruise in March next year. Watch for more details, or get in touch if you have any suggestions.
YINNAR
Wednesday 27 June at Yinnar Hotel - always a great night
SNOW
We had a great time at the Snowy Mountains festival - wonderful food, wonderful weather, wonderful time picking with new friends...oh, and some great shows too. Thanks to everyone.
