Well it’s that time of year again and what a year it has been. I spend way too much time each day thinking that I am not doing enough in one way or another and yet when I look back on the past 12 months I can see that I’ve done more than enough to fill anyone’s calendar.
This year started with the production of my 2nd album, how could I forget that memorable 10 days? Toby came down from Perth to set up his studio in my music room and a bunch of amazing artists and friends came and put down their tracks. Tony King my teacher and mentor and Toby should get the most credit because they work so well together and I just love what they come up with everytime. While Toby finished the mixing off I went to Sydney for another tour where I got to play at some amazing places and meet some wonderful people. It was a huge sense of achievement too because it’s not easy to go off on your own to play at venues that you’ve never played before, because you never know what reception you’re going to get. However, had a fantastic time and I got to meet some lovely friends there including fellow musician friends who came to see me play.
This year I have clocked up a pile of gigs too and Peter Caron joined me for many of them which was lots of fun. It’s always good to share the stage and have a good laugh on the way home at all the things that happened throughout the night. Thanks Peter for such a great year of musical shenanigans. We also played at the Denmark Festival of Voice where I launched my Album “When did it change?“.
This year was also my year of House Concerts, I did more house concerts this year than I have ever done and it’s such a great experience. I met a lot of lovely people and learnt a lot about myself and how I want to present my act. What do I want to share with the audience? How do I do that in a way that is complementary to my music and staying true to who I am as an artist? They are questions I ask myself everyday. I guess I’m just working it all out as I go along. I did house concerts in Denmark, Sydney, Kalgoorlie, Manjimup, Kendenup, Northam and Warnbro and I’m looking forward to doing my first one for 2018 in Mandurah in March.
One of the biggest things that happened for me this year was that my son Andrew went on a school trip to New York and he’s only 15 years old. He was so excited and so were we but I was so anxious too. It was his first time away from home for such a long time and he was going to NEW YORK….I mean isn’t that the place where all sorts of terrible things happen…yeah I know I’m being a bit pathetic, but the most ridiculous things go through your head when your only child is leaving the country for a few weeks without you. He had the time of his life and came back a new young man glowing with confidence and self esteem that no school lesson or other experience could have offered.
Finally this year was my year of many radio interviews too, I am very grateful to all the lovely presenters who invited me into their studio to talk about me and my music and especially to those who offered me an opportunity to play a song too. Not to forget the phone interviews too. They include John Regan from Northside Radio 99.3 fm, John Tonks from Voice of the Avon 101.3 fm , James Monte from Monte Famous Mondays, John Maddison and David Sims from Albany Community Radio 109.3 fm, Chris Spencer from Australian Sporgasbord ORC fm, ABC Kalgoorlie fm and ABC Albany. It’s fantastic to have the opportunity to play and put your music out there. I would like to make a special thank you you Pete Williams from Sunbury fm 99.3 fm’s “Made in the Shade” for the fantastic review of my recently released album “When did it Change?”. It was incredibly exciting to receive such a wonderful review which I have pinned at the top of my facebook page and it’s also become a wonderful resource that I can use when applying for gigs, festivals and other events. I want to thank all the presenters who continue to play my music too, it’s only because of you guys that independent artists can get heard by a larger audience. I would just like to thank a lovely presenter that is all the way across the states in Tasmania who plays my tracks Dave Anger from WNCM100.3 fm . Thanks Dave and I look forward to coming in for an interview when I come to Tasmania next year.
Wishing you all a fantastic Summer break (or winter if you’re in the northern hemisphere) and I look forward to many more musical shenanigans and surprises for in 2018 including an opportunity to play at a big festival over east. More to come on that soon. Also I will be recording my next album too…..I’ll keep you posted on that one too.
Bye for now xox