Increasingly FaceBook  is taking the place of the traditional Blog.  Whether you are a social media fan or not, the format certainly allows immediate sharing of news, musings and photos.  So, for the moment, I've decided not to update this page.  There's still lots of great stories archived here - including linked photo albums - they are well worth a good browse!  


I wrote this final piece - a personal reflection on my friendship with the legendary blues guitarist Hubert Sumlin - not long after he passed away in early 2012.
Long-time guitarist for Howlin' Wolf, Hubert was an incredibly influencial blues musician - and a real gentleman.

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A tribute to legendary blues guitarist Hubert Sumlin 

Hubert Sumlin smiles down on me everyday.
I’ve lived in 8 different houses since I first met Hubert in 2004.
All of them have had a music space of some sort, with guitars and gear spread about. At the centre of this – my special place in any house – is a writing desk where I sit Hubert’s photo, bedecked with Mardi Gras beads, and he beams and shakes his finger at me.

Everybody says it, but Hubert really did have an uncanny knack of making you feel special. When he smiled at you, you really felt smiled…Read more

Out of Africa + Debbie Davies Aussie tour 

Another action-packed few months for me! With blog activity LONG overdue, I’ll give you a quick catch up…from a South African blues festival to touring Aussie gigs with Deb Davies, while moving house (again!) and LOTS of traveling across the Hay Plains…

Plans for a delightful song-writing hiatus from the road disappeared swiftly upon my return to Australia in the middle of the year. With The Preacher on the move again much time, energy and road-miles were expended in the search for the ‘next big… Read more

'Bigger Than Texas' - USA touring May/June 2010 

This blogging thing has got out of hand, dear reader…
In my last blog, I was looking forward to the fabulous 2010 Blues Music Awards ceremony. (That was held in MAY, folks.)

So we start in Memphis… The Preacher and I arrived one day early for the Blues Hall of Fame Dinner.   Imagine the thrill of looking for my seat, only to find Howlin’ Wolf guitarist, Hubert Sumlin, already sitting at ‘our’ table?!   With Hall of Fame inductees Bonnie Raitt, Charlie Musselwhite and Lonnie Brooks in attendance,… Read more

March 2010 

The South Australian desert of my last blog seems so long ago…
There’s been a lot of traveling, gigging, jamming and making new friends since then!
(Click here for photos)

It’s been a time of huge contrasts. The long hot Aussie Summer giving way to minus 9 degrees Celsius in Saskatoon, Canada, for example. In mid-February, I flew back to America. As luck would have it, I arrived in Portland, OR, the day that Blues Music Award Entertainer of the Year Janiva Magness was playing at classy downtown… Read more

Long Hot Aussie Summer 


5,500 miles.
That’s 8,800 kilometers, folks, for those of us who are metric.
And that’s how far I have driven over the last 6 weeks, rambling between festivals and gigs during this long hot Aussie Summer.
I’ve traversed an amazing range of country: from the humid semi-tropical north, the high mountain country and deep outback desert…

My latest adventures started somewhat tentatively at Sydney International airport, while I waited for my GPS to work out that it was no longer in Portland, Oregon.…Read more

Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise! 

First, I have to say – the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise lives up to its’ name. The gigs, line-up, audience and atmosphere are fantastic. And that’s not just for a day or two, everyone keeps up this standard (and pace) for a WEEK. Nothin’ but a veritable ship of bluesin’ fools…

The Preacher and I started well; straight to the Lido deck bar to soak up the sunshine and bustling ambience over drinks with Aunt Carol and Ellie. Getting everybody aboard is an exercise in itself, but eventually the ‘boat to… Read more

Outback adventures & moving experiences... 

I am SO far behind in my blog, gentle reader, that I resolve to do a ‘double blog’ to catch up! Last time…fabulous New York City…now – after a couple of quick last minute gigs in the US - it was off to Canada for a flying visit!

Edmonton Labatt’s International Blues Festival is a wonderful festival – great organization (thanks Cam & Carol!), great line-up, and really great audience. These folks pride themselves on a high quality ‘no repeat’ programming style, so I was thrilled to be back on the bill –…Read more

Bright Lights, Big City - New York City! 

From last blog...

We left our intrepid traveler lost in the wilds of Northern Pennsylvania, in picturesque Wellsboro – a town that looks like the setting of the movie ‘Groundhog Day’.

The pretty town of Wellsboro has a main street lined with working heritage gas lamps and is home to my gracious host Steve Belcher, bassist with Bluegrass band ‘The Hickory Project’. After our great gig at ‘The Barn’ - see last blog - I was invited to hang with Steve & the rest of the ‘Project’ and check out one of their… Read more

July festivals in the US…and other stories!  

How cool is it to hear your one of your songs played on the in-flight Blues channel while flying from Australia to America?! (Thank-you Bill Wax, host and programmer at XM Sirius ‘Bluesville’!) It’s the first of July and I am headed back to the US for more Summer…

After interminable hours of travel, I found myself singing - ‘Chicago! Chicago! It’s a helluva town!’- as I watched a game of gridiron football at the O’Hare ‘Hooters’ Sports Bar. Yes, sometimes the quick change of cultures can be confusing!

Read more

From Fur Peace Ranch to Bacon-infused Cocktails! 

Picking up the story from our last episode….

I am driving in the gathering dusk, towards a teaching gig at Jorma Kaukonen’s Fur Peace Ranch, Ohio. Suddenly I realize...I am quite lost! Night has fallen and I can’t seem to find the final turn-off to my destination. At last, a light looms in the apparent wilderness – a place to ask directions?

Pulling into the car park, I see a sign: ‘Rock Springs Rehabilitation Hospital’. When I open the front door, however, the reception desk is deserted. There is a…Read more