_________________________________________________________________________
15th December 2023 Open Mic Night
A smaller than usual number but we all had fun.
___________________________________________________________________________
17th November 2023
Greg Champion and Kristian Mizzi
Greg Champion is a stalwart of our music industry. Although known for his comedy songs he performed songs of a more serious nature however – always entertaining.
Kristian is a performer on the rise. With comtemplative songs and fine guitar work he is a performer not to be missed.
Together they are a great fit.
Members Drawer went to
Rat Award (Evolution Music Voucher) went to Chris
___________________________________________________________________________
20th October 2023 Cathy Dobson
Cathy is a multi-award winning performing singer songwriter from Melbourne.
With three albums behind her, a new EP- “A farmer’s lullaby” will be released in late 2020. Her songs have been covered by Andrew Swift, Khristian Mizzi, Clint Wilson and Darren Trott. Cathy’s songs have also supported the play “Dolly” by Harris Smart and Lisa Habermann’s short film, “Gangsta Dreaming”.
Cathy has won awards in Tamworth, Canberra, Maldon, the Mornington Peninsula, The Basin Fest and in the ASA. to name a few.
Cathy shares a 3MDR 97.1fm radio show every Friday morning with Clint Wilson- a show supporting Australian Independent Country artists. The show recently won the ICMA inaugural Stan Goldman award for contributions to Australian country music and songwriting.
Recently her song “A farmer’s lullaby” has done extremely well on country music charts, with 2 weeks at number one on todays country 94.1 fm and is presently at number 5 on the Australian Airplay charts after 3 weeks.
Support act was Paru from our young musicians club. Paru is a fine talented musician.
Members Drawer went to
Rat Award went to
__________________________________________________________________________
15th September 2023 Bones Mackinnon
‘Goin’ Back’ is the debut album from independent Gippsland artist Bones Mackinnon offering a diverse collection of songs celebrating the complexity, and the simplicity of life. Not easily slotted into a single genre, the album shimmies between country, rock, folk and pop, travelling along a dusty road from tender ballads to rowdier numbers that get feet tapping.
Bones (Pauline) Mackinnon, Australian writer, teacher, and singer, began working with acclaimed songwriter, Charles Jenkins in 2019. What started out as Charles mentoring Bones in songwriting, soon developed into a productive collaboration spanning over 3 years. With husband Greg Mackinnon, Bones fine-tuned some of the arrangements, and took them to producer Douglas Lee Robertson.
The album is the result of this unique journey, offering an eclectic collection of songs about home and country, heartbreak and longing, wonder and wisdom.
Bones explains, ‘When people say they are goin’ back, it usually means they are going back home, to where they belong; to their home country. This album is about belonging and connection. It’s about goin’ home and owning where you’re from, and also owning where you are — all that’s easy to own, together with all that’s less so.’
Members Drawer went to
Rat Award went to
___________________________________________________________________________
18th August 2023 Phillip Beggs
Philip Beggs is an Australian award-winning singer-songwriter whose body of work spans ballads, historical songs, love songs, social commentary, children’s music and comedic songs. His acoustic-style music is both evocative and thought provoking. As one long-time fan commented, “Phil has an amazing musicianship and his incredible ability to put powerful lyrics to music leaves you breathless and challenges your perceptions, raising you up into a new realm of thinking.”
As a lad growing up in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne, Philip fell in love with the sounds and messages of the troubadours of the 60’s and 70’s such as Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, and Donovan. The finger picking guitar styles of Paul Simon and Ralph McTell inspired and influenced his playing style. Having been gifted an old guitar by a friend, he began playing and writing, telling his own story and finding his own voice. There followed years of performing in Australian bush bands, duos, cover bands and solo gigs. Venues ranged from folk festivals and house concerts to community rallies, pubs and schools. On various occasions he has shared the stage with Eric Bogle, Hugh McDonald, John McCutcheon, Phil Carroll & Ernie Gruner, Toumani Diabate, Jane Thompson, Flook and Clare Bowditch.
At the Port Fairy Folk Festival Philip won the “Henry Lawson Songwriting Award” for the best original song in 2000 and the “Best Song of Tolerance” in 2000 and 2004. In recent years, Philip has been involved in school music programs, running songwriting workshops for primary and secondary students and recording more than two hundred songs and four musicals with Artist-in-Residence Hugh MacDonald, of Redgum fame. He has a passion for social issues, teaching English to asylum seekers and being involved with fundraising for school rebuilding projects in Nepal.
Members Drawer went to Pat
Rat Award went to Michael
__________________________________________________________________________
21st July 2023 Cate Taylor
Cate Taylor is an award-winning, indie-folk singer songwriter from Melbourne. Her music is described as rich, natural and grounded in heartfelt, spacious lyrics with a performance style that is authentic and engaging. Cate presents delicately crafted, hauntingly beautiful songs, which often read like poetry. Accompanying her on guitar and lush harmonies is Greg Hamilton and on very fancy fiddle is Matthew Arnold. Cate released her debut album, Red Dirt in 2020 and is currently preparing to record her second.Cate Taylor presents honest, reflective songs that paint a picture of our place in the environment.
Joe Malignaggi 3CR Radio, Music Matters programCate’s work is an important contribution to the folk music output of Melbourne and her songs always come from the heart and contain important messages for the themes of our time. – Jason Bunn, violin/viola, Orchestra VictoriaJoe Malignaggi 3CR Radio, Music Matters programCate’s work is an important contribution to the folk music output of Melbourne and her songs always come from the heart and contain important messages for the themes of our time. – Jason Bunn, violin/viola, Orchestra Victoria
Members Drawer went to Alex
Rat Award went to Mats
_________________________________________________________________________
16th June 2023 Moonshine Coalition
Formed in early 2015 by Max and Annie, Moonshine Coalition perform an intoxicating fusion of Americana and Australian Frontier Music.
The duo has a strong focus on intricate vocal harmonies, which, together with Max’s National Resonator slide guitar and Annie’s crisp finger picking banjo style, produce an original and enthralling sound.
They have received enthusiastic responses from audiences in Australia, Nashville and Berlin, who love their energy and passion.With Max’s music and Annie’s lyrics, Moonshine Coalition write songs with inspiration from Australia’s past, blended with events from their own lives. Their inventive songs can make their audiences both laugh and cry.
Another Great night. First time as a trio too.
_________________________________________________________________________
19th May 2023 The Old Dogs
Songs from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s
The Old Dogs have been playing together for over 13 years. Consisting of Peter McErlain, award winning songwriter and multi instrumentalist (not available for Badfolk), Tim Hannan, award winning songwriter and rhythm guitarist, Tom Steele on the drums, Polly McKenzie on keyboard and saxophone and Bob Ihaka on lead guitar. They create a fun sound based around the songs of the Rock N Roll era
As a birthday celebration for our founding secretary the night was a resounding success.
Happy Birthday Chris.
__________________________________________________________________________
21st April 2023 Queen of Hearts Mariachi Duo
Queen of Hearts Mariachi is an all-female band drawing from the Mexican Mariachi tradition. We present them as a duo. Breaking all paradigms, these ladies from Latin America and Australia, do not just cover traditional classics but also write and perform original music. Their love for Mexican music unites them and creates a rich harmony of lyrical drama.
Wow – people are still talking about their performance.
________________________________________________________________________
17th March 2023 Tidal Moon
“Acoustic ripples upon a sea of imagination” – classical/Celtic meets folk/country. Barbara Jeffrey and José Garcia combine a hybrid Celtic/Paraguayan harp and soaring soprano vocals with the timbre of baritone vocals, guitar, flute and bodhran. Beautiful traditional, original and contemporary music.
The talents of this duo are superb. Another fantastic night of music.
Rat Award went to Jose
Members Prize went to Ian
________________________________________________________________________
17th February 2023 Skiffle Party
American Roots. British Style.
Skiffle is high energy upbeat American roots music in the style of UK proto-rockers Lonnie Donegan, Chris Barber and the Vipers Skiffle Group. It was the birth of British rock.
Donegan’s blistering 1954 hit recording of Leadbelly’s ‘Rock Island Line’ started the UK skiffle craze that inspired countless musicians to pick up the guitar, an instrument that was hitherto largely ignored by British popular music. The Beatles, Van Morrison, Mick Jagger, Jimmy Page and the BeeGees all started their musical career as skifflers, exploring the rich tradition of American hillbilly and blues music from Leadbelly to Woody Guthrie. Classic skiffle tunes include upbeat sing-along versions of many well-known traditional folk songs including John Henry, Stewball, Cumberland Gap, Lost John, Midnight Special and Maggie May.
Melbourne band Skiffle Party, featuring Floyd Thursby (vocals/guitar), Tom Flenady (double bass/vocals) and Adam Russo (guitar/vocals), are rediscovering the excitement and intensity of this critically influential but largely overlooked genre. They released their debut self-titled album in July 2022.
FB: https://www.facebook.com/SkiffleParty
_________________________________________________________________________
15th January 2023 (Sunday)
Club Get together
January, Laid back and join friends for food and music.
Pizza and music – Yummy. A great day again – They just continue.
__________________________________________________________________________
16th December 2022
The Chamber Pots + Open Mic
Ben Rogers – guitar — Cyril Moran – guitar — Alina Jonas – cello
“Two guitars and cello presenting a collection of up-tempo and ambient original instrumental compositions”
Fabulous night. Music was unexpected and very entertaining.
__________________________________________________________________________
18th November 2022 AGM +
Ukulele Night
Duplicity plus local groups.
Duplicity
Based in the Dandenong Ranges, Duplicity comprises Sue Kidd and Brendan Canty. Playing a mix of originals and covers, Duplicity captivates and delights audiences by combining beautiful vocals with clever arrangements and “taking ukuleles to places they don’t normally go”. Duplicity performs regularly at venues around Melbourne and has opened for Hannah Schmidli, Lucy Wise, Paul Jonson (NZ), Manitoba Hal Brolund (Canada) and the Screamin’ Eagles.
In addition to regular gigging, Duplicity is active on the festival circuit and was a headliner at the 2022 Blue Mountains Ukulele Festival. Duplicity has performed at many festivals including The Melbourne Ukulele Festival, Newport Folk Festival, Hills Ukulele Festival (Emerald), Newkulele (NSW), Girgarre Moosic Muster, 4 String Festival (New Zealand), SPRUKE (Brisbane), The Basin Music Festival and PAVE Festival to name a few.
Two other groups were support – Balla Balla Ukes and Langwarrin Community Centre Ukes plus Chantelle Riordan.
A great night all round.
___________________________________________________________________________
21st October 2022
The Weathered Heads
It was a bluegrass night
The Weathered Heads are a foot-stomping country bluegrass band from Gembrook in Victoria. Formed in 2008 this four piece band plays Bluegrass-Country-Americana music with a touch of Folk, an Australian twang and a tradesman touch! Comprising a mix of guitars, mandolin, banjo, fiddle, dobro and electric bass, the Weathered Heads keep up a lively sound with rich vocal harmonies, raging banjo, meaningless banter, and hip-swaying rhythms. This is a band that kept us smiling throughout their set.
Rat Award went to David
Members Prize went to Sue
___________________________________________________________________
16th September 2022
Backyard Banjo Club
A five-piece trad-jazz/bluegrass bonanza. Think Tom Waits meets Django Reinhardt and plays a jazz cover of a Radiohead tune. High energy up-tempo jazz and the occasional sultry ballad, good times guaranteed.
__________________________________________________________________________
19th August 2022
Spooky Trio
Spooky Trio has a great vibe and a wide repertoire, adding their own sophisticated touch to over 300 classic songs from the 60’s to contemporary.
Spooky create their sound with Marilyn’s smooth, sultry female vocals blending beautifully with David’s versatile rhythmic acoustic guitar and his great harmonies.
Add the amazing resonance of Peter on Vibraphone to the mix and we have musical heaven!
Guitarist David is a very experienced musician, a veteran of the 60’s and 70’s music scene in the UK. This included performing at the same venues, clubs and festivals as The Beatles. His main band, the Crescendos, followed in the footsteps of The Beatles and toured Germany a few years after the Beatles made British bands popular there. He also enjoyed DJ’ing in the UK for a number of years. David has also played acoustic guitar in the UK and US, preferring intimate club settings.
On moving to Australia, David first played in pub rock bands. He then decided to create a band with a more versatile sound and formed Spooky, with a fluid mix of musicians.
Vocalist Marilyn comes from an early stage background with vocal training, followed by stints as a music teacher and as director of school productions. Her confident stage presence reflects this valuable experience, and enables her to shine as a performer, not just a vocalist.
Vibraphone player and percussionist Peter has only recently joined Spooky. Peter has had a wonderful career in music, playing percussion extensively in orchestras and musical productions worldwide. This has included backing artists such as Helen Reddy, John Farnham, Hugh Jackman and Guy Mitchell.
Peter’s current passion is reviving interest in the Vibraphone, a fascinating tuned percussion instrument that featured widely in 70’s pop, and is also a favourite of jazz musicians.Spooky takes their audience on a great journey through an eclectic mix of folk, rhythm’n’blues, soul, jazz, country, reggae, rock and pop.
Enjoy singing along with your favourites, have a dance, or just relax with Spooky’s smooth sound.
__________________________________________________________________________
15th July 2022
Nick Charles
With dazzling melodic fingerpicking on six and twelve string guitars, stinging bottleneck slide and a lifetime’s stories and songs gathered or written on the world’s musical highways it’s no surprise that Nick Charles is labelled internationally as “Australia’s virtuoso of acoustic roots and blues”.
During his extensive and acclaimed career, Nick has released nearly twenty albums on major Australian and US roots music labels. His recordings have garnered world-wide recognition beginning with “My Place” and now his most recent release “Guitar Music”.
This recognition has succeeded in having Nick signed to the Grammy Award winning label, Solid Air Records USA (“Home of the World’s Finest Guitarists”). The only other Australian recognized by the label being Tommy Emmanuel.
Consistently averaging 150 shows a year in Australia, New Zealand and the USA, his music encompasses a delightful and eclectic mix of acoustic roots including blues, folk and early ragtime jazz. Along the way there are stylish nods to the Great American Songbook and the finest contemporary players and composers from Chet Atkins to Lennon and McCartney to Leo Kottke.
___________________________________________________________________________
17th June 2022
The Weeping Willows
2021 CMAA ‘Golden Guitar’ winners, The Weeping Willows, Laura Coates and Andrew Wrigglesworth, are a couple of old souls, steeped in Bluegrass tradition and draped in Gothic Americana imagery. They regale their audiences with stories of sunshine and romance, God and The Devil, murder and decay. Real music.
2015-2020 saw The Weeping Willows nominated for 8 x CMAA ‘Golden Guitar’ awards, 4 x Country Music Channel (CMC) awards, Country ‘Live Act of the Year’ in this year’s National Live Music Awards (NLMAs), APRA AMCOS Australian Independent Country Music Single of the Year, performing at AmericanaFest (USA), Folk Alliance International (USA), Maverick Festival (UK), Port Fairy Folk Festival, Queenscliff Music Festival, Out On The Weekend with Margo Price, Joshua Hedley and Courtney Marie Andrews and the Australian Americana Music Honours. In recent years they have supported Lukas Nelson & POTR (USA), Hayes Carll (USA), Iris DeMent (USA), Eilen Jewell (USA), Willie Watson (USA), Cory Branan (USA), Kevin Welch (USA), Tim Easton (USA), Hannah Aldridge (USA), Ben de la Cour (USA), Shane Nicholson and The Audreys and completed national and international tours in support of their sophomore album, Before Darkness Comes A-Callin’ (2016), which received four-star reviews in Rolling Stone, The Australian and The Music.
A Weeping Willows performance, whether live or caught on tape will always delight.
___________________________________________________________________________
20th May 2022
Phil Para and Denziel Para
Bedded into the Melbourne music psyche as the master of blues, rock and guitar wizardry Phil Para and his multi instrumentalist son Denzil Para are a powerful duo who usually play an electric mix of blues, rock and soulful tunes, both originals and covers.For something really special and for the first time ever they are coming to the Bad Folk Club as a completely acoustic act.
The vocal play and harmonies between them are sublime and this Father and Son duo will back themselves on acoustic guitar and acoustic bass for this show.After so many years of playing to packed houses with the power trio, Phil finds much enjoyment in stepping into smaller venues in duo mode occasionally where he can really connect with the audience.
Expect acoustic versions of the great guitar classics plus many of Phil’s originals.
A top class act – Catch them when you can. The acoustic set was fantastic.
Rat award went to Daniel
____________________________________________________
24th April Sunday
A very nice gathering of a few at the rotunda at pioneer park. Played a variety of tunes and a great social get together.
_______________________________________________________________________
18th March 2022
Note; This event will be held at the Brentwood Neighbourhood House 21A Bemersyde Dr, Berwick VIC 3806
Dave Cox
is a former soldier and Melbourne based singer/songwriter that writes his music about life, experiences, observations, our country and human emotions. His songs reflect from a suburban life and attempts to pursue in music the positive aspects that make our lives richer. His style is country/rock and inspired by an undercurrent folk genre that creates images in a song. He believes in believing and believes in the inherent goodness of people. Dave hopes you enjoy his music and stories.
And
Lloyd Clarke
is an international and national award winning songwriter. Winning Tamworth Songwriting Association awards in 2016, 2018 & 2020. He draws inspiration for his songs from family, Australia and the iconic places and people that make Australia great and unique. He was raised in Berwick and now lives with his wife in Drouin where they both enjoy retirement and visits from their kids and grand kids.
A night of fine music. A few more supporters would have been nice though.
___________________________________________________________________________
18th February 2022 The Long and Short of it.
David Baird
A shy man with a deep love for singing and playing his guitar, David Baird is one of the musical duo ‘The Long and Short of It’. Playing for 30 years and singing at home, David put his shyness aside when he visited Williamstown vocal coach Steven Zammit who saw his potential.
Fellow singer Patsy Toop thinks that David is an inspiration. “He’s been playing guitar for a long time and singing by himself. The beautiful thing now is that everyone who has heard him is spellbound”.
Patsy Toop
From a very early age Patsy was musically influenced by artists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone, Cat Stevens, Pink Floyd to name a few.
Patsy has always harboured a burning desire to be able to sing and entertain people. By chance, Patsy heard David Baird playing his guitar and singing at a charity function. For David and Patsy that meeting has now developed into an extraordinary and powerful relationship when they perform together.
A great night although Tech difficulties earlier on.
______________________________________________________
16th January 2022 (Sunday)
An afternoon of jamming and singing along at Jane’s place. Yes we have food music BYO drinks instrument, chair, vocal chords and good humour.
A little bit hot but a great afternoon anyway. Thank you Jane for hosting and to the group who attended.
___________________________________________________________________