:: 2010 Great Southern Blues Festival

By: Carmine Pascuzzi

The time has come for the next artist announcement for the 2010 return of The Great Southern Blues Festival. Wolf Mail measures amongst the top of a new generation of blues guitarists with his passion and mesmerising mixture of traditional blues and soul. In his welcome return to Australia, British born and New Orleans bred, Jon Cleary: Piano, Bass & Drums, will bring his combination of masterful piano, soulful vocals, and a knack for composing infectious grooves with melodic hooks and sharp lyrics. For close to a decade, singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and indie darling, Ben Kweller, has changed his musical course from 1960s pop and acoustic rock to alt-country and everything in between. Bringing his genre-bending wears to Narooma, the 29 year old wunderkind is one not to be missed.

Australia has its own Legend of Rock'n'Roll in Lonnie Lee. He is one of the initial pioneers of Aussie popular music, and is without doubt, the last man standing, not just from his own era, but also those after him. He is still writing, producing and releasing songs, playing important and current venues, and receiving performance awards. Roots festival stalwarts, Marshall & The Fro, are known for their powerful, pulsing roots/rock music, the soundtrack to the summer for many a carefree festival-goer. This is an group guaranteed to strongly appeal to fans who appreciate rock swagger and progressive roots.

Allow us to introduce The Pete Cornelius Band, setting the pace for many Aussie touring rhythm & blues bands. It’s hard to label exactly what these boys are laying down. Some say its vintage R&B, west coast jump blues, tough Texan shuffles, hearty soul driven sparse ballads & up tempo rockabilly. Some just say its damn good. Rich from 20 years of experiences garnered from performing all over the world, the Ray Beadle Band will be sure to take you on a ride from slinky, swinging tunes to bubbling Rhythm ‘n Blues and crooning blues gospel.

All of these stellar acts and more to be announced will be joining the already amazing lineup of Todd Rundgren, Harry Manx, Cedric Burnside & Lightnin’ Malcolm, Rick Estrin & The Nightcats, Dallas Frasca, Dave Hole, Kim Churchill & Blue Shaddy.

Early bird tickets are now on sale for a limited time so be quick! Be sure not to miss out on this wild weekend.

Go here for all ticketing and festival info. The Great Southern Blues Festival happens at Bateman's Bay from October 1-3, 2010.

******************************************************************

**Update as at August 2, 2010**

The recent news of the third major round of artists lined up to play at the Great Southern Blues Festival over the weekend October 1-3, 2010 in Batemans Bay confirms it will be the biggest event in the festival’s renowned 15 year history. Capacity is still limited to ensure Great Southern Blues Festival remains an intimate and inviting music festival of the highest calibre.

Joining the captivating list of performers already announced:
Lil Band o' Gold - some of the most important bunch of musicians to emerge from Louisiana – this is the Swamp Pop supergroup formed by vocalist and guitarist CC Adcock.
Toni Childs - the three time Grammy nominee will be bringing her blend of roots, rock, folk and gospel songs in her signature husky vocals.
Pink Martini - an original force in contemporary music from Portland, Oregon drawing inspiration by crossing genres of classical, jazz and blues, performing their multilingual repertoire on concert stages around the world.
Matt Southon – hailing from the far south coast of NSW, the emerging star will perform his unique blend of blues inspired by the passion and fire of old style bluesman like Son House, Charlie Patton & Leadbelly.
The Snowdroppers – the Sydney group delight in deliver boozed up, toe tapping, foot stomping blues rock, all with a thrillingly ‘tip your hat’ homage to nostalgia.
Mick Hart Experience - Our own wonderful Australian singer/songwriter applauded by music critics and fans who has played support to the likes of Bob Dylan, Van Morrison and Sting, returning to our Festival.
Whose Muddy Shoes - from Boston, Massachusetts bringing their high energy arrangements with full bodied vocal harmony, playing traditional blues and folk.
Watermelon Slim - winner of six Blues Music Award nominations in one year – 2007. Only B.B. King, Buddy Guy and Robert Cray had ever landed six. Back with us after making his Australian debut in 2000 at the Great Southern Blues Festival.

The new names join the major international and local artists already announced which included: Todd Rundgren, Harry Manx, Wolf Mail, Blue Shaddy, Dallas Frasca, Jon Cleary, Cedric Burnside & Lightnin’ Malcolm, Lonnie Lee, Ben Kweller, Rick Estrin & The Nightcats, The Pete Cornelius Band, Dave Hole, Kim Churchill and Ray Beadle Band.

While Festival director Neil Mumme is excited to be able to announce this stellar line up of stars, he is juggling some mixed feelings, “It is with a heavy heart that we have made the move from Narooma. It was the Festival’s birth place and we have had a very happy 14 years in a great location. But the Festival is now well into its teens and the reality is: we’ve grown. Greater numbers of artists and fans need a larger site, plus more accommodation and infrastructure options.”

“Batemans Bay has proved an inspired choice because it allows us to keep all the best things that made Narooma special – the sense of friendliness, of family, with artists and audiences mingling. The same crew are with us, too,” said Neil with obvious enthusiasm.

Neil Mumme points out that it will still remain an intimate 3-stage Festival over the three days in Mackay Park, but with a capacity to cater for 6,000 festival lovers a day instead of 4,000. There is also a wide range of excellent accommodation readily available in the area.

The festival partnership now with Michael Chugg and his team at Chugg Entertainment this year has underpinned this major step. Michael Chugg paid tribute to Neil Mumme and the team of people “who have worked tirelessly to build the festival, to ensure its ongoing viability and most of all, to ensure that this festival continues to meet, and exceed the expectations of its many loyal fans”.

The town of Batemans Bay and its neighbouring area boast some of the most spectacular and unspoiled coastline in New South Wales. The Great Southern Blues Festival is sited to take advantage of the magnificent views across the Clyde estuary, the sparkling ocean and to the mountains in the west. The town is approximately 2 hours drive south east from Canberra and 4 hours south from Sydney.

It maintains its small town atmosphere and welcomes its visitors with its fabulous estuary location, country hospitality and charm, an unspoilt natural environment and with attractions and facilities for holidaymakers of all ages and preferences. Festival lovers can make the long weekend a longer stay – a few more days to take in the delights of the area:
Whale watching – this great spectacle will be at its peak in early October.
Dozens of clean beaches, some with gentle shallow waters perfect for young children and others to challenge the more discerning of surfers, windsurfers and body boarders.
Several world and Australian records have been broken for the game fish caught locally and charter boat operators sail out for a great day‘s reef fishing or to chase a "big one’.
Beautiful lakes and other waterways offer peaceful bush walks, in the company of many species of coastal frequenting birds and native wildlife
Drive out to the pretty quiet village of Nelligen, 10 kilometres upstream on a calm and attractive reach of the river.
Step back in history at the pioneer village or the dinosaur museum in historic Mogo - only 5 mins south of the Bay. Visit the famous Mogo Zoo or even pan for gold in the pioneer tradition.

FOR GREAT SOUTHERN BLUES FESTIVAL TICKETS
Select from our ticket offers – the 3-day pass, or pick your choice of one day pass here

ACCOMMODATION
Need accommodation and holiday planning help? The experts can be found at the Batemans Bay Visitor Centre
Freecall 1800 802 528