Eleanor McEvoy, is perhaps best known as the writer and performer of ’Only A Woman’s Heart’. She’s got a whole catalogue of fabulous songs and is one of Ireland’s foremost contemporary songwriters and is celebrated as a performer wordwide.
After her previous tour was abruptly terminated by the onset of the pandemic, she’s now back on the road and heading to Woy Woy. Surely this has to be the highlight of her long awaited return to Australia.
This is going to be a truly special night. Eleanor’s 16th album “Gimme Some Wine” has just been launched to rave reviews. Her latest single “South Anne Street” has also drawn universal praise. Her live show is spellbinding. She walks in a single pool of light, the stage set with an electric guitar, an acoustic guitar, violin, piano and a small amp. What follows has been enthralling audiences around the world for decades.
CHLOE MATHARU
Eleanor will be supported by Chloe Matharu is an Award winning Scottish singer songwriter and harpist from the West Coast of Scotland. Many of her songs draw on her time in the Merchant Navy, inspired by the natural world as experienced at sea. On tour she performs solo with her harp in English, Scots and Welsh.
Her music offers “an intriguing insight into a new tradition of maritime folk music with thoughtful song writing embellished by her voice and superb harp playing” – The Herald.
She also brings electronic soundscapes to the stage, as heard in her single The Silkie of Sule Skerry, with a three piece band. She has won numerous awards for her performances and appearances and was shortlisted for the Scots Singer of the Year Award 2023.
Make sure you don’t miss this wonderful event. Tickets just $20 (members) or $25 (non-members) Book now to be certain of a seat: https://www.trybooking.com/COJDX
Winter Wilson, Mid-week concert, Anglican church Community Hall, 147 Blackwall, Rd Woy Woy.
Thursday 14 March, 7-10 p.m.
Perhaps the best folk duo to have come out of the UK for years. Kip Winter (vocals and accordeon) sings with a rare and powerful clarity, accompained by Dave Wilson (song-wrtiter, guitar and vocals). Their music draws on a deep tradition of folk and traditional music, bringing fresh new sounds and presenting vivid portraits and stories of today and yesterday. If you like great song writining, beautiful harmonic singing and powerful, accomplished accompaineiemnt, you won’t want to miss their long awaited return to the Troubadour.
‘A tour-de-force of outstanding songwriting’ Living Tradition
Singing out for the underdog in glorious harmony. Original songs packed with punch and emotion that will get beneath your skin, and all delivered with great humour. Winter Wilson have completed tours of Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and most of Western Europe, in addition to the UK. Their eight studio albums have all received rave reviews.
Now performing stunning new songs alongside old favourites, Kip Winter and Dave Wilson are thrilled to be back on the road. You will laugh; you may cry. You will certainly want to see them again!
BOOK NOW
Tickets: Just $20 members, $25 general admission, light supper included. Places are limited, so online bookings essential.
The acclaimed Australian singer-songwriter, Fred Smith, Folk Alliance Australia 2022 “Solo Artist of The Year” will be launching his new album ‘Look’ on the Central Coast on Saturday 24 February, at the Everglades Club in Dunban Rd, Woy Woy.
He describes this recording as “a collection of songs that are not about Afghanistan”. Some, he has confesed, were written while he was there. ”They are about the stuff of our lives and the world we live in: the speed of modern life, love, isolation, and the internet in a world that seems to be lurching forward by a rolling series of crises”.
This new album, he says, offers a “warm blend of mirth and meaning, with a squiggly line of the absurd running through it. Absurdity being the only sensible response to being human! “
Fred Smith has earned himself an enviable reputation as a great singer-songwriter with a unique perspective on life and an unerring ability to focus in on his subject matter in a sensitive, moving and often quirky manner. Often he draws on a powerful voice to draw attention to an issue, such as the experience of war amongst Australian soldiers in Afghanistan. But he is equally well known for his engaging, observant, deeply honest and sometimes quirky songs about people, their amazing personal relationships and life in modern world. His sense of humour is sharp, even wicked, and never far from the surface, but he is also a singer who confronts the serious issues and darker sides of life. He also sings and plays guitar very well and writes some great tunes. And his band is never short of brilliant. No wonder he is one of Australia’s most successful prformers and one of our greatest singer songwriters. Fred’s return to the Troubadour is always very special. Make sure yoou don’t miss it.
About Fred Smith “Fred Smith is simply the best folk/country musician working in this country… Beyond writing some of the finest songs about Australians at war, he has created a repertoire that is wry, literate, witty, powerfully emotional and insightful.” Bruce Elder, SMH.
“Fred Smith is an Australian national treasure. Diplomat, philosopher, poet and raconteur his songs reverberate with the prophetic voice of humanity.” Peter Wilkins, Canberra Critics Circle.
Click on the links below to hear his tributes to Helen Garner and Leonard Cohen, two of his major influneces.
This is sure to be a popular event. Tickets are just $20/25. Click on the link below to book now and reserve your seat. https://www.trybooking.com/CNFGW
Entertainer, recording artist and internationally acclaimed banjo player
BBC Folk Awards Best Musician nominee Dan Walsh combines ‘virtuoso playing and winning songwriting’ (MORNING STAR). Describing what Dan does is no easy task but at the heart of it is British, Irish and American folk music delivered with a healthy dose of funky grooves – all performed with his unique and dazzling take on clawhammer style banjo helping to challenge all preconceptions about the instrument. Add to all that poignant songs, astonishing musical departures and lively humour and the result is a truly memorable live show which has wowed audiences across the world from intimate seated rooms to huge dancing crowds in festival fields.
Dan Walsh has recorded seven solo albums to much critical acclaim. Most recently he returned to his first love and recorded ‘O’Neill’s Tunes’ – a collection of traditional Irish tunes played in his unique take on clawhammer style. He is an in demand performer with a hectic touring schedule in the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India and throughout Europe. He has also released two banjo tablature books including a very successful book of clawhammer arrangements of Irish folk tunes which inspired the O’Neill’s album. Dan is also an in demand session musician and has recently worked with Universal Studios for an upcoming film soundtrack. His recent work includes guest appearances, on stage or in the studio, with the likes of Ward Thomas, Imelda May, Joss Stone, Seth Lakeman, the Levellers, Duane Eddy, Martin Simpson and the City of London Sinfonia.
Music for the World: A Special Sunday Afternoon Grand CONCERT
at Everglades Club, Woy Woy
VERVE Harmony, with Elizabeth W Scott directing
Exuberant, talented a cappella Central Coast community choir gives its debut concert, led by a dynamic, multi-talented, new-to-the-Coast musician, Elizabeth W. Scott. Elizabeth hails from New York and has worked across many music genres. VERVE Harmony presents a diverse mix of choral works including from African, African American, Indigenous, Eastern European and Western European folk traditions. These songs will uplift, inspire and move you!
The choir, recently formed with many members from Jubila Singers which wrapped a decade of joyful singing in 2022 is now extending its musical skills with their dynamic new director and extend an invitation to others on the coast to join them: “We sing world music in many different languages for sheer enjoyment with public sing-outs by invitation. New members are welcome to join us.” https://verveharmony.choirgenius.com/
+ The Jaga Band (Ukraine/Australia).
An amazing, truly virtuosic Ukrainian ensemble, with an exciting mix of historic and contemporary tunes and songs from all corners of the Ukraine. Wild, mournful, and deeply enjoyable.
For nearly a decade JAGA BAND has entertained audiences with their distinctive celebration of traditional songs and dances inspired from across the Carpathian region, rich and diverse in influences from Ukraine, Hungary, Moldova and Romania. Since the very first days of full-scale war in Ukraine, JAGA BAND led by multi-instrumentalist and singer Mar’yana Sywakhave been tirelessly raising funds for the Ukrainian people by joining forces with many international musicians to stand for Ukraine and help people in need of urgent assistance. These incredibly talented musicians will take you on a musical journey to the land of Cossacks of the past and heroes of the present. They will bring to life traditional songs of love, hope and celebration of life. JAGA BAND inspires their audiences to sing along and dance!
Part of the proceeds from this concert will be donated to those in need in Ukraine. We invite you to join us in supporting the band and their worthy cause.
Irish Shanty Singer, TOM LEWIS, is coming to Woy Woy
House Concert: 6.00 – 9.00 p.m. Wednesday 24 January
Tom Lewis is legendary. Born in Belfast, Northern Ireland; then moving with his family to Gloucester, Tom joined the Royal Navy as an Engineering Apprentice in 1959, just a few days after his sixteenth birthday. Posted to a naval training establishment in Scotland in 1960, he soon started frequenting THE HOWFF Folk Club (in nearby Dunfermline) being exposed to such luminaries as Willie Scott, Alex Glasgow, Ewan McColl, Archie Fisher, John Watt, Louis Killen, and more, where he learned his trade as a folk singer and song writer. His output includes the famous “LAST SHANTY”; a song sung around the world. He cemtented his career in North America, where he lived for many years.
After thirty six years; tours in Australia, New Zealand, Britain, Europe, Canada and the United States; major festival mainstages and tiny coffeehouses; and eight more recordings; Tom and his wife Lyn now reside aboard their boat on the Boyle River near Carrick on Shannon, in Ireland. In a way of life where enormous success is not having a day-job, Tom Lewis has translated his love of singing into that ‘enormous success’ and more – his previous existence as a sailor – and his reincarnation as a musical ex-sailor – bringing enjoyment for all.
Tom’s repertoire—from traditional shanties to songs fashioned out of his own seafaring background—recruits his audience for a voyage by turns reflective, dramatic and humorous. Tom’s Celtic heritage is obvious in his clear, strong voice, evoking quiet sorrow for a fisherman lost to the sea just as honestly as it powers out a shanty “to be heard above the gales.” Tom accompanies himself on button accordion and ukulele—but it’s that powerful vocal style and infectious humour—that quality of entertaining—which keeps audiences coming back again … and again.
Old Songs Festival (Altamont NY) declares “This man knows the sea … from the bottom up!“.
Living Tradition (UK) says “Although I always knew he was good, I was not quite prepared for HOW good.” 24 years in the British Royal Navy, “provides him with that vitally authentic stance with which to tackle nautical song” Living Tradition.
This is a House Concert, and places are limited. Bookings are essential.
All welcome, only $20.00 (One price for members, non-members, concessions)
Sunday 29 October, 2.00 p.m. Judy Small + Anousha Victoire
Grand Concert: Everglades Club, Woy Woy
JUDY SMALL
Judy Small is rightly known as ‘The Grande Dame of Australian Folk Music’. A wonderful, warm and often funny performer and a great song writer, she is loved by audiences for her honest, powerful feminist and political songs. She has produced twelve albums and hundreds of songs, many of which have been recorded by other famous artists in Australia and internationally. She was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for her contribution as a songwriter and recording artist to folk music, and received the National Folk Festival Lifetime Achievement Award in 2022.
Here are a few of her best known songs to get you in the mood:
ANOUSHA VICTOIRE
Judy will be supported by Newcastle based contemporary Australian-French folk singer-songwriter Anousha Victoire and one of the members of her trio (guitar, cello and violin). This will also be the Central Coast launch her new EP!
Anousha Victoire describes herself as “a weaver of everyday dreams, stitching together folk/world influenced melodies with bell-over-water clarity of vocal tone. The introspective singer-songwriter blends delicate ideas with a heart-aching immediacy. Her trademark fingerpicking folk guitar style and haunting vocal melodies are complemented by soaring, emotive strings and vocal harmonies, blending into folk storytelling songs that could be timeless classics”.
After winning an ABC Music Award (Folk) for one of the first songs she wrote, Anousha went on to build a loyal local following. Her songs gained indie and ABC radio airplay. She’s performed at the National Folk Festival, St Albans Folk Festival, Planet Dungog, Woodford’s Women Out Front, Wollombi Festival, and has toured regional Australia presenting at intimate concerts and folk clubs. After her first EP releases in early 2000’s won additional awards, she gained further recognition for her song on the plight of the last asylum seeker on Nauru with Last Man Standing. Later, she returned to the studio with producing a full-length album Precious Things in 2020. Her single Rather Be Your Lover (Than Your Wife) featuring guest bluegrass musicians Gleny Rae and Robbie Long, received airplay on Double J.
Her appearance at the Troubadour as the support act for Judy Small is also the launch of a brand new studio EP Embers of the Night produced by Gareth Hudson. Her recent single Mole Creek debuted at #4 on the AMRAP regional charts.
If you’ve never seen Anousha perform before, look at these beautiful clips:
Book now to be sure of a ticket for this very special event! Tickets just $20 for Troubadour members, $25 for non-members. All Welcome. Let your friends and loved ones know – why not buy them a ticket?
Rory Ellis has been likened to Leonard Cohen, Bruce Springsteen and Tom Waits in the UK, Waylon Jennings here in Australia, and in Germany, they said he could be their next Bob Dylan.
Together now with the fabulous Christian Marsh, with the Night Owls playing as the support act, this will be a fabulous night of Americana and home made classics, plus much more!
Rory has toured extensively throughout Australia, mainland Europe and the UK and has recorded 10 studio albums, to national and international acclaim. With 30+ years of song writing under his belt he has performed at some of the world’s biggest festivals to audiences of thousands. Included in these are Isle Of Wight Festival UK, Eastleigh Festival UK, Maryport Blues Festival UK, Larmer Tree Festival UK, Shetland Folk Festival UK, Castel St Pietro Blues Festival (Italy), Celle Festival (Germany), Thredbo Blues Festival, Port Fairy Folk Festival AU, National Folk Festival (all Aust.), the list goes on.
Rory has also played alongside greats such as Eric Bibb, Richie Havens, Jackie Leven, Robert Cray, Canned Heat, Charlie Musselwhite, Pokey La Farge, Renee Geyer, Russell Morris, Brian Cadd, Diesel and The Black Sorrows.
Rory’s last album Inner Outlaw, released moments before the world stood still, debuted in the Top 10 on the iTunes Chart, and twice featured in Australia’s bible of Roots music, Rhythms Magazine. Inner Outlaw was also voted by two writers as the WritersTop 10 Albums of the Year in late 2019.
Gifted with a soul-wrenching voice praised by media worldwide, you will know he’s lived every word delivered. With stories by the ton, this is Americana with a perfect twist! Naturally it features the voice of Rory Ellis in turn playing all things acoustic, and joined onstage by his long-time friend and virtuoso Chromatic and Diatonic Harmonica player Christian Marsh. Together they create the most haunting, gutsy, and inspired versions of handpicked gems from Rory’s last 10 albums.
Christian is a world renowned master of the Chromatic and Diatonic Harmonica. He has won “Gold Harmonica” Awards in Tamworth 3 times, worked alongside harmonica giants such as Howard Levy, Larry Adler, Toots Theilemans and featured on many high profile Australian and International artists albums and stages.
Check them out here:
+ The fabulous NIGHT OWLS, from the Central Coast, who bring home grown world class Bluegrass to the Troubadour!
Hailing from the Central Coast, Stewart Porter, Jeannie Kay and Geoff Wright form the trio “Night Owls“, they play a mix of Bluegrass, Country and Folk. Multi instrumentalists, Night Owls, make their music with guitar, harmonica, mandolin, dobro and banjo and combine great musicianship, vocals and harmonies to provide entertaining, foot tapping music.
Regulars at our Troubadour Performers Concerts, Night Owls won The Judges Choice for Best Band at the Australian National Busking heats on 25th September 2022 and recently travelled to Cooma for the finals.
Saturday 26 August
Maurie Mulheron and Pat Craigie (Aust)
+ Dennis Aubrey (Aust)
7.00 p.m. at the Everglades Club, Woy Woy
Maurie Mulheron and Pat Craigie
“In the spirit of Pete Seeger, our aim is to not just
to put a song in people’s ears but on their lips as well.”
Maurie Mulheron and Pat Craigie are two of the most enjoyable and acomplished exponents of folk music in Australia. They have appeared regularly at Australia’s peak folk festivals, folk clubs, theatres and concert halls here and overseas, as well as at protest marches and on picket lines for over forty years.
Pat and Maurie are particularly well- known for their reimagining of the protest songs, love ballads, union hymns and work songs that were discovered during the worldwide folk revival of the 1960s. No surprise that they were chosen to be the opening act for Peter, Paul and Mary on their final Australian tour.
Maurie is the writer of the massive hit theatre production One Word…WE! The Songs and Story of Pete Seeger & Friends, on which he collaborated with Pete. More recently Maurie’s show, The Times They Are a-Changin’: the songs and stories behind Dylan’s masterpiece, was described as “…a guided musical tour of one of Bob Dylan’s early and arguably most important albums…in my top five acts of the festival.”
Pat is an actor, singer and guitarist and founder of the band The Strangest Dreamers who has performed in theatre, film and television as well as being a popular singer-guitarist on the folk circuit.
Together Maurie and Pat perform original songs and new arrangements of classic Australian and international folk songs. As experienced performers with a background in theatre, their ability to connect with audiences through song, humour and stories have made them audience favourites in venues across the country.
Check out this gem, from Maurie’s first appearance at the Woy Woy CWA for the Troubadour in 2013, when he accompanied the great Jeannie Lewis:
Dennis Aubrey
Known and loved by Troubadour afficionados and other music lovers, Dennis Aubrey is the singing, ukulele playing poet of the Sydney streets. You’ve probably seen him busking somewhere around Central or the Opera House, or caught him performing in New York, London or Europe over the last 40 years. Perhaps you’ve enjoyed him performing alone or with his musical partners Pete Purton and Rod Crundwell in one of the great concert halls of the Central Coast.
He’s also a fabulous song writer and solo performer. His song, The Bag Lady’s Waltz, is surely one of the great Ozzie songs. Like a number of his other songs it has been picked up and sung widely by famous artists. I was one of those who loved these and some of his other songs without knowing that Dennis was their writer. There are many more gems in his treasure chest. Certainly he knows how to bring a tear to your eye, and is sure to make you tap your feet and sing along to some of his great choruses.
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Come and enjoy this wonderful, engaging night of music that changed our lives. Sing-along, stamp your feet, cheer, shout out – and just enjoy still being here, celebrating our survival and all that’s good in the world, and calling out for all that needs to change! What ever you do, don’t miss out. JUST BE THERE!
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Friday 21st July 7.00 p.m
One Night: Two Amazing Performers
Kejafi (Aust. via Scotland, Ireland):
Celtic music at it’s very best and Marcus Sturrock (Aust)
A truly amazing finger style guitarist and musician
This SPECIAL EVENT, is our GRAND CONCERT for July at the Everglades.
So special it’s a Friday Night.
Kejafi are Australia’s best Celtic string and fiddle band and one of the best international groups of recent years. They take listeners on a musical journey inspired by the music, dance and piping from the Scottish Highlands and far flung islands at the northern edge of the world. A repertoire of traditional and original tunes and songs celebrate a deep Australian and Scottish connection, performed with an exciting, ensemble of dual fiddles, an octave mandolin and haunting vocals lamenting lost love and telling tales of the battlefield.
Marcus Sturrock is not just one of Australia’s most accomplished finger-picking guitarists. He is internationally recognised as completely incredible.
Marcus has played at most folk festivals and various styles of music festivals, headlining at some, from Woodford Folk Festival (Queensland), Port Fairy Folk Festival (Victoria), Folk By The Sea (NSW), Fairbridge Folk Festival (Western Australia), Saint Albans Folk Festival (NSW), Tamworth Country Music Festival (NSW) and Illawarra Folk Festival (NSW). He’s also been guest artist along side John Butler Trio, Wendy Matthews, The Angels, Rose Tattoo, Hunters and Collectors and played on stage with many famous musicians.
His 13 albums had tracks from two of them featured on ABC Radio National, ‘The Daily Planet’ (Grammy award winner & commentator, Lucky Oceans) and ‘The Weekend Planet’. (Ex producer Doug Spenser). Marcus’s music is mostly original, some traditional and some well known covers. As an Independent musician he sold more than 10,000 albums on his first release.
In-between singing, vocal scatting in harmony with his guitar notes and Marcus’s instrumental performances, he includes story telling, sometimes humorous and often related to some fascinating people he’s met on his world concert tours. As one of the known pioneers of intricate guitar body percussion, Marcus occasionally incorporates percussive beats on the guitar’s body while simultaneously playing.
If you don’t know him, watch these clips and see what the fuss is all about:
Reviewers and commentators rave about Marcus:
“Marcus has forged a truly unique sound from the acoustic guitar, melody, harmony & in your face Rhythm on one instrument, astounding” – Tony McManus (renowned acoustic guitarist specialising in Celtic music)
“I was fortunate enough to catch a performance by Marcus Sturrock emotively weaving his musical influences from Folk, Funk, Jazz, Middle Eastern, Classical, Celtic, to Flamenco & more with technical ease and diverse percussive beats on the Guitars body while simultaneously playing melody, harmony & scatting; Marcus is a standout innovative composer”. – Robin Lumley – Audio Engineer/Producer (gold & platinum status) and/or keyboardist for David Bowie, Genesis, Brand X, Phil Collins, Moody Blues, Pete Townsend, Stéphane Grappelli, Bill Bruford, Eric Burdon, Procol Harum, Gary Moore & the London Symphony Orchestra.
“Marcus is not merely an adept guitarist; he has the happy ability to play music rather than just notes and to infect the audience with his own joy.” – Doug Spencer (Producer/Presenter ‘The Planet’ ABC Radio National).
Sat 27 May, 7.00 p.m. Traditional Graffiti (Aust/UK)
GRAND CONCERT at the Everglades
This beloved and amazing folk-group bring their upbeat brand of English folk music back to Woy Woy. For years, first as The Wheeze & Suck Band, and more recently as Traditional Graffiti, they have specialised in sharing warm, fun performances with plenty of chorus singing and audience interaction with their legions of fans, friends and music lovers across Australia and New Zealand and the UK
CMBDA Bush Dance – 10 June.
Central Coast Bush Dance & Music Association
All welcome
Further Information contact Jackie: jackie@hpo.net.au
or Robyn Northwood, Central Coast Bush Dance & Music Association,
0410 446 485
Sat 24 June, 7.00 p.m, GRAND CONCERT
Corn Nut Creek (Aust/USA)
plus Kimberley Wheeler (Aust) at the Everglades
Corn Nut Creek are two women from different sides of the world who play incredibly beautiful songs and tunes. They tell haunting and intimate stories breathe new life into the timeless style of American ‘Old Time’ folk music. Tanya Bradley’s banjo playing and velvet vocal provides the perfect lyrical counterpart to Danielle Vita’s lilting voice and fiddle playing.
PLUS
the amazing Kimberley Wheeler: ‘one of Australia’s best and busiest bluegrass and old-time musicians’. Rob Dickens, Music Journalist
Watch Corn Nut Creek here:
Tuesday 18 April: Bruce Watson (Victoria), Houseconcert
Longtime favourite of the Australian folk scene, a masterful craftsman of songs: evocative, heart wrenching, often side-splittingly funny. En route to the St Albans Folk Festival
“A rare talent…best songwriter I have seen in a long time” Eric Bogle
Sunday 26 March, 2023. Everglades, 2 pm
Keith Potger (of the Seekers)
A unique and special concert by one of Australia’s most loved and world famous folkies. This will be a memorable event that you don’t want to miss. Book early, to make sure you get a ticket while they’re available.
Keith Potger’s musical career started well before The Seekers first stormed the UK charts in 1965. He is a self-taught musician, playing the banjo, 6 and 12 string guitars and keyboards. While still at school he performed in vocal groups which evolved into The Seekers in 1962. Later that year Judith Durham joined the group and they focussed on the folk and gospel music boom, accompanying themselves on guitars, banjo and double bass. Keith’s ability to arrange harmonies for the group members was evident from these early days.
He contributed the distinctive 12 string guitar riffs to The Seekers’ chart topping recordings, augmenting the wonderful lead voice of Judith Durham and the boys’ ear-catching harmonies and instrumental talents. When The Seekers disbanded in 1968, Keith’s musical activities turned to songwriting and record production in major recording studios in the UK, forming New Seekers before returning to Australia where he continues to thrive.
Keith has let us know that at this unique Troubadour event, he will pay great respect to the hit songs of The Seekers, including some of their biggest, such as I’LL NEVER FIND ANOTHER YOU, A WORLD OF OUR OWN, MORNINGTOWN RIDE and GEORGY GIRL.
He’ll also share some of his stories about life on the road with one of Australia’s best known acts always give the audience humourous behind-the-scenes insights. Some country songs and some original songs from his three solo CDs round off his upbeat performance.’
Put the date in your diary now and make sure you book early.
Sun 5 March Alistair Brown (Scotland/Canada)
House Concert, 2 pm
Alistair Brown has been singing the old songs and new songs written by people who like the old songs, since he was fifteen years old.
He began his career in the folk clubs of his native Scotland during the folk revival of the 60s and honed his art in Canada, where he lived for many years and was active in many aspects of folk song & dance, as a recording artist, radio broadcaster, reviewer, dance teacher, university lecturer, & program director at folk music & dance camps. He continues to make regular appearances in North American folk clubs & festivals, performing solo, or with his group, the Friends of Fiddler’s Green.
““The atmosphere was electric as the audience hung on his every word. This man is a born raconteur and in the intimacy of our house concert the effect of his song/story performance was doubly felt.” (From a recent review)
Sat 18 March Martyn Whyndam-Read (UK)
House Concert, 6.00 pm
Beloved and renowned British collector of Australian folk music, this is his farewell tour of Australia.
Although an Englishman, folksinger Martyn Wyndham-Read has been one of the greatest ambassadors of Australian folk song, having spent over 30 years playing music absorbed from the musical tradition of drovers, bush workers, and cane cutters. Having spent time employed as a bush worker himself, Wyndham-Read first fell in love with the traditional Aussie folk songs while employed on a South Australian sheep farm in the early ’60s while only 18 years old. Soon he found himself at the center of a Australian folk music revival, recording his own debut with Nic Jones and a cast of friends and playing the country from end to end before returning home to England, where he found a similarly receptive audience. With over 30 albums to his credit, Wyndham-Read remains an active touring. With a bgreat repertoire of songs from the British Isles and Australia, he has an enviable reputation as a tremendously warm and hypnotic performer.
Sun 26 March
ENDA KENNY (Australia, Ireland)
Saturday 25 February , Everglades, 7 pm
Much loved singer songwriter Enda Kenny returns to the Troubadour after his bookings for 2020 and 2021 had to be cancelled due to Covid Lockdowns. He’s got a new album of beautiful songs, and he just won the BEST PERFORMER of the Festival at the Newstead Folk Festival. He’s in great form. Come and enjoy the craik!
An Irish-Born songwriter, Enda made his home in Australia in the late 1980’s. His thoughtful, descriptive stories of his adoptive homeland have struck a chord with festival audiences all over Australia and are always memorable and spiced with plenty of humour. He has been hailed as the audience favourite at the National and a host of other folk festivals in Australia and internationally for years.
Now residing near Mount Beauty in the Victorian Alps, Enda is touring to New Zealand and UK & Germany in 2023 as well as an extensive Aussie festival calendar. This is sure to be one of the great concerts of the year. Don’t miss out.
“The finest Irish songwriter living overseas” Colum Sands
“… always holds the crowd in the palm of his hand. Witty and intelligent songwriting and a brilliant night’s entertainment” Eleanor McEvoy
Start the year well with a fabulous House Concert in Woy Woy with Steve Turner, celebrated English folk singer and multi-instrumentalist.
One of the most accomplished and complete performers of traditional and contemporary British folk music on the world circuit. His recent album was voted the very best of the 1000 CDs received by the USA’s national folk programme Midnight Special broadcast from Chicago. He has performed in the UK, Europe and across globe for over 30 years – his mastery of multiple instruments, his rich voice and his amazing repertoire ensuring he is loved by audiences and sought after by fellow musicians.
