Strzelecki Stringbusters

The Whitetop Mountaineers came to visit in January for their 3^rd show in as many years, and we were fortunate enough to have them in the area for three days. 

The day of their show coincided with Australia Day. It kicked off for the Stringbusters on Wednesday morning playing Australia Day celebrations at a breakfast function in Yinnar followed by more festivities in Warragul at lunchtime. This time Martha and Jackson came along and added a little piece of Americana to Australia Day. 

The Yinnar Hotel was full by the time we all arrived there in the early evening. As usual Martha and Jackson were greeted warmly and as usual had the crowd in the palm of their hand from the first tune, Golden Slippers.

Going through all of their favorites, the Yinnar crowd was held captive for nearly an hour by their amazing talent. Of course the Stringbusters soon snapped everyone out it and brought them back to earth with The Mountaineers joining in to give the Busters a big new higher kind of sound. When Martha finished with “Will the Circle be unbroken” the roof nearly came off the place. 

Thursday morning saw The Mountaineers bundled in the car and it was off to the ABC studios in Sale, things were a little tight as we had to fit in the 4ft x 4ft board that Martha dances on but we managed, we were warmly welcomed in Sale with Martha and Jackson’s fan base well and truly evident. Follow the link for footage – http://www.abc.net.au/local/videos/2011/01/25/3121610.htm 

Thursday night had the Mountaineers booked in at the Briagalong Hotel, with a few of the Stringbusters coming down for a look. We arrived early and soon settled in, it was a very relaxed setting in the beer garden at the back of the pub with a smaller audience and a personal kind of feel, once again the raw talent that comes from these two is a joy to watch and listen to and the crowd was left wanting more. 

Friday came around all to fast and it was time for Martha and Jackson to move on, we caught up at Garry and Liz Robert’s place in the morning and said our “see ya later’s”. I know we will see these guys again and hopefully it will be sooner rather than later. Special “Thanks” to the Roberts family for taking such good care of Martha and Jackson during their stay and to John and Sophia Werner for pioneering our connection to these wonderful people and their music during a visit to the US in 2008. 

After a fantastic year with some very talented acts to grace our presence such as  Gerry  Hale with Uncle Bill and David Long with his awesome band we really have been lucky.

Well the luck seems to have continued into 2011, after we wrap up the year with Coolgrass on November 24th 2010, we will take a break in December to work on our tans.

That’s the bad news, well for our neighbours anyway.

Good news for 2011, it will start on Australia Day, Jan 26th at our regular last Wednesday of the month gig at the Yinnar Hotel. Our almost regular and most talented friends The Whitetop Mountaineers will make their third return to Yinnar and with any luck will be running a couple of workshops on the Tuesday night before.

Wednesday Feb 23rd will see Andy Baylor with his Cajun Combo, which is sure to be great night with some excellent music.

March is yet to be confirmed but we’ve got something real good cooking on the stove, stay tuned.

April, well April is gonna be a doosie.

We have the honour of hosting Mr Mike Compton himself, yep I’m not joking, Mike Compton will be playing at the Yinnar Hotel with The Strzelecki Stringbusters on Weds April 27th.

All shows kick off around 8pm and cost $10 to get in.

Yinnar Pub do a great meal so if you want a feed before the show give them a call on 0351 631263

For those that are going we will catch you all at Harrietville this weekend, we will be playing in the main tent at 7pm on Friday night and at the pub at 8pm on Saturday night, and of course around the camp very late at night.

Hope to see you there.

Bluegrass and Old Time Country Music Convention 20th, 21st, 22nd August 2010.

Other acts confirmed for this year’s Kelly Country Pick (Beechworth) include: Coolgrass, Flying Engine String Band, The Stetson Family, Orange Blossom, Fat Chance and the Bluegrass Playboys, High and Lonesome, The Le Blanc Brothers Cajun Band, String Theory, Hotwired, The Lonesome Low, Charlie Horse, Chilli Strings, Mel and Bec, Appalachian Heaven and Andrew Clermont.