Three time Golden Guitar winners, The Davidson Brothers, and the legendary Hamilton County Bluegrass Band from New Zealand will be headlining the 18th annual Redlands Bluegrass Festival this year. The three-day festival is scheduled for 13th to 15th July at Redland Bay, just outsode Brisbane city in Queensland.
Country music fans may remember the original Hamilton County Bluegrass Band (HCBB) who toured Australia with Slim Dusty in the early 70’s. The band recorded the Live at Wagga Wagga album with Slim. According to Joy McKean, it was the HCBB who coaxed Slim Dusty into the studio to record the classic Lights On The Hill. The band provided the twin fiddle backing and a new rhythmic style for Slim. In 1971, HCBB travelled to the U.S., where the Father of Bluegrass, Bill Monroe, invited them to play on the Grand Old Opry. The band is still performing top quality bluegrass and features two of the original members, Paul Trenwith (banjo) and lead singer, Alan Rhodes. Paul’s son, Tim, is playing bass.
A special Earl Scruggs Tribute Concert will be hosted this year. Bluegrass bands from across Australia will be appearing at the festival, including Bluegrass Parkway (WA), Mustered Courage (VIC), Kristy Cox (VIC), Fat Chance (VIC), The O’Donnells (QLD), Buddies in Bluegrass (QLD) and the Redlands Bluegrass Boys (QLD).
This year features a new concert program that will run the entire festival, commencing Friday night, all day Saturday and Sunday. Concert goers will enjoy an ongoing stream of the best of bluegrass bands in Australia.
The festival is well-known for its friendly and welcoming atmosphere, catering for beginners through to professional musicians. The workshop series will cater for all skill levels and cover banjo, guitar, mandolin, double bass, harmony singing, band jamming and ukelele (new). Supporting this will be ongoing informal jam sessions.
Once again the festival venue is the ever popular Kindilan Outdoor Education Centre, on German Church Road in Redland Bay. Accommodation is available on site as well as meals.
For more information we recommend you visit www.redlandscountry.asn.au or phone Neil Wills on 07 3206 9226.
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