ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

I'm feeling very much the proud father these days. My son, Thomas, had his first folk festival gig last week at Newstead with his band, 'The Paper Street Soap Company'.

You can view them here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cILjD5_w ... ata_player

Thomas is standing far right, with beard and guitar.

They looked a bit beat by the heat I must admit that I prefer that to the cowboy style country music.

The poor 'mando' player is missing his strap - a good mix of instruments for a band Stephen ... Hope they do well ...

Good to see the young ones doing well Stephen - good clip, easy to listen to - noice

Thanks, all.

G'day Stephen,

When my son, in his teens, was in a band, a friend asked me was I worried about him (being in a band) I answered.., "Not at all. This way I know, for sure, exactly where he is and what he is doing at least three or four nights a week. Two nights he was at band practice and one or two nights he was playing a gig."

Last week My son came to visit. I asked him if he still had the Bass Guitar I bought for his 21st. He said "Oh course, Would you like to mind it for me?" I answered in the affermative. This guitar has history! It once belonged to the Bass player of the 'Rev Black and The Rockin Vicars'. They were big in the late 60's early 70's. The lead singer David Rossell (Rev Black) passed away on 4th January. I met with all other band members at the funeral. My son is now 35.

I know this may be slightly off topic, but I sensed a little pride in Stephens post. I'm with you Stephen, music is great and playing an instrument can keep young hands and minds out of mischief. I may see the band somewhere on the festival circuit. If so I'll step up and say hello.

Yes, please do, and yes, I do feel proud, Zondrae.

A friend commented over the weekend what a lovely bunch of young people they were, and I believe that is true.

Somebody else asked me if I was worried about my son being in the band milieu, and I answered that I wasn't. Perhaps that's not quite true. I suppose I do worry a little, but I think he has a pretty sound head on his shoulders, and can probably navigate his way fairly well through all the nonsense, of which I'm sure there is a great deal.

One of the things I like about this band is the way they treat each other. They are very democratic. There seem to be no 'stars' - they share their instruments around, they all take their turns at singing or being in the spotlight, and they seem pretty level headed at the end of the day. Most of them have been performing now for several years, in this or other bands, so even though they are young, they are quite seasoned. Also, they don't shove their music down your throat. They are relaxed and self-assured, and wait for the audience to come to them, not the other way around.

All of this might sound a bit 'over the top', but I'm just reflecting on it all. I don't think any of them see themselves as having a career in music - or at least not with this band - but they get a lot of enjoyment out of it nonetheless.

You're right, Zondrae. It takes a lot of time and commitment to put a show together like this. What you see on the stage is just the tip of the ice-berg and, yes, there are many far less productive things they could be doing with their time! Besides, it's fun to hang out at a festival with them all.

Another thought. (God I'm going on!) Thomas started performing at Poets' Breakfasts in 2003, and has attended festivals every year since then. He now has quite a social circle within the festival scene. Taking his band to a festival is really just a natural extension of all of this. (He no longer performs at Breakfasts, though!)

Hey Stephen they should put in an application for this years Village Festival in Yeppoon they are always on the lookout for new bands,


Bob

Thanks, Bob. I'll pass it on.

I can send you the site if they are interested ?

Bob