It's spring in Australia, and we welcome the new season. There has been some cool stuff going on behind the scenes this year ... might even see the light of day soon!

I decided earlier in the year that the 'difficult third electric blues' album has suffered from too much over thinking and deliberation, something that in my opinion is contrary to making good music.

So I locked myself away, and set about making a new electric album in my own way ... for better or for worse.

The result is now all on tape, and is about to enter the mixing stage. I have been working under the title 'Electric Mojo' ... but that may not stick

'The new material is decidedly electric and brings back elements of my crazy 'Jimi the human' lead playing along with some cool blues sensitivity. This time around I have Eric Chess lending his drums, and the family playing along with Kevin Hocking on piano and Keely Hocking on backing vocals. I'll keep you posted so stay tuned.

You may have also heard me mention that some of my songs had been incorporated into a new movie. Written and directed by family friend and fellow "show biz kid" (a name I gave to all us kids who spent their youth hanging around backstage waiting for our parents to finish work) Kate Gorman.

The film has already won numerous awards … "FIVE MOMENTS OF INFIDELITY considers moral judgment in a new light." Barbican (UK) • World premiere release • Official Selection - London Australian Film Festival • WINNER Critics Choice - 2006 Salentio Int'l Film Festival, Italy • WINNER Best Australian Film - 2006 Idaho Int'l Film Festival • WINNDER - 2005 Digispaa.

You will hear new versions of songs from the 'Based on Actual Events' album, along with new originals I penned for the film ... and sung by the talented Marisa Quigley (Chubby Rae & the Elevators).

It was a great thrill to be named the 2008 Male Blues Artist at this years VicTas awards, and equally thrilling and surprising to be named 2008 Producer of the Year for my last release 'Blue Mandolin'.

Thank you to all those who supported the album, and to Black Market Music and the MBAS for recognising me!

As promised a Mandolin page is in the works for the website with some info about the instruments I've been using and some audio examples ... stay tuned!

I currently have two mailing lists - the one you can join here and an 'old' one that's the result of years of email. It's the 2nd one I use most - I've been a bit slack with the web-based list but I'll try to improve on that in coming months! You can subscribe & unsubscribe from my web mail list by clicking the button below, and if you're on my 'old' list and want off, just send an email to be removed.

Blue Mandolin is my first foray into the world of blues mandolin and it's proving to be one of most popular albums yet.

Check out the DISCOGRAPHY page for info on my CD releases. CD’s continue to be available on the web through Somersault Music. My blues albums are available in stores via the folks at Black Market Music … and at gigs, of course!