All-star country-collaborators The Wilson Pickers hit the road this April taking their infectious blend of harmony-laden, rootsy bluegrass to Cronulla, Sydney, Belgrave, Melbourne, Adelaide, Currumbin, and Brisbane.
Last year The Wilson Pickers released their critically praised debut album Land of the Powerful Owl, and gathered a new generation of boot-scootin’ bluegrass devotees in their wake as they toured alongside the likes of The Black Keys, The Panics and The Audreys, and became festival favourites at the Queenscliff, Woodford and Port Fairy folk festivals.
The Wilson Pickers’ five-bloke, all-string, all-star line up includes the bluegrass essentials: banjo, fiddle, mandolin, harmonica and guitar, and features five of Australia’s finest rising songwriting and musical talents. From Melbourne singer-songwriter Sime Nugent, and multi instrumentalist John Bedggood; and from Brisbane Ben Salter of The Gin Club, songwriter-composer Danny Widdicombe, and last but not least, singer-songwriter Andrew Morris. Together, as the The Wilson Pickers, they give an Aussie twist to a tried and tested bluegrass tradition and combine it with genuine soul and mesmerizing musicianship.
On stage The Wilson Pickers come to life tributing the styles of Gillian Welch, Willy Nelson, The Band, and Steve Earle, with a matchless energy and obvious love for the music they are making.
“One couldn’t help feeling the urge to take your partner by the hand and do some kind of a thigh-slappin’, hip-swingin’ country-inspired boot-scooting dance. Yessir, those tales of love lost and dusty country roads could be mighty intoxicating.” Susan Munro, Fasterlouder.
“Land Of The Powerful Owl is a superb debut, full of the rich soul that each of these musicians bring to every performance. It’s a great Sunday afternoon album for sitting out on the deck and knocking back a few beers with friends. It’s the kind of album you’d only expect to work from an artist from the depths of Nashville, and it’s great to see the Australian alt-country bluegrass flag being flown so freely,” Gumboy, Fasterlouder.
“likeable ‘boozegrass’ combo The Wilson Pickers treated us to the sort of impeccable vocal harmonies and and authentic camaraderie that most bands would kill for. After witnessing their mind-blowing performance on Friday night [at Port Fairy Folk Festival] I returned to see them on three further occasions during the weekend and they were consistently impressive” Beat (of Port Fairy show)
This April and May, the planets align and The Wilson Pickers come together once more to bring you a night of music that will dazzle and delight.
http://www.myspace.com/thewilsonpickers
Wednesday April 22 – The Brass Monkey, Sydney NSW
Doors: 7pm
Tickets: $15
Special guest: James Beehag
Thursday April 23, Sydney NSW
Doors: 8pm
Tickets: At the door
Special guests: Perry Keyes and Jason Lowe
Friday April 24 Ruby’s Lounge, Belgrave VIC
Doors: 8.00pm
Tickets: $15+bf or $18 at the door
Special guests: Fireside Bellows (Jordie Lane & Tracy McNeil) and Jason Lowe
Saturday April 25, Northcote VIC
Doors: 8:30pm
Tickets: $12+bf ($15 at the door if still available)
Special guests: Fireside Bellows (Jordie Lane & Tracy McNeil) and Jason Lowe
Sunday April 26 The Wheatsheaf Hotel, Adelaide SA
Doors: 8pm
Tickets: check website
Special guests: The Yearlings and Jason Lowe
Friday May 1, Currumbin QLD
More info: check website
Special guests: The Perch Creek Family Jug Band and Jason Lowe
Saturday May 2t, Fortitude Valley QLD
Doors: 8.00pm
Tickets: $15 + bf or $18 at the door
Special guests: The Perch Creek Family Jug Band and Jason Lowe
