We Got Loved!
Well it’s been an amazing couple of months for me touring with The Tim Hulsman Trio…and a few solo shows as well. I started off with a run of three solo shows down in Tasmania in the first week of May and had my first gig of the tour, and an extra at that, come about by coincidence on the Spirit of Tasmania Ferry. The live entertainment for the trip over the Bass Strait was the Tassie artist Neil Gibson, who was also supporting me in Devonport the next night, so we got to talking and then we got to jammin’ and the next thing we had played for the whole night to an appreciative crowd on the ferry…who had not expected that kind of show on the boat. 
The Following night in Devonport was probably my favourite of the Tas shows, with the hosts at Red Hot Music (Andrew & Ely) really pulling out all the stops to make me feel at home and make the occasion something special.
Check out the stage they put together, just for me (below).
A lovely crowd turned out for the evening and were so quiet and attentive that it made the whole atmosphere really special, a theatre-like experience. Neil played a beautiful opening set.
Check out the merchandise table that Ely whipped for me…just incredible!
I was really very fortunate to stay with a true gentleman and patron of the arts David Joyce in Hobart (#musostayfree) who also does rehabilitation of wounded bird life. I was very lucky to meet, feed and hold some Tawny Frog Mouth Owls. 
After Hobart’s gig I headed to Cradle Mountain and picked up my little family (Nina & Arlo) from the airport on the way.
I was so proud to show Arlo this stone fireplace at Cradle Mountain Lodge that I had helped my father build when I was about 15. My hand prints are in the cement cap at the top of the 13 metre high chimney. The whole thing has over 80 tonnes of rock in it! 
Cradle Mountain has an annual average of about 5 perfectly clear days…
We got two of them. So lucky.
After a very rejuvenating 3 days in Cradle Mountain we headed home via the ferry again and soon it was time to hit the road once more, but this time with the band.
We had shows in Canberra, Newcastle, Sydney, Ballarat, Belgrave, Geelong and Melbourne (St Kilda) and it was heart warming to see so many new faces at all of the shows.
Below are a series of shots from the Stag & Hunter Hotel in Newcastle, taken by Swamp House Photography‘s Craig Wilson. Cheers Craig!
The live shows have developed into something that we are all really proud of, and the songs from the Get Loved! album are certainly bringing a new, more up-tempo, vibe to the sets.
Being on the road with the two lovely gentlemen Craig Kelly and Winston Galea, was an absolute hoot. Many laughs and lively good conversation made the hours pass quickly and pleasantly.
We were blessed to be able to make two radio appearances in Sydney on the one manic day. The first one was at 8:40am on 2SER, which is usually not a problem…except we were 2 hours away in Newcastle. We rose at 5:30am, packed the van and drove like demons to arrive just in time to go on air. 
Later that day we went to 2RRR and did a full hour pre-recorded radio show with Chris and finally fell into bed for a little kip before the live show Leadbelly that night…I managed to sleep exactly zero minutes and zero seconds…aaaarrrrgggghhhh!
Despite being exhausted we managed to put on one of the best shows so far at Leadbelly. Big Mama & the Hanged Men played with us again…(they had their own story of exhaustion after gigging with us in Newcastle the previous night, driving back to Sydney the same night, doing a gig the Sunday afternoon and then again with us at Leadbelly Sunday night!!! LEGENDS!) 
This is Big Mama & The Hanged Men with extra singers Lesley and Shannon all wearing their GET LOVED! T-shirts in true rock’n’roll fashion…ripped and torn and looking sexy!
When we got back to Victoria again I had the pleasure of appearing on ABC Ballarat with host Gavin McGrath and young singer-songwriter Anna OW, who supported us at Sutton’s House of Music. Anna is a wonderful artist and I’ve had the pleasure of teaching her a bit of slide guitar so I was really proud when she pulled out the slide and fearlessly played a song live to air on the ABC and again at the live show. She’s one to watch.
Will Cook from UP Creative came down to the Geelong show at KUBU Studio and took these lovely shots. That was the night we had the amazing Adam Giles play drums with us for the first time. He will be covering any gigs that Winston Galea can’t do. With original drummer Karl Bentley still on call for the occasional show I feel blessed to have 3 drummers!
The Geelong show was mighty!…and I must apologise for not having more photos of that one to put up yet. Hiddenite were absolutely sensational and started the night off in the best way possible. The Sequels followed with their infectious rock riot and had everybody in the house jumping and nicely warmed up by the time we took the stage.
We played an absolutely stellar set that night and were not allowed to leave the stage until we had played two encores and left our souls on the stage. Just the way I like it.
Adam played like a demon (and I truly tested him that night with a drum solo in the first song and two songs he’d never even heard before in the encore…he nailed ’em!)
Dogs Bar in St Kilda went OFF! (June 18) and we will be back there very soon to repeat the occasion. (Jul 9) That place rocks! and the crowd are so into the music and dancing and having a great time…it’s really contagious, and we all had the best night. Can’t wait to get back from Bali and play there again.
Also on the horizon is a weekend of beautiful solo shows in Bendigo.
This one is the one I’m looking forward to the most…
Don’t miss it if you’re in the area…I promise this will be a sensational night. Cameron and Josh are both incredible musicians and songwriters and I’m honoured to be sharing the space with them.
So all in all…the last couple of months have been amazing.
There is sadness in my heart too though because in the midst of it all I lost a close friend to cancer (RIP Andrew Melican) and drove right past the front door of my parents house…twice…and still didn’t feel it would be in the least bit wise, to go and knock on it.
But that’s life hey?
I’ll see you somewhere, someday soon, you crazy diamonds!
Peace…out.
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