When The Judds sang Maybe Your baby’s Got The Blues they could have been talking about the bold, young talent taking to the stage at this year’s Great Southern Blues Festival in Narooma.
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The festival that gave the John Butler Trio its first East Coast festival gig has gained a formidable reputation for fostering young artists and in October the latest generation of musicians will shine.
Leading the charge is The Montgomery Brothers, a band of teenagers led by 21-year-old guitar virtuoso Ryo Montgomery.
Hailing from Cairns and playing in the style of the Emmanuel brothers and Chet Atkins, the band is starting to make inroads in the industry with two albums and a recent tour of the USA.
Joining them at the long weekend event will be blues trailblazers the Johnny Rieger Band who will perform as part of an Australian tour.
Playing their own mix of modern blues and rock ‘n’ roll that has been called the new generation of blues, the German trio will combine with Australian soul and blues artist John McNamara to produce a thumping set.
Adding texture to the festival is South Coast artist Genevieve Chadwick who has been gaining exposure on the back of her debut album Riding The Wind, Forgetting Time.
Likened to Janis Joplin and Melissa Etheridge, Chadwick produces poignant songs through a mix of blues and roots music with her songs defined by rich melodies.
Winner of the 2013 People’s Choice Award at the Telstra Road to Discovery Finals in Tamworth and one of only three Australian artists selected for the global Playing For Change music project, Chadwick has the ability to touch the soul of her audience whenever she performs.
Rounding out the new generation of blues artists is the Perch Creek Family Jug Band, five energetic multi-instrumentalists and vocalists, four of whom are siblings.
Described as a psychedelic jug band with fearless spirit and imagination, the band has learnt its trade on the global stage and is making its debut in Narooma.
These great young acts will join a popular array of national and international artists performing on two stages throughout the three-day festival.
The Great Southern Blues Festival is being held on October 3-5 at Smyth Oval, Narooma.
General advance tickets are on sale and attendees are encouraged to book early as the festival has strictly limited capacity. Two-thirds of tickets have already been sold.
Tickets can be purchased for the full weekend or as individual day passes. For full information, pricing and purchase, go to www.bluesfestival.tv or call (02) 4476 4848.
