It’ll be time to gear up for official duties soon, but before that –

Clare (O’Meara) from the Bushwackers has heard about the grand opening of the Violin Shop with a pop-up gig featuring her current favourite – bluegrass fiddle master Aubrey Haynie.  When we arrive, we find complimentary drinks and BBQ and a band featuring a few of Aubrey’s mates, including Sam Bush and Brian Sutton!

Marvellous music!

There was a raffle to celebrate the opening.  Our Nashville ‘host’ (and honorary Aussie) To Mason, bought two tickets and won the fiddle!  He was understandably delighted, especially as he’d been renting one for a year.

So, have collected the Rosemount wine, got the Blundstones and banners – and all ready to go for tonight’s first ‘official’ Sounds Australia gig – ‘Tamworth Presents Australiana @ Americana’ at the Bluebird Cafe.

But before that –

Made the trip down to historic Franklin (30 mins out of town) to catch up with the AMA folks and check that all delegate passes, Awards tickets and wristbands for our 25-strong party were accurate.  All good.

Then last night, a gig at The Rutledge (where we’ll do our Bushwackers showcase on Saturday night).  Like old home week!  Got to catch up with Carol Young and Kym Warner (The Greencards), Gina Mendello (Tommy Emmanuel’s manager), Michaela Dewar (one of the first graduates from the College of Country Music) and guitar hot-shot Jedd Hughes (currently playing with roots legend Rodney Crowell).

We were all there to see our old mate Sam Hawksley who’s playing in a band with ex-pat (and now local) Rick Price – still singing like an angel.  Clare O’Meara who’s played with them in Oz, joined the band for their set, as did Jedd.  Great music!

Back to a groovy East Nashville pub for a decent chat and find out what everyone’s up to.

Nashville is ‘booming’ at the moment with construction/renovations much in evidence everywhere.  Good to hear some decent whinging about traffic and tourists – “not like it used to be ….” etc.

Tomorrow’s registration day, first conference session – AND the world’s best Awards show.

But first the Bluebird …. more soon.

But before it all gets crazy, I need to officially thank Sounds Australia’s official partners/sponsors.  Without the ongoing generous support from the Australia Council for the Arts, Arts Victoria, APRA, PPCA, Arts NSW, Arts SA, the Queensland Government and Triple J Unearthed, Sounds Australia would not be in a position to promote Australia’s talent and the businesses that represent them worldwide.  For the Americana Festival, special thanks to Tamworth Regional Council, Maton Guitars, Telstra Road To Discovery, Rosemount Wines, Blundstone and David Morgan & Co.

Cheers.