Acoustic Union

Is a collaboration of four likeminded musicians from the Downs Region who have a passion for good handmade music, melodic tunes with a ‘down on the farm’ feel. Largely influenced by the likes of Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash and Steve Earl, blended with a mix of Old Time Blues, Country and Bluegrass melodies. A journey back to music’s Golden Age. Come along for the Ride.

Mark Ruff Cut Anderson.

(From Dirt Music and the Jook Joint Boys)
Banjo, Mandolin, Blues Harp and Vocals.

Is a raggedy band of local string players plus other musos from all over. They came together at last year’s festival and were a resounding success. Anyone is welcome to join and written parts are made available for all new instruments. To be part of this orchestra, barefeet are mandatory while evening wear is optional!!!

Are Graham Belle and friends. On guitars and double bass they play swing music of the 20s and gypsy jazz in the Django Reinhardt style.

A country rock band from the Southern Downs playing classics from the 60s, 70s & 80s.

Well- known locally for their original compositions and delightful stage presence, this duo features Bernadine’s lilting voice and Matthew’s gentle guitar/mandolin accompaniment

Are Helen Rowe, Maree Robertson, Alex Robinson and Ann Bermingham. They are presenting “Songs of Peter Paul & Mary”on Saturday at the Barn. Come & join in.

John Colville and Primrose Henderson

Well known folk musician John Colville, a leading exponent of the button accordion, and classically trained flute player Primrose Henderson, have joined forces to form an exciting new musical collaboration. John a native of Dundee and Primrose originally from Glasgow are experienced performers of long standing, with an excellent knowledge of and feel for music. This Toowoomba based duo will be presenting a special tribute to Stan Coster entitled "Travelling His Own Track". John's website is http://www.johncolville.com/.

Are members of the Warwick & District Country Music Club. They perform old time country with button accordion, guitar and vocals.

Mark Davidson

Brisbane singer/songwriter accompanied by Paul Cannon & Christine Douglas. Mark is known for songs such as Albany, Waverley Station and Dancin’ down the Isle of Skye. He will perform a selection of his recorded works together with new songs, some co-written with other SE QLD artists such as Julie McGonigal and Chris Euston.

DrumDance Tribal Bellydance

DrumDance is a Tribal Bellydance & Music performance troupe from Toowoomba, Queensland. Founding members Madonna & Peter have been performing together since 1993 & formed DrumDance in 1998.

DrumDance is a versatile troupe of bellydancers & musicians who combine original compositions inspired by the rhythms and melodies of the Middle East and Africa with original Tribal style dance and exotic costuming to create a unique and memorable performance

Is a trio featuring the Celtic Harp and lovely voice of Anna Lee. She is supported by Terry Mosler and Ian Lee on guitar, mandolin, bass and low whistle with a repertoire ranging from Irish Folk to Jazz Swing with some New Age influences as well.

Iis a music teacher from Warwick. He is facilitating the acapella singing workshops.

Wendy Holman

Is a multi-talented musician and music educator across several styles and instruments. Under the name Fingerstyle she has produced 12 best-selling how to play guitar and banjo dvds. Wendy will be in the hall from 11.00am Sunday to present "Banjos: Duelling and Otherwise".

All welcome - banjo players, bring your instruments. Wendy's website is http://fingerstyle.com.au

Terry and Rose Jacob (Session Addicts)

Will be running a tune session during the festival. The tunes will be played at a moderate pace and focus on Irish, English, Scottish and Australian tunes that are typically enjoyed at local sessions. Don't forget to bring along you instrument !

A singing group from the village of Crows Nest on the Great Dividing Range in South East Queensland. We sing because we love it and we get together to do this because the company and feeling is wonderful.

We sing a variety of genres and a number of original compositions from members of the group.

Performing is not our main interest as we concentrate on the development of our sound and the progress of our individual singers. As we prefer an acoustic sound we are particular about the venues we perform in and audiences we perform for. We sing for listeners.

Please contact Randall Machejefski on 0418727007 or 07 46982641,

Are a duo from Toowoomba who perform on keyboard, harp and saxophone. With Anna’s lovely vocals they play mainly traditional folk material.

Is a singer-songwriter in the alternative country/folk-rock genre.
Born in Surfers Paradise, Alan’s father promptly moved the family to Western Queensland. He has since lived all over Australia.

In the mid 70's Alan was a member of the seminal Brisbane folk-rock band Wish, before moving to Melbourne with the band and subsequently joining country-rock funsters The Lamington Brothers. In 1983 he released an album of his own songs called 1 A.M on Wellshot Records and in 1989 Alan and Ewan MacKenzie (known as Mac to Mac) released a single with a cricket song Border's Boys, backed with a tribute to Slim Dusty called Slim's Old Saddle Boy.

In December 2005, Alan released his new CD Like Jacaranda. Recorded at Marc Lea's
Regency Sound the CD features 12 of Alan's own compositions featuring a smorgasbord of great songs and sounds. The CD has attracted good press reviews, very positive feedback from lucky purchasers and attracted overseas interest and sales. Alan is currently doing pre-production for a new CD to be recorded this year.

Since February 2006 Alan has been running a highly successful monthly music club in Toowoomba called “Strummers” which presents some of the best of Queensland’s original acoustic music acts. He has also done regional tours with Anne Kirkpatrick, Peter Denahy, Mad Violet, Brent Parlane and Jodi Martin.

At Nobby Alan will be organising and playing on the Sunday program for The Gunyah Showcase which is shaping up really well. So come along, have some fun and be part of some great music !!!

Autoharp Maker and Player extraordinaire! --- features Australian songs from his new CD "Tribute to Harry Robertson 1923-1995"

Ned Kelly workshop 'Words by and about Ned Kelly'

This workshop was first presented by Pat Menz and Kev Rowley at the Glen Innes Bush Music Festival in the early 1990's - Pat and Kev will present a revised workshop for Nobby with musicial assistance from Mike of 'Kellys Armour' (folk duo).

are a family band based in Brisbane.  They play a mixture of bluegrass, Australian and gospel music.  With their strong harmonies, the family won several sections (Open Group Vocal, Open Duet, and Wendy won the Female Gospel Solo) at the recent 2009 Jondaryan Country Music Rush festival.

Are a duo who play bush ballads and older style country music.

Quartermoon

Are Alison MacKenzie (mandolin), Gillian Smith (fiddle), John Hockings (banjo, guitar) and Michael Bourne (guitar). Quartermoon play an eclectic mix of Old Timey and New Timey songs.

Dale Riddle and Joy Duncan

Have plied their stringcraft in a variety of folk groups and bush bands over the years. With brackets designed to entertain and intrigue they best fall into the category of “...And Now For Something Completely Different”.

Mark Schuster

Is locally known as "The Squeezebox King of the Downs". He gives a resting place to 76 button accordions, has one of the largest regional folklore collections in Australia, housed in the National Library of Australia and isan authority on German folklore and cultural traditions of the German-queensland farming community. He's appeared on Australian Story and is a character with his collection of old-time tunes, squeezeboxes and his unique german-Queensland humour and poetry.'

Have been writing ripping songs, singing and playing together for 19 years. they're well-known around the folk/acoustic music venues of northern new south wales and brisbane. 2 CDs. Weddings, funerals, anything

Words about us - oh dear! let me think! We began doing Paul's original material and have expanded into more folk and country music. When we moved to Brisbane in the early '90's Paul began playing Irish tunes at the sessions and this is now also a big part of what we do. Paul plays guitar, banjo and mandolin as well as singing ang I play guitar(!!) and sing. After 14 years we still enjoy playing music and life together!!

Are jazz, pop/ folk duo Peter Dobe and Julie Witney. Peter’s musical background includes many years on the road working in theatres, clubs and in dance bands. He is an outstanding musician in jazz and classical styles of music.
Julie’s background is in folk and contemporary music having played in a number of bands and as a solo performer.

Chad and Michelle Swaby

(From Up in Folk) Guitar, Fiddle, Blues Harp and Vocals.

From Toowoomba, was formed from the remains of SongForge (with extras) in an unabashed attempt to get some paid gigs. We play acoustic, folky ,country and eastern with a Mariachi Celtic neo-hiphop covers band overlay. Influences include Victor Sylvester, John Fogerty, Argentine All Star Tango Band and Billy Bragg. Bede Wilson - our youngest member (not hard to pick) violinist of renown and dabbler in the dark art of saxophone which he has threatened to abandon if the (unrecorded)album goes platinum. Bede is responding to a premature mid life crisis by escaping from more formal music to play
this stuff. Peter Achilles - accordion,harmonica- is also a saw player and creator/player of improvised and occasionally bizarre musical instruments. Vince Conrick - guitar, mandolin etc - is a well known player around Toowoomba including with Jack Orion, Brolga and SongForge. Terry Mosler - Trained at Thargominda Crematorium of Music for 17 years but appeared to learn very little so joined a folk band.

Is a solo performer of traditional songs particularly from the UK. He has a lovely smooth voice and has recently released a CD.

Is a jazz keyboard player of many years experience. He comes to us from the coast near Bargara where he performs regularly with his jazz band.

Is a dynamic young guitarist back from Brazil, with exciting latin rhythms and Portuguese vocals.