Berrigan Bushdrovers
Berrigan Bushdrovers | |
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Berrigan Bushdrovers at Nangunia Homestead for the launch of their third album in 2004. | |
Background information | |
Also known as | The Bushdrovers |
Origin | Berrigan, New South Wales, Australia |
Genres | country, ballad |
Years active | 1994 | –2017
The Berrigan Bushdrovers are an Australian country and ballads band formed in the small Riverina town of Berrigan. They have performed across Australian and overseas, with a special place in the rural Australian landscape.
History[edit]
Formed in 1994, the band was comprised of men, women and children from the land and often billed as farmers playing for farmers in its early days. With the help of manager Helen Dickie OAM and her husband Malcolm, they released their first album, In The Long Paddock, in 1997, covering many well-known Australian ballads and an original track, "The Cooper Boys" penned by John Dickie. They continued to perform regionally at many community events.[1][2][3] Recording their albums at Bread & Butter Studios in Deniliquin, the band would rehearse and perform for the locals at the Federal Hotel.
The group toured the outback of Queensland in 1995, as well as traveling to the Tamworth Country Music Festival to compete in the 1997 and 1998 Foster's Battle of the Bush. A big highlight for the group came in 1998 when they performed at the 150th Royal Melbourne Show.[4]
In 1999 the band performed at the first Nymagee Outback Music Festival sharing the event stage with Chad Morgan and Kevin Bennett and the Flood. The Band also played at the Play on the Plains Deniliquin Ute Muster on the opening night of the festival.
The Bushdrovers released their second album, The Seat Of Knowledge, in 2000. The album, still covering Australian ballads, featured the band's second original song, of the same title. It features references to many iconic people and places in Berrigan.[3][5]
"Seat of Knowledge was written as a tribute to the folklore perpetuated on every seat where old blokes meet throughout Australia to tell their stories, decide what government should do and talk about the bush has changed."
In celebrating their 10th anniversary in 2004, the released their third, and currently final album, Still Drovin', marking the journey of the band from the small town of Berrigan to performing across Australia and overseas.[6] The album was launched on 27 March by former Deputy Prime Minister Tim Fischer at Berrigan's historic Nangunia Homestead, providing the perfect rural setting for the release.
Since 2004, the band has been on temporary hiatus, coming back to perform at events around the local region including agricultural shows and markets.[7] They most recently reunited in April 2017 at Finley St Joseph's Primary School's 'Family Bush Dance'.[8]
Members[edit]
The line-up of the band has constantly changed over the years as new people arrive in the area and others move away. Although not every member always performs, many have occasionally returned to the line-up years after their last performance.
- John Dickie - lead vocals, guitar, acoustic guitar
- Kathleen Harris - lead vocals, guitar, percussion
- Will Eldridge - banjo, electric guitar, bass guitar
- Catherine Healy - lead vocals, guitar
- Loretta Walker - violin, vocals
- Nicole Chisholm - vocals
- Dan Harris - drums, guitar, banjo
- Rohan Steel - tin whistle, flute, harmonica
- Alison Farrell - accordion
- Kathryn Morrow - dance caller, bush bass, washboard
- Matthew Morrow - lagerphone, spoons
- Claire Ridgway - fiddle
- Angela Cummins - accordion, fiddle, lead & backing vocals
- Kelvin Guest - electric guitar
- Aaron Dart - bass guitar
- Sam Wishart - acoustic guitar, bass guitar
- Richard Cordell - bass guitar, mandolin
- Kathryn Pyle - accordion
- Greg McDonald - lead & backing vocals, bass guitar, acoustic guitar
- Kate Howison - violin
- Gabrielle Donnelly - vocals
- Daryll Drayton - vocals
- Imogen Knight - fiddle
- Adrian Schweicker - vocals, guitar
- Mal Shepherd - mandolin
Discography[edit]
- The Long Paddock (1997)
- The Overlanders
- Diamantina Drover
- The Drover's Wife
- Kyebuck Shearer
- Henry's Men
- Back Of The Barn
- Poor Ned
- Leave Him In The Longyard
- Woolloomooloo Lair
- Shelter
- The Cooper Boys
- Wife Of A Cocky
- Lachlan Tigers
- Life In A Small Town
- Augathella Station
- I Am Australian
- The Seat of Knowledge (2000)
- Sergeant Small
- Lime Juice Tub
- Heroes
- Black Velvet Band
- Good Day
- Lazy Harry's
- Jam Jar
- Waltzing Matilda
- Dirty Old Town
- Family Man
- Clancy Of The Overflow
- Shores Of Botany Bay
- The Biggest Disappointment
- Dancing In The Rain
- Flash Jack
- The Band Played Waltzing Matilda
- Seat Of Knowledge (Bonus Track)
- Still Drovin' (2004)
- Aragon Mill
- Katherine
- Poor Ned
- South Australia
- Still Drovin' Tunes
- Fields Of Athenry
- Les Darcy
- Farewell Dan & Edward Kelly
- Botany Bay
- William McBride
- Lachlan Tigers
- Too Many Friends
References[edit]
- ↑ "Outback People: Music To Her Ears". June 2001. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
- ↑ "The Bushdrover's Songs". 2005. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Seat of knowledge inspired Berrigan bush band". 13 November 2000. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
- ↑ "Real Bush Music". 5 November 1999. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
- ↑ "The Old Barber's Chair". 6 July 2018. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
- ↑ "South West Music Regional Conservatorium: Our Music Teachers". 2015. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
- ↑ "Conargo Billabong Mothers Day Market". 2011. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
- ↑ "Southern Riverina News: From Finley". 5 April 2017. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
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