Blog

We have a great affinity for Hamilton in Waikato, NZ...... In fact that is a sweeping understatement. Dale first visited there in 2011 as part of the Kylie Moss Band and has been back every year since developing friendships that have endured particularly in the musician community. To say that Hamilton feels like home to us is a testament to both Toowoomba and Hamilton - both fine cities with active and talented music scenes. Our comradeship is evidenced every time we visit and our friends at Hamilton Blues Society greet us warmly each year - that is a wonderful feeling for travelling musicians. It is also the home of our brothers in arms - Out of the Blues who are an immensely talented group of Nu-Blues musicians: Haggis, Maciek, Carlos and Andrew..... And wow are they good!! We can't wait to see you all again: Athol, Lindy, Derek, John, Dean, Marty, Hugo, Gleniss, Gai, Lyn, Jeff, Chris, John M.. See you soon

In short: It was an experience and a half from the moment we left! Steve Arvey and Rebecca Bird were magnificent hosts in Florida where we were guests of the Myakka River Blues Festival. Alligator burgers were consumed which became a theme on the TV interview Dale, Bob and Paul made when they got home (Don was in Asia at the time). The band did several gigs which included a number of highlights including the night Dale did the solo on the bar at Holmes Beach, Wayne Adams' birthday, several nights checking out the local bands, several guitar shops, beer tasting, tropical storms, getting lost (kinda)... Amongst it all was our friend Steve Arvey who has left an impression on all of us. Never a kinder, funnier, or more talented individual has been met by any of us. Paul Rayner came with us as staff photographer in chief and we saw just how adept he was at disco dancing up a storm. An incredible adventure of epic proportions and one we hope to repeat before day's end.... DR