Triple Golden Guitar winners and 2021 Australasian Country Music Roll Of Renown Inductees, The Bushwackers, have released their latest single ‘This Little Town’.
Over these pandemic years there has been an exodus from the big cities into regional Australia, with many people enjoying the sense of community and simple living that life in a little town can bring. “This little town is jacarandas and walks in the afternoon……..” say the lyrics, emphasising the focus on the people, gardens and lifestyle at the core of ‘This Little Town’.
This song is written and performed by Roger Corbett, the principal songwriter for The Bushwackers since 1980 when he joined the band. He is joined by veteran Bushwacker, Dobe Newton, on tin whistle and backing vocals, and Clare O’Meara on accordion, with newcomers Liam Kennedy-Clark on guitars and backing vocals, Gabi Louise on fiddle and Michael Carpenter on drums.
The music video, created by young Newcastle director Jeremy Minett of Eyes & Ears Creative, shows the band in the little town of Lorn, near Maitland, where Roger drew his inspiration for the song. “The town is such a close knit community” says Roger, “the song just wrote itself, from all the great friendships, love and support we’ve had through our four years here. We all look out for one another and we’re happy to take the time to have a chat and take life a little slower.”
The Bushwackers have performed in the township a few times to sold out crowds. It makes a huge difference for a band who have had so many shows postponed and cancelled over the last two years.
Regional Australia is an amazing place to live and Roger feels very lucky to be part of the community there. “It’s just a little spot in the country, where the river runs wide and brown, but it’s starting to feel like home, this little town”.
Although The Bushwackers are a household name, some ‘youngsters’ may not know entirely what The Bushwackers are renowned for. Their energetic live shows have had thousands of fans dancing in the aisles with legendary performances at The Port Fairy Folk Festival, The National Folk Festival, Tamworth Country Music Festival, The Gympie Music Muster, Woodford Folk Festival, The Americana Conference (Nashville) The National Celtic Festival and countless other events.
Dobe Newton and Roger Corbett bring their combined experience of over 90 years of playing in The Bushwackers with all the songs, stories, humour and history that kind of a journey entails. The Bushwackers perform an exciting blend of Australian music featuring the lagerphone of frontman Dobe Newton, Roger Corbett on guitars, and the addition of fiddle, bass and drums rounding out the sound. Their music is all Australian, with all the stories, humour and sense of history that has helped to forge our national identity.