By David Brightmore

Knowing that I would be in OZ (Brisbane) for my mother's 85th birthday in February, I checked the 'internet' (Bluegrass Australia) for any picking sessions that may be available while I was there. Two phone contacts and I found myself welcome to a Sunday afternoon pick with some members of the Sunshine Mountain Bluegrass Band, based in Brisbane. Band members Tony Lake (rhythm guitar) and his wife Marg (harmony vocals) were my hosts. John O'Donnell (banjo), his wife Wendy (vocals), Terry Contini (mandolin/fiddle/flatpicker) and Bob Cole (bass) make up the band.

They play traditional Monroe, Flatt & Scruggs and Stanley Brothers material and I would say are akin to our own Rainy City Boys and the Britannia Bluegrass Band. I was able to join in comfortably but singing was out of the question for me, thanks to a post Snowdonia Workshops virus or was it in-flight ?

Tony and John explained that they've always wanted to play more than they do but travel distance can be a real problem. In Australia up to two hours drive for a practice session can be daunting; nevertheless the Bluegrass scene thrives through relatively local festivals such as Redlands (in June) where some 500 pickers assemble, Imbil where bluegrass features in a general 'acoustic' weekend and at Woodford at Christmas where bluegrass is part of a folk weekend. There is also a small annual event north at Townsville, inaugurated by Tony himself. Tony told me that bluegrass regularly features in the context of 'country events'.

Tony Lake is a policeman by day (transport strategist for the city) but has found time since 1990 to present a weekly Bluegrass Radio show where both new and old releases are played.. I was fortunate to meet up with him, his family and friends.

Should any readers be travelling to Australia they will find, through the internet, that some Bluegrass will be available in each major city; simply type "Bluegrass Australia" into the search engine, choose your city / area and make contact with the names shown.

Having talked with these people, I realise once again, just how lucky I am to be in the north west of the UK, where within one hours travel it is possible to be playing every night of the week. Finally I'm travelling to Prague and Vienna at the end of March and I wonder what I will find there?

David Brightmore, (Snowdonia and Chester).

5th April 2001