Just letting y'all know that I'll be down in Mildura again for their festival this year. 

For those of you who haven't been before, it's one well worth putting in the calendar.  Lots of different acts, but most importantly it is a festival for independent artists only, which is a fantastic initiative of the Mildura festival committee.

The festival runs from Friday September 26th to Sunday October 5th, and more details (including the full festival program) can be obtained from their website www.milduracountrymusic.com.au

Take care all, look forward to catching you at a show somewhere around the traps in the near future.

Craig

Hi all,

Just letting you know I've got a writeup in Caravan & Motorhome mag this month, which was fantastic of them - thanks everyone at C&M for asking me to do the story! (Issue 115 if you're interested in getting a copy from your newsagent)

I've also got the special offer happening of both albums delivered for $40.00, which represents a 20% saving.  Thanks everyone who has been coming to the shows & offering your support. 

I need to get writing for the new album, so hopefully we'll have album number three out for you in the near future for all of those who have been asking!

Thanks everyone here on Myspace for dropping by to check out the music - it is very much appreciated. 
Cheers,
Craig

Just letting you all know I'll be heading over to Tamworth in the morning, so will be out of touch with the net for a while unless I head over to a cafe while I'm over there.

If you're going to Tamworth, safe travels, and come & say g'day if you make it to any of my shows.  All my shows are now up on the Myspace, and you can also find them in the festival guide under individual artist listings.

I have an award nomination this year for the 'Best New Songwriter' as well in the Tamworth Songwriter Awards, so wish me luck please!!

Take care, and I'll try & give you festival updates throughout the week if possible.

Well, the Gympie Muster has come and gone, and I thought I should provide you all with an update.

How was it? Wet, muddy, amusing, trying, satisfying at times - disappointing at others.  Yep - we went through the full gauntlet of emotions, but I suppose that happens when you experience the highest rainfall EVER recorded in a 24 hour period in Australia.  To put that into perspective, the previous highest rainfall for the MONTH recorded in the region was 216mm set in 1998, we got 713mm in ONE NIGHT! In a flaming tent!   We were stuck there as all the rivers were flooded, so all we could really do was sit it out, shake our heads & try to laugh.

Our backing vocalist Ange put in a mammoth effort.  She arrived 36hrs after us - we got in all right, the rain started, then Ange had to get in.  She had a Nissan Patrol, saw the 'Road Closed' sign after driving 5 hours (I HAD warned her!), thought 'bugger that' and plowed on regardless.  She rocked into camp claiming she'd been through 4 creeks which were up to her door handles but still had a smile on her face.  WHAT  A WOMAN!

So, after she arrived it was all hands on deck as our first gig was within a few hours.  The queue for the bus to get across the causeway was massive, so we piled into George's 4WD & managed to get into the entertainment area, knowing we would not be able to take it out.  First gig was not too bad - in a 
venue called the 'Muster Tavern', bit like a regular pub gig.  We were a bit rusty as 
we hadn't had a chance to play any of the new stuff live yet.  Second gig was great
except yours truly was losing his voice from being in the rain for the past 5 days,
third gig went off like a firecracker - everything came together & it was a beauty.
Very appreciative crowd that kept growing as the show progressed, encores at the
end, the whole bit.  After the week we'd been through we needed that one!

I just want to publicly acknowledge all my band members, my wife Ruthie & two of our boys - Jess & Marty - for putting up with a very difficulty week & coming through it unscathed.  I've posted some pics I took while we were there - feel free to comment or add to the blog, particularly if you were at the Muster & have your own experiences to share!  Thank you to all those people who bought albums & came to see the shows - it was truly a memorable experience.  Now back to work as I'll be in Mildura in about four weeks time for their festival.

Cheers,
Craig

G'day all, and welcome to the new Myspace site.

I've obviously put some songs here from the new album 'Bellbirds & Blackboys', which will be jointly released at this year's Gympie Muster & Mildura Country Music Festival.  11 tracks, ten written by myself as well as a killer version of 'Raining on the Rock' which we often play live.

This album has been extremely demanding but satisfying to make. I am very happy with how the tracks all came out - expect strong storylines with a tight rhythm, hot picking from my guitarist Warren Brown, and killer harmonies from my good friend Kate Ballantyne out of Bella.  

As most of you will know, this is the second album, following on from the debut album 'The Spirit of Australia'.  I am currently organising distribution & expect the album to be available via stores Australia wide within the month.

In the meantime, if you would like an advance copy (we are doing a limited run of only 300 to be released at the 2007 Gympie Muster before going into full production), a $25.00 cheque or money order made out to: 

Craig Stewart
PO Box 46
PORT MACQUARIE   NSW  2444

will have one in the mail for you directly!

Thanks as always for everyone's support, and I can't wait for you to hear the new album.

Cheers,
Craig