Behind every great muso there are heaps of other great musos. Quite often they are the same names in Australian Country Music. However, as great as Luke O’Shea is, the icing on his cake is the great band that backs him, the Medicine Wheel. Luke has admitted that, even in his Golden Guitar winning speech.
If you go to a big festival, like Tamworth, blokes like Sean Rudd, Rusty Cochrane, Duncan Toombs, Andy Toombs, Brendan Radcliffe, Mal Lancaster, Simon Johnson, Glen Hannah and many others feature in just about every concert as back up musos. Talented producers, directors and musos in their own right, these guys (and gals too) work non-stop supporting a various range of artists. James Gillard is another one who comes to mind, appearing as a muso and back up singer with the leading lights of country music. I do believe that they have a touch of magic. Many times I have been at a gig, hearing them play, then they beat me to the next one which could be way across town! Brad Bergen is another one who pops up everywhere. Tamworth is 24/7. Some of these guys and gals don’t get any sleep until the fortnight is over when they get home. However, it is not just at big gigs like Tamworth. These folks work tirelessly on albums, producing and directing videos for artists, producing albums, touring with artists and working at small and big festivals in Australia and overseas. They also do their own music.
An artist generally thanks his or her band on an album, when they are accepting an award or when they are on stage, but this is my thank you on behalf of all the fans. I have left a lot of musos out here, but there are many who do this stuff and do it so well. Thanks guys and gals, a concert would not be the same without the guys and gals who back our faves. We salute you.
