Tag: Ross Wilson

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Alana Wilkinson Releases Beautiful Modern Lullaby, “Dream Big”

I barely have a maternal bone in my body, but I feel there are few things more pure and beautiful than the love a mother has for her child. So while I’m never going to have my own kids, I’ve found totally and utterly captivated by Alana Wilkinson’s new single “Dream Big.” Alana wrote the song in the neonatal intensive care unit as her new son Rafferty slept on her chest.

“Raffy was born extremely prematurely at 24 weeks and put up a big fight for 92 days in hospital until he was finally big and strong enough to come home,” she recalled. “Throughout the terrifying experience I found solace in daydreaming of our future together; wishing on birthday cakes, singing to the trees and exploring the beauty and the chaos of the world waiting just beyond the hospital window.”

She might have a little one now, but Alana is not slowing down. Catch her at one of the following shows in the coming months.

25 January 2024 – Bobin School of Arts Hall, Birbay Country/Bobin (with Ryan Young – SOLD OUT)
26 January 2024 – Coramba Community Hall, Gumbaynggirr Country/Coramba (with Ryan Young)
27 January 2024 – Whiporie Community Hall, Badjalang Country/Whiporie (with Ryan Young – SOLD OUT)
28 January 2024 – Wardell Memorial Hall, Badjalang Country/Wardell (with Ryan Young)
9 February 2024 – Cardinia Cultural Centre, Kulin Country/Pakenham (supporting Ross Wilson + The Peaceniks)
10 February 2024 – COPACC, Gulidjan Country/Colac (supporting Ross Wilson + The Peaceniks)
11 February 2024 – Kyneton Town Hall, Dja Dja Wurrung Country/Kyneton (supporting Ross Wilson + The Peaceniks)
23 February 2024 – Official Showcase at Folk Alliance International @ Pershing Stage, Kansas City
1 March 2024 – Nannup Music Festival, Nannup
15 March 2024 – Thornbury Theatre, Naarm/Melbourne (supporting Ross Wilson + The Peaceniks)
16 March 2024 – Gippsland Performing Arts Centre, Gunaikurnai Country/Traralgon (supporting Ross Wilson + The Peaceniks)
17 March 2024 – Forge Theatre, Wy-Yung/Bairnsdale (supporting Ross Wilson + The Peaceniks)

Photo credit: Claudia Sangiorgi Dalimore

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ross Wilson @ Ettalong Diggers, Ettalong Beach – 27 December 2016

After an unexpected death in the family a couple of weeks ago, my family has been having a fairly tough time. We needed some fun, but even Christmas couldn’t seem to pull us out of our funk. Last night at Ettalong Diggers, Ross Wilson managed to do what the silly season couldn’t and put a smile on the faces of my parents, my husband, and myself.
Ross Wilson gives a masterclass in the art of performing. He doesn’t rely on bells and whistles, just great music and a superb backing band. At times I found myself marvelling at the prowess of his keyboardist and guitarist. However, while they’re good they never overshadowed the main man, a man who has created countless hits in his solo career and time with Daddy Cool and Mondo Rock. All of the biggies were performed in Ross Wilson’s own inimitable style over two sets.

Ross Wilson is the kind of performer that just makes you feel good. His loud shirt was every bit as bold as his presence on stage. And that voice, it’s lost nothing over the years. He had us captivated in powerful numbers like “Touch of Paradise” and on our feet with “Come Back Again,” “Hi Honey Ho,” “Cool World,” and of course, “Eagle Rock.” I’m not sure there’s anything more Australian than being at a club dancing around to the Daddy Cool smash.

I always think music finds you at the time you need it. At a terrible time for my family, a night out with the musical gifts and generous stage presence of Ross Wilson was just what the doctor ordered.

Image source: own photo

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Aussie Legends Play Regional Red Hot Summer Shows

Some of Australia’s most beloved artists will perform for regional audiences this summer. Dubbed the Red Hot Summer Tour, the travelling concert series features a bumper line-up including Cold Chisel comrades Jimmy Barnes and Ian Moss, Baby Animals, Dragon, Ross Wilson, and Chocolate Starfish.

Unfortunately not every act will perform at every show, but fans will still see value with tickets starting from just $79.90. The line-up for each event is also posted on the Red Hot Summer Tour website, so you can make sure your favourites are playing near you.

Line-ups like this don’t come along every day, especially in some of these country towns! Tickets go on sale this Thursday, October 25.

5 January 2012 – Tumut Showgrounds, Tumut
6 January 2012 – Harry Sawkin Park, Nowra
10 January 2012 – Centenary Oval, Port Lincoln
12 January 2012 – Mary Ann Reserve, Mannum
13 January 2012 – Nowingi Place Soundshell, Mildura
19 January 2012 – Mulwala Waterski Club, Mulwala
20 January 2012 – Morning Star Estate, Mt Eliza
26 January 2012 – Parklands Resort, Mudgee
27 January 2012 – Crossing Theatre Lawns, Narrabri
2 February 2012 – Kryal Castle, Ballarat
3 February 2012 – Victory Park Soundshell, Traralgon
9 February 2012 – Country Club Lawns, Launceston
10 February 2012 – On the Point – Wrestpoint, Hobart
30 March 2012 – Warrnambool Racecourse, Warrnambool
31 March 2012 – Mansfield Showgrounds, Mansfield

Image source: Ticketmaster

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Australian Idol Does 80s

80s night is always my favourite night of Australian Idol. These are the songs I grew up with, unashamedly daggy, flamboyant, and fun. But before we could get into the good stuff, we had to say goodbye to one our Idol hopefuls. Kim Cooper, Sabrina Batshon, and Nathan Brake found themselves in the bottom three. It was understandable I suppose, but hard to hear that one of my faves would be leaving the comp. Sadly that person was Sabrina. I guess her big personality was just a little much for some. It’s a shame; I was really hoping to see her bust out something amazing this week.

I was very concerned when I heard Nathan Brake was taking on Bon Jovi’s rock anthem “Livin’ on a Prayer.” It’s one of my favourites, and I doubted whether Nathan had the grit to really deliver it. He really didn’t. He hit all the right notes, but it just didn’t feel believable to me. There is so much 80s stuff that would have suited him a lot better.

Scott Newnham took on “Let’s Groove.” I couldn’t fault the vocals, but the delivery was a little bland for me. His “dance moves” were also really awkward. Honestly I wanted Gary Pinto to take the microphone from him and finish the song.

Hayley Warner busted out a little Bruce Springsteen with “Dancing in the Dark.” I really enjoyed this. It wasn’t deep or meaningful, but neither was the 80s. It was incredibly fun, and exactly what she needed to do. It felt like this was the first time someone actually “got” the decade.

Toby Moulton went for a little Foreigner with “I Want to Know What Love Is.” I’ve always said that more Idols need to sing power ballads, but not like this. This was completely devoid of the passion that you need in a power ballad. Did he even listen to the lyrics? They go something along the lines of “In my life there’s been heartache and pain, I don’t know if I can face it again.” I heard none of that desperation. This was more Mariah than Foreigner, and it was much poorer for it.

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