The Bash was a huge amount of fun. In the Holden ute it was for me like going back to my first days out of school on the land. I love driving on dirt tracks through the Mallee, the Flinders Ranges and up the Birdsville etc. Meg's a good driver so between us we had a ball. We lost a muffler for a while (everything gets picked up by other Bashers) but we decided to do without it rather than admit that we didn't notice! They'll make y'pay. This year the amount raised by Variety Bashes all round Australia totalled $100 million since Dick Smith started it. What a great way to help special kids, eh?

Looking forward to some time off with my mates at Springbrook

Still writing new songs that are good enough to find their way into the live show. Keep an ear out for my new anthem 'Island of Oceans'. Shannon Noll was keen to record it with me. He's a great young country fella.

I also recorded 'King of the Road' with Adam Harvey for his duo album. You might be surprised I recorded an American song. However, I did it for Adam and I sang it with my normal accent. After all, Roger Miller has always been a favourite of mine. I like his sense of humour, and actually spent a few hours with him and Lawsy right back in 1970. Roger's 'Dang Me' had a small influence on my first song 'Old Man Emu'.

A couple of tours before Christmas and I enjoyed it. We have almost enough artists ready to record some songs of mine to celebrate 40 years since 'The Emu' next year. More of that soon.

See you along the road of song and take care over Christmas.

Johnno

Some time out with an old friend in the mountains

Gig Guide

DECEMBER 2009
Thurs 24th Vision Australia's Carols by Candlelight - Melbourne, Vic (with other artists)

JANUARY 2010
Thurs 14th Dural Country Club, NSW
- tickets on sale now. Phone (02) 9651 1600

Sat 16th Tamworth Regional Entertainment Centre, NSW.
Fri 22nd Tamworth Town Hall, NSW.
Tickets for both Tamworth shows on sale now at www.tcmf.com.au
Tickets on sale over the counter and by phone from 2nd November 2009. Phone: (02) 6767 5300

Tues 26th Australia Zoo, Beerwah QLD, 10.30am start
- Australia Day Concert

FEBRUARY 2010
Sat 20th Perth City Muster 4.45pm Claremont Showgrounds
(with other artists) - tickets on sale. Phone 1800 193 300
Wed 24th Eastbank Centre, Shepparton, Vic - tickets on sale now.
Phone (03) 5832 9511.
Thurs 25th The Capital, Bendigo, Vic - tickets on sale now.
Phone (03) 5434 6100.
Fri 26th Warrnambool Performing Arts Centre, Vic -
tickets on sale now. Phone (03) 5559 4885.
Sat 27th Horsham Town Hall, Vic. Tickets on sale soon.

SEPTEMBER 2010
4th-5th Old Man Emu's Birthday Bash,
Alice Springs NT. Details to be advised.

Shows are 2 hours 45 minutes - including 20 minute interval
** show length is 75 minutes
All shows subject to change

For the latest tour update CLICK HERE