BACK in July, 2003, Australian singer-songwriter John Williamson decided to hit the road with two of his best mates, Pixie Jenkins and Warren H Williams. Touring under the banner the True Blue Reunion, the shows were a huge success and many of them sold out.
Williamson, Jenkins and Williams are on the road again this month and will bring the show to Belmont 16ft Sailing Club on Saturday, March 26.
Williamson said even those who had already seen the show could expect more this time around.
``The show has improved because we've been together for a while now and the show has evolved for the better, I reckon,'' Williamson said.
``We're getting on better and better all the time rather than worse and worse which sometimes happens.'' After almost 30 years in the industry, Williamson has become an icon of Australian music.
Following in the footsteps of his heroes like Banjo Patterson and Henry Lawson , Williamson has helped define the Australian character through song.
From the first song he wrote, Old Man Emu, to his latest tales of life in the bush, Williamson has always remained true to his roots. He has 20 Golden Guitar awards and two ARIA awards to his credit and has sold more than 2 million records in Australia alone.
In the past few years, Williamson has begun venturing overseas to perform and has toured the UK four times, playing to sell-out houses on most occasions.
New Zealand has welcomed him on what has now become an annual trip and in 2001 he accepted an invitation to sing at the opening ceremony of Winterlude in Ottawa, Canada.
For the past 25 years Williamson has worked closely with fiddle player Jenkins.
Widely regarded as one of Australia's greatest fiddle player, Tasmanian-born Jenkins plays more than 180 shows each year.
Like Jenkins, Williams is well regarded on Australia's music scene.
Born near Alice Springs in Central Australia, Williams is fast becoming one of Australia's favourite country music singer- songwriters.
He tours frequently with his band, particularly to the outback, rural and Aboriginal communities of Australia.
Williams grew up on a heavy diet of country music, largely due to the influences of his father Gus. The success of The True Blue Reunion tours have paved the way for a live album and DVD release. Recorded live at the Evan Theatre in Penrith, Mates on The Road captures all aspects of the show.
It features 35 of Williamson's classics including True Blue, Boomerang Caf aac , Galleries of Pink Galahs, Cootamundra Wattle and Raining on the Rock as well as some new tunes.
Despite keeping busy with his work with The True Blue Reunion Tour, Williamson continues to concentrate on his solo career.
Williamson's next album, Chandelier of Stars, which is his first studio album in three years, is set for release this August and will feature a duet and co-composition with Williams titled Desert Child. Tickets are $30 adults, $20 children or $28 concession and are available at the club.
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