Geoff Achison & The Souldiggers are celebrating the 25th year since their formation and subsequent explosion onto the live music scene – and they’re bringing the show to Bendigo, with thanks to the All Seasons Hotel and the crew from Bendigo Blues & Roots Music Festival. Get your tickets now for what will be a magnificent show from Australia’s patron saint of the Blues, along with the best rhythm section in the country!
Local firebrand Bill Barber will perform the opening set from 8:30pm.
From the gritty Melbourne pub circuit to the old Juke Joints of the American south, 13th century Ale Houses in England and even German castles, Geoff Achison has taken The Souldiggers around the world. To celebrate 25 years with the group Geoff will be
performing a series of gigs with The Souldiggers including tours to the US and UK.
‘The Souldiggers’ moniker was born from a theme song Geoff had written for his new solo project in the early 90’s. Battling the grueling cycle of relentless travel, heavy workloads and little pay, the band
featured a constantly changing line-up. Geoff took inspiration from British bandleader John Mayall whose ‘Bluesbreakers group had a similarly floating membership. Geoff decided it was more
expedient to travel solo and hire local players in each region. The concept worked and The Souldiggers now boasts line-ups across three continents with Australian, US & UK Souldiggers.
Beginings: Geoff Achison began his music career with his father’s dance band playing rudimentary rhythm guitar at local town halls in central Victoria. His first paid gig netted him $10 which was the very same amount he’d receive for riding his bike 8km’s to a farm and working from dawn to dusk.
He took a leap of faith to the big city of Melbourne, determined to make a career of music, arriving at his new digs in a clapped out Holden HQ, a Gibson Les Paul guitar and $40 in his pocket.
He turned up at gigs with guitar in hand and soon began to attract attention. By 1989 he was playing lead guitar with legendary bluesman Dutch Tilders.
After several years on the road with Dutch, Geoff released his debut recording of original songs, Big Machine in 1994. The following year he won the ‘Albert King Award’ at the prestigious International
Blues Challenge in Memphis. By the year 2000 he had garnered some of the best musicians in the business counted amongst his world-wide team. Mal Logan (Renee Geyer/LRB), Roger McLachlan
(LRB/Stars) Gerry Pantazis (Tommy Emmanuel/Stylus) Richard Tankard (Broderick Smith) Yonrico Scott (Derek Trucks Band) Tyler Greenwell (Tedeschi-Trucks Band) Sam Kelly (Cymande/Gary
Moore) & Adrian Keating (Sydney Opera Orchestra) among them.
With variations of this group Geoff has released over a dozen studio and live recordings including two live concert DVDs. They have been named ‘Band Of The Year’ more than once and most recently
picked up 5 ‘Chain’ blues music awards in 2017 for ‘Another Mile, Another Minute’.
Great food and drink, superb hospitality and a magnificent musical treat awaits, all in the comfort of one of Bendigo’s biggest and absolute best venues – the All Seasons Hotel.
Entry is only $20 – for bookings or other enquiries, please contact the kind staff at All Seasons Hotel Bendigo on (03) 5443 8166 or via email: reception@allseasonsbendigo.com.au