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Author Archives: Donald McKay
The Heart Is a Garden – Sunday 28th April
Come and hear some beautiful, heartfelt songs at The Heart Is a Garden.
‘National’ Wrap-up
We had a wonderful time at the National Folk Festival over Easter, where we had the great privilege of performing at “Festival Folk Sing Judy Small” – a concert and CD launch celebrating the songs of the “grande dame of Australian folk music”, Judy Small. We sung our rendition of Sky of the Southern Cross to a packed venue and enjoyed everyone else’s fabulous interpretations and were joined by Judy herself for the finale. Rebecca was also very excited to be invited by Judy to play cello and sing with her at her concert on Sunday night. Those of you who have been following Rebecca for many years may recall that Judy has been hugely influential and inspirational to her, both personally and professionally, so having the opportunity to play with Judy was definitely a career highlight!
On stage during the “Festival Folk Sing Judy Small” concert; Photo by Dave McBadger
For more information about “Festival Folk Sing” visit www.facebook.com/Festivalfolk. All proceeds from the album go to the Troubadour Foundation, an organisation set up to provide assistance and encouragement for the sustainability of Australian folk culture.
We also did a couple of blackboard sets at the National and met some lovely new friends in doing so. (G’day!) We had great fun playing and singing with our dear friends The Wish List and Donald made an impact with his be-kilted hip wiggles and tambourine skills during the Infinite Bee Gees competition. Donald also enjoyed his cameo role as a Scottish side-drummer during a Fred Smith and The Spooky Men’s Chorale concert, at the Budawang. Rebecca enjoyed the last minute challenge of joining Frencham Smith on cello and vocals for three of their sets, including a special presentation of Fred Smith’s landmark album, “Bagarap Empires”.
National Folk Festival
It’s not long now till we head on south to our Nation’s capital to celebrate all things folk at the National Folk Festival, held over the Easter weekend in Canberra. Although we are not “officially” listed in this years’ program, we will no doubt be seen on and off the plethora of stages over the five days. We are particularly excited to be playing at Festival Folk Sing Judy Small, a CD launch concert celebrating the songs of Judy Small, sung as the name would suggest, by all manner of festival folk including One Step Forward, Tangled Web, Penelope Swales, Enda Kenny and The Fagans. We have been privileged not only to be invited to play at this wonderful event, but to open it with our rendition of Sky of the Southern Cross. The concert is on at 10am on Monday, 1st April at the Scrumpy stage. Make sure you get there early to get a seat!
We will also be performing a set of our own material at the Flute and Fiddle – 8.00pm, Thursday 28th March.
Be sure to also keep an eye out for us playing with The Wish List, a wonderful new fiddle-singing duo comprised of Emma Nixon & Nicole Murray. Rebecca will also be playing some cello with Judy Small on Sunday night at the Terrace, from 8pm, and with Frencham Smith at the Trocodero at 3pm on Monday afternoon. And we’ll no doubt see you in the session bar! Happy Easter!
Celtic Music Radio – Album of the Week
We are very pleased to let you know that Joys that never weary has been chosen as ‘Album of the Week’ on Glasgow’s Celtic Music Radio. You can have a look at our feature page on the Celtic Music Radio website. We spoke to Ross via Skype on a very rainy night last week to chat about the album and what we’ve been up to – you can have a listen to the interview by going to Album of the Week Saturday 2 March. Celtic Music Radio is a fabulous community radio station which supports so many up-and-coming as well as established artists – thanks CMR!
On another note, we had a fabulous gig at Folk Redlands on Sunday afternoon. Somehow I managed to spectacularly (yet gracefully!) fall off my chair with cello still in hand in the final chorus of The Hug Song. Donald, the true professional, kept playing till the end… The picture above was taken by the lovely Pat Hall (before my fall!) Thanks to Folk Redlands for having us and to everyone who came along to listen!
GIG :: Folk Redlands – Sunday 3rd March
We are looking forward to our upcoming gig at Folk Redlands on the 3rd March. Held at the Redlands Indigiscapes Centre in Capalaba, it will be a wonderful afternoon of entertainment in a gorgeous bushland setting. The afternoon kicks off with a chalkboard at 2pm, so if you fancy a sing, come early and put your name down! We will be sharing our music and songs from 4pm till 5pm. We look forward to seeing you there! For more info, visit www.folkredlands.com
‘The Folk Rag’ excerpt – advert
GIG :: Peregian Originals!
We’re really looking forward to playing at Peregian Originals this Sunday afternoon, 3rd Feb. This wonderful community event has been running for 13 years (despite numerous council attempts to shut it down!) and Rebecca first played there about 11 years ago. Also performing are event favourites Cheap Fakes, alongside local lads The Hi Boys. It’s held in the park behind the Peregian Beach Surf Club and is perfect for the whole family. A donation on the day is most appreciated and there’s always a great raffle with a bunch of fabulous prizes to be won. For more info, visit www.peregianoriginals.com
Wandering to Woodford …
Strings have been changed, the gumboots are airing and our humble hiace van is being given the love it deserves before embarking on the grand pilgrimage to the wonderful Woodford Folk Festival in just a few days time. We’re very excited to be playing there this year, sharing songs from our album Joys that never weary, along with a few new ones too! We’ll be at the Duck on Friday 28th Dec at 10:35am and Tuesday 1st Jan at midday. Come say g’day – we’d love to see you there 🙂
GIG :: Chanel Lucas, Sue Ray and Rebecca Wright @ Dowse Bar
REBECCA (solo) at DOWSE BAR with Chanel Lucas and Sue Ray.
Looking forward to this very special show with two other wonderful fellow singer songwriters on Sun 9th Dec.
Venue: Dowse Bar, cnr Caxton & Dowse Sts, Paddington (under Iceworks – entry via undercover carpark). 4 -7pm. NB. I’ll be playing from 4 – 4:45pm!
Tickets $10 at the door. Kids under 12 free! Under 18s welcome with constant supervision from parent/guardian
www.iceworks.com/dowse www.chanellucas.com www.sueraymusic.com
Welcome to www.wrightandmckay.com!
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Welcome to our brand new website. Here you will be able to find out about us, our music and upcoming shows. We look forward to connecting with you!