NEARLY NEIL'S ADVENTURES IN AUSTRALIA!

October 24 - November 29th , 2008

Hey everyone,

It is our last show in Australia, the show is just starting – Crunchy Granola Suite – Australia’s favourite. We are at the Redcliffe RSL (Returned and Services League). It has been six great weeks. We spent the first three weeks playing clubs around in Sydney – including a couple biggies Mount Pritchard RSL “Mounties” and Bankstown Sports Club – both of which have booked us back again. The musicians that Dale hav put together have done a great job – all of them including: Rob Campitelli, Mark Costa and Gary Cowling on bass, Clive Lendich and James Vertley on guitar, Greg Hanson, Mitch Farmer, Logan and Randall on drums, Rebecca Henry and Chris E Thomas on backing vocals and of course Dale Genner our MD & keys player.

After our Sydney area run, we flew to Cairns (up North) and did three shows in that area including Mareeba and Thuringowa. We flew back down to Sydney, Then we drove up to Coffs Harbour - North of Sydney on the East Coast. There we began our stay on the Gold Coast. We played a large club at Tweed Heads called Seagulls, which we played with Legends of Rock 12 years ago. As well as a couple gigs in the area and Brisbane. We got a bit of a holiday with 4 days off in Burleigh Heads (1/2 way between Surfers Paradise and Tweed Heads).

Now we are at our last show Bobby and I will fly back to Sydney tomorrow then have one day in Sydney before we fly home. We have been treated very well and Dale has done a fine job of not only finding us bookings but also band members too. It has been super and we look forward to our return.

Thanks, LB

Bobby Bruce on Chris E Thomas Guitar.

Brisbane Band - James Vertley, Dale Genner ,Bobby, Rob Campitelli and Randall

Chris E and Steve

James Vertley on Guitar

The View From Our Hotel Room.

Leanne, Chris and Bobby

Logan on Drums

Our view on the Gold Coast

On Stage at Seagull's in Tweed Heads

Bobby at Canberra with Dale

At Mountie's

Bobby and Leanne with our friend Lisa Adam

L&B enjoying VB in Cardwell on our way to Townsville

Singing "Flowers" at Club Menai

Update on a band DownUnder November 6, 2008

Hope all is well in beautiful BC. Leanne and I have just returned from a marvellous 4-kilometre National Park hike. Just out the back of the Musical Director (Dale Genner)'s house is a 112+ kilometre National Park.

Several great musicians have been sitting in with the show. Our dear friends, Dale Genner, MD and Keys, and Chris E Thomas, backing vocals, (that we toured with and bonded with in 1996) have picked up with us as if no time has passed. New friends are terrific players; on guitar, we have enjoyed Clive Lendich and James Vertley, on bass, Mark Costa and Gary Cowling, on backing vocals Rebecca Henry and on drums, Greg Henson and Mitch Farmer.
The shows are going great, the crowds are responding very well. We have just had a meeting with the head of booking entertainment for several major cruise lines out of Australia. They are interested in booking "Hot August Night” concerts on the back deck of their ships starting August 09 or earlier.
Dale has been great putting together talented bands and a string of good venues. As well, he has been open to a number of ideas and has spearheaded some new opportunities due to the enthusiasm the crowds and players have expressed to our Nearly Neil show.

We are looking forward to nurturing our Australian return. Our singer Chris E Thomas has been a friend and colleague for years and has recently come back to music in a big way. She is currently supporting the biggest country act in Australia, Adam Brand.

What a talented bunch. Much good food and wine leaves me with fond memories only half way through this leg of our journey. Good times. Thanks for your interest,

Bobby

Sunday, October 26, 2008
Forster Tuncurry Memorial Club - Sydney, Austalia

James Vertley on guitar, Gary Cowling on bass, Chris E Thomas on backing vocals, Bobby Bruce on Lead Vocals, Greg Henson on drums, Dale Genner MD and keys