As the year comes to a close, I want to take a moment to thank every single person who supported me in 2025. To the fans who show up gig after gig, the venues who continue to open their doors to live music, the couples who trusted me with their wedding days, the event organisers who booked me for their functions, and the entire Cowra and Central West community, thank you. I am genuinely grateful to be able to make a living doing something I love. Your support is the reason I get to keep showing up with a guitar and sharing music.
This year was a big one. I played 133 gigs across 2025, from beautiful weddings at Glencara, Rydges Mt Panorama Bathurst and Everview Retreat to unique shows like the Orange City Centre, the QLD Variety Bash Dinner, Melbourne Cup Day in Harden and a fun Christmas event coming up for the town of Manildra on December 17. One of the highlights was co-hosting Play It Forward with Lusi Austin at the Cowra Civic Centre on November 27 where we raised money for Support Act, supporting the mental health and wellbeing of musicians across Australia.
2025 was also a big year for my original music. I released three new songs plus an EP of older recordings. Front Row Seat, released on my wife Katrina’s birthday, is a song about us, our relationship and how lucky I feel to have her by my side. Eating For Three, released on the October long weekend, celebrates the joy and relief that followed our long IVF journey. Then came the light-hearted EP The Songs That Almost Got Away, made up of three songs I recorded more than 20 years ago in my bedroom while experimenting with sounds and recording gear. Finally, I released Hold On To Me, a duet with my sister-from-another-mister, Lusi Austin. It is the song I am most proud of to date, both in production and meaning. It speaks openly about depression and the power of having someone who stands with you when life feels too heavy.
Looking ahead to next year, I plan to release another EP of six original songs before June. My gig calendar is already fully booked for Friday and Saturday nights. I will still take the occasional Sunday or Thursday gig, but with our growing family and a new baby arriving in 2026, I am hoping to be more present at home while still giving everything I can to my music. I also hope to release more on YouTube with my Come Gig With Me series, taking you behind the scenes of what gig life is really like.
From December 22 until January 16, I’ll be taking a well-earned break to rest my voice, recharge and spend quality time with my family. It has been a massive year and this old fella definitely needs some downtime.
Before signing off, I want to acknowledge something important. Christmas is a joyful time for many, but it can also feel heavy for others. If this season brings up difficult emotions, please remember you are not alone. Reach out, talk to someone, take care of yourself. Your feelings matter and so do you.
As always, please continue to support our local venues. They are the heart of live music in our region. Go out for a meal, grab a drink, catch a show and help keep the music alive.
Merry Christmas to you and your families, and thank you for being part of my journey this year.