Geoff Achison

Geoff Achison is a blues-roots artist from Australia best known for his guitar playing and songwriting.  Geoff began his apprenticeship with legendary Australian bluesman 'Dutch' Tilders establishing himself as a fine lead guitarist before striking out with his own. He released his debut album in the early 90s and began touring throughout the USA, UK & Europe.  I learnt of Geoff through John Adams who managed his tours in the UK Geoff is an excellent player as well as being a fine chap! Check Geoff out www.geoffachison.com www.facebook.com/geoffachison www.youtube.com/user/geoffachisontv

Geoff Achison is a blues-roots artist from Australia best known for his guitar playing and songwriting. Geoff began his apprenticeship with legendary Australian bluesman 'Dutch' Tilders establishing himself as a fine lead guitarist before striking out with his own. He released his debut album in the early 90s and began touring throughout the USA, UK & Europe. Geoff's music has been compared favourably to major artists such as Eric Clapton, JJ Cale and the Allman Brothers Band having a solid foundation in the blues whilst embracing a variety of music styles. He has won awards for his guitar playing, songwriting and live performances and was honoured in 2011 as official Patron Of the Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society. Geoff Achison was born on Phillip Island, the third of five siblings, and raised in the Victorian country town of Malmsbury. His parents were music lovers and when Geoff famously discovered a forgotten old guitar beneath the stairwell, his trumpet-playing father enthusiastically found him a guitar teacher. His first gigs were with his father's dance band where he displayed promise enough to attract the attention of local jazz musician Alan Watson. Through his new mentor he was exposed to jazz and improvisation. At Watson's suggestion Geoff temporarily switched to bass-guitar which provided him with a greater understanding of the rhythm section. After gaining valuable experience as a bassist Geoff developed a keen interest in American blues which re-kindled his interest in studying six-stringed guitar. In rural isolation, he was mostly unaware of the electronic effects employed by some guitarists and devised some of his own techniques to emulate the sounds of echo/delay, tremolo and wah-wah pedals which added to his unique playing style. In 1987 Geoff made the move to Melbourne and soon established himself on the scene playing lead guitar for popular Australian blues performer 'Dutch' Tilders. In time Geoff began to work on his own music releasing his debut album 'Big Machine' in 1994. He represented Melbourne at the 'International Blues Challenge' in Memphis TN winning the coveted 'Albert King Award' in 1995. Encouraged, he set his sights on the world market and successfully established international touring routes in the USA and UK. To overcome the difficulties of bringing a band from Australia, Geoff began hiring local musicians to form a backing group when required. On his first extended overseas trip, Geoff received a beautiful new acoustic guitar from the famous Gibson guitar company and recorded his third album ‘Gettin’ Evil’ with a US version of his ‘Souldiggers’ band. Upon his return to Melbourne, Geoff was able to recruit an all-star group which featured some of Australia's most celebrated musicians. With Mal Logan on keys, Roger McLachlan on bass and Gerry Pantazis on drums, Geoff was finally able to realise his musical vision with The Souldiggers and built the group's reputation with exciting and spontaneous live performances. As a song-writer, Geoff explores a myriad of themes from love & loss to politics & philosophy and often with his wry sense of humour shining through. Vocally, Geoff has been compared favourably to the gruff voiced Joe Cocker, Warren Haynes and Paul Weller. An extraordinary guitarist who plays quite unlike anyone else, Geoff has been a driving force on the Australian blues/roots scene inspiring and influencing many of his younger compatriots.

Visit: www.salty.com.auRecorded 01 December 2019, released 18 December 2019 as standalone interview podcast.Salty talks with Australia's famed guitar wizard and blues ambassador Geoff Achison. Geoff talks 20 years performing in the UK with the UK souldiggers and the background to the latest album. We also discuss the famed Boxing Day Blues at Melbourne's Corner Hotel, and what it means to salute the memory of the great Chris Wilson, his boxing day partner for many years. Essential listening, and great tracks throughout. 320kbps

Jonno caught up with Aussie blues legend Geoff Achison at the Blues on Broadbeach festival and chatted about the dream of being a travelling musician, touring with Dutch Tilders, how to (and more importantly how NOT to) annoy everyone on the tour bus. Geoff, who always dreamed of flying around the world for a living, also talks about how he came to grips with not really being okay with the whole "flying" thing with a little inspiration from Terry Pratchett. - The Fiat 500 - The Dream of Becoming a Travelling Musician - Independent Musicians and Bigger Vehicles - Touring with Dutch Tilders - The People You Tour With - Dealing with the Fear of Flying - The Back and Forth of Touring

Recorded live at the 2018 Gellibrand Blues and Blueberry Festival

Rob and Seth first discuss their recent music and festival experiences and express on a tired expression. Then they go through the fascinating career of Australian singer/songwriter/guitar virtuoso Geoff Achison. Geoff talks about going to the Checkerboard Lounge during his first trip to the US, stumbling upon a heat of a Beale Street competition which he would ultimately win, the etiquette of the sit-in, winning the Albert King award, meeting and beginning a long relationship with Jorma Kaukonen, selecting and coercing his US agent Nancy Lewis-Pegel, the similarities and differences of US and Australian audiences, the pluses and minuses of the oft-limiting “blues artist” label, the genesis and success of his collaboration with Randall Bramblett, his story about sitting in with the Allman Brothers Band at The Beacon Theater, the man behind the song “Delta Dave” and the bizarre way he met the host of the Salty Dog Blues Internet radio show. Geoff also plays four acoustic songs from his forthcoming cd, Another Mile, Another Minute.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A great set from Geoff on his first visit to the Raven & Blues on 7th Oct.

GEOFF ACHISON has a reputation as a guitarist�s guitarist. Fans of Tommy Emmanuel will love his playing, and he was recently voted by Guitar Player Magazine as one of the "Top Ten Hottest New Guitarists." THE BAND OF HEATHENS are roots rock band based out of Austin, Texas. During the 2007�s South By Southwest the band took home an award for "Best New Band."