http://www.donhopkinsmusic.com/index.htmlHot News!en2012-05-07T23:39:18+10:00 hourly 1 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00 Tue, 8 May 2012 00:19:06 +1000News2012-05-07T23:39:18+10:00http://www.donhopkinsmusic.com/blog-2/files/0ac652add3b1993f961b09b321cb7ec5-11.html#unique-entry-id-11http://www.donhopkinsmusic.com/blog-2/files/0ac652add3b1993f961b09b321cb7ec5-11.html#unique-entry-id-11Sat 26 May Marrickville Bowling Club  7pm $20
Stormy Monday presents
A New Orleans Piano Blues Party!
Dr. Don’s Double Dose (2nd place winners I.B.C. Memphis 2012) +
Don Hopkins and his Good Rockin’ Band
with Illya Szwec, Ed Schots, Justin Fermino…
Rockin' Piano & Honkin', Riffin' Sax.
Songs of Fats, Jerry Lee, Huey Piano Smith, Professor Longhair, Smiley Lewis, Joe Liggins….
Rhythm and Blues, Rock 'n' Roll of the 1950s.
Jive, Boogie Woogie, Jump Blues the night away.
Chinese and Australian cuisine at moderate prices.]]>News2012-02-20T23:38:27+11:00http://www.donhopkinsmusic.com/blog-2/files/260c588715fe38cf0408feb11d736e0c-10.html#unique-entry-id-10http://www.donhopkinsmusic.com/blog-2/files/260c588715fe38cf0408feb11d736e0c-10.html#unique-entry-id-10Blues duo, Dr. Don’s Double Dose, return to Sydney after their second place win at this years International Blues Challenge put on by the Blues Foundation in Memphis, Tennessee.

In January this year, Sydney blues duo, Dr. Don’s DoubleDose, travelled to the southern states of the USA to be part of the International Blues Challenge in Memphis. They made it to 2nd place which is unusual, they were told, for first time participants at this event.

There were some really great blues acts we were competing against from the USA and the world, 85 in all for our category. We enjoyed listening and getting to know some of them. Check out www.blues.org for more info and also Fred Delforge who travelled to Memphis with France Blues for a photographic record of the Challenge in Memphis: http://tinyurl.com/6mzs8uc
and more pics here: http://vividpix.com/temp/2012ibc/

I can recommend this 4 day event to any blues music fan. Ray Bonneville from Ozark Blues Society of Northwest Arkansas won 1st place. He performed in Australia in November, 2011.

The week before the International Blues Challenge, Double Dose were able to perform at the Nashville Blues Society’s Sunday Blues Jam. This was held at a funky joint called Carol Anne's Home Cooking Cafe.The standard of music was very high and gave Rob and Don an opportunity to warm up for the challenge ahead.

While in Memphis, Dr. Don’s Double Dose laid down some tracks at a session at the famous Ardent Studios. Some of these will no doubt appear on their next CD which will be released later in 2012.

After the event, Rob and Don continued their travels to New Orleans were they enjoyed listening to many great jazz, funk and blues performances in that historic city. A stand out event was a Mardi Gras Indian warm up session at the Ogden Gallery of Southern Art. Big Chief Monk Boudreaux led the 101 Runners in this exciting and informal session.

Many thanks to the Sydney Blues Society for being part of this great event and helping us get there. And thanks to all those who gave their financial support and to those who were barracking for us back home. Most of all it was great to finally be on Beal St. in Memphis, and perform at the original centre for blues music, the music that I’ve been playing and loving since my teens. www.sydneyblues.org

Don and Rob are looking forward to continuing writing and recording their next CD and are back performing in Australia mainly in and around Sydney. They will be at the Kiama Jazz Festival on the 2nd weekend in March as well as Bathurst Panthers on the 24th of March.]]>News2012-01-10T18:34:50+11:00http://www.donhopkinsmusic.com/blog-2/files/b97949166a0f7cc8bd7d0fd79ddc6d85-9.html#unique-entry-id-9http://www.donhopkinsmusic.com/blog-2/files/b97949166a0f7cc8bd7d0fd79ddc6d85-9.html#unique-entry-id-9FRIDAY 20 JAN: TIM EDEY (Ireland) & BRENDAN POWER (UK/NZ) + Jim Conway’s Little Wheel. 7PM.  $37.75 (incl. booking fee)
NOTES, 75 Enmore Rd, Newtown. Ph. 9557 5111  http://noteslive.net.au

Tim Edey is a brilliant multi- instrumentalist - a virtuoso on both guitar and button accordion, and Brendan Power is one the finest harmonica players in the world today.  Together this power-duo is setting the European and North American music scene alight with their sheer virtuosity and the genuine joy with which they deliver their music.  Celtic/Blues-based, but mixing genres with impunity, the duo’s powerful blend of passion and virtuosity is infectious.  What sets them apart from most folk and Celtic acts is their free-wheeling approach to live performance.  Tim and Brendan love to improvise, which means that every time they do a piece it sounds different & fresh.  It's that sheer mad spontaneity which unfailingly captures audiences everywhere! 

Jim Conway’s Little Wheel combines the formidable talents of three of Sydney’s most gifted and experienced musicians. Jim Conway, Don Hopkins and Jess Green share a rare and uncanny empathy. They join together in Little Wheel to present their original songs that draw from their deep understanding of Blues and Jazz, with an occasional excursion into Country Music. Their music is lyrical and compelling, sometimes quirky and always straight from the heart.
For more info: http://noteslive.net.au/events/tim-edey-ire-brendan-power-uknz-jim-conway’s-little-wheel
http://www.edeyandpower.com/   http://www.timedey.co.uk/ http://www.brendan-power.com/  http://www.jimconway.com.au/]]>News2012-01-01T15:56:04+11:00http://www.donhopkinsmusic.com/blog-2/files/4589e91b4ae160d53ce6c835c27c622e-8.html#unique-entry-id-8http://www.donhopkinsmusic.com/blog-2/files/4589e91b4ae160d53ce6c835c27c622e-8.html#unique-entry-id-8
3,4 and 5 January is the very first Tarthra Summer Music Festival. Centered around the Tarthra Hotel. Check out the line up on my gigs page. I will be there with 2 of the bands.

The Captain Matchbox with Cara and Hat Fitz NYE event went off with a bang at the new location of Cafe Church in Glebe. It was a great way to bring in the New Year. I very much enjoyed playing their beautiful Yamaha grand piano. Chris did an excellent job on the sound. Thanks to Cathy and Andrew for organising the event. http://colbourneave.cafechurch.org.au/about-the-venue
Rob Grosser and myself will be away from 26 Jan to 13 Feb 2012 taking part in the Memphis International Blues Challenge and other touring in the southern US states. I will do my best to keep you updated with Dr. Don’s Double Dose’s progress in the challenge, as it happens, from my Facebook page. Send a friend request to Don Hopkins at www.facebook.com/rockindon to stay informed. www.blues.org will have news of the winners. Go to the International Blues Challenge page then click on Current Entrants to see all the blues acts. Also Twitter: @rockindon]]>News2011-11-22T20:19:24+11:00http://www.donhopkinsmusic.com/blog-2/files/64e07a2bd33fa25dca3ce858c03c49a6-7.html#unique-entry-id-7http://www.donhopkinsmusic.com/blog-2/files/64e07a2bd33fa25dca3ce858c03c49a6-7.html#unique-entry-id-7This weekend
This Sunday will be Don Hopkins’ last performance for 2011 at The Flame Lounge in Dee Why RSL. So come and be entertained. 

New gig for Dr. Don’s Double Dose at The Crossroads Hotel in Casula on Sunday 4 Dec. So those south-west of Sydney why not come and have some fun in the beer garden and help us kick start this new blues music venue. Music is from 1 to 4 PM.

Organised by the Sydney Blues Society, another Memphis fundraiser with a huge line up of acts is on next Sat 26 Nov at The Empire Hotel, Annandale. Help us and the Buddy Knox Band get to Memphis to take part in the International Blues Challenge next Feb.

Dr. Don’s Double Dose and previous winners of the Sydney Blues Challenge:
ALI PENNEY & THE MONEY MAKERS + JAN PRESTON + PAUL O´BRIEN + MICHELLE VAN DER MEER´S MIDNIGHT RAMBLERS + THE STAYERS + DR. DON´S DOUBLE DOSE + ISAIAH B. BRUNT
Celebrate New Years Eve with some great entertainment and dining at at Notes in Newtown, with Captain Matchbox Whoopee Band Reignited + Hat Fitz and Cara Robinson. Not to be missed as Captain Matchbox are only doing very occasional shows now.

See gigs page for more details
]]>News2011-10-23T14:10:44+11:00http://www.donhopkinsmusic.com/blog-2/files/0c95f43d7569e171781e0f5a4508a50d-6.html#unique-entry-id-6http://www.donhopkinsmusic.com/blog-2/files/0c95f43d7569e171781e0f5a4508a50d-6.html#unique-entry-id-6Jim Conway’s Big Wheel played to a full and enthusiastic crowd at this years Wangaratta Jazz Festival last weekend. It was great having the grand piano that was tuned minutes before playing, which the festival provided. It is the premier jazz festival in the country and I recommend it for a great weekend of quality jazz and blues.
There are two BIG gigs to watch out for this month. Best Of Blues this Saturday at Notes in Newtown and Sydney Blues Society Memphis Fundraiser on the 26th at the Empire Hotel, Annandale. Both are featuring lineups of the best blues acts in Sydney and NSW. See below for details.

THIS SATURDAY 5 NOV: “Best of Blues”, featuring Ray Beadle Band, Mal Eastick Band, Jim Conway’s Big Wheel, plus an All-Star Jam  7PM.  $34.70 (incl. booking fee)
The “Best of Blues” shows were highlights of the Sydney Blues scene in the late 80’s and early 90’s, at venues such as the Three Weeds and Birkenhead Tavern.  Now “Best of Blues” is back with a fabulous line-up of  three of Australia’s leading Blues bands, the Ray Beadle Band, Mal Eastick Band, and Jim Conway’s Big Wheel, with the night culminating in a fabulous All-star Jam!
 
NB: Early Start! - Big Wheel: 7.30 to 8.30; Mal Eastick: 9.00 to 10.00; Ray Beadle: 10.30 to 11.30; All-star Jam: 11.30 to 12.00 .
 
For more info: http://noteslive.net.au/events/best-of-the-blues-featuring-ray-beadle-band-mal-eastick-band-jim-conway’s-big-wheel-plus-an-all-star-jam

NOTES, 75 Enmore Rd, Newtown. Ph. 9557 5111  http://noteslive.net.au/  Notes is a fairly new venue.  It's somewhat like the Basement, in that it's a restaurant, offering dinner & show bookings, or you can book just for the show.  It's very comfortable with a fair amount of seating, mainly at tables, and has very good sight lines.  

See gigs page for more details

]]>News2011-08-25T17:12:41+10:00http://www.donhopkinsmusic.com/blog-2/files/1a07ebd8dd59863a1adb6435885a5747-5.html#unique-entry-id-5http://www.donhopkinsmusic.com/blog-2/files/1a07ebd8dd59863a1adb6435885a5747-5.html#unique-entry-id-5I am proud to announce that Dr. Don’s Double Dose, myself and Rob Grosser
have been judged Blues Performer of the Year - solo/duo category for the NSW & ACT region at the Sydney Blues Challenge. This means, along with the prize money, we will be competing with other international blues musicians in Memphis, USA., February, 2012. Thanks go to the Blues Foundation in the USA and the Sydney Blues Society for organising these events. We recommend joining the Sydney Blues Society to keep informed about live blues in Sydney and to help keep the blues alive. www.sydneyblues.org www.blues.org

On Sunday I performed live soundtracks with Captain Matchbox members along with 5 other musical acts for Silent Comics at the Opera Theatre in the Sydney Opera House as part of the Graphics Fest. We played 3 original works, one composed by myself, while the audience watched the comic artwork films on the big screen. All the music performed was outstanding and highly imaginative. 2 of the films we played for were of art by the great R. Crumb. Unfortunately we didn’t get to play with Mr. Crumb as originally planned as he decided to cancel his visit, due to a trashy article published in a Sydney tabloid.

This Friday catch the Big Wheel line up at the Empire of Annandale.
FRIDAY 26 AUGUST: JIM CONWAY’S BIG WHEEL + Dan Hopkins & The Generous Few.  8PM.  $20; $15 conc.  
One of this country's best blues bands, featuring our leading Blues harmonica-player, Jim Conway. 
Jim’s extensive career includes national tours with American bluesman Brownie McGhee, The Captain Matchbox Whoopee Band, Circus Oz, and The Backsliders. Big Wheel boasts an absolute all-star line up of musicians who share Jim’s passion for Blues, Jump and Swing, Don Hopkins, Jess Green, Stan Valacos, Andy Byrnes and R. P. White.  
Support act Dan Hopkins (no relation to Don Hopkins) is an emerging talent on the Sydney Folk/Blues/Roots scene.  
http://www.bigwheel.com.au/  

Rob and I are once again at the Newcastle Jazz Festival this Sunday
Over 40 performers, 65 hours of great Jazz.
A festival that’s worth checking out. www.newcastlejazz.com.au

See gigs page for more details
]]>News2011-09-25T13:02:00+10:00http://www.donhopkinsmusic.com/blog-2/files/b5ab59946ff84c8b9a1a7c56e6794a1a-4.html#unique-entry-id-4http://www.donhopkinsmusic.com/blog-2/files/b5ab59946ff84c8b9a1a7c56e6794a1a-4.html#unique-entry-id-4Come along to the Empire Hotel in Annandale on Friday 14th October for a great bluesy lineup of Jim Conway’s Big Wheel & Blues Performers of the Year, Dr. Don’s Double Dose with guests Arne Hanna & Ralph P. White.
This is a special show to raise funds to help Dr. Don’s Double Dose travel to Memphis to represent N.S.W & A.C.T. in the 2012 International Blues Challenge.
The food is excellent, so why not get there early and enjoy a meal before the show.

Dr. Don’s Double Dose, Don and Rob entertained the crowds at the recent No Coal Seam Gas Rally at Sydney Park. The a gas company is wanting to drill in the Urban area of St Peters! Don and Rob performed two new songs, among other originals, that were written on the No Coal Seam Gas theme.

Gigs to watch out for: Dr. Don’s Double Dose first gig at the Robertson Inn on Sunday 16 Oct, and the Best Of The Blues at Notes in Newtown with Ray Beadle Band, Mal Eastick Band, Jim Conway’s Big Wheel, plus an All-Star Jam. Sat 5th November.

We hope to see you at one or more of our gigs this month.

See gigs page for more details


]]>News2011-02-25T21:57:42+11:00http://www.donhopkinsmusic.com/blog-2/files/024d6ca0d9af8b631def368e8f5ff9f7-3.html#unique-entry-id-3http://www.donhopkinsmusic.com/blog-2/files/024d6ca0d9af8b631def368e8f5ff9f7-3.html#unique-entry-id-3Reminder Jim Conway’s Big Wheel at the Cat & Fiddle Hotel, Balmain
6pm this Sunday 27 Feb 2011

One of Big Wheel’s rare Sydney performances. Not to be missed.
You may have seen Jim, Jess and Don at the recent Cat and Fiddle sell out show as part of the new Captain Matchbox Whoopee Band.

SUNDAY 27 FEB: JIM CONWAY'S BIG WHEEL.  6PM to 9PM.  $20/$15 conc. Kids 16 and under free.
One of this country's best blues bands, featuring our leading Blues harmonica-player, Jim Conway, together with Don Hopkins (keyboards), Jess Green (guitar), Stan Valacos (bass), Antero Ceschin (drums), and R.P. White (sax).

Round off the weekend with an early evening gig at Balmain’s Cat and Fiddle with the first Big Wheel show for this year.  Starting off at 6pm and finished by 9, it’s much more fun than Sunday night TV! If you can’t get a babysitter for the kids, you can bring them along.  
The band members are hand picked by Jim for their ability to provide the very best musically, and have a following in their own right.  Special guest on drums, Antero Ceschin, has spent two decades touring and recording with artists like The Mighty Reapers, Jeff Duff, Jackie Orszaczky, Leonardo’s Bride, E Type Jazz and Catherine Lambert.
http://www.bigwheel.com.au/  http://www.myspace.com/jimconwaysbigwheel  

Also on right now, at The Laugh Garage Comedy Club corner of Elizabeth and Park Streets, City.
Catch the groovy soul kinda feelin' with the Continental Blues Trio featuring Robert Susz before and after the stand up comedians, Wednesday to Saturday nights. (Until March 12)
Don will be guesting this Sat 26th and Fri 11 March.
See gigs page for more details

]]>News2011-06-22T16:51:08+10:00http://www.donhopkinsmusic.com/blog-2/files/75f1ce4c60a78ac964ef2a3c9fc362cc-2.html#unique-entry-id-2http://www.donhopkinsmusic.com/blog-2/files/75f1ce4c60a78ac964ef2a3c9fc362cc-2.html#unique-entry-id-2Jim Conway’s Big Wheel had a very successful South Coast tour in May of this year. While we were in Tarthra, the ABC’s Bill Brown shot videos of some of our songs as we played at the Tathra Hotel. So far there are two of our songs on the ABC local site. Bill has done a great job. You can find them here:
Running Away With The Blues: featuring Don on vocals, keys and songwriting
http://www.abc.net.au/local/videos/2011/06/10/3240824.htm
Just So featuring Jess Green vocals, guitar and songwriting
http://www.abc.net.au/local/videos/2011/05/25/3226707.htm

Dr. Don’s Double Dose, myself and Rob Grosser, will return this month to the Tarthra Hotel and The Quarterdeck Narooma and Sebel Kiama. Details below. If you are on holidays or live on the South Coast, please come along to one of the shows.

The Captain Matchbox Whoopee Band Re-ignited, another outfit I’m proud to be a part of, performed three great shows at the Ormond Hall in Melbourne in June. The shows were all full houses with some very entertaining supports including The Beards who are worth checking out, and some great stand up acts. Lynne Cazaly did a great Julia Gillard performance. More of the original Matchbox members sat in on some of the songs making the nights even more special.
Look out for a special performance by this band next Thursday 6pm, at Parramatta Town Hall with some ice skating to the Matchbox music!

I enjoyed playing piano on a new CD recently by the great country vocalist Clelia Adams. Look out for it in the shops soon.

I hope to see you at one of the gigs and welcome to the new additions to my News and Gigs email list.

See gigs page for more details
]]>News2011-03-25T13:20:48+11:00http://www.donhopkinsmusic.com/blog-2/files/64b1458a096b54a712a33a6078692361-1.html#unique-entry-id-1http://www.donhopkinsmusic.com/blog-2/files/64b1458a096b54a712a33a6078692361-1.html#unique-entry-id-1Kiama Jazz and Blues Festival is on this weekend with over 40 free gigs. Including Ray Beadle, George Washingmachine, Adrian Cunningham, Phil Manning and Jim Conway’s Big Wheel. See you there.
Go to http://kiamajazz.com/festival.htm for more information
See gigs page for more gig information
]]>News2010-12-30T16:46:07+11:00http://www.donhopkinsmusic.com/blog-2/files/feab934c66779eb8d60dbd7810b65579-0.html#unique-entry-id-0http://www.donhopkinsmusic.com/blog-2/files/feab934c66779eb8d60dbd7810b65579-0.html#unique-entry-id-0Don has returned from four triumphant performances at the Woodford Folk Festival in Queensland playing in The Captain Matchbox Whoopee Band Show with Mic and Jim Conway. Look out for more performances by this fun band in 2011. Jim Conway’s Little Wheel also performed at the festival with myself, Jim and Jess Green.

New Years Day at Bellachara
For those south of Sydney, Don will be entertaining the diners at Bellachara in Gerrigong tonight, January 1st, from 6 - 10pm. The dining experience there is worth the journey. Bellachara won the ‘Best Restaurant in a Deluxe Hotel’ for 2010. I will be playing my New Orleans blues and jazz, with some crooning numbers from the 20s and 30s on the Bellachara grand piano.

For those north of Sydney Don will be back at Dee Why RSL Club in the Flame Lounge on Sunday 16th January from 6pm
See gigs page for more details

Best wishes to all reading this for a wonderful 2011 filled with lots of great musical experiences. I look forward to meeting you at some of the gigs this year.]]>