Joe Robinson emailed us from Usikaupunki, Finland recently where he is playing a few shows. Here is his take on Tommy Emmanuel's version of the Merle Travis tune Cannonball Rag in front of 350 fans...

Well, what can I say. Port Fairy was great! I know because I still have a large ball of Kilkenny stuck behind my right eye.

I can recommend this festival to anyone who has not yet been. There was an abundance of great Australian talent and plenty of quality Aussie instruments on display. There also appeared to be a great sense of community at this event. I believe it is this type of gathering which helps raise the spirits of everyone in the face of predicted storms which may well be heading our way with the dreaded GCC.

Anthony Knowles and Linda & Neville Kitchen will be representing Maton Guitars at Musikmesse Frankfurt 2009 again this year from the 1st to the 4th of April.

The Musikmesse is the world's leading trade fair for the world of music. You'll find a complete range of products with everything required for making music, not to mention innumerable workshops, concerts, demonstrations and discussion events. This year it will be held from 1 to 4 April 2009.

You will find Maton at Booth Number: Hall 3.1 D68

They'll also have a swag of guest performers along to showcase Matons products. Smokin' Joe Robinson, Julz Parker, and Pat Bergeson & Annie Sellick will all be along and performing for Maton, so be sure to come along and say hello while your browsing Musikmesse 2009!

http://musik.messefrankfurt.com/

‘Still Here’, a duet by two of Australia’s most loved artists, singer/songwriters Paul Kelly and Melinda Scheider is undoubtedly one of the highlight tracks from Melinda’s latest, four time CMAA nominated album ‘Be Yourself’.

This heart warming love song was co-written by Melinda and long time Nashville collaborator Jay Knowles. ‘It’s about a long term relationship gone right’ said Melinda. ‘It’s the kind of love so many of us strive for in life, one of understanding and acceptance. When Jay and I finished the song, the first person who came to my mind to sing it with was Paul. I’ve always been a fan, so when he agreed to record it with me I was so happy’.

It’s all about new things for Bob Evans in 2009 – a new album ‘Goodnight, Bull Creek!’ released on April 3, a new single ‘Someone So Much’ at radio now and available digitally now and a new national tour in April/May to top it all off.

‘Goodnight, Bull Creek’ is the third album from Bob Evans and was recorded in Nashville with producer Brad Jones (Josh Rouse, Sheryl Crow) who also produced the last Bob Evans album ‘Suburban Songbook’. While keeping you in the palm of his hand with his endearing lyrics and melodies, the album does take a sidestep away from the previous albums to show a different side to Bob.  “This is my rock album. I’m saying goodbye to the suburbs,” he said.

Josh Pyke's headline-grabbing guitar boat will be auctioned on eBay next month with the majority of proceeds going to the Indigenous Literacy Project.

The extraordinary vessel was created for the music video for Josh's single 'Make You Happy', which saw Josh cruise around Sydney Harbour in the custom-made SS Maton.

Liam Finn put his Maton to good use recently at a gig at the Blue Shell in Colgone, Germany.

After his main set, Liam was prevented from performing an encore for an enthusiastic crowd so he promptly went out the front of the venue in the freezing weather to perform the encore on the footpath!

"Friday the 7th of November spelt three full days in the role as Sales Rep at Maton for me. As the end of the half week drew near, thanks to the Melbourne cup, life was full steam ahead and I was wrapped with my new job. This date also signified the reward for hard work for six of the boys from body prep. Their targets had been met and their prize was witnessing a grand old man of the forest fall..."