Bill Jackson

                                                                   PRODUCED BY KERRYN TOLHURST

Hi - Bill Jackson here and I'm looking to release the final volume in our 'Wayside Ballads' Trilogy - 'The Wayside Ballads Vol 3', early in 2021. Produced by ARIA Hall of Famer and legendary Australian Musician / Producer / Songwriter Kerryn Tolhurst, I'm incredibly proud of the record.

But I need a little help....

‘The Wayside Ballads Vol 3’ is the final instalment of a vision my brother and co-writer Ross had in 2014 to produce three records of our songs across two continents and back – based on backlog, themes and a forward looking commitment to what we love doing.  Vol 1 (2015) was eclectic and electric and produced by Shannon Bourne, whilst Vol 2 (2016) was in a modern sense, bluegrass, string band based and produced in Nashville by Thomm Jutz. The songs kept coming but life got in the way. I was hoping that fate would somehow intervene to show me which way to go with Vol 3. It did.  

By chance I got to meet Kerryn Tolhurst who agreed to produce the new record. Kerryn had always been on my radar, not only because of his place in Australian music history with Country Radio and The Dingoes; but also because of his stellar work in producing independent local acts like Jeff Lang, Cyndi Boste and The Pigram Brothers. For me it felt like a natural fit with Kerryn’s experience, sublime playing skills and natural bent towards folk, country and rock music. That he was also a great writer made it an easy choice.

We made plans. Then all hell broke loose globally via the pandemic. We were confined to our homes but decided to press on anyway, working remote to each other over a period of four months. In some ways it was a beautiful distraction. In other ways it felt like shaky ground, however I knew from very early on that Kerryn was invested in ‘the song’, made great choices and played beautifully. Kerryn shaped this record - In essence, he really produced and was both absolutely collaborative and supportive. He had a vision for each song. By June 2020 and countless file transfers/emails/phone calls later ‘The Wayside Ballads Vol 3’ had been completed and we pushed on, also completing an as yet unnamed follow up - more on that down the road.

Vol 3 is folk music as I see it and a natural ending to the trilogy that I envisioned with Ross back in 2014. Content wise, it's themes are very local and beg the question who are we? What you will hear on Volume 3 is essentially Kerryn and I playing the songs as they were written - interspersed with some very special guests: Stephen Hadley, Mischa Herman, Shannon Bourne, Ruth Hazleton, Paddy Montgomery, and Greg Field.

To complete the trilogy the synergy in the cover art is completed by my great friend and brilliant South Gippsland artist Peter Cole with design by Colin Sugget and Deb LeCerf - I can't thank them enough. People invested in art and songs.

There is beauty and freedom in simplicity. At the end of the day it’s all about the songs. We hope you enjoy them...

Pic: Kerryn Tolhurst (courtesy Wendy Rowe).                              Pic: Bill Jackson (courtesy Brendan Bosnack)                          

If we all make this campaign work you will:

1. Immediately receive an mp3 of my favourite track from Vol 3 - 'The Shed'.

2. Receive your pre-release hard copy of Vol 3 during February 2021.

3. Have all Rewards sent out during March 2021 except for House Concerts that need to be scheduled.

Here is a solo version of 'The Ballad of Billy & Rosie', a track from Vol 3, which I recorded for Luke Church at WVTF Music and RADIO IQ in Virginia during the first lockdown. 

Budget for 'The Wayside Ballads Vol 3':

I am setting the target at $8,500 and hoping to stretch it so that I can do some video as well.

1. Recording Services Vol 3 - $3000

2. Musician Services Vol 3 - $2000

3. Mastering Vol 3 - $800

4. Promotion for Vol 3 - $1500

5. Manufacturing fo Vol 3 - $1200

Total: $8500