Report: Greg Phillips. Photos: Jason Rosewarne
The Melbourne blues fraternity has always been a close-knit, community focussed and music loving group of people. Since the pioneering days of Dutch Tilders, Chain, Carson, Wendy Saddington and more, Melburnians have loved the blues and showed care for their fellow music fans and musicians. Blues Music Victoria have kept that tradition going with their annual Blues For A Cause events and this year gathered at Mt Martha Bowling & Pétanque Club to support the work of the It’s Okay, Not To Be Okay charity, promoting mental health awareness and community connection.
“We’re grateful to Blues Music Victoria and Mt Martha Bowling & Pétanque Club for partnering with us, and to the musicians and volunteers helping bring this event to life. Bringing people together through music creates opportunities for connection and conversations about mental health. Community events like this are an important part of building a more connected and supportive Mornington Peninsula, while raising funds to help us continue our work,” said Georgia Hocking, Co-Founder of It’s Okay, Not To Be Okay and Victorian Mother of the Year 2026.
The Peninsula rain didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of local blues fans, as the venue began to fill quite early. Veteran blues trio The Domino Conspiracy opened the day and got toes tappin’ from the get-go. Next up was Aaron Pollock, back in Australia from Columbia, where he spends a lot of time in his partner’s hometown of Bogota. Australian Musician spoke with the 2019 Melbourne Blues Challenge winner earlier in the year about his latest album And Then a Sadness Came Over Me. Pollock’s “old-timey’ voice suits the blues and folk genres perfectly. His version of Bob Dylan’s Mississippi was mesmerising, featuring some blistering fingerpicking runs. Finishing up with Robert Johnson’s Me and The Devil Blues, Aaron proudly displayed a Johnson tattoo on his arm, before easing into the blues classic.
Blues Music Victoria’s Vice President and MC for the day Barry Maxwell then introduced Joshua Batten, who has recently launched a fabulous new album titled True Optimism. Batten is one of Melbourne’s most passionate and determined musicians, who has developed impressively as both a songwriter and live performer since arriving on the Melbourne music scene. Joshua wasted no time in attaining the audience’s attention and vocal help on his song Silver Dollars from his 2020 album The City Within. Josh was full of metaphors and wisdom during his set, suggesting that his tune Diamond In The Coal from his new album was about reaching for dreams but keeping them attainable.
Damon Smith and The Blow Out brought a little New Orleans to the house. The rhythm section of drummer Peter Hodges and bass player Grant Cummerford kept the motor purring, while guitarist Cam Walter supplied the slick Telecaster licks. Multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter and film maker Smith had no trouble winning the hearts of the crowd with his deft talent on piano, conjuring the spirit of Dr John, Fats Domino and Harry Connick Jr, combined with his entertaining stage patter. Calling tunes and time signatures on the fly, Damon and band created an infectious, good-time vibe. Blues Music Victoria president and Blues For A Cause organiser Dennis Salty Trevarthen also took the opportunity to take to the stage and blow some harp on a Charlie Musselwhite tune, to the cheers of the crowd.
Raffles were drawn, prizes were won, sponsors and contributors were thanked as the food, drinks and good times rolled on. Local soul queen Andrea Marr then took to the stage, also backed by house band The Blow Out and confessed that she was suffering from a fever. However from her vibrant stage presence, the only fever we were detecting was one of extreme vocal power and excitment. Andrea’s version of Susan Tedeschi’s Voodoo Woman was packed full of authentic funk and soul, with The Blow Out working their way into a solid groove. Tunes by Koko Taylor and Etta James, showcased Marr’s versatility and her respect for roots music history. Walking deep into the crowd and encouraging a mass singalong, she left many in the room wanting more.
Cam Walter and 15 year old Archie McDonald (a Lloyd Spiegel protege), joined now by talented keyboard player Michelle Johns then fronted The Blow Out for an epic set which included a fantastic, trippy version of Robin Trower’s Bridge of Sighs. Meanwhile, the impressive Archie McDonald wore his Hendrix heart on his sleeve providing some slick Stratocaster licks to Walter’s Les Paul Boogie.
Blues harp master and vocal showman Rod Paine and his band headlined the event and kicked into a cool shuffle in the key of C. Following up with Muddy Waters’ Murder In The First Degree, the band consisting of Dave Birtwell on guitar, Benny Gerrard on drums and Dale Lindrea on bass, displayed an effortless ability to lock in and achieve a bona fide classic blues sound.
Getting to the pointy end of the evening, Rod and the boys were alerted to take a brief break … it was time to draw the all important main raffle prize of a Cole Clark Studio AN1EC All Mahogany guitar, a kind donation from the acclaimed Australian guitar company.
With that formality drawn and won, Rod and band returned to fulfil their gig commitment with a couple more tunes. While Benny laid down some tasty beats, his partner in rhythm, the quirky Dale Lindrea stepped forward to play some sublime bottom end while staring into space, seemingly pondering the world’s woes … although he could just as easily been dreaming of pizza and a cold beer, who knows! As always, Dave Birtwell’s guitar note choices were adept, considered and flavoursome, of particular note was his superb slide work. The guy knows his way around a guitar neck and what a tone! Of course, the charismatic Paine held court throughout the set, delivering some gritty harmonica feels and heartfelt voicings.
Wrapping up a successful seven-hour-plus music event, MC Barry Maxwell recited a final list of thank-you’s and sent us out into the cool seaside breeze toward home. Congratulations to Salty, Barry and their team for a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon that also raised funds and awareness for It’s Okay, Not To Be Okay.
Blues Music Victoria’s next major event is the 2026 Hall of Fame at Memo Music Hall on Wednesday 25 November from 7pm Trybooking.com/1661312
https://www.bluesmusicvictoria.com.au/
