Report: Greg Phillips. Photos: Jason Rosewarne
The annual Blues Music Victoria Hall of Fame Awards continues to gather importance with each presentation and possesses a lot more dignity than other, more supported mainstream music awards.
On Wednesday November 26, the 2025 event took place at Memo Music Hall in front of an enthusiastic crowd of blues music devotees who experienced some wonderful live music and thought provoking speeches from the award recipients.
Blues Music Victoria Inc. is a peak industry body representing blues clubs, venues, festivals, media, industry services and suppliers in Victoria, Australia and does a might fine job of it.
Kicking off the evening was BMV Disability Ambassador Eddie Boyle, who played an entertaining set of blues and swing with his fabulous band consisting of Mark ‘Harpo’ Greenway (Guitar), Peter Beulke (Bass) , Peter Hodges (Drums) and featured Sweet Felicia on Bass for one song.
The BMV Honour Roll followed, in which Allan Stafford, Roger McLachlan and Colin Thompson were recognised. Allan Stafford was a pioneer of the Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society, whose jam nights, inspired by Dutch Tilders at the Station Hotel in Prahran became legendary.
Roger McLachlan of course is the late, great bass player and key member of Geoff Achison’s Souldiggers. Roger is famous for his time in the Little River Band and his extraordinary bass work on John Farnham’s classic track, ’You’re The Voice’. Musician Colin Thompson was honoured for his work as founder and programmer of the Bendigo Blues and Roots Festival, running through 50 venues.
Next up The Rainbow Hotel in Fitzroy was chosen as an Iconic Blues Venue in a new category for the BMV Hall of Fame, in recognition of their support of the genre. The pub’s Sunday Sessions are a must for blues music lovers.
In the first of the artist-related awards, Melbourne’s spirited guitarist, singer songwriter Sammy Owen received a nod for his contribution to the local blues scene with the People’s Choice Blues Legend award for 2025. Sammy gave a heartfelt speech, thanking everyone who has helped him on his journey.
With plenty of crowd and family support in the room, Sammy and band then delivered a powerful set to a rowdy reception, particularly when he came into the crowd to stand on table to rip a fabulous guitar solo.
After a short break, BMV’s Salty Trevarthen invited guitar ace Geoff Achison to the stage to induct Rob Rowe as an Industry Icon for his many years of support of the blues scene with his Way Out West Roots Music Club, which now resides at the Newport Bowling Club. The very deserving Rowe thanked his wife Wendy, who co-runs the club (along with a loyal team) and is also a talented live music photographer.
To end the evening, Bill Barber gave an emotional speech about the influence of Hall of Fame recipient Lloyd Spiegel. Barber recalled some sage advice from Lloyd, who told him one day to “always know a guy… and if you don’t know a guy, find a guy who knows a guy.” And also buy a Ford or a Commodore because “if you break down in the middle of nowhere, someone in the local pub will have a part to fix your car!”
Lloyd then hit the stage to loud applause to tell us about his journey. A thread with any story told by a Victorian blues musician generally involves Dutch Tilders. Lloyd’s Dutch tale was about the green milk crate which the band used to step up onto the stage. Lloyd however sat there on the crate, below the band and took in his music education, and collected dropped guitar picks while he was there, which he still owns. He told us that he had declined the BMV honour in the past because he didn’t think he was worthy enough. “I have been given a family and a home by this blues community for my entire life,” he told us and went on to install in us the value of passing on the torch to up and comers, as Dutch had done so for him. “It’s your obligation to share,” he said.
Lloyd, accompanied by Lisa Baird on trombone and Tim Burnham on drums then proceeded to show exactly why they are one of the most exciting acts in the country and doing great things overseas as well, particularly in Canada. Man, that Cole Clark True Hybrid guitar was sounding fierce too. The raucous crowd wouldn’t let Lloyd leave the stage as he then performed a blinding encore featuring Bill Barber and Sammy Owen on guitar, with Eddie Boyle providing some epic blues harp.
The night was a wonderful celebration of the local blues music scene and each of the award recipients were deserving of their honour. Onwards and upwards for the blues music in community in Australia.
https://www.bluesmusicvictoria.com.au/
