Top guns of the folk scene Martyn Wyndham-Read, Warren Fahey and Clare O’Meara team up this April to bring you a very special themed concert, I Don’t Go Shearing Now. This musical salute to shearing and the wool industry was devised and written by internationally-renowned folk singer Martyn Wyndham-Read. The show uses readings combined with old and new songs, recitations, bush tunes and humour. Audiences will be transported back to the noisy days of hand-shearing and early machine-shearing where the yell of “Rouseabout – Tar Here!” and “Wool away!” will resound once again. The songs include classic works from Henry Lawson like ‘The Shearer’s Dream’ and ‘Past Carin’’ and several anonymous songs much- loved by yesterday’s shearers peppered with a couple of Martyn’s recent compositions.

Martyn Wyndham-Read, spent much of his earlier years in Australia, where he was considered one of our most influential folk performers. Martyn has recorded over 30 albums, including many featuring his Australian repertoire. He will be joined by Australian historian, singer and (sometimes) actor (‘Banjo’ Paterson in ‘Dead Men Talking’), Warren Fahey, and longtime Bushwacker Band musicians and singer Clare O’Meara.

It’s a not to be missed show and you can catch it around the state this April. Check the Shearing Season details below and for further information and for booking links to individual shows visit FolkFedNSW’s Event Page and scroll down to April.

March 31 Humph Hall, Sydney; April 1 Gunning Picture House Gallery –  2.30 & 7pm shows; April 2 National Theatre Braidwood 3.30pm; April 3 School of Arts Carcoar; April 4 Dalton Hall 7pm supper available; April 5th Goulburn Club 7pm

I Don’t Go Shearing Now will also be playing the National Folk Festival, Canberra – April 8-10, with three shows: Saturday (Trocadero); Sunday (Trocadero); & Sunday (Flute & Fiddle).