By NOEL MURPHY
TWELVE-bars, boogies , acoustic and hard-grinding electric rock are about to descend en masse on Geelong’s Sleepy Hollow Blues Club fans.
The club, which runs monthly Sunday sessions at Geelong Trades Hall, is gearing up for its marquis event, the annual Bluestone festival on New Year’s Eve.
Headlining the show will be one of Australia’s elite blues acts, Geoff Achison and the Souldiggers.
Australian Guitar magazine nominated Achison as one of the country’s top-50 guitar virtuosos in 2012. His scorching style is reminiscent of Eric Clapton, Gary Moore and Stevie Ray Vaughan.
Four other Geelong and Melbourne-based blues acts will complete the line-up: Brian Fraser, Stringybark McDowell and Rusty, Greg Dodd and the Hoodoo Men, and Rod Paine and the Full Time Lovers.
On New Year’s Day four more acts will perform on the Bluestone stage, featuring some of the cream of the country’s female blues artists.
At the top of the bill will be Chubby Rae and the Elevators ahead of JJ and the Blue Dogs, Blue Eyes Cry and Sweet Felicia and the Honeytones.
Now in its 19th year, the two-day event has consistently showcased the best Geelong blues talent, acts from Melbourne and interstate and the occasional international line-up as well, says Sleepy Hollow Blues Club president Rocky Vignale.
“Bluestone 2014/15 has a fantastic selection of great blues talent. We’re expecting upwards of 500 people and it’s always a safe and great event,” he said.
The music kicks off at 6pm on 31 December at Murgheboluc Oval. Gates open 10am.
New year’s day music plays from 11am to 6pm.
Free overnight camping is available to ticket-holders.
