G'day From Bargara,

[Merv Webster]

1. Do you sing, play an instrument or instruments?   Yes.

What instruments?  Acoustic-electric Guitar.

When did you start playing?  Round 2005.

Did you teach yourself?  Mainly with a couple of mates showing me a few things.

2. Are you in a band or bands?  Perform a show, Bush Poetry, Ballads and Yarns with myself or with my wife.

What is the name of the band?  Merv and Chris Webster.

What do you play?  Guitar

What other instruments are in the band?  None.

Do you have a band website? Bush Poetry, Ballads and Yarns.  http://www.users.tpg.com.au/thegrey

3. Do you write songs?  Yes.  Mainly Bush Ballad style.

Do you write lyrics, music or both?  Lyrics and melodies though have written lyrics for others.

Do you have a writing partner?  No.

4. Do you record your music?  Yes have recorded a number of albums.

Do you use a home studio? If so what gear do you use?  No.

Do you use a recording studio?  Yes, bush balladeer mate Buddy Thomson at Outback Studios.

Do you have music available on the web? if so where?  U Tube  http://www.youtube.com/user/bushballader/videos?sort=p&view=0&flow=grid

5. What other roles do you perform in the music business?

Management? Label owner? Publishing? Promotion? Other?  EmCee, stage manager and organize small festivals.

6. Are you a tech head?  No.

7. What country do you live in?  Australia.

8. What are your ambitions?  Enjoy sharing the culture of my country through bush poetry, ballads and yarns.

9. Do you draw/paint/write stories/computer art/dance or other creative pursuit?

What are your pastimes?  Researching and writing Genealogy books,writing and performing bush poetry, ballads and yarns.

10. What would you like to get out of Songstuff?  Enjoy sharing my work with others.

[Merv Webster]

I was born in the Queensland border town of Goondiwindi and, as my dad was a banker, his work took us to a number of towns throughout Queensland. I received my education to Junior level and then tried my hand at various occupations such as a Lad Porter on the Railway, then as a Clerk for the Commonwealth Bank, an Accountant, and the Toowoomba City Council. My wife was a Roma girl, Christine Edwards, whom I married in Toowoomba and we would have four children. 

 

 After marrying I worked as a Clerk, Shop Assistant, Slaughterman and an Electrical Line Worker. These jobs took us to towns such as Toowomba, Roma, Cairns, Gatton, Warialda and Goondiwindi. During my time in Roma I took an interest in stock work and received an education on all aspects of the life, some of which I'd rather forget, from a hardened old drover. Chris' dad. In 1994 we moved to Bargara, where I began writing a book on my family's history. 

 

Impressed by the stories told to me, along with the experiences I had with Chris’ dad, I began trying my hand at writing bush poetry. My first book of bush poetry was called 'Tales of Uncle Jim', which was well received. In 1996 I met Neil McArthur, a fellow poet, who encouraged me to try performing my poetry at the Bundy Mob's Bush Poets Muster. This was the beginning of my career as a Performing Bush Poet. 

 

I have been fortunate over the years to be able to perform and win numerous awards for my performance bush poetry at such places as the Mapleton Yarn Festival, Poets on the Downs, Jondaryan Country Music Rush, The Winton Waltzing Matilda Bush Poetry Championships, The Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame, The Bundy Mob’s Bush Poets Muster, Central Queensland Bush Poetry Championships, The Surat Battered Bugle, The Gympie Muster, Camooweal's Drovers Yesteryear Festival, Harvey Bay Whale Festival, North Pines Camp Oven Festival, Glengallon Bush Poetry Festival, Imperial Hotel Bush Poetry Competition, Tenterfield Oracles of the Bush, Bard of the Outback and the Australian Bush Poetry Championships at Yarrawonga-Mulwala. 

 

Yarn spinning has become very much part of the bush poetry scene and I have enjoyed competing at competitions such as the Mapleton Yarn Festival, Jondaryan Country Music Rush, The Australian Yarn Spinning Championships [Winton Waltzing Matilda Festival], The Bundy Mob’s Bush Poets Muster, Millmerran Muster, Gatton Yarn Spinning Festival and the Yarnspinning Championships at the Australian Bush Poetry Championships,Yarrawonga-Mulwala. 

 

Since 1996 I have won a number of awards for my written bush poetry, which were included in the eight books of bush verse and yarns I have published along with three albums. I have been a finalist on four occasions at the Golden Gumleaf Bush Laureate Awards at Tamworth with my books and once with Chris for our CD, 'Chris and The Grey, A Selection of Bush Verse'. I also have a track on The Australian Bush Balladeers Albums, Volumes 4, 5 and 7 and the 2005 Katherine Country Music Muster Album.

 

My desire to see the advancement of bush poetry encouraged me to take on the job of Bush Poetry Events Co-ordinator and for two years I was Co-ordinator for the Bundy Mob's Bush Poet's Muster, two years Joint Co-ordinator of the Oasis Bush Poetry Competition at Tamworth as well as the Easter In the Country weekend at Roma. I also co-ordinate the bush poetry at the Katherine Country Music Festival and the Far North Bush Poetry Festival. I have had the privilege to act as compere at many of the places I have performed and see it as an important role in keeping any function running smoothly. 

 

Since 1999 Chris, and on occasions my dad, have joined me in our own show of Bush Poetry and Yarns, which we called 'Laughter & Tears from the Bush'. We have toured Western Queensland from Miles through to Camooweal, the Tamworth Country Music Festival, Easter In the Country at Roma, the 1770 Festival as well as Festivals, Expos, Farmfest, the Barcaldine Heritage Centre and numerous other venues throughout Queensland and Northern New South Wales. 

 

Over the years Chris has accompanied me to The Tamworth Country Music Festival where we perform our show in front of Grace Bros., now Target. From 2000 until 2003 Chris and I were resident bush poets at the Bailey Bar Caravan Park at Charleville during the winter months where we performed our Bush Poetry and Yarns show daily and we had the opportunity to meet so many folk and introduced quite a few of them to bush verse. In November 2004 I released my debut Bush Ballad EP/CD, 'The Bushman & The Balladeer', a tribute to R. M. Williams and Slim Dusty, featuring the songs, 'R. M. Williams - a Man Who Had Tried' and 'I Never Cried For Elvis But I Shed A Tear For Slim'.

 

In 2005 I tried my hand at song writing and entered The Lyrics Only section of the Katherine Country Music Muster's Northern Territory Song Writing Competition and was nominated as one of the five finalists. On the Saturday night of the Muster, Balladeer Keith Jamieson announced that I had won the section with my song 'Chasing Buttons.'  

 

Then in 2006 I thought I'd enter the TSA Awards at Tamworth and received three out of the five nominations in the Lyrics Only Section of their National Song Writing Contest and on Wednesday night of the Awards, Tania Kernaghan announced the finalists and then singer/songwriter Tom McIvor opened the envelope and announced that I won with 'The Maintop Balladeer.'  

 

In 2006 I again tried my hand at The Lyrics Only section of the Katherine Country Music Muster's Northern Territory Song Writing Competition and was nominated as one of the five finalists. Keith Jamieson again announced that I had won the section with my song 'Granddad's Crusty Damper.'   

 

Later in the year I received three finalist nominations in the Lyrics Only Section of the S.E. Queensland Branch's Song Writing Awards and took out second place with "I Wish I Were a Crocodile" and third place with "Son Play Another Coster Song". In August I released a new EP/CD "From Bard to Balladeer" with seven of my own compositions. 

 

In 2007 I thought I'd again enter the TSA Awards at Tamworth and received four out of the six nominations in the Lyrics Only Section of their National Song Writing Contest and won with "I Wish I Were a Crocodile." 

 

In 2008 I once again entered the TSA Awards at Tamworth and received two out of the six nominations in the Lyrics Only Section of their National Song Writing Contest.

 

In 2009 I once again entered the TSA Awards at Tamworth and received two out of the six nominations in the Lyrics Only Section of their National Song Writing Contest and won with "How The Times Have Changed So Qickly".

 

In 2010 I once again entered the TSA Awards at Tamworth and received a finalist nomination in the Lyrics Only Section of their National Song Writing Contest and won with "Down On Dogs and Ducks".

 

In 2011 I once again entered the TSA Awards at Tamworth and received a finalist nomination in the Lyrics Only Section of their National Song Writing Contest and won with "Hey Banjo".

 

In 2012 I once again entered the TSA Awards at Tamworth and received two finalist nominations in the Lyrics Only Section of their National Song Writing Contest  

 

In 2013 I once again entered the TSA Awards at Tamworth and received three semi-finalist nominations in the Lyrics Only Section of their National Song Writing Contest with "A Love To Own The Land", "But Today It Isn't So" and "The Dingo Scalper's Daughter".

I made the finals with "A Love To Own The Land", and "The Dingo Scalper's Daughter" and won with the "The Dingo Scalper's Daughter".

 

In 2014 I once again entered the TSA Awards at Tamworth and received two semi-finalist nominations in the Lyrics Only Section of their National Song Writing Contest with "Let's Say Adieu Instead" and "The Old J.C." and made the finals with both as well.

 

Today I enjoy being MCee and Stage Manager at Festivals and perfoming our show Bush Paetry, Ballads and Yarns at various Festivals.

[Merv Webster]

G'day Tom,  sorry about the stuff up mate.  Hit wrong key and it completed the bio before I even started.  Had to delete and start again.  Listened to a couple of your works mate and admire your musical and recording skills.  Look forward to finding my way around the site.

 

Merv

[Tonyy]

 

I was born in the Queensland border town of Goondiwindi and, as my dad was a banker, his work took us to a number of towns throughout Queensland. I received my education to Junior level and then tried my hand at various occupations such as a Lad Porter on the Railway, then as a Clerk for the Commonwealth Bank, an Accountant, and the Toowoomba City Council. My wife was a Roma girl, Christine Edwards, whom I married in Toowoomba and we would have four children. 

 

 After marrying I worked as a Clerk, Shop Assistant, Slaughterman and an Electrical Line Worker. These jobs took us to towns such as Toowomba, Roma, Cairns, Gatton, Warialda and Goondiwindi. During my time in Roma I took an interest in stock work and received an education on all aspects of the life, some of which I'd rather forget, from a hardened old drover. Chris' dad. In 1994 we moved to Bargara, where I began writing a book on my family's history. 

 

Impressed by the stories told to me, along with the experiences I had with Chris’ dad, I began trying my hand at writing bush poetry. My first book of bush poetry was called 'Tales of Uncle Jim', which was well received. In 1996 I met Neil McArthur, a fellow poet, who encouraged me to try performing my poetry at the Bundy Mob's Bush Poets Muster. This was the beginning of my career as a Performing Bush Poet. 

 

I have been fortunate over the years to be able to perform and win numerous awards for my performance bush poetry at such places as the Mapleton Yarn Festival, Poets on the Downs, Jondaryan Country Music Rush, The Winton Waltzing Matilda Bush Poetry Championships, The Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame, The Bundy Mob’s Bush Poets Muster, Central Queensland Bush Poetry Championships, The Surat Battered Bugle, The Gympie Muster, Camooweal's Drovers Yesteryear Festival, Harvey Bay Whale Festival, North Pines Camp Oven Festival, Glengallon Bush Poetry Festival, Imperial Hotel Bush Poetry Competition, Tenterfield Oracles of the Bush, Bard of the Outback and the Australian Bush Poetry Championships at Yarrawonga-Mulwala. 

 

Yarn spinning has become very much part of the bush poetry scene and I have enjoyed competing at competitions such as the Mapleton Yarn Festival, Jondaryan Country Music Rush, The Australian Yarn Spinning Championships [Winton Waltzing Matilda Festival], The Bundy Mob’s Bush Poets Muster, Millmerran Muster, Gatton Yarn Spinning Festival and the Yarnspinning Championships at the Australian Bush Poetry Championships,Yarrawonga-Mulwala. 

 

Since 1996 I have won a number of awards for my written bush poetry, which were included in the eight books of bush verse and yarns I have published along with three albums. I have been a finalist on four occasions at the Golden Gumleaf Bush Laureate Awards at Tamworth with my books and once with Chris for our CD, 'Chris and The Grey, A Selection of Bush Verse'. I also have a track on The Australian Bush Balladeers Albums, Volumes 4, 5 and 7 and the 2005 Katherine Country Music Muster Album.

 

My desire to see the advancement of bush poetry encouraged me to take on the job of Bush Poetry Events Co-ordinator and for two years I was Co-ordinator for the Bundy Mob's Bush Poet's Muster, two years Joint Co-ordinator of the Oasis Bush Poetry Competition at Tamworth as well as the Easter In the Country weekend at Roma. I also co-ordinate the bush poetry at the Katherine Country Music Festival and the Far North Bush Poetry Festival. I have had the privilege to act as compere at many of the places I have performed and see it as an important role in keeping any function running smoothly. 

 

Since 1999 Chris, and on occasions my dad, have joined me in our own show of Bush Poetry and Yarns, which we called 'Laughter & Tears from the Bush'. We have toured Western Queensland from Miles through to Camooweal, the Tamworth Country Music Festival, Easter In the Country at Roma, the 1770 Festival as well as Festivals, Expos, Farmfest, the Barcaldine Heritage Centre and numerous other venues throughout Queensland and Northern New South Wales. 

 

Over the years Chris has accompanied me to The Tamworth Country Music Festival where we perform our show in front of Grace Bros., now Target. From 2000 until 2003 Chris and I were resident bush poets at the Bailey Bar Caravan Park at Charleville during the winter months where we performed our Bush Poetry and Yarns show daily and we had the opportunity to meet so many folk and introduced quite a few of them to bush verse. In November 2004 I released my debut Bush Ballad EP/CD, 'The Bushman & The Balladeer', a tribute to R. M. Williams and Slim Dusty, featuring the songs, 'R. M. Williams - a Man Who Had Tried' and 'I Never Cried For Elvis But I Shed A Tear For Slim'.

 

In 2005 I tried my hand at song writing and entered The Lyrics Only section of the Katherine Country Music Muster's Northern Territory Song Writing Competition and was nominated as one of the five finalists. On the Saturday night of the Muster, Balladeer Keith Jamieson announced that I had won the section with my song 'Chasing Buttons.'  

 

Then in 2006 I thought I'd enter the TSA Awards at Tamworth and received three out of the five nominations in the Lyrics Only Section of their National Song Writing Contest and on Wednesday night of the Awards, Tania Kernaghan announced the finalists and then singer/songwriter Tom McIvor opened the envelope and announced that I won with 'The Maintop Balladeer.'  

 

In 2006 I again tried my hand at The Lyrics Only section of the Katherine Country Music Muster's Northern Territory Song Writing Competition and was nominated as one of the five finalists. Keith Jamieson again announced that I had won the section with my song 'Granddad's Crusty Damper.'   

 

Later in the year I received three finalist nominations in the Lyrics Only Section of the S.E. Queensland Branch's Song Writing Awards and took out second place with "I Wish I Were a Crocodile" and third place with "Son Play Another Coster Song". In August I released a new EP/CD "From Bard to Balladeer" with seven of my own compositions. 

 

In 2007 I thought I'd again enter the TSA Awards at Tamworth and received four out of the six nominations in the Lyrics Only Section of their National Song Writing Contest and won with "I Wish I Were a Crocodile." 

 

In 2008 I once again entered the TSA Awards at Tamworth and received two out of the six nominations in the Lyrics Only Section of their National Song Writing Contest.

 

In 2009 I once again entered the TSA Awards at Tamworth and received two out of the six nominations in the Lyrics Only Section of their National Song Writing Contest and won with "How The Times Have Changed So Qickly".

 

In 2010 I once again entered the TSA Awards at Tamworth and received a finalist nomination in the Lyrics Only Section of their National Song Writing Contest and won with "Down On Dogs and Ducks".

 

In 2011 I once again entered the TSA Awards at Tamworth and received a finalist nomination in the Lyrics Only Section of their National Song Writing Contest and won with "Hey Banjo".

 

In 2012 I once again entered the TSA Awards at Tamworth and received two finalist nominations in the Lyrics Only Section of their National Song Writing Contest  

 

In 2013 I once again entered the TSA Awards at Tamworth and received three semi-finalist nominations in the Lyrics Only Section of their National Song Writing Contest with "A Love To Own The Land", "But Today It Isn't So" and "The Dingo Scalper's Daughter".

I made the finals with "A Love To Own The Land", and "The Dingo Scalper's Daughter" and won with the "The Dingo Scalper's Daughter".

 

In 2014 I once again entered the TSA Awards at Tamworth and received two semi-finalist nominations in the Lyrics Only Section of their National Song Writing Contest with "Let's Say Adieu Instead" and "The Old J.C." and made the finals with both as well.

 

Today I enjoy being MCee and Stage Manager at Festivals and perfoming our show Bush Paetry, Ballads and Yarns at various Festivals.

 

I'm in Northern Rivers...tucked behind Murwillumbah and the Border Ranges. So, gidday, cobber! Ha!

[Merv Webster]

G'day Tonyy,  nice piece of country through there mate.  I've just returned from a trip out to Innamincka and Windorah.  Great country to inspire lyrics.  Picked up 8 songs from a trip out to Windorah last year and have three from this trip so far.  Basically bush ballads.  Have a great day.

 

 

 

https://app.box.com/s/epxo3alasyokfapmne5j

 

Merv

Edited July 10, 2014 by Merv Webster

[Tonyy]

G'day Tonyy,  nice piece of country through there mate.  I've just returned from a trip out to Innamincka and Windorah.  Great country to inspire lyrics.  Picked up 8 songs from a trip out to Windorah last year and have three from this trip so far.  Basically bush ballads.  Have a great day.

 

 

 

https://app.box.com/s/epxo3alasyokfapmne5j

 

Merv

I know those towns...but only from driving through...

 

I've been on this site only a couple of days. Just told someone here that their voice reminds me of Paul Kelly...whaddya think???

 

 

Cheers...

[Merv Webster]

Hint of Kel there mate for sure.

 

 

Merv

[john]

Hi and welcome Merv! We seem to have a growing Aussie contingent! I am biased, but our members make some damn fine music

[Merv Webster]

G'day John, hope life is being kind mate.  Still getting to know the site but the world isn't so wide anymore and great to share our love of music.

 

 

Merv