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About fRETfEST

fRETfEST was established in 1997 to support the ever growing interest in folk, roots and acoustic music, focusing on the singer-songwriter.

Popular Australian singer- songwriters Pete Murray, Greg Arnold and Women in Docs have something in common - they have all been part of the Australian acoustic music showcase, Fretfest ®

Acoustic music supporter Alan Buchan started Fretfest in 1997 as a way of giving unknown solo performers a chance to sing their own songs and gain performance experience.

Buchan recruited the talent, encouraged and coached them, and in many cases produced demo recordings to give the artists feedback and confidence.

Over the years the format has broadened, with Fretfest attracting well-known Australian guest artists including Greg Arnold (Things of Stone & Wood) and Paul Greene, as well as many promising beginners.

Fretfest 03, featured fresh new acts such as Rob Longstaff and 17yr old Liz Capelin, along with internationally popular folk group Rough Red and Brisbane's own legendary guitar maestro John Malcolm.

Buchan's desire to discover unknown songwriters and give them a regular platform first took form when he placed a small classified advert in local street press magazines.

"Graham Rix, Becky Willis and Matt Newnham were among the first to respond" he said. "And they formed the opening line-up at the first shows in Brisbane in November of that year."

"They were my first 'finds' and I gave them the opportunity to play together, back to back, to share the limelight, and to gain skills and broaden their audience."

"Throughout these early sessions we helped showcase the talents of dozens of new singer songwriters, including Ant McKenna who went on to feature in Those Bloody McKennas (Melb), and Helen McGreevy who later joined The Flannelettes and toured regularly with folk band Spot The Dog.''

Through 1997 and '98, Fretfest was held as a weekly event culminating in several 'best of' sessions, and spawned the Best Of The Fretfest compilation CD.

"We had a strong cache of talented performers vying for performance slots. We also enjoyed a constant stream of new artists applying, one act being a female acoustic duo from Townsville called Women in Docs.

"Another was Pete Murray" says Buchan. "A young man armed with a great voice and beautiful songs, and both he and Women in Docs became favourites throughout 1999 and 2000."

Other artists to feature in Fretfest were Dan Carter of Miles From Nowhere, Peachfish (then just 'Craig & Deb'), and Dave Avery who wrote George Thorogood's #1 American hit song 'Get A Haircut & Get A Real Job'.

Opening the event to songwriters of all ages saw veteran performer Bob Wilson join Fretfest in 2002, and his quirky urban ditties now feature on the ABC's Australia All Over radio program. John Gordon also joined the Fretfest ranks in 2002, bringing with him his absorbing ballad, Inexorably Yours which Wendy Matthews featured on her popular 1992 release Lily.

"Fretfest quickly became known as the place where fledgling songwriters could take their first steps and where the art of songwriting was being given the sort of exposure it should have,'' Buchan explains.

"What's been truly gratifying is to see how far some of these people have come over the years.''

Both Women in Docs and Pete Murray have become nationally known acts, while Becky Willis (who debuted on The Best of the Fretfest) went on produce her own independent EP and was then invited to take the Starmaker stage at Tamworth's Country Music Festival where she won the praises of Kasey Chambers. Willis has since attended the College Of Country Music and has toured with Becky Cole as a backing guitarist and backing vocalist.

"This is exactly the sort of step forward we hope Fretfest encourages,'' Buchan said.

"Fretfest is a springboard for young singer-songwriters, confirming their belief in themselves and giving them the experience they will later need."

"Pete Murray is perhaps the best example I can give. He came to me in 1999 looking for reassurance and stage experience, and I immediately gave him as many opportunities as I possibly could.''

Today, Fretfest is making in-roads into Australia's national support network with plans of developing infrastructure for education, and with the support of public arts and community funding groups.

Expressions of interest are most welcome.

Contact fRETfEST Director Alan Buchan - visit the CONTACT PAGE to get in touch.