After we’d eaten a delicious seafood gumbo, followed by southern fried chicken, coleslaw, mash and gravy prepared by Nundle’s singing chef Toni Swain, George took the stage. He just about stole the show, opening for his very proud mum, who sat there beaming during his five-song set.

He opened with an original, Black Sea, followed by some classy covers – The Beatles’ Don’t Let Me Down and two Small Faces numbers, finishing with a killer version of the David Bowie classic, Space Oddity. Now that’s a song you don’t hear every day but possibly should – or at least the way George does it.

Then it was the turn of the divine diva from Victoria’s Bellarine peninsula, who didn’t disappoint, cranking up her ukulele to deliver Lights That Dazzle, a song inspired by an almost-busted experience she had at the inaugural Deni Uke Muster – yes, Uke.

“The Deni Ute Muster draws about a million people, but the Deni Uke Muster peaked at about 120,” Sarah Carroll told us. 

For the next hour or so, we were treated to some of the original tunes she’s laying down at a studio just outside Tamworth, with Leigh Ivin at the control panel and Ronny Rindo sitting in on drums.

Some of the songs we were treated to include Lisa Marie (the plane Elvis named after his daughter), a gorgeous tribute to her dad, a cool country waltz, a stomping foottapper, Where The Cows Go (about Clifton Springs where they live), with George showing his vocal percussion skills as mum stood and delivered, Treat Her Like A Queen and an encore you had to hear to appreciate: Ukulele Bitch Fight.

There were about 35 of us in the little supper room off to the side of the beautiful old hall, and the atmosphere was just perfect. Top spot for a gig.

If you’re lucky, you might jag a seat to Saturday night’s show this weekend with George Washingmachine’s Gypsy 5 – featuring George on violin, Arthur Washington on guitar, Jerry Washington on guitar, Chris O’Dea on tenor sax and Matt Lamb on double bass.

Swaino’s cooking again and don’t forget to bring your own refreshments and an extra jumper – it is Nundle, you know. Numbers are required ASAP for catering purposes, so phone or text 0412 630 457 today to reserve your seat at the table. If you love gypsy jazz, you’ll love this hot little combo. I’d be there with bells on, only I’ll be at Murwillumbah Country Roots Festival. 

HEARTY congratulations to a fair dinkum golden pair – Reg and Dot Poole – on their 50th wedding anniversary. In Mildura for the annual country music festival, which is in full swing this week, the golden couple were lured out to lunch with old mate Terry Gordon, not suspecting there was a mob of 25 or 30 mates waiting to wish them well.

My friend Flash was one of the prime movers behind the celebration, at the request of the couple’s daughter Kristy Bodenko, who is in America. Flash even organised the cake! And as always, she was there with her trusty camera to capture the magic moments.

■ FOOTNOTE: You might recall the article a few weeks back in which I featured the albums of two bearded bards – Allan Caswell and Reckless Johnny Wales. They actually did get to meet up in Nashville. Not sure if they had time to write any songs, but they swapped albums and had a good yarn, from what I can gather. I might have played a small part in facilitating the meeting. Don’t you just love it when a plan comes together?