Opal Records executive producer Ross Murphy has been working with Enrec’s Steve Newton on new albums from Tamworth artists Christina George and Johanna Hemara.

Musicians including James Gillard, Scott Hills, Lawrie Minson, Andrew Clermont and Rachel Johnston have been in Tamworth and have recorded 26 songs over two days.

“With that level of musicianship, you can do that,” Newton said.

Cellist Johnston has put her touch on George’s album, which is an instrument not normally associated with country music.

“This is probably my first country recording,” Johnston said.

“I’ve done loads of folk and bluegrass, though, and in the past I’ve played Celtic and Scottish also. I have been to Tamworth before with Missy Higgins during the festival.” 

Johnston said she had enjoyed working with Newton in the studio.

“He is great at interfacing to let me know what he wants,” she said.

Johnston will return to Tamworth for next year’s country music festival, where she will play Clermont’s Supper Club shows.

“Everyone has been telling me how great the Supper Club and festival is,” she said.

There’s no rest for executive producer Murphy, either: he has these two albums in the works,  then a new album for Buddy Weston in February, which will also be recorded at Enrec.

For Newton, it’s not just recording studio work in the pipeline, as he has turned his hand to more video productions recently, including Norma O’Hara Murphy’s festival, Tamworth artist Possum Hollis and former local Errol Gray.

He has also recorded the Coad Family’s live album and Tamworth rock band Big Limbo.

“I’ve been incredibly busy with a range of different music, with a lot of country, but I enjoy spreading it around,” Newton said.