When we spoke about the release of Cold Trail, his new album, he’d just come out of the recording studio where he’d been producing a new EP for Raechel Lee (remember The Lees – the family band from Broken Hill?).

Bill does quite a bit of production work at his Whitewater Studio (formerly known as the Bone Yard, as it was just the “bare bones”), introducing new and emerging artists.

It’s a long way from South End, South Australia and trapping foxes on the Nullarbor to selling albums digitally through iTunes.

“iTunes is a medium which has become a lot more important to an artist like me,” he said.

“That’s something I never thought I’d say, but these days the world’s a lot smaller because of the internet and social media.” 

Even so, Bill is opting for an old-school launch of the new disc during his Victorian tour, doing an instore launch at Basement Discs tomorrow at lunchtime.

“It’s a great shop in Melbourne where they still do things the old way and have record store releases,” Bill said.

“The artist comes in, sings a few songs and hopefully sells a few albums.

“It’s very old school. I’ve seen quite a few other artists there.”

Cold Trail is a wonderful album that’s on high rotation in my Mazda6.

If you don’t have your copy yet, you’d better rectify that situation.

Bill is heading back to Tamworth this year for shows during Hats Off to Country in July.

You could grab a copy from him then, if you can wait that long ... I couldn’t.

I loved the way he described the title track for the disc, a song he co-wrote with Shane Nicholson about five years ago.

“Shane recorded it, but didn’t release it, so I thought I might put it out,” Bill said.

“When I recorded it, it just felt like the title track.

“Sometimes, we’re on a cold trail that’s not taking you where you want to go, but that’s just a part of life. Not every road leads to a rainbow.”

You’ve sure got that one right, Billy-Bob.

Visit your local newsagent to get your copy of Capital News to read the full story.

FIVE months ago a new band made its debut on the local scene, performing at the Post Office Hotel.

The MetroGnomeS are back next Friday night at the Post Office, so you’d best adjust your social calendar accordingly.

Randall Wilson will be on the drumkit, with Melinda Marcellos out front, cranking out the jazz standards and groovy tunes.

Showtime is 7.30pm so don’t be late. It should be a very cool gig.

THERE’S a little acoustic concert on Monday night you’re invited along to.

All proceeds from the Country in the Village concerts are directed to the Australian Country Music Hall of Fame to help local volunteers do their “jobs” as custodians of history.

This month’s special guest, Graeme Doubleday (Dubby) will be introduced by your congenial host, Bruce O’Hara.

It starts at 6.30pm and will be held in the Lifestyle Village Hall, Warral Rd, West Tamworth.

There’s every chance Dubby will be joined by other local entertainers, and perhaps some who are passing through town, who frequent the event.

Entry is just $5, which includes tea or coffee and a light supper.

If you’d like to see where your $5 is going, call in to the Hall of Fame in the former tourist information 

centre, on the corner of Peel and Murray streets, and see what these hardworking volunteers achieve on a shoestring budget. It’s quite remarkable. 

The Hall of Fame also incorporates the Walk a Country Mile interpretive centre, a must-see for anyone curious about country music in Australia. For details or directions, phone 0403 322 472.