Well, 2011 is drawing to a close. It's been a great year for me, with lots of shows and some new songs in the pipeline leading towards my next recording. Which makes 2012 seem even more exciting, especially if you're not a fan of the Mayan Calendar and that whole end of the world thing. Hopefully the world won't end though, at least not before I get to play for all of you again and put out a new record or two. And besides, I haven't even started work on my Ark, and I intend for there to be room for all of you on it, as well as two of every animal. Except for Cane Toads. We might leave them behind. They'd probably survive too, knowing them. Jerks.
Before this year ends though, I will be heading back into the studio to start work on the aforementioned new record (or two). I'll be working with my good compadre and trusted accomplice Ben Tolliday, and I'm hoping to have some new songs for you to feast on as soon as possible.
But next year isn't all about recording, you know. I'll be hitting the road again soon and this year will be full of shows, both where I've played before and into some new territory as well. I'm spending the holiday season here in Australia, but I'll be back over in the US of A before you know it, and already have some shows scheduled in the good ol' South, which are as follows:

January 17th (Tues): The Five Spot - Nashville, TN
January 19th (Thurs): Hal and Mal's - Jackson, MS
January 21st (Sat) : HTGT - Baton Rouge, LA
January 22nd (Sun): Banks St Bar, New Orleans, LA
January 23rd (Mon): Atmosphere - Lafayette, LA
January 25th (Wed): Luna Bar - Lake Charles, LA
January 26th (Thurs): The Mockingbird Cafe - Bay St. Louis, MS
January 27th (Fri): Serda's Coffee House - Mobile, AL
February 6th (Mon): Moonlight on the Mountain - Birmingham, AL.
February 10th (Fri): The Blue Plate Special - Knoxville, TN

There'll be more shows to add to this list as well, and I'll be letting you all know when the time is right. Or maybe even before then.

So, I wish you all happy holidays and a happy new year. Thanks so much for all your support and encouragement this year, it means so much. Looking forward to seeing you all in 2012.

Be good,

CP

Hey All,

Just thought I'd give you all an update regarding what's going on in my world for the next little while.

Well, it's been a heck of a year and it's not over yet! I've been on two big Southern Tours of the USA and played in New York and the West Coast as well. I've also released a new 7” 45rpm vinyl double A-side of my songs “Fisherman's Daughter” and “I Just Want To Love”. It's currently only available in stores in Nashville, TN (at The Groove and Grimey's) and at gigs, so if you're in Nashville get on down there to get your copy, or if you are elsewhere, be sure to come get one from me when I'm next playing in your town! There's also plans afoot to have them available for sale in Australia, so I'll be keeping you posted on those details too. Also, I'll be heading back into the studio again over the next few months so will have some all-new music heading your way in 2012. It's gonna be a good year.

Right now, I'm back in my home country of Australia for a couple of months and have some shows lined up down here, which are:

November 24^th - The Empress, MELBOURNE, VIC, 8:00pm.

• with my band and also some very special guests...

December 4^th – Brisbane Powerhouse, BRISBANE, QLD, 3:30pm.

• this will be a very special show and the debut performance of my new guitar, which was made especially for me by Simon Ramsey, master Luthier. It's a beautiful one-of-a-kind nylon string acoustic, and I feel so humbled and proud to be both its custodian and inspiration. I'll be playing new songs and some special versions of older songs.

December 11^th – The Dowse Bar, BRISBANE, QLD, 6:00pm.

Then in January, I will be back in the United States and have plans to head out on tour again very soon after, so watch this space for more details. I'll be playing again in your neck of the woods and then even more necks of the woods very soon! Woods and necks: both awesome things.

In the meantime, keep safe and warm if you're in the Northern Hemisphere, and keep safe and cool if you're in the Southern one. Be sure to check in on my homepage and facebook page for regular updates and goings on.

Be good,

CP

I'm doing another tour of the South and it's kicking off tomorrow with our first gig in Oxford, MS! All the dates are as follows, and there are more to be added, so keep checking back on this site to see any updates.

Wed August 3rd @ The Snack Bar - Oxford, MS
Friday August 5th @ The Pour House - Vicksburg, MS
Saturday August 6th @ The Rustic Cowboy - Keithville, LA
Wednesday August 10th @ Igor's Checkpoint Charlie - New Orleans, LA
Thursday August 11th @ The Mockingbird Cafe - Bay St. Louis, MS
Friday August 12th and Saturday August 13th @ Helen Back Again - Navarre, FL
Tuesday August 16th @ The Naked Grape Wine Station - Santa Rosa, FL
Wednesday August 17th @ Eighth and Rail - Opelika, AL
Friday August 19th @ The Rookery - Macon, GA
Tuesday August 23rd @ The White Mule - Columbia, SC
Thursday August 25th @ The Honest Pint - Chattanooga, TN
Friday August 26th @ Rivertown Coffee Co. - Florence, AL
Tuesday August 30th @ The Five Spot - Nashville, TN

Check the gig guide for more details, and we'll see you at a show very soon!

Greetings!

Well, it's March, and that can only mean one thing: it's time for my Melbourne residency at the Empress to start! I am super excited about this, and if you ran into me in the street I would most likely regale you with tales of exactly how excited I am and how the last person that was this excited won the lottery, then lost their winning ticket, then found it again when they picked up their drycleaning.

Anyhow, all excitement aside, they're going to be a great bunch of gigs. They're on every single Saturday afternoon in March, from 4:00-6:00pm at The Empress Of India Hotel in North Fitzroy, and I'm stoked with the line-up that we've pulled together, which I've managed to pull myself together enough to type out for you below:

Saturday March 5th - Chris Pickering Solo with Luke Brennan and the Lazy Dogs
Saturday March 12th - Chris Pickering and Band with The Quarry Mountain Dead Rats
Saturday March 19th - Chris Pickering Solo with Phil Ballantyne (Intercooler)
Saturday March 26th - Chris Pickering and Band with Courtney Barnett

SEE??? See how awesome that line up is??? No wonder I'm excited. There's going to be some great music to be heard. Note that I'll be playing two solo shows and two with my band, which on this occasion will feature the great Dave Rogers on bass and excellent Dave Kleynjans on the drums. The cover charge is going to be between $5 and $10 for each gig, so it's value for money in our booming economy.

I've got some other fun gigs in March I should mention too. I'm returning to Lorne to play solo at Babalu Bar this Sunday March 6th, and then on Wednesday March 9th I'm going to be a third sized slice of a music pie with Sam Buckingham and Cookie Baker as we play The Wesley Anne in Northcote. We're going to be playing two sets all together 'in the round', and it's going to be a pretty special little show I reckon, with a cover charge of $10. Sam and Cookie are both pretty awesome talents, I'm sure you'll like it.

So yes, there we go. Heaps to remember and do in a somewhat busy month. I'm looking forward to seeing you at a gig soon!

Take it easy, and be good.

CP

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