Biography

*** THE O'DONNELLS - An Australian Family Bluegrass Band ***

One family. One band. The excitement of bluegrass, together with their unique vocal blend, we are pleased to introduce you to The O’Donnells. The family provides an enthusiastic show with hard-driving banjo and riveting harmonies.

2012 - guest performance on ABC’s Australia All Over and their single “Back To The Brisbane River” up in the 989FM Top 20 Australian Songs Chart for over 6 weeks.

2011 - a finalist nomination as 2011 Group Of The Year in the QLD Country Music Awards for Recording Artists.

2009 – winners of the Overall Group awards at the Qld Country Music Champion of Champions event.

A family struggling with the daily challenges of working parents and three busy teenagers, The O'Donnells formed a band in an effort to keep their family together. They live in Logan City - about 40 mins south of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

Sharing a love of high energy bluegrass music, the band is made up of parents, John (banjo) and Wendy (guitar), together with their three children, Johnny (19 - bass guitar), Jacqui (17 - mandolin) and Katelyn (14).

The O'Donnells have played many festivals including the Redlands Bluegrass Convention, Gympie Muster, Urban Country Music Festival, Ballina Country Music Festival, Dorrigo Folk & Bluegrass Festival and Gold Coast Acoustic Music Festival.

This unique family brings a fresh approach to the Australian country music scene with their strong vocal harmonies and traditional acoustic music.

ALBUM TRACKS

1. John In The Jordan
- Words and music by Jerry Salley and R Golden

2. Back To The Brisbane River
- Words and music by John and Wendy O'Donnell

3. Stand Still
- Words and music by David Marshall, Sonya Isaacs and Rebecca Isaacs Bowman

4. The Last Muster
- Words by Colin Campbell. Music by John O'Donnell

5. The Water Is Wide
- Traditional

6. Swing Low Sweet Chariot
- Traditional

7. Drover From The Outback
- Words and music by John O'Donnell

8. Your Grace Still Amazes Me
- Words and music by Shawn Craig and Connie Harrington

9. The World Today
- Words and music by John O'Donnell

10. Rocky Top
- Words and music by Felice and Boudleaux Bryant

11. Cast Your Burden
- Words and music by John O'Donnell

12. You'll Never Walk Alone
- Words and music by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II


THE MUSICIANS
- The O'Donnells (John, Wendy, Johnny, Jacqui, Katelyn) - all vocals
- Brendan Radford - acoustic/electric guitars
- John O'Donnell - 5 string banjo
- Breen Schipke - bass guitar
- Hugh Curtis - fiddle, mandolin
- Michel Rose - dobro, pedal steel
- Jo Robertson - cello
- Doug Gallacher - drums, percussion

ALBUM CREDITS

- Produced by Brendan Radford and John O'Donnell
- Recorded and Engineered by Brendan Radford at Radmusic Studio, Brisbane Qld
- Mixed by Geoff McGahan
- Mastered by Jeff McCormack at The Music Cellar, Central Coast, NSW