**Sept 2008**   No gigging for The Blucatss as each of the boys attend to their own agendas for the time being. Les' course is extremely challenging and so satisfying, it's as good as eating chocolate so he says!!  Jimmy still working with Phil Para and Dr Rick is writing a tune or two and doing some corporate work. All are well and miss the gigging and you folk. Till next time....keep music live!

**june 2008**  Dr Rick is back to Canada for a month leaving this weekend. Mrs Dr Rick is one of the world's top obstetricians and continues her teaching/training stint over there. No doubt he'll get some more new tunes inspired by the trip.What about the ones he brought back from his last trip eh!! We'll all have to wait. Gigs are still light but keep an eye on our gig guide. Something is bound to come up....

**May 2008**  Reluctantly, The Blucatss are having an enforced break of sorts. With the industry and local economy in "not so good a shape", the woik ain't there brudder!!! People don't go out like they used to. Add to this, Les back at school getting some music education to be a better composer, and time to look for gigs just disappears. We are looking for a regular monthly somewhere just to keep it all ticking over. Wait till u hear the new songs, there are some absolute rippers!!!!. They do need audience testing before we think of recording. Anyway, no complaints, we're all busy people. Get on with it eh!!!   See ya soon, the blueys. 

**early March 2008**  Last night. Les+Jimmy had the best seats in the house for Jon Cleary and the Absolute Monster Gentlemen. Now living in NewOrleans, Cleary the guitarman left his hometown English shores and went to America to find a niche as a pianoman. Giving due respect to the roots of that cities music, Jon not only learnt the style but has taken it to the next notch that everbody else looks  to reach. Mighty singer and rhytmatitian. The boys in the band are world class and keep Cleary on his toes throughout a performance. Les + Jimmy came away with a years worth of tuition in one night. "Transfer it to the stage boys" and let's see the results in the new Blucatss material and performance. 
btw...the Doc has some great new songs, one definately Clearyesque..check out the nights' pics....  

**feb 2008 ** The boys had a fantastic gig @ the inaugaural Pt Cook Blues Festival in Melbourne Australia. What a setting, the 150year old Homestead of the early wealthy Melbourne family, The Chirnsides (of Werribee mansion fame). Right next to the blue water beach, set under those huge old pine-trees, magnificent. The fund-raising festival run by volunteer group "Rotary " had 150 free helpers plus lots of paid staff. We all wish them success and future prosperity as this festival deserves to be a winner and to be generously supported.

** late jan 2008**   The lads are back in training. Rehearsals started this week. Doctor Rick looks healthy, fit and relaxed after the sojourn in the northern hemishere. He worked on new songs and his vocals whilst away. The new songs from he and les are a welcome addition to the repertoire as the inevitable album nears.

**jan 2008**  First time you'll get to see the refreshed Blucatss is Friday night,  jan 25 at the Nighthawk Bar in Mentone. Come down and have a good time to funkin' rockin' hot blues.

**Jan 2008**  New Years greetings to you all. Hope the festive season was beneficial to your your soul as well as to your waistline. Blucatss are pleased to announce a run of upcoming gigs at the Nighthawk bar( see Gig Guide). Times are tough and Bar owners feel the pinch quicker than most businesses. There too many reasons people are using not to go out and socialize. It affects us all. We'll certainly be giving our "all" at every show and we'd love to see you there. Pls come say hello. We need each other.  

**mid-Nov 2007** Blucatss have one gig to go in 2007.  Next year is not looking good so far, so try to catch the boys  Dec 8 @ S'grdn.  Venues are struggling to make ends meet and it follows that they can't afford live music. 
BUT, we thank you all very much for the big 2007 we've had.  
The lineup changed a few times, we had sickness, and had guests in the band(much appreciated to each one of you), and, almost got to recording that most important "debut-album". 
I'm feeling confident 2008 will bring same to fruition. Dr Rick has been writing whilst on holidays and Les has some new tunes. Our venue hosts, the press and you the public have been so encouraging. The Blucatss thankyou. 
Seasons' greetings and best wishes to you and your loved ones from the bluies. 

**nov 2007**    The weekend gig was a beauty on many fronts. Not only were the attendance numbers 
good,  the band rockin 'n' swingin' like a dunny door in a cyclone, and the crowd really enjoying being at 
a live band gig, but our two "'sickies" were in the thick of it. Both Jimmy (bass player) and Bob(bar-
owner) were showing how well they've recovered after recent heart-related illness. 
A big cheer to for Bobs' wife Maree. She's been holding the fort at Nighthawk as well as doing her day job...what a woman......well done Maree.!!  

**Oct 2007** Yáll better get on down soon and see the mighty Blucatss with Travis Winters. This boy plays like he's been locked away for years only  just being let out. Man, he does it well. People are commenting on his stage antics, shaking the fist while singing and that hat, well. Anyway. catch him soon and enjoy the Blucatss guest guitarman before he moves on. Jimmy (bass) was back to his best on the weekend after last weeks' time off for illness. Check out his stage moves too, "shake a leg" comes to mind.  

**Oct 6 2007** I had to get on the blower quickly last Saturday morning with Jimmy being sick and all. My good mates John Dallimore (Max Meritt/Jon English/Doug Parkinson), and Kim Kelaart the hammond player quickly making himself an huge reputation(fresh back from touring the east coast with Tony Monaco, USA legend), kindly came to the Blucatss rescue. Boy,  what a show these two put on.   (If u missed ém, diarise Oct 27 at Laverton Soundgarden). TheNighthawk went off and I mean Orf..Fantastic stuff you guys.. Check the pics. 

**Oct 6 2007**  8.30 in the morning of our gig at Nighthawk Blues Bar, Jimmy Fewings, our fabulous bass player rings me to say he was in hospital last night with heart/chest pain and would like the night off if poss. Well, how much can u rock a person!!  Last fortnight Bob and now Jimmy. Thankfully, I'm writing the day after the gig and from another coversation with Jimmy, he's feeling better but still chest tightness and tired. He's back at the doctor tomorrow for more tests. He was still going through the new songs prior to the gig, in his head,  while he was in hospital. What a champ!! He assures me he'll be at the Soundgarden gig next week. 

**Oct 2007**  Fans, the Oct 6 gig at Nighthawk Blues Bar has John Dallimore sitting in with the Blucatss. He is one of the finest musicians this country has produced. A long time sideman for Max Merrit and Jon English, he's provided guitar/vocals for many of the best. Come and urge him on to new blue heights Saturday 9pm.

**28 Sept 2007 **  Called up to see Bob Thomas (Nighthawk Bar owner) in hospital this week. Still cheeky as ever and missing live  blues music big time. He's been told to slow down for 6weeks to allow his body to catch up and heal some. Besides the heartattack and stroke, he has two cracked ribs with huge bruises from the fall. two numb fingers from poor circulation and nodules on his throat.
He had to have an MRI catscan to determine causes of all this. During the proceedure. the operator asks what music you'd like to listen to (if any). Of course Bob asks for blues and immediately recognises the BB King CD as same one he also has at home. Small blessings huh!! He's very cheerful, would love a chat if you're up for it.

** Sept 2007**  Whilst ringing the Nighthawk Blues Bar to tell Bob, (host and mad keenest blues fan ever, see "photos" section), about our special guest guitarman for October, his lovely wife Maree answered the phone. Shocking news followed. Bob was in hospital. At last wednesday nights' jam, he'd collapsed in the back room suffering a stroke and heartattack. Our thoughts and get well wishes are with the family.  

* Aug 2007**  The end of this month sees Doctor Rick off to Canada till jan 2008. What a fantastic trip for him and his family. The doctor has a famous obstetrician wife. She is doing work/study over there and Doc is looking after the kids, with guitar in the other hand. Look out for his emails and travel tales on this site. Meanwhile Blucatss have gigs to fulfill. We'll have a procession of the best musos available. You'll know who is playing from our weekly email send-out.  

**July 2007**  The Blucatss shifted gears this month taking on a new bass player. Not just any bassman either. An electricbass replacing the former doublebass sound. Jimmy Fewings is the new man and brings a heap of diversity and experience to the group. He's been the bottom-end groover for Phil Para, Broderick Smith, Bo Jenkins and Relax with Max to name but a few. The band decided a harder edge was needed to fuel the creative engines. The former bassman Mike St Claire-Miller proved his worth and the boys thank him for the fantastic contribution he gave over the previous twelve months...tks Mike.

** May 2007** It's been awhile but the trio is pumping it out again at full pace. The boys have responded to the challenge beautifully. New songs and new toys mean pre-production is under way. All are looking forward to getting that elusive record out there to you the faithful public.  The band express their thanks for your continued support and encouragement.  

** March 2007 
As often happens in the industry, differences mean changes. The latest band 
to go through a change is The Blucatss. The band is now Blucatss trio, Brian 
Strafford is no longer with the group. The Blucatss trio wish Brian every 
success and look forward to hearing this talented musician's next musical 
project.

*** Jan 2007 *** The boys are in pre-production for The Blucatss album number 1. Tracks have been chosen, nearly all original, and polishing the t**d has begun.

Sept 2006**  Good news for the boys this month with two of Melbournes' premier Blues venues booking them to play monthly for all of 2007. "It's so pleasing to have reassurance from a venue, that what your doing is a winner" said drummer Les Oldman.

**25 June 2006** If you're itchin' for some real-home-spun-club-type atmosphere with your music, "Soundgarden" Laverton (see gig guide) is it. Dave and Maree are on a winner. Saturday just gone was a beauty. Numbers building and enthusiasts to boot (bonus), plus social animals, to the max.  Make the effort, it's worth it.

**May 2006** Thank you Dave and Maree..yes, they've hired the band, once a month,  till Christmas at least. This new Blues venue is a beauty. It needs your support. Great food, easy parking, cheap booze, mighty music, the people are friendly.

**May 2006   This month has seen the band playing a Thursday,  at the classy "Machester Lane" club in CBD Melbourne. Mid week is a hard gig to get supported but they did it. "Soungarden"  is a new western suburbs gig (check our gig guide). Let's see how The Blucatss affect the neighbourhood. Great to see Dave and his team trying to liven up the scene there.

The PBS broadcast was a beaudy if u missed it..Helen is delightful and listen up for the recording snippets on our "toggle"record player.

Wednesday 26 April 2006. 10am EST..
..hear The Blucatss playing new tunes live to air on the Helen Jennings' show, Melbourne's PBS 106.7FM

Feb 2006   ***   The rain pelted down in Melbourne last weekend and kept a few music fans from venturing out to local venues. 
The Blucatss had a great night an hour out of town, at Geelong's Limelight Lounge. Dedicated guitarheads had Dr Rick answering all sorts of Q's about his equipment, and on stage, the band didn't let them down. The twin guitarists left them "wanting more", a great way to finish a gig always.

Feb 2006**The boys are certainly back in town. Melbourne's sea-side suburb of St Kilda hosted The Blucatss at historic W St K RSL. The room was full of enthusiastic fans urging the band to "do another one".  

*Jan 2006    - lt was a real thrill for Australian guitarist Brian Strafford and drummer Les Oldman to be playing at "BB Kings" House of Blues in Memphis. The crowd response was very enthusiastic and both musicians brought back a lot of confidence that Aussie Blues music is doing O'K on the world stage. On ya guys!!