ERIC WOODHEAD

A few years later Eric could be heard on Radio 2KA Katoomba singing live to air with their band ‘The Midnighters’, as could Tex Morton sometimes on the same program. They played venues in the Blue Mountains and points west to Orange. Eric’s boss at Ziems Garage suggested the late night music was the cause of bleary eyes at work and priorities needed to be set. So in the interest of holding his job Eric chose the bag pipes as less demanding, then in much later years as a senior citizen turned his hand to the Tenor Drum in the Bundaberg Caledonian Pipe Band. Music always played a role in Eric’s life.

After marrying Lyn they moved to a Winton property in Western Qld. Teaming up with keyboard players Eric played guitar and Saxophone to satisfy the variety of music needed at Balls and Club nights at Winton and Longreach in those days. He also played for Birdsville Picnic Races.

Special thanks for the extra effort in production to eldest son Angus who features in various roles on the album. At age 3 Angus stood at the corner of the stage in the Woolshed tapping his foot in time with his father Eric’s band, until the night finished after 1am, at the Tower Hill Picnic Races held at ‘Beryl’ back then. Music must be in the blood as Eric’s dad had a wonderful Tenor voice singing for weddings. Even in the west Eric & Lyn made sure Angus’s natural ear for music, was developed so travelled 384kms round trip from their Property east of Winton to Longreach for quality music lessons for Angus every fortnight.

The song Highway of Life says “Droughts they came and brought no rain . . . . so with the wife and kids took to the road” as the song relates Eric and family packed their positions into boxes in the spare room and left, finding a position as an undertaker at Narrabeen NSW, finally the rains came and turning down opportunities in the city the family returned to the West.

Younger son Andrew who plays Bass Guitar on this album, when a very young child would love to go with dad to open the gates when Eric trucked cattle through the night from their property to the Rail trucking yards a Choregon. However secondary education dictated a move closer for schooling if there was to be a full family life, so upped traps and moved to a property east of Gympie with views and a mild climate! A little later, a paddock at Memerambi with a house and a very big shed that gave a base in the South Burnett. Friends introduced the Country Music Club scene to Eric and the boys so those were fun family times in the 90’s. Trophies took up space on the shelves. Tamworth became an annual family trip, busking in Peel Street drew a crowd and their duo placed 2nd in Entertainer of the year.

The family band was called The Woodheads playing many South Burnett venues including country shows and clubs. As time marched on and the boys married their priorities had to be set too.

Following family encouragement finally the commitment has now been made to complete the Highway of Life album. Hopefully this background gives you a more enlightened enjoyment of God given talents.