Renowned Australian pop-rock icon, Tim Freedman's excursion into the realm of country music continues with The Whitlams Black Stump Band releasing a new ballad about an iconic rugby league moment from yesteryear.
'The Day John Sattler Broke His Jaw' chronicles the legendary tale of the South Sydney captain's heroic stand to remain on the field during the 1970 Grand Final.After sustaining the injury in the third minute of the match he told a teammate: "Hold me up, so they don't know I'm hurt." The rest is history as he played out the game, leading Souths to victory over Manly.
"I am so heartened that country radio has taken to this track, which is as much a piece of social history as it is a song about football," Freedman says. "The Sattler incident is a seminal piece of Australian folklore."
The origins of The Whitlams Black Stump Band emerged last year when Freedman was doing a regional run of shows as the nation began opening back up.
The enthusiasm he saw from bush crowds led him to Matt Fell and the task to "put your dream band together".
The result is a crew of some of the country's finest session-touring musicians: Fell on bass, Ollie Thorpe on pedal steel, Rod McCormack on banjo and acoustic guitar, and long-term Whitlams member Terepai Richmond on drums; with Freedman out front.
After making their debut last month at the 50th Tamworth Country Music Festival, the band will embark on a regional tour this winter.
"We can't wait to get our elbows in the breeze in July starting with a rigorous North Queensland run," enthuses Tim.
"What's more, we are thrilled to have such great country artists on the shows with us."
The band will be joined along the way by Felicity Urquhart and Josh Cunningham (NSW, VIC), Cass Hopetoun (QLD shows) and Raechel Whitchurch (ACT and Bowral show).
Tickets are on sale.
The Whitlams Black Stump Band 2022 Tour Dates
Wed 27 Jul - Goat Bar (Rockhampton)Thu 28 Jul - The Metropolitan Hotel (Mackay)
Fri 29 Jul - Mansfield Hotel (Townsville)
Sat 30 Jul - Tanks Arts Centre (Cairns)
Wed 3 Aug - Gunnedah Town Hall (Gunnedah)
Thu 4 Aug - Orange Civic Theatre (Orange)
Fri 5 Aug - Royal Hotel (Queanbeyan)
Sat 6 Aug - Bowral Bowling Club (Bowral)
Fri 12 Aug - Westernport Hotel (San Remo)
Sat 13 Aug - Queenscliff Town Hall (Queenscliff)
Sun 14 Aug - Burrinja Theatre (Upwey)
