Launch of Writing my Book Again Album
6/8/18
We’ve been so busy with the business of getting a new album out that, only now have I had a chance to sit down and write about the experience and where it’s at.
This has been the 1st time I’ve gone this far in terms of the promotion and sales of an album. I have several out, but it’s usually been a case of “get it recorded, get it on itunes and get back to work”.
I have to say the process has changed a lot in recent times and so much time and effort is spent on (cyber) paperwork that you start to question the value of having the “presence” on itunes and the streaming media. With that in mind, the album is also available directly from my website for those of you that support me directly. This has the advantage to me of receiving the bulk of what you spend on your purchase and the advantage for you of actually owning a high quality edition of the album whether it be as a download or a CD (I hear cassettes are coming back, but we haven’t gone there – they weren’t much good even when they were the lastest thing!).
So the single “Too Many Beers” was launched at The Welder’s Dog in Tamworth on Tuesday June 19th. The album launched with a gig at the same venue on July 13 during the Hats off to Country festival. Followed by a full performance of the album the next day at the legendary Longyard.
Our aim was to establish a presence in Tamworth to give us a chance at a booking for the big festival in January. We achieved this and more, securing 2 shows at a major venue plus an invite to perform on the walkup stage, a tough spot to get and invaluable for promoting a new name. This was then totally topped by being invited back the week following Hats Off to perform 2 songs at the “R U Aware - We Care” benefit for drought stricken farmers! An honour to share the stage with some Tamworth Royalty as well as Lee Kernaghan and Adam Harvey.
We did some great radio and make some great new friends and can’t wait to get back for the big one. Job Done!
We’re now working on some gigs to keep our ‘match fitness’ up over the ensuing months.
We’re playing Monday Country at The Maori Chief Hotel in South Melbourne on the 27th Aug.. On September 30th we’ll be starting our “Last Sunday of the Month” Session at our “home ground” The Flowerdale Hotel on the Yea Rd. in Flowerdale. Keep your eye out for other gigs as they come up by following “Bobby valentine songsinger” on Facebook, bobbyvster on Instagram or, the best option the website www.bobbyvalentine.com.au
Giddyup Bobby V
If you’d like to read more;
I’ll tell you the tale of my Tamworth triple play. I’ll also get around to the ”Story of the album” if you’re interested, but this little piece will concentrate on the launch and our times in Tamworth.
Up until about 3 months ago, I’d visited Tamworth once. About 10 years back I entered a couple of songs in the writing competition and organised a couple of gigs up there. I didn’t get far in the comp. and athough I really enjoyed the festival I vowed I wouldn’t go back unless I had good product and a good reason. That reason cropped up when, publicist and Female Country Artist of the Year, Aleyce Simmonds suggested launching my new album “Writing my Book Again” at the Toyota Hats off to Country festival in July. My Manager and Bass Player (at the same time) Nigel Thompson and I headed up to Tamo a few weeks before the festival to meet n greet and do some radio and groundwork for the gigs. We went up pretty cold and quite prepared to play pool and drink some beers for the few days, but Aleyce and her promotions company “The Same Tune” had other ideas, having me spend my entire time in town running from one interview to the next. We started at 8.30 AM and finished at 11 that night. Included in the day was a function at local Craft Beer Bar, “The Welder’s Dog” to launch the 1st single from the album, “Too Many Beers”.
We made a lot of new friends and loved Tamworth. It's such a great town and completely different from the Big Festival time.
Mission was accomplished and we secured some gigs for the main Fest in January in the most popular venues in town as well as the much sought after Mall Stages.