Honkytonk Team Building @ Pinnacle Events

We’re excited to announce that we’ve teamed up with Pinnacle Events who to launch “Honky Tonk”! Pinnacle are one of the leading staff engagements & team building businesses in Sydney and provide a fantastic array of activities for bringing people together and Honky Tonk is hot of the press for anyone looking for something unique and different for their staff conferences or celebrations!

“An evening event that is sure to get the party started. Honkey Tonk presents a post dinner band formed to host corporate functions and get delegates on the dance floor. The band specialise in Country and Western whole group dances bringing to life Barn, Line, Square and Bush Dancing. The band has an extensive repertoire of Iconic Australian and Americana music performed with musicians of the highest quality and professionalism to deliver a night that your staff or guests will be talking about for years to come.”

Check it out at https://www.pinnacleteamevents.com.au/honkey-tonk.html

June 25, 2019November 1, 2019

Country Dance @ Barcaldine, Queensland

We’ve just got back from an amazing weekend playing up at Barcaldine, Queensland. The amazing Amanda from St Joseph’s school- with 36 students- wanted to get everyone from the school and the community out to enjoy a night together and she arranged the whole night, and with the support of the local council, the school, local businesses and the Queensland Regional Arts Development Fund, she flew us up to do a dance for them as well as a fantastic song-writing workshop with the kids.

Brilliant weekend!

June 7, 2018August 2, 2019

Themed Staff End of Year Christmas Parties

Looking for something different for this years staff or office Christmas End of Year Staff Party?

It’s time for you to dust off your boots and kick up your heels for a hoedown!

It’s cowboys & cowgirls, spit roasts, a mechanical bull and a country band who will keep everyone on the dance floor all night with called barn, bush and line dances as well as a whole lot of other toe-tapping music.

Swamp Dawkins will get everyone away from the bar and onto the dance floor- caught in the moment- swinging and sliding, twisting and twirling the night away for an amazing night to remember.

Here are just some of our amazing references!

“The band were amazing!”… “A fabulous night”… “Truly a night to remember”… “The guests raved about you!”… “Professional all the way”… “A sensational night”…”So easy to deal with”… “A huge success”… “You and your team were a delight to work with!”… “Professional and relaxed”… “Created a great atmosphere”… “Our company had a blast!”… “Extremely memorable”… “Outstanding”… “Thank you to Swamp Dawkins for making the evening a huge success!”… “The band worked brilliantly!”… “A night to never forget!”… “The fabulous Swamp Dawkins Band were exceptional!”… “The best finale dinner of the conference ever!”… “Phenomenal!”… “A highly professional line up of musicians with a keen interest in meeting their clients’ expectations and enhancing any occasion.”… “These guys are truly great!”… “Everybody was dancing all night”… “Terrific performance!”… “The atmosphere the band created was excellent”… “Couldn’t have asked for a better night!”… “The dance floor was packed!”… “I would highly recommend Swamp Dawkins to anyone!”

And yes- these are just some of the references we’ve had from corporates clients, event organisers & private clients for their staff parties, client events, milestone birthdays, weddings, community events and the list goes on.

So Dust off your Boots— and have a hoedown this year!

Bush Dances | Barn Dances | Hoedowns | Americana | Iconic Australian

January 31, 2017August 2, 2019

Corporate Clients

We’ve been doing an increasing amount of events for Corporate Clients– conferences, staff parties, weekends away. All of them fantastic nights that get people involved, up from their tables, away from the bar, and onto the dance floor. Here’s a list of just some of the corporate clients we’ve entertained:

Atlassian (Staff event)
Coburns Distillery (Opening event)
Retail Apparel Group (Christmas Party)
Phil Gilbert Motors (Christmas Party)
Sportsnet Holidays (Bathurst Races & NRL Grand Final VIP groups)
Penrith City Council (Australia Day Event)
Beyond Events (Corporate Conference)
Dungog Film Festival (Film Festival Entertainment)
Commonwealth Bank (Staff Event)
Amway Latin America (Sales Conference)
OnStage Entertainment (Corporate Entertainment)
The Goring Hotel (Client Entertainment/ Product Launch)
Twenty3 Group (Stadium Australia Crowd Activation)
Bob Wood Cruise Group (Cruise Ship On-Board Entertainment)
Professional Housekeepers Association (NSW) (Annual Dinner)
SureSearch (Corporate Weekend)
Fairmont Resort (Corporate Conference)
Eleanora Heights Golf Club (Summer Event)
Valeant Pharmaceuticals/ iNova (Corporate Conference)
PLC (Anniversary Celebrations)
Wesley College (O-Week Program)
Pymble Golf Club (Summer Entertainment Program)
NSW Child Care Co-operative (Annual Conference)
UTS Insearch (Student Event)
Buick Car Club of Australia (Annual Rally)
Broken Bay Diocese (End of Year Staff Event)
Hartmann Medical (Corporate conference)
Abbott Diagnostics (Corporate conference)
G1 Productions (Event planner/ Corporate EOY Party)

February 1, 2016August 2, 2019

Happy Birthday Tracy!

Thanks to Tracy for inviting us to be part of your 40th birthday hoedown! That Footlose moment was brilliant and thanks to the special guest singers who let go of the shyness (?) at the end of the night!

November 2, 2015August 2, 2019

CCCC NSW Conference at Glenworth Valley

We play for a many difference groups in many different settings– indoors, outdoors, barns, boats, bars and everything in between. But last Saturday was close to unbeatable as far as a serene setting goes with a wonderful group of people to match.

Community Child Care Co-operative of NSW invited us to play at their “Ignite” conference. Set in beautiful Glenwoth Valley (Horse Riding) centre, the program was aimed at introducing outdoor elements to child care programs and we were invited to entertain everyone on Saturday night and to get everyone who came– from NZ and up North- Nelson Bay- to the South Coast and Central West of NSW mixing with each other.

The setting of the open paddock, bonfire, tents, and mountains around the base of the valley was a perfect backdrop for us to play and everyone had a fantastic night.

Thanks to CCCC NSW for inviting us to play– it was a very memorable night!

October 13, 2015August 2, 2019

New video!

Hot off the press is this new video– set to the tune of “Even though Paul Kelly”– that introduces Swamp Dawkins, tells you what we do, takes a look at some of the gigs over the past 12months and let’s you know what some of our clients have had to say about us! Click here!

October 2, 2015August 2, 2019

At the Menzies Hotel with the Professional Housekeepers Association

Many thanks to the Professional Housekeepers Association for having us along to your Hoedown night at the Menzies Hotel! We had a ball– you’re a fantastic crowd and it was a pleasure being part of your night! For anyone out there looking for the way to do a themed Hoedown night for your company or organisation– this was how to do it! Everyone was dressed for the part and the dance floor was jam packed all night. A great way to celebrate an end of financial year, Christmas, or any other occasion.

July 29, 2015August 2, 2019

Return to O’Connell Pub

After a cracking weekend earlier in the year to help celebrate the 150th birthday of the Historic O’Connell Pub, Swamp Dawkins have been asked to come back on November 14th for another night of letting loose. Looking forward to being back in O’Connell— and to warmer weather! Thanks to Michelle for hosting us and inviting us back!

July 29, 2015August 2, 2019

Swamp Dawkins at the Dungog Festival

Swamp Dawkins has been invited to play at the upcoming Dungog Festival on Friday 23rd October!

The festival is running from Thursday 22nd-Sunday 25th October and includes short films aswell as music and local food and wine. The full program for the festival will be out in September and go to www.dungogfestival.com.au for moire information where you can subscribe to their newsletter.

April 11, 2015April 28, 2015

Two 50th’s and a 25th all in one go!

Thanks to Donna and Paul Wallis for having us play at your combined 50th birthdays and 25h wedding anniversary! The band made a weekend roadtrip of it – staying at the Argyle Inn ,Taralaga just 10mins from Donna and Paul’s property.

The property had a beautiful sunset view from the marquis on the hill while we played some quiet music over dinner to settle everyone in before the tables were cleared for dancing.

After a few heart-pumping songs that got everyone on the dance floor we slipped into a couple of bushdances before having a break for the formalities. After a few speeches, we settled into the rest of the evening with anything and everything from our catalogue of songs that kept everyone on the dance floor.

We even got to roll out Mamma Mia by ABBA and Livin’ on a Prayer by Bon Jovi – surely we must be the only bushband around the traps who can start the night with Kenny Rogers before finishing with ABBA, AC/DC and Bon Jovi whilst fitting in bushdances in between!

One of the guest gave us a great compliment when he said “you guys can do everything” and another guest who said “there was something for everyone – no-one had an excuse not to dance!”. That’s what we love to hear – everyone, young and old, was up and at it!

TESTIMONIAL

Thank you so much for making our party a great success!

We hired the band for our combined birthday/anniversary party at our farm. They were fabulous and our guests continue to tell us how great they were. From the first contact with Michael, he was extremely professional and ensured that the night ran smoothly, continually gauging the mood of the crowd and adapting the playlist to suit.

The atmosphere the band created was excellent and the music, combining bush dancing with rock and roll, kept our guests dancing the night away. It was great fun and everyone was thoroughly exhausted by the end of the night.

We would highly recommend the band – great guys and great music!

Donna & Paul Wallis - 50th Birthday & 25th Anniversary - Taralga - April 2015 April 28, 2015

March 28, 2015April 28, 2015

A belated birthday and barn opening celebration

We had a fantastic gig recently down at a beautiful property between Bundanoon and Exeter for a couple celebrating a 70th birthday and the unveiling of a completely restored historic barn!

We had a special request for music from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s and so the night was a mix of bushdancing and dance hits from the 60’s – She’s so fine (Easybeats), I saw her standing there (Beatles), Route 66 (Rolling Stones), Johnny B Good (Chuck Berry), Summertime Blues (Eddie Cochrane) just to name a few.

Our hosts put on a fantastic night – from the catering, to the setting, the support band performing music before dinner from a local couple, and then the night of endless dancing with Swamp Dawkins.

As far as parties go – we do a lot of 21sts, 30ths, 40ths and 50ths – but this was our first 70th and they definitely showed us you are as young as you feel! A very memorable night all round.

March 17, 2015April 28, 2015

A night by the Harbour Bridge on the MSC Orchestra Cruise Ship

A memorable night aboard the MSC Orchestra playing to their passengers and guests to celebrate St Patrick’s Day and welcome everyone to beautiful Sydney.

Our brief was Australian music with a special request for “I still call Australia Home” and something worthy of St Patrick’s Day celebrations – many of the passengers were from Europe and wanted a taste of Australia, and the rest of the passengers were Australian and were in the mood for a taste of home.

We took a musical trip through Australian music – the Easybeats from the 60’s, AC/DC from the 70’s, Men at Work from the 80’s, Paul Kelly and INXS from the 90’s (give or take a few decades in that list!) and slipped in some bushdancing in the middle with an Irish jig to keep St Patrick smiling.

It’s proving to be a great formula – mixing well known songs done in our own Swampy style with bush, barn and square dancing to get everyone involved. When people book Swamp Dawkins for their events they have an idea or a theme in mind, but the key aim of the event is getting people on the dance floor and enjoying the party – that’s what we do!

Thanks to all the passengers and crew from the MSC Orchestra for having us look after you and welcome you to Sydney! Check out our photos in our gallery or on Facebook.

TESTIMONIAL

It was a nice evening with the band. We have been back in Germany for over a week and still often talk about our trip to Australia and the evening in Sydney. Best wishes to for the continued success of the band.

Christiane from Germany - MSC Orchestra Cruise Ship - Sydney Harbour - March 2015 March 17, 2015

February 27, 2015April 28, 2015

Wesley College O-Week Bushdance/Hoedown

Thanks again to Sydney University’s Wesley College for having Swamp Dawkins play your annual bushdance during O-Week celebrations – what an awesome to top off the week!

Another great night of live music and bush, barn, and square dancing – and getting chaotic with a mix of great hits by Kenny Rogers, Johhny Cash, Paul Kelly and AC/DC just to name a few!

Look forward to doing it again next year!

February 7, 2015March 10, 2015

O’Connell Hotel 150th Anniversary!

There’s nothing like serendipity!

We got a call not so long ago from Michelle Webb who runs the O’Connell Hotel, halfway between Bathurst and Oberon about 3hours west of Sydney across the mountains.

“We’re having our 150th for our historic pub which was built back in 1865 and we want a bushdance – a night of dancing and celebrating – can you help us?”

For sure. Without a doubt!

Later on I told my mum where we were playing – she grew up in the country and all of us have travelled a lot on the other side of the Blue Mountains over the years. Apparently my cousin (who I hadn’t seen in probably 25years) lives right across the road from the pub so Michelle’s call turned out to be a chance to play for my rellos as well! Serendipity indeed.

Michelle had planned a weekend of celebrations, including an outdoor film on the Firday night, followed by the bushdance on Saturday. Everyone was definitely in the festive mood with 250 or so people from the area turning up to dust off their boots and hit the dance floor for the bushdance. Swamp Dawkins also played a follow up Sunday afternoon session over lunch to show our thanks to Michelle for inviting us to play.

We had an absolute ball – below is a little clip of the dancing on the night, and you can check out our photos and share these through the Swamp Dawkins Facebook page.

Couldn’t have asked for a better night! The village of O’Connell came out in force – and wasn’t disappointed. Great time was had by all.

A month after the event customers are stoping me in the street wanting to know when Swamp Dawkins will be back?!

Michelle Webb, Licensee - O'Connell Pub's 150th - O'Connell, Bathurst - February 2015 February 7, 2015

A final tip: if you’re ever on your way to Bathurst from Sydney, take the scenic route. Turn off at Lithgow, drive the state’s “big dipper” road (trust me – you’ll know it when you see it), make your way through Tarana, head on to O’Connell and say g’day to Michelle from us! Fantastic beer garden, great food, very child friendly with lots of room to run around and there’s a cafe just across the road for a breakfast starter in the morning. Hope you enjoy it just as much as we did!

November 26, 2014February 21, 2015

Phil Gilbert Motor Group Corporate Hoedown

We had a lot of fun with the cowboys and cowgirls at Phil Gilbert Motor Group for their end-of-year hoedown! Many thanks to Simone for inviting us to celebrate with your team – you organised a fantastic night and it was pleasure playing for you, meeting your team, and helping you all dance the night away!

Great also to meet up again with John ‘The Bullman’ running the mechanical bull. We’ve done a few functions where John has run the ring and it’s always a lot of fun. If you’re looking for a mechanical bull for your next event check out John The Bullman!

The party was at Dooley’s Catholic Club at Lidcombe and was a great venue for a hoedown in the function room upstairs. The room was dressed with red, black and white cow-print themed balloons and the tables were strewn with red and white tablecloths with cowboys and horses – great theming Simone!

We really enjoyed meeting the team at Phil Gilbert – everyone was so friendly and just a pleasure to be around. Big thanks to Drew for the video footage as well.

Thanks again for having us play and we look forward to another hoedown down the track! Check out our photos in our gallery or on the Swamp Dawkins Facebook page.

TESTIMONIAL

We booked the Swamp Dawkins Band for our Cowboy themed Christmas Party for 120 staff of all ages. Michael was easy to deal with and prompt in his communications. The band was excellent value for money. On the night the set up was seamless and very professional. All the band members were polite and professional and were happy to adjust their sets to accommodate our timetable. The show was first class.

Everyone enjoyed the music played during dinner, all well known favourites and I saw everyone singing along. The dancing afterwards was fantastic fun. Ian was a great caller, easy to follow and everyone was encouraged to get involved. We all ended the night laughing and exhausted! It was a great way to bring people together. Our staff are still talking about the party and how the atmosphere that the Swamp Dawkins Band provided really “made” the night.

I would highly recommend the Swamp Dawkins Band for a fun filled night of music and dancing.

Simone Gilbert, Director - Phil Gilbert Motors - Dooleys, Lidcombe - November 2014 February 4, 2015