The Swamp Dawkins Hoedown & Bushband was created to cater for an increasing number of clients who wanted something more than a traditional bushdance with a traditional bushband.
- Our Corporate clients are mostly looking for something with more of an Americana Country and Western flavour to suit themed events.
- Private parties are often looking for something that combines some bushdances with a great mix of songs that will get – and keep – everyone on the dance floor.
- Wedding parties typically want a band that can provide unplugged pre-dinner music, something special for the bridal waltz and music that will bring everyone onto the dance floor.
- All clients want first rate musicians and a band that will thoroughly entertain and create a night to remember.
Swamp Dawkins plays a wide range of bush, barn and square dances mixed seamlessly with songs that will entertain and create the atmosphere that you want – and we play it with first rate musicians who have backgrounds in the music and events/entertainment industries so that every event is executed with the highest level of professionalism and musicianship.
Our formula involves mixing well known songs from American country and western through to Australian classics with bush, barn and square dances. The music comes from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s through to today whilst the dances have roots in traditional called dances done with a modern twist.
The result is a unique combination of music and dancing that will have everyone entertained and on the dance floor all night. All the bush, barn and square dances are called and taught on the night – no experience is necessary! As for the rest of the music – we cater for requests and have an extensive repertoire from quiet pre-dinner music to blues, rock and country, to well-known party hits.
We guarantee you will not find another band like Swamp Dawkins and we know that we’ll make your event a success!
Our Musicians
Michael Buining Michael is a passionate musician having recorded five albums and has played in bands in Australia, Asia and the United States over the past thirty years.
Amongst other bands, Michael co-founded the Outback Bushband (which has been running continuously since 1985). Through Outback, Michael has extensive experience in organised bush dances and knows how to make them work. Michael created The Swamp Dawkins Hoedown Band as a direct response to the needs of corporates and higher-end parties who wanted something beyond a traditional bushdance with a band having the highest professional and musical standards.
Michael brings his decades of experience in creating memorable nights for clients to the band as well as his own original material, vocals and guitar. Michael also calls and teaches all the dances– seamlessly mixed in with the rest of the repertoire.
In addition to playing and making music, Michael spent twenty years building and leading businesses as an Executive Director with Australia’s leading global investment bank. This executive leadership experience means Michael understands and can relate to the corporate mindset and what it takes to hold and lead a crowd – and get them all dancing in unison – to create a truly memorable event.
James Barton Ashcroft James has been a professional drummer for over thirty years and has played in many successful bands, including the chart topping “1927” and has won many industry awards including ARIAs and 5xPlatinum records.
If he’s not behind the full-kit, James is behind the congos and assorted percussion to create the sounds to suit an afternoon of blues or some quiet music over dinner or drinks.
When he is not playing with Swamp Dawkins, James runs a large scale event production business producing a wide variety of events locally and internationally, bringing a professional approach to his music and industry leading expertise in producing events.
Cara Zaetta Thomas Cara is a fiddler extraordinaire and plays in a number of bands around town including the Soul Movers which features Murray Cook from the Wiggles. The violin is the solo instrument we use the most as it carries the tunes for the called dances but also gives a distinct voice to the covers and other songs we do.
Paul Dengate Paul has been in the music business pretty much since the day he was born. Aside from playing bass, he one of the finest sound technicians around and was worked with the Australian music industry’s best acts. He brings his experience, wide repertoire and ear for sound to every show.
Andrew Vallentine Andrew is a musician and songwriter with over 30 years experience as a performer and composer. His repertoire is over 600 songs covering blues, country, disco, rock and pop and Andrew has performed with some of Australia’s finest musicians including Jellybean Jam and The Beatnix.
In addition to his musical talents, Andrew is also a qualified actor having appeared in national Australian television productions.
Outside of music Andrew produces conferences and events for industry groups and understands first hand all that is involved behind the scenes in running a successful conference.
Andrew plays bass, guitar, sings and composes original material for the band and his dance moves are a in a league of their own.
Special Guests
Gray Read Gray owns Earth Audio and is a master on the harmonica. Harmonica when combined with the fiddle creates a fantastic sound and add a blues dynamic to the overall sound. If you’re after the feel of a roadhouse or country bar– then the harmonica is the go to with Gray.
Jy Perry Banks Jy is a music teacher and trained in the Tuba of all things but is without a doubt, the finest pedal-steel player in the country. If you want to have a distinctly American country flavour for your night- then let me know and we’ll arrange for Jy to be included in the lineup.
Sean Carey Sean currently owns and operates a recording studio having previously played guitar with “Thirsty Merc” – touring nationally, earning ARIAs and gold and platinum records and playing to audiences of thousands. Sean is an accomplished guitarist, recording artist and industry professional who brings the highest quality of musicianship to every event.
Marcus Holden Marcus is one of Australia’s top professional fiddle players having performed on over 700 albums and continually playing live, recording and teaching for well over 30 years, as well as touring nationally and overseas. He is the best that Sydney has to offer for turbo-charging any traditional bush music into what clients expect today. Aside from the traditional turbo charged jigs, reels, marches and polkas, Marcus rips into all the tunes from John Cougar Mellancamp to AC/DC and ABBA with his violin in a way that will leave everyone thoroughly entertained. You can see Marcus in action rocking a solo in Johnny Be Good in our video from the O’Connell Hotel.
Ian Brooker Ian and Michael have known each other since high school and have played together in the Outback Bushband since 1985. Ian plays piano accordion and harmonica, as well as calling the dances. Ian is without a doubt Sydney’s best bushdance caller – his style is dynamic, engaging and entertaining.
Outside of music Ian is a school principal and knows what it takes to work with a large crowd, to engage them, to teach dances, and to get everyone onto the dance floor and keep them there all night. Watch Ian in action during the Phil Gilbert event.
