Geoff Achison

Website https://www.geoffachison.com/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/geoffachison
Reverbnation https://www.reverbnation.com/rpk/geoffachison
Booking Brilliant Productions npegel@mindspring.com

An Exclusive Interview with Geoff Achison! by Richard Lhommedieu on Mixcloud

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Geoff began playing music professionally in his father’s dance band at the age of 13. He switched to bass at 15 playing mostly jazz. In his early 20s he moved to Melbourne and was hired as lead guitarist with bluesman ‘Dutch’ Tilders. He formed his own band in 1995 and began travelling internationally. He has since toured the USA, UK & Australia many times releasing over a dozen albums. Along the way he has won several awards including the ‘Albert King Award’ in Memphis and Australia’s ‘Chain’ blues award for Best Band. In 2011 Geoff made Truefire’s “100+ Gifted Guitarists You Should Know” list and was named ‘Official Patron’ of the Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society. He lives in Melbourne, Australia and continues to record & tour regularly.

A jaw-dropping, crowd pleasing guitar virtuoso with a rich vocal style from Melbourne, Australia.
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A self taught musician, he has created his own sound winning, a swag of awards along the way. Whether he is with his Souldiggers group or simply solo with an acoustic guitar, Geoff’s infectious and inventive style has earned him fans around the world.
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His first stop was the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, USA where he won the ‘Albert King Award’ and was offered an endorsement deal with Gibson Guitars.

Geoff’s tri-continental touring schedule includes Australia, Europe & USA

He re-located to the USA for a time and he spent many months on the road performing countless live shows and recording his One Ticket, One Ride album there. In 2008 a Guitar Player magazine reader’s poll listed Geoff as one of the Top 10 ‘Hot New Guitarists’ on the US scene. He adores jamming with other musicians and has developed close musical relationships with many other artists including Georgia based songwriter/musician Randall Bramblett with whom he shares a ‘live’ album release, Jammin’ In The Attic. His annual Boxing Day Blues concert with Australian bluesman Chris Wilson has also resulted in a shared album release titled Box Of Blues. The passion for jamming has paid off on a personal level too with Geoff being invited onstage at various times with musical heroes such as Hubert Sumlin, Delbert McClinton, Jorma Kaukonen, legendary bassist George Porter JR, the Allman Brothers Band and even the great Les Paul.

Besides recording and performing music Geoff also enjoys teaching. He presents guitar workshops on request and is a regular guest instructor at Jorma Kaukonen’s famous Fur Peace Ranch guitar camp in Ohio.
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In recent times his album releases Box Of Blues (with Chris Wilson), the acoustic Live at Burrinja Café and the electric Live at Guitars Across The Bay scooped the pool at both the 2012 & 2013 ‘VicTas’ blues awards. Meanwhile, his Little Big Men album has been re-issued in the US & Europe to renewed critical acclaim. Also in 2012 Geoff was named as one of the Top 50 Australian Guitarists in Australian Guitar magazine.
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Geoff’s awards include trophies from organisations like the Australian Songwriters Association; ‘Chain’ Blues Awards and the Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society. (Geoff was named their official ‘Patron’ in 2011)

In early 2007 Geoff accepted an offer to relocate to the USA.
He spent 2 eventful years living and working in the US performing with local musicians and racking up thousands of miles on the road. Highlights included jamming with the iconic Les Paul in New York City and being joining legendary R&B vocalist Delbert McClintonaboard his annual Sandy Beaches concert cruise sailing from San Diego to southern Mexico.

After returning to Australia in 2009, the relentless touring continued with regular visits to the USA, UK and Europe. The tireless travel kept fans enthused and gleaned several ‘live’ cd releases from different corners of the world. The title of his last studio recording was 2009’s ‘One Ticket, One Ride’ – but in more recent times his album releases Box Of Blues (with Chris Wilson), the acoustic Live at Burrinja Café and the electric Live at Guitars Across The Bay each scooped the pool at both the 2012 & 2013 ‘VicTas’ blues awards. Meanwhile, his Little Big Men album has been re-issued in the US & Europe to renewed critical acclaim. Also in 2012 Geoff was named as one of the Top 50 Australian Guitarists in Australian Guitar magazine.