Larger-than-life entertainer Bobby Valentine is touring regional Victoria in support of the vinyl release of his fifth album and first country album, 'Writing My Book Again'.
Renowned for fronting successful acts like The Lonely Boys and the Sweethearts and influences spanning Sinatra, Count Basie, The Beatles, Ray Charles, Elvis, Van Morrison, Stevie Wonder and Australasia’s own Ricky May, Bobby Valentine – one of Melbourne’s favourite performers – is hitting the road in October and November, celebrating the vinyl release of his fifth and first country album, Writing My Book Again.
The adored entertainer will be taking to regional Victoria and Melbourne playing 11 shows over four weeks. The tour will kick off in Main Ridge on Friday, October 7 and take to stages in Somers, Geelong, St Kilda, Macedon, Marysville, Horsham, Jeparit, Bendigo and Terang before finishing up in Warrnambool on Sunday, November 6.
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Earning his stripes as a professional entertainer for more than 30 years, Bobby Valentine has appeared nationally and internationally, working with Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston, Rod Stewart and many Australian legends. As a successful solo artist Bobby has notched up many significant private performances including Hugh Jackman’s wedding and Jimmy Barnes’ 40th.
It wasn’t until 2018 that Bobby made his highly-anticipated move into the country music scene with an album that saw him delving into the bottom drawer to pull out a few songs that he wrote many moons ago. The result was Writing My Book Again, a 12-track album released in Tamworth featuring 10 of his own original material. From straight country title track, ‘Living Beyond My Dreams’ and ‘Too Many Beers’, to the foot-tapping, light-hearted ‘Country and Western Songs’, the thoughtful ballad ‘Heaven’ and the Swamp rock of ‘Stranger In A Stranger Land’, Writing My Book Again melds diverse influences to create a quintessentially country sound.
“Country has been a secret passion ever since I heard “Act Naturally by Ringo and Roy Clark play some country pickin’ on Hee Haw when I was a kid,” Bobby shared.
Unsurprisingly, the star’s first country album was met with critical acclaim, with Country Music Capital News hailing the album as one that would ‘please fans of real country’.
With a warm-wholehearted sound that’s fuelled by decades in the music industry, Bobby’s foray into original music has paid off in spades, with the singer-songwriter achieving success in international songwriting competitions, and an invitation to Nashville, all expenses paid, as well as countless festival and event appearances including Melbourne Cup, AFL Grand Final and Australian Open Tennis Final.
Now Bobby Valentine is taking to roads less travelled, bringing his traditional-style country originals to fans across the state. With 11 shows locked in, Bobby will be accompanied by his sensational Band of Renown, comprising Adrian Scott (Kylie Minogue, The Seekers, LRB) on Keys, Nigel Thompson (Bluestone, The New Dream) on Bass and David “Stix” Hicks (The Seekers, Glenn Shorrock and Brian Cadd) on Drums.
Promising a lyrically intimate and commanding collection of music, Bobby Valentine and his Band of Renown is a must-see for any country fans across our beautiful region.
Bobby Valentine ‘Writing My Book Again’ Vinyl Launch Tour
Friday, October 7 @ 7:30PM – Pig & Whistle, Main Ridge
Saturday, October 8 @ 2:00PM – Collart Wetlands, Somers
Sunday, October 9 @ 7:00PM – Barking Dog, Geelong West
Friday, October 14 @ 6:30PM – George Lane Bar, St Kilda
Saturday, October 15 @ 7:00PM – Macedon Railway Hotel , Macedon
Sunday, October 16 @ 7:00PM – Marysville Music Weekend, Marysville
Friday, October 21 @ 8:00PM – The Royal Hotel, Horsham
Saturday, October 22 @ 8:00PM – The Hindmarsh Hotel, Jeparit
Sunday, October 23 @ 2:00PM – Old Church on the Hill, Quarry Hill
Saturday, November 5 @ 8:00PM – The Commercial Hotel, Terang
Sunday, November 6 @ 2:00PM – The Whalers Hotel , Warrnambool
Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased here.
