PERFORMING in Barnard Castle will be part of a voyage of discovery for Aussie singer-songwriter Nigel Wearne.
He is making the trip from his home in South-West Victoria – about three-and-a-half hours’ drive west of Melbourne – to the UK to take part in a tour with home-grown Yorkshire Americana star Lauren Housley which includes a show at The Witham.
Although he has visited a couple of times, this will be the first time he has performed in the UK.
Growing up on a sheep and dairy farm, music was an important part of his childhood thanks to his mum, who sings and plays piano and guitar.
“I learnt piano early on, then picked up a chord book and taught myself to play guitar and I’ve been playing ever since,” he said.
A school teacher by trade, he has concentrated more on his music during the past six years.
He first met Ms Housley and her musician husband Tom at a Folk Alliance International event in Canada.
“We got along really great and kept in touch. I had this idea for a tour and then I wrote a song – To The Edge – realised it was a duo and it made sense to talk to Lauren,” he explained.
From this, the song has been released as a single by the duo and is available to be streamed and their ten-date tour kicks off on January 13.
“We’ll each be doing a set, but I think as we go the tour will evolve,” he said.
“We have not done gigs together before but I do see there will be some jamming and collaboration and we will have some songs up our sleeves to sing together.
“I will also play some new stuff which will see me go from acoustic to electric to banjo.”
Mr Wearne said he was looking forward to the tour.
“It’s very exciting. I have not played in the UK before. We are playing in some really lovely venues and I am keen to check out the town we are playing.”
His joint tour with Lauren Housley is the start of a busy 2023.
While here, he will play a public showcase at Americana UK Week in London before flying to Kansas for another showcase event.
He added: “It’s just been announced that I am playing MerleFest, in the US, in April, which is a pretty big deal for me and attracts 80,000 people. It’s a who’s who of Americana roots and bluegrass music.”
He is also working on a new album and has “some other stuff” to announce in the coming months.
In the meantime, his tour with Lauren Housley comes to The Witham, Barnard Castle, on Tuesday, January 17.
Tickets are £12 on sale from www.thewitham.org.uk, or by calling 01833 631107 or in person at The Witham during opening hours.
