Ray Beadle to headline festival

Renowned Australian blues guitarist and songwriter Ray Beadle is set to bring his powerhouse trio to thrill audiences at the 6th Clarence Valley Camp Oven Festival.

Performing over the weekend of 11th to 14th June at the Nymboida Camping and Canoeing Centre, Ray is the genuine article, a musician whose music comes deep from heart and soul. Whether you know your Muddy Waters from your Robert Johnson, Ray’s blend of original compositions and personal take on classic blues numbers educates and enthralls in equal measure.

It is not by chance that Ray has become a favourite amongst Australian blues and music fans. Inspired by his musical family to begin his journey as a musician aged 9, Ray has accumulated experience and polished stagecraft over 20 years of performance, recording and touring, including a stint with the house band in BB King’s Club in Memphis.

Now, with half a dozen albums to his name, including his latest recording: Twisted Blues! - Ray will be accompanied by Ben Edwards on bass and George Brugmans on drums, sharing their slick blues and jazz grooves with the lucky festival crowd.

Festival Creative Director Laena Stephenson said, “We’re delighted to welcome an artist of Ray’s calibre to our festival and can’t wait to watch from around the fire pits with the aroma of camp oven stews wafting across the site.”

“This festival is a feast for the senses, with a whole load of live music across two stages still to announce, plus poetry, street theatre, demonstrations, displays, competitions, workshops, a bush dance, games and markets.”

“It’s thanks to the commitment of wonderful musicians like Ray, as well as support from Clarence Valley Council, who have recently been confirmed as a major event sponsor, that we can run a festival like this in 2021. In a community that is still recovering from the effects of the 2019 bushfires, the healing and regenerative powers of music and communal enjoyment of the arts is priceless.”