Edwards Tavern has pulled together another quality line-up of talent for its annual Festival of the Blues.
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The 12-hour blues music festival kicks off at noon Saturday, with Dog Gone South who are regular visitors to the North East.
Australian blues guitar veteran Geoff Achison will hit the stage at 8pm with The Soulgiggers and then be joined from 11pm for a jam session to close the festival.
Achison was born on Phillip Island, the third of five siblings, and raised in a music loving family in Malmsbury.
His first gigs were with his trumpet-playing father's dance band.
He tried his hand at bass guitar before returning to six-string with a keen interest in the American blues sound.
He focused on the groove and sought to develop his own musical voice with an inventive, rhythmic style.
In 1987 Achison move to Melbourne and established himself on the scene playing incendiary lead guitar for popular Australian blues performer 'Dutch' Tilders.
With a voice that has been compared favourably to the gruff voiced Joe Cocker, Warren Haynes and Paul Weller, Achison released his debut album Big Machine in 1994 and a year later won the Albert King Award after representing Melbourne at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis.
Achison then set his sights on the world market and successfully established international touring routes across the US and United Kingdom.
He combined with Mal Logan on keys, Roger McLachlan on bass and Gerry Pantazis on drums to create The Souldiggers and built the group's reputation with exciting and spontaneous live performances.
Equally adept with either electric or acoustic guitar, Achison provides the full electrifying experience with blues/rock combo The Souldiggers behind him.
The full Festival of the Blues line-up also includes veteran Australian guitarist and singer Fiona Boyes.
Constantly touring, Boyes now divides her time between Australia, North America and Europe.
Boyes and Achison were part of the first festival in 2013.
Australian Blues legend Phill Manning also returns, with Chris Finnen.
Versatile Melbourne harmonica ace Ian Collard will also thrill fans with his earthy blues sound.
