Blues, Friday August 29 - 7.45pm

Blues, Saturday August 30 - 3.30pm

Blues, Sunday August 31 -11.00am

PETE CORNELIUS & THE DE VILLES

Pete Cornelius has grown up as far away from the Delta as possible. Born & raised in Tasmania, isolation has forced an original approach to all styles of blues, from its creation to the modern-day.

At age 6 Pete started studying and writing songs on his parents' piano. By the age of 9 he had picked up a guitar, namely he says because he couldn't bend those heavy piano strings. He was already showing signs of possessing something special - winning the National Water Wise Song writing Competition in the same year. The prize? A weekend in Brisbane, and performing on Agro's Cartoon Connection. Every kid's dream! At age 11 he became part of the Tasmanian Festival Wind Symphony, performing at corporate shows across Tasmania and the Wangaratta Jazz and Blues Festival.

At age 13 Pete released his first CD 'Steppin Out In Blue' which featured 11 original tracks. Pete played all the instruments and the CD sold all 500 copies of its limited release. During this time, Pete formed his own band 'Double Shuffle,' who played their own brand of Blues at venues & festivals across Tasmania.

In 1999, Pete Cornelius & The DeVilles were formed. Their first mainland tour consisted of shows across Victoria, NSW & Queensland. The highlight for the band was their first appearance at the Great Southern Blues & Rockabilly Festival in Narooma where 'Live @ Narooma' was recorded, this was Pete & The DeVilles' first CD.

In 2000, Pete Cornelius & The DeVilles toured the mainland again, this time at festivals including the Australian Blues Festival in Goulburn and the Frankston International Guitar Festival in Victoria. They were also invited to Narooma again.

Pete was awarded the Best Blues/Jazz Guitarist Award at The Frankson International Guitar Festival, winning a guitar as well as acclaim from critics & music fans alike. Pete also won the Blues Guitar Award at Goulburn - winning a Fender guitar. To top it all off, Pete also won the 2001 Blues Song Of The Year at the Victorian/Tasmanian Blues Awards for his song "All My Hero's Are Dead".

In 2001, the band recorded 'Gotta' Live' in the Melbourne ABC Studios with respected producers Chris Thompson & Tony Cohen. 'Gotta' Live' was well received & it sold 1000's of copies & continues to sell even now.

2002 saw the band hit the road again, this time including Alice Springs, Darwin and the West Coast of Australia. Festival invitations continued, with the band appearing for the first time at the East Coast Blues & Roots Festival in Byron Bay and the Blues On Broadbeach Festival on the Gold Coast. The band were also invited to tour with Chicago Bluesman Steve Arvey where they performed at venues like the Basement in Sydney & The Cornish Arms in Melbourne.

2003 saw the band touring extensively around Australia again, and their first overseas foray. The band flew to the United States for a run of shows including the Prairie Dog Blues Festival in Wisconsin, Eddy Clearwater's Reservation Blues in Chicago, Famous Dave's in Minneapolis, the Official Harley Davidson 100-Year Party in Milwaukee and various shows in Texas & Indiana.

In 2004 the band were once again asked to tour nationally with Steve Arvey, including performing at the Melbourne International Blues & Music Festival. They also made their second visit to the East Coast Blues & Roots Festival in Byron Bay, and were invited for their third year straight to the Blues On Broadbeach Festival.

The week before performing at The East Coast Blues & Roots Festival, Pete and the band stayed at Studio 301 in Byron Bay & laid down the tracks for their new CD. The result is their 2004 release 'Creatures Of The Night'.

2004 marked another significant milestone with Pete signing an Endorsement deal with probably the most famous guitar manufacturer in the world 'Fender'. This is a partnership that both Pete & Fender are extremely happy with. This endorsement came at a perfect time, with Pete expanding his performance to include more acoustic work, it was time to step up to a top shelf acoustic guitar. This void has been filled by a beautiful Gretsch Acoustic Guitar (Gretsch are part of the Fender family). Look for Pete to be doing a lot more acoustic work in the future.

The rest of 2004 continued to be busy with Pete performing two band shows & one acoustic show in October at The Great Southern Blues & Rockabilly Festival in Narooma, followed by dates in Byron Bay & South East Queensland. Then they played at the inaugural Launceston Blues Festival. Following that run, they toured Western Australia including the Margaret River Wine Festival.

2005 was another big one for Pete. Together with Chicago Blues performer Steve Arvey, he released a collaborative CD entitled Freerange, and toured extensively to promote it through April & May. The end of 2005 saw Pete released a new acoustic CD called 'Gonna' Burn' and embarked on his first UK tour in acoustic mode. Followed by some electric & acoustic shows in the USA inc opening for Tinsley Ellis at Famous Dave's in Minneapolis. Before his return to Australia Pete was a guest at the Fender Custom Shop in Corona, just outside LA.

2006 was once again a great year of live performances around Australia, starting with the massive Ulyeeses Motorcycle Clubs annual AGM. He also added a number of new festivals including the huge Gympie Muster in August, The Live & Loud Rock Festival, The Urban Blues & Roots Festival and a 2 week tour to Darwin & the Northern Territory.

Pete started 2007 with New Years show in Bellingen, then he was one of the headline acts at the MUA (Maritime Union of Australia) one day Festival on March 12. He also played the HEADSTOCK 2007 Guitar Festival in Wollongong and then his last Australian shows for a while at the 2007 Blues On Broadbeach Festival. Pete headed off to the USA on May 30 for an almost 6 month stay. He based himself in Chicago playing all the local venues including Buddy Guy's Legends & Rosa's lounge to name a few. Pete also played a number of Festivals including as guest guitarist for both Steve Arvey & Fiona Boyes. While in the States Pete went to the UK for a few weeks & did a run of shows on Jersey, then back to the US. Pete also got an invite to come & stay & play with Fabulous Thunderbirds legend Preston Hubbard. Before his return to Australia Pete did a string of recording & session work in LA.

Now 2008 looks like being one of the busiest years for Pete & the band. Having already played the 2008 Thredbo Blues Festival, The Kingaroy Food & Wine Festival & the Gippsland Blues Festival. They have an extensive WA tour thru May & then many Festival appearance including Blues On Broadbeach, The Gympie Muster, The Towradgi Rock & Blues Festival, The Great Southern Blues & Rockabilly Festival in Narooma, Blues At Bridgetown and then as a special guest guitarist with Fiona Boyes at the Adelaide International Guitar Festival. Also Pete Cornelius and the DeVilles latest album "Suburban Hell" has made a weighty contribution to the Australian blues scene, and the way it's perceived worldwide. "Suburban Hell" has received stellar reviews from the music media around the country for it's original take on the sometimes overlooked old school blues & rock n roll sound.
With endorsements from Fender Guitars & Pure Tone pickups, 7 albums and relentless Australian and International touring, Pete and the DeVilles are certainly one of the hardest working bands in the land. Keep an eye on their schedule, get out & see the boys live or pick up one of their great recordings, you'll be glad you did.

SELECTED FESTIVAL PERFORMANCES

Australian Blues Festival, Goulburn - 2000, 01, 03, 05
Australian Festival of Beers, Brisbane - 2001
Adelaide International Guitar Festival - (booked for 2008)
Blues At Bridgetown - (booked for 2008)
Blues On Broadbeach, Gold Coast 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07 (booked for 2008)
Blues Up The Creek Festival - 2005
East Coast Blues & Roots Festival, Byron Bay 2002, 04, 05
Forth Blues Festival - 1998, 99, 2000, 01, 02
Falls Festival, Marion Bay - 2004
Frankston International Guitar Festival - 2000, 04
Gone South, Launceston - 1998, 99
Gympie Muster - 2006 (booked for 2008)
HEADSTOCK 2007 Guitar Festival - 2007
Hobart Blues & Music Festival - 1999
Latrobe Valley Blues Festival - 2008
Launceston Blues Festival - 2004, 2007
Margaret River Wine Festival - 2004
Melbourne International Blues & Music Festival - 2004
Mildura Beer & Blues Festival - 2005, 2006
Narooma Blues Festival - 1999, 2000, 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06 (booked for 2008)
Prairie Dog Blues Festival, Wisconsin USA - 2003, 2007
South Western Sydney Blues & Roots Festival - 2003
Thredbo Blues Festival - 2005, 2008
Ulyeeses Motorcycle Club AGM - 2006
Urban Blues & Roots Festival, Brisbane - 2006