Ashley Cook Launches New Album

"I Remember Buddy Williams".

Open Day ~ LBS Studios ~ Moonbi.

10.00am ~ 2.00pm.

On the 18^th January, The LBS Open Day Concert at Moonbi will be honoured with releasing this very special album release remembering one of our pioneering balladeers, Buddy Williams.
The album is simply titled 'I Remember Buddy Williams'. Buddy has been an inspiration to Ashley and following the success of the title track of his last album 'Beneath The Queensland Moon' it seemed fitting for Ashley to record more of Buddy songs as a tribute to the great balladeer that everyone admired and loved.

Not only was it a special project for Ashley, it was a project dear to Ashley’s producer Lindsay Butler. Lindsay toured with Buddy for many years and still harbours fond memories of the friendship he had with the great showman and his close ties to the entire Williams family.

To add to the eleven Buddy songs was a special piece written by Ben Jacobs, Shaza Leigh, Lindsay Butler and Ashley about Buddy, Grace and family on the road, doing what they loved, taking Bush Ballads to their country fans. This is not so far removed from the way that the Cook family have always travelled their own track together.

Launch of New Album for Ashley

“I Remember Buddy Williams “

Ashley travelled to Tamworth this year for the launch of his third
album, “I Remember Buddy Williams”.

Garry Coxhead, an old-time friend and producer of Buddy’s, was
invited to launch the album for Ashley.

This latest release features eleven classic Buddy Williams favourites plus one new tribute song written by Ben Jacobs, Shaza Leigh & Ashley simply titled “Buddy and Grace.”
The album was launched at Lindsay Butler Studios, Moonbi, as part of the LBS 20^th Birthday Celebrations and with 2009 also marking the 70^th anniversary of Buddy’s first recording (1939) at Regal Zonophone, this new release is an appropriate dedication to one of Australia’s best ever bush balladeers, by one of our leading young specialists in this field.

Buddy was one of the first pioneers to travel around Australia taking his music to the people and by releasing this album, Ashley Cook is doing his part in keeping Buddy’s memories and music alive. In fact, Ashley has already been approached by many of Buddy’s dear friends and supporters, saying how true Buddy was to his family and friends, not unlike the young man himself. The parallel is unique and it has not gone unnoticed by the devotees of this genre of music.

Ashley enjoyed doing this recording with dear friend and producer Lindsay Butler of LBS Music as Lindsay was very close to the Williams family having toured with Buddy for a number of years.

by Gary Coxhead