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BIO

Craig Atkins is a "Gentleman of the road 'one-man band' songwriter and performer that regularly tours the country with his set up consisting of various Acoustic Guitars, Lap Slide, Cigar Box Guitars, Yidaki (Didgeridoos), Harmonica, Percussion and Loop Station live performances weave through various styles of Roots, Blues, Folk, World & Country,

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With influences such as Paul Kelly, Joe Purdy, Harry Manx, Xavier Rudd and numerous Blues Masters to name but a few, Craig's with dynamics ranging from chilled finger-picking folk stories, to delta slide blues, through to rollicking folk foot tappers and stomping jumping roots, with lyrical content covering his aspects  of life, love and loss and observations of the world we all live in.  

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With performances at Agnes Water Blues, Roots & Rock Festival (QLD), Paynesville Music Festival (VIC), Bendigo Blues & Roots Festival (Vic), Fleurieu Folk Festival (SA), Mitchell Creek Rock & Blues (QLD), Nannup Music Festival (WA), Nukara Music Festival (WA), Tamworth Country Music Festival (NSW), Bendigo Blues & Roots Festival (VIC), Nimbin Roots Festival (NSW),  Ocean Street World Festival (QLD), Byron Bay Guitar Festival (NSW), and supports for Steve Kilbey (The Church) and Donovan Frankenreiter (USA) to name a few, Craig Atkins is a passionate and honest musician that should not be missed as he continues to tour across Australia.

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BACKGROUND

the youngest of 5 kids, Born and raised in Riverland South Australia (Meru Country) musically with my Father "Jack" who was pretty handy on button accordion, harmonica and spoons, and two brothers playing guitar and drums, and the family regularly going out to see family friends performing, live music has always been a constant flow in my life.  The small town called "Winkie" was home until 1980 after my father passed, where Mumma Bear and a my siblings moved to the next town of "Berri", where I had my first real guitar lesson at 11.The first real band I was part of and played my first live gig was Bassist in a 5 piece Grunge Rock band called "Gutter Ballet".  ...  

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Riverland was home up into my early twenties I first moved to Adelaide SA (Kuarna Country) but after only stayed a few months (mainly due to shonky employer ), so returned home for a couple years, until '97 I returned to start a career path within State Government (Administrative) that lasted for 15 years, plus 10 years service in the ADF Army Reserves...so  and had a small hiatus for a few years performing. 

 

The itch came back and I played bass for Alt Folk Trio "Missing Spencer" Percussion for "Simon Peter", "Joe Man Murphy", "The Timbers" and "Spencer Jane", as well as being a sought after session percussionist in Adelaide for live and recording sessions for some of Interstate and Adelaide's premier musicians.  Music is a passion that grew from as young as I can remember, and has continued into a long and diverse journey through writing, performing, collaborating, mentoring & teaching guitar, bass, Didgeridoo, Ukulele, Slide, Cajon, Djembe and Handpan.

 

There has always been a yearning to see more of this Country and perform for and meet new people, so in mid 2016 decided it was time for a sea change, so with what instruments i could fit in the van and a suitcase of clothes I  relocated to Northern NSW (Bundjalung Country) around Byron Shire Hinterland...setting up new roots with certainly a new creative inspiration for writing and performing.  What an amazing decision that was!! Was a hive of creativity and character I had been needing... met some amazing people, musicians that have become dear friends.

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After a few months of assimilating to the Northern Rivers and STH QLD music scene and where I felt home, I was fortunate to settle in Byron Hinterland village of Coorabell with 23 acres of forest, with a creek, fruit orchard and large veggie patch...I found paradise to call home! It was shared with Tristan O'Meara (Didgeridoo maker) who made my 3 Didgeridoos and taught me the methods for finishing these finely tuned and crafted instruments,  with sanding, coating in epoxy resign, polishing.  Also picked up teaching Guitar, Didgeridoo, Bass and Hand Percussion at Byron Music for 3 years and Coorabell Primary School (for a couple terms)... ​5 Years re-establishing ground roots contacts and gigs relentlessly across the East Coast with a stretch from Yeppoon QLD down to Newcastle (NSW) and inland all in between, plus interstate tours was making great progress, until ...

 

March 2019 came and .. yeah. that happened... so ... come to present day...

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Relocated back to Adelaide in Sept 2020 to be a little closer to family and re-establish once again back into the SA music scene.... after a few challenging month navigating live music...have regular SA favourite venues and extended regional SA routes ...interstate touring has recommenced with optimism and has included 3 month Western Australia Coast tour, Northern Territory, East Coast NSW, Sth Qld and Victoria. 

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I have been blessed with the lifestyle opportunity that touring across the country (except Far North QLD... still need to get there)....  and witness some amazing views and scenery... but also at the cost of maintaining my van that has now ticked over 400, 000 K's (had 37, 000 when I bought it in 2011) so long interstate tours are on hold at present until the engine is rebuilt and reliable options open again for touring. 

 

So the focus for the remainder of 2024. is on Regional SA and Adelaide based gigs... but also looking to re-develop some music based workshops and private lessons for Guitar, Didgeridoo. 

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   see you on the road somewhere - keep groovin.

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           Craig

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 *Winner of the 2014 Adelaide Blues & Roots Association’s (ARBA) ‘Best Solo Roots’

 Finalist for ARBA Roots Album Awards 2015.   

 Finalist Australian Roots Awards 2018

 Finalist Solo/Duo ARBA 'International Blues Competition' 2023

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CANCELLATION POLICY

Being a full time musician performing is my main source of income, so it is always unfortunate when cancellations occur. Given COVID restrictions and lock downs have been known to be called at any time resulting in venues needing to close, or due to unfortunate weather events... and these are unfortunate for all involved - but an understandable risk  and as such no cancellation fees will be incurred.

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In the event of performer illness or injury, the artist will notify the venue/booking agent/event coordinator ASAP and will endeavor to locate a replacement artist where possible - and no fee will be payed to me as the performer.

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In the event of venue management decision cancelling the performance - there is a scale of % of agreed performance fee that will be invoiced.  This is to cover a percentage of loss of income from contracted fee, as well as lack of time to identify a replacement gig.

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Within 7 Days of confirmed performance date 50% of agreed fee

Within 72 hours of confirmed performance date 75% of agreed fee

Within 24 hours of confirmed performance date 100% of agreed fee (includes double booking)

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