FOLK MUSICIANS

The following photos of folk musicians from the Gulgong area are part of a collection called "Real Folk portrait photographs" taken by John Meredith between 1953 and 1992. They are also listed as being taken as part of John Meredith's "Real Folk" Australian folklore recording project.

Portrait of Jim Gibbons, Gulgong, 1956

"Jim and his brother Tom were the reason for John Meredith's first collecting trip to Gulgong in the early 1950s. Jim didn't sing but had lots of bush recitations which he delivered in great style."

Portrait of Tom Gibbons, Gulgong, 1956

"Father of the popular Teddy Gibbons, Tom used to regale drinkers in the parlour of the 'Centennial' with songs like 'Caledonio' and 'My beautiful Muff'. He was aged 85 when photographed."

Portrait of Bill Large, Cooks Gap, 1930s

"Taken from an old family photo, Bill Large and his concertina were famous throughout the district. In the early 1920s he made three Edison cylindrical recordings of his playing, but these have not so far been located."

Portrait of Fred Large, Cooks Gap, circa 1956

"Another of Bill Large's talented sons, Fred played button accordion and was the best step-dancer in the district."

Portrait of Billy Coughlin, Gulgong, 1956

"Once he was the town character of Uarbary, later on he was the first singer recorded when John Meredith made his first visit to Gulgong in the 1950s."

Portrait of Bob Gosper, Gulgong circa 1982

"Brother of Violet Endacott, Bob played fiddle and also one of those lovely boomerang-shaped Boomerang mouth organs, now much sought after by collectors."

Portrait of Ernie James, Home Rule, 1957

Portrait of Rita Baker, Gulgong, 1981

"Rita Baker, nee Adams, learnt all of her tunes from her mother and father, both of whom were competent fiddlers."

Portrait of Rita Baker, Gulgong, 1981

"'Music has always been the most important thing in my life', said Rita; 'I don't think I could have lived without music.'"

Portrait of Herb Archer, Ulan 1984

"Herb Archer and his fiddle supplied the music for many years for the dances at Cooks Gap, Ulan and Wollar. Finally he was silenced by the musician's enemy, arthritis in the hands."

Portrait of Sally Tomkinson, Gulgong, 1984

"A drover's daughter, Sally is an expert on the bones, and knows that the best sounding bones come from the skeleton of a long-dead beast out in a paddock."

Portrait of Sally Tompkinson's hands, 1984

In a close-up shot, Sally Tompkinson demonstrates the correct way of holding the bones."

Source: Marnie Abbot

Cyril Bunny Abbot (Sylvanus Abbot) is playing the kerosene tin dulcimer on the cover of this book. He was from Mudgee but his family line goes to Gulgong.