Tom Richardson (6)

Old blues grows new roots….meet Tom Richardson, described as the “best opening to a festival yet!” (2009 Port Fairy Folk Festival). Hailing from Victoria’s south west coast, Tom’s infectious personality and onstage presence combined with furious, bluesy slide guitar, powerful deep voice and foot stomping rhythms, are bound to have toes tappin’ and bums shakin’! Winner of the 2008 ‘Maton’ Best Young Performer at the Port Fairy Folk Festival, 2007 Apollo Bay Music Festival Young Performer of the Year, and the 2004 and 2005 Australian Busking Championships, Tom has performed festivals such as the Port Fairy Folk Festival (VIC), National Folk Festival (ACT), Australian Blues Music Festival (NSW), Queenscliff Music Festivals (VIC), Blues on Broadbeach (QLD), Bridgetown Blues Festival (WA), Peats Ridge Festival (NSW) and Apollo Bay Music Festivals (VIC). After appearing at the 2008 Blues on Broadbeach festival, Tom sold the 2nd highest number of CDs at the festival, amongst artists such as Mia Dyson, Bondi Cigars and The Black Sorrows. Tom Richardson has also just been identified as one of the countries most promising emerging artists, being short listed for the 2009 APRA Professional Development Awards, from a field of over 700 applicants. With thanks to the MBAS and West Coast Blues Club, Tom was selected as the only Victorian representative to perform in Western Australia as part of the National Youth In Blues and Bridgetown Blues Festival in November 2008.