Laurel Wilson: vocals, Kazoobugle

Bob Wilson: vocals, guitar, harmonica - songwriter

The Goodwills (Bob & Laurel Wilson) are a veteran folk duo who have been singing together for more than 30 years, but more recently they have became known to a wider audience through radio play of Bob’s original songs like “Big Country Town”, “Underneath the Story Bridge” and “Courting the Net”.

The duo has produced four CDs since 1998. Bob is an award-winning songwriter who plays six-string and 12-string guitar and harmonicas. He provides tenor harmonies to Laurel’s strong lead vocals and also takes the lead on some of his songs. Laurel has a five-octave vocal range, which allows the duo to explore the depths of harmony and melody. Bob & Laurel arrange their own songs, utilising their close vocal harmonies and sometimes switching parts in mid-song! Their repertoire is expansive and includes a wide range or musical styles. The duo’s “party tricks” include performing two different songs at the same time. As one might expect from a husband-wife duo, The Goodwills have a collection of songs made popular by other such duos (for example, Cinderella Rockafella). Laurel’s original homemade instrument, the Kazoobugle, makes occasional appearances and they’ve been known to indulge in harmony whistling (!).

The Goodwills have played at major festivals in Australia, New Zealand and the UK, accompanied Ian McNamara(host of ABC radio show Australia all Over)on major tours in 2004 and 2005, and have appeared at many outdoor broadcasts of Australia all Over. As a solo singer-songwriter, Bob has been a guest of FretFest, performing at QPAC’s concert hall in Brisbane and other venues and has participated at songwriter gigs in southeast Queensland.

The Goodwills are known for promoting local talent through their popular series of unplugged house concerts; at first in Brisbane, then in their current ‘home town’ of Maleny. Last year Bob & Laurel held four of these unplugged house concerts, featuring guest artists including Tommy Leonard, The Express and Cloudstreet. The concept of performing in such an inviting venue led to the recording of their CD “Loungeroom Legends” in 2006, literally in their own loungeroom. Pix Vane Mason was the recording engineer and the CD features ‘honorary Goodwill’ and multi-instrumentalist Silas Palmer on piano and violin, together with a cameo appearance by community choir Tapestry.

DISCOGRAPHY:

COURTING THE NET (2000)* (seven-song EP including “Underneath the Story Bridge”)

BIG COUNTRY TOWN (2002)* (13-track studio album with guest musicians including Women in Docs (backing vocals), Steve Cook (stringed instruments) and Helen Russell (bass).

LOUNGEROOM LEGENDS (2006)* (16-track live album including “Impressions of New Zealand” and “Small Frog Song”).

* available through this website - see 'Order Form'