The Leaping Lizards

Artist Information

Biography

We play a mix of original folk accoustic music along with rootsy traditional heritage music. We are passionate about keeping Australiana music alive and presenting it in a way that has wide appeal for a whole new generation. We have just released a new album "Shedding My Skin" which has pick up numerous awards incuding "Best National Group" at the 2011 Victorian Country Music Awards and The Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2011 Golden Fiddle Awards!
Details:
20/1/2011 The Leaping Lizards have just taken out the top award at the 2011 Golden Fiddle awards by being honoured for more than a quarter century of dedication to Australia's Heritage Roots Music and supporting the careers of numerous fiddle players who have passed through in their band, with the prestigious Golden Fiddle Lifetime Achievment Award. Full story :
www.goldenfiddleawards.org.au/pdf/20-1-11GFA_awards_winners.pdf,
Double finalists in the Victorian Country Music Awards Feb 2011 and two of the tracks off the found thier way to the finalist list for the 2010 Australian Songwriters Awards, open genre Instrumental section, awards night Sydney 11/11/2010 - one made the top 10!! & one made the top 25, We are really pleased, and of course attended and had a great time at the awards (& in Sydney!!)
Along with corporate work, a large part of our performance is grounded firmly in the community. We book halls and stage our own events, we play weddings and parties and if we get half a chance - depending on the event - we can get your group interacting and having fun Bushdancing, Ronnie does the calling - its easy to learn. Great for weddings and parties too. Speaking of weddings, we have a 4 page spread of a wedding we did earlier this year, in the current issue of "Cosmopolitan Bride"! Fantastic pictures of the event and the dancing, it was lovely to be part of.

We have a couple of clips up here on this site, one song, one instrumental, so you can check us out. We have a bushdancing clip on our webiste (Not enough room here). www.theleapinglizards.com
Its shaping up to ba a busy year playing heaps of festivals, had a break to consolidate and record and now we're back into filling our book with gigs, which is filling fast! You can hear our new stuff here, or buy it by track or album on our website www.theleapinglizards.com.
Thanks so much for reading this far. We love you!



Earlier this year we did a short tour as support band for legendary folk rocker John Schumann (Redgum/Only19) Apr 2010.

Comments from John Schumann
Legendary Australian Folk Rocker
Founder of the band Redgum
Writer of the iconic song “I Was Only 19”

3rd May 2010

I heard about the Leaping Lizards back in the 1980s when touring through the region with Redgum. I was aware of their long history in Queensland and I’d heard they were good but, frankly, I wasn’t too fussed about trying to catch up with them. While I respected the bush-band genre, bands resplendent in vests and corked hats singing songs about sheep, cows and convicts were not exactly my cup of tea.

However, in January 2010 I got to work with them and I was surprised and impressed. This lot are the real deal: they work hard, they play well, they rehearse hard and they take their craft and their material seriously.

The Lizards have a way of singing old and well known songs that bring them to life - effortlessly. Perhaps for the first time I stopped and listened and realised just how important these songs are to our musical heritage.

But why, after all these years, was it that the Leaping Lizards brought me to this awakening? I think it was because they deliver their songs in unselfconscious Australian accents – unforced, non-colonial. I didn’t have to wade through a tonal tide of puke-making, put-on Australian accents and nasal twang. It was a relief and a pleasure.

On the Anzac weekend in 2010, the Leaping Lizards played with my band, the Vagabond Crew, at Gaythorne RSL and Twin Towns RSL. They played brilliantly and were very much appreciated by our audiences. In fact, they were a hard act to follow! The Vagabond Crew members all remarked what good singers and players the Leaping Lizards are– high praise indeed from my mob!

We would work with the Lizards again in a heartbeat. That’s all that needs to be said.

John Schumann.

Instrumentation

Ron Dimmick - Banjo, Vocals, Guitar, mandolin
Donna Reynolds - Vocals, Bass, Stomp Box
Hugh Curtis - mandolin, Fiddle, Guitar & Vocals

Discography

*2010 - Album - Shedding My Skin - 11 tracks, 7 originals, 2 covers, 2 arrangements of traditional songs. 2 tracks finalistis in the recent Australian Songwriters Awards (Nov 2010) & 2 tracks already picked up on 3 different compilations.

* 2010 - EP - The Leaping Lizards - 5 tracks. 4 originals. We have just released an EP ahead of our new album. The 1st single off that, Lorelleveous, released Sept 2010. You can hear all the tracks here.

* 2007 - There To Here 23 Years - 14 tracks. Celtic/Australiana, all traditional except Clare To Here. South Australia from this album still recieves radio airplay in the country/folk scene and charted well on release. You can hear that track here too.

* 1989 - Smoko - 11 tracks. A mixture of the times. Hear samples on our website. www.theleapinglizards.com

* 1986 - Leaping Lizards The Original - 10 tracks. Yes 24 years ago! The 80's Australiana Bush Band sound is very evident on this precious recording. Hear samples on our website. www.theleapinglizards.com


Donna (in a previous solo life) has 2 solo albums and an EP (90% originals), She's also had 3 finalist berths at the CMAA Awards (Australia), numerous songwriting awards including the Australian Human Rights Award and has held No1 position on the country charts several times.

Official Website

http://www.theleapinglizards.com

Links

• Twitter
• MySpace
• Gig Launch

Audio

• Silver Eyes
  Listen  
• Shedding My Skin
  Listen  
• Lorelleveous
  Listen  
• Beauty & The Bush
  Listen  
• Scutterby Slip
  Listen  
• Crawling From The Wreckage
  Listen  
• Buffalo Words
  Listen  
• Poor Ned
  Listen  
• Good Old Days - The Leaping Lizards Version
  Listen  
• Vocal -South Australia - Leaping Lizards Arrangment
  Listen  

Lyrics

• Silver Eyes
• Beauty & The Bush
• Shedding My Skin

Video

Leaping Lizards Twin Towns 2010 Clare To Here

Leaping Lizards Twin Towns 2010 Lorellevious

Photo Gallery

Press

• John Schumann says: [+ Show ]
  

  Comments from John Schumann Legendary Australian Folk Rocker Founder of the band Redgum Writer of...Comments from John Schumann
  Legendary Australian Folk Rocker
  Founder of the band Redgum
  Writer of the famous song “I Was Only 19”
  
  3rd May 2010
  
  I heard about the Leaping Lizards back in the 1980s when touring through the region with Redgum. I was aware of their long history in Queensland and I’d heard they were good but, frankly, I wasn’t too fussed about trying to catch up with them. While I respected the bush-band genre, bands resplendent in vests and corked hats singing songs about sheep, cows and convicts were not exactly my cup of tea.
  
  However, in January 2010 I got to work with them and I was surprised and impressed. This lot are the real deal: they work hard, they play well, they rehearse hard and they take their craft and their material seriously.
  
  The Lizards have a way of singing old and well known songs that bring them to life - effortlessly. Perhaps for the first time I stopped and listened and realised just how important these songs are to our musical heritage.
  
  But why, after all these years, was it that the Leaping Lizards brought me to this awakening? I think it was because they deliver their songs in unselfconscious Australian accents – unforced, non-colonial. I didn’t have to wade through a tonal tide of puke-making, put-on Australian accents and nasal twang. It was a relief and a pleasure.
  
  On the Anzac weekend in 2010, the Leaping Lizards played with my band, the Vagabond Crew, at Gaythorne RSL and Twin Towns RSL. They played brilliantly and were very much appreciated by our audiences. In fact, they were a hard act to follow! The Vagabond Crew members all remarked what good singers and players the Leaping Lizards are– high praise indeed from my mob!
  
  We would work with the Lizards again in a heartbeat. That’s all that needs to be said.
  
  John Schumann.
  

• Leaping Lizards Lizards Album Review [+ Show ]
  

  Country Pickins-------- Burt Everett July25 Isn’t it great when occasionally you re-e... Country Pickins-------- Burt Everett July25
  
  Isn’t it great when occasionally you re-establish contact with someone you have lost contact with, especially someone who showed potential in a certain field, and has left you wondering if the potential was ever realized? One such question was answered last week when I was contacted by Donna Reynolds, a lady who showed great promise on the Country Music Festival circuit some years ago. Donna is now with a group with the unusual name of, “Leaping Lizards”, (a name that immediately aroused my curiosity.
  
  “Leaping Lizards” is comprised of four members, Ron Dimmick, Peter Lawson Donna, and, Paul "Rabbit” Robinson, and the album carries the title of, “There To Here – 23 Years”, and I found it a sheer delight. The CD is a mix of Australian folk songs, and Irish traditionals each done in a unique sound. “Leaping Lizards have breathed new life into familiar Irish airs like, “Whiskey In A Jar”, “Belfast Mill”, and, “Wild Rover, and done likewise with Australian Bush songs like, “Ryebuck Shearer”, “Old Palmer”, (Palmer River Song”), “South Australia”, and, “Swag On My Shoulder”. To me, however, the outstanding track on the album was the beautiful instrumental, “Didgee Pete”, (written by group member, Pete Lawson, who also provides the sound of the didgeredoo). Listen to this one and, in your fantasies, you’ll be transported to Kakadu, or perhaps Ullaru! For lovers of Irish, or Aussie folk music, this one is a must, and for others who love foot tapping good time music, the same thing applies
  

• Album Review: Capital News Tamworth [+ Show ]
  

  LEAPING LIZARDS Sundown Records Often overlooked in favour of their better known ...LEAPING LIZARDS Sundown Records
  
  
  
  Often overlooked in favour of their better known Traditional Bush ‘cousins’ the LEAPING LIZARDS have been quietly doing their thing for 23 years. Vocalists PETE LAWSON and DONNA REYNOLDS are the voice of the band that also boasts fine fiddle, mandolin, banjo and harp playing by PAUL (RABBIT) ROBINSON and RON DIMMICK. The band doesn’t just play the old songs, they create their own distinctive arrangements. The new single release is the classic South Australia, given the personal touch by Donna. Traditional songs, Tell My Ma, Whiskey In The Jar, Belfast Mill, Lock Tay Boat Song, Swag On My Shoulder and Ryebuck Shearer show the fun and the sadness of our early history. Didge_Pete is an original by Pete showcasing his ability with the unique Australian instrument. King Of The Faeries leaves you gasping at the fiddle talents of Paul. Leaping Lizards should be better known as a rollicking Traditional Bush band.
  
  Sundown Records 0690
  
  Available from www.leapinglizardsbushband.com
  
  DEBORAH MINTER
  
  CAPITAL NEWS TAMWORTH
  
  

• Album Review - Shedding My Skin [+ Show ]
  

  ALBUM REVIEW Capital News Jan 2011 THE LEAPING LIZARDS have been performing together for several ...ALBUM REVIEW
  Capital News Jan 2011
  THE LEAPING LIZARDS have been performing together for several
  years, leaving quite a mark on the live scene, so it is fantastic to see
  them release another album – particually one featuring so much original
  music. Shedding My Skin is a mixture of wonderful instrumental pieces
  and quirky, appealing vocal tracks, most of them featuring lead singer
  DONNA REYNOLDS
  The instrumentals are expertly crafted and superbly played by this
  three-piece band, which also features RON DIMMICK and LIAM
  KILPATRICK. I loved Scutterby Slip and Crawling From The Wreckage,
  as well as Doona's Lullabye and the award-nominated Lorelleveous.
  Standouts also include Beauty And The Bush, Silver Eyes and Shedding
  My Skin is a sheer delight. There's a traditional touch with Queen Of
  Argyll and a fabulous job on GRAEME CONNORS and MIKE KERIN'S
  Good Old Days. This is a dynamic fresh and hight appealing album that
  brings the bush music sound firmly into the twenty-first century.
  Susan Jarvis

• Winner 2011 Golden Fiddle Awards [+ Show ]
  

  THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 2011 The Leaping Lizards honoured at Golden Fiddle Awards Australiana band T...THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 2011
  The Leaping Lizards honoured at Golden Fiddle Awards
  Australiana band The Leaping Lizards was honoured today for more than 25 years of
  dedication to the nation's heritage roots music with the Golden Fiddle Lifetime Achievement
  Award at the Tamworth Country Music Festival.
  While the band members might have
  changed over the years, fiddlers have
  always featured on the front line, say
  organisers of the Golden Fiddle Awards.
  "The Lizards are regarded as a leading
  Australian ambassador band, often being
  the first Australian music thousands of
  overseas business leaders and tourists hear
  at cultural events."
  Legendary folk rocker John Schumann
  (Redgum/Only 19) recently said of the
  Lizards: "They have a way of singing old
  and well known songs that bring them to
  life – effortlessly."
  The Leaping Lizards released their first album in 1986, which is today preserved as an historically
  significant piece of Queensland's musical heritage. A ground breaking album was released in 1989
  when they reached the top of their game, having won both the Battle of the Bush Bands and the
  National Bush Band title in the same year. For years after, the band travelled extensively on the
  festival circuit and were regulars on TV shows.
  Guitar and banjo player and vocalist on that album Ron Dimmick still holds the Lizards together
  with co-players Donna Reynolds and fiddler, Hugh Curtis.
  The iconic band's newly released CD Shedding My Skin, dominated finalist categories of this year's
  Golden Fiddle Awards; Best Band; Best CD and Best Original Composition. The judging panel
  agreed unanimously to honour their musical history with the top award of Lifetime Achievement.
  http://www.theleapinglizards.com

• Leaping Lizards -Best Group 2011 Victorian Country Music Awards [+ Show ]
  

  Winners of this year's Victorian & National Country Music Awards were announced at the weekend durin...Winners of this year's Victorian & National Country Music Awards were announced at the weekend during the Whittlesea Country Music Festival.
  Jason Lee took out three awards in the national section, for Male Vocalist of the Year, the Trailblazers Heritage Award and the songwriter category with Just A Memory.
  Tania Kernaghan won Female Vocalist of the Year with Droving Cattle With The Boys, the Group title went to the Leaping Lizards for Good Old Days and the Duet category to Kristy Cox & the Davidson Bros with Breaking New Ground.
  Courtney Conway won the Hawking Bros Best New Talent award with Girlie Girl while the Smoky Dawson Best Independent Release went to Dianna Corcoran with Thank You For Cheating On Me.
  The Merv Lowry Award for Traditional Country was presented to Doug Bruce with Coffey Road, Instrumental of the Year went to Steve Passfield for Badl bounce and the Bluegrass Award was taken home by Kristy Cox with One Step Away.
  Kristy Cox also seemed to dominate the Victorian section winning Group or Duet with the Davidson Bros for Breaking New Ground, Female Vocalist of the Year and Entertainer of the Year.
  Doug Bruce won two awards in the Victorian section, Album of the Year for A Good Place and Male Vocalist of the Year with Honky Tonk Shoes.
  Weblink www.whittleseacountrymusicfestival.com.au.
  

Setlist

We are showcasing new material off our upcoming album. Have a listen before you leave this page.We are also passionate about what we call "Australian Historical Roots Music", we believe as a nation we are losing our heritage, we also teach bushdancing when ever we can. Typical songs include South Australia, Ryebuck Shearer, Old Palmer and Swag on My Shoulder performed in a contemporary folk style.

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