WHEN you've established a name in the music industry like Diesel, The Whitlams, Phil Jamieson, the Black Sorrows, Russell Morris and Troy Cassar-Daley have, you don't settle for mediocre support bands.
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It's a massive stamp of approval for Newcastle country-folk trio Whistle Dixie, that over the past four years, they have opened shows for the aforementioned artists.
"A lot of it is repeat business," Whistle Dixie guitarist John Rorke said. "We've played for Diesel about three times and twice for Troy Cassar-Daley. When we play the venues they see we're a good fit. A lot of it has been word of mouth."
However, Whistle Dixie are preparing to catapult themselves into headline status. On June 21 Rorke and his bandmates Sheldon Lindsay (vocals, percussion) and Kyla Allan (vocals, tambourine) will release their new single Wildfire, followed by their debut album Blast Off on July 5.
Blast Off was produced by Newcastle's "Godfather of Rock" Mark Tinson at Impromptu Music studio at Tighes Hill and blends the band's love of traditional Hank Williams-era country, folk, Americana and rockabilly.
The rich harmonies of Lindsay and Allan provide the exclamation point to their eclectic sound.
"Everyone is really passionate about the style and I think that comes across," Rorke said. "There's a real genuineness in the band. It's not people trying to make the style, it's people who live the style."
Whistle Dixie launch their debut album Blast Off at Lizotte's on June 20.
