Marshall and the Fro upcoming Winter Blues performance will feature special guest Manzi, known for his washboard and harmonica skills, with Marshall excited to explore and enjoy the festival's diverse music offerings.
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Marshall Okell, frontman of Marshall and the Fro, has been creating music on the far north coast of NSW for nearly three decades, carving out a successful career that has supported his family through his unwavering dedication to his craft.
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Marshall and the Fro which is preparing to release its sixth album ‘Hillbilly Disco’ by year’s end, got its name from its original line-up.
“The original bass player Nick looked like Ronald McDonald, six foot three with a big strawberry blond afro, and the original drummer looked like a little poodle with a tight knit afro,” Marshall said.
While maintaining a steady schedule of 170 solo gigs annually, Marshall performs with his current band members including Grant Gerathy, former John Butler Trio drummer, and bassist Nick Lemmet, whom Marshall has known since helping with Nick's HSC music pieces.
“We treat the music really seriously, but we don’t treat ourselves too seriously,” Marshall said.
“We just get up there and try to have a ball and try to get as many people in the audience to join in with us and have fun.”
Marshall's musical style has evolved over the years, influenced by artists like Johnny Winter, Little Feat, Jimmy Hendrix and Lynyrd Skynyrd.
“As I am getting older, the music is pulled back more and more bluesy and a bit more swampy,” he said.
Marshall and the Fro’s upcoming Winter Blues performance will feature special guest Manzi, known for his washboard and harmonica skills from his days with Hat Fitz.
“He plays the washboard with 308 shells on his fingers,” Marshall said, recounting a memorable story about a helpful sheep farmer who provided fresh shells for Manzi's performance at last year’s Winter Blues.
“When we got to our first gig, this old skinny sheep farmer rocked up and goes, ‘I’ve got some 308 shells. I shot them off for you this morning.
“I thought that sums him up in a nutshell.”
Marshall is looking forward to just walking around Winter Blues and taking in heaps of music.
“I’m looking forward to seeing Collards, Greens and Gravy, as I haven’t seen him in a while, and Nick Charles is always good.
“Mojo Corner, they are groovy and 8 Ball and 19 Twenty, they always put on a good show.
“I will just check out whatever and see, hopefully, I see something new that I haven’t seen before, which is always the best part about the festival.”
Marshall and the Fro play Winter Blues:
Friday, July 25 at the American Hotel at 10pm
Saturday, July 26 at the Beechworth Bakery at 1pm
Saturday, July 26 at the Echuca Hotel at 4.15pm
Sunday, July 27 at the Star Hotel at 4.30pm.
Marshall and the Fro Marshall's current band includes Grant Gerathy, former John Butler Trio drummer, and bassist Nick Lemmet, with a focus on enjoying music and engaging the audience.
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