Harold Dalywaters Media Report
MEDIA RELEASE
30th September 2008
Awarded '2008 Gospel Album of the Year' New album release'Harold Dalywaters and the Elliott Gospel Band'
The new self titled album from Harold Dalywaters and the Elliott Gospel Band has already won one of the most prestigious awards in Indigenous music after taking home the 2008 Gospel Album of the Year title at the recent Northern Territory Indigenous Music Awards.
Harold was also selected as a finalist in the Song of the Year category in this year's awards. The awards acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of the Territory's Aboriginal musicians.
"It felt overwhelming to win the award and I praise God for it," says Harold. "It has been a long time coming and I will remember it for the rest of my life."
'Harold Dalywaters and the Elliott Gospel Band' is his third album. It took two years in the making and was recorded in a church manse in the small town of Elliott approximately halfway between Katherine and Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory.
The album blends traditional instruments including clap sticks and the didgeridoo with modern electric and bass guitar to create a unique style of country gospel music.
Mixing original tracks, including the album's opener Take My Hand, 'Harold Dalywaters and the Elliott Gospel Band' includes covers of popular contemporary gospel songs and classic hymns.
"I believe I've got a gift from the Lord to share his message through my music," says Harold. "The lyrics are challenging and I hope they make an impact on people's lives."
Harold says God has helped him get his life back on track. "I was an alcoholic and used to get into a lot of trouble, without knowing God I wouldn't be where I am today. He changed my life."
Harold previous two albums include 2005's Until I meet Him and an acoustic solo album recorded almost ten a years ago (He Has Given Me Love)
He first strummed a guitar as a teenager studying at Yirara College in Alice Springs some three decades ago and says he hasn't stopped playing since. One of his favourite bands is country gospel group the Soft Sand Band from Galiwinku in the Top End.
Today Harold is a church leader in Elliott and regularly plays gospel music and shares the bible in the two town camps. He is also a Family Worker with the Barkly Shire working on domestic and sexual abuse issues. Prior to this he worked as a police aide in Elliott for almost ten years.
The Elliott Gospel Band that plays with Harold on his latest album includes Raymond Dixon (guitar, keyboard), Gregory Jackson (Didgeridoo, guitar, keyboard, vocals), Caroline Jackson (vocals), Roderick Lane (Didgeridoo, drums, guitar), Jason Hill (drums, guitar), and Randall Jackson (drums, guitar, keyboard, vocals).
Copies of the new album can also be purchased at www.tracksofthedesert.com
For any media interviews and/or review copies of the album contact Peter Hacquoil on 08 8953 5930
Tracks of the Desert Inc www.tracksofthedesert.com,
contact@tracksofthedesert.com
Ph: 08 8953 5930
Fax: 08 8953 5935
PO Box 5005, Alice Springs NT 0871 Australia
