About The Hillbilly Goats
2020 Golden Guitar Finalists for "Bleed Me Dry" - Bluegrass Recording
2017 Golden Guitar Finalists for "Cumberland Gap" - Bluegrass Recording
Festival favourites, Australian Folk Band of the Year (2022), Golden Fiddle Recipients (2020) and 4 time “Bluegrass” Golden Guitar finalists, the Hillbilly Goats, exude an undeniable passion for mountain music, the instruments and the harmonies. Their mission is to strip back the layers of modern music and transport you on a journey that began centuries ago when the immigrants first settled in the Appalachian Mountains of America. These guys aren’t just a band – “they’re a show” and “Keeping it Real” is their motto!
Their recordings feature award nominated originals, but mostly paint a picture of traditional songs from 1710 through to the 1940’s with a high energy quirky edge. Featuring Banjo, Bones, Double Bass, Fiddle, Tap Dancing, 3 part Harmonies and more, there is a tale told of the history of Mountain Music’s evolution into Blues, Country & Bluegrass.
The Hillbilly Goats are currently writing new material for an album release early next year following the success of their latest single, "The Drive" released through covid in 2021.
In 2019 the Goats released their single “Bleed Me Dry” which received a Golden Guitar nomination and they successfully launched their own biannual music event, (on their 86 acres), THE GAS – Goats Acoustic Sessions.
2018 saw the Goats touring the launch of their album, "Old Jack's Bones" after its' successful release to sell out crowds at the Tamworth Country Music Festival. Travelling across the ditch to New Zealand twice in 4 weeks is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to touring the new record that "...overflows with the knees up inducing music its followers have come to expect." (Tony Hillier, The Australian 2018) "... the sheer exuberance, plus the panache and proficiency of the ensemble playing and singing" are key elements to the instant success of this album amongst fans and radio presenters alike. This album reached #3 in the Australian Independent Charts, #21 in the ARIA Country Charts, received a “Bluegrass” Golden Guitar nomination and was shortlisted in the Qld Music Awards 2019 (“world/folk” category).
Their 3rd studio album, “Down Foggy Mountain”, recorded & produced by Nash Chambers (Paul Kelly, Jimmy Barnes, Archie Roach, Kasey Chambers), reached immense success with 2 CMAA Nominations. “Rabbit in a Log” was nominated for Bluegrass Song of the year 2016, and their second single, “Cumberland Gap” was nominated in the same category for the 2017 Golden Guitars. This album further stamped the musical twist on traditional songs The Hillbilly Goats are famous for with big harmonies and a heavy presence of hard fiddle and fast harmonica.
Their previous album reviews in the Weekend Australian and several music magazines not only rave about their recordings, but their stage presence has been labelled “more driving and energetic than the less traditional shows seen on main stages of Australian country festivals.” (Alex Turnbull, Capital News).
The band members are never satisfied with their own instruments and continually swap over and change positions on stage – you won’t know where to look or who to watch! Each member is their own character to love and you'll see Goat Boy playing 3 instruments at once - drums with his feet, banjo in hand and harmonica on a brace, the Goth Goat dances up a storm (whilst playing fiddle flat out) and Bass Goat telling the stories and banging those notes out on the double Bass,,, but one of their biggest compliments from fans of all ages, is that they love the history lesson woven throughout the show and they all walk away feeling more knowledgeable on music and its’ roots.
A dedicated fan base has seen them voted into first place 3 years running for the Cairns Timeout Awards as “best NQ band” 2012-14, as well as finalists in the Tamworth People’s Choice Awards 2014. Another competition landed them on the main stage at the Official Opening Concert for the Tamworth Country Music Festival, which was an awesome way to kick-start 2015 – YEAR OF THE GOAT!
Whether it’s a sit down dinner show or a flat out festival set, the Hillbilly Goats are renowned for their “entertainment” value. Combining song with stories of Mountain Music’s history has proved a marketable success that sees their show advancing through the festival ranks.
So, if you’re still a Goat Virgin and haven’t seen the Hillbilly Goats yet, check them out and see what all the fuss is about. They sure know how to Raise A Ruckus and you are guaranteed to be entertained – OLD TIME STYLE!
KICK YER SHOES OFF, PUT YER HOE DOWN & HANG ON TO YER BRITCHES!
Gig Highlights
The Goats started playing the odd local festival in 2007 gaining a taste for the big stage…Recent times have seen the calibre and amount of festivals increase, now performing an average of 20 a year and playing alongside Kasey Chambers, Mental as Anything, Black Sorrows, Russell Morris, Phil Manning, Jon English, 10CC, James Blundell, James Reyne, Bill Chambers, Adam Brand & more. Some of the major festivals played include…
- Japan Music Cruise, 2025
- Wintermoon Festival 2014, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25
- Capella Country Music Festival, 2023, 24, 25
- The GAS Accoustic Weekend, 2019 - 2024
- Gympie Muster 2013, 15, 17, 22, 24
- Savannah In The Round 2021, 22, 24
- 1770 Festival 2024
- Rockhampton River Fest 2024
- Neuram Creek Folk Fest 2024
- Theodore Bush Gala 2023
- Lighthouse Country Festival 2023
- Molesworth Bluegrass and Country Festival, 2023
- Music In The Mulga 2018, 21, 23
- Cunnamulla Outback Festival, 2023
- Music Tour of America's Deep South, 2023
- NZ Gore Country Music Club, 2022
- Cloncurry Beat the Heat, 2022
- KickAss Campout, 2022
- Boulia Camel Races, 2022
- NQ's Rockin' Country 2021/22
- Broadbeach Country Music Festival 2014, 16, 18, 19, 21
- Winton's Way Out West Fest 2021
- Tamworth Festival 2012-2021
- Agnes Waters Bluesfest 2015, 19, 21
- Winton Outback Festival 2016, 20
- Tablelands Folk Festival 2007-2013, 2020
- Airlie Beach Music Festival 2013-19
- Maleny Music Festival 2016, 19
- Port Fairy Folk Festival 2018
- Cuba Dupa NZ 2018
- Cruisin' Country 6 (2016) & 8 (2018)
- Ballina Coastal Country Music Festival 2013, 14, 18
- Woodford Folk Festival 2017
- Murwillumbah Country Roots Fest 15
- Mudgeeraba Muster 2013, 14
- Glengarry Country Wallaby Creek Folk Festival 2007-2013
- Music Muster 2012 & 2013
- Far Nth Hillbilly Sessions with Bill Chambers
- Cairns Blues Festival 2013
- Undara Country Rock & Blues Festival 2013
- Barcaldine tree of Knowledge Festival 2012
- and too many more to list …
Who Are The Goats
Bryce Wearne as GOAT BOY
| Goat Boy taught himself harmonica and mandolin at the age of 20. Soon after, he put down his chef tools and ran away with a country band called “Bettathannachookraffle”. Aboard a fried out Kombi, the trio toured the country giving Goat Boy a taste of musical freedom and adventure. Picking up a love for Bluegrass along the way he vowed one day to start a bluegrass/mountain music band…. 17 years later, after working solidly to lay foundations in life, he was ready to chase dreams and the Hillbilly Goats were born. As well as lead vocals, the band keep Goat Boy’s ferocious energy channeled into playing three instruments at a time – drums with his feet, a harmonica in his mouth and strings in his hands (banjo, guitar and resonator). |
Nicola Grace
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Nicola Grace, an Australian folk artist originally from the rolling hills of South Australia, classically trained on violin at the Elder Conservatorium in Adelaide. Has been living up in Sunshine Coast after travelling Australia in her van and performing with numerous bands. Nicola released her first single in 2025 and intends to release more music while on the road with The Hillbilly Goats. She loves being able to collaborate with other artists and help their vision come to fruition. Nicola has a deep-rooted connection with the earth and can be found frolicking around forests or soaking up the sun at the beach. She is a passionate woman, living and breathing her craft. |
Fiona Passmore as Filly Goat Fi
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Fi trained in classical violin and choral acapella singing, working in a professional choir and teaching voice while undertaking a theatre performance degree at Wollongong University. While this may have given structure and technique, that deep soul sound was developed harmonising with her Dad’s blues piano or around the campfire with her cousins. Teaching Drama and English for 21 years, she always yearned to return to the spotlight, and loves bringing the energy of bluegrass and old time stories to life with The Goats. With a little flat foot shuffle, a big ol’ lady double bass, and an even bigger voice, welcome back to the stage - Filly Goat Fi!
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