The last couple of times Wendy Ford performed Good Medicine, the rain came.

Hopefully, when she performs it at the album launch this Sunday at East Lismore Bowling Club, rain will come again.

The title track of her new album of original songs looks at the current drought and the importance of water.

“Good Medicine is about bringing rain to scorched earth and drenching our skin,” Wendy said.

“There’s been drought for so long, it’s caused a ripple effect of economic problems.

“It’s been a difficult time for farmers and communities over the last couple of years.

“We know how resilient and resourceful this community is – we all came together in the 2017 flood.

“I’d like to see everyone come together this Sunday at the CD launch.

“It’s people power that creates change and gets things happening.

“That’s what I see as the good medicine - communities working toward a common goal and healing the climate crisis.”

Wendy is a songwriter based in Goonellabah and she’s been rehearsing with her new band for a few months now.

Wendy said her new band pays tribute to the song arrangements she created on the album, but it’s not the band line up that recorded the album.

“I recorded the album first and then thought I’d better get a band together and now I’ve got a great team,” she said.

Her songs address climate and social justice themes with harmony-rich vocals and guitar, keyboard and sax.

“A number of tracks on the album have already been nominated for awards,” Wendy said.

“Good Medicine and Hippy Cowgirl are semi-finalists in the 2020 Tamworth Country Music Festival songwriter awards.”

The band has a revolving line-up based on a core consisting of Ford on lead vocal and rhythm guitar; Electric Bulls keyboardist Gary Pinkerton, Bourbon and Ink drummer Bang Deepaharda, and Hoochers bassist Tony Baron.

Local musicians Chris Fisher and Marcelle Townsend-Cross from Monkey and the Fish and will join her, along with Liina Flynn on backing vocals, and The Tides’ Linda Banbury on sax. 

The music begins this Sunday, December 15 at East Lismore Bowling Club begins at 3pm with a Welcome to Country, followed by Wendy Ford and special guests Brendan Smoother, Keith Bale, Gary Pinkerton, and Karen Connors (from Jatika).

The launch of the album Good Medicine begins at 4.45pm with the eight piece Wendy Ford band.

CDs will be on sale at the launch and Wendy will be donating some of the proceeds to local bushfire appeals.

Fans can stay in the loop on the album release or request links to music by liking @wendyfordband on Facebook. 

The track Good Medicine is currently streaming on Reverbnation / wendyford and Number One Music / Wendy Ford.

For more information, visit https://www.reverbnation.com/wendyford