Geoff Achison
Geoff Achison (born 5 August 1965 in Cowes on Phillip Island in the Gippsland region of Victoria, Australia) is an independent Australian Melbourne-based singer/songwriter guitarist, whose artistic focus is of the blues, blues rock and soul genres. He performs in two modes – as a solo artist performing and singing with acoustic guitar, and bandleader as a singer/electric guitarist. Career. Achison performed as lead guitarist for Dutch Tilders between 1989–96, before beginning to feature as a solo artist. He appeared in many festivals in Australia, including: After performing with Dutch Tilders, Achison formed his band 'the  Souldiggers' and produced his first album, "Big Machine" in 1994. It is featured in the National Library of Australia. By 2002, membership of 'The Souldiggers' included Gerry Pantazis and two ex-members of Little River Band: bassist Roger McLachlan, and keyboardist Mal Logan. Achison has been an instructor at Fur Peace Ranch guitar camp run by Jorma Kaukonen each year since 1998, He currently plays a Lichty Guitars acoustic instrument when performing in the US. In Australia, Achison plays Cole-Clark acoustic guitars. Awards. In 1995 the Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society sent Achison to the Memphis International Blues Challenge, where  he won the Albert King Award for the most promising guitarist of the finals. He received a Gibson Nighthawk guitar and signed an endorsement contract with Gibson Guitar Corporation following the event. He was awarded London-based Jazz FM's Album of the Month in 1999, for "Mystery Train". Achison, along with the Souldiggers, won 'Group of the Year' at the 2007 Australian Blues Music 'Chain' Awards. In 2007, Little Big Men won Kweevak Music Magazine's Readers' Choice awards., and in 2008, 'Guitar Player' magazine's readers' poll listed Achison as one of the top 10 Hot New Guitarists . The Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society has awarded Achison 'Male Artist of the Year', 'Album of the Year', 'Song of the Year' and 'Band of the Year' 2012.