A BACKGROUND to "BLUEWATER COUNTRY"
by Ross Hunter

In 1995 I sat and wrote lyrics to a song, Marlin Fishing. I thought that it would be nice to have a boat song, a song I could play to the customers on those quite days on the boat Yes! At last I would have a captive audience trapped on a boat at sea, they had to listen. So in the year of '95 Marlin Fishing evolved. The song is the lead track on my first album, Bluewater Country, and without being too heady about it, is loved by all. I still think it is one of my better efforts.

The song inspired me to write more, it became quite a passion. I love nothing more than a good guitar session with the band or a song or two on the boat or around the campfire. However, having written 100 or so songs and recorded another album Northern Waters, my favourite is still Marlin Fishing.

Marlin Fishing, by Ross Hunter

Well we're goin' marlin fishin' on the BROADBILL today
Wide on the bluewater where the whales 'n dolphin play
There's a light nor'-easter blowin', big lures we're a'trollin'
Yeh! We're goin' marlin fishin' on the BROADBILL today

There are blacks 'n stripes 'n blues from the Peak to the Mountain
The anglers are keen and on me they are countin'
Will it be their day as we troll the Tasman Ocean?
Yeh, we're goin' marlin fishin' on BROADBILL today

As I stand at the wheel in anticipation
Prayin' for the strike that brings such jubilation
It's been a trip or two and our luck has been down
But maybe that will change 'cause we're nearly out to Browns

"Left rigger" is the cry, the lure is taken
It's a giant blue, hurry, this one's not fakin'
The big fish jumps high, it's action a'plenty
But I think we're in trouble 'cause the big Shimano's nearly empty

The marlin goes deep, he's still going strong and handsome
I back BROADBILL down, blue water over the transom
Please hooks, don't pull or nothing go wrong
On the deck Glenn is ready, I don't think this fish will be long

'Cause we're marlin fishin' on BROADBILL today Ah Ah Yi Oh
The angler works him hard, the fish is getting tired
It's a giant blue 'n the boys have got him wired
In goes the tag 'n he's set free, once more to roam the Tasman Sea

'Cause we've been marlin fishin' on the BROADBILL today
Wide on the blue water where the whales and dolphins play
There's a light nor'-easter blowin' , big lures were a'trolling
Yeh! We're marlin fishing on the BROADBILL today… Ay Ay Yi Oh

Having had great acceptance with Bluewater Country I had been busy writing songs about this and that, and had an urge to record them, but I needed a person who liked fishing, was a genius on a guitar and had a recxording studio...not a tall order you may say,somewhere out there such a person exists;


Along came a man straight out of that mould. Rick Panawitz loves fishing and is a recording genius. He did not know it when we first met but secretly I knew that here was my next album. It may take a bit of arm stretching on a tuna or two and perhaps a good tussle with a Pt Stephens striped marlin, but from that early meeting Rick was destined to record my next album.

"NORTHERN WATERS"
by Ross Hunter

We started work on Northern Waters in April 2003. It took about 12 months to complete. We would record a song or two when Rick had time, in between customers. What a joy it was to work with Rick. He understood my songs and played practically every instrument on the album. After a while in a recording session if I wasn't singing right or I did not like the changes, be it tempo or musically, Rick would say to me through the ear phones, "You're flat, Ross". Then it was on: we would yell and scream at each other and I would tell Rick, "You've had days to arrange this song and you've changed it and then you expect me to wander in and sing it right in 10 minutes, bugger you!" I would rip off the ear phones and storm around the studio, ranting and raving at him …… Ah! the temperamental artist.

At the end of the session, we would get it right, we would sit down over a beer and listen to the day's recording. Rick is a musical genius and I loved recording Northern Waters with him, probably as much as he loved catching fish with me.

In the year 2004 we were in the process of compiling a third album and that too will be fun …… my music remains a passion …… a passion that is realised. I sell my albums through the Internet. I perform at selected venues and really enjoy it.
My proudest moment as a songwriter was in the year 2005 when famous country singer, winner of "The Golden Guitar" award Troy Casser- Daley recorded a song which I co wrote called "Fisherman" on his award winning album "A Brighter Day" Troy had fished with us, we were shooting a sequence for ET's Escape Show.

He enjoyed the day so much that we decided that a song was in the wind and that is how "Fisherman" evolved.
Although music is my passion it will never be my livelihood, mainly for the fact that …… it may spoil the whole thing…..the enjoyment of playing and writing for the fun of it.

Every fisherman and boat owner should have a copy of Ross's great albums
Introductory offer both albums at $36.00 inc postage in Australia

Have a preview listen to;
Marlin Fishin'
Shark Fishin'
Northern Waters
Green over Blue

There are another 22 tracks to enjoy on both albums

We take all credit cards or send return postal details and cheque or money order to:
Ross Hunter, 23 Cliff Ave, Peakhurst 2210