#39 Michael Paynter
For more than two decades, Michael Paynter has been one of the most quietly influential and widely respected figures in the Australian music industry. Emerging from Melbourne’s club circuit in 2004, he quickly rose to national attention as an international Sony Music recording artist, delivering multiple Top 20 singles and the multi-platinum hit “Love The Fall” (feat. The Veronicas), one of the most-spun Australian tracks of 2010.
A gifted singer, musician and writer, Michael has recorded albums in Los Angeles, London and across Australia, collaborating with world-class artists, writers and producers. His solo career has seen him tour extensively both at home and abroad, supporting Miley Cyrus, The Script, Seal, and performing alongside icons including John Farnham, Hall & Oates, Vanessa Amorosi and Shannon Noll.
From 2013–2020, Michael served as Music Director for The Veronicas, touring Australia/NZ, Europe, the USA and Asia. He is currently a full-time member of both ICEHOUSE and Jimmy Barnes’ touring bands – two of the most enduring and celebrated names in Australian music. His session and touring résumé also includes Robbie Williams (UK), Bachelor Girl, Killing Heidi, Delta Goodrem, Reece Mastin, and many more, making him one of the most in-demand musicians in the country.
Michael is equally at home on some of the nation’s biggest stages and broadcast events. He has become a trusted performer for major corporate showcases and nationally televised moments, including multiple appearances on Carols by Candlelight – one of Australia’s highest-rating annual broadcasts, attracting well over a million viewers nationwide each year. He has performed for the ICC T20 Cricket World Cup, delivered the national anthem at the opening of the 2025 Sydney Test, and was featured at the Sydney launch of the new Toyota Prado. Michael also performed the Australian anthem at the 2015 MotoGP, underscoring his reputation as a world-class vocalist relied upon by major organisations, sporting bodies and global brands.
In 2024, Michael took on the formidable role of “Jesus” in Timothy Sheader’s acclaimed production of Jesus Christ Superstar. His performance drew exceptional critical response, culminating in the Judith Johnson Award for Best Leading Performance in a Musical. A video of the much-loved song, “Gethsemane” soon went viral, capturing the attention of the international theatre world and social media viewers alike, clocking millions of views across platforms.
Alongside his live career, Michael has become a powerhouse behind the scenes. Over the past 15 years, he has built a reputation as one of Australia’s most trusted and successful contemporary songwriters and producers. He is a multiple ARIA Award and Golden Guitar Award winner, dividing his time between Australia and Nashville, and is consistently sought after by major artists and labels. His writing and production credits span Aloe Blacc, Jimmy Barnes, Kaylee Bell, Cooper Alan, Casey Barnes, James Johnston, TKay Maidza, Tina Arena, Mason Ramsey, and many others.
Across his body of work – on stage, in the studio, and across continents – Michael Paynter has become synonymous with musical excellence, creative integrity and unwavering professionalism. With a rare blend of grounded confidence, mastery and experience, he remains a compelling force in Australian music: a true craftsman dedicated to elevating every project he touches.
#38 - 8 Ball Aitken
8 Ball Aitken has toured the world performing his blues, soul, swamp-rock and groovy slide-guitar across twenty countries to date. He’s earned a loyal fanbase from his live shows and internet videos, while paying his dues as a singer, songwriter, guitarist, and producer. He’s headed to Memphis with Taya Chani and his band in January 2026 to represent the Blues Association of South East Queensland at the International Blues Challenge.
8 Ball moved to Nashville, Tennessee, USA in 2012 and worked for nine years with many of the best in the blues business today. He won second place in the 2021 International New Orleans Cigar Box Guitar Festival.
8 Ball is back with a brand-new collaboration album ‘Nightbird’. He wrote and produced the recording with soul singer Taya Chani at his home studio in the Glass House Mountains. The title-track ‘Nightbird’ immediately hit #1 on the Australian AMRAP Regional Charts in March 2025 for two weeks in a row as did their second single ‘Miss You The Most’ in May. 8 Ball & Taya’s signature harmonies and groovy guitars have proved to be a winning combination and festival favorite.
8 Ball’s previous two self-produced albums ‘ICE CREAM MAN’ & ‘ICE CREAM MAN 2’ both hit #1 on the Australian Blues & Roots Charts. The cast of musicians include 8 Ball’s band plus Grammy winning drummer Tom Hambridge (Buddy Guy) and saxophone legend Buddy Leach (George Thorogood & The Destroyers).
8 Ball regularly tours Australia and USA. Tour dates, tickets, videos, merchandise and more are all available from 8ballaitken.com
WHAT THE CRITICS SAY...
“8 Ball Aitken demonstrates that the blues are alive and well Down Under with this deep-in-the-pocket collection of modern blues and blues rock that’s built atop a swamp blues structure.” Chicago Blues Guide
“For a guy from Australia, 8 Ball Aitken really has the Delta in his bones… I wouldn’t be surprised to find Mississippi mud on the soles of his shoes.” - Gonzo Okanagan
“A lovely, enjoyable collection, start to finish, with the inevitable few songs that stand out, and invite you to hit the replay.” Blues In Britain – Graham Munn
“A mixture of balladry, wordplay, and cutting edge guitar, Swamp Blues 2 from 8 Ball Aitken deserves to be in everyone’s collection.” American Blues Scene
"Ice Cream Man is a splendid listen from start to finish. I highly recommend it.” Philly Cheeze’s Rock & Blues Reviews
"I first saw him when he was young, hairy and straight outa Brisbane. Now he’s all growed up and going global. Unstoppable!” Ross Wilson (Daddy Cool, Eagle Rock), Melbourne, Australia
"8 Ball is not an act any band wants to follow! ....even a 5 piece band will have to do some quick and serious note pounding to get 8-ball's vibe off the stage, it just hangs in the air long after he is gone.....he's a freakin solo red headed infector...!" Mitch Lind, owner/promoter of the Riverhawk and Stringbreak Music Festivals, Florida, USA
“This is outstanding. The way it should be done. You have a new fan.” Ray Wylie Hubbard, Texas, USA
#37 - David Armstrong
David Armstrong is an American stage director, writer, producer, lecturer, educator and choreographer. He is best known for his work at The 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle where from 2000 to 2018 he served as the Producing Artistic Director and later as the Executive Producer and Artistic Director, and where he is currently the Artistic Director Emeritus. His latest book “The Broadway Musical -How Immigrants, Jews, Queers and African-Americans Invented America's Signature Art Form.”
RAMBLE CITY is hosted by award wining Singer/songwriter Bradley McCaw, musing on art & life with artists & sportspeople from around the people. Welcome to RAMBLE CITY.
Created, produced, hosted by Bradley McCaw.
Mixed by James Osbourne
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Find Brad
Website: https://www.bradleymccawofficial.com
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Musicals:
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Find James:
https://www.instagram.com/jimmy_osborn98/
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Find David
Website: https://www.davidarmstrongproductions.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/david5th/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/david.armstrong.3591
David Armstrong is an American stage director, writer, producer, lecturer, educator and choreographer. He is best known for his work at The 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle where from 2000 to 2018 he served as the Producing Artistic Director and later as the Executive Producer and Artistic Director, and where he is currently the Artistic Director Emeritus.
He also currently serves on the faculty of the University of Washington School Of Drama where he teaches a course entitled: The Broadway Musical -How Immigrants, Jews, Queers and African-Americans Invented America's Signature Art Form.
On Broadway he directed the musical Scandalous!: The Life And Trials Of Aimee Semple McPherson starring Carolee Carmello who received a Tony nomination for her performance. He also directed this show’s pre-Broadway production at The 5th Avenue Theatre under the title Saving Aimee.
Other acclaimed 5th Avenue Theatre productions include Candide, Sweeney Todd, HAIR, A Little Night Music, Company, Hello, Dolly!, Oliver!, Anything Goes, MAME, Pippin, The Secret Garden, Vanities, White Christmas, The Rocky Horror Show, Yankee Doodle Dandy!, Holiday Inn, A Room With A View, Jaques Brel Is Alive… and Paint Your Wagon as well as concert productions of Gentleman Prefer Blondes, Hairspray and Titanic.
Under his leadership The 5th Avenue grew to become one of the nation’s leading musical theater companies, especially with regards to the development and production of new work. During his tenure The 5th produced full productions of 19 new musicals, nine of which subsequently transferred to Broadway, and two of which received the TONY Award for Best Musical (Hairspray and Memphis).
Mr. Armstrong’s direction and choreography have been seen on Broadway, Off-Broadway, in Los Angeles and at many leading regional theaters including DC’s Shakespeare Theatre Company, Paper Mill Playhouse, The Kennedy Center, Seattle’s ACT Theater, Ordway Center, Houston’s TUTS, Berkshire Theatre Festival, Dallas Summer Musicals, Cincinnati Playhouse, St. Louis Rep, Cohoes Music Hall, Pittsburg CLO, and Ford’s Theater. In 2018 he directed Shaw’s Arms And The Man for the Seattle Shakespeare Company.
As a playwright, Mr. Armstrong was commissioned by Theatreworks/USA to create the books for the musicals Gold Rush! and A Christmas Carol (both with scores by Mark Waldrop and Dick Gallagher). Their A Christmas Carol was produced Off-Broadway at the Lucille Lortel Theatre and has toured America every holiday season for the last 20 years. His bio-musical Yankee Doodle Dandy! (songs by George M. Cohan and Albert Evans) has received seven productions, most recently at Musical Theatre West in the summer of 2018. He co-wrote the book for the baby-boom themed revue The Wonder Years which was produced Off-Broadway at the Village Gate and received seven Drama-Logue Awards for its hit Los Angeles production. His Cole Porter revue, Hot N' Cole, which he devised and directed, has been produced by scores of theaters nationwide (including Actor's Theatre of Louisville), and was published by Samuel French, Inc.
Mr. Armstrong’s awards include the Puget Sound Business Journal’s 2016 “Outstanding Voice” Award, the Puget Sound Association of Phi Beta Kappa’s 2018 Humanities Achievement Award, and in honor of his 18 years as Executive Producer and Artistic Director of The 5th Avenue Theatre, Mayor Jenny A. Durkan proclaimed June 26, 2018 to be “David Armstrong Day” in the city of Seattle.
In the spring of 2019 he joined the faculty of The University of Washington School of Drama to teach a new course called The Broadway Musical: How Immigrants, Queers, Jews and African-Americans Invented America's Signature Art Form, which he will teach again in during spring quarter of 2020.
#7 - Patrick Hamilton
Conversation with Award winning International Producer/Enginner/ Musicians Patrick Hamilton. Talking making records, Katharine