Tin Shed Rattlers

Ian Charles

I started my music career in 1979 playing with the Swag and Billy Bush Band. This band played mostly 2 nights per week for many years and all over the Riverina.

I stayed with Swag and Billy until 1986 when at the encouragement of Ross Smithard, whom I credit as being my musical mentor; I played a few jobs with the Rattlers.

I enjoyed the music and friendship of the band and joined as a member.

There have been highlights too numerous to mention while playing with this band and I have had the pleasure of playing with some great musicians over the years.

The band has fostered the talents of many upcoming musicians over the years and continues to do so today and I think this level of musical generosity is rare today.

In the early 1990’s I spent a couple of years playing bass guitar with Ross Smithard and Larry O’Shea in a blues band called The Blind Lemons. We played some great jobs and had an absolute ball. When Ross asked me if I would play with them I said ‘I don’t play bass’. His response was ‘you’ll be right’. I suppose I was, in the finish, with a little guidance along the way.

I have enjoyed my time with the Rattlers and have made some wonderful friendships along the way. Though I don’t play as much as I used to I still look forward to a night playing with such a fun band.

 A lot of credit for the longevity of the band sits with Noel Raynes. Noel loves to entertain people and provide an affordable source of entertainment for families. The longer the band continues the more people are able to enjoy this style of entertainment.