Archer plays traditional country/hillbilly, bluegrass covers and original material, drawing inspiration from a range of US acoustic country and blues musicians from the 1920s and 30s.

The music is delivered with respect for the traditions of the past while sometimes playing with his own band of driftin’ cowboys – which includes double bass and dobro – to add texture and nuance to his solo primal appeal. Despite comparisons with many of the greats, he delivers an original and incredibly compelling performance. Archer’s been called a lunatic a mystic, a fool and a saint ... the truth is somewhere in between, most likely.

Thursday, Phil and Trudy Edgeley @ Spa Bar Daylesford (formerly Horvat’s)

Phil Edgeley, hard-edged blues slide trouper, nimble-fingered folk alchemist, plays his trademark Churchill Acoustic, Tim Kill Weissenborn and National Steel guitars.

He also has a solid reputation as a songwriter. In the words of Jim Conway, Edgeley is a “masterful guitarist and songwriter who performs with great heart and passion”.

Edgeley’s British folk/blues songwriting is complimented by Trudy Edgeley's tempos and melodies.

Saturday, Black and Blue @ Spa Bar, Daylesford (formerly Horvat’s)

Back in Daylesford by popular demand, Black and Blue are often promoted as Melbourne’s “rootsiest five-piece blues rock band”.

The band’s various members boast of stints recording and playing with a range of bands and artists including Pat Wilson, Paul Norton, Rhonda Burchmore and Tinsley Waterhouse.

Black & Blue performs a blend of originals, classic Aussie covers, swing and blues /rock.

It’s a rock, gritty blues groove, blending Aussie blues tracks from artists like Chain and the Bondi Cigars with classics from Stevie Ray Vaughan, ZZ Top and BB King.

Friday, Open Mic @ Blue Bean Cafe, Hepburn Springs

Saturday, Scott Fraser @ Blue Bean Cafe, Hepburn Springs

Something of a guitar-playing journey man, Fraser has played gigs as varied as for the Hells Angels in a small pub in the middle of Victoria to playing for HeartKids at Lindsay Fox's Melbourne car museum. 

His CD Tired Town features originals with Damian Howard and Brendan O'Neill and Fred Sass on harp and guitar.

Sunday, Five Mile Sniper @ Blue Bean Cafe, Hepburn Springs