Shane Flew



AUSTRALIAN SINGER / SONGWRITER / MUSICIAN

Born in the Southern Highlands of NSW in the town of Bowral. Began playing the drums in a rock and roll band at age 11.

Turned professional after moving to Sydney at age 20.Started working in an original country rock band named RAINSHINE for 2 years leading to an introduction of a musical lifestyle that hasn’t stopped.

A meeting with guitar virtuoso Tommy Emmanual led to a 2 year stint with country music star John Williamson. Along with this came the opportunity to work on radio and TV jingles in the recording studios. In these first 4 years the situation arose many times for Shane to appear at the front of the stage singing and playing acoustic guitar. As well as meeting and playing with a number of players and singers including Al Ward & Dan Johnson.



After that time he played in a number of bands passing thru all sorts of musical styles ie; funk, soul, R`n B and even some punk rock!!
In 1983 toured extensively with 60`s rock and roll legend Digger Revell as well as more recording sessions.


Then in 1984 joined pop/rock band QED with Jenny Morris out front. This led to 2 hit singles with film clips etc. "Everywhere I Go” and “ThisOne” were Top 10 and top 20 respectively. Highlights were appearances on TV shows “Countdown “ and “Hey Hey It's Saturday”, as well as several outdoor festivals including “Narrara Pop Festival” in 1985.


Next was a time playing rock, soul and R'n'B with Sydney guitar legend Peter Northcote, followed by a return to Digger Revell. When Digger was jailed the band calling itself “Jarrah” continued on playing a unique brand of country /rock with harmonies featuring Shane's lead vocal and the pedal steel of Michel Rose.

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Next was an involvement in theatre shows directed by Graham Blundell. First a 60`s girl group extravaganza called “It's My Party” followed with “It Aint Necessarily Rowe” staring Australia's first king of pop Normie Rowe. A year or so later Shane became Normie's musical director, flying around the country conducting the show, singing harmonies and contributing to the comedy aspect of the show.


Then after a time playing in a soul band with “Moving Pictures” frontman Alex Smith, joined another theatre show - the 1991-93 revival of the rock musical “HAIR”, singing in the chorus as well as playing drums and percussion.

After that came a complete change with an album and a tour with John Williamson. Then a Celtic band called Eureka and a Cajun band called Pzycho Zydeco.

Next came a great opportunity to join “The Flood” with Kevin Bennett, James Gillard and Mark Collins. 2 years of fun and good music.

Near the end of the time with the Flood, Shane started working with Troy Cassar-Daley This led to a 5 year association with Troy including live and studio recordings, extensive touring and TV appearances. Some of the many highlights were national tours opening for “The Highwaymen” ”,Leanne Rimes,” ”Merle Haggard” and “The Dixie Chicks”.

Also around that time Shane was being hired by other Oz country music stars such as Graeme Conners, Tania Kernaghan, Felicity, Darren Coggan, Becky Cole, Adam Harvey, The Fiddlers Festival, Carol Young etc for performances at the “Gympie Muster” and the “Tamworth Country Music Festival”.

Then came the formation of some of the best country musicians around “ The Feral Swing Katz”. Playing some amazing shows and recording a fine CD “Come Out Swinging” featuring Shane's lead vocal on 4 tracks. The band and CD were nominated for several awards. Another highlight was backing USA stars Kelly Willis and Bruce Robison. 

After that Shane was asked to produce an album for old mate Normie Rowe. The CD is a concept album on war veterans and their families titled “Missing In Action”. It featured 3 songs written by Shane along with his drumming, percussion and acoustic guitar playing, he also recorded his new interest “the harmonica”. To promote the CD a show was devised musicians were called in and back on the road again.

Then a decision was made to have a rest from touring. This however led to a shortage of work, apart from a few regular gigs in town, so up sprang a completely new Shane Flew. At first borrowing an electric acoustic and practicing like mad Shane began to play solo gigs in the pubs around the Rocks etc. This combined with the other 2 regulars was an opportunity to strengthen the voice and to perform original material that Shane had been gathering quietly for some time.

And then in 2002 his debut CD “7,000 Miles” was released and a new phase of this long and winding career began.