Danny Widdicombe is a Brisbane based songwriter and musician, said to be within the realms of folk/country/blues, who has had three ARIA award nominations with his band The Wilson Pickers, released 4 albums as a solo artist, overcome leukaemia three times, played lead guitar for the likes of Bernard Fanning and Tim Rogers and is also an overly enthusiastic amateur astronomer.
2018 was another busy year for Danny, releasing his fourth studio album Ambrosia and writing a new swag of songs to be recorded with Brisbane modern experimental jazz trio Trichotomy and released mid 2019.
Each year, Danny and his band The Honey Sliders put on a special concept show playing one of their favourite albums. Since 2013, the band have delivered critically acclaimed live versions of Hendrix’s “Axis Bold as Love”, Neil Young’s “On the Beach”, The Band’s “The Last Waltz”, The Stones’ “Sticky Fingers”, The Beatles’ “Abbey Road” and Cream “Disraeli Gears”.
Danny was the winner of the coveted and prestigious Grant McLennan Memorial Fellowship, which enabled him to travel to Berlin to write and perform. His tour of Europe was cut short after his long time nemesis leukaemia relapsed and Danny was rushed back to Brisbane, Australia, for treatment. This would be his third bout with the disease.
During the treatment, Danny recorded some new songs with his friends in the radiation room (the best sounding room in the hospital). Soon after coming through the other side, Danny released his third solo album Find Someone. Find Someone followed the critically acclaimed “Dominoes” (2009) and “The Transplant Tapes” (2006).
Danny has also been shortlisted in the APRA Professional Development Awards along with only a handful of Australia’s top songwriters and is a two time ARIA award nominee (Best Blues and Roots Album – 2009, 2010) with his band The Wilson Pickers.
Danny has also proudly played lead guitar for Bernard Fanning, Andrew Morris, and Karl Broadie, as well as touring the country as part of Tim Rogers’ Temperance Union.
“Danny’s love of song crafting shines through. Widdicombe exhibits both dedication and flair in writing and arranging.” Marty Jones Rhythms Magazine
“Find Someone is a fine recording with Widdicombe working with a wider palette than his rootsier early solo work.” 4 stars – Noel Mengel Courier Mail
“Resilient Brisbane troubadour produces another gem” 4 stars – Rave Magazine
“An accomplished and uplifting release, Find Someone is a tribute to the strength of this songwriter and person.” 4 stars – Time Off Magazine
“Dreamy yet dark, warm yet strong; he is a fighter and one hell of a listen!” The dwarf.com