Gene Watson’s Peers within the country music industry believe in the sheer talent of this unassuming man from east Texas, so much so that Gene is regarded by many of them as ‘the singer’s singer’ – and rightly so!
All of Gene Watson’s Peers, who were contacted during 2013, were most gracious with their time and words.
It is here, within this special part of The Gene Watson Fan Site, that you have an opportunity to read a quote from Audrey Auld, which she submitted to this site on Wednesday 6 February 2013.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Audrey Auld who made a special contribution to this unique part of this online ‘celebration of a Lone Star Hero’.
Audrey Auld
This quote was submitted on Wednesday 6 February 2013.
‘I love real country music, the kind Gene Watson makes.
It’s hard core, authentic and heart-felt, the way good country is meant to be.
Gene honors the music while bringing his own great Texan style.
Gene is pure country!’
Thank you, Audrey Auld, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Audrey Auld…
Audrey Auld was a singer / songwriter from Tasmania, whose heart was in country music, folk music and Americana music, with a presence as big as The Outback.
Audrey Auld was born on Tuesday 14 January 1964 in Tasmania, Australia to parents Frederick J. Auld and Audrey Wells, and spent her early years in their mountain home at Mount Wellington, Tasmania.
Audrey Auld’s songs are the wry and poignant observations of a Tassie girl, who lived in California and Nashville since 2003.
Audrey Auld called her music ‘Music with the dirt left on‘
‘The only problem with Auld is trying to decide if she’s more remarkable as a singer or a songwriter, which isn’t the worst problem an artist can have’
John Conquest, 3rd Coast Music, Austin, Texas, April 2012
‘Anyone doubting that Audrey Auld is one of the world’s best songwriters should give ‘Resurrection Moon’ (Reckless Records, 2012) a listen’
Paul Riley, Country Music People, United Kingdom, April 2012
Audrey Auld was a memorable and uplifting entertainer.
Audrey Auld was a spontaneous comedienne and a writer of humorous, provocative and soulful songs.
A touring songwriter, Audrey Auld won the 2006 MerleFest Song Contest and performed her winning song ‘Losing Faith’ with Rich Brotherton (of Robert Earl Keen’s band) on guitar to a thrilled MerleFest crowd.
In 1998, Audrey Auld established Reckless Records.
On Sunday 29 August 1999, Audrey Auld saw the release of her debut album, ‘Looking Back To See’ (Reckless Records, 1999), which gained award-winning acclaim in Australia.
Audrey Auld’s ‘Looking Back To See’ (Reckless Records, 1999) was a duet album with singer / songwriter and guitar great, Bill Chambers (Dead Ringer Band, Kasey Chambers), and laid a foundation for Audrey Auld’s future releases, which included ‘The Fallen’ (Reckless Records, 2000), an album which received an ARIA nomination for ‘Best Country Album’ in Australia.
Audrey Auld & Bill Chambers’ ‘Looking Back To See’ (Reckless Records, 1999) included the following tracks:
‘Looking Back To See’
‘Sugar Daddy’
‘Kiss The Children’
‘Honky Tonk Fool’
‘Searching’
‘We’ll Sweep Out The Ashes In The Morning’
‘It Was The Whiskey Talking (Not Me)’
‘Road of Regret’
‘Losing Side of Love’
‘You Opened My Eyes’
‘Honky Tonk Merry Go Round’
‘You Are My Sunshine’
‘What’s In Our Hearts’
‘Meet Me Up There’
In 2000, Audrey Auld saw the release of ‘The Fallen’ (Reckless Records, 2000), her debut solo album and a modern country album, complete with large helpings of steel guitar; the album included the following tracks:
‘I’d Leave Me Too’ (written by Audrey Auld)
‘Black Cloud’ (written by Audrey Auld)
‘Shove It’ (written by Audrey Auld)
‘To The Bone’ (written by Audrey Auld)
‘Jellyroll’ (written by Audrey Auld)
‘Alcohol & Pills’ (written by Fred Eaglesmith)
‘Without You’ (written by Audrey Auld)
‘Too Far To Fall’ (written by Audrey Auld)
‘Jackson’, which was written by Jerry Leiber (Tuesday 25 April 1933 – Monday 22 August 2011) and Billy Edd Wheeler
In August 1967, Johnny Cash (Friday 26 February 1932 – Friday 12 September 2003) & June Carter (Sunday 23 June 1929 – Thursday 15 May 2003) saw the release of ‘Carryin’ On With Johnny Cash & June Carter’ (Columbia Records, 1967); one of the included tracks was ‘Jackson’, which was released in September 1967, reaching No.2 on the Billboard country music singles chart, winning a Grammy Award in 1968 for ‘Best Country & Western Performance Duet, Trio or Group’.
On Tuesday 19 March 2002, Johnny Cash & June Carter’s ‘Carryin’ On With Johnny Cash & June Carter’ (Columbia Records, 1967) was re-issued by Columbia Records.
‘Jackson’ was reprised by Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon, performing as Johnny Cash and June Carter, in the 2005 film, ‘Walk The Line’.
‘Still Holding On’ (written by Audrey Auld)
‘Missing You’ (written by Audrey Auld)
‘Song For Clax’ (written by Audrey Auld)
In 2003, Audrey Auld re-located to the United States to pursue her singing career and to share her life with her loving husband, ‘Mez’ (Daniel) Mezera, who she married on Friday 29 August 2003. Audrey and Mez spent many happy years living in Tennessee and California.
It was also in 2003 when Audrey Auld saw the release of ‘Losing Faith’ (Reckless Records, 2003), a dark haunting release, which put Audrey Auld on the map in the United States with Americana radio.
Audrey Auld’s ‘Losing Faith’ (Reckless Records, 2003) included the following tracks:
‘Losing Faith’
‘Denied’
‘Our Lady of Sorrows’
‘Not Who I Am’
‘Doin’ Well’
‘Trashin’ Da Blues’
‘Your Eyes’
‘B-Grade Affair’ / this track featured guest vocals from Fred Eaglesmith
‘Next Big Nothing’
‘You Did’
‘Heartache’
‘Ain’t No Joy’ / this track featured guest vocals from Mary Gauthier
‘Harmony’ / this track featured guest vocals from Kieran Kane
Audrey Auld began touring the states opening shows for Todd Snider, Fred Eaglesmith and Kevin Welch, among others.
Audrey Auld quickly became a favourite on local radio stations, including KRSH, KRCB and KPIG, playing frequently for Sleepy John’s local shows and touring the region.
On Tuesday 11 November 2003, Audrey Auld & Bill Chambers saw the release of ‘Reckless Records Garage Sale: 1997-2003’ (Reckless Records, 2003), a diverse selection of unreleased and deleted tracks:
‘The Angels Rejoiced’ / this track featured Bill Chambers and Audrey Auld
‘Fake Love With Me’ / this track featured Audrey Auld
‘Goodbye’ / this track featured Bill Chambers
‘I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry’, which was written by Hank Williams (Monday 17 September 1923 – Thursday 1 January 1953) / this track featured Audrey Auld and Camille Te Nahu
‘Hillbilly Daddy’ / this track featured Bill Chambers
‘Cry’ / this track featured Audrey Auld
‘Tex & Buddy’ / this track featured Bill Chambers and Audrey Auld
‘The World Changed Today’ / this track featured Audrey Auld
‘Wilder Than Her’ / this track featured Fred Eaglesmith with Audrey Auld and was a ‘live’ recording
‘I’ll Never Be Fooled Again’ / this track featured Audrey Auld and Rick Carey
‘Mountain Home’ / this track featured Audrey Auld
‘Going Crazy Without You’ / this track featured Bill Chambers
‘1-800-Go-Tell-John’ / this track featured Audrey Auld
‘Santa Spend Xmas With Me’ / this track featured Audrey Auld
‘He’s A Good Dog’ / this track featured Audrey Auld
‘You Remind Me of A Bad Memory’ / this track featured Audrey Auld
‘Hobo’s Meditation’ / this track featured Audrey Auld
‘Oh, Susanna’ / this track featured The Yearlings
‘Camelot Motel’ / this track featured Mary Gauthier
On Tuesday 8 March 2005, Audrey Auld saw the release of ‘Texas’ (Reckless Records, 2005), her first release as Audrey Auld-Mezera since becoming a United States resident and adopting her married name.
Recorded ‘live’ in the studio, Audrey Auld-Mezera’s ‘Texas’ (Reckless Records, 2005) which featured Texan greats Carrie Rodriguez, Gabe Rhodes & Kimmie Rhodes, and Darcie Deaville, along with Will Landin (bass) and Wally Doggett (percussion) and Audrey’s Australian mate Bill Chambers, included the following tracks:
‘Love You Like The Earth’ (written by Audrey Auld-Mezera)
‘Karla Faye’ (written by Mary Gauthier and Crit Harmon)
‘My Father’ (written by Audrey Auld-Mezera)
‘Song For Harlan’ (written by Audrey Auld-Mezera)
‘Ball & Chain’ (written by Audrey Auld-Mezera)
‘Hole In My Life’ (written by Audrey Auld-Mezera)
‘Woody’ (written by Audrey Auld-Mezera)
‘Missin’ Mez’ (written by Audrey Auld-Mezera)
‘Billy Joe’ (written by Audrey Auld-Mezera)
‘Shine’ (written by Audrey Auld-Mezera)
‘One Eye’ (written by Audrey Auld-Mezera)
Audrey Auld-Mezera’s ‘Texas’ (Reckless Records, 2005), which was produced by Gabe Rhodes and Audrey Auld, was also an ARIA ‘Best Country Album’ nominee in Audrey Auld’s homeland.
While in California, San Quentin Prison became a regular gig for Audrey Auld via her involvement with the Bread & Roses organisation. Her initial performance to a captive audience led to ongoing songwriting workshops with the inmates.
It was in Northern California where Audrey Auld was introduced to guitarist extraordinaire Nina Gerber, who had worked with Eliza Gilkyson, Kate Wolfe and Karla Bonoff, amongst others.
The two musically fast friends hit it off immediately and their second show together was recorded and released in 2006; ‘In The House’ (Reckless Records, 2006) was a stunning ‘live’ album.
On Tuesday 9 May 2006, Audrey Auld-Mezera & Nina Gerber saw the release of ‘In The House’ (Reckless Records, 2006), which was recorded ‘live’ at a sold-out show at Studio E in Sebastopol, California in December 2005, and included the following tracks:
Disc 1
Talk: Introduction
‘Alcohol & Pills’ (written by Fred Eaglesmith)
Talk: Last Stop South Pole
‘Mountain Home’
Talk: Audrey Meeting Nina
‘I’d Leave Me Too’
Talk: Aussie Love Song
‘Shove It’
Talk: Men Are Imperfect
‘Losing Faith’
‘Your Eyes’
Talk: Nina
‘I Know You By Heart’ (written by Eve Nelson and Diane Scanlon)
Talk: Souvenir of Finlandia
‘Drinking Problem’
Talk: A Husband That’s Mine
‘Love You Like The Earth’
‘Black Cloud’
Talk: Only Here For The Soup
‘Jellyroll’
Talk: Live Dangerously
‘Hole In My Life’
Talk: Smoke, Toke, Tinkle
‘Song For Clax’
Disc 2
Talk: Peace Process
‘Imagine’, which was written by John Lennon (Wednesday 9 October 1940 – Monday 8 December 1980)
Talk: Mary Gauthier
‘Karla Faye’ (written by Mary Gauthier and Crit Harmon)
Talk: Hank Williams Button
‘Ball & Chain’
Talk: More Ink Than Pink
‘My Father’
Talk: Get-a-Bong Beach
‘Self-Help Helped Me’
Talk: Keith Allen
‘Deep Water’ (written by Keith Allen)
Talk: Jewish Singing Cowboy
‘I Still Miss Someone’, which was written by Johnny Cash (Friday 26 February 1932 – Friday 12 September 2003)
‘Next Big Nothing’
Talk: Thanks
‘One Eye’
‘Half A World Away’
Talk: Patty Griffin
‘Mary’ (written by Patty Griffin)
On Friday 3 March 2006, Sunny Sweeney saw the release of her independent debut album, ‘Heartbreakers Hall of Fame’ (Sunny Sweeney Independent Release, 2006 / Big Machine Records, 2007), which included Audrey Auld’s ‘Next Big Nothing’; the album was released nationally in the United States, on Tuesday 6 March 2007, by Big Machine Records.
On Tuesday 13 February 2007, Audrey Auld-Mezera saw the release of ‘Lost Men & Angry Girls’ (Reckless Records, 2007), which included the following tracks:
‘Bolinas’ (written by Audrey Auld Mezera)
‘Morphine’
‘Last Seen In Gainesville’ (written by Audrey Auld Mezera)
‘Buck Hungry’ (written by Audrey Auld Mezera) / this track featured guest vocals from Bill Chambers
‘Looking For Luckenbach’ (written by Audrey Auld Mezera)
‘Half A World Away’ (written by Audrey Auld Mezera) / this track featured guest vocals from Nina Gerber
‘We Cry’ (written by Audrey Auld Mezera)
‘Clinch Mountain Prayer’ (written by Audrey Auld Mezera) / this track featured guest vocals from Bill Chambers
‘Down In A Hole’ (written by Audrey Auld Mezera)
‘Not I’ (written by Audrey Auld Mezera) / this track featured guest vocals from Raechel Lee
‘Self-Help Helped Me’ (written by Audrey Auld Mezera)
‘Dublin Boy’ (written by Audrey Auld Mezera) / this track featured guest vocals from Karl Broadie
‘Lullaby For Baby Taylor’
Audrey Auld-Mezera’s ‘Lost Men & Angry Girls’ (Reckless Records, 2007) reached No.1 on the Freeform Americana Chart, which was compiled from the worldwide playlists of radio presenters who played music for love, not money.
Audrey Auld-Mezera’s ‘Lost Men & Angry Girls’ (Reckless Records, 2007) showcased Audrey Auld-Mezera’s best writing to date and was proof of the heart and mind connection of her music and her huge capacity for compassion and humour in writing songs which everyone could relate to.
As Audrey Auld-Mezera toured the world, she delighted audiences with folk songs from her homeland, and fans requested that she record them.
In 2009, Audrey Auld-Mezera saw the release of ‘Billabong Song’ (Reckless Records, 2009), a 5-track Extended Play (EP) disc, which was an acoustic collection of folk songs which are an integral part of the fabric of Australian culture, plus one new track, ‘Australia’ (written by Audrey Auld-Mezera), and a poem from 1908.
Audrey Auld-Mezera’s 5-track Extended Play (EP) disc, ‘Billabong Song’ (Reckless Records, 2009), which was produced by Audrey Auld-Mezera, was recorded in Nashville by Mark Moffatt, with Stuie French (lead acoustic guitar) and Camille Te Nahu (harmony), and included the following tracks:
‘Waltzing Matilda’ / this track is considered to be Australia’s unofficial anthem and is known the world over
‘And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda’ (written by Eric Bogle)
‘Australia (Paint You A Picture)’ (written by Audrey Auld-Mezera)
‘Pub With No Beer’, which was written by Slim Dusty (Monday 13 June 1927 – Friday 19 September 2003) (aka David Kirkpatrick)
‘Camooweal’, which was written by Slim Dusty (Monday 13 June 1927 – Friday 19 September 2003)
‘My Country’, which was written by Isobel Marion Dorothea Mackellar (known as Dorothea Mackellar) OBE (1 July 1885 – Sunday 14 January 1968) / this is an iconic patriotic poem about Australia, which gives listeners a taste of Audrey Auld-Mezera’s spoken Australian accent, and was written by Isobel Marion Dorothea Mackellar (known as Dorothea Mackellar) OBE (1 July 1885 – Sunday 14 January 1968) at the age of nineteen while homesick in the United Kingdom
Another fan request was that Audrey Auld-Mezera publish the lyrics and chords to her songs, so in 2010, she published ‘Write Out Loud’, which was a songbook perfect for a campfire sing-a-long or a front-porch jam session.
In 2011, Audrey Auld-Mezera saw the release of what is regarded as her finest work; ‘Come Find Me’ (Reckless Records, 2011) was produced by Mark Hallman of Congress House Studios in Austin (Mark Hallman has produced albums for Eliza Gilkyson, Ani DeFranco and Tom Russell), and was a fan-funded project, which earned a five-star review in the prestigious United Kingdom magazine, Country Music People.
‘Audrey Auld-Mezera is an amazing talent. Like a special flower in your garden. Her songs are a kind of beacon of hope, from a woman who cares, in this deeply cynical world we are all stranded in. You need to relax more, play this album’
Paul Riley, Country Music People, United Kingdom
Audrey Auld-Mezera’s saw the release of what is regarded as her finest work to date; ‘Come Find Me’ (Reckless Records, 2011) included the following tracks:
‘Come Find Me’ (written by Audrey Auld-Mezera)
‘Just Love’ (written by Audrey Auld-Mezera and Mez Mezera)
‘Tasmania’ (written by Audrey Auld-Mezera)
‘Forty’ (written by Audrey Auld-Mezera)
‘Petals’ (for Jon Dee) (written by Audrey Auld-Mezera)
‘Orphan Song’ (for Mary) (written by Audrey Auld-Mezera and Terry McArthur)
‘Beautiful Garden’ (written by Audrey Auld-Mezera)
‘You Wish’ (written by Audrey Auld-Mezera) / Warning: this track includes a rude word
‘Tree’ (written by Audrey Auld-Mezera)
‘Nails’ (written by Audrey Auld-Mezera)
‘The Butterfly Effect’ (written by Audrey Auld-Mezera)
‘Bread & Roses’ (for San Quentin) (written by Audrey Auld-Mezera)
In 2012, Audrey Auld-Mezera saw the release of ‘Resurrection Moon’ (Reckless Records, 2012), a retrospective collection of favourite songs from the last decade, plus two new tracks, which were recorded in Nashville:
‘Resurrection Moon’ (written by Audrey Auld-Mezera and Terry McArthur)
‘Losing Faith’ (written by Audrey Auld-Mezera)
‘I’d Leave Me Too’ (written by Audrey Auld-Mezera)
‘Bolinas’ (written by Audrey Auld-Mezera)
‘Doin’ Well’ (written by Audrey Auld-Mezera)
‘Black Cloud’ (written by Audrey Auld-Mezera)
‘Down In A Hole’ (written by Audrey Auld-Mezera)
‘Song For Clax’ (written by Audrey Auld-Mezera)
‘Your Eyes’ (written by Audrey Auld-Mezera)
‘Not Who I Am’ (written by Audrey Auld-Mezera)
‘Looking For Luckenbach’ (written by Audrey Auld-Mezera)
‘Ball & Chain’ (written by Audrey Auld-Mezera)
‘Last Seen In Gainesville’ (written by Audrey Auld-Mezera)
‘Love You Like The Earth’ (written by Audrey Auld-Mezera)
‘Hole In My Life’ (written by Audrey Auld-Mezera)
‘My Father’ (written by Audrey Auld-Mezera)
‘Next Big Nothing’ (written by Audrey Auld-Mezera)
‘Jellyroll’ (written by Audrey Auld-Mezera)
‘Buck Hungry’ (written by Audrey Auld-Mezera)
‘Everything Be Alright’ (written by Audrey Auld-Mezera)
To celebrate Woody Guthrie’s 100th birthday, on Saturday 14 July 2012, Audrey Auld-Mezera created ‘Wood’ (Reckless Records, 2012), a hand-made acoustic 5-track CD, which included the following tracks:
‘Woody’ (written by Audrey Auld-Mezera) / this track is a re-recording of the song which was originally included on ‘Texas’ (Reckless Records, 2005)
‘One Hundred Candles’ (written by Audrey Auld-Mezera) / this track was written especially for Woody’s birthday
‘Oklahoma Dust’ (written by Audrey Auld-Mezera) / this track was inspired by a visit to Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa, Oklahoma
‘Bound For Glory’ (written by Audrey Auld-Mezera)
‘Poverty Line’ (written by Audrey Auld-Mezera)
Audrey Auld-Mezera’s celebration of Woodrow ‘Woody’ Wilson Guthrie (Sunday 14 July 1912 – Tuesday 3 October 1967), ‘Wood’ (Reckless Records, 2012), which was recorded in Nashville, was presented in a hand-stamped envelope, which was individually numbered.
Personnel involved in the recording of Audrey Auld-Mezera’s celebration of Woodrow ‘Woody’ Wilson Guthrie (Sunday 14 July 1912 – Tuesday 3 October 1967), ‘Wood’ (Reckless Records, 2012), included the following:
Audrey Auld-Mezera (guitar, vocals)
John Willis (guitar, banjo, mandolin)
Jess Leary and Ralph Friedrichsen (harmony vocals)
In 2013, Audrey Auld-Mezera saw the release of ‘Tonk’ (Reckless Records, 2013), a hardcore country music album, which was recorded in Nashville and was produced by Kenny Vaughan.
Audrey Auld-Mezera realised that Kenny Vaughan, who she met during her first visit to Nashville in 2001, would be the one person she knew who would be perfect in helping her realise her dream album; Kenny Vaughan is a great musician with deep respect for traditional country music.
The first song Kenny Vaughan ever played guitar on was ‘Folsom Prison Blues’, which was written by Johnny Cash (Friday 26 February 1932 – Friday 12 September 2003). After many years touring with Lucinda Williams, Kenny Vaughan became one of Marty Stuart‘s Fabulous Superlatives in 2013.
Audrey Auld-Mezera’s ‘Tonk’ (Reckless Records, 2013) included the following tracks:
‘Bound For Glory’ (written by Audrey Auld-Mezera)
‘Broken Hearted Woman’ (written by Audrey Auld-Mezera)
‘Drinking Problem’ (written by Audrey Auld-Mezera)
‘Kiss Me’ (written by Audrey Auld-Mezera)
‘Crying The Blues’ (written by Willie P. Bennett)
‘Nashville No.1’ (written by Audrey Auld-Mezera)
‘Nashville No.2’ (written by Audrey Auld-Mezera)
‘Siren Song’ (written by Audrey Auld-Mezera)
‘Your Wife’ (written by Audrey Auld-Mezera)
‘Lonely Town’ (written by Audrey Auld-Mezera)
‘Sweet Alcohol’ (written by Terry McArthur)
‘Rack Off’ (written by Audrey Auld-Mezera)
‘Yes Best Left’ (written by Audrey Auld-Mezera)
‘Bury Me At Walmart’ (written by Audrey Auld-Mezera)
Personnel involved in the recording of Audrey Auld-Mezera’s ‘Tonk’ (Reckless Records, 2013) included Kenny Vaughan, Harry Stinson, Paul Martin, Chris Scruggs, Andy Leftwich and Gary Carter.
Sixteen songs were recorded, over two days, for the recording of Audrey Auld-Mezera’s ‘Tonk’ (Reckless Records, 2013).
At the time of the recording of Audrey Auld-Mezera’s ‘Tonk’ (Reckless Records, 2013), Audrey stated, ‘I stood in the studio with this great band and knew that I had lived my whole life to get to this point. It was so much fun and such an honour to play with these great guys, the way country music should be recorded. There’s not much I needed to say to them. I’d just play them the song and they’d fall right in the groove’
Audrey Auld-Mezera’s ‘Tonk’ (Reckless Records, 2013) was recorded in the same recording studio in Nashville, where legendary Jim Reeves (Monday 20 August 1923 – Friday 31 July 1964) recorded his material.
On Tuesday 11 November 2014, Audrey Auld-Mezera saw the release of ‘Hey Warden’ (Reckless Records, 2014), an eight-track Extended Play (EP) disc, which featured inmates from San Quentin Prison, and included the following tracks:
‘Hey Warden’
‘Poor Joe’
‘Walls’
‘I Am Not What I Have Done’
‘Oh, Love’
‘Naked & Nameless’
‘Bread & Roses’
‘Sunshine’
Audrey Auld-Mezera’s songs were included on the science fiction television shows, ‘Justified’ and ‘The Good Guys’, she has performed live on the hallowed stage of The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, her song, ‘Next Big Nothing’, was recorded by Sunny Sweeney for Big Machine Records in 2007, she has sung at wedding ceremonies, and played in bars and camp-fire jams.
It was as a live entertainer where Audrey Auld-Mezera really shone.
At the time of the acquisition of this Gene Watson ‘Peer’s Quote’, in February 2013, Audrey Auld-Mezera was living in East Nashville with her husband, dogs, chickens and frogs – growing food, writing songs, recording and touring.
Audrey Auld’s Career Highlights
• San Quentin Prison – performance and ongoing songwriting workshops
• Performing at The Carter Family Fold in Hiltons, Virginia
• Singing harmony with Buddy Miller and band in Australia
• Touring Australia and United States with Fred Eaglesmith
• Establishing Reckless Records in 1998
• 2 ARIA Nominations (Australian Recording Industry Association) for self-produced and self-released albums on her own Reckless Records label
• 4 songs cut by other artists, including Sunny Sweeney
• 2 Golden Guitar nominations (Australia)
• Sitting with Charlie Louvin (Thursday 7 July 1927 – Wednesday 26 January 2011) in his pick-up truck listening to the pre-release tracks from The Louvin Bros. tribute album
• Playing on Ernest Tubb’s ‘Midnite Jamboree’ with Don Helms (Hank Williams’ Band) on steel guitar, Jett Williams as Master of Ceremonies and singing harmony with Charlie Louvin (Thursday 7 July 1927 – Wednesday 26 January 2011) on ‘I Saw The Light’
• Recording with Kieran Kane, Fred Eaglesmith, Mary Gauthier, Dale Watson, Colin Gilmore, Bill Chambers, Kasey Chambers, Nina Gerber, Carrie Rodriguez, and Gabe & Kimmie Rhodes
• Singing with Tom Russell, Laurie Lewis, Jim Lauderdale, Kim Ritchie, Paul Kelly, Fred Eaglesmith, Jon Dee Graham, Gurf Morlix and Jimmie LaFave
• Kasey Chambers included ‘Song For Clax’ in her Top Ten favourite songs in 2001
‘The beauty of Audrey’s work is that she understands the power of simplicity. Whether it be in a traditional country setting or on the more edgy tracks, her voice stays honest and true’
Kieran Kane
On Sunday 9 August 2015, Audrey Auld-Mezera passed away at the age of 51 in Stinson Beach, California.
Audrey Auld-Mezera is survived by her adoring husband, Mez (Daniel) Mezera, her father Frederick J. Auld, mother Audrey Wells, loving siblings Freddy, Nukee, Warwick and Lynne, and stepfather Colin Wells and stepmother Dorothy Auld.
Audrey Auld-Mezera was surrounded by her musician friends singing ‘Bound For Glory’, when she made her transition. Audrey opened her eyes, smiled lovingly at her husband Mez and passed from this earthly plane. It was a magnificent moment for all who were privileged to be present for this transformative moment.
On Sunday 6 September 2015, a memorial service to celebrate Audrey Auld-Mezera’s life was held at Stinson Beach Community Center.
• Visit Audrey Auld-Mezera’s 0bituary at legacy.com
Photos of Audrey Auld-Mezera used in this feature are courtesy of Joseph Anthony Baker