Peter Smokie Dawson ft. John Davis – Stock Routes of Australia, Visions of the Past

Stock Routes of Australia, Visions of the Past is a song inspired by an original poem written by John Davis. John is a retired Stockman and Station owner who was born & bred in the outback and has become a good friend of mine.

Whilst travelling around an area he worked at when he was a young man John pulled up to camp the night at an old stock camp at Sandy Creek Bore way out west of Bourke. The place was abandoned & wrecked which inspired him to write a poem called Visions of the Past.

When I heard John reciting his poem I was taken on a journey back in time to a period that is an integral piece of Australia’s history, a hard time in harsh conditions. I was that motivated that I asked John if I could turn it into a song, John was only too happy to see where we could take it.

After writing a chorus & restructuring John’s words into a song, using as much of John’s original content as possible We then teamed up with another mate, Australian singer / songwriter Peter Smokie Dawson who’s soothing voice & lay back style really compliments the song. Smokie Pete’s musical & lyrical additions has really polished and fine-tuned the song.

We hope it takes you to on a journey into the visions of the past down the old Stock Routes of Australia.
Cheers Col DeFries

Artist – Peter Smokie Dawson / John Davis
Co-written by John Davis / Colin DeFries / Peter Smokie Dawson
Music – Peter Smokie Dawson – Acoustic Guitar, Syd Green – Dobro, Drums & Bass
Recorded at MonoNest studio by Syd Green