'Nice guy' Moffatt home for gig

Hawke's Bay raised singer/songwriter Glen Moffatt will return to Napier for a gig next month.

Hawke's Bay born and raised singer/songwriter Glen Moffatt will play a homecoming gig at Napier's Cabana next month.

The performance will take place alongside two other songwriters with strong connections to the province.

Moffatt, born in Hastings and raised in Napier, will be joined by veteran Napier tunesmith Ian Turbitt and new Hawke's Bay resident Craig Adams.

At the start of the 1990s, Moffatt and Turbitt formed The Colonials and played around Hawke's Bay, releasing the cassette album Living In Overdrive, before Moffatt relocated to Auckland to further his music career.

Since arriving on the national scene with his debut album Somewhere In New Zealand Tonight in 1995, Moffatt has released a further three solo albums and was awarded the Australian Independent Rising Star Award at the Southern Stars late last year. The former newspaper reporter has lived in Brisbane since 2002.

As a performer, he has shared the stage with a diverse range of acts from American Cajun star Wayne Toups to Byrds sideman Earl P Ball to Eagles guitarist Joe Walsh to Bill Chambers, James Blundell and the Topp Twins.

His songs have been included on albums by Bill Chambers, Michael Muchow, Donna Dean, Ritchie Pickett, Kevin Greaves, Darryl Apps and Dennis Marsh.

Cabana owner and renowned muso Roy Brown said Moffatt had a great country sound and has developed a lot of credibility in the music scene over the years.

"He's a very nice guy, and a very accomplished songwriter. He's had a lot of success and I'm sure will continue to do so."

Mr Brown said there will be $10 pre-sales available at the Cabana prior to next Wednesday's gig.

Songwriters in the Round:

* Wednesday, March 2

* The Cabana, Napier

* Tickets: Early bird $10 from The Cabana; $15 on the night