THE SINGING KETTLES

Born in the small Tasmanian town of Lilydale Bill and Ross Kettle started their singing career at church socials and school functions. In 1961 Hadley Records recorded and released The Singing Kettles’ first record ''Judy I Miss Holding You''. The recording session took place at the 7LA auditorium in the Quadrant, Launceston. They played their own acoustic guitars and were backed by Geoff and John Snooks on fiddle and steel guitar. The single was released on 1st December 1961 and the record was a success. 

It was followed by another single. In 1963 younger brother Max was added to the team and they released their first EP, 'Country And Western Their Hit Judy +'. In 1965 they recorded their debut album 'Country Harmony' and released further singles which included the highly successful ''Toy Telephone'' and a version of Johnny Ashcroft’s ''Little Boy Lost''. The Kettles based themselves in Tamworth but only stayed 12 months. In that time, they gained so much recognition it became apparent they would have to move to a bigger centre. All the travelling was wearing them out, so they moved to Sydney.

The trio went to Vietnam in 1969. They were part of an all-Tasmanian group who performed 25 shows in 18 days. In 1971 Max died from an asthma attack. He had turned 21 a week earlier. After moving to Sydney, they signed with EMI and recorded their most successful album, 'Kettle Country'. Two more EMI albums followed. Bill and Ross continued as a duo; however, Eric Scott had recordings of Max on tape, and they managed to release more LP’s. Eric’s dedication to the project was rewarded as the tracks became the Kettle trio’s biggest hits. The Kettles formed their own label, Van Dieman 2 Records. The first album released on the label featured several of their own compositions. In 1978 they were inducted into The Hands of Fame in Tamworth. Ross Kettle died peacefully at his home in outer Sydney on Wednesday, September 12, 2007, surrounded by his loving family. He was 64.

SINGLES

''Judy (Jodie) / I Miss Holding You'' 1961 Hadley
''An Old Log Cabin For Sale / White Silver Sands'' 1964 Hadley
''Toy Telephone / I'll Take You Back'' 1970 Hadley
''Air Mail To Heaven / Little Green Valley'' 1972 Hadley
''Mummy, It'sno Fun Without Daddy (#96) / Today Will Be The First Day Of The Rest Of My Life'' 1973 EMI

EPs

'Tasmania's Singing Kettles' 1965 Hadley

'Encore!!' 1965 Hadley

'Their Hit - ''Judy'' 1967 Hadley

'Singing Kettles' 1968 Hadley

'Toy Telephone' 1970 Hadley'

ALBUMS

'Country Harmony' 1965 Hadley
'Brewin' Some Country Songs' 1968 Hadley
'Songs Of Slim & Hank' 1969 Hadley
'A Taste Of Country' 1973 EMI
'Little Green Valley And Air Mail To Heaven' 1973 Hadley
'Some Of Our Memories' 1974 Hadley
'Flying High' 1975 Columbia
'The 14th Album' 1979 Van Diemen 2
'Toy Telephone' 1980 Hadley

References

http://www.countrymusichalloffame.com.au/Hands/Singing_Kettles.htm

http://top100singles.blogspot.com.au/