The De Bortolis Family
Can't hear the songs? You need Real Audio.
Where best to start our travels and talks of Australian characters than with an Italian family from Texas (Queensland of course).
I was drawn to the Texas area in June this year by stories of the defunct tobacco industry in the area and when I asked “who plays the music” the unanimous answer was – The De Bortolis family. A recording session was set up at their farm on the banks of the Dumaresq River and a wonderful day was commenced.
Lucia in traditional costume picking tobacco in her first year in Australia
|
The two brothers, Val and Dom, were born in Tamworth after their Italian father came to Australia and commenced growing tobacco in this area. The family later moved to Texas and established, after much hardship, a successful property.
Lucia, Dom's wife, was born in Italy. Her father came to Australia in 1939 with several of the children, leaving Lucia and her mother in Italy. The concept was to share farm tobacco in the Texas area until enough money was raised to bring the rest of the family out. 1939 was not a good year for a young Italian man to come to Australia as World War Two was declared a few months later and Lucia's father was interned and the children placed in institutions. The family did not get together for another 11 years. The war did not affect the male De Bortolis as they were established residents of Australia and their musical interests began to develop. Val learnt the accordion, picking up tunes from the older Italian players as well as Australian dance tunes.
|
Dom learnt the guitar, sending away for a Tex Morton Hillbilly guitar and the accompanying correspondence course. He learnt (and played very well) in the Morton style of bass runs and chords. The brothers also started to sing a variety of songs ranging from older Italian material learnt from family and friends, to the early Australian country songs of Tex Morton, Buddy Williams and others.
|
Lucia De Bortolis learnt the songs of her native Italy as a child and bought them to Australia. She also picked up the early Australian songs. Lucia has a wonderful voice that adapts to both the comic and haunting songs of her native country and to a Buddy Williams song of Stockmen in khaki from Australia.
The day that John Harpley and I spent with the De Bortolis family was indeed memorable. Good music, great food and wine, and the most delightful company one could want for.
|
|
Life for the De Bortolis in the tobacco industry was not easy. It was very hard work but they have reaped the rewards of life. They are self sufficient and live on the family farm growing their fruit and vegetables and entertaining others in the area with their unique form of multicultural music.
I hope to bring the De Bortolis family to the National Folk Festival in 2002.
