Post 693 - Randall Waller - Oasis

Randall Waller released two Christian based albums as a solo artist, “Oasis” (GS5002) in 1978 here for you to download, and “Midnight Fire”  in 1980. In 1981 Waller formed rock group Lionheart in Sydney with Evan Murray on keyboards, Martin Toole on guitar, and his two brothers: John Waller on drums and Kendall Waller on bass guitar – the group was soon renamed as Avion, who  were on track to making it big. But it’s hard to keep a band together, and when he found himself a free agent, he packed a guitar, hit the road, and never looked back. Touring with artists like Sharon O’Neill, Dragon and Bonnie Tyler, Randall eventually found himself in London working with Australian household names like Jon English and Billy Thorpe. Things shifted gear from there, when friend Andy Cichon who, by putting Randall’s name forward for a gig that would change his life, also initiated a friendship with one of the biggest names in the music business. The gig was for a really big tour, this was a Mutt Lange production so we immediately knew it would be big. They wanted a guitarist who could also sing great harmonies and could compliment the lead singer’s voice; the artist was none other than Shania Twain. The first tour was in ’88 & ‘89 for the ‘Come on Over’ record which is still the biggest selling album of all time by a female artist. Between albums Randall camped out in Nashville, where he soon found work with people like Keith Urban, and Americana Song writing legend Rodney Crowell. After another tour with Shania, he moved back to Australia in 1996 and joined Billy Thorpe’s new band. Randall then penned and recorded the single “Side By Side” which was dedicated to the victims of the ’96 Port Arthur massacre. The single was issued in February ’97 with all proceeds to the Port Arthur Appeal Fund.  He joined up with Australian Rock legends ‘Rose Tattoo’ in 2007. Thanks again to Rex for sending me this LP to post on the Blog. Flac