New style Crocabilly catches on for 8 Ball

FORMERLY a banana picker, he's now a globe-trotting guitar picker.

Beloved swamp country musician 8 Ball Aitken will yeehaw the Park Beach Surf Club this Sunday from 3pm.

The innovative guitarist is currently touring with a three-string home-made hillbilly guitar, constructed from an old Arnott's biscuit tin.

It's a slow-paced change for 8 Ball, who has just returned from touring the USA and Canada, including performing at the prestigious Americana Music Festival in Nashville, Tennessee.

"I am particularly excited about playing my 13-minute 'crocodile-backpacker-attack' anthem for the people of Coffs Harbour," 8 Ball Aitken said.

"After being inspired by my home country and the many stories about tourists not knowing where to swim, I have learnt more about crocodiles than I ever dreamed of.

"The song keeps getting longer as a result."

8 Ball is calling his new style "Crocabilly" - we think it's going to catch on.

For more, check out 8ballaitken.com - then get along for some tunes on Sunday.