The Sundowners

Born around 1914 near Childers in Queensland, Australia, Eric Tutin handled piano, accordion and vocals, while Joan Martin, born in 1924 in the same state, contributed guitar and vocals. The pair came together as one of Australia’s earliest country acts when they established their partnership in Toowoomba during 1939. After performing in the local area they relocated first to Brisbane’s 4BK and subsequently to Sydney. Their sole session for Regal Zonophone Records took place on 30 June 1942, when fiddler Ted McMinn augmented the duo for six self-penned numbers that gained immediate favour with listeners. Without prior notice Martin withdrew from performing in 1944 in order to wed; she was said to have relocated to America, although reports in the 1960s placed her in Victoria. Tutin had earlier accompanied a dance band on piano before assembling a country quartet that featured Aphra Lorraine, whom he later married. From 1946 to 1950 the couple travelled widely as part of Lester’s Follies and subsequently launched their own revue, the Vanities. In 1952 they abandoned the road to operate a music store in Gympie, Queensland, where they launched the long-running country programme Tutin’s Tune Time on 4GY. The couple ultimately settled back in Toowoomba. The act should not be mistaken for the celebrated Chicago-based country ensemble that shares the identical name.