The Tumbleweeds have a very special place in New Zealand's music history for they were the first true country band to be recorded in New Zealand. Their early hit recording of MAPLE ON THE HILL initiated a long and successful career that spanned the years from March 1949 to January 1989, just short of 40 years.
The original members were COLE WILSON on vocals and guitar. He wrote many of the songs, was an accomplished yodeller and was elected leader of the Tumbleweeds in 1950.
NOLA HEWITT (now McCrorie) was vocalist, and played on guitar, ukulele and mandolin.
COLIN McCRORIE played electric steel guitar and pedal steel from 1966.
BILL DITCHFIELD played bass, harmonica and banjo. Bill could not tour for family reasons and was replaced by various bass players over the years.
MYRA HEWITT (now Wilson) joined in all activities from 1951 until about 1967 when she retired due to ill health.
From the 1970's the Tumbleweeds became a trio when Nola took over the bass (COLE, NOLA and COLIN being the members). The trio disbanded in January 1989 with the illness and death of Cole Wilson. Over the years the Tumbleweeds have been much honoured by their peers in the New Zealand country music industry. Most noticeably in receiving the "Pioneer Award" in 1985 and the " Hands Of Fame Award" in 1988.
1.MAPLE ON THE HILL
2.FEELIN'BAD
3.LOST ONE
4.PLEASE DON'T LET ME LOVE YOU
5.SWEETHEARTS OR STRANGERS
6.BURY ME UNDER THE WEEPING WILLOW
7.MY SWISS MOONLIGHT LULLABY
8.PLEASE DON'T TAKE HIM AWAY
9.BLACKBOARD OF MY HEART
10.THE SOLDIER'S LAST HOUR
11.WATERLOO
12.HIGHWAY HOBO
13.SHE LIES ALONE
14.JENNY LOU
15.THE LAND OF BAMBOO
16.CALLING YOU
17.TWENTY ONE YEARS
18.THE OUTLAW
19.BRAVE MAN
20.YODEL BOOGIE
21.LAST NIGHT AS I SLEPT
22.MY OLD MONTANA HOME
23.THE WONDERFUL CITY