Ross McGregor – Biography

Early Life & Musical Beginnings

Ross McGregor was born in Sydney in 1949 and lost his sight at the age of eight. He attended the School for Blind Children at Wahroonga, where he was introduced to music and began learning the piano, studying through graded levels.

In 1962, the school relocated to North Rocks near Parramatta, where Ross continued his piano studies, excelling in competitions and winning numerous eisteddfods.

Professional Career & Studio Work

After leaving school, Ross pursued a career as a professional musician. In 1976, he founded Axent Recording Studio, which he operated for 25 years before selling it and relocating to Tamworth in 2000.

During this time, Ross recorded and produced over 300 albums, including more than 60 albums in the country music genre. He worked closely with Selection Records, producing 25 albums for the late Eric Watson’s label. Some of the artists he recorded for Selection Records include:

  • Owen Blundell
  • Evelyn Bury
  • Reg Poole
  • Glen Jones
  • Johnnie Heep
  • Leon Lowes
  • Norma Murphy
  • Don Morrison
  • The Sparrows (Brisbane)
  • The Legendary Gordon Parsons

Beyond Selection Records, Ross also worked with a variety of other artists, including:

  • Peter Code and the Code Sisters
  • Catherine & Elaine Pitt
  • Mary Schneider
  • Ian Blundell
  • Brian K Kelly
  • Ivy Sommerfield

A notable highlight of Ross’s career was recording Melinda Schneider at just eight years old, when she performed alongside her mother, Mary Schneider. Melinda has since gone on to become a highly successful country artist in her own right.

In 1988, Ross was a finalist for Producer of the Year at the prestigious Gold Guitar Awards.

Versatility & Major Achievements

Ross has recorded music across a wide range of genres, from country and pop to children’s music. He co-produced eight children’s albums with the legendary Peter Combe through Polygram Records, earning three ARIA awards for his contributions:

  • ARIA Gold Award for Newspaper Mama (June 1989)
  • ARIA Platinum Award for Toffee Apple (December 1989)
  • ARIA Gold Award for Spaghetti Bolognaise and More Songs for Little Kids (December 1988)

Move to Tamworth & Recent Work

After moving to Tamworth in 2000, Ross continued producing music under the name The Music Fella. He worked on several projects, including albums for Evelyn Bury and *Roger Knox’s Going On, Going Strong.

Ross has also released several of his own albums, including his latest release, “It’s Dusty on My Piano,” a collection of instrumental piano renditions of Slim Dusty’s most popular songs.

Present & Future

After an eight-year break, Ross is once again available for album production. With over 40 years of experience, he has fully adapted to modern computer-based recording techniques and continues to produce high-quality music despite his blindness.

For more information about Ross and his work, visit www.rosspiano.com.au