Berowra resident and one of Australia’s favourite country musicians, Steve Passfield, is hard at work on a new album – and it promises to be a treat. Called “Freshly Picked”, the album will feature up to 16 instrumentals showcasing Steve’s flatpicking across a range of styles and instruments.

“It’s got Celtic medleys, fingerstyle jazz, swing, Latin and bluegrass tunes and I play acoustic, Maccaferri and electric guitars, papoose, mandolin, banjo and ukulele,” says Steve. ”I’ve wanted to do an instrumental album for a while: it’s a great challenge for my playing.”

Does the focus on instrumentals – one of which will be a new self-penned track – mean that Steve is aiming to repeat the success he had in 2008, when he won the Golden Guitar Award at the Tamworth Country Music Festival for the instrumental Stump Jumpin’ from his Goin’ It Alone album?

“I might get a nomination – if I’m lucky,” says Steve, modest as always.

Backing musicians on the album are the same as those that supported Steve to the delight of crowds at this year’s Tamworth festival – Rudy Miranda on drums and percussion (Mal Eastick, The McClymonts), Michael Kerin on fiddle (The Flying Emus, Travelling Country Band) and Ian Lees on bass (Moving Pictures, James Blundell, Lee Kernaghan).

“We’ve done lots of gigs together and have a great rapport happening, and that’s been really good for the album,” says Steve.

When will the album be ready?

“When I get it finished!” says Steve, laughing. “Hopefully by the spring – when things are best freshly picked!”