from the Nariel Creek Folk Festival FB page on April 15th:

"I am so sorry to let you know that our treasured Ian Simpson passed away peacefully this afternoon just before 5 pm. Ian has had family and a few friends with him during the arduous journey he has been through over the last two weeks. This will come as a terrible shock for so many who have been touched by Ian's generosity, his wisdom, his music, his skill and craft and his sometimes blunt honesty."

Ian comes from a long line of bush musicians and his music has a natural authenticity that a lot of city-bred folkies (like me) can only aspire to. We've lost a really special bloke. Nariel Creek festivals just won't be the same without him.