A second EP for HMV, Country Holiday, followed in 1962 but by this time only Harold and Tommy remained from the original group. Both were by now performing on ukulele as well as singing. The new additions were Bevin Brown (vocal, guitar), Bill Rod (guitar) and George Keat (bass). With the new line-up came a more polished style and increasing national popularity.

They began using Bill's homemade guitars after a poorly assembled Wilson guitar fell apart on stage mid-song. Tommy's reaction to this demonstrated his professionalism. When I interviewed Bill Rod in 2006, Bill's recollection of the event was that "Tommy just carried on singing."

Bill's Dad, Bob Rod, took on dual roles as manager and guest harmonica player.

Despite their increasing success the band's line-up remained unstable with Bevin Brown and George Keat both departing. New arrivals were Roger Fairbrother (lead guitar) and Jeff McManaway (bass). Harold was assigned a new role as drummer and Bill's Dad, Bob Rod, took on dual roles as manager and guest harmonica player (for which he received many plaudits due to his unique warbling tone). With their new line-up complete The Overlanders returned to HMV's studios in Wellington to record their first (and only) 10-inch Long Player, Weeping Willow Tree.

In 1965 Weeping Willow Tree and it's single, 'Fraulein', further raised The Overlanders' profile, resulting in bookings for television appearances and an offer to support The Seekers on their New Zealand tour.

But just when everything seemed to be going right the band was hit yet again with personnel problems. The necessity for band members to also hold down regular day-jobs had its most serious impact yet with Bill, Jeff, and Roger all having to leave the band due to work commitments.

Defiant in the face of this setback, Bob Rod was quoted in the press insisting that The Overlanders would "reform with new members and continue to raise their standards for greater things." Despite Bob's optimism auditions failed to identify suitable replacements and so in the end Bob had no choice but to call it quits. The Overlanders were never to record or perform again.

After The Overlanders, Tommy Bates, sometimes with Harold also on board, continued to record.

After The Overlanders, Tommy Bates, sometimes with Harold also on board, continued to record. He released several singles on HMV as well as an unusual but historically interesting duet with Janet Taylor on Allied International. Backing for the latter was provided by Wanganui band The Slo-Mo-Shuns, and production by guitarist, prolific composer, and Peter Posa collaborator, Jim Coyle. Recording took place in Coyle's Wanganui electronics workshop and studio.

More recently, in 2001, Tommy independently released a CD, Further Down The Road with former bandmate Bill Rod guesting on guitar.

Bill became the archivist of the band and the custodian of a large collection of press clippings and memorabilia as well as a significant body of un-released Overlanders recordings. These, consisting of alternate HMV studio takes and the band's own demo recordings, were compiled on two independent CD releases with the appropriately countrified names of; Springtime In The Rockies and Stolen Moments.