TRAvEling mUsician
Twenty years I've played music in the Hunter Valley in New South Wales in Australia. At different times four five and six gigs a week. From party cruises in Sydney Harbour to weddings in vineyards pubs clubs events parties funerals wakes christenings. A Pandemic when the music died.
I've stood in a back yard with no shade while the family hung by the pool celebrating Steve's 50th. I played music in an old folks home once and a man took his harmonica out of his jacket pocket and played along with me.
A month later his son asked me to play harmonica at his funeral while people walked out with his coffin.
I've played for the Knights footy team for their season launches. Played for kids in school at Christmas. I've held long residencies and had one night stands. I've driven to gigs and forgotten my guitars.
I've played first dances in tents in fields for beautiful young couples who loved each other.
I played one wedding that had a funeral vibe.
I've played on the backs of lorries at cultural festivals and in Vineyards for new wine season launchs. I’ve played for Scarlet Johansson and had to remind her I was actually a married man sorry.
I've played an old folks home once at nine in the morning where the tables were set for lunch and the water already poured into the drinking glasses. Stale.
I’ve taught hundreds of music lessons to young and old . First finger second string first fret. Come on that’s it Sharon you can do it no that’s your thumb.
I've played to a beautiful old lady from my country whose father and brother had the same name as me. She had become like a delicate translucent autumn leaf full of joy and the radiance of the universe after a life of pain and dark challenges.
I've had flat tyres fan belts snap ran out of petrol. I hit a big kangaroo one night on the way back from Port Macquarie.
I've seen bar fights sex in car parks sloppy drunks dancing children been rained out.
I've stood outside and played in 44 degrees of heat. Every pore on my skin was wide open.
I've met a thousand bar staff waiters cleaners managers owners. Ive watched so many of these young people grow up study meet partners get married have kids. I’ve made lifelong friendships and formed deep bonds. These people have been my co workers and together we’ve made peoples nights.
I've seen break ups cheats sex workers broken gamblers elated listeners. Hi I just wanted to say you’re amazing thank you. Ah thanks you are too.
Clubs all in the same T Shirts Hen Parties Stag parties. I've been lost and couldn't find venues. One time just getting the last lead plugged in as the bride and groom came through the door. One of the most precious thing that happens a lot is when a young mother or father bring their children up to show them me. A musician. This is something wonderful son. Or maybe they're warning them.
I've never missed a gig and never cancelled a gig no matter how sick I was. I played a gig one night when I had no voice but I just asked for help from the crowd and one after another everyone came up and did a party piece carrying me through.
I've played a million million notes and sang more.
I've felt the mad excitement of having a new guitar at a gig and the deep soul of my old Aria Pro two FA50 which I purchased in Dublin in 1998. I saw it in the window and just loved it and it has always loved me. Since 1998 we've never had harsh words between us and she's never refused to play a song even if I have.
I've played Paddy's Day New Years Day Australia Day Christmas Eve I refuse to play Queens Birthday or Christmas Day.
I've had two Volvo 240s for gigs and loved them both.
I've played with musicians jugglers card dealers dancers fire breathers unicyclists strippers magicians and celebrity chefs.
You know my one regret?
That I only have forty more years to play gigs in Australia. It breaks my heart. I want to thank you all for listening to me hiring me paying me and just being a friend. Here's to life of music making moments celebrating dancing laughing and just being full of joy. We're worth it.