It's been a month now since the Airlie Beach Music Festival. I haven't updated this website since then, just tinkered around with it a little. But what's the point in owning your own little bit of the internet and not using it? I think it's time to say thank you to some people.
First of all I need to say thank you to Cairns. It's a bit hard to thank a place, but I'm saying it anyway. Only this week I had the privilege of sharing coffee with teachers who contribute to my day job at The Cairns Post. We were all agreed on one thing; if you live in Cairns why would you want to live anywhere else?
It's not always been this way, I hated Cairns when I first arrived, but I wasn't in the best of shape at the time.
It's not always been this way, I hated Cairns when I first arrived, but I wasn't in the best of shape at the time.
Three years ago most of my evenings were spent chewing the fat with friends at this backpackers' hostel. Great blokes, many of them ex-pats like myself. We talked about everything and nothing. It was fun and I enjoyed it. It's always good when you can be at ease with people when there's nothing to say. After a while though I realised I was in a routine that was costing a fortune, and it wasn't just money.
I decided to start playing music again after a long lay-off.
I borrowed a bass and walked into a place in town called 12 Bar Blue. I ended up playing with almost everyone that night, swapped some phone numbers and made some friends. I put an ad in one of the music shops; they laughed when they saw it. I must have looked dejected, but the manager said: "Chris, you have no idea. Your phone isn't going to stop." The first call was from Leanne Tennant, who I've worked with ever since, and has her own page on this site.
I borrowed a bass and walked into a place in town called 12 Bar Blue. I ended up playing with almost everyone that night, swapped some phone numbers and made some friends. I put an ad in one of the music shops; they laughed when they saw it. I must have looked dejected, but the manager said: "Chris, you have no idea. Your phone isn't going to stop." The first call was from Leanne Tennant, who I've worked with ever since, and has her own page on this site.
That's all around three years ago. Fast-forward to the present day, and the people I need to say thanks to. I need to say thanks to the people who nursed me back to health after it was found I had severe back injuries and osteoporosis. The people at the physiotherapy department at Cairns Hospital changed my life, and it's a debt I can never repay. This was around the time my doctor suggested I give up drinking. As a lifelong beer-lover this seemed an impossibility at the time, but I did it, as much to prove the sceptics wrong as I did for myself. I've never felt better.
More thanks now; it's a long list. To Leanne, who I've been working with for a long time. We've toured, done festivals as duos, trios and with Rockabilly Blues Express. The other members of the band, Gordon Sheard, Paul Harris and Rod Collins. Bernard and Annie Lee Long at Bernie's Jazz Piano Cafe, who always look after me. Other friends; James Braithwaite, George Davies, Terry Doyle, the list goes on. The people whose albums I've worked on, Steve Skinner in Brisbane; Shirley Lynn and Lani Brouwer here in Cairns. You've all played a part in my new lease of life. Ray Elias, Chris Wighton and Siobhan Ross, who've all been coping with illness, Will Solly, Brett Claxton, AD, Marilyn, Andy Mack, Steve Baker, Jim Davies (who took this photo), Irene Barrett, Deb Robinson, Cindy Pie, John Hodgson, Juanita and Ashley Petersen, Tim Lawton and the Fun Factory guys; and especially Paully Roxson and Cairns Musos. Even if you didn't know it, you've played a part in me regaining the confidence I'd lost.
Finally, the icing on the cake has been The Cairns Post, and my return to the mainstream workforce. I was "retired" until the phone went. Now I'm in the office every day at 7, in the best, friendliest workplace I've ever encountered. My hours are flexible, and as long as I produce what I'm paid for, everyone's happy. Another thanks here to colleague and friend Sue Lehtonen, who never complains when I ask advice. This is one dream job, I can tell you.
You may be wondering where this is going.
If I can turn my life around anyone can. In three years my life has changed completely. I'm now looking forward to hearing the results of a new album with Leanne, where I've fulfilled an ambition to play on a song with Bill Chambers, and Gordon and I have scored gigs in Tamworth with Wanita in January. Christmas is coming, and I'm spending it with three of my four children.
If I can turn my life around anyone can. In three years my life has changed completely. I'm now looking forward to hearing the results of a new album with Leanne, where I've fulfilled an ambition to play on a song with Bill Chambers, and Gordon and I have scored gigs in Tamworth with Wanita in January. Christmas is coming, and I'm spending it with three of my four children.
After Christmas in Brisbane it'll be back to Cairns, then Tamworth, then back to Cairns, to start the new year. I haven't a clue what 2014 will bring, but I know I'm excited about it. I'm excited about the music I'll be playing, the paper I'll be editing, and trying to live life to the full. You only get one go at this, and I've seen too many people needlessly throw their chance away. Take life and grasp it as hard as you can. It may be the only one you have. Unlike the photo, you're probably not a phoenix. Happy Christmas!
Finally, here's a video from one of my favourite gigs of the year. It features some of the friends I've already mentioned; George Davies on guitar and vocals, Gordon Sheard on guitar, Phil Anglim on harp, Terry Doyle on drums, Joanne Heming on backing vocals. It took place at Tanks Arts Centre, the best venue in town, and the gig was staged by Ray Elias, and filmed by another good friend, Norbert Von Der Heidt.
RSS Feed