Still sore from tweaking my back again and with arthritis and RSI causing me grief, I painfully started the week with a show at Meller Park, Bibra Lake Twilight Markets. I arrived with plenty of time and said a quick hello to Jodi then set up and using my I-Tech World 500 potable battery inverter for the first time, plugging in everything the Bose L1, pedalboard, and lights. After three and a half hours, the battery power was running low, so I connected it to my van’s solar setup, which kept it going until the end of the show. Without the stage lights draining it, the inverter might have lasted the entire time. With a good haul in the tip jar, I generated an invoice for my time and sent it to Tony. I arrived home exhausted and went straight to bed.
Thursday April 17, 2025 I had a great day winning Chase the Ace at Jarrahdale, sharing the winnings with two other locals. We pooled our tickets together, pledging to split the prize if the winning ticket were drawn.
Good Friday, April 18, 2025 The workload during Easter weekend this year was going to be epic, starting with a gig at the National Hotel, Fremantle, from 12–3 pm. The performance went very well, and guess who showed up? Shirley! Always good to have her moral support. After finishing, I had to pack up quickly as the next performer, Wayne Glasson, waited to take the stage.
I then headed to my second gig of the day at Mandurah Food Truck Frenzy. When I arrived Ben was busy preparing his food truck’s offerings, Nom Noms. I said a quick hello and set up my Bose L1, powered by my solar inverter from my van nearby. With a cup of coffee from the mobile van, I hit my stride, my voice fully warmed up, delivering classic Hayden McGlinn originals and popular covers. Shirley was there again, watching with Ros and Alan, who were there supporting from the sidelines. It’s always great to see them. With good tips, I packed up, said goodbye to everyone, and hit the road for home.
Easter Saturday, April 19, 2025
I woke up at 5:30 am and hit the road for the Darlington Morning Markets, my first time performing there. It’s an hour-long commute from home, and I arrived with plenty of time to unload my equipment from my van parked nearby. With my trolley brimming with heavy equipment, I pulled it up the hill through uneven terrain, possibly damaging the wheels, but it got me to the destination in a single trip. I met Dave, the organiser, a nice fellow, and Lisa, who had recommended me for the markets, was there directing food truck vendors into their positions. Dave showed me where to set up, and I was playing within half an hour of arriving. With a disappointing amount in tips, I headed home to Jarrahdale to pick up my drum throne, which I’d left at Bistro by the Dam the previous week. It’s an essential piece of kit I rely on and with my back sore it provides relief. After a quick nap at home, I headed back North to the Limestone Coast Brewery for my second gig of the day, starting at 5 pm. I arrived with an hour to spare and set up to the left of the entrance again. My support crew, led by Shirley, arrived almost at the same time. This was my second time here in the space of a fortnight, and the intimate space allows for personal conversations with the audience. I took requests and received fantastic suggestions, a John Cougar Melon Camp song which I’ve now added to my standard set list. I purchased two growlers of my favorite Limestone Coast beer flavors, headed home, and went straight to bed.
Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025
Madora Bay Markets, McLennan Park The autumn days are amazing, with cool mornings and warm afternoons, and this day was no exception. Wearing a jacket and jeans, with a coffee in hand, I enjoyed the fresh, crisp coastal air as I set up and started strumming by 8 am. Megan, the organizer, was there with her fresh produce, doing a solid trade. As I played originals and covers, I appreciated the comfort of my drum throne while strumming my Maton Nashville 808. The guitar’s timbers are really resonating and settling in. The drum throne provided a comfortable seat, allowing me to rest my back as much as possible. With a reasonable haul, I had the chance to pack up without rushing off to another gig straight away. With that I headed to my cousin Cheryl’s house in Waikiki and had a nice cup of tea and chatted with her and her friend Lilly for an hour.
Pink Duck, Rockingham, 3 pm I arrived and snagged a parking spot close by—thank you, parking saint as I pulled in. I then trolleyed my equipment along the footpath, and entered the venue. With my Bose L1 in tow, I set up just inside the door. Shirley was there again, along with her friend a different Cheryl and her family, who came to support me. I took requests and had fun playing for the audience, who sat and listened throughout the three-hour gig. I then packed up, headed home, and arrived there just after 8 pm. I went straight to bed exhausted.
Easter Monday, April 21, 2025Lancelin Endeavour Tavern. After over two hours of travel to Lancelin, I noticed a few spots of rain on the windshield. I thought to myself, “Oh no.” Arriving at 12 pm, I trolleyed my equipment on my rickety cart, which has seen better days, to the outside veranda. With my back feeling much better, I set up overlooking the ocean. The clouds looked stormy but were far out to sea, so the chance of rain was minimal. I ordered a pepperoni pizza, quickly ate two slices, and stashed the rest in my van for later. Feeling confident, I knew the early afternoon would be spectacular. I was right, the four hour show was amazing, and I felt on a high as I strummed my Maton plugged into the Bose L1. My tip jar was well fed as I played originals and covers with seamless ease. I finished the show right at 5 pm, packed up in one trip to the van, and headed home, navigating the Easter Monday traffic along the Great Ocean Road. I arrived home safely around 8 pm and unwound by watching a Netflix movie called Devotion, a great way to relax.
That concludes my blog entry for Tuesday, April 22, 2025. Until next time, happy Easter, everybody!