I had great intentions to post my next blog about busking hot spots, but a travel opportunity came up and the idea of being able to make a spontaneous decision was far too enticing – after all its been a long time in between walkabout (Aussie slang for taking off unannounced on the spur of the moment) adventures for me and besides, how could I possibly resist the opportunity to busk my way through the Aussie outback now that I can share my stories with buskers from way beyond the bush.
As I busked my way around the world many people asked about Australia, particularly the outback. So many people were fascinated with this part of Australia, and I understand why… I also have a burning desire to be amongst the Aussie desert with its blue blue skies, red red earth, roaming roos and never ending wide open roads lined with an mesmerising array of aromatic trees. I didn’t take long for me to realise that this blog is the perfect way to share a story or 2 and beautiful images of the great Aussie outback, not to mention a few busking tips here and there.
So when my hot blooded lady declared she wanted to go north for the winter, I jumped at the opportunity to take my family walkabout. I was instantly attracted to the challenge of busking on the lonely desert highway and in many of the rugged little towns that appear out of nowhere every few hundred kilometres. I’ve always thought if you can busk successfully in the outback – then you can busk anywhere and everywhere!
After busking in outer Mongolia and southern Siberia, it seemed about time that I explored the arid expanses within my own backyard.
My spur of the moment outback busking tour started last week. 4 days later … I’ve raced through Brisbane to pick up a modern day Kombi campervan for this new adventure, then continued up to Gympie. Here I discovered a fantastic little mosaic tile Gaudi style amphitheatre in the middle of the main street which would make the perfect place to busk. It was a shame I arrived in town late at night with 3 rumbley tummies around me, hangin out for a feed. I looked at this incredible performance space with a sparkle in my eye and thoughts of “I’ll be back” as my kids dragged me away and into the local pizzeria. Now if I was in Europe this would have been the perfect time to busk, but in Australia – small towns like this are deserted by 9pm. A day time or early evening busk would be ideal here – ahh well, maybe on the way back home.
Our journey continued north through Maryborough and Rockhampton before we started our trek inland. As we traversed the thousands of kilometres that it takes to get into the outback, with the 4 of us adjusting to our new campervan lifestyle and letting go of the stresses of everyday living, it took a few days before I found time to open my guitar case and explore street performance in places that you’re more likely to find a red back (spider) on the toilet seat, rather than a busker in the main street!
Finally it happened! … today I busked in a place that I simply couldn’t resist. In the town of Winton…. home of Australia’s unofficial national anthem ‘Walting Matilda’ (of which I’ve written my own modern day ‘bent’ version – more details coming soon). It was here that Banjo Patterson penned the poem about a jolly swagman after hearing his friend playing a catchy tune.
As I drove down the centre of town and spotted the statue of Banjo, my busking intuition kicked in… the time and the place had come to open up my case and sing a few tunes. Locals enjoying a sleepy Sunday afternoon were amused and fly by night tourists who were keen for a Kodak moment with ‘statue Banjo’ were delighted to find a Johnnie Mac impromptu street performance.
My outback busking adventures had begun and I didn’t want to stop. But my determined young boys had a different agenda. Instead they pulled me away to spend the contents in my case on ice cream and to continue driving across the highway as they vividly daydreamed of our arrival in Uluru (Ayer’s Rock). All I could think about was how long it would be before I could busk again.
It wasn’t long.
Travelling along the endless straight desert road, the scattered eerie ghost gums seemed luminous amongst the tall red termite mounds and burnt black tree trunks. The spirit of the desert was calling and I pulled over suddenly for my next outrageous busking escapade.
As I belted out a few more tunes to the beat of the passing road trains – brakes screeching as they drove past in stunned amazement. Vehicles usually pull over with flat tyres, to inspect blood stained roo bars (ie bull bar) or to relieve passengers with full bladders – now this is a common sight… but buskers in the middle of nowhere!… that was something to make all passing truckies blast their horns with approval as they roared off with an amused smile into the sinking sunset.
We arrived in Mt Isa with renewed zest and partied into the night writing this busking blog whilst gulping cold beers. We’re heading for Tennant Creek tomorrow – the heart of the outback and the continuation of my busking walkabout. More stories and photos will come when I find another internet cafe…. and if you know the great outback where time stands still… this could take a few days of searching!
Ok so I didn’t get this up in Mt Isa due to the internet being down throughout the town, and the next place I was able to find a net café was Alice Springs. So here I am adding this last little bit of blog update, just after picking up my official permit to busk in the Todd Street mall. I’ll be back in in a couple of days to upload the next outback busking chapter… after I’ve busked at Uluru (Ayer’s Rock) of course! This last shot will give you an idea what I have been doing after a hard day of playing in the great outback!
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Johnnie Mac is a world class, professional, leading street performer, turned celebrated musician. He is the only Aussie Professional Busker who provides a fast, reliable and sure-fire Busking System that can transform any busker into a well paid and highly acclaimed entertainer enjoying a remarkably exciting lifestyle. To discover 101 Essential Tips to Have More Fun and Earn More Money Busking visit http://www.BuskerWorld.com/theBuskersBible
