Organising the night of his launch as close to a full moon as possible, Greg Hastings released his 10th CD "Troubadour" at the Fly By Nightclub on November 3. Attending one of Greg's shows does not simply involve listening to his beautiful stories transformed into song and verse; it's a wide-ranging entertaining experience!

He is a storyteller, musician, historian and comedian rolled into one. With Greg's warm charismatic and jovial personality, it is not hard to believe he has been successfully touring with his music for 30 years.

Sharing a birthday with Ghandi, Greg's appreciation of beauty, equality and love of people and the earth is communicated through his music. His need to share his zest for life with everyone is evident both in his songs and audience interaction. Throughout the evening many talented musicians joined him on stage. This made for a variety of enlivening and heartfelt performances.

Much of his material centres on aboriginal spirituality and stories of relationships he has experienced with people and the earth during his travels. The beautiful songs on the Troubadour album compile and communicate a 'journey'. Greg takes you through that journey as he performs his compositions.

Seldom alone on stage, he is joined by a vast array of entertainers and an eclectic range of instruments. His daughter Melissa joined him for a number of songs impressing the audience with her sweet harmonies. As an audience member, you feel as though you are being welcomed into the family. You'll be introduced to friends, family and even Rosie, the combi van!

Kicking off the evening with Greg and the Mucky Duck Bush Band had the audience in a great mood for song, dance and laughter. Greg, on lead vocals and lagerphone was centre stage. He was accompanied by a joyous bunch of talented musicians playing instruments such as the didgeridoo, banjo, ukulele, piccolo, violin and double bass - just to mention a few. The Mucky Duck Bush Band had us tapping and singing along to catchy folk tunes, as well as learning bush dances. It was a great night for children and adults alike.

Although renound for their ability and popularity as children's entertainers, both the Mucky Duck Bush Band and Greg as a soloist, have the ability to entertain people of all ages. - Anyone who can get adults to sing along and imitate kangaroos and other Australian animals has definitely got talent and an infectious sense of merriment!

If you are looking for a fun-filled outing for the whole family and you enjoy music that tells heart-felt, meaningful stories then Greg Hastings is the man to see! Known as the 'Wandering Man' Greg is always busy and often on tour, so check in with the WA Gig Guide for updates of his up and coming shows.

Greg Hastings, the 'Wandering Man'
Songs of Australia, the people, the land
Playing guitar, lagerphone and didgeridoo
Telling colourful stories and a joke or two
Touring with his music for 30 years
Sharing beautiful lyrics of laughter & tears
Both adults and kid, experience the fun
A joyful song & dance for everyone!!!

(Skye Fitzgerald)

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30 years is a long time in the music industry and it is your sole form of income, this is a rare accolade for anybody anywhere in the world. Is there something special that separates you from other performers, or is hard work and passion the key to your success?

Entertaining has been my key and an ability to communicate to any audience. My passion for harmony and peace has been one driving force.

What are the career highlights that stand out in your mind, as true moments of achievement?

Career highlights are numerous festival performances, where I have encouraged many audiences to sing and stunned them into silence with the songs. These have included Canada, UK, Denmark and Australia.

My first Aboriginal School Tour and the joy experienced with the children and acceptance by many of the elders. Countless performances with children, now singing 'The Wandering' in the Bush Show. There was a particular joy recently in a school in Mauritius, when 700 children joined us to sing songs of the Australian bush.

How many songs would you have written over the years and do you have a main source of inspiration for your material?

Around two hundred songs. A deeper understanding of Aboriginal culture. Frustration with injustices in the world and the system that has evolved. Care and love for my fellow human beings.

Was the didgeridoo always your instrument of choice - what other instruments do you play?

I began singing unaccompanied. I learnt to play Lagerphone, Bochran and spoons with the Mucky Duck Bush Band. I picked up a guitar on my 30th birthday and learnt to play it in a year and acquired the skill of the Didgeridoo in 1987 from an Aboriginal elder, called Nabaru, in the Kimberley.

Were you always known as the 'Wandering Man', or was there a time you were playing regular spots around Perth?

No, it's a title that I was able to earn over many years of travelling the country with no specific plan. I would wander into places unexpectedly and the name stuck.

I did play regular spots around Perth for several periods of six months or so, mostly through the summer months. These included The Esplanade hotel in Fremantle and The Perth Sheraton. In the early 80's I was resident at 'The Loaded Dog'.

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What do you enjoy most about touring & travelling and how do these ventures influence your music?

The unexpected pleasures that life will bring when you allow yourself to flow with it., the joy of the faces of audiences young and old when you touch their hearts and minds with a song. The romance of such a life leads to inspiration for songs.

Tell us about the new album.

I am extremely proud to say that I have fulfilled an ambition of living off music for 30 years. The songs are a selection of travelling songs and songs regarding my meeting the indigenous people of this country, They range back to 1987 they are songs of environmental awareness and the coming together of humanity in peace.

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