By TANIA PHILLIPS
TROY Cassar-Daly is a story teller but while some of us tell our stories on paper, Troy’s stories are his songs, his writing implement his guitar and his journal is a stage and he’s bringing his stories old and new to Warwick early next month.
It’s a prospect that excites the country music star and brings plenty of memories.
“My grandad used to come up to Warwick for the rodeo each year, and every time I visit I feel him with me here,” he reminisced.
“Our shows have always been warmly received over so many years, and I can’t wait to share this one with everyone in beautiful Warwick QLD.
“Please come and join us, we’d love to see you!”
The boy from Grafton has just released his ninth studio album – an album he is proud of, an album that tells some distinct and wonderful stories with a little help from his friend.
And he’s bringing the show to the Warwick Town Hall on Wednesday 10 June.
We’re a stop in his massive national tour, but we’re a stop that he always enjoys and he’s looking forward to bringing his old favourites and brand new tunes from his Freedom Ride album.
“I had an empty canvas sitting at home and wanted to paint an interesting picture for everyone with songs,” he said.
“I loved co-writing with old friends again on this album and the themes we looked at stretched from one end of the country to another.
“There are a lot of people’s lives woven through these tunes, and I hope they use this collection of songs as a mirror and see themselves in a few of the stories I’ve touched on.”
Just talking to him, you can hear how much he loved preparing for this album – and it’s kind of nice to hear someone still enjoying what they do after 25 years at the top of their game.
Perhaps, the most potent image of all from this album is the title track Freedom Ride written with Paul Kelly – it’s the summer of 1965 and Charles Perkins is joined by a bunch of young students.
They’re winding their way across NSW on a confronting and courageous quest for equality, looking for answers that would take decades to unfold. That are still unfolding to this day.
“I became aware of the Freedom Ride here in Australia while in High School in Grafton,” he said.
“As part of Aboriginal studies, I did a project about Charles Perkins and the people who rode on the Freedom Ride bus, who were from all walks of life.
“Charlie was a hero to me because he talked about equality, and improving the lives and conditions of Indigenous Australians living out in the rural regions and cities. He became a defiant voice that called for change in Australia and his achievements were many.
“Paul and I wrote this small version of what must have been a huge adventure for the freedom riders; going from town to town, learning the truth about how Indigenous life in this country could be brought into line with mainstream Australia. Charlie changed views and perceptions with his passion, and to me was an important part of our progression as a people and as a nation”.
“FREEDOM RIDE” TOUR
Wednesday 10 June
Warwick Town Hall – Doors open 7pm, show starts 8pm
Tickets available only from Hynes Newsagency – 110 Palmerin Street, Warwick/ Warwick RSL Club/ at the door on the night until sold out.
