A legendary bluesman is getting a little help from his friends (and strangers) as ongoing medical problems force him to adjust to a new beat in life.
Barry Charles – with his rich, distinctive voice and soulful guitar playing – has been gracing Sunshine Coast stages for the past 50 years: a much-loved fixture of the local pub, club and restaurant music scene.
His feelgood Full Moon Dances attracted the cream of local and interstate performers and drew music lovers from near and far to Verrierdale Hall in the Noosa hinterland.
The Barry Charles name on a festival or concert poster was a guaranteed crowd-puller.
But alarm bells started ringing after he advertised the “reluctant sale” of music gear in an online marketplace.
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When fellow musician Patch Brown contacted him about what seemed to be highly undervalued prices, Barry’s current struggle with mounting medical bills came to light.
The disabling and life-threatening disease poliomyelitis, that Barry had suffered as a child, has been taking its toll over the past 20 years, slowing stealing his ability to walk and even making his passion for performing difficult.
The once-avid surfer and Noosa National Park hiker had been relying on the use of walking sticks but the constant jolt of propelling himself forward has now “wrecked” his shoulders and arms, and led to painful carpal tunnel in his hands.
“I just thought it was a pretty sad state to see someone like him in his age bracket struggling,” said Patch, who has set up crowdfunding to help with Barry’s bills.
“That was my motivation for putting the campaign together.
“At the time, he and his wife (Diana) were both suffering from COVID and that was on top of everything.
“To be honest, Barry is a new friend. We don’t have a long history but I just felt it was a really sad state to see him having to sell his music gear, which at some point he’d have to buy back and replace for more than he sold it for.
“I just thought that was really unfortunate. I even offered to buy it off him and hold it until he wanted it back. We were trying to find ways of getting him out of this initial financial hurdle.”
Barry has been blown away by the kindness of a stranger and wrote in a comment on the gofundme page: “Thanks so much Patch for setting this up for me … it was a bit of a shock … heart felt appreciation will always be there for you … and thank you also to all you who have contributed already. Diana and I are truly grateful for your generosity and kindness.”
Late this week, nearly $700 had been raised of the $5000 goal.
“(Patch) just out of the blue suggested that people should help me out financially with my medical expenses and things, which was really nice of him because I’ve only met him once at a party,” said Barry, who is now on the mend from COVID but with a lingering cough.
“I can’t play full-time anymore, doing three-hour gigs at pubs and restaurants. I’ve just gone back to having to work with somebody who can back me more or less on guitar.
“I am playing a nylon-string guitar. We’re mainly focused on events like festivals. We’ve got a couple coming up – the (Gympie) Muster and a few others during the year – but (post-poliomyelitis) has changed my life in a lot of ways, musically.
“I did enjoy doing the Apollonian Hotel, the marina down at Tewantin and High Tide at Mudjimba for quite a few years.
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“I had steady work coming through. But the carpal tunnel and the shoulders destroyed all that.
“I can’t use my walking sticks anymore. I have a disability scooter and a wheelie walker because my legs are stuffed.
“The superstructure is stuffed but the voice is hanging in there.”
As testament to the fact you can’t keep a good muso down, Barry is going ahead with the concert he has been planning for a year to celebrate his 75th birthday and 50 years on the Coast.
The event is at the Majestic Theatre, Pomona, on Saturday, May 27, from 7pm, featuring Funklava, Tobias, David Flower Band, Boi and eKae, and other musician friends.
“I have done shows there and they’ve been really successful,” Barry said.
“I booked a whole lot of bands that I love at the Majestic last year before I had my medical meltdown so as to give myself a celebratory birthday present.
“I’ll do a set and have a chat, talk about my 50 years’ experience of living on the Coast and playing on the Coast.
“I came up here in 1973. I’m just fortunate I found this place when I did.
“It’s always been my base. I’ve travelled a bit over the years but always came back here and played and met a lot of amazing artists, writers, musicians and painters over the years. I feel very blessed for the people and the journey I’ve had so far – and with the radio station (he was a founder of Noosa FM 101.3 community radio) and the dances.
“I’m looking forward to catching up with a lot of musician friends I’ve known for years and also I love the ambience of the theatre. It’s such a beautiful theatre to play in – its unique acoustics and vibe.
“I have so many wonderful memories of concerts I’ve played at over the years there. I just wanted to play there again and make it a big party.”
To donate to Barry’s medical bills, visit the gofundme page.
Tickets for Barry Charles 75th Birthday Concert are $35 adults and $30 concessions. Book on the Majestic Theatre website.
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