The normally muted atmosphere of the Tamborine Mountain library was transformed by the mesmerising musicianship of Haystack Mountain Hermits on Saturday, as part of a new monthly series of Stories and Songs.
Compared by Russell “Rusty” Smith with funding raised by wife Anthea Edmunds and drinks supplied by Witches Falls Winery, the crowd were wowed, in awe and brought to tears by the songs and the stories behind them.
The unique event got underway with a Welcome to Country by Wangerriburra Elder Uncle Steven Watson.
Mayor Tom Sharp opened the event, saying it was a time to bring the community together and celebrate.
Rusty said while it had taken seven months to get it off the ground, the idea was actually formed 15 years ago.
“It is important for young artists on the mountain. There are some talented artists here including the Inadequates, Toby Angus, Dane Sharp and many, many more,” he said.
“It is important to support our young ones coming through.”
As everyone relaxed on chairs and cushions on the floor, with wine in hand, the lights dimmed, the music of the much-loved, multi-award-winning Haystack Mountain Hermits filled the room.
Listening to the history and creation of each song was as enthralling as the songs themselves.
Singer and double bass player, Kerrie Gambley talked about the song Make Hay While the Sun Shines and her journey with a breast cancer diagnosis in late 2022.
“For a long time, I’d wanted to write songs and made a decision early on it was going to be my path to wellness and healing and my way out,” she shared.
“It was a beautiful way of encapsulating what I was going through. Four lots of surgery 17 lots of chemo and radiation and instead of dwelling on it I wrote songs.”
The highlight and finale was the screening of their video One Last Ride featuring the song, The Horses Stay Behind (One Last Ride) – filmed at Christmas Creek and on Tamborine Mountain and funded by Scenic Rim Regional Arts Development Fund.
It left a moment of silence and barely a dry eye in the room.
But the audience called for more and the band complied with a magical song led by Kerrie’s 90-year-old father, Kevin.
The next free Stories and Songs is on May 18 at 2pm featuring three young First Nations women – artists Georgia Corowa, Arianna Maelzar and Kelsey Iris.
Shane Howard from Goanna will be performing on August 24.
