General News
26 October, 2023
Life of music for local John McNamara
John McNamara is a familiar name to many who remember the days of Central Musik and Showtime Entertainment in High Street — but it’s also a name that’s gained its share of recognition in the music scene. Born in the Maryborough Hospital and...
John McNamara is a familiar name to many who remember the days of Central Musik and Showtime Entertainment in High Street — but it’s also a name that’s gained its share of recognition in the music scene.
Born in the Maryborough Hospital and raised on the family property in Majorca, John has been a Clunes local for the past 17 years and while he may not have grown up in a musical family, you’d be forgiven for thinking he had.
A multi-award winning musician, John has toured in seven countries across the globe — with his last three album releases making chart positions in Australia and the US.
Becoming a regular in the Australian blues festival scene, John has won the Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society’s Blues Challenge twice, earning him the chance to take part in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee in 2015 and 2019.
“I’ve played on the hills of the Black Forest in Germany and at an old military fort there, through to a 500-year-old church in Edinburgh. Steam trains, paddle steamers — you name it,” he said.
“Music has been my ticket to see the world and meet new people and I’m so glad that I get to do that, it’s always been a thrill.
“Competing in the International Blues Challenge was a really satisfying experience — to be in the birthplace of blues music and recognised by the people there was great.
“Those little nods and tips of the hat in those places let me know I was on the right path.”
Reflecting on his music career, John recalls that from the moment he started to learn the guitar there was no looking back and when he discovered blues music, it all clicked.
“I started playing piano at a young age which progressed into guitar and I didn’t look back from there,” he said.
“Some of my first influences were people like Tommy Emmanuel who actually came to Maryborough and did a guitar clinic and the first guitar solo I learned was a Brett Garsed solo from a
John Farnham song and I now do some work with Brett, we’ve become good mates.
“I played in rock bands for years, including a band with my brother Keith, before finally discovering and falling in love with blues music.
“There are plenty of moments where I’ve thought I’d be happy if my time in music stopped here because there are things I’ve achieved that I’ve always wanted to, it’s a great feeling.”
Making a return to where it all started in Maryborough this Saturday, John said he’s looking forward to seeing familiar faces and reconnecting with the community.
“I can’t believe it’s been so long, I can’t wait to finally come and play in Maryborough again. The band is terrific and it’s such a feel good show,” he said.
“Working retail in town with Showtime Entertainment made us really feel like part of the community.
“We got to know everyone and it’s going to be nice to reconnect with some familiar faces again.”
John, alongside Andrea Marr have teamed up to create the McNaMarr Project and will present Tina Loves Sam — a tribute show to the works of Tina Turner and Sam Cooke at the Maryborough Highland Society.
The show kicks off at 8.30 pm, with tickets for the event are $20 for members and $24 for non-members.