In 2019, Queensland Music Festival is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a diverse programme including ARIA Hall Of Fame inductee Glenn Shorrock and his timeless classic 'Help Is On Its Way'.
In a spectacular Brisbane event (27 July), thousands of people from across Queensland plus Busby Marou, The McClymonts and Travis Collins will join Glenn by singing the re-worked Little River Band classic, raising awareness for positive men's mental health in the process.
The single has been re-released across most digital platforms to raise money for Roses In The Ocean, a Queensland organisation dedicated to suicide prevention, with all artists giving their time for free and all proceeds from the recording of the song donated to the organisation.
Less than half of Australians living with a mental health issue seek professional help with men being less likely to seek help than women. Suicide is currently the most common cause of death for males aged 15 to 45 years in Australia, and people living in regional areas are at a significantly higher risk.
The 'Help Is On Its Way' concert series (which will travel state-wide in the lead-up to the Brisbane performance) was first suggested by Queensland Music Festival’s Artistic Director, and successful singer-songwriter in her own right, Katie Noonan. “Katie is behind this and Queensland Music Festival,” Glenn says.
“She’s been involved in Aboriginal affairs and various other issues in her life, she’s done this before and I'm the new kid on the block and she wanted to use my old song 'Help Is On Its Way'. The song has a powerful meaning in its lyrics and I'm proud that that's the case and she asked me to help her with this great cause.”
A living legend with a career spanning more than 50 years, Glenn Shorrock is revered as one of the elder statesmen of show business and has the unusual distinction of having been inducted into the ARIA Hall Of Fame on two occasions, both as a member of Little Red Band and as a solo artist.
“'Help Is On Its Way' was written when I was in a down time of angst, and it does resonate the message that is being portrayed now for those suffering with mental health, that help is on the way. I think you'll find some of the best music is produced at a time of angst,” Glenn says.
“When you're in a lonely, down place you have time to write about things; when you’re in a positive mindset and environment you want to be out and about amongst the world. I am happy that the song I created can have this much of an impact on people and can be toured around and reworked for a great cause.”
Glenn and his band will also tour regional Queensland towns including Chinchilla, Moranbah, Barcaldine, Hughenden, Birdsville, Cunnamulla, Beaudesert and Townsville, supported by Emma Dean and accompanied by local voices.
“We are going to Chinchilla and other places I can't quite pronounce, that's going to be something new for me,” Glenn says.
“I’m a city guy, so I'm not from regional towns. I'm not used to this but I'm excited for the challenge and the new experience.”
Queensland Music Festival’s Help Is On Its Way 2019 Tour Dates
Wed 17 Jul - Chinchilla Cultural CentreThu 18 Jul - Moranbah Town Square
Fri 19 Jul - Barcaldine Town Hall
Sat 20 Jul - Diggers Entertainment Centre (Hughenden)
Mon 22 Jul - Birdsville Community Hall
Tue 23 Jul - Paroo Shire Hall (Cunnamulla)
Wed 24 Jul - The Centre (Beaudesert)
Sat 27 Jul - Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre
Sun 28 Jul - Festival Stage @ Queens Garden (Townsville)
