Newsletter for the Rotary Club of Greater Geraldton - Issue No.: 780 Issue Date: 15 Apr, 2024

Guest Speaker:

Darin Keogh has lived in Geraldton since 2013. He moved here after living in Fitzroy Crossing where he entertained some political ambition. He has had a career in country music and has been inducted into the WA Country Music Hall of Fame. He has created a business called Dancing Brolgas Music.

Darin discussed the challenge for musicians to generate income to support a musical career.

Revenue has mainly disappeared from the industry into music providers such as Spotify.

Pubs have generally moved away from being music venues. They call the shots not the musicians.

Darin wants to assist artists to make music that will appeal.

A lot of venues still rely on music that was popular in the 60's, 70's and 80's - over forty years ago.

It is important now to find a niche in music and learn how to make money from it in the C21st.

Darin's great ambition is to showcase WA music both nationally and internationally.

At the Geraldton level musicians need a creative pathway to provide skills and knowledge.

One of the big challenges is that most local musicians have a day job.

To go fully professional needs substantial financial backing.

Getting a band on the road is always a challenge. Do the members have compatible personalities and abilities?

Another issue from an employment perspective that DK raised was that the music industry has a lot of different career paths e.g. lyricist, singer, producer, announcer, band manager, stage manager.

Questions from Geoff Wood, Geoff Watson, Grant Woodhams and Tom Maina.

Guest Speaker thanks by Lucky Phil Martin.