WHILE the country music world is still grieving over the passing of legendary wordsmith and guitar picker Merle Haggard, we’ve lost one of our own – Karl Broadie – way too soon.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Glasgow-born singer-songwriter succumbed to pancreatic cancer, passing away in the early hours of Tuesday morning, aged 45, with partner Rachel Webster and mum Margaret Ingrassia by his side.
Last Sunday at Rooty Hill RSL, friends, family and fans gathered at the Concert for Karl, to raise some money to help cover the costs of his medical and living expenses and provide for his family. It was the second benefit concert held in his honour, the previous one on March 23 at Coogee Diggers Club.
If you search YouTube, you will be able to find songs and portions from the April 17 event, posted by The Aussiemusicman.
The Rooty Hill gig was hosted by Pete Denahy and Celeste Clabburn, with a huge turnout of musical mates.
Kasey Chambers, Harry Hookey, Catherine Britt, Adam Harvey, Katie Brianna, Caitlin Harnett, Jasmine Rae, Luke O’Shea, Den Hanrahan, Matt Fell and others paid tribute to the bloke who’s earned a special place in the hearts and minds of his adopted countrymen and women.
Karl could have chosen anywhere in the world to settle and spread his roots but, fortunately for us, he came to Australia.
Since his 2002 Laughing Outlaw release, Nowhere Now Here, he’s produced a wonderful body of work in successive studio albums Black Crow Callin’, One Million Emeralds, Branches, One Constellation and A Side B Side Seaside.
He’s been a mentor and inspiration to countless young singer-songwriters in his role as tutor at the CMAA Academy of Country Music in recent years.
Karl was always keen to share his unique gift for songwriting, hosting writer nights at various venues,
and he was author of an eBook, The Free-Thinking Songwriter. He freely gave of his talents in podcasts and workshops.
Just six months ago, Karl and Rachel bought a home in the hills of Nundle and were looking forward to breathing that fresh mountain air, creating a haven for friends and family to come and visit.
Sadly, this was not meant to be. Few people knew, but in January, when Karl was tutoring at the CMAA Academy of Country Music, he was struggling with pain, not then knowing the reason for it.
He soldiered on, but it wasn’t until early in March he made the announcement on his Facebook page of a grim diagnosis – stage four pancreatic cancer – brushing it off in true Broadie fashion and promptly launching his wellness campaign.
As positive as he was to fight this insidious disease, the cancer was too far advanced, and treatment options were discussed but discarded.
You can gauge a measure of the man by the hundreds of posts on his Facebook wall. Old school friends, young songwriting students, fellow artists and family members have shared their thoughts on the loss of the newest star shining in our night skies.
Victorian duo The Weeping Willows described him as “a shining light ... one of the most generous souls we have ever met, with a genuine sense of community and desire to help others. He touched so many lives; leaving behind a beautiful legacy of selflessness and song.”
Karl worked for a time with APRA/AMCOS and his colleagues there remember him fondly, saluting him as “a master songwriter and musician, active participant in our ambassador program and a colleague in our membership team in 2011/2012.”
APRA board member Brendan Gallagher, who’d worked and performed with Karl, wrote: “My mother used to say, ‘old die soon, young die any time’. Ain’t that the truth? In his short time on this planet, Karl did many great things. He fathered and cared for two fine sons, Oskar and Travis. He wrote beautiful songs and played them in the hotels and theatres and public places all around Australia, making fast friends wherever he ventured. In doing so he wove himself into the cultural fabric of his adopted country. He was one of the good ones.”
CMAA vice-chairman Roger Corbett said Karl “left a little of himself and his spirit with everyone he met”.
“I was so happy to have had him as a tutor at academy for the last couple of years,” Roger wrote.
“He had such an influence on everyone, his students especially, but all the teaching staff as well.
“I know he had a deep love for all his students and gave so much to them all.
“He may be on another journey right now but he lives on in our hearts and through his music and songs.”
A concert has been planned for Saturday, June 18 at The DAG Sheep Station, Nundle, which will now become a celebration of his life, with proceeds directed to his family.
As tickets are limited to 120 and almost one-third are already sold, phone The DAG on 6769 3486 sooner rather than later if you want to be a part of this special event.
Vale, sweet Scozzie music man.