New Zealand musician Bevan Gardiner has toured Tasmania before, that time it was with Scottish songstress Isla Grant. Bevan calls Tasmania a ‘ beautiful place’ and of course ‘quite close to New Zealand’.
Bevan will be visiting Tasmania in August with ‘Take Me Home’ a tribute show to the life and work of John Denver. Bevan began his love of music as a kid playing the guitar, and right from the start it was John Denver music he was playing.
Bevan’s love of John Denver’s music reached a high point when Bevan was delighted to perform in front of members of John’s family (who endorsed his tribute) at the John Denver Music Festival in Aspen Colorado.
To authenticate his tribute. Bevan lets his hair grow out and has it styled like John’s, and he also wears clothing, shirts and jeans similar to those worn by John. His voice however is a gift that needs no embellishment.
As to Bevan’s favourite John Denver song he finds it hard to choose but ‘Rocky Mountain High’ is a potential favourite with honourable mention to the love songs ‘Annie’s Song’ and ‘Perhaps Love’.
In the tribute show Bevan stresses the accuracy of the production with its addition of an audio visual display and archival footage of interviews with John’s colleagues and family, as well as footage of John himself talking about the origin and inspiration of his songs including film of his visiting.
Jacques Cousteau and his Calypso.
If he hadn’t created a career in music Bevan tells me other career choices early on were truck driver and pilot but because of a visual impairment Bevan was unable to follow through with them. Bevan supports his tour schedule of ‘Take me home’ with teaching music including the drums!
You can see Bevan performing as John Denver at the Launceston Country Club on 5th August and Wrest Point Casino on 6th August.
Paula Xiberras
