Narre Warren musician Gary Ellis has hit the right note with his latest album.
By Callan Date
NARRE Warren musician Gary Ellis has had a life full of ups and downs – but the singer has definitely hit the right note over the past few years.
The veteran country singer has released four albums in the past three years with his latest effort, Stories Never Told, launched last month.
Mr Ellis, known as the Man in the Hat, has been strumming the guitar and belting out songs for nearly five decades and is renowned throughout the Australian and international country music scene.
Reluctant to declare his age, he was told from a mentor early on to never reveal how old you are or your relationship status.
His life story could probably fill a book.
He won Australia’s Amateur Hour competition at the age of 19 – an award he compares to today’s Australian Idol concept.
“Back then it was huge. I recorded professionally soon after that but have really got back into it over the last three to four years,” he said.
Several other awards followed along with the fan fare that goes with being a well-known singer in the music industry.
However, it all became too much and Mr Ellis had issues with the bottle.
“My whole career was completely ruined at about 28.
“Alcoholism took hold. I was in the gutter with a six string guitar with only five strings and I didn’t even know my name,” he said.
Those were the dark days, of a now bright life, and with the help of some close friends he battled his way out of his illness.
“I had a fair bit of unfinished business to do. Thankfully, I haven’t had a drink in 30 years.
“I would have been unable to forgive myself if I had of let it all go to waste and not recorded any more music,” he said.
And that he has done with an array of Mr Ellis’s music now being played on community and independent radio stations throughout Australia.
“Whenever I hear my song played on the radio I try to ring them up and thank them.”
Such is his love for music he says he only hopes to make enough money from each album to record another one.
To purchase his new CD contact Gary Ellis on 9705 7555.
