The Descent of Age

Since the death of his much loved older brother Ron (The Great Ronaldo) in 2003 Pat has been planning a years sabatical to start in 2007. He will be slowing down his on road touring committments in favour of spending more time with his family at home for most of 2007 and will be only playing local shows around Sydney, ahead of some international touring in 2008.

Pat turns 54 on April 2nd, 2007. In July 2006 he played his 5,500th gig at Eastside Arts in Paddington. In retropect he lists managing to avoid 'a real job' for thirty years as his finest achievement. But there are others who may disagree. Many in the Industry consider him to be the quintessential Independent Artist. Everything from his independently forged concert circuit around Australia to his highly successful recording and distribution company were independently built.

His industry efforts on behalf of independents generally have certainly made him famous. His political opponents may perhaps even say infamous. His unflagging abilty to engage and harness new technologies has always given him a competitive edge.

He was asked recently by David Benuik in "Trad and Now' about the secret of his longevity in the Australian Music Industry.

Well, according to him its simple...stay independent...

"I was almost fully signed to Sony at one time. I still consider it one of the luckiest escapes of my life!"

" Staying in the industry without some other kind of job for thirty years and managing to raise a family and stay, not only viable but profitable in that time is a real rarity in Australia, I guess." he said

"But I can assure you that not only is it possible to forge a life in this vague and uncertain industry; but it is almost invariably more possible when you remain independent"

Acts should never sign away their songs, their APRA royalties and their recordings unless they KNOW it will be to their advantage. They should be constantly on guard against recording deals where all sorts of extraneous costs are recouped from their share of the royalties; but they should also stay positive, be constantly open to new opportunities wherever they occur and make sure they are skilled to take advantage of them when they appear."

See Also Independent Recording Vs A Major Record Deal at Pat's 'Shoestring Records Australia' Site