A familiar face with a guitar in his hands, ’Country Col’ is thankful to the support of the community and businesses along Mary Street to let him continue to play the music he loves.
Col Haines has lived in Gympie for the past 28 years and regularly busks in Mary Street both during the week and at the many events held there.
Growing up in South Australia until he was 28, then in 1973 moving to Darwin through work in time for Cyclone Tracey in 1974, Col lived away 1996 when he moved to Gympie.
After beginning his musical journey with singing and playing guitar 19 years ago w, Col has taken part in many of the creative groups around the Gympie region.
He bought himself a second hand guitar and taught himself a few chords before he joined the Gympie Songwriters where he wrote his first song ’Christmas Time In Australia’ which was on a Christmas Album made by the group, regularly performed at the open mic nights at the Australian Institute of Country Music and doing a set at the Gympie Music Muster before spending his time as regular busker in Mary Street.
Due to health reasons, Col has not been able to perform as much as he used to, but still tries to busk at least twice a week.
“I am grateful for some businesses in Mary Street that have supported me over the years,“ he said.
“I busked at MiCakes Cafe for just over four years until they closed due to the floods.
“As MiCakes was not re-opening, for a short period I busked on the Gold City Stage and donated the busking money to the Salvo’s to help flood affected people, After looking for a new permanent place to busk, I approached the owner/slash manager of Batik Boutique, who has made me very welcome.“
Country Col has spent a lot of time in the community as a musician, playing monthly for the folk on the Mary Valley Rattle, at the Amamoor Railway Station and the Duck Pond Marktes.
He has also done small stage events such as the Relay For Life and the Kybond Minerals and Rock Festival.
“Busking is something I get a great deal of enjoyment from, and people enjoy it, so I plan to do it as long as my health allows,“ he said.
“It is not all about the money.
“I enjoy a lovely comment or short chat just as much.
“When I busk I treat it as a day out and the money is a bonus.“
When going for a stroll down Mary Street or joining in for an event, keep an eye out because you might just see Col and can catch a country tune.
