Boy, I’m glad you asked!
What started out as a curiosity, a wish, a hope, turned into a full blown reality.
I thought to myself, “No, it can’t be. Doesn’t make any sense.”
Then, I’d counter, “But, it looks like him. And, he’s got a guitar. It could be him.”
Then back to, “Nah. No way. Not possible.”
I was standing in the area behind the podium on top of ANZAC Hill in Alice Springs at about 5:45am. I was there with my 19 year old daughter Franchesca (Chez). We were prepared. Warm jumpers and a camera.
Can’t be him!
I was standing just behind him. I studied him as he sorted out his guitar and harmonica set up. I was that close, I could see the rust on his harmonica holder. I had doubts.
“Naw, can’t be him. He’d have a nice brand new harmonica holder. And, look, there’s no staff around. He wouldn’t be up here just hanging out amongst the people. He’d have some kind of security team or something. It’s not him.”
The dawn ceremony started. The mayor’s speech was stirring and ended on an emotional note. The wreaths were set down at the base of the monument; very touching.
It’s him!
But, the most moving, most inspirational, part for me, was when this man – the man standing next to me – made his way up to the microphone. No guitar, no harmonica. He walked confidently and respectfully and took up his spot, set apart from the audience. Then he started singing the Australian national anthem.
That’s when I knew.
That’s when I knew it was him. Unmistakable voice.
The man standing next to me during the ceremony, the man singing the national anthem at the Alice Springs, 2011, ANZAC day dawn service was none other than …
JOHN WILLIAMSON!
Not part of the Program; maybe next year!
John finished singing and then made his way back. He strapped on his guitar and organized his harmonica set up. He was getting ready to sing again.
I listened in on the conversation … what was coming up next. He was going to sing “And, the band played Waltzing Matilda.”
Then the Air Force master of ceremonies ended the event. “That concludes the Dawn Service for ANZAC Day 2011.”
John was surprised. He encouraged his sound man to talk to the master of ceremonies to make an announcement. After, all John was ready to play; ready to sing; ready to add that final crowning touch to an already great ceremony.
John’s sound-man presented his case to the Air Force officer.
But, the dialog didn’t last long. The Air Force officer listened to the request, then looked down on his ceremony sheet then looked back at John’s sound man and said, “Sorry, he’s not on the program.”
Can you imagine having John Williamson at your ANZAC Day celebration willing to sing “And, the band played Waltzing Matilda” and you tell him, “Sorry, you’re not on the program. Maybe next year”?
I can’t.
No Worries; it’s ok.
But, John took it all in stride. No worries mate. I was impressed.
And, I really can’t fault the Air Force officer. How come it wasn’t coordinated with him?
I happened to see this same Air Force officer and fellow officers walking down ANZAC Hill and I couldn’t resist bringing it up.
“Why didn’t you let John sing?” I asked like a wiseguy.
“I would have. But, he wasn’t on the program. I would have penciled him in if someone had just told me.” was his sincere and heartfelt answer.
I could tell he felt bad. But, he was in a no-win situation. If he let John sing, then he may have gotten in trouble for not sticking to the protocol. And, now, of course he was taking a little (very little, because I was just joking) heat for not letting him sing.
The officers, Chez and I were all laughing pretty heartily over this awkward ANZAC moment as we parted ways at the bottom of ANZAC Hill.
John Sings Again!
Then it was off to the RSL Long Tan Bar for a hearty “gunfire” breakie. I never knew adding rum to a cup of coffee could warm you up so fast!
The morning ended on another high as John performed for the breakie audience.
What words to describe his performance … ?
Amazing, wonderful, sincere, heartfelt, emotional, touching, beautiful … the man is not an Australian icon for nothing! He’s good, damn good! How about great? There, it’s settled.
Some songs that stood out for me are as follows:
And, the band played Waltzing Matilda.
I was holding back the tears along with most of the audience. Chez just let em flow.
A song dedicated to Fathers and daughters. I think it was called “sidekick”, about the special bond between fathers and daughters. It was stirring. Again, Chez was in tears. What a master songwriter.
And, another was a new song coming out on his new album. It’s about a pub just west of the Finders ranges. It has “Prarie” in the title. And, the name of the pub/hotel. But, I can’t remember and I couldn’t pronounce it or spell it anyway.
The song is awesome! I can’t wait for the new album just to hear this song again.
Well, thanks for asking who I was standing next to this morning at the ANZAC Day dawn service. I just had to tell somebody!