Hollywood superstar Russell Crowe, singer Shannon Noll and local businesses are all stepping up to help stop one of the Hawkesbury’s last live music venues from going under.
Hawkesbury Hotel partner Dave Wilkins took to the hotel’s stage on Sunday, May 20 to announce the venue would close its doors this month due to continued financial strain, sparking a reaction that has rippled around the world.
Mr Wilkins and licensee Pete Fricker began operating the business 18 months ago with the intention of making it a live music venue, featuring bands of all genres three nights a week. But not owning the building has meant the bills have mounted up and, despite a sympathetic landlord, the debts finally became too much.
"At the end of the day on that Sunday I got up and said we’re out of time … we’re going to be shut on the Thursday (May 24),” Mr Wilkins said.
With a background in music – he was formerly a member of Crowe’s band and operated his own recording studio in Kings Cross – Mr Wilkins put out a plea on social media to help save the pub, which allowed the business to keep operating.
“We had a couple of angels come and save us,” he said. “I’ve been one of Shannon’s managers for quite a while, so we just talked. I used to play in a band with Russell Crowe, he’s coming on board. He’s going to come in later in the year and we’re going to try and work something out for that, he’s very keen to come out and have a look.”
The Duck – Rob Smith - from 2GB also got in contact to help, and a fundraiser has now been organised for June 7 with another planned for July 29.
Noll will perform alongside iconic Aussie rock band, The Radiators, on June 7, with doors opening at 7pm.
An auction will also be held offering everything from lunch with the 2GB Continuous Call team, to guitars, concert tickets, champagne lunch on Sydney Harbour, and even naming rights to the Hawkesbury Hotel’s bar.
Even other businesses have jumped on board to support the cause after Mr Wilkins spoke of building up an entertainment precinct in Windsor similar to the Sixth Street district n Austin, Texas, where he played with Crowe’s band.
Mr Wilkins said he had been humbled by the support shown to help keep the venue’s doors open.
“The public support and outcry has been really overwhelming to both Peter and I, and that has given us such faith to carry on,” he said.
- Doors open for the June 7 performance at 7pm. Tickets are $49 and available from Eventbrite.com.au or over the bar at the Hawkesbury Hotel.
