Cassar-Daley’s Jem
Troy Cassar-Daley has a bit of a love affair with the Territory – the landscapes, the people, and of course, the fishing.
The country music legend is excited to be hitting the Top End on his national Greatest Hits Tour, but one thing he’s most looking forward to is sharing the NT with his 18-year-old daughter, Jem, who is supporting him on the tour.
“Not many kids get to see the Northern Territory, that’s one of the main reasons I wanted to bring her up here. She’s certainly going to get to see places not many people to get have a squiz at.”
Over his 30-year career, Cassar- Daley has wracked up plenty of gongs – 36 Golden Guitars, four ARIAs, two APRA Country Song of the Year Awards, two National Indigenous Music Awards, plus 31 number one hits.
The acclaimed musician released his Greatest Hits compilation late last year and has been on the road since January with Jem, performing unique sets all over the country.
“I’ve got a set list of about 40 songs to choose from, so whatever people sing out on the night ends up being played. It’s not only great to have a different show each night, but it’s nice to work with the spontaneity of the crowd and let the people guide the show,” he says.
For this tour, every performance is being recorded, but Cassar-Daley isn’t quite sure what he’ll do with the audio just yet.
“We’ve just done over 45 shows – even the sound checks are recorded. Even if it’s just something to have for prosperity, isn’t it great to have a record of yourself and your daughter on the road? Maybe when she turns 30 and has a kid we’ll say, ‘hey remember that year we spent on the road together?' "
Cassar-Daley says the tour with Jem has been a bonding experience and a great opportunity to show her what his life is like.
“That’s the best part – her seeing it from the stage rather than being the little kid crying at the door as Dad packs up the guitar. That was always really hard.”
Catch the father-daughter duo performing (and fishing) across the Top End this month, including free gigs out in Jabiru and Gunbalanya.
Gunbalanya TUE 10 SEP | 4.30PM | GUNBALANYA SOCIAL CLUB, ARNHEM LAND
Jabiru WED 11 SEP | 7PM | MERCURE KAKADU CROCODILE HOTEL, JABIRU | FREE
Darwin THU 12 SEPT | 8PM, 7PM DOORS | MINDIL BEACH CASINO RESORT, DARWIN | $53
