The songs of American country legend Glen Campbell provides the soundtrack to Darren Coggan's earliest musical memories.
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His parents even have a copy of a 4 year old Coggan singing Campbell's Rhinestone Cowboy on cassette.
So it was a dream come true when a 22 year old Coggan, who has just kicked off a professional career in music, was asked to join Campbell on a 10 show tour of NSW and Queensland in 1996.
That short tour created lasting memories for Coggan.
"One of the very first interactions I had with the guy was at the very first soundcheck I did," Coggan said. "Quite often on these types of tours you don't get the opportunity to meet the feature artist.
"But I remember that soundcheck. It was 4pm and he sat in the audience seats watching and listening. Afterwards he came up and introduced himself. He made me feel very welcome."
Campbell was best known for a series of hit songs in the 1960s and 1970s, and for hosting a music and comedy variety show called The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour.
He released more than 70 albums in a career that spanned five decades. He died in 2017, aged 81, after living with Alzheimer's disease for six years.
Coggan said before he was the personality or musician everyone came to know him as, Campbell was one of the most respected session musicians in the business and featured on tracks by the Beach Boys, Elvis and Frank Sinatra.
"As a guitar player, he was on another level to everyone else. He was a remarkable performer," Coggan said.
To pay tribute to his music hero, 18 months ago Coggan created a tribute show to Campbell called Like A Rhinestone Cowboy.
"I was looking back on photos from the tour I did with him, thinking how fortunate I was to have that experience. And knowing as much as I do about him, I thought it would make for a great show," he said.
"I don't come out and try and be Campbell. It's not an impersonation. The show acknowledges the huge influence he had on me and my career. I tell the Glen Campbell story."
Coggan also sings 26 of Campbell's hits from the 60s and 70s including Gentle On My Mind, Wichita Lineman, By The Time I Get To Phoenix, Try A Little Kindness, Galveston and, of course, Rhinestone Cowboy.
The 2020 tour of Like A Rhinestone Cowboy will kick off at the Tamworth Country Music Festival then stop at Belmont 16 on Saturday, February 1.
Tickets, available now through trybooking.com, cost $79 for dinner and the show or $40 for just the show. The show begins 8.30pm.
Ellie-Marie Watts
A journalist with 10 years experience, Ellie-Marie connects readers to the stories that matter in their communities. A Port Stephens-based news, sport and event writer and photographer with a passion for human interest features.
A journalist with 10 years experience, Ellie-Marie connects readers to the stories that matter in their communities. A Port Stephens-based news, sport and event writer and photographer with a passion for human interest features.
