Mount Isa audiences will be transported to the frontline in Afghanistan, when Australian diplomat turned singer-songwriter and author Fred Smith arrives on a tour of Queensland this month.
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Fred and his band bring the dust, heat, frustration, fighting and camaraderie captured in his album Dust of Uruzgan to town, saying it is first visit to Mount Isa but he enjoyed playing regional centres.
“A lot of regional towns have a connection to the military service,” Smith said.
“So the songs we sing and the stories we tell resonate with the people and we’re always up for a conversation afterwards.”
Smith was the first Australian diplomat to work in Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan, and the last to leave. As Colonel Jason Blain said an Australian Story feature about Fred, “He’s actually walked in the same footsteps of those soldiers… He ate, he slept, he bathed, he worked, he lived with them and when soldiers died, he mourned with them.”
His Dust of Uruzgan performances, which combine storytelling, song and projected images by military photographers, has moved audiences to tears and laughter.
Fred’s talents as a raconteur, his wry humour and larrikin spirit, have prompted critics to label him an exceptional songwriter.
Fred’s performances will also give audience members a chance to understand the experiences of the 20,000 Australians who served in Afghanistan.
Fred was Australia's first ever diplomat who was sent to work in Uruzgan Province, southern Afghanistan, turned singer-songwriter. He will be touring regional Queensland with his album Dust of Uruzgan from 25 March to 7 May 2017, transporting the crowds to the frontline of Afghanistan.
Fred has been described as 'Australia's secret weapon' in international diplomacy, serving for two years in Afghanistan working alongside Australian soldiers. He experienced everything alongside the Australian troops, from walking in their footsteps, eating with them, bunking with them, to mourning with them when soldiers passed.
Fred's second career as a musician started with his guitar, as a bridge to the troops, people, and tribal leaders of that war-torn region. His song, 'Dust of Uruzgan', captured the hearts of many serving in Afghanistan, and 'Sapper's Lullaby' became an anthem for soldiers and their families.
His Dust of Uruzgan performances will showcase a combination of storytelling, song and projected images by military photographers.
Fred’s father was also a diplomat, which saw the family move and live across the world. He learned Hindi in India and classical guitar in Manila, and was schooled in a Christian Arab School. After finishing university, Fred followed his father into the foreign service, and continued to write and perform music in every spare moment.
Fred Smith plays the Mount Isa Civic Centre on Thursday April 20 at 8pm.
For tickets go to www.mietv.com.au/Whats-On/Dust-of-Uruzgan.aspx
To go into a draw to win two free tickets, answer this simple question:
“In which country is Uruzgan?”
Email derek.barry@fairfaxmedia.com.au with the answer and your name and contact details before 8pm Wednesday. Derek will draw one of the names out of a hat on Thursday morning. The winner will be advised how to collect a ticket.