Menu
Meeting Barry Hall: A Journey of Music and Friendship
By Graeme Pope (January 2018 )
A Miraculous Encounter
My life has been shaped by miraculous meetings with extraordinary musicians, and my encounter with Barry Hall is no exception. This story begins with my involvement with John Sidney, an immensely talented pianist I met in Hobart, Tasmania, in November 1998. Our friendship and collaboration to preserve his music transformed my life. I dedicated myself to recording his music, knowing that with his passing, a unique style of piano playing might disappear.
During those early days, John often spoke excitedly about a pianist from Adelaide who played in a similar style. At the time, I was not particularly interested in meeting new musicians, content with my work with John. However, John’s sudden death in November 2002 and the subsequent encouragement from friends led me to preserve his music for posterity. It was during this period that I first heard about Barry Hall.
John Sidney (left) and Barry Hall (right) playing duet
The Search for Barry Hall
At John’s funeral, a man handed me contact details of a mutual friend of John and Barry. Though I had no immediate interest in pursuing another pianist, I kept those details. As I promoted John’s music on the radio and in aged care homes, I received numerous requests for backing tracks to popular songs from large print songbooks by Ulverscroft. This demand rekindled my search for Barry Hall.
Around 2008, I began tracing Barry’s whereabouts, reaching out to mutual friends like Bill Powell in Hobart. Despite hitting several dead ends, I never gave up.
A few years later, in 2011, I embarked on a promotional campaign for John Sidney’s music by running radio ads on a Brisbane station. Little did I know, this campaign would set in motion a series of extraordinary events leading to my meeting with Barry Hall.
From the radio ads, I received numerous responses, one of which came from a lady who ordered four John Sidney CDs. I promptly sent the CDs but, curiously, never received payment for them. This seemingly small hiccup turned out to be a pivotal moment in my journey to meeting Barry.
Subsequently, the same lady placed another order for four more John Sidney CDs, this time including her credit card details for payment. Seizing the opportunity, I called her to discuss the payment issue for her previous order. During our conversation, we uncovered the reason for the missing payment: she had mistakenly sent it to the radio station instead of to us.
With that sorted out, I informed her of our special policy: once a returning customer’s total spend equals the price of our two-box set of 12 John Sidney CDs, they receive the rest for free. She was just one CD away from qualifying for this offer. However, she hesitated, explaining that her relative, who played music similar to John’s, might find it awkward if there were too many of John’s CDs in her house. Intrigued, I asked for her relative’s name. When she replied, “Barry Hall,” I could hardly contain my excitement.
To confirm it was the same Barry Hall I was thinking of, I quickly referenced my notes and shared some details with her. She confirmed, yes, it was indeed him. This lady turned out to be Barry’s wife’s sister, living in Brisbane. She kindly took down my details and promised to pass them on to Barry.
Just a few days later, the phone rang. It was Barry Hall, calling from Adelaide. What started as a simple promotional effort had transformed into a miraculous connection, leading me to Barry Hall.
A Special Bond and Collaborative Success
In August 2011, I drove to Adelaide to meet Barry. We hit it off immediately, bonding over our shared experiences and passion for music. Barry’s illustrious career in radio and television, combined with his deep understanding of music, made him the perfect collaborator. His willingness to contribute to the aged care music project was a game-changer.
Barry enthusiastically volunteered to record backing tracks for the Ulverscroft songbooks, leading to the creation of the Blue and Red Book CD Collections. These collections became invaluable resources for aged care homes, enabling them to provide musical activities without needing a pianist on-site. Released in July 2014, these collections were widely embraced by elders in care facilities.
Continuing the Legacy
Barry’s contributions didn’t stop there. He played a crucial role in other large productions such as the Green Book CD Collection and the Musical Armchair Travels program. These projects catered to the evolving musical tastes of the aging population, ensuring that the music resonated with their memories and preferences. Barry’s ability to blend various musical styles and instruments brought a unique richness to these resources.
A Lasting Friendship
Barry Hall has become more than a collaborator; he is a cherished friend. Our shared mission to enhance the lives of older people through music has been deeply fulfilling. Barry’s dedication and talent have been instrumental in producing music that brings joy and comfort, especially to those living in residential care and with dementia.
Conclusion
Looking back, my meeting with Barry Hall was nothing short of miraculous. From our first conversation to our collaborative successes, Barry has been a steadfast partner and friend. Together, we have created meaningful musical experiences that continue to benefit older people across Australia. Our friendship, rooted in a shared passion for music and a commitment to enriching the lives of the elderly, remains a treasured and enduring bond.
