The Beginning

It was the ninth of April, as six strangers and myself departed Tamworth to begin the 11-week tour with Brian Young for his 27th year on the road as 'The Brian Young Show'. And while most of the recruits had been on the tour before, I was nervous and unsure what to expect. But so excited that no one could talk me out of it. My name is Kelly Llewellyn, I call Beaudesert, in Queensland, home and I am 'Youngie's newest apprentice'.

On the road were my traveling companions, the other six members, Darren Howard, Travis Collins, Mick Parkes, Royden Donohue, Gene Knox, and the man of the show Brian Young.

So there we were, heading out of Tamworth on day one. And as all good travel plans start off, our trusty Toyota 'troupie' had an unwell tyre, but with a quick checkup from the local mechanic, we were on the road again and headed for Queensland!

On the Road

Now, 11 weeks, at least 15 flat tyres, Darren's effects board, great friendships and a fantastic tour later, I'm back home looking back on the fantastic experience.

And I reckon I have seen it all!

After playing along the Gold Coast and Brisbane, and celebrating my 21st birthday at 'Seagulls' club, the show took to the corrugated roads and headed west to the annual Easter weekend Boulia Rodeo, thus now the 7th show for Brian Young. I certainly learnt 'there ain't nothing like a country crowd' with all three shows a blast and crazy record crowds.

Four days later and although sad to leave, we continued our journey further North-west to entertain our first row of Aboriginal communities, before heading further west again to Ayers Rock Resort and the Mutijulu community.

Traveling to Yulara of course was an adventure in itself. I saw my first wild camels, roped our way through 4wd tracks, watched Travis collide with a low branch while 'showing off' and thanked heaven above that Mick took a good guess when we came to an unsigned crossroad!

Not too far into our first bend on the Loop Road, we came across the 'fair dinkum' road signs for reducing speed.

On a 40-gallon drum were the words 'lift um foot' & just around the corner we were reassured speed with 'putt um back down'.

Quite an experience already, but Darren still assured me there wild fishing… I mean, gigs, yet to come.

After Ayers Rock, we headed towards the border to Docker River, and finally after settling into our new home on the edge of the very picturesque sacred land, the boys and I sat down and for some song writing.

Although, short-lived was the writing, as a friendly and hungry dingo decided to visit, and seems he had someone to contact interstate as next thing he set off again, with Royden's satellite phone! But, even a funnier site was seeing us attempting to rescue the phone, chasing a dingo down the road and hearing the cries behind us 'a dingo took my phone'! The phone was discarded and was safe home again while the disgusted dingo thief continued its hunt for phones and food.

After Docker River and another week in the desert, we entertained small towns and mining camps and then to the coast of Western Australia. First stop before the Coast was the Whim Creek hotel, with personal significance as this the official launch pad for Travis' and my debut CD's. A successful night for both CD's as well as a ripper gig under the stars.

The salt air and the first sight of water sure got everyone excited, and the thought of a few days off in Port Hedland, was a relief!

While we were there, Royden and myself were lucky enough to become boat crew on a tugboat, bringing in an almighty salt ship.

The Choir Boys also stopped in for a show as part of their own tour at the Pier Hotel and I finally got to taste the famous 'Bruno's pizza' of whom I had heard so much about.

In exchange for great pizza and laughs the guitars and vocals were often taken to Bruno's and the boys and I were once again 'having a ball' and 'living it up' while doing what we like best!

Before showing at the beautiful Broome we headed back to the desert for shows at Kimberley Diamonds, several Aboriginal communities off the Tanimi Track, Halls Creek, Wave Hill and Yarralin. Some of the sites I have seen between these shows are breathtaking and I am so glad to have had the chance to see it while touring.

Now, nearing the end of the exciting journey we arrived in Katherine in Northern Territory to perform, and to the Tindal Airbase, on the outskirts of Katherine to entertain the air force not long returned from battle in Iraq. This being another show that I was so proud to be part of and happy to put a smile on the faces of some brave men and women.

Although not some good news, after many years of dust and hard yakka, countless schooners of spilt beer and kicks, Darren's effects board for his lead guitar finally decided that it's time was up.

We couldn't understand why? He had treated it so well! Lucky for him, a generous member of the RAAF lent his own effects board to Darren, and the show was back on the road.

From Tindal, we traveled to Adelaide River, then to show at Port Keats, an aboriginal community on the Northern Coast. Here, I was a tomboy (for a change?) and became a kid joining in on the rough footy game and tackled all the boys who wouldn't pass me the ball.

From there, to Palumba and back to Adelaide River we settled in for the big rodeo weekend, fishing and pigging. There I got a visit from my mum who flew from down south to make sure I was behaving myself!

Travis also discovered an interesting washing machine in the camping ground. To his amazement, Trav showed us an almighty machine that 'washed your clothes 'and' dried them aswell'! To his expense, we laughed and explained that he had in fact put his clothes AND the washing powder in a dryer in the first place. Unfortunately, the 'dryer' didn't wash them aswell. Good idea though?

Another big weekend, and then to Darwin to stay at a 'backpackers inn' for a few days off for rest and recreation, (probably a little more of the latter!), before beginning our journey towards home.

On the way home we showed at an amazing place in Arnhemland called Oenpelli. The boys were lucky enough to be taken on a fabulous tour with a community elder and the people couldn't have been any friendlier. I guess it was just my poor bad luck that I had to endure the boys' remarks after my team's shock loss in the state of origin in this great place.

Apart from Ayers Rock, the Kakadu and Arnhemland were breathtaking and I am yet to see a place that has amazed me more, or opened my eyes to the country we have at our fingertips!

Our last show was memorable as we entertained the crowds at Mt. Isa for the annual show.

Another one a blast, but now time to say goodbye to my new family and best friends on the road, the tour of a lifetime had come to an end.

Our very faithful Toyota Troup Carrier safely brought me back to Beaudesert on the 23rd of June to a soft bed, bathroom and home cooked meal! It was good to be home.

Reflecting

They say out there, all you ever see is, 'dust, camel, aborigines and 'Brian Young'!
Whoever made that up forgot to add 'thieving dingos, flat tyres, crazy road signs, weird musicians and amazing washing machines'!

I have learnt plenty and forged fantastic friendships, and I have seen Australia. And I now understand that 'Youngie' is truly an amazing icon in the country music industry in his own right.

So until we hit the road again, it's off with the bad smells in the troupie, crazy CB conversations and rude magazines on the dash.

Signing off, 'Youngie's Apprentice', Kelly Llewellyn.