Mission Beach Musician Andy Graham On Keeping Music Alive

With more than 700 songs in his repertoire, Andy Graham continues to entertain audiences across the Cassowary Coast as Andy G. Photo supplied

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By Chelsea Ravizza

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A hopeless dancer may not seem destined for a career in music, but that's exactly where Andy Graham's journey began. Decades after picking up a guitar in the hope of impressing girls on the dance floor, the Mission Beach musician, better known as Andy G, has become a familiar face on stages across the Cassowary Coast, entertaining audiences with everything from rock and pop to country and blues.

Gifted his first guitar by his mother, Mr Graham taught himself to play using a Beatles songbook, spending countless hours practising until he mastered the classics. Today, his repertoire spans more than 700 songs, earning him a reputation for delivering crowd-pleasing performances that appeal to audiences of all ages.

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"My sister was a Beatles fan, so I stole some of her records and kept practicing till I got it right," Andy said.

"I still can't read music sheets but if someone hums me a few bars, I can generally play the song."

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Andy spent years performing with bands in Brisbane pubs and clubs before 1992, sharing the stage with legendary Australian entertainers, including Johnny O'Keefe. After work commitments took priority in the early 1990s, however, he stepped away from music until relocating to Mission Beach in 2022, where the region's thriving live music scene rekindled his passion.

"When we settled in, I found that the Cassowary Coast area has a good little music scene going on," he recalled.

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While watching local band Cassady Connections, Andy mentioned to lead singer Viv that he had been thinking about returning to the stage but was nervous about performing as a solo artist.

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"She said to me, 'We're playing at the Silkwood Hotel tomorrow. Be there at one and bring your guitar.'"

Joining the band the following day proved to be the turning point, and Andy has been entertaining local audiences ever since.

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"I just enjoy seeing people singing along and dancing to the music I play."

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He credits much of his motivation to his wife, Jenni, whose unwavering support has helped fuel his return to live performance.

"My wife Jenni is a great support and one of the main reasons I keep going. Seeing the enjoyment and fun that she has at gigs gives me the inspiration to be the best I can."

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With the catchphrase, "I know lots of songs, just not every song," Andy has become a sought-after performer, tailoring his extensive repertoire to suit every venue and audience.

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"I must be doing something right – they keep asking me back!"

Just as important to him are the local venues that continue to champion live entertainment. With the words "Where words fail, music speaks" emblazoned across his promotional banner, Andy hopes the community continues to support the businesses that help keep the region's live music scene alive.

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"We need to get out and support those venues when we can – if we don't use them, we'll lose them," he said.

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"Music touches people in many ways. Songs always take you back to a moment in time and seeing the crowd singing along, tapping their feet or up dancing is what keeps me going."

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Andy encourages anyone who hasn't yet seen him perform to check out his social media pages for upcoming gig dates, explaining he hopes to continue sharing his love of music with audiences across the Cassowary Coast for as long as he's enjoying himself, and the crowds are enjoying the music too.