David Henderson has been in the industry for over thirty years doing everything from FOH, monitors, live broadcasts, rigging PAs and owning a recording studio where he produced and engineered many albums. His main interest is all things audio, it’s been a great passion since he was introduced to it as a teenager by a great music teacher Tim Scott.
What would you normally be doing this time of year?
This time last year I was on the road doing FOH for Lee Kernaghan’s Backroad Nation Tour in lots of rural towns around Australia. After that, I was getting ready for a busy last four months of the year with Suzi Quatro’s Australian Tour which I’ve done for the past 13 years as well as Choose Your Cruise’s Music Festivals at Sea (Cruisin’ Country, Rock the Boat and Bravo) which I’ve done for the past eight years and a few other one-off gigs in-between.
What’s a fairly normal day at the moment for you?
It’s definitely very low key but I’ve decided I’m taking well earned long service leave which I never thought I would do. I’ve been fortunate enough to be house sitting since March in a beautiful coastal town on the mid-north coast of NSW so been spending it gardening, watching people hit golf balls into trees and the water, spending time with my partner, trying to check in on at least one person a day in our industry family and of course a few Crownies. It’s been the perfect way to spend this unfortunate situation we find our industry in.
Are you learning anything to improve your skills set?
Earlier in lockdown, I completed some online training on RF and also Dante. I’m also looking into some WHS courses.
What bad habits have you slipped into?
Sleeping way too much but I do have 30 years of not sleeping much to catch up.
How are you coping financially?
Thanks to JobSeeker I’m getting by OK but also generous landlords are helping too.
When do you think live entertainment with return and in what format?
I think live entertainment for mass gatherings won’t return until 2021 at the earliest and even then it won’t be at full capacity. Until venues can have 75% capacity, it won’t even be viable. I’m excited to have my first gig booked in though for September – I just hope it goes ahead with restrictions in NSW constantly changing.
Do you have any words of encouragement?
We will be back and even more passionate about the industry we love. This time away from our road family has shown how much we all have each other’s backs and are there for one another. I’ve heard so many stories of people reaching out during this time that have lost touch over the years.
What makes you happy at the moment?
Spending quality time with my girl, seeing our road family reaching out and listening back to old records that I haven’t had time to listen to for years which remind me of why I do what do and love this industry.
