Gospel troubadour touring Mid West

Australian country rock gospel singer Steve Grace will tour the Mid West with a series of free performances from this weekend.

Heading to Geraldton, Dongara/Port Denison, Mullewa and Meekatharra, the humble musician who tours with his wife and three adult children said he hoped to bring people together.

Grace started life in remote Papua New Guinea as the child of missionaries and saw the work his parents were carrying out, and later moved to Australia.

“I was encouraged by my local (pub) to sing and perform, I decided to quit my job as a truckie in 1986 and then recorded my first cassette album,” he said.

“Since then I have recorded a total of 15 albums and I’m still travelling the country and it’s amazing. As a kid I was always writing songs.

“Mum was quite sick and that had a profound effect on the whole family. I sang mostly gospel songs — Mum was always a lady of faith and she encouraged me to pursue it so that set me up. Now we play to all religious denominations all around the world.”

Grace said his music career had been a journey of faith and discovery.

“We visit mostly regional areas, as there are plenty of people in the bush — I know growing up in remote Papua New Guinea that excitement of having a visitor was great and just knowing that someone has taken the effort to visit is awesome.

“We aim to bring joy and light to people’s lives.”

Sunday, October 18. 10am: Church service at Sun City Christian Centre, 14 Assen Street, Rangeway. 6pm: A night with Steve Grace, Sun City Christian Centre, 14 Assen Street, Rangeway.

Monday, October 19. 5pm: Mullewa Town Hall, corner of Jose and Maitland Streets.

Tuesday, October 20. 5pm: Port Denison Foreshore.

All performances are free, but donations may be made to offset tour costs.