Message of hope finds global audience

For gospel musician Dan Vogler, music is more than just a hobby — it’s a way for him to share his story and messages of hope to people around the world.

“Music is one of the most top-level communicators that we have,” he said.

“To be able to put a helping arm around someone’s shoulder and say ‘look, you’re not the only one and this is not your fault’.

“People need to hear that they’re not alone and it’s not the end of the world as we know it.”

The Queenslander has been playing music for 35 years, taking the time to visit rural communities around Australia.

As part of his west coast tour, Vogler will stop over in Geraldton and Dongara from October 9-16, hoping to offer a helping hand to those in need.

“There seems to be a level of hopelessness in rural areas,” he said. “There’s a very high rate of suicide or people contemplating suicide. It’s very tragic.”

Vogler came face to face with depression after a business venture put extra stress on him and his family.

“I came out of depression about four years ago and I can safely say it is real, very real — I’ve felt it. I never used to believe in it. I would think you’ve just got to get on with it, it’s all in your head,” he said.

“That’s part of what inspires me to get out there and put an arm around people and say ‘there is a God and he does care. This is not his doing; this is the way our world is’.”

Although the grandfather-of-six taught himself how to play the guitar — and admits he’s picked up bad habits because of this — his music has touched thousands around the world, including in the US.

After sending copies of his music to radio stations in California, Vogler was surprised to receive a letter 18 months later, saying three of his songs were the most requested tracks on radio.

“People actually rang up and said ‘can we hear this song?” he said. “That was a nice start to things in the US. It’s very special music, there’s no doubt about it.

“I’ve done a couple of tours there now but they’re not that regular, it’s a huge undertaking.”

When he was 16, Vogler had a strong desire to start recording gospel music, despite having no knowledge of how to play an instrument.

But the passion spurred him on, with the musician practising the guitar daily after working on a farm.

“The first time I heard myself on a recording, I thought ‘oh no, you’ve heard wrong. This is not what you need to be doing!’,” he said. “That’s when I really had to learn and do some hard work, just to simply get more refined.

“I didn’t find it hard to learn because I was so keen.”

With eight albums under his belt, Vogler will perform at Sun City Christian Centre in Geraldton and Dongara Christian Centre from October 9-16.