THE SOUNDS OF GRAEME STEPHENSON

BIOGRAPHY

More Information

Graeme Stephenson is having fun being

'Just Me' and following his musical dream.

His interest in music began at an early age and after a short stint taking guitar lessons he began his musical career.

From the age of 15 he spent a number of years playing in bands and laughed as he related the names of the bands he's played in.

"The Vulcan Bombers was the first group ... 1 think someone saw an oldVulcanheater and came up with the name," Graeme said.

"From this 1 joined a band called Black Rose and my teenage band days ended as a member of Cold Sweat in 1992.

   "It was at then that Just Me started."

Graeme has performed around the Gulf and right across the Eyre Peninsula, and in Adelaide in the ensuing years.

He enjoys being a one- man band although doing everything can become a bit much at times.

   "It's hard keeping it all together some­

times," he said.

   "I'm my own manager, roadie, transport

and performer so it gets pretty hectic.

Graeme now plays more music than he ever did when he was a member of a band and makes a fair living from his passion.

"Music is not a full-time job for me but it's my main love and without it ... well 1 don't want to think about that," he said.

This versatile musician noticed a big change in the pub scene when pokies were introduced but he'd learnt a lot from other duos and was influenced by individual per­formers, which enabled him to adapt his style to encompass a wider audience.

"Whyalla audiences have always been appreciative and I've had the benefit of hav­ing a number of generations coming along to hear me play," he said.

With a wide repertoire that ranges over a number of classical styles from the 1950s to the 1990s Graeme's music appeals to most people.

Just Me is in great demand for weddings. "I guess I'm Whyalla's version of the

Wedding Singer," Graeme said with a laugh.

But on a serious note it's not such a joke as he's often booked for these gigs up to two years in advance.

He's a regular performer at the Watersedge where the customers can really enjoy their meals while being seduced with his soft bal­lads and romantic songs.

His hard rock side emerges every third week when Just Me performs at the Eyre Hotel.

Then, there's the regular gig at Tanderra Craft Market where another persona is revealed.

There are so many sides to this performer and that's why he's in demand on the football and soccer club circuit, which includes Christmas events, presentation nights and

f

the social clubs and school reunion gather­ings, where he mixes and matches his musi­cal talent to suit the mood.

"Some of the most enjoyable gigs I've done has been at parties such as twenty-first or engagement celebrations, and performing on Mystery Tours always proves to be great fun," Graeme said.

the guitar brings out the best in Graeme.

"When you are fortunate enough to do what you love and see people enjoying the music as much as you do it is a tremendous feeling," he said.

"The positive aspect for me is that when there is an interaction with the audience it feeds my style.

"This adds to the enjoyment and then there's a real communication between us."

Keep an eye on the Whyalla News enter­tainment pages for dates and venues where you can go along and listen to the fine musi­cian.