In this Newsletter…

• Busking my way to Sydney & Back
• I’m performing in PNG
• Youth Night @ Maleny Lane
• Up & Coming Festivals

Hi everyone, it has been a while since I sent out a newsletter, so thought I would let you all know what I have been up to and what I am about to get up to. 

BUSKING TO SYDNEY & BACK WITH NO MONEY

It was a good idea at the time.  If you have been following my socials, many of you will see that I recently completed a challenge where Dad and I drove all the way to Sydney and back with no money.  The challenge was that I would busk all the way down, and only use the money we made along the way.  It was to pay for food, accommodation and fuel.

Only problem was, I planned it before the fuel crisis, so we were not expecting to pay over $3.00 for a litre of fuel.  But we made it.  It took us 11 days all up.  I made just over $1200 but spent $1100 on Fuel, Food & Accommodation.  

It was the best fun, I got to play in some iconic places like ‘The Pub with no Beer’,  The Big Banana and I even played on a Ferry in Sydney Harbour as it went under the Bridge and past the Opera House.  I documented the whole trip, so if you want to see it in more detail you can read my Blog post, or find it on my socials. 

Playing on the Ferry on Sydney Harbour

I would really like to thank everyone who supported me along the way for this trip.  Whether it was by a donation or just some kind words, it meant the world to me to see so many people supportive of what I was doing. 

EPIC NEWS - I'M GOING TO PAPUA NEW GUINEA 

I wanted you guys to be the first to know about this.  

I have just been asked by my friend and mentor, Chris Cobb to join him on stage at the We Are One festival in Papua New Guinea. 

It is going to be on Mother’s Day and will be at the Sir Hubert Murray Stadium in PNG in front of thousands of people.

It is a charity event raising money for women’s cancer awareness.  There will be 18 of PNG’s incredible artists so I am so honoured to be aksed to join Chris for this special event.   I am so excited about this (and a little nervous) as it will be the biggest crowd I have ever played to. I will be documenting it, similar to the busking trip I just did to Sydney and back, so I can share this amazing journey with you. 

I also just want to thank Chris for being so supportive of my music, giving me this opportunity and for teaching me so much. 

YOUTH NIGHT @ MALENY LANE

One of my first ever gigs was at the youth night for the FrontUp Chalkboard @ Maleny Lane. I was 11 at the time and it was the first time I performed in public.  Everyone was so supportive and encouraging, which gave me the confidence I needed to start playing more often.  It is really what got me started in Music and something I will never forget. 

Yep,that's me when I was 11. 

So, I was honoured when Steve, the president of the Maleny Arts Co-Op asked me to organise another youth night at the Lane.  This time, I didn’t perform, but instead, I was able to get together seven amazing acts ranging in age from 3 years old to 18 years. 

Sonny Miles Aitken - Age 3

It was so good being able to just MC the event, and sit back and watch the amazing talent.  Some of the acts had never performed in public before, but they were all so amazing. 

The performers were
Sonny Miles Aitken 
@lukedunl  Luke Dunlop
The Cobb Family (Nellie, Latisha & Liam)
@xoxogracie_winterxoxo (Gracie Winter)
@barbalouismusic (Huey Bayldon)
@taylordeemusic2011  (Taylor Dee)
@jamayah.music (Senti & Ziana)

If you didn’t get to see them, please check them out as they are all amazing. 

The night was very successful and Steve has asked me to organise a few more for later in the year. 

If you are interested in performing at one of our youth nights, please let me know so I can include you.  You can send a message direct to my email:  henry@henrycatania.com

Up Coming Festivals

June & July are also Epic and are going to be so much fun.  

First up, in June I am heading off to Stars of Charlotte Plains.  It's a three-day Festival way out west on a cattle station in Western Queensland, near the town of Cunnamulla. 

There will be three days of live of music, camping, campfires and the best natural hot springs, in the outback.

I am so honoured to be included in this amazing line up which includes the winner of Australian Idol 2024 Dylan Wright who is playing with his band Sons of Atticus, and also Jarrod Wrigley the winner of Tamworth’s Star Maker 2026.   Also playing will be the Bo’ness Brothers, Sarah Catania, Beth Lucas, Jaydin Shingleton, Dennis Comino, Jamahl & The JC Band and Claire Russell. 

This is going to be the best experience; I can’t wait for this one and can’t wait to share some photos and stories from the trip.  Hopefully some of you can get out there for a great weekend. 

Then in July, I’m heading up to North Queensland to Cape Gloucester Resort (up near the Whitsundays) for the Paradise Country Festival.

This one’s going to be a big one, with a great line up including James Blundell, Travis Collins, Will Day, Brad Butcher, Luke Geiger, Tammy Moxon, Branded Men, Jacynta Lee, Kaitlyn Thomas, Joshua Vale… and me.  I feel so privileged to be include with all these amazing artists. 

It’s a country music festival right by the beach with three days of live music, good food, drinks and camping. It will be very family-friendly and a bit different to your usual festival.

If you are looking to get away for a winter break it will still be warm up there.  I would love to see some of you there. 

WHATS NEXT???

I do have a few other things up my sleeve, but I will leave that for another time. Thanks for reading, and thanks so much for all your support.