A song motivated by a good mate struck paydirt for South Australia’s Danny Hooper two weeks ago. Danny arrived home in Clare, clutching a prestigious ASA Award after attending a gala night in Sydney on October 22.
With three songs in two categories, Danny took out the Spiritual Award, a third in the Top 5 and a Top 25 finalist in the Country Award. Close to his heart, all three songs have special meaning for the singer songwriter. Two of the finalist tracks appear on the Rod McCormack produced debut CD, The Legacy, which began as a tribute to his dad Kingsley, and became the symbol of the music legacy Hooper says he wants to pass onto his own children.
Kingsley Hooper was a 26 year old, self taught guitarist and singer when he performed on SA’s Cowboy Swing Show and sang on local radio. But, it was the rousing ‘You don’t need wings to fly’ written for, and inspired by his good friend Sam Bailey, that shone on the night.
Sam, a C6|C7 quadriplegic who defied the odds to become a farmer, pilot, inspirational speaker and best selling author, has now set a next goal to become the first quadriplegic in the world to fly a helicopter.
Danny and his wife Lea met Sam and his equally amazing wife Jenny while at a function in Melrose, South Australia two years ago, where Danny was singing and Sam and Jenny were speaking. All four attended the 29th ASA Songwriters Awards Presentation Concert where Danny performed the song, after taking out the Spiritual Category for 2009. The four of us clicked instantly and have become great friends over time. I stayed with Sam and Jenny on their farm in Croppa Creek NSW whilst on my way to Gympie for the Muster last year’ Danny said.
‘We got talking over a few beers and Sam asked me to write a song for his new project, 'Helifirst'.’ Well... I did, and the song that surfaced was ‘You don't need wings to fly’. ‘It’s now the theme caption of Sam's website. ‘
An established writer, Hooper has either gained first or finalist positions almost every year since 2004. Last year, ‘Just thought you'd like to know' won the 'Ballad' category. This year, in addition to the Spiritual Award, two songs from his debut CD were named Top 25 finalists, ‘Already Gone’ and high on the list at No 3 ‘She’s the One’.
His first radio single and following releases have had considerable airplay on radio and pay television in Australia. ‘Every Reason’ the first radio single, reached 36 on the Top 100 Hits chart and the Top 40 charts on CMC, and ‘Already Gone’ came in at 39 Top 100 Hits, with CMC regularly featuring his clip ‘Heartache’ in its Australian Only segment over the past few weeks.
For information on Sam Bailey & his Helifirst project:
The Australian Songwriting Contest is highly respected and extremely prestigious, offering more than $30,000 in
prizes. Special Awards also went to:
Kate Lush- Rudy Brandsma Award (for excellence in songwriting entered by an ASA Member)
Tony King – ASA/APRA 2009 Songwriter of the Year
Ross Wilson – 2009 Australian Songwriters Hall of Fame recipient
For radio interviews: Rhonda Sinclair | blurb creative solutions