GARY TUNES INTO STORYTELLING

I LOVE the profound witness that good poetry always offers, particularly when it ends up in a melody.

It is creation of the sweetest kind, the generous act of seeing and naming experiences we resonate with as a musical story.

Meet Gary Macnamara (pictured), avid freelance lyricist and photographer.

His passion to capture his love of the Gold Coast extends beyond the lens and he’s on the lookout for a local musician who might be keen to see more of his lyrics turn into songs.

“Despite how beautiful the Gold Coast is, I don’t think there are many people who have written songs about it … specific songs about local places that are relevant to us.

“As an enthusiastic photographer of 50 years, I fell in love with the GC and found it easy to capture beautiful scenes.

“I think it was the catalyst that inspired me to write lyrics for potential songs.

“I love playing with words, in a creative sense, to convey the strong connection I feel with the Gold Coast, especially Burleigh where I have many childhood memories.

“I’m a music historian and I love the James Taylors of the world, those storytellers who take us on a journey.

“My lyrics are very much like that.

“I’m not a musician myself. I like to collaborate with others, musicians who can relate to the storyteller in me, take my lyrics and d turn them into the perfect t songs.

“I have two songs on Youtube that I’m proud of.

“These songs were completed by Nashville musicians and I would like to do more.

“My dream? I’ve written some lyrics specifically about Burleigh that I would love to see in a song.

“I think reflecting on beautiful places and then telling a story through song is what gets me inspired.

“There’s nothing like being at the beach at 4am in the morning to take in the beauty of a sunrise. Using those moments as my inspiration is a real passion of mine.”

Follow @facesofthegoldcoast on Instagram for more stories.