Matt is using the Big Yin’s banjo to fight Parkinson’s
Matthew says he ‘teared up’ when Billy gave him his banjo. would talk for another three hours.
“At the after-show party on the final night of the tour, at the Sydney Opera House, he presented me with the banjo that had been his touring companion for 20 years.
“I teared up – it was like receiving a gold medal.
“Whenever anyone asks me what sort of guy Billy is, I tell them that story.”
That was in 1999 and each time Billy returned to Australia he’d catch up with Matthew.
“He became a mentor to me and would invite me backstage and ask about my mum,” Matthew continued.
“Billy was last here in 2013 and his health issues were evident. I could see his e n e rg y had changed, but he would still come out and talk to everyone.
“He hasn’t let his condition stop him, despite it not being easy. He’s shown real bravery.”
Matthew realised he could use Billy’s banjo to do a little to help people with Parkinson’s.
“I decided to use his banjo to record A Song For Billy. I played him one of the songs the last time I saw him and he asked me to send it to him when it was finished.”
Matthew is fundraising online to finance the album, which will raise money for Parkinson’s Australia.
And he hopes his project receives a boost when he comes to the Edinburgh Fringe for the first time next week, to show off his skills in Lord Of The Strings.
He added: “I can’t wait.”
Lord Of The Strings is at C scala, Aug 14-29, at 9.10pm.