ROCKHAMPTON, The Pilbeam Theatre

Friday 26 July

Today we drove 9 hours from Townsville to Rockhampton for our show at the Pilbeam Theatre. Playing shows supporting Paul Kelly in regional spots like this is pretty far removed from the audiences I play to, and I love the challenge. Still there's nothing like wandering outside the venue before the show starts and feeling like I'm about to rap at a rodeo. Aussie Blokes with Aussie Guts under tucked-in show shirts, wader in alongside their wives dressed in Sunday Best. Immaculately attired old ladies carry handbags and smile warmly as they catch my confused glance like "don't worry kid, you'll be fine". Either that or "are you my grandson?"

At worst, the shows have received polite applause at the end of each song; at best, fairly raucous yelling and some heartening support from an open-minded audience. Paul lurks side of stage like Mr Miyagi, welcoming us as we finish. This guy is unreal, the amount of times we peel off stage and see him nod approvingly is an honour I can't process at the moment.

We fade out hard after the long drive and crash out. Jane has the original Jurassic Park - classic tour movie for a budget motel. It turn out to be one of the sequels and T-Rex is let loose on America. This movie needs more The Rock. I go to sleep.