Alan Cleveland Davies was born in the heart of Sydney into a poor family. The family moved around until finally settling in Seven Hills, a suburb west of Sydney, which was predominately filled with housing commission houses. Al's childhood was marked by challenges and hardships. His mother, a devout Christian, provided a stable presence in his life while his father was an alcoholic. Al and his siblings grew up quickly, understanding the value of money and hard work from an early age.
At the age of fifteen, Al was sent to work in the bustling city of Sydney as a message boy for a diamond traders jewellery company. His sister was also sent to work, and together, they contributed to the family’s meagre income, holding the family of six together during trying times. Though he loved his mother and had a close bond with his siblings, witnessing his mother’s struggles left a profound impact on him. This experience instilled in him strong work ethics that have remained with him throughout his life.
Music was not a prominent aspect of Al’s early life.
“We didn’t really have music in the home, but Mum played the piano at the church. She was the organist and loved playing that instrument. I was more into sports and other pursuits.
“Mum wanted her kids to learn music, so I took up the guitar by saving my pennies and bought three weeks of lessons, but then, just kept going”.
He then purchased his first guitar and still has it to this day.
Al later found his passion for music through his best friend, who played the guitar and the drums. This sparked Al’s curiosity, and he took up the guitar, eventually forming a band with his friend.
At the age of eighteen, to his mum’s dismay, Al moved out of his mother's place to start his own life. At times Al and his friends resorted to busking to put food on the table. At this time, he had also scored an apprenticeship as a watchmaker and a diamond setter in Sydney, so put his guitar away and concentrated on his studies.
The guitar came out later with his Sydney band, Interface, which enjoyed some success.
Al held various jobs, including working as a clerk in an engineering company. In 2006, Al and his wife, Lorna, decided to settle in Hervey Bay, where Al worked at Seabird Aviation for eight years before eventually retiring.
Not long after moving here, Al went to an acoustic club night at the Z-Pac Theatre and played his guitar on stage. Little did he know that one of the locals present that night was Trevor Franklin, a well-known figure in the area. Impressed with Al’s talent, Trevor offered him a gig at the old Irish Fiddler, and the rest is history.
Al appreciated the unique sound and resonance of the Cordoba guitar. After studying classical and Spanish guitar for several years and attending a workshop at the Brolga run by Andrew Veivers, he took up the instrument.
Al and Lorna have been together for thirty-five years, he attributes the success of their relationship to honesty and an alignment in their future plans. Al’s childhood experiences also influenced his desire for financial security, and he worked very hard to achieve this.
Over the years, Al has been involved in local charities, including supporting Community Flights as one of the sponsors. Interestingly, Al has a notable familial connection, being related to the legendary Sir Donald Bradman, as they are fourth cousins.
After seventeen years of calling Hervey Bay home, Al and Lorna continue to enjoy the relaxed lifestyle of Hervey Bay. Despite the challenges of his early life, Al has found fulfilment in both his professional and musical pursuits.
By Kim Parnell
From What’s On Fraser Coast