Gerry Smith’s dream has always been to perform his music on stage.
He was brought up on the classics: the Beatles, Sinatra, early jazz. His father was into instrumentals, so a young Gerry grew up with varied tastes. He attended gigs at venues across Melbourne.
But he never thought he would make it.
Smith has cerebral palsy. But with persistence, he’s now performing on stages across Victoria alongside a team of acclaimed musicians including Eric McCusker, Jake Mason, Tim Wild and Jessica Paige as Gerry’s Well-Oiled Machine.
Getting his start in busking, Smith’s life changed when he received a Music Victoria grant from the State government in 2021. The original purpose of the grant was to bring people in the disabled community, in care homes and facilities, together through music. But with the COVID pandemic raging the money was instead put towards helping the Well-Oiled Machine to record songs for their debut album.
That album has now been released, and the band is now on the road celebrating its release and bringing their music to the masses.
Collaboration and resilience
Smith works collaboratively with others to put words to melodies, creating songs drawing on his influences, including Eva Cassidy and Nightbirde.
These artists inspired him to get to the point he is at now, recording and touring his music.
Over his career Smith has encountered challenges, including inaccessible stages. He and his support worker bought some ramps to make it easier for Smith to get on stage on his wheelchair, and he said they work well. But in other cases, he has had to be carried up in his wheelchair. He said he has even missed out on seeing some gigs because the venues had too many stairs.
“There are even some places where I simply can’t get in because the steps are too high or the lift doesn’t work,” he explained.
He believes a greater awareness of disability more broadly would help make the music industry more accessible.
“It gets back to educating those who haven’t got a disabled brother, disabled son, disabled cousin. That’s why I do a lot of busking, because it gets me out there, people see me… in a wheelchair, and they say ‘oh my gosh!’” he laughed.
But he said he’s part of a community of people – including the Paralympians – with “resilience and spirit” who show what can be achieved. Despite moments of self-doubt, Smith said he has been able to power through.
“I’m just trying to do my bit for people that reckon they can sing!” he joked.
“I keep on trying to break down the barriers, I guess.”
With more tour dates on the horizon, Smith said he’s excited to meet more people and hear their stories.
“Meeting people and just having a good time in general and being up on stage with some o the best songwriters and musicians in the world – it’s getting together and having fun and making sure you enjoy every moment of life because it’s too short,” he said.
And with more albums in the pipeline, Smith said there’s plenty on the horizon to look forward to beyond the tour.
For tour dates or to book tickets go online, or follow Gerry’s Well-Oiled Machine on Facebook.