Rusty Red is getting to ready to rock the KZN Midlands

Three incredible KwaZulu-Natal musicians – Jason Hartman, Rob Warren and Rusty Red – are set to headline the inaugural Cool Oaks Acoustic Festival at The Oaks Hotel in the Byrne Valley, Richmond,on Friday, June 26 and Saturday, June 27.

Rusty Red, a Maritzburg College old boy, has for several years now been performing around the world in tribute shows ranging from Queen to The Eagles – but he still loves performing at home.

Asked how he came to be playing the legendary Brian May in the Queen show, he said: “It’s quite a long story actually – but the shorter version is that I had met and become friendly with Warren Vernon-Driscoll (our Freddie) when we were in high school.

“Even then I was obsessed with the music of Queen and Warren was aware of that.

“Years later when he got the gig to play Freddie in the show and the company was looking for a new guitarist, he gave them my number. It’s not who you know – it’s who knows you!”

He describes the chance to perform in the production as ‘quite the journey!’, adding: “I actually saw the show in 2008 when I had been playing the guitar for less than a year.

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“It blew me away and I dreamed of doing something like that from then on, so to be in that very same show has been a dream come true.

“We’ve played the show in six countries now and it has been completely life changing.”

Being in such a successful show means long periods travelling, which can be demanding, both mentally and physically.

Speaking about how he copes with the challenge, Rusty says: “I think when we do things in life that are outside of our comfort zones, a part of us we didn’t know was there wakes up and we adapt.

“It’s very much a game of people – it’s quite unnatural to see your colleagues every waking hour of every day, so you learn people and their habits and moods and learn to work around that.

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“We’re lucky to have a great relationship amongst the Queen team, which makes things easier. But I’ve definitely burnt out on the road a few times!

“Life on the road is not generally conducive to a good night’s sleep for instance, or rest in general.”

That said, life on the road has also made him love and appreciate being home with family and friends.

“It’s easy to become focused on the negatives in South Africa, but being away really cemented for me how wonderful our country really is,” Rusty says.

“It’s a special place despite its flaws and I haven’t been anywhere in the world that has made me want to leave and never come back home.”

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Mentored by The Hairy Legged Lentil Eaters and refined by stints with the Durban-based Black Lapels, Rusty is a blues guitar powerhouse and singer-songwriter.

He has made regular appearances atSplashy Fen, the Hilton Arts Festival, and the Durban International Blues Festival.

Rusty is open about his love and respect for the late Barry Meintjes, of the Hairy Legged Lentil Eaters, who was both a mentor and dear friend.

“I started playing guitar when I was 15 and moved to Maritzburg from Joburg when I was 16,” he says.

“I met Barry Meintjes in my first year in Maritzburg and we became fast friends, although in the beginning it was of course more of a mentorship dynamic.

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“He took me under his wing and brought me into the musical world in a way I couldn’t have experienced otherwise.

“So, I would say he and the Hairies, amongst others, were absolutely critical in those early years.”

Turning to the Cool Oaks Festival, which is supported by The Witness and Village Talk, Rusty says he can’t wait to perform with Skippy Kubheka on bass and Stu Hancocks on drums.

“Playing Queen for a living is the best job in the world (for me) but it can be restrictive in that every show is the same, or as close to the same as possible,” he added.

“So, getting to play at something like Cool Oaks as Rusty Red gives me the freedom to play what I want, how I want to and to be spontaneous with it.

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“Fans can expect energy, passion and lots of loud guitar solos with a bit of a laugh thrown in every now and then. We’ll be playing some of my original music as well as some blues/rock stuff and generally being too loud!

The festival is jampacked with talented musicians from the KZN Midlands. Asked what makes the area such fertile creative ground, Rusty believes the generally slower pace of life, when compared to the city, better serves creativity.

“I also think that because there isn’t a massive market here, people get into creative projects for the love of it rather than in an attempt to ‘make it’ or one up each other,” he says.

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“It’s more of a way of life than a means to an end which I think leads to a more rounded approach to the arts.

“It’s also harder to find inspiration in a concrete jungle. Also there’s lots of hippies here, you know? Hippies are creative people.”

As for why he personally loves about the Midlands, Rusty says: “I love that you can take a short drive in almost any direction and you’ll end up somewhere beautiful, quirky, charming or all three.

“People are welcoming in the midlands and there’s always something weird going on somewhere that someone will invite you to. It’s a special place.”

Rusty Red, Garth Warren and Jason Hartman will be supported over the two-day event by the likes of Three Daughters, Three Dads and a Son, The Chickpeas, The MMM Band, Painting So Severe, Blackbird Music, Grace and Tanya, Comedy Hour with Brian, Jes Bedingfield, Grace Botha and Stu Hancocks, Bowstring, Bruere Venter, and the Ilan Lax Band. 

There will also be an Open Mic for those wanting to test the musical performance waters.

The Cool Oaks Acoustic Festival, which is supported by Music in the Hills (MiTH), is family-friendly, with free camping.

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Happily (or sadly if you haven’t booked yet) the three-star hotel rooms at The Oaks Hotel are all sold out.

In addition to the music, which will be performed in a tent, visitors can enjoy MTB riding, hiking, putt-putt, and horse riding.

A weekend pass costs R500 and a Saturday pass R300 (under13s half price). Book via email at [email protected] or phone 082 554 1702.

Please note: no outside alcohol permitted – this is a fully licensed venue with food and drinks on sale. Campers may bring their own food etc.

So, whether you’re chasing great music, fresh Midlands air, or a laid-back escape – this is your weekend.

Want more information go to www.oaksatbyrne.co.za, www.charleswebstermusic.co.za or www.mith.co.za