Jimmy Barnes talks to Undercover about a week-long charity getaway in Thailand with Angry Anderson, Jon Stevens and more.
Jimmy Barnes, Angry Anderson, Jon Stevens, Swanee, Kevin Borich and other Oz rock legends will join forces in June for an extra-special week-long charity getaway in Thailand.
‘Bands Across The Water’ has been organised by charity group Hands Across The Water, set up by Peter Baines to help Thai children orphaned by the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami.
It’s sure to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, as fans can spend six nights in luxury accommodation, seeing Australia’s finest classic rockers every night, enjoying the famed hospitality of Thailand, all the while helping out kids in need.
Undercover spoke to Barnesy about this unique event, especially close to his heart because his wife, Jane, is from Thailand.
While his wife’s family were mostly unscathed, he remembers the devastation wreaked on the country.
“There aren’t many families that weren’t affected in Thailand, directly or indirectly,” he notes, “It was such a shock. We love Thailand, we love the Thai people, they’re such lovely, gentle people, so you can’t help but be moved by it. I spent time in Phuket and travelled around the area and when you see the devastation that went through there, it was incredible.”
“But the Thai people are incredibly resilient,” he insists. “Within months they were trying to get their lives back together, but unfortunately there were a hell of a lot of children that were orphaned, people who lost family. It’s a problem that will be ongoing for a generation.”
The Hands Across The Water website shows these brave kids, who have suffered great loss but are still positive, still smiling.
When Barnes was approached with the idea of doing a charity holiday and seeing it was Thailand “which is particularly close to my heart”, he says he just had to do it to help the kids.
“I’m so pleased for this initiative to come from Australia,” he says. “A lot of Australians travel there anyway, so for us all to be involved in it is a great thing.”
‘Bands Across The Water’ is a five-night extravaganza of Oz rock heroes, including Barnes, of course, as well as Angry Anderson, Jon Stevens, Swanee, Kevin Borich, plus Aussie country bands Simply Bushed and Luke O’Shea & Medicine Wheel, at the stunning four-star Mukdara Resort in Khao Lak, Thailand from June 7-13.
Barnes says, “People will be entertained every day and every night, there’s the beaches, incredible food. If I was looking to go to Thailand, it’s a great time to go; you get great Australian rock music at night and all the Thai culture and food and beaches during the day. It’s just terrific.”
It’s also an opportunity for Barnesy himself to catch up with old mates.
“Jon and Angry are particularly dear friends of mine,” he says, “I’ve been touring a lot with Jon Stevens recently; he’s a great guy and he cares – he’s actually trying to organise a benefit for Christchurch at the moment. He’s one of those people who puts his hand in the air.”
“There are a lot of great bands, and bands I’ve worked with over the years, all working together for it, which is terrific.”
To get involved in this exceptional event, check out the value package deals at the ‘Bands Across The Water’ homepage and, to paraphrase Molly, ‘Do yourself, and the orphans of Thailand, a favour’.
VIDEO: Also check out Jimmy Barnes going through his new album Rage And Ruin track-by-track below.
