Australian Country Music Artist Laurie Muggleton | Inspirational Musicians | Musicians with Disabilities

Laurie Muggleton

Location: Canberra, ACT

Challenge: Paraplegic

Laurie Muggleton was born 28th June in Canberra, in the Australian Capital Territory. Raised at Jugiong NSW until moving to Queanbeyan in 1957 for schooling.

Laurie grew up in Pittsworth, Queensland, where I enjoyed my teenage years working on grain and cattle stations and truck driving. I played under 18 rugby league football, and with a group of friends was developing an interest in music as a singer/guitarist/entertainer.

Laurie says "In February 1968 a motor vehicle accident left me a paraplegic and confined to a wheelchair permanently. During my hospitalisation and rehabilitation throughout the following twelve months, I spent much time practising vocals, rhythm guitar and creating a repertoire."

1969 saw Laurie home in Pittsworth working for O’Phee Engineering as a production-line welder, and continuing to develop his musician, singer, entertainer abilities via local parties, weddings and dances with his musician friends.

In 1975, with the invaluable encouragement and support of his family and friends, Laurie set out pursuing a career in entertainment as a singer/guitarist. With a repertoire predominately country and rock & roll, Laurie performed in a wide variety of venues, sometimes as a band member, but mostly as a solo artist.

Laurie says "Attempting to improve my entertainer abilities, enhance my career and enlarge my audience/following, I relocated from town and city, state and territory, on an Australian migration. 1985 found me based in New South Wales."

In 1989, Laurie recorded his first album "Heartwarming Sounds Of Country Music" at Sounds Like Sounds Studio in Dubbo. This album became the vehicle to help Laurie gain access to Australia’s mainstream Country Music scene via Tamworth’s Country Music Festival and it's 1990 and 1991 "Starmaker" competitions. Laurie says "Being accepted as a top 20 finalist in both years proved to be invaluable with promoting Laurie Muggleton, the entertainer and independent recording artist".

He adds "Such promotion lead to Max Thorburn inviting me to Mildura’s Country Music Festival in 1991, to which, as with Tamworth’s Country Music Festival, I returned annually as part of the entertainment line-ups to entertain our very appreciative Country Music audiences."

While throughout these years Laurie enjoyed regular entertainment venue performances, and a wide variety of Music Festival appearances, he says "the career achievement closest to my heart is my "Feast Of Country" package shows. I was privileged to share stages with so many talented, personable, musicians and entertainers."

From 2002 til 2013, Laurie had to put his music career on the back burner due to health issues. They have since been resolved, and his enthusiasm for Singing, Entertaining, and being part of Australia's Country Music Industry is once again foremost on Laurie's mind.

In September 2013, Laurie played Country Music Fan and visited the Mildura Country Music Festival. He says "This turned out to be a successful attempt to revive my desire toward venturing back into the career I'd enjoyed so much for thirty years."

Returning home with A Plan, Tamworth 2014 was Laurie's next port of call to fuel his self confidence, and begin to reinvent Laurie Muggleton the Entertainer.

He adds "Wow ............ I now know how a fish out of water feels ............"

March 2014 saw Laurie in Stuie French's "Swingin' Door Studio" recording his latest CD, Simply Living. With a collection of some of his favourite songs, composed by some very revered Australian Writers/Entertainers. Laurie adds "With access to some very talented Musicians, my project Simply Living has come to fruition."

2014 sees Laurie, with guitar and product in hand, in pursuit of festivals, venues and audiences to share his love of music with. Laurie says "To return to what I've missed dearly, and enjoy doing most ............ Entertaining ............"

Laurie Muggleton says he is once again A Work In Progress and looking forward to entertaining audiences again in the very near future.

Laurie Muggleton