WHEN he’s not playing guitar with community groups like St Pat’s Starlight Hotel Choir, Fremantle’s Dave Johnson is onstage with top acts across WA.

Johnson has been busy over the past few months playing gigs with Lois Olney including the Denmark Festival of Voice, and they will play Clancy’s Fish Pub in Fremantle on Friday (August 13).

“She’s got such an amazing, beautiful voice and it’s a joy to play in her band, “ he says.

During his three decades as a professional musician, Johnson has become known as a big-hearted muso involved in umpteen community projects like the Gimme Shelter benefit concert for the homeless, and the Starlight Hotel Choir, made up from homeless and disadvantaged people at St Pat’s shelter in Fremantle.

Recently Johnson has been teaching guitar at Banksia Hill Detention Centre.

“Music really is a great tool to engage with these kids and get them back on track,” he says.

“It’s the brainchild of the Australian Children’s Music Foundation, who place teachers in these centres. It’s a superb initiative.”

On the same bill as Lois Olney at Clancy’s is Neil Murray, a founding member of the pioneering Warumpi Band, who thrust contemporary indigenous music into the mainstream with classics like My Island Home. Tix at tickets. oztix.com.au

by STEPHEN POLLOCK