DC Bellamy is a veteran of the US music scene who started out playing guitar for Betty Everett of the Shoop Shoop song fame.
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He is a half brother to R&B and soul legend Curtis Mayfield, but never got to play with him.
"It's a hard life on the road and when Curtis got home he spent time with his wife," the 66-year-old said.
"I did get to spend a lot of time at his house or back stage when he performed. I guess you could say I was his protégé."
Other luminaries he has shared the stage with include Bob Seger, Donny Hathaway and Percy Sledge.
"I died and went to heaven when I got the call to do a demo session with Bob Seger," Bellamy said.
"He's an awesome individual and I got to spend a great eight hours with him.
"It was the coup de gras of my life."
Bellamy grew up a sickly child and wasn't expected to have a long life.
"I couldn't do sports and my parents wanted me to do something. My mother wanted me to play guitar. I learned by ear and picked it up from listening to records. Then I learned how to read [music] later."
He was a guitar virtuoso at 16 when he teamed up with Everett.
"I was with her a year until I really turned into a fine musician.
"I was the only musician on tour with her, so I had to be good. It was a marvellous experience working with Betty."
It was Everett's husband who was instrumental in Bellamy eventually getting his own music recorded.
Music influences he sites are Elvis Presley and Mayfield.
"Elvis Presley was a huge influence. I was a kid when I became aware of him.
"I was lucky enough to go to his house not long before he passed and you could feel his presence."
Bellamy said he has no regrets in his life other than "not being able to do it all again".
"I love to come into the audience's life and bring them to mine.
"If I don't feel it, I don't do it. I've never tried to have hit records, I just want to convey what's in my heart and soul."
Last year Bellamy recorded Push Me Away with Australian touring band Stormcellar while they were on tour in the US.
The band will accompany him at his Panthers performance on Friday night at 8pm.
Tickets are $40 at the door or $35 pre-sale from Panthers reception.
