Port Macquarie's Rob Smith and his musician and school teacher son Dylan have launched a song that they hope celebrates and captures the spirit of Australia's heritage.
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The duo, who call themselves the Falconeers, spent the last 12 months perfecting lyrics and performing and producing the song, which centres on family friend and Inverell legend Ray Mepham.
Called Big Water, the song acknowledges the life of the 88-year-old, particularly as a river watcher for Inverell. The song, background and the process to eventually releasing the song are included on a YouTube channel.
The genesis for the song was a camping trip, said Mr Smith.
"We were out camping one weekend and thought it would be a good idea to write songs together," he said.
"Our family loves the country lifestyle and Ray is a farming friend of ours who I'd describe as the salt of the earth.
"Ray is famous in his own right as the first private individual to breed Murray Cod in captivity after the pioneering work of the eminent NSW Fisheries biologist, John Lake," Mr Smith said.
"Ray still runs his sheep property and fish hatchery at Elsmore, near Inverell."
Mr Smith and Ray met through the Inverell Fishing Club and the pair became family friends.
The song's focus is on Ray's community service as a river watcher, particularly for the 1955 flood.
Ray's property is some 20 kilometres above Inverell in gorge country where the McIntyre River starts.
"For many years Ray would check the river levels and ring that information through to Inverell," Mr Smith said.
For many years Ray would check the river levels and ring that information through to Inverell.
- Rob Smith
The songwriting father and son team starting writing the song in July 2018 and it was launched on Inverell Community Radio just 12 months later.
Despite this being his first attempt at songwriting, Mr Smith said the lyrics came pretty easily.
"I've always held an interest in the crafted word and love well-written and meaningful prose," he said.
"You just need to plant a few words to give people's imagination the chance to explore.
"We didn't try to capture all of Ray's 88 years and decided to focus on this particular side of his life."
Mr Smith described the process of songwriting, performing and recording as a DIY project.
He said the song was recorded at home, while Dylan played acoustic, base and electric lead guitar, as well as programming the drums.
The duo sang much of the son while another son, Matt and grandson Levi also appear at the start of the finished product.
"Actually every member of the family is in the video while Ray's grandson Daniel plays the rabbit trapper," he said.
I just think it's important to hear a song that celebrates the uniqueness of our Australian heritage.
- Rob Smith
"It was wonderful to have so much family connection with the effort.
"I just think it's important to hear a song that celebrates the uniqueness of our Australian heritage."
Mr Smith said he would like to nominate the song and video in the Tamworth Country Music Awards.
Big Water also includes a tribute to Ray's son Kevin who passed away in a tragic farming accident in 2015.
Mr Smith also praised Port Macquarie Library's recording space in the Imaginarium.
The Falconeers' next project is likely to be about the health of the Murray Darling.
Mr Smith is well known in photography circles for his outstanding photographs.
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