Born and raised
in the country town of Albany, Western Australia, the 2nd youngest son of
parents who migrated to Australia from Europe after WW2,
looking for a safe place to live, work and raise a family,
I attended Spencer Park Primary (1960-66) and Albany Senior High (1967-71),
then worked locally before leaving in May 1974 to serve as a missionary
for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
I married my lovely wife Steph, then a music teacher at ASHS, upon my return in 1976,
and in 1977, we moved to Perth where I commenced teacher training.
Together we have raised a family of 4 children.
Early Music Influences:
My love for good music was 'born' and nurtured at an early age, at home, listening to my
father playing the violin, and my mother singing songs like "You Are My Sunshine."
At primary school, I loved singing the folk songs learnt during weekly "Sing with Me" radio broadcasts,
singing duets ("Michael Row the Boat A Shore") in class with one of my best friends, Kelvin Trainor,
who had a wonderful ability to sing harmony, and participating in the school choir,
with Mrs West at the piano - I just loved the Spencer Park School Song!
I wrote my first song during 7th grade.
My father bought me a bright, shiny, red, 48-bass Settimio Soprani piano accordion at the age of 11,
and I received music lessons from Mr. George Madden, firstly at the ROAB hall in Middleton Beach Road
(where my older brother George also learnt guitar),
and later at his home in Bluff Street. I sometimes attended lessons with my neighbour, Peter Young,
who was learning guitar, sparking my interest in the guitar.
When we had visitors to our home, I was often called on by my father to get my accordion and play his favourite musical pieces
"Danube Waves" and "Russian Nights".
As a teenager I eagerly anticipated the local 6VA radio "Teen-Time" pop-music broadcasts,
and remember tapping my foot on the rattan floor at the Middleton Beach Cafe,
listening to the jukebox playing and singing along with popular songs at the time, like "Surfer Joe."
The folk, country, pop and rock artists of the 1960's were a significant influence,
including the Beach Boys, Beatles, BeeGees, Glen Campbell, Elvis,
Hank B Marvin, Marty Robbins, Seekers, Carpenters and John Denver.
I bought my first guitar, a Yamaha classical, on lay-by from Musgroves at the top of York Street,
and dreamed of becoming a pop star!
At Secondary Teacher's College, I studied music history, learned
to love classical music, had piano lessons with Jean Wilson,
voice lessons with Alice Muir, and sang in the College graduation choir.
Competitively,
I successfully competed in three male vocal singing categories in the Rockingham Music Eistedford,
and in 2003, attended the Country Music Festival and Awards in Tamworth, New South Wales with Steph.
In 2004, the lyrics of my original song "As Evenin' Falls" placed first in the
lyrics category of the December 2004 International Song of the Year music competition.
Steph, who is an accomplished music teacher, pianist and accompanist,
has also been a very big personal inspiration to me, as we have shared
and continue to share a great love and joy for good music in our home and in our lives!
Songwriting:
In the year 2000, memories and feelings about significant life events and past experiences
led me to write a number of songs which are shared on this web-site and are available for download for private, non-commercial use,
including some modern songs added in recent years.
Gospel Influence:
In 1972, I was led to make changes in my life's direction and began a search for truth which led to the
Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ and my appreciation of sacred and inspirational music.
Singing in Church choirs, and as a soloist in Cantatas and Church-sponsored musical productions
under conductors Myrna Martin and Diane Robinson, has been a great blessing.
I acknowledge the Lord's hand, His mercy and grace, in all aspects of my life.
I can be contacted at:
stanrogalski@gmail.com