Entertainment
7 November, 2025
Memories of top of hill
AUSTRALIAN singer-songwriter Rick Price will bring his 30th anniversary Tamborine Mountain tour to Cairns for a one-night-only performance at The Reef Hotel Casino.
The show on Sunday 9 November from 5.30 pm is described as “live, free and flying solo.”
Speaking to Cairns Local News, Mr Price reflected on revisiting the album three decades later, saying,
“I would have to say gratitude really comes up. I’ve got people at my shows singing along to the songs, and they know the words, and, you know, the songs have touched them and have had some meaning in their lives. So, I feel very grateful for that.”
Growing up near Tamborine Mountain had a lasting impact on his music.
“Tamborine Mountain was like a sort of Harry Potter world,” Mr Price said.
To me, when I was a kid, it seemed magical and mystical.
“And I think that as a child, that had quite an impact on me … playing at all the country barn dances around the area. I really did have a magical childhood in that way, from a musical perspective,” Mr Price said.
The album featured collaborations with Tina Arena and Tommy Emmanuel.
Mr Price said of the experiences that “pure talent and skill. Tina is such a unique singer… Tommy is sort of like a brother, you know, he is a bit of a brother from another mother.
“We came up in Sydney together and lived in studios, touring a lot together. He’s just a very, very … remarkable musician.”
Fan favourites like ‘River of Love’ and ‘Bridge Building Man’ continue to resonate, Mr Price said.
“The music is the first thing that grabs people… then once they’re sort of drawn into the music, they’re connecting with the lyrics… both those songs have a strong message… a sense of connection.”
For the Cairns show, Mr Price promises a lively, interactive experience.
“I am playing solo, but it’s a lot of fun and we really let it rip,” he said.
“I get the audience singing, you know, at full volume … performing songs from the Tamborine Mountain album, but also from a little bit of all my other albums as well … It’s quite a long show … very heavily into all the 90s hits as well.”
Mr Price said the connection with audiences continued to inspire him.
“There’s nothing like that connection that you strike up with an audience in a live setting… it goes beyond words… that’s why I write and record music, to create that connection with other humans,” he said.
The free, non-ticketed event will be held at BAR36 and the foyer space at The Reef Hotel Casino. Seating is limited, and standing room is available. Fans are encouraged to arrive early to secure a seat.
