PERFORM sell-out shows in New York, get your musical onto broadway and help an upcoming district thrive in the arts - it’s not a standard bucket list.
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Yet for Brien McVernon, it’s a dream he’s determined to see through.
The 52-year-old Newcastle musician has decided to pack his bags and relocate in the United States to pursue a writing career.
While he has made himself known in Australian music circles the north american continent is a much bigger target and it has taken McVernon the best part of four years to set up the dream trip.
‘‘I’ve been back and forth about three or four times a year,’’ he said.
‘‘It’s all about getting to know and meet people in the industry.
‘‘I haven’t been payed for any of the work in the past four years so now I’m looking forward to doing it on a professional level.’’
McVernon has been supporting his semi-nomadic lifestyle by teaching music Monday to Friday at Callaghan College Jesmond and playing gigs Friday to Sunday.
Coupled with his frequent trips across the Pacific and it’s a wonder he hasn’t burnt-out.
‘‘There’d be times where I’d do 10 weeks solid without a day off,’’ he said.
But it’s something he’s become more passionate and more certain about each day.
‘‘I’ve been writing a lot of diverse music and I saw an opportunity over there to work more as a writer rather than a performer,’’ he said.
‘‘But you have to be there to achieve what I really want to do as a writer, I can’t keep coming back and forth.
‘‘I’ve always been incredibly ambitious but it was still the hardest decision I’ve had to make.’’
The support of his three children, Phoenix, 18, Saylor, 17, and Vienna, 13, has helped him go through with the choice.
He now plans to try and develop a musical he’s written in a district of New Jersey called Rahway.
‘‘I met the mayor of Rahway and got on great with him,’’ McVernon said.
‘‘The people I’ve met want to increase the economy of the town by turning it into an arts district.
‘‘I’m going there to work and help them develop this arts district. It’s really exciting.’’
Before he leaves Australia McVernon will launch his latest album, Days of Sun and Moon, at Murray’s Brewery in Bobs Farm on Saturday January 18.
‘‘I’m really excited, it’s a gorgeous and perfect setting,’’ he said.
‘‘It’s a real story-telling record because I’ve been living this existence between here and America. Everyday has been day and night.’’
