Proud Father Moments

Building Something Bigger Than Music

There are moments in life as a parent where you quietly stand back, watch your children finding their path, and realise they are becoming something remarkable in their own right.

Lately, I’ve been feeling that deeply while working alongside my oldest son, Daniel, as he continues building Stampede Group.

Stampede is more than an event management and live music company. What I’m seeing evolve is a genuine community movement built around young people, creativity, opportunity, and belonging.

Daniel has always been passionate about music. He’s a talented musician, a capable sound engineer, and someone who genuinely understands the atmosphere and energy that live music creates. But beyond the technical side of things, he understands people. He understands young musicians trying to find their confidence, their sound, and their place in the world.

That matters.

Music Gives Young People A Tribe

One of the most rewarding things about being involved around these events is seeing young people light up when they realise they are being taken seriously.

For some kids, sport is their thing.

For others, it’s art, gaming, engineering, photography, or music.

Music gives many young people identity, connection, purpose, and expression. It becomes a healthy outlet for emotion, frustration, creativity, and ambition. It creates friendships and communities that often become lifelong support networks.

When local councils invest in youth music programs and live events, they’re not simply funding entertainment.

They’re helping create:

• Confidence

• Teamwork

• Leadership

• Technical skills

• Creative thinking

• Community connection

• Real-world responsibility

  
  

And perhaps most importantly, they’re helping young people feel seen.

Supporting The Next Generation

What has impressed me most is seeing the passionate adults behind these programs.

Council staff, youth workers, event organisers, volunteers, musicians, mentors, sound crews, and countless others all investing their time and energy into helping young people succeed.

These programs don’t happen by accident.

They happen because people care enough to create opportunities.

Daniel and the Stampede team are helping bring professional-level energy and support into these spaces. From live sound and production to event coordination and mentoring, they are helping create environments where young artists can step onto a stage and believe in themselves.

That first moment standing under stage lights in front of a crowd can change a young person forever.

More Than Events

As a father, there’s something deeply satisfying about seeing your child not only pursuing their passion, but building something that positively impacts others.

I’ve spent years teaching resilience, confidence, teamwork, and community through Everyday Bushcraft. Watching Daniel develop Stampede feels connected to many of those same values.

Different environment.

Different tools.

Same mission.

Helping people grow.

Live music scenes matter because they create culture. They create safe spaces for young people and their expression.

They give young people something constructive, exciting, and meaningful to belong to.

And in a world where many young people feel isolated, anxious, or disconnected, that matters more than ever.

Proud Father

I’m proud of Daniel.

• Proud of the risks he’s taking.

• Proud of the long hours.

• Proud of the professionalism he’s developing.

• Proud of the opportunities he’s helping create for other young people.

  
  

Most of all, I’m proud that he’s using his talents to build community, support creativity, and help keep live music alive for the next generation.

The future belongs to young people willing to create something real.

And I think Stampede is helping do exactly that.