Glen Albrecht mourned by Gympie music community

One of the driving forces behind the popular Kenmore Park Music Muster has been remembered as a “mate” and “wonderful friend” following his shock death at age 49.

Members of the world’s country music industry and the Gympie community say the death of Glen Albrecht following a battle with cancer has left the world without “a mate”.

The Australian country music scene has “lost a mate” this week with the sudden passing of Gympie music star Glen Albrecht who died Monday following a battle with cancer.

Mr Albrecht, one of the driving forces behind the popular Kenmore Park Muster event, was born in 1972 and became a fixture at Lower Wonga.

A self-taught guitarist, he joined his first band at age 13.

Mr Albrecht was a regular sight touring western Queensland following the death of his younger brother Russell; he and older brother Brett recorded a tribute album to their sibling in 1999.

In 2008, Mr Albrecht soared into the number 5 spot on the hot Country Charts on the back Bucking Hell, a song he co-wrote with a rodeo photographer in Gympie.

Artists he worked with included Tania Kernaghan, Johnny Chester, Cole Joye, Jimmy Little and was performed as a support artist for Slim Dusty.

Perhaps his biggest impact was through the popular Kenmore Park Music Muster hosted at his property about 20 minutes west of Gympie.

Glen Albrecht and Vanessa Sanger were influential in making Lower Wonga a tourism draw through the Kenmore Park Music Muster.

The event became a tourism staple of the region’s west, drawing large crowds and talented artists from across the country.

A statement sent to The Gympie Times Wednesday night by the Kenmore Park Music Muster said Mr Albrecht was able to hold “the audience captive with his renditions, charm and cheeky personality”.

“His passion for music started from a very young age where he and his brothers and sister would play music in the living room of the family home,” it said.

“Glen was a self taught Guitarist and he was the instrumental leader of the local band that played at local Balls, Clubs and Parties in and around the Gympie District.”

He was the “go to man for the Old Time Dances, he could sing them, play them and even dance them”.

“In the early days the band was also known for their Rock n Roll repertoire, covering the hits from Buddy Holly to Roy Orbison. Glen and his brothers were the band to follow.

“Glen had a deep passion for Country Music and his presence was strong in and around the Country Music circuit.

“His style of playing was his own and will never be replaced.

“Glen worked with the Webb Brothers at their Muster at Thornside and it was a privilege and an honour that Berard Webb opened the stage with Glen at his first Kenmore Park Music Muster on his private property in 2018.”

Glen Albrecht was described as “an amazing talent, humble, and honest” in a statement released by his Kenmore Park Music Muster group on Wednesday.

The Muster and the music it hosted were not the only important part of his life.

“In 2018 Glen met a wonderful lady whom he had invited to sing at the Murgon Music Muster.

“This lady stole his heart and she stole his.

“Glen Albrecht and Vanessa Sanger loved the Country Music scene and together they enjoyed creating concerts and Musters for others to enjoy on Glen‘s property at Kenmore Park.

“They complimented each other in music and life in general, hence the name ‘Mirror Image’ they were a reflection of each other.

“The passion that they had for their music was strengthened by the love that they had for each other.

“‘A True Love Story’ was cut way too short.

“Vanessa was Glen’s biggest and strongest supporter, he was a true honest gentleman and her world shattered the day that Glen passed away.

“He was an amazing talent, humble and honest. His fight was short, but he fought hard right until the end.”

“Rest in Peace beautiful soul, give Merle Haggard a run for his money, teach him a few licks or two on that guitar.

“You may be gone physically but you will never be forgotten. We all love you and you will be dearly missed.”

Gympie musician Graeme Jensen said country music had “lost a mate”.

(My wife, councillor) Dolly (Jensen) and I were both shocked and saddened when we learned of Glen’s sudden passing,” Mr Jensen said.

“He was a talented country music artist and gave so much of himself and his music back to the community.

Graeme Jensen, here with and Glen Albrecht, said the Lower Wonga artist was talented and gave much back to the community.

“He was loved by country music fans all over Australia.

“Our deepest condolences go to Vanessa and the Albrecht family.”

The owner of American-based guitar builder Lucky Dog Guitars, Anthony Sims, said he was happy to not only have made Mr Albrecht’s dream of owning one of the handcrafted instruments come true but “I made a wonderful friend in the meantime”.

“I can only hope I get to meet him on the other side face-to-face and shake his hand,” Mr Sims said.