Support pours in for Mackay musician Josh Vine after alleged amplifier attack

A well loved street performer has been gifted two amplifiers after his last one was destroyed by a rival, he says. VIDEOS, DETAILS.

A well-loved busker who claims he was sabotaged by his competition with a bottle of water will keep the music going after a generous donation.

Mackay native and lifelong musician Josh Vine was a constant in the Mackay busking scene, performing at Parkside Plaza and in front of the Andergrove Coles.

One rival performer took exception to his performing with an amp and asked him, aggressively, to stop.

“I didn’t do what he said,” Josh said.

“It escalated to the point where he did something about it.”

Bystanders reported seeing the man pour water all over Josh’s amp, destroying it.

Yamaha has a shop dog named Luke, who's extremely friendly and well trained. Photo: Fergus Gregg

Tammy, a saleswoman at the Yamaha store on Chain St, took up a donation to get Josh’s amp replaced and put out a call for support from the community.

The community has answered.

“We’ve been taking donations all day,” Tammy said.

“A lady, who wishes to remain anonymous, gave $100.”

The collected donations amount to well over $200 as of writing and are going to Josh’s new Alto Professional Busker portable amp.

Chipping in, the Central Queensland Conservatorium have also offered to cover the remaining balance of Josh’s new amp so he can “continue his musical journey”.

Peter McKenzie a lecturer at the Conservatorium said, “we are happy to support local musicians.”

Troy Clacherty has also come to Josh's aid delivering a 2x12 Marshall Origin Cabinet so he can practice at home.

Minutes before Josh arrived at Yamaha to pick up his new amp, member of the community Troy Clacherty brought in his own donation, a 2x12 marshall origin cabinet amp, so that Josh has one for practicing at home and one for busking.

“I never knew there was such a good community in Mackay,” Josh said, overwhelmed.

“It’s incredible here.”

After performing a rendition of his original song, Overgrown, at Yamaha for its customers, Josh is hoping to secure some more gigs outside of busking having received a few messages from venues after the incident.

“This has almost given me a bit of a boost to do something better,” he said.

Josh is considering auditioning for Australian Idol or The Voice.

We wish him the best of luck.