Kate Gudinski: ‘Dad had such an impact in so many people’s lives’

The daughter of music industry titan Michael Gudinski will co-host a special concert, fulfilling a wish from her late father.

Kate Gudinski will co-host this Saturday’s Music From the Home Front concert — fulfilling a wish from her late father Michael Gudinski.

Music industry titan Gudinski passed away unexpectedly in March but was already working on staging this year’s event.

“He was so looking forward to being able to have a live concert at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl this year,” Kate Gudinski told News Corp.

“I know how proud it would make him to have me a part of it, just like he was when I co-hosted Sounds Better Together live from Mallacoota. We had talked a lot about it during the early planning stages.”

Last year’s virtual concert was seen by over a million people, spawned a No. 1 album and raised money for music industry charity Support Act.

Michael Gudinski with Kate Gudinski at Mallacoota in January 2021. Pic: Supplied

“He worked tirelessly on Music From the Home Front,” Gudinski said of her father. “It was something he was so incredibly passionate and proud of, something he put so much time, love and energy into.”

Gudinski said her family have been buoyed by the tidal wave of love and respect for the man known as MG.

“I always knew how well respected and loved he was, but the outpouring of kind messages, and donations for Support Act, flowers and cards we received was even more than I could have imagined. Dad had such an impact in so many people’s lives and careers – he had a very special way of making everyone feel important. I feel so incredibly proud to call him my father.”

Gudinski will co-host Music From The Home Front with David Campbell and Brooke Boney.

Delta Goodrem, Crowded House, Mark Seymour, Kate Ceberano, Morgan Evans and Augie March now join a line-up that includes Jimmy Barnes, Tina Arena, Amy Shark, Lime Cordiale, Vance Joy, The Rubens, Bliss N Eso with Kasey Chambers, Tash Sultana, You Am I and more.

Royal Melbourne Hospital Scrub Choir will sing at the Music From the Home Front concert at the Myer Music Bowl on Anzac Day eve. (L-R) Benjamin Sutu (back), Anita Ayling, Emma O’Brien, Nadia Millar (front), Olivia O’Brien, Jasper Castillo (front) and Ana Suto. Picture: Josie Hayden

Tickets for the event at Sidney Myer Music Bowl this Saturday, starting from $69, are available at musicfromthehomefront.com.

The concert will air on Channel 9 from 7.30pm or can be viewed live on You Tube.

Meanwhile the Royal Melbourne Hospital Scrub Choir, who became viral virtual sensations last year, will make their public debut at Music From the Home Front.

40 members of the choir, drawn from the hospital’s doctors, nurses, cleaners and admin staff, will perform We’re All In This Together with Ben Lee and Gordi.

Dr Emma O’Brien, Head of Music Therapy at The Royal Melbourne Hospital, took a core group from the choir to rehearsals at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl this week.

“It was just the lift we as health care workers need,” O’Brien said. ”

“Music From the Home Front is a celebration, it’s going to pay tribute to health care workers, musicians, Anzac heroes – everyone who got through last year. And we see it as a nod to all our colleagues overseas, we can get through this pandemic. And it’s all Michael Gudinski’s vision, it was incredible last year and he’s even able to do all this stuff when he’s not around, it’s extraordinary.”

Anita Ayling, Ana Suto, Benjamin Sutu, Emma O’Brien and Olivia O’Brien in front of Ben Lee. Picture: Josie Hayden

The choir posted several virtual videos last year, including their versions of Bruno Mars’ Count on Me and the Pretenders’ I’ll Stand By You.

“I think music is one of the best medicines you can have,” O’Brien said. “This is going to be our first time ever singing together live as a group. A lot of people in Scrub Choir have never even been on a stage before in their lives, and what an iconic stage to be on. It’s so beautiful to come together and sing together and connect with the whole music industry and celebrate and support each other.”

Profit from merchandise sold on the day will go to music industry charity Support Act.

Meanwhile Gudinski is resuming work on motherhood and family-based podcast Talking in Common.

“We are well on the way with planning and recording and are super excited about the direction we are heading in for Season 2. We have some interesting and unexpected guests lined up already, and Sophie Panton my co-host and I are really looking forward to sharing the new season with everyone soon.”

Originally published as Kate Gudinski: ‘Dad had such an impact in so many people’s lives’