Disc jockey Nigel Beck, also known as djnigeandcombi, was out in the streets of Warragul bringing some joy to shoppers day by playing songs, including passer-by requests.
The term “collateral damage” probably best describes the situation Warragul’s “music man” has found himself in since the outbreak of COVID-19.
Nigel Beck, perhaps better known as “djnigeandcombi”, has seen his business of providing music at social gatherings and public events dry up.
But it hasn’t stopped him trying to bring a bit of joy through music to others struggling through restrictions.
He has regularly parked his combi van equipped with a computer storing some 11,000 songs, a digital player and speakers, all powered by four small solar panels, in shopping areas in Warragul to lift the spirits of people rushing out to do a bit of essential shopping, especially during the periodic lockdowns.
Last Thursday, when there was some welcome spring sunshine, Mr Beck had his van in the public car park at the corner of Palmerston and Victoria Sts in Warragul, belting out some songs above the monotony of traffic noise.
Most of his free “gigs” during COVID have been on his own initiative but Thursday’s was in response to some appreciative local women banding together to sponsor him to play in public from his extensive collection.
As well as recognition of Mr Beck providing the entertainment for free over the past 18 months, they were also inspired by memories of the days when the music of ABBA gave them plenty of joy and the fact his business had hit a solid roadblock.
Weddings, that Mr Beck says are his “bread and butter,” have been one of the areas hardest hit by restrictions on the number of people able to attend functions but said he had received some financial support from governments.
His bookings diary for this year has plenty of cross-outs due to cancellations but he is keenly looking forward to the time when “the dance floors get back”.
Operating a business as a DJ may seem strange for someone that appears a little past teenage and younger adult days but Mr Beck said music had always been part of his life.
He started spinning records to entertain patrons at the Railway Hotel in Warragul in 1977 and became a full-time DJ, travelling with his combi van, in about 2016.
