A man with "humanity, grace and humour" who made an immeasurable contribution to Australian music and art — that is how musician and producer Glen Hannah is being remembered following his sudden death late last month.
Key points:
- There has been an outpouring of grief for the renowned musician and producer
- Mr Hannah was married to country music star Felicity Urquhart, they shared two daughters
- Australian country music stars have share tributes for Mr Hannah on social media
Mr Hannah's death sent shockwaves through Australia's tight-knit country music industry where he was well known as a quiet achiever behind the scenes, but who was enormously influential.
He worked with a plethora of industry greats including Lee Kernaghan, Kasey Chambers and The Wiggles.
Mr Hannah, who will be farewelled at a private funeral today, was married to country music star and host of Saturday Night Country on ABC Radio, Felicity Urquhart.
They have two daughters together, Tia and Ellie.
In a Facebook statement his wife described their profound loss, saying she was "broken beyond words" and that her husband had impacted the lives of many people in "the most incredible way".
Ms Urquhart forms one third of the country music group Bennett, Bowtell and Urquhart, and Mr Hannah produced the group's first album which won a Golden Guitar award.
Mr Hannah was a producer in high demand and was regarded for his patience, humour and willingness to go the extra mile to make a song sound truly great.
A man of many talents
Ms Urquhart's band mate Kevin Bennett said Mr Hannah was a "genius who made an art out of making others sound amazing".
"We lost a brother, a friend and the best human we know; Glen 'Goonga' Hannah," Mr Bennett said.
"As incredible as his musical talents were, it's his deep humanity, grace and humour that we'll remember most."
Recently, Mr Hannah produced his wife's first solo album in 10 years, Frozen Rabbit, which was well received by fans and industry alike.
He has also played in Shane Nicholson's band The General Waste.
But music was not Mr Hannah's only talent. He was also an artist and graphic designer.
He was a designer and co-producer at Country Update magazine, and his artworks featured on a plethora of high-profile album covers including Lee Kernaghan's 25th anniversary album.
Kernaghan posted to Facebook in tribute to Mr Hannah saying he was "simply the best" and that his contribution to music and art was "next level".
'Musicianship and integrity'
Members of Australia's country music community have rallied around Mr Hannah's family.
A donations appeal has been set up through Support Act, an organisation established to help working musicians.
Fellow Bennett, Bowtell and Urquhart band mate Lyn Bowtell said Mr Hannah's extraordinary gifts were "exceptional to behold".
"His brilliance in the music world shone through his entire being," she said, "and were not only manifested through his fingers as a guitarist and his creative eye to detail in design and photography.
"He was renowned for his fathomless music sensibility, understanding and patience as a producer, and his innate ability to foster musicianship and integrity amongst whomever had the fortune to be near him."
Friends remember
There has been an outpouring of grief on social media from across the Australian country music industry.
High-profile producer Matt Fell developed a close friendship with Mr Hannah over two decades after they met as university students and started jamming together.
"I miss my friend and I just don't know what to do without him," Mr Fell said.
"In my mind it feels like only yesterday, but it was over 25 years ago when we first met at SCU [Southern Cross University] in Lismore."
Mr Fell said the pair were "fresh-faced kids" from small-town Queensland with heads full of music and "not a great deal else".
"The older we got the closer we became and the more we played together," he said.
"So much so that without fully realising it we built ourselves an actual, serious body of work."
Musician of the Year
Despite producing and playing on innumerable Golden-Guitar-winning albums, Mr Hannah did not win one in his own right until 2017 when he was named Country Music Association of Australia (CMAA) Musician of the Year.
At the time he thanked his family for their support.
"I'd like to thank my wife, Felicity Urquhart, who allows me to indulge in music. That's understandable I guess," he said.
"I'd especially like to thank my mum and dad, Kay and Ken Hannah, who brought me up to be a musician — whether they meant to or not."
Mr Hannah was also an integral part of the awards ceremony, playing on stage in the official Golden Guitars band for many years.
Valued ABC staffer
Mr Hannah was also a highly valued ABC staffer, not only for his work with ABC Music but also as a producer on the iconic Saturday Night Country program on ABC Local Radio.
"There was barely an album that ABC Music released that wasn't touched by Glen — whether it be as a musician, producer, photographer or graphic designer," said the head of ABC Music and Events, Natalie Waller.
"Glen was a true talent and great guy. His loss has been felt across the whole ABC Music family and wider industry.
"Our hearts go out to Felicity, his family and friends."