S1. EP16 Tony Southwell

Click to read all about Southy’s book and purchase

This week Hooly is joined by Tony Southwell in a two part series for Episode 16. Tony Southwell is a live music producer, music festival talent agent, and former NASCAR driver who has recently turned 60. Find out more about Tony and his book, The Cruci-fiction of Southy here. After being expelled from two high schools in just two years he started an apprenticeship at a welder at just 15 years old. Welding remained his trade for the majority of his young adult life. 

He later worked on the Telstra Tower in Canberra, then later as a contractor on the new Parliament House, where he manufactured and installed every hand rail both internally and externally throughout the building. 

He has worked many and varied jobs throughout his life, including welder, fibreglass worker, manikin repairer, tow truck driver, NASCAR Driver and NASCAR/Stock Car Driver Coach/Instructor, aluminium smelter, fireworks wholesaler/retailer, party needs retailer (not drugs, actual party supplies, publican, bizarrely a dancing clown, as well as dressing up in a chicken suit to promote one of his NASCAR Sponsors (the similarity to the Burt Reynolds character Stroker Ace to the film of the same name can't be overlooked) He also obtained his commercial helicopter license in 2005.

These days he spends time with his family, doting over his granddaughters who he adores. Working producing and promoting live music festivals throughout Australia and New Zealand. 

He has lived in most states of Australia while always maintaining his family home and small farm in Bowning NSW. In 2017 he was diagnosed with the potentially life ending disease Sarcoidosis, which prompted he and his family to permanently relocating to a rural property they purchased on the Queensland Fraser Coast for the better climate. 

He has been married to his second wife Michelle for over 20 years, he has six children, two granddaughters, as well as three Blue Heeler dogs, Speck, Rocky, and Astrid. He still rides his Harley Davidson motorcycles, and still party's with friends the Mobshitters. He also still likes to get his arse in a Racecar every chance he gets. 

He describes himself as very happy much quieter most of the time. 

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