Super Gramps’ magic harmonica
“Music is a spice of life. Being able to play for people gives me a lot of enjoyment.”
Harmonica in hand, Terry Buchanan takes to The Market at Ballito Lifestyle Centre on most senior citizen Tuesdays to make music with a purpose.
In front of him lies a hat with a sign that the donations go to The North Coast Courier Orphan Fund, and they do. Every cent.
“We have been fortunate enough to be given the opportunity by Bruce Rencken to play at The Market, for which I am very grateful. When I realised that people give tips while you play, I spoke to my wife Viv and told her I would like to donate my tips to The North Coast Courier Orphan Fund.
“We don’t live on a big pension, but I just wanted to give a little something back to the children,” said Buchanan, who has been living in Ballito for 35 years.
The former advertising manager for Spar KZN has played music all his life and used to be the drummer of the Bill Russell Combo – a trio who played dance music at the likes of the Oyster Box back in the day.
“Music is a spice of life. Being able to play for people gives me a lot of enjoyment.”
Clearly he is not the only one enjoying the music, as he has made R2559,90 in donations over the last ten, two-hour stints at the Market.
“I just want to thank the public for their support and donations. I watch people as they come by and it is always interesting to see who stops at my hat. When you see an old lady who looks to have nothing dip into her purse to scratch out R1, it really moves you to tears.”
When Buchanan is not spreading joy with his harmonica, he is an active grandpa of four grandchildren and morphs into the annual Santa Claus at the Ballito Lifestyle Centre.
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