When music takes over body, mind and soul

One of the town’s leading businessmen is also a man with a passion for music that extends beyond just listening to his favourite artists.

For years now, Algene Timm has been organising all the acts that perform at the Ladysmith Show. This year he is going even further to also organise the sound and lighting.

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves…

Algene’s passion for music started when he was still at school and it has coursed through his veins ever since. More or less 12 to 15 years ago, he decided to start purchasing musical equipment and get involved in putting on live shows. Previously, he had just never seemed to find the time and suddenly it all fell into place.

His first equipment was used to raise funds by hosting many shows in the Town Hall over a period of between six and eight years, where local talent performed and the money went to the community. “When the bug bit me, that was it! It just seemed to grow on me more and more,” says Algene.

Then he progressed to start working on a national level with people like Kurt Darren, Dozi, Heinz Winckler, Bok van Blerk, Bobby van Jaarsveld, Mani Jackson, Ray Dylan, Nicholas Louw, Juanita du Plessis, Rickus Nel and Arno Jordaan, to name but a few. There’s a lot of competition out there, so purchasing the best equipment is the only way to be acknowledged as a leading business. Algene is always willing to rise to the challenge of being able to supply the equipment needed for national artists.

“With regards to the Ladysmith Show, not only am I providing the sound and lighting, but I sit as part of the Show Committee. I am heading the entertainment portfolio and, boy, do I have a splendid line-up of artists!” Algene organised all the acts in previous years.

“The music industry is so pleasing to me, even though to this day I have not received much material reward.” Due to the pleasure of it all, as time went on and he started dealing with bigger and bigger artists, the demand grew for better equipment and thus he had to make major capital investments to buy some of the best equipment in the world. He had to buy amplifiers, a drum kit and microphones to accommodate national performers, both solo artists and full bands.

His passion has grown to such an extent that a company called Newbass (Pty) Ltd has been brought on board by Algene and Tiaan Newman. Tiaan studied sound engineering at university and is quite capable of handling any size band. Algene is grateful to have an experienced and enthusiastic partner working side-by-side with him.

Algene hopes his business grows to the extent that he can do festivals like Oppiekoppie and Woodstock in South Africa.within the next five years.