In a celebration of 25 years in the industry, country music star Lee Kernaghan is touring Australia with his Boys from the Bush show.
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The famous country star made an unlikely start to his musical career.
“For me, growing up in the Riverina, it was kicking a footy around the paddock,” Mr Kernaghan said.
While that part of his childhood might be done and dusted, the musical road it set him on certainly isn’t.
He won the Toyota Star maker competition when he was 17, which he said set him on a path which was to lead to his musical success.
“But it wasn’t until 10 years later, with the Outback Club record, that I really broke through,” he said.
The album won "Best Country Album" at the ARIA Music Awards of 1993. It kept going strong in the successive years, reaching gold sales in January 1994, platinum in 1995 and double platinum in 2001.
“When I look back over the last quarter of a century, one album stands out above all others, The Spirit of the ANZACS. Every song is based on the story of a solider or sailor. It encapsulates 100 years of the ANZACS.
He’s been involved in Pass the Hat, which raised over $2 million for various fundraising initiatives in rural and regional Victoria.
“It assisted drought, flood and bushfire relief, as well as provided money for medical relief and air conditioning for country schools. Every single dollar raised in town, stayed in town.”
“There are some incredibly inspiring people who work behind the scenes and they’re the real heroes of this country. I got to see the spirit of Australia and the bush.”
He listed as a flight he caught from Sydney to Perth, on the way to Mandurah.
“I had the boarding pass. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I realised I was sitting next to the king, Slim Dusty.
He’s looking forward to bringing the tour to Ballarat, which will include a selection of his classics, as well as some new material from The 25th Anniversary album.
Special guests the Wolfe Brothers, who he lableled ‘dam good mates’ and sister Tanya Kernaghan will accompany him on November 15 at Her Majesty’s Theatre from 7:30pm.
For more information visit hermaj.com/events/lee-kernaghan-25-years.