By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
It’s the play list Adam Brand and his mates would have selected if they were taking a weekend road trip to their favourite fishing spot.
But instead the award-winning country music star and his new “supergroup” will be playing and singing their favourites on stages around the nation.
Adam Brand and the Outlaws is perhaps Australia’s first country music supergroup, even though the man himself says it’s just a group of mates.
“Or maybe you could call us a bunch of ragbags,” Brand joked to Geelong Indy.
The 12 times Golden Guitar winner and multi-ARIA award nominee will be joined by his outlaws Drew McAlister, Travis Collins, Matt Cornell and Mike Carr.
All five have played with each other “at some stage” but never with all of them together.
Song selection was easy: “It’s just our own road playlist, all of our favourite songs,” Brand says.
The big issue was getting everyone in the same place at the same time.
“We’re all great mates and we’ve been talking about this for 10 years, but everyone is always busy doing their own thing.
“About year ago I rang them all and said ‘we are going to do this’. It was so far out it gave everyone time to organise breaks from their own recording and touring.”
The unique proposal was one of the great attractions, Brand admitted.
“We are mates so we like doing things together, but this is a bit different and we are all keen to find out how it goes because it is so unique.
“Going on road for two months, you just don’t know what going to happen. We do know we want to promote a great party atmosphere and have a couple of hours of fun on stage.
“A break is as good as a holiday and who knows what could spark off with other ideas that helps our own careers.”
One thing is certain, there’s no lack of experience, with the outlaws between them boasting more than 10,000 gigs between them.
“We want to make the most of it, because who knows, it may take another 10 years to get it together again,” Brand laughed.
The outfit’s debut self-titled album is due for release in January to coincide with the Tamworth Country Music Festival and the start of their national tour.
Adam Brand and the Outlaws play the Gateway Hotel on 29 January. Tickets at moshtix.com.au or 5275 1091.
