By MICHELLE HERBISON
AUSTRALIAN country music idol Lee Kernaghan’s Geelong gigs draw the “finest array” of utes and 4WDs to venues’ car parks.
“I think Geelong would absolutely give Deni (Deniliquin) a run for its money as the ute capital of the world,” the 49-year-old declared with admiration.
Kernaghan said his latest album, Beautiful Noise, featured cranking new anthem Ute Me, written as “a tribute to everyone who loves the outdoors lifestyle and basically everything to do with utes”.
Kernaghan revealed he would give away Ute Me tank tops at his gig in Geelong’s Costa Hall on 25 May.
“It’ll be pretty well like a giant country crowd party and everyone’s invited.”
Kernaghan explained that Beautiful Noise was a reflection of another chapter in his life story.
Since the release of his breakthrough single, Boys From the Bush, in 1992, the twice-named Country Music Hit Maker of the Decade has sold two million records, produced 33 number-one singles and racked up 28 Golden Guitar awards.
“I haven’t written a book about my life but it’s probably already there in my songs over the last 20 years,” he mused.
Kernaghan’s storytelling celebrates real life experiences like the experience of a drought-stricken Horsham farmer who approached him after a gig with tears in his eyes and a “fighting spirit” to “never give up”.
Flying with the King was a tribute to Slim Dusty, while Peace Love and Country celebrated Kernaghan’s “shack up in the hills” on the Queensland-New South Wales border, he said.
He said he was proud to celebrate Australian culture, writing songs that inspired passion about his home.
“My heart is here in Australia. I’m keen to see elements of our culture retained, nurtured and celebrated in the music we make here.”
Kernaghan has invited upcoming band The Wolfe Brothers to support his Australian tour after seeing their “unbelievable” performance on Australia’s Got Talent.
A recently-released collaboration of Kernaghan and The Wolfe Brothers of the Slim Dusty classic Lights on the Hill was proving popular with crowds, he said.
“They’re dangerous to tour with – they’re the only band I know that make their own moonshine,” Kernaghan laughed.
