BANG in the middle of a tour schedule of 16 dates in less than a month, Australian music legend Paul Kelly will perform in Tamworth on November 14.
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The audience will be treated to a full performance of his latest album, plus older favourites, when he plays at the entertainment centre.
Kelly said people could expect a show that was pretty long, fairly upbeat, fun, and with some “sweet and sour” mixed in.
The tour is on the heels of Kelly’s 23rd studio album release in his almost 40-year career, Life Is Fine.
His gigs in Tamworth have become a yearly treat, but he said it was his first time playing in the city’s biggest venue.
“We’ve put a really strong bill together with [supporting acts] Steve Earle, and the Middle Kids, so I think it’s going to make it a really good night,” he said.
“We’ll have the band that played on the record, plus Linda and Vika, and they’ll sing lots of harmonies and they’ll also take lead on a couple of tunes.
“I love them, I love their voices. They get a sound, that kind of sound that only siblings get when they sing together.
“Kind of sweet and sour – their voices are rich and warm, but they’ve also got this great ‘cut’ in them.”
Kelly said he “made the connection with Tamworth a long time ago, coming up for the country music festival”.
“I just like it, like visiting, like the country around it; good people, good town,” he said.
Speaking of the festival, when asked how a young person could succeed in today’s music industry, Kelly said: “I think it’s just perseverance, really.”
“There’s not really very many shortcuts. You’ve just got to keep at it; play wherever you can, whenever you can, and the more you do it, the better you get.
“I don’t think there’s any definite pathway, and I think there’s a fair amount of luck involved in anything you do.
“Sometimes you can not be playing long and you’ve got something that's unusual about you and you’re playing at a festival and someone notices it, or you’re playing on a TV show and someone notices it, and you get a helping hand.
“Everyone needs a helping hand and a little bit of luck along the way, and that can come in any form.
“The more you put yourself out there, the harder you work, the more luck falls your way.”