THERE is no doubt that the name Lee Kernaghan is synonymous with country music and in true country form, the boy from the bush’s latest album is a chart topper.
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Kernaghan released The 25th Anniversary Album on March 24 and it marks a quarter of a century since the single Boys from the Bush shot the country legend to fame.
The album sees the country star joined in the studio by some of the biggest names in the game including Kasey Chambers, John Williamson, Troy Cassar-Daley, The McClymonts, James Blundell and even his own wife Robby who feature on tracks in the new release.
Kernaghan said he’s been grateful for the feedback he received; with the album tracking second to Ed Sheeran on the Australian music charts.
“That’s pretty cool, and it went straight to number one on the country charts,” Kernaghan said.
“It was just an absolute thrill to release these new songs and to have worked with these people; some who are sort of my idols and heroes in Australian country music and I had them join me on this record.”
It was just an absolute thrill to release these new songs and to have worked with these people.
- Lee Kernaghan
The album serves a trip down memory lane for Kernaghan, who has written stories about his life on the road.
“It’s really magnified the memories he said.”
One of those, he said, was in the early stages of his career in 1992 when Tamworth’s Lawrie Minson phoned him and offered him a spot on James Blundell’s show playing the piano in his band.
“It was about that time I was just about to release my first single, Boys from the Bush, and i had no idea how it would be received,” he said.
That single went on to be the rocket that launched Kernaghan’s career into country music stardom.
“It was an opportunity to look back on 25-years of touring Australia and write some songs about those special moments,” he said. “There’s a song called Yaraka Dust; about the most remote show I’ve ever played in Yaraka in Queensland.
“They had a population of about 30, but the crowd had grown to 50 and I thought the show was going to be a flop; but just before the sun went down I could see dust clouds in the distance, and all the people were coming in.
“That night, that little town had its first traffic jam and we raised $100,000 for bush medical (services).”
Kernaghan said special moments were also shared with Kasey Chambers and Troy Cassar-Daley and he was pleased he was able to work with them on such a special album.
“I just want to say a huge thanks to everyone for supporting the album,” he said.
“I hope it brings lots of happiness and good times.”
