Kirsty Lee Akers flew back into Australia this week, following a stint in Canada, where she played at the Calgary Stampede.
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And she will soon be returning to land of Mounties and maple leaves for another gig - supporting US country star Luke Combs and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.
Akers said both her Calgary Stampede gig, and the upcoming support spot came from her first trip to Canada last year where she performed at Canada’s country music week, where she was spotted by the organisers of this year’s concerts.
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Playing at the Calgary Stampede was a great opportunity for the singer who grew up in the Hunter Valley.
“I got to play on the same stage as some of my idols, Sheryl Crowe played after I played, so that was really exciting,” Akers told Talkin’ Country this week.
When she returns to Canada at the end of the month, she heads to Camrose in Alberta where the Big Valley Jamboree is held, which is where she will support Luke Combs and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band on August 2.
By the time Akers leaves to return to Canada, she will have a new album to her name.
Her next release, Under My Skin, will be launched at Groundwater, the Gold Coast country music festival at the end of the month.
“They’re all songs I’ve written or co-written. I headed to Nashville after I was in Canada last year, and spent about a month there writing for this album.
“Most of the songs came from there, but some of the songs I wrote five years ago. There’s also a song we wrote the day before we went into the studio as well.”
The title track has already been released as the first single. Under My Skin is Akers fifth release, since she came to prominence in 2007, winning Toyota Star Maker, and released her debut album, Little Things.
“I’ve got a few album launch shows this weekend, one a hometown launch and one in Tasmania, and then I head to the Groundwater Country Music Festival to launch my album there next weekend.
“Then I’ll drive home, and literally fly straight back to Canada.”