TRAGEDY struck country artist Casey Barnes’ family when late last year he unexpectedly lost his father-in-law Ted.
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But it was the strange, inspired events that followed that helped him create some of his best work yet.
Playing at the Iron Cowboy Professional Bull Riders show in Tamworth this weekend, Barnes said he’s excited to share his latest music with crowds.
“It’s sort of like the Nitro Circus of bull riding, they know how to put on a good show,” he said.
“Set Sail is my latest single and it’s not a song I’d perform at a PBR event because it’s one of the most personal songs that I’ve released and it touches on the topic of the loss of a loved one, going through that grief of losing someone you’re close to.”
A tough song to write, Set Sail came to be under unusual circumstances – while Barnes was recording his latest album producers asked him if he would write about the death of his father-in-law but he felt it was too raw.
At the funeral his father-in-law’s favourite song Desperado by Eagles was played, the next week when he came into the studio one of the guys he writes with sat at the piano and played the very same song.
“I just lost the plot,” Barnes said.
“In a way it was like Ted was giving the lyrics through me for the song and it was sort of like a message he wanted to pass on to my wife, my mother-in-law and the rest of the family to let them know he was okay.
“It was just one of those moments where I’ve never experienced anything like that songwriting but it was really special.
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“I think you always write your best stuff when it comes from the heart and it’s something you’ve experienced – whether it’s relationship stuff it always comes from a better place when it’s personal.”
When his latest album The Good Life came out it was the song Barnes had the most public feedback for.
His song The Way We Ride was picked up by the PBR as it toured around Australia, and now he’s playing at major theatres across the country.
Barnes will be back during country music festival for four shows on January 22, 23 and 25, with joint headline shows with Star Maker winner Rachael Fahim.
“There’s no festival like Tamworth, it’s the biggest in Australia for a reason and it has something for everybody – there’s all different artists,” Barnes said.
Madeline Link
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
