THE Limestone Coast community will pull on its cowboy boots and hats later this year when iconic country musician Lee Kernaghan rolls into Mount Gambier.
Kicking off his Backroad Nation album tour in May, the legendary Australian music icon is currently mid-way through his 45-show extravaganza, which he claims is his biggest yet.
“A lot of shows are already selling out so it has proven a popular one,” Kernaghan said ahead of his September 19 performance at The Barn Palais.
“For me producing music is all about giving back to the people.
“You make the music and write the songs, but the best part is getting out there and performing.”
Mr Kernaghan said he had always tried to keep his music “homegrown.”
“I love writing songs about Australia, our people and our way of life,” he said.
“Some of my best-selling songs have us in their DNA and it is what makes me passionate about doing what I do.”
The chart-topping music icon has achieved a staggering 38 number one hit songs including Boys From The Bush, Hat Town, Flying With The King, Australian Boy, Texas QLD 4385, Goondiwindi Moon, High Country and a veritable ute load of Golden Guitars – 37 in total.
Mr Kernaghan said he started in the music industry through his dad’s “indoctrination”.
“He had an album called Slim Dusty – Live At Wagga Wagga and it was constantly playing on the turntable,” the iconic musician said.
“I guess you could say I was brainwashed into country when I was around four years old.
“I took up music, guitar and piano when I was around 10 and formed my first band.”
When leaving school, Mr Kernaghan said he had “little qualifications” for anything other than music.
“I never set out to do it as a career but it chose me,” he said.
“I think it is the feeling you get when you connect with people’s hearts, minds and emotions.
“Although, before I can connect with I need to make those connections with myself.”
Mr Kernaghan said writing songs can take weeks, months and even years.
“I just keep going until I feel the goosebumps come up my arms or the chill hits me in the neck,” he said.
“It is almost like an electrical connection when that happens and you feel it again on stage when people are relating and connecting to the music.”
Mr Kernaghan said there was something about Mount Gambier which always drew him back.
“The South East is just a legendary part of the country,” he said.
“I love immersing myself in it all and sometimes it can turn into a bit of a pub crawl.”
Country is “everywhere” according to Mr Kernaghan and it can be often heard on the radio.
“It is more accepted these days,” he said.
“People like Keith Urban, Morgan Evans and Luke Bryan are selling out stadiums across the United States and we are now starting to see it happen here.”
Mr Kernaghan’s album soared into the ARIA charts with its highest debut at number three sitting just behind artists Pink and Billie Eilish.
Mr Kernaghan said he would provide a “big nigh” for those attending his Mount Gambier show.
“You can expect all the hits, a spectacular light show, the big screens and the hottest band in the land, the Wolfe Brothers,” he said.
“2018 CMC female artist of the year Christie Lamb will also take the stage so in general in will be an awesome show I hope will stay with people a long time after.”
Mr Kernaghan thanked his loyal fans for their support and hoped the album brings “good vibrations” and a whole long of fun now and in the future.
Making its way to Mount Gambier on September 19, The Backroad Nation Tour will blow the roof off of The Barn Palais from 6.45pm.
Tickets are available from the oztix website.
