Lee Kernaghan is returning to the “bush capital” as part of his latest national tour.
The 38-Golden Guitar Awards winner will perform at the Royal Theatre, National Convention Centre Canberra on Saturday 19 July.
Over his decades-long career, Kernaghan has achieved 40 number one songs, which is more chart hits in Australia than any other country music artist in the world.
In 2018, he received the CMC/ARIA Award for Highest Selling Australian Album for his release, The 25th Anniversary Album.
But the accolades don’t stop there. He received an OAM (Order of Australia Medal) in 2004, was named Australian of the Year in 2008 for his service to outback and regional communities, and is an inductee of both the Australian Country Music Roll of Renown and the CMC Hall of Fame.
He is also a long-time passionate supporter of rural and regional Australia, having raised millions of dollars for drought, flood and bushfire relief, hospitals, schools, ambulance services and volunteer organisations nation-wide.
Tickets for the Canberra show can be purchased here: nccc.com.au/upcoming-events/lee-kernaghan-boys-from-the-bush-2
What is special about this tour?
Well, it’s a big one! We’ve got shows happening right across Australia, and in a lot of ways, it’s the culmination of three decades of music making. It’s a high-octane show, but at its heart are the songs that have become the soundtrack to a lot of people’s lives.
You’ve had such a long and successful career, what keeps you motivated to keep on going?
Country music is 100 per cent in my DNA. I love singing and writing songs about us — our people and way of life. That’s what drives me, and on top of that, I reckon country is the best music in the world.
What do you love the most about visiting and playing in Australia’s ‘bush capital’, Canberra?
Well, there’s always a huge country contingent and they definitely come to party. The car park at Canberra Theatre often looks a lot like the Deni Ute Muster — the atmosphere is always awesome — I love it!
Why was Canberra added to this run of shows?
It wouldn’t be a true national tour without a concert in the nation’s capital. Plus, a visit to the Australian War Memorial is something I always do whenever I’m in town. It was there, a little over 10 years ago, that the song Spirit of the Anzacs was born.
This tour is all about the fans. What would you like to say to them for their support throughout your career?
To me they’re more than fans, they’re family and I just want to say thanks to all my damn good mates for the legendary support and inspiration you’ve given me over the years.
What do you plan to do to relax following this massive tour?
I love loading up the 79 series LandCruiser Ute and heading bush. Maybe crack open a can or two around the campfire — it doesn’t get much better.
What are your thoughts on the popularity of country music in the current music landscape, both in Australia and overseas?
It’s amazing to see how popular it’s become. The genre has always been massive in the USA, but now it’s truly taken off here at home.
I remember being the only child in high school who wore R.M. Williams boots and listened to country music.
Things are different these days, country artists are all over the radio and filling up arenas — it’s like the whole world’s gone country!
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