After two decades playing country music around Australia, Adam Brand thought he’d been everywhere.
But on his ‘Milestones’ 20-year anniversary tour he’s found there’s still a whole lot more to see of this big, brown land.
“Part of this ‘Milestones’ tour for me has been going off the beaten track or off my normal touring schedule grid and going to new places, new venues with managers and owners of country pubs, which have never had this kind of show before,” Adam says.
“You go to your regional centres but in-between them you drive through a dozen towns. So what I’ve tried to do is go to those towns, the towns you usually drive through to get to the gig.”
This October, Adam’s journey presents another new experience for the seasoned performer when he performs at the Mount Hunter Country Music Stampede to be held at K-Ranch Arena.
“This is a very interesting new festival and venue. If you see photos of it or if you’ve been there it’s a really cool set-up and I think it’s got the potential to be huge,” Adam says.
“Any festival when they start, it takes some time to get the momentum up and there are financial risks for the owners and promoters but the potential is huge and if they stick with it this could be one of our major festivals. It’s in an incredible area, heartland of country music down there, and a really unique and cool venue. All the aspects are there so hopefully it kicks off.”
For his performance at Mount Hunter Country Music Stampede, Adam says long-time fans and newcomers alike can expect all the lively, boot-stomping fun of any other of his shows. “I’m a cheeky bugger, on and off stage, so the show is a lot of fun,” he laughs.
“It’s not a sit there being all serious and contemplating the stars and universe; it’s unapologetic, it’s fun, it’s rocking. We’re there to have a rowdy good time, make people feel great, make them smile from ear to ear and ourselves to have a great time too; it’s all about coming along on a journey together.”
You could say that no other genre attracts more loyal and fiercely-dedicated fan bases than country and you’d get no argument from Adam, who commands a legion of passionate followers. “I’ve been very blessed and lucky; I’ve got a great bunch of supporters and affectionately they're called the Brand Wagon,” he says.
“They’ve carried us through thick-and-thin over the years and I certainly don’t take them for granted and wouldn’t know where my crew would be without the bunch that is behind me.
“Because a lot of the time we’re singing real stories that we have first-hand experience and knowledge in, and the stories that we sing are the stories of the people sitting in the audience. So in that way I guess they really do become emotionally invested in each other in a way. With country, they stay with the artist a lot longer.”
