There are few things as Australian as an outback hat and country music.
Australian country is typified by one famous hat-wearing man – the one and only Lee Kernaghan. The 38-time Golden Guitar winner started in a time where country music wasn't the coolest kid in town, but he knew where he came from and what being Aussie meant to him."At the beginning of my career, country was definitely not cool," Kernaghan laughs, "but I knew where I came from and I wanted people to know that I was country and proud.
"So I went looking for the biggest black hat that I could find. That was the beginning of my connection with the great brand Akubra."
Kernaghan is only the second artist since Slim Dusty that Akubra has chosen to collaborate with for a special release of limited edition hats, of course, in Kernaghan's signature black, with an additional offering in white.
"It's such an iconic brand, it's over 100 years old," Lee states. "It's sewn its way into the very fabric of Australia, and I'm so proud to wear the hat. To be recognised with a signature hat is an absolute honour."
Always one to be busy about town, Kernaghan has announced a mammoth 40-date national tour. Alongside the news, Kernaghan recently teamed up with longtime collaborators The Wolfe Brothers for 'Country Is Coming to Town', a raucous celebration of life that mirrors their journey touring together.
"I spotted them on 'Australia's Got Talent', and they lit up my television screen," Kernaghan reflects on how he met the brothers. "I thought 'wow, these guys are awesome'. I organised a jam session and they flew up. The moment they started playing 'Hat Town' and 'Goondiwindi Moon', I thought nobody understands my music like The Wolfe Brothers do; and so began ten years on the road touring together.
"We've already recorded some pretty big hits, and when the boys called up and said would I like to guest on their new song, I was in boots and all. We've had the best time out on the road. We're all passionate about country music, and we've cranked it up at some incredible shows across Australia."
Hailing from a family of musicians, Kernaghan has led a story-filled life that deserves recounting. He wrote his autobiography 'Boy From The Bush' in 2016, which became a film project in 2022. Making the film was a walk down memory lane for the well-travelled raconteur.
"It was epic. We started filming out on the Diamantina around Old Cork Station, and we traced the path of my Pass The Hat Around Australia concerts. We revisited some legendary towns. It's part road trip, part doco, part concert. It brought back a lot of memories."
Being a 38-time Golden Guitar winner, you would think Lee would list off his own solos as some of his favourites. However, the humble guitar giant offers up two all time classics.
"One of my favourite solos is 'East Bound And Down' by Jerry Reed; and then another one was 'Ramblin' Fever' by Merle Haggard. That got stuck in my head and it's never left. It's ingrained into my DNA. When I'm making records, I don't want any old solo. You want signature solos that define the song as much as the rest of it."
Another great guitarist features as Kernaghan's dream collaborative partner. "I'd say Keith Urban. We were kicking around together back in the days before either of us had a record deal. I really respect him because he's reached the height in music and entertainment, but he's always remembered where he comes from.
"We caught up in Tamworth and it was amazing to reflect on old times together, like when he was busking in Tamworth in one of the arcades. People were just walking by. If only they could go back and realise that was Keith Urban."
Ever humble, Kernaghan reflects on what he wishes he knew about guitar playing when he began his stringed journey all those years ago. "A hell of a lot more than what I know now," he laughs.
"My first instrument is piano, and I've written songs like 'Spirit Of The Anzacs' and 'Goondiwindi Moon' on the piano. My dad gave me my first guitar lesson. He showed me three chords and that was it. Said, 'now go and figure it out', and I'm still trying to figure it out."
Lee Kernaghan 2025 Tour Dates
Fri 9 May - Civic Theatre (Newcastle)Sat 10 May - Club Forster (Forster)
Fri 23 May - C.ex Coffs (Coffs Harbour)
Sat 24 May - Glasshouse Theatre (Port Macquarie)
Sun 25 May - The Art House (Central Coast)
Thu 5 Jun - Brolga Theatre (Maryborough)
Fri 6 Jun - Great Western Hotel (Rockhampton)
Sat 7 Jun - Mackay Entertainment Centre
Thu 12 Jun - West Gippsland Arts Centre (Gippsland)
Fri 13 Jun - Ulumbarra Theatre (Bendigo)
Sat 14 Jun - Ballarat Civic Hall
Fri 20 Jun - The Palms @ Crown (Melbourne)
Sat 21 Jun - The Palms @ Crown (Melbourne)
Fri 18 Jul - Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre (South Coast)
Sat 19 Jul - Royal Theatre (Canberra)
Sun 20 Jul - Bathurst Entertainment Centre
Wed 10 Sep - Wagga Civic Theatre
Thu 11 Sep - Wagga Civic Theatre* sold out
Fri 12 Sep - Albury Entertainment Centre
Sat 13 Sep - Riverlinks Eastbank (Shepparton)
Fri 17 Oct - Mandurah Performing Arts Centre
Sat 18 Oct - Bunbury Entertainment Centre
Sun 19 Oct - Albany Entertainment Centre
Fri 24 Oct - Empire Theatre (Toowoomba)
Sat 25 Oct - Eatons Hill Hotel (Brisbane)
Fri 7 Nov - Anita's Theatre (Wollongong)
Sat 8 Nov - Sydney Coliseum Theatre
Thu 13 Nov - Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre (Mt Gambier)
Fri 14 Nov - Her Majesty’s Theatre (Adelaide)
Sat 15 Nov - Barossa Arts Centre (Barossa Valley)
Thu 20 Nov - Chaffey Theatre (Renmark)
Fri 21 Nov - Northern Festival Centre (Port Pirie)
Sat 22 Nov - Middleback Arts Centre (Whyalla)
Sun 23 Nov - Nautilus Arts Centre (Port Lincoln)
Sat 29 Nov - The Star Theatre (Gold Coast)
Sat 6 Dec - Forth Pub (Forth)
Sun 7 Dec - Longley International (Hobart)
