WHEN Adam Harvey phoned me at the office for this interview, he said he was simply “waiting to pick my kids up from school”.
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It was a fitting start to a chat that centred on his new studio Family Life, and tour of the same name, which is almost a concept album about the titular subject.
Country music fans will be thrilled to learn that Adam will be performing songs from the album in Macksville next week.
It’s a collection of personal stories and observations that will resonate with widely. Some are heartfelt, others humorous, and they’re all delivered with Adam’s deep soulful life. They tell of his experience as a husband, a father and a son … of a man who is satisfied with his life.
“This album really came very naturally to me. It was also a lot of fun because I’m writing songs and singing about the things that I love the most … family,” Adam told the Guardian.
“I could have never imagined the love, pride, and sense of purpose that my family would give me. That’s where this album comes from.
“I’ve been blessed with the best job in the world and I never take it for granted, but being a good father to my son and daughter will always be my greatest achievement.”
Adam’s 20-year career is a result of “brainwashing” on his father’s part.
“I’ve always loved music,” he said. “Dad used to brainwash me as a kid, always playing the old vinyl records. He’d have country music playing day and night and I used to sit by his stereo and sing along. I got a guitar when I was 10 or 11.
“I feel it was then that I fell in love with the songs and stories. I used to cop a lot of flak at school for it too.
“I never dreamt I could do it for a living, but I’ve always loved music. My dad had a landscape gardening business for a while. That was the plan - to study horticulture, get into that and take it over.
“Then I was asked to tour with Gina Geoffreys, she was touring for a month at a time back then … and that’s when I fell in love with the touring lifestyle.”
From there, the people he worships, and those he’s performed with have fuelled his passion for the craft.
“I love the old school country musicians – Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Whalen Jennings,” Adam said. “I love that they were so crazy and out of control – real outlaws back then, living the song.
“Performing with the likes of Troy (Cassar-Daley), John Williamson, Casey Chambers, Guy Sebastian and other artists, and actually getting to meet these people makes you admire them even more.”
Although the pull of the “outlaw” country life is something Adam had once craved, he said the best part about performing country music now, is the familial feel to it.
“All singers and our followers are very loyal – you see the same people pop up again and again at gigs,” he said. “The music is influenced by our surroundings, for me it’s my family, kids, and people I meet.
“People come up to me at the end of a performance and will tell me a funny or sad story, or a joke ... they often find their way into my songs.
“The songs also become a kind of soundtrack to your life … they take you back to a major event, a sad time, or a happy place – they are really powerful.”
The tour will see Adam at the Macksville Ex-Services Club on April 10 as part of his Family Life Tour. Joining him is six-time Golden Guitar winner and two-time Independent Country Music Artist of the Year, Luke O’Shea.
Luke is revered for his powerful story-telling and enthralling live performances, and draws inspiration from the unique and everyday characters he meets.
At the 2015 Golden Guitar Awards in Tamworth, Luke won three Golden Guitars: Male Artist Of The Year, Heritage Song Of The Year and APRA Song Of The Year.
”I can’t wait to get out on the road and up to the coast,” Adam said. “And to have Luke as my guest at such an exciting time in his career makes it all the more special.
“I always think if people can come out and forget about their cares and dramas for a few hours – then we’re doing our job.
“It’s a great night out, good friends, great songs and a lot of laughs.”
But when Adam comes to the Valley next week, he’ll be packing more than just his guitar and music gear.
The famous country singer said he couldn’t come to “fishing headquarters” without his rod.