James Blundell revives '90s smash hit for festival

AN AFFINITY with music, a love of the land, a passion for road trips "way out west” and a down-to-earth persona pitched right at the heart of Australia, are all hallmarks of James Blundell's immense success and vast appeal.

Celebrating 30 years in music, Stanthorpe-born Blundell is set to re-record his hit single - Way Out West - at Winton's Way Out West Fest from April 19-22.

The festival will also be reopening the Waltzing Matilda Centre and is expected to attract around 6000 people.

The festival dates come among Blundell's Morning Melodies tour with his 20-year-old son as the duo travel and play around a host of Queensland towns.

Multi-award-winning, chart-topping, country charming Blundell- who when he's not touring manages his family-owned property in Stanthorpe - says he loves the Granite Belt and "very pretty” town of Stanthorpe.

"Stanthorpe has always had a lot of colour. It's always been very healthy as far as arts and festivals.

Blundell said the characters of the town were part of its charm and he had fond memories.

"Dad used to be involved in the choral society, the rodeo committee and the races and mum was in the Arts Council so we go to meet all the whacky ones early on in the piece. And nothing much has changed,” he joked.

Which is why he loves them?

"Very much so,” he said.

James says he'll always be at home in the region, with its change of seasons and influx of people from around the world working on the farms and properties.

Ahead of the Winton festival, he says the reason Way Out West - which found massive mainstream success in 1992 with former Australian Crawl front man James Reyne - has stood the test of time is because it tells a story.

"I feel very privileged to have turned up at a lull in the country music industry, towards the end of Slim, Ted Egan and other statesmen of the genres and their heavy touring.

"They were lyricists first and foremost and they very much chronicled the evolution of the bush, and that was my upbringing as a writer.

"The story and the observation was always the centre of the song and that is something I've been able to develop over 30 years. Those songs last.”

When Way Out West was released, James says all proceeds were donated to the National Farmers Federation to support land owners through the droughts and tough times, a decision he describes as socially and emotionally responsible.

"Where we draw our inspiration from is real people, and it's really fantastic, and even if all you do is lift spirits, that's better than just looking on and going, 'oh well, bad luck'.”

In tune with his audience as well as the power of his words, James says he's been profoundly touched by some fans who have opened up to him about how his songs have helped them through difficult times. "It happened again on Saturday night. It's probably happened 20 times over 30 years.

"Somebody will come up and, in a very matter of fact way, say, 'Look, I was in a really bad space and hearing some of your music has made me realise I wasn't the only person going through that.'”

James says audience members have told him they had been so down, they were contemplating suicide, but the music and the lyrics provided a vital turning point.

"Out of everything that happens as an artist and writer and performer, that pushes all the accolades, and cash and awards, into the weeds because if what we do as artists can give you a sense of perspective that is helpful or healthy, then that's the best reward of the lot.”