COUNTRY music superstar James Blundell will return to familiar stomping grounds when he performs at this year’s Tenterfield Show.
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It will be a coming home of sorts for Blundell who hails from neighbouring Stanthorpe.
With a thirteenth album under his belt, there will be songs from his new album as well as old favourites included in the show.
Come On In, his latest album, was a unique recording as Blundell set about collaborating with people from right around the globe.
The producer, collaborators and musicians were based all over – in Germany, Sydney, the Gold Coast and even Tamworth – as Blundell added his parts from property in Stanthorpe.
“I thought that doing it this way would be very impersonal, but it’s been anything but. It was a great experience” he said.
After the album was released he was able to enjoy a bit of down time at his property, west of Stanthorpe.
“I had seven weeks at home, that’s the longest break I think I’ve had in 15 years.”
He kicked off 2016 with a gig at the Illawarra Folk Festival and will head to Tenterfield fresh off the back of shows in Victoria and Tamworth’s Country Music Festival.
He said the call to perform in Tenterfield caught him off-guard.
“I was surprised, I really was,” he said.
“I very rarely get to play anywhere near home – I think I played a show in Warwick some time last year.”
He’s played a few shows in Tenterfield across his career but he struggles to remember the last one.
“I played the Royal nearly 10 years ago, I think I played at the Bowling Club – it’s been a few years between drinks though.”
Especially gratifying for James is the opportunity to play at the showgrounds.
“It’s one of my favourite showgrounds – I remember doing a few campdrafts there and having drinks down there as a teenager,” he fondly recalls.
“There’s a real charm to a well-run country show.”
James will perform after the demolition derby on Saturday night from approximately 9pm.
He’s also been given the prestigious duty of officially opening up the Show at 3pm on Saturday.