South Australian Country singer, Travis List, is looking forward to returning to Tamworth in January 2015 for his twenty sixth festival. “I’ve got heaps and heaps going on at the Tamworth Festival; about fifteen things so far. I’m going to be really busy.”
Travis moved to Nashville in 2008 to concentrate on song writing. “It’s different. Nashville is kind of like Tamworth 24/7 in most of the hot weather months. It slows down in the colder months like now. It was snowing the other day,” he explained with a laugh, finding it hard to believe the extreme weather change. “They’re different places. Tamworth is very unique. There is nothing like it in the rest of the world. I always enjoy it. This will be my twenty sixth Tamworth.” Even though Travis is an old hand at Tamworth, it still excites him each year. This year is particularly exciting with the release of his latest album ‘This Corner’. “All the songs on the album will be in my live show.” Travis recently road tested the songs on his latest Australian tour. The songs were well received giving him even more reason to look forward to singing them at this iconic country music festival. ‘This Corner’ is not eligible for a 2015 Golden Guitar award but Travis is hoping it will be nominated in 2016.
The first single from the album is ‘In this Corner’. It is the first song Travis has ever released to Australian radio. The song has been getting plenty of airplay and recently reached number 22 on the Australian Country Charts. ‘In This Corner’ was written by Jerry Salley who also produced the album. “Jerry is such a fantastic talent. Apart from being a fantastic producer and writer, he is a great guy. He’s fun to hang around with.” A good producer is valuable to any recording project and Travis certainly respects Jerry with high regard. “He is a world class harmony singer. He actually did the harmonies on this album. He is a great vocal coach as well as producer. He is very passionate about everything in life. He is a man of faith and lives for his music. He is a nice guy all round. There is a lot to learn from him.”
One of the highlights of the album is the duet, ‘I’ve Got One of Those Two’, with long-time friend Kristy Cox. “I’ve known her since she was twelve. We grew up in South Australia together. We’ve known each other for a long, long time.” Kristy and Travis have toured Europe and Australia together and he proudly informed me she has been nominated for several 2015 Golden Guitar Awards.
Whilst talking about the album I asked Travis if he has a favourite track. “My favourite track is a song called ‘Chicken With His Head Cut Off.’” Travis explained he wasn’t sure how the song would be received live, or even if the fans would like it but he was thrilled to tell me the fans do like it especially the younger ones who have been requesting the song. “Kids pick up on the light hearted side of it.” Travis said it is unusual for a Honky Tonk singer who sings about country, cheating songs to have a younger audience. He believes the energy and tempo of the music is what is attractive for the kids. Travis likes performing at the afternoon shows in Tamworth as it is a great opportunity for families to have an afternoon out. His fans are as young as 8 and as old as 80! Travis said it’s also nice to have a good mix of female and male fans.
If you are heading to the Tamworth Country Festival there will be plenty of opportunities to hear Travis live with gigs from January 16th through to Australia Day (26th) including some twenty minute spots at various venues. This passionate musician is also hoping to catch up with some friends at Tamworth. Living in Nashville, he doesn’t get to see a lot of his Australian friends during the year. “I do have some very close friends that I catch up with every year to see their shows.” And as for other acts…. “Usually whoever is performing before or after me, I get to catch part of their show.”
The new album ‘This Corner’ is available on iTunes, at Sanity and JB Hi-Fi. It will also be available at Tamworth where Travis will be happy to sign your copy. “It’s nice to meet people and give a signature on the CD.”
by Suzanne Bunker
Copyright © Suzanne Bunker 2014. All rights reserved
For more information on Travis’s music, show dates and venues,
go to www.travislist.com or follow him on Facebook.
