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Heroes come in all shapes and sizes, and for many of us it’s often the unsung heroes of our youth or close family that make that fateful impression.
For BRUCE MCCUMSTIE it is all that and more and now after nearly four decades of being involved in the Australian country music scene and a number of recordings, he has released Unsung Heroes - what is undoubtedly his best album and his most heartfelt effort.
This is the first album that features all of his own material – or co-writes – and Bruce is very open about why it took so long to be able to come to grips with what is a very personal statement.
“I think it was lack of confidence as a songwriter mainly,” he says.
“In my last couple of albums I’ve been dabbling with songwriting, and people who should know told me I should do more. Bev, my wife and co-writer on a few of the songs, got serious about it, so I got serious about the whole project. This is the album I had to do.”
Bruce says that working with Bev is not done the way that songwriters usually go about writing songs.
“We tend to work in our own separate offices,” he said. “Bev doesn’t do any of the music but she has most of the ideas. She’s a great ideas person!
“We don’t talk about it much really we just throw it back and forth across the desks!”
Bev has co-written four of the songs on Unsung Heroes – Used To Be (the second single to be lifted from the set in September), Far Away, Willie and If Then Was Now And Now Was Then.
Bruce says that the album is very personal – he sings about his father, himself and people he has known.
“It’s a dedication to my heroes – mosty unsung until now,” Bruce said.
“It was natural that the songs pertained to the theme of the title – Unsung Heroes – but it was just the way the dice fell.”
Bruce said that song writing is a labour of love for him.
“Mentally it is the hardest thing I’ve ever done,” he said.
The lead song, Slave To My Heart, was inspired by his father who kept asking “When are you gunna get yourself a proper job?”
And there’s no mistaking who the song Young Bruce Michael is about!
Bruce is well known for his tribute show to WILLIE NELSON and the song Willie is a tip of the hat to Bruce’s songwriting hero.
“It’s also dedicated to my father - AG or ‘The Boss’ – a man I often fought with over a 20 year period,” Bruce said. “I always loved him and came to respect him more than any other man I have ever known.”
Bruce says that not all of the songs are about heroes – his or anyone else’s.
“Some of the songs are about admiration, like the songs about older people,” he said.
“In My Dream in particular is not about a hero at all but a song of admiration for older people in retirement. I’ve had a lifetime admiration for older people.
“Sadly I’m one myself now – I look in the mirror and I see my dad.”
For Unsung Heroes Bruce called on the talents of many well known and respected musicians including SEAN RUDD (who also acted as producer) BRAD BERGEN, MICK ALBECK, MICHEL ROSE, GARRY STEEL and LAWRIE MINSON.
“I’ve always had good musicians around me,” he said. “I had my own bands and always had good players.
“Many great players were in my bands, bands like WINTERWOOD and the original BLUE HEELER BAND. Many of them were jazz players and I converted them to country music!”
And why does Bruce McCumstie sing and play country music?
“Because when I grew up I listed to Don Maguire on 2PK Parkes on a dry cell radio that was as big as a table and I’d get inside it to listen so my parents wouldn’t hear it and I’d listen to BUDDY WILLIAMS, TEX MORTON and HANK SNOW.
“Until I went to boarding school I didn’t know there was any other kind of music.
“Heroes come from all walks of life – some actually sing, some are sung about and most are just people you know and admire for the little things they do.” by Jon Wolfe
- Capital News - August 2009 (Vol.34 No.8)
Discography
"Love Always"
"My Choice" EP
"Luv Ya Willie" Live at Twin Towns International Showroom
"Throw the Bily On"
and the newest release "Unsung Heroes" - samples on Sonicbids and www.myspace.com/brucemccumstie
Photos
Bio
The “True Blue” Aussie face tells a story of a life enriched by the highs and lows of farming, rodeo, mustering and even club & pub management. A lifetime of experiences expressed through his songs and love and commitment to true country music. That’s our Australian Singer /Songwriter Bruce McCumstie.
“WILLIE” - THE "OTHER HAT” - Bruce’s lifelong admiration for the great Willie Nelson has given him another “hat” of being acclaimed as the best Willie Nelson tribute performer in the world. If you can't get Willie Nelson to perform at your festival or venue then just call Bruce - his WILLIE NELSON performances include SELLOUT shows at Crown Casino in Melbourne and Burswood Casino in Perth. His production shows , "Luv Ya Willie", "Stardust" , “Legends of Country” and also "Willie and Kris" with Bryen Willems as Kristofferson, have thrilled audiences across Australia.
Just released is the brand new show "The Highway Never Ends" a world class tribute to the songs of The Highwaymen - Willie Nelson, Wayon Jennings, Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson. At the first performance of this show they were applauded into two encores - the show features Bruce as "Willie". Stuie French as Waylon, Daniel Thompson as Johnny Cash and Bryen Willems as Kris Kristofferson. Together they are as good as you get in giving a performance reminiscent of the talents and the great days of the famous touring group The Highwaymen.
A quote from someone who knows: “When Bruce McCumstie walks on stage to perform his tribute to Willie Nelson, close your eyes for a moment to listen...and you will hear Willie Nelson singing. When you next open your eyes you will almost be able to hear AND see Willie Nelson, as personified by Bruce McCumstie. The show is truly great entertainment...and Bruce always delivers a most impressive and believable performance in his tribute to the "real life" Willie Nelson. What a show! I reckon that Willie and his fans might agree, as well. “ Larry Muhoberac (Composer, Arranger & Musician to a host of super-stars including Willie Nelson, Elvis Presley, Neil Diamond, Henry Mancini and many many others)
Bruce's “TRUE BLUE” PERSONA spans a career performing all around our beautiful country, Australia. Not the least of which was four continuous years and over 900 shows of his all Australian presentation, "Throw the Billy On", in the Hunter Valley Vineyards entertaining tourists from around Australia and all over the world. His new show "AUSTRALIA- Songs of our Home and Heritage" is the very essence of everything Australian with Bruce performing from across the years of Australian Music. Country of course, all Australian definitely and including songs that are more widely recognised as popular music rather than strictly country.
Wearing the "True Blue" hat Bruce performs for festivals, events and corporate presentations with his authentic outback Australia show "AUSTRALIA" - Songs of Our Home and Heritage”.
HISTORY
Bruce has performed at many festivals and events throughout Australia during his career, including main stage for the first fourteen Gympie Musters and almost every Tamworth Country Music Festival since the beginning.
Over the past ten years, as well as all his production show performances, Bruce has made popular festival appearances at the Tamworth, Central Coast, Cessnock and Port Stephens Blue Water Country Music Festivals, The Stockman’s Hall of Fame 20th Drovers’ Reunion and at the Gympie Muster 25th Anniversary. His performances as Willie included a sellout concert at the Crown Casino in Melbourne and also at Burswood in Perth and other major venues.
Bruce now has four CD's "Love Always", "Throw the Billy On" and "Luv Ya Willie" Live at Twin Towns International Showroom as well as his 2009 released album "Unsung Heroes" which has been well received and is enjoying high rotation airplay all around Australia and overseas.
Bruce's music is available through WJO Distribution or online at iTunes and Bigpond Music.
All Bookings and Enquiries for Bruce McCumstie can be made by calling Bev on 0412 597789
Availability, sound samples and photos on www.myspace.com/brucemccumstie
Links
