James Blundell

James Blundell is acknowledged by many as the act single-handedly responsible for turning a younger demographic of Australians onto country music. He was the first young Australian country artist to create an impact on the mainstream pop charts and for many years was the highest selling country artist in the nation. James was also the first Australian country act to sign a major label recording deal in Nashville paving the way for the likes of Keith Urban, Kasey Chambers and others. In addition to his own success James has penned hits for Lee Kernaghan, Slim Dusty and Jimmy Little. James has been the recipient of 9 CMAA (Country Music Association of Australia) Golden Guitar Awards, double platinum, platinum and gold sales awards and is a 5 time ARIA (Australian Record Industry Association) Award nominee with one win to his name.

After a 6-year hiatus James re-emerged in early 2005 with his 8th album ‘Deluge’ which spawned 3 country music hits: the title track, ‘Greylands’ a song dealing with the sensitive subject of mental illness, and ‘Postcards From Saigon’. In June 2005 he was appointed the official ambassador of the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia during the association’s National congress and added this organisation to his long list of supported charities. James was recognised for his work at the Australian Independent Country Music Awards winning the awards for Male Vocalist, Heritage Track and APRA/AMCOS Independent Country Music Single of the Year. James also received four nominations from the Country Music Association of Australia – APRA Song of The Year, Single of The Year, Male Vocalist of The Year and Video Clip Of The Year – for the 34th CMAA Country Music Awards of Australia.

In November 2006 James joined acclaimed Australian country label Compass Bros Records who released the album ‘Ring around the Moon’ on March 31st 2007. The album quickly became a favourite amongst country fans spawning 4 country radio hits – ‘Nature’s Gentleman’ (a song penned by James that was previously recorded by Slim Dusty for his final album), ‘Higher than Heaven’, ‘4 Feet Tall’ & the powerful title track. In October 2007 the album was a finalist in the country album category at the ARIA Awards and in January 2008 a finalist in Album of the Year at the Country Music Awards of Australia. James was also a finalist in Male Artist and Heritage Song of the Year. In May 2008 ‘Higher than Heaven’ was nominated in the Country Work of the Year category by the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) for the 2008 APRA Music Awards, the annual celebration of Australian songwriters. He was inducted into the prestigious Galaxy of Stars by the Tamworth Regional Council in January 2009 joining country music legends including Slim Dusty, Smoky Dawson and John Williamson as well as peers such as Lee Kernaghan and Troy Cassar-Daley.

James’ 9th studio album ‘Portrait of a Man’ was released on the 17th January 2009 and featured contributions from Lee Kernaghan, Felicity Urquhart and Mick Thomas of Weddings, Parties, Anything fame. Critically acclaimed from all parts of the music industry the album was preceded by the single ‘Good Wood’ which was released in December 2008 and quickly added to country/AC radio playlists across the nation. ‘Good Wood’ was followed in March by the moving title track, whose video became a mainstay on CMC (Country Music Channel). ‘Moving On’ (a duet with Mick Thomas) was released as a single in October. In November 2009 James was named as a finalist for Male Artist of the Year (a feat he has now achieved for the third album running) at the 38th Country Music Awards of Australia. “Portrait of a Man’ was also named by The Australian Independent Record Labels Association as a finalist for Best Independent Country Album at the 2009 Jagermeister AIR Awards.
What the critics are saying about ‘Portrait Of A Man’ …
"If there's a contemporary singer/songwriter in this country today writing about and commenting on the nature of being an Australian with a quiet honesty, real integrity - and a cheeky humour when things get a bit too serious - it's James Blundell." - Michael Smith, Drum Media
“Portrait of A Man is an album rich with credible stories and sounds” - Rhythms Magazine
"A rollicking return to strong country-rock roots and lyrics that don't mince words; No matter how you like your country this album will have you pining for the great Aussie outdoors James clearly so loves" - Australian Women's Weekly
“Portrait Of A Man confirms James Blundell’s status as one of the richest – and most honest – voices in Australian music” – Music Network
“Portrait Of A Man is without doubt one of the best albums that James Blundell has recorded and it consolidates his place as one of Australia’s finest songwriters” – Jon Wolfe, Capital News
From ‘The Definitive Collection’ DVD …
"James Blundell is one of the greatest singer-songwriters this country has ever produced. He kicked down the doo