Australian country music star James Blundell says he’s ready to sing up a storm of old and new favourites to help Weipa celebrate its 20th rodeo this weekend. Photo: Justin’s Photo Works.
Western Cape York loves its country music, and that will never be more evident than when James Blundell and Danny Phegan take to the stage when the dust settles in the Weipa Rodeo arena this weekend.
Phegan is a beloved member of the rodeo’s extended family – some would say part of the furniture – and Blundell said he had been fired up for his first trip to Weipa since being announced as the event’s headline live entertainment act in March.
“I’m so ready for this rodeo it’s not funny,” the 10-time Golden Guitar winner told Cape York Weekly.
And just how ready is “so ready” in the parlance of musicians?
“It’s probably the most prepared I’ve been for anything for a long time,” Blundell laughed.
“The set list is actually written out, which never happens in my world; everybody that ever plays with me says, ‘is there a set list?’ and the look on my face gives them the answer.
“But Danny Phegan, I’m working with his band, so I actually know what I’m doing this time.”
Blundell will head to Weipa after spending a week in the saddle riding in the Great Australian Charity Cattle Drive and said he was hoping to watch some of the in-arena action over the two days of the rodeo.
“It’s sort of a forgotten or overlooked background that before I knew I was going to have a detour of 40 years through the music industry, that was my recreation – campdrafting and rough riding,” he said.
“I was never a bull rider; I spent too long catching him, and had too much respect for how quick and cranky they are to want to tie myself onto one, so I’ll watch them (the competitors) doing that.”
While he may be part of Australian country music royalty, Blundell urged rodeo fans to come up and say hello to him if they spotted him walking around over the weekend.
“I’m very approachable, mate, particularly if it’s good weather and there’s horses about the place – I’m at my best,” he said.
There’s a good reason Danny Phegan and his band are now part of the live entertainment furniture at the Weipa Rodeo – find out why on Friday and Saturday night. Photo: Supplied.
