Australian country music star and self-confessed rodeo tragic James Blundell has praised the Weipa Rodeo as being one of the best around, adding he wants to continue his involvement with the event after headlining the 20th anniversary edition at the weekend. Photo: Lyndon Keane.
He may have 10 Golden Guitars to his name, but there’s a chance not even James Blundell’s most evocative lyrics could accurately describe the enormous smile on his face.
“Mate, I bloody love this,” he grinned as he watched another cowboy explode from the chute on the back of a bull on Saturday night.
After delivering a heartfelt rendition of the national anthem on the final night of the 20th Weipa Rodeo, Blundell checked out most of the in-arena action from behind the chutes, or with a bird’s-eye view from the secretary’s box, but he won multiple new fans on Friday night after proving his country credentials extended well beyond award-winning albums.
Before taking to the stage on 22 August to headline the live entertainment with Weipa Rodeo stalwart Danny Phegan and his band, Blundell, a former rough rider and campdrafter, was behind the scenes helping cowboys and cowgirls prepare for their moment in the rodeo spotlight.
Speaking to Cape York Weekly, Blundell praised the event and said it had made his maiden trip to Weipa one to remember.
“I’m standing here with a grin like a Cheshire Cat, because for the last two days, I’ve watched some of the best rough stock I’ve ever seen – beautifully conditioned, bucking really well, [and] really well handled by the contractor and his wife,” he said.
Danny Phegan and his band get the crowd on its feet as the live entertainment ramps up on Friday night. Photo: Cape York Weekly.
“And it’s a great community event – this is what rodeo should be.”
Anyone who witnessed Blundell over the two days could have been forgiven for thinking he was at any time moments away from begging the committee for a late nomination for one of the events, as was his genuine enthusiasm for the rodeo.
“The stupidest way I could hurt myself now is to think I can do what we used to do,” he laughed.
“All the instincts are still there – you just don’t land as gracefully; not that there’s anything particularly graceful about the way you come off anything, but it’s a really deep instinct, and a really deep passion.
“The memories are great; it’s fantastic, and it’s great to see so many young people doing it.”
And could Weipa see Blundell return to western Cape York to headline another rodeo? If the veteran musician has his way, the answer is an unequivocal yes.
“Just put it this way, I will put my hand up for every possible inclusion or involvement I can have with this event moving forward,” he said, still displaying the same grin he had for the past 48 hours.
James Blundell sings the national anthem before the Cape of Origin clash begins in front of more than 3,000 people on the second night of the 20th Weipa Rodeo. Photo: Lyndon Keane.
