Family, Country and a new generation of music shine at Red Country Music Festival
Country music filled Nyuburu Town (Newman) as Kasey Chambers, Bradley Hall and rising WA artist Sally Jane took to the stage for the Red Country Music Festival.
The festival brought established performers together with emerging artists, while celebrating family, culture and the continuing strength of country music across the Pilbara.
For Australian country music icon Kasey Chambers, the Newman performance was particularly memorable, with her children forming most of her band.
Kasey Chambers performing with her family, “This was just the most special gig.” she said.
Her eldest son Talon played guitar, her 18-year-old son Arlo performed his first-ever gig on drums, and Arlo’s girlfriend Valli sang harmonies and played percussion.
Chambers also performed a duet with her 14-year-old daughter Poet.
“It was the first time that I’ve ever had my whole band pretty much be my kids.
Chambers said performing in regional Western Australia held personal significance because of her own childhood connections to the outback.
Poet, performing with her mum by her side, “My daughter and I did a duet for the first time, so it was so special. I just feel like I’m buzzing.” Kasey told Ngaarda Media
“I grew up across the Nullarbor, and we spent a lot of time in South Australia, but we would also go across to Western Australia and the outback quite a lot when I was a kid,” she said.
“Any opportunity I have to play back out here, anywhere in the outback in WA, my favourite state in Australia, I jump at every chance.”
Following the festival, Chambers and her family were preparing to join musician and festival organiser Bradley Hall on a Kids on Country camp near the Fortescue Marsh.
Bradley Hall Nyiparli man and Red Country Music Festival Organiser
Hall said the return of the Red Country Music Festival followed several years away and was made possible through strong local support.
“We took a couple of years off, just having a break and trying to reset things,” Hall said.
“Then we found the Shire of East Pilbara was a really willing partner, so it was pretty easy to come back and set it up in Newman.”
Hall said he had remained in contact with Chambers after she previously performed at one of the festivals.
Bringing her back to the Pilbara started with a simple text message.
“I met Kasey years ago. She was part of that Karratha Red Country Festival, and we always stayed in contact,” he said.
“It was really just a text message asking if she was free, and it went from there.”
Hall said the festival aimed to create more opportunities for Pilbara musicians and encourage younger people to become involved in music.
“As the Red Country Music Festival builds that foundation back again, we want to get more local artists on board,” he said.
Bradley Hall Band lighting up the stage in Nyuburu Town
“There are a lot of bands coming up, but it’s about trying to find somewhere to put them together.
“My focus is also on the younger ones and how we get them interested in music.”
He said the Kids on Country camp would help young people strengthen their connections to Country, language and culture.
Emerging country artist Sally Jane also performed at the festival after what she described as her most successful Tamworth Country Music Festival appearance to date.
The 24-year-old said years of travelling and performing with the support of her father had helped her build confidence and resilience.
“When I was a kid, I could barely even talk to anyone,” Sally Jane said.
“My parents used to give me money to buy a lolly at the shop, and I wouldn’t even do it because I was so scared.
Sally Jane rocked Newman and said “My whole goal is to be Kasey Chambers’ level one day”.
“Living on the road, going from a house to the back of the ute, has definitely given me strength and confidence, and Dad has been a huge factor in that.”
Sally Jane is also preparing to release new music, including a song inspired by a fishing trip with her father at Ballara Station.
“I was fishing on the gulf with my dad, and the thought that kept going through my mind was, ‘Fishing taught me patience’,” she said.
“The song is really about slowing life down, going through the small towns and appreciating what we do have.”
After years of performing as a solo artist, Sally Jane said she was looking forward to appearing with a full band at upcoming rodeos, bush races and country music events.
Her long-term ambition is to follow in the footsteps of artists such as Chambers.
“I’d love to be known as Australia’s next best country artist, especially as a female artist.
“The goal I’m working towards at the moment is to become WA’s best country artist, and we’ll go from there.”
The Newman festival showed the strength of country music across generations — from established performers sharing the stage with their children, to regional artists creating opportunities for young musicians and emerging performers working towards national recognition.