1. The First Record I Bought
OK – are you ready for this? My first album was a cassette by an all-girl group called The Bangles. I had been brainwashed by my dad with country music so I guess I wanted to rebel, or just listen to something different. ‘Manic Monday’ was their big hit at the time and it struck a chord with me, as I hated getting up for school on Monday mornings.
2. The Last Record I Bought
The last record I downloaded was by a young Nashville-based singer-songwriter called Kacey Musgraves. The album is called Same Trailer Different Park and I really like her raw and honest songwriting style, and her recordings reflect that. A friend of mine told me about Kacey and I have passed on the tip to many of my mates. I love it when you discover a new artist.
Kacey Musgraves has just gone on to win a Grammy Award, and I can highly recommend her music to anyone who enjoys great songs and stories.
3. The First Thing I Recorded
Oh my God, I’m so embarrassed by my first album. It was a shocker, full of really bad versions of old cabaret hits like ‘Cheryl Moana Marie’ and ‘My Way’. I also wrote a few stinkers on that album, and I cringe when someone comes up to me at a show and says, “I’ve still got a copy of that first album of yours.” I was only 16 when I recorded the self-titled album, and looking back I guess it was a good learning curve!
4. The Last Thing I Recorded
The latest album is definitely one of my favourites. I recorded it with Troy Cassar-Daley and we just picked our all-time favourite ‘classic’ country songs, and recorded them. The album is called The Great Country Song Book and it’s the two of us paying tribute to our heroes. We have had a ball touring the show together and watching the audience sing along to every word. The Great Country Song Book has just gone platinum, which is testament to how popular those classic tunes still are today.
5. The Record That Changed My Life
The album that made me want to be a country artist was ‘(Old Dogs, Children And) Watermelon Wine’ by Tom T. Hall. I remember Dad playing that album and me thinking, “That’s what I want to do when I grow up.” I still haven’t grown up, but I’ve got the best job in the world!
His songwriting still inspires me today and I love listening to his records, and reading his books whenever I get the chance. I still think the title track is one of the best songs ever written, and I’ve been lucky enough to become friends with Tom T. Hall and sit in his lounge room in Nashville and sing with the man himself.
Adam Harvey and Troy Cassar-Daley play the Sydney Opera House on Friday March 28. The Great Country Song Book is out now through Liberation/Sony.
