Freedom Ride, Troy's pride

"People wonder when it's going to end. I'm hearing about how they're working off-farm so they don't lose their place. I like to think my songs are a mirror of this."

The opening track of Troy's ninth album, Take a Walk in my Country, looks at some of the things the bush has to offer, and Troy says it's about taking pride in your place.

"Even though it treats us hard at times, people from overseas put us on their bucket list," he said.

An early morning spot of fishing in the Barcoo followed by a memorable day at the hotel on a rare day off from touring some years ago cemented Blackall in the 26 Golden Guitar-winning singer's memory.

"It was the best day. We went out fishing then back to the pub.

"The manager, Tina Holden, was like the MC for the day, controlling my band."

This week's call gave Troy a chance to catch up with Tina's daughter Kerrie in the same role.

Another Blackall-born identity, Slim Dusty biographer and photographer John Elliott also features in Troy's memories of the area.

"He introduced me to Laurel, who became my wife, at a Gympie Music Muster," Troy laughed. "Sometimes I feel like I know everyone here."

Nearly a year ago, Troy and Adam Harvey wowed Longreach with a drought-relief concert, saying time they were happy to do their bit to cheer people up.

"That was a wonderful night.

"Raising spirits was one thing, but the yarns afterwards were another. It's inspired me to tour here with this new record. And I'll bet a drought never stopped Slim from touring."

Troy hopes a night out at his show will give people a morale boost.

Pete Denehy, the comedian and blue-grass musician from Yackandandah, Victoria, known for his Gen Y anthem Sort of Dunno Nothin', collaborated with Troy on three of the songs on the new album, and will open the shows coming up in May.

"Pete makes people laugh, so I'm really happy that he's agreed to do this. He'll be playing fiddle for me during my show, too."

Two of Australia's best-known singers, Jimmy Barnes and Paul Kelly, have also had a hand in Freedom Ride.

"A lot of history gets documented in songs. I was sitting next to a FIFO miner on a plane and the story he told broke my heart."

Two Weeks On, Two Weeks Off is the result, featuring Barnes on vocals. "I just knew the song wasn't complete without Barnsie.

"He's the working class man - it needed that blue-collar touch, and he gives the song drama."

Master song-maker Paul Kelly helped out in the early creative stages of title song Freedom Ride, charting the bus trip by Charles Perkins across NSW in 1965 on a quest for equality. When the album was released on March 13, it debuted at No.4 on the ARIA album chart, the highest chart debut ever for Troy.

Queensland towns that will hear the new songs and some older tunes include:

Troy Cassar-Daley will be back in Queensland later in the year for shows at Toowoomba on October 30 and Brisbane on November 1.