QUEENSLAND country music legend James Blundell will be back bigger and better at the Ekka.
The ARIA and CMAA award winner will perform at the Ekka in Brisbane each night from August 7-16.
The Ekka gigs are in the run-up to the launch of his new album Come On In, to be officially released on August 21. Come On In is James' first album in a year.
He has spent the 12 months focusing on writing new material and thanks to modern technology he started working with producers and musicians from around the globe without having to leave his property west of Stanthorpe.
Working this way afforded him the luxury of taking his time to shape the sound he wanted from the album.
"I clocked up the half-century in 2014 and along with a sense of relief at still being alive, came a beautiful calm of no longer needing to prove anything to myself," James said.
"Far from complacency, I've finally embraced the freedom of technology which allows me to record wherever and whenever I feel the urge.
"For the first time there is the ability to sit with a track once it's finished and decide whether or not it's at its best before releasing.
"Again for the first time in 28 years, I've got the opportunity to listen to a vocal and determine if it is the right interpretation of the idea and if not, I can have another go."
The result is 10 stunning tracks, each unique in their own way - musically and lyrically - thanks to collaborations with writers including Lianna Rose, Donna Dean, Hughie Murray and Kim Richey.
ARIA Award nominee Fiona Kernaghan teams up with James on Jac Stone's blues-roots song Bones, while Dannielle DeAndrea's impressive vocals features on Walk Another Mile.
Lawrie Minson, Bec Lavelle, Aleyce Simmons and Rose Tattoo's Dai Pritchard also appear on the new record.
"Thematically it's about celebrating the now in life, and musically, a more casual three-piece approach with quite a lot of experimentation instrumentally," James said.
Blundel has been hailed as single-handedly shaping modern Australian country music by infusing the influences of John Mellencamp, The Band and The Angels with the storytelling ethos of Slim Dusty. Blundell has lyrical insight, sharp wit and empathy for the working man. His good looks and country charm ensure there's no stopping his success across all demographics.
Blundell's career includes a phenomenal string of platinum albums and awards plus top 10 pop chart successes that turned the former cattle hand into a household name.
Like so many talented artists, Blundell has refused to be put in a box musically. He had numerous heated meetings with his former record label and walked away from the music business for six years.
He returned in 2005 with the independent release Deluge, which proved he still had plenty to offer. He has since released the acclaimed albums Ring Around The Moon, Portrait of A Man and Woolshed Creek.
The first two singles from Come On In - Hills of Brisbane and Casuarina - have been overwhelmingly received by media and fans alike, with many commenting on James' change in musical direction.
The third and fourth singles, Goodbye Grey and Bones are both to be released on Friday (July 31).
On Come On In, Blundell invites the listener into his world to rediscover the joy of music. It evokes powerful emotions and the colours of life through the voice of this unique Australian artist.
Come On In will be officially released on August 21 through Red Rebel Music and Revenge Records.
In addition to the Ekka, James will be performing:
July
30: St George.
August
2: 4 Islands Festival, Macleay Island.
22: Currumbin.
28: Bundaberg.
29-30: Gympie Muster.
October
2: Murwillumbah Country Roots Festival.
31: Lighthouse Festival, Burnett Heads.
20: Kedron Wavell.
