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Lee Kernaghan
Man in black hat sitting on ground
Background information
Birth name Lee Raymond Kernaghan
Born (1964-04-15) 15 April 1964 (age 61)
Corryong, Victoria, Australia
Genres Country, country rock, rock, pop, country pop
Occupation(s) Singer, songwriter, musician
Instruments Vocals, guitar
Years active 1977–present
Labels ABC Music
Associated acts
  • The Blue Devils
  • Fiona Kernaghan
  • Ray Kernaghan
  • Tania Kernaghan

Lee Kernaghan is a famous Australian country music singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He was born on April 15, 1964. Lee has won many awards for his music. These include four ARIA Awards and three APRA Awards.

He has sold over two million albums. Lee has also won 38 Golden Guitar awards. These are given at the Country Music Awards of Australia. Only Slim Dusty has won more. In 2008, Lee was named the Australian of the Year. This was for his help and support for people in rural Australia.

About Lee Kernaghan

Early Life and Music Beginnings (1965–1990)

Lee Kernaghan was born in Corryong, Victoria. His dad, Ray Kernaghan, was also a country music singer and a truck driver. Lee grew up in Albury, New South Wales. His grandfather was a drover, moving sheep and cattle.

In 1986, Lee went to the United States. He represented Australia at a big country music festival. It was called 'Fan Fair' in Nashville.

Becoming a Star in the 1990s

In 1992, Lee released a song called "Boys from the Bush." It quickly became his first number one hit on the country music charts. Lee said he wrote it about his friends and their lives in the bush. He didn't expect it to be so popular.

His first album, The Outback Club, came out in May 1992. It won 'Album of the Year' at the 1993 Country Music Awards. It also won the ARIA Award for Best Country Album.

In 1993, his second album, Three Chain Road, was released. It also won 'Album of the Year' and an ARIA Award. Lee's third album, 1959, came out in 1995. It was his first album to reach the top 10 on the ARIA Chart.

His fourth album, Hat Town, was released in 1998. It reached number 7 on the ARIA Chart. Lee also released The Christmas Album in November 1998.

Music in the 2000s

Lee released his sixth album, Rules of the Road, in 2000. Then came Electric Rodeo in 2002. This album won 'Album of the Year' and 'Top Selling Album of the Year'.

In 2004, Lee released his first collection of greatest hits. It was called The Big Ones: Greatest Hits Vol. 1. This album was very popular and sold a lot of copies.

His eighth album, The New Bush, came out in 2006. It also won 'Album of the Year'. In 2007, Lee released Spirit of the Bush. The main song from this album became his highest-charting single.

In 2009, Lee released his tenth album, Planet Country. He was also named the biggest hit-maker in Australian country music over the past twenty years.

Highlights of the 2010s

In 2011, Lee released another greatest hits album, Ultimate Hits. His eleventh studio album, Beautiful Noise, came out in 2012.

In 2013, Lee visited the Australian War Memorial. He saw letters written by Australian soldiers from different wars. These letters inspired him to create the album Spirit of the Anzacs (album). This album was released in March 2015. It became his first album to reach number 1 on the ARIA charts. It was also the best-selling Australian album of 2015.

Lee also released his first book in 2015. It was called The Boy from the Bush, These Are My Songs, These Are My Stories. In 2017, he released The 25th Anniversary Album. His fifteenth album, Backroad Nation, came out in 2019. The title song was number 1 for four weeks.

Recent Years (2020s)

In 2022, Lee celebrated 30 years as a music artist. He released a special 3-CD collection. It was called The Very Best of Lee Kernaghan: Three Decades of Hits. This album was released on January 14, 2022.

Lee Kernaghan's Life

Lee Kernaghan married Robyn McKelvie in 1999. They have two sons named Jet and Rock.

In 2015, Lee's music was used at some rallies without his permission. He said that his music should be used in a way that respects soldiers. He felt it should honor those who fought for freedom. Other artists also spoke out about their music being used without permission.

Lee once owned the historic Great Western Hotel in Rockhampton, Queensland. He bought the pub in 2003. He said owning the hotel was one of the best times of his life.

Music Albums

Studio Albums

Title Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
AUS
The Outback Club
  • Release date: 4 May 1992
  • Label: ABC Music (512 336-2)
58
  • ARIA: 2× Platinum
Three Chain Road
  • Release date: August 1993
  • Label: ABC Music (518 304-2)
35
  • ARIA: 2× Platinum
1959
  • Release date: July 1995
  • Label: ABC Music (479809-2)
9
  • ARIA: Platinum
Hat Town
  • Release date: February 1998
  • Label: ABC Music (493846-2)
7
  • ARIA: Platinum
The Christmas Album
  • Release date: 23 November 1998
  • Label: ABC Music (498040-2)
31
Rules of the Road
  • Release date: January 2000
  • Label: ABC Music (524618-2)
16
  • ARIA: Gold
Electric Rodeo
  • Release date: July 2002
  • Label: ABC Music (1243-2)
5
  • ARIA: Platinum
The New Bush
  • Release date: May 2006
  • Label: ABC Music (5101-13104-2)
6
  • ARIA: Platinum
Spirit of the Bush
  • Release date: July 2007
  • Label: ABC Music (5144-21680-2)
5
  • ARIA: Platinum
Planet Country
  • Release date: November 2009
  • Label: ABC Music (8000288)
13
  • ARIA: Gold
Beautiful Noise
  • Release date: October 2012
  • Label: ABC Music (8800973)
9
  • ARIA: Gold
Driving Home for Christmas
  • Release date: November 2014
  • Label: ABC Music (3798306)
46
Spirit of the Anzacs
  • Release date: March 2015
  • Label: ABC Music (8800099)
1
  • ARIA: Platinum
The 25th Anniversary Album
  • Release date: 24 March 2017
  • Label: ABC Music (LEE9898)
2
Backroad Nation
  • Release date: 10 May 2019
  • Label: ABC Music (7760261)
3

Collaboration Albums

Title Album details
Family Tradition
(with Ray Kernaghan)
  • Release date: 1985
  • Label: KCR (KCR 009)

Live Albums

Title Album details Peak chart positions
AUS
Live at the Deni Ute Muster
  • Release date: 15 April 2022
  • Label: ABC (ABCC0016)
53

Compilation Albums

Title Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
AUS
The Big Ones: Greatest Hits Vol. 1
  • Release date: October 2004
  • Label: ABC Music (1404-2)
16
  • ARIA: Platinum
Ultimate Hits
  • Release date: October 2011
  • Label: ABC Music (8800919)
8
  • ARIA: Gold
The Very Best of Lee Kernaghan: Three Decades of Hits
  • Release date: 14 January 2022
  • Label: ABC Music (ABCC0012)
17

Video Albums

Title Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
AUS
DVD

Access All Areas
  • Release date: June 2004
  • Label: ABC Country (1391-9)
8
  • ARIA: Gold

Charting Singles

Title Year Peak chart positions Album
AUS
"This Is the Outback" 2004 84 non-album single
"Missin' Slim"
(with Colin Buchanan)
49 non-album single
"Spirit of the Bush"
(with Adam Brand and Steve Forde)
2007 11 Spirit of the Bush
"Spirit of the Anzacs"
(featuring Guy Sebastian, Sheppard, Jon Stevens, Jessica Mauboy, Shannon Noll and Megan Washington)
2015 32 Spirit of the Anzacs

Awards and Recognitions

Lee Kernaghan has received many awards for his music and his work helping others.

In 2004, he received the Order of Australia Medal. This is a special honor for Australians. In 2008, he was named Australian of the Year. This was because he supported rural Australia. His 'Pass the Hat Around' tours raised over a million dollars. This money helped rural communities during a tough drought. Prime Minister Kevin Rudd gave him the award.

AIR Awards

The AIR Awards celebrate Australia's independent music artists.

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2013 Beautiful Noise Best Independent Country Album Nominated
2018 The 25th Anniversary Album Best Independent Country Album Nominated
2020 Backroad Nation Best Independent Country Album Nominated

ARIA Music Awards

The ARIA Music Awards are big awards for Australian music. Lee Kernaghan has won two ARIA Awards. He also received a special Outstanding Achievement Award in 2015.

Year Nominee / work Award Result
1993 The Outback Club Best Country Album Won
1994 Three Chain Road Won
1995 Country Crowd Nominated
1996 1959 Nominated
2000 Rules of the Road Nominated
2002 Electric Rodeo Nominated
2006 The New Bush Nominated
2010 Planet Country Nominated
2013 Beautiful Noise Nominated
2015 Spirit of the Anzacs Nominated
"Spirit of the Anzacs" (directed by Duncan Toombs) Best Video Nominated
Garth Porter forSpirit of the Anzacs Producer of the Year Nominated
Spirit of the Anzacs Outstanding Achievement Award awarded
2017 The 25th Anniversary Album Best Country Album Nominated
2019 Backroad Nation Nominated

APRA Awards

The APRA Awards recognize great songwriting and music sales in Australia and New Zealand. Lee Kernaghan has won four APRA Awards.

Year Nominee / work Award Result
1993 "Boys from the Bush" Country Song of the Year Won
1996 "1959" Most Performed Country Work Won
1999 "Hat Town" Most Performed Country Work Won
2004 "Way It Is" Most Performed Country Work Nominated
2007 "New Bush" Most Performed Country Work Nominated
2008 "Spirit of the Bush" (featuring Adam Brand and Steve Forde) Most Performed Country Work Nominated
2011 "Planet Country" Country Work of the Year Nominated
2014 "Flying with the King" Country Work of the Year Won
2020 "Backroad Nation" Most Performed Country Work of the Year Nominated

Australian Roll of Renown

The Australian Roll of Renown honors musicians who have made a big impact on country music. Lee Kernaghan was added to this special list in 2015.

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2015 Lee Kernaghan Australian Roll of Renown inductee

Country Music Awards (CMAA)

The Country Music Awards of Australia are also known as the Golden Guitar Awards. They are held every January in Tamworth. Lee Kernaghan has won 38 Golden Guitar awards!

Year Nominee / work Award Result
1993 "Boys from the Bush" APRA Song of the Year Won
1993 The Outback Club Album of the Year Won
1993 "Boys from the Bush" Male Vocalist of the Year Won
1994 "Three Chain Road" APRA Song of the Year Won
1994 Three Chain Road Album of the Year Won
1994 "Three Chain Road" Male Vocalist of the Year Won
1994 "Leave Him in the Longford" (with Slim Dusty) Vocal Group or Duo of the Year Won
1995 Three Chain Road Top Selling Album of the Year Won
1996 1959 Album of the Year Won
1997 1959 Top Selling Album of the Year Won
1997 "A Bushman Can't Survive" (with Tania Kernaghan) Vocal Collaboration of the Year Won
1999 Hat Town Album of the Year Won
1999 Hat Town Top Selling Album of the Year Won
1999 "Goondiwindi Moon" Male Vocalist of the Year Won
1999 "Changi Banjo" Heritage Song of the Year Won
1999 "Tough Job" (with Colin Buchanan) Vocal Collaboration of the Year Won
2003 "Thank God I'm a Country Boy" (with Josh Arnold) Vocal Collaboration of the Year Won
2003 Electric Rodeo Album of the Year Won
2003 Electric Rodeo Top Selling Album of the Year Won
2005 "Missin' Slim" Heritage Song of the Year (with Colin Buchanan) Won
2007 The New Bush Album of the Year Won
2007 The New Bush Male Artist of the Year Won
2007 The New Bush Top Selling Album of the Year Won
2007 "Close as a Whisper (The Gift)" Heritage Song of the Year Close Won
2008 "Spirit of the Bush" (with Adam Brand and Steve Forde) Vocal Collaboration of the Year Won
2008 "Spirit of the Bush" (with Adam Brand and Steve Forde) Video of the Year Won
2008 "Spirit of the Bush" (with Adam Brand and Steve Forde) Single of the Year Won
2011 Planet Country Top Selling Album of the Year Won
2012 "Channel Country Ground" (with Dean Perrett) Ballad of the Year Won
2014 Beautiful Noise Top Selling Album of the Year Won
2014 "Flying with the King" Male Artist of the Year Won
2014 "Flying with the King" Single of the Year Won
2014 "Flying with the King" Video clip of the Year Won
2016 "Spirit of the Anzacs"
(with Guy Sebastian, Jessica Mauboy, Jon Stevens, Amy & George Sheppard, Shannon Noll and Megan Washington)
Vocal Collaboration of the Year Won
2016 "Spirit of the Anzacs"
(with Guy Sebastian, Jessica Mauboy, Jon Stevens, Amy & George Sheppard, Shannon Noll and Megan Washington)
Video clip of the Year Won
2016 Spirit of the Anzacs Top Selling Album of the Year Won
2018 The 25th Anniversary Album Top Selling Album of the Year Won
2020 Backroad Nation Top Selling Album of the Year Won

Mo Awards

The Mo Awards celebrated live entertainment in Australia. Lee Kernaghan won five Mo Awards.

Year Nominee / work Award Result (wins only)
1992 Lee Kernaghan Country Performer of the Year Won
Lee Kernaghan Male Country Entertainer of the Year Won
1993 Lee Kernaghan Country Performer of the Year Won
Lee Kernaghan Male Country Entertainer of the Year Won
1994 Lee Kernaghan Male Country Entertainer of the Year Won

Music for a New Generation Awards

These awards celebrate country artists who cross over into other music styles. Fans vote for the winners.

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2015 Himself Australian Male Artist of The Year Nominated
2017 Himself Australian Male Artist of The Year Won

Tamworth Songwriters Awards

The Tamworth Songwriters Awards are for original country songs. Lee Kernaghan has won three of these awards.

Year Nominee / work Award Result (wins only)
1993 "Boys from the Bush" by Lee Kernaghan and Garth Porter Contemporary Country Song of the Year Won
Country Song of the Year Won
1996 "1959" by Lee Kernaghan Contemporary Country Song of the Year Won

See also

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