James Blundell - Ambassador for Airnorth
James Blundell describes how he came to become Ambassador for Airnorth
I was coming home from a concert in Kununurra (in the top east end of Western Australia) with Airnorth, who sponsors the famous Argyle Diamonds Ord Valley Muster. The band and I were flying back after having been there and performing with the Darwin Symphony Orchestra on the last night of the Muster.
In the open air concert held under the stars - timed specially to have the full moon rise over the stage - that night I sang one of my songs - Kimberley Moon. The satge is a spectacular site and the concert an event not to be missed.
Anyhow I was on this plane coming back to Darwin and sat next to a bloke with whom I quickly started a conversation. He told me he worked for Airnorth. We talked for what seemed like hours about the problems of the bush and the difficulty regional Australia faced with reducing infrastructure, services and basic needs.
When we got off the plane, I shook his hand and expressed my appreciation of the discussion and asked..."by the way...what do you do in the company?".
"I run it," he said ...
It turned out to be Michael Bridge the Chief Executive and part owner of Airnorth. Some months later, I was pleased to begin working for Airnorth as their Ambassador and 'voice' and the rest is now history...
As well as appearing in print and electronic promotions for Airnorth throughout Australia, James Blundell is the voice of Airnorthp in-flight safety briefing announcements.
"I grew up on a sheep and cattle station in Queensland and have always been passionate about regional Australia and its people," James Blundell said . "The bush is really the heart and soul of this country and it is Airnorth's commitment to sustainable flights to regional centres that has convinced me to endorse the company."
James Blundell - The singer and songwriter
In the current landscape of cross-pollinating musical genres, James Blundell no longer finds himself bound by the artistic restrictions once imposed on country artists.
Finding common ground with the likes of noted music rebels such as Steve Earle and Gram Parsons who found initial success in the country genre before branching out with their own brand of country-rock, Blundell's music is as much rock and pop as it is country and roots.
The studio album 'Deluge' saw the platinum-selling performer widening his repertoire with a sound guaranteed to appeal to rock and country fans alike (think Tom Petty, John Mellencamp).
"My songs are about commitment, courage, and celebration," says James, "and I am really looking forward to going on the road to perform them."
Over the course of his 20 year career James Blundell has earnt himself a reputation as a master story teller with his ability to weaves tales of contemporary Australian life and traditional values into a style that appeal to the heartland of this wide land.
One of Australian country music's true success stories, James Blundell has been the recipient of nine Golden Guitar awards and is a four-time ARIA (Australian Record Industry Association) Award nominee. He was the first local country artist to create an impact on the mainstream pop charts. He is the first Australian country act to sign to a major label recording deal via Nashville in the United States.
For further information, please contact: Neil Richards from Square One Entertainment:
neilrichards@hotkey.net.au
Telephone: +61 [7] 5548 6268
For more information on James Blundell click here.
