Country singer-songwriter Kristy Cox is a bundle of energy. The Adelaide-born bluegrass queen is back on tour in Australia from her current domicile in Nashville. Whilst stopping at a bakery, on the road in NSW, she managed to squeeze in some time to chat to Glam.
Kristy, although still quite young, is almost a music veteran already.
“I started performing in South Australia when I was eleven years old”, she tells us. “Back then the country music scene was extremely supportive of young performers. In fact, it was probably the only genre that really gave kids a place in which to play. I used to go along with my grandad, listen to all the bands play, and then get up and sing a few songs. I just fell in love with it and have been performing ever since.”
We wondered what specifically drew her to the style she predominantly works in: bluegrass.
“I think it’s the rawness of it. And the “acousticness” of it. We can sit around on the front porch and have a jam session, without any amplification, and it will sound just as it does on stage. Also bluegrass is still very much about the lyrics, which is the main reason I love song-writing.”
Although women have always been strong in country music, it seems that bluegrass is still quite male dominated.
“Oh absolutely”, Kristy agrees. “Even at the [Country Music] awards this year, there was only one other female that does bluegrass. It’s very much a male-driven industry. But us women are starting to push our way in!”
Country music is a huge genre in the U.S., where Kristy currently resides, but where does she think it sits in the Australian consciousness?
“Most people still think of country as Slim Dusty, Johnny Cash and Merle Haggard. And although they were pioneers, it is a lot different now. For instance Taylor Swift is a huge pop star, but she’s always been a country artist. When I talk to many Australians they will say ‘Oh I don’t like country music, but I like YOU’, so I don’t think many people [in Australia] know what country music is any more.”
Kristy is bringing the show Nashville Comes to Adelaide to the Norwood Town Hall this Saturday night. She has curated a group of artists, all of whom are from, or have worked in, Nashville, including Travis List, who also happens to be her husband.
“We have ARIA award winning Catherine Britt head-lining. We’ve also got three-time Grammy Award winner, Jerry Salley, with whom I’ve worked. Although he’s not well-known in Australia, he is listed as one of the top 100 songwriters of all time, in the US. We’ve also got ARIA award winner, Mike Carr who will be doing some comedy, myself, my husband Travis, and local Adelaide girl, Megan Laurie. So it’s going to be huge.”
Just as we were signing off, Kristy’s one year old, the beautifully named Adelaide, decided she wanted to say hello. Cleary another star in the making, following on the family tradition! We left Kristy in her car, juggling baked goods, children and guitars. A classic country image, from this bluegrass pioneer.
Interviewed by Tracey Korsten
@TraceyKorsten
Nashville Comes to Adelaide plays Norwood Town Hall, Saturday November 5th at 7.30pm
Tickets $35 available at Allington’s Outpost or at www.trybooking.com
@kristycoxmusic
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