Brian Cadd says he is addicted to performing.
“I don’t know what I’d do if I couldn’t do it; I can’t play golf, I can’t fish,” he said.
Before a return to the Tamworth Country Music Festival for a headlining show in January 2025, Cadd is treating fans to a thrilling mix of new tracks from his latest album, Dream Train, with a performance set for Avoca Beach on December 7.
The show will also include a selection of his timeless hits and personal favourites.
Dream Train, released in April this year, quickly became a fan favourite, showcasing Cadd’s versatility and mastery in blending classic country with contemporary sounds
The album’s success on the ARIA Country Chart is a testament to Cadd’s enduring appeal and ability to connect with audiences across generations
It also attracted critical acclaim.
When Brian Cadd started out in the 60s, he had no grand plan.
“We thought it was going to last three months,” he said.
“But here we are, still going.”
The story starts in Perth and it’s taken Cadd all around the world, with acclaim for his abilities as a performer and a songwriter.
His songs have been signposts for Australian lives.
A Little Ray Of Sunshine, for example, is just as popular today as when it became a Top 5 hit in 1970.
“It means so much to so many people,” Cadd said.
“If I had a dollar for every person who has said to me, ‘I left the maternity hospital and I swear A Little Ray Of Sunshine came on the radio’.
“I secretly believe that there is some kind of radio network that broadcasts right outside hospitals and only plays A Little Ray Of Sunshine.”
In 1973 Cadd was named Best Songwriter and Most Popular Australian Musician at the King of Pop Awards.
His songs have been recorded by Ringo Starr, Joe Cocker, Glen Campbell, The Pointer Sisters, Bonnie Tyler, Yvonne Elliman, Charlie Daniels, Dobie Gray, Cilla Black and Gene Pitney.
Among his most popular songs are Woman You’re Breaking Me, Elevator Driver, Marshall’s Portable Music Machine, Arkansas Grass, Don’t You Know It’s Magic, Ginger Man and Let Go.
He was inducted into the Australian Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2007, the same year he entered the ARIA Hall of Fame.
In 2018 he became a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his significant service to the music industry as a singer, songwriter, performer, mentor and producer and to professional associations.
Nearly six decades into his remarkable career, Cadd remains entranced by the power of a great song.
“Everyone is immediately 15 again,” he said.
“It’s amazing how powerful music can be, taking you back.”
In 2016, at the age of 70, Cadd released the album Bulletproof with The Bootleg Family Band.
He followed Bulletproof with his acclaimed Americana album, Silver City, but he says Dream Train is the album he was always destined to make.
“It has taken me so long to actually make a country album, I was unsure how it would feel for me,” he said.
“I have been writing country and country-rock songs for many years, yet I remained locked into my ‘Brian Cadd – rock artist’ persona on stage and particularly in the studio.
“But with Dream Train I found a new freedom which allowed me to think ‘outside the musical artist box’ that I’d existed within for so long.
“I am so proud of this album.”
Tickets for the December 7 show at Avoca Beach Theatre.