Draft:Pete Cullen

One of Pete Cullen’s earliest memories was of his mother instructing aerobics at the local showground hall. Little did he know listening that to 80’s hits on repeat would be the foundation of his musical career. From a little town in QLD, to Nashville, and even the remote Kimberley region of Western Australia, Cullen has done the miles and has the stories to tell.

As a kid, Cullen dreamed of starring in the sports arena, that was until he belted out a rendition of ‘If I Could’ by 1927 in his neighbour's car. At that moment, his neighbour pulled over and said, “You have an amazing voice!” This came as a complete surprise to a young Pete Cullen, as there was no other musical person in his family.

In year 11, Pete started his first band ‘Sour Brew’ and won The Battle of the Bands in Brisbane, singing Purple Haze by Jimi Hendrix. Artists like Hendrix and The Doors introduced Cullen to blues music which has become a major influence as a recording artist.

Not the greatest school student, as soon as he could get out into the world, Cullen travelled to Moree and worked for Stahmann Farms, the company his father worked for. This job introduced him to country music, listening to CDs of John Williamson, Lee Kernaghan and Alan Jackson during the workday. Around this time, he bought a cheap guitar and started writing songs.

In 1997, Cullen decided it was time for another adventure, moving to the Kimberley in Western Australia. He discovered indigenous culture, travelling to communities playing music, and making friends. Broome’s The Pigram Brothers were one of many bush bands who had a lasting influence on Cullen’s Saltwater Country sound. It was during this time that Cullen decided what he wanted to do with his life… become a Rockstar! (Or at least a professional recording artist haha). He moved back to Brisbane to chase this dream.

He put together a band called ‘The Daybridges’. Their first EP I Want You set them up on Triple J. The follow-up EP ‘Losing Control’ was played to Triple J high rotation and led to a performance on Triple J’s Live at the Wireless. The band toured with You Am I, Spiderbait and the Hoodoo Gurus. Getting his fill of that “rockstar lifestyle” Pete decided to give music away and he moved to the coastal town of Peregian QLD with his partner Trish, daughter Lily and where they had their second daughter Estella. But when the music is in your blood, it’s there to stay!

During the stress of the global financial crisis, Cullen picked up his guitar and started writing songs again, as an escape from the stress of his job. A chance meeting with the Rockwiz Orchestra members James Black, Pete Luscombe and Mark Ferrie resulted in the recording of his debut album Tom Whiskey Blues in 2012. Songs off the album were played on ABC Radio National, and Triple J. The record was a finalist in the QLD Music Awards.

As if the stars aligned, Lefty’s Old Time Music Hall opened in 2013 and Cullen took up a residency. Cullen has held this residency for 10 years.

In 2014 Cullen released Saltwater Cowboy. The album was dedicated to a childhood friend who passed away after a tragic surfing accident. On this album Cullen found a unique way to share stories of his life. The single ‘Leaky Boats’ about the refugee boats crisis was a country category finalist in the Qmusic Awards.

In 2016 Cullen travelled to The USA on a writing trip. He travelled from New Orleans up the Blues Highway 61, staying in a cotton shack in Clarksdale Mississippi and then went on to visit the Elvis and Sun Records in Memphis Tennessee. He wrote so many songs that he had enough tracks for multiple albums.

Off the back of all these releases, Cullen decided to branch out from Lefty’s Music Hall and performed at festivals including the Gympie Music Muster, Groundwater and Tamworth Country Music Festival between 2016 and 2019.

In 2019 Cullen released arguably his greatest album High Tide. A protest album inspired by the vitriol he was reading on social media and news outlets. The album covers climate change, corporate greed and racial tensions of the time. This again led to a finalist spot in The Qmusic Awards country category. In early 2020 Cullen headlined Tamworth Country Music Festival’s ‘Americana in the Park’ but the promotion of the record, tour and trip to Americana Fest in Nashville was cancelled due to the pandemic.

Like many during lockdown, Pete had the feeling that his career was over. He concentrated his efforts on renovating his 1903 QLD cottage. Disinterested in music he watched classic games of Rugby League from his childhood. Jokingly he wrote and recorded a punk song ‘Rugba League’ which listed his all-time favourite players. Much to his surprise the song premiered on Triple M’s footy show and featured in channel 9’s rugby league finals coverage. After signing with Heartsville Records in 2021, Cullen released ‘Talkin Honestly’ which was added to High Rotation on ABC Country and added to CMT Rotation.

In 2022 Cullen released his haunting version of ‘Danny Boy’ recorded live with Jy Perry Banks on Pedal Steel and ‘Heavy Damage’ which is loved by punters who attend his live shows.

In 2023 he linked up with Country music legend Nash Chambers on a new album. The first single ‘Heart Of Steel’ was released in February 2023 and made a statement, aired by Kix Country, CMT and ABC Country stations. In October he released ‘Chase the Dream’ and closed out 2024 on a big high with performances at Groundwater and P&O’s Country Cruise.

In 2024 Pete Cullen hit the ground running with the release of Gone Country Again which charted in 2TM Tamworth’s top 20 and performing at Tamworth Country Music Festival.