Pete Cullen has done it all. From sleeping in tour vans, playing dive bars around the country, to performing on some of the biggest stages alongside the biggest names in the country. But in today’s musical landscape this is often the resume of those experiencing ‘overnight’ success.
Recently securing distribution through Australian and Nashville based company MGM, Cullen brings his overnight pedigree and delivers magically on his new single ‘Heart Of Steel’, produced by Nash Chambers.
‘Heart Of Steel’ pays homage to the countless Australians who keep Australia moving. The truckers.
“My mate Danny’s old man, Frank Whyatt was a trucker” states Pete. “Danny would tell me he’d be gone from home for weeks. There were no mobiles or internet back then, so Frank used to pull the horn a few kilometres from home and Danny would race his family down the street to meet him.”
Cullen makes the obvious connection between trucking life and country music, but takes a different road than the one usually ending in heartbreak.
“Truckers and musicians share a common thread. You leave your loved ones behind. Life on the road can be fun and exciting. But when the crowd goes home and you’re coming down there’s only one place you want to be … home!”
Like a big truck engine, the rhythm section stirs. The guitar chimes – like only a country guitar can – and the pedal steel arrives. ‘Keep a light on for me, I’ll be home before you know, may you have the sweetest dreams, while I chase the white lines home’. The ingredients for a country music classic are all here. The band, the voice, the writing, the passion.
But don’t be deceived. Of course, there’s heartbreak on the road. But this is a love story. The photographs on the dashboard, the yearning for home.
“Over the years I’ve had the pleasure of performing at Followmont Transport functions and the thing that they all have in common is that they always talk about looking after your family.”
‘Heart Of Steel’ is a refreshing addition to not only the Australian country music landscape, but, to the genre as a whole. It’s exciting, it twangs, and amongst all, has big heart.