AFTER more than two decades of performing across Australia, Brisbane- based singer-songwriter AnthonyClassen is no rookie, and currently performs around 140 gigs a year.
He has built a strong following of loyal fans and chalked up two consecutive nominations for South East Queensland Clubs’ Entertainer of the Year.
His memorable career is studded with highlights. He has performed alongside legendary Aussie entertainers, Jon English and Paul Kelly, and has toured The Netherlands and the UK as a solo artist. Classen wrote the theme song and incidental music for the movie Casino Reef and the animated short film Koala Country, and his unmistakable voice is heard in the countless television and radio commercials he has written, sung and produced.
I caught up with my mate Classen (Twanger) over the weekend.
Gary Turner: You had an early start to your music career?
Anthony Classen: Well GT, I was playing the piano from aged six and pickedup the guitar aged 12. I started playing John Williamson songs and even today I still sing Old Man Emu in my stage performance.
Classen’s third album and his most serious to date Wound Up Here (One Stop) have put Anthony amongst the serious singer songwriters. In fact Anthony wrote all 12 tracks on this album and his third single from the album Be My Bride will be released shortly.
GT: What is “Be My Bride” about?
AC: When I travel and tour out west,Imeet lots of people and have a heap of fun. But it always strikes me that when it comes to relationships and meeting that someone special, it’s much harder out in the bush where there are less people. Relationships, aswell as life, can be tough.
Wound Up Here was produced by Stuart French and former Ted Mulry Gang member Herm Kovac who Classen describes as ‘a good
mate’. Michel Rose, Mick Albeck, James Gillard and Camille Te Nahu also featured on the album.
AC: I like writing songs and when playing live I enjoy the audience interaction and being personal. I like the audience to be part of the show.
Like some other artists Anthony will not head up the highway to Tamworth this year as he is just way to busy playing live gigs in Brisbane. Anthony is joined on stage by his brother Geoff Classen and together they present themselves as the Classen Brothers playing anything for country to country rock and pop rock.
GT: What do you have in your car CD stacker?
AC: My car CD player is a 10 CD stacker and I have nine Dwight Yoakam CDs and one Keith Urban CD.
As far as Australian artists are concerned l like John Williamson and Lee Kernaghan. I also like Ted Mulry Gang and Cold Chisel.
Anthony enjoys some time out from his guitar and he takes off with brother Geoff for a few days fishing in Moreton Bay.
Anthony also returned from a successful trip to the Shanghai Music Expo where he played a few songs. Classen has a straight shooting outlaw style that has remained among the most down to earth and beautifully consistent of all the new talent in town.
Classen got a knack for choosing great song material and he shows it with his impressive voice.
Check out www.anthonyclassen.com
Anthony will be appearing at the Redcliffe RSL December 18, Brothers Ipswich January 10 and Southern Cross Sports Club Mt Gravatt January 23.
We have some autographed copies of his latest album to giveaway. Classen CD, P.O Box 1, Mt Eliza 3930.
