They’re a talented bunch, those Kernaghans. And 2008 is shaping up to be a big year, with new albums, Lee’s nomination for a whopping six Golden Guitars at the Country Music Awards, and his nomination for 2008 Australian of the Year.
While Lee, 43, and Tania, 39, are Australian country music icons, another Kernaghan’s star is on the rise. Younger sibling Fiona, 34, a respected songwriter, has returned from the US with a rock-inspired album, Shadow Wine and Truth Lilies, brimming with autobiographical songs.
Woman’s Day sat down with the Kernaghans and learnt why Fiona almost burnt down her New York home, and why being a Kernaghan is so damned cool.
Lee, the Kernaghans are a country music family. What are your feelings about your little sister Fiona’s rock’n’roll music?
Lee: I think we’re all pretty much in awe of her talent. She basically locked herself in her bedroom as a teenager and all she did was play guitar. Her own creative spirit started to emerge and she started writing songs that blew us away.
Tania are you blown away by your sister’s songwriting ability?
Tania: I would look at the lyrics that Fiona was writing at 17, 18 and I’d ask her how do you know how to write this stuff? It was beyond her years and so intense. She said it just came through her. She’s such an observer, she takes in all around her. She’s amazing, and I couldn’t have had the career I’ve had without the songs that Fiona has written for me. Her new album is very autobiographical and really targets women. It speaks to women’s hearts. That song You Can Call Me Baby… ‘All I ever wanted was a love to take my breath away’… it’s great stuff. A lot of women will say, “That’s about me.” It’s things that you feel and Fiona has put it out there for everybody.
Fiona you’re the youngest. Were your siblings encouraging to you as a muso and writer?
Fiona: Yes. We’d rehearse and play together even as little kids in a family band. I learnt an awful lot from Lee when he got his record deal and went to another level. I am nine years younger and took a lot of creative cues from him.
It must have been hard being placed in the ‘country music’ box against your will?
Fiona: I don’t take too well to any creative confines. It was good to go the US where I could be taken for my own person. They weren’t aware of what the Kernaghans had done previously. There was a lot more freedom.
Tell us about the pressures that go with being a Kernaghan?
Fiona: I don’t really look upon it as pressure. I’ve been really fortunate to have the opportunity to write with and for them as well. It’s been more of a blessing than a curse. But what I do musically is different from what they do.
You suffered from depression while in the US. Would you say your music was a benefit to your healing?
Fiona: Yes, absolutely. Writing and singing my own material has been incredibly healing. Being able to express what I was holding in my own heart was really empowering.
Was there a turning point?
Fiona: I think as a songwriter you have a self-awareness and you do tend to analyse your own thoughts. I was painfully aware of what was going on and realised I had to start writing more personal songs that were more to do with my own real life. Those songs are on the album.
It takes a lot of bravery to put yourself out there like that.
Lee: It’s very exposing. It’s OK for me because I’m singing about my mates out in the bush knocking back a few and raising hell. Fiona really digs deep at an emotional level.
Fiona: The record is a reflection of a very different lifestyle. The last 10 years. Life changed dramatically when I moved to Nashville, New York and LA.
And in going to America you found the love of your life, Dan Kresco, your record producer and husband.
Fiona: Had I not gone I would never have met Dan. I can’t imagine life without him. Meeting Dan was the greatest thing that happened to me.
Were you in the midst of depression when you met?
Fiona: I was just hitting my burn-out. It was fortunate for me to have this relationship with Dan. He became a real support. Which was great for me. It was unlucky for Dan I was pretty burnt out. We went through the toughest times earlier in the relationship, but it’s been on an upward trend thank heavens.
Lee and Tania, how have you survived the pressures of the music industry?
Lee: Just whenever I see my kids, whether it’s wrestling on the floor with them — that always brings you down to earth. You realise that’s the most important thing in life. You put your life into the music because that is our life, but at the same time you have to be careful it doesn’t consume you. One great thing dad said to me when I was starting out was, “Son, don’t get a swelled head and don’t believe your own publicity.” You’re only as good as your last show. Getting out in front of a live audience is a great leveller.
Tania: We saw all the wonderful things Dad did when he used to perform. We learnt early that the music industry is so up and down. When you’re high, you’re so high and then you can come crashing down. Because of Mum and Dad’s wisdom, they taught us to enjoy the highs and don’t worry about the lows and just keep going.
What is next for you, Lee?
Lee: I’m spending a lot of time song writing at the moment for a new album and tour next year. I’ve spent the last 18 months out on the road and also doing a series of big outdoor shows to raise the spirits of the farming communities. I’m committed to the cause and will do this for the rest of my life. I’m spending much of my time on the road. My boys Jett and Rock are 4 and 6, I love spending as much time as possible with them, too. They love the bush. They’re both really into music. They love it. I think they’ll be musos, too…
Read more of this interview in Woman’s Day (on-sale January 21, 2008)
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