STORY - "Britt by Britt"

It is arguably the greatest irony that comes with being a young, beautiful, country music star based in the US. It is so far from home.

For the last six years Charlestown-raised Catherine Britt has spent most of her time carving a career in Nashville, Tennessee – often referred to as the home of country music. But for now, at least until the end of the year, the 23-year-old has bridged the 12,000km gap between her music and her family.

“I will be staying home for as long as possible,” Catherine said.

But you can not keep a successful and well-travelled musician down for too long. Catherine looks set for a six-month stint in Australia before heading back to Nashville at the end of the year. Catherine hopes to maintain the transience of half-a-year-here and half-a-year-there because it gives her stability and allows the talented songstress to embrace the best of both her worlds. And she has loved every minute of it so far.

There are local gigs, songwriting opportunities and an encore of family and friends to visit. She even performed two tracks and sang the national anthem in front of her beloved Newcastle Knights (the Knights beat the Gold Coast Titans 13-12 – just for the record). On the same day her “controversial” single ‘What I Did Last Night’ was played on the big screen.

Two weeks later that same single hit number one on Australia’s national Country Music Chart – her second consecutive number one after the title track of her latest record Little Wildflower reached the same peak. This was a reason for Catherine to celebrate and she could do so with those nearest and dearest to her.

But there is a more sobering dimension to Catherine’s transient lifestyle. ‘What I Did Last Night’ was written by Catherine after another binge-drinking session in Nashville, which was the result of being alone and “pining for home”.

“I was in Nashville, I was alone and lonely, going to shows and getting drunk,” Catherine said. “It (the song) happened after another night of binge drinking and I thought I need to get control of my life.”

She has well and truly managed that. The single has led to several media appearances, including a spot on Channel 9’s Mornings With Kerri-Anne, and the beautifully shot film clip has prompted rave reviews. But her most honest and revealing performance to date has been a hit in more ways than one. The charts and record sales have been crossed off her list but Catherine has managed to hit a deep nerve across the wider community with a song she described as “cheap therapy”.

“I have had lots of emails about the song and one person said they bawled their eyes out when they heard it and decided ‘I have to change my life’,” Catherine said. It is rare that people are moved to that extent but Catherine admits, “It is good knowing people are affected by your music…It can get people talking, change opinions and change lives.”

The former St Joseph’s Charlestown student said having the ability to move people was one of the best things about the music industry and she invests a lot of time and effort into her songwriting. Catherine said there is a spiritual element to her material, “Absolutely. I am an extremely spiritual person. I have my beliefs but I am very open-minded”.

Catherine grew up in Charlestown listening to the sounds of country legend Hank Williams with her parents Anne and Steve, who now live in Kahibah. Just down the road from the new family home Catherine’s parents attend Mass at St Mary Immaculate. She said her background and upbringing have had a major impact on her work.

“I used to sing a lot of gospel music and listen to Hank Williams who has a gospel influence.” Country music has a base within Christianity and it has influenced her style along the way. “It has definitely affected my songwriting,” Catherine said.

These influences and experiences have all combined to create the person Catherine Britt is today. She has grown, little bit by little bit, and is creating a wonderful life with an impressive, influential – and unfinished - soundtrack.

Josh Callinan

Catherine will perform at Hexham Bowling Club on Saturday 14 June.

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