SPIRIT OF THE ANZACS Album Out Now; Arena Tour Announced

2015 marks the 100th Anniversary of the ANZAC's landing at Gallipoli. In honour of this landmark occasion, former Australian of the Year, Lee Kernaghan, teams up with a host of local artists and musicians to bring you 'SPIRIT OF THE ANZACS' - Standard & Deluxe Editions available now.

'Spirit of the Anzacs' features local music stars Lisa McCune, John Schumann, Sara Storer and Fred Smith, in addition to the talents of Guy Sebastian, Sheppard, Jon Stevens, Jessica Mauboy, Shannon Noll and Megan Washington, who lend their vocals to charity single and album title track. The 'Spirit of the Anzacs' single is based on former Prime Minister Paul Keating's moving eulogy at the entombment of the Unknown Australian Soldier.

Lee Kernaghan says, "Mr. Keating's immortal words, "He is all of them. And he is one of us." led us to write a song that pays tribute to all the men and women who have served and sacrificed on behalf of our country across 100 years of ANZAC history".

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Recorded at Rancom Street Studio in Sydney with long-time producer and collaborator Garth Porter, 'Spirit Of The Anzacs' is a tribute to those that have given their lives, those who have served, and those that still today step bravely into the unknown to serve our country.

Lee and Garth were granted unique access to the Australian War Memorial archive, collecting letters penned by diggers to their loved ones at home and spanning World War I to the present day. Each song on the 16-track recording is inspired by one of these real letters.

"This is some of the most powerful material that I've ever had the privilege to record in my career", said Lee. "The album takes you on a real journey, from the trenches of the Western Front to the bombing of Darwin, Kokoda, Long Tan, and the dust of Uruzgan Province in Afghanistan. It is a project that goes to the heart of who we are as a nation."

"Every nation has its story. This is ours. From the bloody Gallipoli landing to the dusty deserts of Afghanistan, precious war letters held at the Australian War Memorial have inspired this moving tribute from one of Australia's great story tellers, Lee Kernaghan. The spirit of the men and women who wrote them, their courage and sacrifice lives in these songs - and in us." - Dr Brendan Nelson, Director, Australian War Memorial

A star-studded line-up of Australia's finest musical and performing talents will take to the stage to tell the stories of Australians at war, in SPIRIT OF THE ANZACS - The Arena Tour. This unforgettable event commemorates 100 years of ANZAC pride from the ANZAC's landing at Gallipoli in 1915 through to the deserts of the war in Afghanistan.

Screen legend Jack Thompson, multi-Gold Logie winner Lisa McCune, country music superstar Lee Kernaghan OAM and Redgum's John Schumann head the stellar cast that will take us on a musical and theatrical journey based on the true and personal stories of those serving abroad and their loved ones at home.

The national tour of SPIRIT OF THE ANZACS - The Arena Tour will commence in Newcastle on 21 August, before travelling to Brisbane, Wollongong, Sydney, Tamworth, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth.

SPIRIT OF THE ANZACS - The Arena Tour is a compelling stage event for every Australian and New Zealander to experience. It is a theatrical production based on the human side of our history at war as told by the men and women who were there. These remarkable tales, sourced from the archives of personal letters, diaries and stories held at the Australian War Memorial, chronicle the entire spectrum of the experience of Australians at war over the past 100 years - from the trenches of the Western Front to the bombing of Darwin, the hardships of the Kokoda trail to the courage of Long Tan, and all the way to the dust of Uruzgan Province in Afghanistan.

Each powerful and inspiring story in this unique and emotional production is brought to life through stirring songs, narrated tales and powerful screen images. These are the true stories of real people who through their words are also representing thousands of others who were there with them sharing the same experiences and feeling the same emotions.

SPIRIT OF THE ANZACS - The Arena Tour has been inspired by the songs from Lee Kernaghan's new album of the same name. This remarkable 16 song recording also includes some very special guest artists performing songs written by Kernaghan, Colin Buchanan and producer Garth Porter.

The all-star cast of actors and singers, supported by an 11-piece band and vocal group, will perform all the songs from the Spirit of the ANZACS album including Song for Grace, To The Top Of The Hill, When the First Bombs Fell, Being Your Sons in addition to some other Australian classic songs.

Utilising the latest state-of-the-art production techniques, a giant screen behind the stage will present a visual backdrop to the songs and stories through a dramatic range of images, showing the real-life drama of an extraordinary history of courage, bravery, hope and love by the men and women who served their nation in the line of duty.

Directed by Ignatius Jones (Creative Director of Vivid Sydney, 2010 Winter Olympics), the arena event is presented by Chugg Entertainment and Stephen White Productions.

Kernaghan said of the arena spectacular, "SPIRIT OF THE ANZACS - The Arena Tour is unlike anything I've done before. The gravity of these new songs cuts the air like the smoke of a bushfire, a constant reminder of all the courage, blood, love and loss that's wrapped up in every word. It's a musical monument."

Michael Chugg of Chugg Entertainment said, "As the SPIRIT OF THE ANZACS - The Arena Tour developed, we saw what an amazing part of this year's 100th anniversary of the landing at Gallipoli this event could become. I believe this wonderful production that salutes our heroes and the magnificent Digger spirit will become the cultural and entertainment event of the year."

Stephen White, CEO of Stephen White Productions, said, "This production is about who we are as a nation. It is about our spirit, the essence of what makes us Aussies and Kiwis. It is especially about acknowledging those men and women who showed extraordinary courage and who lived through unimaginable experiences or who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty."

SPIRIT OF THE ANZACS - The Arena Tour goes to the heart of who we are, offering a special tribute to those who gave their lives, those who have served, those that have returned unseen, and those who still today step bravely into the unknown to serve our country.

The title song from Kernaghan's new album Spirit of the ANZACS is a remarkable all-star recording where Lee is joined by Guy Sebastian, Jessica Mauboy, Shannon Noll, Jon Stevens, Sheppard and Megan Washington in what is a soul stirring fundraising anthem inspired by the speech by former Prime Minister Paul Keating at the entombment of The Unknown Australian Soldier at the Australian War Memorial on 11th November 1993. The Artists, the Songwriters, the ABC, record labels and publishers will donate their proceeds from the song "Spirit of the Anzacs" to Soldier On and Legacy.

Soldier On and Legacy charities will also share a donation of $3.00 per ticket sold to the Spirit Of The Anzacs - The Arena Tour.

SPIRIT OF THE ANZACS - The Arena Tour is the arena event of 2015, and certain to galvanize the nation.

www.leekernaghan.com

www.spiritoftheanzacs.umusic.com.au

www.facebook.com/leekernaghanfans
www.legacy.com.au

www.soldieron.org.au

www.abcmusic.com.au
The Arena Tour - www.spiritoftheanzacs.com

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