Behind the music - Neighbours star Alan Fletcher
Alan played Dr Karl Kennedy for thirty years on the long-running Australia soap drama Neighbours.
In 2020, he transitioned from rock to a solo career in Americana, Alt-Country, and Folk music. Teaming up with producers Lachlan Bryan and Damian Cafarella (Lachlan Bryan and The Wildes), he released the EP Dispatches and the album The Point.
Commenting on his upcoming tour, he says, "My 2025 tour of the UK and Ireland is my most ambitious and far reaching. Last year's tour sold out and, for the first time, I had a real sense that people came to hear the music not to just meet my alter-ego Dr Karl.
"I got that sense from seeing people singing my lyrics back to me and from incredible support for my recorded music. I suspect this tour is going to be a RIPPER and I cannot wait to share my new music with Brit and Irish fans everywhere."
Alan's recent releases are the singles Tell 'Em, a Country Music duet with his partner of 35 years and bandmate, Jennifer Hansen, and Back To School.
I can be a bit grumpy, but I am generally very happy. And I am a little bit lazy in the mornings.
How would you describe your music?
I would describe it as a blend of whimsical, love songs and songs about my life that are ballads, mixed in with some rambunctious, funny songs that are about how much I love lager and sleeping in and so forth. So, it's quite eclectic.
Who are your musical inspirations?
Primarily the great Americana artists like John Prine, Kris Kristofferson, of course, The Highwaymen, outlaw country music, Willie Nelson, that sort of thing. They are massive inspirations to me. Jason Isbell and his more contemporary sets. But also, I go all the way back to Elvis Costello, I would say he was my major musical influence, because he crosses over every field of music, to even country.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
The very first gig I went to was Led Zeppelin at Subiaco Football Ground in Perth, West Australia. It was incredible. I still rank it in my top five concerts of all time.
What was the first record you ever bought?
Elenore by The Turtles. Big hit. Surfer Dan was on the flip side. And the first LP I ever bought was Canned Heat's Cookbook.
What's your favourite song right now?
I was reminded of this the other day and I can't get it out of my head because I just watched a documentary about The Beach Boys. And my favourite song is God Only Knows by The Beach Boys at this stage. I'm singing it to myself all the time.
Favourite lyric of all time?
I know this is really corny but pick any lyric out of Imagine. I just think that John Lennon got that song so right. It's pitch perfect.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Well, it could be Imagine, but Ed Sheeran's got some songs that I think you could listen to forever. But if I was going to listen to it for the rest of my life, I think it would have to be something uplifting, something that would keep me going like Honey Pie from The White Album, The Beatles. "Honey pie, you're driving me crazy."
My website and @alanfletcher on socials.
Alan Corr
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