BRAD BUTCHER AT THE 2025 TAMWORTH COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL
BY MIRANDA SAUNDERS
Brad Butcher is an Australian country music singer and songwriter from Mackay, Queensland. He’s won two Golden Guitars at the Country Music Awards and released his second album James Town in 2015. His sixth album came out in 2023, and in 2024, he was on The Voice, where all four judges turned their chairs.
Brad grew up with music around him. His mum played in bands and always had a piano in the house. While no one in his family pushed him into music, Brad caught the bug, especially for songwriting. He started writing as a teenager, using it as a way to express his emotions. Over time, he became inspired by songwriters like Rodney Crowell, Guy Clark, and Troy Cassar-Daley.
On The Voice, Brad didn’t expect much. In fact, his wife and kids signed him up. "I went into it with a pretty open mind, which was a good thing in hindsight," he said. "But to have all four judges turn around was pretty cool. And to see the look on my wife and kids’ faces, they were stoked." The feedback from the judges was positive, and it was a surreal experience for Brad.
Brad’s songwriting process can happen anywhere. Whether he’s reading, talking to someone, or driving, ideas just pop into his head. "Sometimes they just pop into your head," he said. "I’ve tried to do this regimented every day to write something, even if it’s terrible. Just write something because you never know when something’s going to arrive." He often starts with a line or phrase that catches his attention, whether it’s from a conversation or a song lyric.
His biggest musical influences have changed over time. As a kid, it was Jack Johnson. "As a teenager, it changed to the country area of Graham Connors," he explained. "Then it went to America and Rodney Crowell for a while." Currently, he’s inspired by Laurie McKenna, a songwriter known for her work with artists like Tim McGraw. "Every time she releases a song, it's something special. She’s probably my greatest influence at the moment," Brad said.
For 2025, Brad has a busy year ahead. He’ll be touring with Tory Dark, starting on January 30th. "We’re doing a 30-date tour, and we’re hitting Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria until April," he said. "I’ve got more gigs in the first three months of the year than I’ve had in the past three years combined." Brad is excited about the year ahead and looking forward to the opportunities it brings.
Occasionally, people recognise him from The Voice, but he keeps a low profile when he’s out and about. "You get a few looks, like they’re trying to figure it out," he laughed. "But it’s nice when people pull you up and say they liked what you did."