‘SPIRIT OF THE ANZACS’, the remarkable new album from Lee Kernaghan & Special Guests, has moved up from last week’s ARIA #2 debut position to claim the ARIA Album Chart #1 spot, overcoming a host of international and domestic releases with one of the strongest second week sales of the year. ARIA has also certified that the album has gone GOLD after only two weeks of sales.
‘Spirit Of The Anzacs’ has dominated the iTunes All-Genres album chart this week with the Deluxe Edition of the album hitting the top of the chart on Sunday evening. The music video featuring the charity single Spirit Of The Anzacs’ has also claimed the number one position on the iTunes All Genre video chart.
Lee is thrilled that this album has resonated so strongly with the Australian public, saying “Writing and recording these songs that have been inspired by the letters and true stories from servicemen and women is the most humbling yet inspirational experience of my career.
I am so grateful for the contribution and incredible performances from some of Australia’s greatest artists, who have joined me in honouring the Anzacs. Every nation has its story. This ours”.
Additionally, ABC Music achieves a landmark this week, achieving their first ever artist No.1 ARIA Mainstream album. Robert Patterson, Director – ABC Commercial, said “It is a great achievement that ABC Music has attained its first No.1 mainstream chart album. It’s also entirely fitting it should be by Lee Kernaghan – an artist who has worked in partnership with the ABC for his entire career.”
‘Spirit Of The Anzacs’ features a diverse array of stars across the musical spectrum including Lisa McCune, John Schumann, Sara Storer, Fred Smith and VC recipient Ben Robert Smith. Superstars Guy Sebastian, Jessica Mauboy, Sheppard, Jon Stevens, Shannon Noll and Megan Washington donated their time and talents to the ‘Spirit Of The Anzacs’ charity song and video with all proceeds going to Legacy Australia and Soldier On.
WATCH THE #1 VIDEO NOW: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q20DUaIzYJg&feature=youtu.be
Inspired by the songs from Lee Kernaghan’s chart-topping album ‘Spirit Of The Anzacs’, SPIRIT OF THE ANZACS – The Arena Tour will tour nationally this August and September. The production will feature a star-studded line-up including Jack Thompson, Lisa McCune, John Schumann, Harrison Craig, Fred Smith, Jack Jones, Lee Kernaghan and more.
Tickets on-sale now. For more information, head to www.spiritoftheanzacs.com
SPIRIT OF THE ANZACS | SINGLE OUT NOW
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.
LEE KERNAGHAN | SPIRIT OF THE ANZACS | ALBUM OUT NOW
LIMITED DELUXE EDITION AVAILABLE NOW! – Featuring exclusive additional content.
ABOUT ‘SPIRIT OF THE ANZACS’
2015 marks the 100th Anniversary of the ANZAC’s landing at Gallipoli. The ‘Spirit Of The Anzacs’ album pays tribute to the men and women who have served and continue to serve Australia in this, the Centenary of the Gallipoli landing.
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.”
ABOUT LEE KERNAGHAN
Lee Kernaghan is one of Australia’s most prolific country music artists. He has earned 3 ARIA Awards for Best Country Album, 33 Golden Guitars, and has achieved 33 No.1 hits on the Australian Country Singles Chart. Lee has sold in excess of 2 million albums in the Australian market. In 2008, Lee was named Australian Of The Year for his service to rural and regional Australia.
Lee’s most recent release, ‘Beautiful Noise’ scooped the pool at the 2014 Country Music Awards of Australia, picking up awards for Single of the Year and Music Video of the Year (Flying With The King), along with Male Artist of the Year and Top Selling Album of the Year.
‘Spirit Of The Anzacs’ in 2015 will be Lee’s eleventh studio album.
www.leekernaghan.com
www.spiritoftheanzacs.umusic.com.au
iTunes –Standard & Deluxe
www.facebook.com/leekernaghanfans
www.legacy.com.au
www.soldieron.org.au
www.abcmusic.com.au
The Arena Tour – www.spiritoftheanzacs.com
Nicole Stringer, National Promotions Manager – ABC Contemporary Music Media Release
