Biography

Paving your own destiny is a topic Australian act Jetty Road are quite familiar with.

Their debut six years ago into the Australian music scene saw them make the bold decision only a few years later to branch out into the Northern hemisphere; a courageous step, which is now starting to pay big dividends. Jetty Road are now making waves in Canada and Europe as well as their home country Australia. But winning their second CMAA Award (Australia's highest country music accolade) for Best Group in January this year has the icing on the cake. Identical twin sisters, Lee and Paula Bowman, Julian Sammut and Simon Ross are members of what is now being touted one of Australia's hottest acts.

The four friends met whilst studying at Music College in Melbourne, Australia, and after a few years began writing and recording, releasing their debut album Full Circle in 2005, the follow up album, Dirt Roads City Lights in 2007, their multi award winning album Life at a Million Miles in 2009 and most recently Far Away Places in 2011.

And the figures are starting to stack up. Since releasing Full Circle, the band have had ten tracks appear in the Top 20 on Australian country radio, 9 of those in the top 10, with Million Miles and I'm A Dreamer retaining the #1 position for weeks and Serves You Right peaking at #1 for four. Nine of the video clips for these tracks have appeared in the Top 10 on the CMC Top 30 chart (Country Music Channel) - five of them to the coveted #1 position, City Lights (2008), Million Miles (2009), World Keeps Turning (2009), Serves You Right (2011) and I'm A Dreamer (2012).

Along with strong chart success, Jetty Road have taken home many awards over the past few years, including two CMAA Awards (Golden Guitar) at the 38th and 40th CMAA Country Music Awards of Australia for Best Group / Duo. Jetty Road have also been honoured with Album of the Year and Single of the Year nominations. They've won other key country music awards including Australian Independent Artist of the Year, Australian Independent Album of the Year, Australian Independent Group/Duo of the Year, numerous Australian Country Music People's Choice Awards and the National Music Oz Award for Best Country Act. Most recently, their significant award win at the inaugural AIADA awards made headlines; Jetty Road took out the major Professional Development Award ($20,000) in recognition of excellence in Australian Independent Country Music.

There have been many career highlights, but taking their music to the world stage is undoubtedly at the top of this list. Playing main stage performances at festival giants Big Valley Jamboree, WE Fest, Havelock Jamboree, Merritt Mountain CM Festival, Capitol Hoedown, plus Norway and Switzerland's famous Vinstra and Trucker & Country Festivals alongside the cream of country music including Alan Jackson, Brooks and Dunn, Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw, Kenny Chesney, Vince Gill, Gretchen Wilson, Dwight Yoakam, and Glen Campbell to name a few.

Most recently, their signing to On Ramp Records, one of Canada’s premiere country music record labels, is their next significant achievement. They are the only non-Canadian act amongst an impressive Canadian country music artist roster including Victoria Banks, Shane Yellowbird and Jaydee Bixby.

And while many may view the title of Jetty Road's fourth album, Far Away Places, as a reference to their penchant for globetrotting, it also reflects their musical journey into the unknown.  On past albums, Jetty Road have written all of their own material, but their latest project sees a branching out with a number of notable co-writes, including George Canyon (Wrong), and Jason McCoy (I’m a Dreamer / Welcome to the Party). Opting to record their 4th album half way across the globe in Vancouver, Canada with producer Paul Shatto has also proven to be an exciting partnership.

So, what’s in store for Jetty Road you ask?

Stay tuned; it seems they may be in for one memorable ride.....