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Artist Bio

CASEY BARNES

Jet Trails is the title of Casey Barnes’ fourth album. It’s also the story of his life.

Casey’s music has made an impact around the world. He’s had dance hits in Europe, written songs in America, appeared in a top-rating TV show in Australia, and played alongside many international stars.

Casey started his singing career in his home state of Tasmania, before relocating to the Gold Coast, which he now calls home.

Casey’s songs are honest and heartfelt. The emotions are genuine. The Jet Trails single, Michelle, documents how Casey’s life changed when he met his wife. Casey wrote the song in Nashville with Aussie hit-maker Rick Price (Not A Day Goes By, Heaven Knows), who later posted this message: “Man, his eyes lit up when he talked about her and his little daughter – great to see a guy loving on his family like that.”

Family and community are important to Casey. At the start of 2011, his defiant Never Break You became an anthem after the devastating Queensland floods and Cyclone Yasi. The song soared to number one on the AIR charts, Top 10 on iTunes, and number six on ARIA’s Australian Artists Singles chart, with Casey donating all proceeds to the Premier’s Disaster Relief Appeal.

Australians got to know Casey’s story when he was a top 12 finalist in the final series of Australian Idol in 2009. But Casey already had a career before appearing on the show, having released three albums, played alongside Bryan Adams, and had a number one hit on the European dance charts, singing Marco Demark’s remake of Elton John’s Tiny Dancer.

“I never thought I’d go on Idol, but it changed my life in a positive way,” Casey reflects. “It gave me massive exposure and I’m still great friends with the rest of the Top 12.” In fact, Casey co-wrote two of the Jet Trails songs – Running To You and Falling For You – with fellow Idol finalist Hayley Warner, the 2009 runner-up.

The most over-used word on Idol was “journey”. But it’s a fitting description of Casey Barnes’ musical life. He’s an artist who’s not afraid to take his chances and chase his dream. And despite the many achievements so far, you get the feeling that this journey has many highlights to come, as Casey continues to blaze a trail around the world.