COLIN BUCHANAN

Where has country music featured since his early successes?

Colin explains. "In 1994, while I was on the road, I was invited by Lee Kernaghan to co-write a song with him about a ute. Since then, I've collaborated with Lee on every one of his albums, including last year's APRA-winning platinum-selling Spirit Of The ANZACS. My co-writing with the likes of Lee and Troy Cassar-Daley has been a massive part of my career over the last 20 years. The funny thing is, as most people probably think I've slipped out of country the fact is I've had more hits and sales as a backroom writer than I ever had as an artist! It's quietly - and immensely - satisfying."

With a background in teaching and a love of working with kids, an ABC canteen chat became an audition, which became a regular role for Colin as presenter on ABC’s iconic Play School.

“From the first moment, I loved doing Play School,” he says. “My first shoot was on location in Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens. I skipped out of the gates that evening, swinging my guitar case like Maria in The Sound of Music - I loved every second! I was on air from 1993 to 2005, yet I’m still experiencing the deep and lasting affection kids and families have for the presenters...and the toys!”

1993 saw the release of Colin’s first kids' album, the hilarious classic I Want My Mummy. Says Colin, “That album was a collection of songs I’d written during my teaching days. I think the connection that Mummy made between my earlier creative life and my 'professional' career was important.” That connection strengthened when Colin made a simple cassette tape as a Christmas gift for the preschoolers at his local church.

“People started asking for copies for their neighbours and cousins, but we’d only run off about 50 or so. The thing was, a lot of those songs went back to the mid-80s - a time when I was writing songs for Sunday School and never imagined I’d be a recording artist. I decided it was time to pull those threads together. In 1996 I booked a studio and recorded my first kids Christian album, Remember The Lord.”

That decision added a formidable string to Colin’s bow. With what he admits was no great aspiration other than to sing some of his homegrown Bible songs, 20 years later, Colin’s kids' music is a worldwide phenomenon, his shows sell out, and his songs have crossed generations. Colin Buchanan is Australia’s most successful solo Christian artist.

With a 20-year stint as Qantas inflight audio host, corporate compare, and regular panellist on ABC Sydney Drive's Thank God It's Friday, Colin's career continues its unconventional journey.