Award inspires band to keep the music playing

Margaret River band Jason and the Stirling Rangers have been named group of the year at the WA Country Music Awards.

The band, led by lead singer Jason Norris formed in 2009, with Dave Seegar, Tony Lane and Kev McDonald rounding out the current line-up.

The band was awarded the title at the awards in Boyup Brook last month, which was Norris’ third win in the category, while also being nominated for best songwriter.

In 2015, the band released their self-titled EP, which was nominated for best independent album at the WA Country Music Awards last year.

Speaking to the Times, Norris said the band were very happy to be recognised for their work.

“We are all excited about winning the award and it is something that encourages and inspires myself and the other boys to keep on doing what we do,” he said.

“I certainly will be putting more energy into my music and getting the band on the road this year, that’s for sure.”

The band performed at the Boyup Brook Country Music Festival straight after their win and were intending to perform a set of their original songs when they decided to change it, opening their set with Johnny Cash’s Five Feet High and Rising because the Blackwood River was flooding just a few metres from the stage.

Norris said the band were working on an album they hoped to release later this year.

“We are planning to follow up our debut EP with a full-length album which we have started working on,” he said.

Norris said the album so far was focused on localising country music. “We are trying to add an Australian flair to country music,” he said.

Jason and the Stirling Rangers play at Brewhouse on April 16 from 4.30pm and at the Beer Farm Rodeo from 8pm.