Sam Thaiday to join QLD Music Trails event in the Outback

Broncos champion Sam Thaiday says he can’t wait to get started in a new role that will see him heading to outback Queensland in April.

NRL legend Sam Thaiday is swapping his footy boots for cowboy boots and hitting the open road for the Queensland Music Trails.

The former Broncos and Maroons champion is the new ambassador for next month’s Outback Trail – the first of six music, food and tourism events in the series.

The Outback Trail, starting April 13, is a nine-day festival throughout red-dirt regional Queensland featuring the likes of Troy Cassar-Daley and Ball Park Music.

Thaiday will drive an Apollo Campervan as he travels between events being held in Goondiwindi, St George, Cunnamulla, Charleville, Quilpie, Tambo and Roma

Footy legend Sam Thaiday in country music gear to promote the upcoming Queensland Music Trails festival. Picture: Nigel Hallett

“I can’t wait to hit up Charleville for Outback Sounds,” said Thaiday, who will host events along the journey.

“That’s going to be an absolutely amazing night with some great artists, local talent and markets. It’s a family friendly event too. And yours truly will be there as well. So that’s also a bonus if you are a rugby league fan and I know people from Charleville absolutely love Queenslanders like me and love their rugby league.”

Since he retired, Thaiday has dabbled in food and coffee, but his talents haven’t extended into music.

“I’ve been asked many times if I have any musical talents,” he said.

“I can click my fingers, I can whistle pretty well. I know how to play piano man on harmonica. Sometimes I can play the spoons, they have to be soup spoons though, cause I’ve got big fingers, just to get them in between. Can’t play teaspoons. But that’s as musically talented as I get. I can sing, but flat.”

After Outback, the Queensland Music Trails head to the Darling Downs and Granite Belt for the Southern Trail in May.

For festival info and tickets visit qldmusictrails.com