Mackay country singer Brad Butcher picks LeAnn Rimes as coach

A country crooner who started his career in the mining towns of Dysart and Moranbah has reflected on his journey to The Voice where he’s paired up with superstar coach LeAnn Rimes.

After nailing his blind audition Mackay local Brad Butcher will be proceeding to the next round of The Voice.

After smashing his blind audition, one Mackay country music troubadour is hoping to make his splash on The Voice.

Brad Butcher, a born and raised Mackay man, stunned Australia with his rendition of Bruce Springsteen’s I’m On Fire, successfully turning not one but all of the judges.

“It was a very weird experience, it’s not like any gig I’d ever done,” Mr Butcher said.

“There was another level of pressure added that I didn’t expect to feel.”
Mr Butchers journey to music “was a long one” after mostly playing sports in his youth and going to work in the mines after finishing school.

“I didn’t start performing until my early 20s, but I always wrote songs,” he said.

At 22 Mr Butcher joined his first band PJ Ray and together they played practically every venue in Mackay, including AM Bar, Molloys and Mojos.

“Name a venue in Mackay and I played a gig there,” he said.

Mr Connors gave Brad songwriting books and words of encouragement to set him on the path of performing.

Throughout his career Mr Butcher has been inspired by a number of country artists, but his greatest mentor has been Mackay’s own Graeme Connors.

“He went to school with my uncles so I reached out to him through that connection and he was very generous,” Mr Butcher said.
“He gave me song writing books and set me on the path.
“To this day he encourages me and is such a kind and generous person.”

Mr Butcher selected country superstar LeAnn Rimes as his coach and looks forward to learning from her.

“She’s also a hell of a woman,” he said.

Mr Butcher has received thousands of messages from his friends, family and fans in the Mackay region following his performance.

“Thank you to everyone who’s reached out,” he said.

“This has been an incredible experience.”