A cut above: Meet the Mena Creek hairdresser who traded his clippers for crooning and ‘toppled Beyoncé’

When Mena Creek hairdresser Bronson Diamond isn’t trimming tresses he’s cutting bona fide country hits. Now, record companies are racing to sign the modest barber whose gentle baritone has seen him become an overnight Spotify sensation.

Bronson Diamond is winning over fans across the globe with his Spotify smash hit, Stay In Your Lane.

When hairdresser Bronson Diamond isn’t trimming tresses he’s cutting bona fide country hits.

Now, record companies across the globe are racing to get their hands on the modest barber from Mena Creek, population 210, whose gentle baritone has seen him become an overnight Spotify sensation.

The unassuming singer-songwriter’s lovesick ballad, Stay In Your Lane, has notched more than 8.2 million listens on the streaming service since its release last year, leading to record deals flooding his inbox in recent weeks.

The track, recorded at Mark Myers’ Big Sister studios in Yungaburra last year, had taken everyone by surprise, close mate and Cairns producer Tristan Barton said.

“It’s crazy,” Mr Barton said.

“There’s a popular country music playlist on Spotify that features artists and gets a lot of listens.

“It was Beyoncé one week and then the next person who was featured was Bronson.

“I mean, he toppled Beyoncé! It’s just really funny because Bronson is the last person to do anything like that.

“He’s just got his barber shop and is happy cutting people’s hair.”

Mr Diamond is currently in the United States with his girlfriend, fellow musician Greta Stanley. Picture: Bridie Egan

At the urging of his mates, the musician has flown to Nashville, along with girlfriend and fellow artist Greta Stanley, where he’s set to court distribution deals from label heavyweights.

“He’s in a very good bargaining position,” the producer said.

“I think he’s getting messages from people he hasn’t connected with in years congratulating him. But he’s very nonchalant and laid back, nothing’s really fazing him.

“Bronson will be the first to tell you that he’s not the best singer but he’s sung that song in such an honest, beautiful way.

“The whole thing with something going viral is that it’s one in a million. Some people think there’s a method to the madness but a good song is a good song.”

Bronson Diamond, who previously performed with Cairns rockers the Medics, has captured the attention of record labels with his recent foray into country music. Picture: Alison Paterson

Mr Diamond first started tinkering with song ideas while touring with his girlfriend.

Mr Barton recalled first hearing the melody and chords taking shape in 2022.

“He’s such a humble guy. He just said I wrote a song,” Mr Barton said.

“He was always fiddling around. Usually people who do this for a living jump at every opportunity and he’s just not that person.

Close mate and fellow musician, Tristan Barton, says he’s excited to see what opportunities lay ahead for Bronson Diamond. Picture: Supplied

Despite stardom beckoning, the hairdresser can still expect plenty of bookings to sit in his barber’s chair in Stratford when he returns, Mr Barton said.

“He’s actually my barber and he’s always booked out a month in advance,” he said.

“He’s very good at what he does.”

Originally published as A cut above: Meet the Mena Creek hairdresser who traded his clippers for crooning and ‘toppled Beyoncé’