The Modern Day Nashville Dream from an Australian Perspective
When Cameron Mee left everything behind in Australia to pursue his lifelong dream of breaking into the American music scene, he was prepared with years of pushing his skill and creativity to the limit. Present day confirms that this was less of a gamble and more likely an eventuality that the Aussie guitarist would find himself eagerly welcomed by numerous artists and collaborators. One thing Cameron will admit to being surprised about is that he found his sanctuary to be in Nashville, Tennessee. Though he’d always enjoyed Country music, Mee spent years immersed in Jazz, Fusion, Rock, and numerous other genres of music. Discovering that many of the most current Country artist desire an adventurous guitarist with diverse influences, Cameron decided to set up home base in Nashville and has been creating and performing at a furious pace ever since. While he has toured stadiums throughout the US with artists like Chayce Beckham whose single “23” took #1 on both the US and Canadian country music charts, Mee finds great reward in playing theaters, private events, and the iconic clubs of America with several artists. It’s readily apparent when witnessing him on stage that the intercontinental adventure of Cameron Mee delights him to no end.
Austin Snell has come to establish what is known as “Grunge Country” which melds the hard rock style of the 90’s genre with modern country. Over fifty-millions streams, a million alone for the single “Excuse the Mess” in the first week it was released, and legions of TikTok followers have established Austin as one of the brightest stars from Nashville in the past year. Travelling throughout America on tour as the guitarist for Austin Snell opening for artists such as Luke Combs (CMA Entertainer of the Year Award–winner) and Brantley Gilbert (CMA and American Music Award–winner) has been nothing short of thrilling for Cameron. He recalls, “I think our first show was at least a thousand people or more, which was a great way to start. I’ve enjoyed the crowds in Texas, Alabama, Detroit; seeing America and the people have such a good time at the shows, it’s what I’ve always wanted.” There’s a notable heaviness to Austin Snell’s interpretation of country music that is heightened by Cameron’s skill and history with hard rock and country music, lending a powerful authenticity to Austin’s music and performances.
As the guitarist with Allie Colleen, Cameron is a part of the continuing lineage of Country Music. Allie has been praised overwhelmingly in the press for her talent and songwriting, as well as for changing her name to conceal the fact that she is actually the daughter of country music legend Garth Brooks. Fusing pop and country to create her own sound, Allie has quietly acquired admirers in the public and within music critic circles. Cameron attests to the adventure of this gig for him as it ranges from intimate shows with industry insiders to performing for thousands sharing the stage with artists like ACM Award–nominee Gary Allan.
Few of us are brave enough to move across the planet in pursuit of a childhood dream. An artist is a dreamer who finds comfort in a community of similar dreamers with ideas that vibrate at the same frequency of commitment. Cameron Mee has not been home to Australia in years but feels that home for him is now in Nashville. He imparts, “I feel like I arrived in Nashville at the perfect time. Country music is becoming something unique to the times. While it still respects the past, it is establishing a sound for this time and these people. I’m so excited and feel very fortunate to be a part of it all. The artists I get to play and record with and my peers in this city, they all inspire me to want to push myself to bring the very best I can. There’s no better way to live your life than this.”
Writer : Winston Scott