Australian singer/songwriter Markus Meier is being hailed as a major NEW force to a younger generation of Music fans following the release of his Country-Rock album A Di!erent Land with 3 x #1 singles, the title track A Di!erent Land, "ring up the charts with Rope A Cowgirl which became a ‘massive hit’ staying at No 1 for #5 straight weeks, making him the most played artists on Country Radio in 2010 and topping it o! with My Patch of Dirt staying in the number #1 spot for 3 weeks running.
‘The Territory Boy’ began his musical journey at the age of five teaching himself how to play guitar while listening to the radio and his mum’s Elvis and Johnny Cash cassette tapes. More than two decades later his determination has paid o! joining forces with one of Australia’s most successful producers, Garth Porter, (member of 70’s pop band ‘SHERBET’) (Produced for Troy Cassar-Daley, James Blundell, Lee Kernaghan) to produce a dynamic new sound very di!erent to the ‘stereotypical type’ Country sound.
Highlights for Markus to date have been monumental ones especially considering he’s a totally independent artist…Firstly with the album A Di!erent Land achieving the coveted #1 spot on the ARIA Australian Country Albums Charts in September 2010. Being nominated for 2 major CMAA Golden Guitar Awards at Tamworth for ‘Male Artist of the Year’ & ‘New Talent of the Year’ and then achieving his biggest highlight to date, the chance to play LIVE to 4000+ people at the Awards but also to a national TV audience.............’I still cant believe it, we didn’t win anything on the night but showing people what I do and what I’m about is everything to me, it was unbelievable!’ says Markus.
In 2010, Markus performed in front of more than 45,000 music fans as the opening act on Lee Kernaghan’s Australian Tour and audiences will get a taste of Markus when he performs at the 2011 CMC Rocks the Hunter festival, headlined by US superstar Alan Jackson. Mid 2011 Markus is due to release his third album ‘Modern Days’, this time with a style that edges considerably towards the rockier side of country music. “Garth and I first talked about my next album in December 2010. We both felt we needed to make a strong statement, take the music to new places. My music had always been an adventure, so it was no surprise that I was keen to explore new ground.” says Markus. $e "rst single to be released ‘A Perfect Night’ has been readily accepted by his fans and has been added to mainstream radio playlists across the country. Markus has also secured a spot as support and permanent band member on Lee Kernaghan’s Pubs, Clubs and Carpark Tour and was support act for the McClymonts on their national tour. A national tour of his own now in planning stages.
FAST FACTS: 3 X #1 singles on the Australian Country Radio Charts. #1 spot ARIA Country Charts for September 2010. Highest selling album at the 2010 Gympie Muster. Nominated for 2 X Golden Guitars 2010. Markus grew up in the Kimberly region of Western Australian outback, his family later moved to Darwin NT. Markus sings and writes his own music. He plays harmonica, stomp box, electric and acoustic guitars and is self tough. Markus has played more than 800 shows to date.
AIADA Entrants 
Listen to "My Patch Of Dirt" by Markus Meier.
