Home, home on the road

Australian country music star Adam Harvey has come a long way since his first gig at a Tamworth on Parade competition at age 10. A winner of eight Country Music Awards of Australia, including three Golden Guitars for male artist of the year, he is up for three more awards this year in Tamworth.

The one-time gold mine truck driver is nominated for male artist of the year, album of the year for I'm Doin' Alright and single of the year for Someone Else's Dream. He spends many hours on the road, joking he is in the car more often than he is at home, performing or in motels between gigs.

What was your first car?
My first car was a Ford XE Falcon sedan that I got when I was 19.

What do you drive now? It's a black Honda CR-V, the perfect family car. I had always driven Fords up until last year, when the Honda dealer talked me into the CR-V. Plus a bit of general persuasion from the wife, of course.

Do you have a favourite drive and who would you take?
The Great Ocean Rd is one of the best, as far as I'm concerned, and I've toured all over Australia. It's a world-class trip and can't be beaten, except for the road home after a long tour.

How far would you drive in an average year?
It's so hard to tell, with our touring here and overseas. There's around 150 shows I do each year and it seems sometimes I spend more time in the car than I do on stage or in the motel room.

Do you have a favourite motoring memory?
My dad's one-tonner Holden ute -- HG model -- from when I was a kid. It was a great car. When he came to selling it I begged him not to, but I couldn't afford to buy it and pay him back then. I would have loved if he had kept it and I could have done it up.

What would you buy if money was no object?
I'd buy two cars. A lovely new Mercedes and my dad's old ute.

What music is playing in your car?
The new Brooks and Dunn album. It's a great album and I am twice as excited now that they are coming to Australia and I get to tour with them.

How much is too much for a car?
You can never pay too much for the right car. There's no such thing as too much. It's more about how much is in your bank account at the time. What should be done to make driving safer? First, better education for young drivers so they're better equipped to deal with a dangerous situation, should it happen. Tougher penalties, too. Not so much bigger fines for revenue-raising, but longer periods of license cancellation when you have driven illegally or dangerously.

Are you sponsored by a car company?
Not at the moment but I would love to be. Did I mention how much I love my Honda CR-V? Adam Harvey is a three-time finalist in the 2008 CMAA Country Music Awards of Australia being held in Tamworth on January 26, and broadcast on the Southern Cross and Ten Networks. See local guides.