Brendon Walmsley Takes Us Track By Track Behind 'Road To Riverleigh'

After more than two decades away from the studio, Golden Guitar-winning singer-songwriter Brendon Walmsley returns with Road to Riverleigh his long-awaited fourth album and a powerful reminder of country music’s ability to heal, connect, and inspire. 

It’s been 21 years since Walmsley’s last full-length release, and in that time, life’s trials and triumphs have shaped an artist whose voice now carries more weight, depth, and authenticity than ever before.

Road to Riverleigh is a deeply personal collection rooted in storytelling, faith, and the rugged beauty of Australian life. “Some songs were written in drought, others in storm, some in celebration,” Walmsley shares. “But they all lead to the same place: hope.” 

That message flows through every track from the nostalgia of the title song to the emotional resonance of Broken and the triumphant uplift of Above and Beyond. Whether navigating grief or celebrating the simple joy of music, each song invites listeners into Walmsley’s journey with a rare kind of honesty.

Brendon Walmsley takes us behind the music with a track-by-track look at the stories, soul, and spirit behind each song on Road to Riverleigh.

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Track By Track by Brendon Walmsley

1. How Sweet The Sound

Inspired by John Newton’s classic hymn, ‘Amazing Grace’, I wanted to paint a picture of finding comfort and healing in the simple, everyday sounds around us like birdsong, children’s laughter, raim and thunder. These moments are like little gifts that bring peace when life gets rough, turning hard times into something hopeful. It’s a gentle reminder to slow down, listen, and appreciate the small things that quietly carry us through.

2. He’s Got The Whole World (feat. Steve Grace & Colin Buchanan)

An epic and uplifting collaboration that tells the story of being known and cared for from the very start, even when life takes us off course. I was lucky to be joined by country gospel legends Steve Grace and Colin Buchanan to sing about the steady presence that’s been there through the good and bad, guiding us back when we’ve lost our way. It’s a hopeful look at trusting that there’s a plan bigger than what we can see, and that we’re held safe in the middle of it all.

3. God Loves Country Music

With plenty of humour and heart, this song celebrates Jesus as a down-to-earth kind of guy who hung out with everyday people and understood their struggles. The song ties together the themes of country music, hard work, heartbreak and redemption with the gospel’s message of love and freedom. It’s a fun reminder that country music tells stories that resonate deeply with faith and life.

4. Road To Riverleigh

This song takes us on a warm, nostalgic trip back to the country farm at Riverleigh where family and simple values are everything. From Granny’s cooking to Grandad’s fixing, Riverleigh feels like the heart of home and belonging. It’s about finding peace and a glimpse of heaven on that journey back to where you’re loved and truly understood.

5. Fear Of Flying

I wanted to share a raw and honest struggle with fear and doubt, feeling stuck, unsure if I was able to take a risky leap forward. But it’s the thought of a loving, steady presence right there beside me, that gave me the courage to keep trying, to trust despite the bruises and unanswered questions. It’s about pushing past what holds you down and finding freedom on the other side.

6. Cooladdi

Australia’s smallest town, Cooladdi, is gripped by the worst drought in living memory. A seemingly hopeless situation in the face of relentless hardship and missed rain. I wrote this song about my experience as locals gather, some doubtful, some praying, waiting for a sign that things will change. When a much needed rain finally falls, it sparks a moment of wonder and faith that maybe, just maybe, someone’s looking out for them after all.

7. Fingernail Faith

Set against a Celtic backdrop, this track is about holding on when everything feels like it’s slipping away. Clinging to hope with barely more than a “fingernail’s grip.” Battling doubts and dark moments, it’s about listening for a quiet voice telling you to hang tight and trust there’s strength in the struggle. It’s a song about never giving up, even when faith feels fragile.

8. Broken

This one gets real about the pain of feeling torn apart inside but having to keep going. The weight of hiding hurt behind a brave face, the loneliness of doubt and fear, and the desperate question of whether things can ever heal. In that vulnerability, there’s a turn toward finding comfort and new strength, showing that brokenness doesn’t have to be the end of the story.

9. Above And Beyond

A call to live bigger than just for ourselves, going the extra mile, showing kindness when it’s hard, and looking out for those who’ve fallen behind. Inspired by the idea of selfless love, the song encourages us to be generous and humble, stepping up with courage and compassion, no matter how tough the road gets.

10. Better Way

Exploring the deep tension and emotional weight of a fractured relationship, the approach to this one was represented through two conflicting yet intertwined perspectives. The chorus yearns for hope, healing, and a better way forward, while the verses delve into the raw chaos, miscommunication, and emotional damage that threaten to pull the relationship apart. Through rapid-fire lyrics and reflective melodies, the song confronts pride, pain, and broken trust, ultimately asking whether love and grace are still strong enough to stop the suffering and lead both people back home to one another.

11. Below An Open Sky

An honest prayer that captures the quiet strength it takes to keep going through life’s driest, toughest seasons. Even when things feel hopeless, there’s a sense that God sees the struggle and offers a kind of rest and hope. It’s about trusting that beneath an open sky, we’re not alone, and that peace can be found in the wait.

12. Carries Me On My Way

This song tells the story of wrestling with life’s disappointments, unanswered prayers, and hard detours, only to find steady faith that doesn’t quit. It’s about being lifted out of the muck by something bigger than success or failure, a love that carries us through storms and setbacks, leading us home with renewed hope and trust.