Casey Barnes is an Australian country rock singer-songwriter from the Gold Coast, Queensland who is best known as a contestant on the seventh season of Australian Idol in 2009. Barnes won the ARIA Award for Best Country Album in 2022. Barnes has played alongside Bryan Adams, Diesel, Mariah Carey and Lady A. Music career Barnes started his singing career in his state of birth of Tasmania, before relocating to the Gold Coast. 2004–08: Say What You Feel & Casey Barnes In 2004, Barnes, who had been performing around the country for a few years, recorded his first album, titled Say What You Feel. Barnes was selected to open for Bryan Adams on his 2005 tour for A Day On the Green. Following his set, the demand for his independently released album at the merchandising tent was overwhelming, with over 200 copies selling out. In April 2006, Barnes released "What The Hell Are You Waiting for?", the lead single from his self-titled album, Casey Barnes, which was released in August 2007. The album featured "honest, passionate music with a rock/pop edge". In November 2007, Barnes released a duet with Connor Maclean, titled "How Good It Would Be", through Sony BMG. The song was featured on Maclean's Christmas album with all proceeds of the single and album going towards Westmead's Children's Hospital. In 2008, Australian DJ-producer Marco Demark released a version of Elton John's "Tiny Dancer" featuring Barnes. The track peaked at number 66 in Australia. 2009: Australian Idol In 2009, Barnes entered the seventh series of Australian Idol. He auditioned at the Brisbane auditions and made it to the semi-finals before being eliminated but received a wildcard into the top 12. In the live shows, he performed "(Baby I've Got You) On My Mind" and "I'm Not Over" but was eliminated after week two in September, placing eleventh. 2010–2015: Red Lion Motel, Jet Trails and Flesh & Bone In May 2010, Barnes released an EP titled Red Lion Motel. and lead single "I Promise". In January 2011, Barnes released "Never Break You" which became an anthem after the devastating Queensland floods and Cyclone Yasi. The song became his first to enter the ARIA top 50. Barnes donated all proceeds to the Premier's Disaster Relief Appeal. In September 2012, Barnes released Jet Trails which he wrote in Nashville with Rick Price and promoted the album with shows in New York, Nashville and