James Reyne and Ella Hooper Announce National Tour, Re-Record ‘Way Out West’

March 27, 2023

James Reyne and Ella Hooper are teaming up for an extensive national tour in support of their new single ‘Way Out West’. ‘Way Out West’ was first recorded by Reyne with fellow songwriter James Blundell way back in 1992, a cover of the 1973 song by the Dingoes.

Hooper and Reyne’s version will be released on Friday, 21st April, and the two will embark on a tour from late May and through June, July, and August, with shows scheduled across the country. You can see the full dates and details below.

James Reyne & James Blundell: ‘Way Out West’

“When James came to me with this idea – I was like – hell yeah!” Said Hooper in a statement about the collab. “I’ve always adored that song, it’s got such a lovely, laconic feel to it and it’s such a unique Australian song too. I used to belt out this song growing up in the country, it’s a dream to be doing it for real with James. It definitely deserves another spin!”

In a 2021 interview with Music Feeds, Reyne reflected on the unexpected success and Blundell’s cover, which is arguably better known than the original.

“[Managers] Brad and Chris put the idea to me – I can’t take credit for it myself – where they asked if I’d want to cut a country song with an Australian country singer,” Reyne reflected. “I thought it was a great idea, but I didn’t really know anybody in that world apart from meeting Lee Kernaghan once or twice at the ARIAs or something like that.

“James Blundell came to me because I’d seen him on The Midday Show or something like that. I didn’t know anything about him, per se, except for one thing: Every time he was on screen, women would go absolutely nuts. [laughs] I was like, ‘Right! That’s a good start.'”

Reyne’s last release was Live in The Corner Hotel Front Bar in 2022, while Hooper released Small Town Temple in January 2023.