HE’S not a typical country boy, but Sydney musician Ben Ransom is doing his bit to raise awareness of mental health issues in rural and regional areas.
The country singer’s latest single, Dry Town, highlights the prevalence of suicide in regional Australia.
He said the theme of the song could apply to the current flooding across the state.
“I guess the message in the song swings both ways – it never rains, it pours,” Mr Ransom said.
I’d like to get into a more proactive role, starting at the grassroots level where I can instill in the youngsters the message that life is precious, and even though there are always going to be hard times, just hang in there
- Country musician Ben Ransom
“The message is about finding hope in adversity, regardless of whether you’re in floodwaters or drought.”
Mr Ransom has ties to rural Australia through his wife Renai, whose family farms at Dubbo.
The couple and their children Holly, 7, and Sam, 4, enjoy spending time on the property, but Mr Ransom also spends much of his time travelling around regional Australia performing.
“You hear these stories about people who got to the brink who thought the only way out for them was suicide,” he said.
“I hear stories of farmers losing everything, whether through drought or for other reasons.
“What I’ve found is that farmers are generally very proud people – the farm is something they’ve worked for their whole lives and built up over many years.”
His link to rural Australia didn’t come until later in life, but he spent most of his childhood having people think he was from the country.
“When I was growing up I’d meet people and they’d assume that I came from the country, and I’ve always had a genuine interest in regional life.
“I might live in the city, but I also like to get out and explore the regions.
“I find that people in regional areas are typically more grounded – in the city they can be full of their own importance.
“There’s a refreshing attitude to life in rural and regional Australia.”
Country music was a perfect fit for Mr Ransom, whose style was influenced by the music of his youth.
He started playing guitar at 15 and performed in bands at school and university.
“The genre of country music is extremely broad with many different styles,” he said.
“My music is a mix of Australian pub rock, Irish folk, blues and traditional country.”
He’s made music his focus for the past five years, and spends most of his time on the road, but still works as an anaesthesia nurse.
“I wanted to start with strong foundations in a career away from music,” Mr Ransom said.
“I studied a health science degree and I work in operating theatres in casual roles in hospitals across Sydney.”
The last 18 months have seen him perform at the country’s biggest music festivals, including the Tamworth Country Music Festival, Gympie Music Muster, Deni Ute Muster, Sydney Country Music Festival and the Airlie Beach Festival of Music.
“I’m based at Randwick, but I actually don’t do too many shows in Sydney. My work is more in regional areas.”
He’ll hit the road this weekend, checking out Keith Urban at the Deni Ute Muster before attending the Southern Stars Awards at Mildura, where he’s a finalist in the male rising star category.
Mr Ransom is also a finalist in the country section of the Australian Independent Music Awards, held later this month.
He said playing at major festivals and having his music recognised with awards gave him a platform to do more than just sing.
“It’s good that I’m in a position where I can hold people’s attention and bring awareness to issues that matter,” Mr Ransom said.
“Like others, I still sing about cigarettes, women and whiskey, but I feel that if you have the ability to deliver a message, there’s a duty to help others.
“With Dry Town, I tell the story before we play the song, so the crowd can understand where it’s coming from and what rural people are going through.”
His next major project will be organising a series of school visits to talk to students about rural and regional mental health.
He hopes to travel around the country in a school tour next year.
“I’ve written this song, but I’d like to get into a more proactive role, starting at the grassroots level where I can instill in the youngsters the message that life is precious, and even though there are always going to be hard times, just hang in there,” Mr Ransom said.
Dry Town is the first single from Mr Ransom’s second studio album, due to be released in early 2017.