SOUNDS LIKE: SOUL, FIRE, AND TWENTY FIVE YEARS OF TRUTH
Brett Wood’s music hits you in the gut before it hits your ears—raw, soulful Texas blues fused with the grit, honesty, and cinematic storytelling of Australia’s wide-open landscape. For decades, Brett has stood quietly at the heart of Australia’s music scene, a guitarist whose touch, tone, and instinct earned him a reputation as the player other musicians call when they need greatness.
His journey started with a chance encounter that changed everything.
At just 15 years old—and after only twelve months of playing guitar—Brett met Tommy Emmanuel. Tommy didn’t just encourage him. He invited Brett onstage to sit in with his band, recognising a spark he had seen only a handful of times in his life. That moment led to another: a trip to Nashville, where Tommy introduced Brett to his mentor, the legendary Chet Atkins.
At that age, Brett wasn’t chasing a dream.
The dream came for him.
A Lifetime on the Road
From those beginnings, Brett moved naturally into a life of touring, gigging, and studio sessions. He became one of Australia’s most in-demand session guitarists—working with indie and major-label country artists, singer-songwriters, rock bands, and eventually joining Pete Murray’s touring lineup and travelling the world.
For years, Brett’s guitar served the stories of others.
Now, it tells his own.
The Turning Point: Heroes Become Peers
In recent years, Brett began writing his most personal material yet—songs thick with soul, danger, and the kind of pain and triumph that only the blues can hold. On a leap of faith, he sent the tracks to Texas to see if Chris “Whipper” Layton—Stevie Ray Vaughan’s legendary drummer—might be interested in contributing.
Not only was he interested.
He was moved.
Chris Layton’s contribution became a defining moment—proof that Brett’s music belonged in the lineage of the greats. Paired with guest performances from Tommy Emmanuel, Brett’s upcoming album stands as both a tribute to his heroes and a bold declaration of his own voice.
More Than Milestones
Streams and analytics don’t define Brett’s career. Moments do.
Moments when a kid from Australia found himself on stage with Tommy Emmanuel.
Moments standing in Nashville with Chet Atkins.
Moments writing late at night knowing his heroes were becoming collaborators.
Moments that tell him he’s exactly where he’s meant to be.
This album marks Brett Wood’s arrival—not as a sideman, but as a serious blues artist with a global mission. And this time, the world is paying attention.
BIOGRAPHIES
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Brett Wood has been winning audiences over with his solo performances supporting Pete Murray on his recent 55-date national tour. Owning the spotlight and gathering fans from all around the country.
His breakout singles “Real Piece of Work” and “Eyes”, feature Chris "Whipper" Layton on Drums (SRV & Double Trouble, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, ARC Angels) have turned heads globally leaving audiences wanting more.
His self produced highly anticipated debut album also features special guest and long time friend Tommy Emmanuel CGP.
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Genre: Blues / Roots / Soul / Rock
Hometown: Melbourne, Australia
Role: Singer-Songwriter / Guitarist / Session Artist
For fans of: Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix, Bill Withers, Jimmie Vaughan, Gary Clarke Jr, John Mayer, Eric Clapton, Electric Mary, Pete Murray.About: Brett Wood is one of Australia’s most respected session guitarists and a long-standing creative force behind some of the country’s biggest names. After 25 years of touring and recording at the highest level, he’s now stepping forward as a solo artist with a bold, blues-rooted sound and a debut album set to drop in 2025.
Known for his blend of soul, blues, country, rock and funk, Brett’s sound is raw and deeply personal, bringing echoes of the past into the present. His debut single “Real Piece Of Work” speaks against negative mindset culture, highlighting Brett’s grit and resolve to remain authentic. The song has its own voice and a strong message as if to say “go ahead, make it hard for me, you will not break me, you will not outwork me, I dare you to make it a REAL PIECE OF WORK”, setting the tone for a breakout year 2025.
The Debut Era: Brett’s long-awaited solo debut isn’t just another record—it’s a shot across the bow at mediocrity. With “Real Piece of Work” and the upcoming album, he delivers substance, soul, and seasoned songwriting in a world flooded with disposable content.
This isn’t AI. This isn’t hype. This is real. And Brett Wood is coming. -
18-year touring and recording guitarist for Pete Murray including musical parts written for hit singles Free and Always A Winner
14-year member of Electric Mary with multiple international tours and releases
Guitarist on 360’s ARIA-winning album Falling & Flying (2011), featured on hits Boys Like You, Child and Run Alone
Acoustic guitarist for viral hit Dumb Ways To Die, written by Ollie McGill (Tin Pan Orange) for Melbourne Metro
Produced and arranged Bonnie Anderson’s Sony acoustic sessions including Blackout and a live cover of Waves
Endorsed by Tommy Emmanuel who toured with Brett in Australia and the USA and introduced him to Chet Atkins and Jerry Reed
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Major Festivals
Byron Bay Bluesfest
Pinkpop Festival (Netherlands)
Port Fairy Folk Festival
V Festival (UK)
Red Hot Summer Tour (multiple appearances with Pete Murray)
Under the Southern Stars tour with Electric Mary alongside Live, Stone Temple Pilots and Cheap Trick
Fire Fight Australia Concert (with Pete Murray)
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Rod Laver Arena (supporting Def Leppard and Rob Thomas)
Sydney Opera House (with Rob Thomas)
Hamer Hall & Melbourne Arts Centre
The Forum, Melbourne
The Enmore Theatre, Sydney
The Astor Theatre, Perth
The Olympia Theatre, Dublin
Brixton Academy, London
Bush Hall, London
The Paradiso, Amsterdam
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Pete Murray:
Blue Sky Blue (2011) incl. Free
Camacho (2017)
The Night EP (2021) incl. Let You Go & Burning Up
Before I Go EP (2022)
Best Of Me (2023)
Wouldn’t It Be Good (2024)360:
Falling & Flying (2011, ARIA-winning) incl. Boys Like You, Child and Run AloneElectric Mary:
The Last Great Hope (2014)
My Best Friend (2015)
Mother (2019)
King Of Rock ’n’ Roll
(2021) Shaun (2024)Bonnie Anderson:
Blackout (acoustic version)
Waves - acoustic cover (Sony Records)
Humannequin (2014) — Brett appears on every track
Vale — incl. Let’s Dance and I
Can’t Tell You WhyTaxiride - Live At The Espy (2025)
Other Artists:
Darryl Braithwaite, Vanessa Amorosi, Leo Sayer, Lee Kernaghan, Tania Kernaghan, Graeme Connors, James Blundell, James “Jimmy” Cupples, Carter & Carter, The Badloves, Felicity Urquhart, Darren Coggan, Jack Jones and Keith Urban (shared US billing with Tommy Emmanuel)
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TV APPEARANCES
Good Morning Australia with Bert Newton
Mornings with Kerri-Anne
The Today Show
The Big Night In with John Foreman
The Singing Bee with Joey Fatone
Australia’s Got Talent
Hey Hey It’s Saturday
Dancing With The Stars
Sunrise (multiple live concert appearances)
Fire Fight Australia (2020, with Pete Murray)
MUSICAL THEATRE
Shout — The Arts Centre, Melbourne
The Rocky Horror Picture Show — The Comedy Theatre, Melbourne
Dusty — Star City Theatre, Sydney
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What if the most meaningful record you’ll hear this year didn’t come from the algorithm—but from a guy you’ve never heard of?
What if the next great guitar player wasn’t some fast-fingered Instagram hero—but a career musician who’s been in the trenches for decades, backing some of the country’s biggest names?
And what if that same guy quietly sat down, after years of doing the work, and wrote a song that actually said something?
Brett Wood isn’t new. He’s just been busy. For 25 years, he’s been the session guitarist, co-writer, bandmate and go-to sideman for major Australian artists like Pete Murray, 360 and Electric Mary. He’s played Rod Laver Arena, shared stages with Keith Urban, been mentored by Tommy Emmanuel and had his name buried in liner notes while his guitar did the talking. Now, he’s saying something of his own.
“Real Piece of Work” isn’t about guitar tricks. It’s about what happens when you’ve lived enough life to tell the truth. It’s a song for anyone who’s been underestimated, written off or dragged through the dirt—and still showed up swinging.
IT ASKS A DIFFERENT QUESTION: What if the guitar player actually had something to say?
“Real Piece of Work” is out April 14.
This one’s for the people who still care what a song means.
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“EYES”
What if a guitarist who has been raising the roof at live shows, on other people’s songs, for multiple decades had something way further up his sleeve than just tasty guitar solos? And what if that guitarist was an accomplished musician who has songs, real songs and the respect of some of the most recognised musicians in the world?
Brett Wood is a heavyweight guitar talent with a staggering resume including Pete Murray, 360 and Electric Mary. From Rod Laver Arena, across to America and Europe. Mentored through his youth by Tommy Emmanuel, with twenty-five years’ experience of playing guitar for everyone else but himself… until now.
Eyes is all about what you don’t see coming. Built on a Bill Withers–inspired groove featuring Chris “Whipper” Layton on drums (Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble). Lyrically shadowy and unsettling, Eyes shares an honest take on burnout culture, encouraging us to search for answers to survive. The lyrics spiral through half-truths, veiled threats and late-night gut instincts. Snakes in the bed. Webs being spun. Paranoia to freedom. Eyes isn’t about looking cool. It’s about staying sharp.
This is the second single from Brett Wood’s upcoming solo record and while the first track (Real Piece of Work) came out swinging, this one lingers like a warning. Because sometimes… the ones who’ve been watching the longest are the ones you need to look out for.
Eyes is out 15 July 2025.
“An undeniable pillar in the Australian music community… Brett Wood is the ultimate musical lifer you’ve potentially never heard of – until now.”
— On the Map PR, Volume Media