The Warratahs are a long-running band from Wellington, New Zealand.Official band bio In 2016, they won Best Country Music album for Runaway Days at the New Zealand Music Awards.Official New Zealand Music Awards press release In 2025, the band was inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame.
Band members Early line-ups Barry Saunders – vocals/guitar Wayne Mason – keyboards/vocals Nik Brown – fiddle John Donoghue – bass Marty Jorgensen – drums Clint Brown – bassNZ AudioCulture profile for Clinton Brown Rob Clarkson – drums Mike Knapp – drums
2007 line-up Barry Saunders – vocals/guitar Alan Norman – keyboards & accordion Nik Brown – fiddle & mandolin Mo' Newport – drums Sid Limbert – bass
Tours The Warratahs have toured and performed with a variety of artists including Bob Dylan, Billy Joel, Lucinda Williams, Leann Rimes and Jackson Browne.The Warratahs biography
The Warratahs also toured with The Carter Family featuring June Carter Cash, Anita Carter and Carlene Carter in addition to the Highwaymen, which featured Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson and Waylon Jennings.The Warratahs news article
2025 New Album Release The Warratahs released a new album in 2025 on Southbound Records entitled Burning Daylight.The Warratahs album review
Discography Date of releaseTitleLabelNZ peakWarratahs NZ Chart historyCertificationCatalog no. Albums1988Only Game in Town Pagan 14 -PACD 10321989Too Hot to Sleep Pagan 20 -PACD 10461990Wild Card Pagan 22 -PACD 10661993Big Sky (billed as "Warratahs")Pagan 12 -PACD 10961994The Best of The Warratahs Pagan 18 -PACD 11142000One of Two Things Jayrem - -CDJAY 3622003The Warratahs Collection Pagan 16 -PACD 11482006Keep On... - -2015Runaway Days 19 -2025Burning DaylightSouthbound -
Compilation appearances The group have appeared on a few compilations since their inception. The following is a list of these albums that have featured tracks by the Warratahs.
Godzone Beat (1988, Warrior Records) – "Maureen" New Zealand: Our Land, Our Music (1995, EMI) – "Cruisin' on the Interislander" Pagan Gold (2001, Pagan Records) – "Maureen" The Very Best of Kiwi Country (2001, EMI) – "Hand of My Heart" and "Maureen"
Featured appearances The Warratahs have also appeared on albums recorded by other artists. The following is a list of albums by other artists that the Warratahs have appeared on.
The Gypsy Pickers and Friends (2004) by the Gypsy Pickers (Rimu Records) – "West Coast Bound"
References