Pete Cornelius

Artist Info

Born in Launceston, Pete Cornelius grew up on a small farm in the hinterland on the North East Coast of lutruwita / Tasmania, near a little country township called St Marys, boasting incredible vistas and a population of less than 800. It was a childhood that allowed time, space and freedom for creativity. At the tender age of 6 Pete Cornelius discovered music, and his calling was found.

Now 30 odd years later, Pete is an in-demand musician who has worked with a roll call of top Australian and international talent. From renowned Country artists Shane Nicholson, Bill Chambers, The Wolfe Brothers, and Kevin Bennett to Fanny Lumsden, Lyn Bowtell and Felicity Urquhart, to Blues/Roots performers such as Jeff Lang, Mark Lizotte, William Crighton and Matt Walker to Mia Dyson, Fiona Boyes and Dallas Frasca, plus many international artists including Justin Townes Earl, Steve Poltz, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Bob Margolin and Hubert Sumlin. Pete has also been invited to open for the likes of Eric Bibbs, Joe Bonamassa and Honeyboy Edwards.

Pete has toured Australia multiple times with his own bands, and the US. He’s performed at major festivals world-wide – from the Gympie Muster to BluesFest, the Adelaide International Guitar Festival to the Prairie Dog Blues Festival in Wisconsin and countless places in-between. To date, Pete has released 12 albums – both solo and with his bands. ‘Southern, ‘is… now the 5th album produced under his own name.

Pete is also the founder and host of ‘Say It With Guitars’, a podcast created in 2022, now in its third season and going strong.
A podcast made by musicians for musicians and lovers of all things guitar. The focus is on Australian guitar players, makers, producers and collectors. It’s another passion project for this talented artist.