Picture a lazy summer afternoon, two young lads kickin’ back with a couple of cool drinks, pickin’ guitar, singing and having fun. Picture this and your seeing the humble beginnings of a dream two mates, Todd Atkinson and Mick Cowdroy, both shared.That dream is here and SOUTHBOUND is its name.

In the years that have passed since that afternoon in December, SOUTHBOUND have become a driving force in the Australian Country Music scene and also, at one of Country Music’s biggest events, The Tamworth Country Music Festival.

SOUTHBOUND have become the quintessential festival band.  All their shows are packed to the rafters as the boys let rip with their own special rockin’ country-style music which has the audiences partying into the early hours, and the band have carried that infectious sound onto the major festival circuit around Australia.

2002 saw the release of their debut Album “Make a Move”, containing 3 chart topping singles “It’s Love”, “Cheatin . com” and “Repo Man”.

In April 2003, SOUTHBOUND released their first single
“Rub it In” since their debut album. The single raced up the country charts to number 8. The rocking classic was packed with energy and ‘zooped’ up as only SOUTHBOUND know how. They made a highly-acclaimed appearance with the song on the national Channel 9 TV show Mornings with Kerri Anne which took their music to a huge new audience, and this rocker has become a crowd favourite as the band continues playing to adoring crowds all over the country.

For their next single they chose the wistful Mick Cowdroy-penned “You Didn’t Need the World”, a brilliantly written and recorded ballad showing a growth in maturity and musicality. This was again followed by another hugely successful Gympie Muster, where the boys absolutely rocked the very foundations of the Main-stage and the infamous Crow Bar. Again they were snapped up to perform their new single on national TV, this time on Bert Newton’s Good Morning Australia.

Sadly tragedy struck in October 2003, with the loss of guitarist and band co-founder Mick Cowdroy in a car accident; then at the 2004 CMMA Golden Guitar Awards,SOUTHBOUND received their first ever final 5 nomination for Best Group with Mick’s poignant song “You Didn’t Need the World”.

 That same year the boys won the Vocal Group/Duo section of the TIARA awards.

Since then the band has re-grouped and with the addition of three new members, are back on the scene, bigger and better, and still packing out venues and winning legions of new fans across the country.  In 2005 after a big Tamworth festival the boys have been busy doing such shows as Country Rocks, the Australia day celebration on Sydney Harbour at The Rocks and The Sydney Royal Easter Show.

SOUTHBOUND's latest single “He’s A Cowboy”, is a classic country-story song, which is reaping the praises of all who have heard it. It is something new and fresh from a band that has been so committed to providing the best of Australian Country Music to the people of this great country and beyond.

SOUTHBOUND's catchy original material and professionalism has gained them key industry recognition and support.

Mike Smith in Capital News: “One taste of a live Southbound gig immediately tells you why the band is creating such a huge impact...It's energy plus it's highly entertaining, it's infectious, and it's country!” 

John Elliott from Aussie Post Magazine supported the band's debut album, saying: “Southbound, one of the best rocking country bands in all of Australia...on their debut album, they have captured some of the raw energy that characterises their live performances. The ten tracks are very much along the lines of Dwight Yoakam, but they do have a unique sound...”

Bob Anthony from Country Update wrote: “If you enjoy your country delivered honestly and with enthusiasm, Southbound is definitely heading in the right direction. Check out this band which is destined to make a move on the Australian country music scene.“

In Capital News John Farkis wrote: “Like many others, I have been eagerly waiting for Southbound’s album release...right from the start Southbound present a bright effervescent package of unmistakable country music that demands attention and brings you back again and again. Southbound are hit bound!”.