Jeff Rea is a New Zealand country and rock singer who has been performing since the late 1970s. He wrote the hit "Miles Across the Bedroom" for Gary Morris. Background Jeff Rea was born to a farming family in Crookston, New Zealand in 1959. The youngest in the family, he had five older sisters.
Rea's interest in music began in 1965 when one of his sisters came home with a guitar. He had started learning classical piano at the age of eight but soon he graduated to guitar. He would play along to the music of the Doobie Brothers, Uriah Heap and Black Sabbath. From the age of twelve, he would play music with Alec Bathgate who lived in a neighboring farm. Bathgate would later find success in New Zealand's punk-rock and indie rock scenes.Stuff.co.nz, February 13, 2022 - NZ News, Entertainment, Almost Famous: An Otago farmer's past life, touring the US with famous country musicians - Uma Ahmed | Sunday Star Times
It was in his teens that he went back to the acoustic guitar and was listening to Jim Croce, Don McLean and John Denver. Denver had a big impact on him musically.Humanitix, Sat, 22 Apr 2023 - The OXO CUBANS & TAPANUI SCHOOL "CONCERT FOR A NEW PLAYGROUND"
Rea made a name for himself in New Zealand and then he embarked on a music journey that took him to the United States.Stuff.co.nz, February 13, 2022 - NZ News, Entertainment, Almost Famous: An Otago farmer's past life, touring the US with famous country musicians - Uma Ahmed | Sunday Star Times
Rea is also the New Zealand Songwriters Trust chairman.The Otago Daily Times, 31 May 2019 - Mitchell named top country music artist - Kayla Hodge He is also the chairpoerson of the Tussock Festival Trust which oversees the Tussock Country Music Festival.New Zealand Music Commission, May 25th, 2026 - Music Industry News, 2026 Country Music Honours Winners Announced
Career Rea got his break in 1980 when he won the first MLT Songwriting Award.Dunedin Folk Club - What's on > Club nights > Sunday 7th July 2024, Jeff Rea and band
His first album, First Steps was released in 1980.Humanitix, Sat, 22 Apr 2023 - The OXO CUBANS & TAPANUI SCHOOL "CONCERT FOR A NEW PLAYGROUND"
Rea released the single, "I'd Rather Be a Cowboy" / "Time in a Bottle" on Mirage MAS301 in 1982.Discogs - Jeff Rea – I'd Rather Be A Cowboy/Time In A Bottle
It was in 1983 on the set of the New Zealand country television show That's Country that Rea met Gary Morris. They got on well and within eighteen months, Morris had convinced him to come to the United States. Rea began as a soundman-truck driver for Morris. Later he graduated to monitor engineer and then having a significant role in his band. What’s on Invers, May 30, 2018 - Jeff Rea Releases New Album - Mike Sanford
Having been signed by Gary Morris as staff-writer for Morris' publishing company Logrhythm Music, he started composing songs with him. One song, "Bread and Water" was included on Morris' 1989 album Stones. Three more compositions were included on the next two albums. One of them was a song that Rea co-wrote with Lester S. Moore. The song "Miles Across the Bedroom" was a hit on the US Country chart, peaking at No. 47.MusicVF.com - Gary Morris Top Songs Greatest Hits and Chart Singles Discography, 1991 23. 02/1991 Miles Across the Bedroom He also had become a member of Morris' band, playing acoustic guitar and as a backing vocalist.
In 1995, Rea recorded and released his Full Circle album. What’s on Invers, May 30, 2018 - Jeff Rea Releases New Album - Mike Sanford The album which was produced by Gary Morris featured well-known Nashville musicians, Brent Rowan and Mark Casstevens on guitars, Michael Rhodes on bass and Dan Dugmore on steel ghuitar.Audio Culture, 27 Feb 2017 - Jeff Rea By Glen Moffatt Also, that year, he and his wife returned to New Zealand to raise their family on the farm at Crookston.Stuff.co.nz, February 13, 2022 - NZ News, Entertainment, Almost Famous: An Otago farmer's past life, touring the US with famous country musicians - Uma Ahmed | Sunday Star Times
Rea co-produced Max McCauley's Back to the Mountains album that was released in 1999. He also produced the Country My Way album for Margaret Bates that was released the following year.Audio Culture - Jeff Rea, Discography, Back To The Mountains Max McCauley; Country My Way Margaret Bates (2)
He played acoustic guitar on Marie Haslemore's Patu Manawa album that was released in 2002.National Library of New Zealand - Patu manawa (sound recording) / Marie Haslemore., Notes
Rea went back to Nashville and recorded his Who I Am album which was released in 2018. What’s on Invers, May 30, 2018 - Jeff Rea Releases New Album - Mike Sanford
In May 2019, Rea, Jenny Mitchell, and her father Ron Mitchell performed a tribute song for NZ country music pioneer Dusty Spittle who died in December 2018.The Otago Daily Times, 31 May 2019 - Mitchell named top country music artist - Kayla Hodge
In 2000, Rea played the title role in the musical Jesus Christ Superstar.Otago Daily Times, 24 April 2026 - Theatre veterans return By Gemma Sinclair
As of late 2025, Rea was still the chairman of the Tussock Country Music Festival trust.The Press, December 9, 2025 - Biggest-ever programme: Tussock Country Music Festival lineup announced for 2026
In 2026, both he and Nichi Russell worked as musical directors of Jesus Christ Superstar which was staged by the West Otago Theatrical Society.Otago Daily Times, 24 April 2026 - Theatre veterans return By Gemma Sinclair
References
External links Discogs - Jeff Rea