Just Don't Be a D**khead: And Other Profound Things I've Learnt

by Kasey Chambers

Kasey Chambers' Just Don’t Be a D**khead and Other Profound Things I’ve Learnt is a whirlwind of great stories, rock-solid life lessons and Kasey Chambers at her most heartfelt and honest. From her childhood in the Australian outback to the heights of her chart-topping international success as a singer/songwriter, Kasey has trusted her gut, stuck to her values and learned some hard truths, always while trying to live by the best advice she’s ever received: just don’t be a dickhead.

Genres: Nonfiction, Audiobook, Autobiography, Biography, Memoir

284 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 1, 2024

About the author

Chambers was born in Mount Gambier, South Australia. She has an older brother, Nash Chambers. She grew up on the Nullarbor Plain and the tiny fishing village in Beachport, South Australia. Her family owned the local Fish and Chip shop for a time and were playing and touring with her family band, "The Dead Ringer Band" which included her father Billy Chambers a Golden Guitar Award songwriter and Nash Chambers, now a well known music producer and performer. "The Dead Ringer Band" continued to tour locally and interstate gaining support and popularity along the way.

Reviews

[EmG ReadsDaily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny, heartfelt and honest stories from the life of Australian country music artist Kasey Chambers, from her childhood in outback Australia to the heights of life as singer-songwriter and international success. There are many profound learnings and life-lessons detailed in this memoir, although Kasey has tried to live by the best advice ever given to her – ‘just don’t be a d**khead!’

An enjoyable read (or listen, as Kasey narrates wonderfully) for anyone who enjoys memoirs, or is interested in Australian artists/musicians.

[Jaz (is) Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Getting older is a beautiful gift that we are given every single day. The only real alternative is being dead.”

As you all know, I don’t love non fiction but really enjoyed this one! Kasey is very earnest and candid in the way that she writes which is refreshing for a memoir. Was also fun having little Talon anecdotes sprinkled throughout!

[Sarah Charleson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this woman so much. A life long fan of Kasey and I love her even more after reading this. She’s open, honest and always true to herself. A breath of fresh air

[Ita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved listening to Kasey telling me her very honest, funny and at times sad story. Bonus that she also sings a few snippets of her songs, you won't get that with the printed book! If she comes to the Tamworth Country Music Festival in January, I'll be buying a ticket to see her!

[Renelle Pearce · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this signed copy following attending Kasey’s book launch on Friday night - the most down to earth person you will ever meet ( and she performed 3 songs) ❤️

[Damian Eade · Rating 5 out of 5]

fuckin loved it

[Kexx · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting - love her music, but a bit preachy, a bit "and then.... and then..." but I guess that's the point of a biography. Wonderful album, though.

[Jackie Thorn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook read by Kasey. It’s an honest account of her life told with humour and self awareness. There’s name dropping but shes also very relatable and has some great pearls of wisdom to share.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely amazing book!

[Anneliese Steinhardt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a breath of fresh air! I wanted the book to keep on going. By listening to this book via audio I feel like I got the full experience!!

[Indi Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love you so much 😁

[Liz · Rating 2 out of 5]

I should have read the title of the book a little closer. The key is in the detailed title. I was very disappointed in the content of this book. I expected a deeper delve into relationships beginnings and the toll on their endings. Perhaps a closer look at her body image mirror and how she coped juggling gigs, break ups and sick children in her career. What I got instead was Facebook posts. Everything is rosy snapshots. Lessons I’ve learned…..read the title in full.

[Jessica Fealy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful, interesting person Kasey Chamber’s is. Loved this book!

[Tamara Baker · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

3.5 stars for an Aussie music legend

Not a typical biography but make a collection of stories that make up the story of Kasey’s life.
It was quite honest and emotional in parts but also contained a lot of name dropping. I found it extremely repetitive, but despite that it was a fun listen, and a must for any Kasey fan.
The audio book was also great, Kasey is so animated and you could hear the passion in her voice

[Leonie Youngberry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook is narrated by the author and there are parts of songs throughout so recommend this version. It is heartfelt and entertaining.

[Mary Churchill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story especially early life with her family travelling around Australia.
Very introspective at times which for me seemed to become repetitive.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been wanting to read this since it came out towards the end of last year. I saw it in Readings in Carlton, VIC when I bought her new album released concurrently with the book. I first saw Kasey with the family band: The Dead Ringer band at Bluesfest in 1999, where she also did her debut solo set debuting a few new songs from her forthcoming debut album The Captain. This is a memoir of sorts and a follow up to her previous memoir, but perhaps a bit more in depth. It starts with the family being chansed through the bush by an irate farmer, while Kasey was in utero, and her Mum was leaning out the car to put spare petrol into the tank as the engine was starting to fail due the tank running on empty. And while the rest of the ride isn't quite as dramatic as the start it is still a fun read. And basically the gist of the book is to follow your inner voice that tells you want you need, not the one that says follow what the world tells you to want. And throughout the book, she says the basic rule of her life is "Don't be a dickhead." Kasey has mostly followed her own advice and has realized she was unhappiest when she didn't and instead listened to that voice telling her to be that dickhead. For me, who worked in the music industry for over 2 decades, I amazed at her retelling her initial interaction with EMI Australia record boss Tony Harlow, who signed her to the label. If only all first meetings with record labels for new artists could be so smooth and enjoyable. She says she extremely nervous and her inner bad voice was telling her to run away. Sitting in Tony's office, he began by telling Kasey about his love for Emmylou Harris, Neil Young and Gram Parsons, and that calmed her right down, thinking that this is real, honest and natural. For her recording, that as they say is now history. But it wasn't all smooth sailing for Kasey with 2 divorces under her belt, but 3 gorgeous children who tour the world with her. And every so often in the book, she drops little peals: such as "Be brave enough to be vulnerable." And "A backhanded compliment is still a compliment." If not a fan, this book is still worth a read, and it may even turn you into a fan.

[Book My Imagination · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know that wild, carefree, unhindered childhood that you sometimes read about?
Well, this book is that.

🎶KASEY CHAMBERS🎶
🪕Just Don't Be A D**khead🪕

Over the years, I have listened to Kasey's music, off and on.
Always feeling that this singer has such wonderful stories wrapped up in music.
Now country music is not for everyone, but gees they have the best stories to tell.
I grew up listening to all the greats of country.
Hank Williams, George Jones, Willie Nelson, Tammy Wynette, Loretta Lynn, and Dolly Parton. And later on my personal favourite, Garth Brooks.
So, I guess I do love a good country story.
Reading Kasey's book is like listening to music. It's filled with love, honesty, hurt, wonder, humour, and a whole lot of her heart.
From childhood to international success and everything in between, Kasey leads us through her life with such rawness and humour.
And every now and then, a little surprise awaits in the form of a link to some of her songs.
They are perfectly timed for the reader to stop and listen.
I loved this book and am loving listening to some old favourites because of it.
But I have to say, her rendition of Eminem's Lose Yourself is now on highnrotation, it's magnetic and powerful.
Give it a listen if you can and let me know your thoughts.

[Breezie · Rating 2.75 out of 5]

I was excited for this book as I wanted a deeper insight into Kaseys experiences and life, I enjoyed it mostly at the end where she started to share the more vulnerable parts of herself. For the most part of the book I felt somewhat disconnected from her. It felt more about me reading 'this is what I did, this is who I know, these were my achievements'

But I wanted more of 'this is how I feel' but with detail of Kaseys perspectives and direct experiences. You get 'this is how I feel' in music, but its broad and vague. I pick up autobiographies for one reason, to know the author on a deeper level. I unfortunately feel like she missed the mark a bit on that one, and that it was not the main intention of the book, which isn't nessacarily a bad thing, just not what I was hoping for.
I could have found out a lot of that stuff if I did some research you know?

[Dimity Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full confession, autobiographies are not normally my thing. In fact I find them cringe-worthy roadblocks to my teetering TBR pile(s). But this ... holey moley. It's a 7/5 from me. So up and down honest, so brazeningly spirited and delightfully undiluted. I love a gal who is not afraid of contextual (and otherwise) use of the F bomb, who fully understands the impact of what she's saying. And Chambers' impact is deep and far reaching.

I lost count of the number of soul-stirring, emotionally enlightening aphorisms and wittisms that resonated as loudly as, well, a foghorn, with me. Thank you Kasey. The sharing of your heart with us filled mine beyond capacity. What a wondrous and wise thing that this is.

Put this on your must read list.

[Lee Bramley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not sure this will read as a review of the book or a message of gratitude and appreciation to Kasey herself!

You begin with “…I ain’t no Shakespeare”, I need to call you out on this. You were measuring and defining your written creativity against literary standards. I fear you may have been a “dickhead”.

I began reading this book at a time in my life that I had no idea it was going to be torn apart by forces out of my control. This book provided me with a reminder of the steps I knew I needed to take. I forgot to listen to myself as I lost myself.

From one wild free spirit that often forgets herself to another, thank you!

Thank you for being grounded, honest, and most of all, keeping it f..king real.

[Andy · Rating 3 out of 5]

20 odd years ago I discovered Kasey's music, Barricades & Brickwalls, and then picked up The Captain and subsequent Wayward Angel. Some wonderful songs which I have loved for decades. I wish she would tour England, so I could catch her live.
So it was lovely to pick up her autobiography, which was an enjoyable listen, read by Kasey herself.
Those early years as a kid living day to day in the outback with her loving family, playing & singing around the campfire, all those old tunes is a joy.
I loved her talking about the family band, and writing those wonderful songs but I did find some of her musings a little repetitive.
Bring on the foghorn!

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a really lovely, uplifting read! It felt like sitting down and having a yarn with a good friend. Kasey (we are on a first name basis now) comes across as an incredibly genuine, funny and honest person, who happens to be famous with lots of famous friends. There is some name-dropping, but in a very light-hearted, natural way. The structure of the book (a lesson with personal anecdotes) worked well. There were also some lovely candid photographs included. There is nothing pretentious about this book. It is just a good read, with a few life lessons sprinkled along the way. I might even have a go at the lentil and vegetable soup recipe!

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always find it difficult reviewing biography’s. Who am I to rate someone’s personal story? In saying that, I found Kasey Chamber’s story interesting, especially her earlier life growing up on the Nullarbor Plain and her reflection later on in the book about raising her own children, including the decision to choose her own path, rather than what other people view ‘success’ to be. I definately found the swearing too much, but she came across very honest and genuine. Loved listening to Kasey narrate it herself.

[Elise Stevenson · Rating 4 out of 5]

You don’t have to follow what every other Tom, Dick, and Harry are doing. All you have to do is listen to your inner voice and not be a…well, you get the idea. Kasey Chambers is one of those iconic names in Australian music, a quintessential part of the identity of music and land in the great country I was born in. Kasey’s life is one of eccentricities and fascinating tales on the road. I had no idea about her work overseas, and it’s always nice to hear somebody talk about their connections to my hometown. This book is a must-read for any Australian.

[Cris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed the audiobook, narrated by her. Kasey’s a very entertaining and engaging storyteller. Candidly shares funny, at times sad, heartfelt stories and memories, as well as “other profound things she’s learned”, which she delivers with honesty and kindness, and without preaching. The audiobook includes some of her earlier hits and songs from her new album “Backbone”. Oh and you can’t miss her amazing cover of Eminem’s “Lose Yourself”.

[Susan Austin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Listened to this as an audiobook and Kasey does an excellent job narrating it. I felt like there was a fair bit of overlap between this book and her earlier memoir. I liked the way she used life lessons to structure the book. However I just didn't get much out of it, and that could be a reflection on my life at the moment and how all the challenges I am facing are worlds apart from the life she describes in her book and the lessons she imparts.

[Tash Carland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went to the book launch for this in Geelong. Listened to Kasey tell us about her story and listened to her sing a few songs. It was worth the wait to line up and personally have her sign my copy of the book and take a quick photo together. This woman is an inspiration. I have just finished reading her book. Plenty of laughs, inspirational quotes and I love the fact she has QR codes throughout to listen to her songs. 5 stars Kasey!❤️

[Annie Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kasey as herself for us all to see and know. Having followed Kasey through her music it is so wonderful and amazing of her to show us her true self and her family life. Just makes you love her more. Such an astonishing life so well lived by one of our wonderful Australian. This book is funny, sad, truthful, hearthfelt, emotional: consists of wonderful music as you read. "Backbone" her latest album.

[Wendy Kendall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed Kasey’s east’s & all story of her life till now. We could all learn some perspective from her words. I grew up with Country Music & still enjoy it. Having said that, I don’t actively follow any particular music now. You don’t have to be a Country music follower to enjoy Kasey’s book.

I score this book 5 🌟