Jedd Hughes grew up in the small south Australian town of Quorn. His father loved the sounds of Australian traditional country singer Slim Dusty and American icons such as Johnny Cash and Marty Robbins. When he wasn't listening to music at home, much of his childhood was spent onstage. At age 8, he won first place at the Port Pirie Country Music Festival. One year later, his dad gave him a few guitar lessons, and by age 10, he was playing a custom-made acoustic guitar.