Month: August 2023

Country artist Benn Gunn is releasing his new single, ‘Let Their Voice Be Heard’, and urging Australians to vote yes in the upcoming referendum.

“It’s long overdue that we are proud of our indigenous Australians. They’re the longest surviving culture on earth which makes them the greatest survivors in human history.”

Indigenous Australians developed their own society, culture, and strategies that helped them survive and thrive in some of the most hostile environments on earth for over 60,000 years.

But that survival was threatened during colonization. From the late 1700s right up to the 1920s, State Governments in Australia sanctioned the hunting down and killing of Indigenous Australian men, women and children.

If you Google “aboriginal massacres” you’ll find over 270 cases where Indigenous Australians were murdered in large groups, over 140 years of colonization. And those are just the documented cases. Then we had systemic racism, the stolen generation, stolen wages … the list of injustices done to Indigenous Australians goes on and on.

Even their history has been stolen. We know from the early explorers there were yam fields that stretched to the horizon with soil so deeply cultivated you could put your arm in it up to the elbow. There were yam pits dug so deep a man could stand in them and there was real danger a horse might fall into them.

Calling Indigenous Australians hunters and gathers doesn’t even begin to describe the huge diversity of different cultures that were here before colonization, all the way from Islanders who grew their own food, to the desert people who were mostly nomadic.

In 2017, 250 Aboriginal and Islander delegates from all over Australia gathered at Uluru and gifted us with the Uluru Statement, From The Heart, a document that outlines a process to bring all Australians together, and bring pride and self determination to Indigenous Australians.

The first part of that statement is a voice to Parliament … a body of Indigenous Australians elected by their local communities who can consult with the executive of the Australian Government and give them feedback on legislation that affects Indigenous Australians. It doesn’t give them any special powers, just the right to give feedback.

Just a little feedback has the potential to save Australians hundreds of millions of dollars.

Most Indigenous Australians today have family stories of their ancestors being killed or taken away by the Government. Many are still alive today who experienced or witnessed it. Understandably, most have some distrust towards Governments at all levels.

Federal Government spending on Indigenous Australians, including health and other essential services, is currently approximately $4.5 billion dollars a year. That distrust means government programs with excellent intentions can struggle to find wide acceptance among Indigenous People.

With Indigenous Elders giving feedback on programs and policies, their acceptance and their implementation is likely to improve substantially. Even if outcomes on Indigenous spending improved by just 10%, that’s a saving of $450 million dollars a year for our Federal Government.

The second verse of Benn’s song, ‘Let Their Voice Be Heard’, powers into an up-tempo, celebratory mood. He sings “With our generations reconciled the day can finally come, where our whole nation stands with pride, and we all walk as one.”

With the referendum we have an historic chance to recognize Indigenous Australians in our constitution and give them that voice of representatives they elect from their own communities.

“It’s time to come together and make a brand new start.” – Benn Gunn

“This is the song of the summer for that person you’re sweet on” – Ashleigh Dallas

Ashleigh Dallas’ new single, ‘Sweet For You’, sees the multi-award winner get in touch with her romantic side.

Stemming from an afternoon of banjo and fiddle practice, ‘Sweet For You’, celebrates the happy chapter she is in, in her life.

“I wrote this in 2022 and the idea came to me as a fiddle melody that worked with the lyrics,” Ashleigh said.

“I sat on the chorus for a week before I finished it. The theme of the song is about having your head up in the clouds and all the good things in life.”

“It is dedicated to my husband, Chris, but I’m not one to often write a lot of love songs, but I am in a great chapter of life and we’ve got the girls (daughters Harriet and Lillian). This is a song that is really relishing in all of those happy, feelgood vibes.”

‘Sweet For You’ also harks back to ’90’s country with a nostalgic, Cajun feel.

“I’d love my listeners to get a euphoric joy from this song, from the mix of instruments and the whole concept of the song because it’s a song that embraces all the joy and the good things in life,” Ashleigh said.

Ashleigh said she’s no matchmaker, but agreed that this could be the song to send to someone you’re sweet on that you’d like to share the love and joy with.

Launched at the Gympie Music Muster, ‘Sweet for You’ is released on August 25.

“To be heading back to the Gympie Music Muster, where it’s been many years since I’ve played, I’m very excited to be launching this at the festival,” Ashleigh said.

“The Muster is one of our most cherished festivals and, as a young kid wanting to have country music as a career, it was a bucket list festival to play, so it’s humbling to be involved in it and a festival you want to do your best at.

“It means so much as an artist, but it means a lot to the country music lover to be there, too. I feel this is that perfect song for a crowd to engage with and have a dance.”

Ashleigh showcases her musical talents throughout ‘Sweet For You’, featuring on fiddle, acoustic guitar, mandolin, and banjo with electric guitar and other colour instruments played by her dad and producer Brett Dallas. In the engine room of the rhythm section is brother Lindsay Dallas on bass and Adam McCann on drums.

Three-time Grammy® Award-winning country superstar Tim McGraw has released his highly anticipated new album Standing Room Only on August 25, 2023 via Big Machine Records. Standing Room Only features 13 brand-new tracks and was produced by McGraw and his longtime producing partner Byron Gallimore.

The new album marks McGraw’s first new record since 2020’s Here On Earth, which debuted at #1 on the Billboard Country Chart. On Standing Room Only, fans can expect an album full of McGraw’s enduring Country sound, distinguished vocals and meaningful songs.

“As an artist, I always want to dig deeper and get better every time I make a new record – it’s a big part of what drives me, and I really believe this is one of the best projects we’ve made. I’ve been working on this album since 2020, and this collection of songs are some of the most emotional, thought-provoking, and life-affirming music I’ve ever recorded,” McGraw shares.

Throughout his career, McGraw has amassed 68 Top 10s and holds the Mediabase record for the most weeks at #1 with all titles, totalling 73 weeks, and holds the record for second-most #1 albums in the U.S. just behind George Strait.

Acclaimed husband-and-wife duo, Mark and Jay O’Shea (O’Shea), are set to unveil their latest single, ‘Everything Means Nothing,’ on August 25th, 2023. This evocative track promises a rollercoaster of emotions, mirroring their personal life’s unpredictable adventure.

Crafted with lyrics that resound with visceral honesty, the song starts with a candid recounting of a less-than-perfect proposal: “I proposed in Sydney at a fancy restaurant right there on the harbour … But instead of screaming out ‘Yes’, she just managed an ‘Ok, then’,” sings Mark, inviting listeners into the couple’s romantic journey from the opening verse.

‘Everything Means Nothing’ pulls at the heartstrings as it navigates the peaks and troughs of their journey. From “singin’ for our supper in upper Manhattan” to the harsh reality that “you don’t get paid to play music in Music City,” the duo’s experiences, both high and low, underscore a poignant truth: “Everything Means Nothing, without you.”

O’Shea have perfectly captured a universal theme, brilliantly weaving their unique narrative into the shared human experience of love. “Oh the places we will go. And all the things, we didn’t know, we didn’t know” they sing to each other, setting the stage for a love story that’s as exhilarating as it is heartfelt.

Mark and Jay O’Shea continue to stake their claim as world class songwriters and performers winning over crowds from Dubai, UAE to Dalby, QLD, from the Grand Ole Opry to the Sydney Opera House. Their live shows have earned a reputation for being an emotional work-out, and Jay’s iconic vocal’s need to be heard to be believed.

When the couple aren’t adding to the seven Australian Country Music Awards (Golden Guitars) on the mantle, their swag full of number 1 singles and ARIA chart topping albums, they spend their spare time serving as ambassadors for charitable organizations like Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and HeartKids Australia.

‘Pour Me A Drink’ from The Scott Howarth Band is the latest country hit that’s about to become your new favorite. With it’s catchy melody and relatable lyrics, this song is all about taking a break from the stresses of life and enjoying a little bit of liquid therapy. Wheather you’re sipping on a beer at the local pub or pouring yourself a whiskey at home, ‘Pour Me A Drink’ is the perfect soundtrack to your next happy hour. So grab a cold one and turn up the colume, because this song is about to become your new anthem. Cheer!!

On a canvas painted in the spectacular Flinders Ranges of Outback South Australia, Alison Hams brings you her new radio single and music video, ‘Broken Ground’.

Telling the harsh contradictions of living on the Australian landscape, ‘Broken Ground’ is the second single release from ‘Out Into The Blue’, Alison’s 2023 album project with husband and musical partner Mark Tempany. The duo’s lead single ‘Lullaby’ launched in May to much critical acclaim and chart success.

Alison’s accompanying ‘Broken Ground’ music video has been filmed in stunning cinematic HD on rugged Edeowie Station, 450km north of Adelaide.

Alison Hams and Mark Tempany have written and performed music since they were kids, and they say that innocence is still alive across their decades of experience.

Ali and Mark have performed all over the world, produced twelve albums between them, and achieved nearly everything as proudly independent recording artists.

Having spent the last fifteen years focused on providing mentorship and music resources to young musicians in relatively remote areas of Australia – in 2023 they have returned with a new original album titled ‘Out Into The Blue’ – their first full album together.

The pair say the circuit-breaker that’s led to the new album was, as for so many artists, the Covid pandemic which provided extra time and space to create when the world locked down.

‘Out Into The Blue’ sees Mark and Alison working with some of the finest music talents in the world – they say recording in the age of high speed Internet has allowed International collaboration never possible even ten years ago.

‘Out Into The Blue’ is available now through marktempany.com and alisonhams.com. There’s 13 new songs included and the duo promise there’ll be several singles and music videos to come over the next year or so.

With the promise of so much more to come – Alison and Mark’s ‘Out Into The Blue’ album project continues to surprise and thrill after the pair’s twenty year hiatus from their decades-long original music careers.

“Watermelon Moonshine” follows the release of Lainey Wilson’s fourth No. 1 single at Country radio and first single from Bell Bottom Country, “Heart Like a Truck”.

“I’m so excited to announce ‘Watermelon Moonshine’ as my next single. This song embodies what Country music means to me, creating a timeless story that will resonate with people for generations to come. This song is about the crazy, young, nostalgic love we all hope to experience.” – Lainey Wilson

Recently breaking the record for the shortest gap between No. 1 singles at Country Radio with her song “Heart Like a Truck” and her “wait in the truck” collaboration with HARDY, there’s no sign of Wilson slowing down. Already this year, Wilson has won four ACM Awards and two CMT Music Awards, completed a 28-date sold-out headlining tour, been honoured as Billboard Women in Music’s 2023 “Rulebreaker”, and started touring stadiums with Luke Combs as support on his world tour.

Fans can catch Lainey this summer at festivals including CMA Fest, Carolina Country Music Fest, Country Jam, Lollapalooza, and Watershed, amidst headlining Red Rocks Amphitheatre and headlining her first arena show at Mohegan Sun before she embarks on HARDY’s The Mockingbird and The Crow tour in September.

ABOUT LAINEY WILSON:

As the leading female nominee and winner at 2023 ACM awards with Female Vocalist of the Year, Album of The Year, Visual Media and Musical Event of the Year and reigning CMA 2022 Female Vocalist and New Artist of the Year, Lainey Wilson has earned the enthusiasm of the industry. Critically acclaimed and touted as a top “artist to watch”, to being crowned the most nominated artist at the 2023 CMT Music Awards. The Louisiana native has made a name for herself in the industry as one of music’s hottest and most buzzed-about new artists. Landing her first No. 1 with her PLATINUM Certified ACM Song of the Year, “Things A Man Oughta Know”, nearly 10 years to the day after leaving her small farming community in a camper trailer to chase her dreams, she has won over legions of fans with her signature Bell Bottom Country sound and aesthetic, which blends traditional Country with a modern yet retro flare. A prolific and sought-after songwriter (having co-writer credits on songs by artists including Luke Combs, Flatland Calvary, and more), Lainey is a fresh, fierce voice in Nashville, delivering CMA-nominated Album of the Year with her label debut “Sayin’ What I’m Thinkin”.

With rockstar stage presence, her artistry has taken her across the globe, performing for sold-out crowds throughout the US, UK, and Germany with notable names like Jon Pardi, Luke Combs, Morgan Wallen, HARDY, Jason Aldean, Ashley McBryde, and more. After topping the country radio charts for a second time with the two-week No. 1 hit, “Never Say Never” with Cole Swindell, she recently achieved her third and fourth No. 1 song with “Heart Like a Truck” and HARDY collaboration “wait in the truck”. Her critically acclaimed album, “Bell Bottom Country”, reached No. 9 on Billboard’s Country Albums Chart, quickly rose to No. 1 on iTunes charts, and has amassed over 350 million streams to date. Most recently, she made her acting debut in Season 5 of the smash hit series Yellowstone as a musician character named Abby, where she premiered her original “Smell Like Smoke” as well as showcased other hits off her recent album including “Watermelon Moonshine” and “Hold My Halo”. Adding to her growing list of endeavours, Wilson was named “Tractor Supply Brand Ambassador”, was honoured at Billboard’s Women in Music Awards with the Rulebreaker Award, and most recently joined forces with Wrangler as the face of their 2023 fall/winter women’s collection.

Rising country singer-songwriter Maddie Cail returns with her second offering in 2023. ‘Drink With Me’ is a song written by Cail that was inspired by the unravelling events post covid. When the cost of living soared to new heights, jobs were lost along with personal hardships, Maddie Cail found inspiration to write this song in hope to lift people’s spirits. Yet again, her quirky lyrics hook the listener with a catchy, fun up-beat chorus. Her lyrics “feet in the sand” relate to her memories growing up on the beach and spending time wakeboarding at dams. Overall, ‘Drink With Me’ is a feel-good song aimed at bringing people together, where they can forget their troubles and enjoy time with family and friends.

“Looking for a fun song you can sing with your friends and forget about your troubles? I have got you covered. ‘Drink with me’ is all that and more. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.”

Maddie Cail has enjoyed a wild ride in 2023. From supporting The Wolfe Brothers to upcoming shows at Gympie Music Muster and releasing ‘Giddy Up’ earlier this year, her star continues to shine. Maddie’s previous singles. ‘Better Than I Am’ and ‘Bad Girl Gone Good’ cemented her in the country music scene and the success of every release has allowed her to perform at major festivals, including the upcoming Gympie Music Muster.

Maddie Cail continues to push the boundaries with her cheeky personality, unique tone and quirky original songs and with every release her fanbase grows, ensuring she is making her mark on the country music scene.

Maddie Cail’s new single ‘Drink With Me’ is out to radio on Monday 21st August and out on digital platforms on Friday 25th August.

Donna Fisk writes ‘Mickey Newbury’, a very personal song, and true story, on the way home from a farewell.

“One last ride for my friend Kevin on the back of his beloved Ute, to the march of ‘American Trilogy’ … Memories remain of the good times, all that he was, and all that he is in his absence. I understood the enormity of the loss of someone you couldn’t bare to lose from this world.”

Why the reference to the last Mickey Newbury fan? Of course, he wasn’t, and most certainly won’t be the last, but he was a dedicated lover of his music who felt alone with his passion as the years rolled on in the rich red dirt hills heart of Victoria, Australia.

“It’s truly an honour says Donna, after dedicating the song to his family, they chose the last words etched on his gravestone, The Last Mickey Newbury Fan”.

Donna Fisk is an award winning singer, songwriter, recording artist, producer, and Royal Command Performer, with several number one chart topping hit recordings, and immortalised in the Australian Country Music Hands Of Fame Park.

Woven into the narrative of Australian country music, it’s a family tradition akin to the Dusty, Kernaghan and Chambers clans with father, Gene Bradley Fisk, being a pioneer artist of the outlaw country genre and radio personality inducted into the Broadcasters Hall of Fame.

Donna is a modern day female trailblazer for Australian country music, touring her own show as well as performing and recording overseas, incorporating appearances on local and international media.

The country music star is the voice on many national advertising campaigns including being assigned to perform for the Australian Government campaign song, ‘Building On A Strong Foundation’, as the anthem for The Australian Centenary Of Federation.

Fisk was the face, voice and songwriter of Australian Football League and Channel Seven live game broadcasts theme song, ‘Rock ‘N’Footy!’, ultimately performing at the Melbourne Cricket Ground for the prestigious AFL Grand final to an audience of millions, which seen the song rocket into the ARIA Charts and football folklore.

During her career, Donna has shared the stage with the acclaimed artists such as John Denver, Donny Osmond, Dame Edna Everage, Tom T. Hall, Canned Heat, Muhammad Ali, Brian Cadd, Susan Raye, James Morrison, Tommy Emmanuel, Dave Dudley, Blood Sweat and Tears, and The Seekers … to mention just a few.

The latest string of singles, ‘Shoulder At The Wheel’, ‘Crying Over’, ‘You Are Christmas to Me’, ‘Drunk On That’, and ‘Be’, all achieve #1 on the Australian Country Radio Chart.

The highly anticipated new album project release titled ‘Be’, was recorded in Nashville with accomplished producer Robert Angello at the helm (Chet Atkins, Suzy Bogguss, Jo Dee Messina, Steve Wariner, Tanya Tucker, Garth Brooks).

Powerhouse Country Pop Songstress, Natalie Pearson, Is Set To Release Heartfelt Ballad ‘Is He Happy’, And Is Announced As A Finalist For ‘Artist Of The Year’ In The Gold Coast Music Awards.

Hot on the heels of previous hit single ‘Not In These Boots’, country music singer songwriter Natalie Pearson returns with a heart-warming new single which touches on the aftermath of a breakup.

‘Is He Happy’ gracefully navigates the terrain of a past love, where the lyric poignantly expresses hopes for the happiness and fulfilment of a former partner. This pop-country ballad delves into the complexities of moving on, while still cherishing the memories of what once was. The song’s poignant narrative explores the bittersweet feeling of wanting the best for someone you once cared deeply about, even if it means accepting a life apart. With its intimate vocals and delicate production, ‘Is He Happy’ evokes a genuine emotional connection with its listeners. The soulful performance captures the essence of vulnerability, making it a compelling anthem for anyone who has experienced the aftermath of a heartfelt relationship. This raw display of emotion invites listeners to reflect on their own experiences, making ‘Is He Happy’ a relatable and deeply personal listening experience. Having written this song many years ago, Natalie felt it was time to release it to her fans as it tells a story everyone can relate to.

“‘Is He Happy’ came from a place of wondering how life panned out for a past love, if they got their happiness and dream family life that they’d always hoped for. It had been in the vault of voice memos for a while, and I finished the write with my producer Jared Adlam during covid.

I had been nervous to release such a vulnerable song or bring up a sad past, but I think it’s a selfless and reflective sentiment to wish someone happiness, let go and release it completely”.

With high rotation adds on major country music stations such as KIX Country, Triple M Country, iHeart Country and ABC Country, Natalie Pearson continues to push the boundaries with each release. ‘Not In These Boots’ garnered attention from Spotify’s editorial playlists Fresh Country and Fresh Country Finds as well as Apple Music playlists and the music video is currently sitting at #16 on the CMT Australia Charts.

Perth born and having resided on Queensland’s Gold Coast for the past 6 years; Natalie has spent that time establishing herself as a dedicated and popular artist with a rapidly growing fanbase. The fruits of this move, hard work, dedication and pure talent have rewarded her with a finalist announcement in the 9th Gold Coast Music Awards where she is up for ‘Artist Of The Year’. This year’s awards receiving a record 937 nominations and showcases the incredible talent and success of the South-East Queensland music industry. Winners will be crowned at a star-studded gala event on Thursday August 31st at HOTA Home of the Arts.

Back from her recent trip to Nashville and her debut performance at CMA Music Festival, Melanie Dyer drops a brand new single, “Dust “. The Australian singer/songwriter has cemented herself as a leading lady in contemporary country with hits like “Memphis T-Shirt”, ” Run Out Of Road” and her most recent hit, “Song For That”.

Produced by Rod McCormack, Melanie describes her new track, “Dust is a high energy call-to-action to take the bull by the horns and ride the highs in life. I hope that when people turn it up on the radio, stream it or hear it live, they get a rush of confidence to keep moving forward and never settle for less.”

Joining the lineup for CMA Music Festival 2023, Melanie played alongside the likes of Jason Aldean, Dan + Shay, Miranda Lambert and more to celebrate the Festival’s 50th Anniversary.

With sales approaching 10 million, Melanie released her sophomore album in 2022, “Between You & Me”; featuring hit singles, “Run Out Of Road”, ” Cheap Moscato”, “Cheating On Me” and “Dumb Decisions” (with Caitlyn Shadbolt) and the title track a collab with US Artist Troy Cartwright. The album earned Melanie 2 CMAA Golden Guitar Award nominations for Female Artist of the Year and Collaboration of the year in January 2023. Melanie is an APRA Professional Development Award Winner, APRA Nominated songwriter (“Memphis T-Shirt”) and an ‘in demand’ songwriter within the Australian music industry.

Who is Adam Wayne?

Outdoorsman, Entrepreneur, Actor, Performer Adam Wayne also picks a flat-top guitar and writes soulful songs. Being influenced from a musically talented family, Adam’s knack for singing, songwriting and guitar playing came at an early age. While living in Nashville at a young age of 23, he checked out the music scene and worked as a bouncer at the worlds famous Tootsies Orchid Lounge where he rubbed elbows with Brooks and Dunn, Alan Jackson, Kid Rock and recalls carding Miranda Lambert. In the thick of music city, he recalls rooming with songwriters and singers like Jon Pardi, who had that same aspiration in music. Adam has been mentored by very talented singer/songwriters and artists, just like Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings, he was mentored by some of the best.

From outdoor festivals, dance halls, ballrooms to your standard honkytonk, he has opened for various well-known artists: Easton Corbin, Shooter Jennings, Tracy Lawrence, Granger Smith, Hoe Nichols, Chris Janson and Trace Adkins. He has performed in front of 10,000 fans opening for Frankie Ballard and Texas country music artist Aaron Watson, The Casey Donahew Band and The Josh Abbott Band. He has also shared the stage with Martin Zeller, Josh Thompson, Kevin Sharp, Bob Wooton (Johnny Cash’s Guitar Player), Billy Don Burns and Outlaw Country music artist Eric Lee Beddingfield and the late Wayne Mills. He has had the opportunity to open for country legends “The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band” and share the stage with members of the mega group “Alabama”.

Adam has released songs to country radio, “Down Every Road There’s A Rodeo”, “Keep On Pushing Ahead”, “Give All Your Love”, “Over In The Holler”. This May he releases “Goin’ Off Grid”.

His drive and perseverance in music has channeled him into acting, He was cast as an extra in a Jon Voight / James Caan / Melanie Griffith movie, “J.L Family Ranch” and hekd a private concert for Jon Voight and the crew in Kentucky. Adam was also cast as an extra in a Nicolas Cage film in 2017.

He continues to perform across the U.S and record songs in pursuit of making great music; something unique, humble-some and down to Earth. He’s Country and Folky with Gospel at heart! He is just a good ole’ hard working country boy, guaranteed to stand his ground and stick around to make waves in this ever changing industry.

You will never hear a fake beat in his music, he’s real and passionate about country music and grassroots will always be the forefront of his style. His songs have been called, “unique and poetic”. He has a zest for performing his craft and is passionate about developing his entertainment career.

South-East Queensland’s contemporary country music recording artist Brook Chivell is preparing to captivate listeners once again with his highly anticipated fourth release of the year, ‘Bad Guy’. Following the success of his previous singles ‘Put ‘Em Up’, ‘Blue Eyes’ and a remarkable cover of the iconic ’80’s Tears For Fears hit, ‘Everybody Wants To Rule The World’, Chivell continues to showcase his versality as an artist.

‘Bad Guy’ will take fans on a melodic journey through heartfelt emotions and introspection. With this new release, Chivell delves into the world of one-sided stories that often circulate after a breakup, shedding light on the unspoken perspectives and untold narratives. Through his soul-stirring lyrics and genuine storytelling, Chivell aims to provide solace and understanding to those who have experienced similar situations.

Engineered and co-produced with Brook, by Jared Adlam at Machine Lab Recording and mastered by Paul Blakey at 12th & Vine Post, ‘Bad Guy’ is a testament to Brook’s commitment to delivering exceptional sound quality and production.

Brook Chivell’s previous releases in 2023 have been met with immense praise and admiration from both fans and industry professionals alike. His second single of the year, the beautiful ballad ‘Blue Eyes’, garnered significant attention and was added to major editorial playlists on Spotify and Apple Music. Additionally, his rendition of ‘Everybody Wants To Rule The World’ served as a heartfelt expression of gratitude to his dedicated fan base.

As Chivell continues to push the boundaries of his artistry, ‘Bad Guy’ promises to be yet another musical gem in his growing repertoire. With his distinct country sound infused with contemporary elements, he is solidifying his position as one of the most exciting talents in the Australian country music scene.

Brook Chivell’s new single ‘Bad Guy’ is out at radio and all digital services on Monday 14th August.

Today, GRAMMY, CMA and ACM Award-winning singer songwriter Carly Pearce announces her North American headline COUNTRY MUSIC MADE ME DO IT TOUR, kicking off October 5 at The Town Hall in New York City. Presented by Conundrum Wines, the 10+ city tour will continue through cities like Boston, St. Louis, Los Angeles, Detroit and more before concluding on November 18 in Detroit. Adam Doleac and Hannah Ellis will join Pearce as support on select dates.

In tandem with the tour announcement, Pearce also reveals the upcoming August 11 release of her brand new song “Country Music Made Me Do It” via Big Machine Records. An upbeat, cheeky love letter to the genre, the song chronicles Pearce’s long standing relationship to Country music and the impact it has had on her life. Pre-save the new track HERE.

Ahead of the tour, the Carly Pearce Official Fan Club launches today, offering fans the opportunity to stay directly in the know with their favorite artist – along with an exclusive fan club pre-sale from Tuesday, August 8 at 10A local through Thursday, August 10 at 10P local where they can utilize their unique pre-sale code for both tickets and VIP Experiences on the tour. General tickets will be available for purchase beginning Friday, August 11 at 10A local time.

The Carly Pearce Official Fan Club offers two tiers of access with offerings ranging from an exclusive newsletter from Pearce, online store discounts, access to behind the scenes content, as well as pre-sale ticket and pre-sale VIP Experience access codes. For more information and to sign up for the fan club, fans can visit fanclub.carlypearce.com.

In addition to new music and live touring dates, Pearce has notched another career milestone with the Recording Industry Association of America® (RIAA) PLATINUM certification of her No. 1 hit “Never Wanted To Be That Girl” with Ashley McBryde. The song won a GRAMMY® Award this year for Best Country Duo/Group Performance, marking Pearce’s first and making history as the first female pairing to win in the category, in addition to winning the 2022 CMA Musical Event of the Year and 2022 ACM Music Event of the Year.

The news comes after Pearce’s latest rising single “We Don’t Fight Anymore” featuring Chris Stapleton was released to critical and fan acclaim last month, and follows the announcement that she will join Tim McGraw as direct support on all dates of his 2024 STANDING ROOM ONLY TOUR starting March 14. For more information, please visit CarlyPearce.com.

About Carly Pearce

Fiercely rooted in the classics, the girl who left her Kentucky home and high school at 16 to take a job at Dollywood has grown into a woman who embraces the genre’s forward progression. GRAMMY® Award-winning singer-songwriter Carly Pearce lit a fire with her debut album Every Little Thing and the PLATINUM-certified history-making title track, and she hasn’t slowed down since. Pearce’s 3x PLATINUM-certified “I Hope You’re Happy Now” with Lee Brice won both the 2020 CMA Awards Musical Event and 2021 ACM Awards Music Event, plus ACM Single of the Year. Pearce, now a Grand Ole Opry and Kentucky Music Hall of Fame member, has come a long way from the pain she felt writing her critically acclaimed and commercially lauded third studio album 29 which includes Country Radio chart toppers ” Never Wanted To Be That Girl” with Ashley McBryde and “What He Didn’t Do.” For the PLATINUM-certified “Never Wanted To Be That Girl,” Pearce picked up her second consecutive ACM Music Event of the Year in 2022 and marked the third duet between two solo women to top Billboard’s Country Airplay chart. The song also took home the 2022 CMA Musical Event of the Year and won a GRAMMY® Award for Best Country Duo/Group Performance, marking Pearce’s first and making history as the first female pairing to win in the category. Earlier this year, Pearce joined Blake Shelton’s BACK TO THE HONKY TONK TOUR and made her 100th performance at the Grand Ole Opry. As she closed out that pivotal 29 chapter with her first live album 29: WRITTEN IN STONE (LIVE FROM MUSIC CITY), Pearce now steps into the next chapter of her musical career with the praised release of her new single “We Don’t Fight Anymore” (featuring Chris Stapleton), and upcoming August 11 release of new song “Country Music Made Me Do It.” After setting out on her 2023 fall headline COUNTRY MUSIC MADE ME DO IT TOUR, Pearce will join Tim McGraw’s 2024 STANDING ROOM ONLY TOUR as direct support. Honored as one of CMT’s 2022 Artists of The Year, the 2021 CMA Female Vocalist of the Year and 2022 ACM Awards Female Artist of the Year, Pearce continues to resonate with her honest lyrics and timeless musicality. For tour dates and more, visit CarlyPearce.com.

Mike Kuster’s second album, Country So Fresh You Have to Check Your Boots, hit the ground running and continues with this second single, “Front Porch Swing”. This single has already garnered praise and playlist placements in the independent music community.

Written about the small town in Maryland that Kuster calls home, the song transports the listener to his front porch and captures the lazy sway of his front porch swing. As he describes, “ain’t nothin better in this whole wide world; makes your worries fade away and calms your nerves.”

Mike Kuster grew up on a small farm in Frederick County, Maryland along the Appalacian mountain, Catoctin Mountain. He and his wife, Emily, met in FFA in high school and settled in Walkersville, Maryland not far from where they grew up. They’ve raised three children in their small town and enjoy life in their agrarian home town.

Mike Kuster writes and sings songs based on his love of the classic he grew up hearing in the barn, at rodeos, and hauling horses and cattle with his father. He and his band, The Catoctin Cowboys, travel the area performing at venues large and small. He has recorded two albums in Nashville, Tennessee with producer Dr. Ford. His lastest album, Country So Fresh You Have To Check Your Boots, was released in June of 2023 and follows his critcally acclaimed debut album, Better Late Than Never, released in 2022. Kuster was named Independent Music Network’s Country Impact Artist of 2022.

Australia was introduced to Lane Pittman in April 2022, when the then 16-year-old school student from Tamworth, NSW with the glorious mullet haircut and even more sensational vocal tone wowed audiences with his cover of Luke Combs “Even Though I’m Leaving ” as his audition for The Voice Australia. All four chairs turned, and Lane joined Team Keith (Keith Urban). Lane continued to progress and impress throughout the following weeks on The Voice, taking on any challenge he was set with an exceptional attitude and performance skills beyond his years.

With his performance of “Even Though I’m Leaving” being viewed over 5 million times across YouTube, TikTok and Instagram so far, Lane caught the eye of Luke Combs and his team. Lane was invited to be the opening act on Luke’s massive , sold-out Australian and New Zealand Tour with Cody Johnson, taking place in August 2023.

Having recently signed a management and record deal with Chugg Music, home to artists including Lime Cordiale, Sheppard & Casey Barnes. Lane has now released his first single on Chugg Music titled “Love In A Country Town”.

Written by Nashville heavyweights Neil Mason (from The Cadillac Three), Ryan Hurd and Aaron Eshuis, Lane said that “Love in A Country Town” feels like a fresh start for me. It’s the launch of this new chapter and I think it really reflects that. This song is all about falling in love, which I did from the second I heard it. I really hope people enjoy it and love it just as much as I do!”.

ABOUT LANE PITTMAN:

Born in Mount Isa, QLD and raised in country music capital, Tamworth NSW, country music has been part of Lane for his entire life. Seeking inspiration from the legends such as Alan Jackson, Randy Travis, and Brooke & Dunn, through to today’s biggest stars like

Keith Urban, Luke Combs and Morgan Wallen, Lane has taken it all in to make a style all his own, which he is ready to take to the world at the fresh age of just seventeen.

Australia was introduced to Lane Pittman in April 2022, when the then 16 year old school student from Tamworth NSW with the glorious mullet haircut and even more sensational vocal tone wowed audiences with his cover of Luke Combs “Even Though I’m Leaving” as his audition for The Voice Australia. All four chairs turned, and Lane joined Team Keith (Keith Urban).

Lane’s performance of “Even Though I’m Leaving” was uploaded across socials and has so far been seen over 5 million times across YouTube, TikTok and Instagram.

The performance caught the eye of Luke Combs, and his team and Lane was invited to be the opening act on Luke’s massive, sold-out Australian & New Zealand Tour with Cody Johnson, taking place in August 2023. Lane also appeared at CMC Rocks and sold out his first ever ticketed show at the Tamworth Country Music Festival in 2023.

Lane is completing his Higher School Certificate in 2023 and looking forward to getting stuck into writing, performing, and releasing more music as he commences his musical journey.

Canadian country music legend Gord Bamford is returning to our shores shortly, touring August & September 2023. Following hot on the heels of the release of his new album “Fire It Up” Gord has announced a 12 show tour that will also feature his full Canadian touring band that includes some of the most awarded musicians in Canada. Check out “Fire It Up” HERE.

To coincide with the tour dates, Gord has dropped another track from the album to celebrate, “Hair of The Honky Tonk Dog”. As Gord says, “I am excited to release this track exclusively for the Aussie’s only. After being able to get back to my homeland on a number of different occasions and experience all the great music fans down under; I feel like this song is a perfect fit. Can’t wait to see everyone on tour… AUSSIE… AUSSIE… AUSSIE….”

“I love touring in Australia. I feel a deep connection to the country and still proudly hold an Australian passport. This next tour is a mixed bag of shows. We will be doing a couple of Festivals including the Gympie Muster for the second time and I will also be doing some of my own shows. The band and I are also excited to be working with my mates The Wolfe Brothers with whom I have previously done a couple of tours within Australia, and they have also joined me for some shows in Canada. The pandemic put a stop to my regular trips to Oz, but it is so good to put all that behind us and to be able to come back down under to play some country music and catch up with my fans there”.

Gord is one of the most decorated artists in Canadian country music. He has built a loyal fanbase over the past decade with his traditional Country persona and engaging live shows.

ABOUT GORD BAMFORD:

Australian-born and Canadian-raised, Gord Bamford stands as one of the most decorated artists in Canadian country music. He has built a loyal fanbase over the past decade with his traditional Country persona and captivating live shows and has been the recipient of 26 Canadian Country Music Association awards including Album of the Year, Single of the Year and Male Artist of the Year wins, along with receiving multiple JUNO Award nominations. With over 100 million streams and 5 billion audience impressions at radio globally, Bamford is a two-time recipient of the CMA Global Country Artist Award, with 28 Top 10 singles in Canada including the No. 1 hits “When Your Lips Are So Close” and “Dive Bar”. In January of 2023, multiple CMA and CCMA Award winner Gord Bamford stays true to the country sound that has helped define his decorated career with the release of his 11th studio album “Fire It Up” on April 28. Gord Bamford’s new album embraces themes of caregiving, loss, compassion, empathy, and most important – hope.

Powerhouse Canadian Country Rock Artist Jason Kirkness Makes His Australian Debut With ‘Anywhere The Night Goes’ .

Canadian country singer-songwriter Jason Kirkness is set to release his first single in Australia and ‘Anywhere The Night Goes’ is the perfect debut to audiences down under. As a true champion of the Canadian country music scene, Jason is redefining the genre with his irresistible sound. This highly anticipated track from his forthcoming album promises an upbeat experience that will have you dancing and singing along.

“Having a song that changes your life is a rare honour for any musician. I’m lucky that ‘Anywhere The Night Goes’ is really becoming that song for me. I’m looking forward to meeting the people of Australia and getting to know them as they get to know my music”. Jason Kirkness.

Having achieved tremendous success on the airwaves with multiple chart-climbing releases, Jason Kirkness continues to captivate listeners worldwide. Already a hit in Canada, ‘Anywhere The Night Goes’ made waves on the Top 50 Canadian Billboard Chart for an astounding 18 weeks, and is still in rotation in many markets a year later, firmly establishing him as a rising star.

Hailing from the humble town of Kleefield, Manitoba, Canada, Jason has a captivating backstory that has shaped his music. With a history of touring and living an exhilarating life on the road, Jason has shared the stage with industry legends such as Luke Bryan, Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood. He constantly delivers heartfelt performances and showcases his beautiful vocal range.

With a captivating blend of country charm and electrifying talent that will leave audiences craving for more, his slick country sound is bound to resonate with Australian country music lovers. So, get ready to dance, sing and enjoy the vibrant and upbeat vibes of ‘Anywhere The Night Goes’. Jason Kirkness is set to make his mark on Australia.

Who is Adam Wayne?

Born Of The Minnesota Woods, Outdoorsman, Entrepreneur, Actor, Performer Adam Wayne also picks a flat-top guitar and writes soulful songs. Being influenced from a musically talented family, Adam’s knack for singing, songwriting and guitar playing came at an early age. While living in Nashville at a young age of 23, he checked out the music scene and worked as a bouncer at the worlds famous Tootsies Orchid Lounge where he rubbed elbows with Brooks and Dunn, Alan Jackson, Kid Rock and recalls carding Miranda Lambert. In the thick of music city, he recalls rooming with songwriters and singers like Jon Pardi, who had that same aspiration in music. Adam has been mentored by very talented singer/songwriters and artists, just like Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings, he was mentored by some of the best.

From outdoor festivals, dance halls, ballrooms to your standard honkytonk, he has opened for various well-known artists; Easton Corbin, Shooter Jennings, Tracy Lawrence, Granger Smith, Joe Nichols, Chris Janson and Trace Adkins. He has performed in front of 10,000 fans opening for Frankie Ballard and Texas country music artists Aaron Watson, The Casey Donahew Band and The Josh Abbott Band. He has also shared the stage with Martin Zeller, Josh Thompson, Kevin Sharp, Bob Wooton (Johnny Cash’s Guitar Player), Billy Don Burns and Outlaw Country music artists Eric Lee Beddingfield and the late Wayne Mills. He has had the opportunity to open for country legends “The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band” and share the stage with members of the mega group “Alabama”.

Adam has released songs to country radio, “Down Every Road There’s A Rodeo”, “Keep On Pushing Ahead” , “Give All Your Love” and this May Adam releases his 4th National release “Over In The Holler”. A song about the hard working farmer.

His drive and perseverance in music has channeled him into acting. He was cast as an extra in a Jon Voight / James Caan / Melanie Griffith movie, “J.L Family Ranch” and held a private concert for Jon Voight and the crew in Kentucky. Adam was also cast as an extra in a Nicolas Cage film in 2017.

He continues to perform across the U.S and record songs in pursuit of making great music; something unique, humble-some and down to Earth. He’s Country and Folky with Gospel at heart! He is just a good ole’ hard working country boy, guaranteed to stand his ground and stick around to make waves in this ever changing industry.

You will never hear a fake beat in his music, he’s real and passionate about country music and grassroots will always be the forefront of his style. His songs have been called, “unique and poetic”. He has a zest for performing his craft and is passionate about developing his entertainment career.

“A Memorable Artist With Memorable Songs”

Their new single “Always Calling” is about living with the always-calling voice in your head and fighting against finding some perspective. Lead singer of the band Brewn, Mick Bond, says, “In the process of producing the song, the meaning of it has evolved over time. The song ‘Always Calling’ was originally written about a guy whose heart had been stolen by an exotic dancer. She also danced for others and could never be his one and only. Even knowing this, he could not stop his desire for her to call constantly.”

The five-piece group continues to capture elements of country and rock music to bring to fruition their deep roots. Hailing from Australia with their nostalgic sound, the band expands globally as they express the purpose of a truth-telling story about a piece of someone’s heart.

“After producing the lyric video and sharing the track with others, the band released the song with a message that is much bigger than a simple story. “This is calling, and your inner voice is calling you. A voice inside you you cannot ignore. Follow your inner voice, your alter ego, chase your desires and dreams, and be who you truly are,” adds Mick.”

Throughout the lyric video, someone struggles to block out memories of the person she always thinks about. Listening to your inner voice, the voice that guides you in the direction of your heart’s desires, helps you stay true to yourself.

The band’s signature style continues to evolve as they aim to revisit country rock in a way that is different from the norm. They blend various musical styles, either stripping things back or layering different instruments, and allow listeners to create their own story within each song. With the much-loved single “Always Calling,” Brewn’s music unites people going through different phases in their lives and embracing the essence of being lonely but not alone

Fresh off the back of performing at the 50th CMA Fest in Nashville, Tennessee, Brittany Elise has released her highly anticipated new single ‘Something About This Town’.

The Gympie Muster Australia Talent Search Winner and Toyota Star Maker Australia Finalist says the catchy new track, written alongside David Carter, embraces the fresh Nashville sound. “I wrote this song about all the beautiful small-town people in sunny Queensland where I live, who have always believed in me. I also took inspiration from the people and places I have visited on tour and finished with the feelings I felt whilst living in Nashville, Tennessee,” said Brittany Elise.

Brittany Elise says she went back to her roots with the production of this track when working with Michael and Caleb Flanders in the US. “This is one of the coolest tracks I have ever recorded. Having six world class musicians tracking their part live, all at the same time, in the same space of a Nashville, Tennessee studio was an unbelievable experience,” said Brittany Elise.

The result is an upbeat soundtrack, with an extremely catchy blend of country musicality layered with pop hooks – a sound fans love from Brittany Elise. This song is another example of how relatable Brittany Elise’s music is and why her audience is growing so rapidly.

In 2023, Brittany Elise has been named a finalist at the Independent Country Music Awards for Female Artist of the Year and Album of the Year, as well as a prestigious Australia Day Award for her service and achievements in music. This year Brittany Elise has been making waves both in Australia and the United States having opened for US artists Craig Wayne Boyd, The Voice US Winner and Morgan Myles, The Voice US Runner Up, as well as Australian artists including James Johnston, Amber Lawrence, and Darlinghurst.

In 2022, Brittany Elise was awarded ICMA Most Popular New Female Artist of the Year, after the release of her album ‘JUST BE’. Her previous charting tracks include, ‘Feel the Fire’, ‘Like Me That Way’, ‘Find Your Music’, ‘Sunshine Hurricane’, ‘Another Day’ and ‘Something More’. Each song has made her a regular on the CountryTown Hot 50 airplay chart, earnt her a #1 on the Australian Media Radio Airplay Chart for ‘Like Me About That Way’, thousands of streams on Apple Music and Spotify playlists, and received high rotation on countless national radio stations. No small feat for this ‘must watch’ emerging artist.

After returning from the US in August, Brittany Elise will embark on her Australian ‘Something About This Town’ Tour, with appearances at the Gympie Music Muster, Deni Ute Muster, NQ Rock’n Country Festival, Country Rocks Banana Coast Festival, Airlie Beach Music Festival, Brisbane Ekka and Cowboys vs Broncos NRL Match.

Multi-PLATINUM Country star Brett Young’s highly-anticipated fourth studio album, Across The Sheets, is out now via BMLG Records. The eight-song project is Young’s most adventurous project thematically and lyrically to date, drawing inspiration from “the person you want to share everything with, the one you lay your head down with every night” and his latest season in life.

Today at 12pm ET/11am CT, Young will host a YouTube Premiere and Afterparty for his new music video for his current single, “Dance With You,” where he will answer questions from fans and share behind the scenes footage. The heartwarming video features Brett and the inspiration for the romantic track, his wife Taylor (along with their adorable daughters) and was filmed in Palm Springs, just down the road from where he and Taylor got married. Currently at Country radio, the song earned Young his biggest week one streaming numbers to date and has garnered more than 40 million streams since, contributing his to more than 8.4 billion career streams.

Young kicked off celebrations for his album release earlier this week with a live performance of “Dance With You” live on NBC’s TODAY. Watch HERE. Today, ‘Across The Sheets: Live From Nashville’ will premiere on SiriusXM’s The Highway as well as an exclusive interview and performance at 12pmET from the Audacy Album Listening Party with Brett Young held earlier this week. On August 10, Young will perform at a special iHeartCountry Album Release Party at the iHeart Theater in Los Angeles.

Young is currently on the road with Sam Hunt’s Summer on the Outskirts Tour and tickets are currently on sale for his next headlining DANCE WITH YOU Tour, which kicks off September 14 in Pennsylvania with special guests Jake Scott and Griffen Palmer. For all upcoming tour dates and ticket information, visit BrettYoungMusic.com.