Month: August 2025

The official music video for Owen Smith’s cheeky single Upper Class Bogan is out today, August 8 – filmed entirely in Tamworth with a cast of Owen’s real-life mates bringing full bogan energy to the screen.

“I shot it myself and roped in some mates and it was 100% effort from everyone, and we had a lot of fun making it,” Owen said. “It captures exactly what the song is about; not taking ourselves too seriously and having a laugh.”

The release of the video follows a strong response to the single, which dropped on July 11 and was launched live at the 2025 Hats Off To Country festival in Tamworth. The track is gaining consistent radio airplay and is currently charting on the TMFM Top 20 Australian Country Music Chart.

Co-written with Golden Guitar winner Matt Scullion during the CMAA Academy of Country Music, Upper Class Bogan is a sharp, tongue-in-cheek look at modern Aussie culture.

“I was driving through Sydney and saw a Porsche four-wheel drive and thought, ‘Who goes out and buys a sports car that can fit 12 kids and six dogs?'” Owen said.
“That’s where the idea of Upper Class Bogan came from – people who’ve made it big but still love to live their best bogan life.”

Owen first performed the song at The Academy’s Graduation Concert in January 2024, joined by fellow students in Hawaiian shirts borrowed from Roger Corbett and Dobe Newton.

The track features a cast of seasoned country musicians:
🎶 Dobe Newton (spoons)
🎶 Matt Scullion (vocals)
🎶 Simon Johnson (bass and production)
🎶 Brad Bergen (guitar and drums)
🎶 Gabi Louise (fiddle)

Upper Class Bogan is receiving widespread radio support, including airplay from:

ABC Country (Grass Roots, Saturday Night Country)
Today’s Country 94One
Big Country Radio
Australian Country Radio
Tamar Valley Country
ABC stations across Australia
2SER
Capital Country Radio
Coral Coast Radio
TMFM
Logan FM
…and many more community stations.

The single is also featured on Apple Music’s New In Country playlist.

“This song has really helped build my audience,” Owen said. “It reflects who we are – and Aussies love a laugh at our own expense.”

TOM CURTAIN SHARES TITLE TRACK FROM HIS FORTHCOMING ALBUM ‘HERE’S TO YOU’ + ANNOUNCES SHOW DATES

Multiple Golden Guitar winner Tom Curtain returns with his powerful new single ‘Here’s To You’, featuring the striking vocals of rising country star Laura Frank . As the title track from his forthcoming sixth studio album (out 22 August), this anthemic duet is a heartfelt tribute to the everyday heroes of Australia; the battlers, the tradies, the parents, the farmers, the “get-up-and-get-on-with-it” types who quietly keep the country moving.

‘Here’s To You’ was written on the road while touring remote regional towns; a reflection of the real stories and real people Tom meets every day. Produced by acclaimed songwriter and producer Garth Porter at Rancom Studios, the single brings to life the grit, resilience, and quiet pride of hardworking Australians.

“I’m incredibly grateful to be working with Garth Porter. Not only is he a phenomenal songwriter, but also an outstanding musician and producer,” Tom shares.

Tom isn’t your average country artist. Raised on a cattle and peanut farm in Kumbia, QLD, he found his musical voice while working on stations in the NT. Since his 2017 comeback album Territory Time shot to #1 on the iTunes Country Album Chart, he’s released critically acclaimed albums, won Golden Guitars, and travelled tens of thousands of kilometres bringing music and connection to the bush.

Tom is also a passionate ambassador for Dolly’s Dream and Farm Angels, using his platform to raise awareness around rural mental health and kindness. His tourism and entertainment venture, Katherine Outback Experience , has also won Gold at the Australian Tourism Awards three times in the last four years.

Performing with his family, horses, dogs, and a band of fellow musicians, Tom is known for his unique blend of country music and outback showmanship. Last summer, he performed 65 shows to 40,000 guests, including headlining Equitana in Melbourne, the southern hemisphere’s largest equine trade event, where he played to a crowd of 4,000.

Now, Tom is gearing up to hit the road again with the massive Here’s To You Tour, kicking off in early October.

“We start the Here’s To You Tour early October through to mid-April, touring through QLD, NSW, VIC and SA over 7 months, 70 shows with the horses, working dogs, musicians and family,” Tom says.

It’s the kind of tour only Tom Curtain could pull off. A blend of country music, bush culture, and community spirit that mirrors the very message behind ‘Here’s To You’. As with the song, the tour is a celebration of resilience, connection, and life on the land.

With its powerful message and soaring harmonies, ‘Here’s To You’ is more than a song, it’s a salute to those who give their all and ask for little in return. This one’s for them.

Multi-Platinum Artist, Jimmie Allen’s New Single “Small Town Anthem” OUT NOW!

GRAMMY-NOMINATED, MULTI-PLATINUM COUNTRY STAR JIMMIE ALLEN ANNOUNCES ‘STORIES BEHIND THE SONGS’ US TOUR

NASHVILLE, TN – JULY 9, 2025 – Today, Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum singer-songwriter Jimmie Allen has announced his multi-city ‘Stories Behind the Songs’ US tour.

Running from September 5 through November 29, the 14-date tour will kick off this fall in Dallas, TX with stops across North America in Syracuse, Rutherford, Kansas City, Portland, and more before wrapping up on November 29th in Rochester, NH. Tickets are available for purchase HERE.

Three studio albums later, ACM & CMA New Artist of the Year nods, and Grammy Best New Artist nom (first male country artist nominated in the category), Allen continues to showcase his versatility on most any stage he graces blending heartfelt country with urban influences to create his signature sound. Set to release a new 2-pack of feel-good anthemic records later this month, Allen’s storytelling continues to evolve as his artistry blossoms, with this new ‘Stories Behind the Songs’ tour being a natural next step giving his devoted fans an unrivaled acoustic experience in each market.

ABOUT JIMMIE ALLEN
With his initial debut single “Best Shot”, Jimmie Allen immediately was noticed by the industry for his magnetic stage presence and storytelling. Originally from Milton, Delaware, the country artist continues to break barriers and redefine the genre with his bold fusion of country, pop, R&B, and hip-hop. His chart-topping debut made history, as “Best Shot” became the first No. 1 hit by a Black artist launching his country career. Allen’s rise only accelerated from there. In 2021, he swept major honors as New Artist of the Year from the Grammy, Academy of Country Music, and Country Music Association awards. His powerful performances have lit up stages across the country, including the Barefoot Country Music Festival, and his growing influence earned him a feature on The Jennifer Hudson Show. Beyond the music, Allen is a jack of all trades. He co-hosted the 2022 ACM Awards, competed on Dancing With the Stars, and became a published author with his acclaimed children’s book My Voice is a Trumpet. Whether on stage, on screen, or on the page, Jimmie Allen brings unmatched energy and a heart to everything he does, showing no signs of slowing down. His newest hit song “Country Boys Never Learn” collaborated with Young Grey and Noah Curtis has 280k streams and rising. He also has many partnerships with Dove, Frozen Farmers, Tate Howelo and Sony Music. Jimmie Allen remains ​​an advocate for representation in country music, speaking on the importance of diversity and inclusion in the genre.

With her gleaming vocals and soothing guitar, Aussie pop/country artist Chloe Styler is sharing her upbeat single ‘Push & Pull’ on Friday, August 15, ahead of her appearance at BIGSOUND 2025.

Her latest single ‘Push & Pull’ sees Chloe Styler stepping beyond her country roots, embracing a brighter, more melodic pop sound while still capturing the emotional core she’s known for. Her signature warmth and subtle country inflection remain, guiding the track through shimmering guitar lines, upbeat drum and irresistible hooks.

In this song, Chloe Styler explores the ups and downs, the hot and cold, the push and pull of a relationship and all the overthinking and arguments that come with it. She states:

“I wrote this in the aftermath of one of those situationships that truly messes with your head. The kind where they reel you in just to push you away again. I knew I didn’t want them back, but couldn’t help wondering why I was still so wrecked. This song was me being brutally honest about the emotional whiplash and saying, ‘Yeah, this sucks. And it’s not love, it’s just toxic.’

Through her natural talent for combining earworms with storytelling, Chloe Styler was named ‘Breakout Artist of the Year’ at the 2024 Gold Coast Music Awards, and has captivated the public worldwide, from Nashville’s CMA Fest and The Bluebird Café to supporting the likes of Shannon Noll, Jem Cassar-Daley and KINGSWOOD.

With energetic live performances at major festivals such as Falls Festival Byron Bay, Americana Fest (USA), Gympie Music Muster and Groundwater Country Music Festival, it’s no surprise she’s a notable act for the upcoming BIGSOUND 2025 music festival.

Chloe Styler will light up BIGSOUND 2025 with her magnetic live presence, unveiling ‘Push & Pull’, a dreaming, euphoric step beyond the country mould that first defined her.

Chloe Styler breaks new ground with her stunning release ‘Push & Pull’ on Friday, August 15.

CASEY BARNES UNLEASHES NEW ANTHEM “ROUGH AROUND THE EDGES” AFTER TRIUMPHANT NASHVILLE RETURN

Australia’s chart-topping country star Casey Barnes is back with another explosive single, “Rough Around The Edges,” a stadium-sized anthem that celebrates life’s beautifully imperfect moments. Known for blending heartfelt lyricism with arena-ready energy, Barnes once again proves why he’s one of the most compelling voices in modern country.

Fresh from a successful trip to Nashville, where he performed at CMA Fest and recorded new material for his upcoming album, Barnes brings a renewed fire to this gritty new release. “ROUGH AROUND THE EDGES” captures the spirit of resilience and authenticity, channelling raw emotion through soaring vocals and a chorus built to be cranked to full volume.

Co-written with Jordan Dozzi – the Nashville hitmaker behind multiple US #1s for artists like Blake Shelton and Post Malone, and credits with Morgan Wallen and Eric Church – the track is a bold declaration that the best things in life are often the ones that carry a little wear and tear.

“This song is a no-holds-barred anthem about embracing imperfection and taking a chance on a heart that’s been through it,” says Barnes. “It’s gritty, honest, and unapologetically real – because sometimes the best things in life come a little banged up.”

“Rough Around The Edges,” follows hot on the heels of Barnes’ national country radio smash “Buy That Girl A Beer,” which recently climbed into the Top 10, further cementing his momentum in 2025. Together, the two singles offer a taste of a more raw, rounded, and mature sonic chapter for the ARIA Award-winning artist.

With multiple Golden Guitars, an ARIA win, and a reputation for delivering unmissable live performances, Casey Barnes continues to redefine the boundaries of country music – not just in Australia, but on the global stage.

BRETT KISSEL UNLEASHES GRITTY ANTHEM “COWBOYS AND DREAMERS” WITH ELECTRIFYING VIDEO

Multi-platinum, 3x JUNO Award-winning country entertainer Brett Kissel puts it all on the line in his latest music video for “Cowboys and Dreamers”, which premiered exclusively on Holler Country. Now playing on Australian country radio, the high-octane visual blurs the line between artist and adrenaline junkie – featuring Kissel performing in front of live bull riding, and in true cowboy fashion, climbing onto a bull himself.

Directed by Travis Nesbitt, the video is a stunning match for the song’s gritty intensity and unshakable spirit, offering a glimpse into Kissel’s evolution as both a storyteller and showman.

“Cowboys and Dreamers” is a powerful anthem about resilience and pushing forward, no matter the odds. With a bold, edgier sound, the track showcases Kissel’s dynamic vocal range and sonic confidence, pairing emotionally charged lyrics with an undeniable momentum. It’s a song that leans into the rawness of ambition – a rallying cry for anyone chasing something bigger than themselves.

“I’ve filmed lots of videos in my career but this by far was the most intense. Standing in a rodeo arena with bull riding right behind me is something I will never forget,” Kissel shares. “Trying to focus on the words and sing into the camera is hard enough, meanwhile you have to run for your life when a bull is running at you. And then all that adrenaline matched with the mad respect I have for these riders, I just decided to ride one myself. It was crazy, but what a rush. And now it’s a big piece of the video!”

The single is lifted from Let Your Horses Run – Kissel’s most elevated and personal record to date. The album marks a pivotal moment in his career, pushing beyond the familiar to explore deeper stories and more expansive sonic territory. From classic country foundations to modern textures, Let Your Horses Run is a bold declaration of growth, drive, and artistic reinvention.

With its cinematic edge and fearless energy, the “Cowboys and Dreamers” video underscores what makes Brett Kissel one of country music’s most dynamic voices – unafraid to take risks, unafraid to get real. It’s a bold chapter in a career defined by reinvention and heart, arriving just in time for a quick visit to Australia.

ABOUT BRETT KISSEL:
Known for his charismatic personality, dynamic stage presence, and unique musical style, Brett Kissel has soared to the top of the Canadian country music charts as one of the nation’s most celebrated entertainers. With 23x CCMA Awards, 3x JUNO Awards, 2x Gold-certified albums, 12x Gold singles, 5x Platinum singles, and an impressive 19x Top-10 radio hits (including 4x #1s), his track record speaks volumes.

Kissel has toured alongside Brad Paisley and Garth Brooks, and collaborated with legends and genre-bending artists including Charley Pride, Dave Mustaine, Nelly, 98°, and Cooper Alan. Following the year-long, four-album rollout of The Compass Project and a nationwide tour, Kissel now steps into an elevated new era with Let Your Horses Run – a fearless, unrelenting body of work showcasing his sharpest songwriting and boldest artistic instincts yet.

TOP 20 CMT AND #1 AUSTRALIAN HITMAKER SHEA FISHER TEAMS UP WITH WALKER HAYES FOR BOOT-STOMPING. NEW SINGLE “OW IN COWBOY” – OUT AUGUST 4 WITH MUSIC VIDEO

There’s an undeniable spark that follows Shea Fisher-equal parts grit, charm, and a deep connection to her roots. From her rodeo upbringing in Australia to her life now on a Texas ranch, Shea’s journey as a singer-songwriter has always been intertwined with real life: the highs, the heartbreaks, the hustle-and the joy. It’s that blend of authenticity and attitude that makes her newest single, “Ow in Cowboy”, the perfect next chapter in her story.

Co-written with her longtime friend and #1 country hitmaker Walker Hayes, “Ow in Cowboy” is a high-energy, boot-stomping track full of humor and heart.

“We finished it in under an hour,” says Shea. “It’ s one of those feel-good songs that had us laughing the whole time. I kept the demo tucked away for a few years, but I always felt like it was something the world needed to hear. Because let’s be honest-we could all use a little more fun these days.”

The release follows the momentum of Shea’s comeback single, “Take Me Back to Texas,” a poignant ballad co-written with Grammy Award winning Jessie Jo Dillion and Karyn Rochelle (Garth Brooks’ longtime harmony singer) that marked her return to music after several years focused on family and business. The track resonated widely, earning multiple media appearances and spotlighting Shea’s ability to blend deep emotion with strong storytelling. Its music video-filmed on her family ranch near Fort Worth-offered a glimpse into the life she’s built and the place she calls home. The success of the single sparked a major surge in online engagement (@sheafishermusic), with her social media following growing rapidly as fans reconnected with her story and sound.

Shea’s path to country music stardom has never followed a formula. Born in Australia to rodeo royalty-her father a champion bull rider, her mother a barrel racing champion-Shea spent her childhood on the rodeo circuit, competing from the age of five. A formative two-year move to the U.S. during her dad’s time on the PBR Bud Light Cup Tour took her to Nashville and Texas, planting the seeds for her future in country music.

At 19, Shea became one of Australia’s youngest country stars, earning #1 hits on the Country Charts with songs like “Just the Excuse” and “Everyday Girl.” That success brought her back to Nashville, where she signed with Stroudavarious Records and landed a Top 20 CMT video with “Don’t Chase Me,” followed by the release of “Suitcase” and “Don’t Chase Me,” both of which earned significant airplay on CMT and GAC. When the label unexpectedly closed, Shea chose to stay in the States, building her career-and life-on her own terms.

Today, Shea lives in Texas with her husband, World Champion Tie Down Roper Tyson Durfey, and their three children. She’s a successful entrepreneur, having built Shea Baby, a children’s fashion line now in over 2,500 stores nationwide, and Shea Michelle Buckles, a custom silversmith company creating one-of-a-kind rodeo buckles for clients across the country. Her wellness brand, Fit with Shea, empowers women through fitness, nutrition, and body confidence. While pursuing these ventures, Shea also returned to her rodeo roots, once again competing in barrel racing and winning several pro rodeos in recent years.

But music remains at the heart of it all.

Even with a full plate, music never left her heart. In 2024, Fisher made a conscious decision to return to the studio with a renewed sense of honesty, energy, and life experience, fueling her most authentic and dynamic music yet. Since then, she has steadily built momentum with numerous press appearances and standout performances, including singing the national anthem at the Texas Rangers game in June 2025 and captivating 20,000+ fans at the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas.

“Ow in Cowboy” is just one of several new songs slated for release, including “The Truck,” a country-pop-rock anthem co-written with hit songwriter Jaron Boyer (Jason Aldean, Rascal Flatts, Dierks Bentley).

Shea’s return isn’t just about chasing chart positions-it’s about claiming her space. “At first, I wondered if it was too late to come back,” she says. “But now I realize women like me-moms, entrepreneurs, dreamers-we have stories to tell. And people are listening.”

Victoria Crosby is a country singer-songwriter and bush balladeer from Far North Queensland. Known for her rich storytelling and heartfelt vocals, she writes songs rooted in the land, history, and people of the outback. Her third single Flowers for Annie is a haunting tribute inspired by a real-life tragedy in the early 1900s bush settlement of Mungana. With echoes of traditional bush ballads and a deeply emotional delivery, Victoria honours Annie’s legacy with grace and reverence. This release follows the success of her debut North of the Range and her second single Red Dome Dust, and continues building momentum ahead of her debut album North of the Range, due in 2026.

SINGER/SONGWRITER CAITLYN SHADBOLT RELEASES NEW SINGLE, WILDFLOWERS.

Aussie country singer/songwriter, Caitlyn Shadbolt, releases her new single, Wildflowers. An accomplished songwriter, Caitlyn penned the track with the equally prolific songwriter, Gavin Carfoot, and songstress Tori Darke. The track was produced by Caitlyn, Gavin and Jared Adlam.

This is the follow up to her most recent singles, “Where The Lemons Grow” and “Homemade Honey” which impacted the Top 50 National Country Airplay chart.

Performing at this year’s Gympie Muster, Caitlyn describes the song, “Wildflowers is for all the women who can fix a fence, dance in heels, and charm the socks off a cowboy-sometimes all in the same day. It’s a little sassy, a little sweet, and all heart.”

Caitlyn Shadbolt is an Australian contemporary country artist and songwriter. A finalist in the sixth season of The ‘X Factor’ Australia (2014), Caitlyn secured a recording deal with ABC MUSIC and released her debut album, Songs On My Sleeve (May 2017). Upon release, the album hit #1 on the ARIA Country Album chart. The first single, ‘My Break Up Anthem’, held the #1 National Country Airplay Chart for over 8 consecutive weeks and became the 2nd most played song on Country Radio (held out of the top spot by Sam Hunt’s monster hit ‘Body Like A Backroad’). Caitlyn was recognised for her achievements by winning the CMC Award for Best New Artist, along with a nomination for Female Artist of the Year. Since then Caitlyn has released two further albums, Stages, and the most recent “Bloom & Surrender.” Caitlyn recently completed her degree in Health Sciences specialising in Naturopathy as well.

After almost four years of searching for the right words, Lane Pittman has finally found the way to honour the man who meant the most. ‘Man I’m Turning Out To Be’ is a deeply personal tribute to Lane’s late father – a song born from loss, growth, and the journey of a boy forced to grow up far too soon.

What began as a raw and emotional “trauma dump,” as Lane describes it, during a writing session in Nashville with Lydia Sutherland and Aaron Pollock, became something more than just a song. It became a healing process. The track starts in a place of quiet reflection – humble lyrics wrapped in Lane’s signature acoustic grit – and grows into something powerful, anthemic, and uplifting. It’s about sorrow, yes, but more than that, it’s about pushing forward, holding onto the memories, and becoming someone your loved one would be proud of.

Lane took a leap of faith by debuting ‘Man I’m Turning Out To Be’ in front of tens of thousands during this year’s Luke Combs Stadium Tour. Night after night, the emotional weight of the song was met with overwhelming audience connection. “Grief is something everyone goes through,” Lane says. “the message is about standing tall, chasing your dreams, and making them proud – whoever ‘they’ are to you.”

This release follows the breakout success of Lane’s previous single ‘Amen For The Weekend’, which firmly planted him in the spotlight. From national TV appearances (TODAY Show, Sunrise, Good Friday Appeal) to glowing press (Rolling Stone’s Future of Music, The Music’s front cover), from streaming dominance (Spotify’s Hot Hits Australia, Viral 50 AUS/NZ, TikTok’s #1 Country) to critical acclaim (Country Radio Song of the Year, triple j Unearthed Feature Artist), Lane’s rise has been nothing short of meteoric – capped by his first Golden Guitar for New Talent of the Year.

“This song has lived in my heart for a long time,” Lane shares. “I’ve tried to write something for my dad so many times, but it never felt right – until this. There’s real stories throughout

this track, and if even one person finds peace or comfort in it, that’s enough for me. Dad, I love you. I hope I’m making you proud.”