Month: February 2026

4 X GOLDEN GUITAR WINNER, MAX JACKSON, RELEASES HER HIGHLY ANTICIPATED NEW ALBUM, DANGEROUS IN DENIM. AWARDED BACK TO BACK GOLDEN GUITAR WINNER FOR BEST FEMALE ARTISTNEW ALBUM OUT NOW

Max Jackson has been on a roll since the start of 2024 with no signs of slowing down across 2025 and into 2026. After a string of hit singles, 4 x Golden Guitar Awards to her name, national TV performances, Australian headline shows, CMC Rocks main stage performance and a TikTok Music Artist of the Year nomination; Max Jackson releases her highly anticipated new album, Dangerous in Denim, out now.Adding to her list of accolades, Max was also named the Golden Guitar’s Best Female Artist of the Year for the second year in a row.  The Golden Guitars are held in the Australian country music capital, Tamworth, every January. Max was nominated across several other categories including Single of the Year, Video of the Year, Song of the Year and Vocal Collaboration of the Year.Describing  her new 11 track album release, “ Dangerous In Denim represents where I’m at right now; it’s confident, high energy and dressed to take over the world. The title of the album, Dangerous In Denim, to me, means that when you show up in the world confident and comfortable in who you are, you really are a force to be reckoned with, and you really can achieve anything. Particularly as a female artist in the music industry, I have learned through the years that there is no other way to do this than to work harder, be braver and be stronger – and never give up on knowing that what you have to say is important.  I hope this collection of music really inspires other people to be themselves & be brave & ‘dangerous’ in the pursuit of what lights them up too!”Coinciding with the album release, Max drops another track,  Red Dirt ROCKNROLL . The album opens with Red Dirt RocknRoll and was penned with Buddy Owens (Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton). As  Max  describes, “It sets the energy bar – I’m talking stadium anthemic”. 

We’re Springsteen brats in john deere hats, denim and tattoosWe’re 4 on the floor in a 4×4 everywhere we goHeavy on the chevy, light on the beer, backbeat steady keeping’ time out hereOut in the sticks, right at home where the wild things growWe’re ACDC, we love Ge orge Jones, turned up to 11 on an old back road, we were raised on country, red dirt rock n roll 

Dangerous in Denim was produced by Rod McCormack with Max Jackson co-writes on all tracks on the album. Other songwriting credits include Buddy Owens (Miranda Lambert/Blake Shelton), Kylie Sackley (Sam Hunt/ Walker Hayes). Lauren McLamb & Kate Wilson (Max McNown/ Dierks Bentley), Kaylee Bell, Nicholas Wolfe, George & Amy Sheppard, Gavin Carfoot, Phil Barton and Nolan Wynne.The album features a slew of hit singles that have all impacted the National Country Airplay Charts, including the #1 Golden Guitar Single of the Year winning Little More Country. A song that led to Max’s viral series of country covers done a ‘little more country’; which now has over 30 million views across platforms. It also includes the powerfully beautiful ballad, A Country Heart Can, which made it’s debut on Channel 7’s National TV show, A Farmer Wants A Wife. Not to mention the rousing live performance favourites, Hold My Horse and 1990 Somethin’.Dangerous in Denim Tracklisting:1 Dangerous in Denim (INTRO)2 Red Dirt ROCKNROLL3 Goin’ Nowhere Now4 GRASS5 Shotgun Slide6 We Invented Love7 Bring It In8 A Country Heart Can9 1990 Somethin’10 Hold My Horses11 Little More CountryAbout Max Jackson:From humble beginnings in the small country town of Coonamble NSW (Pop. 2750), to winning Australia’s biggest country music competition (Toyota Star Maker). Max has played National & international Country Music Festivals including CMA Fest in Nashville and more. The 4 X Golden Guitar Winner and TCMF Ambassador is only just beginning with her fanbase continually growing globally.

Rising Australian country artist Saralyn delivers grit, swagger and feel-good confidence on her new single ‘Cowgirl Blues’ – a bold, dancefloor-ready country anthem that blends traditional twang with a modern edge and puts her powerhouse vocal front and centre.
 
A playful take on heartbreak, ‘Cowgirl Blues’ is about choosing movement over misery. “Trading tears for worn-out boots, late country nights and choosing to dance it off with your friends instead of dwell on it,” shares Saralyn. Inspired by the fearless storytelling of Dolly Parton and Shania Twain, the track flips disappointment into confidence, proving there’s power in picking yourself up and having a little fun along the way.
 
Produced by Rhys Zacher ( Jake Davey, Chelsea Berman) at Spinlight Studio, ‘Cowgirl Blues’ continues a creative partnership that has spanned four years. A fusion of snarling guitar riffs, a stadium-worthy backbeat and Saralyn’s sugary vocal; it’s got radio-ready polish and unmistakable country edge. Everything about the track makes you want to get up and move, so it’s only natural the recording process mimicked that same energy.
 
“Cowgirl Blues was built around a fun, high-energy recording process that leaned into big country sounds and feel-good momentum,” recalls Saralyn. “Guitarist Adam Osmanovic (Viper Creek) brought the unmistakable country twang, supported by honky-tonk keys, pedal steel, banjo, and driving drums. The track grew naturally into something bold, playful, and full, capturing the joy of the room and delivering a big, confident country anthem made to be turned up loud.”
 
‘Cowgirl Blues’ follows Saralyn’s previous release ‘If Tomorrow Never Comes’ – a hit from her appearance on The Voice Australia, under the mentorship of Ronan Keating. The single is taken from her forthcoming debut EP, set for release in 2026, marking a pivotal chapter in her artistic journey.
 
Shot by Jake Davey Studios, the ‘Cowgirl Blues’ music video brings the song’s themes of friendship, freedom and fun vividly to life. Filmed in Gresford, NSW, across a huge open paddock on a local friend’s farm and Saralyn’s hometown pub, the shoot quickly turned into a celebration.
 

 
“The night came together with the pub rallying the local ladies, crackers, cheese, wine, and dancing well into the night. Surrounded by friends & family, the blue 1975 Kombi van became part of the story, with standout moments including the choreographed leg kick, a confetti pop ‘owe!’ moment, and carefree scenes of driving the Kombi turning the shoot into a celebration rather than just a video.”
 

With growing national recognition, Saralyn continues to build strong momentum. She was recently named the 2026 Winner of the People’s Choice Awards TCMF Country Music Bulletin ‘Most Promising Future Star’, and has seen previous singles chart nationally, including ‘I Would Run’ (#4 AMRAP), ‘White Butterfly’ (#2 AMRAP) and ‘Freedom Train’ (#1 Tasmanian Country Radio).
 
In 2026, Saralyn steps into a massive touring chapter, hitting the road nationally with TRAILBLAZER – A Lainey Wilson Tribute Show – celebrating the music and storytelling that helped shape her sound, while continuing to grow her live audience across the country.  
 
“This year feels like everything I’ve been working toward. Every release has been intentional, every song part of a bigger story. With new music, touring, and long-held plans finally coming to life, I feel grounded, ready and excited to share this next chapter,” says the singer-songwriter.
 
Confident, fearless and built to be played loud, Saralyn turns heartbreak into fun on ‘Cowgirl Blues’. It’s a reminder that sometimes the strongest response is slipping on your worn-out boots and turning the music up.

South Australian singer-songwriter Jo Page returns with When We Knew Nothing, an upbeat, nostalgia-soaked country-pop single that leans into the sweet relief of not knowing everything yet. Warm, joyful and instantly relatable, the track reflects on youth, freedom, and the days when happiness arrived easily and left late.Inspired by a line from Charles Bukowski — “Sadness is caused by intelligence; the more you understand certain things, the more you wish you didn’t understand them” — Page wrote the song as a feel-good glance back to childhood and young adulthood, when ignorance truly was bliss.“ When We Knew Nothing captures the innocence of simpler times,” Page says. “That feeling of wanting to go back to when life was lighter, more fun, and there was magic in everything. There’s a line in the song, ‘sweet like dumb days’, and honestly, that’s exactly what it tasted like.”Built on warm guitars, sunlit melodies and an infectious sing-along chorus, When We Knew Nothing balances joy with longing – a happy, nostalgia-filled bop built for car radios, summer nights, and singing with the windows down.From her hometown of Port Lincoln to festival stages across Australia, Jo Page brings more than 15 years of experience in the Australian music scene. She has shared stages with Daryl Braithwaite, Birds of Tokyo, Eskimo Joe and Shannon Noll. Blending soul, blues, rock and country, her music is driven by vivid storytelling – fierce one moment, achingly tender the next. After being accepted into Tamworth’s CMAA Academy of Country Music, Aussie music legend Dobe Newton famously dubbed her “a force of nature” – a title she continues to live up to through raw, powerful vocals, grit and emotional honesty.Released in November 2025, Page’s debut single Fire in His Eyes introduced audiences to her darker side – a cinematic, spaghetti western-tinged country-rock track produced by ARIA Award winner Matt Fell and co-written with Golden Guitar Award winner Kevin Bennett. In stark contrast, When We Knew Nothing flips the coin, showcasing Page’s versatility with a joyful, nostalgia-filled bop built for wide-open roads and making memories.Off stage, Page uses her platform to advocate for mental health awareness and champion honest conversations around healing and hope – work that earned her recognition as 2021 Active Citizen of the Year.Whether she’s belting an anthem that rattles the back row or delivering a ballad that silences a room, Jo Page proves the most powerful stories often come from those brave enough to tell them.When We Knew Nothing is serviced to radio on Monday 9 February and available on all streaming platforms Friday 13 February.

BLAKE SHELTON RETURNS WITH EMOTIONAL NEW SONG “LET HIM IN ANYWAY”
With 31 No. 1 singles, 52 million singles and 13 million albums sold and over 11 billion global streams, Blake Shelton has received numerous awards, including six ACMs, three AMAs, eleven CMAs, eleven CMTs and six People’s Choice, among many others. His debut BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville album,   For Recreational Use Only is a 12-track album, his first in nearly four years, and features his No. 1 Wheelhouse Records singles “Texas” and “Stay Country or Die Tryin,’” his current single the poignant “ Let Him In Anyway” and includes appearances by Gwen Stefani, John Anderson and Craig Morgan. The song “ Let Him In Anyway” offers another powerful insight to the album. The emotionally gripping ballad tells the story of a man seeking divine forgiveness for a lost friend who was just shy of redemption.“‘ Let Him In Anyway’ is one of the most powerful songs I’ve ever had the chance to record,” said Shelton. “HARDY is a co-writer and a friend, and I’ve never heard a song like this before. When I first listened to it, I knew it was something special. It’s an honor to bring it to life, and I’m incredibly proud of the record we made.”Shelton is kickstarting the year by returning to The Colosseum at Caesars Palace for his 2026  Live In Las Vegas Residency. The Grand Ole Opry member also remains focused on his Ole Red partnership with Ryman Hospitality, with locations currently in Tishomingo, Nashville, Gatlinburg, Orlando, and most recently, Las Vegas, with a stand-alone venue complete with a roof-top stage and bar on the Las Vegas strip.Shelton also just completed the debut season of The Road, a gritty new CBS series he co-produced alongside Taylor Sheridan, David Glasser, Lee Metzger and headliner Keith Urban. The show followed aspiring artists on a relentless national tour, offering a raw, behind-the-scenes look at the highs, lows and hard truths of chasing a dream from the road.Shelton just finished the debut season of The Road, a gritty new CBS series he co-produced alongside Taylor Sheridan, David Glasser, Lee Metzger, and headliner Keith Urban. The show followed aspiring artists on a relentless national tour, offering a raw, behind-the-scenes look at the highs, lows, and hard truths of chasing a dream from the road.

“The Man I Was Meant To Be” – A Heartfelt Country Love Song About Growth, Commitment, and Real LoveAustralian country artist James Keith returns with his latest single, “The Man I Was Meant To Be,” a warm, emotionally grounded love song that captures the moment when love doesn’t just arrive, but changes who you are.Built on honest storytelling and classic country values, the song explores the journey from emotional independence to meaningful connection. Keith reflects on a time when he believed he was better off alone, guarded and unsure of what real love even felt like. When the right woman unexpectedly enters his life, everything shifts. Through her presence, he finds purpose, confidence, and a deeper sense of responsibility, becoming the man he was always capable of being.“The Man I Was Meant To Be” focuses on the quiet, everyday moments that define real relationships. Late-night conversations, gentle reassurance, old-school chivalry, and choosing to show up consistently. Rather than grand gestures, the song celebrates love through action, protection, and commitment, highlighting the strength found in vulnerability and care.Sonically, the track blends modern, country production with heartfelt lyricism, allowing the message to take centre stage, delivering a massculine message through the songs production. Keith’s delivery is sincere and unforced, giving the song an intimate, relatable feel that resonates with listeners who value authenticity over polish.Speaking about the release, Keith shares that the song is deeply personal, inspired by how love can shape a person for the better when they allow it to. It’s a reflection on growth, maturity, and the pride that comes from becoming someone worthy of the love you’ve found.With “The Man I Was Meant To Be,” James Keith continues to build his reputation as an artist who isn’t afraid to be emotionally honest, crafting songs that connect through real-life experiences rather than clichés. The single is set to resonate with fans of contemporary country who appreciate storytelling rooted in truth, warmth, and heart.

Rising country star, Tyla Rodrigues, has hit the ground running in 2026! Setting herself apart with her soulful voice, heartfelt lyrics and captivating stage presence. A remarkable new talent in country music, Tyla is making inroads not only in Australia but around the globe with confirmation of performances at Howlin’ Country Festival (Feb), C2C in Europe, plus CMC Rocks in March. 
 
To coincide with these shows, Tyla releases a taste of her new music with the EP, ‘Hold On Tight’; dropping a fresh track,  Can’t Keep Doing This: Produced with Jared Adlam (James Johnston/ Travis Collins), the four track EP includes songwriting credits with Tyla and Nashville based songwriting talents: Jordan Dozzi (Big Loud), Jesse Dozzi (Lily Publishing), Sinead Burgess and Blake O’Connor. 
 
The first two singles from the release, Hot & Heavy and By The Time It’s Over, both impacted the Australian Top 20 national country music airplay chart; holding their positions for more than 2 months.  Off the back of their success, Tyla also secured a Golden Guitar nomination for Best New Talent plus nominations in the Countrytown Awards for Breakthrough Artist and Single of the Year. 
 
As Tyla describes the EP release, “‘ Hold On Tight’ takes you through the journey of stepping forward and embracing what comes with the journey – the fun, the fight, and the uncertainty of what’s next all while keeping hold of who you are and what you believe in.” 
 
Describing the new single, “We’ve all been there, promising ourselves we’ll change – then finding ourselves back in the same old places.  Can’t Keep Doing is a relatable country confession about late nights, small-town bars, and the moment you realise the habits you laugh about are starting to catch up with you. 
 
An artist with her roots deep in traditional country music. Rodrigues, at just 22 years of age,  has quickly become a sought-after performer at some of the most prestigious festivals. In 2026, Tyla Rodrigues is already slated to appear at Tamworth Country Music Festival, Howlin’ Country Festival, C2C Europe and CMC Rocks.  
 
Standby for news on her full-length album release later in 2026.