Tom Curtain releases New Single ‘Just Give it a Crack’

Award-winning country music artist and horseman Tom Curtain has released his new single, Just Give it a Crack.

This uplifting anthem, inspired by a conversation with bandmate Chris Matthews during their last Australian tour, embodies the spirit of seizing opportunities and living life to the fullest. The song’s empowering message is simple yet profound: don’t wait for the perfect moment-just give it a go.

“I was saying to someone the other day, so many people, especially farmers, come to our shows and they’re really struggling-whether it’s fires, drought, floods, or cattle prices,” Curtain said.

“The last thing I want to do is sing a negative song. I’m all about trying to build people up, energise them, and instill hope so they can get back out there and keep going. This song is all about reminding people they’re onto a good thing.”

Curtain is currently on a seven-month journey through regional Australia as part of his ‘Good Life’ Tour. His three-hour shows include his trademark horse and working dog demonstrations with is national award-winning Katherine Outback Experience team and live music performed by Tom Curtain, Laura Frank and Chris Matthews. The show promises the same authenticity and heartfelt storytelling that have earned Curtain comparisons to the legendary Slim Dusty.

Curtain’s music, including his work as an ambassador for Dolly’s Dream, draws heavily from real-life experiences, offering a mix of heartfelt songs and stories that connect deeply with audiences.

Just Give it a Crack set to inspire listeners nationwide. To support this, Tom has released a series of short videos on his social media platforms of people sharing their own inspiring “Just Give it a Crack” stories.

Entertainer Tori Martin’s New Single, “Abilene,”
Heartbreaker With Throwback Vibe,
Track Lands At #35 On Texas Chart In Third Week Blitz

Entertainer and LuckySky Music recording artist Tori Martin’s newest single, “Abilene,” offers a throwback late ’70s vibe with a mid-tempo groove that gives her voice ample room to shine. The track officially drops January 24 and is available on all streaming platforms now. “It’s a song that speaks to wind-blown heartache, wide open plains and the search for the road you need to move on,” Martin notes. “This type of song is my musical backbone,” says Tori of this heartbreak tale. “All the miles I’ve travelled to sing at honky tonks and opry houses have made this type of music my own. There will be more of this traditional sound on my upcoming album for sure.” In late December radio programmers requested the track ahead of its planned January 24 release, and “Abilene” is already impacting the TRRR chart. Tori’s latest mades a massive leap in week 2 moving from #66 to #42. It was the third most-added track, with the third largest spin increase in its second week on the chart. KNES Radio’s Buzz Russell remarks, “I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!!!, She is just killing it on this song.” Rudy Fernandez of Abilene’s KMWZ Radio says, “I predict this will be #1 in no time.”

“Abilene” follows Martin’s recent #1 TRRR, “Lost In The Country,” her first ever #1 record.

Anywhere and nowhere special
Is where you go when your heart can’t settle
And God knows I don’t wanna leave
But I can’t stay in Abilene, Oh no (DiLuigi/Martin/Manna/Warner)

Recorded at Blackbird Studio in Nashville and produced by LuckySky Music’s Bill Warner, the track features prominent Music City A-list players Russ Pahl (steel guitar), Mike Brignardello (bass), Tim McDonald (piano), Bill Warner (nylon guitar), Jeff King and Rob McNelly (electric guitar), Pat McGrath (acoustic guitar), and Steve Brewster (drums). Matt Singleton and Kirsti Manna added the background vocals. For Warner, it is one of his favorite productions. He says, “Tori is an authentic country singer that transcends her years on this song, and I love how she launches into the chorus. The heart-tugging descending minor chords and the baritone guitar solo are incredible mood setters.”

Martin recalls writing the song in 2022 with Bill DiLuigi, Kirsti Manna and Bill Warner. “I was on a radio tour, and we were all in the car heading to Abilene. I remember saying to them, ‘I can’t stay in Abilene because the wind makes me crazy,’ and from there the ideas started flowing.”

Currently, Tori is busy writing songs and spending time in the studio with producer Warner. In February, she will film the companion music video for “Abilene” and attend CRS. For the latest news go to Tori’s official website, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X (Twitter) and YouTube.

ABOUT TORI

Born in sunny Ft. Walton Beach, Florida this military brat lived in several states before landing in Azle, Texas at the age of seven. She spent most of her life just outside of the Dallas/Fort Worth area where she began singing in the local church choir. She cut her teeth on classics from Johnny Cash and Tammy Wynette, courtesy of her grandfather “Paw-Paw,” and by the age of 14 she was performing at opry houses all over Texas. In 2014, Renegade Radio Nashville named her one of the “New Faces of Country.” Martin competed on Season 14 of ABC TV’s American Idol but departed the show in the Hollywood round. Taking all her experiences and a big dose of courage, Tori moved to Nashville in 2017. It didn’t take long before the talented singer/songwriter found herself co-writing with some of the city’s most famous tunesmiths, and it’s a path that has felt blessed from the start. A chance meeting at a mixer led to her working with producer Bill Warner and she signed to the Nashville based indie label, LuckySky Music shortly thereafter. Now, the two creatives are carving a path that is uniquely her own. With single releases like “What Would Dolly Do,” “Steppin’ In It” and “Lucky,” which reached #42 on the Billboard Indicator chart, Tori’s modern traditional Country sound is steeped in her roots as a true-blue Texan singer. Her recent single, “Lost In The Country,” reached #1 on the Texas Regional Radio Report, Top 25 on the CDXTraction Texas Chart and Top 15 on their True Indie Chart. She released the seasonal, “Warm For December” in November. Tori was named one of the “Future Faces” of 2024 at the TRRR Music Awards, and she recently toured with Drew Baldridge on select dates of his Fall 2024 tour. When she is not on the road, Tori enjoys antiquing, decorating and spending time with her husband and their two golden retrievers, Duke and Daisy, and French bulldog, Lucky.

Hailed by Rolling Stone as one of the “hottest acts right now,” Zach Top is in the midst of a breakout year following the release of his acclaimed debut album, Cold Beer & Country Music. Produced by Carson Chamberlain, the album has landed on several “Best of 2024” lists so far including Rolling Stone, Billboard and The New York Times, who praises, “the music is airtight and fluent-a demonstration of vivid colouring within hard lines.”

Known for his “thrilling” (Holler) live performances, Top recently wrapped an extensive run with Lainey Wilson and will kick off his “Cold Beer & Country Music” headline tour in January. The highly anticipated trek, which includes two nights at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium, sold out just hours after tickets went on sale. The CMA Award-nominee has also shared stages with notable artists such as Billy Strings, Dierks Bentley and Luke Bryan, and will join Alan Jackson for select upcoming shows.

Widely respected by his peers, Top also recently collaborated with Billy Strings for an exclusive Apple Music Nashville Sessions three-song EP, which is available now.

Raised in Sunnyside, WA, Top grew up on classic country music around the family farm. At the age of seven, he formed a bluegrass band with his siblings, which set the stage for his future musical ambitions.

Today, Nashville-based singer-songwriter Max McNown announced his sophomore album Night Diving (out January 24, 2025 via Fugitive Recordings x The Orchard) alongside the release of his introspective single “Better Me For You (Brown Eyes).”

Following the release of “Hotel Bible,” the introspective new single boasts earnest lyrics that offer a personal reflection on rising to the occasion for a once-in-a-lifetime love. The song’s protagonist has just met the girl of his dreams, “but it’s more than just her alluring brown eyes that captivate him,” shares Max. “She imbues goodness and, above all, has a “heart of gold.”

Both tracks are part of the stunning Night Diving LP, which is McNown’s promising follow-up to his critically-acclaimed debut album Wandering. Produced by Jamie Kenney (Colbie Caillat, Laci Kaye Booth), Night Diving is a body of work that explores new and daring sonic terrain while fully affirming McNown’s extraordinary capacity to ease the mind and strengthen the soul. In an exclusive feature revealing McNown as Country Rookie of the Month, Billboard says, “The new music centers on his poetic, observational writing style, while adding polish to his personally-crafted songs.” Read the full interview here.

Just last month, McNown was also featured as CMT’s Next Up Now featured artist as we saw the release of his Willfully Blind EP, which landed as the Oregon-born artist made his Americana Fest debut, and as we saw another major resurgence of his breakout hit single “A Lot More Free” after this TikTok celebrating the track’s one year anniversary went viral (14.7M views and counting). Since the single’s release it has amassed over 80M+ streams, earned McNown a top spot as #1 on Billboard’s Emerging Artists chart, peaked at #1 on the iTunes singles chart and #1 on the TikTok Breakthrough USA chart, climbed the Canadian Hot 100 chart , and was placed on Spotify’s Hot Country and Viral 50 global playlists.

At 23, McNown has already been on a storied musical journey. Taking control of his future, overcoming personal challenges, and drawing inspiration from his brother who was bravely fighting cancer, McNown packed his bags and drove from remote Oregon to Southern California. From there, videos of him busking on a pier made an impact online and eventually grew into a legion of supporters on TikTok (currently has 1.9M followers). After attracting interest from major TV talent shows, McNown auditioned for one and then decided it wasn’t for him and gracefully turned them down as he knew he needed to walk his own path.

Earlier this year, McNown earned ample support for his first full-length record, Wandering , which was listed as a top debut album of the year by Whiskey Riff, and lauded by Holler, American Songwriter, People Magazine, and more. He then went on his first tours supporting folk band Briscoe, Australian artist Blake Rose, and opened for major country stars such as Wynonna Judd, plus made his Grand Ole Opry debut.

The rising singer-songwriter’s debut headline tour kicks off in January 2025 and has already sold out stops in New York City, Los Angeles, Seattle, Chicago, and other cities. Next year, he will also be performing at Arizona’s Extra Innings Festival – visit maxmcnown.com for more information and catch him opening for Corey Kent and Sam Barber this fall and winter.

The year 2024 was monumental for Cali Tucker. Described by People magazine as a “blend of sweet and sassy…addictive” during the exclusive premiere of her video for “Country Couture” in July, Cali has seen her artist profile skyrocket. Her solo recordings have amassed over one million streams on Spotify and over 250,000 views on YouTube.

Born into Country music royalty, Cali carries on the Tucker Dynasty, with her mother being ’70s hitmaker LaCosta Tucker and her aunt the legendary Tanya Tucker. Cali has appeared on national television shows and performed live with her family across the US and Canada. At fifteen, she won the prestigious national title of Miss Teen All American. She graced the stage of the Grand Ole Opry at eighteen and entertained audiences at Dollywood.

Cali’s career surged when she was featured on NBC’s “The Voice,” becoming a finalist on Blake Shelton’s team. Since then, she has established herself as a headlining act in Las Vegas, performing at top venues including Aria, The Wynn, MGM Grand, and Resorts World, among many others. Her live performances captivate audiences with her powerful voice, stunning looks, humor, and impeccable showmanship.

Cali’s breakout song, “Country Couture,” epitomizes her brand. The single and its infectious music video, which has garnered significant attention, showcase designer labels and a luxury lifestyle while highlighting Cali’s down-to-earth personality. The song received a limited release to radio last July and has since been streamed over 600,000 times while continuing to gain traction across music and video platforms. The song was co-written by Cali with multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated producer G’harah “PK” Degeddingseze and multi-platinum writer and vocal producer, Tricia Battani.

Looking ahead to 2025, Cali has several exciting projects on the horizon. In addition to the release of “Country Couture” to worldwide radio and video outlets, she has a new single and video, “Last Name,” her fourth collaboration with Battani and Degeddingseze, which promises to deliver something unexpected yet true to her style. There’s a new Tucker in town and you’re gonna be hearing a LOT more from her!

The new focus single from Keith Urban’s ARIA Top 5 album ‘HIGH’ is ‘HEART LIKE A HOMETOWN’.

Keith talks ‘HEART LIKE A HOMETOWN’: “When I was a kid our family moved around a lot. By the 5th grade I’d been in four schools and lived in nine different houses. So, a ‘hometown’ felt more about family and a place inside of me, somewhere I could find my center. It’s a theme that’s always spoken to me. Songs like Don Williams “If Hollywood Don’t Need You” and Glen Campbell’s “Country Boy (You Got Your Feet in LA)” and a I recorded on my ‘FUSE’ album, “Come Back To Me”. Those songs and this one all share a similar feeling – a kind of grounded safety, familiarity and a place where I can always find ME.”

Lyn Bowtell slices through with Paper Cut.

Multi Award-winning Australian country music sensation Lyn Bowtell has unveiled her latest single, ‘Paper Cut’, a poignant track that explores the pain of fractured relationships, both romantic and platonic.

The idea for ‘Paper Cut’ came to Lyn after receiving an actual paper cut while doing admin.

“When it happened, I thought to myself, ‘It won’t kill me; it’s just a paper cut,’ then that thought suggested a connection with my experiences of relationship breakdowns,” Lyn explained.

“The sense of loss when a relationship ends, whether it be creative, friendship or romantic, can linger. Sometimes, even a small reminder brings the pain back. It’s as much a heart wound, as it is a physical one. It was one of those quick song writes that are a blessing: that arrive swiftly, almost fully formed.”

The single features the vocal harmonies of country music icon Kasey Chambers, who fell in love with the track after hearing Lyn perform it during a SHE Songwriting Retreat.

“Kasey’s harmonies add a real depth,” Lyn said.

“She captured the raw, broken-hearted emotion perfectly, reminiscent of an Emmylou Harris classic.”

Adding to the song’s timeless appeal is Kasey’s father, Bill Chambers, whose slide guitar work lends a rich, vintage country feel.

“Having Bill involved was the icing on the cake,” Lyn said.

“His contributions are a heartfelt nod to legends like Patsy Cline and George Jones who shaped my love for country music.”

‘Paper Cut’ also symbolises Lyn’s growth both personally and professionally. The 10-time Golden Guitar winner has entrusted herself even further with the recording of her upcoming album, stepping into the producer’s chair for the first time alongside partner, Damon Morton.

Her ongoing work with SHE Songwriting Retreats – a passion project encouraging and empowering women songwriters, has also influenced the themes of the track.

“This song’s message is about trusting your instincts,” Lyn said.

“If something feels wrong, step away, take a moment, and prioritise yourself.”

Lyn describes ‘Paper Cut’ as an “instant classic”, rooted in the simplicity and purity of traditional country music.

“This track reflects where I come from – Queensland country music clubs and my mum’s cherished record collection,” she said.

“There’s a beauty in the simplicity of those songs, and that’s what I’ve tried to re-create here.”

‘Paper Cut’ will debut live at the Tamworth Country Music Festival, with Lyn hosting Lyn Bowtell and Her Famous Friends at the Longyard Hotel on January 26.

A fresh new face to country music, Gary Anderson is a brand-new country entertainer born in Sydney, Australia, who has been packing houses with sold out shows for the past 2 years in Australia where he is becoming known as the consummate performer.

His single, ‘When You’re Tipsy is the first single off his upcoming Nashville recorded album. A body of work featuring 20 extraordinary tracks and a heartfelt celebration of life experiences and country living. His sound is modern and unique with driving guitars, pounding drums and his melodic smooth vocal centre stage. He works his boots off.

The debut gem contains moments that revel in joy and nostalgia yet dares to dwell on the ups and downs of modern relationships that face so many people in today’s world. Featured on this track is world renowned saxophonist “Jim Hoke” who also recently played on Paul McCartney’s album and on the albums of many legends in the US. Also featured on backing vocals on the track is the sensational “Mike Lusk” who tours with and is backing singer for superstars Martina McBride and Montgomery Gentry.

Dylan Holton , the accomplished Canadian singer-songwriter from Nova Scotia, currently based in Ottawa, continues to make a significant impact in the music industry. His well-received singles, including “Take Your Top Off” and “I Used To,” have earned him accolades, with the latter winning the Grand Slam Prize in the Unsigned Only Music Competition.

Holton, having secured a record deal in Los Angeles, has toured extensively, headlining a Cruise Ship Tour through exotic destinations. Noteworthy performances include sharing the stage with Travis Tritt.

Holton’s entrepreneurial spirit led to the creation of Capital Content, his video production venture. His latest single, “Beach Please ,” was a runner up in the International Songwriting Competition, adding another feather to his cap.

Just a song about the power of unity and resilience in the face of adversity.

Ron is a unique singer/songwriter from the Yuin Nation on the east coast of NSW. He’s been entertaining audiences across Australia for decades with his heartfelt songs and positive spirit.

Ron has an on-stage presence and keeps audiences engaged through the stories of his songs.