ZFM Country

This past year has been history-making for Jelly Roll, including selling out his hometown venue – Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena – for more than 16,000 fans, making his Grand Ole Opry debut, scoring his first Country radio No. 1, a two-week Rock No. 1, and topping Billboard’s Emerging Artist chart for an astounding 25 straight weeks. Jelly’s run marked the longest reign ever to date, for any artist, on the chart.

Following his sold-out Nashville Bridgestone Arena show, he released the riveting anthem “Need A Favor”, which tells the story of man on the verge of losing the love of his life. With nowhere else to turn, he looks to God to do him a favor, even if he doesn’t deserve it. Delving into the internal fight between faith and vices, “Need A Favor” features a gritty rock melody both sonically and lyrically.

The track is another prime example of Jelly Roll’s earnest storytelling and humility. Like his previous single, “Son of a Sinner” we find a man in a moment of vulnerability finally coming face to face with his faults.

Recently, Jelly Roll swept the 2023 CMT Music Awards winning Male Video of the Year, Breakthrough Male Video of the Year and CMT Digital-First performance of the Year, while he performed “Need a Favor” on television for the first time in his career.

Watch Jelly Roll Perform “Need A Favor” at the 2023 CMT Music Awards HERE

Announcing his 2023 44-city Backroad Baptism Tour, which features an all-star line-up of openers: Ashley McBryde, Caitlynne Curtis, Chase Rice, Elle King, Merkules, Struggle Jennings, Three 6 Mafia, Yelawolf, and Josh Adam Meyers. The tour kicks off in February 2023 and runs through May 2023, with stops in major cities across the United States.

In addition to the Backroad Baptism Tour, Jelly Roll will serve as direct support for Eric Church this fall, further cementing his rise to mainstream success.

Jelly Roll’s highly anticipated album, “Whitsitt Chapel”, arrives on June 2nd, with “Need A Favor”, “She” and “Unlive” all set to feature.

About Jelly Roll:

Outright genre-bending singer/songwriter/rapper Jelly Roll has quietly been building a remarkable career, under the radar and on his own terms. Since his days selling his mix tapes out of his car, he has constantly been releasing new music (more than 24 albums), touring relentlessly, consistently topping various iTunes charts, engaging a rabid fanbase and creating videos that have amassed nearly 2 billion views on YouTube. He pairs deeply personal lyrics with music that blends Old-school Rap, Classic Rock, Country, and Soul to create music that is therapeutic, raw and tackles the heaviness in life.

His 2020 single “Save Me” – a confessional, vulnerable expression of self-doubt set the stage for his new season of life and took him to new heights, with more than 141 million views on YouTube and Platinum certification from the RIAA . Born and raised in Nashville’s Antioch neighbourhood, the former addict and drug dealer released his album “Ballads of the Broken” in 2021, ahead of his sold-out hometown show at the famous Ryman Auditorium, which sold out in under an hour. The introspective 10-track album shows Jelly Roll’s growth as an artist and man, drawing from his personal experiences to tell the story of a man who has been through the ringer and isn’t afraid to share his raw truth, featuring his multi-week No. 1 Rock hit “Dead Man Walking” and his No. 1 Country debut single “Son of a Sinner”. Now after a history-making “breakthrough year” (American Songwriter), having just sold-out Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena and released the riveting anthem “Need A Favor” along with the soul-stirring ballad “she” from his highly anticipated forthcoming album, the reigning No. 1 of Billboard’s Emerging Artists chart for 25 weeks is well on his way to mainstream, multi-genre stardom.

Straddling the intersection of country, rock and pop, Hinterland have pushed the genre boundaries with each release, demonstrating their ability to adapt, their various influences and their broad appeal. Not only are Hinterland not afraid to take risks, they seem to revel in it. So brings us to their highly anticipated first single for 2023, “Fragile”.

“Fragile” is yet another sonic departure for the band, this time taking a hard swerve into the world of pop-country. “Fragile” invites you into the overly analytical mind of Hinterland singer/guitarist, Jesse Emmanuel, and her struggles with her own mental health after some heavy life experiences and reflection during the pandemic lockdowns. “Fragile” is a bit like Taylor Swift’s “Anti Hero” if she made it during her Red era – dealing with feelings of inadequacy and childhood traumas but with an upbeat, catchy melody with a hook in every line.

“It felt like I was being beaten over the head with super happy ‘love yourself’, ‘you’re perfect the just the way you are’, ‘life is great so let’s party!’ songs,” Jesse explains, “which are fine of course, but I was going through some real introspective stuff, not loving everything about myself and trying to figure out how to improve. I think that’s an important message – it’s ok to feel confused, to want to make changes, to seek therapy. A lot of the things that shape us are out of our control and there’s something powerful about admitting that you’re a work in progress.”

Emmanuel was also coming to terms with her personal journey, processing her formative years with an overwhelmed Mum and rockstar Dad (guitar legend Phil Emmanuel) and now facing the challenges of motherhood herself, juxtaposed with her new “online” persona as a country star, navigating social media and all the self-identity pitfalls that entails.

“With all that heavy on my mind, I wrote ‘Fragile’. It’s not doom and gloom, though. I like to find the humour in everything. Maybe that’s another problematic coping mechanism, but Fragile is a good example of working through those thoughts. I really hope that people can relate to some of these feelings and enjoy my little anecdotes.”

Emmanuel brought the song to her bandmates, siblings Robbie and Rachel Bostock who quickly recognised it as the perfect opportunity to show another side of Hinterland. A clear difference to the pop-country tropes of whiskey, beer, small towns and utes, ‘Fragile’ is here to explore real emotion and the human experience in a truly progressive move for country music.

Get ready to saddle up, because country music duo Zac & George are back and better than ever with their latest smash hit single, “Sleep On It”. After a hugely successful NSW tour that left crowds in Sydney and Wagga Wagga begging for more, the dynamic duo is once again ready to set the country music scene ablaze with their soulful harmonies and head-turning melodies.

Distributed via MGM, “Sleep On It” is the perfect example of Zac & George’s ability to seamlessly blend traditional country sounds with a modern twist. Co-written by the duo and their good friend Nicole Miller, who hails from Nashville, this song is sure to make your heart sing with its up-tempo contemporary vibe. And let’s not forget about the incredible co-production skills of ARIA award-winning MSquared Productions, helmed by Michael Paynter and Michael DeLorenzis.

Zac & George have been waiting for just the right moment to release this gem, and they couldn’t be more thrilled to finally share it with their devoted fans. “We knew we had something special on our hands the day we wrote ‘Sleep On It’,” says Zac. “It’s been tough keeping it under wraps, but we’re excited for everyone to finally hear it,” adds George.

In addition to their previous chart-topping success, it’s worth noting that both of Zac & George’s previous singles, “Bar Stool” and “Red Wine & Roses”, landed in the top 10 on the National Country Airplay charts. This impressive achievement is a testament to the duo’s undeniable talent and their ability to captivate audiences with their music. With their latest single “Sleep On It” already generating buzz, there’s no doubt that Zac & George are destined for even greater success.

To celebrate the release of “Sleep On It”, Zac & George are taking their show on the road and headlining at Dirt N Dust in Julia Creek in late April, as well as supporting The Wolfe Brothers at the Pre-Rodeo Street Party in Nebo mid-May. These festivals are the perfect opportunity for Zac & George to showcase their talent and entertain their fans. “Performing live is why we do the music for,” says George.

So, grab your boots, put on your Stetson, and get ready for Zac & George’s latest toe-tapping, heartwarming single, “Sleep On It”.

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”

In 1932, Australia was a different place. It was the middle of the Great Depression, jobs were scarce, and money was tight.

Still, we had a few things to look forward to as it was the year the Sydney Harbour Bridge was being opened after eight long, expensive years.

Our heroes were Don Bradman, Phar Lap, and a nine-year-old boy from Leongatha in South Eastern Victoria named Lennie Gwyther.

Lennie made headlines all over the country when he rode his pony solo, 1200 miles return, to watch the opening of the bridge. Along the way he won the hearts of Australians everywhere. ‘Lennie You’re A Legend’ celebrates Lennie’s story.

Golden Guitar winning singer/songwriter Matt Scullion loves Australia, and his forthcoming album ‘Nation Of Abbreviation’ certainly reflects his passion for our sleeping stories and larger than life characters.

Written over many dusty road trips and recorded in his recently built home studio in Glencoe NSW, Matt took a giant leap of faith playing most of the instruments and producing it himself.

But then again, Matt’s always been a songwriter in demand, having his songs recorded by the likes of Lee Kernaghan, Tania Kernaghan, Adam Harvey, Travis Collins, Amber Lawrence, and even legendary rockers Cold Chisel. Twenty-Six of those going to the top spot on the charts.

Multi-award winner and fourth highest-selling Australian Country artist of 2022, Kirsty Lee Akers, is hitting the airwaves with a quirky new single, Getting Over You. Out on April 28, the track is described by Akers as a “happy break-up song” about a relationship that ends with no regrets. A welcome alternative to the countless angry break-up anthems in the world, the track channels the idea that even though relationships end, often the two people would do it all over again because what they had was something special.

“Jesse (Anderson) and I often joke that if we ever broke up, we would have to meet up on the weekends because we would miss each other so much.” – Kirsty said.

“Rather than being bitter and doing the things people expect when your relationship ends, this song is about being grateful with what you had, rather than something you regret.”

The track was co-written by Akers, and fellow hitmakers The Wolfe Brothers during the COVID-19 lockdown period, which tested many relationships, with many not making the distance. It was recorded and produced by Kirsty and her long-time band members, Paul Bain and Dan Ebbels.

The past 2 years have been a whirlwind for Akers. As well as starring on Channel 9’s reality show ‘The Block’ alongside her husband Jesse Anderson, Akers grabbed a Golden Guitar, and her self-produced 6th studio album proved a career-defining release across all charts (ARIA #1 Australian all genres, ARIA #1 Country).

About Kirsty Lee Akers

Kirsty Lee Akers is one of Australia’s most unique and authentic recording artists. A rare talent who is proud of her indigenous heritage as a woman of the Wonnarua nation. Akers is the only artist in history to have won three of the major prizes in Australian Country Music; Toyota Star Maker, Telstra Road to Discovery and a Golden Guitar Award (Two in total).

Despite a global pandemic, 2021 saw Kirsty defy the odds, and take out her second Golden Guitar Award (Vocal Collaboration with Amber Lawrence, Dianna Corcoran, and Aleyce Simmonds). Akers decided to record her 6th album during the remainder of the lockdown, but she was quickly interrupted as Akers and her husband, Jesse Anderson, were cast on Channel 9’s top-rating reality show ‘The Block’. After winning hearts across Australia on the TV show, the album was completed in late 2021.

On April 15, 2022, ‘Wild’ was released. The album has turned out to be a career-defining project. It became the #1 album released by any Australian artist across the nation on debut. It also took out the #11 ARIA spot for all genres globally, and #1 ARIA Country Album chart position. To top things off, Kirsty became one of the youngest artists ever to be inducted into the Country Music ‘Hands of Fame’ alongside artists like Slim Dusty, Keith Urban and Troy Cassar-Daley.

The track is released through Kirsty’s independent record label, Rider Records.

Today, five-time GRAMMY® Award-winning legend and the best-selling female artist in country music history Shania Twain presents the Royal Edition the Deluxe Version of her acclaimed new album, Queen Of Me, out now via Republic Nashville, a division of Republic Records. Listen to Queen of Me (Royal Edition)-HERE.

She delivers the definitive edition of Queen Of Me with five extra tracks. Among the additional material, she serves up two new originals – “Bone Dry” and “Wanted Man.”

Of “Bone Dry”, Shania says “I wrote Bone Dry alone on the acoustic guitar and the song is about having everything in the world but still feeling empty. I guess it’s about whatever you want it to be about as the listener but there is some reading between the lines with this song! I remember waking up thinking I’ve got everything I could want in the world; I should wake up super happy and feeling grateful and enthusiastic about the day. But the good life I have now compared to my underprivileged youth can sometimes leave me feeling impatient and impossible to satisfy. Bone Dry is my reflection on how money, beauty, fame, power, elements that really don’t bring genuine fulfillment. It’s the simple things in life that do for me personally. Like the joy of parenting, being in love, smelling roses, the company of animals, dreaming, creative freedom, nature. When I stay connected to these things, I’m truly happy and whole.”

Shania also invited hip-hop country trailblazer Breland to accompany her on a dynamic reimagining of “Inhale/Exhale AIR.” “I am a huge Shania Twain fan and have always dreamt of singing on a song with her. The first Super Bowl I can remember watching was the one that she played halftime, and once I got into country music as an artist, she was my number one dream collab. What she represents for country music and beyond is so important, and she’s opened up doors for artists like me. It was a no-brainer for me to be on this song and I’m looking forward to playing some shows with her this summer.” Says Breland

She completed the collection with a striking and spirited acoustic rendition of “Queen of Me” and the buzzing “Giddy Up!” (Malibu Babie Remix). Check out the full tracklisting below.

Next up, the Queen of Me Tour kicks off on Friday, April 28th at Spokane Arena in Spokane, WA and makes stops across North America and Europe in Vancouver, Denver, Toronto, Los Angeles, New York, London, Dublin and more before wrapping up on November 14th at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, BC.

Twain also recently attended the CMT Music Awards at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas, where she accepted the Equal Play Award, which recognizes artists who are vocal advocates for elevating diverse and underrepresented voices in country music.

Get ready for more from the Queen this summer!

Multi-Platinum singer/songwriter Kip Moore releases his fifth studio album “Damn Love”. Kip is fresh off sold out Australian arena shows and a powerhouse headline performance in Australia at CMC Rocks. “Damn Love” features over 13 new tracks co-produced by Moore and Jaren Johnston (The Cadillac Three), emotionally raw and thick with epiphany, Moore explores an internal tug of war and puts it simply enough: Damn Love.

A genre-blending songsmith with a warm, honey-infused growl, four previous albums have brought the Georgia native success, often driven by deep-feeling lyrics with an easy Southern charm, and a hint of rock ‘n’ roll mystery. Wielding a rugged poetic flair, he’s sold millions of records and garnered over 2.9 billion streams through that time, traveling the world and growing a truly global following in the process – all with the focus of an avowed lone wolf. He was uniquely situated to embrace the pandemic shutdown, going back to nature after 2020’s Wild World to rock climb, write songs and generally “stay quiet and away from the madness of humans” in Kentucky’s Red River Gorge. In the beginning, it suited his nomadic spirit fine. But gradually, something changed. The lockdowns lifted and Moore got back on the road, back in front of fans and back on stage, but the shift stayed with him. “I think it’s in our DNA,” he says now. “We need companionship. … Maybe I do a little less than most, but it’s still there.”

Speaking on the album, Kip explained “I’ve always had a nomadic spirit, at the core of me that’s what I am, and it’s a beautiful life I lead – I don’t take that for granted. But I still crave that companionship down deep in my DNA, and that’s where ‘Damn Love’ comes from. The minute that fire for music ever subsides, that’s when I’ll walk away. But right now, it’s burning as hot as ever.”

Kip has a history of entrancing audiences with sold-out headlining shows all around the world. Moore holds on to passion in the persistent anthem, “Heart on Fire,” while “Another Night In Knoxville” captures the magnetic draw of the stage – a sweeping ’70s-rock ballad that soundtracks a long-cherished memory. Meanwhile the refreshing “Kinda Bar” conjures magic from a roadside tavern, and a comforting sense of clarity arrives with gentle instant classics, “Some Things” and “One Heartbeat” (featuring Ashley McBryde).

Self-produced, with the help of creative Rip-Van Parks, mixed/mastered by the talented James North at North Productions, and co-written with country legend Allan Casswell, “Pretty Petty Problems” is Andy’s latest single that delves into the world of social media and the impacts of online trolling, in a short, sharp and whimsical manner.

Speaking about the single, Andy said: “We live in a day and age where social media has become an important facet of daily life; a platform at our finger tips that many rely on to be informed of breaking news, read the latest gossip, and keep family, friends and followers updated on past, present or upcoming events. However, it can also be quite a cruel place where online trolling is an unavoidable and often regular occurrence.

“People can say some pretty hurtful things online without fear of consequence but at the end of the day, words are just that, words, and we can choose to let those words sink in and affect our lives, or we can choose to laugh it off. I choose the latter and hope others can do too.”

Celebrated country music duo, Brooke McClymont & Adam Eckersley, have revealed the exciting news their forthcoming second album, Up, Down & Sideways is set to be released on Friday June 30th. To mark the occasion, the chart-topping, multi-award-winning Australian husband-and-wife duo, have unveiled their new single ‘Lost If I Lost You’ and shared details of a one-of-a kind competition.

Initially intended for Adam Eckersley Band’s third album, ‘Lost If I Lost You’ didn’t come to fruition as originally planned and ultimately found its true home recorded as a duet. It’s a heartwarming ode to the person you love, accepting every facet of you: the good, the bad, the ugly. Written during COVID, the song organically evolved into a tribute to the duo’s fans. As live performances came to a halt, it became abundantly clear how lost they would be without their fans of their recorded music and live shows.

Up, Down & Sideways is a celebration of the ups and downs of real life and real love. Produced by Robby De Sa (Gretta Ray, The McClymonts, Tina Arena) the album’s magic lies in the dynamic interplay between the couple’s distinct yet complementary musical tastes and relevance of their stories and song writing that’s resulted in award-winning successes and a special connection with live audiences and listeners across the country.

Brooke McClymont shares, “This is chalk and cheese from the first album and I feel like we’ve got the best of both of us on there. We’ve met in the middle with our influences, put them in a blender and come up with this and we feel like this album stamps a moment in time.”

“We want people to feel like we’re sitting there around their fire and sharing their problems and life with them. We want the songs to have a place in their lives.”

This idea ultimately became a reality, as Adam and Brooke aimed to bring their fans closer to their music and to their fire during times of personal and global turmoil. Faced with months of no touring, the birth of a child and the loss of a loved one, they saw it even more important to connect with their audience and share relatable stories of hardship and joy – with a whole lot of fun thrown in.

ABOUT BROOKE MCCLYMONT & ADAM ECKERSLEY

Releasing their debut album as the duo ‘Adam & Brooke’ in 2018, the #1 ARIA Country Album was received rapturously within the country community, garnering accolades and awards all over.

Taking home three awards from their four nominations at the 51st Golden Guitars awards this year, Brooke and Adam topped the night by winning the Song of the Year for their single ‘Star of the Show’,

Apple Music Single of the Year for their song ‘Memory Lane’ and the award for Country Music Capital News Group or Duo of the Year – bringing their total of Golden Guitar Award wins to 20 across their career.

Their daughter, 10-year-old Tiggy Heart Eckersley also became the youngest person in history to be recognised with a Golden Guitar Award, sharing the Song of the Year win with her parents and Dan Biederman as fellow songwriters.

COLT FORD AND JAYNE DENHAM’S “MOONSHINE” DEBUTS ON CMT INTERNATIONALLY.

“Moonshine” Music Video Collaboration Features on CMT Australia and CMT USA.

“Being featured on Jayne’s new song ‘Moonshine’ is a true honor as well as bringing more of my music to the Australian country scene. Country roots run deep, and the spirit of the countryside can be found in every corner of the world, where hardworking and down-to-earth people come together to create community.” – Colt Ford

American singer, rapper, and songwriter Colt Ford and Australia’s five-time Golden Guitar nominee Jayne Denham debut the ‘Moonshine’ music video internationally. As one of Australia’s leading country artists, Jayne Denham is one of the most admired and sought-after performers. The ‘Moonshine’ music video, filmed in Nashville, TN, is a high-energy, boot-stomping performance wrapped in a love story that premieres on CMT Australia and debuts on CMT Online.

The highly anticipated music video was directed by Rick Caballo and his assistant director Brittany Hope Hambrick of Dead Horse Branding. The story truly captures a moonshiners love story and delivers a look into Jayne’s powerhouse voice and energetic stage presence that she brings to her live shows globally.

LA Music Review says Jayne Denham “sparkles in moonshine with this groovy and truly captivating song.” The spaghetti western entertainer teamed up with country pioneer Colt Ford for the genre-breaking music video that showcases Jayne’s incredible artistry as a cross-country collaboration.

Among many accolades, this is one of the biggest milestones in Jayne’s career. Her epic single and music video collaboration with overseas counterparts continues to expand her artistic repertoire. Sophie Hamely from Sunburnt Country Music says, “Anyone who has heard a Jayne Denham song won’t soon forget it, because Denham never fails to impress. With her powerhouse voice and boundless energy – which she brings to her live shows as well – Denham inhabits her songs, bringing them to vivid life for fans.”

This creative collaboration continues to evolve in country music, with artists integrating another artist’s contribution. Written by Colin Elmore, Cameron Jaymes, and Melissa Pierce, and produced by Grammy-nominated songwriters and producers Brian Bunn and Brian White, ‘Moonshine’ is the first release of Jayne’s upcoming album ‘Moonshine’.

To accompany the upcoming ‘Moonshine’ album, Jayne has partnered with Franklin County Distillery, located in the mountains of Virginia, known as the “Moonshine Capital of the World,” to release her own line of two different flavored moonshines, Ridge Runner Pear and Orchard Peach.

Jayne’s 5th album, ‘Wanted’, came out of the gate firing all the bullets, reaching No. 1 on the ARIA Australian Country Album chart and No. 2 on the Air Australian Indie chart after Jimmy Barns. The album also landed Jayne 2x Golden Guitar Awards for Female Artist of the Year, and Contemporary Album of the Year. ‘Wanted’ led Jayne to define the foundation and essence of her brand, which electrifies costume attire and custom-made leather accessories by Buffalo Girl designer Terry Cronin. Denham has scored four No. 1 smash hits in Australia, six Top 10 songs in the National Country Charts, 12 Top 30 videos, and six Country Music Channel (CMC) nominations.

Dan Lynch’s upcoming single Australia finds itself in the same territory as Australian icons like Goanna or Warumpi Band, who proudly sang of the connection between the ancient land, its people, and their dreaming. Recorded as three different versions – each with its own unique qualities – Australia is upbeat and optimistic… a celebration of solidarity that is very welcome in these divided times.

With Australia Dan is taking his Australian heritage to everyone everywhere, showing them not just the country he grew up in, but the voices of the countless generations who came before him.

“Occasionally, we come across an artist that feels like we’ve known them forever. Their music seems to have a deja vu effect, mirroring our past moments, fun-seeking behaviors, and bittersweet relationships. Dan Lynch, an Aussie singer and songwriter from Sydney is just that. The track Australia is a supremely loveable tune with loveable vocals, a glorious piece of storytelling, a perfectly and incredibly crafted song.”

Rising country rock singer-songwriter Maddie Cail is earning a name for herself in South-East Queensland, captivating audiences with her live performances and is now set to release a new catchy, sassy track entitled ‘Giddy Up’ .

Written by Maddie and produced by Nashville based Australian producer Michael Flanders, the track was penned from a personal perspective. Every so often you see someone you know falling in love with the wrong person. ‘Giddy Up’ symbolises the relationship as a gamble, hence why the lyrics include clever betting terminologies throughout the song. Although ‘Giddy Up’ seems like it should be a sad song, it was written to give the listener a sense of closure. At the end of the story, the relationship ends but instead of being spiteful, the person in love wishes them all the best. Maddie hopes the song will resonate with her listeners and aims to give closure to those who need it.

“I am so excited to finally be releasing ‘Giddy Up’. This song is definitely my personal favourite, and I cannot wait to share it with everyone”.

‘Giddy Up’ is a follow up to Maddie’s previous singles ‘Better Than I Am’ and ‘Bad Girl Gone Good’ and comes of the back of supporting industry heavyweights, The Wolfe Brothers earlier this year.

Maddie Cail is known for drawing her audience in with her big personality, unique tone, and quirky original songs but one thing is certain, her star is on the rise, and we expect to hear a lot more from this talented artist over the next few years.

Country singer-songwriter Jimbo Stokes launches his second single “Headed Country”. Jimbo teamed up with legendary producer Rod McCormack and Nashville’s Sally Baris to create the song.

The catchy “Headed Country” shows off Jimbo’s distinctive vocals in an honest narrative – a unique feel-good track that beautifully contrasts his debut release of “Atlas” late last year, which was a touching and heartfelt tribute to his late mother. The upbeat modern country tune tells the story of Jimbo’s move from the corporate world back to the country.

“There’s such a great sense of freedom when you’re heading back out to the country or wherever home may be and I think we captured some of this in Headed Country”

Born and raised on a sheep and cattle station near Tamworth, Jimbo returned to the Hunter New England region at the beginning of the 2022 after working, studying and playing rugby in Sydney. Country hasn’t always been Jimbo’s musical home, having trained as an operatic tenor under Christine Douglas (Director/Founder – Pacific Opera), but he returned to his first love during COVID-19 times.

To bring the single video to life, Jimbo worked with Manly-based videographer Piers Haskard (known for his work with Boss Hunting and Huawei) – filming in both Sydney’s CBD and the Upper Hunter Valley where Jimbo now calls home.

2023 will be his biggest year in music by far, with three releases forthcoming

Bryce Sainty is one of Australia’s best emerging country artists and he is kicking of 2023 with a bang. Coming off a massive 2022 with the release of his EP “Hometown”, Bryce accumulated over 3 million streams and performed with some of Australia’s biggest artists including The Wolfe Brothers , Tim Freedman (The Whitlams) and Andrew Farriss (INXS).

Co-written with The Wolfe Brothers and produced by Rod McCormack, “Sideline” is the first single in a new era of music for Bryce. With powerful lyrics, “Sideline” is an upbeat motivational country song about standing up and following your dreams.

“Sideline is a personal message to myself, to motivate me to keep following my dreams and I hope that I can inspire others to follow their dreams when listening to the song.”

Bryce continues to make waves in the country music world with a massive 2023 planned full of new music and performing at festivals including Cousin Country 2023. Deemed an “artists to watch” by Spotify, look out for Bryce in 2023.

The new country power ballad from Jamie Lindsay.

Jamie Lindsay is an artist who won’t be boxed in and his new single, ‘A Lifetime To Forget You’, is musical proof.

“This song is a really big power ballad from me with a cool story in the chorus,” he said.

“It’s about falling head over heels for someone the second you meet them and are absolutely consumed by them and you know, that whatever happens, you’re never going to forget that love.”

“It stemmed from labelling myself as a country rock artist – sometimes I’ll be more on the country side and, at other times, a little more on the rock side.”

The NSW Central Coast artist grew up on a healthy diet of country, mixed with strong influences from bands including Bon Jovi, Aerosmith and other rock powerhouses.

“From a songwriting point of view, ‘A Lifetime To Forget You’ could be about a crush or it could be the love of your life – we’ve all had that feeling,” he said.

“From a producer’s point of view, I wanted it to be like those ’80’s and ’90’s power rock ballads because I want to stretch my wings and the last thing I want to do is repeat myself.”

As a singer, songwriter and producer, Jamie said he wanted to demonstrate to music lovers what he could do, without being labelled and boxed into one style of country.

“I don’t want to be predictable and I’m going to song write for me,” he said.

It’s a tale as old as time. Shanleigh Rose reminds us that sometimes you don’t have to search the world for love. Everything you have been looking for may have been next to you the whole time.

Australian singer-songwriter, Shanleigh Rose, returns with a tale as old as time. ‘Boy Next Door’ tells the story of opening your eyes to find that the person you’re meant to spend the rest of your life with, has been right next to you all along.

“Boy Next Door” is one of my favorite songs that I’ve written”, Shanleigh states. “It’s based around my parents and their love story, but also, it’s a universal story that so many people can relate to.

I even had my boy next door for a while. But it’s truly magical when the next-door neighbour love story has a happy ending, and that’s what this song’s about.”

Rose is a shy and quietly spoken artist with a talent of writing songs that speak loud and clear. She possesses a unique blend of lyrical prowess and vocal range that allows her to deliver emotionally impactful music in a captivating manner. Her songs draw breath from both her personal experiences and universal themes, making them simultaneously intimate, exceptional, and memorable.

At 17, with a skill beyond her years, she effortlessly weaves together melodies and metaphors, creating complex harmonies that make her performances both lively and crisp. Her extensive range and lyrical depth enable her to captivate audiences with both heartfelt ballads and upbeat anthems.

Shanleigh draws inspiration from the works of artists like Taylor Swift, Fanny Lumsden, Luke O’Shea, Olivia Rodrigo, and Missy Higgins. Her contemporary fusion of alternative country and folk, create a vibrant tapestry of sound that is both pleasing to the ear and hard not to love.

“I’m super excited for this year! I hope to showcase my music to as many people and places that I can. I’m always writing new material and chasing that catchy hook, looking for the melodies in every situation.

I recently got a job at a local recording studio and I’m graduating grade twelve in November which I can’t wait for. And then, it’s music, music, music! To have my songs be a source of comfort or relatability for somebody would truly be a dream.”

After releasing two independent singles, ‘Good Luck With Your Love’, and ‘Find Myself’, Shanleigh is now working on her debut EP. Fearless in her exploration of different themes, Shanleigh’s songs cover a wide range of experiences, from the joys of heartbreak, to the irony of the beauty culture often portrayed on social media. The EP is sure to be filled with stories that resonate deeply with her listeners.

Tania Kernaghan and Jason Owen collaborate to share the love!

It’s all about sharing the good vibes for Tania Kernaghan and Jason Owen and that’s exactly what they have achieved with their latest collaboration, ‘Let Your Love Flow’ – out April 14.

The award-winning recording artists said they love this song for its high vibrational energy and uplifting positive lyrics… “let your love flow like a mountain stream, let your love flow to all living things…”

“Music makes you feel all emotions and ‘Let Your Love Flow’ really says it all in the title of the song. You feel uplifted and happy!” Jason said.

“By joining forces with Tania, we’ve taken this song to another level which I feel will have a whole new impact on many people.”

These chart-topping artists are no strangers to collaborating together, having released ‘Back Home Again’ in 2021. It was the stellar success of that recording which has brought them back together in 2023.

“Jason is an incredible talent and such a down to earth great guy. He is the quintessential “hat trick”, he’s got the voice, the charisma and the looks!” Tania said.

The feeling is mutual for Jason: “I’m truly blessed to be able to join forces with Tania and her incredible wealth of talent. From the moment we first met, there have been lots of laughs and conversations about music and just how it has such an incredible impact on people and their lives.”

This dynamic team have expanded their music audience worldwide through the power of social media. Their ‘country classic’ duets, filmed exclusively for their Facebook followers, have received over 8 million views and counting, testament to Tania and Jason’s continuing popularity.

It’s clear to see, when Jason and Tania perform together a feel-good wave flows from them. Eager to share this energy with their audiences it’s only fitting that Tania and Jason are about to embark on a national tour.

Tania and Jason will be performing a collection of their original hit songs along with some of their favourite country classics. They have also handpicked some of Australia’s finest musicians to join them on tour.

Tania Kernaghan and Jason Owen’s, Let Your Love Flow National Tour has been aptly named, so get yourself ready to let your love flow, this concert is a must see!

Dynamic Pop Country Singer-Songwriter Natalie Pearson Releases ‘Not In These Boots’.

Natalie Pearson returns with a brand new single ‘Not In These Boots’.

The upbeat track was co-written with powerhouse Nashville based songwriter Phil Barton and fellow country artist Brook Chivell, and was produced by Gold Coast producer Jared Adlam at Machine Lab Recordings. A well-constructed and polished pop-country arrangement, with a commanding vocal performance and empowering lyrics, this track is bound to resonate with Natalie’s growing fanbase.

“I had the best time writing this one over in Nashville. The whole vibe of the trip was inspiring, and Phil Barton just had this electric energy in the writing room that created the foundation for a really catchy pop country song. We got a bit sassy, a bit clever and very girl power. I’m loving the pop direction, and Jared did an amazing job on the production. I can’t wait to share it!”

Continuously earning respect from her peers including major artists such as The Wolfe Brothers, Travis Collins and Adam Brand, Natalie is no stranger to touring, performing at Australia’s most iconic music festivals including Tamworth Country Music Festival, Gympie Music Muster, Deni Ute Muster, Groundwater Country Festival and Fresh Country Music Festival (along with Casey Barnes, The Buckley’s and Josh Setterfield). Her edgy blend of country pop mixed with a country rock edge and powerhouse vocals have ensured Natalie has made her mark in the industry.

With her empowering and positive attitude on life, it’s easy to see how quickly Natalie’s fan base has grown and have been loyal throughout her career. Natalie has always conveyed a strong message to believe in yourself and her honesty is very relatable.

Dynamic vocals, magnetic personality, combined with an engaging and a high energy live performance while also having the ability to strip a song back to expose the raw and emotional side, ensures Natalie is one of the most versatile live performers in Australia. Watch this space for further releases in 2023 as Natalie’s star continues to shine.

Sunday Chapel was written and produced by Dave Herrera and is a story about how the Chapel is the rock for his family and the community through thick and thin, baptisms, weddings and funerals, the Chapel will always be there even at the end and generations thereafter.

Herrera said “we all need a rock and a place to support us during the good and bad times”

Herrera wrote the track with the help of Cory Coppin, Kale Coppin co-writers and Dave Herrera produced the track.

Herrera continues to put his spin on Country music as he combines heavy drum beats, electric guitars, dobro, bass and the storytelling of country music with his new music.

Along with his singles, Herrera takes pride in creating music videos that are entertaining for all ages. The music video for “Visiting Nashville” now has 440K+ views and rising. You can check out several of his music videos on YouTube which include Hella Country, Hollywood Sign, My First 69, Shades, Hollywood Sign, Boys were Back Intown and an unofficial and unmixed version of the video for Hell of a Holiday.

Herrera is currently in the studio and will embark on live shows in 2023.

Multi-platinum, iconic Canadian Dean Brody has released his new single “Where’d You Learn How To Do That” a fun, upbeat track, showing off his country roots, that will anchor his live show later this year. As the top-selling internationally signed country artist in the world, with today’s release it’s easy to see how Brody has become Canadian country music royalty.

“It’s been a while since we had a song that brings a party like this one does”, says Brody, “so I’m hoping everyone loves it as much as I do, I think we’re all ready to have some fun”. Not one to ever slow down, Brody has been busy the past year setting records and marking major career milestones. The past two years saw the acclaimed artist land his sixth and seventh number ones at Canadian country radio on back-to-back duets with his history-making track “Boys” feat. Country music’s fastest rising star Mickey Guyton and “More Drinkin’ Than Fishin” with labelmate Jade Eagleson. He also secured his 18th CCMA Award, landing the “Top Selling Canadian Single” with his #1 track feat. The Reklaws, “Can’t Help Myself”…A song which has resonated Globally!

With over 12 years of making music behind him, 32+ Top 10 singles and 325+ Million Global Streams, Brody continues to prove why he is one of Canada’s most celebrated country icons.

About Dean Brody:

Multi-platinum, iconic Canadian artist Dean Brody is celebrating the biggest years of his career. No country artist has owned the Canadian “Live” stage more than Dean in recent years with three national arena tours (2 breaking national ticket sale records), an acoustic national tour and as the only Canadian country artist to hold a 7-year residency at Toronto’s Budweiser Stage.

Not one to ever slow down, Brody has been busy setting records and marking major career milestones. 2021 saw the acclaimed artist land his sixth and seventh number ones at Canadian country radio on back-to-back duets with his history-making track “Boys” feat. Country music’s fastest rising star Mickey Guyton and “More Drinkin’ Than Fishin” with labelmate Jade Eagleson. He also secured his 18th CCMA Award, landing the “Top Selling Canadian Single” with his #1 track feat. The Reklaws, “Can’t Help Myself”. He kicked off 2022 by earning a JUNO Awards nomination for Country Album of the Year and securing his first TRIPLE-PLATINUM single with “Bring Down The House,” making him only the second artist in Canadian history to ever achieve this status on a single. He also landed his eighth #1 with his single “Where’d You Learn How to Do That”. Brody celebrated these moments with fans throughout the year with headlining stops across the country including Budweiser Stage (Toronto), Festival Country Lotbinière and Dauphin Country Fest, a 10-night residency at the Calgary Stampede as well as a show in his hometown of Fort Steele with the NHLPA.

A passionate storyteller and unmatched lyricist, Dean has risen and continues to remain at the top of the Canadian country landscape with an impressive 34 Top-10 singles (including 8 #1’s), 18 CCMA Awards, 2 JUNOs, more than 425+ million global streams and numerous gold and platinum certified singles (including 1 triple platinum and 3 double platinum). Only Shania Twain has more Canadian streams than Dean when looking at Canadian country artists “lifetime” results.

While a consistently celebrated entertainer, Dean also dedicates a large part of his life to philanthropic efforts through his charity, The Dean Brody Foundation. To continue his foundations’ mission, Dean has recently entered a partnership with International Justice Mission (IJM), a global organization that shares the core values and goals of The Dean Brody Foundation. Working together to prevent violence and exploitation before it happens, the multi-year partnership with IJM will provide Dean the opportunity to work as an IJM Canada Ambassador and highlight his decade-long fight for justice on a global scale.

BAREFOOT JOE is a country music artist and songwriter with a soulful country sound. New to the country music scene, BAREFOOT JOE has already been nominated for the Josie Award for Best Male Vocalist in Country (2022). As a songwriter, BAREFOOT JOE has worked with a wide variety of writers, producers, and artist, including Clarence Jey, Joshua Thompson, Danny Kensy, Dakota Jay (Rad Records), and Corey Lee Barker.

BAREFOOT JOE has opened for a number of artist including, John Rich, Old Dominion, Michael Ray, Brett Young, Tony Jackson, Southerland, and Confederate Railroad.

ABOUT JUST PLAIN CRAZY

Written by BAREFOOT JOE (J. McMinn), Corey Lee Barker, Randi Driscoll, and Danny Kensy, Just Plain Crazy, fittingly, released to digital on Valentine’s Day 2/14/23.

Recorded at Nashville’s longest continuously running studio, Hilltop Recording Studios, Just Plain Crazy features BAREFOOT JOE’s soulful lead vocals over a beautiful authentic Nashville ensemble. While contrasting how, often, opposites attract, BAREFOOT JOE playfully sums up relationships with “We’re either crazy in love or just plain crazy!”

QUOTES

trosser6258 Today’s Country 2023

“The introduction to ‘Just Plain Crazy’ by Barefoot Joe opens with a set of smooth and easy listening instrumentals that quickly establishes a connection between himself and the audience. The vocal production from Joe is excellent because most listeners can hear the passion and conflicting tone behind each lyric that he sings. The lyrics have a creative and romantic narrative / message that is fun to listen to and visualize due to all the fine details. The rhythm has a soft and uplifting tempo that perfectly keeps the audience engaged with the song. The instrumental variety chosen for the song blends country and rock together to create a tender sound that perfectly complements Joe’s soulful vocal tone. Overall, the song is a great listen and will make for a great addition to the playlist.”

In 1960 Grand Ole Opry Star Ferlin Husky released a song pinned by Bob Ferguson called “Wings of a Dove”. This song was No 1 for 10 nonconsecutive weeks on the country charts. Fast forward 60 years the brothers of the Flat River Band are sitting around the garage reminiscing and hearing their Grandpa Sitze sing that old song. It only made sense to write a song about a dove in remembrance of their childhood days playing music with their grandpa.

In your face three part harmony Impacting Radio Now

Brendan McMahon returns with his brand new single, ‘I Hear Your Voice (The Soldier)’, a song dedicated to the brave young soldiers who, over the years, have left their loved ones to fight for the countries they love.

When you listen to Brendan McMahon’s music, you gain a strong sense of the man behind the songs. An inveterate traveller and astute observer, possessed of an enquiring and open mind – these are just some of his personality traits that shine through.

McMahon is a multi-award winning singer-songwriter with over twenty years’ experience. Not afraid to defy expectation, his music is eclectic, adventurous, and blessed with a ‘limitless fluidity’. Having visited over fifty unique and varied countries, his travel experiences, specifically his observations of history, cultures, people, architecture, and nature, are at the root of his creativity and songwriting.

‘I Hear Your Voice (The Soldier)’ came from a simple keystroke on the piano according to Brendan. “I was sitting at my piano when a vision of a young soldier on a battlefield, thousands of miles from his home and country, entered my mind”.

“I started tapping on one piano note, and ‘I Hear Your Voice (The Soldier)’ was the end result. I could visualise the soldier thinking about his young bride across the other side of the world and at the same time, she was thinking about him. Their communication was almost telepathic as they yearned to be in each other’s arms”.

The dynamic video for ‘I Hear Your Voice (The Soldier)’ was filmed by seven-time Australian Country Music Award wining Producer and Director, Duncan Toombs, and absolutely encapsulates the sentiment of this powerful song.

Country fans love a drinking song, and Bundaberg Mark Lavender’s new single is an uplifting celebration of mates, beers and the good things in life – think Zac Brown’s Country Fried vibe.

Mark wrote ‘Wash The World Away’ when the world shut down and he couldn’t enjoy a beer with mates, but was wishing for everything he was missing.

“I wrote it during COVID when everything was really bad and all the pubs and clubs closed down, so everyone was sitting around at home,” he said.

“The song is about how you’re going to sit back, have a beer and a smoke and think about the positive things you have at home. I wanted to put a positive spin on the situation instead of another COVID song.”

The catchy single is the second to come from the Queensland Wide Bay artist who always aims to spread the happy vibes, while conveying strong messages.

“When I do it at my gigs, both the younger country fans and the older crowd sing along,” he said.

“I want it to stick in your head as a happy, go lucky song.”

Having graduated from the prestigious CMAA Academy of Country Music in January 2023, Mark is working to build his audience with his new music, reaching bigger platforms and having a bigger presence in 2023.

“I want to release more songs and thought ‘Wash The World Away’ was a good start to 2023,” he said.

“I have a lot of happy go lucky songs like that, but also singles that will be more heartfelt like previous single, ‘Strong Man’, but they’re always about real issues and real people and putting my own spin on it one way or the other.”

Recorded with Buddy Hyatt Productions in Nashville, Mark recorded the vocals for ‘Wash The World Away’ in Bundaberg with the rest of the track recorded in Music City USA.

“I formed that relationship with him in Nashville when I was there in 2016 when I recorded my previous single, ‘Strong Man’, live in the studio,” Mark said.