ZFM Country

Multi award winning country singer/songwriter Paul Costa returns with new single ‘Drinkin’ Hours’.

With a mantle full of awards and many chart hits to his credit, Paul Costa has no desire to slow down, kicking off 2022 with the release of his new single ‘Drinkin’ Hours’. Set for release on Friday 25th February, this catchy track is bound to make you want to let your hair down, relax and have a drink with great company.

‘Drinkin’ Hours’ is the ultimate upbeat feel good song made for Paul Costa’s rich vocal range and masterful delivery. “Cause there’s no working during drinkin’ hours, leave it all at the door”. This rhythmic and very catchy tune has hit written all over it and will have you singing along with good friends in no time! The track was written by Bobby Tomberlin (Blake Shelton, Dolly Parton, Faith Hill), Wil Nance (George Strait, Brad Paisley, Joe Nichols) and Dan Alley.

Success is no stranger to Paul. In January 2018, during Tamworth Country Music Festival, Paul was inducted into the Country Music Hands of Fame, highlighting his successful music career. His album ‘Whisper In The Crowd’ was also named Album of the Year at the People’s Choice Awards – an award voted by fans. In addition, Paul was named a finalist for Male Artist of the Year at the prestigious CMC Music Awards.

Paul’s fifth studio album, ‘Whisper In The Crowd’, debuted at #3 on the Australian ARIA Country Album Chart. The album saw Paul in full flight both vocally and musically, showcasing a bold new sound for this world-class artist.

Always the consummate showman, Paul has built a reputation of being one of the most energetic live performers in Australian country music. He has performed at major events both locally and internationally and has had the honour of performing for our troops in East Timor in 2008 and The Middle East (Iraq) in 2019. He’s also a proud ambassador for Mission Australia and the Canberra Police and Citizens Youth Club.

In perfect timing with this release, Paul will be performing at Country By The Murray at Murray Bridge in South Australia on 26th March, alongside artists such as Lee Kernaghan, Amber Lawrence, Casey Barnes, Andrew Swift, and Jayne Denham.

One thing is certain, Paul is having far too much fun taking his brand of music to his loyal fans around the country.

Following No. 1 radio hit “Beers And Sunshine” and recent single “My Masterpiece,” three-time GRAMMY winner Darius Rucker continues to share new music as he crafts a forthcoming solo album with “Same Beer Different Problem” available everywhere now.

Written by the multi-Platinum star together with Tofer Brown, Sarah Buxton and Old Dominion’s Brad Tursi, the Ross Copperman-produced track offers a lighthearted take on the chaos of today’s world:

You got your cars without drivers, traffic’s getting worse

We’re racin’ off to space, just to get away from Earth

3G, 4G, 5G, getting even further from the OG

Granny’s eatin’ gummies, Mama’s online

All I know for sure is we’ve all lost our minds

A little bit funny, a lotta bit strange

But at the end of the day

It’s the same beer, different problem

“The line ‘a little bit funny, a lotta bit strange’ really sums up the message of this song and all of the things that make you shake your head these days,” reflects Rucker. “We had so much fun as songwriters coming up with all of those examples and putting a lighthearted spin on the craziness of the world.”

In addition to actively working on a new album, his first solo project since 2017’s critically acclaimed When Was the Last Time, Rucker also recently announced a summer run of U.S. and Canada tour dates, continuing the Darius Rucker Live tour that began earlier this year as a theater tour visiting iconic venues across the country.

The man celebrated by Billboard as “one of the most distinctive voices of country’s modern era” also recently announced the 13th annual “Darius And Friends” benefit concert set for June 6 in support of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, which will unofficially kick off the week of CMA Fest – where Rucker will also headline Nissan Stadium on June 9 – as well as his the inaugural year of his personally curated Riverfront Revival music festival in his hometown of Charleston, S.C. this October.

About Darius Rucker

Rucker first achieved multi-Platinum status in the music industry as lead singer and rhythm guitarist of the GRAMMY Award-winning band Hootie & the Blowfish, who have sold more than 25 million albums worldwide including their Diamond-certified debut Cracked Rear View, which remains among the Top 10 best-selling studio albums of all time. Since releasing his first Country album in 2008, Rucker has earned a whole new legion of fans with four No. 1 albums on the Billboard Country chart, including RIAA Platinum-certified Learn to Live and True Believers, plus 10 No. 1 singles at Country radio and 11 Gold, Platinum or multi-Platinum certified hits. Rucker was inducted as a Grand Ole Opry member in 2012 and in 2014 he won his third career GRAMMY Award for Best Solo Country Performance with his 9x Platinum version of Old Crow Medicine Show’s “Wagon Wheel,” one of the top five best-selling Country songs of all time. He co-hosted the 54th annual CMA Awards in 2020 and topped the charts at Country radio once again with “Beers And Sunshine” in 2021. Follow up single “My Masterpiece” is available everywhere now as Rucker puts the finishing touches on a forthcoming album.

As a lifelong philanthropist, Rucker co-chaired the capital campaign that generated $150 million to help build the new MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital in his hometown of Charleston, S.C. and has also raised millions of dollars for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital through his annual Darius & Friends benefit concert and golf tournament. Rucker has also advocated for over 200 charitable causes supporting public education and junior golf programs in South Carolina through the Hootie & the Blowfish Foundation and serves as a National Chair for the National Museum of African American Music in Nashville, Tenn.

Hot off the back of his domination at this year’s Golden Guitar Awards, Shane Nicholson releases his single ‘High Horse’ taken from his critically acclaimed Album Living In Colour.

Shane was the top winner at the Golden Guitar awards, taking home four awards from his five nominations. Nicholson’s 9th studio album Living in Colour saw him take out Alt Country Album of the Year and the highly coveted Toyota Album of the Year. His track And You Will Have Your Way was crowned APRA AMCOS Song of the Year and Apple Music Single of the Year, with Nicholson also taking to the stage to perform his award-winning song.

The final version of ‘High Horse’ released on ‘Living In Colour’ was actually the second version of the song Shane wrote. “The initial version was a completely different chord progression, different melody, same lyrics. It sounded like a completely different song, more of a Dawes thing, in a minor key, moody and melancholic. I had Josh Schuberth play drums on them and send them to me. It was all great and nearly finished and then I had a thought one night, when I played it back: it was too moody, I want to put a whole new angle on it instead of being the somber, minor sound I’d made it. So I scrapped all of the instruments, bar the drums and the vocals, and wrote all new chords to the song and recorded it all again in one night. And that’s what’s on the record. I made it a bit of a deceptively happy song. I enjoy doing that. I’ve made a reasonable career out of doing it.”

Shane continues touring ‘Living In Colour,’ upcoming show dates below.

2022 TOYOTA ALBUM OF THE YEAR

LIVING IN COLOUR: Shane Nicholson | Producer: Shane Nicholson

Alt Country Album of the Year: LIVING IN COLOUR

Shane Nicholson | Producer: Shane Nicholson

APRA AMCOS Song of the Year: AND YOU WILL HAVE YOUR WAY

Shane Nicholson | Songwriter: Shane Nicholson

Apple Music Single of the Year: AND YOU WILL HAVE YOUR WAY

Shane Nicholson

ABOUT SHANE NICHOLSON

Nicolson’s storied career started in the late 1990s with his first Brisbane based band Pretty Violet Stain. With a solo career launch in 2002 with the release of ‘It’s a Movie’, he’s since followed up with nine albums, including 2015 ARIA Award winning ‘Hell Breaks Loose’ and 2 x ARIA Award winning albums with Kasey Chambers – the platinum selling, ARIA No.1 album ‘Rattlin’ Bones’ and ‘Wreck and Ruin’. With 15 x CMAA Golden Guitar awards under his belt including 2021 APRA Song of the Year for ‘The High Price of Surviving’, Nicolson has also been recognised internationally with 2 nominations for USA Americana Music Association awards. As a seasoned producer, Nicholson has been busy working with Alex Lloyd, Tori Forsyth, Beccy Cole, Michael Waugh and Camille Trail.

Nicholson is a rare talent who has bridged the gap between Alt-country and the mainstream. He crafts his songs seamlessly and can wrap up difficult subject matters with music of uplifting beauty and charm. Nicholson has a charismatic talent for writing striking songs that pay tribute to the unpredictability of human experience.

Ron has been a singer/guitarist for many years and has also recently written a book called PROUSTY – A Man Of Many Words. This song is linked to the book and the subject of the book, the Australian bush poet PROUSTY, and describes how Prousty went from being ‘A boy who found it hard to read and write’, to becoming ‘A man of many words’.

Also known as Fireman Ron he is sometimes seen with his wife Di on the TV show ‘Whats Up Downunder’ and also writes articles for the Whats Up Downunder eMagazine.

Although having been a working musician for over forty years, this is Ron’s first ever music release. It is a song that comes from his heart and which tells the story of his mate Prousty who died in 2021. The song was written way back in 2002 when Ron started writing poetry with Prousty and was blown away by Prousty’s talent, especially as Prousty had grown up as a dyslexic child with poor reading and writing skills.

‘Sticks, Stones & Stories’ brings authentic country music and storytelling to the forefront. The album showcases Katie Brooke’s clean, crisp and mesmerizing vocal, complemented by her exceptional songwriting skills, and will no doubt be on repeat for years to come. The album is predominantly written by Katie herself but also features a cover of Zach Bryan’s popular song ‘Crooked Teeth’.

A modern twist to nostalgic 90’s country tones, ‘Sticks, Stones & Stories’ still offers something subtly different and very fresh to the country music world, which is no surprise seeing as Katie has spent her life living and breathing country music of all shades.

Katie Brooke is rapidly building a loyal following after the release of her Number #1 charting debut self-titled EP, featuring the ever-popular ‘Home Town Song’ as well as four other original tracks. Katie’s second single release ‘Dreamers Tired Mind’ was featured in a clothing campaign for Australian western clothing brand, Buckwild Country. An abundance of success for a debut release.

Katie has spent the past twelve years making her mark in the country music industry, continuously gigging throughout NSW and QLD, as well as supporting artists and bands such as Shannon Noll and The Black Sorrows. Katie has had the opportunity to perform alongside Australian country music icons such as James Blundell, Adam Harvey and Gina Jeffreys, as well as hosting and performing on the ever-popular Jim Haynes Breakfast Show at the Tamworth Country Music Festival.

Kaylee Bell has released a fresh new “pop version” of her hit single KEITH, a tribute song to Keith Urban, in celebration of her journey competing on THE VOICE Australia and as a nod to her audience who pushed the original song to streaming heights and created a huge impact for Bell’s streaming success in Australasia.

Bell’s tribute to Keith Urban was written out of admiration for an artist she has loved and respected her whole career. She chose to use the concept of tying in Keith’s song titles throughout the song lyrics to tell a story with a summertime, Keith influenced feel.

Bell performed her original song KEITH last night on THE VOICE Australia to the superstar coaches including Keith Urban himself, Jess Mauboy, Guy Sebastian and Rita Ora. After a thrilling result of having all four chair turns, Bell was fought over by Keith and Jess, with Jess pulling a ‘block’ card on Keith, meaning he could not have Bell join his team this season.

Kaylee declares, “I was extremely thankful for the chance to perform KEITH for Keith himself, such a thrill to share this special song with him and even more so with this incredible opportunity to compete on THE VOICE Australia!”.

Bell continues her rise in the music world, with over 30 million Spotify streams and holds the reigning title of Most Streamed Female Country Artist for Australasia.

“I have always loved ‘I Was Only 19’ from the day Redgum released it back in the 80’s. However, it gained more importance to myself after befriending a Vietnam Vet through the local rugby league club that I was involved with in the late 1990’s. We became great friends and he introduced me to a few of his Vietnam Vet mates over the years, which helped gain a better understanding of what these people went through during and after the war. Unfortunately, my mate passed away five years ago, and I feel this song is a great dedication/tribute to not only my him, but all the Vets and Serviceman that have served, and continue to serve, this country.” – Ross Webb.

Ross Webb began performing just over seven years ago, and what a ride it has been since then. Being an avid country music fan, and influenced by artists such as Zac Brown, Chris Stapleton and Alan Jackson, Ross began performing with his wife Sharon and good friend Owen.

Now with full band, he has been performing and fine tuning his show around the highlands, and Southern NSW, along with juggling his day job as an Account Manager for Grant Broadcasters.

His journey into the music industry has only just begun, and we can’t wait to see where the ride takes him and his music.

We’re incredibly excited about the future for Brother Joe! “Float Trip” marks his inaugural contribution to Country Music after having made waves in the YouTube ocean under his proper name Joe Banua with “Sirens (feat. Nikki Dee)”; A tribute to heroes.

Be ready, because 2022 still holds a 12 song album to follow up “Float Trip”! We can’t wait to share them with the world!

Our deepest appreciation goes out to your station for taking the time to listen, and we hope your listeners will enjoy “Float Trip” as much as we’ve enjoyed making it!”

Randy Brooks, Program Director from KIX 102.5 in Joplin, MO says;
“Brother Joe’s new single ‘Float Trip’ is exactly the kind of high-energy, summer water jam that will make a comeback every year when the sun is hot. It’s definitely gonna be a timeless summer anthem just like ‘Chattahooche’ or ‘Pontoon’ or ‘Long Hot Summer’…..Destined to be an audience favorite!”

Little Big Town has today released their latest single, “Hell Yeah”. The song is the first single released by the ACM, CMA and GRAMMY-winning band in two years and will be on their forthcoming 10th studio album. The new record follows the No. 1 Country album Nightfall (released in 2020) which included singles “Over Drinking,” GRAMMY-nominated “The Daughters” and “Wine, Beer, Whiskey.”

“Phillip and I wrote this with Tyler Hubbard and Corey Crowder,” said LBT’s Jimi Westbrook. “I remember when Corey brought that hook in that day. He sang his idea and when he turned that phrase at the end of the chorus, we were all like ‘hell yeah!’ We always have a blast writing with those guys.”

“This song is a classic breakup song, flipped upside down,” continued Sweet. “It’s pure feel-good vibes. We are so excited to premiere it on the CMT Music Awards which has always been a home for us in releasing new music. Big thanks to iHeart for the radio World Premiere. Hell yeah!”

About Little Big Town:

GRAMMY, ACM, CMA, and AMA Award-winning group, Little Big Town — consisting of members Karen Fairchild, Phillip Sweet, Kimberly Schlapman, and Jimi Westbrook — first entered the music scene more than 20 years ago with hit songs “Boondocks,” “Bring It On Home,” “Good As Gone” and the GRAMMY-nominated “Little White Church.” The bands breakthrough albums Tornado and Pain Killer produced multiple #1 singles, including “Pontoon,” “Tornado,” and “Day Drinking,” as well as the history-making, best-selling country single of the year (2015) “Girl Crush.” 2017’s, The Breaker, debuted #1 on the Billboard Country Charts and Top 10 (No.4) on the Billboard 200 to critical acclaim. The album features their GRAMMY-winning, multi-week #1 single, “Better Man,” as well as the 2019 GRAMMY-nominated, “When Someone Stops Loving You.” Critically acclaimed and GRAMMY-nominated “The Daughters,” “Over Drinking,” and hit single “Wine, Beer, Whiskey” are the latest from the bands self-produced ninth studio album Nightfall which was released at the top of the Billboard Country Charts in January of 2020. To date “Wine, Beer, Whiskey” has reached global streams of over 316 Million. The bands tenth studio album is set for release later this year.

“Free and Easy” is a stadium-sized anthem, showcasing Marshall Potts’ soaring, full throttle voice that could easily rival any top rock idol’s.

“If you need to know how I’m feeling Let’s share a bottle and some of your time Cause I need to feel free and easy Before I’m gonna let you in my mind”

From this opening invitation to the sky punching chorus and rollicking outro, “Free and Easy” showcases Potts’ journey of self discovery and personal evolution in a big, bold way. It’s an attention holding, larger-than-life declaration much like the towering billboard that introduced Potts to Music City.

2021 Golden Guitar winner Kirsty Lee Akers has written about many different themes over her career, but never about herself, until now. The new single ‘Wild One’ shares the story of Akers’ drive, commitment and unending passion for music as a career. From the dive bars to the big stage, it’s been quite a journey so far.

“When I write songs they are normally about friends or family or completely made up stories but wild one is the first song I’ve ever written about myself. This one tells the story of my journey being obsessed with music from the day I was born, and chasing that dream till I can’t chase any more.” Stated Akers

The track was written with two of Kirsty’s favourite collaborators in Nashville, Phil Barton and Bruce Wallace. It is a fun, driven song, that Akers gave a real 90’s country vibe when she took the producer’s chair and went into the studio.

The track is the 3rd single lifted from Akers’ 6th studio album, entitled ‘WILD’ that is released on April 15, 2022.

About The Album – WILD – Out April 15

WILD is the exciting new album from Kirsty Lee Akers. The 2021 Golden Guitar-winner, Star maker winner and star of Channel 9’s ‘The Block’ is back with a vengeance, after battling her way through the global pandemic.

Written and recorded during various stages of the 2020-21 lockdown, the album echoes sentiments experienced by many during that time. From imagining overseas adventures long since cancelled, to freedoms previously taken for granted before COVID-19, and love that kept many homes together. The project delves into many facets of life that humanity dealt with together during this unique time in history.

Following up from her most successful album to date, this 6th studio album brings together some of Akers’ most trusted co-writers in Phil Barton, Trey Bruce, and Bruce Wallace, as well as new colleagues connected with virtually around the world. Akers again took the producers’ seat, making her one of the few female, First Nations producers on the country music landscape. In addition to her lead direction, she added long-term band members and skilled musicians in their own right, Dan Ebbels, Paul Bain, and Isaac Kennedy to the mix.

The result is an eclectic, passionate, and heartfelt mix of Kirsty Lee Akers. From her signature modern Country Music stylings, infused with the heritage and roots of Americana, held together by lashings of classic Pop indulgence.

The album will be the first released through Kirsty’s own independent label, Rider Records.

“Words can be so hurtful, faceless lies are painful. Don’t fool yourself into think that it’s nothing when it might mean something to someone else…”

The need for real human connection and to break away from the divisive influence of social media is the inspiration behind Lyn Bowtell’s latest single, ‘Woman To Woman’.

Hook-ridden and with a driving beat, ‘Woman To Woman’ sees the multi-award-winning singer-songwriter at her thoughtful best with the John Mayer infused, adult contemporary feel filling this track with radio-friendly vibes.

After two years of watching people being hurtful to each other on social media, and being separated from family and friends by travel and border restrictions, Bowtell reminds us it’s time to get together and look each other in the eyes once again.

“I hope listeners to ‘Woman To Woman’ might be a little less influenced by social media in their everyday life and consider going to the source of information before they cast judgment on people,” the singer-songwriter said.

“It’s great to be able to reach out across boundaries and borders to talk to people, but social media does come with negative effects as well and we are understanding that more and more now”.

“I’ve never had anything particularly damaging said to me on social media, although there were a few moments after The Voice, but I’m lucky in that respect. Country music people are usually friendly, supportive and good-natured.”

Through ‘Woman To Woman’, Bowtell and co-writer Kevin Bennett send the timely message that how we speak to each other is important, and not to dismiss how easily we can make people feel distress and hurt with what we casually and carelessly type on a keyboard.

“Don’t think that writing something horrid online doesn’t mean something to someone else, of course it does – it’s hurtful and degrading,” Bowtell said.

“I have missed my friends and the simple pleasure of talking and connecting with people, I think we are all excited to get back to the face-to-face conversations and real-life experiences that we have sacrificed in the last few years.”

The accompanying video, shot by Duncan Toombs of The Filmery, stars Bowtell, a 1970 Jaguar XJ6 and Lyn’s friends and backing singers on this track, Jen Mize, Kim McCartin and Kelly Brouhaha.

Multiple ARIA and GRAMMY Award winner Keith Urban unveils his first single of 2022, ‘Nightfalls’, a euphoric moonlit anthem co-written with Greg Kurstin (Adele, Beck, Paul McCartney) and Mozella (Madonna, Rhianna). Bound to be a crowd favourite at Keith’s forthcoming ‘THE SPEED OF NOW WORLD TOUR’ shows, the infectious track marks a similar return of Urban’s high-energy, in-the-moment spirit and all-round divergent musicality.

Keith says, “Writing “Nightfalls” with Greg Kurstin and Mozella was pure joy. Two summers have gone by with no way to tour and the desire to have that feeling again inspired every part of this song and recording. In a world so full of real struggles and fractures, I wanna try and bring something to help us exhale and be in the moment – if only for 3 mins and 41 seconds.”

‘Nightfalls’ follows on from ‘Wild Hearts’ and Urban’s global smash, his duet with P!nk, ‘One Too Many’, which to date has amassed 340 million worldwide streams. The song has become Urban’s 43rd Top 10 single in the U.S. and his 27th #1 in Canada. It was certified double platinum in Australia, reached #1 on the Australian Artist singles chart and has spent 44 weeks in the Top 50 UK Airplay Chart. Urban’s latest album, THE SPEED OF NOW Part 1, marks the fourth in an historic streak of simultaneous #1 album debuts in the United States, Canada and Australia.

THE SPEED OF NOW WORLD TOUR gets underway in April at the O2 Academy in the UK before ending up in Australia in December with Birds of Tokyo as the special guest.

Grammy-nominee Jason Aldean starts off the new year with the announcement of his next single “Trouble With A Heartbreak,” available alongside its haunting music video now. The reminiscent track is featured on the second installment of his 10th studio album MACON, GEORGIA (Macon Music/Broken Bow Records), which is available April 22nd, as its aching video is set in Las Vegas during National Finals Rodeo where a cowboy finds himself navigating a broken heart. The track is now available with the pre-order of the collection’s second installment GEORGIA here , while MACON is fully available here .

“The cool thing about putting out two parts of this record is having fans hear all the different influences I grew up on,” Aldean said. “This song hit me right when I heard it and reminded me of those bitter R&B breakup songs that take me back to riding through the backroads of Georgia.”

Written by Kurt Allison, Brett Beavers, Tully Kennedy and John Morgan, “Trouble With A Heartbreak” follows Aldean’s 26th career chart topper and multi-week No. One “If I Didn’t Love You” featuring Carrie Underwood. Directed by long-time collaborator Shaun Silva, its video was shot in December during Aldean’s sold-out, three-night run at The Park Theatre.

Fans can now watch the video here: https://youtu.be/TAtWP5Mct5I

The three-time ACM “Entertainer of the Year” has bolstered 26 No. One hits, 15 billion streams and more than 20 million albums sold while “MACON exhibits Aldean’s dynamic approach to Country music,” (American Songwriter). Notably, seven of Aldean’s previous studio albums have been certified PLATINUM or more and he has the most Top 10 song on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, more than any other artists, since making his chart debut in 2005. Aldean just wrapped the “explosive run” (Tulsa World) behind his BACK IN THE SADDLE TOUR 2021, as he continues be one of a card-carrying member of Country’s elite headliners whose incendiary tours are nearing legendary status. The multi-Platinum singer has launched Wolf Moon Bourbon, an 80-proof bourbon that has been distilled from Midwestern grains and aged for four years offering a finish of caramel, oak, and spice. For more information, visit www.JasonAldean.com.

Smooth soul vocalist Natalie Nicole Gilbert teams up with singer/songwriter Chris Sloan for this power packed duet version of Adele’s Easy On Me. The song just went live on SoundCloud 3/26 and already amassed over 16,000 streams.

The simmering mezzo voice of Gilbert with the tenor vibrato of Sloan melds into a perfect union that brings plenty of romance to this track about a relationship hitting hard times. Sloan’s natural sound leans rock, while Gilbert has a passion for power ballads and acoustic originals. Their harmonizing rings as true as if they’d been performing together for years.

Natalie Nicole Gilbert is based in Los Angeles, with Chris Sloan in Seattle. The two have never met in person or even Zoomed or hopped on a phone call, but the way their voices melt together brings to mind the Civil Wars.

Impacting radio now, available on all major digital music outlets April 15, 2022.

Following up his Texas (TRRR ) #1 hit “Stealing Home,” James Robert Webb’s brand new single, “Lovesick Drifting Cowboy” is a Hank Willliams-inspired country standout with grit. The song benchmarks the first of a series of self-produced singles for the 2022 Music Row Independent Artist of the Year, who accepted the honor at the Music Row Magazine’s 20th Annual Country Breakout Awards in February (more here ).

Co-written with Shelby Lee Lowe and Victoria Powell, the inspiration for the single’s title came from Hank Williams’ band The Drifting Cowboys and his song “Love Sick Blues.” With dynamic vocals and textured instrumentation, “Lovesick Drifting Cowboy” is destined to echo the success of Webb’s prior releases.

About the song, Webb says:

“We wrote this song pre-pandemic, back in 2017. It was inspired by country icon and legendary songwriter, Hank Williams, Sr.. The title of the song itself is a nod to both Hank’s band and his famous cover of Love Sick Blues. It was one of his most enduring songs even though his team didn’t want him to record it.

Everyone has an opinion on Hank, but I consider him the original outlaw country artist. He was also just a massive superstar and a big component of his music was pop and blues.

For me, [Lovesick Drifting Cowboy] is a more visceral song. I wanted the record to update that Hank Sr. country roots sound by way of the blues. That’s certainly what Hank was and I wanted to pay homage to that. When I listen, I can see Hank’s band travelling down that dusty Lost Highway. There’s also an edge that reflects my influences–it’s definitely a preview of what’s to come for me as an artist.

It appears that 2022 is shaping up to be a banner year for the independent artist, whose previous single not only gave him his first, #1, it became his 9th MusicRow top 40, peaking at #25–and his fourth consecutive Billboard Indicator top 40. The Oklahoma-native will also be releasing a 100-proof white-aged whiskey later this summer, in honor of the 2021 chart-topping hit, “Okfuskee Whiskey.”

Early Praise From Radio

” James Robert Webb has taken himself to the next level. Little Waylon vibe Charlie Daniel’s too, Country through and through!” – Doris Day, KXIA, Marshalltown, Iowa

“If you want to know why JRW is the Music Row Independent Artist of the Year just listen….’nuff said!” – Mike Thomas, PD/MD, KFAV, Warrenton, MO

Get ready for a little rockier sound from singer-songwriter Felicity Dowd with her new single, ‘Handle It’.

Born out of an attraction to a close friend, ‘Handle It’ deals with everything that comes with keeping emotions to yourself, even if you have strong feelings for someone.

“It’s about not wanting to damage your friendship, which you hear a lot of in films, but It wasn’t until I started writing the song that it took on a different meaning,” Felicity said. “It took on a mature way of explaining how a young person like me may deal with this situation.”

Felicity is an artist who won’t be constrained by genre, but instead allows the song to lead the way when she is writing.

“I write to what the song’s feeling and I’ve written in a lot of different genres and this one kept growing as producer Rod Motbey and I put the song together,” she said. “It started off as a very acoustic version, but as we went through the process, it became almost rocky and alternative country and it even uses some influences from Fleetwood Mac to get that oomph and feeling behind it.”

The NSW South Coast/Illawarra singer said she wanted to keep her listeners open to new sounds in her music.

“‘Handle It’ is a very current song, thematically and musically, and I hope that if listeners relate to the song, it’ll be a bit of a safe haven to feel those emotions, but they can also simply dance and sing along with the song,” Felicity said.

Fresh off the back of achieving a Top 40 Finalist spot in the Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition, Courtney Keil returns with her bubbly new single, ‘The One’.

The 90s inspired country bop reflects on the magic of true love – “It’s somethin’ you can’t know until that first time when time stands still”. The track radiates Keil’s signature positive vibes, with its sizzling guitar hooks and playful vocals. You’ll have a hard time resisting the urge to dance along with its infectious groove, “inspired by Faith Hill’s iconic, This Kiss”.

“I once again had the joy of writing this with my songwriting family Rod McCormack (who also produced the track), Sam Gay and Templeton Thompson”, chirps Keil. The same creative powerhouse has crafted every one of her singles to date – including the Vanda & Young finalist, ‘I Just Wanna Hold You’. That explosive debut was also a finalist in the 2020 International Songwriting Competition and peaked at #15 on the CountryTown Hot 50 airplay chart. Along with two of her other previous singles, ‘Hummingbird’ and ‘Where Does All The Love Go’, it also reached the #1 spot on the iTunes Country Singles chart.

It appears country music is not only in the heart of the Melbourne native, but also in her blood. Her paternal grandmother was a country singer in Adelaide during the ’50s. “She would sing on local radio with her two sisters,” reminisces Keil.

It’s no surprise then that Keil is no stranger to the stage. With a packed tour schedule for 2022, she’s appearing alongside Gina Jeffreys and Tania Kernaghan on their Girls Night Out tour – which includes a show at the Tamworth Country Music Festival – and opening for Andrew Swift during his VIC leg in April. She’s also played the role of June Carter Cash alongside Daniel Thompson in Johnny Cash: The Concert Tour throughout 2021 and will continue in 2022.

“So many reasons to fall in love / But you just need the one”, sings Keil on the infectious new single. It’s yet another superb track from a young artist who is blazing a trail through the Australian country music scene. Her endless optimism and vivacity are sure to captivate audiences along her road to stardom. If you’ve been waiting for a reason to fall in love with Courtney Keil then this might be the one.

The upbeat new tune “Shotgun” from Nashville newcomer Christian Parker is the first single off the upcoming debut album called “Debutante” due out in September 2022. Shotgun perfectly captures that excitement of throwing caution to the wind and chasing your dreams with reckless abandon, a sentiment he can definitely identify with as he launches his debut single. Like its name suggests, “Shotgun” is a blast of energy from an artist brimming with passion and eagerness, ready to make his mark on the country scene. The budding young talent infused the track with plenty of inspiration and can-do gumption for all the dreamers out there yearning to give it a proper shot, and comes roaring out of the gate with this winning tune about giving it your all and never looking back. Shotgun is produced by Grammy nominated producer Sal Oliveri. Entertainment Focus says of the artist “This is one rising star you want to get on you radar”. Remember his name, with a full promo, PR and marketing team behind him, you’re surely be hearing a lot about Christian Parker.

Dave Herrera has a way of writing thought-provoking material, as demonstrated in this NEW Single “Shades,” a tale about a woman who catches a man’s eye with her dark sunglasses that aren’t used to block the sun, but as a barrier to the outside world. But once she pulls up the shades, one realizes there’s something deeper.

Herrera said “it’s not easy to meet people, more specifically a significant other, as OPENING UP is not an easy thing to do” as Herrera wrote in his lyrics “hiding your eyes won’t hide ya; cause only the sun shines brighter; fix a broken heart; if you look my way; let down your guard pull up those shades”.

Herrera wrote the track with the help of Cory Coppin and Kale Coppin co-writers and produced the track with co-producer Jeff Balding. “Shades” was recorded at WestRoc Studios.

After teasing fans with a series of mysterious posts beginning the night before her birthday this past week, 7-time GRAMMY® Award winner Carrie Underwood’s highly anticipated new single, “Ghost Story,” is out now. The lyric video for the cinematic track is also available now .

Written by Josh Kear, Hillary Lindsey and David Garcia and co-produced by David Garcia and Underwood, the superstar describes “Ghost Story” as “a different take on a revenge song, which is something I love to sing about. Instead of smashing headlights, this scorned lover is letting her ex know that she will continue to haunt him no matter how hard he tries to forget her.”

“Ghost Story” is the latest collaboration between Underwood and Garcia, having co-produced her critically acclaimed 2018 release, Cry Pretty, which marked the first time Underwood produced her own album. Garcia and Underwood also co-produced Underwood’s 2021 album of gospel hymns, My Savior. Underwood and Lindsey have collaborated on a string of hits such as “Jesus, Take the Wheel,” “So Small,” “Last Name,” “Smoke Break,” “Church Bells,” and the now-iconic title track, “Cry Pretty.” Kear co-wrote Underwood’s signature hits, “Before He Cheats” and “Blown Away,” and co-wrote another cinematic classic, “Two Black Cadillacs” with Underwood and Lindsey.

“‘Ghost Story’ is a thrilling, dramatic song that David, Hillary and Josh wrote for me,” says Underwood. “They are such talented, amazing songwriters who know me so well, and from the first time I heard it I knew I had to record it. I have always loved performing songs that tell a story and inspire some kind of cinematic imagery when you hear them, and that is definitely true of ‘Ghost Story.’ It creates a mood and a vibe that is different than anything else I’ve recorded before.”

Underwood’s new single comes on the heels of winning her 16th ACM Award on March 7 – for Single of the Year with Jason Aldean for their smash hit duet, “If I Didn’t Love You.” The multi-week #1 “If I Didn’t Love You” has spent a record-setting 26 weeks in the Top 10 of Billboard Country Airplay so far, with more than 323 million global streams RTD.

Underwood is nominated for two 2022 GRAMMY® Awards – for Bluegrass/Country/Roots Album of the Year for My Savior, and she and Aldean are nominated for Best Country Duo/Group Performance for “If I Didn’t Love You.” The duo was also nominated this week for two 2022 CMT Music Awards for “If I Didn’t Love You” – Collaborative Video of the Year and Video of the Year, which Underwood won in 2021 for “Hallelujah,” with John Legend. She continues to reign as the most awarded artist in CMT history with 23 total wins.

On March 23, she continues her ongoing REFLECTION: The Las Vegas Residency at the Resorts World Theatre, having opened the new 5,000-capacity, world-class theatre, the first artist to grace the largest and tallest stage in Las Vegas, with six sold-out shows in December. Conceived by Underwood to celebrate some of the highlights of her stellar recording and touring career over the years, REFLECTION celebrates her greatest hits from over 15 years as an award-winning international superstar. The production brings beloved fan favorites to life in a whole new way, utilizing spectacular special effects, pyrotechnics, and state-of-the-art visual and audio technology, with Underwood joined onstage by her band, dancers, aerialists and a special virtual orchestra. $1 from every ticket sold will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Underwood returns to the desert to headline the iconic Stagecoach Festival on Saturday, April 30 in Indio, Calif.

About Carrie Underwood

Carrie Underwood is a true multi-format, multi-media superstar, spanning achievements in music, television, film, and as a New York Times bestselling author and successful entrepreneur. She has sold more than 66 million records worldwide, recorded 28 #1 singles (14 of which she co-wrote), and has seven albums that are certified Platinum or Multi-Platinum by the RIAA, all while continuing to sell out arena tours across North America and the UK. All nine of her consecutive album releases (two of which she co-produced) from the beginning of her career debuted #1 on the Billboard Country Chart, making her the only artist to accomplish that feat. She has won over 100 major awards including 7 GRAMMY® Awards, 16 ACM Awards including three for Entertainer of the Year (the first female in history to win twice and the only female ever to win three times), 23 CMT Music Awards (holding the record for the most award wins ever for the show), 7 CMA Awards, and 17 American Music Awards. She has also built a successful business portfolio inspired by her passion for health and wellness. She founded and created the fitness and lifestyle brand, CALIA by Carrie Underwood and her first book, FIND YOUR PATH was an instant New York Times bestseller. She launched her fit52 app in 2020, and expanded her lifestyle portfolio with an equity partnership with BODYARMOR Sports Drink in 2021. She was the first artist to perform at the new Resorts World Theatre, where her ongoing REFLECTION: The Las Vegas Residency, began with a sold-out debut run in December 2021 and continues this Spring.

Fresh off a standout EP release and Top 5 Canadian radio hit for the title track “Relationship Goals,” Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Steven Lee Olsen returns with a new original track, “Nashville or Nothing” out today via Universal Music Canada.

A true “love letter” to the vibrant town that many know as Music City, the heartfelt track shares Steven Lee Olsen’s personal story that remains a relatable feeling for many artists that embark on their journey to Nashville. Penned alongside his co-producer Brandon Day, “Nashville or Nothing” features Steven Lee Olsen’s dynamic, R&B smooth vocals over the “too close to home” lyrics that the singer-songwriter is known for. “It’s gotta be Nashville or Nothing. A million to one in a town I don’t seem crazy. Where everyone’s a dreamer, where I’m gonna either catch my break or it’ll break me.”

Cass Hopetoun is the name on everyone’s lips, thanks to the release of her latest single ‘Chinese Whispers’. The sassy new tune arrives just ahead of the ‘New Talent of the Year’ Golden Guitar nominee’s highly anticipated debut album, Not Your Typical Bride which is set for release on 8th April and available for pre order now.

Released through Compass Bros Records, ‘Chinese Whispers’ is the sixth single to be taken from the Sydney-based singer’s 13-track album. It’s a fiercely self-assured anthem of empowerment; “a song you put on when someone has been talking smack about you and you want to feel empowered and have that ‘shake it off’ moment,” exclaims Hopetoun. “It’s a reminder that people are always going to ‘talk’ but, you can choose to ignore them because you know what’s true and what’s not.”

No doubt this latest offering will have people talking……for all the right reasons. Its feisty lyrics were crafted by Hopetoun along with her fiancé and collaborator, Blake Dantier, after she became the victim of a nasty rumour. “Haters gonna throw shade, shade, shade, no matter what I do,” she sings triumphantly in the song’s chorus.

Her vocal is both delicate and commanding as it dances effortlessly around Matt Fell’s (Love Hz Studios) production. Incorporating elements of Motown and surf rock – the country-tinged track feels both timeless and fresh.

Despite the seemingly endless pandemic, Hopetoun has still managed to turn heads – now a two-time nominee for New Talent of the Year at the Golden Guitar awards. The hit that earned her most recent nomination, ‘Who Needs Hawaii’, peaked at #6 on the CountryTown Hot 50 airplay chart and was the #1 most played song on CMT Australia in 2021. She also found time to duet with Andrew Swift on ‘Say the Word’, which topped the Kix Hottest 20 and was the radio station’s #1 most played track for 2021.

2021 saw Hopetoun hitting the road, performing her vibrant show alongside Hurricane Fall and Shane Nicholson. But 2022 is set to be bigger and better; with appearances at Meatstock, Goulburn Valley and Tamworth Country Music Festivals, as well as tour dates across the country with Jayne Denham and her Not Your Typical Bride album launch in Sydney on 14th April.

While whispers continue to grow of Hopetoun’s prowess as a songwriter and performer, so too does her devoted following. Her honest and playful voice is a breath of fresh air in the Australian music landscape and an inspiration to Country fans young and old. ‘Chinese Whispers’ is just further evidence that the rumours are true – Cass Hopetoun is undoubtedly a star destined for great heights.

Mandy Collins has released her debut single ‘I’ll Find You’, produced by Travis Collins, engineered by multi-award winner Matt Fell, and mastered by industry legend, Ted Howard. ‘I’ll Find You’ has a great fun vibe about it, a bluesy country, front porch kind of thing, which will resonate with rural and regional Australians and their country roots.

Mandy ‘Moo’ Collins has always loved to sing. Raised in Sydney’s Western Suburbs, music was a way of life, with her Dad touring the country playing in bands and igniting her lifelong passion for performing.

Mandy’s love for country music was kindled at an early age by role models and song writing inspirations such as Tammy Wynette, Jeannie C. Riley and Trisha Yearwood, then further nurtured by her parents and well know award winning singer songwriter brother, Travis Collins.

Happy and enjoying life in the Hunter Valley with her family, and having raised five children, Mandy recently felt the pull back towards recording and performing and the timing couldn’t be better. Armed with good people in her corner, Mandy is set to embark on fulfilling her dreams of entertaining the masses.

HANSON release their new track “Write You A Song,” the second single from the multi-platinum, 3x GRAMMY® Award-nominated pop-rock trio’s eagerly anticipated new project, RED GREEN BLUE. Written by Isaac Hanson, and co-produced by Isaac, GRAMMY® Award-winning Producer/Engineer/Mixer Jim Scott (Tom Petty, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Wilco) and GRAMMY® Award-winning Artist/Producer David Garza (Fiona Apple, Midland, Sharon Van Etten), the organic and heartwarming song is available now via 3CG Records at all DSPs and streaming services. The official music video will see its premiere on CMT USA this coming Monday, March 14.

“This song is about holding on to the things that really matter in life, those simple daily moments that are precious and honest and go by so fast,” says Isaac Hanson of the song. “Whether it is between a parent and a child or a romantic relationship, it is important to capture those moments in photos, videos, and yes in songs, so that you remember them and make them last.”

RED GREEN BLUE was heralded last month with the album’s emotive and dynamic first single, “Child at Heart,” available now at all DSPs and streaming services. An official music video is streaming now via YouTube.

Comprising three solo-led projects from Taylor, Isaac, and Zac Hanson, RED GREEN BLUE arrives via 3CG Records on Friday, May 20, and is available for pre-order on vinyl, CD, and digital at all retailers now. The album, which marks HANSON’s milestone 30th anniversary, brings together the band’s three unique creative voices like never before, with a third of the album written and produced by each brother: Taylor’s RED, Isaac’s GREEN, and Zac’s BLUE. The album, which is also, co-produced with Jim Scott and David Garza, amplifies the band’s unique trifecta of sound in a new way which is highlighted through the release of three singles, one featuring each brother. Starting with Taylor’s “Child At Heart” followed by Isaac’s “Write You A Song” (out today) and the rock-infused force of Zac’s “Don’t Let Me Down” (April 15), each song is a clue to the unique musical influences which make up the project.

“Going into our 30th year as a band we felt like it was imperative we continue to tell our story like only we can,” says Isaac Hanson, “and telling stories in ways that will continue to challenge us to grow and give people new reasons to listen. RED GREEN BLUE is about sharing what has made us a band that has been able to weather so many storms.”

“Our love and respect for Jim Scott has only grown since we first met 20 years ago,” says Taylor Hanson. “He has been behind some of our favorite albums, so it’s an absolute joy to have finally made a project together.”

“We have had a long friendship and deep connection with David Garza since our early days as a band,” says Zac Hanson. “We could not have had a better musical collaborator for this milestone project.”