Travis Collins – Don’t Get Me Started

Following a massive year in 2023, achieving the highest charting Australian country album of the year with “Any Less Anymore”, plus the longest running #1 Australian country single of the year and topped off with a Golden Guitar Award win in Tamworth; Travis Collins drops the first single from his highly anticipated new studio album.

The single, “Don’t Get Me Started”, was recorded with Jared Adlam in his Queensland studio. The song was penned with Payton Smith, US singer/songwriter signed to Big Machine Records.

As Travis describes the track, “It’s a phrase we’ve all heard, and often say. It’s a lighthearted warning to somebody not to tease or tempt you with something they already know you’re serious about pursuing all the way, or not at all. It could be an opportunity, a forbidden road-trip, a potential relationship or even just a passionate stance on a point of view. We’ve all got something like that in our lives, when it hits the conversation table, we say ‘Don’t Get Me Started’. Writing this track with Payton Smith was awesome, our mutual love of guitar riff driven hooks and melodies really came to the forefront for a feel-good song I’m proud of. Then recording it in the studio with my tour band was a first for my career, and it really lifted it to another place all together. I can’t wait for people to hear!”

Coinciding with the single release, Travis will launch the ‘Don’t Get Me Started Tour’. Amongst the first run of Australian dates, is a performance at the world’s largest country music festival, CMA Fest in Nashville in June. Travis is one of a handful of international artists selected to perform at the iconic event in 2024.

A nine-time Golden Guitar Award winner, four-time CMC Award winner, CMA Global Artist of the Year Award recipient, and two-time ARIA & APRA Award nominee, he’s toured alongside US megastars Tim McGraw and Luke Combs, and recorded with Nashville’s best. His mix of hands-in-the-air country-rock anthems combined with heartfelt ballads has led to over 40 million streams across his nine albums and thirty-plus singles.

Abbie Ferris – Shut Up And Kiss Me

Raised in South Australia and now on the Central Coast, country singer-songwriter Abbie Ferris kicks of a new era with the release of her incendiary new single “Shut Up and Kiss Me”, a sultry country-rock missile of jealousy and lust, inspired by real life relationship turmoil and written on her first ever visit to Nashville late last year with Aussie ex-pat Troy Kemp of McAlister Kemp.

“I wrote Shut Up and Kiss Me with Troy Kemp on my first ever trip to Nashville late last year. I was in a relationship that felt like it was at breaking point, and this song reflects that volatile energy we had together, how an argument could turn one from one kind of passion to another. It’s about jealousy, and taking the power back from someone and I wanted it to feel like an old-school Shania song, with loud guitars and lots of energy”.

The new single, out through Potts Entertainment/MGM Distribution , kicks off a new era for the rising star, who recently wowed crowds at the sold-out CMC Rocks QLD festival. The first taste of an upcoming Nashville-penned EP, her songwriting is fueled by a tumultuous period of rebirth and reinvention for the country girl determined to make her mark on the world.

Growing up idolising generations of hard-working, glamorous yet down to earth country queens from Shania to Taylor to Lainey , Abbie took a handful of music lessons and built her chops as a songwriter, guitarist, piano player and singer. Performances at school concerts led to open mics to pub gigs in her South Australian small town, winning over crowds with cheeky charisma and the soulful sincerity of her vocals, enroute to the biggest festival stages in Australia.

A proudly independent artist, Abbie has released a succession of acclaimed singles, developing her own distinctive sound – fusing country and pop, flavored with ear-worm instrumental hooks and infectious basslines. With every release she pushes herself to a further evolution of her sound and songwriting, more than ever on “Shut Up and Kiss Me”.

“Every song I write I learn a lesson about who I am” she says. “I find a strength I didn’t know I had, or I realise what is holding me back in life or what I’m really looking for out there. I hope it unlocks that in people listening – whether it’s giving yourself the confidence to strut your stuff or break away from someone taking you for granted; or the courage confront what scares and hurts you the most”.

Abbie is set to return to Nashville next month to finish writing her new EP, set for release later this year via Potts Entertainment/MGM. A small-town girl whose dreams seem set to take her around the world, Abbie is fiercely proud of her country roots and her childhood doting on horses, but is determined to prove that being from a small town doesn’t mean you have to have small dreams.

“I want to take my music everywhere, and show the world that a small-town South Australian girl can grow up to be a woman who makes a big impact on people’s hearts in places I couldn’t have imagined when I was a kid. My parents raised me to trust my heart and do what feels right, and when I connect with people through a song – whether it’s in a co-write, in the studio, on a festival stage – it’s like I’m back riding a horse in a paddock where all you see is horizon, and everything else in life melts away. That’s what I’m always chasing with my music”.

Hudson Rose – Ghosts In The Walls

The Australian country music scene is about to be set ablaze as Hudson Rose, the rising independent star, releases her highly anticipated new single, “Ghosts In The Walls”.

Healing from a broken heart is a journey marked by moments of pain and reflection. Memories linger, sometimes comforting, often haunting. In her latest track, Hudson Rose delves deep into this emotional landscape, torn between the past and a desire for peace, revisiting the echoes of a fractured relationship.

“Sometimes we find solace in the most unexpected places, reliving memories and absorbing every emotion,” Hudson reflects.

Hot on the heels of her chart-topping hits “Dancing On The Tables” (#2) and “Rules of Breaking Up” (#10), Hudson Rose continues to solidify her place in the hearts of fans with her unique sound and poignant storytelling.

At just 21, Hudson Rose exudes a wisdom and openness that breathes fresh air into the Australian country music industry. Her collaboration with ARIA award-winning writers and producers Michael Paynter and Michael Delorenzis of MSquared Productions has once again resulted in magic. “Working with the boys at MSquared really is like making magic,” she enthuses.

With her distinctive voice, Hudson delivers “Ghosts In The Walls” with a delicate balance of strength and vulnerability, showcasing her evolving artistry. “Between the beat and the catchy melodies, ‘Ghosts In The Walls’ will have you dancing through your heartbreak,” she promises.

Hudson Rose’s previous releases, including “Dancing On The Tables”, “Rules of Breaking Up”, “Fireflies in Tennessee”, “Misery”, and “Iconic”, have been met with widespread acclaim, securing extensive airplay across major radio stations and a formidable presence on streaming platforms. Her music resonates deeply, amassing over 1.5 million streams and earning top chart positions.

As Hudson Rose continues her meteoric rise in the music industry, “Ghosts In The Walls” is set to be the next infectious anthem that propels her further into the limelight.

Sara Evans – 21 Days

2024 has been a busy year already for one of the premier and essential country artists of any generation: A new podcast called “Diving In Deep” with Sara Evans, her induction into the Grand Ole Opry and releasing one of the most nationally talked about songs this year “Pride”.

Now, hot off her surprise appearance at Stagecoach with Post Malone, Sara continues to fan the flames of new audiences worldwide ahead of her incredible album “Unbroke,” available June 7th.

The radio ready “21 Days” finds Sara clear and focused up on top of this power-pop-co banger with her immediately recognizable and well loved voice. A motivating, hook laden, PopCo track written with longtime Sheryl Crow co-hort Jeff Trott finds Sara’s unmistakable voice crafting a hot and clever country lyric, counting the days, hours and min to break (or create) a habit.

Multi-platinum entertainer SARA EVANS is at the top of her game. With five No. 1 Country singles including “No Place That Far,” “Suds in the Bucket, “A Real Fine Place to Start,” “Born to Fly,” and “A Little Bit Stronger,” which spent 2 weeks in the top spot and was certified platinum by the R.I.A.A., Sara thrills audiences across the U.S. playing close to 100 shows each year. Her “stunning, country voice” (Rolling Stone) has earned her the prestigious Academy of Country Music Top Female vocalist accolade as well as numerous American Music Awards, Billboard Music Awards, Country Music Association, CMT and Grammy Awards nominations. In addition, the CMA awarded Video of the Year honors for her hit chart-topping single, “Born To Fly” from her double-platinum album of the same name. Evans’ discography also includes the platinum-selling studio albums Real Fine Place and Restless and the gold-certified No Place That Far.

Sara continues to forge a bold, creative path with the launch of her podcast, Diving In Deep with Sara Evans and the release of her vulnerable new single, Pride and upbeat anthem, “21 Days”, via Melody Place Records.

Colin Buchanan – The Bush Comes Back

“The Bush Comes Back” – the new single from Colin Buchanan’s highly anticipated new album Memory Town

The song’s title came from a conversation Colin had during a short cab ride into town from Moree Airport. Much-needed rain had just broken the drought and as Colin looked out on the fresh carpet of green shoots the cabbie reflected, “Yup. The Bush comes back.”

“Once I heard it, I started seeing it everywhere!” Says Colin. “It’s the old patched up junk pile farm truck that just doesn’t give up…it’s the farmer’s morning flick of the barometer, everything gambled on the up or the down of the needle. It’s determination and resourcefulness, but not the tidy sort – it’s got lots of dings and dust and sheared off bolts and bent stuff!”

“The Bush Comes Back” is a collage of rural determination and regeneration. “I’ve seen firsthand the aftermath of fires in Victoria, in southern NSW – and even at our own back fence in Sydney! It’s remarkable to see those scorched and blackened eucalypts sprouting green – they come back!

“And I’ve never forgotten looking through the photo album of a mate’s place in Central Western NSW during the 80’s drought. There wasn’t a blade of grass to be seen. Six months later, the place was looking like the Emerald Isle! It’s as if the perseverance of the people is called forth by the land itself.”

“The more I sing this song,” says Colin, “the more I feel it’s really a song for anyone who finds it tough to just keep going. That’s probably most of us at one stage or another! I’ve heard it said, ‘Life is 80% just turning up.’ That’s really another way of saying that when the going gets tough, be you farmer, builder, teacher, nurse, truck driver, accountant or school kid…Remember the stringybarks after the bushfire. Remember the first shoots rising out of the Moree dirt after drought. Remember the generations who’ve hung in and hung on, patched up but still running, like that old farm truck. It’s not easy, it’s often not pretty, but just keep going and you’ll get to see it for yourself – The Bush Comes Back.”

Patsy & Dave – Dream Vacation

Rebrand and new single for Patsy & Dave with Dream Vacation

Country music duo Patsy & Dave are gearing up for the release of their latest single, Dream Vacation, hitting the airwaves on May 17.

This marks the first single since the duo rebranded from The Long and the Short of It to Patsy & Dave, bringing a fresh perspective to their music.

Dream Vacation is an ode to the longing for a dream getaway, written by acclaimed songwriter Kenny Royster, who pitched the song to Patsy Toop and Dave Baird. The duo found it perfectly suited their musical style. Dave’s soulful voice blends seamlessly with Patsy’s harmonies, creating a captivating and guitar-driven sound that is quintessentially Patsy & Dave.

“We absolutely loved Dream Vacation from the moment we heard it,” Dave said.

“It’s a dream sequence that’s really happy, and every time I watch the film clip, it puts a smile on my face. They’re even calling me Penelope now from Thunderbirds!” Patsy said.

The duo recorded Dream Vacation as part of their upcoming album, set to be released in September. Patsy and Dave have put their unique stamp on the song, as the duo seamlessly transitions between heartfelt ballads and energetic country rock, highlighting their versatility.

“We’re excited to share ‘Dream Vacation’ with our fans,” Patsy said.

“It’s a song that uplifts and brings joy, and we can’t wait to see how our audience responds to it.”

Patsy and Dave are gearing up to road test Dream Vacation during their upcoming performances in Queensland this June, including shows at Twin Towns and Sunnybank. The duo’s presence in Tamworth next January will also feature the vibrant new single, promising a rocky addition to their live repertoire.

Dream Vacation is an invitation to escape and celebrate life’s simple pleasures. With its infectious melody and uplifting lyrics, Patsy & Dave’s latest single is sure to make listeners’ days brighter and leave them yearning for their own dream vacation.

Dean Young – So It Is What It Is

Announcing a new country single from independent Canadian singer/songwriter/musician, Dean Young.

‘So It Is What It Is’ will be released on May 17 2024 and is 100% CanCon

It is available for Apple and Amazon preorder on May 12 2024.

Dean says:
“I wrote the song in 2011 when the idea came from hearing people say so ‘it is what it is’ and it’s still very relevant today. It’s a fun song and if you’re like me and personally struggle with ‘letting go’ when things don’t seem to go right, then the song sentiment will resonate with you.
Verse 2 is a true-life experience for me and one of life’s many lessons that sometimes good things can come from bad, to let go of the upset, anger etc., because sometimes ‘it is what it is’!”

Written/Composed by Dean Young
Produced by Jason Barry – Barrytone Studios
Mastered by Glenn Thomas – ItuneAudio
Dean Young – Vocals
Steve O’Connor – Piano, Organ
Jason Barry – Drums, bass, guitars, lap steel, harmonies, percussion

Chase Rice – Fireside

CHASE RICE SHARES NEW AUSTRALIAN SINGLE ‘FIRESIDE’ FOLLOWING HIS APPEARANCE AT CMC ROCKS 2024

Follows Rice’s first Top 5 on the Countrytown Hot 50 chart

Chart-topping singer/songwriter, Chase Rice, who made his highly anticipated return to Australia in March to play CMC Rocks has shared his new Australian radio single, ‘Fireside’ today (May 13). The song, which was released last Friday, May 10th, was written by Rice together with Jackson Dean, Oscar Gnaedig and Jonathan Sherwood. ‘Fireside’ is another taste of Rice’s evolving sound to reflect the realities of his life and continues the theme of “not only what got me here today but who did.”

Commenting on the release, Chase shared ” My last album was the start of a whole new creative life for me. A lot of people ask if my next one will be similar, the short answer is yes. This next album for me will be a bit of a continuation to close out this new process of how I write songs and record them. This is just the very beginning of my next full album, which to me is another level up from the Cowboys record.”

The new music serves as a follow up to his 2023 album I Hate Cowboys & All Dogs Go To Hell which contains Chase’s first Top 5 on the Countrytown Hot 50 chart ‘Walk That Easy’, and his three-part project, The Album, featuring his Platinum-certified US No. 1 hit, ‘Drinkin’ Beer. Talkin’ God. Amen. (feat. Florida Georgia Line)’ and Platinum-certified US Top 10 hit ‘Lonely If You Are’.

Rice’s sophomore album Lambs & Lions, featured the Triple Platinum, two-week chart topper ‘Eyes On You’ – hit first No. 1 as an artist and the most-streamed song of his career. Lambs & Lions followed Platinum-certified Ignite the Night, which debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums and No. 3 on the all-genre chart, producing a pair of Top 5 hits; Platinum-certified ‘Gonna Wanna Tonight’ and Double Platinum ‘Ready Set Roll’.

THE TRAdE-INS – 500 Horses

Track Description
“500 Horses”

After several conversations with my friends who are truck drivers, I realised that most of the songs about truck driving do not accurately portray life on the road. So, I decided to create something that highlights the loneliness and strong desire of truck drivers to be at home with their loved ones, which keeps them driving through the night.

Artist Quote

I’d rather be at home holding you tight than riding 500 horses through the night!

Artist Bio

Country rock is the name of the game for The Trade-ins, a four-piece band based in Singleton, Hunter Valley. Made up of hardworking tradesmen named Andrew, Tony, Owen, and Isaac, they play with as much passion as they work. Their lively performances have taken them to various venues and festivals, and their original songs are gaining popularity, leading to the recording of their debut album, set to be released in mid-2024. From the upbeat “Timbuktu” to the emotional “No Rain to Cry In” and the playful bluegrass tune “I Still Miss You,” there’s something for everyone in their music.

Sara Berki – Tear You Apart

Sara Berki has today released her first new single of 2024, the introspective “Tear You Apart”. The song has a Western sensibility, combining traditional instruments such as fiddle and pedal steel with a driving drumbeat and Sara’s vulnerable vocal.

Sara has once again teamed with Simon Johnson for production and William Bowden for mastering, the same team behind the hits “Fallin’ off the Heartline”, “Good Enough” and “Drinking for Free”.

Sara describes the characters in the song, “She is hardened, possibly from being broken in previous relationships and she is prone to self-sabotage. He thinks she is falling for him, when in fact she’s just dispirited and lonely. The song is a warning to him, ‘don’t fall for me as this won’t last'”.

“Tear You Apart” is Sara’s tenth track release in the space of two years, all of which were 100% written by Sara and demonstrates her knack for crafting intriguing lyrical stories into songs that sit at the intersection of traditional and modern country. Sara’s growing skill as a songwriter was recently recognised by APRA AMCOS, who awarded her the 2024 Professional Development Award for Country/Americana (previous winners include Morgan Evans and Fanny Lumsden).

While it is Sara’s first official single release since “Favour” in September 2023, she has been anything but quiet. Sara has been part of some incredible live events, including CMC Rocks QLD (with back-to-back performances in 2023 & 2024), the inaugural Ridin’ Hearts Festival, Groundwater Country Music Festival, The Perth Muster along with a pre-show performance at the 2024 AFL Season kick-off at the Gabba in March.

Sara’s rendition of the John Denver classic, “Take Me Home, Country Roads” filmed at the Brisbane Lions vs Carlton match at the Gabba has subsequently been viewed over 7.5 million times across YouTube, TikTok, Instagram and Facebook and has opened up a legion of new supporters for her music, particularly across the U.S & Canada, UK and Europe (Germany, France, Netherlands & Sweden in particular), as well as at home.

In addition to the APRA Professional Development Award, Sara was also nominated for a 2024 Golden Guitar Award for New Talent of the Year and her music has now been streamed over 2.5 million times.

The Bundaberg born, Southern Highlands raised country singer-songwriter is taking it all in her stride, with her humble and grateful nature endearing her to audiences wherever she goes. With a growing catalogue of songs and her first trip to the U.S for songwriting and recording coming up, fans can expect to hear a lot newer music from Sara in the not-too-distant future.