ZFM Country

AUSTRALIAN COUNTRY STAR CASEY BARNES WANTS TO ‘GET TO KNOW YA’ AHEAD OF HIS BRAND NEW ALBUM

After two long, hard years of canceled tours, postponed shows and being locked away from family, friends and fans, Australian country music prodigy Casey Barnes is only interested in one thing – human connection!

When the world was thrown a curve ball in 2020, Aussie artists had two options; hunker down and wait out the storm, or push forward into the unknown. For Gold Coast country star Casey Barnes, walking into the eye of the storm was the hardest decision he’s ever had to make, but now it’s paying off in spades, with massive commercial radio success, multiple number one hits and one of the only country artists to achieve mainstream success in Australia in 2021!

Following on from the release of several successful singles over the past twelve months, including the #1 smash “God Took His Time On You” and 2021’s most played country radio song “Come Turn Me On”, the Gold Coast based country music icon has today unveiled “Get To Know Ya”, the lead track from his forthcoming album “Light It Up “, landing on Friday 25 February, 2022.

Written from various lockdowns over the course of 18 months, via a series of zoom calls with producers MSquared (Michael Delozrenzis and Michael Paynter) and Nashville based singer/songwriters Kaci Brown and Sam Gray, “Get To Know Ya” is yet another addition to Casey’s ever growing catalog of hook-laden, arena-sized anthems.

“We’ve all had our fair share of lockdowns and isolation over the last two years and we’re finally enjoying the luxury of being able to get out and about again and reconnect”. Said Casey Barnes of the new track.

“That’s what this single is all about… that instant connection when you lay eyes on someone for the first time. The nervous feeling about getting to know them and hoping they feel the same way because in your eyes, they’re that one in a million. This single is one of my favorite songs on the album and I’m so excited to finally get it out there!”

Where previous singles highlighted Casey Barnes ability to produce everything from slow, melodic ballads to fast paced, raucous country rock, new single “Get To Know Ya” is a masterclass in seamlessly blending earworm-worthy pop hooks, classic country instrumentation and stadium ready sounds. It’s another fan favorite from Casey’s liveshow, finally ready to add to an already massive collection of beloved anthemic pop-country tracks which have helped cement Casey Barnes as one of the most important figures in Australia’s rapidly growing country music market.

To celebrate the launch of his new single, as well as the release of brand-new album “Light It Up” on Friday 25 February, Casey will also be hitting the road from late February until August, performing more than twenty shows around the country, including a special show where it all started;w Forth, Tasmania.

“When I was six years old, I’ll never forget my very first gig. It was Johnny Cash, supported by John Williamson in my hometown of Launceston in Tasmania.”

I just remember being completely captivated by the performance and thinking ‘one day I’d love to do this too’. Several years later that thought became a reality when I was invited to jump up on stage and perform for the very first time at the Forth Pub with the band, and the rest as they say is history. It was only recently that my Mum dug up a bunch of old photos and one of those was a pic of me up on stage as a very green and nervous 15-year-old. That venue has always held a very special place in my heart, so it had to be the first spot on the tour and fittingly it sold out in record time.”

A lot has happened since Casey first performed on stage at the Forth Pub in Tasmania.

He’s gone on to play shows all over the world, opening for acts like Bryan Adams, Mariah Carey, Lady Antebellum to name a few and performing at major events including Savannah In The Round, CMC Rocks, Tamworth Country Music Festival, BluesFest and more!

Five number one singles on the country charts; eight Golden Guitar nominations, including New Talent, Album of the Year and Male Artist of the Year; and a swag of other awards action – nominations for Best Country Album at the ARIA Awards, Best Independent Country Album at the AIR Awards, and Most Performed Country Work (‘A Little More’) at the APRA Awards.

Casey was awarded Artist of the Year at the Gold Coast Music Awards in 2020 and 2021. Adding to this, he received the People’s Choice Award for best live act at the Groundwater Country Music Festival, a nod to his powerful live show and ability to connect with his audiences. Casey’s songs have collectively been streamed more than 28 million times, making him one of the most streamed Australian country artists of all time.

Casey’s 2020 album, “Town of A Million Dreams”, cemented his place in the Australian music scene, topping the country charts and spending over 75 weeks on the ARIA Australian Country Album chart to date.

2022 is set to be the breakout year for Bryce Sainty and it all begins with the the summer smash ‘This Summer’s The One’. This new release is perfect for the summer airwaves, and will instantly become the soundtrack for the season.

Teaming up with Phil Barton and Melanie Dyer to co-write ‘This Summer’s The One’, is the second track from the forthcoming EP due in early 2022.

“I am so excited to share everything I have been working on. For a long time I have been releasing single after single working on my sound and direction and with the latest songs (‘Just Chillin’ and ‘This Summer’s The One’) I really feel like I have found a happy place with my music. I can’t wait to share this song and the EP with the world.”

Bryce has been taking the contemporary country world by storm with over 2 million streams and named an “artist to watch” by Spotify. With his is EP set to drop in early 2022, and beginning the year performing with icons Andrew Farris (INXS), Tim Freedman (The Whitlams) and Rod McCormack as part of a songwriters showcase at the Tamworth Country Music Festival , 2022 promises to be a prosperous year for Bryce.

Achievements To Date

2021 Release ‘Just Chillin”- Featured on Mainstream playlists including New Music Friday 2021 Surpassed 2,000,000 streams
2020 On The Weekend – #11 on The Music Network Country Chart
2020 Named “Artist To Watch” by Spotify
2020 Released “Do You Remember” – 400,000 Streams
2019 The Music Network Top 50 Country Chart – KIX FM Top 5 – “Never Going Back”
2019 Released “Never Going Back”, “Table For Two” and “Goodbye” – over 700,000 streams. 2018 Released “Eleven Eleven” and “Something I Want” – Top Radio Singles
2017 Nomination for CMC Award – Best New Artist
2016 Released single “STATUS” – #2 on iTunes
2014 Star Maker Top 10 Finalist
2013 Released Debut EP – Top 5 on iTunes
2013 Performed and Featured on Channel 10 tv show – What’s Up Down Under
2012 Released Debut Single “Message In A Bottle” – Top 10 on iTunes – Top 50 CMC
2012 Graduated the CMAA Academy of Country Music
2011 Winner – TodaysCountry94one Brand New Star Competition

The first offering from The Pleasures (Catherine Britt and Lachlan Bryan’s new outfit) is “The Beginning of the End”. Americana twang meets dirty rock n roll on this sassy single with its themes of mischief and recklessness – the perfect antidote for these austere times. Britt and Bryan’s perfectly matched vocals holler over a stomping, swaggering band, leaving us in no doubt that The Pleasures have come out swinging!

A 70s-psychedelia inspired music video accompanies the single, and it’s filled with the energy and intensity you can expect at The Pleasures’ upcoming live shows.

While Catherine and Lachlan already have established careers, this collaboration which began with a late-night sms exchange, quickly ascended into a feverish fortnight of writing and recording. The project represents a significant stylistic shift for both artists. Their debut album is already in the can and is set for release later in 2022.

“Lachlan and I have always clicked in life and in song” explains Catherine, “and we’ve always had an unspoken understanding and respect for one another. These songs came so easy – they flowed out of us like a raging stream. I just want more honest, real music in the world, and I couldn’t think of a better person to make it with!”

“I don’t think know anyone else who feels and understands country music the way Catherine does”, says Lachlan. “She sounds authentic because she is authentic. When she opens her mouth and sings you can hear the neon lights buzzing, you can taste the tequila and you can barely see for the cloud of smoke. It’s all that stuff that people try and fake – they try and put in on – but it’s like she was just born with it”.

“The Beginning of the End” is out January 21 2022 through Beverley Hillbilly Records/MGM Distribution

Jason Owen jumps straight into 2022 with a brand new single titled ‘Sing Australia’ , showcasing his powerhouse vocals, and shining a spotlight on our incredible country, Australia, its people, and true Aussie spirit.

Jason is now one of Australia’s most popular country artists, having entertained audiences around the country including the Tamworth Country Music Festival, CMC Rocks the Hunter, the ACE Awards and the Sony Foundation’s Wharf4Ward event raising funds for youth cancer care.

Bursting onto the Australian music scene in 2012 as runner-up of X-Factor, Jason Owen is one of Australia’s most popular young country music stars. Jason’s debut album ‘Life Is A Highway’ reached number one on the ARIA Country Chart and number five on the Australian Top 20 All Genre ARIA Chart. He has since released ‘Friday Night’ featuring his first original hit ‘Damn Right’; ‘Proud’, his first all-originals album celebrating his First Nations background; ‘Jason Owen Sings John Denver: The 20th Anniversary’; and ‘Jason Owen Sings John Denver: The Acoustic Sessions’ which debuted at Number one on the ARIA Country Music Charts. He has been nominated for five major music awards including Golden Guitars and CMC Awards.

Having grown up in the tiny town of Albert, NSW, as the only child in a town of just twelve people, in 2019 Jason founded his own charity, Doin’ It For Rural Aussie Kids, supporting regional and isolated children. “Doin It for Rural Aussie Kids was established in 2019 to help rural and isolated children affected by issues such as bushfires, drought, floods, COVID-19 fallout, and economic impacts” Jason said. “Each year we embark on a road trip across multiple states to hand deliver toys, groceries, and funds to kids whose families have been doing it tough”.

For his efforts he won the prestigious 2021 NSW/ACT Young Achiever Award for Community Service and the People’s Choice Award, and was also the most nominated entrant in the 2021 competition.

Jason has also participated in numerous appeals including Telethon Drought, Telethon Children’s Hospital, Cancer Golf Day, Kids Cancer Golf Day, donated two show profits to Burrumbuttock Hay Runners, donated song profits to Sir Ivan Bushfire Appeal and supported charities and businesses in towns toured.

Coming fresh off their recent hit Where Is The Love, Key Loch are bringing us another passionate single! Come Home To Me is a worthy successor to their emotional last single, and the beautiful tones of Avery May Parker’s voice combined with the smooth drums and gentle guitar will make you feel right at home.

Key Loch are Damien Reilly and Justin Gross. They are the founders of the 90’s power Aussie Rock Band Southpaw, which you can learn more about at www.southpawmuzik.com. They bring together a production history between them of 50 years of song writing and playing live music in Australia. And this time, the duo are featuring a third member to their killer ensemble, that being Avery May Parker! A sweet and soulful performance in every lyric, Avery’s voice and Key Loch’s expert playing guarantee that every time you listen to Come Home To Me, it’ll hit you right where it counts.

This track is an emotional story about a husband that has been sent off to war, with his wife pining for his return. “Come home to me”, come back alive, come back safe. It’s a heartfelt scenario that cuts deep and pulls no punches. Avery once again knocked it out of the park with her vocals, and alongside Damien and Justin’s incredible production, we think this one is bound to be a massive hit!

The cozy chord progressions and delicate lyrics will transport you homely times, to nostalgic times you once fondly lived through, and to happy times that are yet to come, or perhaps never will come and are bound to your imagination. The future is a mystery, however the passion presented in this song is a constant one that cannot be altered, merely moulded to suit your idyllic preference. Key Loch are making a name for themselves in the music world with hits like this, and it’s only a matter of time before that name becomes a household one!

Music is the great communicator that can conjure up every emotion. It can make you laugh, cry, or take you right back to a certain time and place with just a melody or lyric. From the teenager who is losing herself in a song to escape a bad situation at home, to the guy who is strumming his guitar trying to get a girl to take notice of him, The Viper Creek Band’s new single ‘The Power of Music’ is bound to strike a chord in us all.

“It can make a blind man see, make a sinner sing hallelujah”.

Since early 2011, The Viper Creek Band have been delivering an exciting new sound to Australian country music.

2014 seen the release of their debut album, ‘Kickin’ Up Dust’, which claimed the number two spot on the ARIA Australian Country Album Chart.

Their nominations for Group Or Duo Of The Year in 2015, 2016, 2017, and the coveted Oz Artist Of The Year in 2016 through the fan voted Country Music Channel Awards, leaves little doubt The Viper Creek Band have a well-established, loyal following.

In 2016, the band released their highly anticipated second album, ‘Just Press Play’, which Country Update Magazine referred to as “The soundtrack to the best night out, of the best summer, of your life”. The album debuted in the ARIA top five and spawned four top ten singles.

In 2018, vocalist Damien Baguley joined Adam Brand on his record breaking ‘Milestones Tour’. He also won a Country Music Channel Award with his side project Tailgate Drive, with Troy Kemp.

The album ‘Beautiful Destruction’ was released in early 2019 and includes the number one single ‘Green Light’ and fan favourite track, ‘Australian Girls’. The album debuted at number one on the ARIA Australian Country Album Chart.

The Viper Creek Band were finalists in Group Or Duo Of The Year at the 2020 Golden Guitars.

‘People Drinkin’ Beer’ and the brand new single, ‘The Power Of Music’, are the first of a bunch of new tracks to be released as the band celebrate ten years of making music.

‘A Bit More Aussie’ is a fun, up-tempo song for people who love Australia, filled with kangaroos, meat pies, kids running through sprinklers, outback sunsets, old Akubra hats and a Holden ute held together with fencing wire and a prayer. ‘A Bit More Aussie Fun’ is this summer’s feel-good song, with an infectious sing along chorus that every Aussie can relate to.

Benn Gunn plays his own brand of hard rocking music he calls ‘Aussie Heartland Rock’. It’s music from a true blue Aussie battler, for true blue Aussie battlers, with its roots in pub and country rock. If you love Australia, you’ll love Benn Gunn.

Benn spent his childhood travelling, like many great countrymen before him. From Dubbo to Forbes, and down to Bowral, his formative years brought long journeys, dusty plains and heartfelt music. For as long as he can remember, Ben has been preforming. As a young boy, he wanted nothing more than to sing and play guitar like heroes, Garth Brooks, Jimmy Barnes and John Foggerty.

“I had to teach myself to play right handed cause I could not find a left handed guitar!” Benn states. But for a kid on the road, learning to play didn’t come easy. Self-taught from a young age, it came down to personal commitment. Carving up his own style of Aussie heartland rock, entertaining became where Benn felt the most at home.

From humble beginnings, Benn has carved out his own niche place in the Australian music industry. With a swag of nominations and awards, and a long list of charting singles, including two #1 hits, he is seasoned as both an in demand live act and as a recording artist.

His awards include Best New Talent in the 2011 Australian Independent Country Music Awards, Best New Artist in the National Category of the Victorian Country Music Awards and the 2014 MO Award for Slim Dusty Country Act of the Year.

After the success of Benn’s debut album, with four charting singles, Benn launched his second album with American hit songwriter Jason Patrick Mathews and highly acclaimed producer Bart Busch. The first single ‘Girls Like Guys With Trucks’ reached #1 on the National Country Radio Singles Chart and created an amazing buzz within the industry.

The title track off his third album ‘Only In Australia’ hit #1 just a few weeks after release and then went on to break a record for the longest run in the Country Radio Singles Chart. Benn credits the success of the song to the huge number of DJs who continued to play ‘Only In Australia’ month after month. He says “It’s the DJs who support Aussie home grown music and the loyal fans who come to shows who keep our local music industry alive.”

Benn has developed a huge following on social media, with his viral Facebook videos amassing millions of views.

A multiple JUNO & CCMA Award winning entertainer, Dallas Smith is one of the most celebrated artists in Canadian Country music history, amassing 18 Canadian gold-certified single, 3 Canadian gold-certified albums, and 4 Canadian platinum-certified singles, including “Timeless”, “Drop”, and ” Trippin’ Point & Wastin Gas”.

Smith is the first and only Canadian Country artist to have 11 #1 singles , and the first to have 22 consecutive Top 10 singles. He has received 35 CCMA Award Nominations, and 11 CCMA wins, along with 5 Juno Award Nominations and 2 JUNO wins. His CCMA Award wins include, Album of The Year, Male Artist of The Year, Single of The Year, and he is reigning CCMA Entertainer of the year, two years running.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Dallas to premiere his new single “Hide From A Broken Heart” exclusively on the 2021 CCMA Awards (11/29

• 2022 National headlining tour to be announced 11/22, in tandem with “Hide From A Broken Heart” single announce + pre-add/pre-save launch.

• 11 career country #1 singles and half a BILLION combined streams to date

• 5 CCMA Nominations (2021), including: Entertainer of the Year, Single of the Year, Fan’s

Choice, Album of the Year & Male Artist of the Year.

• 35 career CCNA Nominations and 11 CCMA wins, including: Entertainer of the Year (2020/2019), Top Selling Country Album (2020/2017), Male Artist of the Year (2019), Album of the Year (2017), and Single of the Year (2017).

• 5 JUNO Award Nominations & 2 JUNO Award wins, including the award for JUNO Country Album of the Year (Lifted).

• 3 Gold albums, 1B Gold singles and 4 Platinum singles (Music Canada)

• Dallas co-hosted the 2019 Canadian Country Music Awards with Billy Ray Cyrus.

• #1 Most Played solo Canadian Country artist of 2020 (MediaBase)

• The only Canadian Artist to have 22 consecutive Top 10 singles

• The most #1 songs by a Canadian Country artist ever, in the NielsenBDS era, surpassing Shania Twain.

• Past festival tour dates include Faster Horses, Watershed, Big Valley Jamboree, Country Thunder, Boots & Hearts, Calgary Stampede, Cavendish Music Fest

• Most recent headlining tour was “Friends Don’t Let Friends Tour Alone” (Fall 2019) with Dean Brody and MacKenzie Porter.

• 500,000 concert tickets sold as a country artist.

• Smith is the creator of the charitable organization, Lifted, which is a non-profit committed to ensuring mental health services are accessible to anyone in need.

SARA STORER AND JAMES BLUNDELL COLLABORATE FOR THE FIRST TIME ON A REMARKABLE NEW SONG

Today marks a very special release of a new single Sweet Dreams Way Out West from Sara Storer and James Blundell.

Written by Storer, the song title is a combination of two titles that will be familiar to fans. Says Storer of the inspiration behind the song, “Like me, James has a love of Australia, its characters and places. So, as I was preparing for when James and I team up to share the stage in Tamworth next year, I thought let’s give the audience a new song and let’s release it as a duet. The idea sounded great…now to write a song! After a few failed attempts I tried combining a song title from both our back catalogues. How would ‘Sweet Dreams Way Out West’ sound? It sounded like a good love song to me, and away my imagination went.”

It is remarkable to think, but this is the first time Storer and Blundell have collaborated on a song together. “I have been a fan of Sara’s since her debut album, Chasing Buffalo,” says Blundell. “She is one of our greatest songwriters. I love the fact that she is authentic and sings in her own voice. Through the years I have often thought about writing or recording with Sara so when she contacted me with her idea for a song I was on board straight away. I love the song with its romantic theme and infectious melody, and I am really looking forward to performing it on stage with her.”

Storer and Blundell are putting on a concert at the Tamworth Country Music Festival in January under the title of Sweet Dreams Way Out West celebrating the iconic songs of both award-winning artists. More tour dates are being planned for March-April 2022.

Further information about Sara Storer

Well known for her ability to tell an authentic story with the landscape and characters of Australia as inspiration, Sara has penned and recorded some of country music’s most loved and enduring songs. Tracks such as Buffalo Bill, Back Outback, Man Trap, Raining on the Plains, Beautiful Circle, Sweet Dreams, Come On Rain, and Raindance have kept audiences flocking to Sara’s shows for more than 20 years.

Further information about James Blundell

Although it was the hit single Way Out West that bought James to national prominence, it’s his amazing catalogue of original compositions that best tells the story of his musical journey since the release of his self-titled debut album in 1989. A prolific songwriter, James has released 14 albums during his career to date with hits and album favourites that include Kimberley Moon, The Blue Heeler, Hand It Down, This Road, Rain on a Tin Roof, Mysterious Ways, Ring Around The Moon and so many more. Acknowledged by many as the artist who single-handedly shaped modern Australian country music, James is more relevant today than ever.

A redefined version of the late Reg Lindsay’s classic 1978 Golden Guitar winning song for Male Artist of the Year, ‘Silence On The Line’ takes the version that Reg recorded, and more than three decades later, presents a superb collaboration of the original. New production and technical wizardry adds Jodie Crosby’s vocal as the long-suffering wife answering the phone call from her rodeoing husband, and offers something different for fans of both artists.

Reg Lindsay OAM

At the age of 21, Reg won the Tim McNamara Talent Quest in Sydney NSW, with the first prize bring a recording contract with the Rodeo Label. In 1955 Reg was invited on tour with Canadian singer Wilf Carter, before touring with his own show, including radio and recordings.

In 1965, Reg hosted the Country & Western Hour in Adelaide. A couple of years later, in 1968, he made his first trip to Nashville where he performed at the Grand Ole Opry, where he was presented with an Honorary Citizenship of Tennessee. His biggest hit was ‘Armstrong’ written by John Stewart. A film clip of the song is in the time capsule at the Johnson Space Centre in Houston.

In 1977 Reg hosted Country Homestead in Brisbane and continued touring, recording and doing his radio shows whilst traveling to the US promoting Australia while touring the States. He was a multi award winning artist, with gold and silver records, Logies, Golden Guitars, and many other citations.

Reg Lindsay was an international entertainer, recognised by CMA Nashville for continuous outstanding contribution to the Country Music Industry. Sadly, Reg passed away on August 5th 2008.

Jodie Crosby

Jodie Crosby is one half of the Golden Guitar winning and inaugural CMAA Independent Entertainers Of The Year, The Crosby Sisters. Jodie has also notched up a career as a solo artist, including #1 releases in both Australia and Europe.

The Crosby Sisters appeared as support acts for the likes of Charley Pride, Dr Hook and almost every big Australian star, and were the last independent act to tour with the Slim Dusty Show.

A long-time fan of Reg Lindsay, and having appeared on a number of shows with him in the past, Jodie jumped at the chance to be involved in the ‘Silence On The Line’ project. Her voice and tonality are the perfect match for Reg’s voice as the pair give new life to this classic country song.

Nashville based, Alabamian country artist Jackson Capps released his angsty yet nostalgic breakup song, “LAX” on August 6 2021, with his Australian Radio Premiere the same day.

That feeling of a first-love-lost is explored in “LAX” as it paints the picture of a long anticipated departure from LA after a bittersweet breakup. While country sensibilities are clearly evident with Capps’ classic tone, fiddle and slide guitar, “LAX” also channels the sounds of America with influences of Bruce Springsteen meets Ryan Adams, and melancholy Don Henley vibes.

“LAX” was co-written by Capps, Alex Tomlins and J.W. Faria, co-produced by Capps, Alex Tomlins and Jed Smith, performed by Capps’ Nashville live band, mixed by GRAMMY-award winner Brandon Bell, and mastered by Daniel Bacigalupi of Infrasonic Studios.

While many artists have been inspired by country music from a young age, Capps additionally had an once-in-a-lifetime experience at the age of 12 when Marty Stuart invited Capps on the Grand Ole Opry stage to perform with him. Determined to pursue his dream, he graduated high-school early to relocate to Nashville and has spent the last 3 years consistently writing and honing his live performance skills, performing 4-5 times a week with his six-piece band. In 2020 Capps released two singles with “Yesterday’s Makeup” charting at #83 on the Australian iTunes Country Charts.

Jackson’s single, “LAX” is now available to stream or download on all platforms.

Coming fresh off their recent hit Where Is The Love, Key Loch are bringing us another passionate single! Come Home To Me is a worthy successor to their emotional last single, and the beautiful tones of Avery May Parker’s voice combined with the smooth drums and gentle guitar will make you feel right at home.

Key Loch are Damien Reilly and Justin Gross. They are the founders of the 90’s power Aussie Rock Band Southpaw, which you can learn more about at www.southpawmuzik.com . They bring together a production history between them of 50 years of song writing and playing live music in Australia. And this time, the duo are featuring a third member to their killer ensemble, that being Avery May Parker! A sweet and soulful performance in every lyric, Avery’s voice and Key Loch’s expert playing guarantee that every time you listen to Come Home To Me, it’ll hit you right where it counts.

This track is an emotional story about a husband that has been sent off to war, with his wife pining for his return. “Come home to me”, come back alive, come back safe. It’s a heartfelt scenario that cuts deep and pulls no punches. Avery once again knocked it out of the park with her vocals, and alongside Damien and Justin’s incredible production, we think this one is bound to be a massive hit!

The cozy chord progressions and delicate lyrics will transport you homely times, to nostalgic times you once fondly lived through, and to happy times that are yet to come, or perhaps never will come and are bound to your imagination. The future is a mystery, however the passion presented in this song is a constant, one that cannot be altered, merely moulded to suit your idyllic preference. Key Loch are making a name for themselves in the music world with hits like this, and it’s only a matter of time before that name becomes a household one!

Aimee Hannan’s new single ‘Brighter Side’ was co-written with nine-time Golden Guitar winner Lyn Bowtell. Aimee has drawn upon her own life experiences to deliver the essence of the song as well as her observations of the world around her during the current pandemic. Life has been difficult for many, with people experiencing mental health issues, missing family, and all of the associated problems we have been sharing.

Now is the time we can look on the ‘Brighter Side’ with this bubbly upbeat song speaking of letting go of the negative and enjoying the positive things in life. Produced by Rod Motbey at his Tracking Dog Studios, Aimee will have you singing and dancing along with her as she heads into this celebration of life.

Aimee found her love of country music at age ten, joining the local country music club. She was soon selected to open Lee Kernaghan’s Hat Town tour in Queensland. Aimee then travelled the countryside competing in many festivals throughout Queensland and NSW with great success, as well as graduating from both the Junior and Senior programs at the CMAA Academy of Country Music.

Singing is a major part of Aimee’s life however it became increasingly difficult to perform as she was struggling with a rare medical condition that was causing her heart to fail, and it became necessary for Aimee to have her leg amputated. Staying true to herself, Aimee was back on stage months later performing from her wheelchair until her prosthetic was made. Nothing could stop her.

After competing in Today’s Country Brand New Star competition, she connected with fellow artists Gina Jeffreys and Max Jackson and with their help co-wrote a collection of songs, some of which Aimee recorded on her debut album ‘Stronger’, recorded at Hillbilly Hut Studios with Simon Johnson.

A multiple JUNO & CCMA Award winning entertainer, Dallas Smith is one of the most celebrated artists in Canadian Country music history, amassing 18 Canadian gold-certified single, 3 Canadian gold-certified albums, and 4 Canadian platinum-certified singles, including “Timeless”, “Drop”, and ” Trippin’ Point & Wastin Gas”.

Smith is the first and only Canadian Country artist to have 11 #1 singles , and the first to have 22 consecutive Top 10 singles. He has received 35 CCMA Award Nominations, and 11 CCMA wins, along with 5 Juno Award Nominations and 2 JUNO wins. His CCMA Award wins include, Album of The Year, Male Artist of The Year, Single of The Year, and he is reigning CCMA Entertainer of the year, two years running.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Dallas to premiere his new single “Hide From A Broken Heart” exclusively on the 2021 CCMA Awards (11/29

• 2022 National headlining tour to be announced 11/22, in tandem with “Hide From A Broken Heart” single announce + pre-add/pre-save launch.

• 11 career country #1 singles and half a BILLION combined streams to date

• 5 CCMA Nominations (2021), including: Entertainer of the Year, Single of the Year, Fan’s

Choice, Album of the Year & Male Artist of the Year.

• 35 career CCNA Nominations and 11 CCMA wins, including: Entertainer of the Year (2020/2019), Top Selling Country Album (2020/2017), Male Artist of the Year (2019), Album of the Year (2017), and Single of the Year (2017).

• 5 JUNO Award Nominations & 2 JUNO Award wins, including the award for JUNO Country Album of the Year (Lifted).

• 3 Gold albums, 1B Gold singles and 4 Platinum singles (Music Canada)

• Dallas co-hosted the 2019 Canadian Country Music Awards with Billy Ray Cyrus.

• #1 Most Played solo Canadian Country artist of 2020 (MediaBase)

• The only Canadian Artist to have 22 consecutive Top 10 singles

• The most #1 songs by a Canadian Country artist ever, in the NielsenBDS era, surpassing Shania Twain.

• Past festival tour dates include Faster Horses, Watershed, Big Valley Jamboree, Country Thunder, Boots & Hearts, Calgary Stampede, Cavendish Music Fest

• Most recent headlining tour was “Friends Don’t Let Friends Tour Alone” (Fall 2019) with Dean Brody and MacKenzie Porter.

• 500,000 concert tickets sold as a country artist.

• Smith is the creator of the charitable organization, Lifted, which is a non-profit committed to ensuring mental health services are accessible to anyone in need.

Sharing music from the release of his debut country solo album at the Tamworth Country Music Festival, Andrew Farriss now has lots more to celebrate with a nomination in the 2022 Golden Guitar awards for Heritage Song Of The Year. The track that earned the nomination, the gun-slinging “With The Kelly Gang” paints a vivid picture of Australian history.

Releasing “With The Kelly Gang” to radio in the lead-up to the 2022 Tamworth Country Music Festival, the song is an important part of the new musical direction that Andrew is heading in. When he was writing and recording his self-titled solo album, he knew from the start that he wanted to tell the story of an Australian outlaw, to bring the album full circle from its tales of international cultural spirituality, back to home.

Andrew said “The legend of the Ned Kelly and his gang has fascinated generations I’ve always been interested in Australia’s history, and I’ve since learned both sides of the Ned Kelly Story. This song captures a moment of Australian culture that felt right with the outlaw theme of my album, and I really enjoyed writing it with Mark and Jay O’shea”.

Andrew specifically chose to keep the instrumentation in the song ‘old-school’, using acoustic instruments, Irish flute, harmonica and mandolin, instead of loops, samples and drum machines, to enhance the historic feel of the track. The result is a song that centers the listener in a place and time, contemplating another side of an infamous outlaw.

With even more energy than before, Brock Colley is back with his brand new single ‘Rush’. With rock and roll ganjos creating vibey hooks and huge sounding choruses, ‘Rush’ sets the scene for couples that have true passion for one another. High energy, high passion and high excitement.

Armed with his new single ‘Rush’ and an upcoming EP, Brock Colley is back and ready to hit the road again. Following on from his early 2021 charting single ‘No Mascara’, Brock has brought an even more energetic approach to his latest creation. In between writing for other artists and juggling the touring world, he is still finding time to delve deeper into his own recording career and sound.

In his own words, 2022 is going to be a year that is more festival and tour focused, and Brock’s love for being around people will be at the forefront of what this next season entails.

“Love your neighbour as yourself” is easier said than done. Steve Cheers has worked in many helping environments over the years with people whose stated goal was to live up to these lofty ideals. Consequently, he has reflected on them a lot, because they’ve always seemed difficult to live up to in reality. Still, Steve has known some truly wonderful, selfless people who have come close. Being nice to those we like is easy, but doing the same for people who rub us the wrong way, not so easy. The people who can are amongst those we should respect the most.

Steve Cheers hails from the NSW Southern Highlands, where he worked in and on the regions entertainment industry for 25 years. Apart from releasing and performing his own music and that of his former band ‘Cowpoke’, he has also worked as an artist manager, promoter, theatrical actor producer and director, and with his wife Geralyn runs the local Music Centre which has educated many thousands of students over the years.

Entertainment has run in the bloodlines of Steve’s family for generations, and continues with members of his own family engaging in music teaching, composing and performers and other artistic endeavors.

Rising country artist, Hudson Rose makes a welcome return in late 2021, offering a brand new single ‘Drivin’ To You’. Co-written and produced by Michael Paynter and Michael Delorenzis, from the famed MSquared Team, this confident country pop track with an outlaw vibe, displays infectious and energetic hooks and a strong kick throughout the song.

Torn between what you know you should do and what you’re pulled towards? ‘Driving To You’ is about exactly this, trying to stop yourself from getting in the car to go somewhere you know you shouldn’t go and the inner struggles that go with that – in this case it’s being drawn to the classic ‘bad boy’.

“The idea for this song came from a short video I saw where a girl said the only thing that could stop her from going to see a guy was having a drink, because then she can’t drive. I could relate to this as we all have things, we know we shouldn’t do or places we shouldn’t go, but for some reason we are drawn to still do it. I developed the idea lyrically, put a strum pattern to it and presented it as an idea to Michael Paynter and Michael Delorenzis from MSquared. Working with MSquared was a great experience and definitely a relationship that I would like to pursue in the future”.

Hudson is continuously discovering ways to reinvent herself, and with each release showcases a different side to her personality, always delivering a confident message. Previous hits ‘Never See Me Cry’ (2020) and ‘One More Kiss’ (2021) both received chart success and solid airplay with high rotation adds on major stations KIX Country, Triple M Country, ABC Country and Australian Country Radio as well as Spotify and Apple Music playlist additions and music clips added to CMT Australia. 2021 also saw Hudson win the Maureen Wagner Memorial Award for Most Promising Young Artist in Australian Country Music and was included on the line-up in the inaugural Road to Roma Country Music Festival in March.

Hailing from NSW’s mid north coast, Hudson Rose has captivated audiences in her local area and went on to impress judges at the 2018 Tamworth Country Music Festival’s busking competition, where she was chosen out of hundreds to perform on the festival’s main stage as part of their Top 10. She returned the following year, to perform across various venues, gained a supporting spot with Homegrown and has continued to perform in her local area before the Covid19 pandemic forced the music industry to shut down. As the country now opens up and the live music scene comes back to life, Hudson is looking forward to Tamworth Country Music Festival and the new year ahead.

There is something distinctly refreshing about Hudson Rose’s gift of storytelling. Together with a vibrant, down to earth personality, unquestionable star quality and at just 19 years of age, Hudson Rose in an impressive new voice on the country music scene in Australia and one to watch as her story unfolds.

Adam Brand bounces back into the spotlight today with the release of his glorious new single ‘Still the One’. Through his heartfelt and engaging lyrics, Adam delivers an irresistible reflection on sustaining connection in the face of adversity.

Across more than two decades in music, soulful country songsmith Adam Brand has made a close study of love in its every facet.

“These two people have been through a crazy, difficult time”, Adam says of the couple at the heart of “Still the One”, “just like every relationship does. Just like we, as a country and world, are going through right now. But no matter what happened in the past or what will happen, they’re saying, you’re still the one. We’ll stick together through thick and thin.”

It’s a timely message of hope, confirming Adam’s gift for unearthing those shared experiences that bind people from all walks of life together: from connecting over the wobbly table at a café to weathering the pang of physical separation.

“Even though it’s a love song between two people, there are so many relationships that are under duress at the moment,” Adam reflects. “There’s a lot of separation in the world because of borders. I hope everyone has somebody they can look in the eye and say, whatever happens, no matter what comes our way, we’re sticking through this.”

Combining irresistible pop production, a dancefloor-ready beat, and Adam’s own earthy brand of heartland country soul, “Still the One” finds Adam exploring new vistas in sound.

Since bursting onto the scene with his celebrated self-titled debut album in 1998, Adam Brand has taken home 12 CMAA Golden Guitar Awards and netted 6 ARIA Award nominations. Across 15 studio albums, Adam has celebrated three platinum and five gold album certifications. Confirming Adam’s incomparable power as a fan favourite performer Australia wide, the world-beating artist has taken out seven CMC Oz Artist of the Year Awards – more than any other artist in the awards’ history.

Starting with the high-octane “Built for Speed” in 2002, Adam has enjoyed an unbroken string of No.1-charting ARIA Country Albums. 2020’s “Speed of Life” took out the No.6 spot on the overall ARIA Albums Chart, marking Adam’s sixth studio album to make the Top

10. As dozens of No.1 hit singles confirm, Adam ranks among the most successful Australian artists of all time.

A heartfelt love song for troubled times, “Still the One” is Adam Brand at his insightful, articulate best. It’s a healing balm, and a joyous celebration of constancy and resilience.

The singer-songwriter has always been blessed with ample helpings of the perfect combination of beach and bush in Port Macquarie to inspire his musical output and the new single is the perfect summer ode to home.

“Hometown is inspired by my time living in Sydney and that feeling of excitement and longing to get on the road back home,” said Chris Rose. “It talks about all my favourite things. Parties on the sand with my mates, summer nights in late December, surfing, camping and more. Although it’s an upbeat/uplifting track, there’s a little nostalgic sadness buried in there.”

It’s the perfect time for nostalgia, especially with borders opening and Australians getting to visit home or see loved ones, many for the first time in over a year. Rose’s love for his home will be mirrored across the country’s highways and airports right around Australia this holiday season and this track will become the anthem we didn’t expect to need in 2021.

Despite being a relative newcomer to country radio, Chris has been a stalwart of the live music scene, getting his break as part of the TDP (Talent Development Program) which has helped shape the early careers of artists including Morgan Evans, Brad Cox and Tom Jordan (Seaforth). He supported some of Aussie music’s most iconic artists like The McClymonths, Black Sorrows and Daryl Braithwaite and is now stepping out to do his own shows, including his ‘Hometown’ launch party on December 3 at ‘Hello Sailor’, Port Macquarie.

Mercury Nashville rising star Priscilla Block has released her latest song ‘Peaked In High School’ for all of those who feel more grateful the school years are over than thanks for the good time. Written by Block with Sarah Jones, Josh Beale and Kate Hasting, Block taps into her high school years, feeling on the outside and coming to grips with friends who turned “too cool” – but Block executes the song with her playful, signature wink.

“I was the girl that had no interest in doing things how everybody else did them,” Block shares with PEOPLE. “This song kinda just goes out to anybody that that’s ever made me feel not enough. And to any young people out there, people tell you that high school will be some of the best years of your life. I am living proof that it is not. I wish I knew that back in the day. I would have saved so many fricking tears.”

Known for her relatable, candid lyrics, Block continues to prove to that her best years are still ahead. She released her self-titled major label debut earlier this year and is currently one of CMT’s Next Women of Country, is November’s Opry NextStage featured artist, has her smash single ‘Just About Over You’ climbing US country radio airplay charts, and earned critical praise including American Songwriter which notes, “Priscilla’s songs emanate authenticity, making others feel they have a place at the table, and someone new to relate to.” Block has toured with Ashley McBryde, Dierks Bentley, Jon Pardi and more.

About Priscilla Block

Country artist Priscilla Block draws listeners in with her unfiltered, relatable songwriting and catchy melodies. Pegged as a 2021 Artist to Watch by Amazon Music, PANDORA, Spotify, CMT, The Boot, MusicRow, HITS, Sounds Like Nashville, Country Now, Music Mayhem and more, Priscilla’s honest and upfront approach promotes self-love, empowerment, and acceptance through her own blend of country pop and southern rock, dubbed the Block Party sound.

In early 2020, Priscilla was struggling to make ends meet after losing her job and her apartment. Unable to get out and play in person due to Covid-19, Priscilla began experimenting on TikTok and quickly developed a rabid fanbase with songs like ‘Thick Thighs,’ ‘PMS’ and ‘Just About Over You’. Fans rallied together to independently fund Priscilla’s recording and since its release, ‘Just About Over You’ peaked both the iTunes Country and All-Genre song charts, the song was named one of The New York Times Best Songs of 2020, and it is now Top 20 on US country radio. ‘Just About Over You’ along with ‘Wish You Were the Whiskey’, ‘I Bet You Wanna Know’ and three more originals written by the young star comprise Priscilla’s self-titled major label debut EP released April 30.

Originally from Raleigh, NC, Priscilla moved to Nashville to pursue music shortly after high school. In Nashville, the affable, hardworking, student of life worked multiple jobs to make ends meet, then a chance encounter with her idol – Taylor Swift – was the sign she needed to dive all the way in on her music. Priscilla is a seasoned performer sharing the stage and opening for artists including Dierks Bentley, Jon Pardi, Kelsea Ballerini, Rodney Atkins and more. She is currently on the road with Ashley McBryde.

Multi award winning performer, Darren Coggan and his daughter, seventeen-year-old singer/songwriter Olivia Coggan, collaborate to release a stunning collection of songs celebrating family, hope and home on their debut EP, ‘Dear August’.

The seven songs that feature on the EP are uplifting affirmations of the universal values we all hold true. In the world we live in today, being reminded that life is beautiful and to love one another is a mantra we all need.

The first single and title track of the EP, ‘Dear August’, is a song that will resonate with so many, a prayer for the sun to break through to a new day.

“During the endless months of lockdown throughout 2021, my version of ‘home schooling’ was to record this EP of some of our favourite songs that Olivia and I have naturally gravitated towards over the years. I am incredibly proud of Olivia and what we have captured and I hope that the songs bring joy to the listeners” commented Darren.

“Singing together is something that Dad and I have always done for as long as I can remember. In fact, there is a bonus track on the EP of a recording of Dad and I singing the Kasey Chambers song ‘Dad Do You Remember?’, when I was 8 years old, it’s pretty cute and a nice little time capsule to reflect upon” says Olivia

Olivia Coggan is emerging as a fabulous young singer/songwriter, gathering high praise from some of the music industry’s most respected performers including Kasey Chambers, Felicity Urquhart and Emma Pask. Olivia is currently writing songs for her debut release scheduled for 2022.

Darren Coggan is one of Australia’s most exciting and diverse artists – a masterful storyteller who has carved an impressive career in the Australian country music industry. Darren is equally at home in musicals and on screen, currently presenting the lifestyle TV program Sydney Weekender, but is probably best known for his critically acclaimed portrait of Cat Stevens, which has inspired audiences in the most prestigious theatres around the world, including sold out performances at the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall and Liverpool Philharmonic.

Going Home For Christmas features Johnny Dan on vocals along with world famous musicians Matt Bissonnette (Elton John, David Lee Roth), Gregg Bissonette (Ringo Starr, David Lee Roth), Paul Bushnell (Tim McGraw, Faith Hill), Matt Laug (Alanis Morrisette, Slash), Bob “Boo” Bernstein (Dwight Yoakam, Tanya Tucker) and was mixed by LA legend and Grammy Winner Tom Weir at Studio City Sound and Mastered by Grammy winner Gavin Lurssen.

Kaylee Bell is ecstatic to announce her next single “Living Free”, a collaboration with US superstar Lindsay Ell, will be out from November 5. “Living Free” is an anthemic single about living in the moment.

Living Free was written in Nashville by Bell along with Sam Sumser (produced Lizzo and Keith Urban), Michael Lotten and produced by Grammy nominated Lindsay Rimes and Simon Oscroft (Midnight Youth, Disney USA Producer).

Bell comments, “It was an honour to team up with Lindsay on this track, despite the global pandemic we were still able to work together from opposite sides of the world. This song is message of empowerment, and we can’t wait to play live together! I hope it’s a positive reminder for us all right now to focus on what really matters.”

Following the release of “Living Free”, Bell will also be releasing her next album “SILVER LININGS” on November 26, featuring collaborations with artists such as Lindsay Ell, The McClymonts, Josh Mirenda and more.

Bell was recently selected by Spotify to represent New Zealand Australians artists as the face of EQUAL Global Music Program, profiled on a massive billboard in Times Square New York. Bell’s single “Keith”, written as a tribute to Keith Urban, recently passed 5 million streams on all platforms making Bell the first Australasian artist since Kasey Chambers to pass five million of a song, an amazing achievement for a self-funded and self-managed independent artist.

Bell’s recent single “That Summer” was the most added song to mainstream radio in New Zealand for the month of May and Bell continues to reign as the Most Streamed Female Artist for Australasia.

www.kayleebellmusic.com

Courtney Keil continues her ascendancy as one of the best new talents on the Australian country scene with her latest single ‘Little Heartbreak’. The Melbourne based singer / songwriter has seen her previous three singles ‘Where Does All The Love Go’, ‘Hummingbird’, and ‘I Just Wanna Hold You’ all hit No.1 on the iTunes Country Singles charts, with the latter also peaking at #15 on TMN CountryTown Hot 50 airplay chart and earning a semi-finalist spot in the 2020 International Songwriters Competition.

‘Little Heartbreak’ is a song that adds to the rich, time-honoured tradition of lovelorn breakup songs in Country music. “This song is inspired by the challenges of dating and facing ‘little heartbreaks’. Events build on each other: the ‘what if’s,’ first date failures, falling for someone then being rejected”, Keil says. “Our main focus can be on major losses, long term relationship breakdown, and divorce which can underscore the pain and heartache of an ongoing dating cycle.”

Working with Rod McCormack at his Music Cellar studio on the NSW Central Coast, Keil took inspiration from one of the greats of 90s Country and worked with a few legends to bring the track to fruition. “I had the pleasure of writing this with Gina Jeffreys, Rod McCormack, Sam Gay and Templeton Thompson. We were musically inspired by Lee Ann Womack’s 1997 release ‘Man With 18 Wheels’.”

‘Little Heartbreak’ is a bouncy and upbeat song that cleverly hides the pain within the lyric. As Keil sings “I know paper cuts aren’t deep, they still sting and bleed,” this is a song to be uplifted with, after an emotional knock-down. “I hope this song gives the listener space to process the ‘little heartbreaks’ and to honour the pain that comes with them, even if not as outwardly noticeable as the big breaks!” she says.

Keil is set to kick off 2022 in a big way as part of the ‘Country Girls’ Night Out’ tour playing with Gina Jeffreys and Tania Kernaghan, which commences in January at the 50th Tamworth Country Music Festival. She has also been playing the role of June Carter Cash alongside Daniel Thompson in “Johnny Cash: The Concert” throughout 2021 (pre-lockdown) which will be continuing in 2022.

Courtney Keil is well on her way to making an indelible mark on Australia’s country music landscape. ‘Little Heartbreak’ is the latest in a string of singles that has enchanted the hearts of fans everywhere and is set to find and even bigger audience. She is that rare talent to make sunshine out of rain, and that magic is why she is one of the most remarkable up-and-coming talents in Australia right now.