ZFM Country

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.

River Town Saints, the award-winning Canadian country band, and Kaylee Bell, Australasia’s most streamed female country artist, have joined forces to release their latest single, “Lying in Bed”. This captivating track delves into the profound emotions of feeling distant despite physical proximity, resonating with audiences on both sides of the globe.

The forthcoming music video promises to deepen the connection to this heartfelt song, set to premiere in the coming weeks. With plans to engage both Canadian and Australian markets, the collaboration between River Town Saints and Kaylee Bell marks a milestone in the country music landscape.

“When the idea of collaborating emerged, Kaylee Bell was the natural choice,” shares River Town Saints. “Her remarkable talent and passion for music align perfectly with the essence of ‘Lying in Bed.’ We’re thrilled to have her on board and introduce her to Canadian country music enthusiasts.”

Kaylee Bell’s rise to prominence has been nothing short of remarkable. From winning the CMA for Global Country Artist to topping charts and captivating audiences worldwide, her star continues to ascend. Recognized for her authenticity and powerful vocals, Kaylee Bell brings a dynamic energy to “Lying in Bed” that is sure to leave a lasting impression.

River Town Saints, hailing from Ottawa Valley, have enjoyed a string of successes, including top 10 hits, award nominations , and electrifying performances alongside country music heavyweights. With their infectious energy and unwavering dedication to creating memorable experiences, River Town Saints are poised to leave an indelible mark on the industry.

Following their recent “Spring Fling” headlining tour, River Town Saints are set to grace the stage at the CMA Ontario Awards on June 2 in Mississauga, where they are nominated for Group or Duo of the Year.

About River Town Saints:

River Town Saints, known for their vibrant live shows and chart-topping hits, have garnered widespread acclaim and amassed an impressive following. With accolades including CCMA Award nominations and Canadian Radio Music Award wins, River Town Saints continue to push boundaries and captivate audiences with their signature sound.

About Kaylee Bell:

Kaylee Bell’s journey from New Zealand to Nashville has been marked by milestones, including ARIA Gold certification, chart-topping singles, and prestigious awards. As Australasia’s most streamed female country artist, Kaylee Bell’s impact on the genre is undeniable, earning her a place among the industry’s elite.

“Still Make Cowgirls”, the smouldering, unapologetic new single from award-nominated artist Karli June.

Penned by Karli and award winning songwriter Deric Ruttan (Blake Shelton, Eric Church, Dierks Bentley) and produced by Ruttan, “Still Make Cowgirls” portrays a woman embracing her authentic self, proud of her rustic country roots and announcing to potential suitors that she’s got depth and passion. The lyrics depict a rustic scene with a sawdust floor, swingin’ doors, and a porch swing beneath the twinkling country stars, painting a picture of genuine rural life influenced by Karli’s rural upbringing. The mid-tempo track starts with a slow burn and builds with Karli’s confident twang soaring over classic country elements like pedal steel guitar and B3 organ, but with modern pop-infused flair.

“Still Make Cowgirls” is about unapologetically being a woman who is proud of her country roots. Even if you’re not from the country, this song is for you too – it’s about being a woman who has heart, substance, and passion – which is really what a cowgirl is. Saddle up!!!” says Karli.

Karli June has also been nominated for four 2024 CMA Ontario Award’s including nods for Songwriter(s) of the Year and Music Video of the Year for her single “Feel Like Home” as well as being nominated for Female Artist of the Year and Breakthrough Artist of the Year. Gavin Slate, the producer and co-writer of the single, also received a nomination for Record Producer of the Year.

“I am so grateful to be recognized amongst my talented peers in Ontario,” says Karli. “I love Ontario – and am extremely proud of my roots here – so this will be such a special weekend celebrating with everyone!”

These nominations are in response to Karli’s breakthrough single “Feel Like Home” featuring Ryan Langdon, which came out in 2023. The song achieved international success, reaching #12 on Australia’s CountryTown National Airplay charts, marking Karli’s highest-charting track yet. Domestically, “Feel Like Home” secured the #1 Most Added position at Canadian Country radio, peaked at #30 on the Mediabase National Country radio charts, and garnered recognition as iHeartRadio’s “Future Star”, Rogers Media’s “One to Watch”, and Stingray’s “Trending Track”. With the success of the track and her authentic sound and relatable lyrics, Karli has now surpassed over 2.2 million streams and video views of her songs.

Previously, Karli secured three 2023 CMA Ontario Award nominations for her debut EP Where You Come From, resulting in a win for the EP’s producer Karen Kosowski for Producer of the Year, plus gave an award show performance that brought the house down. Karli also had several performances during the Canadian Country Music Association Award week (CCMA’s) in Hamilton in September 2023 including the CCMA Songwriters Unplugged show.

Karli has shared the stage with artists including Terri Clark, The Washboard Union, Gord Bamford, Tebey, Brett Kissel, and Dierks Bentley, and has performed at festivals such as the SaskTel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival, Boots & Hearts, Oktoberfest, and Canadian Music Week. Previously, she was chosen to participate in the esteemed 2021 TD Incubator for Creative Entrepreneurship program and was one of three finalists representing Ontario in the nationwide 2021 Jim Beam Talent Search. Karli’s song “The List” won an Honorable Mention in the International Songwriting Competition 2022 out of over 15K submissions.

Looking ahead this year, Karli is set to unveil more new music ahead of her sophomore EP, slated for early 2025. She remains committed to expanding her presence in the Australian market while embarking on live performances across Canada. “Still Make Cowgirls” is sure to resonate with fans of authentic country music and anyone who embraces the cowgirl spirit.

Piper Rodrigues Set To Leave Audiences Spellbound With Infectious New Release ‘Bewitched’.

‘Bewitched’ is the new single from 2024 Toyota Star Maker Top 10 Grand Finalist Piper Rodrigues. It is the first step in Rodrigues’ self-titled new direction known as “Cosmic Country”. Co-written with Chloe Styler and produced by Cody McWaters and Jack Hudson, this is a song that blends the freshest sounds of country and pop production styles resulting in an ear worm sensory overload. ‘Bewitched’ pens the tale of a past lover casting a spell of disenchantment upon all future pursuits of the heart, however, the song celebrates the overpowering joy in proving the antagonist wrong. This song brings a fresh and vibrant palette of song colours and flavours to the table alongside its catchy hook themes and stadium ringing backing vocals; it is sure to leave you feeling “Bewitched”.

“Releasing music is always so exciting and it is no different with ‘Bewitched’. I wrote this song about an ex who told me I’d never find better than him, to let him know that he’s been proved wrong. For me, ‘Bewitched’ is a song for the girls who know that they deserve better and go out and find it. I’m so excited to be starting this new chapter of music with this track! It felt so empowering to write and I hope it makes you feel empowered singing along”.

Piper’s four previous singles have debuted in the AMRAP Regional Top 10 with her single ‘Exit Wound’ debuting at #2 and gained various Apple Music playlists. Piper’s earlier 2024 release ‘Watch Your Step’ garnered attention from radio around the country and gained placement on multiple Apple Music Playlists including ‘Aussie Country’, ‘Country Risers’ and ‘New Music Daily’.

A favourite amongst her fellow country music peers, Piper Rodrigues has supported artists such as Hayley Jensen, Ashleigh Dallas, Allison Forbes, Tori Forsyth, Amber Lawrence, and Catherine Britt and is set to perform at Texas Country Music Festival this September.

With its irresistible charm and infectious energy, ‘Bewitched’ is sure to leave listeners spellbound.

Piper Rodrigues’ new single ‘Bewitched’ is out to radio on Monday 13th May and Digital Platforms on Friday 17th May.

REBA MCENTIRE DEBUTS NEW SINGLE “I CAN’T” WITH ELECTRIC PERFORMANCE ON NBC’S THE VOICE

Reba to Host and Perform New Single at 59th Academy of Country Music Awards May 16

Entertainment icon Reba McEntire commanded the stage as she debuted her new single “I Can’t” on NBC’s The Voice last night, delivering a powerhouse performance complete with pyrotechnics. The driving anthem is the first track from Reba’s upcoming album and was penned by Victoria Banks, Tania Hancheroff and Tia Sillers.

“I’m thrilled to have new music to share with my fans, and ‘I can’t’ wait to hear what they think about it,” Reba said. “This is such a powerful song, and I’m looking forward to performing it again next week at the ACM Awards.”

Reba will return to the stage to perform “I Can’t” live on the Academy of Country Music Awards Thursday, May 16, streaming on Prime Video at 8p ET. She will also charm viewers across the world as she hosts the show for the 17th time, more than any other ACM host.

Reba will continue to light up televisions with her new sitcom Happy’s Place, which has been given a series order by NBC. Reba will executive produce alongside her former Reba EPs Kevin Abbott, Michael Hanel and Mindy Schultheis. Julie Abbott will also executive produce. Fans can celebrate by catching up on the beloved 6-season sitcom Reba, now available to stream on Netflix.

Reba also continues as a coach on Season 25 of NBC’s The Voice, with the two-part finale set for May 20 and 21.

About Reba McEntire
Multi-media entertainment mogul Reba McEntire has become a household name through a successful career that includes music, television, film, theater, retail and hospitality. The Country Music Hall of Fame and Hollywood Bowl member has more than 50 award wins under her belt, earning honors from the ACM Awards, American Music Awards, People’s Choice Awards, CMA Awards, GRAMMY® Awards and GMA Dove Awards. Reba was also a 2018 Kennedy Center Honors recipient, in addition to multiple philanthropic and leadership honors. Reba has celebrated unprecedented success including 35 career No.1 singles and more than 58 million albums sold worldwide. Reba earned her 60th Top 10 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart, extending her record for the most Top 10 hits among female artists. Reba’s Top 10 success spans five straight decades, landing her in the singular group with only George Jones, Willie Nelson, and Dolly Parton who have the same achievement. The Oklahoma native and Golden Globe® nominated actress has multiple movie credits to her name, a critically-acclaimed lead role on Broadway in Irving Berlin’s Annie Get Your Gun, and starred in the 6-season television sitcom Reba. Reba has also proven to be a savvy entrepreneur, with longstanding brand partnerships including her Dillard’s clothing line and western footwear collection REBA by Justin™. She has even added restauranteur to the list with Reba’s Place, a restaurant, bar, retail and entertainment venue in Atoka, Oklahoma. Reba has returned as a coach on Season 25 of NBC’s The Voice. Her new book Not That Fancy landed on the New York Times bestseller list. For more information, visit www.Reba.com.

The new album from Scotty McCreery, Rise and Fall, is available to stream/download worldwide now (May 10). Rise and Fall, produced by McCreery’s longtime production team of Frank Rogers, Derek Wells, and Aaron Eshuis, will feature 13 tracks that find him exploring themes of heartbreak, rowdy nights, nostalgia, faith, newfound joy, fatherhood, and enduring love, resulting in a project full of insightful storytelling that includes his recent US #1 single ‘Cab in a Solo’.

Now 30 years old and a seasoned country music veteran selling out concerts across the globe with six No. 1 hits under his belt, McCreery is also a dedicated husband and father, welcoming a son named Avery in 2022, whose impact on the singer is highlighted in several songs on the album. Recently, he even celebrated the milestone of all milestones for a guy who grew up on Randy Travis, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton and Ronnie Milsap; he was invited by his musical hero Garth Brooks to become the newest member of the iconic Grand Ole Opry. McCreery was just welcomed into the Opry family on April 20 by two more of his heroes, Josh Turner and Randy Travis.

ABOUT SCOTTY McCREERY:
Scotty McCreery has been a household name for nearly half his life, ever since making history in 2011 as both the first country artist and the youngest male artist of any genre to debut his first studio album, the Platinum-certified Clear as Day, at No. 1 on the all-genre Billboard Top 200 Albums chart. With his forthcoming album Rise and Fall set for release May 10, featuring current single ‘Cab in a Solo’ along with 12 additional tracks, McCreery explores classic themes of heartbreak, rowdy nights, nostalgia, faith, newfound joy, fatherhood, and enduring love, and through it all, felt comfortable being himself, resulting in a project full of electrified twang, rich baritone vocals and insightful storytelling. The 30-year-old has sold more than 4 million albums and achieved 5 consecutive No.1 hits: the RIAA Platinum-certified ‘Damn Strait’, the RIAA Gold certified ‘You Time’, the RIAA Gold certified ‘In Between’, the RIAA Platinum certified ‘This is It’, and the RIAA Triple Platinum certified ‘Five More Minutes’.

The North Carolina native has earned one Triple Platinum, five Platinum and four Gold singles; one Platinum and two Gold albums; won the 10th season of “American Idol” in 2011 at age 17; was named the ACM New Artist of the Year in 2011; won the CMT Music Award for Breakthrough Video of the Year (‘The Trouble with Girls’) in 2012; and BMI Awards for writing One of the Top 50 Country Songs of the Year five times (in 2015 for ‘See You Tonight’, in 2018 for ‘Five More Minutes’, in 2019 for ‘This is It’, in 2021 for ‘In Between’, and in 2022 for ‘You Time’). He was awarded Pandora Billionaire status in 2021 in recognition of his music achieving more than one billion streams on Pandora. His song ‘Five More Minutes’ inspired two popular holiday movies which aired on the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Network: Five More Minutes in 2021 and Five More Minutes: Moments Like These in 2022.

He released his first book Go Big or Go Home: The Journey Toward the Dream in 2016, and his most recent album is Same Truck: The Deluxe Album. This fall McCreery was inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame and was most recently invited to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry by Garth Brooks. The singer/songwriter married his high school sweetheart Gabi in 2018, and the couple had their first son Avery in October 2022.

Rising Country Pop Singer-Songwriter Claudia Tripp Gallops Into The Limelight With Her New Single ‘Rodeo’.

Country pop sensation Claudia Tripp, who captured hearts as a Top 10 Grand Finalist in the esteemed 2023 Toyota Star Maker Competition, is back with a bang. ‘Rodeo’ is a self- penned infectious festival anthem with a gritty country and blues vibe making it an instant line-dancing hit, with polished energetic vocals and relatable lyrics. Born and raised in the small town of Kalgoorlie in Western Australia, Claudia went back to her roots to capture the feeling of a weekend spent in a small country town. The song stemmed from her latest tour when she returned to her hometown to perform at a rodeo in the outback and realised that everybody would be dancing in the dirt and partying until the sun came up whether it be a heatwave or a thunderstorm.

“I wrote ‘Rodeo’ as a celebration of the small-town people I grew up with. I recently travelled back to my hometown of Kalgoorlie to perform at a rodeo, and when the possibility of unpredictable weather loomed, it didn’t’ seem to matter. It’s their weekend after a hard work week, and they’ll be dancing in the dirt come thunderstorm or heatwave. My producer Mason Vellios made this song come to life exactly how I imagined it. I hope the track becomes a weekend anthem for everybody who clocks off work and needs to let their hair down”.

Claudia Tripp has quickly become one of the most exciting upcoming country pop artists in Australia. The 25-year old’s honest and deep personal song writing combined with her energetic, polished stage show has seen her perform on some of the biggest stages in the country and gather a loyal fan base locally and internationally. Her latest single ‘I’m Never Drinking Again’ charted on the Country iTunes Charts and spent 10 weeks on the Australian Country Radio Charts, along with her discography hitting over 1 million total Spotify streams, where she has been included on editorial playlists such as Fresh Country. In the past 18 months, Claudia has performed at RAC Arena and Optus Stadium (Perth), as well as touring with the likes of Travis Collins, Thirsty Merc, Tex Perkins, Daryl Braithwaite, Russell Morris and more.

Produced with an infectious energy that will have listeners tapping their feet and singing along, ‘Rodeo’ is poised to become a staple on playlists everywhere. With its catchy hooks and anthemic chorus, the single is set to make waves in the country music pop scene and beyond.

Claudia Tripp’s new single ‘Rodeo’ is out to radio on 6th May and on digital platforms on 10th May.

THE 2023 GOLDEN GUITAR AWARDS’ MALE AND FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR JOIN FORCES FOR A NEW SINGLE AND TOUR DATES

Award winning Andrew Swift and Amber Lawrence join forces on “Fumes and Fireworks”. After both won the Golden Guitar for Male and Female in the same year, a collaboration seemed inevitable. The song, which is penned by Swift, Lawrence and Melanie Dyer, was produced by Matt Fell.

Andrew speaks to the song, “I have always believed that you need to find motivation in the smallest of wins when chasing a dream, and I feel like we’ve captured that in this song. Sometimes the work that needs to be done can have you questioning everything, but when you have highlights that remind you why you do it, those are the fireworks.”

As Amber confirms, “Fumes and Fireworks is a real life account of our lives in the music business right now – chasing the big moments and enjoying the ride along the way!”

Andrew Swift is a multi-award winning country artist with Golden Guitars for Alt Country Album of The Year, Male Artist of the Year and New Talent of The Year. Andrew has released 3 x full length albums, impacting #1 on the ARIA Australian Country album chart.

Amber Lawrence is prolific – not only has she released 7 studio albums, but 3 acclaimed children’s albums (including an ARIA nominated kid’s album ”The Kid’s Gone Country II”), an award-winning collaboration album with Travis Collins, a live album and a live DVD.

To coincide with the single release, Andrew Swift and Amber Lawrence have announced the Fumes And Fireworks Tour.

Prolific singer/songwriter, Melanie Dyer, launches her new single, “Had To Be There”. The track made its national debut on Sunrise TV and received a resoundingly positive response to its live performance at CMC Rocks. The single is the follow up to her latest hit, “Honeymoonin'”, which impacted the ‘Top 5’ on the CountryTown National Airplay Chart

As Melanie describes it, “This is a song that captures the nostalgia and magic of a moment that when you try to explain it to someone, words can’t do it right … they just Had To Be There. We debuted this at CMC Rocks with the band and the crowd were whistling and singing along from the second it started. I think it’s going to be a festival favourite and it’s now definitely one of our favourites to play live. I wrote HTBT in Nashville last year with my long-time collaborators and friends Phil Barton & Karen Kosowski who also produced the track. “

The Australian singer/songwriter has cemented herself as a leading lady in contemporary country with hits like “Memphis T-Shirt”, “Run Out Of Road”, “Song For That”, “Dumb Decisions” and “Dust”. With total streams over 7 million, Melanie is an APRA Professional Development Award Winner, APRA Nominated songwriter (Memphis T-Shirt) and an ‘in demand’ songwriter within the Australian music industry.

Off the back of the single release, Melanie embarks on her “Had To Be There Tour” in Australia.

In the realm where melodies meet magic, 2 time Golden Guitar winner and star of The Block – Kirsty Lee Akers strides forth in her Cowgirl Era, a spirit woven with threads of the wild frontier.

Welcoming the dawn of 2024, Kirsty unveils her latest ode, “Girls Are Why The West Is Wild.” A song for the cowgirls, the untamed hearts and the daring souls who roam free.

Penned in Nashville alongside hit songwriters Kirsti Manna and Bill DiLuigi, this anthem marries grit with grace. “In June of last year, I attended a co-writing session in Nashville. Arriving a little early, I found Bill DiLuigi already there. Although we had just met, it was clear that Bill had done his homework and understood me as an artist. While waiting for Kirsti to join us, Bill shared an idea he had, which I instantly loved. Before long, we had a chorus ready. When Kirsti arrived, she quickly added her touch of magic,” Kirsty shares.

Once again, Kirsty steps into the producer’s role alongside co-producer Paul Bain to breathe life into this track. With the banjo strings harmonizing with Kirsty’s vocals, creating a blend reminiscent of Dolly Parton and Lainey Wilson, each listener is sure to remember the moment when they first heard “Girls Are Why The West Is Wild.”

“Girls Are Why The West Is Wild” is now available for streaming on all platforms.