ZFM Country

SARAH CATANIA OPENS THE HONKY-TONK DOORS WITH NEW SINGLE “ONCE YOU’VE GONE COUNTRY”The rising Australian artist delivers an upbeat celebration of country music, community and belonging. 

Rising Australian country artist Sarah Catania invites everyone to join the party with her new single, “Once You’ve Gone Country,” out now.Upbeat, playful and made for the dance floor, “ Once You’ve Gone Country” captures the irresistible pull of country music and culture. From the music and honky-tonks to the warmth and freedom of the lifestyle, the track celebrates finding a sense of belonging in the country community – regardless of where you were raised.Beneath the song’s feel-good energy is a heartfelt message about acceptance. Drawing on Catania’s own experience as an unapologetic city girl with a genuine love for country life, “ Once You’ve Gone Country” challenges the idea that anyone needs a particular background to feel at home in the genre.“‘ Once You’ve Gone Country,’ while upbeat and fun, really did start as an idea from a deeper place,” says Catania. “ It’s about being an unapologetic city girl that loves the country lifestyle. Whether it be the music, the honky-tonks, or the living, ‘Once You’ve Gone Country’ is a track that welcomes everyone into the country space, whether they were born into it or not. It’s a song about acceptance and putting differences aside to have a damn good time.”With its infectious spirit and inclusive message, “ Once You’ve Gone Country” is an open invitation to turn up the music, put differences aside and discover just how welcoming country can be.Known for her empowering anthems, magnetic stage presence and a voice that balances strength with vulnerability, Catania draws inspiration from artists including Ella Langley, Shania Twain and Carrie Underwood. She blends classic country storytelling with a fresh contemporary edge, exploring themes of confidence, independence and the complexities of modern relationships.Since releasing her debut single, “Venus and Mars,” in 2022, Catania has built strong momentum as both a recording artist and live performer. She has played more than 300 shows across Australia, including appearances at the Tamworth Country Music Festival and Gympie Music Muster.Her fifth single, “Front Row,” marked a breakthrough, earning full rotation on Triple M Country, Nova Fresh Country, KIX Country and Australian Country Radio, alongside support from ABC Country. Subsequent releases “Goodbye” and “First Times” continued that momentum, with “First Times” achieving full rotation on iHeart Country in its first week and entering the Countrytown Hot 50 airplay chart in its eleventh week.
A graduate of the CMAA Academy of Country Music, Catania was a top-three finalist in the 2024 Gympie Music Muster Mothertone Talent Search and placed in the top 10 of the 2023 KIX Start competition. She has shared stages with Wade Forster, Amber Lawrence, Ash Grunwald, Shane Nicholson and Andrew Swift, further cementing her presence in the Australian country music landscape.With momentum continuing to build, Sarah Catania is carving out her place as one of Australian country music’s most promising new voices.About Sarah CataniaSarah Catania is a Melbourne-based singer-songwriter bringing a vibrant contemporary edge to Australian country music. Inspired by artists including Ella Langley, Shania Twain and Carrie Underwood, she combines honest, vulnerable storytelling with an energetic modern country sound.Since releasing her debut single in 2022, Catania has performed more than 300 shows, appeared at leading Australian country festivals and earned national radio airplay. A graduate of the CMAA Academy of Country Music, she is building a reputation for her distinctive voice, engaging live performances and unwavering independent spirit.

Route 33’s back and they’ve brought a mate. New single, “ Blue Collar Man”, pairs the duo with Aussie country legend, James Blundell out on August 21, through RTC Records.
 
When Route 33 set out to write “ Blue Collar Man”, an original track inspired by the music that shaped them growing up, bringing James Blundell into the project was not a decision that required much deliberation. The song weaves together titles from some of Australia’s most iconic recordings into one seamless, heartfelt whole, and Blundell’s voice, his history, and his deep connection to the spirit of Australian country music made him the only artist who could do justice to what Jock and Trent had created. 
 
What emerged from the studio session was a passing of the torch moment between two generations of Australian country music, bound together by a shared love of the songs and stories that define the genre. It is warm, gritty, proud and deeply Australian, the kind of track that reminds you why this music matters and why the artists who dedicate their lives to it deserve to be heard.
 
“We grew up on this music. We know all the words, we’ve lived them over the years. At first, it wasn’t easy to join the dots, but with a few days of solid work it came together, and we thought we really had something. So, we played it for friends, and performed it at a few festivals, and people just loved it. It went from something fun and cool, to the centrepiece of our upcoming EP. Then we just needed a Legend to pin it down, and James was super keen from the first time he heard the demo. The rest is history. We are stoked to be releasing this one!” – Trent McArdle
 
“ Blue Collar Man” was written and produced by Jock Barnes, Trent McArdle and Tom Garnett, and has been brought to life in a cracking music video directed by Duncan Toombs (also out on August 21). 
 
ABOUT ROUTE 33 & JAMES BLUNDELL
Some collaborations make sense on paper. This one makes sense in the bones.
 
Route 33 are Jock Barnes and Trent McArdle, two mates who have spent nearly a decade building one of Australian country music’s most loyal and passionate fanbases. Their journey has been marked by consistent momentum, honest storytelling, and a refusal to take shortcuts. Debut album The Switch reached #6 on the ARIA Country Chart, Coro Drive hit #1 powered by fan favourite “Showing Off”, and 2024’s Chapters debuted at #1 on both the ARIA Australian Country Albums Chart and the AIR 100% Independent Albums Chart. Across all platforms, Route 33 have surpassed 5 million total streams. On the road, they have played CMC Rocks, Tamworth, Savannah in the Round, Groundwater, and the Gympie Music Muster, and in 2025 became the only Australian act invited to perform at the world-famous Calgary Stampede in Canada.
 
James Blundell needs little introduction. One of the true architects of modern Australian country music, Blundell burst onto the scene in the late 1980s and spent the following decades cementing his place as one of the genre’s most important and influential voices. With a string of ARIA nominations, a devoted national following, and a catalogue that has soundtracked the lives of Australian country music fans for nearly four decades, Blundell represents the very best of what the genre can be at its most honest and most human. His voice carries the kind of lived-in authenticity that cannot be manufactured, and his presence on any record instantly signals that something real is happening.

After years spent carving her own path from regional Australia to Nashville, Melanie Dyer returns with ‘Daisies from Dirt’ – a rousing country-pop statement of resilience and self-belief – out today via ABC Music.
 
Serving as the fifth single and title track from Melanie’s highly anticipated third studio album set for release on October 23 (via ABC Music) and available for pre order now, ‘Daisies from Dirt’ captures the defining moment when hope turns into action. Rather than waiting for the right opportunity to arrive, it’s about creating your own.
 
“It’s a reminder that the biggest things in life start small, and that our toughest seasons are often exactly what we need to grow,” explains the singer-songwriter. “It’s an uplifting anthem about the moment you stop waiting for luck or validation and start planting your own path.”
 
Co-written in Nashville alongside multi-platinum, APRA Billions List hitmakers Amy and George Sheppard – the songwriting force behind the global smash ‘Geronimo’ – the track became the emotional cornerstone of the forthcoming album almost immediately.
 
“It was such a fun, effortless day collaborating with George and Amy for the first time in Nashville. We immediately clicked, and as the song was pouring out in real time, I knew it had to be the title track for the album.” 
 
Built around soaring melodies, driving country-pop production and lyrics that transform life’s setbacks into opportunities for growth, ‘Daisies from Dirt’ delivers an optimistic message without losing sight of the hard work that sits behind every success.
 
Recorded at Saxman Studios in Nashville and produced by acclaimed producer Grady Saxman, the recording pairs an arena-sized sound with the heartfelt storytelling that has become a hallmark of Melanie’s music.
 
Growing up on her family’s farm in Mount Russell, New South Wales, Melanie began writing songs at just twelve years old before making regular trips to Tamworth and Sydney to pursue music. That determination has since taken her around the world, earning three CMAA Golden Guitar nominations, three APRA Award nominations for Most Performed Country Work, more than 12.6 million global streams, and performances across Australia’s biggest festivals as well as Nashville’s CMA Fest and SXSW in Texas.
 
Momentum has only continued to build since Melanie relocated to Music City in 2025. Her previous single ‘If She Only Knew’ climbed to #31 on the CountryTown Hot 50 Airplay Chart, reached #14 on the Country Songs Top 40 Australian Airplay Chart and secured extensive editorial playlisting across Spotify and Apple Music.
 
Meanwhile the country-pop songsmith hasn’t forgotten her roots. She’s already secured dates at the renowned Tamworth Country Music Festival in 2027, including a headline show at The Press Basement Bar, with further tour dates in Australia to be announced.
 
As the title track of her forthcoming album, ‘Daisies from Dirt’ signals Melanie Dyer’s next season; an artist confident in who she is, clear on where she’s headed and proving that perseverance has a way of paying off.

Following the ARIA chart-topping arrival of his new album Made For This, Casey Barnes is set to release its next single, ‘Still In The Fight’ — a stirring anthem about resilience, self-belief and refusing to give up.Described by Barnes as the heartbeat of Made For This, the deeply personal track reflects on the challenges, setbacks and hard-won successes of his 20-year career. Its message, however, reaches far beyond his own journey, speaking to anyone who has found the strength to keep moving forward when life has tested them.“‘Still In The Fight’ really is the heartbeat of this album,” says Barnes. “In so many ways, it ties the whole record together. It’s a song I’ve always wanted to write and represents not only my journey over the last 20 years, but everything this album is about—resilience, belief and refusing to give up on a dream.“There have been plenty of moments throughout my career when things haven’t gone to plan, doors have closed or it would have been easier to walk away. But I’ve always believed in the bigger picture, and I’m grateful to say that this week we have the number one album in the country.“But this song is so much bigger than my story. I want it to be an anthem for everyone, because we all have our own fight. It might be chasing a dream, getting through a difficult time, overcoming a setback or simply finding the strength to keep going when life gets tough.“That’s what I hope people take from this song: you might get knocked down, but if you’re still standing and still willing to fight, your story isn’t finished yet.”With its uplifting message and anthemic energy, ‘ Still In The Fight’ captures the determination that has defined Barnes’ career. The single arrives at a landmark moment for the Australian country artist, with Made For This debuting at #1 on the ARIA Charts this week.Both a personal reflection and a rallying cry, ‘Still In The Fight’ is for anyone who has faced an uphill battle and chosen to keep going

“I swear the devil’s out to get me…come on Whisky…give me wings”
Ever have one of those days when absolutely nothing goes your way?  When you just can’t seem to do anything right?  When the world is stacked against you, and all you really need is to rise up above all your problems and forget them for a little while?  Whisky Wings is a 3-part harmony bar room rallying cry to step off the merry-go-round, raise a glass, and lift your spirits.Fresh from dates in Australia last year, The Washboard Union release their latest single,  Whisky Wings. An infectious new drinking song that the band have been filmed singing as a toast in pubs and bars across Canada. This series has amassed 3 million plus views to date with more to come.Whisky Wings was recorded and produced in both Nashville and Washboard Union’s own studio The Harmony Farm in the mountains of B.C. by longtime producer Dave Thomson (Lady A) and the band. Whisky Wings was written by all three members of The Washboard Union with longtime friends and co-writers Emma Lee and Karen Kosowski who also co-wrote the band’s gold certified hit song “Country Thunder”.This song is the latest single from the band and part of a new 11 song album coming in early fall of 2026.  

Australian country music is welcoming an exciting new talent, with Tameka releasing her infectious debut single, “ Like This Before” .A vibrant blend of contemporary country and pop, “ Like This Before”  captures the magic of the moment you fall for someone unexpectedly and it changes everything. Inspired by the spark of a first dance, the song follows two strangers from a glance across the room to the final dance of the night, capturing the exact butterfly moment everyone can relate to where you meet that person and instantly fearlessly fall.Written by Tameka, the feel-good anthem is all about the uncontrollable magnetism between two people and the excitement of falling for someone when you least expect it. Mixed by acclaimed Nashville engineer Jonathan Roye and mastered by Grammy Award-winning engineer Adam Ayan, “Like This Before” delivers polished production while showcasing Tameka’s engaging songwriting, soaring vocals and exceptional musicianship. 

It honestly still doesn’t feel real that I’m finally releasing my own music. I’ve spent so many years performing and writing, and ‘Like This Before’ feels like the perfect way to introduce myself as an artist. It’s a song about finding a love that completely catches you by surprise, and I really hope people hear it and think of someone who makes them feel that way.”-  Tameka

Already recognised as one of Australia’s fastest-rising country artists, Tameka has built a reputation as Australia’s premier female chicken-pickin’ guitarist. Combining Keith Urban-inspired guitar work with the soaring vocal style of Rascal Flatts, she has developed a fresh, energetic country-pop sound that is rapidly capturing attention across the industry.Equally respected as both a touring musician and performer, Tameka has become one of the most sought-after guitarists on the Australian country music circuit. She has performed alongside Adam Harvey, Andrew Swift, Catherine Britt, Loren Ryan, Tori Darke, Liam Brew and Mickey Pye, as well as Canadian favourites Dan Davidson and The Road Hammers. Over the past year, she has also entertained audiences nationwide as part of the sold-out  Ultimate Superstars of Country  tour.As a solo performer, Tameka has spent years refining her craft on stages across Australia, supporting some of the country’s biggest names, including Troy Cassar-Daley, Travis Collins, Amber Lawrence, Nathan Cavaleri, Dami Im and Dylan Wright . Her high-energy live performances, outstanding guitar playing and authentic stage presence have earned her a rapidly growing fanbase.Inspired by the country-pop sound of Kelsea Ballerini’s debut album  The First Time , Tameka enlisted the same Nashville engineering team behind that record to help bring “ Like This Before”  to life. The result is a polished, radio-ready debut that perfectly balances infectious hooks, heartfelt storytelling and world-class production.With “ Like This Before” , Tameka announces herself as one of Australia’s most exciting and vibrant emerging country artists. Armed with undeniable talent, captivating live performances and a modern country-pop sound, she is poised to make a lasting impression on Australian audiences.

AUSTRALIA’S MOST SUCCESSFUL COUNTRY MUSIC DUO WITH15 X GOLDEN GUITAR WINSTHE WOLFE BROTHERS DROP NEW SINGLE, WANNABETHE FIRST SINGLE TO DROP FROM THEIRNEW STUDIO ALBUM DUE 2027 

Fresh from their 15th Golden Guitar Award win at the Golden Guitars in January, The Wolfe Brothers, are back with new music from their forthcoming 8th studio album. This follows their ARIA #1 Album, Australian Made, that garnered them 5 x Golden Guitar wins, chart topping hits and a national tour that continues to roll around the country. The first single,  Wannabe, was produced by Nick Wolfe and Rod McCormack. The single was co-written by Nick Wolfe, Tom Wolfe, Phil Barton (Lee Brice, Gabby Barrett, Kaylee Bell) and Dana Heaton-Perdue (Hayley Jensen).As Tom describes the single, “ Wannabe says a lot about who Nick and I are. Not just as songwriters and musicians, but as people. It’s about appreciating the little things that make life great. This will be the start of what will become album 8! And starting that journey feels so exciting. ”As Nick reinterates, “We’re pumped to finally get Wannabe out there and kick off what’ll eventually become album number eight for us. At its heart, it’s a song about being grateful for what you’ve got and not always chasing what someone else has. We get to play music for a living, travel the country and meet some amazing people along the way. So it’s a reminder to stop every now and then and appreciate that. We wrote it with our good mate Phil Barton, who’s been a longtime collaborator of ours. Phil’s an Aussie based in Nashville these days, and we’ve written a lot of songs together over the years. Getting back in a room with him always feels pretty natural .”About The Wolfe BrothersIt has been an amazing 14 year ride for The Wolfe Brothers. They first found fame in 2012 on Australia’s Got Talent and after placing second they were signed to a management company, followed by a recording contract and then were hired by Lee Kernaghan to open all of his shows and also to play in his band. This became a very successful working relationship that lasted 10 years.The Wolfe Brothers have achieved over their career five #1 and two #2 ARIA Country Albums that have delivered 20 #1 and numerous Top 5 and Top 10 singles on the National Country Music Chart. With 15 Golden Guitars lined up on their trophy shelf, 4 ARIA nominations and the two Countrytown wins the Wolfe Brothers are Australia’s most awarded country rock duo in history.In 2024 the brothers joined the biggest names in country music when they were inducted into Tamworth’s Galaxy of Stars. This was followed by an induction to the Country Music Hands of Fame during the Tamworth Country Music Festival in 2026. In March 2025, the band took a well-earned break from the road after two years of constant touring. They spent the next year performing at selected festivals around Australia igniting audiences with their high energy live show that never fails to impress.In August 2025 they released their latest album – Australian Made. Following the success of the Australian Made album, The Wolfe Brothers took home 5 Golden Guitars in January at the 2026 Australian Country Music Awards: Album of the Year, Contemporary Album of the Year, Group/Duo of the Year. Heritage Song of the Year and Vocal Collaboration of the Year.In February, the group performed their second series of concerts with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. These incredible events were recorded for a live album to be released later this year. The brothers from Tasmania have travelled countless road miles in Australia, USA and Canada.

Twenty-five years ago, 16-year-old Melissa Bajric walked into the studio to record her debut album, Believe In Me, with multi-award-winning producer Lindsay Butler. ‘My Dad Was a Road Train Man’ became the album’s first radio single and the song that launched Melissa’s professional music career. Now, a quarter of a century later, that same 16-year-old voice has been brought into the present with a brand-new production that celebrates everything Melissa has learned, experienced and achieved along the way. Melissa has always held Lindsay Butler in the highest regard, and his influence on her early recording career was pivotal. It is both fitting and deeply nostalgic for Melissa that the track opens with Lindsay’s original track ID — a sound normally heard only on the working track in the studio — instantly transporting her back to those early optimistic days. The original recording also featured drums by Lindsay Waddington, the musician who has gone on to become Melissa’s on-stage Musical Director, her current producer and one of the most important musical collaborators of her career. He has once again played the drums for the new production, merging the past with the present. This release is about more than a song. It is a celebration of 25 years of music and the people who made the journey possible — the producers and musicians who helped shape her music, the industry people who opened doors, the friends and collaborators who stayed the course, and the fans who kept turning up to shows, buying the records and singing along to the songs. Every one of them is part of this recording. 

2025 West Australian Country Music Awards Female Artist of the Year Claudia Tripp returns with her captivating new single, “High Stakes”, an anthemic celebration of taking a chance on love, even when everything is on the line.Blending polished pop production with country heart,  “High Stakes” captures the exhilarating mix of excitement and vulnerability that comes with opening yourself up to someone. With infectious hooks, soaring vocals and emotionally honest lyrics, the track explores the gamble of falling in love and deciding the risk is worth taking.”I’d had the lyric ‘loving you is high stakes’ stuck in my head for weeks before writing this song on one of my first days in Nashville,” Claudia says.”I think everyone knows that feeling of falling for someone and realising it could wreck you if it falls apart but wanting to lay all your cards on the table and take the risk anyway.”Written by  Claudia Tripp,  Lydia Sutherland and  Aaron Pollock, and produced by award-winning Michael DeLorenzis and  Michael Paynter (MSquared), “High Stakes” perfectly showcases Claudia’s ability to pair commercial country-pop with authentic storytelling.Originally from Kalgoorlie and now based in Perth, Claudia has been writing songs since the age of seven and has quickly emerged as one of Australia’s most exciting new voices in country music. Renowned for her powerhouse vocals, infectious melodies and relatable songwriting, she continues to build a loyal and rapidly expanding fanbase.

Her impressive live résumé includes performances at some of Australia’s biggest events, including  Strummingbird, sharing the stage with international stars  Jelly Roll and  Shaboozey, performing at  Optus Stadium ahead of the AFL Grand Final before more than 40,000 people, and entertaining crowds of over 15,000 at  The Perth Muster. She has also toured alongside some of Australia’s most respected artists, including  Thirsty Merc,  Travis Collins,  Casey Barnes, and  Andrew Farriss.Following her standout showcase at  BIGSOUND, where she earned widespread industry recognition, Claudia’s momentum has continued to accelerate. With more than  one million Spotify streams and growing national support from fans, media and radio alike, she is cementing her place as one of the country’s brightest rising stars.In recent news, Claudia has been announced on the lineup for the iconic  Gympie Music Muster this August, where she’ll perform alongside some of Australia’s biggest names in country music.      With its irresistible hooks, polished production and universal message about risking everything for love,  “High Stakes” marks another exciting chapter in Claudia Tripp’s rapidly rising career.

After spending the past year immersed in Nashville’s world-renowned music scene, Australian country artist Jackson James returns with his first new music since 2023, unveiling the infectious new single ‘Rich Guys’.
 
A breezy, feel-good anthem packed with coastal charm and modern country energy, ‘ Rich Guys’ reminds listeners that life’s greatest riches aren’t found in bank accounts. Blending Jackson’s Australian upbringing with the contemporary sounds of Music City, the self-produced single delivers an instantly memorable chorus that feels tailor-made for life’s simple pleasures.
 
“‘Rich Guys’ is about realizing the richest moments in life aren’t measured by money – they’re found in backyard parties, good friends, cold drinks and warm summer nights,” tells the singer-songwriter.
 
Written alongside Melanie Dyer and Angus Gill, ‘Rich Guys’ took over a year for everything to fall into place.
 
“Some songs are written in hours and some even take years for all the elements to line up and the universe to deliver the song. Melanie, Angus and I wrote the title and chorus hook quickly and the rest of the song followed about one year later. I’m a very visual person, I can visualise then create and songwriting works the same way, see the story, write the story, tell the story.”
 
Jackson also took full creative control behind the console, producing the single himself from his Nashville home studio. Beginning with an acoustic guide recorded while back in Australia, the track evolved through collaborations with some of Nashville’s finest musicians, including acclaimed guitarist Gideon Boley.
 
“I love the idea of cutting a song with a live band – that’s the Nashville way – however I also love having time to hand pick the exact players I want and the efficiency of having them record their parts in their own spaces. You can refine your parts with this process and cherry pick what works best for the song and that’s how this one came together. To have great players and friends come together from opposite sides of the world, ‘It don’t get better than this’!”
 
Following his previous release ‘Get Around to It’, which reached #43 on the CountryTown Hot 50 airplay chart, Jackson’s latest single marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter. Since relocating to Nashville alongside partner and fellow country artist Melanie Dyer, he has immersed himself in one of the world’s most respected songwriting communities, while continuing to build a career that spans songwriting, session work, filmmaking and production.
 
It’s been an unforgettable year for Jackson, who has performed at CMA Fest in Nashville, SXSW in Austin and represented Australia at the Australian Embassy in Washington D.C., performing for members of the Royal Australian Air Force, United States military generals, ministers and diplomatic guests. 
 
Away from the stage, he has continued refining his craft inside some of Music City’s most respected studios, working alongside musicians whose credits include Alan Jackson, Chris Stapleton, The Chicks and many more.
 
Already recognised as an award-winning filmmaker and photographer before relocating to the United States, Jackson’s visual storytelling continues to shape his songwriting, bringing a cinematic perspective to songs that feel equally at home on Australia’s coastline and the streets of Nashville.
 
With ‘Rich Guys’, Jackson James delivers a poignant reminder. While the song playfully imagines how the wealthy might spend their evenings, it ultimately lands on a far simpler truth – the best moments in life can’t be bought.