ZFM Country

BLAKE SHELTON RELEASES NEW SONG “STAY COUNTRY OR DIE TRYIN’”

Today, Shelton delivers another taste of the album (“For Recreational Use Only”) with the release of the electrifying new track “ Stay Country Or Die Tryin’ ”, written by Drew Parker, Graham Barham, Sam Ellis and Beau Bailey.“When I heard ‘Stay Country or Die Tryin’”, it took me back to the first time I heard ‘Ol’ Red’ or ‘God’s Country,’” says Shelton. “It’s got so much energy and is full of those little catchphrases and things we say out in the country. I absolutely fell in love with it. I’m proud of this recording—and I love singing it live even more. Hopefully, you’ll come catch a show and sing it with us.”For Recreational Use Only spans 12 tracks that capture life’s highs and lows with Shelton’s signature blend of authentic storytelling, raw emotion, and unforgettable melodies. The album also boasts guest appearances from music superstar Gwen Stefani, country legend John Anderson, and Shelton’s longtime friend and tourmate Craig Morgan.With For Recreational Use Only, Blake Shelton strengthens his status as one of country music’s most compelling voices, delivering a deeply personal yet universally relatable collection that celebrates love, resilience, and staying true to your roots.For Recreational Use Only  Tracklist:

1. Stay Country or Die Tryin’ – (Drew Parker, Graham Barham, Sam Ellis, Beau Bailey)2. Texas – (Johnny Clawson, Kyle Sturrock, Josh Dorr, Lalo Guzman) 3. Hangin’ On (feat. Gwen Stefani) – (Sam Ellis, Charles Kelley, Greylan James)4. Strangers –  (Michael Hardy, Zach Crowell, Jameson Rodgers)5. Let Him In Anyway – (Michael Hardy, Zach Abend, Kyle Clark, Carson Wallace)6. Heaven Sweet Home (feat. Craig Morgan) –  (Chris Tompkins, Sarah Buxton, Jake Rose)7. Life’s Been Comin’ Too Fast – (Craig Wiseman, David Lee Murphy, Lindsay Rimes)8. Don’t Mississippi – (Shane McAnally, Ross Copperman, Ben Hayslip, Josh Osborne)9. All of My Love – (Colton Swon, Zach Swon)10. Cold Can – (Bobby Pinson, Josh Osborne, Andrew DeRoberts)11. The Keys – (Jay Brunswick, Brock Berryhill, Bobby Pinson)12. Years (feat. John Anderson) – (Pat McLaughlin, John Anderson, David Ferguson, Daniel Auerbach)

About Blake Shelton:

With 29 No. 1 singles, 52 million singles and 13 million albums sold and nearly 11 billion global streams, Blake Shelton has received numerous awards, including six ACMs, three AMAs, ten CMAs, 11 CMTs and six People’s Choice, among many others. Shelton just announced his new BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville album, For Recreational Use Only, set to drop May 9. The 12-track album, his first in nearly four years, features his Top 10 Wheelhouse Records single “Texas,” the poignant “Let Him In Anyway” and red-dirt “Stay Country or Die Tryin’” and includes appearances by Gwen Stefani, John Anderson and Craig Morgan. Shelton kickstarted the year with his Live In Las Vegas Residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace. He just wrapped his Friends & Heroes Tour, which featured Craig Morgan, Deana Carter, Trace Adkins and Emily Ann Roberts, and will play a variety of festivals this summer  The Grand Ole Opry member also remains focused on his Ole Red partnership with Ryman Hospitality, with locations currently in Tishomingo, Nashville, Gatlinburg, Orlando, and most recently, Las Vegas, with a stand-alone venue complete with a roof-top stage and bar on the Las Vegas strip. 

LANE PITTMAN RELEASES NEW SINGLE ‘RIGHT TIL NOW’ – OUT TODAY
ANNOUNCED FOR STAGECOACH 2026 AND TOURING AUSTRALIA THIS OCTOBER

Golden Guitar winner and rising country star Lane Pittman today releases his new single ‘ Right Til Now, the highly anticipated follow-up to his breakthrough tracks Amen For The Weekend and Man I’m Turning Out To Be.

Co-written with Brendan Cooney and Mitch Crego, Right Til Now is a driving, hook-filled anthem about resilience and renewal, with Pittman’s country-pop crossover style front and centre. “This song is about the universal feeling of rejection and figuring out how to land back on your feet and doing so better than you ever have,” he shares. “I wanted to put a twist on it and frame that rejection as something wonderful.” 
The release caps a breakthrough year that has seen Pittman surpass 40 million streams worldwide, earn acclaim from Rolling Stone and The Music, appear on TODAY and Sunrise, and perform to more than 250,000 fans supporting Luke Combs on his arena and stadium tours. Last week, he was announced for Stagecoach 2026 in California, marking a major international milestone. 
Fans can hear Right Til Now live across his October festival run, kicking off tonight at Deni Ute Muster before stops at Under The Gums in Gilgandra (Oct 4), Savannah In The Round in Mareeba (Oct 10), Groundwater CMF on the Gold Coast (Oct 18), Ridin’ Hearts Festival in Sydney (Oct 25) and Melbourne (Oct 26), before wrapping at The Tivoli in Brisbane on October 28 supporting Nate Smith.
‘Right Til Now’ is out now on all streaming platforms.
 

Greaternity is back with their highly anticipated new single, Name Drop Jesus — a bold and joyful anthem proclaiming the name above all names. Name Drop Jesus is the first single from Greaternity’s sophomore album project to be released in the first quarter of 2026.Blending twangy country vocals by Greaternity’s Bobby Joe Owens, Christian Hip Hop energy, and 90s electronic rock flavor, this track delivers a sound unlike anything else on today’s Christian airwaves. The lyrics take a playful look at pop culture’s obsession with name-dropping and redirect the spotlight to the one name that truly matters: Jesus. 
Name Drop Jesus is fun, infectious, and deeply rooted in the Gospel message, making it a great fit for both contemporary Christian and crossover formats. Name Drop Jesus is the right song at the right time to shine the light of Jesus and help bring joy and unity to this troubled world.We’d love for you to consider adding Name Drop Jesus to your rotation and helping us spread the Word through music.Let’s make His name the one that’s heard loudest. —Greaternity 

’Yodeling with Duke’ is a joyful, toe-tapping celebration of bush life and the bond between a girl and her horse. Inspired by Victoria Crosby’s real-life four-legged mate, Duke, this track is packed with charm, character, and a good dose of yodeling. It’s light-hearted and loud in all the right ways – a bit of fun before the full album, ‘North of the Range’ rides in this November. With classic country roots and a wink to the golden era of yodeling gone by, this is a song for anyone who’s ever belted out a tune in the ute, the saddle, or the shower. One thing’s for sure: when Victoria and Duke come galloping through your speakers, you’ll be grinning the whole way.

Rising singer-songwriter  Ella Powell is back with her most fearless and emotionally resonant release to date. Her latest single,  “Passerby”, co-written with Ben Horsley, is a toe-tapping yet tender anthem that captures the quiet ache of watching life drifting by — and not knowing where you fit in.Fusing  pop grit with country soul, Powell unveils a sound that is entirely her own: emotive, raw, and radiant. With heartfelt vocals and bold storytelling,  “Passerby” reflects the experience of feeling adrift in a fast-moving world.“‘Passerby’ came from a moment where life felt like it was moving faster than I could keep up,”  Powell shares.  “I was in a space of uncertainty, quietly questioning where I fit into it all. This single marks the beginning of a new era that feels entirely and unapologetically me — raw, real, and rooted in storytelling. I hope it reaches anyone who’s ever felt a little lost or left behind.”Drawing comparisons to  Kacey Musgraves,  Lana Del Rey, and  Ashe, Ella Powell’s unique blend of  emotive vocals,  delicate harmonies, and  heartfelt lyrics has already made waves in Australian country music. Her debut EP,  ‘The End of the Beginning’, has surpassed  half a million streams, landing on major  Spotify and  Apple Music playlists and climbing multiple independent charts.A dynamic performer, Powell has charmed audiences across  Australia, earning accolades and building a passionate fanbase. She made her mark by winning the  People’s Choice Award at the  Tamworth Country Music Festival in 2019, and in 2025 returned to the spotlight as a  Toyota Star Maker Grand Finalist — joining the ranks of country icons like  Keith Urban and  Kaylee Bell.Now stepping into 2025 with a  fresh image,  renewed energy, and a bold new direction, Ella Powell is ready to keep evolving — with more exciting releases set to drop in  2026.Ella Powell’s new single “Passerby” is out at radio on Monday 29th September and all streaming platforms on Friday 3rd October.Serviced to radio by Little Sparrow PR. Distributed by GYROstream.

ZACH TOP DEBUTS NEW SONG “SOUTH OF SANITY”HIGHLY ANTICIPATED NEW ALBUM AIN’T IN IT FOR MY HEALTH OUT NOW.EXTENSIVE COLD BEER & COUNTRY MUSIC TOUR CONFIRMED
Acclaimed singer, songwriter and musician Zach Top releases his new song, “ South of Sanity ,” today. Listen/share  HERE: The track is the latest unveiled from his new album Ain’t In It For My Health—out now on Leo33. Ahead of the release, Top debuted the lead single, “Good Times & Tan Lines,” earlier this summer, which  the Los Angeles Times hailed as one of the best songs of 2025,  calling the track “as crisp as country music gets,” while Billboard praised the song as “one of this summer’s top country anthems.” In celebration of the new music, Top will continue his extensive Cold Beer & Country Music headline tour through this fall with newly confirmed stops at Colorado’s Red Rocks Amphitheatre (two nights), Louisville’s KFC Yum! Center, Oklahoma City’s Paycom Center, Charleston’s Credit One Stadium, Vancouver’s Rogers Arena and Charlottesville’s John Paul Jones Arena among many others. Ahead of his tour, Top will continue to perform as part of Dierks Bentley’s Broken Branches tour through the end of summer. See below for full tour routing. The new project follows last year’s breakthrough debut album,  Cold Beer & Country Music, and comes on the heels of Top recently achieving his first #1 song at country radio with “I Never Lie.” In the midst of a breakout year, Top was named 2025 ACM New Male Artist of the Year and performed “a moving acoustic rendition” ( American Songwriter) of his song, “ Use Me: ” during the live ACM Awards ceremony. Additionally, Top performed “I Never Lie” on “ The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon: https://api.plaympe.com/playerapi/click/eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy55b3V0dWJlLmNvbS93YXRjaD92PS1hbHJVTjcxZndrIiwicmVjaXBpZW50aWQiOjkzMTk4LCJyZWxlYXNlaWQiOjIwMDgzOTE3Nn0.17dPB_p5yuBW9BqhxroJd-FY6JHm99iJf7WCE7QJXFw,” was named “the future of country music” by  Billboard, nominated for New Artist of the Year at the 58th Annual CMA Awards, received Discovery Artist of the Year at the 2024  MusicRow Awards and released  Me & Billy—a three-song EP featuring 2x Grammy Award-winning artist Billy Strings (listen  here: https://api.plaympe.com/playerapi/click/eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2xlbzMzLmxuay50by9tZWFuZGJpbGx5IiwicmVjaXBpZW50aWQiOjkzMTk4LCJyZWxlYXNlaWQiOjIwMDgzOTE3Nn0.m7AVoOEoUOiAvGvepqgaInWe3BhrRei5f7Z4gMfSHrE). Upon its release last year,  Cold Beer & Country Music garnered over 3.5 million streams in just its first week and went on to be nominated for ACM Album of the Year. Produced by Carson Chamberlain (Billy Currington, Easton Corbin), the record received widespread acclaim with The Tennessean saying it’s full of “star-making tunes,” while Country Central praised, “ Cold Beer & Country Music is a masterclass in traditional country music…With a record this strong, Zach Top has proven himself as a standout rising star in this format and a premier vocalist in country music.” Raised in Sunnyside, WA, Top grew up on classic country music around the family farm. At the age of seven, he formed a band with his siblings which set the stage for his musical ambitions. Throughout his teenage years and early twenties, Top honed his craft by playing in various bluegrass bands before moving to Nashville in 2021, where he has been building a reputation as one of country music’s most promising new voices.
ZACH TOP CONFIRMED TOUR DATESAugust 1—Nampa, ID—Ford Idaho Center AmphitheaterAugust 2—Quincy, WA—Watershed FestivalAugust 7—Camden, NJ—Freedom Mortgage PavilionAugust 8—Raleigh, NC—Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut CreekAugust 9—Charlotte, NC—PNC Music PavilionAugust 10—Lewisburg, WV—The State Fair of West VirginiaAugust 14—Darien Center, NY—Darrien Lake AmphitheaterAugust 15—Holmdel, NJ—PNC Bank Arts CenterAugust 16—Bethel, NY—Bethel Woods Center for the ArtsAugust 20—Gray, TN—Appalachian FairAugust 21—Savannah, GA—Enmarket ArenaAugust 22—Birmingham, AL—Coca-Cola AmphitheaterAugust 23—Biloxi, MS—Mississippi Coast ColiseumAugust 28—New York, NY—Madison Square Garden ArenaAugust 29—Burgettstown, PA—The Pavilion at Star LakeAugust 30—Clarkston, MI—Pine Knob Music Theatre*September 26—College Station, TX—Live at the StationSeptember 27—Lubbock, TX—Cook’s Garage+September 28—Morrison, CO—Red Rocks Amphitheatre‡September 29—Morrison, CO—Red Rocks Amphitheatre‡October 3—Charlottesville, VA—John Paul Jones Arena‡October 4—Ocean City, MD—Country Calling 2025October 9—Knoxville, TN— Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center+October 10—Louisville, KY—KFC Yum! Center+October 11—Evansville, IN—Ford Center+October 16—Brandon, MS—Brandon Amphitheater+October 17—Bossier City, LA—Brookshire Grocery Arena+October 18—Oklahoma City, OK—Paycom Center+October 24—Charleston, SC—Credit One Stadium+October 25—Simpsonville, SC—Greenville Country Music FestivalOctober 30—Missoula, MT—Adams Center‡October 31—Billings, MT—MetraPark – First Interstate Arena at Metrapark‡November 1—Casper, WY—Ford Wyoming Center‡November 6—Hollywood, FL—Stars and Strings 2025November 7—Bismarck, ND—Bismarck Event Center‡November 8—Rapid City, SD—Summit Arena at The Monument‡November 13—Eugene, OR—Matthew Knight Arena‡November 15—Vancouver, BC—Rogers Arena‡ 
*as part of Dierks Bentley’s Broken Branches Tour+with special guest Andy Buckner‡with special guest Jake Worthington

Four-time CMAA Golden Guitar nominee Andy Penkow has unveiled his powerful new single, Cry of the Koala, in honour of Save the Koala Day (Friday, 26 September 2025). A heartfelt tribute to one of Australia’s most beloved yet endangered native animals, the track aims to raise awareness about the urgent need to protect the Koala’s dwindling habitat.As a proud Brand Ambassador for the Australian Koala Foundation, Andy hopes the song will inspire action. “I absolutely love nature and animals,” Andy shares. “When the Australian Koala Foundation approached me to become their Brand Ambassador three years ago, I didn’t hesitate. What many people don’t realise is that the Koala is disappearing fast, with around 80% of its natural habitat already destroyed due to deforestation. Koalas have no voice—so we need to be their voice and fight for their rights.”Co-written with fellow Golden Guitar nominees Kath Stewart and Rip-Van Parks, Cry of the Koala was born from a shared passion for storytelling and conservation. “I had the privilege of working with Kath and Rip-Van on The Lone Drover last year and loved the creative process,” Andy explains. “This time, we wanted to create something truly special for the Australian Koala Foundation.”Produced by the acclaimed Steve Newton at ENREC Studios, Cry of the Koala is a beautifully crafted bush ballad that blends tradition with a contemporary edge. Listeners will hear echoes of legendary Australian country icons Slim Dusty, John Williamson, and Allan Caswell, while the track’s heartfelt lyrics and sweeping melodies carry a message of hope and urgency.

This is either our masterpiece or Exhibit A.They told us not to release this song. They said it would get us cancelled. That was all the encouragement we needed. So here it is… our career suicide note, set to music.Canadian Whiskey is, on paper, a “conventional country drinking song.”  Which is true, if you ignore the sarcasm, the side-eye, and the fact that it was co-written with  Allan Caswell — a self-confessed leftie, boomer, hippie, and professional troublemaker. Totally coincidental. Probably.Before anyone gets dramatic — it’s not anti-American. It’s just aggressively pro everyone else. Canada, Mexico, Ukraine, France, Australia. Hell, if Greenland makes tequila,they’re in too.

The “Wattmore thing” keeps catching fire:
· Circus Life (the debut chaos)
· Romantic Side (#3 on Australian Country Radio)
· I Don’t Miss That Woman (#7 on Australian Country Radio)
All with critics muttering things like:
· “It’s country but not quite. It’s punk but not exactly … it’s Wattmore and that’s the point” – Foxfire
· “Classic country on the surface until the punk undertones punch through” – Miles Coleman
· “A perfect blend of bourbon-soaked Americana vibes and old-school country with a modern edge” – The Other Side Reviews
Translation:  nobody knows what box to put them in, so they just gave them good reviews instead.On  Canadian Whiskey , the Wattmore machine is in full swing:
· Written by Aiden, Kai &  Allan Caswell
· Dragged into existence by  Lindsay Waddington at LWM House Studios — the only man alive who can take Wattmore’s racket, run it through a blender, and somehow hand back a radio single instead of a police report
· Backed by some of Australia’s finest country players (the kind who make it sound easy), plus the boys themselves on guitars that weren’t just played — they were assaulted, interrogated, and dumped in a shallow grave somewhere in the mix

The result?  Brash. Irreverent. Fresh. Smartarse. Basically Wattmore in a glass — neat, no chaser. So pour a glass, lower your standards, and hit play.  Out September 26th, 2025 b ecause every great mistake deserves a soundtrack.Who Are Wattmore?Wattmore are two brothers who communicate almost entirely through guitar solos, sarcasm, and eye rolls sharp enough to cut glass. They’re awkward like suddenly forgetting how pockets work to somehow stumbling into brilliance while looking like they took a wrong turn at common sense.Their songs are loaded with grit, mischief, and emotional sucker punches disguised as choruses. Expect dry humour, zero small talk, and the kind of honesty that makes PR departments break out in hives

OFF THE BACK OF 2 x USA FESTIVAL PERFORMANCES RISING COUNTRY MUSIC STAR TYLA RODRIGUES DROPS HERNEW SINGLE, BY THE TIME IT’S OVER

Fast rising country star, Tyla Rodrigues, has hit the ground running in 2025! A remarkable new talent in Australian country music; Tyla has set herself apart with her soulful voice, heartfelt lyrics and captivating stage presence. With performances at CMA Fest and Americana Fest under her belt, Tyla releases her new single,  By The Time It’s Over: .As Tyla describes the new single, “ By the Time It’s Over: ” is a playful take on that spark when the night, the music, and the chemistry all align. It leans into the fun, flirty and cheeky side of country storytelling. A reminder that sometimes the best connections happen when you just let the night take the lead.”Written By Tyla Rodrigues with Jesse and Jordan Dozzi; the track was produced by Jared Adlam. An artist with her roots deep in traditional country music. Rodrigues, at just 21 years of age,  has quickly become a sought-after performer at some of the most prestigious festivals. In 2026, Tyla Rodrigues is already slated to appear at Tamworth Country Music Festival, CMC Rocks and Howlin’ Country Festival. In 2024, Tyla also released her debut EP, Upon Reflection, which amassed close to 1 million streams. 


CATHERINE BRITT RETURNS WITH FIRST SINGLE FROM NEXT CAREER ALBUM
 
On her brand-new single, ‘One Divorce, Two Kids & A Few Whiskies Ago’, Catherine Britt reminds us why her name is synonymous with country music. 
 
There is an authenticity to her music that is gritty and honest – you can feel she has lived every word and survived to tell the tale.
 
“This song sums up this next chapter for me”, says Catherine. “ It’s raw and honest and comes from a place of rest, resilience and determination. I have lived a full life of adventure, challenges and wonder and this song is where I have ended up after it all”.
 
Having a career that has spanned over 20 years, the award-winning singer-songwriter has constantly allowed listeners into her most real moments through her songs.
 
“What a journey it’s been this life of mine. A fast paced and exciting music career starting in my teens to now, there is just too much to put into a 3-minute song, but I did my best with this one”.
 
“In an industry as cut-throat and fast paced as the music industry, I have spent most of it holding my breath and bracing for what’s next. That can be thrilling yet terrifying at the same time. It has taken me all over the world and taught me every lesson a young woman needs to survive the dark shadows and evil villains of life’s pathways.”
 
Catherine Britt is one of the most successful artists in Australian country music. She is a five-time Golden Guitar Award winner, six-time ARIA Award Best Country Album nominee, signed to RCA in the US at just 17, earned two US Billboard Top 40 Chart singles, toured and worked with everyone from Brooks & Dunn to Alan Jackson to Dolly Parton, is the youngest Australian ever to perform at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville and recorded a duet with Sir Elton John.
 
‘One Divorce, Two Kids & A Few Whiskies Ago’ is the first single lifted from her anticipated nineth studio album, ‘The Hardest Thing’ – the follow up to 2021’s #1 album, ‘Home Truths’. Taking the reins again as producer – this time with husband, Bradley Bergen – she made the conscious choice to record the album at home without too much outside influence.
 
“I am grateful to still be making music and feeling just as excited about sharing it with the world as I did my first single in 1999. Introducing a new and better version of Catherine Britt”.
 
‘One Divorce, Two Kids & A Few Whiskies Ago’ is out Fri 26 September via Red Rebel Music / MGM Distribution.