ZFM Country

Australia’s favourite husband and wife duo, Brooke McClymont & Adam Eckersley, today release ‘Country Music, You And Beer’, the new single from their highly anticipated second album.

“Country Music, You and Beer is a celebration of the simple things in life, it’s a light-hearted tip of the hat to 3 of our favourite things and will hopefully be a part of the soundtrack that plays while our fans enjoy a tin or 2 with the people they love.” shares Brooke McClymont.

The pair remain on a high following last week’s triumphant wins at the 2023 Toyota Golden Guitar Awards. Taking home three awards from their four nominations, Brooke and Adam topped the night winning the Song of the Year for their single ‘Star of the Show’, Apple Music Single of the Year for their song ‘Memory Lane’ and the award for Country Music Capital News Group or Duo of the Year – bringing their total of Golden Guitar Award wins to 20 across their career. Their daughter, 10-year-old Tiggy Heart Eckersley also became the youngest person in history to be recognised with a Golden Guitar Award, sharing the Song of the Year win with her parents and Dan Biederman as fellow songwriters.

‘Country Music, You And Beer’ is the follow-up to the upbeat single ‘Roll On Baby’, and will be the third single to be released from their forthcoming new album.

Releasing their debut album as the duo, Adam & Brooke in 2018, the #1 ARIA Country Album was received rapturously within the country community, garnering accolades and awards all over. Last year, Brooke McClymont was voted as the runner-up on Network 10’s I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here! where she won the hearts on the show with her acoustic performance of ‘Star Of The Show’, which reached #1 on the iTunes Single and Video Chart after the episode of Brooke performing it for her camp mates went to air.

Brooke McClymont is one third of top-selling, award-winning Australian country music trio The McClymonts. With over 200,000 album sales, 40 million streams, two ARIA Awards, fifteen Golden Guitar Awards, one CMA (USA) Award, one APRA Award and five #1 ARIA Country Albums, the McClymonts are a dominant female group in Australian country music with major success from hits such as ‘Kick It Up’, ‘Wrapped Up Good’ and ‘I’ve Got This’.

Adam Eckersley has won two Golden Guitar Awards: the first in 2015 for New Talent of the Year; and then in 2016 in the Group or Duo of the Year category with The Adam Eckersley Band. Their 2014 debut album, The First Album, debuted in the Top 5 on the ARIA Country Chart, with The Second Album debuting at #7 the following year. Adam has also been recognised for his songwriting, winning the APRA Award for Country Work of the Year (2015), and receiving an Honourable Mention in the International Songwriting Competition in 2014.

A tribute to Australia’s pioneering farmers gets a modern country treatment in Jax Tonic’s new single, ‘Country Boy’, out February 3, revealing a new side to the singer-songwriter.

Although from Sydney’s Northern Beaches, Jax dreams that the country boy is, in fact, himself.

“Country Boy is a tribute to farmers and their families, highlighting all the amazing work they do,” he said.

“I believe we should get right behind them and this song was written about a farmer and what they do in their life, their grit and their hard work ethic.

“It’s not only about the farmer, but about their family and their kids and everything they go through with being away from home at times and coming back. Deep down, I want it to be me.

“I have a hidden passion to want to be on the land.”

Jax does have country roots with his mother’s family from Forbes and often spends time with farming friends.

“As I get out and about and learn more about everything, it’s a tribute to what farmers do for our country – it’s got its ups and downs depending on the weather and other factors but they keep going,” he said.

“Country Boy highlights the old school farmers, while recognising the new people coming through, but with the theme that they ‘don’t make them like they used to’.

Being his second single release since launching his original music career, and hot on the heels of ‘On The Front Foot’, Country Boy aims to give listeners a sense of who they are.

“I want the listeners to get a sense of belonging to the whole country culture and way of life and a feeling of pride around that,” Jax said.

“Giddy up might be the “let’s go girls” of 2023!” – Entertainment Tonight

“Shania Twain knows how to make a pure pop country bop.” – Consequence

“Superstar status and genre-crossing appeal…an era-defining artist” – NME

“The triumphant return of a global icon” – Music Week

Today, five-time GRAMMY® Award-winning legend and the best-selling female artist in country music history Shania Twain proudly presents her eagerly awaited new album, Queen of Me. Listen to Queen of Me-HERE. Fans can also shop https://officialstore.shaniatwain.com/ for signed LPs, CDs, box sets, exclusive picture discs, cassettes, and more. RUN, DON’T WALK!

Building anticipation for the SHANIA-SSANCE, the Queen herself heralded the record with a series of fan-favorite bops, including “Waking Up Dreaming,” “Last Day of Summer,” and “Giddy Up!” Each track incited widespread acclaim from Rolling Stone, Billboard, Entertainment Tonight, Variety, People, Consequence, NME, Music Week, and so many more.

Queen of Me has ALL the makings of another Shania classic. It’s confident. It’s catchy. It’s compelling from beginning to end all powered by the kind of anthems that transformed her into a multi-generational icon. The record is a limitless expression of pop that allows it to sit comfortably next to Twain’s many chart successors, enshrining it as the most upbeat, playful, and joyous of all her albums.

The album is sonically inspired by ’70s and ’80s funk and rock-just like the sounds she grew up with and considered her heroes. It’s a departure from the past and a strident step into an ever-improving future.

The album consists of 12 new tracks. In the stand-out friendship anthem “BEST Friend,” Shania affectionately gushes over her closest confidant as she emphasizes “you always take the blame and you know I’d do the same for you. No matter what, yeah I got you, and I know that you got me.”

The LP represents a deep and dynamic creative statement from this iconic voice – from the energetic opener “Giddy Up!” through the empowered title track “Queen of Me,” and the passionate finale “The Hardest Stone” – which was produced by Tyler Joseph (Twenty One Pilots).

With Queen of Me, Twain proves once more that she’s got as much to offer as she ever has, and that she’s never going to run out of great ideas.

To celebrate this next era in style, she will also embark on a global Queen of Me Tour, produced by Live Nation. The tour marks the first time fans around the world will get to see the queen in all of her glory in nearly five years, following a highly successful Vegas residency run. Kelsea Ballerini, Lindsay Ell, Hailey Whitters, Breland, Robyn Ottolini, Priscilla Block, Mickey Guyton, Lily Rose, Talk, and Tenille Townes will be joining Shania on select dates throughout the tour.

The Queen of Me Tour kicks off on Friday, April 28th at Spokane Arena in Spokane, WA and makes stops across North America and Europe in Vancouver, Denver, Toronto, Los Angeles, New York, London, Dublin, and more before wrapping up on November 14th at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, BC.

Additionally, Shania and Live Nation have announced that $1 of every ticket purchased to Shania’s “Queen Of Me” Tour will be donated to SKC. Established in 2010 by Shania Twain, SKC provides services that promote positive change in children’s lives in times of crises and economic hardship. SKC provides children with one-on-one consultations, academic support and group activities, as well as nutritious snacks and meal programs where needed, all while in the safe, confidence-building environment that is the Shania Kids Can Clubhouse. These children are learning the skills to cope with and overcome family hardships which, in turn, improves their ability to succeed in school. For more information about Shania Kids Can, please visit: www.shaniakidscan.com

The Long and Short Of Its highly successful single ‘A Little Love Will Fix You Up’ takes listeners instantly to a place of high vibrancy and bright energy, feeling whisked away to a world of positive reassurance that love will fix you up. The single release from duo members David Baird and Patsy Toop comes off of their highly acclaimed album ‘Midnight Choir’, which climbed to #1 on the ARIA Australian Country Albums Chart, as well as #3 on the ARIA Country Albums Chart and #6 on the ARIA Australian Albums Chart. This latest release has a feel good summer sound to it, and the comfort that this song places upon listeners is powerful, soothing, and needed in a medium people use so much, like music.

With over 161K streams to date, this single has hit new heights and numbers for The Long and Short Of It, and has put them on the map globally, garnering attention across the globe. “Sometimes it’s difficult to find the right person to love,” David Baird says, “But don’t give up because time will heal all and love is the ultimate tonic that will fix you up.”

The lyrics of this song ring true and assure anyone that much can be fixed with love. This song is the type that someone can cling on to and feel moved by, or even better, changed by. “When you feel your world will never ever be the same, there’s no way you could get over the break, stealing for a healing left you feeling that you can’t trust, oh, a little bit of love, a little love will fix you up.”

David and Patsy’s warm vocals are perfectly layered within the song and express the immense passion and emotion that are woven into the lyrics. The album was produced by Emmy Award-winning Music Producer Kenny Royster, who is notable for producing Luke Combs’ number-one hit, ‘Hurricane,’ and working with Michael Ray and Trace Adkins.

Continuing the success of the ‘Midnight Choir’ album, “‘A Little Love Will Fix You Up’ was written to inspire anyone to get over a heartbreak and find new love as a little love will fix you up,” adds Kenny.

It is widely known that any great songwriter must be able to effectively communicate emotion through their lyrics, and The Long and Short of It have surely mastered that skill, as proven through this new single. The duo continues to create traditional country music by penning relatable lyrics that are truly inspiring. The way that David and Patsy so seamlessly communicate feelings to their listeners through their authentic lyrics is rare. A true testament to the power of their songwriting, and the precision of it as well.

Just in time for Valentines Day. From the hugely successful ‘Jealous of the Sky’ album which has so far delivered three independent country #1’s in the US, UK and Europe. Australian music legend Marty Rhone’s renaissance continues with another great track from his first US country album recorded at Cactus Studios in the Hollywood Hills by record producer heavyweight David J Holman (Grease and Xanadu soundtracks, Gwen Stefani). A track written for Marty by Aussie country heavyweights Gina Jeffries and Rod McCormack for those for whom Valentines Day might be a bit special this year or those who just like a pulsating country rock song with a solid beat and loads of energy. There is also a music video which spreads optimism and warmheartedness. Thanks for listening and considering. Six decades as a recording artist has not diminished this Aussie legends ability to deliver.

Hot off the back of three sold out shows with International Superstar Ed Sheeran , Kaylee Bell releases a new hit single “BOOTS ‘N ALL” a nod to Shania Twain and all her 90’s inspirations. Bell just returned from Tamworth where she celebrated 10 years of Toyota Star Maker, played a sold out show at TREC with James Johnston and took home her first Golden Guitar Award for Vocal Collaboration . Bell is currently on the biggest tour in the world, the ‘Mathematics’ Stadium World Tour with Ed Sheeran playing to crowds of around 80,000 every night.

“BOOTS ‘N ALL” is a song written by Bell, Michael Paynter and Michael DeLorenzis of MSquared and Emily Hatton at an APRA Songhubs in Brisbane. Bell initially had the song title and describes the song as Shania meets HAIM, an up-tempo, ‘tongue in cheek’ song about the expectation placed on a future partner. It is a playful, feel good anthem that Bell hopes will be screamed by the masses. The track was produced by Lindsay Rimes (Kane Brown) and is set to become a huge song in Bell’s energetic live show, that is quickly winning over new fans both in Australia and NZ.

No stranger to the international stage, Bell is enjoying a highlight-filled music career brimming with an impressive catalogue of self-written hits. Recently appearing on The Voice Australia in 2022, her single ‘Keith’ went viral and has since amassed over 14 million streams on Spotify alone and with over 40 million streams, Bell is the ‘Most Streamed Female Country Artist’ in Australasia for the past four years.

2022 saw Bell open for New Zealand’s biggest band on the SIX60 Stadium Tour, headline Coca Cola Christmas in the Park NZ, and open for US Country Star Brad Paisley on the NZ leg of his World Tour alongside Morgan Evans.

Bell will continue the Ed Sheeran tour playing three sold out stadiums across NZ, then will be back to Australia where she will appear at both Gippsland and Goulburn Festivals through April, before heading back to Nashville where she plans to finish her record.

Cultivating the ground work for a momentous 2023 and hurtling toward the launch of their debut album, the Vixens of Fall deliver their stunning new single and self-love anthem, “Mirror Mirror”.

“We wrote Mirror Mirror from the perspective of self-love. It’s a reflection of acknowledging life’ s ups and downs… the Magick… the Chaos and the beauty that comes from both,” the sister trio said of the new single. The track lilts around within a soft, mid-tempo Country Rock space, with its lyrical messaging lending itself to a dancing-on-the-bed-singing-into-a-hairbrush moment.

The track demonstrates the Vixens sonic diversity, yet another single on a strong list of previous releases that will build the foundations of an impactful debut album, which the sisters successfully crowd-funded last year and are due to release this coming March.

Their previous single, “Prove You Wrong”, garnered traction with over 70,000 streams, a #1 spot on the AMRAP charts and title of #1 Most Downloaded single to Australian Country Radio during release. “Mirror Mirror” is a co-write between the Vixens of Fall, Rod McCormack (Paul Kelly, The McClymonts, Beccy Cole) and Sam Gay (Little Texas, Montgomery Gentry, Bryan White, Johnny Rodriguez).

The Vixens have shown their community a consistent commitment to spreading the good word on no-holds self-love and passionate self-empowerment, with “Mirror Mirror” creating another vessel for this important perspective. “Life is always teaching us lessons whether we see them straight away or not… the value comes from sitting with your journals, your thoughts or yourself in the mirror and knowing that end of the day… everything always works out as it should,” say the Vixens.

2023 has already started with full energy, seeing the sisters venture to the 51st Tamworth Country Music Festival to play multiple shows, including a performance at the TCMF People’s Choice Awards, of which the group were recently nominated for Best Group or Duo and were the recipients of the ICMAA award for the Most Popular Australian Independent Country Music Band 2023 .

“Mirror Mirror” can be enjoyed in all the usual spots; and for lovers of a good old fashioned hard-cover copy, keep an eye out for the debut Vixens of Fall album this coming March.

Mentana presents their new radio single Winnipeg Girls, taken from the Rise From the Wreck album.

Co-produced by Mentana and Philippe Brault, Rise From the Wreck is a driving, pulsating guitars, a powerful, raspy voice, angelic harmonies, soulful piano, and feverish rhythms. That, in a nutshell, is what the new Mentana stellar Rise From the Wreck album is like. Thematically, their deft and deeply felt storytelling is a tapestry of resilience, wanderings, and the idea of facing the unknown. There’s something absolutely cinematic in scope in their gritty folk stylings.

Moving across time and space, taking us on intimate journeys that follow bruised and broken characters through the Western Canadian Badlands, into Winnipeg dive bars, under the wide open Texas sky, and all the way back up to singer-songwriter Robin-Joël Cool’s roots in a tiny Acadian hamlet that only survives in the imagination, like so many ghost towns that have been swallowed up by time. This album bears witness to all the contradictions that exists in the Americas.

It is an ode to the adventurous spirit that brought so many to these shores, seeking fortune, glory, or simply survival, but also a cathartic exploration of the tragedies that define what was once called The New World.

Bio

Mentana is a Montreal-based band whose cinematic folk takes the listener on a journey in the midst of stirring narratives that weave and unfold like short films. Robin-Joël Cool’s signature gritty, raspy vocals and driving guitars are at the centre of their sound, while Viviane Audet’s velvety piano and angelic backing vocals round out the higher register. The rhythm section, comprised of Yannick Parent on drums and Erik West-Millette on bass (West Trainz, Neil Young, over 200 sound recordings, 50 as producer/composer) chugs along languorously on certain tracks and charges like a runaway train on others.

In 2014, the band independently released a first EP called Western Soil. In 2015, they signed their first record deal, enlisted the help of Montreal-based electronic music producer Leon Louder and recorded Inland Desire. After the album launch in March 2016, the band toured across Canada and Europe. At the time, Mentana was featured in a TV documentary by Germany’s ZDF. As a result, Inland Desire shot straight to the top of the iTunes Germany Folk Music charts. On three occasions, they were invited to play at the German Ambassador’s residence in Ottawa, Canada.

Aside from their work with Mentana, Viviane and Robin-Joël compose a wealth of music for film, documentary, and theater. Over the past ten years, they have written original music for some twenty projects and have been nominated for the Canadian Screen Awards, the Gemini Awards, and l’ADISQ.

New Year, New Me, New Chapter. Kick off 2023 with the perfect song to start your next chapter. A contemporary country track that’s set to make 2023 the best year yet. Inspired from heartbreak, Cassidy-Rae hits all the right notes sharing relatable life lessons – let go of the things that are holding you back. Written by Cassidy-Rae, and produced by Michael Carpenter, feel empowered with ‘Next Chapter’, an upbeat, feel-good song reminding us to turn the page on the past.

Cassidy-Rae is moving from strength to strength – awarded Sutherland’s Entertainer of the Year, voted Best Female Vocal at the Australian Country Music People’s Choice Awards, and continuing the #1 iTunes charting single streak with single ‘Lately’ .

This next chapter sees Cassidy-Rae sharing her music nationally and internationally on an exciting 3-week residency from 23rd February – 16th March visiting the east coast of Australia and the Pacific Islands.

Maintaining popularity among fans and media alike, Cassidy-Rae constantly pushes the boundaries with every release, gaining placements on Spotify’s Fresh Country Playlist and Apple Music Playlists such as Aussie Country and Today’s Country. This talented artist’s videos have premiered on Country Music Television, and she has continuously received support from Australian Country Radio, ensuring chart success on Countrytown’s Hottest 50 Chart.

With over 100,000 followers across social media, Cassidy-Rae continues to creatively connect with fans worldwide, performing and sharing her life through Live Streams – Sunday SitDown and Wednesday Night Lives every week.

As a graduate of the Country Music Academy of Australia, Cassidy-Rae is a powerhouse to be reckoned with, appearing at major events such as Tamworth Country Music Festival, Blue Water Country Music Festival, Ballina Country Music Festival, Basin Music Festival, Canberra Folk Festival, Outback Blacktown Country Music Festival and more.

Cassidy-Rae delivers vibrant, confident, and authentic performances from her guitar and keyboard. Constantly a fan favourite with her positive attitude and larger-than-life stage presence, it’s not hard to work out why she has amassed such a loyal following that’s bound to stay with her for many years to come.

Cassidy-Rae’s new single ‘Next Chapter is out to radio and all digital platforms on Friday 27th January.

‘Wasted’ is a song about deep heartbreak after realising that the person you were in love with is incredibly toxic. It touches on the embarrassment after ignoring all the red flags. The lyrics are a double entendre, not only relating to how she is getting “wasted” as a way of dealing with the pain and how she wasted so much time on the wrong person, but how he made her feel crazy and how she felt that she was crazy for loving someone like him.

Inspired by the late Patsy Clines’ 1961 hit ‘Crazy’, the song ‘Wasted’ takes on a more modern twist of dealing with heartbreak in today’s society.

Amber McIntosh is an Australian artist based in Far North Queensland. The soft voiced, dynamic, and sometimes crossover artist blends characters and influences of modern pop and modern country music. Possessing a smooth lower range, Amber leans more towards a soft and breathy falsetto mirroring her middle voice.

Accompanied by her less refined and cut to the core lyrics, Amber has a way of writing to ignite personal and emotional intimacy.

As a youngster, she was surrounded by music and the arts; her mother is an artist and uncle a musician. The family circle of friends were also musicians, and Amber naturally gravitated toward music and began her creative journey, singing and writing songs. As a teenager, the guitar became her instrument, and as her confidence grew, she began performing at local talent shows.

Amber has always been enthralled by the songs and lyrics by the likes of Jeff Buckley, Fleetwood Mac, and Crowded House. It’s not just these alt-rock classics that Amber admires; she also harbours a deep love for Norah Jones. “She has certainly been a large influence in my song writing, I would listen to her debut album on my cassette player every night”.

After discovering her love for the stage, Amber took to the road spending most of 2018 and 2019 touring the Northern Territory, Western Queensland, and Queensland’s East Coast. Sharing the stage with fellow Australian country artists, some of her favourite performances to date have been Winton’s Way-Out West Fest, Kickstart Music Festival Yeppoon, and North Queensland Toyota Cowboys pre-game entertainment.

Following the successful independent release of her first single ‘Painted Me Grey’, Amber placed runner-up in the Radio Eastern 98.1fm Talent Search, as well as receiving a large amount of radio play from both commercial and community radio stations. She followed with ‘Lost With Me’ and ‘If This Is Love’.

An artist with a refreshing style, Amber McIntosh is now set to release her fourth single ‘Wasted’, accompanied by a music video directed by Jay Seeney. ‘Wasted’ is sure to spark emotion and connection with a wide range of audiences.