ZFM Country

At just 20 years old, Lake Macquarie country-rock firebrand Nikisha Priest hits a new peak of confidence with ‘Ace of Spades’ – a powerful rock track with country hues, built for anyone choosing independence and grit.
 
‘Ace of Spades’ doesn’t arrive with a tidy origin story – it arrives like a sign. The first spark hit in the most gloriously unglamorous way possible: a Maccas carpark, Motorhead on the speakers, and a moment of curiosity that turned into fate.
 
“I was listening to ‘Ace of Spades’ by Motorhead in the Maccas carpark (I know very classy) and I was just thinking to myself how cool the topic of the song was. I looked it up on Spotify and there weren’t many songs with the same title, so I thought how cool it would be if I wrote a song called ‘Ace of Spades’. As I decided I would write this song I had a white car parked right next to me and as I turned my head this car had an Ace of Spade sticker just slapped on the side of the car door.   I took it as a sign that this song had to be written.”
 
What followed was a deep dive into the playing card’s symbology and what emerged was a compelling message of rebirth and individuality. “This song is all about leaving what’s not meant for you behind, being unapologetically yourself and choosing your inner strength! I hope this song brings you comfort and leaves you feeling empowered!”
 
It’s that mix of instinct and intention that makes ‘ Ace of Spades’ hit so hard – a song that feels like transformation mid-stride. With dark shimmer in the lyric and a backbone of country-rock attitude, Nikisha turns symbolism into self-belief: walking away, not looking back, and letting the “new beginning” bite.
 
Produced by Simon Johnson, the track was shaped with a hands-on, anything-is-possible energy in the studio – the kind of environment where bold ideas don’t get watered down, they get turned up.
 
“When I’m creating songs, especially when it comes to bringing it to life in the studio, my creative side goes crazy and Simon is exceptional at bringing the visions to life no matter the task, I always feel like I can voice my opinions and really dive into creating the music and he is right there with me with that same passion.”
 
The visual world of ‘Ace of Spades’ keeps that same momentum. With a visualizer by Jeremy Minett of Eyes and Ears Creative, the release expands into a full-throttle statement – captured at Full Throttle Ranch, a location that matched the song’s edge and atmosphere.

Ahead of his debut appearances in Australia next week, country’s hottest rising star Tucker Wetmore continues his red-hot run with the release of his breezy new track ‘Sunburn’ available now via Back Blocks Music/MCA/Mercury Records. Built on a sun-soaked groove, the song captures the spark of a beachside romance that burns bright and fast. Written by Ryan Hurd, Jaxson Free and Daniel Ross and produced by Chris LaCorte, “Sunburn” finds Wetmore leaning into his laid-back charm, blending vivid storytelling with an easy melody that feels tailor-made as summer approaches.
 
The new music comes at the perfect time for Australian audiences, as he is about to embark on his debut appearences across Australia and New Zealand. He will appear at CMC Rocks Festival in Ipswitch next weekend, before travelling around the country on Jordan Davis’ ‘Ain’t Enough Road’ arena tour. Full dates below;
 
 
“Brunette” continues to propel Wetmore onto a global stage, recently topping the U.K. Radio Country Airplay chart for three consecutive weeks. In the U.S., the rip-roaring hit has already cracked a spot in the Top 15 on the Country Airplay chart. A standout from his debut album What Not To, the track has already notched more than 225M U.S. streams, earning praise from Holler, who dubbed it a “ powerful pop country anthem perfect for speeding along to and pounding the dash,” while Country Central called it “just downright giddy.”
 
 Wetmore’s momentum followed a banner year in 2025 that included back-to-back No. 1 singles, a history-making debut album ( What Not To), ACM and CMA Awards recognition and a year of touring across the U.S. and abroad. In December, he released “Proving Me Right,” his first new music since What Not To, before ringing in 2026 with a milestone national TV performance on Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest.
 
ABOUT TUCKER WETMORE:

With a warm vocal cut from the woods of the Pacific Northwest and an easy instinct for modern grooves, Tucker Wetmore has emerged as one of country’s most dynamic new stars. An ACM and CMA Awards-nominated singer-songwriter and headline performer who has already surpassed two billion career streams, the chart-topper has taken just a few years to leave a lasting mark. Raised in Kalama, Washington, the piano-playing student of country, rock, reggae and more wrote his first song after a college football injury, reaching Nashville in 2020. Kicking off his career with back-to-back ARIA Platinum “Wine Into Whiskey” and 2x Platinum debut No. 1 “Wind Up Missin’ You,” Wetmore landed on Billboard’s all-genre Hot 100 in 2024 with both tracks, showcasing a serene, sawtoothed-country buzz. After two features on the Twisters soundtrack, his first Grand Ole Opry appearance and a sold-out headline tour debut, Wetmore released his debut album What Not To to wide acclaim in 2025, wrapping hard-won life lessons in laid-back singalongs, and soul-scouring balladry, and the album made history as the biggest country album debut from a new artist in 2025. After notching his first two No. 1s at Country radio in 2025 with “Wind Up Missin’ You” and “3,2,1,” his current single “Brunette” is climbing the Top 15 at Country radio now. Already a veteran of major tours alongside Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean, Jordan Davis and more, Wetmore spent this summer on the road with superstar Thomas Rhett before launching The Brunette World Tour in 2026 with dates across the U.S., U.K. and EU as he remains a standout “one to watch” by Billboard, MusicRow, VEVO, Spotify and the Opry.
 

I’m Not God’ serves as the seeding track and first piece of music from Tori’s next chapter.
The first official single and radio focus track will be shared with you on April 17, following Tori’s appearance at Universal Music Australia’s All Country Showcase on March 17.

One of Australia’s most revered and compelling, alt-country singer-songwriters, Tori Forsyth returns with an unapologetically emotionally raw and defiant new single ‘ I’m Not God’ out today, the first drop of new music from the forthcoming fourth new album.

 
‘I’m Not God’ marks Tori’s first new music since the release of her 2024 acclaimed album, ‘ All We Have Is Who We Are’, which was nominated for Best Country Album at the 2024 ARIA Awards.
 
With a voice that cuts straight to the core and writing that balances raw confession with poetic restraint, Tori Forsyth has carved out a singular place in modern country and alternative folk, with this new music seeing Tori pushing the boundaries of her sound and storytelling into a bolder new era – undeniably an artist who refuses to compromise – following instinct over expectation, truth over trends, and heart over hype
 
‘I’m Not God’ was written entirely by Tori, produced by Scott Horscroft (Spacey Jane, Birds of Tokyo, The Presets) and recorded in Sydney at Grove Studios. The confrontational new single “is a story of sheer persistence – about staying true to yourself in an AI-driven world, and in any moment where you’re forced to back who you are and what you stand for,” Tori explains. “ This song really sets the tone of the new record, set for release in 2026. Every single song on this next album has real humans dedicating blood and sweat to a body of work.”
 
Accompanying ‘ I’m Not God’ is the captivating music video clip that features Tori in an empty hall performing solo on stage with just a piano – her commanding and magnetic vocals and mastery for storytelling lock you in on the first note, making every lyric, every note an absolute demand for attention. The video is directed by Bradley Murnane (Last Shop, Yardsticks, The Boy Who Cried Mud), shot in Sydney and captures the first take with all its rawness and intensity.

ABOUT TORI FORSYTH
Tori has amassed over 18 million+ streams, toured extensively throughout Australia and internationally, with performances at Gympie Muster Festival, BIGSOUND, Groundwater Country Music Festival, and shared stages with artists such as Kasey Chambers, and Jackson Dean. Her songwriting has been recognized with major industry accolades, including Golden Guitar wins and nominations, and her work continues to resonate deeply with fans who see themselves reflected in her honesty. Tori’s third studio album, ‘ All We Have Is Who We Are’, earned Tori widespread acclaim, a QMA Country Award for the single ‘Sometimes’, an ARIA nomination for Best Country Album, and a Golden Guitar Award nomination for Best Alt-Country album.
 
Having recently supported 2026 Golden Guitar Award Winner Wade Forester on his Australian headline tour Tori has been announced to perform at the Hollergirl Music Festival in Kentucky USA , this June . Alongside this announcement Tori is also getting ready to lock in more Australian show dates soon.

AMY SHEPPARD AND THE WOLFE BROTHERS TEAM UP   FOREPIC NEW COUNTRY DUET ‘FOOL OUTTA ME’- OUT NOW

Australian country heavyweights Amy Sheppard and The Wolfe Brothers today release their powerful new duet ‘Fool Outta Me’, a bluesy and emotionally haunting ballad that examines the end of a relationship from both sides. Written together in Tasmania, the song unfolds as a striking “he said / she said” conversation between two people reflecting on the same breakup. While the man admits the mistakes that led to the relationship’s collapse, the song offers space for both voices to be heard, revealing the complicated truth that heartbreak rarely belongs to just one person. Built around smoky production and deeply emotive performances, ‘Fool Outta Me’ blends classic country storytelling with contemporary polish, delivering a track that is as intimate as it is radio ready. The duet format allows both artists to inhabit the emotional centre of the song, turning the narrative into a conversation rather than a confession. Amy Sheppard is best known globally as co-lead singer and songwriter of Sheppard, whose catalogue has amassed billions of streams worldwide. Alongside her work with the band, she has built a thriving solo country career, earning multiple Top 5 singles and her first #1 on the CountryTown Charts with ‘Small Town Rumours’. Sheppard is also an ARIA Award and Golden Guitar winner, and one of Australia’s most-played female artists on country radio. Her personal journey has also resonated strongly with fans, with her IVF experience widely documented in Australian media. Last month, Amy and her husband welcomed their first child, Frederick, marking a joyful new chapter in her life and career. The Wolfe Brothers are one of the most successful acts in Australian country music history. The band has earned 15 Golden Guitar Awards – including 2026 Album of the Year and Group of the Year – along with 32 additional nominations and five Top 10 ARIA Albums. Their catalogue of chart-topping releases and electrifying live performances has cemented them as a cornerstone of the genre. Both artists continue to reach major audiences on stage. Amy has recently performed on the main stage at CMC Rocks and delivered headline performances at Savannah in the Round and Groundwater Country Music Festival – including a widely celebrated set while in the late stages of pregnancy. With strong radio support and growing international attention, both Amy Sheppard and The Wolfe Brothers remain central figures in Australia’s thriving country scene. The collaboration arrives at a particularly exciting moment for both acts, with both nominated for Album of the Year at next week’s CountryTown Awards, while Amy is also nominated for Female Artist of the Year and The Wolfe Brothers for Group of the Year. ‘Fool Outta Me’ captures the vulnerability and complexity that sits at the heart of great country songwriting – two voices, two perspectives, and one story that lingers long after the final note. QUOTE – AMY SHEPPARD“Writing ‘Fool Outta Me’ with The Wolfe Brothers felt incredibly natural because we all wanted to explore the truth of what really happens when a relationship falls apart. From the start, it was special knowing this song would live as a true duet, because they co-wrote it with me and brought so much heart and honesty into every line. Instead of pointing fingers, we leaned into the grey areas – the miscommunication, the regret, the things you wish you’d said differently. There’s something creatively powerful about slowing everything down in a ballad and letting the emotion breathe, and I’m so proud we get to share this story together.” QUOTE – THE WOLFE BROTHERS“Writing ‘Fool Outta Me’ with Amy was one of those rare sessions where everything just clicked straight away. We loved being able to tell both sides of a story and let the song live in that emotional middle ground, rather than choosing who was right or wrong. Turning it into a true duet made it even more powerful, because it feels like a real conversation between two people who still care. It’s honest, vulnerable, and exactly the kind of song we’re proud to stand behind.”  

A wave of momentum is building around Canadian country artist Olivia Mae Graham with the release of her latest single, “I’m Not Sorry.” The single arrives from her debut album ‘Nobody,’ which is now nominated for Album of the Year at the Country Music Association of Ontario Awards. Graham has also earned six first-ballot nominations, including Female Artist of the Year and Breakthrough Artist of the Year, while the single has already surpassed 33,000 streams in its first two weeks.
Written about the art of letting go, OMG delivers one of her most poignant lyrics to date: “When hanging on becomes holding back.”
“Music like yours needs to be the centre of everyone’s day.”— Michelle Lee On Air“‘I’m Not Sorry’ perfectly sums up that unsettling calm when something meaningful ends without chaos.”—  Canadian Beats Media
The accompanying music video offers a clear vision of OMG’s artistry and hands-on approach to storytelling. Directed, filmed, and edited by Olivia Mae Graham herself. ‘I’m Not Sorry’ is another example of the creative vision that sets Graham apart. Recent Milestones
· 6 First Ballot Nominations – Country Music Association of Ontario Awards
· 33,000+ streams in the first two weeks
· Music video filmed, directed, and edited by Olivia herself
· Spring 2026 tour announcement coming soon
· Upcoming performance at Rockin’ Wheel and more to be announced

Riding the momentum of her previous single ‘Bad Routine’ – which hit #41 on the Countrytown Hot 50 airplay chart – Bianca Joulianou returns with ‘ Cowboy Casanova’, a feel-good rush of classic-meets-modern country rock that captures the thrill of falling hard and fast.
 
Dynamic and electrifying, Bianca continues to carve out her space in Australian country music with a unique voice. On ‘Cowboy Casanova’, she leans into grit-laced guitars, driving drums and an undeniable hook, delivering a love song that feels both timeless and right on cue for now.
 
Produced by Jake Davey – known for his work on the audio desk or behind the camera lens with artists including Taylor Moss, Saralyn and Melanie Dyer – the track blends raw energy with polished restraint. Bianca says the recording process unlocked something new in her artistry.
 
“Working with Jakey Davey in the studio really brought this track to life. He knew how to harness the raw grit of the guitars and drums while keeping the vocals front and centre, so the emotion hits hard. The process felt like capturing lighting in a bottle, Jake pushed me to dig deeper, and the energy we created together made the song exactly what it needed to be”.
 
The song itself marks a daring creative shift. “Cowboy Casanova is a song that I never thought I would write, a bold new step that marks something entirely new for me as an artist. The writing process came so naturally to me, once I got the idea of the rhythm in my head, the words kind of just fell out on the paper”.
 
There’s an ease to ‘Cowboy Casanova’ – a sense of abandon – but beneath the swagger is intention. Bianca balances classic country storytelling with a modern rock edge, drawing comparisons to the confident femininity of artists like Ella Langley and Stevie Nicks, while keeping her voice distinctly her own.
 
A 2025 Semi-Finalist for Listen Up Music’s ‘The Songwriting Prize’, Bianca has quickly become one of the most compelling emerging voices in the scene. She has opened for artists including Rachael Fahim, Dylan Wright, Shannon Noll and Diesel – sharpening her live show in front of some of the country’s most loyal audiences.
 
Outside of music, Bianca works as a mental health support worker, helping people rediscover a sense of purpose and passion in their lives. That perspective – witnessing firsthand the power of creativity and reconnection – feeds directly into her songwriting. Whether it’s a bold, high-energy anthem or a vulnerable confession, there’s always a beating heart beneath the sound.
 
With ‘Cowboy Casanova’, Bianca Joulianou doesn’t just follow up ‘Bad Routine’ – she levels up. It’s confident, catchy and charged with a spark that feels impossible to ignore.

A Band of Rain are a two-piece alt-country folk band from the Deep South – Melbourne. Songwriters Katrina Nolan and Stuart McCullough met through an online dating site and decided to form a band to annoy Katrina’s children. To that end, it’s been a raging success!Recognised at the Australian Songwriters’ Awards in 2025, A Band of Rain has been described in a recent publication as a ‘Skyhooks meets Johnny Cash and June Carter’. Duets are a tricky business. Two star-crossed lovers start by warbling sweet nothings as they gaze lovingly into each other’s eyes. But before you know it, they’re wading through more corn than Kevin Costner in his baseball field.A Band of Rain is aiming for something a little more fun.  Not many country duets mention ‘jorts’. Or shopping bags. And we’re pretty confident that there’s never been a duet that refers to ‘coddle’ – a traditional Dublin stew made with boiled sausages!Upbeat and joyful, I LOVE YOU WHATEVER is a country duet in the style of Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn, with a modern relatable twist.  

‘You Need a Cowboy’ is Victoria Crosby’s bold, boot-stomping leap into the country-pop/country-rock lane ̶ a high-energy anthem for anyone who’s ever dated a bloke who looks good on paper but hopeless when real life hits. With sharp, funny storytelling and a driving beat, Victoria draws a clear line between soft-handed city boys and the kind of real cowboy who actually shows up when it counts. It’s flannos, dust, dog boxes, deep-drawl vocals and a whole lot of attitude delivered with Victoria’s signature heart and a fiery new sound. Fun, catchy and instantly sing-along ready, ‘You Need a Cowboy’, is a radio-friendly crowd-pleaser built for windows-down driving and every summer playlist.

Co-written in Auckland with producer Rory Noble, Zac explains how the track “comes from a place of heartbreak and regret from a love that went wrong”, and the ongoing struggle of dealing with that fallout.
 
Fans will be able to see ‘Sunday Sober’ live when Zac takes the stage at the renowned CMC Rocks Back Forty stage later this March. Speaking of the festival, Zac says: “I absolutely can’t wait to head over to CMC Rocks for the first time! Very excited to perform, as well as getting the full festival experience and watching some of my favourite country artists.”
 
ABOUT ZAC GRIFFITH:
Zac Griffith was still a youngster when he first picked up a guitar – and then taught himself to play. Growing up in rural Tapawera, the Johnny Cash film Walk The Line was all he needed to discover his calling in music.
From playing in pubs while still in school to taking to stages on both sides of the Tasman, he’s been performing live for over a decade and honing his craft along the way. His journey took a pivotal turn in 2018 when he won a scholarship to attend an esteemed country music academy in Tamworth – the most influential spot in Australia for country music. This is where he learnt the craft of songwriting, and has since been pursuing.
But he’s not some manufactured country star; he’s a genuine, down-to-earth country boy who splits his time between hunting, fishing, and working at a local bakery when he’s not crafting songs or commanding stages. And while his influences are vast, his sound remains distinctly his own.
Recently he’s been spending time gracing stages around Aotearoa and writing a bunch of new music, both solo and with collaborators. His 2025 single, ‘Midnights In Georgia’, talks to the story of a struggling musician and the hard times faced along their journey, and was a fan-favourite when he opened for Kaylee Bell across the South Island. On top of that he’s won numerous music awards, including being crowned the overall winner at the prestigious NZ Gold Guitar Awards.

Rising country music artist, Bella Mackenzie, releases ‘ There Must Be A Fire’ the first single from an exciting new era.
 
Described as a song about betrayal and following one’s intuition, ‘There Must Be A Fire’ finds Bella writing with more self-confidence and authenticity than ever before. ‘ this era is me in my most real and confident state. Entering my 21st year of life this year, I decided to only write what was real to me and ‘There Must Be A Fire’ is no exception. To me, this song is the definition of ‘trust your gut’. I wrote this song based off the saying ‘Where there’s smoke, there’s fire’ and in this case, the fire is the other woman.”
 
With its modern edge and Bella’s remarkable talent at the forefront, ‘There Must Be A Fire’ was co-written with Grammy and CMA nominee Parker Welling (Thomas Rhett, Kelsea Ballerini), Grammy Award winner  and CMA nominee Josh Kerr (Keith Urban, Morgan Wallen) and Golden Guitar nominee Jacky McCormack, who also produced the smoky country rock single.
 
Shares Bella ,“I wrote this with hugely accomplished songwriters Josh Kerr, Parker Welling & Jacky McCormack so it was bound to be a hard hitting song lyrically. I can’t give too much away but this track is just the tip of what’s to come…”
 
Nominated for Female Artist Of The Year at the Country Town Awards and over 4.3 million+ global  streams, Bella has achieved multiple Top 10 Country Radio chart-topping singles including the recent single ‘ Tombstone Desperado’ with Jake Banfield , ‘ Grew Up Country’ , ‘ Down South’ and ‘Cowboy’.  
 
Now based on the Central Coast NSW, Bella Mackenzie has a busy touring schedule ahead, hitting the road with US country super star Riley Green on his ‘Cowboy As It Gets’ Australian Tour, before taking the stage at Australia’s premier country music festival, CMC Rocks. With these incredible shows and even more new music to be announced, Bella Mackenzie is continuing her rapid ascent as one of country music’s most compelling new voices.

ABOUT BELLA MACKENZIE
Bella Mackenzie has over 4.5 million global artist streams and over 105k social media followers, winning hearts and minds of country music fans with singles ‘Cowboy’, ‘Down South’ and ‘Buy Me A Drink’ and her debut EP ‘Wild Thing’ . Since launching her career, Bella has received support from media outlets including Country Town noting her “catchy country-pop tunes, and can-do attitude”; while Rolling Stone Australia chose her debut single ‘Cowboy’ as the Best Australian Music of the Week.  ‘Cowboy’ went onto gain high rotation on Country Music Radio, peaking at #2 on the Australian Country Radio Charts.
 
Bella has supported James Johnston, Chase Rice and Redferrin on national tours and played to capacity crowds at BIGSOUND, BOOTS, BUCKLES & BEERS, Ridin’ Hearts Festival, where she made great waves with a fan-favorite duet alongside Riley Green on “You Look Like You Love Me” (originally recorded with Ella Langley), and in 2025 Suncorp Super Netball Grand Final.