JOSH STUMPF RELEASES HEARTBREAK-FUELLED NEW SINGLE JOHNNIE WALKER (BACK TO ME) FROM HIS EP, TWO-LANE TESTIMONY AHEAD OF HIS FIRST AUSTRALIAN TOUR AND GROUNDWATER MUSIC FESTIVAL APPEARANCEThe Saskatchewan artist brings heartbreak to the dance floor with an uplifting blend of country grit, ’80s two-step rhythms and rock-driven energy
One of Canada’s most promising new country artists, Josh Stumpf, has released his new single, “ Johnnie Walker (Back To Me),” from the EP Two-Lane Testimony. Pairing a heartbreak narrative with ’80s-inspired two-step rhythms, traditional-country grit and rock-driven energy, the track follows two Top 10 Canadian country radio hits for the Saskatchewan artist.Stumpf will tour Australia for the first time this October, including an appearance at Groundwater Country Music Festival: on the Gold Coast, running October 16–18, 2026.“My favourite thing about ‘ Johnnie Walker (Back To Me)’ is how it instantly makes you want to move,” shares Stumpf. “It feels so free and uplifting, even though it’s telling the story of heartbreak, and I think that contrast is what makes it hit so hard.”
“ Johnnie Walker (Back To Me)” captures the heart of Stumpf’s sound: gritty, soulful and unapologetically country. Its dance-ready energy brings a fresh lift to a story of longing, balancing traditional-country influence with the swagger of ’80s two-step and a rock-driven edge.The single appears on Two-Lane Testimony, a collection shaped by themes of love, loss and escape. Across the EP, Stumpf uses the open road as both a setting and a way out – from difficult thoughts, emotions, everyday life and the pull of home.“What I love most about this EP is the way each song holds its own while still contributing to something bigger,” says Stumpf. “Every track tells its own story, but together they connect in a way that reveals a fuller picture. I wanted the title to reflect that.”Most recently, Stumpf was named a semifinalist in SiriusXM Canada’s Top of the Country, a nationwide competition presented in partnership with the Canadian Country Music Association® (CCMA) that celebrates the country’s next generation of country artists. He also received two 2026 CCMA Award nominations—Fans’ Choice and Breakthrough Artist or Group of the Year—recognition that he said came as a complete surprise when he discovered the news while scrolling through social media.ABOUT JOSH STUMPF:Saskatchewan-born, award-winning country artist Josh Stumpf brings a raw, soulful energy to his music, captivating audiences with its authenticity and emotion. Drawing influence from a wide range of styles – outlaw country, 80s two-step, and country rock to name a few – Stumpf’s voice and songwriting continue to uphold a sound that is uniquely his own. A skilled multi-genre writer, Stumpf has already made his mark in the music scene by winning the 2024 Emerging Artist of the Year award at the Saskatchewan Country Music Awards, as well as, through dynamic performances and as the co-founder of the Sunset Country Music Festival, a small but mighty Saskatchewan-based grassroots festival that raises funds to give back to the community. First introduced to listeners in 2023 with his debut single, “Drink Me A Lullaby,” Stumpf celebrated his signing with MDM Recordings Inc. last year. His debut single with the label, “Highway Money,” spent 7 weeks in the top 10 at Canadian Country radio, and his follow-up, “Nobody Roads,” currently holds a top 10 spot for its 8th week. With the release of the new EP ‘Two-Lane Testimony,’ Josh solidifies himself as one of Canada’s hottest new Country artists.